VEHICLE SEAT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a seat part, a backrest, and a kinematics for transferring the vehicle seat from a use position suitable for transporting people into a non-use position, in particular into an entry position which facilitates entry into a rear row of seats, wherein the vehicle seat can be transferred by means of a drive device from the use position into the non-use position and vice versa (i.e. from the non-use position back into the use position), wherein the vehicle seat has a rear foot with a locking device which can be locked with a counter element for securing it in the use position. State of the art

[0002] DE 10 2008 050 468 B3 discloses a vehicle seat that can be transferred from at least one use position suitable for passenger transport into a forward-pivoted entry position and, alternatively, into a lowered floor position. The vehicle seat comprises a base, a rocker pivoted to a front foot attached to the base, a seat cushion support from which an arm protrudes at the rear, at the end of which a joint is arranged, two links pivoted at least indirectly to the front foot attached to the base, a rear foot pivoted to the links and releasably locked to the base, and a backrest pivoted to the rear foot by means of at least one lockable fitting about a backrest pivot axis.The seat cushion support is articulated to the backrest by means of the joint arranged offset to the backrest pivot axis with a pivot axis parallel thereto, whereby when the vehicle seat moves into the entry position, the rear foot unlocks and moves away from the base by means of the two links, thereby raising the rear end of the seat cushion, while the backrest pivots forward while maintaining its inclination relative to the rear foot, and whereby the rocker pivots forward and lowers the front end of the seat cushion.

[0003] US 2016 / 318424 A1 discloses a vehicle seat with a seat part, a backrest, and a kinematics for transferring the vehicle seat from a use position suitable for transporting persons into an entry position, wherein the vehicle seat can be transferred from the use position into the non-use position and vice versa by means of a drive device, wherein the vehicle seat has a rear foot with a locking device for securing it in the use position, which locking device can be locked with a counter element.The vehicle seat has a protective device for detecting an obstacle in a path of movement of the rear foot when transferring the vehicle seat from the non-use position to the entry position, wherein the protective device has a panel with an opening which, in the mounted state of the panel, is aligned with a receiving opening of the locking device so that the counter element can be inserted through the opening into the receiving opening of the locking device. Task

[0004] The invention is based on the object of improving a vehicle seat of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular providing a vehicle seat with anti-pinch protection to reliably prevent pinching. Solution

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a seat part, a backrest, and a kinematics for transferring the vehicle seat from a position of use suitable for the carriage of persons into a non-use position, in particular into an entry position which facilitates entry into a rear row of seats, wherein the vehicle seat can be transferred from the position of use into the non-use position and vice versa by means of a drive device, wherein the vehicle seat has a rear foot with a locking device for securing it in the position of use, which locking device can be locked with a counter element, wherein the vehicle seat has a protective device, in particular a protective device arranged in the region of the locking device,for detecting an obstacle in the path of movement of the rear foot when transferring the vehicle seat from the non-use position to the use position.

[0006] Because the vehicle seat has a protective device for detecting an obstacle in the path of movement of the rear foot when transferring the vehicle seat from the non-use position to the use position, the presence of an obstacle, in particular between the rear foot and the counter element, can be detected in a timely manner and, by stopping the transfer of the vehicle seat back to the use position, damage to the obstacle, in particular to a transported item, or trapping by the obstacle, in particular to a body part, for example a foot, of an occupant of a rear row of seats, can be prevented. The protective device is preferably arranged in the region of the locking device. The protective device can be fastened to the locking device. The protective device can cover the rear foot in the region of the locking device.

[0007] A non-use position within the meaning of the invention can mean an entry position, in particular an easy-entry position in which the vehicle seat is pivoted forward, or a loading position in which the vehicle seat is pivoted forward to maximize storage space.

[0008] The protective device has a cover. The cover can serve to cover the rear foot, particularly in the area of ​​the locking device. The cover can have two parallel wall sections. The cover has an opening. When the cover is mounted, the opening is aligned with the receiving opening of the locking device, so that the counter element can be inserted through the opening into the receiving opening of the locking device. The counter element can be a bolt.

