DE102020130226A1 - Longitudinal adjuster, vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjuster (10), in particular for a vehicle seat (1), the longitudinal adjuster (10) having at least one pair of rails, which consists of a first rail (12) and a rail (12) that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction (x) relative to the first rail (12). second rail (14), the rails (12, 14) alternately encompassing one another to form an inner channel (16), a spindle nut (30) connected to the second rail (14) and a spindle nut with spindle (20) operatively connected to the spindle nut (30), wherein a gear (50) which can be driven by a motor and interacts with the spindle (20) is arranged at one end of the first rail (12), the gear (50) having a Worm wheel (54) and a worm (52), which is in operative connection with an external toothing of a worm wheel (54), the worm wheel (54) having an internal thread (56), an external thread (22) of the spindle (20) is screwed into the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54), the spindle (20) being fixed, in particular clamped, in the worm wheel (54) by interaction of the external thread (22) with the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54). is. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat (1) with such a longitudinal adjuster (10).

Description

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjuster, in particular for a vehicle seat, the longitudinal adjuster having at least one pair of rails, which is formed from a first rail and a second rail which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the first rail, the rails alternately encompassing one another to form an inner channel, with a spindle nut connected to the second rail and a spindle operatively connected to the spindle nut are arranged in the inner channel, with a gear that can be driven by a motor and interacts with the spindle being arranged at one end of the first rail, the gear having a worm wheel and a worm, which is in operative connection with an external toothing of a worm wheel, wherein the worm wheel has an internal thread, wherein an external thread of the spindle is screwed into the internal thread of the worm wheel. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat.

State of the art

From the DE 10 2005 023 095 A1 a drive device and a drive device for a motor vehicle seat in a sliding device are known. The drive mechanism for use with an automotive seat slide includes mating fixed and movable track members moveable between a forward position and a rearward position. The drive device includes an extended spindle, a spindle nut, a gear and an installation device. The spindle defines a spindle axis and has longitudinally extending spindle threads. The spindle nut can be securely fastened on a first rail part and has an internal thread that can engage the spindle threads. The gear can be mounted on a different track member and selectively rotates the spindle about the spindle axis. The spindle of the drive device is provided with a spindle wheel which, when the drive device is in the assembled state, extends outwards through spindle wheel openings in the movable rail part.

From the DE 10 2017 218 492 A1 a longitudinal adjuster, in particular for a vehicle seat, is known. The longitudinal adjuster has at least one pair of rails, which is formed from a first rail and a second rail that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first rail, the rails alternately encompassing one another to form an inner channel. A spindle nut mounted on the second rail and a spindle operatively connected to the spindle nut are arranged in the inner channel, with a gear that can be driven by a motor and interacts with the spindle being arranged at one end of the first rail. The spindle is mounted in the gear box at a front end portion of the spindle and in a pivot bearing of the first rail at a rear end portion of the spindle. In the longitudinal direction in front of the spindle nut, a first crossbar is accommodated in a slot in the first rail, with the spindle being passed through an opening in the first crossbar without contact, in particular with the formation of a circumferential gap, with a shoulder of the Spindle is arranged, wherein in response to a predetermined force, for example in the event of a crash, in particular due to a displacement of the first rail, the first cross bar is jammed between the first rail and the shoulder, and as a result a force from the first rail via the first cross bar, the Paragraph, the spindle and the spindle nut to the second rail can be derived.

From the DE 10 2006 035 437 A1 as well as the JP 2007-126103 A a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat is known in each case, which provides a non-rotatable plug connection between a corrugated and thread-free section of a spindle and a correspondingly corrugated mating section of a worm wheel of a spindle gear.

From the DE 10 2011 004 143 A1 as well as the WO 2016/150790 A1 a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat is known in each case. The longitudinal adjuster has in each case at least one pair of rails, which is formed from a first rail and a second rail which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the first rail, the rails mutually encompassing one another to form an inner channel. Arranged in the inner channel are a spindle connected in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner to the second rail and a spindle gear operatively connected to the spindle. The vehicle seat is longitudinally adjusted by moving the spindle using the spindle gear.

