motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) comprising a vehicle seat (2) with a pivotable backrest (4) and a seat surface (3) and a seat belt assembly (6) associated with the vehicle seat (2), wherein the backrest (4) is pivotable relative to a first seating position (S1) by an angle of inclination (WN) into a second seating position (S2), wherein the seat belt assembly (6) comprises a retaining device (8) and a seat belt retractor (7) with a seat belt (17), wherein the retaining device (8) is fixedly fixed to a body (14) of the motor vehicle (1) and the seat belt retractor (7) arranged on the retaining device (8) is rotatable relative to the body (14) about an axis of rotation (16) via a pivot bearing (15), characterized in that the retaining device (8) is fixed to the body (14) on a side of the backrest (4) opposite the seat surface (3), spaced apart from the vehicle seat (2),that the safety belt (17) always exits the safety belt retractor (7) on this side of the backrest (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a vehicle seat having a pivotable backrest and a safety device associated with the vehicle seat, wherein the backrest is pivotable relative to a first seating position by an angle of inclination into a second seating position, wherein the safety belt device has a retaining device and a safety belt retractor with a safety belt, wherein the retaining device is fixedly fixed to a body of the motor vehicle and the safety belt retractor arranged on the retaining device is rotatable relative to the body about an axis of rotation via a rotary bearing.

[0002] To increase passenger comfort and thus improve the user experience, it is known to design the backrest of a vehicle seat to be pivotable. This allows the backrest to be pivoted between a first seating position, in which an occupant can sit upright or nearly upright, and a second seating position, in which the occupant can recline or lie down. Particularly in higher vehicle classes, especially in the rear of the vehicle, seats are known that allow for a particularly large recline of the backrest, i.e., a pivoting of the backrest through a particularly large angle.

[0003] However, a large recline of the backrest can be problematic, as conventional seat belt systems do not allow for a sufficiently good routing of the seat belt for all positions of the backrest.

[0004] If the routing of the seat belt is not adjusted, an increasing inclination of the backrest of the vehicle seat, i.e., an increase in the angle of inclination, can lead to the seat belt no longer lying in the chest area of ​​an occupant when in use, but in the neck area of ​​the occupant, which is undesirable.

[0005] To allow for a large recline of a vehicle seat backrest while simultaneously ensuring the safe use of a safety belt, it is therefore particularly important to be able to adjust the belt's path to the recline of the backrest. Various methods for adjusting the path of a safety belt are known in the prior art.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2011 113 923 A1 describes a seat belt device with a belt retractor that can be moved between a normal position and a stowed position, depending on the orientation of a vehicle seat backrest. In the stowed position, the belt retractor is not used. It is positioned so that the backrest is not obstructed by the belt retractor and thus has greater freedom of movement, meaning it can be reclined or folded down more fully. However, the patent only describes how the belt retractor can be moved between the normal position, in which the seat belt can be used by an occupant, and the stowed position, in which the seat belt cannot be used. In the operational state, in which an occupant uses the seat belt, for example, to fasten it, its position is not adjustable.

[0007] An adjustment of the seat belt's path, ensuring the seat belt can always be used to secure an occupant, is described, for example, in DE 10 2017 008 021 A1. This document shows a seat belt assembly with a webbing and a deflection element for the webbing, the deflection element being mounted on a retaining device rotatably attached to a body component. If the inclination of a vehicle seat's backrest is changed, the deflection element can be rotated about a pivot point by rotating the retaining device, thereby altering the webbing path to improve the restraint properties of the seat belt assembly. Thus, the webbing path can be adjusted by changing the orientation of the deflection element. The latter, along with the retaining device, is always necessary to enable adjustment of the webbing path.

[0008] From an economic point of view, however, it is desirable to implement a safety belt system with as few components as possible and the simplest possible design.

[0009] DE 10 2018 130 193 A1 discloses a seat belt assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a base and a belt retractor, which is pivotably attached to the base about an axis relative to the base. A vehicle seat comprising a seat surface and a backrest is also disclosed. Embodiments of the seat belt assembly are described, according to which the base is attached either to a frame of the vehicle seat or to a vehicle roof.

[0010] DE 10 2019 104 219 A1 discloses a retractor arrangement comprising a retractor body, a retractor coil, and a pivoting component such as a dowel screw, the latter being configured to rotatably mount the retractor body. The retractor arrangement is intended as a "shoulder retractor" positioned in the shoulder area on the backrest of a vehicle seat.

