DE102008064838B3 - Locking device for a vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

Locking device (1) for a vehicle seat (3), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with- a pawl (11) for locking with a counter-element (B) which is pivotably mounted about a first bearing pin (13),- at least one securing element (25 , 31) which secures the pawl (11) in the locked state, - a half-open lock housing (5) which supports the pawl (11) and the securing element (25, 31), and - a lock cover (6) which The lock housing (5) closes at least to a large extent, with the lock housing (5) and the lock cover (6) forming a receptacle (7) which opens in the direction of the counter-element (B), with the lock housing (5) having an integrated first stop (5a) for the counter-element (B), which has a damping effect when the counter-element (B) comes into contact, characterized in that the lock housing (5) has a plurality of material recesses (5b) in the area of the first stop (5a), which the elastic and dampen nd co-determine the properties of the first stop (5a), and that the multiple material recesses (5b) are provided in an area of the lock housing (5) located behind the first stop (5a) in the pivoting-in direction, and in the area assigned to the lock cover (6). the bottom of the receptacle (7) a second stop (6a) is formed.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a locking device for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

For example, locking devices of this type are off by use DE 35 13 807 A1 , DE 101 26 687 A1 and DE 20 2007 017 195 U1 known, in which a housing a metal pawl, also referred to as a rotary latch, which cooperates with a metal counter-element for locking, and a metal securing element, which secures the pawl in the locked state, pivotally mounted. In an area connected in one piece, the housing supports an unlocking handle, which is articulated by means of a coupler on the securing element.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to improve a locking device of the type mentioned at the outset. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a locking device having the features of claim 1 . Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The integration of a dampening stop has the advantage that when the counter-element impacts, a specific (elastic) deformation of the lock housing takes place, as a result of which the impact of the counter-element is damped. Compared to locking devices with separately designed buffers attached to the receptacle, a one-piece design or at least material connection of the integrated first stop to the lock housing has the advantage of a smaller number of components. The lock housing is in the area of this first set of components. The lock housing is designed to be flexible in the area of this first stop, for example by providing material recesses.

After the counter-element has elastically deformed the lock housing by a certain amount due to the impact, it hits a (metallic) second stop on a lock cover, which serves to prevent excessive deformation and damage to the lock housing by the impact of the counter-element. The second stop lies parallel next to the first stop, but is shifted to the rear by a certain amount in the pivoting-in direction.

Due to its elasticity in the contact area with the counter-element, the lock housing also serves to release play for the counter-element. In this way, inclined positions, counter-element tolerances and positional tolerances of the counter-element and of the locking device can be compensated for or absorbed.

Separating the lock housing from the unlocking housing reduces the demands on the materials, especially with regard to the strength requirements in the area of the unlocking. The material of the lock housing can thus be selected so that it has better properties for implementing a stop and damping function. In addition, the geometry is simplified, which simplifies the tool concept. The possibility of attaching a separate unlocking housing also allows the use of different, customer-specific variants of the unlocking with an otherwise identical locking device.

A cap seated on the pawl, which at least partially covers the edge of a hook mouth of the pawl, reduces the noise generated when the pawl and counter-element come into contact. Compared to overmoulding, connecting the cap and pawl by means of projections and openings has the advantage that no injection tools are required to feed the pawls, dimensional inaccuracies and coordination problems due to the thickness tolerances of the metal, large differences in shrinkage behavior and unfavorable stress distributions in the component are avoided.

Different coverings of the pawl are possible and different variants of the connection between cap and pawl, for example clip connections and ultrasonic riveting. The different variants can be produced in simple injection molding tools. The creation of variants can be carried out on the same assembly device.

A direct linkage of the release handle to one of the existing security elements and thus a direct control of the security elements by means of the release handle makes intermediate elements such as coupling rods or lever kinematics unnecessary, avoids additional fastening clips or plastic coatings, possibly also mirror-symmetrical parts.

In a preferred embodiment, which is also crash-proof, two safety elements are provided, namely a tensioning element, which is prestressed and acts on the pawl in the locked state, for example by using acts on a functional surface of the pawl by means of a clamping surface, and thereby exerts a closing moment on the pawl, and a catch element, which is normally arranged at a small distance from the pawl, in particular its functional surface, and in the event of a crash, in particular by means of a catch surface, the pawl , In particular on the functional surface, is supported, usually in a form-fitting manner, so that any opening of the tensioning element against its pretensioning has no consequences.

The locking device according to the invention can be used at various points on a vehicle seat, for example for connecting the entire vehicle seat to the floor or as a backrest lock for fastening the backrest to the vehicle structure.

