WO2015082537A1

WO2015082537A1 - Seat component with seat belt buckle device

Info

Publication number: WO2015082537A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/076400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Stegerer
Original assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kg, Coburg
Priority date: 2013-12-03
Filing date: 2014-12-03
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: DE102013224761A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat component for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one frame component (1b, 2) of a seat underframe (U) of the vehicle seat (F) and a seat belt buckle device (3) which comprises at least one adjustably mounted seat belt buckle (31) and a drive device (6) for adjusting the seat belt buckle (31) relative to the frame components (1b, 2). The seat belt buckle (31) can thereby be moved by the drive device (6) from a secure position into a fastening position, in that the drive device (6) drives an adjustment element (4) connected to the seat belt buckle (31) in a movement relative to the frame components (1b, 2). According to the invention, the seat belt buckle device (3) comprises, in addition to the adjustment element (4), a support structure (52), with which the seat belt buckle (3) is locked in the secure position and via which forces applied to the seat belt buckle device (3) are passed into the seat underframe (U) in the secure position.

Description

Seat assembly with buckle device

The present invention relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle seat according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic seat assembly hereby comprises at least one frame component of a seat underframe of the vehicle seat and a buckle device with an adjustable seat belt buckle. Part of the generic seat assembly is thus a so-called Gurtschlossbringer to adjust a buckle a seat belt system for the vehicle seat at least between a secure position and a seat belt position. In the seat belt buckle position is extended and relative to a seat cushion of the vehicle seat is increased and / or is on the side of the vehicle seat, so that the merging of a belt strap of the seat belt and the buckle in front of the body of the seat user is facilitated and buckling for a Seat user is more comfortable. In contrast, the seat belt buckle is retracted and less accessible to a seat user, but regularly better designed for a case of restraint.

From DE 10 201 1 01 1 780 A1 is a generic seat assembly for a vehicle seat with a buckle device in the form of a Gurtschlossbringers known. To adjust the buckle, while a buckle device has a drive device with a spindle drive. Part of the spindle drive is a spindle nut which is connected to an adjusting element in the form of a power transmission means. The adjusting element may be, for example, a wire rope. By the spindle nut is adjusted along a drive spindle of the spindle drive, the belt lock connected to the power transmission means is retracted and extended. In order to transmit forces acting on the buckle in a case of restraint in the drive spindle, a locking element is provided, which is deformed in the case of restraint and then engages positively in the drive spindle. As a result, a direct power transmission between the power transmission means and the drive spindle is achieved, but at least the spindle nut is not in the power flow.

However, it is furthermore disadvantageous in the seat belt buckle device known from DE 10 201 1 01 780 A1 that almost all parts of the drive device and an adjusting element adjustable in the form of the force transmission means in the case of restraint when a seat occupant has to be held on the vehicle seat via the safety belt system, lie in the power flow and thus have to be designed for larger forces. The drive device is thereby possibly heavier and more expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a seat assembly for a vehicle seat with a buckle device for an adjustable seat belt buckle and to avoid or at least reduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

This object is achieved with a seat assembly according to claim 1.

A seat assembly according to the invention for a vehicle seat in this case comprises at least one frame component of a seat underframe of the vehicle seat, such. B. a seat pan of the vehicle seat supporting side part and / or a two side parts of the seat frame interconnecting cross member, and a buckle device with a relative to the frame component adjustably mounted buckle. To adjust the buckle, a drive device of the buckle device is provided, which drives a connected to the buckle adjusting element to adjust the buckle from a (retracted) securing position in a (extended) seat belt can. In addition to the adjustment, the buckle device has a stiff and not adjustable support structure with which the buckle is locked in the securing position and are introduced via the forces acting in the securing position on the buckle forces in the seat base. The support structure is designed such that in the securing position on the buckle attacking forces, in particular the restraining forces resulting from the retention of a belted seat occupant, taken up exclusively or at least in large part on the support structure and introduced into the seat base, but not or at most to a small extent on the adjustment and thus the drive device. By the buckle is locked with the separate support structure in the securing position, the buckle is connected in a defined manner with the support structure and occurring forces can be transmitted directly from the buckle to the support structure, without the adjustment is in the power flow.

