Backrest assembly of a belt-integrated seat with an integrated belt retractor module

Abstract

Backrest assembly of a seatbelt integral seat, comprising a first assembly having backrest side rails (10, 20) between which a front backrest head plate (40) is fixedly arranged, wherein the backrest assembly comprises a second assembly designed as a prefabricated belt retractor module, wherein the belt retractor module has a rear backrest head plate (71) and at least one receptacle, wherein the belt retractor module has, on its inner surface facing a front backrest head plate (40) of the first assembly in an assembled state of the backrest assembly, the at least one receptacle in which a belt retractor is reversibly arranged, wherein the belt retractor module is integrated in an installation space formed in the first assembly in the assembled state, which is bounded by the backrest side rails (10, 20) and the front backrest head plate (40),wherein the belt retractor module is reversibly inserted into the installation space from a rear side of the backrest, wherein the rear backrest head plate (71) of the belt retractor module is fixedly connected to the front backrest head plate (40) or the front backrest head plate (40) and the backrest side rails (10, 20) by a first connection group.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a backrest assembly of a belt-integrated seat, comprising a first assembly having backrest side rails between which at least one backrest head plate is fixedly arranged.

[0002] German patent application DE 11 2018 006 209 B4 describes a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat section arranged on a seat base, and a backrest pivotably mounted on the seat section or the seat base by means of a backrest fitting about a backrest pivot axis. The vehicle seat has a three-point safety belt, the safety belt being guided through a belt exit located in the upper lateral area of ​​the backrest. It is disclosed that a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment is equipped with a belt retractor in the area of ​​the backrest and an additional load belt. The belt retractor preferably has a belt tensioner. The belt retractor associated with the safety belt securing the user is located in the upper backrest area.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2020 110 594 A1 describes a seat assembly with integrated seat belt restraint. A seat back assembly comprises a seat back frame having a first and a second side element that define a backrest support section of the seat back frame. An upper frame element connects the first and second side elements of the seat back frame to define a headrest support section of the seat back frame. An upper mounting plate is coupled to the upper frame element. A retaining bar is coupled to the upper mounting plate. A retractor mechanism is operatively coupled to the backrest support section of the seat back frame. A mounting bracket is operatively coupled to the seat back frame. A seat belt comprises a webbing with a first section that is operatively coupled to the retractor mechanism and extends from it within an interior space of the seat back assembly towards the retaining bar.A second section of the webbing extends inside the interior of the seat back assembly from the support bar to the mounting bracket.

[0004] The vehicle seats described in the publications are integrated seat belt seats, which combine all desired seat functions, including the function of a seat belt. Integrated seat belt seats can be removed from a vehicle and installed as a complete unit. In integrated seat belt seats, the backrest is attached to the seat frame or the seat base. The integrated seat belt seat includes a seat belt assembly with a belt retractor, also known as a belt retractor. Two different designs are known from the prior art. The belt retractor is either located in the backrest and is primarily associated with the shoulder belt, or it is located in the seat base, particularly in a rear lateral area of ​​the seat base, or in a seat section supported by the seat base.

[0005] The present invention relates to a belt-integrated seat comprising a seat section and a backrest, which is equipped with a three-point safety belt, wherein the safety belt exits in a belt exit located in the upper lateral area of ​​the backrest (compare in advance the Fig. 1E and Fig. 3) by means of a belt deflection element 30 (compare Fig. 1D and Fig. 2D) is deflected. For example, a seat belt webbing is in a belt retractor unit 3 (compare beforehand the Fig. 1E and Fig. 2E), which is located in the backrest. The safety belt (not shown) is fixed by means of a belt end fitting to a structure on the seat section or seat base, or also on a structure on the backrest side of the integrated seat, near the transition from the lower end of the backrest to the rear end of the seat section. The safety belt can also be fastened by means of a buckle to a buckle attachment point, which is also located on the side of the integrated seat opposite the belt end fitting, near the transition from the lower end of the backrest to the rear end of the seat section. The safety belt is essentially divided into two sections: the lap belt between the belt end fitting and the closed buckle, and the shoulder belt between the closed buckle and the belt exit point.

