JP2008526607A - Safety device for vehicle seat of automobile and its operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety device for a vehicle seat (1) of an automobile, the seat surface being occupied by an occupant (2) that extends along the seat longitudinal direction (X) and sits on the seat surface (3). (3), functionally linked to the safety element (4) connected to the seat surface (3), and the safety element (4), and in the event of a collision, the safety element (4) is moved from the reclining position (R). It comprises an adjustment device (5) for adjusting to the safe position (S) and for returning the safety element (4) from the safe position (S) to the reclining position (R). The safety element (4) has the seat surface (3) and the pelvis of the occupant (2) on which the safety element (4) sits on the seat surface (3) without changing the spatial position in the safety position (S). Acts on the sheet surface (3) so as to oppose the forward movement of the sheet in the sheet longitudinal direction (X). The adjusting device (5) is configured to adjust the safety element (4) to at least one intermediate position (Z) between the safe position (S) and the reclining position (R).
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The invention relates to a safety device comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating such a safety device.

  Such a safety device is mounted on a vehicle seat of an automobile and includes a seat surface that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat and is occupied by an occupant seated on the seat surface and is generally formed by a seat surface element. . The safety device also comprises a safety element assigned to the seat surface and an adjusting device operatively connected to the safety element. This adjusting device functions to adjust the safety element from the reclining position to the safe position in the event of a collision, and then return the safety element from the safe position to the reclining position.

  The safety element acts on the seat surface without changing the position with respect to the vehicle seat in the safe position, and the occupant with the seat belt of the vehicle seat on the seat surface and the safety element moves forward in the traveling direction due to the collision. When moving, it is prevented from slipping and diving under the seat belt, particularly the lap belt (also referred to as “lumbar belt”). This effect is also referred to as a submarine phenomenon by those skilled in the art.

  The seat surface here forms a component of the vehicle seat on which the safety device is mounted. However, the seat surface is intended to limit the forward movement movement of the pelvic area of the occupant seated on the seat surface at the same time and also forms a component of the safety device itself. For this purpose, the safety element is moved by the adjusting device to a position closer to the sheet surface (of the surface element), in which case a certain degree of deformation can occur on the sheet surface under certain conditions. In this connection, however, the spatial position of the sheet surface (for example as a result of a rotational movement of the sheet surface) is not changed in its entirety.

Such a safety device is known from WO 2004/007237. In the event of a collision or activation of the pre-crash warning system, the seat surface of the vehicle seat becomes stiff by adjusting safety elements that prevent it from slipping under the passenger seat belt seated on the vehicle seat. The safety element can be returned to its reclining position again after an accident.
WO2004 / 007237

  The present invention is based on the object of increasing the usability of the aforementioned safety device.

  This object is achieved by a safety device having the features of claim 1. As a result, the adjusting device (also called “control device” or “position setting device” for the safety element) also calls the safety element a reclining position (“initial position”, “rest position” or “return position”). ) And a safe position (also referred to as “control position” or “adjustment position”), it is possible to make adjustments to one or further intermediate positions by the adjustment device, which is an effective addition. Function is provided. As a result, for example, manual adjustment of sheet hardness is possible.

  Here, the reclining position is the lowest position of the safety element, that is, the position farthest from the safety position among the positions of the safety elements. In the safe position, the safety element is in its uppermost position. The safe position and the reclining position form an inversion point in the path where the safety element is adjusted to the maximum. Accordingly, the safety element can be arranged by the adjusting device at a predetermined position or at a position corresponding to the safety position, the reclining position, or at least one intermediate position between them with respect to the seat surface.

  The safety element is preferably adjusted by the adjusting device to a plurality of intermediate positions between the reclining position and the safe position. In particular, the adjustment device is useful for adjusting the position of the safety element in an essentially unlimited number of positions (also referred to as “multi-stage”) between the reclining position and the safe position. This increases the variable performance with respect to the placement of the safety element.

  In one embodiment, the seat hardness of the seat surface is adjusted by adjusting the position of the safety element. This is possible, for example, by a controller or operator control (also referred to as “control by occupant”) capable of manually adjusting the seat hardness. Vehicle seat seat foam ("foam" or "cushion") by moving or arranging a vehicle seat ramp (also referred to as "slope" or "curve" of the seat) formed by safety elements (Also referred to as “compressed”) can be compressed to different degrees so that different sheet hardness settings can be made. Thereby, individual adjustment is possible, and the seating comfort of the passenger increases.

