Spring assembly for an unlocking mechanism for a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat and method for installing a spring assembly

Abstract

A spring assembly (1) is provided for an unlocking mechanism for a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat. The spring assembly (1) includes a clip wire (2), a spring guide (3) and a leg spring (4). In an installed state, the spring guide (3) can be disposed or is disposed in an axially movable but not rotatable manner on a straight first clip section (2.1) of the clip wire (2). The spring guide (3) can be brought or is brought into an operating state, in which it is rotatable with respect to the first clip section (2.1), via an axial movement on the first clip section (2.1). A method is further provided for installing a spring assembly (1) in an unlocking mechanism for a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat.

Claims

1. A spring assembly for an unlocking mechanism for a vehicle seat, the spring assembly comprising: a clip wire; a spring guide; and a leg spring, wherein in an installation state the spring guide is arrangeable or is arranged axially displaceable and non-rotatable on a straight first clip section of the clip wire, and wherein the spring guide is movable or is moved into an operating state in which the spring guide is rotatable with respect to the first clip section via an axial displacement on the first clip section, wherein the clip wire has a second clip section which extends substantially parallel to the straight first clip section and which comprises a bulged portion which is aligned relative to the first clip section, wherein in the installation state the spring guide together with the clip wire and the leg spring produces a pretensioning, wherein a first end of the leg spring presses against a region of the second clip section on an angled-back side, wherein a second end of the leg spring is fixed in an eccentric plate and wherein the bulged portion presses against a first cam and as a result is prevented from moving.

2. The spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring guide is configured in one piece and comprises a sleeve and the eccentric plate, wherein the eccentric plate comprises the first cam and a second cam as well as an arcuate portion arranged between the cams.

3. The spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring guide is configured as a spring mandrel, wherein the spring assembly is tensioned in the installation state and a spring force is releasable only after the first clip section is displaced relative to the spring guide, wherein during this release the spring guide is rotatable on the first clip section.

4. The spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the operating state, after the axial displacement of the clip wire in the spring guide, the first cam is arranged adjacent to the bulged portion, the second clip section bears with a spring force against the lower face of an unlocking lever and a second cam bears against an outer wall of an upper seat rail and is pressed with a spring force thereagainst.

5. A method for installing a spring assembly, in an unlocking mechanism for a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of: providing a spring assembly comprising: a clip wire; a spring guide; and a leg spring, wherein in an installation state the spring guide is arrangeable or is arranged axially displaceable and non-rotatable on a straight first clip section of the clip wire, and the spring guide is movable or is moved into an operating state in which the spring guide is rotatable with respect to the first clip section via an axial displacement on the first clip section; tensioning the spring assembly in the installation state and moving the tensioned spring assembly on an upper seat rail below an unlocking lever; moving the spring guide by the leg spring into a final position in which a second cam bears against an outer wall of the upper seat rail; and subsequent to the step of moving the spring guide, axially displacing the clip wire in the spring guide so that a second clip section bears by spring force against the lower face of the unlocking lever, wherein the clip section is used as a pivot pin for the unlocking lever.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a clip hook is brought into operative connection with the unlocking lever so that in the operating state the spring assembly is prevented from being pulled out.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first end of the leg spring acts counter to the second clip section and a second end of the leg spring is suspended in a bore of an eccentric plate, wherein the spring guide is initially blocked against rotation by contact of the second cam with a bulged portion, and wherein subsequently a spring force of the spring guide is released by axial displacement of the spring guide, wherein subsequently the spring guide is supported on the wall of the upper seat rail and the second clip section is supported on the unlocking lever.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein initially via a notch arranged on a bulged portion the spring guide is prevented from being inadvertently axially displaced.

9. A spring assembly for an unlocking mechanism for a vehicle seat, the spring assembly comprising: a clip wire; a spring guide; and a leg spring, wherein in an installation state the spring guide is arrangeable or is arranged axially displaceable and non-rotatable on a straight first clip section of the clip wire, and wherein the spring guide is movable or is moved into an operating state in which the spring guide is rotatable with respect to the first clip section via an axial displacement on the first clip section, wherein the clip wire has a second clip section which extends substantially parallel to the straight first clip section and which comprises a bulged portion which is aligned relative to the first clip section, wherein in the operating state, after the axial displacement of the clip wire in the spring guide, the first cam is arranged adjacent to the bulged portion, the second clip section bears with a spring force against the lower face of an unlocking lever and the second cam bears against an outer wall of an upper seat rail and is pressed with a spring force thereagainst.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clip wire for a first embodiment of a spring assembly;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a spring guide for the first embodiment of the spring assembly;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a leg spring for the first embodiment of the spring assembly;

