STORAGE DEVICE AND HEADREST

Description

[0001] The invention initially relates to a bearing device for a headrest of a vehicle seat. Such a bearing element is known from DE 10 2015 000 108 A1. The headrest comprises a headrest part for supporting the head of a seat occupant in the vehicle seat. The headrest part is held on a vehicle structure by at least one support rod, wherein the vehicle structure can be formed, for example, by the backrest of the vehicle seat. The headrest part is held on the support rod by at least one bearing device, and the support rod is mounted on the vehicle structure by at least one bearing device.

[0002] DE 10 2011 100 819 B4 discloses a motor vehicle seat with a headrest. The headrest support rods are mounted in a bearing frame that has bearing elements. Contact areas of the bearing elements are arranged opposite one another, and at least one of the bearing elements is flexible to establish a frictional connection with the support rod. The bearing elements are assigned to a bearing frame.

[0003] DE 10 2005 019 946 B4 describes a fastening device for the headrest of a vehicle seat. The headrest rods are mounted in guide sleeves, each of which is held in a receiving device of the vehicle seat. Elastic spring tabs are formed in the guide sleeves, which press the headrest rods against the inner surfaces of the guide sleeves. A spring element is mounted on the guide sleeve, which rests against the guide sleeve and exerts a clamping force on the headrest rod.

[0004] DE 196 08 851 C2 relates to a guide sleeve in which a spring element also exerts a radial force on a resilient tongue of the guide sleeve, so that the tongue is loaded against the support rod.

[0005] DE 10 2005 043 811 B4 describes a headrest whose support rod is mounted in a guide structure of the backrest. The guide structure holds at least one bearing element, which forms a bearing surface projecting toward the support rod.

[0006] DE 10 2010 041 878 A1 describes a headrest in which a support rod of the headrest is mounted by bearing elements that are held on a cushion support of the headrest and elastically preloaded toward the support rod. The preload is generated by a bow spring, which rests on an outer side of the support element fixed to the cushion support and presses the free ends radially inward. The bearing elements have guide webs on an inner circumference that protrude toward the support rod.

[0007] DE 10 2015 000 108 A1 relates to a bearing device for a headrest support rod, comprising a frame that forms an opening through which the support rod can pass. The bearing device has at least one contact area for engaging the outer surface of the support rod, which contact area is connected by a connecting element to a holding area formed on the frame.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a bearing device which can compensate for tolerances in the shape of the support rod and the distance between two support rod ends, whereby the headrest is nevertheless held rattling-free in the bearing device.

[0009] The problem is initially solved by a bearing device having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The bearing device is provided for supporting the support rod of a headrest for vehicle seats. The bearing device comprises at least one frame which forms an opening through which a support rod can pass, and at least one contact region which is provided for bearing against the outer surface of the support rod. In particular, the bearing device has at least two contact regions. For example, two, three or four contact regions can be provided. The contact regions can, for example, be distributed evenly over the circumference of the support rod. According to one embodiment, at least one first contact region is mounted mechanically independently of at least one second contact region and can be moved in the radial direction.

[0011] The frame has an opening with an inner surface. The inner surface forms a stop for the outer surface of the support rod.

[0012] The force exerted by one contact area on the support rod is at least partially absorbed, for example, by at least one other contact area forming an abutment. In this way, the support rod is mounted in a floating manner with the bearing device.

[0013] The bearing device can, for example, be fixed to the seat or to the headrest. The bearing device can, for example, be formed by a bearing sleeve or a structure that at least partially encompasses the circumference of the support rod and is connected to the backrest or to the headrest. "Connected" in this sense can mean, for example, "attached thereto" or "formed integrally therewith." The bearing device can, for example, be designed such that it can absorb forces acting along at least two spatial axes.

[0014] The contact area is assigned to a connecting element. The connecting element is connected to a holding area of ​​the guide structure. In the context of the invention, this means that tensile and / or compressive forces can be transmitted between the contact area and the guide structure by means of the connecting element. The holding area is formed, for example, adjacent to an inner surface of the opening. The holding area can be formed directly by the guide structure or by a separate element.

