WO2014135145A1

WO2014135145A1 - Locking device for a rail guide for a vehicle seat and rail guide

Info

Publication number: WO2014135145A1
Application number: PCT/DE2014/000094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregor Knauer; Axel Speck
Original assignee: Faurecia Autositze Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2013-03-06
Filing date: 2014-03-06
Publication date: 2014-09-12

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for a rail guide for a vehicle seat, which locking device is provided for fixing to an upper rail that is received on a lower rail so as to be longitudinally adjustable, wherein the locking device comprises at least: a detent element that is adjustable between a locking position and a release position and has a catch (14) for engaging in a locking aperture of the lower rail in order to create the locking position, a catch spring (11) for pre-loading the detent element into the locking position, and an actuator (7) for moving the detent element from the locking position into the release position. According to the invention on operation of the actuator (7) to unlock the detent element, in a first adjustment travel (s1) the catch spring (11) can be moved to relieve the detent element of stress without directly operating the detent element, and in a subsequent second adjustment travel (s2) the detent element can be moved such that the detent element unlocks. The invention further relates to a rail guide.

Description

Locking device for a rail guide of a vehicle seat and rail guide

The invention relates to a locking device for a rail guide of a vehicle seat and such a rail guide.

Longitudinally adjustable vehicle seats are generally arranged on rail systems. In this case, a lower rail on the vehicle, generally the vehicle chassis, attached and takes an upper rail to which the other parts of the vehicle seat are fixed, adjustable in length. A provided on the upper rail locking device in this case allows unlocking by the user for longitudinal adjustment and locking in a desired longitudinal position.

The locking device generally has locking elements which engage in corresponding locking windows of the lower rail. In this case, an automatic locking is generally desired, so that the individual locking elements are biased by locking springs in their locking position and by an actuator against the spring force of the locking springs in their release position

(Unlocking position) are adjusted.

In discrete locking systems with the same locking dimension of the locking elements and the locking window is initially generally a lock only according to the notch and not in each Längspositi-

CONFIRMATION COPY on possible.

Furthermore, instant lock locks are known which allow locking in any longitudinal position; For this purpose, a plurality of locking elements are generally arranged in a smaller grid than the grid of the locking window of the lower rail, so that engages in each longitudinal position at a release of the locking elements at least already a first locking element. Such locking devices generally have at least three locking elements and a difference of the grid on the vernier principle.

DE 10 2008 017 007 A1 describes a rail system with a multi-pin locking device with three pivotable locking elements, which each engage with a locking tooth in a locking window of the lower rail. Three such locking elements are spaced on a bearing shaft side by side and by locking springs, wherein the locking springs each bias a locking element in the locking position as a torsion spring. To unlock a release part acts from above against a lever arm of the locking elements and pivots the opposite lever arm on which the ratchet teeth are formed, against the spring action of the locking springs up out of the locking windows.

However, such an unlocking by depressing the spring-loaded locking elements in their pivoting from the locking position to the release position is sometimes complex and stiff, wherein the actuator operated by the user has to apply a high force or a high actuating torque.

In the case of a frontal crash or a corresponding strong deceleration, the vehicle seat with upper rail is rail accelerates forward. The locking elements thus hold the vehicle seat together with the upper rail in the lower rail. In such strong accelerations thus the locking elements are pressed against the contact slopes of the windows; in case of heavy falls, the bottom rail may also bend. Thus, the blocking element may optionally slide along the contact slopes of the locking window along; since the contact slopes are designed such that they receive the pivoting in the locking ratchet teeth at a shallow angle, the locking element at the contact slope can slide out of the contact slope upwards and thus disengage with the strong acceleration of the upper rail together with Verriegelungseinrichtu ng relative to the lower rail. For larger deformations increases the risk of unwanted unlocking.

WO 201 2/007515 A1 shows different rail guides with vertically adjustable or pivotable locks. According to one embodiment, an at least two-armed, pivotable rotary lever is provided, at the two ends of which rotary hooks for engagement in the lower rail are formed.

DE 21 02 288 A1 describes a slide rail, in which at least one pin projects radially and is guided in a slot of a pipe section, so that by turning the shaft of the pin can be pivoted into latching openings.

The invention has for its object to provide a locking device for a rail guide and a rail guide that allow safe locking and easy operability.