For this purpose, the support structure is preferably fixed to the frame component relative to which the buckle is adjustable via the drive device. The support structure is thus directly connected to the seat base and the buckle device integrated into the seat structure. A frame component, to which the support structure is fixed, may for example be a side part for a frame frame of the seat base, which carries a seat pan of the vehicle seat. Alternatively or additionally, the support structure may be fixed to a frame component which is formed by a cross member interconnecting two side parts of the seat underframe. Such a cross member is formed for example by a circular cylindrical cross tube in a relation to the vehicle longitudinal axis or direction of travel of the vehicle rear portion of the seat base frame.

In one embodiment, the support structure is elongated and extends along an adjustment in which the buckle is adjustable in the seat belt position. Usually, the greatest retention forces on the buckle occur along this adjustment. Due to the elongated design of the support structure, the restraining forces are introduced along the longitudinal extension direction into the support structure when a seat occupant is held on the vehicle seat via the seatbelt in the event of a crash.

The support structure is preferably carried out fixed to the frame and thus not adjustable relative to the seat base via a drive. The support structure can but in one Be further development at least partially so elastic that the support structure by a seat occupant transversely to the adjustment of the buckle, for example in the direction of the seat cushion, can be elastically displaced to facilitate buckling. The adjusting element is adjustable relative to the support structure. The support structure can thus serve to guide the adjustment element, so that the adjustment element is adjustably guided on the support structure, for example via an opening, a bore and / or an open or closed channel. In particular via such a guide of the support structure, the adjusting element is then held longitudinally displaceable on the support structure.

In one embodiment, the support structure comprises at least one wire and / or a rope. For example, by means of a single or multiple bent wire or rope, a support structure for the buckle, which is particularly resilient to pull, can be provided. In order to provide the desired rigidity, it is preferred in this case for a wire and / or a rope to be made of a metal. In one embodiment, for example, a steel cable is used as part of the support structure.

The locking of the buckle on the support structure in the securing position preferably takes place via a locking device of the buckle device. By means of the locking device, the buckle is locked in the securing position on the support structure, wherein the lock can be released in order to adjust the buckle in the seatbelt position. In order to simplify the automatic transfer of the buckle from the securing position to the seatbelt position, the locking can be solved by adjusting the adjustment. The locking device is thus designed so that when released by the drive device adjustment of the adjustment, the lock in the secured position automatically released and the buckle is released, so that the buckle can be displaced by the adjustment in the seatbelt position. However, in the attempt to adjust the buckle without the drive means, or in a not triggered the drive device adjustment of the buckle, the buckle remains securely locked to the support structure.

The locking device can further realize a snap or latching connection between the buckle and support structure, wherein the locking device automatically locked when the buckle resumes its safety position. For this purpose, for example, a spring-mounted locking element in the form of a latching hook or -riegels is provided. In one embodiment variant, the locking device comprises a first locking element connected to the adjusting element, which in the securing position of the belt buckle engages with a second locking element of the supporting structure. Preferably, the first and second adjusting element are positively connected with each other when the buckle is in its secure position to safely initiate tensile or compressive forces acting on the buckle from the buckle to the support structure and thereby into the seat base.

To accommodate the drive device of the buckle device in a particularly compact manner on the vehicle seat, is provided in a variant, to arrange the drive means in a channel formed by a frame component of the seat base in the form of a two side parts of the seat frame interconnecting cross member. Such a cross member is part of a frame frame of the seat base and serves, for example, the attachment of a seat pan and / or a spring mat for the support of a seat cushion and increasing the stability of the seat base. The cross member may be formed, for example, as a circular cylindrical cross tube. Deviating profile cross-sections are of course possible. In the inner channel of such a cross tube can be arranged in a space-saving manner, a drive motor or a motor-gear unit and a respectively driven therefrom drive element. In this case, an adjusting force is transmitted to the associated with the buckle adjustment via the drive element.

The adjusting element may for example comprise a flexible drive shaft extending from the channel, along the support structure and up to the buckle. The drive shaft is in such a case at least once deflected to the seat base to extend out of the channel to the side of the seat base arranged buckle and to move the buckle in the direction of the shaft axis of the deflected drive shaft. The drive device may further be equipped with control electronics or be coupled to an electronic control system to control an automatic adjustment of the buckle. In this case, for example, it may be provided that the Belt buckle is automatically moved from the (retracted) securing position to the seatbelt position when the vehicle is opened and / or the occupancy of the vehicle seat is detected electronically. The reset of the buckle in the securing position can then also be automated and triggered, for example, by inserting the belt tab in the buckle and / or by starting the engine of the vehicle.