[0015] The connecting element is designed to be elastic and radially movable, for example. This allows the contact area to be moved toward and away from the support rod. The elasticity can depend on the shape and material of the connecting element. According to an alternative design, or in addition, the connecting element is movably mounted on the holding area. In this case, it can be loaded radially into the opening, for example, by a spring.

[0016] The inner surface of the opening is assigned, for example, to a first plane, and the at least one contact area is assigned to a second plane, wherein the second plane can be spaced from the first plane, for example. The second plane is, for example, parallel to the first plane.

[0017] In this way, the headrest part can be mounted floatingly on the support rod, meaning it can be moved relative to the support rod within the clearance of the opening and loaded into its initial position. The inner surface of the opening forms a stop for the outer surface of the support rod, which limits the mobility of the headrest part relative to the support rod.

[0018] The connecting element is formed, for example, by an arm to which the contact region is assigned. The arm extends, for example, from the holding region on the bearing device in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the opening. The arm can, for example, alternatively or additionally extend in the circumferential direction around the opening. The arm then also extends around at least part of the outer circumference of the support rod which passes through the opening. The arm is, for example, firmly connected to the contact region. In particular, the contact region is part of the arm, i.e. formed in one piece with it. The arm is, for example, firmly connected to the holding region. In particular, the arm is integrally formed on the bearing device, in particular on a frame formed by the bearing device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the arm is designed to be elastically deformable. In this way, it is radially movable and can be moved towards and away from the support rod. When a support rod is located in the bearing device, the arm is elastically radially displaced from its rest position, e.g. due to an interference fit between the outer surface of the support rod and the contact area, and exerts a preload force against the contact area, so that the contact area is loaded in contact with the outer surface. According to an alternative or additionally, the arm is e.g. movably mounted on the holding area and loaded radially into the opening by a spring.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a spring acts directly or indirectly on the contact area and loads the contact area against the outer surface of the support rod. The spring force of the spring can, for example, act on the connecting element. The spring exerts a force on several contact areas, for example, and loads them against the support rod. All contact areas are, for example, evenly loaded by the spring. The spring can, for example, support the elastic restoring force of the connecting element. The spring force of the spring acts, for example, in the same direction as the elastic restoring force of the connecting element.

[0021] The contact surface of the spring on the contact area and / or the connecting element is designed, for example, as a ramp. This allows an increased spring force to be exerted on the contact area or certain areas of the connecting element.

[0022] Any suitable material can be used for the spring, such as silicone, metal, or plastic. Different shapes, such as coil springs or simple rings, are also possible.

[0023] The spring length affects the spring characteristic curve. A long spring length, for example, can achieve a flat spring characteristic curve, meaning a low ratio of spring force to spring travel. The influence on the normal force acting on the retaining rod is then minimal, even at varying tolerances and temperatures. The adjustment forces remain approximately constant.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spring is designed as an annular spring. In the context of the invention, annular spring means that the spring is designed as a closed ring or as an open ring which at least partially encloses the opening or the circumference of the support rod. The annular spring exerts, for example, a force evenly distributed over the circumference on the contact areas. The annular spring is not supported, for example, on the vehicle structure, but only on the support rod. According to an alternative embodiment, the ring element is at least partially supported on the vehicle structure. The contact areas are connected, for example, via the annular spring. The movement of the contact areas can be coupled to one another by means of the annular spring, for example. Forces acting on one contact area can be transferred to other contact areas by means of the annular spring.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular spring at least partially surrounds the contact area and / or the connecting element. For example, the annular spring surrounds all contact areas and / or all connecting elements. The contact area or the connecting element with the contact area can be loaded, for example, by the annular spring in contact with the outer surface of the support rod. If the connecting element is designed as an arm that extends circumferentially around the opening, the spring can bear against the arm over its entire length and load the arm radially in the direction of the opening or the support rod.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the forces exerted by the contact areas on the outer surface of the support rod cancel each other out. This is possible, for example, if at least two contact areas are offset by 180° or at least three contact areas are offset by 120° on the outer circumference, and the forces exerted by the contact areas on the outer surface of the support rod are equal and directed in such a way that they cancel each other out. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the annular spring loads at least two contact areas in such a way that the support rod is centered within the opening.

