Emergency release mechanism for a seat system in a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle seat system comprising a vehicle seat, a first adjustment mechanism, in particular an electric adjustment mechanism, by means of which the vehicle seat can be longitudinally adjusted in relation to the vehicle, and can be set and secured in a selected longitudinal position, and a second adjustment mechanism for the emergency release of the vehicle seat from the set longitudinal position, wherein the first and second adjustment mechanism are decoupled from one another and / or can be actuated independently of one another.

Description

[0001] Emergency release for a seating system in a vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat system comprising a vehicle seat and an emergency release for the vehicle seat.

[0003] background

[0004] Vehicle seats with folding backrests are commonly used in two-door vehicles to enable or facilitate access to the rear seats. For this purpose, the backrest can be folded forward manually or electrically.

[0005] Also known are vehicle seats with so-called panic or emergency release mechanisms, in which the backrest can be folded forward from a use position into a reclined position, providing easier access to the rear seats in an emergency. Such vehicle seats are provided with a locking unit, usually in the form of a lock, to prevent the backrest from being folded forward from the use position into the reclined position in a locked position, and to allow the vehicle seat section to be folded forward from the use position into the reclined position in a released position.

[0006] Such emergency release systems rely on manually adjustable backrests, which may not be comfortable enough for the user. An emergency release for vehicle seats with electrically adjustable backrests is technically complex and associated with higher costs and weight.

[0007] Alternatively, an emergency release via manually folding rear seats would be conceivable. However, such a solution would significantly impede access in the event of an emergency or rescue.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an improved vehicle seating system in this regard.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] This object is achieved with a vehicle seat system of claim 1.

[0011] The proposed vehicle seat system comprises a vehicle seat, a first adjustment mechanism by which the vehicle seat can be longitudinally adjusted relative to the vehicle and locked and secured in a selected longitudinal position, and a second adjustment mechanism for emergency release of the vehicle seat from the set longitudinal position. According to the proposed vehicle seat system, emergency release is possible without adjusting the backrest. The system is thus also suitable for vehicle seats whose backrests are only electrically adjustable or which are not foldable. The first and second adjustment mechanisms are decoupled from one another and / or can be operated independently of one another. The first adjustment mechanism can correspond to a conventional longitudinal adjustment, which can preferably be implemented electrically.The second adjustment mechanism can be triggered independently of the first adjustment mechanism, i.e. even in situations in which the first adjustment mechanism no longer responds, e.g. due to an interruption in the power supply.

[0012] The second adjustment mechanism can allow for continuous adjustment of the vehicle seat's longitudinal position. This allows the vehicle seat to be moved as quickly as possible to a final position or a position at least sufficient for emergency release in the event of an emergency release.

[0013] The first adjustment mechanism can be triggered by a first actuating mechanism, and the second adjustment mechanism can be triggered by a second actuating mechanism. The actuation of the first adjustment mechanism for adjusting the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat is thus carried out separately from the actuation of the emergency release.

[0014] In particular, the second actuating mechanism can be triggered independently of the first actuating mechanism. This allows emergency release, for example, to occur even if the first actuating mechanism is blocked or malfunctioning.

[0015] The vehicle seat can be adjusted longitudinally between the front and rear end positions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of the first adjustment mechanism. The vehicle seat is moved from the set longitudinal position to the front end position or a position between the front and rear end positions that is at least sufficient for emergency release by actuating the second adjustment mechanism. In other words, the vehicle seat can be moved forward automatically by triggering the emergency release.

[0016] A mechanical, electromechanical, or electric drive is expediently provided, which moves the vehicle seat to the front end position when the emergency release is triggered. In one embodiment, the drive comprises an energy storage device, in particular at least one spring, whose spring force acts on the vehicle seat toward the front end position, so that the vehicle seat, in response to an emergency release, is moved by the spring force toward the front end position and held in this position. Thus, a small amount of force is sufficient to provide sufficient access to the rear seats in an emergency. A design using springs is also mechanically robust and lightweight.

[0017] The first adjustment mechanism can be released, overridden, and / or deactivated by actuating the second adjustment mechanism. For example, the first adjustment mechanism can include a locking mechanism for the vehicle seat in a set seating position (fore / aft adjustment), which locking mechanism is released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism. Thus, after an emergency release, the vehicle seat can be and remain freely adjustable in the fore / aft direction without locking in a fore / aft position that could impede emergency exit.