[0006] The seat belt thus runs in the first section, designated as the shoulder belt, from the belt retractor 3, past the belt exit, to a buckle. After being deflected at the buckle, the seat belt continues in the second section, designated as the lap belt, to the belt end fitting. In order for the shoulder belt to exit from the belt retractor 3 through the belt exit in the upper lateral area of ​​the backrest, the technical requirement is to integrate the belt retractor 3 into the limited installation space available in the backrest in such a way that not only does the belt retractor 3 itself fit, but also the backrest structure with the integrated belt retractor 3 possesses sufficient stability to absorb the belt forces, especially in the event of a crash (load case). A belt tensioner 2 and a drive unit 1 are associated with the belt retractor 3.In the present configuration, the units are arranged side by side in a longitudinal configuration, as in . Fig. 2E becomes clear. The aforementioned belt retractor units together form a so-called belt retractor.

[0007] The design of the belt retractor is not the subject of the invention; however, as explained, the technical requirement is to integrate the belt retractor unit into the small installation space available in the backrest in such a way that the belt retractor itself has space and, moreover, the structure of the backrest with the integrated belt retractor has sufficient stability to absorb the belt forces acting on the belt retractor or the belt retractor units.

[0008] Backrests with integrated belt retractor units are shown in the publications DE 10 2021 105 010 A1, JP 2012- 162 224 A, D WO 2020 / 083 706 A1, DE 10 2018 213 279 A1 and DE 10 2019 205 307 A1.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of designing a belt-integrated seat with a backrest in which a belt retractor is integrated, which is arranged in a space-saving manner and is easy to assemble, wherein after assembly an optimal strength connection should be formed between the structure of the backrest and the belt retractor, so that the belt forces acting on the structure of the backrest in the event of a crash can be absorbed by the structure of the backrest.

[0010] The invention relates to a backrest assembly of a seat belt integral seat, comprising a first assembly having backrest side rails between which a front backrest head plate is fixedly arranged, wherein the backrest assembly comprises a second assembly designed as a prefabricated belt retractor module, wherein the belt retractor module has a rear backrest head plate and at least one receptacle, wherein the belt retractor module has, on its inner surface facing a front backrest head plate of the first assembly in an assembled state of the backrest assembly, the at least one receptacle in which a belt retractor is reversibly arranged, wherein the belt retractor module is integrated in an installation space formed in the first assembly in the assembled state, which is bounded by the backrest side rails and the front backrest head plate.wherein the belt retractor module is reversibly inserted into the installation space from a rear side of the backrest, wherein the rear backrest head plate of the belt retractor module is fixedly connected to the front backrest head plate or the front backrest head plate and the backrest side rails by a first connection group.

[0011] To create a structural connection between the first and second assemblies, the second assembly, i.e., the belt retractor module, is arranged in the installation space of the first assembly when assembled, and the first and second assemblies are fixedly connected to each other via at least one releasable first connection group. Advantageously, the prefabricated belt retractor module can be easily assembled and positioned in the installation space, with the structure of the backrest head being stabilized in such a way that forces acting on the belt retractor module and, in the force transmission, on the backrest structure, can be absorbed while ensuring personal safety, as explained in the description.

[0012] Preferably, the front backrest headplate has a three-dimensional U-shaped form to create the installation space, wherein a substantially flat surface of the front backrest headplate is orthogonally bounded by elements arranged at the top and bottom of the backrest headplate at each end in the assembled state. The front backrest headplate forms a groove in an upper end region of the U-shaped angled edge and in a lower end region of the U-shaped shape, forming a top surface whose horizontal surface in the installed state runs parallel to a horizontal surface of the underside of the angled upper edge in the installed state, wherein the substantially flat front backrest headplate formed above the groove, which is arranged vertically in the installed state, forms a vertical surface between the underside of the edge and the top surface of the groove.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the front backrest headplate has a three-dimensional U-shaped form to create the installation space, characterized in that the essentially flat surface of the front backrest headplate is orthogonally bounded by elements arranged laterally at each end of the backrest headplate in the assembled state. The laterally arranged elements are preferably angled side plates whose three-dimensional contours correspond to the contours of the backrest side rails facing the side plates in such a way that the side plates fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the backrest side rails in the assembled state.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one mounting point and / or the rear backrest headplate of the second assembly is detachably connected to the backrest side rails and / or the front backrest headplate by means of at least one further connecting group. In other words, it is advantageously possible to replace the entire second assembly if desired.