[0027] One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the frame is part of a guide structure, e.g., is integrally formed with the guide structure. According to an alternative embodiment, the frame is attached to the guide structure. For example, the frame is designed as an insert that can be attached to the guide structure.

[0028] The frame can, for example, be plate-shaped, meaning its thickness is small in relation to its length and width.

[0029] The plate forms, for example, the first level, wherein the at least one connecting element is formed on the plate in such a way that the at least one contact area forms a second level.

[0030] The frame is formed in one piece with at least one connecting element.

[0031] The insert can, for example, be fastened, in particular latched, in a seat of the guide structure. The insert can, for example, be designed in the form of a cassette that can be fastened in the seat of the guide structure. The ring element can be easily installed in this way.

[0032] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a headrest with a headrest part, which is held by at least one support rod to the vehicle structure, in particular the backrest of a vehicle seat. Within the meaning of the invention, a support rod is also the free end of a support rod bracket. The headrest has bearings with which the headrest part is mounted on the support rod. The bearing can, for example, enable a height adjustment of the headrest part, i.e., a relative movement between the headrest part and the support rod. Furthermore, the support rod is held in a bearing that is firmly attached to the vehicle structure.

[0033] The object of the invention was to create a headrest in which the headrest component is mounted reliably and rattle-free, even in the event of deviations in the dimensions of the support rods or a deviation in the distance between two support rods. This object was achieved by a headrest with the features of claim 11.

[0034] The headrest has the special feature that the headrest part is mounted by at least one bearing device described above. To avoid repetition, with regard to the advantages of the invention, reference is made to the statements made regarding the bearing device according to the invention.

[0035] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment illustrated in the figures. The schematic figures show: Fig. 1 a rear view of a headrest, wherein a rear shell of the headrest part is not shown. Fig. 2 a perspective view of the storage device, Fig. 3 a top view of the storage device, Fig. 4 a sectional view according to section line IV - IV in Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a side view according to view arrow V in Fig. 3 , Fig. 6 , a sectional view according to section line VI - VI in Fig. 5 , Fig. 7 a sectional view according to section line VII - VII in Fig. 5 , Fig. 8 a sectional view based on Fig. 6 , where a support rod is shown in the bearing holder, Fig. 9 a sectional view based on Fig. 7 , where a support rod is shown in the bearing holder, Fig. 10 a rear view of a second embodiment of the headrest.

[0036] The bearing device according to the invention as a whole is designated by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The same reference numerals in the different figures indicate corresponding parts, even if lowercase letters are added or omitted.

[0037] The storage device 10 is for storing a Fig. 1 shown headrest part 12 of a headrest 11. In Fig. 1 A rear view of the headrest 11 is shown. The headrest 11 comprises the headrest part 12 and support rods 13a and 13b. By means of the support rods 13a and 13b, the headrest part 12 is mounted on the backrest 35 of a vehicle seat (not shown in detail). Fig. 1 A rear half-shell of the headrest part 12, which has two half-shells, is not shown. The headrest part 12 can be adjusted, for example, relative to the support rods 13a and 13b in the directions z1 and z2.

[0038] An end portion 30 of the support rod 13a engages a bearing 14a, and an end portion 30 of the support rod 13b engages a bearing 14b. Each bearing 14a and 14b is attached to the structure of the backrest 35. The end portions 30 of the support rods 13a and 13b are secured, e.g., releasably locked, in the respective bearings 14a and 14b. The bearings 14a and 14b are designed, e.g., as sleeves.

[0039] An upper end portion 31 of the support rod 13a is mounted in a guide structure 32a of the head support part 12, and an upper end portion 31 of the support rod 13b is mounted in a guide structure 32b of the head support part 12. Each guide structure 32a and 32b is fixedly connected to the head support part 12 and includes an upper bearing seat 33 and a lower bearing seat 34, in which an insert 38 with the bearing device 10 is fastened.