[0018] In one embodiment, the vehicle seat system comprises an upper rail that can be fastened to the underside of the vehicle seat, and a lower rail that can be fastened on the one hand to the upper rail and on the other hand to the vehicle floor. The fastening of the lower rail to the vehicle floor can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, such that the lower rail is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the vehicle floor. According to this embodiment, in the event of an emergency release, the vehicle seat is moved using the upper and lower rails. This allows the connection between the upper and lower rails to remain unchanged. To adjust the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat, the lower rail can contain a spindle, and the upper rail can contain a spindle nut that meshes with the spindle. This connection does not need to be separated or modified when the vehicle seat is moved by the second adjustment mechanism below the lower rail.This movement is preferably guided by an additional rail between the lower rail and the vehicle floor.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the vehicle seat system comprises an upper rail that can be attached to the underside of the vehicle seat, and a lower rail that can be attached to the upper rail on one side and to the vehicle floor on the other. The attachment of the upper rail to the lower rail is detachable, allowing the upper rail to move relative to the lower rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The longitudinal movement of the vehicle seat is thus guided by the lower rail. This eliminates the need for an additional rail.

[0020] In one embodiment, the upper rail comprises a spindle nut, preferably one that can be driven by an electric motor, and the lower rail comprises a spindle that is meshingly connected to the spindle nut, and wherein the fastening of the upper rail to the lower rail can be released by releasing the spindle nut from the spindle. This allows the vehicle seat to be guided along the lower rail without the lower rail having to be modified. Alternatively, the spindle can also be driven, preferably by an electric motor. In a further embodiment, the upper rail comprises a spindle nut, preferably one that can be driven by an electric motor, and the lower rail comprises a spindle that is meshingly connected to the spindle nut, and wherein the fastening of the upper rail to the lower rail can be released by releasing the lower rail from the spindle.This allows the vehicle seat to be moved from the use position to the adjustment position along the lower rail without the components of the longitudinal adjustment gear, i.e. spindle nut and spindle, having to be separated from each other.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the vehicle seat system comprises an upper rail that can be fastened to the underside of the vehicle seat, and a lower rail that can be fastened on the one hand to the upper rail and on the other hand to the vehicle floor. The fastening of the vehicle seat to the upper rail can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the upper rail. The upper and lower rails can thus remain connected to one another or to the vehicle floor, and only the vehicle seat is moved. In this case, the movement of the vehicle seat is preferably guided via an additional rail between the upper rail and the underside of the vehicle seat. This allows the existing rail system to be used unchanged for adjusting the position of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the vehicle seat system of this embodiment is compatible with various rail systems.

[0022] In one embodiment, the upper rail is fixed to the underside of the vehicle seat via a multiple joint, whereby the fixation can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat can be pivoted forward relative to the upper rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This enables an alternative movement of the vehicle seat from the use position to the adjustment position. For example, a curved movement may be advantageous for reasons of space or for better compatibility with the existing vehicle seat system.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the vehicle seat system comprises an upper rail that can be fastened to the underside of the vehicle seat, and a lower rail that can be fastened on the one hand to the upper rail and on the other hand to the vehicle floor, wherein the upper rail consists of at least two parts, comprising a front part and a rear part with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which can be locked to one another, wherein the vehicle seat is fastened to the front part, and wherein the locking of the two parts of the upper rail can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the front part of the upper rail can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the rear part of the upper rail. Preferably, a longitudinal adjustment gear, as is usually connected to the upper rail, is connected to the rear part of the upper rail.When moving the front part of the upper rail, which is connected to the vehicle seat, the longitudinal adjustment gear does not have to be laboriously separated from the rear part of the upper rail.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the vehicle seat system comprises an additional rail that can be attached and locked to the lower rail, the upper rail, or the underside of the vehicle seat. The locking mechanism can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat can be guided along the additional rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The additional rail enables the vehicle seat to be easily guided from the use position to the adjustment position without having to modify the existing rail system of the vehicle seat system.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism can only be triggered when a vehicle containing the vehicle seating system is in the rest position and / or when the vehicle's engine is switched off and / or when a crash has been detected. This ensures that the emergency release cannot be accidentally triggered while driving, for example.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism has a trigger that is arranged on the rear of the vehicle seat and / or operable from the rear of the vehicle seat. This enables a passenger in the rear seat to trigger the unlocking and longitudinal adjustment of the front seat in an emergency.

[0027] Character description

[0028] The invention is described in more detail below using several embodiments.

