DE29700293U1 - Motor vehicle seat - Google Patents

Description

Dipi.-lng. J. Pfenning (-1994) Dipl.-Phys. K. H. Meinig (-1995) Dr.-lng. A. Butenschön, Munich Dipl.-lng. J. Bergmann* Berlin Dipl.-Phys. H. Nöth, Munich Dipl.-Chem. Dr. H. Reitzle, Munich Dipl.-lng. U. Grambow, Dresden Dipl.-Phys. H. J. Kraus, Munich

"also lawyer

80336 Munich, Mozartstr. Telephone: 089/544138-0 Fax: 089/544138-38

08 November 1996 S 54 41 38 - 0
13640 N/tr

HS Technology and Design Technical Developments GmbH Argelsrieder Feld 10, 82234 Weßling Motor vehicle seat Motor vehicle seat

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat with a seat structure having a seat cushion and a seat back that can be folded forwards and a support device designed as a joint mechanism that rigidly supports the seat structure in a specific operating position on a rail (top rail) that is slidably mounted on the vehicle.

Such a vehicle seat is known, for example, from DE 40 36 608. In two-door vehicles, getting into the back seat of the vehicle from the outside is often difficult, especially if the front seats are in a relatively far back position. It is known that this can be made easier by folding the seat back forward.

The object of the invention is to create a motor vehicle seat as a front seat in a motor vehicle, which further facilitates access to the rear seats of the vehicle.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the support device can be moved from a rear position, in which the seat structure assumes its specific operating position, to a front position relative to the upper rail. 30

This also moves the seat structure forwards and, in addition to the free space created by the seat backrest being folded forwards, an additional free space is created, in particular

re in the lower access area. So that the vehicle seat can be returned to its original position, the upper rail remains in its locked position relative to the vehicle body when the rigid connection between the support device and the upper rail is released, in particular relative to a lower rail, on which it is slidably guided on the vehicle body.

The rigid connection between the support device and the upper rail can be provided by an anchoring point on the seat upper rail, in which an anchoring element provided on the support device can be firmly anchored, for example locked, in the respective operating position of the motor vehicle seat. However, it is also possible to provide a locking device or the like between the seat structure, for example the seat substructure and the support device. The anchoring or locking device can be released to move the seat structure forwards.

Preferably, the support device forms a four-bar linkage with the seat substructure and the upper rail. This four-bar linkage can have a front and a rear coupling element in the form of links, which are rotatably mounted at pivot points on the upper rail and the seat substructure.

The support device can be designed as a seat height adjustment device. For this purpose, it can be connected to an adjustment device mounted on the upper rail, whereby the anchoring point for the rigid connection between the upper rail and the support device is provided on the adjustment device.

The support device can be used for a basic seat or a height-adjustable seat. If the support device is to serve as a seat height adjustment device, it is coupled to the adjustment device.

For this purpose, a detachable connection can be provided between the support device designed as a seat height adjustment device and the adjustment device. This ensures that a set seat height position after the seat structure has been returned from the forward position to the operating position retains the previously set

This memory function can also be achieved by designing the connection between the adjustment device and the support device or seat height adjustment device in such a way that when the seat structure is moved forwards, the distance between the adjustment device and the point of contact on the support device can be shortened. For this purpose, the connection can be designed to be bendable, for example in the form of a joint (knee joint).

The forward folding movement of the seat back can be transmitted to the support device via a suitable gear, for example a Bowden cable or similar, so that this forward folding movement supports the forward movement of the support device and the associated seat structure. With the articulated connection between the support device and the adjustment device, the forward folding movement of the back can be transmitted to the joint. With this synchronized movement, it can be ensured by appropriate dimensioning of the synchronization that a headrest provided on the seat back does not hit the instrument panel, but finds space above the instrument panel during the synchronized forward movement.