[0015] In detail, it is preferably provided that mounting and stabilizing plates and a mounting and stabilizing cage are arranged on an inner surface of the rear backrest head plate to stabilize the backrest head plate and to accommodate several belt retractor units of the belt retractor. Advantageously, the arrangement of the at least one mounting or mountings achieves synergistic effects with regard to the stability of the rear backrest head plate, i.e., the second assembly as a whole, and the possibility of arranging the belt retractor in the second assembly, which is designed as a belt retractor module.

[0016] According to the invention, on the assembly side, the second assembly, designed as a prefabricated belt retractor module, is advantageously inserted reversibly by the worker into the installation space of the first assembly from a rear side of the backrest during assembly.

[0017] The invention relates to a belt-integrated seat having a backrest characterized by the backrest assembly described above.

[0018] The preceding statements and the following description of the invention rely on directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof to define the position of components of the backrest assembly. This is based on the usual installation position of a backrest of a belted integrated seat located in the interior of a vehicle.

[0019] The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1A to 1E a backrest assembly with its components and a belt retractor module in perspective views obliquely from behind; Fig. 2A to 2E the backrest assembly with its components and the belt retractor module in essentially side views; Fig. 3 the belt retractor module according to the Fig. 1E, Fig. 2E in an enlarged perspective view, obliquely from the front.

[0020] The Fig. Figures 1A to 1E and 2A to 2E together show a backrest assembly of a backrest head which, with reference to the usual installation position of a backrest arranged essentially vertically in the interior of a vehicle, comprises backrest side rails 10, 20.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the upper backrest side rails 10, 20 are arranged on lower backrest side rails (not shown) so as to allow for tilt adjustment of the backrest head relative to the lower backrest structure. However, as explicitly stated below, the inventive solution can generally be applied to backrest side rails with or without upper backrest head adjustment. Therefore, the following discussion refers exclusively to backrest side rails 10, 20 per se and not to "upper" backrest side rails 10, 20.

[0022] The backrest assembly according to the invention comprises the backrest side rails 10, 20 and a front backrest head plate 40, which are firmly connected to each other, in particular preferably welded together.

[0023] The front backrest headplate 40 is designed such that it is located in a front area of ​​the backrest structure.

[0024] The front backrest headplate 40 has a three-dimensional shape and conforms in particular to the three-dimensional shape of the inner sides of the backrest side rails 10, 20.

[0025] The three-dimensional contouring of the backrest side rails 10, 20 and the front backrest head plate 40, which reproduces the contours of the backrest side rails 10, 20 in a kind of negative contour, ensures the formation of a particularly stable backrest head capable of absorbing high forces. In the assembled state, the surfaces of the front backrest head plate 40 facing the backrest side rails 10, 20 form large contact surfaces with the surfaces facing the front backrest head plate 40 in the backrest side rail areas, thus stabilizing the backrest head.

[0026] The Fig. 1C and Fig. Figure 2C shows an adapter plate 50, which is mounted on an angled upper edge 43 of the front backrest head plate 40 and is fixedly connected to the backrest head plate 40 in the assembled state, in particular by screws.

[0027] The adapter plate 50 forms receptacles for a headrest structure part 60, which is preferably also designed as a headrest plate and forms a basic structure of a headrest that is arranged on the backrest by means of the adapter plate 50.

[0028] The Fig. 1D and Fig. Figure 2D shows, as already mentioned, the belt guide element 30, which, in the assembled state, is arranged in a recessed recess 44 of the upper angled edge 43 of the backrest headplate 40. The front backrest headplate 40 is flared in a corrugated manner in the area of ​​the installation location of the belt guide element 30, as is best seen in Fig. 1B is recognizable. This corrugated recess 45 also serves to increase the stability of the front backrest head plate 40 in a load case.