• 1 einen Schnitt durch das Ausführungsbeispiel im verriegelten Zustand mit angedeutetem Gegenelement,
• 2 einen Schnitt durch das Ausführungsbeispiel im entriegelten Zustand,
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 4 eine Teilansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels im Bereich des Schlossgehäuses,
• 5 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V in 4,
• 6 eine schematisierte Darstellung eines Fahrzeugsitzes,
• 7 eine Ansicht der Klinke mit Kappe,
• 8 eine Ausführung der Kappe, und
• 9 eine alternative Ausführung der Kappe.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing. Show it

• 1 a section through the embodiment in the locked state with indicated counter-element,
• 2 a section through the embodiment in the unlocked state,
• 3 a perspective view of the embodiment,
• 4 a partial view of the embodiment in the area of the lock housing,
• 5 a section along the line VV in 4,
• 6 a schematic representation of a vehicle seat,
• 7 a view of the handle with cap,
• 8th a version of the cap, and
• 9 an alternative design of the cap.

A locking device 1 for connecting a backrest 2 of a vehicle seat 3 to the vehicle structure is provided in a motor vehicle. The locking device 1 has a half-open lock housing 5 with an approximately flat base and raised edges. The base area is generally arranged in a plane defined by the direction of travel of the motor vehicle and by the vertical, which defines the directional information used below. The lock housing 5 is largely closed by a lock cover 6 which rests against the lock housing 5 and is approximately parallel to the base area. The lock housing 5 is preferably made of plastic, optionally with an insert to increase the strength, while the lock cover 6 is preferably a sheet metal part (steel or aluminum).

The lock housing 5 and the lock cover 6 form a receptacle 7 which opens in the direction of a counter-element B in order to receive it for locking. In this case, one of the locking device 1 and the counter-element B is attached to the structure of the backrest 2 and the other to the vehicle structure. The counter-element B can be a bolt or a bracket, for example. The section of counter-element B to be received by receptacle 7 generally runs horizontally. The direction in which the counter-element B is received by the receptacle 7 is referred to as the pivoting-in direction. The dimension of the receptacle 7 perpendicular to the swiveling-in direction (and in the plane of the base of the lock housing 5) is preferably larger than the corresponding diameter of the counter-element B to compensate for play.

The base of the receptacle 7 is such that the area assigned to the lock cover 6 is set back in relation to the area assigned to the lock housing 5 in the pivoting-in direction. The area assigned to the lock housing 5 is designed as an integrated first stop 5a, against which the counter-element B comes into contact when locking. The first stop 5a is elastic and has a damping effect. In the present case, the first stop 5a is formed in one piece with the lock housing 5, which is made of plastic, with the area of the lock housing 5 located behind the first stop 5a in the pivoting-in direction having a plurality of material recesses 5b, which also determine the elastic and damping properties of the first stop 5a. A second stop 6a is formed on the area of the base of the receptacle 7 that is assigned to the lock cover 6 . Depending on the design, the counter-element B comes into contact with the second stop 6a every time it is locked after deformation of the first stop 5a or only in the event of a crash or misuse.

A pawl 11 is pivoted on a first bearing pin 13, which in turn is attached to the lock housing 5 (and the lock cover 6) and protrudes perpendicularly from its base, i. H. runs horizontally. In the present case, the preferably metallic first bearing pin 13 is riveted to the lock housing 5 and caulked to the lock cover 6 . The first bearing pin 13 is preferably hollow in order to accommodate a fastening means, for example a screw, by means of which the locking device 1 is fastened to the associated structure during assembly. The pawl 11 has a hook mouth 15 for interaction with the counter-element B.

On the preferably metallic (or other hard material) pawl 11 sits a cap 17, preferably an injection molded plastic (or some other soft material) part. The one-piece cap 17 has a flat, flat area 17a, which partially covers the side of the pawl 11 facing away from the lock housing 5 (i.e. on one side), an edge area 17b protruding therefrom (preferably perpendicularly), which covers the edge of the hook mouth 15, and at least a projection 17c for attachment to the pawl 11. In the present case, the cap 17 has two projections 17c (or two pairs of projections 17c), which project parallel to the first bearing pin 13 from the flat area of the cap 17. Each projection 17c (or each pair of projections 17c) is inserted through a suitable opening in the pawl 11 and preferably positively connected to the pawl 11, for example clipped or preferably ultrasonically riveted by means of a sonotrode. The cap 17 has a noise-dampening effect when the counter-element B is received by the hook mouth 15 and comes into contact with the edge of the hook mouth 15 (which is covered by the cap 17, ie covered by its edge region 17b).