The invention is explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment in the figures. It shows:

. Fig. 1: in side view an embodiment of a vehicle seat in a

operating position rigidly supported on the vehicle body; 25

Fig. 2: the vehicle seat shown in Fig. 1 in a so-called easy-entry

Position in which an increased space is created for access to the chairs;

Fig. 3: different positions (A) to (D) that the vehicle seat assumes when

it is moved from its rigidly supported operating position to the easy-entry position;

Fig. 4: another embodiment in which the vehicle seat has its

basic position in the lowest seating position;

Fig. 5: the embodiment example of Fig. 4 with seat moved forwards.

building;

Fig. 6: the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 in basic position of the

Seat structure in the highest seating position; and

Fig. 7: the embodiment in which the seat structure is removed from the basic position

tion of Fig. 6 is moved to the front position.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, a seat structure 12, which has a seat cushion 17 and a seat back 3, is mounted on a lower rail 18 fixed to the vehicle via a support device 1 on an upper rail 11 so that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the embodiments shown, the support device 1 is designed as a joint mechanism, in particular a four-bar linkage. The support structure has coupling elements 4 and 5 in the form of two links on each side of the seat. The coupling elements 4 and 5 are pivotably mounted in the pivot points 9 and 10 on the upper rail 11 and pivotably mounted in the pivot points 14 and 15 on a seat substructure 13. The coupling elements 4 and 5 on both sides of the seat can be connected to one another by cross struts.

In an operating position shown in Fig. 1, the support device 1 is rigidly connected to the upper rail 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a rigid connection 8 is established by an anchoring point 6, which is provided on the side of the upper rail 11, and by an anchoring element 7, which is present on the support device. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the anchoring element 7 is in the form of a pin, which can be locked, at a distance from the pivot point 10 on the rear coupling element 5. The anchoring point 6 on the side of the upper rail 11 can be designed as a loose bearing, into which the anchoring element

element 7 is inserted in the operating position (Fig. 1). This creates the rigid connection between the support device 1 and the upper rail 11.

The support device 1 can, as shown in the embodiment, be part of a seat height adjustment device. For this purpose, an adjustment device 2 acts on the support device, in particular on the rear coupling element 5, via an actuating element 16. The actuating element 16 transmits a linear adjustment movement generated by the adjustment device 2 to the support device 1. The adjustment device 2 acts on the support device 1 via a lever arm, which is formed by the distance between the anchoring element 7 and the pivot point 10.

The adjustment device 2 can be manufactured in a known manner and, for example, generate the required linear movement of the actuating element 16 with the aid of a crank/spindle drive.

The adjustment movement is transmitted to the support device 1 at the detachable anchoring point 8. The lever arm is formed between the point of action of the actuating element 16 and the pivotable mounting of the coupling element 5 at the pivot point 10, via which the adjustment movement is transmitted to the support device 1.

When the actuating element 16 is moved to the right in Fig. 1, the coupling elements 4 and 5 are pivoted anti-clockwise and the seat is moved from the low operating position shown in Fig. 1 to a higher operating position. During this adjustment movement, the upper rail 11 remains in its longitudinal position in a locked position relative to the lower rail 18. In this way, the seat structure 12 can be brought to a highest position, which is shown in Fig. 3 in the illustration (B). The coupling elements 4, 5 are still tilted backwards.

In order to move the seat structure from the position shown in Fig. 1 or any other intermediate position as operating position into the so-called easy-entry position, which is shown in Fig. 2, the rigid connection 8 between the support device 1 and the upper rail 11 is released. In the embodiment shown,

For this purpose, the rigid connection 8, which is formed by the anchoring point 6 on the adjustment device and the anchoring element on the rear coupling element 5 engaging in the anchoring point (loose bearing) 6, is released. The upper rail 11 remains in its locked position relative to the lower rail 18. Furthermore, the actuating element 16 of the adjustment device 2 remains in its position on the upper rail 11. This achieves a memory function for the seat height position and seat longitudinal position set in the vehicle. As can be seen from the illustrations in Fig. 3, the seat structure 12 moves from the operating position, which is shown in illustration (A), to the highest position accessible by the seat height adjustment device, which is shown in illustration (B), and from there to a forward-displaced position, which is shown in illustration (C), in which the coupling elements 4 and 5 are already tilted forward. Due to the flexibility of the support device 1, the seat structure 12 can then be brought to a frontmost position, which is shown in illustration (D). In this position, the seat structure is in the easy-entry position (Fig. 2).