[0029] The depictions in the Fig. 1B, Fig. Figure 2B makes it clear that the front backrest head plate 40 also has a special three-dimensional shape, which is characterized by the fact that an otherwise essentially flat front plate is formed, which transitions into the angled side plates, the three-dimensional contours of which correspond to the contours of the backrest side rails 10, 20 pointing towards the side plates.

[0030] The depictions in the Fig. 1B, Fig. 2B further clarify that the front backrest headplate 40 continues to have a special three-dimensional shape, characterized by the fact that the front backrest headplate 40 has a U-shaped shape.

[0031] The angled upper rim 43 is formed in the upper end region of the u-shaped shape.

[0032] Preferably in the lower end region of the u-shaped shape a groove 41 is formed, which forms a top surface whose horizontal surface in the installed state runs parallel to the horizontal surface of the underside of the angled upper edge 43 in the installed state.

[0033] In other words, the essentially flat front backrest headplate 40 formed above the groove 41 and arranged vertically in the installed state, with the vertical surface completing the u-shaped shape of the backrest headplate 40, transitions into a horizontal area in the region of the groove 41.

[0034] The groove 41 is further designed such that below the horizontal area of ​​the groove 41 a surface arranged vertically in the installed state is formed, which serves as a connecting and contact surface 46 for a rear backrest head plate 71, which is part of a belt retractor module, as will be explained below.

[0035] From this connecting and mounting surface 46, an angled L-shaped edge 42 extends, which, in addition to the groove 41, also serves to stabilize the front backrest head plate 40 and, in the assembled state, serves as a support for the rear backrest head plate 71, as will be explained later.

[0036] The explanations and illustrations in the figures make it clear that the front backrest head plate 40 between the backrest side rails 10, 20 forms a stable installation space for the belt retractor units 1, 2, 3 of the belt retractor, bounded in both spatial directions y (horizontal) and z (vertical), which in the third spatial direction x (horizontal) has a depth that essentially corresponds to the width of the backrest side rails 10, 20.

[0037] The depictions in the Fig. 1B, Fig. Figure 2B also makes it clear that a rearward-facing end face of the angled upper edge 43 of the front backrest head plate 40, on which the adapter plate 50 is mounted, is essentially aligned with a rearward-facing end face of the angled L-shaped edge 42, which is aligned with the rearward-facing end face of the angled L-shaped edge 42.

[0038] Within the construction space defined above, this can be done in the Fig. 1E and Fig. The belt retractor module shown in 2E is advantageously arranged, in particular inserted.

[0039] As mentioned, the design of the front backrest head plate 40 and its connection to backrest side rails 10, 20 already ensures an optimal strength connection of the first backrest assembly within the backrest head of the backrest assembly.

[0040] In an additional advantageous way, the insertion of the belt retractor module creates a further improved optimal strength connection of the backrest head of the backrest assembly, as explained below.

[0041] The belt retractor module advantageously comprises the rear backrest headplate 71, on which the belt retractor units 1, 2, 3 are arranged on the inside facing the front backrest headplate 40.

[0042] In order to stably attach the belt retractor units 1, 2, 3 to the rear backrest head plate 71, two receiving and stabilizing plates 75 and a receiving and stabilizing cage 76 are arranged on the inside of the rear backrest head plate 71 as formed in the assembled state.

[0043] The rear backrest headplate 71 further comprises an upper angled horizontal flange 72 extending from the vertically extending, essentially flat surface of the sheet of the rear backrest headplate 71.

[0044] The rear backrest headplate 71 further comprises lateral - vertically extending - angled folds 73 extending from the vertically extending, essentially flat surface of the sheet of the rear backrest headplate 71.

[0045] The rear backrest headplate 71 further comprises a bend 77 extending from the vertically extending, essentially flat surface of the sheet metal of the rear backrest headplate 71, which forms a lower sheet metal wall closing off the belt retractor module downwards.