[0029] It shows:

[0030] Fig. 1 a vehicle seat system with backrest folding forward as an emergency exit;

[0031] Fig. 2 a vehicle seat system with emergency release by longitudinal adjustment;

[0032] Fig. 3 a vehicle seat system with longitudinal adjustment below the lower rail in use and adjustment position;

[0033] Fig. 4 a vehicle seat system with longitudinal adjustment using the lower rail in the use and adjustment positions;

[0034] Fig. 5 a vehicle seat system with longitudinal adjustment by dividing the upper rail into use and adjustment positions;

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a vehicle seat system with linear longitudinal adjustment above the top rail in the use and adjustment positions; Fig. 7 shows a vehicle seat system with non-linear longitudinal adjustment above the top rail in the use and adjustment positions.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a vehicle seat system 100 with a backrest folding forward as an emergency exit, as known in the art. The vehicle seat system 100 in Figure 1 comprises a rail system 103 and a vehicle seat 101 with a vehicle seat backrest 106 and a vehicle seat surface 108, which are connected to one another via a fitting 110. The longitudinal adjustment 102 of the vehicle seat and the backrest inclination 104 are electrically adjustable. The rail system 103 consists of a lower rail 116, which connects the vehicle seat system 100 to the vehicle floor 112 or a floor assembly 114 of the vehicle, and an upper rail 118, which supports the vehicle seat 101, for example, via kinematic modules 120. In addition, a manual backrest folding forward mechanism is provided, which enables the through-loading created when the seat is folded forward to be used as an emergency exit.

[0037] Figures 2-7 show exemplary embodiments of a vehicle seat system 300 according to the invention with emergency release by longitudinal adjustment.

[0038] The vehicle seat system 300 in Figure 2 has a vehicle seat 101 with a vehicle seat back 106 and a vehicle seat surface 108, between which an angle, i.e., an inclination of the vehicle seat back 106, can be adjusted, for example, by means of an electrically operated fitting 110. The vehicle seat system 300 further has a rail system 103 below the vehicle seat surface 108, which enables a longitudinal adjustment 102, for example, electrical, of the vehicle seat position and anchoring of the vehicle seat 101 to the vehicle floor 112 or a floor assembly 114 of the vehicle.

[0039] The rail system 103 comprises at least one lower rail 116 and at least one upper rail 118. The lower rail 116 connects the vehicle seat system 300 to the floor assembly 114 of the vehicle. The lower rail 116 can also contain a spindle, which is part of a longitudinal adjustment gear. The upper rail 118 supports the vehicle seat 101. For this purpose, the upper rail 118 can be connected to a multi-joint kinematics, which enables adjustment of the vehicle seat surface 108 of the vehicle seat 101. The upper rail 118 can further be connected to a longitudinal adjustment gear of the vehicle seat system 300. For example, the upper rail 118 can contain an electric motor-driven spindle nut, which, meshing with the spindle of the lower rail 116, generates a longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 101. Alternatively, the longitudinal adjustment gear can drive the spindle instead of the spindle nut.A locking mechanism is provided for switching between the use position of the vehicle seat 101 and the adjustment position. In the use position, the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat 101 is adjusted using the longitudinal adjustment gear 102. To reach the adjustment position, the locking mechanism is released, allowing the vehicle seat 101 to move forward and create an emergency exit. In other words, while the lower and upper rails of the rail pair are fixedly mounted to one another for the first adjustment mechanism, at least parts of the rail pair can be decoupled for the second adjustment mechanism.

[0040] The locking mechanism can be attached at different positions of the vehicle seat system 300 so that the vehicle seat 101 can be displaced by decoupling at different positions of the vehicle seat system 300, in particular the rail system 103: For this purpose, either according to a variant 1 (number 1 from Figure 2) a vehicle seat displacement can take place below the lower rail 116 of the vehicle seat system 300; in a variant 2 (number 2 from Figure 2) the lower rail 116 is used to displace the vehicle seat 101; in a variant 3 (number 3 from Figure 2) the vehicle seat 101 is displaced above the upper rail 118 of the vehicle seat system 300.

[0041] The locking mechanism can be implemented, for example, by a toothed mechanism that moves a latch and a cam into a detent position. Alternatively, the locking can be achieved by a locking pin between the rails of the rail system or between the rails and the vehicle floor or the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the locking can be achieved by a step-by-step locking or an end-position locking by actuating a rack and pinion drive. In the latter case, the locking mechanism, and thus the emergency release, can be designed to be electrified. Depending on the design, the locking mechanism can be mounted below the lower rail 116 (variant 1), on or above the lower rail 116 (variant 2), or on or above the upper rail 118 (variant 3).

