Longitudinal adjustment device comprising a guard concept for a vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment device (10) for manually longitudinally displacing a vehicle seat, comprising a seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle and a displaceable displacement device (30), the seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle having openings (22) which are situated behind one another in the longitudinal direction of the seat rail and into which at least one locking pin (32) of the displacement device (30) can engage in a locking direction in order to secure the position. With the aid of tabs (24) on a respective long side of the respective openings (22) and, along the region of the openings (22) on a side of the openings (22) opposite the tabs (24), a bulged portion (26) which each have at least a height which corresponds to a projection of the at least one locking pin (32), in an effective locking position, beyond the opening (22), foreign objects can be prevented from entering the region under the openings (22) and thus malfunctions and safety failures in terms of locking can be prevented. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having such a longitudinal adjustment device (10) and to a vehicle having such a seat.

Description

[0001] Longitudinal adjustment device with deflector concept for vehicle seat

[0002] The invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment device for manually longitudinally displacing a vehicle seat with a vehicle-mounted seat rail and a displaceable displacement device. The vehicle-mounted seat rail, with the aid of tabs and a bulge, prevents foreign bodies from entering the area of ​​the seat rail and thus preventing functional and safety failures. It also relates to a vehicle seat with such longitudinal adjustment devices and a vehicle with such a seat.

[0003] Technological background

[0004] Especially in vehicles with manually adjustable seats, there is a risk that objects could penetrate the seat rails, along which the seats are slid, and thus impair their function. Objects such as coins, keys, and the like can become trapped between the center tunnel and the vehicle seat. Due to the geometry of the center tunnel, these objects are directed beneath the openings in the seat rails. Objects that slide under a vehicle seat or are placed there can also penetrate the area of ​​the seat rails.

[0005] This poses a particular risk to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash, as the objects that have penetrated prevent the seat from securely locking in its selected position. This locking mechanism is typically achieved using so-called pins, i.e., spring-loaded locking pins that, due to the penetration of objects, can no longer enter their locking position in the form of openings in the seat rail. As a result, the vehicle seat does not remain in its position in the event of a crash, which can lead to serious injuries to the vehicle occupant(s).

[0006] Prior art solutions propose cover strips designed to prevent the penetration of foreign objects. In addition to the costs of manufacturing and installing such cover strips, a disadvantage is the obstruction of the vehicle occupants' field of vision. Furthermore, they increase the weight of the vehicle seat. Therefore, one object of the invention is to propose a solution that reliably prevents foreign objects from penetrating the seat rail. This solution should not impair the mobility of the vehicle seats and, preferably, should not impair the visibility of the vehicle occupants. The solution should preferably be weight- and cost-optimized.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved with a longitudinal adjustment device according to claim 1, a vehicle seat according to claim 9 and a vehicle according to claim 10. Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

[0009] A longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention for manually longitudinally displacing a vehicle seat is formed with a vehicle-fixed seat rail and a displacement device movable therein in the longitudinal direction, which is formed with at least one spring-loaded locking pin which engages in the vehicle-fixed seat rail in order to secure the relative position between the vehicle-fixed seat rail and the displacement device connected to the vehicle seat.

[0010] The vehicle-mounted seat rail has, on the side facing away from the sliding device, a plurality of recesses arranged one behind the other in its longitudinal direction, into which at least one locking pin engages with one of the recesses to secure the position of the sliding device. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted seat rail has a bulge arranged laterally to the recesses, which extends along the region of the recesses, and each recess has, on its side facing away from the bulge, a tab which adjoins the edge of the recess there and is oriented substantially in the same direction as the bulge, wherein the bulge and the tabs each have at least a height which corresponds to the projection of the at least one locking pin above the recess.

[0011] A vehicle seat according to the invention has two of the longitudinal adjustment devices according to the invention. The claimed vehicle is constructed with at least one such vehicle seat.

[0012] Short description of the characters

[0013] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention,

[0015] Fig. 2 an alternative perspective to Figure 1 , and

[0016] Fig.3 a section through the longitudinal adjustment device from Figure 1.