[0009] A pushbutton element is arranged on at least one edge section of the opening. The pushbutton element can be attached to the panel in a limited, in particular slightly, pivotable manner. The pushbutton element can be attached to the panel by means of a hinge, in particular by means of a film hinge. The pushbutton element can be mounted on the panel in a linearly movable manner. The pushbutton element can act on a switch upon movement, in particular pivoting, from a normal position of the pushbutton element. The switch can be arranged on an inner side of the wall section of the panel.

[0010] The pushbutton element of the panel mounted on the rear foot can be arranged in the region of the locking device, particularly in the region of the receiving opening of the locking device. The pushbutton element is designed to protrude from an outer surface of the panel. The pushbutton element is preferably designed to protrude vertically from an outer surface of the panel.

[0011] The sensor element can be used to detect an obstacle between the locking device and the counter element during the transfer of the vehicle seat from the entry position to the use position. The obstacle can be a bag, a shoe belonging to a rear seat row occupant, or other cargo placed in the footwell of the rear seat row.

[0012] If the pushbutton element is pivoted out of the normal position, the pushbutton element can act on the switch, which in turn acts on a drive device for pivoting the vehicle seat, stopping the vehicle seat from moving into the use position. If the vehicle seat is stopped moving into the use position due to a detected obstacle, it may be possible to trigger a return of the vehicle seat to the entry position. Figures and embodiments of the invention

[0013] The invention is explained in more detail below using an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to the invention in a position of use, Fig. 2: a side view of the vehicle seat of Fig. 1in the use position, as well as superimposed in an entry position, Fig. 3: a perspective view of a protective device, Fig. 4: a detail of a side view of the vehicle seat in the area of ​​a rear foot during a transition from the non-use position to the use position before the occurrence of a trapping situation to be avoided, Fig. 5: an enlarged detail of Fig. 4 with the protective device in a deactivated state, and Fig. 6: a Fig. 5 corresponding representation with the protective device in an activated state.

[0014] The Fig. 1A schematically illustrated vehicle seat 1 is described below using three spatial directions running perpendicular to one another. In a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, a longitudinal direction x runs largely horizontally and preferably parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction which corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. A transverse direction y running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x is also oriented horizontally in the vehicle and runs parallel to a vehicle transverse direction. A vertical direction z runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicular to the transverse direction y. In a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis.

[0015] The position and direction information used, such as front, rear, top and bottom, refer to a viewing direction of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat 1 in a normal sitting position, wherein the vehicle seat 1 is installed in the vehicle, in a position of use suitable for transporting people with the backrest 4 upright and aligned in the direction of travel as usual.

[0016] The vehicle seat 1 comprises the backrest 4 and a seat part 2. The backrest 4 is adjustable in its inclination about a backrest pivot axis L by means of at least one fitting 6, in this case two fittings 6, so that several usage positions are defined. The term seat part 2 is understood to refer to the entire assembly comprising a seat part structure 2a and a covered cushion. Where components are hinged to the seat part 2, this is understood to mean a hinge on the seat part structure 2a, in particular a seat frame side part of the seat part structure 2a, of the seat part 2. The same applies to the backrest 4.

[0017] The Figures 1 and 2show a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. For the sake of simplicity, only one side of the essentially symmetrical vehicle seat 1 is described below, ie the components mentioned below are, unless otherwise described, present in duplicate (possibly mirror-symmetrical). First, the vehicle seat 1 is described using a Fig. 1 described special position of use, namely a design position, in which the backrest 4 is inclined backwards by, for example, 23° relative to the vertical.

[0018] The vehicle seat 1 in this case has a longitudinal adjuster 8 for adjusting a seat longitudinal position. Such a longitudinal adjuster is known, for example, from DE 10 2010 010 585 B4.

[0019] A base of the vehicle seat 1 is connectable to the structure of the motor vehicle. In this case, the base is designed as a longitudinal adjuster 8, which enables longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 1. In this case, the base comprises a floor rail directly connected to the vehicle structure and a seat rail that is displaceable relative to the floor rail in the longitudinal direction x. The two profiled rails engage behind each other with their inwardly and outwardly curved longitudinal edges. Preferably, the longitudinal adjuster 8 can be moved in a conventional manner by means of a spindle drive into any desired longitudinal adjustment position within a predetermined adjustment range.Alternatively, a longitudinal adjuster can also be provided, the rails of which can be locked together by means of a rail lock known per se, wherein the rail lock can be manually unlocked by the occupant of the vehicle seat 1 by means of a release bracket known per se.

