WO2016050455A1

WO2016050455A1 - Pair of rails for a vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2016050455A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/070444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Sprenger; Michael Fahl; Sergej Emmert
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-08
Publication date: 2016-04-07
Also published as: DE102014219860B4; DE102014219860A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pair of rails (1) for a vehicle seat, comprising - at least one lower seat rail (S1) and an upper seat rail (S2), which engage around one another to form a rail profile, are movable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and can be locked to one another by means of a rail locking means (4), the rail locking means (4) comprising at least one flexible element (4.1) having at least one blocking element (4.2).

Description

Rail pair for a vehicle seat

description

The invention relates to a pair of rails for a vehicle seat and a longitudinal adjuster with two such pairs of rails.

From EP 0 856 429 A1 a seat rail pair is known in which four balls are provided between a lower rail and an upper rail. Depending on two balls are on both sides of an obliquely inclined end portion of the lower rail, which is adapted as a ball raceway in shape to the balls. The upper rail encloses the balls on the other side with sections of different inclination as ball raceways. The locking of the two seat rails is done by an off-center inserted latch. With uneven loads, there is a risk of the balls leaving their tracks and brining adjacent portions of the rail profiles, i. due to the high pressures, the material locally deform plastically and leave marks in the form of dome or caterpillar-like depressions, which are in the form of undesirable when adjusting the seat rails

Force fluctuations and accelerations noticeable.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved pair of rails for a vehicle seat and a longitudinal adjuster with such an improved pair of rails.

With regard to the pair of rails, the object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1. With regard to the longitudinal adjuster, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 10. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The rail pair for a vehicle seat according to the invention comprises at least a lower seat rail and an upper seat rail which mutually engage each other to form a rail profile and are longitudinally movable relative to each other and lockable by means of a rail lock, and rolling elements, which between the seat rails in a cooperation area

are arranged, wherein the rail lock comprises at least one flexible element with at least one blocking element.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that compared to conventional multi-part rail locks a simple and cost-effective rail lock is made possible, which can compensate for rail tolerances. In doing so, the

Rail lock with a bi-directional movement,

composed of a locking movement in the Y direction

(Transverse alignment of the rail pair) to lock the two

Seat rails with each other and a compensation movement in the Z direction (vertical alignment of the rail pair) to compensate for

Tolerances and a game between the seat rails.

In this case, the rail lock may include one or more locking elements, which are arranged in particular in the longitudinal direction of the rail pair behind the other in a row.

In one possible embodiment, the flexible element is formed as a multi-stable element, by means of which at least one

Locking position and at least one unlocking position

are adjustable. For example, the flexible element is designed as a bi- or unstable element. When trained as a bistable element a locking and an unlocking position between the

Seat rails adjustable. When formed as a tristable element, two locking positions and one unlocking position are adjustable.

According to a development, the flexible element locks in one of the locking positions in such a way that the two seat rails, that a loose or a game between the seat rails in vertical alignment (Z direction) can be compensated.

In addition, the rail lock is arranged inside in the interior space between the two seat rails. In this case, an unlocking engages inside in the interior space between the two seat rails in such a way in the flexible element that this occupies one of a plurality of locking positions. This is a simple and multiple blocking

Rail lock allows without additional elements.

In one possible embodiment, the flexible element and the blocking element are integrally connected to one another. For example, the flexible element and the blocking element are welded together.

Alternatively, the flexible element and the blocking element may be integrally formed, for example, be formed as a metal component or plastic component.

In a further embodiment, the flexible element has on one side only one blocking element, for example in the manner of a one-winged barrier (also called "half butterfly lock")

Rail pair may be provided on both sides of the flexible element each with a blocking element, for example in the manner of a pair

Butterfly or double wing barrier (also called "butterfly lock"). To adjust the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat, a fiction, long adjuster is provided with two of the previously

equipped rail pairs is described.

The vehicle seat according to the invention comprises for adjusting its

Longitudinal position the longitudinal adjuster according to the invention with the two previously described pairs of rails.

Due to the equipment of the vehicle seat with two pairs of rails according to the invention this has compared to conventional vehicle seats a loose or play compensation of tolerances between the

Seat rails in Z-orientation.