A vehicle seat, which is equipped with a seat assembly according to the invention, has a buckle device, which not only allows a motorized adjustment of a buckle, but also ensures that in a crash on the buckle attacking forces are introduced into the seat base, without the Drive device (initially) is in the power flow. As a result, the comfort is increased for a seat occupant while buckling, but at the same time not significantly increases the overall weight of the vehicle seat and increases safety. For particularly high forces and deformation of parts of the support structure, it could happen that in a crash case forces are also introduced into the drive means, but before a large part of the forces were already taken up by the locked with the buckle support structure. With the solution according to the invention, moreover, a seatbelt lock device can be completely integrated in the seat underframe and fixed thereto, so that the installation of the vehicle seat into a vehicle is not impaired by the seatbelt lock device. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1 A - 1 C different views of a seat base of a

Vehicle seat with a seat assembly according to the invention, which has inter alia a buckle device with an adjustable seat belt buckle; 2A-2B are side views of the seat base of Figures 1 A to 1 C with the buckle in the retracted state in a securing position and in an extended state in a seatbelt.

Fig. 3A - 3B on an enlarged scale, the buckle device without

Cover of a support structure with which the buckle is locked in the secured position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the seat base with

Sectional view of the rear cross tube of the seat frame and the cover of the support structure and the buckle.

Figures 1 A, 1 B and 1 C show in different views a seat base U of a vehicle seat F, which can be fixed longitudinally displaceable on a vehicle floor via a rail assembly S with two pairs of rails S1, S2. While the two arranged on different sides (lower) rails S1 are fixed to the vehicle floor, the two (upper) rails S2 are each mounted longitudinally displaceable on the associated rail S1 and thus allow the longitudinal displacement of the vehicle seat F.

The seat base U fixed to the upper rails S2 comprises, inter alia, a frame frame which comprises two opposite side parts 1 a and 1 b and a rear cross tube 2 connecting the two side parts 1 a and 1 b to one another. On the two side parts 1 a and 1 b, a trough part W is fixed with a (optional) seat depth adjustment in a front area. A spring mat, not shown in the figures bridged in the assembled state of the vehicle seat F a recess between the tub part W and the rear cross tube 2 and is fixed to the tub part W and to the cross tube 2. In the seat base U a buckle device 3 is further integrated. This buckle device 3 comprises in particular an adjustable seat belt buckle 31 which is adjustable in a direction of adjustment R1 in a seatbelt position to allow a seat occupant easier buckling. In an opposite adjustment R2 then the buckle 31 is zurückverstellen back into the illustrated in Figures 1 A to 1 C securing position. This is also shown in detail in Figures 2A and 2B, each showing a side view of the seat base U with retracted and extended seat belt buckle 31. Further features of the buckle device 3 can be seen from the synopsis of Figures 1 A to 1 C and 2A to 2B with the figures 3A, 3B and 4. FIGS. 3A and 3B show details of the buckle device 3 on an enlarged scale. The sectional view of FIG. 4 shows, with a view of the rear cross tube 2, further details of the buckle device 3 partially accommodated in the transverse tube 2.

The buckle device 3 comprises a rigid and fixed to the seat base U support structure 52 which extends substantially perpendicular to the cross tube 2 on an Au ßenseite the seat base U along the adjustment direction R1. The support structure 52 provides a rigid connection of the buckle 31 with the seat base U ready when the buckle 31 is in the securing position, so acting on the buckle 31 forces that arise for example in a crash by the retention of a belted seat occupant of the support structure 52 is received and forwarded to the seat base U. The support structure 52 is here, such as e.g. 3A and 3B, at a pipe end 2b of the cross tube 2, which rests in an opening of the side part 1 b, and / or fixed to the side part 1 b itself in the region of the pipe end 2b, preferably by welding.