[0017] Detailed description of the invention

[0018] The longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention for manually longitudinally displacing a vehicle seat is formed with a vehicle-mounted seat rail and a displacement device which is displaceable relative thereto in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, is connected to the vehicle seat and engages with the vehicle-mounted seat rail, and has at least one spring-loaded locking pin for securing the position of the displacement device on the vehicle-mounted seat rail, and is characterized in that the vehicle-mounted seat rail has, on the side facing away from the displacement device, a plurality of recesses arranged one behind the other in its longitudinal direction, wherein at least one locking pin for securing the position of the displacement device engages with one of the recesses, and the vehicle-mounted seat rail has a bulge arranged laterally to the recesses,which extends along the area of ​​the recesses and each recess has a tab on its side facing away from the bulge, which tab adjoins the edge of the recess there and is oriented substantially in the same direction as the bulge, wherein the bulge and the tabs each have at least a height corresponding to the projection of the at least one locking pin above the recess.

[0019] The longitudinal adjustment device is intended to enable a vehicle seat to be displaced in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. For this purpose, such a vehicle seat is designed with two such longitudinal adjustment devices. In a vehicle, at least one vehicle seat has two of the longitudinal adjustment devices according to the invention.

[0020] The longitudinal adjustment device is formed by a vehicle-fixed seat rail and a sliding device.

[0021] The vehicle-mounted seat rail is attached to the floor of the vehicle interior and thus to the vehicle body, for example by screwing. Its position is thus fixed in relation to the vehicle, i.e. it is arranged fixedly to the vehicle. The sliding device is connected to the vehicle seat, this can also be done by screwing, for example. The sliding device engages with the vehicle-mounted seat rail and can be moved relative to it in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The engagement is therefore achieved in such a way that the sliding device is at least partially inserted and / or inserted into the vehicle-mounted seat rail and can then only be moved in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, but cannot be removed from the vehicle-mounted seat rail. Due to the vehicle-mounted arrangement of the seat rail, when the sliding device is moved relative to the seat rail, the vehicle seat is also moved relative to the vehicle in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0022] In order to fix the seating position selected by a vehicle occupant, i.e. to secure it in position, at least one spring-loaded locking pin is provided in or on the sliding device. Spring-loaded locking pins are known as such from the prior art and are also referred to there as whistles. One or more of these locking pins are designed in such a way that they strive for their full longitudinal extension due to the action of the spring and in doing so engage in openings provided for this purpose in the seat rail fixed to the vehicle, thus fixing the position of the sliding device and seat rail. It is sufficient if one of the existing locking pins of the longitudinal adjustment device acts in this position, but it is advantageous if several locking pins help to secure the position of the sliding device relative to the seat rail fixed to the vehicle.

[0023] To move the vehicle seat longitudinally, the spring of the at least one locking pin is compressed via a dedicated actuating device, to which the at least one locking pin is operatively connected. The at least one locking pin is compressed or retracted, thereby releasing it from engagement with the vehicle-mounted seat rail. The vehicle seat is now movable. If the actuating device is released, the at least one locking pin returns to its extended position due to the spring force and can engage in recesses provided for this purpose in the seat rail.

[0024] According to the invention, the vehicle-mounted seat rail has, on the side facing away from the sliding device, i.e., facing downwards in the installed position, a plurality of recesses arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the seat rail, thus at least two recesses. These recesses are the ones into which at least one locking pin is to engage, depending on the selected seating position. The plurality of recesses forms an area, which is also referred to below as the recess strip. As already explained, several locking pins can also engage in the aforementioned recesses; it is important that at least one of them achieves this engagement.

[0025] The number of recesses and their size depend on the desired fineness in adjusting the longitudinal displacement of the vehicle seat, but also on the static requirements to ensure a safe position of the seat in relation to the vehicle even in the event of a crash, in particular in interaction with the at least one locking pin, their number and dimensions.

[0026] To the side of the cutout strip formed by the recesses, the vehicle-mounted seat rail has a bulge, which, depending on the viewing angle, can also be described as a groove. This bulge extends the same length as the recesses.

