Vehicle seat with adjustable console

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (2) that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) and comprising a first console (3a) that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) and a vehicle seat base (4), wherein the vehicle seat base (4) has at least one adjustment rail (5) and a first slide (11) attached thereto, wherein the first slide (11) is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) by means of the at least one adjustment rail (5) and at least one spacer (14) is arranged on the first slide (11) that firmly connects the first slide (11) to the seat part (2) arranged above it, wherein the vehicle seat base (4) has a second slide (12) that is arranged between the seat part (2) and the first slide (11), wherein the first console (3a) is attached to the second slide (12).which extends predominantly laterally to the seat part (2) and wherein the second slide (12) is slidable or rollable forwards and backwards on the first slide (11) in the longitudinal direction (X), whereby the second slide (12) is slidable relative to the first slide (11) and thus the console is slidable relative to the seat part (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction and comprising a first console that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction and a vehicle seat base, wherein the vehicle seat base has at least one adjustment rail and a first slide attached thereto, wherein the first slide is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction by means of the at least one adjustment rail.

[0002] Commercial vehicles, such as agricultural machinery, construction equipment, or transport vehicles, typically have consoles extending alongside the seat, serving as supports for armrests and operating devices like joysticks or control panels. Joysticks, in particular, must be within easy reach of the occupant while seated, which is why the console with the joystick must be adjustable to accommodate different occupant sizes.

[0003] Previously, car seats involved installing a first adjustment rail on the seat base, followed by an adapter plate. A second adjustment rail was then attached to this adapter plate, and the seat cushion to the second rail. This resulted in the seat cushion being adjusted along with the console, necessitating readjustment of the distance between the seat cushion and the pedals or steering wheel. A specific sequence had to be followed when adjusting this distance: first, the distance between the seat cushion and the console, and then the distance between the console and the steering wheel, as moving the console also shifted the seat cushion. Furthermore, the two adjustment rails could create a long lever arm, negatively impacting seat belt tension tests.

[0004] Therefore, and because of possible collisions between the vehicle seat and the cabin wall of the commercial vehicle, the adjustment ranges of the two adjustment rails must be limited.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which the space requirement of the adjustment system, particularly in the direction of height, is reduced by an improved adjustment system, and comfort and safety are increased.

[0006] To solve the problem, a vehicle seat according to the invention is provided, comprising a seat part that is longitudinally displaceable forwards and backwards, a first console that is longitudinally displaceable forwards and backwards, and a vehicle seat base. The vehicle seat base has at least one adjustment rail and a first slide attached thereto, wherein the first slide is displaceable forwards and backwards longitudinally by means of the at least one adjustment rail, and wherein at least one spacer is arranged on the first slide, which firmly connects the first slide to the seat part arranged above it. The vehicle seat base has a second slide that is arranged between the seat part and the first slide. The first console, which also extends predominantly laterally to the seat part, is attached to the second slide.The second carriage can be moved longitudinally, sliding or rolling, back and forth on the first carriage, making the second carriage movable relative to the first carriage and thus the console movable relative to the seat part.

[0007] The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions describe a Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z, which is oriented to the principal extension directions of the vehicle seat. Thus, the seat section extends essentially in the longitudinal and lateral directions, whereas the vertical direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0008] A console is a component mounted to the side of the vehicle seat, serving as a support structure for various other components. In particular, operating devices such as joysticks, levers, or buttons are attached to the console for controlling the vehicle or attached implements or machinery. For ease of access, the console can be adjusted both lengthwise and heightwise. The lengthwise adjustment, both forward and backward, allows for adjusting the distance between the occupant's upper body and the console. For shorter occupants, due to their arm length, it may be necessary to move the console, and any control unit, closer to their upper body (i.e., backward) to comfortably use it.For tall occupants, due to longer arms, the opposite may be true, meaning there may be a need to move the console far away from the upper body, i.e., forward.

[0009] A vehicle seat typically has a seat base connected to the vehicle body. This seat base usually incorporates a spring system that dampens relative movement between the seat and the body in the vertical direction and allows the seat to be adjusted vertically. The vehicle seat according to the invention has at least one adjustment rail on which the seat is longitudinally displaceable. The adjustment rail itself is preferably fixed and non-displaceable. A first slide is mounted on the adjustment rail and can be moved longitudinally by means of the adjustment rail. At least one spacer, to which the seat is attached, is also arranged directly on the first slide. Preferably, the seat is directly connected to an adjustment rail via the spacers.The spacer creates a gap between the first carriage and the seat, allowing a second carriage to be positioned in this space. The second carriage is movable along the first, ensuring that a console attached to the second carriage can always be adjusted towards the seat.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least two front spacers and at least two rear spacers are arranged on the first slide, connecting the first slide to the seat part. The spacers are designed as cylindrical bushings, with the at least two front spacers arranged longitudinally in front of the second slide and the at least two rear spacers arranged longitudinally behind the second slide.