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a motor vehicle with a vehicle seat and a safety belt device, wherein a backrest of the vehicle seat can be strongly inclined and the restraint properties of a safety belt of the safety belt device, and in particular its economy, are improved compared to the prior art.

[0012] To solve this problem, in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, the invention provides that the holding device is fixed to the body on a side of the backrest opposite the seat surface, spaced apart from the vehicle seat, in such a way that the safety belt always exits the safety belt retractor on this side of the backrest.

[0013] The description "firmly fixed" means that the holding device is fixed in position relative to the body and that the orientation of the holding device relative to the body is fixed or unchangeable.

[0014] The mounting device can be, for example, a plate-like component that is firmly fixed to the vehicle body with one or more fasteners. For instance, the mounting device can be a sheet metal component. Alternatively, the mounting device can also be an integral part of the vehicle body. In this case, the seat belt retractor is rotatably fixed to the vehicle body via the pivot bearing.

[0015] The seat belt can be retracted into the seat belt retractor or pulled out of it for use in fastening. The seat belt retractor may have a housing to protect the retracted seat belt.

[0016] By rotating the seatbelt retractor relative to the vehicle body, the position in which the seatbelt exits the retractor can be adjusted. This allows the seatbelt's path to be altered in a given operating state, i.e., when an occupant or object is secured with the seatbelt, or when a seatbelt buckle is firmly engaged by the seatbelt's buckle. Advantageously, the swivel bearing allows the seatbelt's path to be adjusted in such a way that a buckled occupant is securely restrained at any possible seatback angle in the event of emergency braking or a collision, without the belt being routed against the occupant in an undesirable manner.In particular, the rotatability of the seat belt retractor for any angle of inclination of the backrest ensures that the seat belt does not lie against the neck of an occupant when in use, but always runs over the chest area, so that in the event of emergency braking or an impact of the vehicle the occupant is restrained in the vehicle seat by the seat belt as usual.

[0017] By reclining the backrest, the passenger's comfort can be improved. At the same time, adjusting the seatbelt's routing ensures that the passenger remains safely and securely fastened to the vehicle seat in any backrest position.

[0018] According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the seat belt runs from the seat belt retractor to the vehicle seat without any deflection in the operating state. Deflection-free means that the seat belt is not deflected by any conventionally existing deflection element, such as that used, for example, in the prior art in German patent DE 10 2017 008 021 A1. In the operating state, where it secures an occupant or an object, the seat belt then runs directly from the seat belt retractor to the vehicle seat with the occupant or the object. According to the invention, the path of the seat belt in the operating state can be adjusted sufficiently well simply by rotating the seat belt retractor about its axis of rotation, so that no deflection element is required, thereby reducing component costs as well as handling and material costs.

[0019] With the potential elimination of a deflection element, the seatbelt's path depends solely on the position and orientation of the vehicle seat within the vehicle interior, the backrest angle, and the orientation of the seatbelt retractor determined by its swivel bearing. However, an additional deflection element can, of course, still be provided for adjusting the seatbelt's path, if desired.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis. "Parallel" here means that the axis of rotation need not be perfectly parallel, but can deviate from the vehicle's vertical axis by an angle of + / - 5°. Both axes can therefore be rotated or tilted relative to each other by + / - 5° and thus do not need to be exactly parallel. This advantageously allows the seatbelt retractor, and therefore the seatbelt itself, to be rotated particularly well towards or away from the vehicle seat. The seatbelt's position can thus be easily adjusted.

[0021] To ensure proper positioning of the seat belt, it is advantageous according to the invention if, as the recline angle of the vehicle seat backrest increases, the seat belt retractor can be rotated further towards the vehicle seat by rotating it around its axis. Because the seat belt retractor can be rotated further towards the vehicle seat with increasing recline angle, it can be ensured that the seat belt always fits snugly against the occupant seated in the vehicle seat. This prevents one or more areas from existing where the seat belt does not fit against the occupant when in use. Furthermore, even at large recline angles of the backrest, it prevents the seat belt from coming into contact with the occupant's neck area.