This object is achieved by a locking device Claim 1 solved. The dependent claims describe preferred developments. Furthermore, a corresponding rail guide is provided with the locking device.

In the confirmation of the actuator for unlocking the locking element, the locking spring in a first travel is adjustable with relief of the locking element, that is to relieve the control element, without direct actuation of the locking element.

Thus, the actuator initially engages in its operation in a first travel even before the adjustment of the locking element or in the locking spring and adjusts it, so that the locking spring no longer biases the locking element. After this spring relief the blocking element is then adjusted in a subsequent second travel. An adjustment is carried out, for example, by the blocking element is pivoted about a pivot axis or moved up or down.

It results from the successive adjustment paths of the spring adjustment and subsequent blocking element adjustment some advantages; In particular, the actual unlocking of the locking element is carried out without counteracting the already pushed away locking spring; As a result, the unlocking is easier, it can be done the actual unlocking without the locking spring pushes the locking element further into the locking position. The unlocking process is thus improved.

In the first travel, the blocking element is preferably not adjusted at all; optionally, the locking spring can exert a slight frictional force on the locking element when adjusting; The blocking element accommodated in the blocking window can thus in principle Lich already fall down from the lock window, since it is no longer clamped by the locking spring. In general, however, the blocking element will still rest in the locking window, in particular by friction or adhesion to a wall or contour of the locking window. This can occur in particular with a longitudinal tension of the seat together with its upper rail, if the user exerts a force acting in the longitudinal direction for the release already on the release on the seat.

Such a frictional force or stress can then be solved in the second travel, without counteracting the locking spring. The unlocking is thus safe and with little effort.

The second travel is thus executable without spring-counterforce of the locking spring; For this purpose, the locking spring can be adjusted in the first travel in a passive position, z. B. by her leg end is adjusted, for. B. by the actuator in the y direction. Thus, the spring subsequently does not press any longer in the actuating direction in the second travel.

Both travel paths can be formed as part of a continuous unlocking movement of the actuator.

For this adjustment with two adjusting paths, in particular two contact surfaces can be provided on the actuator, wherein the actuator with a first contact surface, for. B. its bottom, first presses against the locking spring; Here, a second contact surface of the actuator at the beginning of the first travel is preferably still spaced from the blocking element.

Subsequently, the actuator presses with its second investment surface preferably directly the blocking element.

The actuator for adjusting or unlocking the locking elements can in particular push the ratchet teeth down against the spring action of the locking springs. Basically, however, a training as in DE 10 2008 017 007 A1 is possible in which the actuator presses against the other lever arm and thus pivots the ratchet up out of the ratchet.

The blocking element can be accommodated in a receiving slot of the actuator and the slot bottom act as a second contact surface.

According to the invention, a plurality of, in particular at least three, independently adjustable locking elements are provided, which engage in locking windows. The actuator may, for. B. with three parallel, spaced receiving slots, in each of which a locking element is received, which passes upon actuation of the actuator against the slot bottom. Thus, a secure recording of the locking elements and also a safe actuation ung or unlocking is guaranteed.

Preferably, the locking elements may each comprise a locking tooth and a safety tooth, wherein only the locking tooth is provided for engagement in a locking window for locking in respective longitudinal positions.

The safety tooth is used - unlike z. B. in the training of WO 2012/007515 A1 with two ratchet teeth - not the lock, but is recorded without contact in a safety window of the lower rail; he is in the event of a frontal crash or a ner fast deceleration of the vehicle provided and thus serves the crash safety.

In the rail guide according to the invention preferably pivotable locking elements are provided, of which at least two, preferably all, have a ratchet tooth and a safety tooth, wherein only the ratchet tooth is provided for engagement in a locking window for locking in respective longitudinal positions. The safety tooth is used - unlike z. B. in the training of WO 2012/00751 5 A1 with two ratchet teeth - not the lock, but is recorded without contact in a safety window of the lower rail; it is provided in the event of a front crash or a rapid deceleration of the vehicle and thus serves the crash safety.