The support structure 52 comprises a U-shaped bent steel wire or a U-shaped bent steel cable. The free ends of this steel wire or steel cable are each held in a holder formed by fastening sleeves 521, 522. In the present case, the wire ends are pressed into the fastening sleeves 521 and 522. The two fastening sleeves 521 and 522 form a support of the support structure 52, via which the support structure 52 is fixed to a frame component (side part 1 b or cross tube 2) or to two frame components of the seat base U in the form of the side part 1 b and the cross tube 2. About the welded brackets in the form of mounting sleeves 521 or 522 can thus be forwarded to the seat belt buckle 31 and introduced into the support structure 52 forces directly into the seat base U.

Along the support structure 52 along an adjusting element in the form of a flexible drive shaft 4 is guided. The drive shaft 4 extends centrally between the two legs of the defined by the support structure 52 U-shape. At a distance to the cross tube 2 end of the support structure 52, a locking plate 50 is provided. This locking plate 50 is connected via a fastening screw 51 on the fixed bent portion of the steel wire or steel rope of the support structure 52 and has an angled portion with a through hole, which forms a shaft guide 500 for the flexible drive shaft 4. The flexible drive shaft 4 is held by the shaft guide 500 on the support structure 52 in a defined manner and guided longitudinally displaceable. The drive shaft 4 thus extends from the drive device 6 within the cross tube 2 initially parallel to the tube axis of the cross tube 2 and then exits between the two mounting sleeves 521 and 522 from the cross tube 2 and then passes through an angle of about 90 ⁰ to the cross tube deflected on the support structure 52 with the waveguide 500 along and ends at the buckle 31st

The waveguide 500 opposite to a locking tab 501 is formed on the locking plate 50. At this locking tab 501 provided on the drive shaft 4 locking hook 41 locks to lock the buckle 31 in the securing position positively and crash-proof with the support structure 52. A portion of the Ras snap connection, which is provided for securing the buckle 31 in the securing position by the locking device 5, is thus firmly connected to the flexible drive shaft 4. The latching hook 41 on the drive shaft 4 is held on a locking part 35 of the buckle 31, which is pushed in the securing position on the protruding in the adjustment direction R1 locking tab 501 to support the positive connection between the buckle 31 and the support structure 52. The latching hook 41 acts in the securing position of the buckle 31 with the locking member 35 and the locking tab 501 together such that tilted at an adjustment of the drive shaft 4 in the adjustment direction R1 along its shaft axis of the latch hooks 41 and thus the lock on the locking device 5 is released automatically , In this way, the drive shaft 4 can release the belt lock 31 from the support structure 52 and adjust it to its seatbelt position.

In the extended state, which is shown in Figure 2B, the buckle 31 is supported by the flexible drive shaft 4 and held in the assumed seat belt position. In this relative to the seat base U elevated position buckling is made easier for a seat occupant, as a lock opening 31 1 of the buckle 31 is in front of the body of a seated seat occupant and thus a belt strap of a seat belt can be easily inserted into the buckle 31. After the connection has been made with the belt tab and possibly an engine of the vehicle has been started, the buckle 31 is automatically adjusted along the adjustment direction R2 back into the securing position. In this case, then provided on the buckle 31 sleeve portion 310 of the buckle housing, which houses the locking member 35 and the end of the drive shaft 4 with the latching hook 41, pushed onto a protruding end portion 321 of a cover 32 of the support structure 52. In the region of the end portion 321 of the cover 32, the locking plate 50 is received with its locking tab 501, so that it is not exposed in the extended state of the buckle 31.

The support structure 52 with the section of the flexible drive shaft 4 guided along it is accommodated in a housing formed by the cover 32. Through the cover 32 while the pipe end 2b is covered. For this purpose, the cover 32 has a connecting portion 321, which covers the holder in the form of the fastening sleeves 521 and 522 and over which the cover 32 is attached to the side part 1 b. The cover 32 is further designed so that at the end portion 321, the drive shaft 4 can be led out of the cover 32 in order to adjust the buckle 31 in the seatbelt position and back to the securing position can.