  The adjusting device automatically adjusts the position of the safety element with respect to the seat surface, whereby the adjusting device adjusts the seat hardness of the seat surface to the speed of the automobile (vehicle) on which the vehicle seat equipped with the safety device is mounted. It is preferably configured to be adapted. Such adaptation of the seat hardness can be performed using sensors such as the lateral acceleration sensor of the car, for example, in order to further increase the safety of the driver in a “sporty” driving style. The

  The safety device preferably comprises at least one adjusting motor for the adjusting device to move the safety element. By moving the safety element relative to the seat surface, in particular by compressing the seat foam, the seat surface is acted upon without changing its position.

  In one preferred embodiment of the safety device, the adjustment device is configured as an automatic adjustment device that communicates with a sensor that detects the driving behavior of an automobile equipped with a safety device for the vehicle seat. Sensors transmit signals when they detect a critical (dangerous) situation, in particular a collision situation. In response to this signal, the adjustment device causes the occupant to slide under the seat belt by means of a vehicle seat ramp (inclined, in particular configured to rise towards the front end of the vehicle seat). To prevent the phenomenon of submarine (submarine phenomenon), the safety element is automatically adjusted to the safe position. Here, the safety element is not only adjusted out of the reclining position, but may also be set in advance in an intermediate position.

  In one refinement of this embodiment, the adjustment device causes the safety device to move to various positions by causing the adjustment device to vibrate (also referred to as “vibration movement”) between at least two different positions relative to the seat surface. It has at least one shaking function to move to. This is activated in response to a signal from the detector and serves to alert a critical situation as a sense warning signal through the seat surface. This oscillating vibration motion is a warning that is perceptually and easily sensed in the pelvic region. In combination with an ACC (active cruise control) or pre-crash sensor system (also referred to as a “system that detects an accident by a sensor before a collision”), this option can be used to alert the driver.

  The seismic movement of the safety element here preferably occurs in the vicinity of the current set position of the safety element. When the safety element is set at the intermediate position, the reversal point of the vibration action is two further intermediate positions, one of which is closer to the reclining position than the set intermediate position and the other is set. It is formed at a position closer to the safe position than the intermediate position. As a modification, the shaking motion is between a set intermediate position and another position as a reversal point of the shaking motion, for example on the one hand set intermediate position and on the other hand a safe position, a reclining position or further It also occurs between intermediate positions. In this connection, a vibration motion between the reclining position and the safe position is also possible, but this is due to the distance between each other, which makes the adjustment range extremely large, so this is the occupant seated in the vehicle seat. Will result in a lower comfort.

  In one further refinement of this embodiment, the adjustment device is adapted to position different parts of the safety element at least relative to the seat surface in a shaking motion when a critical situation is detected by a sensor for detecting the driving behavior of the vehicle. A plurality of vibration functions for moving to various positions between two different positions are provided. Thus, the driver is told that the quake action has been taken, for example, that the car is off the roadway, that the car is below a safe distance on a particular side of the car, or that the maximum speed allowed is exceeded. As such, it is possible to distinguish between different critical situations detected by the sensor.

  In this connection, the adjustment device is preferably configured such that the right and left sides of the safety element can be individually moved to various positions in a vibration motion between at least two positions relative to the seat surface. A separate activation of the left or right side of the safety element preferably alerts the driver that the vehicle is off the roadway in the direction of the vehicle or less than the safe distance in this direction of the vehicle. It is considered optimal.

The adjusting device preferably comprises at least two adjusting motors, in particular one is assigned to the right side of the safety element and one is assigned to the left side of the safety element.
The right and left sides of the safety element are individually adjusted and actuated by an adjustment motor in at least one intermediate position between the safety position and the reclining position.

  In one preferred refinement of the invention, the adjusting device for activating the safety element is connected to means for activating a motor-controlled (electrically controlled) seat belt system for the respective vehicle seat. In this way, in addition to or in parallel with the function of the safety element described above, the seat belt is automatically pretensioned in critical operating situations (also referred to as “pre-tensioning the seat belt”). This pretensioning provides additional safety to each occupant (especially during the pre-crash stage prior to the collision). As a result, it is also possible to particularly give the occupant the feeling of being supported in critical driving situations, for example in situations where skidding has occurred.

  In one embodiment, the safety element is arranged below the surface element of the vehicle seat, in particular in the vehicle seat itself, and is moved closer to the seat surface by the adjusting device in the event of a collision. In particular, in this connection, the safety element is arranged in the seat shell of the seat part. As a result, in the event of a collision, the safety element can easily move in the direction of the seat surface, so that the seat surface and the safety element act essentially along the direction in which the safety element extends, and the vehicle seat A barrier portion is formed that counteracts the forward movement of the pelvic region of the occupant seated on the entire width of the vehicle seat.

