ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR THE LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTMENT OF A VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

It is provided an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis. The at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. An adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis, wherein the at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.

27. The adjusting device according to claim 26, wherein at least one adjusting unit includes a bearing part for connection to a rocker of the seat base.

28. The adjusting device according to claim 26, wherein for the power-operated adjustment of at least one adjusting unit a spindle and a spindle nut meshing therewith are provided.

29. The adjusting device according to claim 28, wherein for the power-operated adjustment of the at least two adjusting units a common, stationary spindle and two spindle nuts each assigned to an adjusting unit and each meshing with the spindle are provided.

30. The adjusting device according to claim 28, wherein a longitudinal axis of the spindle extends substantially perpendicularly to a drive axis of the drive of an adjusting unit.

31. The adjusting device according to claim 26, wherein the adjusting device includes an electronic control unit for controlling the adjusting movements of the at least two adjusting units relative to each other.

32. The adjusting device according to claim 31, wherein the electronic control unit is equipped to vary a distance of the at least two adjusting units arranged one behind the other relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis for a variation of an inclination and/or a height of the seat base and/or a cushion support arranged thereon.

33. The adjusting device according to claim 26, wherein the at least two adjusting units are shiftably mounted on one and the same rail or the at least two adjusting units are shiftably mounted on different rails.

34. The adjusting device according to claim 26, wherein at least one adjusting unit is shiftably mounted on the at least one rail via at least one supporting element.

35. The adjusting device according to claim 34, wherein the at least one supporting element at least one of (a) sildingly rests against the rail and (b) is rotatably mounted and can perform a rotary movement for shifting the adjusting unit along the longitudinal seat axis.

36. The adjusting device according to claim 34, wherein the at least one supporting element is supported on the rail or a component connected thereto.

37. The adjusting device according to claim 36, wherein the at least one supporting element is supported on a convexly curved guide profile that is integrally formed with the rail or that is configured as a separate component and is connected to the rail.

38. The adjusting device according to claim 34, wherein for the power-operated adjustment of at least one adjusting unit a spindle and a spindle nut meshing therewith are provided and the spindle is supported on the at least one supporting element.

39. The adjusting device according to claim 38, wherein at least two supporting elements are provided on an adjusting unit, the spindle extending through between the same.

40. The adjusting device according to claim 39, wherein at least two pairs of two supporting elements each arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis are provided on an adjusting unit and the spindle extends through the at least two pairs.

41. An adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least one shiftably guided adjusting unit adjustable by means of a spindle and a spindle nut meshing therewith, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis, wherein to the rail a spindle holding member is fixed, on which a portion of the spindle is held and which (a) closes an end of the rail and/or (b) is releasably fixed in the rail via at least one separate fastening element.

42. A vehicle seat with at least one adjusting device according to claim 26.

43. The vehicle seat according to claim 42, wherein the at least one rail and at least one adjusting unit are arranged below a floor of the vehicle and the floor includes a longitudinally extended cutout from which merely one bearing part of the adjusting unit protrudes for the connection of the seat base to the adjusting unit at the floor of the vehicle.

44. The vehicle seat according to claim 42, wherein the vehicle seat is adjustable by means of the at least one adjusting device along the longitudinal seat axis between a position in a first seat row and a position in a second seat row of the vehicle.

45. The vehicle seat according to claim 42, wherein the vehicle seat includes two adjusting devices each with at least two adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to each of which a separate drive is assigned for the power-operated adjustment, and the total of at least four drives of the adjusting units are actuatable in pairs and/or individually in order to adjust an inclination and/or a height of the seat base or a cushion support arranged thereon relative to a floor of a vehicle by means of the at least two adjusting devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The attached Figures by way of example illustrate possible design variants.

[0037] FIG. 1 sectionally shows an exemplary embodiment of an adjusting device comprising two adjusting units adjustably held on a common spindle with their own electromotive drive each, to each of which a seat base can be fixed (without representation of a rail of the adjusting device).

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the adjusting device of FIG. 1 with a view from the opposite side and with a representation of the rail of the adjusting device.

[0039] FIG. 3A shows a front view of the adjusting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a view to a screwed spindle holding member in the form of a spindle holding plate.