If the seat belt lock 31 is returned to the safety position as intended, the locking device 5 automatically locks and reconnects the seat belt lock 31 to the support structure 52. In the event of a crash, the drive shaft 4 is outside the force flow when forces are applied to the seat base by the seat belt buckle 31 U must be initiated. The drive shaft 4 must thus be designed only for the forces that can arise when buckling in the buckle position of the buckle 31. In the securing position, in contrast, the buckle 31 via the locking device 5 by means of the latch hook 41 of the flexible drive shaft 4 as the first locking element and held by means of the locking plate 50 as the second locking element securely on the support structure 52, so that the buckle 31 in particular occurring tensile and compressive forces in the side part 1 b and the cross tube 2 along the elongate support structure 52 initiates. A drive device 6 of the buckle device 3 for the motorized adjustment of the flexible drive shaft 4 and thus the buckle 31 is presently accommodated in a space-saving manner within a continuous channel 20 of the cross tube 2. The Drive device 6 in this case comprises a motor-gear unit 61, via which a drive element in the form of a drive wheel 62 is rotatable. This arranged also within the cross tube 2 drive wheel 62 communicates with the drive shaft 4 in connection and transmits an adjusting force to the flexible drive shaft 4, so that it can be driven via the drive means 6 and au outside the channel 20 along the adjustment directions R1 and R2 can be adjusted.

Of course, the drive device 6 may have control electronics or be coupled to control electronics in order to control the adjustment movement of the belt buckle 31. By means of the control electronics, for example, an adjustment to the seatbelt position can be made when an occupancy of the vehicle seat with a seat occupant is detected. Alternatively or additionally, an adjustment from the seatbelt position to the securing position can take place when a belt strap is inserted into the belt buckle 31 and / or the engine of the vehicle is started.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 a, 1 b side part

2 transverse tube (cross member)

20 channel

2b pipe end

3 buckle device

31 buckle

31 1 lock opening

312 sleeve section

32 cover

320 connection section

321 end section

35 locking part

4 drive shaft (adjusting element)

41 catch hook (1st locking element)

5 locking device

50 locking plate (2nd locking element)

500 wave guide

501 locking tab

51 fixing screw

52 support structure

521, 522 mounting sleeve (bracket)

6 drive device

61 engine-gear unit

62 drive wheel (drive element)

F vehicle seat

R1, R2 adjustment direction

S rail assembly

S1, S2 rail

U seat base

W tub section

Claims

claims

1 . Seat assembly for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one frame component (1 b, 2) of a seat underframe (U) of the vehicle seat (F) and a buckle device (3), the at least one adjustable seat belt buckle (31) and a drive device (6) for adjusting the Belt buckle (31) relative to the frame component (1 b, 2), wherein the buckle (31) by the drive means (6) from a securing position can be adjusted to a seatbelt position by the drive means (6) with the buckle (31 ) connected to a movement relative to the frame component (1 b, 2), characterized in that the Gurtschlossvorrichtung (3) in addition to the adjusting element (4) has a support structure (52) with which the buckle (31 ) is locked in the securing position and introduced via the in the securing position on the buckle (31) acting forces in the seat base (U) n.

2. Seat assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure (52) on the frame component (1 b, 2) is fixed.

3. Seat assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that a frame component, a seat pan of the vehicle seat (F) supporting the side part (1 b) of the seat underframe (U) or a two side parts (1 a, 1 b) of the seat underframe (U) interconnecting Cross member (2) and the support structure (52) on the side part (1 b) and / or on the cross member (2) is fixed.

4. Seat assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support structure (52) along an adjustment direction (R1) extends, in which the

Belt buckle (31) is adjustable to the seat belt position.

5. Seat assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (4) relative to the support structure (52) adjustably mounted and / or adjustably guided on the support structure (52).

6. Seat assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (52) comprises at least one wire and / or a rope.

Seat assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the buckle device (3) comprises a locking device (5) by means of which the buckle (31) is locked in the securing position on the support structure (52) and the lock can be released to the Adjust belt buckle (31) to seat belt position.

Seat assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the lock by adjusting the adjusting element (4) is releasable.

Seat assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the

Locking device (5) comprises a first, with the adjusting element (4) connected locking element (41) which is in the securing position of the buckle (31) with a second locking element (50) of the support structure (50) is engaged. 10. Seat assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frame component of the seat underframe (U) is a two side parts (1 a, 1 b) of the seat underframe (U) interconnecting cross member (2) with an inner channel (20) and the drive device (6) is received in the channel (20).

1 1. Seat assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the

Adjustment comprises a drive shaft (4) extending from the channel (20) on the support structure (52) along to the buckle (31). 12. Vehicle seat with a seat assembly according to one of claims 1 to 1 1.

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