[0020] A front foot 12 is attached to the base, in this case firmly connected to the seat rail. Alternatively, the front foot 12 can also be releasably locked to the base, in particular to the seat rail.

[0021] In the area of ​​a front end of the front foot 12, the seat part 2 is articulated by means of a rocker arm 14, wherein this rocker arm 14 has two ends and a pivot joint is provided in the area of ​​each of these two ends. The pivot joints enable component rotation about a rotation axis that, in this case, runs parallel to the transverse direction y. A first pivot joint I forms a pivot point for the rocker arm 14 at the front foot 12. A second pivot joint II forms a pivot point for the rocker arm 14 at the front end of the seat part 2. The rocker arm 14 of the left-hand side of the vehicle seat can be connected to the rocker arm 14 of the right-hand side of the vehicle seat via a transverse connection, in this case a cross tube.

[0022] The seat part 2 is further articulated to the front foot 12 by means of a link 16 arranged behind the swing arm 14. The link 16 has two ends, with a pivot joint provided in the region of each of these two ends. A third pivot joint III forms a linkage of the link 16 to the front foot 12. A fourth pivot joint IV forms a linkage of the link 16 to the seat part 2. Exactly one such link 16 is arranged on both sides of the vehicle seat 1. The front foot 12, the swing arm 14, the link 16, and the seat part 2 form a four-bar arrangement.

[0023] The vehicle seat 1 is rotated around the four-bar arrangement along a predetermined path of movement from the position of use, according to the Fig. 2 vehicle seat 1 shown on the left, into the entry position, according to the Fig. 2The vehicle seat 1, shown superimposed on the right, can be moved from the entry position to the use position and back. A drive device is preferably provided for transferring the vehicle seat 1 from the use position to the entry position and back. The drive device is preferably electronically controlled.

[0024] Furthermore, a rear foot 18, which is designed separately from the front foot 12, is arranged on the base in the longitudinal direction x behind the front foot 12. The rear foot 18 of the left side of the vehicle seat is connected to the rear foot 18 of the right side of the vehicle seat via a cross connection.

[0025] The rear foot 18 of the left side of the vehicle seat is largely mirror-symmetrical to the rear foot 18 of the right side of the vehicle seat, so that only one rear foot 18 is described below. The rear foot 18 can be releasably locked to the base by means of a locking device 20 arranged on the rear foot 18, more precisely to a counter-element 22 fixed to the base, in this case a bolt fastened to the seat rail, and can thus be indirectly connected to the vehicle structure. When locked to the locking device 20, the counter-element 22 is centered in a slot-like receiving opening of the rear foot 18 or, alternatively, a housing of the locking device 20, and is prevented from leaving the receiving opening by a pawl of the locking device 20. The receiving opening has a V-shaped contour and is open towards the base.The receiving opening tapers in a direction oriented away from the base. In the use position of the vehicle seat 1, the receiving opening and the latch of the locking device 20 fix the rear foot 18 relative to the base.

[0026] Fig. 3shows a protective device 30 having a cover 32. The cover 32 serves to cover the rear foot 18 in the region of the locking device 20. The cover 32 has two, in particular parallel oriented, wall sections 34. The cover 32 has an opening 36. In an assembled state of the cover 32, the opening 36 is aligned with the receiving opening of the locking device 20 such that the counter element 22 can be inserted through the opening 36 into the receiving opening of the locking device 20. A push button element 40 is arranged on at least one edge section of the opening 36. The push button element 40 is attached to the cover 32 with limited pivotability. The push button element 40 is preferably attached to the cover 32 by means of a hinge, in particular a film hinge.When pivoted from a normal position of the push button element 40, it acts on a switch 38 which is arranged on an inner side of the wall section 34.

[0027] The cover 32 is mounted on the rear foot 18. The push-button element 40 of the protective device 30 mounted on the rear foot 18 is arranged in the region of the locking device 20, in particular in the region of the receiving opening of the locking device 20.

[0028] The push button element 40 serves, as in Fig. 4shown, during the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 from the entry position to the use position, an obstacle H is detected between the locking device 20 and the counter element 22. In this case, the obstacle H is represented, for example, by the shoe of an occupant sitting in a rear row of seats. The obstacle H can also be a bag or other transported item that has been placed in the footwell of the rear row of seats.