[0040] FIG. 3B shows a sectional view of the adjusting device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A transversely to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle seat with two adjusting devices according to FIGS. 1 to 3B, which each are almost completely accommodated under a floor of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B by way of example show an exemplary embodiment of an adjusting device 1A. The same is part of a rail assembly SA of a vehicle seat F of FIG. 4. The adjusting device 1A by way of example represents a mirror-symmetrically configured adjusting device 1B of the rail assembly SA, which corresponding to FIG. 4 is provided on the other (right-hand) seat long side of the vehicle seat F.

[0043] The vehicle seat F includes a seat base G and a backrest R pivotally mounted thereon. Via the rail assembly SA the seat base G and hence the vehicle seat F is shiftable along a longitudinal seat axis L, and hence a longitudinal seat position of the vehicle seat F is adjustable. The connection of the seat base B to the adjusting devices 1A and 1B of the rail assembly SA is effected at bearing parts 20 (cf. FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B). These bearing parts 20 each are part of an adjusting unit of the respective (left or right) adjusting device 1A or 1B configured as carriage 2.1 or 2.2. The individual carriages 2.1, 2.2 of the adjusting devices 1A and 1B protrude from a floor B of a vehicle, in which the vehicle seat F is properly mounted, merely with the bearing part 20. The remaining components of the adjusting devices 1A and 1B are accommodated below the floor B so that in particular a (single) rail 3 of an adjusting device 1A or 1B, on which the carriages 2.1 and 2.2 are shiftably mounted, is fixed below the floor B. The bearing parts 20, on which the seat base G is mounted for example each via a rocker articulated to the seat base G and the respective bearing part 20, protrude from continuous floor slots BS1 and BS2 extending parallel to the longitudinal seat axis L. The floor slots BS1 and BS2 can also extend along the floor B with such a length that the vehicle seat F can be traversed between a position in the first seat row of the vehicle and a position in the second seat row of the vehicle. For this purpose, each rail 3 of the two adjusting devices 1A and 1B then possibly would have to be designed correspondingly longer in order to provide for an adjustment of the carriages 2.1 and 2.2 between the different positions in the first and second seat rows.

[0044] As shown with reference to the adjusting device 1A of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A to 3B, each adjusting device 1A, 1B has a single rail 3 on which two carriages 2.1 and 2.2 with their own electromotive drive 4.1 or 4.2 each are shiftably held. The carriages 2.1 and 2.2 arranged one behind the other on the rail 3 along the longitudinal seat axis L are adjustable relative to each other via the drives 4.1 and 4.2 so that a distance between the two carriages 2.1 and 2.2 is variable along the longitudinal seat axis L in order to thereby adjust for example an inclination and/or height of the seat base G. The drives 4.1 and 4.2 are actuatable relative to each other via an electronic control unit SE to perform a corresponding adjusting movement. In addition, a synchronous adjustment of both carriages 2.1 and 2.2 also is possible in order to completely shift the seat base G along the rail 3.

[0045] For the connection of the seat base G to the bearing parts 20 protruding from the floor slot BS1 in the properly mounted condition of the adjusting device 1A corresponding to FIG. 4 both carriages 2.1 and 2.2 each include an articulation point/screw point 200. This articulation point/screw point 200 is provided for the connection and articulation of a rocker.

[0046] To a flange portion 21 of the bearing part 20 the drive 4.1 or 4.2 furthermore is flange-mounted so that the respective drive 4.1 or 4.2 laterally protrudes from the rail 3 and its drive axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal seat axis L and hence to the direction of longitudinal extension of the rail 3. On an outer housing of the respective drive 4.1 or 4.2 a connection socket 40 for the connection of the electronic control unit SE is accessible. Each drive 4.1 or 4.2 furthermore includes a drive shaft for rotating a spindle nut 801. This spindle nut 801 meshes with a spindle 7 that extends parallel to the longitudinal seat axis L within the rail 3. The spindle nut 801 each is part of an adjusting gear unit 8 cooperating with the associated drive 4.1 or 4.2.

[0047] This adjusting gear unit 8 each comprises a gear unit housing 80 in which a drive worm 800 is rotatably mounted. This drive worm 800 is driven via the respective drive 4.1 or 4.2 and meshes with an external toothing of the spindle nut 801. At the same time, the spindle nut 801 meshes with the spindle 7 via an internal toothing so that a torque applied by the respective drive 4.1 or 4.2 is converted into a rotary movement of the spindle nut 801 about a longitudinal axis of the spindle 7 via the drive worm 800. The rotation of the spindle nut 801 in turn leads to an adjusting movement of the associated carriage 2.1 or 2.2. along the longitudinal seat axis L.