[0042] Figure 3 shows a vehicle seat system 300 with longitudinal adjustment below the lower rail 116 in the use position (Figure 3a) and the adjustment position (Figure 3b). In this exemplary embodiment, the entire vehicle seat 101, including the lower rail 116 and the upper rail 118, is displaced. For this purpose, the lower rail 116 is unlocked from the floor assembly 114. To displace the vehicle seat after unlocking, the rail system can comprise an additional rail. This additional rail can be attached as an additional component below the lower rail 116, i.e., between the lower rail 116 and the floor assembly 114. Alternatively, the additional rail can be integrated into a floor bracket of the lower rail 116 or into a riser of the floor assembly connection. The vehicle seat 101 can then be guided forward via the additional rail. Alternatively, the vehicle seat can be guided in a guide rail or multi-joint kinematics.The guide can have a slot, web, or groove, which can be linear or curved and position a sliding block accordingly. Compared to the guide on the auxiliary rail, the guide allows the vehicle seat to be guided along more complex motion paths. Alternatively, a highly controlled, curved motion path can also be achieved using multi-link kinematics, such as four-link kinematics. The forward movement can optionally be supported by an energy storage device, such as a spring.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a vehicle seat system 300 with longitudinal adjustment using the lower rail 116 in the use position (Figure 4a) and the adjustment position (Figure 4b). In this embodiment, the existing lower rail 116 of the vehicle seat system 300 is used for the forward movement of the vehicle seat 101. The coupling between the lower rail 116 and the floor assembly 114 is retained. To move the vehicle seat 101 longitudinally using the lower rail 116, the spindle nut of the upper rail 118 and the spindle of the lower rail 116 can be separated from each other. Alternatively, the spindle of the lower rail 116 can be separated from the lower rail 116.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a vehicle seat system 300 with longitudinal adjustment by dividing the upper rail 118 into the use position (Figure 5a) and the adjustment position (Figure 5b). In this embodiment, the upper rail 118 of the vehicle seat system 300 can be divided into at least two parts 502, 504. These two parts 502, 504 are locked together in the use position of the vehicle seat 101. A first part 502 of the upper rail 118 is firmly coupled to the longitudinal adjustment gear. A second part 504 of the upper rail 118 supports the vehicle seat 101. By opening the connection between the two rail parts 502, 504, the vehicle seat 101 can be pushed forward without having to separate the longitudinal adjustment gear from the upper rail 118.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a vehicle seat system 300 with linear longitudinal adjustment above the upper rail 118 in the use position (Figure 6a) and the adjustment position (Figure 6b). The vehicle seat 101 is therefore unlocked above the upper rail 118. The coupling of the lower rail 116 to the floor assembly 114 is retained. The rail system can include an additional rail 602. The vehicle seat 101 is then guided into the additional rail by unlocking it from the upper rail 118. The additional rail can be an additional component or integrated into a retaining bracket of the upper rail 118. The locking mechanism can be implemented by a mechanical lock. When using the additional rail 602, the vehicle seat 101 is guided forward linearly. As an alternative to the additional rail 602, the vehicle seat 101 can be guided forward using a linkage or multi-joint kinematics.Optionally, the forward movement can also be supported in this embodiment by an energy storage device, for example a spring. Figure 7 shows a vehicle seat system 300 with non-linear longitudinal adjustment above the upper rail 118. The vehicle seat 101 is unlocked above the upper rail 118, as also shown in Figure 6. However, unlike in Figure 6, the longitudinal adjustment 102 is not carried out linearly, but is guided in a curved manner from the use position (Figure 7 a) to the adjustment position (Figure 7 b) with the aid of a multiple joint 702. In this case, the vehicle seat 101 is not only guided laterally forward relative to the rail system 103, but is simultaneously moved vertically away from the rail system 103, so that an additional or enlarged free space is created between the vehicle seat 101 and the rail system 103.