From the EP 3 492 312 A1 a longitudinal adjustment unit of a seat in a motor vehicle is known, comprising a housing with a through opening which is arranged along a longitudinal axis and has a first spindle opening and a second spindle opening. Furthermore, the longitudinal adjustment unit has a spindle which can be passed through the through-opening along the longitudinal axis through the housing. The longitudinal adjustment unit has a spindle nut and a worm, which drives the spindle nut and is mounted in the housing by a bearing collar on both sides, the spindle nut being rotatably and axially mounted on both sides in the housing in the longitudinal axis, a spindle lock nut being provided, through which the spindle is rotatably connected to the spindle nut.

task

The object of the invention is to improve a longitudinal adjuster of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular to provide a longitudinal adjuster with an increased load-carrying capacity. Another object is to provide a longitudinal adjuster with increased resistance to damage to a gear during screwing in of a spindle. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a corresponding vehicle seat.

solution

This object is achieved according to the invention by a longitudinal adjuster, in particular for a vehicle seat, the longitudinal adjuster having at least one pair of rails, which is formed from a first rail and a second rail which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the first rail, the rails mutually encompassing one another to form an inner channel , wherein a spindle nut connected to the second rail and a spindle operatively connected to the spindle nut are arranged in the inner channel, wherein a gear which can be driven by a motor and interacts with the spindle is arranged at one end of the first rail, the gear having a worm wheel and a Worm, which is in operative connection with an external toothing of a worm wheel, wherein the worm wheel has an internal thread, wherein an external thread of the spindle is screwed into the internal thread of the worm wheel, the spindle being rotated by an interaction of the external thread is fixed to the internal thread of the worm wheel in the worm wheel, in particular is jammed.

Due to the fact that the spindle is fixed in the worm wheel by an interaction of the external thread with the internal thread of the worm wheel, in particular is clamped, a non-rotatable connection is created between the spindle and the worm wheel, which does not require any further fixing element.

This also makes it possible for the transmission to be produced as a preassembled and smallest testable assembly. An assembly of the gear with the spindle in a longitudinal adjuster is also simplified. The auger can be made of plastic.

The worm wheel can have an interface for a tool for positively introducing a torque about the axis into the worm wheel. Using the interface for a tool, a torque introduced during screwing of the spindle into the worm wheel can be compensated by corresponding introduction of an opposing torque using the tool in such a way that the worm is not loaded by a torque acting on the worm wheel. A resulting torque acting on the worm wheel can be in the range from 0 to 1 Nm, in particular in a range from 0 to 0.5 Nm.

The interface can be designed to at least partially accommodate an Allen key or an Allen key. An Allen key is also commonly known under the brand name TORX.

The interface can be arranged in a bearing section of the worm wheel. The interface is preferably arranged in a bearing portion opposite to a direction from which the spindle is screwed. Sections of the interface can be introduced into tooth flanks of the internal thread.

The internal thread of the worm wheel can be designed in the form of a trapezoidal thread. The internal thread of the worm wheel can be designed with two threads. The internal thread of the worm gear may have a pitch error relative to the external thread of the spindle. A pitch error means that the pitch of the internal thread in the worm wheel does not match the pitch of the external thread of the spindle, in particular a pitch of the external thread of the spindle. A pitch of the internal thread of the worm wheel can deviate from a pitch of an external thread of the spindle. This has the effect that the further the spindle is screwed into the worm wheel, the deviation and thus a moment in the connection between the spindle and worm wheel increases. The deviation in the pitch can cause the spindle and the worm wheel to self-center in relation to one another.

The spindle can be non-rotatably connected to the worm wheel. The spindle can be integrally connected to the worm wheel. The spindle can be glued to the worm wheel.

The spindle is preferably screwed into an internal thread of a worm wheel of the transmission at one end section, preferably at a front end section, by means of an external thread of the spindle. As a result, a connection with the worm wheel that can be loaded in the direction of longitudinal extent of the spindle can be created, as a result of which a corresponding power transmission is made possible in the longitudinal direction.

The first rail can preferably be a seat rail, in particular a top rail, which can be connected to a vehicle seat. The second rail can preferably be a floor rail, in particular a lower rail, which can be connected to a vehicle structure.

In response to a predetermined force, for example in the event of a crash, a force can be derived from the first rail via a gear holder, the gear, the spindle and the spindle nut to the second rail.

The longitudinal adjuster can have a gear holder. The gear holder can have two mutually parallel legs. The two opposite legs are preferably connected to one another in a manner known per se via a web. A fastening section can be connected to each of the legs, by means of which the gear holder is held on the first rail. The fastening sections can be bent by about 90° with respect to the respective adjoining leg. The fastening sections can lengthen the respective adjoining leg in the vertical direction. The fastening sections can be guided through corresponding openings in the first rail. The attachment sections can be riveted to secure the gear holder on the first rail.