[0040] A perspective view of insert 38 is shown in Fig. 2 The insert 38 comprises a plate-shaped frame 16, for example, which forms an opening 17 in which the support rod 13a or the support rod 13b can be arranged. The frame 16 completely encloses the opening 17 and forms a reveal 22 facing the opening 17 with an inner surface 40. The reveal 22 has an inner diameter d and is arranged in a first plane E1.

[0041] The bearing device 10 is provided with three elastically deformable arms 21, each having a contact area 18 with a contact surface 19 for contacting the support rod. The number of arms 21 can vary in alternative designs. The contact area 18 is arranged at a free end area 20 of the arm 21.

[0042] Each arm 21 is connected to the frame 16 at a holding area 28. In the present exemplary embodiment, the arm 16 is formed integrally with the frame 16. Each arm 21 extends from the holding area 28 in the circumferential direction u around a center point M or around the longitudinal center axis a1 of the opening 17. Furthermore, each arm 21 extends radially in the direction r1 to the center point M. The arms 21 are mounted independently of one another on the frame 16, and the free end areas 20 can be moved radially in the directions r1 and r2 independently of one another. In this way, the arm 21 can spring radially outwards and inwards in the directions r2 and r1 with respect to the longitudinal center axis a1.

[0043] The holding areas 28 of the arms 21 are integrally formed on a surface 29 of the plate-shaped frame 16 of the bearing device 10. The arms 21 extend in a second plane E2, which is arranged, for example, parallel to the plane E1 and, for example, has a distance I from the plane E1. The contact areas 18 are thus spaced from the inner surface 40 with respect to the longitudinal center axis a2 of the support rod. The inner surface 40 therefore defines the radial play of the support rod within the opening 17.

[0044] On one side 23 of the arm 21, a recess 24 is formed which extends in the circumferential direction u around the center point M.

[0045] When viewed axially with respect to the longitudinal center axis a1 according to Fig. 3 It can be seen that the arms 21 form secants of the opening 17. It is clear that the insert 38 has three arms 21, each of which spans approximately 120° of the opening 17 and forms the contact area 18 at their end areas 20. The contact areas 18 are offset from one another by 120°.

[0046] In the Fig. 3 and 4 It can be seen that the longitudinal central axis a1 of the guide structure 14a passes through the center point M of the circular opening 17. It can be seen that the insert 38 extends in the plane E1 transversely to the longitudinal central axis a2 of the support rod 13a, thus forming a right angle with the longitudinal central axis a2. The plane E2, in which the arms 21 extend, also forms approximately a right angle with the longitudinal central axis a2.

[0047] In Fig. 5 the height H of the insert 38 is shown, which is in relation to the length L and width B (see Fig. 7 ) is small.

[0048] Each arm 21 has a recess 24 on an outer side 41 with respect to the longitudinal center axis a1, which recess forms a mounting seat (see e.g. Fig. 5 ). On the outer side 41 of the arm 21, the recess 24 forms a contact surface 37. The contact surface 37 has the shape of a circular arc.

[0049] An annular spring 26 is arranged in the mounting seat 25. The spring 26 is formed, for example, by a helical spring whose ends are fastened to one another. Alternatively, the spring 26 can also be formed, for example, by a silicone ring or other suitable springs. The spring 26 rests against the contact surface 37 approximately over the entire longitudinal extent of the arm 21 and exerts a radial force on the contact surface 37 in the direction r1, thus loading all contact surfaces 19 evenly in the direction r1 against the outer surface 27 of the support rod 13a (see Fig. 8 ).

[0050] In any position of the support rod 13a relative to the arms 21, the contact surfaces 19 are held against the outer surface 27, so that the headrest 11 is mounted rattle-free. The support rod 13a is not pressed in a specific direction against the frame 16 or the guide structure. It is mounted floatingly in the opening 17.