  The safety element is advantageously constructed as a ramp ("tilted" or "curved") arranged to act on the seat surface or on its surface part by pressure.

  For this purpose, the safety element comprises an adjustment part that moves to a position that restricts (with the seat surface) forward movement of the pelvic area of the occupant seated on the respective seat surface in the arrangement of the safety element. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, the safety element comprises at least one part, for example in the form of an end, whereby the safety element is guided in the direction of travel and possibly also the drive device.

  The movement operation of the safety element in the case of a collision can be configured as a parallel movement, a rotational movement, or a combination of a parallel movement and a rotational movement. All three forms of these movements are common in that the safety element proceeds in the direction of the pelvic area of the occupant seated on the seat surface of the vehicle seat.

  The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method according to claim 21 for operating a safety device according to the invention mounted on a vehicle seat of an automobile. According to the method, at least one sensor for detecting the driving behavior of the vehicle automatically transmits a signal to the adjusting device for adjusting the safety element, in particular causing a vibration action of the safety element.

  The safety device according to the present invention is effective as a system effective for enhancing comfort, a warning system and a restraint system at the same time, and has the function of a “reversible active seat lamp” known from WO 2004/007237. It is an extension.

  Specific embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of a vehicle seat 1 on which a safety device is mounted. The vehicle seat 1 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the automobile (vehicle) (which is also the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat at the same time) and can be seated by the occupant 2 (also referred to as “seat surface layer portion”). 3, a backrest (also referred to as a “backrest portion”) 10 and a seat belt 11 for restraining the occupant.

  In addition to a seat surface 3, the safety device comprises a safety element 4 arranged and mounted in the vehicle seat 1 below the surface element of the seat surface 3. An adjustment device (also referred to as “control device” or “positioning device”) 5 for the safety element 4 is connected to the safety element via a transmission (also referred to as “power transmission device” or “transmission device”). 4 is connected.

  The safety element 4 is configured as an element (an element such as a shell shape (shell shape) or a bar shape (bar shape)) extending in an intersecting manner with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the automobile (the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat) ( 2, see FIG. 2, 3, 4A and 4B), connected to the surface layer portion of the vehicle seat from below, and can be adjusted to a different position with respect to the seat surface 3 by the adjusting device 5. In this connection, a predetermined range of deformation of the sheet surface 3 can occur. In this context, however, the seat surface 3 is not changed in its entirety (for example as a result of the rotational movement) but rather (seat ramp (also referred to as “slope” or “curve” of the seat). Only the outer shape (outer shell) and the sheet hardness are changed. The safety element 4 is arranged in the central region of the seat shell (with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat) in FIG. 1, whereas it is arranged in the front region of the seat shell itself in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the safety element 4 is a reclining position (also called “initial position”, “rest position”, or “return position”) that forms the reversal point of the movement operation of the safety element 4. Position adjustment between R and a safe position (also referred to as “control position” or “adjustment position”) S is possible. In the reclining position R, the safety element 4 is arranged furthest away from the seat surface 3, and in the safety position S, the safety element 4 maximizes the seat surface element of the seat surface 3 to form a seat ramp. Press to the limit. In this safe position S, the safety element 4 acts on the seat surface 3 without changing its position relative to the vehicle seat, whereby the seat surface 3 and the safety element 4 are constrained by the seat belt 11 of the vehicle seat 3. When the occupant 2 moves forward in the traveling direction X due to a collision, the occupant 2 passes under the seat belt 11, particularly the lap belt (also referred to as “waist belt”), by forming a seat inclined portion. To prevent it from slipping and diving.

  The safety element 4 comprises a number of intermediate positions Z between the reclining position R and the safety position S, so that an essentially unlimited number of positions (“multi-stage”) between the reclining position R and the safety position S. It is also possible to adjust the position.

  In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the adjustment operation of the safety element 4 is performed as a linear operation, but it can also be performed as an operation of another path.

  The position of the safety element 4 affects the sheet hardness of the sheet surface 3 and can be adjusted by the adjusting device 5. The safety element 4 can be disposed further away from the pelvic region and the thigh due to its movement performance, and thereby the foam thickness (“foam” or “cushion” thickness of the seat surface 3). To enhance the comfort of the vehicle seat. The adjusting device 5 can be operated manually or driven by a drive element (not shown) connected to the adjusting device 5 to move the safety element 4 to a desired position.

  The adjusting device 5 is configured to automatically move the safety element 4 to a position closer to the seat surface 3 in the event of a collision, whereby the seat surface 3 and the safety element 4 are moved in the direction X of travel. In the range extending in a crossing manner, an essentially effective barrier portion is formed, and this barrier portion is used to move the entire width of the vehicle seat 1 in the forward movement of the pelvic region of the occupant 2 seated on the vehicle seat. Oppose over.