[0011] Preferably, the spacers are arranged in a square and oriented along both the width and length directions. This allows for a balanced load distribution from the seat section to the first slide.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle seat base has two longitudinally running, parallel adjustment rails which together support the first slide. A front spacer and a rear spacer are arranged directly above each of the two adjustment rails.

[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the second slide is displaceable between the front and rear spacers, wherein at least one front spacer is a front stop and at least one rear spacer is a rear stop for a longitudinal displacement of the console.

[0014] The stops limit the freedom of movement of the second slide and thus the adjustment of the console attached to the second slide in the device and in the reverse direction.

[0015] Preferably, the second slide is displaceable between the stops by more than 100 mm, more preferably by more than 120 mm and particularly preferably by more than 140 mm.

[0016] Preferably, the first slide on the adjustment rail is displaceable by more than 150 mm, more preferably by more than 210 mm and particularly preferably by more than 230 mm.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first slide comprises a trapezoidal plate element which extends substantially parallel to a plane from the width direction and the length direction, wherein at least two parallel sides of the plate element extend parallel to the length direction.

[0018] The plate element can serve as a support or sliding surface for the second carriage. To ensure uniform sliding properties, the plate element is aligned perpendicular to gravity, which runs vertically, and thus parallel to the plane formed by the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the second slide has at least one first retaining element which at least partially encloses one of the parallel sides of the plate element and by means of which the second slide is attached to the first slide and by means of which the second slide can simultaneously be moved along the first slide by rolling or sliding.

[0020] The retaining element thus has two functions. Firstly, it serves to attach the second slide to the plate element and thus to the first slide, and secondly, it allows the second slide to slide or roll on the plate element. According to an alternative embodiment, the retaining element can attach the second slide to the plate element and a sliding and / or rolling element can be provided, allowing the second slide to be moved or rolled on the plate element and thus on the first slide.

[0021] For example, the retaining element can be a T-nut guided in a groove in the plate element. For linear movement in the longitudinal direction, the groove is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction, allowing the T-nut to slide along the groove. The T-nut rests on the plate element and slides along it when moved. The ends of the groove can provide an additional stop for the movement of the second carriage.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the second slide has at least one second retaining element which at least partially encloses one of the parallel extending sides of the plate element, wherein the first retaining element at least partially encloses the opposite side of the plate element and the at least first and the at least second retaining element form a semi-positive fit with the plate element.

[0023] Preferably, the second slide has two opposing retaining elements positioned laterally, which partially enclose the two opposing parallel sides of the plate element from the outside. These retaining elements may have a U-shaped portion. The opposing retaining elements form a semi-positive locking mechanism, as the movement of the second slide is restricted in both the lateral and vertical directions by the partial enclosure of the retaining elements. This semi-positive locking mechanism allows movement only along the longitudinal direction. The movement along the longitudinal direction is further limited by the two stops.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a locking device is provided, wherein the locking device makes it possible to lock the second slide in a position relative to the first slide.

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking device comprises a detent element and a latch, wherein the detent element is arranged on the second slide and the latch on the first slide or the detent element on the first slide and the latch on the second slide, wherein the second slide can be locked relative to the first slide by engaging the latch in the detent element.

[0026] A locking device is provided to position the console relative to the seat. Preferably, the locking device is lockable and releaseable. The locking device can be continuously or incrementally lockable. The combination of a detent element and a pawl is an example of incremental locking. The detent element can, for example, be designed as a rack. When the pawl, for example, a hook or a second rack, engages with the detent element, the second slide can be locked relative to the first slide in the selected position by a positive or frictional engagement. The pawl and / or the detent element can be arranged to be displaceable in the vertical or horizontal direction, so that the pawl and / or the detent element can be moved apart or toward each other to release or lock the device. Alternatively, the retaining elements can also be designed as a parking brake.In this design, a lower and / or upper portion of the retaining element can be configured as a brake block, which is hydraulically, electrically, pneumatically, or mechanically movable in the vertical direction. To lock the device, the brake block is pressed against the plate element, creating a frictional connection and locking the second slide relative to the first slide, or the console relative to the seat. It is also conceivable that the locking device is spring-loaded, requiring a force to release it.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat comprises a second console, wherein the second console extends predominantly laterally next to the seat part, is arranged opposite the first console, and the second console is attached to the second slide, and both consoles are movable together and simultaneously.