One equipped with two pairs of rails according to the invention

Vehicle seat is used in a motor vehicle, usually as a front seat. The serving as a longitudinal adjuster rail pairs are mounted such that one of the seat rails, the lower rail and a vehicle-fixed guide rail and the other seat rail form the upper rail and a seat structure fixed slide rail. The functions of the two seat rails but can also be exactly the opposite.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Showing:

Figure 1 schematically in section an embodiment of a

Rail pair of a vehicle seat, comprising a rail lock with a plurality of locking positions,

Figures 2A to 2C schematically in section the pair of rails with the

Rail lock in a respective locking position and in an unlocking position, Figures 3 to 5 schematically show a perspective view of an enlarged section of a pair of rails in the region of the rail lock with two locking openings which are tapered end side for game compensation in vertical alignment, and

Figures 6 to 8 schematically a perspective view of a

enlarged section of a pair of rails in the rail locking with a one-sided attached flexible element and an opposite one-sided

Blocking element.

Corresponding parts are the same in all figures

Provided with reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows schematically in section a pair of rails 1 for a

Vehicle seat (not shown).

The pair of rails 1 according to the invention comprises two seat rails S1 and S2. In this case, for example, the seat rail S1 is a vehicle-fixed, lower rail and the other seat rail S2 a seat-fixed, upper rail.

For longitudinal adjustment on its two left and right sides in the direction of travel, the vehicle seat each has an inventive

Rail pair 1 on. The vehicle-fixed, lower seat rail S1 forms a guide rail for the seat-fixed, upper seat rail S2, which is designed as a movable rail. The seat rails S1, S2 are constructed the same on both sides of the vehicle seat, so that in the following, for the sake of simplicity, only the seat rails S1, S2 and the rail pair 1 will be described on one side. The seat rails S1, S2 are formed such that they mutually engage around each other to form a rail profile and relatively

each other in the longitudinal direction X are movable and can be locked together by means of a rail lock 2.

The two seat rails S1, S2 are approximately U-shaped. In this case, the upper seat rail S2 in the open profile at both

Thighs an outwardly multi-curved edge. The lower seat rail S1 has for this purpose corresponding to the two legs on a multi-curved inside edge. The seat rails S1, S2 are pushed into each other so that they with their laterally curved

Edge engage behind each other, whereby in these edge regions a cooperation region of the seat rails S1, S2, in which

Rolling elements 3 movable in Wälzlaufbahnen L1 to L4 in one

Cooperation area between the seat rails S1, S2 are stored.

The rolling elements 3 of each Wälzlaufbahn L1 to L4 each have at least two rail contacts, at least one of the upper seat rail S2 and at least one of the lower seat rail S1. Depending on the wave profile of the seat rails S1, S2 can more

Rail contacts of the rolling elements 3 in at least one of

Wälzlaufbahnen be provided L1 to L4.

The two seat rails S1, S2 are approximately U-shaped and have two side walls S1 .1, S1 .2 and S2.1, S2.2, in the vertical orientation Z (Z direction) from the bottom area S1 .3 or S2.3 protrude largely parallel and perpendicularly from this and in the further course to the outside and / or inside are bent several times. The side walls S1 .1 and S1 .2 of the lower seat rail S1 are

corresponding to the side walls S2.1 and S2.2 of the upper

Seat rail S2 or vice versa multiple arched or bent, in particular also bent outwards and / or inside, whereby outer Wälzlaufbahnen L1 to L4 are formed, which are arranged outside of the inner seat or cavity 5 formed by the nested seat rails S1, S2.

The seat rails S1, S2 are pushed into each other so that they engage behind each other with their laterally curved or curved edges, whereby in these edge regions a cooperation region of the seat rails S1, S2, in which the rolling elements 3 movable in the Wälzlaufbahnen L1 to L4 between the seat rails S1 , S2 are formed.

The rolling elements 3 of each Wälzlaufbahn L1 to L4 each have at least two rail contacts or points of contact, wherein each seat rail S1, S2 at least one rail contact is given.

For a multiple, in particular two, three or four times and symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration of the rail guide with two, three or four Wälzlaufbahnen L1 to L4, the edge regions of the seat rails S1, S2 are bent accordingly and can two

Wälzlaufbahnen (not shown), three Wälzlaufbahnen (not shown) or four Wälzlaufbahnen L1 to L4 (Figures 1, 2A to 2C) with

form corresponding number of rail contacts. In this case, the rolling raceways L1 to L4 can be distributed symmetrically or asymmetrically on the sides of the rail pair 1.

Depending on the shape and requirement of the pair of rails 1, the

Edge regions of the seat rails S1, S2 instead of outward inwards arranged and thus inversely configured with internal Wälzlaufbahnen (not shown).