According to the invention a high crash safety is achieved: In a Crahsfall the locking device is accelerated in the lower rail forward, so that the locking element is pressed with both ends against the lower rail; Thus, the ratchet reaches against the wall contour of the locking window and the security tooth against the wall contour of the security window.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the contour curves of the locking window and the security window limiting sides or wall contours are unequal, in particular opposite. As a result, a high crash safety is achieved. While in a frontal crash the ratchet can basically initially perform an unwanted sliding movement along the contact slope and thus an automatic release of the locking element by pivoting out of the locking window, is caused by the opposite course of the wall contour on the backup side of this pivoting movement counteracted; the blocking element experiences here with its safety tooth an opposite torque.

Preferably, therefore, the wall contours of the windows are formed opposite to the two sides of the lower rail in the pivoting direction of the locking element; Thus, they are preferably both widening downwards, so that the locking upwards pivoting locking to the locking side sees the incoming contact slope at a shallow angle and the downwardly pivoting security tooth an opposite slope.

Instead of a running slope can be in the security window z. B. also be formed a step, so that the security window z. B. gradually widened down. As a result, in a crash, a firm investment of the safety tooth on a gradation or a projection of the wall course possible.

In the event of a rear-end crash, the vehicle seat, together with the locking device, experiences opposing forces in the lower rail; However, here also learn the Sperrzah n and safety tooth opposite torques in their windows, so that a high level of security is ensured here.

Thus, a high level of security can be achieved with relatively little expenditure on equipment.

In the case of two parallel lower rails and upper rails, the locking side and securing side can be interchanged with each other on the left and right. The actuator for adjusting or unlocking the locking elements can in particular push the ratchet teeth down against the spring action of the locking springs. The actuator may in this case be formed with receiving slots for the blocking elements, for. B. three parallel, spaced receiving slots, in each of which a locking element is received, which passes upon actuation of the actuator against the slot bottom. Thus, a secure recording of the locking elements and a safe operation or unlocking is guaranteed.

According to a further embodiment, which is provided in addition or as an alternative to all other embodiments, the ratchet teeth and / or safety teeth can be formed at their end with a Hintergreifung or claw; the Hintergreifung can be formed in the adjustment and / or in the axial direction and serves to the locking window or security window to

engage behind. During a crash, due to z. B. a deformation of the lower rail optionally a transverse movement between the lower rail and the locking elements of the locking device occur; However, by the engaging behind such a loosening in the transverse direction can be prevented; The blocking element engages behind the lower rail in the region of its locking window or safety window. Thus, in addition to the locking in the longitudinal direction by the mutual locking on the locking side and the safety side, a transverse cross-securement is ensured.

A further preferred embodiment relates to the design of the ends of the ratchet teeth and / or safety teeth in a

swiveling locking element. In that the ends or end faces have an arcuate radius with a radius in the pivot axis of the blocking elements. are formed, there is a very small space for the pivoting of the teeth. Thus, a compact design and integration into the locking device is possible.

Thus, an instant-lock locking system, in particular with three locking elements with a smaller pitch than the pitch of the locking window and security windows can be created, which enables a high crash safety at relatively low cost.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of some embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a rail guide according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective sectional view of the rail guide in the open state.

FIG. 3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2 in the closed, locked state; FIG.

4 shows a cross section through the rail guide according to a

Embodiment in the locked state;

Fig. 5 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of

Rail guide in the region of the locking device;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the locking side of

Rail guide;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the securing side of the rail guide;

8 shows an alternative to Figure 7 training with stepped hole walls.

Fig. 9 to 1 1, the actuating operation for pivoting the ratchet tooth according to an embodiment;

9 shows the ratchet tooth in the unactuated state; 10 shows a first step of the operation with adjustment of

Locking spring and relief of the ratchet tooth,

Fig 1 1, the second step of the operation with pivoting of the

Locking tooth,

12 shows a rail shape according to a further embodiment with internal rail actuation in a perspective view;

Fig. 13 is a partially sectioned view of Fig. 12; and FIG. 14 shows a blocking element according to an embodiment in several

Views.