[0022] According to the invention, the rotary bearing, which allows the seat belt retractor to rotate about the axis of rotation, can be implemented using one or more rolling bearings. The seat belt retractor can then be fixed to the vehicle body by the mounting device in a stationary position, allowing it to rotate about the axis of rotation. For this purpose, mounting structures for one or more rolling bearings can be provided on the seat belt retractor, particularly on a housing of the seat belt retractor, as well as on the mounting device. If the mounting device is an integral part of the vehicle body, a suitable mounting structure, for example, a bore, for one or more rolling bearings can be provided directly on the vehicle body.

[0023] Suitable body areas where the seat belt retractor with the mounting device can be installed upright are preferably those areas that are essentially horizontal. In other words, a surface of such body areas that can be used to fix the mounting device is such that the vehicle's vertical axis is a normal vector of the surface or deviates from the normal vector of the surface by an angle of + / - 5°. For example, an inner area of ​​the body at a wheel arch of a rear axle of the vehicle is suitable.

[0024] If the rotary bearing has multiple rolling bearings, these can be arranged one behind the other, particularly axially along the axis of rotation. Preferably, one or more ball bearings are used as the rotary bearing. In any case, radial bearings and / or thrust bearings can be used as the rotary bearing.

[0025] Alternatively, the rotary bearing can be implemented via a swivel joint, in particular a hinge. In this way, the seat belt retractor can be suspended from the mounting device and rotatable about the axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the mounting device can be fixed to a side wall of the vehicle body, in particular a support or a column extending substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0026] Alternatively, in a special embodiment, the seat belt retractor can be rotatable about its axis of rotation and additionally pivotable on the mounting device by means of one or more rolling bearings in combination with a swivel joint. The seat belt retractor can then, for example, be rotatable about its axis of rotation by means of a rolling bearing and simultaneously pivotable about an additional axis of the swivel joint, which runs, for instance, transversely to the vehicle, by means of a swivel joint.

[0027] According to the invention, the retaining device can be fixed to a pillar of the vehicle body, in particular the C-pillar. This is especially preferred when the pivot bearing is designed as a swivel joint and the seat belt retractor is suspended from the vehicle body by the retaining device. The retaining device can be fixed directly to the C-pillar or to an area of ​​the vehicle body around the C-pillar. Alternatively, the retaining device can be an integral part of such a vehicle body area. In this way, the routing of the seat belt can be particularly well adapted for a rear seat of the vehicle. The area of ​​the vehicle body around the C-pillar represents a particularly advantageous positioning for a rear seat seat belt retractor because the C-pillar is very stable and the described area is located laterally next to the vehicle seat and slightly behind the backrest of the rear seat with respect to the front of the vehicle.

[0028] To ensure that the seat belt is securely positioned against an occupant seated in the vehicle during use, the invention provides that the vehicle seat has a seating surface, with the retaining device fixed to the vehicle body on the side of the backrest opposite the seating surface and spaced apart from the vehicle seat. In other words, the retaining device, and thus the seat belt retractor, is located on and fixed to the vehicle body on the side of the backrest that does not normally come into contact with the occupant. Preferably, it is ensured that the retaining device is always located on this side of the backrest, even in the case of a large recline of the backrest. This prevents areas where the seat belt does not rest against the occupant, as the belt always exits the seat belt retractor behind the backrest.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, the backrest's tilt angle can be adjusted within a range of 0° to 40°, and the belt angle, around which the seatbelt retractor is rotatable about the axis of rotation, can be adjusted within a range of 10° to 15°. These tilt and belt angle ranges are particularly well suited to enabling a large backrest tilt and a good and safe positioning of the seatbelt during use. Thus, starting from the first, upright seating position, which defines the zero position of the tilt angle, the backrest can be tilted up to 40° relative to the first seating position. The tilt can be adjusted to any intermediate angle between a minimum tilt angle of 0° and a maximum tilt angle of 40°.

[0030] To ensure proper and safe positioning of the seat belt within the aforementioned range of tilt angles, the seat belt retractor is preferably adjustable within a range of 10° to 15°. In the first seating position, the seat belt retractor can therefore be rotated at an angle of 10° relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, towards the vehicle seat. In the second seating position, where the backrest of the vehicle seat is, for example, tilted at an angle of 40° relative to the first seating position, the seat belt retractor can be rotated at an angle of 15° towards the vehicle seat.

[0031] The specified ranges for the recline angle and the seatbelt angle merely describe preferred angle ranges and are not to be understood as restrictive. Depending on the vehicle seat and body design, a smaller or larger recline angle and / or seatbelt angle may also be possible.