The two seat rails S1 and S2 are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction and with each other by means of a rail lock 4th

lockable. The rail lock 4 comprises at least one flexible element 4.1 with two locking elements 4.2, each at the end of the flexible element 4.1 in transverse alignment of the rail pair 1 in both

Seat rails S1 and S2 can interlock interlockingly or unlock them. The rail lock 4 is executed in this embodiment in the manner of a butterfly or double wing barrier.

In Figure 1, the rail lock 4 is shown in three positions:

in a locking position P1 with play compensation in

Vertical alignment (Z-direction),

- In another locking position P2 with locking of both seat rails S1, S2, and

- In an unlocking position P3 with unlocking both

Seat rails S1, S2, so that they are movable relative to each other.

In this case, the blocking of the seat rails S1, S2 by means of

Rail lock 4 with a bi-directional movement

composed of a locking movement in the Y direction

(Transverse alignment of the pair of rails 1) for locking the two seat rails S1, S2 with each other and a compensation movement in the Z direction (vertical alignment of the rail pair 1) to compensate for tolerances and a game between the seat rails S1, S2.

Figures 2A to 2C show the rail lock 4 in each one of the positions P1 to P3. The flexible element 4.1 is for adjusting the various

Positions P1 to P3 of the rail lock 4, for example, formed as a multi-stable element, by means of which at least one

Locking position P1 and / or P2 and at least one

Unlocking position P3 are adjustable. For example, the flexible element 4.1 is formed as a bistable element (not shown), which locks the seat rails S1 and S2 in one of the stable states by means of the engaging locking elements 4.2

(Locking position) and in the other stable state

(Unlocking position) the seat rails S1 and S2 unlocked from each other.

FIGS. 1 to 2C show a so-called tristable flexible element 4.1, which can assume three stable states:

- The locking position P1 to lock the two

Seat rails S1 and S2 through the laterally in the Y direction in all walls of the seat rails S1 and S2 engaging locking elements 4.2 (Figure 2A),

- The further locking position P2 to compensate for a rail game or -lose the two seat rails S1 and S2 in the Z direction by locking the two seat rails S1 and S2 by the laterally in the Y direction in at least one wall of the seat rails S1 and S2 engaging locking elements 4.2 (Figure 2B), and

- The unlocking P3 to unlock the two

Seat rails S1 and S2 from each other by pivoting out of the locking elements 4.2 from at least one of the seat rails S1 or S2 (S1 in the example shown).

The flexible element 4.1, for example, as a leaf spring or a resilient sheet with two at their respective ends formed integrally interconnected locking elements 4.2. The end-side locking elements 4.2 serve as a biasing leg for the bridge section - the flexible element 4.1 - which can take one of two or three stable positions or positions P1 to P3. In this case, the flexible element is 4.1 from the level of fully locked

Locking elements 4.2 in the locking position P2 in the other

Locking position P1 or deflected into the unlocking position P3, wherein the end fixed locking elements 4.2 are pivoted accordingly and from the cross-leg all

Locking position P2 can be brought into the further locking position P1 with compensation or in the unlocking position P3.

As shown, the rail lock 4, for example, inside the

Interior 5 between the two seat rails S1 and S2 arranged. In this case, inside the interior 5, an unlocking element 6 engages in the flexible element 4.1 such that it occupies one of the several locking / unlocking positions P1 to P3. As a result, a simple and multi-locking rail lock 4 allows without additional elements. The unlocking element 6 is formed, for example, as a lever, in the Z direction in one of the respective

Locking / unlocking P1 to P3 corresponding

Operating position B1 to B3 can be brought to support the flexible element 4.1 according to and optionally hold.

Depending on the embodiment, the flexible element 4.1 and

Locking elements 4.2 materially interconnected. For example, these are welded together. Alternatively, the flexible

Element 4.1 and the blocking elements 4.2 be integrally formed, for example, be designed as a metal component or plastic component. Figures 3 to 5 show an enlarged section of the rail pair 1 in the blocking region of the seat rails S1 and S2, which have a plurality of locking openings S1 .4, S2.4, in particular slot-shaped openings. The locking openings S1 .4, S2.4 are in

Longitudinal alignment of the pair of rails 1 arranged one behind the other in a row and formed largely corresponding to each other, so that they allow for superimposed positioning (as shown in Figures 3 to 5) engagement of the locking elements 4.2. For this purpose, the rail lock 4, for example, a number of locking elements 4.2 corresponding to the number of locking holes S1 .4, S2.4 at each end of the flexible element 4.1. Alternatively, the number of blocking elements 4.2 may be smaller than the number of blocking openings S1 .4, S2.4. The multiple blocking elements 4.2 are on each

Rail pair side in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the rail pair 1 in a row and arranged in a row.

