LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTER AND VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat may have at least one pair of rails which is formed from a first rail and a second rail. A spindle nut may be connected to the second rail and a spindle operatively connected to the spindle nut are located in the inner channel. A spindle gear, which can be driven a motor and interacts with the spindle, may be located at one end of the first rail. The spindle nut may be fixed to the second rail so that the spindle nut has a degree of freedom of at least one. The spindle nut may be fixedly connected to the second rail by a fixing device. A projection may be provided between a base body of the spindle nut and the second rail. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat with the longitudinal adjuster.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat, comprising: at least one pair of rails formed from a first rail and a second rail which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first rail, wherein the rails alternately engage around each other forming an inner channel, wherein a spindle nut connected to the second rail and a spindle operatively connected to the spindle nut are arranged in the inner channel, wherein a spindle gear which is drivable by a motor and interacts with the spindle is arranged at one end of the first rail, wherein the spindle nut is fixed to the second rail in such a way that the spindle nut has a degree of freedom of at least one, wherein the spindle nut is connected to the second rail by a fixing device, wherein a projection is provided in the region of the fixing device on a basic body of the spindle nut or on the second rail, which projection defines a distance between the basic body and the second rail, wherein the spindle nut is connectable to the second rail in the event of a crash by two crash bolts.

17. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the crash bolts are each passed through a first opening in the second rail.

18. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein a radial gap is provided around each crash bolt, between the bolt and the second rail.

19. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 18, wherein a radial gap is provided around each crash bolt, between the bolt and the first openings in the second rail.

20. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spindle nut is fixedly connected to the second rail by a centrally arranged fixing device, as viewed in the longitudinal direction.

21. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a pivoting of the spindle nut about a substantially horizontal axis.

22. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 21, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a pivoting of the spindle nut about an axis running parallel to a transverse direction.

23. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a rotation of the spindle nut about a substantially vertical axis.

24. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 23, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a rotation of the spindle nut about an axis of the fixing device.

25. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a movement of the spindle nut in a vertical direction.

26. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the degree of freedom corresponds to a pivoting of the spindle nut about a substantially horizontal axis along an imaginary connecting line between the two crash bolts.

27. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second rail has the projection.

28. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spindle is mounted at a front end section of the spindle in the spindle gear and at a rear end section of the spindle in a rotary bearing of the first rail.

29. The longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the basic body of the spindle nut has, in the region of each of the crash bolts, a shoulder which defines a distance between a head of the respective crash bolt and the basic body.

30. A vehicle seat with a longitudinal adjuster as claimed in claim 16.

Description

FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Before refinements of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to figures, it should first be noted that the invention is not limited to the components described. Furthermore, the terminology used does not constitute a restriction, but is merely of an exemplary nature. Insofar as the singular is used in the description and the claims below, the plural is also included, unless the context explicitly excludes this.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of advantageous exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the figures. The invention is however not limited to these exemplary embodiments. In the figures:

[0028] FIG. 1: shows schematically a vehicle seat according to the invention,

[0029] FIG. 2: shows a longitudinal adjuster according to the invention of the vehicle seat from FIG. 1,

[0030] FIG. 3: shows a perspective view of a pair of rails of the longitudinal adjuster from FIG. 2,

[0031] FIG. 4: shows a longitudinal section of the pair of rails from FIG. 3,

[0032] FIG. 5: shows a perspective illustration, enlarged in detail, of a spindle nut according to a first exemplary embodiment,

[0033] FIG. 6: shows a longitudinal section of the spindle nut from FIG. 5,

[0034] FIG. 7: shows a perspective illustration, enlarged in detail, of a spindle nut according to a second exemplary embodiment,

[0035] FIG. 8: shows a longitudinal section of the spindle nut from FIG. 7,

[0036] FIG. 9: shows a perspective illustration, enlarged in detail, of a spindle nut according to a third exemplary embodiment,

[0037] FIG. 10: shows a longitudinal section of the spindle nut from FIG. 9,

[0038] FIG. 11: shows a perspective illustration, enlarged in detail, of a spindle nut according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, and

[0039] FIG. 12: shows a longitudinal section of the spindle nut from FIG. 11.

[0040] A vehicle seat 1 illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 is described below using three spatial directions running perpendicular to one another. In the case of a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, a longitudinal direction x runs substantially horizontally and preferably parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. A transverse direction y, which runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction x, is likewise oriented horizontally in the vehicle, and runs parallel to a vehicle transverse direction. A vertical direction z runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicularly with respect to the transverse direction y. In the case of a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle vertical axis.