[0046] From the bend 77, a downwardly angled vertical fold 74 extends, which in the assembled state forms a connecting and contact surface 78 directed towards the front backrest head plate 40, which in the assembled state rests against the aforementioned vertically arranged connecting and contact surface 46 of the front backrest head plate 40.

[0047] The angled vertical flange 74 forms a lower end face which, in the assembled state, rests on the upper side of the angled L-shaped flange 42 of the front backrest head plate 40, since the L-shaped flange 42 forms the bearing surface for the lower flange 74 of the rear backrest head plate 71.

[0048] The belt retractor module is preferably positioned between the [unclear text] as shown by arrow P1. Fig. 2B and Fig. 2E inserted into the designated installation space and screwed in place.

[0049] In this process, an upper surface of the angled L-shaped rim 42 of the front backrest head plate 40 forms a bearing surface for the downwardly directed front face of the lower fold 74 of the rear backrest head plate 71, as soon as the belt retractor module is inserted into the installation space of the backrest head and the backrest assembly is now complete.

[0050] The belt retractor module, which essentially comprises the rear backrest head plate 71 and, for receiving the belt retractor units 1, 2, 3, the receiving and stabilizing plates 75 and the receiving and stabilizing cage 76, is finally firmly connected to the front backrest head plate 40 and / or the backrest side rails 10, 20, in particular by bolting, whereby the following essential connection groups are defined, which ensure that the backrest assembly is designed to be able to absorb very high forces in the load case, wherein all components of the backrest assembly are arranged in a positionally stable manner in the load case.

[0051] The belt retractor module is connected to the backrest side rails 10, 20 and the front backrest head plate 40 by a first connection group, wherein in the exemplary embodiment preferably two screw connections S1 are made which connect the lateral folds 73 of the rear backrest head plate 71 to the backrest side rails 10, 20 and the front backrest head plate 40 embedded in the backrest side rails 10, 20 in a positionally fixed manner.

[0052] The belt retractor module is connected to the front backrest headplate 40 by a second connection group, wherein, in the exemplary embodiment, preferably four screw connections S2 are made which connect the lower flange 74 of the rear backrest headplate 71 to the groove 41. In the assembled state, the connecting and contact surfaces 46 and 78 initially lie against each other, while the lower end face of the angled vertical flange 74 is supported on the angled L-shaped edge 42.

[0053] This flat arrangement at the groove 41 across the width of the entire backrest head also advantageously forms the very stable structural bond of the backrest assembly in the assembled state.

[0054] The belt retractor module is connected to the front backrest headplate 40 by a third connection group, wherein, in the exemplary embodiment, preferably four screw connections S3 are made, in which the mounting and stabilizing plates 75 and the mounting and stabilizing cage 76 are incorporated. The screw connections S3 extend through at least the mounting and stabilizing plates 75 and the mounting and stabilizing cage 76 and the front backrest headplate 40. It is advantageously achieved that the mounting and stabilizing plates 75 and the mounting and stabilizing cage 76 are each positioned independently and within the belt retractor module on the front backrest headplate 40. The mounting and stabilizing plates 75 and the mounting and stabilizing cage 76 are preferably arranged on the inside of the rear backrest headplate 71, in particular welded in place.On their own, they act as stabilizing elements of the belt retractor module. When assembled, they advantageously function as bulkhead plates, accommodating and stabilizing the belt retractor units 1, 2, 3. Finally, through their connection with the front backrest head plate 40, they, together with the front backrest head plate 40 and the backrest side rails 10, 20, form a structural unit of the backrest assembly.