[0027] In addition, the vehicle-mounted seat rail has a tab on each recess on the side opposite the bulge, which connects to the edge of the recess at that point. These tabs essentially point in the same direction as the bulge, meaning that both point downwards in relation to the installation situation. The tabs can be formed from the vehicle-mounted seat rail, for example, by punching and bending. Material-dependent radii for the contour of the recesses and tabs must be observed in order to limit possible notch effects while still facilitating bending. Due to the punching process, the dimensions of the tabs are smaller than those of the recesses.

[0028] In order to achieve the desired effect of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention, i.e. to prevent foreign bodies from penetrating the area of ​​the longitudinal adjustment device, the tabs and the bulge must each have a height at least corresponding to the projection of the at least one locking pin above the recess, i.e. when the latter is engaged with a recess. During engagement, i.e. in the effective locking position, the at least one locking pin projects downwards beyond the recess relative to the installation situation. In order to prevent malfunction of the at least one locking pin due to foreign bodies penetrating it during or after displacement of the vehicle seat, both the tabs on the recesses and the bulge must be at least as high as this projection of the at least one locking pin.They can be designed so that they do not touch the floor of the vehicle interior to avoid static overdetermination. However, in the event of a crash with strong deformation forces, tabs and bulges can provide an additional support surface or support for the longitudinal adjustment device.

[0029] The tabs and the bulge work together to prevent foreign objects from penetrating. On one long side of the vehicle-mounted seat rail, the bulge acts as a barrier, preventing foreign objects from penetrating; on the other long side, the tabs prevent foreign objects from penetrating.

[0030] The preferred orientation of the vehicle-mounted seat rail is such that the long side with the tabs faces the outside of the seat, and the long side with the bulge faces the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle seat. In this case, the two vehicle-mounted seat rails on a vehicle seat would be mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle seat. Of course, the vehicle-mounted seat rail can also be oriented in the opposite direction and / or with two identical seat rails.

[0031] The longitudinal adjustment device disclosed above provides a component-integrated concealment of the manual release system for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat without negatively impacting the vehicle occupant's field of vision, as would be the case with connecting elements such as welds, rivets, or screws. The integrated design eliminates the need for additional components, simplifies production and assembly, and thus increases process stability during painting, for example, and reduces the overall weight of the longitudinal adjustment device.

[0032] According to a first embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention, two supports for attaching the seat rail to the vehicle are formed or arranged on the vehicle-mounted seat rail. These supports are intended to ensure that neither the bulge nor the tabs touch the floor of the vehicle interior in order to avoid static overdetermination. The supports therefore ensure sufficient ground clearance for the longitudinal adjustment device in the area of ​​the bulge and the tabs. For this purpose, the supports can be formed, for example, in the form of elevations from the vehicle-mounted seat rail. Alternatively, they can also be attached to the vehicle-mounted seat rail as additional components. The vehicle-mounted seat rail then rests on the vehicle floor in the area of ​​the supports and is connected to it there.

[0033] In a second embodiment, the width of the tabs increases with increasing distance from their connection point. The tabs should therefore be narrower at their connection point on the vehicle-fixed seat rail and wider with increasing distance from there. This has two advantages. Firstly, a narrower tab start at the connection point is beneficial for production by punching, as the radii can be optimized to reduce the notch effect and bending the tabs after punching is also simplified. Secondly, the tabs that are wider at the free end are more effective in defending against the penetration of foreign objects. At least when the tabs are manufactured by punching out of the seat rail, the width and length of the tabs depend on the dimensions of the recesses, so the tabs are always smaller in area than the recesses themselves.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the tabs are lower than the bulge. In this case, the bulge can act as a support for the vehicle-mounted seat rail. This allows for dimensional deviations in the manufacturing of the tabs (tolerances) to be compensated for, and since the tabs in this embodiment do not touch the vehicle floor, the system is prevented from being over-determined.

[0035] It is advantageous if the at least one locking pin has a cross-section that tapers towards its end. It thus resembles a truncated cone. This shape at the end of the at least one locking pin facilitates its insertion into the recesses, allowing it to be inserted quickly and securely. This facilitates the locking process after the vehicle seat has been moved longitudinally.