In the assembled state of the U-shaped gear holder, the gear can be accommodated between the legs. To provide a load-bearing connection between the gear holder and the first rail in the event of a crash, laterally protruding projections can be provided on the legs of the gear holder, which interact through corresponding recesses in a lateral section of the second rail.

A rear end portion of the spindle may be journalled in a pivot bearing in the first rail. A rear end portion of the spindle may be journalled in the pivot bearing in the first rail. In the area of the rotary bearing on the rear end section of the spindle, additional means for force dissipation, particularly in the event of a rear-end collision, can be provided. Such funds are for example in the DE 10 2017 218 492 A1 described, the relevant disclosure content of which is hereby expressly included.

The external thread of the spindle can be designed in the form of a trapezoidal thread. The internal thread of the worm wheel can be designed in the form of a trapezoidal thread. The external thread of the spindle and the internal thread of the worm wheel can each be designed with two threads.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by a vehicle seat with a longitudinal adjuster according to the invention, in particular a longitudinal adjuster according to the above description.

Figures and embodiments of the invention

Before embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to figures, it should first be noted that the invention is not limited to the components described. Furthermore, the terminology used does not represent any restriction, but is merely exemplary. Insofar as the singular is used below in the description and the claims, the plural is also included unless the context explicitly excludes this.

• 1: einen erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugsitz,
• 2: einen Längsschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Längseinstellers gemäß eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 3: ausschnittsweise einen Längsschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Längseinstellers gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 4: eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Spindel und eines Schneckenrades,
• 5: eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Spindel und eines in einem Getriebehalter angeordneten Getriebes gemäß des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 6: eine Ansicht von vorne auf das in dem Getriebehalter angeordnete Getriebe von 5,
• 7: den Getriebehalter mit Getriebe, die Spindel und ein Werkzeug in einem ersten Montagezustand, und
• 8: den Getriebehalter mit Getriebe und die Spindel in einem zweiten Montagezustand.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of advantageous exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 : a vehicle seat according to the invention,
• 2 : a longitudinal section of a longitudinal adjuster according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 3 : detail of a longitudinal section of a longitudinal adjuster according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
• 4 : an exploded view of a spindle and a worm wheel,
• 5 : an exploded view of a spindle and a gear arranged in a gear holder according to the second exemplary embodiment,
• 6 : a front view of the gear arranged in the gear holder from FIG 5 ,
• 7 : the gear holder with gear, the spindle and a tool in a first assembly state, and
• 8th : the gear holder with gear and the spindle in a second assembly state.

a in 1 Schematically illustrated vehicle seat 1 is described below using three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. A longitudinal direction x runs in the case of a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, it is largely horizontal and preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which corresponds to the usual direction of travel of the vehicle. A transverse direction y running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction x is likewise aligned 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 the case of a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vertical axis of the vehicle.

The position and direction information used, such as front, back, up and down, relates to a viewing direction of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 1 in a normal seated position, with the vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, in a usage position suitable for passenger transport with the backrest 4 and upright oriented in the direction of travel as usual. However, the vehicle seat 1 can also be installed in a different orientation, for example transversely to the direction of travel.

the inside 1 The vehicle seat 1 shown has a seat part 2 and the backrest 4, which can be adjusted in its inclination relative to the seat part 2. An inclination of the backrest 4 can be adjustable, for example, by means of a locking fitting or a geared fitting. The vehicle seat 1 is mounted on a longitudinal adjuster 10 for adjusting a seat longitudinal position.

2 shows the longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the invention of the vehicle seat 1 according to a first embodiment. The longitudinal adjuster 10 has at least one pair of rails, preferably two pairs of rails. The pairs of rails are each formed from a first rail 12, in particular for connection to a seat structure, and a second rail 14, in particular for connection to a vehicle structure. The rails 12, 14 of the pair of rails can be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction x and mutually encompass one another, forming an inner channel 16. A spindle nut 30 connected to the second rail 14 and a spindle 20 operatively connected to the spindle nut 30 are arranged in the inner channel 16 . In the present case, the spindle nut 30 is held fixed to the second rail 14, in particular screwed. The spindle 20 extends along an axis A parallel to the longitudinal direction x.