[0055] Finally, the belt retractor module is connected to the front backrest head plate 40 by a fourth connection group, wherein in the exemplary embodiment preferably three screw connections S4 are made which connect the upper flange 72 of the rear backrest head plate 71 with the edge 43 of the front backrest head plate 40, so that a position-fixed positioning of the belt retractor module within the backrest assembly in the upper area of ​​the backrest head is also effected. Reference symbol list 10, 20 backrest side rails 30 belt deflection element 40 front backrest headplate 41 groove 42 Board 43 Board 44 Providence 45 shutdown 46 Connection and attachment area 50 adapter plate 60 Headrest structure part 70 Belt Retractor Module 71 rear backrest headplate 72 Upper Palatinate 73 side folds 74 Lower Palatinate 75 mounting and stabilizing plates 76 Receiving and stabilizing cage 77 bend 78 Connection and attachment area S1 screw connections S2 screw connections S3 screw connections S4 screw connections 1 drive unit 2 belt tensioner units 3 Belt retractor unit P1 Arrow (insertion direction)

Claims

Backrest assembly of a seat belt integral seat, comprising a first assembly having backrest side rails (10, 20) between which a front backrest head plate (40) is fixedly arranged, wherein the backrest assembly comprises a second assembly designed as a prefabricated belt retractor module, wherein the belt retractor module has a rear backrest head plate (71) and at least one receptacle, wherein the belt retractor module has, on its inner surface facing a front backrest head plate (40) of the first assembly in an assembled state of the backrest assembly, the at least one receptacle in which a belt retractor is reversibly arranged, wherein the belt retractor module is integrated in an installation space formed in the first assembly in the assembled state, which is bounded by the backrest side rails (10, 20) and the front backrest head plate (40).wherein the belt retractor module is reversibly inserted into the installation space from a rear side of the backrest, wherein the rear backrest head plate (71) of the belt retractor module is fixedly connected to the front backrest head plate (40) or the front backrest head plate (40) and the backrest side rails (10, 20) by a first connection group. Backrest assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the front backrest head plate (40) has a three-dimensional u-shaped form to create the installation space, wherein a substantially flat surface of the front backrest head plate (40) is orthogonally bounded by upper and lower elements arranged at each end of the backrest head plate (40) in the assembly state. Backrest assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front backrest head plate (40) forms a groove (41) in an upper end region of the u-shaped shape of an angled edge (43) and in a lower end region of the u-shaped shape, which forms a top surface, the horizontal surface of which in the installed state runs parallel to a horizontal surface in the installed state of a bottom surface of the angled upper edge (43), wherein the front backrest head plate (40) formed above the groove (41), which is substantially flat and arranged vertically in the installed state, forms a vertical surface between the bottom surface of the edge (43) and the top surface of the groove (41). Backrest assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the three-dimensional u-shaped shape of the front backrest head plate (40) is orthogonally limited by elements arranged laterally at each end of the front backrest head plate (40) in the assembled state. Backrest assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laterally arranged elements are angled side plates whose three-dimensional contours correspond to the contours of the backrest side rails (10, 20) pointing towards the side plates in such a way that the side plates fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the backrest side rails (10, 20) in the assembled state. Backrest assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the belt retractor module is connected to the backrest side rails (10, 20) and the front backrest head plate (40) by the first connection group, wherein the connection is made by two screw connections (S1) which connect lateral folds (73) of the rear backrest head plate (71) to the backrest side rails (10, 20) and the front backrest head plate (40) embedded in the backrest side rails (10, 20) in a positionally fixed manner. Backrest assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the belt retractor module is connected to the front backrest head plate (40) by a second connection group by means of screw connections (S2), which connect a lower flange (74) of the rear backrest head plate (71) to the groove (41) of the front backrest head plate (71). Backrest assembly according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that receiving and stabilizing plates (75) and a receiving and stabilizing cage (76) are arranged on an inner surface of the rear backrest head plate (71) for stabilizing the rear backrest head plate (71) and for receiving several belt retractor units (1, 2, 3) of the belt retractor. Backrest assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one receptacle of the second assembly is detachably connected to the front backrest head plate (40) by means of a third connecting group by screw connections (S3) which penetrate the receiving and stabilizing plates (75) and the receiving and stabilizing cage (76). Backrest assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the belt retractor module is connected to the front backrest head plate (40) by a fourth connection group, wherein screw connections (S4) connect an upper flange (72) of the rear backrest head plate (71) to a rim (43) of the front backrest head plate (40). Belt-integrated seat, characterized by a backrest assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 10.

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