  The situation of the collision is detected by a sensor or detected before the accident occurs to restrain the occupant 2 at an early stage and reliably avoid the submarine phenomenon, and then the safety element 4 is turned on before the accident. (Initial) Detected by a pre-crash system (also referred to as “system that detects an accident before a collision”) that transmits a detection signal to the adjusting device 5 that directly adjusts from the set position to the safe position S.

  FIG. 3 shows the safety element 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby reference is made to further functions of the safety device. The safety element 4 is configured as a bar (also referred to as “bar shape” or “bar shape”) connected to the two adjusting motors 6 via the two rods of the link 8. In this connection, the link 8 extends in the direction of adjustment of the safety element.

  The adjusting motor 6 acts on the link 8 via a gear wheel (gear) 7 so that the link 8 is moved in its extending direction. The adjustment motor 6 constitutes a part of the adjustment device 5. When actuated (adjusting motor), the link 8 is moved and the position of the safety element 4 connected to it is changed.

  Adjust if a serious (dangerous) situation, especially a warning that the vehicle is at the end of the car (rear collision) or a warning that the safety distance is too short, is output by a car sensor (not shown) The motor 6 is automatically activated. The rotating direction is changed to rhythmic (also referred to as “periodic”) and the vibration motion (also referred to as “vibration motion”) of the link 8 is generated via the gear wheel 7. The link 8 transmits the shaking motion to the safety element 4 acting on the surface layer portion of the seat surface 3 so that a sensing warning signal in the form of a shaking seat is sensed by the occupant 2 seated on the vehicle seat 1. The securing element 4 moves to various positions between the set intermediate position Z and the intermediate position Z 'spaced from it. This shaking motion can also occur in the vicinity of the reclining position R and the safety position S where the safety element 4 can be set in a warning situation.

  A safety element 4 as shown in FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The adjustment motor 6 includes a right adjustment motor 6a and a left adjustment motor 6b. These adjustment motors 6a and 6b can be individually operated. As shown in FIG. 4a, when only the right adjustment motor 6a is actuated, the right side 4a of the safety element 4 performing the vibration action moves through the right rod 8a of the link 8.

  Similarly, in the situation shown in FIG. 4b, only the left adjustment motor 6b, which performs the vibration action of the left side 4b of the safety element 4, is operating.

  Such left-hand or right-hand side vibration motion can be detected as a warning signal corresponding to only each side of the vehicle seat by the occupant 2 seated on the vehicle seat 1. Such a warning signal is automatically issued when the vehicle is out of or may be out of the defined driving lane. In this case, the side on which the vehicle leaves the traveling lane corresponds to the side on which the warning signal is issued.

  If the car unintentionally deviates from the lane on the right or left side, the right or left vibration action (also called “vibration action”) of the safety element 4 warns or requires the driver to correct the lane. Can be used for In this case, a special sensor system (e.g. video) is required that transmits a signal to cause the adjusting device 5 to perform a shaking motion.

  Similar to the function of changing the cornering speed and traveling direction, it is possible to automatically change the seat hardness on one side to improve the side grip (restraint) performance during cornering. . In this case, the aforementioned right-hand or left-hand movement of the safety element 4 is not a shaking action but instead is a continuous action.

  The safety element 4 is provided with play at the connection portion to the link 8 so that the operation on one side can be performed, and is not configured as a fixed connection structure.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of a vehicle seat on which a safety device having a safety element set at a safe position is mounted. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure of a vehicle seat equipped with a safety device that includes a safety element that is sometimes set to a reclining position and sometimes set to a safe position. FIG. 3 shows a safety element of a safety device that performs a vibration operation or a vibration operation as a sensing warning signal. FIG. 4A is a safety element shown in FIG. 3, which generates a vibration or vibration on one side on the right side. As a result, a warning is detected on the right side of the vehicle to warn a vehicle that has intentionally left the lane. The state where the signal was given is shown. FIG. 4B is a safety element of FIG. 3, in which one side vibration or vibration is generated on the left side. The state where the signal was given is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle seat 2 Crew 3 Seat surface 4 Safety element 4a Safety element right side 4b Safety element left side 5 Adjustment device 6 Adjustment motor 6a Right adjustment motor 6b Left adjustment motor 7 Gear wheel 8 Link 8a Link right rod 8b Link left rod 10 Backrest 11 Seat belt R Reclining position S Safety position X Vehicle seat longitudinal extension direction Z, Z 'Intermediate position

Claims (22)