[0051] The inner diameter I is according to Fig. 6 the diameter of a circle around the center M, which is tangent to the contact surfaces 19. If the support rod 13a is mounted, the outer diameter D of the support rod 13a (see Fig. 8 ) with respect to the inner diameter I (see Fig. 6 ) has an excess dimension. For this reason, the arms 21 are deformed in the direction r2, whereby the contact surface 19 is pressed against an outer surface 27 of the support rod 13a in the direction r1 due to the elastic restoring force of the arm 21.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment, a longitudinal center axis a2 of the support rod 13a coincides with the longitudinal center axis a1. Even if the longitudinal center axis a2 is spaced apart from the longitudinal center axis a1, i.e., the support rod 13a is not arranged centrally in the opening 17, the contact surfaces 19 are held on the outer surface 27.

[0053] Not only in the event of tolerance-related deviations from the nominal position of the support rods 13a, the contact surface 19 rests against the outer surface 27, preventing rattling of the headrest 11. The headrest component 12 is also securely mounted on the support rods 13a and 13b even in the event of deviations in the shape of the support rods or deviations in the nominal distance between the support rods 13a and 13b. Furthermore, the bearing device 10 generates a frictional force that counteracts the movement of the headrest component 12 in the directions z1 and z2.

[0054] In the Fig. 8 und 9 sectional views of the insert 38 are shown, which is provided in the bearing seat 33 for supporting the support rod 13a. The statements made regarding this insert 38 apply equally to all other inserts 38, ie, to the insert 38 located in the bearing seat 34 of the guide structure 32a, and to the inserts located in the bearing seats 33 and 34 of the guide structure 32b.

[0055] According to an alternative, in Fig. 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the support rods 13a and 13b are firmly connected, e.g., locked, to the head support part 12. The head support part 12 is immovable in the directions z1, z2. The support rods 13a and 13b are movable relative to the guide structures 14a and 14b in the directions z1, z2. Each guide structure 14a and 14b has an upper bearing seat 15 and a lower bearing seat 39. An insert 38 with the bearing device 10 is arranged in each bearing seat 15 and 39.

Claims

1. Bearing device for a support rod (13a, 13b) of a head support (11) for vehicle seats, having at least one frame (16), which forms an opening (17) that can be penetrated by the support rod (13a, 13b), wherein the frame (16) at least partially engages around the opening (17), wherein the bearing device (10) has at least two contact regions (18) for contact on the outer surface (27) of the support rod (13a, 13b) for a floating bearing arrangement on the support rod (13a, 13b), said system being connected to a connecting element having a holding region (28), which is configured on the frame (16), characterised in that an inner surface (40) of the opening (17) forms an abutment for the support rod (13a, 13b) in a first plane (E1) and the at least one contact region (18) is arranged in a second plane (E2), which has a distance (12) to the first plane (E1), in such a way that the contact regions (18) are spaced apart from the inner surface (40) in relation to a central longitudinal axis (a1) of the bearing device (10).

2. Bearing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting element is formed by an arm (21), which is assigned to the contact region (18).

3. Bearing device according to claim 2, characterised in that the arm (21) is designed to be elastically deformable.

4. Bearing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the arm (21) extends in the circumferential direction (u) around the opening (17) and at least partially forms a soffit (22) of the opening (17).

5. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a spring (26) acts on the contact region (18) and the contact region (18) loads radially in the direction (r1) of the opening (17).

6. Bearing device according to claim 5, characterised in that the spring (26) is designed as a ring spring, which at least partially encloses the opening (17).

7. Bearing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the spring (26) at least partially engages around the contact region and / or the connecting element.

8. Bearing device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the spring (26) loads at least two contact regions (18) in such a way that the inside of the opening (17) can be centred.

9. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (16) is part of a guide structure or is designed as an insert (38), which can be fixed to the guide structure (14a, 14b, 32a, 32b).

10. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (16) is designed to be plate-shape.

11. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate-shaped frame (16) forms the first plane (E1) and the at least one connecting element (21) is moulded on the frame (16) in such a way that the at least one contact region (18) forms a second plane (E2).

12. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (16) is designed in one piece with the at least one connecting element (21).

13. Head support (11) having a bearing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having a head contact part (12), which can be mounted on a vehicle seat by means of at least one support rod (13a, 13b), wherein the frame (16) is assigned to a guide structure (14a, 14b, 32a, 32b), which is assigned to the head contact part (12) or can be fixed on a vehicle seat.