A in Fig. 1 in exploded view or exploded view rail guide 1 has a z. B. on the vehicle chassis to be fixed lower rail 2, which is designed as open top profile, an upper rail 3, which is formed as a downwardly open profile, and is received in the longitudinal direction or x-direction in the lower rail 2, and a in the upper rail 3 recorded locking device (pawl locking device) 4 on. The locking device 4 is mounted in the upper rail 3 and allows locking the upper rail 3 in the lower rail 2 in any set longitudinal positions of the upper rail 3 within an adjustment. In this case, the locking device 4 has a clamp 6 serving for fastening an upper rail 3, an actuator 7, a pawl axis 8 received in the clamp 6, three locking elements 10 rotatably mounted on the pawl axis 8 and three locking springs 11 which here are designed as torsion springs and are also mounted on the pawl axis 8; in each case a locking spring 1 1 is used to bias each of a blocking element 10. The z. 4, 5 thus represents the center axis of the pawl axis 8. The clip 6 can be formed in a simple manner as a bent sheet-metal stamped part and is with its upwardly pointing ends on the top. rail 3 attached, z. B. screwed or welded. The pawl axis 8 extends in the x direction; the three locking elements 10 are on the pawl axis 8 in the axial direction (x-direction) slightly spaced, which is achieved in particular by interposing the locking springs 1 1, which engage with one leg behind a locking element 10 and thus bias it. The pawl axis 8 may, for. B. cold formed or forged, the locking elements (pawls) 10 may, for. B. be finely cut. The locking elements 10 are rotatably mounted on the pawl axis and can be pivoted independently.

Each blocking element 10 has a locking tooth 14, a securing tooth 15 and a bearing hole 16 for mounting on the pawl axis 8. The ratchet teeth 14 each extend to the same side, in Fig. 1 to the left, to a locking side 2a of the lower rail 2; the securing teeth 15 each extend in the opposite direction, d. H. in Fig. 1 to the right, to a backup side 2b of the lower rail 2; the lock side 2a and the unlock side 2b are thus in the vehicle transverse direction, i. y direction, opposite and formed with special hole patterns, which interact with the ratchet teeth 14 and 15 Sicherungszäh-, as described below. Furthermore, slots 3a are formed in the upper rail on both sides, through which the ratchet teeth 14 and securing teeth 15 protrude.

The three locking elements 10 and the locking springs 1 1 are each formed identically and thus inexpensive to produce.

The locking springs 1 1 press the locking elements 10 respectively in their closed position or locking position, in Fig. 1 thus in a clockwise direction, whereby the locking device 4 and attached to her upper rail 3 are fixed and locked in the respective longitudinal position in the lower rail 2 , The actuator 7 is pressed down when actuated. represents and pushes the ratchet teeth 14 against the action of the locking springs 1 1 down to its release position or unlocked position.

Locking windows 8 are formed on the locking side 2a in the lower rail 2, preferably on its folded edge, in a uniform grid. The locking window 18 are formed here on the outer edge and thus open at the bottom; between the locking windows 18 thus intermediate teeth 19 are formed, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 1 and Fig. 6; In FIGS. 6, 7, the upper rail 3 is omitted for better illustration. The locking window 18 have as lateral wall contours on contact slopes 18a, which emanate from an upper bottom of the window 18b and diverge downwards; the locking window 18 are thus formed trapezoidal and widen down, ie in -z direction. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, the blocking elements 10 are arranged to one another in a finer measure or grid than the blocking windows 18; a first distance L1 of the blocking elements 10 in the X direction, ie longitudinal direction and also direction of the pawl axis 8, is smaller than a second distance L2 of the blocking windows 18. The blocking elements 10 thus form a slightly finer pitch than the nonius principle Locking window 18. This ensures that in each longitudinal position of the locking device 4 and thus also the upper rail 3 in each case at least one locking element 10 engages with its locking tooth 14 in a locking window 18 of the lower rail 2. It may happen that only a single locking element 10 with its ratchet 14 finds a corresponding engagement; after a subsequent slight longitudinal displacement of the locking device 4 in the x-direction, however, a further blocking element 10 subsequently engages with its locking tooth 14 in another locking window 18. The contact slopes 18a are used for defined contact or the defined engagement of the removal of the actuator 7 in the locking window 18th reaching ratchet teeth 14, which subsequently pass against the bottom of the window 18b. It is thus formed an instant lock lock.