[0032] Advantageously, at least one actuating element, in particular an electric actuating element, can be provided on the holding device for rotating the seat belt retractor about the axis of rotation and on the backrest for pivoting between the first and second seating positions. The at least one actuating element can, for example, be an electric motor, in particular an actuator. If the at least one actuating element is an electric actuating element, it can be controlled by an operator via a computing device, in particular control electronics, and an operating device, in particular a touchscreen. Using electric actuating elements simplifies operation for an operator, for example, by automatically adjusting the backrest angle specified by the operator via the operating device.

[0033] According to the invention, the rotational movement of the seat belt retractor about the axis of rotation can be coupled with the pivoting movement of the vehicle seat backrest between the first and second seating positions. In other words, the seat belt retractor can be automatically rotated about the axis of rotation when the backrest pivots. This allows the path of the seat belt to be automatically adjusted in the usable state if the backrest angle changes.

[0034] To couple the rotary movement of the seat belt retractor and the swivel movement of the backrest, a mechanical coupling device, in particular a cable pull, or an electromechanical coupling device may be provided. A cable pull is one example of a possible mechanical coupling device. In the case of an electromechanical coupling device, the previously described electric actuators, for example, can be provided as actuating elements on the vehicle seat and on the seat belt retractor or on the retaining device. The tilt angle of the backrest can be adjusted by the actuator(s) on the vehicle seat. In addition, the seat belt retractor can be rotated around its axis of rotation relative to the vehicle body by the electric actuator(s), thereby adjusting the belt angle.

[0035] The rotational movement of the seat belt retractor about its axis of rotation and the pivoting movement of the backrest can also be decoupled from each other. In an embodiment according to the invention, the tilt angle of the vehicle seat backrest can be adjusted, for example, by electric actuators, whereby neither the seat belt retractor nor the retaining device requires an adjusting element for setting the belt angle. The pivot bearing of the seat belt retractor can, however, be designed such that the belt angle is adjusted to the tilt angle of the backrest as desired by a belt eyelet of the seat belt engaging in a buckle, thus requiring no additional components besides the pivot bearing. The belt angle can be automatically adjusted to the tilt of the backrest by setting a specific tilt angle of the backrest when the seat belt is fastened.

[0036] Experience has shown that rear seats, or generally seats in the rear of a vehicle, particularly in higher vehicle classes, typically offer large reclining angles of the backrests. Therefore, the vehicle seat is preferably located in the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle seat can also be located in the first row of seats, for example, as the driver's or front passenger's seat. In this case, the seat belt retractor can be suspended from the B-pillar or fixed to the B-pillar with its mounting bracket, allowing it to rotate around its axis.

[0037] The vehicle seat can be rotated around a vertical axis, allowing it to be turned towards the center of the passenger compartment, for example. Additionally, the position of the vehicle seat within the passenger compartment can be adjusted along a longitudinal axis, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0038] Any type of common motor vehicle can be considered.

[0039] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle seat having a backrest in a first seating position and a second seating position and a safety belt retractor rotatable about a pivot axis in a top view, Fig. 2 the vehicle seat from Fig. 1 with the backrest in the first sitting position and in the second sitting position in a side view, Fig. 3 an embodiment of a seat belt retractor rotatably arranged on a holding element with a ball bearing in a standing design, Fig. 4 an embodiment of a suspended seat belt retractor rotatably mounted on a retaining element by means of a hinge, and Fig. 5 an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention with two rear seats with swiveling backrests and two associated safety belt devices with a safety belt retractor rotatable about a pivot axis in the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a vehicle seat 2 with a seat surface 3 and a backrest 4. The backrest 4 is pivotable about a seat axis 5 by an angle of inclination WN between a first seating position S1 (solid line) and a second seating position S2 (dashed line). This is indicated by arrow 32. For better understanding, the side view of the Fig. Figure 2 shows the orientation of the backrest 4 in the first seating position S1 and in the second seating position S2. The tilt angle WN of the backrest 4 is thus particularly clear.

[0041] In addition to the vehicle seat 2, the motor vehicle 1 includes a safety belt device 6 assigned to the vehicle seat 2, with a safety belt retractor 7 and a retaining device 8 in the form of a plate-like sheet metal component.

[0042] For better orientation, a coordinate system of the motor vehicle 1 is shown with a vehicle longitudinal axis 9, a vehicle vertical axis 10 and a vehicle transverse axis 11.