[0028] Advantageously, both consoles are arranged on the second slide, allowing both consoles to be moved relative to the seat when the second slide is moved. Typically, when multiple consoles are present, they are adjusted uniformly, i.e., longitudinally in the same position or essentially in the same position relative to the seat. By coupling multiple consoles to the second slide, they can now be moved simultaneously and parallel to each other and locked together in their positions.

[0029] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, when the seat part is adjusted forwards or backwards, the first console retains its position relative to the seat part, wherein when the first console is adjusted forwards or backwards, the seat part retains its position in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] Advantageously, the console and seat base, as well as the seat base itself, can be adjusted independently. This means the occupant is not restricted to a specific order in which the seat base and console are adjusted.

[0031] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first console has an armrest and / or a control device, and the armrest and / or the control device are arranged on the top of the console.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the following description in conjunction with the drawing. These show: Fig. 1 a general view of a vehicle seat according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of a vehicle seat according to the invention; Fig. 3 an arrangement according to the invention of a first and a second slide in isometric view; Fig. 4a an arrangement according to the invention of a first and a second slide in a side sectional view; Fig. 4b an arrangement according to the invention of a first and a second slide in a frontal sectional view; Fig. 5a a top view of an arrangement according to the invention of a first slide and a second slide in a forward maximum position and Fig. 5b a top view of an arrangement according to the invention of first slide and second slide in a rear maximum position.

[0033] For the sake of clarity, some reference symbols have been omitted from the figures.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an overall view of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. The vehicle seat 1 can be divided into a vehicle seat base 4 and a vehicle seat superstructure arranged above and supported by it. The vehicle seat superstructure comprises a seat section 2, which extends substantially parallel to the plane formed by the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. A backrest 7 is arranged on the seat section 2, extending substantially in the vertical direction Z and in the lateral direction Y. The backrest 7 is arranged here almost at right angles to the seat section 2, the angle between the seat section 2 and the backrest 7 being adjustable by a pivoting mechanism. A headrest 8 is additionally arranged at the upper end of the backrest 7. Extending laterally to the side of the seat section 2 and also laterally to the backrest 7, extending from the vehicle seat in the direction of view, are a first console 3a on the right and a second console 3b on the left.Both brackets 3a and 3b can be moved longitudinally relative to the seat section 2 and thus also relative to the backrest 7, which is rigidly connected to the seat section 2. For this purpose, brackets 3a and 3b are not attached to the seat section 2, but rather to the vehicle seat base 4. The vehicle seat base 4 is bolted to the vehicle body from below. In its lower section, the vehicle seat base 4 has a spring mechanism (not visible here) that allows for spring movement and height adjustment of the seat structure. Two adjustment rails 5 are arranged longitudinally X above the spring mechanism. Only one adjustment rail 5 is visible here, located on the left side of the vehicle seat 1. A second rail 5 is located opposite it, in the width direction, on the right side of the vehicle seat.The seat section 2 is attached to the adjustment rails 5 via spacers and can be moved longitudinally by the adjustment rails relative to the spring assembly or relative to the portion of the vehicle seat base 4 located below the adjustment rails. An armrest 6a and 6b are arranged on the upper side of each of the consoles 3a and 3b shown here.