Afterwards, or during the forward movement of the support device 1, the backrest 3 can be folded forward until it assumes its foremost forward-tilted position, which is shown in Fig. 2 and 3 (D). As can also be seen from Fig. 3, by moving the seat structure 12 forward, an additional free space is gained, which is designated by F in the illustration (D), compared to the starting position in Fig. 3 (A). This additional free space F makes access to the rear seats in the two-door vehicle considerably easier.

In order to fold the backrest 3 forwards, it is released in a known manner from a backrest flap lock 19, whereby a backrest flap 20 can also be swung forwards (Fig. 3 D). This frontmost position of the seat structure 12 is also shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 2. Here, the coupling elements 4 and 5 are inclined forwards and ensure the additional free space F already mentioned.

Since the actuating element 16 of the adjustment device 2 has remained in its position, when the seat structure 12 is returned to its starting position (Fig. 1 or 3 (A)) it is returned exactly to the operating position that it had assumed before being moved to the easy-entry position. The seat also has the same height setting due to the fact that the position of the actuating element 16 remains the same.

When the seat structure 12 is returned to its original position, the rigid connection 8 between the actuating element 16 and the coupling element 5 is automatically restored. In this way, the rigid connection between the upper rail 11 and the support device for the seat structure 12 is also restored.

As can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 3 (C), the forward folding of the seat back 3 can begin at an earlier point in time, possibly even at the beginning of the forward displacement of the support device 1. The forward folding movement of the seat back 3 can be transmitted to the support device 1, for example to the rear coupling element 5, via a gear or connecting means (not shown in detail), for example a correspondingly deflected Bowden cable. In this way, handling is made easier when the seat structure 12 is moved forward into the easy-entry position.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, an adjustment device 21 is provided on the seat substructure 13. The adjustment device 21 has an actuating element 16 that can be pivoted about an adjustment axis 28. Two oppositely directed toothings 29, 30 are arranged on the actuating element 16 on pivot radii about the adjustment axis 28. Gears 31, 32 are in engagement with the toothings 29, 30, with one of the two gears being connected via a gear (not shown in detail) or directly to a rotary knob that can be operated by hand. However, it is also possible to provide an electric drive instead of the rotary knob. This arrangement achieves a self-locking adjustment device for setting the seat height position in the respective operating position.

The adjustment movement of the adjustment device 21 is transmitted via a connection 23 to the rear coupling element 5 of the support device 1. The connection 23 is designed as an articulated connection, which ensures a shortening of the distance between a linkage point 27 on the adjustment device 21 and an engagement point 22 on the rear coupling element 5 of the support device 1.

For this purpose, the articulated connection 23 has two connecting elements 25 and 26, which are connected to one another via a joint 24. The connecting element 25 is pivotably mounted at the articulation point 27, and the connecting element 26 is pivotably mounted at the attack point 22. A lever arm is effective between the attack point 22 and the pivot point 15, which corresponds to the distance between the attack point 22 and the pivot point 15.

In Fig. 4, the operating position of the seat structure 12 is shown in its lowest seating position (operating position). In Fig. 6, the seat structure 12 is in its highest seating position or operating position. Between these two outermost operating positions, the height positions of the seat structure 12 can be adjusted continuously using the adjustment device 21. In these respective operating positions, the engagement point 22 and the articulation point 27 are connected via the two connecting elements 25 and 26 extending along a straight line. The articulation point 27 and the engagement point 22 are at the greatest possible distance from one another in the respective operating positions. In these operating positions, a rigid connection is established between the upper rail 11 and the seat substructure 13. This rigid connection can be stabilized by a locking device (not shown in detail) which comes into effect, for example, in the area of the pivot point 15 between the backrest flap 20 and the support device 1. This locking device can be released by hand, for example, in order to bring the seat structure 12 into a forward position, as already explained using the first embodiment (Figures 1 to 3), in order to make it easier to get to the front seats.