[0043] The holding device 8 is fixed to the body 14 of the motor vehicle 1 by means of screws 12 as fastening means 13. The position and orientation of the holding device 8 relative to the body 14 is therefore not changeable. In alternative embodiments, the holding device 8 can also be part of the body 14. In the present case, the holding device 8 is fixed to a region of the body 14 laterally behind the backrest 4. In other words, it is located on the side of the backrest 4 opposite the seat surface 3.

[0044] The seat belt retractor 7 is rotatably fixed to the holding device 8 about a pivot axis 16 via a rotary bearing 15, which in the present embodiment is implemented by a ball bearing. This allows a belt angle WG, in which a seat belt 17 exiting the seat belt retractor 7 runs towards the vehicle seat 2, in particular the backrest 4 of the vehicle seat 2, to be set. A standard three-point seat belt is used as the seat belt 17.

[0045] The axis of rotation 16, about which the seat belt retractor 7 can be rotated relative to the body 14 and the holding device 8, runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis 10. 'Parallel' means that the orientation of the axis of rotation 16 can be rotated or tilted by a maximum deviation angle of + / - 5° relative to the vehicle's vertical axis 10.

[0046] The vehicle seat 2 is adjustable along the vehicle's longitudinal axis 9 and is, in this case, a vehicle seat 2 in the rear of the motor vehicle 1, i.e., a rear seat. In other embodiments of the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention (not shown), the vehicle seat 2 can also be rotatable about a vertical axis that runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis 10. However, this is not the case here. The vehicle seat 2 can also be a front seat, in particular a driver's seat or a passenger seat. The exemplary embodiment refers purely by way of example to a rear seat.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment, the safety belt 17 runs without deflection from the safety belt retractor 7 to the vehicle seat 2 in the operating state. Fig. Figure 1 shows the safety belt 17 in its operational state for both the first seating position S1 and the second seating position S2, with a belt loop 18 of the safety belt 17 secured in a belt buckle 19. For clarity, an occupant seated in vehicle seat 2 is not shown. However, in the operational state, an occupant is indeed seated in vehicle seat 2 and is secured there by the safety belt 17. In the event of emergency braking or a collision of the vehicle 1, the occupant is restrained in vehicle seat 2.

[0048] If the backrest 4 of the vehicle seat 2 is tilted by an angle WN about the seat axis 5, the belt angle WG can be adjusted to ensure proper positioning of the seat belt 17 on the vehicle seat 2 or on an occupant seated on the vehicle seat 2 when in use. In particular, the positioning of the seat belt 17 can be adjusted so that it lies as close as possible to the occupant when in use.

[0049] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the safety belt 17 is twisted more towards the vehicle seat 2 by rotating the safety belt retractor 7 about the axis of rotation 16 when the inclination angle WN of the backrest 4 increases, for example from the first seating position S1 to the second seating position S2. With an increasing inclination angle WN of the backrest 4, the belt angle WG of the safety belt 17 also increases, provided that the vehicle longitudinal axis 9 is used as a reference value for the belt angle WG.

[0050] By adjusting the belt angle WG, the path of the seat belt 17 in use is positively influenced. As previously described, the seat belt 17 can thus lie close to the occupant, preventing it from running across the occupant's neck, even when the backrest 4 is reclined sharply (for example, in seat position S2), and instead ensuring it runs across the occupant's chest. This allows for the best possible restraint of the occupant by the seat belt 17 in the event of emergency braking or a collision with the vehicle 1.

[0051] A deflection element is typically used to guide a safety belt 17, allowing the belt's path between the seat belt retractor 7 and the buckle 19 to be adjusted. However, the rotation of the seat belt retractor 7 around the axis of rotation 16 allows the belt's path to be adjusted sufficiently, eliminating the need for such a deflection element. This simplifies the design of the safety belt assembly 6 and improves its cost-effectiveness.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the backrest 4 is adjustable within a range of 0° (in the first seating position S1) to 40° (in the second seating position S2) to enable a comfortable seating position for an occupant by means of a significant inclination of the backrest 4. In addition, the belt angle WG, by which the seat belt retractor 7 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 16, is adjustable within a range of 10° to 15°. In the first seating position S1, the seat belt retractor 7 is rotated at a belt angle WG of 10° to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 9 and turned towards the vehicle seat 2. In the second seating position S2, in which the backrest 4 is inclined backwards by 40° about the seat axis 5, the seat belt retractor 7 is rotated at a belt angle WG of 15° towards the vehicle seat 2.