In the closed position of the pawl 11, the hook mouth 15 crosses the receptacle 7 approximately perpendicularly and opens to the side. The dimension of the hook mouth 15 (including the cap 17) then aligned in the swiveling-in direction is slightly larger than the diameter of the counter-element B, as a result of which the edge of the hook mouth 15 that is further inwards in the swiveling-in direction is set back in relation to the stop 5a, so that the counter-element B is locked in the locked position State of the locking device 1 only rests against the stop 5a and not against this edge of the hook mouth 15, which is located further inwards in the pivoting-in direction. In the open position of the pawl 11, the hook mouth 15 opens obliquely to the pivoting direction and crosses the receptacle 7 obliquely. The pawl 11 is preferably biased towards the open position.

The pawl 11 has a functional surface 21 which, in the locked position, points approximately in the direction of a second bearing pin 23 which is arranged parallel to the first bearing pin 13 and is fastened to the lock housing 5 (and to the lock cover 6) in the same way. If an insert is provided in the lock housing 5, this preferably holds the two bearing bolts 13 and 23 at a defined distance from one another. The functional surface 21 is curved, for example, in the shape of a circular arc and is concave, but it can also be flat. A clamping element 25 is pivotably mounted on the second bearing pin 23 and is prestressed towards the pawl 11 . In the locked state, the clamping element 25 as a securing element exerts a closing moment on the pawl 11 by means of a clamping surface 29 which is curved eccentrically to the second bearing pin 23 and is in non-self-locking contact with the functional surface 21 . The clamping surface 29 is curved, for example, in the shape of a circular arc and is convex.

A catch element 31 is arranged axially (relative to the second bearing pin 23 ) next to the clamping element 25 on the side facing away from the lock housing 5 and is also pivotably mounted on the second bearing pin 23 , ie in alignment with the clamping element 25 . The catching element 31 has a catching surface 33 which is located in the vicinity of the clamping surface 29 but is at a distance from the functional surface 21 in the locked state. The catch surface 33 is curved, for example, in the shape of a circular arc and is convex, but it can also be flat. The catch element 31 can be mounted in its center of gravity. The catch element 31 and the tensioning element 25 are coupled with an idle travel for entrainment, for example by means of a mortise and tenon guide or an axially protruding driver. In the event of a crash, when the pawl 11 may experience an opening moment and the tensioning element 25 pushes away somewhat, the catch surface 33 comes into contact with the functional surface 21 without an opening moment being able to be transmitted. The catching element 31 serves to support the pawl 11 and, as a further safety element, prevents the same from opening.

The locking device 1 also has an unlocking housing 40 which is formed separately and attached to the upper end of the lock housing 5 and the lock cover 6 . In the present case, the unlocking housing 40 is pushed horizontally (“laterally”) onto the lock housing 5 and clipped to the lock cover 6, with the clip connection between the lock housing 5 and the lock cover 6 being secured against loosening of the connection by pushing on the unlocking housing 40. The unlocking housing 40 is essentially designed as a shaft, inside which an unlocking handle 42 is arranged and—usually—is accessible from above. The unlocking handle 42 can be pivoted manually about an unlocking axis 43 parallel to the bearing pins 13 and 23 . Elastically coupled to the unlocking handle 42 is an indicator 45, which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the unlocking housing 40 and can partially extend out of it in order to indicate the unlocked state of the locking device 1. The purpose of the elastic coupling of the indicator 45 is to avoid damage to the extended indicator 45 in the event of misuse. The elastic coupling takes place, for example, by means of a spring or a other elastic element, by means of which the release handle 42 controls the indicator 45 and extends. Depending on the type and geometry of the elastic element, a temporary, form-fitting contact between the indicator 45 and the unlocking handle 42 can be provided for retracting the indicator 45, ie when the locked state of the locking device 1 is to be displayed. The indicator 45 is at least partially colored in a signal color, which preferably differs significantly from the color of the unlocking housing 40 or its panels.

The unlocking handle 42 has an actuating element 46 at its lower end. In the present case, the actuating element 46 is embodied as an integrally formed pin which protrudes from the unlocking handle 42 parallel to the unlocking axis 43 . The actuating element 46 acts in an articulated manner on the catching element 31 so that a direct articulation point 48 is formed between the unlocking handle 42 and the catching element 31 . In the present case, the articulation point 48 is created by the round actuating element 46 coming to rest in a rounded, mouth-like receptacle of the catching element 31 . Due to the defined relative position of the second bearing pin 23 and the unlocking axis 43, the pivot point 48 remains in all positions. However, optional securing is possible in that the lips of the jaw-like receptacle of the catching element 31 engage behind the actuating element 46 after its elastic deformation.