[0036] Another advantageous embodiment is that the at least one locking pin has a circumferential groove at its end. This groove, i.e., an annular notch in the area of ​​the at least one locking pin, which is inserted into the recesses, can secure the position of the vehicle seat in the event of a crash with deformation in the area of ​​the vehicle seat. The at least one locking pin wedges itself against the edges of the recesses in the area of ​​the groove, preventing the vehicle seat from becoming loose. This prevents or at least reduces uncontrolled displacement of the seat and the associated risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

[0037] In order to improve the positional security of the sliding device on the vehicle-fixed longitudinal rail, it may be expedient for the sliding device to have at least two locking pins, wherein the center distance of the locking pins differs from the center distance of the recesses.

[0038] The center distance between the locking pins and the recesses should therefore be different. Preferably, the distance between the locking pins is smaller than that between the recesses. Since dimensional deviations in both the recesses and the locking pins are always present due to manufacturing, it may happen that one of several locking pins fails to insert into a recess, or that it accidentally becomes jammed in a recess, thereby limiting the functionality of the vehicle seat.

[0039] However, if at least two locking pins are provided that are spaced at a different distance from each other than the recesses, this increases the probability that at least one of them will engage a recess. Due to the different spacing, another or the others will encounter areas between the recesses and thus cannot engage and jam.

[0040] If the dimensions of the locking pins are significantly smaller than those of the recesses, the respective distances can also be selected so that at least two locking pins engage with the recesses, but do not tilt due to the significantly smaller diameter in relation to the dimensions of the recesses.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the diameter of the locking pins can be smaller, in particular half the length and / or width of the recesses. This facilitates the insertion of at least one locking pin into a recess and reduces the risk of the locking pin colliding with the tab on the respective recess.

[0042] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0043] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device 10 according to the invention. The three figures will be described together.

[0044] The longitudinal adjustment device 10 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 in a first perspective from the side, in Figure 2 a perspective bottom view of the longitudinal adjustment device and in Figure 3 a sectional view.

[0045] The longitudinal adjustment device 10 consists of a vehicle-mounted seat rail 20 and a sliding device 30. The vehicle-mounted seat rail 20 is bolted to the vehicle floor. This is done in the area of ​​the two supports 40. Optionally, the seat rail 20 can be attached to the vehicle using the three mounting holes 42 (only one is marked for clarity), for example, to the center tunnel.

[0046] The vehicle-mounted seat rail 20 has a plurality of recesses 22, which are particularly clearly visible in Figure 2. On one side of the recesses 22 are tabs 24, which were formed from the seat rail 20 by punching and bending.

[0047] Opposite the tabs 24, a bulge 26 extends along all recesses 22. Tabs 24 and bulge 26 point downwards with respect to the installation situation.

[0048] The sliding device 30, as shown particularly in Figure 3, engages with the vehicle-mounted seat rail 20, being mounted for longitudinal displacement thereto. Bearings 38 are provided for this purpose (Figure 3).

[0049] In this exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device 10, it has two spring-loaded locking pins 32 that engage with the recesses 22 and project therefrom (especially Figure 2). As can be clearly seen in Figure 3, the height of the bulge 26 and the tabs 24 corresponds at least to the downward projection of the locking pins 32 beyond the recess 22.

[0050] The sliding device 30 is connected to the vehicle seat (not shown). It has an actuating element 36 that is operatively connected to the locking pins 32. If a user pulls the actuating element 36 upward, the springs and thus the locking pins 32 are compressed and pulled out of the recesses 22 (if they were engaged). The vehicle seat can now be moved. Once the target position is reached, the user releases the actuating element 36, and the spring-loaded locking pins 32 expand in their longitudinal direction and, depending on their positioning relative to the vehicle-mounted seat rail 20, engage the recesses 22 in the seat rail. To facilitate this, their ends are shaped like a truncated cone with a tapered cross-section. In addition, the locking pins 32 each have a groove 34 at this tapered end.This serves to tilt the locking pins 32 with the recesses 22 of the vehicle-fixed seat rail 20 in the event of a crash with deformations in the area of ​​the longitudinal adjustment device 10 and to hold the vehicle seat largely in its position.