At a front end portion 20a of the spindle 20, a driveable by means of a motor, not shown, and cooperating with the spindle 20 gear 50 is arranged. The gear 50 is connected to the first rail 12 by means of a gear holder 60 . The gear holder 60 has two legs 62 parallel to one another. The two opposing legs 62 are connected to one another in a manner known per se via a web 64 . Each of the legs 62 is followed by a fastening section 66 by means of which the gear holder 60 is held on the first rail 12 . The fastening sections 66 are bent by approximately 90° with respect to their respective leg 62 . When the U-shaped gear holder 60 is in the assembled state, the gear 50 is accommodated between the legs 62 . In the present case, the transmission holder 60 is screwed to the first rail 12 in the two fastening sections 66 . The fastening sections 66 have threaded holes which, in interaction with corresponding screws and/or threaded bolts, bring about a connection to the first rail 12 .

The motor can be held on a motor mount mounted between the two gears 50 of the respective pairs of rails and can be 2 not shown drive the two gears 50 shaft. In particular, the motor drives a worm 52 that is rotatably mounted about a worm axis of rotation, by means of which a worm wheel 54 that is rotatably mounted perpendicular to the worm axis of rotation can be driven in a predetermined reduction ratio. The worm 52 and the worm wheel 54 are preferably accommodated in a common gear housing. The worm wheel 54 has a central section 54a having an internal thread 56 and two bearing sections 54b adjoining the central section 54a parallel to the longitudinal direction x.

The worm gear 54 is provided to rotatably drive the spindle 20 about an axis A . The gear 50 supports the front end portion 20a of the spindle 20. A rear end portion 20b of the spindle 20 is supported in a pivot bearing 40 on the first rail 12. As shown in FIG.

3 shows an enlarged representation of a detail in the area of the front end section of the spindle 20 of a length adjuster 10 according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment. The longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment essentially corresponds to the longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment, unless explicitly described otherwise below.

The gear 50 is connected to the first rail 12 by means of a gear holder 60 . The gear holder 60 has two legs 62 parallel to one another. The two opposing legs 62 are connected to one another in a manner known per se via a web 64 . Attached to each of the legs 62 is a fastener supply section 66, by means of which the transmission holder 60 is held on the first rail 12. Deviating from the longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the fastening sections 66 in the longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment are designed in the form of an extension of the respective leg 62 . The gear 50 is received between the legs 62 of the U-shaped gear holder 60 . When the transmission holder 60 is in the mounted state, the fastening sections 66 , which protrude through corresponding openings provided in the first rail 12 , are formed into rivets on a side of the first rail 12 opposite the legs 62 . The gear holder 60 can alternatively be welded to the first rail 12 .

The spindle 20 is passed through one of the two mutually parallel legs 62 of the essentially U-shaped gear holder 60 . In the present case, the spindle 20 is guided through the rear leg 62 parallel to the longitudinal direction x. The spindle 20 is screwed at its front end section 20a into the internal thread 56 of a worm wheel 54 by means of an external thread 22 of the spindle 20 .

4 shows an exploded view of the spindle 20 and the worm wheel 54. The worm wheel 54 has the central section 54a having the internal thread 56 and two bearing sections 54b adjoining the central section 54a parallel to the longitudinal direction x. The worm wheel 54 has an interface 68 for a tool W for introducing a torque about the axis A into the worm wheel 54 in a form-fitting manner. The interface 68 is arranged in one of the two bearing sections 54b of the worm wheel 54 . Preferably in the bearing portion 54b which is located opposite to the direction from which the spindle is screwed. The interface 68 is introduced in sections into tooth flanks of the internal thread 56 .

5 12 shows an exploded view of the spindle 20 and the gear 50 arranged in the gear holder 60 according to the second exemplary embodiment. 6 FIG. 12 shows a front view of the transmission 50 arranged in the transmission holder 60 from FIG 5 . The interface 68 is designed to at least partially accommodate the Allen key.

7 12 shows the front end portion 20a of the spindle 20, the tool W and an assembly formed of the gear holder 60 and the gear 50 in a first assembly state in which the spindle 20 is not yet connected to the assembly. The worm 52 , which can be driven by a motor, is operatively connected to an external toothing of the worm wheel 54 . The external thread 22 of the spindle 20 can be screwed along the axis A into the internal thread 56 of the worm wheel 54 on the output side. The tool W is present an Allen key.