[0046]

[0047] 100 state-of-the-art vehicle seating systems

[0048] 101 Vehicle seat

[0049] 102 Longitudinal adjustment

[0050] 103 Rail system

[0051] 104 Backrest angle

[0052] 106 vehicle seat backrest

[0053] 108 vehicle seat

[0054] 110 joint

[0055] 112 Vehicle floor

[0056] 114 Floor group

[0057] 116 Bottom rail

[0058] 118 Top rail

[0059] 120 connection modules

[0060] 300 Vehicle seat system according to the invention

[0061] 502 First part of the upper rail 118

[0062] 602 additional rail

[0063] 504 Second part of the upper rail 118

[0064] 702 Multiple joint

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle seat system comprising: a vehicle seat; a first adjustment mechanism, in particular an electric adjustment mechanism, by which the vehicle seat is longitudinally adjustable relative to the vehicle and can be locked and secured in a selected longitudinal position; and a second adjustment mechanism for emergency release of the vehicle seat from the set longitudinal position, wherein the first and second adjustment mechanisms are decoupled from one another and / or can be actuated independently of one another.

2. Vehicle seat system according to claim 1, wherein the second adjustment mechanism allows continuous adjustment of the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat.

3. The vehicle seat system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first adjustment mechanism is triggerable by a first actuating mechanism; and wherein the second adjustment mechanism is triggerable by a second actuating mechanism.

4. The vehicle seat system of claim 3, wherein the second actuating mechanism is operable independently of the first actuating mechanism and / or the first and second actuating mechanisms are decoupled from each other.

5. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle seat is longitudinally adjustable between front and rear end positions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of the first adjustment mechanism, wherein the vehicle seat is brought by actuation of the second adjustment mechanism from the set longitudinal position into the front end position or a position between the front and rear end positions which is at least sufficient for emergency release.

6. Vehicle seat system according to claim 5, comprising a mechanical, electromechanical or electrical drive for adjusting the vehicle seat to the front end position in response to actuation of the second adjustment mechanism.

7. The vehicle seat system of claim 6, wherein the drive comprises at least one spring that exerts a spring force on the vehicle seat toward the front end position, such that the vehicle seat is adjusted toward the front end position by the spring force in response to actuation of the second adjustment mechanism and is held in the front end position.

8. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first adjustment mechanism can be released, bridged and / or deactivated by actuating the second adjustment mechanism.

9. A vehicle seat system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an upper rail attachable to the underside of the vehicle seat; and a lower rail attachable on one side to the upper rail and on the other side to the vehicle floor, wherein the attachment of the lower rail to the vehicle floor is releasable by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the lower rail is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the vehicle floor.

10. A vehicle seat system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an upper rail attachable to the underside of the vehicle seat; and a lower rail attachable to the upper rail on one side and to the vehicle floor on the other side, wherein the attachment of the upper rail to the lower rail is releasable, so that the upper rail is movable relative to the lower rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

11. Vehicle seat system according to claim 10, wherein the upper rail comprises a spindle nut, preferably driven by an electric motor, and the lower rail comprises a spindle meshingly connected to the spindle nut, and wherein the fastening of the upper rail to the lower rail is releasable by releasing the spindle nut from the spindle.

12. Vehicle seat system according to claim 10, wherein the upper rail comprises a spindle nut, preferably driven by an electric motor, and the lower rail comprises a spindle meshingly connected to the spindle nut, and wherein the fastening of the upper rail to the lower rail is releasable by releasing the lower rail from the spindle.

13. A vehicle seat system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a top rail attachable to the underside of the vehicle seat; and a lower rail which can be fastened on the one hand to the upper rail and on the other hand to the vehicle floor, wherein the fastening of the vehicle seat to the upper rail can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the upper rail.

14. Vehicle seat system according to claim 13, wherein the upper rail is fixed to the underside of the vehicle seat via a multiple joint, wherein the fixation is releasable by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat can be pivoted forward relative to the upper rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

15. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: an upper rail which can be fastened to the underside of the vehicle seat; and a lower rail which can be fastened on the one hand to the upper rail and on the other hand to the vehicle floor, wherein the upper rail consists of at least two parts, comprising a front part and a rear part with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which can be locked together, wherein the vehicle seat is fastened to the front part, and wherein the locking of the two parts of the upper rail can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the front part of the upper rail can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the rear part of the upper rail.

16. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle seat remains freely movable in the longitudinal direction after actuation of the second adjustment mechanism.

17. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional rail which can be fastened and locked to the lower rail, the upper rail or the underside of the vehicle seat, wherein the locking can be released by actuating the second adjustment mechanism, so that the vehicle seat can be guided on the additional rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

18. Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second adjustment mechanism can only be triggered when a vehicle containing the vehicle seat system is in the rest position and / or when the engine of the vehicle is switched off and / or when a crash has been detected.

19. A vehicle seat system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises a trigger that is arranged on the rear of the vehicle seat and / or operable from the rear of the vehicle seat.

Images