[0041] The positional and directional indications used, such as for example front, rear, top and bottom, relate to a viewing direction of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat 1 in a normal sitting position, wherein the vehicle seat 1 is installed in the vehicle, in a use position suitable for passenger transport, with an upright backrest 4, and is oriented in the conventional manner in the direction of travel. The vehicle seat 1 may however also be installed in a different orientation, for example transversely with respect to the direction of travel.

[0042] The vehicle seat 1 shown in FIG. 1 for a motor vehicle has a seat part 2 and the backrest 4 which is adjustable in its inclination relative to the seat part 2. An inclination of the backrest 4 can be adjustable, for example, by means of a latching fitting or a geared fitting. The vehicle seat 1 is mounted on a longitudinal adjuster 10 for adjusting a longitudinal seat position.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the invention of the vehicle seat 1. The longitudinal adjuster 10 has at least one pair of rails, in the present case two pairs of rails. FIG. 3 shows one of the pairs of rails of the longitudinal adjuster 10 from FIG. 2.

[0044] The pairs of rails are each formed from a first rail 12, in particular for connection to a seat structure of the vehicle seat 1, and from a second rail 14, in particular for connection to a vehicle structure. The rails 12, 14 of the pair of rails are displaceable in the longitudinal direction x relative to one another and engage alternately around one another forming an inner channel 16. A spindle nut 130; 230; 330; 430, which is mounted on the second rail 14 and in the present case is connected, in particular non-rotatably, to the second rail 14, and a spindle 20 interacting with the spindle nut 130; 230; 330; 430 are arranged in the inner channel 16. The spindle 20 extends along a spindle axis S parallel to the longitudinal direction x. A spindle gear 50 which is drivable by means of a motor 60 and which drives the spindle 20 is arranged at a front end of the first rail 12. The motor 60 is held on a motor carrier 70 mounted between the two spindle gears 50 of the respective pairs of rails and drives the two spindle gears 50 by means of a shaft, not illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the pair of rails from FIG. 3. The spindle gear 50 supports a front end section 20a of the spindle 20. The spindle nut 130; 230; 330; 430 is arranged centrally along the length of the spindle 20 in the state illustrated here. By rotation of the spindle 20 about the spindle axis S, the spindle nut 130; 230; 330; 430 is screwed, depending on the direction of rotation, along an external thread of the spindle 20 in or counter to the longitudinal direction x and thereby displaces the first seat rail 12 relative to the second seat rail 14. A relative position between the spindle 10 and the spindle nut 130; 230; 330; 430 is also displaced accordingly.

[0046] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the spindle nut 130 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The spindle nut 130 has a basic body 132. The spindle nut 130 has a continuous threaded bore which is oriented in particular parallel to the longitudinal direction x and has an internal thread. The internal thread of the spindle nut 130 is operatively connected to an external thread of the spindle 20.

[0047] The spindle nut 130 is connected to the second rail 14 by means of two crash bolts 90. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has two first openings 14a, through each of which a crash bolt 90 is passed. Furthermore, a gap 100 is provided around the crash bolts 90, between the bolts and the second rail 14. The spindle nut 130 is fixedly connected to the second rail 14 by means of a fixing means 80, in particular a fixing means 80 arranged centrally between the crash bolts 90, as viewed in the longitudinal direction x. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has a second opening 14b for the fixing means 80. The inner diameter of the second opening 14b is adapted to an outer diameter of the fixing means 80. The spindle nut 130 has a projection 134 on the basic body 132 in the region of the fixing means 80, which projection defines a distance between the basic body 132 and the second rail 14. The spindle nut 130 can, preferably in the event of a crash, be pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, in particular about an axis running parallel to a transverse direction y.

[0048] According to the first exemplary embodiment, a shoulder 136 is arranged, in particular integrally formed, on the basic body 132 of the spindle nut 130 in the region of each of the crash bolts 90 and defines a distance between a head 92 of the respective crash bolt 90 and the basic body 132. In the present case, the head 92 is normally spaced apart from the second rail 14 and only comes into contact with the second rail 14 after the longitudinal adjuster 10 has been deformed under load, in particular in the event of a crash.