[0048] In the present case, the gear unit housing 80 on the one hand is received between two holding plates 81.1 and 81.2 and for example fixed to the same, possibly by welding. The holding plates 81.1 and 81.2 face each other along the longitudinal seat axis L and include a through opening for the spindle 7 extending through the holding plates 81.1 and 81.2. Both carriages 2.1 and 2.2 hence are adjustable along a common spindle 7, namely via their independent drives 4.1 and 4.2 synchronously in one and the same adjustment direction and relative to each other, in particular in different adjustment directions.

[0049] For the shiftable support on the rail 3, each carriage 2.1 or 2.2 includes a plurality of supporting elements in the form of rotatably mounted rollers 22, 23, 24 and 25. These rollers 22 to 25 are arranged in pairs on both sides of the respective adjusting gear unit 8. The adjusting gear unit 8 with the spindle nut 801 hence is disposed between two pairs of two rotatable rollers 22/25 and 23/24 each. The spindle 7 extends through between the two rollers 22/25 or 23/24 of a pair and is supported by these rollers 22/25 and 23/24 arranged above and below the spindle 7. The rollers 22 to 25 of each carriage 2.1 or 2.2 thus counteract a deflection of the spindle 7—in particular in the case of a particularly long spindle 7.

[0050] At the same time, above (in the case of the rollers 22 and 23) or below (in the case of the rollers 24 and 25) the spindle 7 the rollers 22 to 25 are supported on a guide profile in the form of a semicircular profile 5.1 or 5.2, which is firmly connected to the rail 3 or formed integrally with the rail 3. The rollers 22 to 25 thereby support transverse forces from the seat base G and dissipate the same into the rail 3. The individual rollers 22 to 25 have a convexly curved running surface LF (cf. in particular FIG. 3B) via which each roller 22 to 25 can roll off on the one hand on the respective semicircular profile 5.1 or 5.2 and on the other hand on the spindle 7, when the carriage 2.1 or 2.2 is shifted along the spindle 7 and hence along the rail 3.

[0051] The total of four rollers 22 to 25 of a carriage 2.1 or 2.2 are rotatably mounted on two bearing plates 60 and 61 facing each other transversely to the longitudinal seat axis L. These bearing plates 60 and 61 together with the rollers 22 to 25 mounted thereon form a roller assembly 6 of the respective carriage 2.1 or 2.2. This roller assembly 6 is completely received in a cavity 30 of the rail 3 and ensures the shiftability of the respective carriage 2.1 or 2.2 on the rail 3.

[0052] The adjusting gear unit 8 with the drive worm 800 and the spindle nut 801 is arranged between the bearing plates 60 and 61. The holding plates 81.1 and 81.2 connected to the gear unit housing 80 can be welded to the lateral bearing plates 60, 61. In an alternative design variant no separate gear unit housing 80 is provided for the rotatable support of the drive worm 800 and the accommodation of the spindle nut 801. Rather, a housing for the drive worm 800 and the spindle nut 801 then is formed by the bearing plates 60 and 61 and the holding plates 81.1 and 81.2.

[0053] To ensure a connection of the electromotive drive 4.1 or 4.2 of the respective carriage 2.1 or 2.2 to the roller assembly 6 and the adjusting gear unit 8 and to be able to shift the same along the rail 3, the rail 3 is designed open on a long side. In the properly mounted condition of the adjusting device, this open long side is provided on the inside and hence faces an inside of the other adjusting device 1B of the rail assembly SA for the vehicle seat F.

[0054] For the assembly of an adjusting device 1A, the individual carriages 2.1 and 2.2 with their bearing part 20, the drive 4.1 or 4.2 flange-mounted thereto, the adjusting gear unit 8 coupled to the drive 4.1 or 4.2 and the roller assembly 6 can be pre-mounted and form a pre-mounted assembly. The individual carriages 2.1 and 2.2 with their roller assembly 6 then are pushed into the rail 3 from an end of the rail 3 and properly positioned on the rail 3 via the spindle nut 801 meshing with the spindle 7. The semicircular profiles 5.1 and 5.2 facing each other and arranged above and below the spindle 7 on the one hand ensure both a defined guidance of the carriages 2.1 and 2.2 within the rail 3 and a support of the transverse forces introduced by the seat base G. At the same time, a support of the spindle 7 in a middle region between two spindle ends is achieved via the roller pairs 22/25 and 23/24 spatially arranged at a distance to each other along the longitudinal seat axis L, between which the adjusting gear unit 8 of a carriage 2.1 or 2.2 is received.