In Fig. 5, this so-called easy-entry position of the seat structure 12 is shown for the case in which the seat structure 12 is moved from the lowest seating position (Fig. 4) to

has been moved forward. Fig. 7 shows the case in which the seat structure 12 has been moved forward from its uppermost seating position (Fig. 6) into the easy-entry position. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 7, the distance between the point of attack 22 and the articulation point 27 is shortened, which is ensured by the joint 24 between the two connecting elements 25 and 26. Since the adjustment device 21 maintains its respective operating position, the seat structure 12 is returned to its original operating position from the easy-entry position (memory function).

In the easy-entry position, the backrest 3 and the backrest flap 20 can also be swiveled forwards. This swiveling movement forwards can be transferred to the coupling elements 4, 5 of the support device. For this purpose, the backrest flap 20 can be connected to the joint 24, e.g. by means of a positive guide, so that the joint is brought into its bent position (Figures 5 and 7). This allows the forward swiveling movement of the backrest flap to be transferred to the coupling elements 4, 5 of the support device 1.

The articulated connection 23 can also be used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 instead of the detachable connection 8. Furthermore, the detachable connection 8 can be used in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7 instead of the articulated connection 23.

Claims (26)

Protection claims 1. Motor vehicle seat with a seat structure comprising a seat cushion and a seat backrest that can be folded forwards and a support device designed as a joint mechanism that rigidly supports the seat structure on a rail (top rail) that is slidably mounted on the vehicle in a specific operating position, characterized ,
15 that the support device (1) can be moved from a rear position, in which the seat structure (12) assumes its specific operating position, to a front position relative to the upper rail (11). 2. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper rail (11) remains in a locked position relative to the vehicle body when the seat structure (12) is moved into the front position. 3. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support device (1) is locked in the respective specific operating position of the seat structure (12). 4. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support device (1) forms a four-bar linkage with the seat substructure (13) and the upper rail (11). 5. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support device (1) has a front and rear coupling element (4, 5) on each side of the seat, which is rotatably mounted on the upper rail (11) and the seat substructure (13). 6. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support device (1) is designed as a seat height adjustment device. 7. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support device (1) designed as a seat height adjustment device is connected to an adjustment device (2; 21) which maintains its set position when the seat structure (12) is moved into the front position. 8. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the forward folding movement of the seat back (3) can be transferred to the forwardly movable support device (1). 9. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the uppermost operating position of the support device (1) designed as a seat height adjustment device, the coupling elements (4, 5) are inclined obliquely backwards. 10. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the coupling elements (4, 5) of the support device (1) are inclined obliquely backwards in the respective operating positions. 11. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when the rigid connection (8) is released, the coupling elements (4, 5) move forwards beyond this operating position into a forward-inclined angular position (Fig. 2) are movable. 12. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one of the two coupling elements (4, 5) of the support device (1) is connected to the adjustment device (2; 21) for transmitting the height adjustment movement. 13. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 12, characterized in that the rear coupling element (5) is connected to the adjusting device (2; 21). 14. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the adjusting device (2; 21) engages the coupling element (5) by means of a connection (8; 23) at an engagement point (7; 22) at a distance from the pivot points (10, 15) with which the coupling element (5) is articulated to the seat substructure (13) and to the upper rail (11). 15. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the connection (8) is designed to be detachable. 16. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the connection (23) is designed such that when the seat structure (12) moves into the firmer position, a shortening of the distance between the adjustment device (21) and the engagement point (22) on the support device (1) occurs. 17. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 16, characterized in that the connection (23) is articulated. 18. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the connection (23) is designed as a toggle lever. 19. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that in the respective operating position of the seat structure (12) the support device 13 ·» ·· *♦ (1) is rigidly connected to the upper rail (11) by means of a detachable connection (8). 20. Motor vehicle seat according to claim 19, characterized in that the connection (8) on the upper rail (11) has an anchoring point (6). 21. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the adjusting device (2) is mounted on the upper rail (11). 22. Motor vehicle seat according to claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the anchoring point (6) is provided on the adjusting device (2). 23. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the adjustment movement can be transferred to the support device (1) designed as a seat height adjustment device at the anchoring point (6). 24. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the adjusting device (23) is attached to the seat substructure (13). 25. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the adjusting device (23) has a pivotable actuating part (16) which is connected to the point of engagement on the support device (1). 26. Motor vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the coupling element (5) on which the adjusting device (2; 21) acts is designed as a two-armed lever.