[0049] In the present case, one possibility of movement of the spindle nut 130 corresponding to a degree of freedom is a rotation of the spindle nut 130 about a substantially vertical axis, in particular an axis A of the fixing means 80. In the region of the crash bolts 90, the second rail 14 can also move to a limited extent in the vertical direction z between the head 92 and the spindle nut 130.

[0050] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the spindle nut 230 according to a second embodiment. The spindle nut 230 has a basic body 232. The spindle nut 230 has a continuous threaded bore which is oriented in particular parallel to the longitudinal direction x and has an internal thread. The internal thread of the spindle nut 230 is operatively connected to an external thread of the spindle 20.

[0051] The spindle nut 230 is connected to the second rail 14 by means of two crash bolts 90. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has two first openings 14a, through each of which a crash bolt 90 is passed. Furthermore, a gap 100 is provided around the crash bolts 90, between the bolts and the second rail 14. The spindle nut 230 is fixedly connected to the second rail 14 by means of a fixing means 80, in particular a fixing means 80 arranged centrally, as viewed in the longitudinal direction x. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has a second opening 14b for the fixing means 80. The inner diameter of the second opening 14b is adapted to an outer diameter of the fixing means 80. The spindle nut 230 has a projection 234 on the basic body 232 in the region of the fixing means 80, which projection defines a distance between the basic body 232 and the second rail 14. The spindle nut 230 can, preferably in the event of a crash, be pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, in particular about an axis running parallel to a transverse direction y.

[0052] According to the second exemplary embodiment, the crash bolts 90 each have a shoulder 236 adjoining a head 92 of the respective crash bolt 90, which shoulders 236 each define a distance between the head 92 and the spindle nut 230. In the present case, the head 92 is normally spaced apart from the second rail 14 and only comes into contact with the second rail 14 after the longitudinal adjuster 10 has been deformed under load, in particular in the event of a crash.

[0053] In the present case, one possibility of movement of the spindle nut 230 corresponding to a degree of freedom is a rotation of the spindle nut 230 about a substantially vertical axis, in particular an axis A of the fixing means 80. In the region of the crash bolts 90, the second rail 14 can also move to a limited extent in the vertical direction z between the head 92 and the spindle nut 230.

[0054] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the spindle nut 330 according to a third embodiment. The spindle nut 330 has a basic body 332. The spindle nut 330 has a continuous threaded bore which is oriented in particular parallel to the longitudinal direction x and has an internal thread. The internal thread of the spindle nut 330 is operatively connected to an external thread of the spindle 20.

[0055] The spindle nut 330 is connected to the second rail 14 by means of two crash bolts 90. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has two first openings 14a, through each of which a crash bolt 90 is passed. Furthermore, a gap 100 is provided around the crash bolts 90, between the bolts and the second rail 14. The crash bolts 90 each have a shoulder 336 adjoining a head 92 of the respective crash bolt 90, which shoulders 336 each define a distance between the head 92 and the spindle nut 330. In the present case, the head 92 is normally spaced apart from the second rail 14 and only comes into contact with the second rail 14 after the longitudinal adjuster 10 has been deformed under load, in particular in the event of a crash.

[0056] An elastic means 338 is arranged between the basic body 332 of the spindle nut 330 and the second rail 14. In the present case, the elastic means 338 is a buffer 338, in particular a flat buffer 338, made of a plastic, in particular a rubber. A further buffer 338, in particular an annular buffer 338, made of a plastic, in particular a rubber, is arranged between the head 92 of each of the crash bolts 90 and the second rail 14.

[0057] In the present case, one possibility of movement of the spindle nut 330 corresponding to a degree of freedom is a rotation of the spindle nut 330 about a substantially vertical axis which is limited by a respective position of the crash bolts 90 in the first openings 14a in the second rail 14.

[0058] Another possibility of movement of the spindle nut 330 corresponding to the degree of freedom can be a movement of the spindle nut 330 in the vertical direction z, which is influenceable by the elastic properties of the material of the buffers 338.

[0059] Another possibility of movement of the spindle nut 330 corresponding to the degree of freedom can be a pivoting of the spindle nut 330 about a substantially horizontal axis, in particular along an imaginary connecting line between the two crash bolts 90, which is also influenceable by the elastic properties of the material of the buffers 338.

[0060] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the spindle nut 30 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. The spindle nut 430 has a basic body 432. The spindle nut 430 has a continuous threaded bore which is oriented in particular parallel to the longitudinal direction x and has an internal thread. The internal thread of the spindle nut 430 is operatively connected to an external thread of the spindle 20.