[0055] At the ends of the rail 3 a spindle holder 9 each is provided. At this spindle holder 9 the stationary spindle is held and fixed within the rail 3. The spindle holder 9 includes a spindle holding member in the form of a spindle holding plate 90. Via this spindle holding plate 90 the spindle 7 is held stationary in the rail 3 and secured against rotating about its longitudinal axis.

[0056] For easier assembly and disassembly, the spindle holding plate 90 in the present case is releasably fixed to the rail 3 via a plurality of fastening elements in the form of screws 92. Two screws 92 are provided laterally on the rail 3 and screwed in on a (left) side wall 32 of the rail 3. Two further screws 92 are screwed in on the other (right) side of the rail 3, here each on an upper and a lower edge web 31o or 31u that borders the open long side of the rail 3.

[0057] Via the individual screws 92 an arresting element in the form of an arresting plate 91a or 91b each is fixed, which is positively connected to the spindle holding plate 90 and holds the same in position within the rail 3. Via the two arresting plates 91a and 91b facing each other transversely to the longitudinal seat axis L the spindle holding plate 90 (with the screws 92 screwed in) is immovably fixed at one end of the rail 3 and releasably within the rail 3.

[0058] The spindle holding plate 90 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A is of cross-shaped design and with its laterally as well as upwardly and downwardly protruding portions is positively received between the arresting plates 91a and 91b facing each other. For positively receiving the laterally protruding portions of the spindle holding plate 90 each arresting plate 91a, 91b includes a corresponding cutout.

[0059] Via the spindle holding plate 90 one end of the rail 3 in the present case is closed almost completely. This reduces the risk of dirt entering into the cavity 30 of the rail 3. In addition, the end of the rail 3 is stiffened via the spindle holder 9 including the spindle holding plate 90 and the arresting plates 91a and 91b. In particular, both the spindle holding plate 90 and the lateral arresting plates 91a, 91b therefor are received within the cavity 30 of the rail 3. The spindle holding plate 90 together with the arresting plates 91a and 91b hence forms a spindle holding block that is screwed to the rail 3 and stiffens the rail profile. This can have a particularly advantageous effect on the loadability of the (single) rail 3.

[0060] The illustrated adjusting device 1A with a single rail 3 and carriages 2.1 and 2.2 independently adjustable thereon and each provided with their own drive 4.1, 4.2 can do without a continuous upper rail to which the seat base G would be fixed on a seat long side. Rather, there is provided a (longitudinal seat) adjusting device 1A that includes two separately adjustable adjusting units in the form of the carriages 2.1 and 2.2, which each define an articulation point/screw point for the seat base G. An adjusting device 1A or 1B thus is designed without a continuous upper rail, but with two short carriage-shaped upper rail pieces that are defined by the adjusting units 2.1 and 2.2. Thus, independently actuatable rocker drives for a front and a rear rocker of the seat base G can be provided on the single rail 3 in order to for example—in conjunction with a second adjusting device 1B corresponding to the rail assembly SA of FIG. 4—at least also adjust the inclination and/or the height of the seat base G with respect to the floor B by varying a distance between front and rear rockers. Via the carriages 2.1 and 2.2 adjustable relative to each other comparatively large strokes can be realized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0061] 1A, 1B adjusting device [0062] 2.1, 2.2 carriage (adjusting unit) [0063] 20 bearing part [0064] 200 articulation point/screw point [0065] 21 flange portion [0066] 22, 23, 24, 25 roller (supporting element) [0067] 3 (single) rail [0068] 30 cavity [0069] 31o, 31u edge web [0070] 32 side wall [0071] 4.1, 4.2 drive [0072] 40 connection socket [0073] 5.1, 5.2 semicircular profile (guide profile) [0074] 6 roller assembly [0075] 60, 61 bearing plate [0076] 7 spindle [0077] 8 adjusting gear unit [0078] 80 gear unit housing [0079] 800 drive worm [0080] 801 spindle nut [0081] 81.1, 81.2 holding plate [0082] 9 spindle holder [0083] 90 spindle holding plate (spindle holding member) [0084] 91a, 91b arresting plate (arresting element) [0085] 92 screw (fastening element) [0086] B floor [0087] BS1, BS2 floor slot [0088] F vehicle seat [0089] G seat base [0090] L longitudinal seat axis [0091] LF running surface [0092] R backrest [0093] SA rail assembly [0094] SE control unit