[0051] Figure 2 also shows the center distances a v the locking pins 32 and a A of the recesses 22. It is clearly visible that the center distance a v the locking pins 32 is smaller than that of the recesses 22. At the same time, the diameter of the locking pins 32 is significantly smaller than the dimensions of the recesses 22. Both facilitate the engagement of the locking pins 32 in the recesses 22. If more than two locking pins 32 are present, engagement in a third recess 22 may be possible due to the different center distances a v and a Aimpossible, this then stands on the area between two recesses 22.

[0052] The longitudinal adjustment device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is mounted in the vehicle such that the bulge 26 points toward the vehicle seat's center axis and the tabs 24 point toward the outside of the vehicle seat. A vehicle seat has two such longitudinal adjustment devices 10, which are designed to be mirror-symmetrical for this purpose.

[0053] With the longitudinal adjustment device 10 configured in this way, no foreign object can penetrate it, especially into the engagement area of ​​the locking pins 32. A foreign object that falls, for example, between the vehicle seat and the center tunnel, is held back by the tabs 24. An object that gets under the vehicle seat and moves toward the seat rail 20 is deflected by the bulge 26. Thus, the engagement of the locking pins 32 in the seat rail 20 cannot be impaired by foreign objects.

[0054] To further improve the repellency of foreign objects, the tabs 24 become wider from their connection point on the vehicle-mounted seat rail 20 to their free end. The longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention, the associated vehicle seat, and the vehicle solve the problems posed above. The penetration of foreign objects and the associated impairment of the longitudinal displacement of the vehicle seat are prevented. The proposed solution is integrated, thus requiring no additional parts. This facilitates installation in the vehicle and results in weight savings. Furthermore, this component-integrated solution prevents any visual impairment for vehicle occupants.

[0055] List of reference symbols

[0056] 10 Longitudinal adjustment device

[0057] 20 vehicle-mounted seat rails

[0058] 22 recess

[0059] 24 tab

[0060] 26 Bulge

[0061] 30 Shifting device

[0062] 32 locking pin

[0063] 34 grooves

[0064] 36 Actuating element / lever

[0065] 38 Bearing of the sliding device in the seat rail

[0066] 40 supports

[0067] 42 mounting holes a A Center distance recesses a v Center distance of locking pins

Claims

Patent claims 1. A longitudinal adjustment device (10) for manually longitudinally displacing a vehicle seat, comprising a vehicle-mounted seat rail (20) and a displacement device (30) displaceable relative thereto in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, connected to the vehicle seat, and engaging with the vehicle-mounted seat rail (20), said displacement device having at least one spring-loaded locking pin (32) for securing the position of the displacement device (30) on the vehicle-mounted seat rail (20), characterized in that the vehicle-mounted seat rail (20) has, on the side facing away from the displacement device (30), a plurality of recesses (22) arranged one behind the other in its longitudinal direction, wherein at least one locking pin (32) engages one of the recesses (22) for securing the position of the displacement device (30), and the vehicle-mounted seat rail (20) has a bulge (26) arranged laterally to the recesses (22),which extends along the area of the recesses (22), and each recess (22) has, on its side facing away from the bulge (26), a tab (24) which adjoins the edge of the recess (22) there and is oriented substantially in the same direction as the bulge (26), wherein the bulge (26) and the tabs (24) each have at least a height which corresponds to the projection of the at least one locking pin (32) above the recess (22).

2. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that two supports (40) for fastening the seat rail (20) to the vehicle are formed or arranged on the vehicle-fixed seat rail (20).

3. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the width of the tabs (24) increases with increasing distance from their connection point.

4. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tabs (24) have a lower height than the bulge (26).

5. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking pin (32) has a cross-section tapering towards its end.

6. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking pin (32) has a circumferential groove (34) at its end.

7. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement device (30) has at least two locking pins (32), wherein the axial distance (a v ) of the locking pins from the center distance (a A ) of the recesses (22) differs from each other.

8. Longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the locking pins (32) is smaller, in particular half as large as the length and / or the width of the recesses (22).

9. Vehicle seat with two longitudinal adjustment devices (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle having at least one vehicle seat according to claim 9.

Images