To slide and guide the locking elements 4.2 during the movement of one of the locking positions P1, P2 in the

Unlocking position P3 or vice versa are in the locking openings S2.4 of the upper seat rail S2 guide elements S2.5, introduced in the form of sliding bends.

To compensate for rail play in the Z direction, the slot-shaped locking openings S1 .4, S2.4 are formed tapered on at least one vertical end S1 .4.1 or S2.4.1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the flexible element 4.1 has only one blocking element 4.2 on one side,

For example, in the manner of a one-wing lock (also called "half butterfly lock"), one end of the flexible element 4.1 is fastened to the inside of one side wall S2.1 of the upper seat rail S2 additionally be corrugated, for example, for reasons of strength. At the opposite end of the flexible element 4.1 or at least one or more locking elements 4.2 are arranged, which can engage in the locking holes S1 .4, S2.4 of the seat rails S1, S2 blocking (as shown in Figures 6 to 8). The blocking element 4.2 may be formed like a comb and be firmly connected to the flexible element 4.1, in particular be welded, or alternatively be formed integrally with this. The flexible element 4.1 as a bridge element has in particular an arc shape and is bi- or tristable to

Setting the multiple locking and / or

Unlocking positions P1 to P3.

A vehicle seat comprises a longitudinal adjuster (not shown) for adjusting its longitudinal position, which is connected to two of the above-described inventive rail pairs 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 8

Is provided.

By equipping the vehicle seat with two pairs of rails 1 according to the invention, the latter has fewer components than conventional vehicle seats and can be flexibly used for different purposes

Locking forces of for example 20 kN to 50 kN. In addition, the rail pair 1 is suitable for both high and low rail profiles. Also, inner or outer actuation /

Unlocking systems are adapted.

Such a vehicle seat is used in a motor vehicle, usually as a front seat. The serving as a longitudinal adjuster rail pairs 1 are mounted such that one of the seat rails S1, the lower rail and a vehicle structure fixed guide rail and the other

Seat rail S2 the upper rail and a seat-fixed movable rail form. The functions of the two seat rails S1, S2 but can also be exactly the opposite.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 pair of rails

2 rail lock

3 rolling elements

4 rail lock

4.1 flexible element

4.2 blocking element

5 interior

6 unlocking element

51 lower seat rail

S1 .1. S1 .2 side wall

51 .3 floor area

51 .4 blocking opening

S1 .4.1 tapered end of the locking opening

52 upper seat rail

S2.1, S2.2 side wall

52.3 floor area

52.4 Barrier opening

S2.4.1 tapered end of the locking opening

52.5 sliding element

L1 to L4 Wälzlaufbahnen

X longitudinal direction

P1 to P3 locking / unlocking positions

B1 to B3 operating positions

Z vertical alignment

Claims

claims

1 . Rail pair (1) for a vehicle seat, comprising

- At least one lower seat rail (S1) and an upper

Seat rail (S2) which mutually engage around each other to form a rail profile and relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (X) are movable and locked together by means of a rail lock (4), wherein

- The rail lock (4) comprises at least one flexible element (4.1) with at least one blocking element (4.2).

2. rail pair (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the flexible element (4.1) is formed as a multi-stable element, by means of which a plurality

Locking and / or unlocking positions (P1 to P3) are adjustable.

3. rail pair (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the flexible element (4.1) is formed as a bi- or unstable element.

4. rail pair (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the flexible element (4.1) in at least two locking positions (P1 to P2) can be brought.

5. rail pair (1) according to claim 4,

characterized in that the rail lock (4) in one of the locking positions (P1) of the flexible element (4.1) so the two seat rails (S1, S2) locked, that a game of

Seat rails (S1, S2) in vertical alignment (Z) can be compensated.

6. rail pair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rail lock (4) inside the interior (5) between the two seat rails (S1, S2) is arranged.

7. rail pair (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that an unlocking element (6) inside the interior (5) between the two seat rails (S1, S2) engages in such a way in the flexible element (4.1), that this one of several

Locking and / or unlocking positions (P1 to P3) occupies.

8. rail pair (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the flexible element (4.1) and the at least one blocking element (4.2) are connected to one another in a material-locking manner.

9. rail pair (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the flexible element (4.1) is each end provided with a blocking element (4.2).

10. Longitudinal adjuster (L) with at least two pairs of rails (1) according to

one of the preceding claims.