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. A console 3a is shown, on which, in addition to the armrest 6a, a control device 9 in the form of a joystick is arranged at a front. The joystick 9 can be adjusted relative to the seat part 2 by adjusting the console 3a. One of the two adjustment rails 5 is attached to a lower portion of the vehicle seat base 4. A first slide 11 is arranged on the adjustment rail 5, on which the seat part 2 is attached. A locking lever 10 is arranged at the front of the first slide 11, with which a locking device for locking a position of the console 3a relative to the seat part 2 can be released or locked.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 3 shows an arrangement of the first slide 11 and the second slide 12. The first slide has a nearly rectangular plate element 13 on which cylindrical spacers 14, designed as bushings 14, are arranged in the corner regions. The spacers 14 extend upwards in the vertical direction Z from the plate element 13. The seat part 2 is arranged on the spacers 14, creating a gap between the plate element 13 (or the first slide 11) and the seat part 2. The spacers 14 can be subdivided according to their position on the plate element 13 into two front and two rear spacers 14, or alternatively into two left and two right spacers 14. The second slide 12 is arranged in the gap between the seat part 2 and the first slide 11, as well as between the front and rear spacers.The second slide 12 is cuboid or box-shaped and wider than the plate element 13, thus extending laterally beyond the first slide 11. The height of the second slide 12 is less than the distance between the plate element 14 and the seat part 2 in the vertical direction Z. Mounting arms 15, extending laterally and laterally, are attached to the second slide 12, and the brackets 3a and 3b are mounted to these arms. The second slide also has two front and two rear retaining elements 16. Two retaining elements 16, one front and one rear, engage the plate element 13 from the outside on each side. The retaining elements 16 partially enclose the edge of the plate element 13. Due to their U-shaped design and the partial enclosing of the plate element 13, the retaining elements form a semi-positive fit with the plate element, which only allows movement of the second slide in the longitudinal direction X.Movements of the second slide 12 in the lateral direction Y and the vertical direction Z are restricted or blocked by the semi-positive locking mechanism. In the front area of ​​the first slide 11, the locking lever 10 is arranged centrally on a web 17 extending in the lateral direction Y along the front edge of the plate element. This lever is connected to a latch 19 via a connecting element 18, in this case a Bowden cable 18.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4a shows a section through the arrangement of the first and second slides 11 and 12 along the longitudinal direction X. A latch 19 is arranged on the upper side of a central area of ​​the plate element 13. The latch 19 is connected to the locking lever via the Bowden cable 18 and can be engaged or disengaged by it. A rack 20 runs along the longitudinal direction X above the latch 19, is attached to the second slide 12, and the latch 19 can engage with it. The engagement of the latch 19 with the rack 20 creates a positive locking mechanism that blocks movement of the second slide 12 relative to the first slide 11 in the longitudinal direction. The second slide 12 is in the Fig. Figure 4a shows the second slide 12 in a central position, meaning that it is equidistant from the rear and front stops, i.e., centered between the bushings 14. The side view, showing a section through the retaining elements 16, reveals that these elements are positioned partially above and partially below the plate element 13. Left-hand spacers 14 are located in a front and a rear section. Each spacer 14 comprises a cylindrical bushing body 14a and a connecting element 14b in the form of a screw 14b. The bushing body 14a has a cylindrical recess along its axis of rotation through which the screw 14b passes. Corresponding bores are machined into the plate element 13 at the positions of the spacers 14, in the vertical direction Z, with the screws 14b passing through the bushing bodies 14a and the bores.The seat part 2 is positioned on the bushing body 14b and connected or screwed directly to an adjustment rail 5 located under the plate element 13 by means of the screw 14b. Two left spacers 14 are screwed to a left adjustment rail 5, and two right spacers 14 are screwed to a right adjustment rail 5. Separating elements 14c in the form of washers, rubber rings, nuts, or similar components can be arranged between the seat part 2, the bushing body 14a, the plate element 13, and / or the adjustment rail 5.