On the securing side 2b shown in FIG. 7, securing windows 20 are formed in the same pitch as the blocking windows 18 on the locking side 2a, but advantageously with a somewhat larger width b2. The securing windows 20 are again trapezoidal or with downward sloping wall slopes 20a as limiting wall contours. In the locking position of the blocking element 10, in which the locking tooth 14 of the blocking element 10 is located in a blocking window 18, the securing tooth 15 of the blocking element 10 is received in a contactless manner in a securing window 20; this simultaneous recording is ensured by the relative arrangement of the ratchet teeth 14 and locking teeth 15, which extend substantially opposite from the bearing bore 16 of each locking element 10 radially outwardly. However, since the securing windows 20 are formed with a width b2 greater than the width b1 of the locking windows 18, the securing teeth 15 in the locking position of a blocking element 10 generally have no contact with the wall slopes 20a. Advantageously, the securing teeth 15 have no contact at all with the securing side 2b, but merely pivot without contact into the blocking window 20.

From the lock according to z. B. Fig. 6, the user actuates the actuator 7 down or in -Z direction. The actuator 7 has three vertical slots (blind slots) 7a, in each of which a locking tooth 14 of a blocking element 10 is received. The locking springs 1 1 press their respective locking element 10 upwards; When the actuator 7 is actuated, two ratchet teeth 14 are located in a blocking window 18. When the actuator 7 is actuated, a two-stage adjustment takes place with two travel ranges s1, s2 in the -Z direction, ie, downwards, so that the ratchet teeth ne 14 come down from the locking windows 18, as shown in Fig. 9 to 1 1:

According to FIG. 9, the actuator 7 arrives with its underside 7d against a leg end 11 of the locking spring 11, even before the slot bottom 7b reaches the locking tooth 14. Then, according to FIG. 10, in a first

Travel s1 first the locking spring 11 is pressed against its spring tension down until the slot bottom 7b passes against the ratchet teeth 4. Only then, according to FIG. 1, is the pawl 14 pivoted in a second travel s2. The actual adjustment of the ratchet teeth 14 thus takes place without counteracting the locking spring 1 1. The leg end 11 a is advantageously already bent away completely, z. B. bent backwards and thus in a passive position; It thus no longer presses against the actuator from below, so that the force of the actuator is completely used for adjusting the ratchet tooth.

In a front crash or a strong deceleration case, the vehicle is accelerated together with the lower rail 2 in the -X direction. Due to the inertia of the seat and the user accommodated therein, the upper rail 3 together with the locking device 4 with respect to the lower rail 2 is thus accelerated in the X direction to the front. Thus, the ratchet teeth 14 are pressed against the contact slopes 18a; at least on a locking tooth, in Fig. 6 thus rightmost, such a contact is present. Due to the oblique course, the contact slope 18a can thus serve as a ramp on which the locking tooth 14 slides along, and is thus pressed down relative to the locking side 2a of the lower rail 2, or the lower rail 2 becomes on its locking side 2a relative to the locking device 4 and the locking elements 10 pushed upward, which in principle can lead to a loss of engagement. Here, however, the backup side 2b serves as protection against the loss of engagement: If a Ratchet 14 is pressed against a contact slope 18a, passes accordingly on the backup side 2b of the securing tooth 15 against the wall slope 20a of the opposite securing window 20. The opposite with respect to the pivoting direction of the locking elements 10 course of the wall slope 20a thus leads to a ramp effect, that of Locking side 2a is opposite. These effects thus balance each other out; Overall, no or no relevant torque acts on the locking elements 10, which can lead to an unlocking. Even in a rear crash, ie at opposite acceleration, the slopes 18a and 20a counteract.

Since the security windows 20 are closed, they are in doubt also a higher strength than the locking window 18, which are open at the bottom; In particular, the intermediate tooth regions 21 between two securing windows 20 are more stable than the intermediate teeth 19.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, instead of the sloping walls 20a, the securing windows 20 can also have stepped wall contours 20c, which likewise extend in the pivoting-in direction, ie. down, widen. Thus, in the event of a crash, the securing tooth 15 bears against a shoulder 20d of the wall contour, which ensures high safety.

The ratchet teeth 14 and securing teeth 15 may basically initially extend smoothly to their respective ends 14a and 15a. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, they may have jaws 14b, 15b at their ends 14a, 15a, i. Hintergreifungen that protrude in the pivoting direction of the locking. Thus, the claw 14b engages behind the bottom rail 2 when the ratchet tooth 14 rests against the window bottom 18b of the locking window 18. Furthermore, at the ends 14a, 15a, alternatively or in addition to the claws

14b, 15b, axial thickenings 14c, 15c are formed, which are thus in x- Extend direction; the axial thickenings 14c serve to overhang the contact slope 18a when the ratchet tooth 14 rests against the bottom of the window 18b in the x-direction and thus also engage behind the lower rail 2; Correspondingly, the axial thickenings 15c can engage behind the wall contour 20a or 20c in the event of a crash. Thus, the lower rail 2 is held by the locking member 10, whereby a sliding out is further prevented.