[0061] The spindle nut 430 is connected to the second rail 14 by means of two crash bolts 90. For this purpose, the second rail 14 has two first openings 14a, through each of which a crash bolt 90 is passed. Furthermore, a gap 100 is provided around the crash bolts 90, between the bolts and the second rail 14. The crash bolts 90 each have a shoulder 436 adjoining a head 92 of the respective crash bolt 90, which shoulders 336 each define a distance between the head 92 and the spindle nut 430. In the present case, the head 92 is normally spaced apart from the second rail 14 and only comes into contact with the second rail 14 after the longitudinal adjuster 10 has been deformed under load, in particular in the event of a crash.

[0062] An elastic means is arranged between the basic body 432 of the spindle nut 430 and the second rail 14. A metal spring 438, in particular a metallic leaf spring 438, can be arranged between the basic body 432 of the spindle nut 430 and the second rail 14. A respective buffer 440, in particular an annular buffer 440, can be arranged between the head 92 of each of the crash bolts 90 and the second rail 14. In the present case, the buffer 440 is made of metal.

[0063] Alternatively, the buffer 440 can be made of metal on the one hand and plastic or rubber on the other hand. One side of the buffer 440 facing the head 92 can be made of metal and a side of the buffer 440 facing the second rail 14 can be made of plastic and/or rubber. Alternatively, a side of the buffer 440 facing the second rail 14 can be made of metal and a side of the buffer 440 facing the head 92 can be made of plastic and/or rubber.

[0064] In the present case, one possibility of movement of the spindle nut 430 corresponding to a degree of freedom is a rotation of the spindle nut 430 about a substantially vertical axis which is limited by a respective position of the crash bolts 90 in the first openings 14a in the second rail 14.

[0065] Another possibility of movement of the spindle nut 430 corresponding to the degree of freedom can be a movement of the spindle nut 430 in the vertical direction z, which is influenceable by the elastic properties of the material of the metal spring 438.

[0066] Another possibility of movement of the spindle nut 430 corresponding to the degree of freedom can be a pivoting of the spindle nut 430 about a substantially horizontal axis, in particular along an imaginary connecting line between the two crash bolts 90, which is also influenceable by the elastic properties of the material of the metal spring 438 and is limited by the dimensions of the first openings 14a and the heads 92 of the crash bolts 90.

[0067] The features which are disclosed in the description above, in the claims, and in the figures may be of importance, both individually and in combination, for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

[0068] Although the invention has been described in detail in the figures and in the above illustration, the illustrations should be understood as being illustrative and by way of example and not as restrictive. In particular, the selection of the graphically illustrated proportions of the individual elements should not be interpreted as being required or limiting. Furthermore, the invention is in particular not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed. Further variants of the invention and the implementation thereof are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the preceding disclosure, from the figures and from the claims.

[0069] Terms such as “comprise”, “have”, “include”, “contain” and the like used in the claims do not rule out further elements or steps. The use of the indefinite article does not rule out a plurality. A single device can perform the functions of a plurality of units or devices mentioned in the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0070] 1 Vehicle seat [0071] 2 Seat part [0072] 4 Backrest [0073] 10 Longitudinal adjuster [0074] 12 First rail [0075] 14 Second rail [0076] 14a First opening [0077] 14b Second opening [0078] 16 Inner channel [0079] Spindle [0080] 20a Front end section (of the spindle 20) [0081] 20b Rear end section (of the spindle 20) [0082] 50 Spindle gear [0083] 60 Motor [0084] 70 Motor carrier [0085] 80 Fixing means [0086] 90 Crash bolt [0087] 92 Head [0088] 100 Gap [0089] 130 Spindle nut [0090] 132 Basic body [0091] 134 Projection [0092] 136 Shoulder [0093] 230 Spindle nut [0094] 232 Basic body [0095] 234 Projection [0096] 236 Shoulder [0097] 330 Spindle nut [0098] 332 Basic body [0099] 336 Shoulder [0100] 338 Elastic means, buffer [0101] 430 Spindle nut [0102] 432 Basic body [0103] 436 Shoulder [0104] 438 Spring means, leaf spring [0105] 440 Buffer [0106] S Spindle axis (of the spindle 20) [0107] A Axis (of the fixing means) [0108] x Longitudinal direction [0109] y Transverse direction [0110] z Vertical direction