[0038] Fig. Figure 4b shows a section through the first and second slides 11 and 12 in a frontal view. A rear retaining element 16 is arranged on each of the right and left sides of the plate element. The first retaining element 16a is on the right side, and the second retaining element 16b is opposite it on the left side. Each retaining element 16 comprises a slider 16c, which has a recess extending parallel to the plate element 13. The edge region 13a of the plate element 13 is arranged in this recess, allowing the slider 16a to slide along the edge 13a of the plate element 13 in the longitudinal direction X. Alternatively, a roller or a roller-slider combination can be used instead of the slider 16a.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 5a shows a top view of an arrangement according to the invention of a first slide 11 and a second slide 12 in a forward maximum position. In this position, the second slide 12 is adjusted to its maximum forward position relative to the first slide 11, such that the second slide 12 abuts the spacer 14. Further displacement in the longitudinal direction X is thus limited by the spacer 14. The rectangular second slide 12 has a trapezoidal shape in its central front region. This shape increases the longitudinal extent of the second slide 12 in the X direction, so that even with a very long console 3a, where the center of gravity of the console is further away from the first slide in the X direction, it rests stably against tilting on the first slide.

[0040] The Fig.Figure 5b shows a top view of an arrangement according to the invention consisting of a first slide 11 and a second slide 12 in a rearmost maximum position. The second slide 12 is adjusted so far to the rear that it abuts the rear spacers 14. The position of the spacers 14 in the maximum positions is selected such that the retaining elements 16 extend to a front or rear edge of the plate element 13. The retaining elements 16 do not extend beyond the plate element. The locking lever 10 is attached to the web 17 as a tiltable lever 10. The Bowden cable 18 is attached to the tilting lever 10 and can be released or tensioned by tilting the lever 10. By tensioning or releasing the Bowden cable 18, the position of the rack 20 can be changed via a further lever mechanism 20a.The rack 20 is displaceable in the lateral direction Y and can be moved by a rotary movement of the lever mechanism. On the first slide 11, the pawl 19 is arranged centrally, slightly offset to the side, with a pin aligned towards the rack 20. When the locking lever 10, and thus the Bowden cable, is released, the rack 20 is moved by a spring force in the lever mechanism 20a towards the pawl 19, so that the pin of the pawl 19 engages in the space between two teeth, in a tooth gap of the rack 20. This creates a positive fit between the pawl 19 and the rack 20, which locks the second slide 12 relative to the first slide 11. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle seat 2 Seat section 3a first console 3b second console 4 Vehicle seat base 5 adjustment rail 6a first armrest 6b second armrest 7 Back section 8 Headboard 9 Control unit 10 locking levers 11 first sled 12 second sled 13 plate elements 13a Edge area 14 spacers 14a Bushing body 14b Fasteners 14c separating element 15 mounting arms 16 retaining element 16a first retaining element 16b second retaining element 16c glider 17 Bridge 18 Connecting element 19 handle 20 locking elements 20a Lever mechanism X Vehicle seat longitudinal direction Y Vehicle seat width direction Z Vehicle seat height direction

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (2) that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) and comprising a first console (3a) that is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) and a vehicle seat base (4), wherein the vehicle seat base (4) has at least one adjustment rail (5) and a first slide (11) attached thereto, wherein the first slide (11) is movable forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction (X) by means of the at least one adjustment rail (5), characterized bythat at least one spacer (14) is arranged on the first slide (11) which firmly connects the first slide (11) to the seat part (2) arranged above it, wherein the vehicle seat base (4) has a second slide (12) which is arranged between the seat part (2) and the first slide (11), wherein the first console (3a) is attached to the second slide (12) which also extends predominantly laterally to the side of the seat part (2) and wherein the second slide (12) is slidable or rollable forwards and backwards on the first slide (11) in the longitudinal direction (X), whereby the second slide (12) is slidable relative to the first slide (11) and thus the console is slidable relative to the seat part 2. [2] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that on the first slide (11) at least two front spacers (14) and at least two rear spacers (14) are arranged, which connect the first slide (11) to the seat part (2), wherein the spacers (14) are designed as cylindrical bushings (14), wherein the at least two front spacers (14) are arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) in front of the second slide (12) and the at least two rear spacers (14) are arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) behind the second slide (12). [3] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the second slide (12) is displaceable between the front and rear spacers (14), wherein at least one front spacer (14) is a front stop and at least one rear spacer (14) is a rear stop for a displacement of the console in the longitudinal direction (X). [4] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first slide (11) comprises a trapezoidal plate element (13) which extends substantially parallel to a plane from the width direction (Y) and the length direction (X), wherein at least two parallel sides of the plate element (13) extend parallel to the length direction (X). [5] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the second slide (12) has at least one first retaining element (16a) which at least partially encloses one of the parallel sides of the plate element (13) and by means of which the second slide (12) is attached to the first slide (11) and by means of which the second slide (12) is simultaneously movable along the first slide (11) by rolling or sliding. [6] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the second slide (12) has at least one second retaining element (16b) which at least partially encloses one of the parallel extending sides of the plate element (13), wherein the first retaining element (16a) at least partially encloses the opposite side of the plate element (13) and the at least first and the at least second retaining element (16b) form a semi-positive fit with the plate element (13). [7] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a locking device is provided, wherein the second slide (12) can be locked in a position relative to the first slide (11) by means of the locking device. [8] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the locking device comprises a detent element (20) and a latch (19), wherein the detent element (20) is arranged on the second slide (12) and the latch (19) on the first slide (11) or the detent element (20) on the first slide (11) and the latch (19) on the second slide (12), wherein the second slide (12) can be locked relative to the first slide (11) by the latch (19) engaging in the detent element (20). [9] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle seat (1) comprises a second console (3b), wherein the second console (3b) extends predominantly laterally alongside the seat part (2), is arranged opposite the first console (3a), and the second console (3b) is attached to the second slide (12), and both consoles (3a, 3b) are jointly and simultaneously movable. [10] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that when the seat part (2) is adjusted forwards or backwards, the first console (3a) maintains its position relative to the seat part (2), and that when the first console is adjusted forwards or backwards, the seat part (2) maintains its position in the longitudinal direction (X). [11] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first console (3a) has an armrest (6a) and / or a control device (9) and the armrest (6a) and / or the control device (9) are located on top of the console.

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