[0053] The rotational movement of the seat belt retractor 7 about the axis of rotation 16 is coupled to the swiveling movement of the backrest 4 of the vehicle seat 2. An electromechanical coupling device 20 is used for this purpose. The coupling is effected via electric motors 21 as actuators 22 on the backrest 4 and on the retaining device 8 (here, the electric motor 8 is concealed by the retaining device 8 - thus within the Fig. 1 not visible), as well as a computing device 23 for controlling the electric motors 21.

[0054] Two electric motors 21 on the backrest 4 are used to swivel it between the first seating position S1 and the second seating position S2, thus adjusting the tilt angle WN. On the mounting bracket 8, an electric motor 21 is used to rotate the seat belt retractor 7 about the axis of rotation 16 relative to the mounting bracket 8 or to the vehicle body 14. The electric motors 21 are connected to the computer 23 and an operating unit 24. An occupant can specify a desired tilt angle WN of the backrest 4 via the operating unit 24, in this case a touchscreen. This angle is then adjusted by the computer 23 and the electric motors 21. Simultaneously, the belt angle WG is adjusted by rotating the seat belt retractor 7 with the electric motor 21 on the mounting bracket 8 to achieve the desired position of the seat belt 17 in use.

[0055] In alternative embodiments, the rotary movement of the safety belt retractor 7 and the pivoting movement of the backrest 4 can also be effected via a mechanical coupling device 20, for example a cable pull.

[0056] When rotatably fixing the seat belt retractor 7 to the mounting device 8, and when fixing the mounting device 8 to the vehicle body 14, particular care must be taken to ensure that, in the event of emergency braking or a collision of the vehicle 1, large forces can act on the seat belt retractor 7. The fixings must therefore have sufficient stability, in particular strength, to withstand the potential loads. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows various mounting concepts for the mounting device 8 and the seat belt retractor 7. Depending on where the mounting device 8 is located in the motor vehicle 1, the seat belt retractor 7 can be mounted upright (see Figure 4). Fig. 3) or hanging (see Fig. 4) be fixed to the body 14 by the holding device 8.

[0057] In Fig. In Figure 3, the seat belt retractor 7 is fixed to the vehicle body 14 in a standing position by means of the mounting device 8. The seat belt retractor 7 has a socket 25 by which it is rotatably fixed to the mounting device 8 about the axis of rotation 16 via a ball bearing 26 as a pivot bearing 15. The mounting device 8 is fixed to the vehicle body 14 by means of screws 12 as fastening means 13. The rotatability of the seat belt retractor 7 relative to the mounting device 8 and to the vehicle body 14 is indicated by the arrow 33. In an alternative embodiment, the seat belt retractor 7 can also be rotatably fixed to the mounting device 8 about the axis of rotation 16 by means of several rolling bearings 26, in particular arranged one behind the other along the axis of rotation 16.

[0058] In practice, the holding device 8 in this embodiment can be fixed to areas of the body 14 that are approximately horizontal. That is, to body areas that are essentially parallel to the underbody of the motor vehicle 1. The seat belt retractor 7 is still preferably attached to the body 14 behind a backrest 4 of a vehicle seat 2 in order to achieve the best possible routing of the seat belt 17 when in use. In particular, the holding device 8 with the seat belt retractor 7 can therefore be arranged on an area of ​​the body 14 above a wheel arch of a rear axle of a motor vehicle 1.

[0059] The Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the seat belt retractor 7, in which it is suspended from the vehicle body 14 by the mounting device 8. The seat belt retractor 7 is rotatably fixed to the mounting device 8 about the axis of rotation 16 via a pivot joint 27, in this case a hinge, acting as a pivot bearing 15. The mounting device 8 is screwed to the vehicle body 14 by means of screws 12, acting as fastening means 13. The rotatability of the seat belt retractor 7 relative to the mounting device 8 and to the vehicle body 14 is indicated by the arrow 33.

[0060] Body areas suitable for a suspended arrangement of the seat belt retractor 7 include, for example, side walls, in particular pillars, of the body 14 that extend at least partially in the vertical direction 10 of the vehicle. In this case, the mounting device 8 is screwed to the C-pillar of the body 14. Depending on the body shape, the mounting device 8 can be fixed to a side wall in the rear of the vehicle 1 in the area of ​​the C-pillar of the body 14. The swivel joint 27 allows the seat belt retractor 7 to be rotated about the axis of rotation 16, so that the seat belt 17 can be turned towards or away from the vehicle seat 2.