After inserting the tool W in sections into the interface 68, the tool W can be used to introduce a first torque about the axis A into the worm wheel 54. During screwing of the spindle 20 from the side of the worm gear 54 opposite the tool W, a second torque about the axis A is introduced into the worm gear 54 . The first torque and the second torque are oriented in opposite directions and at least partially cancel each other out. In this way, a relative force acting between the external teeth of the worm wheel 54 and the worm 52 can be minimized, as a result of which the worm 52 and the worm wheel 54 are protected from damage during the screwing of the spindle 20 into the worm wheel 54 .

8th shows a second assembly state in which the spindle 20 is passed through the rear leg 62 of the gear holder 60 parallel to the longitudinal direction x and is screwed into the internal thread 56 of the worm wheel 54 by means of the external thread 22 of the spindle 20 . The spindle 20 is screwed in through the internal thread 56 of the worm wheel 54 in such a way that the front end section 20a of the spindle 20 projects through the internal thread 56 and in sections into the bearing section 54b. in the in 8th shown second assembly state are the previously screwed into the worm wheel 54 spindle 20 and the worm wheel 54 are rotatably connected to each other.

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the figures can be important both individually and in combination for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

Although the invention has been described in detail in the figures and the previous illustration, the illustrations are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary and not restrictive. In particular, the selection of the proportions of the individual elements shown in the drawing should not be interpreted as necessary or restrictive. Furthermore, the invention is in particular not limited to the exemplary embodiments explained. Further variants of the invention and their implementation result from the above disclosure, the figures and the claims for the person skilled in the art.

Terms used in the claims such as "comprise", "have", "include", "contain" and the like do not exclude other elements or steps. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a plural. A single device can perform the functions of several units or devices specified in the claims.

Reference List

1

vehicle seat

2

seat part

4

rest

10

longitudinal adjuster

12

first rail

14

second rail

16

inner canal

20

spindle

20a

front end portion (of the spindle 20)

20b

rear end section (of the spindle 20)

22

external thread

30

spindle nut

40

pivot bearing

50

transmission

52

slug

54

worm wheel

54a

central section

54b

storage section

56

inner thread

60

gear holder

62

leg

64

web

66

connection section

68

interface

A

axis

W

tool

x

longitudinal direction

y

transverse direction

e.g

vertical direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102005023095 A1 [0002]
• DE 102017218492 A1 [0003, 0021]
• DE 102006035437 A1 [0004]
• JP2007126103A [0004]
• DE 102011004143 A1 [0005]
• WO 2016/150790 A1 [0005]
• EP 3492312 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Longitudinal adjuster (10), in particular for a vehicle seat (1), the longitudinal adjuster (10) having at least one pair of rails, which consists of a first rail (12) and a second rail (14 ) is formed, the rails (12, 14) alternately encompassing one another to form an inner channel (16), with a spindle nut (30) connected to the second rail (14) and a spindle nut (30 ) operatively connected spindle (20) are arranged, with a gear (50) which can be driven by a motor and interacts with the spindle (20) being arranged at one end of the first rail (12), the gear (50) having a worm wheel (54) and a worm (52) which is in operative connection with an external toothing of a worm wheel (54), wherein the worm wheel (54) has an internal thread (56), an external thread (22) of the spindle (20) engaging in the internal thread (56) of Worm wheel (54) is screwed in, characterized in that the spindle (20) is fixed in the worm wheel (54), in particular jammed, by interaction of the external thread (22) with the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54). Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to claim 1 , The worm wheel (54) having an interface (68) for a tool (W) for positively introducing a torque about the axis (A) into the worm wheel (54). Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to claim 2 , wherein the interface (68) is designed for at least partially receiving an Allen key or Allen key. Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the interface (68) is arranged in a bearing section (54b) of the worm wheel (54). Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the interface (68) is introduced in sections in tooth flanks of the internal thread (56). Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54) is designed in the form of a trapezoidal thread. Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54) is designed with two threads. Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54) has a pitch error relative to the external thread (22) of the spindle (20), in particular a pitch of the internal thread (56) of the worm wheel (54) from a pitch of the external thread (22) of the spindle (20) differs. Longitudinal adjuster (10) according to claim 8 , wherein the spindle (20) and the worm wheel (54) are designed to be self-centering to one another. Vehicle seat (1) with a longitudinal adjuster (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 .

Images