Another advantage is achieved by the circular arc-shaped design of the ends 14a, 15a of the ratchet teeth 14 and / or securing teeth 15, as shown particularly in FIG. 14 can be seen. The ends 14a, 15a are formed in a circular arc with a radius R1 or R2 about the pivot axis A. Advantageously, R1 = R2, but it can also deviations from R1, R2, depending on the specific shape, be provided.

Thus, the ends 14a, 15a pivot with little space; Accordingly, the windows 18 and 20 can be made relatively small.

The actuation of the actuator 7 down can be done in different ways. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the actuator 7 with its stem 7c can protrude out of the upper rail 3 and thus be pressed from outside. As an alternative to such external actuations of the actuator 7, internal actuations are possible; FIGS. 12, 13 show such a design. Here is an operating handle 24, the z. B. is formed as a bow or bent tube, set with its stirrup arms 24a in the two lateral rail guides 1 of the vehicle seat, the stirrup legs 24a are connected by a central bracket portion 24b, the user thus sitting on the vehicle seat and engage for unlocking can press down. The two bar arms 24a each protrude to the rear - ie in the -X direction - in the respective upper rail 3 of the rail guide 1 and extend there according to the sectional view of FIG. 13 up to a joint connection 26; For this purpose, the operating bracket 24 at the ends of his hanger arm 24 a z. B. curved or angled to form a bearing eye 24 c, which is pivotally received in the joint connection 26. In the sectional view of FIG. 13, the locking device 4 is shown here only schematically; it is basically formed according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 1 1.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Locking device (4) for a rail guide (1) of a vehicle seat,

wherein the locking device (4) is provided for attachment to an upper rail (3), which is accommodated in a longitudinally adjustable manner on a lower rail (2), and

wherein the locking device (4) has at least:

a locking element (10) which is adjustable between a locking position and a release position and has a locking tooth (14) for engaging in a locking window (18) of the lower rail (2) to form the locking position,

a locking spring (1 1) for biasing the locking element (10) into the locking position,

an actuator (7) for adjusting the locking element (10) from the locking position to the release position,

characterized in that

When the actuator (7) is confirmed to unlock the locking element (10) in a first positioning path (s1), the locking spring (1 1) can be adjusted to relieve the load on the locking element (10) without direct actuation of the

Locking element (10), and in a subsequent second adjustment path (s2) the locking element (10) can be adjusted to unlock it.

2. Locking device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first actuating path (s1) the locking element (10) is in its position

The locking position remains, in particular through contact or frictional contact of the locking element (10) on the locking window (18).

3. Locking device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first positioning path (s1) and the second positioning path (s2) as sections of a continuous unlocking movement of the Actuator trained

Locking device

(4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second adjustment path (s2) can be carried out without spring counterforce of the locking spring (11).

5. Locking device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking spring (1 1) in the second

Adjustment path (s2) is adjusted into a passive position without spring force in the adjustment direction (-Z), the actuator (7) in the first adjustment path (s1) having a part (1 1a) of the locking spring (1 1) which rests on the locking element (10). ) pivots away and the pivoted away part is in the second adjustment path (s2) without force in the adjustment direction (-Z).

6. Locking device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (7) has a first contact surface, e.g. B. a bottom (7d), for contact with the locking spring (1 1) and for adjusting the locking spring (1) in the first adjustment path (s1) and a second contact surface (7b) different from the first contact surface (7d) for contact the locking element (10) and for adjusting the locking element (10) in the second adjustment path (s2), the locking element (10) being spaced from the second contact surface (7b) at the beginning of the first adjustment path (s1).

7. Locking device (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that in the actuator (7) at least one receiving slot (7a) running in the direction of actuation is formed, in which the locking element (0) is accommodated,

wherein the receiving slot (7a) has a slot base (7b) which is designed as a second contact surface (7b).