[0029] The Figures 5 and 6 show the vehicle seat 1 in the area of ​​the protective device 30 during the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 from the entry position to the use position, shortly before reaching the use position.

[0030] In Fig. 5 the push button element 40 is still in the normal position in which the switch 38 is not actuated.

[0031] In Fig. 6the vehicle seat 1 has moved slightly further towards the use position. The push button element 40 has come into contact with the obstacle H located in the path of movement of the rear foot 18 of the vehicle seat 1. The obstacle H is arranged between the counter element 22 and the push button element 40, and the push button element 40 has been pivoted out of the normal position of the push button element 40 by the continued movement of the vehicle seat 1 towards the use position. As a result, the push button element 40 acts on the switch 38, which in turn acts on a drive device for pivoting the vehicle seat 1 in such a way that the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 into the use position stops, thus avoiding a trapping situation in which a high force would act on the obstacle H. If necessary, a return transfer of the vehicle seat 1 to the entry position can be triggered.

[0032] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings may be important both individually and in combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms, as long as the resulting subject matter belongs to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0033] Terms used in the claims such as "comprise," "have," "include," "contain," and the like do not exclude further elements or steps. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a plurality. A single device may perform the functions of several units or devices mentioned in the claims. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Vehicle seat 2Seat part 2aSeat part structure 4Backrest 6Fitting 8Longitudinal adjuster 10Kinematics 12Front foot 14Swing arm 16Handlebar 18Rear foot 20Locking device 22Counter element 30Protective device 32Panel 34Wall section 36Opening 38Switch 40Push button element HHobstacle LLeather pivot axis IFirst pivot joint IISecond pivot joint IIIThird pivot joint IVFourth pivot joint xLongitudinal direction yTransverse direction zVertical direction

Claims

1. Vehicle seat (1), in particular motor-vehicle seat, having a seat part (2), having a backrest (4), and having a kinematics mechanism (10) for transferring the vehicle seat (1) from a use position, in which the vehicle seat is suitable for transporting persons, into a not-in-use position, in particular into an access position, which facilitates access to a rear row of seats, wherein the vehicle seat (1) is able to be transferred from the use position into the not-in-use position, and vice versa, by a drive device, wherein, for securing purposes in the use position, the vehicle seat (1) has a rear foot (18) with a locking device (20), which is able to be locked to a counterpart element (22), wherein the vehicle seat (1) has a protective device (30), in particular a protective device (30) arranged in the region of the locking device (20), for the purpose of detecting an obstruction (H) in a movement path of the rear foot (18) when the vehicle seat (1) is being transferred from the not-in-use position into the use position, wherein the protective device (30) has a panel (32), wherein the panel (32) has an opening (36) which, in the fitted state of the panel (32), is aligned with a receiving opening of the locking device (20), so that the counterpart element (22) is able to be introduced into the receiving opening of the locking device (20) through the opening (36), characterized in that a contact element (40) is arranged on at least one edge portion of the opening (36), wherein the contact element (40) is configured so as to project from an outer surface of the panel (32).

2. Vehicle seat (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the panel (32) serves as a cover for the rear foot (18), in particular in the region of the locking device (20) .

3. Vehicle seat (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the counterpart element (22) is a bolt.

4. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact element (40) is configured so as to project from the outer surface of the panel (32) in a vertical direction (z).

5. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact element (40) is fastened to the panel (32) so as to be pivotable to a limited extent.

6. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact element (40) is fastened to the panel (32) by a hinge.

7. Vehicle seat (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the contact element (40) is fastened to the panel (32) by a film hinge.

8. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact element (40) is mounted on the panel (32) in a linearly movable manner.

9. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein, when moving out of a normal position of the contact element (40), the contact element (40) acts on a switch (38).

10. Vehicle seat (1) according to Claim 9, wherein the switch (38) is arranged on the panel (32), in particular an inner side of a wall portion (34) of the panel (32).

11. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the contact element (40) serves, when the vehicle seat (1) is being transferred from the access position into the use position, to detect an obstruction (H) between the locking device (20) and the counterpart element (22).