A safety device for a vehicle seat (1) of an automobile,
A seat surface (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle seat and occupied by the occupant (2);
A safety element (4) assigned to the seat surface (3);
It is operatively connected to the safety element (4) and adjusts the safety element (4) from the reclining position (R) to the safe position (S) in the event of a collision, and the safety element (4) An adjustment device (5) for returning the safety position (S) to the reclining position (R),
In the safety position (S), the safety element (4) is configured such that the seat surface (3) and the safety element (4) are seated on a vehicle seat without changing the spatial position of the safety position (S). Acting on the seat surface (3) to counter the forward movement of the pelvic area of the occupant (2),
The adjusting device (5) is configured to adjust the safety element (4) to at least one intermediate position (Z) between the reclining position (R) and the safe position (S). Safety device characterized by. The safety device according to claim 1,
Said safety device (5) is configured to adjust the position of said safety element (4) relative to said seat surface (3). The safety device according to claim 1 or 2,
The safety element (4) is configured to be adjustable to a plurality of intermediate positions between the reclining position (R) and the safety position (S) by the adjusting device (5). Feature safety device. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The adjusting device (5) has a function of adjusting the position of the safety element (4) between the reclining position (R) and the safety position (S) in substantially multiple stages. Safety device. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A safety device characterized in that the seat hardness of the seat surface (3) can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the safety element (4). The safety device according to claim 5,
The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the seat hardness of the seat surface (3) is configured to be adjustable by operator-controlling a position of the safety element (4). The safety device according to claim 5 or 6,
By automatically adjusting the position of the safety element (4) relative to the seat surface (3), the adjusting device (5) determines the seat hardness of the seat surface (3) to the vehicle seat (1). A safety device characterized by being adapted to the speed of an automobile in which the vehicle is disposed. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Safety device, characterized in that the adjusting device (5) moves the safety element (4) by means of at least one adjusting motor (6; 6a; 6b). The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The adjustment device (5) is configured as an automatic adjustment device that communicates with a sensor that detects the driving behavior of an automobile equipped with a safety device for the vehicle seat (1). Safety device. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The adjusting device (5) is arranged in various positions between at least two different positions (R; Z: S) with respect to the seat surface (3) by the oscillating action of the adjusting device (5). A safety device characterized in that it has at least one vibration function for moving the movement. The safety device according to claim 10,
The safety device is characterized in that the adjusting device (5) is configured to impart a vibration motion to the seat surface (3) when a sensor that detects the driving behavior of the automobile detects a serious situation. The safety device according to claim 10 or 11,
The safety device characterized in that the vibration operation of the safety element (4) is performed in the vicinity of a set position (R; Z; S) of the safety element (4). The safety device according to claim 11,
When a serious situation is detected by the sensor that detects the driving behavior of the automobile, the adjusting device (5) moves the different parts (4a; 4b; 4) of the safety element (4) by the vibration operation. A safety device comprising a plurality of vibration functions for moving to various positions between at least two different positions (R; Z; S; Z ′) with respect to (3). The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The adjusting device (5) moves the right side (4a) and the left side (4b) of the safety element (4) between at least two different positions (R; Z; S; Z ′) relative to the seat surface (3). The safety device is characterized in that it can be moved individually in various directions by shaking motion. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
In the adjusting device (5), the right side (4a) and the left side (4b) of the safety element (4) are at least one intermediate position (Z) between the reclining position (R) and the safety position (S). The safety device is characterized in that it includes at least two adjustment motors (6a, 6b) that can be individually adjusted. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The safety element (4) is disposed below the seat surface (3) and is moved by the adjusting device (5) so as to be close to the seat surface (3) in the event of a collision. Safety device characterized by. The safety device according to claim 16, wherein
The adjustment device (5) automatically adjusts one side of the position of the safety element (4) with respect to the seat surface (3), thereby changing the sheet hardness of the seat surface (3) with respect to the traveling direction of the automobile. A safety device characterized in that it is adapted to be adapted to. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The safety element (4) is configured to form an inclined part or a curved part. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising:
The safety element (4) is configured as a rod shape or a shell shape. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
A safety device, characterized in that the safety element (4) is arranged in a vehicle seat (1). An operating method for operating the safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
The safety device is mounted on a vehicle seat of an automobile, and a signal is transmitted to the adjustment device (5) from at least one sensor that detects the driving behavior of the vehicle, and the adjustment device (5) then automatically performs the safety operation. A method characterized by adjusting the element (4), in particular causing a shaking action of the safety element (4). The method of claim 21, comprising:
A method of operating a vehicle seat motor controlled seat belt system for pretensioning a seat belt in response to a signal of the sensor.

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