8. Locking device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of independently adjustable locking elements (10) are provided, each of which has a locking tooth (14) for engaging in a locking window (18) of the lower rail (2). point, with the actuator in the second travel (s2) against the

The locking tooth (14) of the locking element (10) presses, and the actuator moves the locking tooth downwards away from the locking window (18) when it is actuated.

9. Locking device (4) according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking springs (1 1) are designed as leg springs and are mounted with the plurality of locking elements (10) on a common pawl axis (8), the locking springs (11) next to or between the locking elements (10) are accommodated and each have one leg end (1 1 a) in contact with a locking element (10) and thereby bias it, and the actuator (7) in the first actuating path (s1) the leg ends (11 a) of the locking springs (1 1) moved away from the locking elements.

10. Locking device (4) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the locking teeth (14) and / or the securing teeth (15) have a rear grip (14b, 15b) and / or thickening (14c) at their ends (14a, 15a). , 15c), which protrudes through the locking window (18) or safety window (20) in the locking position, for reaching behind the lower rail (2) in the event of a deformation of the lower rail (2) or destruction of the rail guide (1).

1 1 .Locking device (4) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the ends (14a) of the locking teeth (14) and / or the ends (15a) of the locking teeth (15) are in the shape of a circular arc a radius (R1, R2) are formed in a pivot axis (A) of the locking elements (10).

12. Rail guide (1) for a vehicle seat, the rail guide

(1) has at least:

a lower rail (2) for fastening in a vehicle, the lower rail (2) having a locking side (2a) with an arrangement of locking windows (18),

an upper rail (3) which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction on the lower rail (2), and

a locking device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (4) is attached to the top rail (3) and at least three independently pivotable, spring-loaded locking elements (10) and an actuator (7) for actuating the locking elements (10) for adjustment between a release position and a locking position,

wherein each locking element (10) has a locking tooth (14) for engaging in a locking window (18) of the lower rail (2) to form the locking position,

wherein at least some of the locking elements (10) have, in addition to the locking tooth (14), a locking tooth (15), which is received in a locking window (20) of the lower rail (2) in the locking position of the locking element (10).

13. Rail guide (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the lower rail (2) has a securing side (2b) opposite the locking side (2a) with an arrangement of securing windows (20), and

the locking teeth (15) in the locking position of the locking teeth (14) in the locking windows (20) without contact with the lower rail

(2) are included to provide security in the event of a rapid deceleration tion and/or acceleration of the upper rail (3) relative to the lower rail (2),

wherein the security windows (20) are designed with a greater width than the locking windows (18), with the same grid dimensions of the security windows (20) and the locking windows (18).

14. Rail guide (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least three locking elements (10) are accommodated in a first grid dimension with a smaller first distance (L1) between the locking elements (10) and the locking windows (18) and the security windows (20) are each formed in a second grid dimension with a larger second distance (L2) between adjacent locking windows (18) and adjacent security windows (20), to ensure engagement of at least one locking element (10) with its locking tooth (14). Locking window (18) and its locking tooth (15) in a locking window (20) in each longitudinal position of the locking device (4).

15. Rail guide (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the locking elements (10) can be pivoted by the actuator (7) for unlocking in such a way that the locking teeth (14) can be pivoted downwards out of the locking windows (18). and the locking teeth (15) can be pivoted upwards out of the locking windows (20), the locking windows (18) being designed to be open at the bottom and an intermediate tooth (19) being formed between two adjacent locking windows (18), and the locking windows (20 ) are closed.

16. Rail guide (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that

the locking windows (18) as wall contours or boundaries in the longitudinal direction (x) contact bevels (18a) for the contact when locking have pivoting locking teeth (14), and

wherein the contact bevels (18a) taper in the pivoting direction of the locking teeth (14) when locked or reduce the width of the locking window (18), and

wherein the safety windows (20) have wall contours (20a, 20c) which widen in the pivoting direction of the safety tooth (15) when the locking element (10) is locked.

17. Rail guide (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the wall contours (20a) of the safety windows (20) have wall slopes (20a) with a course which is opposite in the pivoting direction to the contact slope (18) of the locking windows (18).

18. Rail guide (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the wall contours (20c) of the safety windows (20) are designed in a stepped or stepped manner with a gradation that widens in the pivoting direction of the safety tooth (15) during the pivoting movement, the stepped wall contours ( 20c) the safety window (20) has a shoulder (20d) for contacting the safety tooth (15) in the event of a crash.