In the locked state of the locking device 1, the counter-element B is in the receptacle 7 and in the hook mouth 15 of the closed pawl 11, the clamping element 25 secures the pawl 11, the catching element 31 is slightly spaced from the functional surface 21, the unlocking handle 42 is in its initial position and the indicator 45 is retracted. If the unlocking handle 42 is pivoted, the indicator 45 moves out, and the catch element 31 is also pivoted by means of the pivot point 48, i. H. the catching surface 33 moves away from the functional surface 21. The catching element 31 takes the clamping element 25 with it, so that the pawl 11 is no longer secured. Taken along by one of the two safety elements or by its own pretension, the pawl 11 opens. Due to the pivoting movement of the pawl 11, the hook mouth 15 pulls back from the receptacle 7 and releases the counter-element B, which moves away relative to the locking device 1 in the opposite direction to the pivoting-in direction. In the unlocked state of the locking device 1, the pawl 11 and the catching element 31 preferably rest against one another for mutual support at a point different from the functional surface 21 and the catching surface 33, so that the hook mouth 15 remains ready to receive.

If, in this unlocked state, the counter-element B returns to the receptacle 7 and comes into contact with the edge of the hook mouth 15 (covered with the cap 17), the counter-element B presses the pawl 11 into its closed position. The tensioning element 25 moves (because of its pretensioning) along the functional surface 21, as does the catching element 31, which is carried along by the tensioning element 25 or pivots due to its own pretensioning, whereby these two securing elements secure the pawl 11 again. The pivoting catching element 31 pivots the unlocking handle 42 back into its initial position, which retracts the indicator 45 in the process.

Reference List

1

locking device

2

rest

3

vehicle seat

5

lock case

5a

first stop

5b

material recess

6

lock cover

6a

second stop

7

recording

11

pawl

13

first bearing pin

15

hook mouth

17

cap

17a

flat area

17b

edge area

17c

head Start

21

functional surface

23

second bearing pin

25

clamping element

29

clamping surface

31

catch element

33

catch surface

40

unlocking housing

42

release handle

43

release axis

45

indicator

46

actuator

48

pivot point

B

counter element

Claims (12)

Locking device (1) for a vehicle seat (3), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having - a pawl (11) for locking with a counter-element (B), which is pivotably mounted about a first bearing pin (13), - at least one securing element (25 , 31), which secures the pawl (11) in the locked state, - a half-open lock housing (5), which supports the pawl (11) and the securing element (25, 31), and - a lock cover (6), which The lock housing (5) closes at least to a large extent, with the lock housing (5) and the lock cover (6) forming a receptacle (7) which opens in the direction of the counter-element (B), with the lock housing (5) having an integrated first stop (5a) for the counter-element (B), which has a damping effect when the counter-element (B) comes into contact, characterized in that the lock housing (5) has a plurality of material recesses (5b) in the area of the first stop (5a), which the elastic and d damping properties of the first stop (5a), and that the several material recesses (5b) are provided in an area of the lock housing (5) located behind the first stop (5a) in the pivoting-in direction, and in the area assigned to the lock cover (6). the bottom of the receptacle (7) a second stop (6a) is formed. Locking device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the first stop (5a) deforms elastically when the counter-element (B) rests. Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (1) has a separately formed unlocking housing (40) which supports an unlocking handle (42). Locking device (1) after claim 3 , characterized in that the unlocking housing (40) is attached to the lock housing (5) and/or the lock cover (6). Locking device (1) after claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the unlocking housing (40) is pushed onto the lock housing (5) and/or the lock cover (6) and/or clipped. Locking device (1) according to one of claims 3 until 5 characterized in that the unlocking handle (42) is articulated directly to one of the existing securing elements (25, 31) by means of a single articulation point (48). Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cap (17) sits on the pawl (11) and at least partially covers the edge of a hook mouth (15) of the pawl (11). Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (25, 31) is mounted pivotably about a second bearing pin (23) which is arranged parallel to the first bearing pin (13). Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tensioning element (25) and a catch element (31) are provided as securing elements (25, 31), with the pretensioned tensioning element (25) normally having a closing torque in the locked state exerts on the pawl (11) and the catch element (31) supports the pawl (11) in the event of a crash. Locking device (1) after claim 8 and 9 , characterized in that the clamping element (25) and the catching element (31) are mounted pivotably about the same second bearing pin (23). Locking device (1) after claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the pawl (11) for cooperation with the clamping element (25) and the catching element (31) has a common functional surface (21). Vehicle seat (3) with at least one locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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