[0061] Regardless of whether the seat belt retractor 7 is in a standing or lying position, the retaining device 8 does not need to be fixed to the body 14. It can also be part of the body 14.

[0062] Fig.Figure 5 shows an embodiment of an interior 34 of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a front row of seats 28 with front seats 29 and, in the rear of the motor vehicle 1, a rear row of seats 30 with rear seats 31. The backrests 4 of all four vehicle seats 2, 29, 31 are tiltable to the rear, i.e., towards the rear of the motor vehicle 1. A particularly large tilt angle WN of up to 40° is possible for the backrests 4 of the rear seats 31.

[0063] In order to be able to adapt the course of the safety belt 17 on each of the two rear seats 31 in the use state to the respective prevailing inclination of the backrest 4, i.e. its inclination angle WN, a safety belt device 6 with a safety belt retractor 7 is arranged on each rear seat 31, which is rotatable about a pivot axis 16 parallel to the vehicle vertical axis 10 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0064] The seat belt retractor 7 of the upper rear seat 31 is arranged vertically. It is rotatably fixed to the mounting bracket 8 by a ball bearing 26 about the axis of rotation 16, the mounting bracket 8 being fixed to a horizontal area of ​​the body 14. In contrast, the seat belt retractor 7 of the lower rear seat 31 is arranged in a suspended position. This seat belt retractor 7 is rotatably fixed to the mounting bracket 8 by a pivot joint 27 about the axis of rotation 16. The mounting bracket 8 is fixed to a side area of ​​the body 14 in the region of the C-pillar.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a vehicle seat (2) having a pivotable backrest (4) and a seat surface (3) and a seat belt assembly (6) associated with the vehicle seat (2), wherein the backrest (4) is pivotable relative to a first seating position (S1) by an angle of inclination (WN) into a second seating position (S2), wherein the seat belt assembly (6) comprises a retaining device (8) and a seat belt retractor (7) with a seat belt (17), wherein the retaining device (8) is fixedly fixed to a body (14) of the motor vehicle (1) and the seat belt retractor (7) arranged on the retaining device (8) is rotatable relative to the body (14) about an axis of rotation (16) via a pivot bearing (15), characterized by, that the retaining device (8) is fixed to the body (14) on one side of the backrest (4) opposite the seat surface (3), spaced away from the vehicle seat (2) in such a way that the safety belt (17) always exits the safety belt retractor (7) on this side of the backrest (4). [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the safety item (17) runs without deflection from the seat belt retractor (7) to the vehicle seat (2) in a usable state. [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the axis of rotation (16) runs parallel to a vertical axis (10) of the motor vehicle (1). [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the rotary bearing (15) is realized via one or more rolling bearings (26). [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the rotary bearing (15) is realized via a rotary joint (27), in particular a hinge. [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the holding device (8) is fixed to a pillar of the body (14), in particular the C-pillar. [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the safety belt (17) can be rotated more strongly towards the vehicle seat (2) by rotating the safety belt retractor (7) about the axis of rotation (16) as the tilt angle (WN) of the backrest (4) of the vehicle seat (2) increases. [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the tilt angle (WN) of the backrest (4) is adjustable in a range of 0° - 40° and a belt angle (WG) by which the seat belt retractor (7) is rotatable about the axis of rotation (16) is adjustable in a range of 10° - 15°. [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one actuating element (21, 22), in particular an electric actuating element, is provided on the holding device (8) for rotating the seat belt retractor (7) about the axis of rotation (16) and on the backrest (4) for pivoting between the first seating position (S1) and the second seating position (S2). [10] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotational movement of the seat belt retractor (7) about the axis of rotation (16) is coupled with the pivoting movement of the backrest (4) of the vehicle seat (2) between the first seating position (S1) and the second seating position (S2). [11] Motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized by , that a mechanical coupling device (20), in particular a cable pull, or an electro-mechanical coupling device (20) is provided for coupling the rotary movement of the safety belt retractor (7) and the pivoting movement of the backrest (4). [12] Motor vehicle according to (1) any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle seat (2) is located in the rear of the motor vehicle (1).

Images