(5) FIG. 4 is a first perspective view showing the first embodiment of the spring assembly in the pretensioned installation state;

(6) FIG. 5 is a second perspective view showing the first embodiment of the spring assembly in the pretensioned installation state;

(7) FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a perspective view of a first installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly;

(8) FIG. 6B is a sectional view associated with what is shown in FIG. 6A;

(9) FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a second installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly;

(10) FIG. 7B is a sectional view associated with what is shown in FIG. 7A;

(11) FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a third installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly;

(12) FIG. 8B is a sectional view associated with what is shown in FIG. 8A;

(13) FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail;

(14) FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing an associated enlarged detailed view of the first embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail;

(15) FIG. 9C is a perspective view associated with what is shown in FIG. 9B;

(16) FIG. 9D is an enlarged detailed view associated with what is shown in FIG. 9C;

(17) FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail;

(18) FIG. 10B is an enlarged detailed view associated with what is shown in FIG. 10B;

(19) FIG. 10C is a perspective view associated with what is shown in FIG. 10B;

(20) FIG. 10D is an enlarged detailed view associated with what is shown in FIG. 10C;

(21) FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail;

(22) FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing an associated enlarged detailed view;

(23) FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system of a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail; and

(24) FIG. 12B is an enlarged detailed view associated with what is shown in FIG. 12A.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(25) Referring to the drawings, parts which correspond to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in all of the figures.

(26) FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view a clip wire 2 intended for a first embodiment of a spring assembly 1, not shown here. The clip wire 2 has a straight first clip section 2.1 and a second clip section 2.2 which preferably extends substantially parallel thereto. A bulged portion 2.3 which is oriented toward the first clip section 2.1 is located approximately in the center of the second clip section 2.2. A notch 2.3.1 is arranged on the bulged portion 2.3, said notch serving as transport securing means of the spring assembly before the installation thereof and optionally or additionally securing the spring assembly against inadvertent activation during installation. A clip hook 2.4 is arranged at the end of the second clip section 2.2. For example, the angle between the clip hook 2.4 and the second clip section 2.2 is approximately 70° to 90°.

(27) FIG. 2 shows in a perspective view a spring guide 3 intended for the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1, not shown here. The spring guide 3 is in one piece and comprises a sleeve 3.1 and an eccentric plate 3.2 arranged thereon. The eccentric plate 3.2 comprises an arcuate portion 3.3 and a first cam 3.4 and a second cam 3.5. The arcuate portion 3.3 is located between the cams 3.4, 3.5. Two bores are arranged on the eccentric plate 3.2.

(28) FIG. 3 shows in a perspective view a leg spring 4 intended for the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1, not shown here. The leg spring 4 is a torsion spring and comprises a plurality of helical windings 4.1, a first end 4.2 with a hook 4.3 and a second end 4.4 shown in FIG. 5.

(29) FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show in each case in a perspective view the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1 in a pretensioned installation state. The spring assembly 1 comprises the clip wire 2, the spring guide 3 and the leg spring 4. The sleeve 3.1 of the spring guide 3 is positioned on the first clip section 2.1 of the clip wire 2. As a result, the spring guide 3 is axially displaceable relative to the first clip section 2.1 and vice-versa. The spring guide 3 is, however, not rotatable relative to the first clip section 2.1 about the longitudinal axis thereof.

(30) The clip hook 2.4 arranged at the end of the second clip section 2.2 is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first clip section 2.1.

(31) Optionally, the inner face of the sleeve 3.1 and the outer wall of the first clip section 2.1 preferably may have a number of longitudinally extending grooves and/or a number of corresponding longitudinally extending tongues or vice-versa.

(32) The spring guide 3 together with the clip wire 2 and the leg spring 4 produces pretensioning in the installation state shown. In this case, the first end 4.2 of the leg spring 4 presses against the lower face of the region of the second clip section 2.2 on the angled-back side. The second end 4.4 of the leg spring is fixed in the eccentric plate 3.2, by being inserted therein in the longitudinal direction.

(33) An upward deformation of the second clip section 2.2 is prevented in this installation state by the bulged portion 2.3 being pressed against the first cam 3.4 and being prevented from moving upwards. As a result, the spring guide 3 is not rotatable relative to the first clip section 2.1 about the longitudinal axis thereof, preferably at least not without overcoming the spring force of the leg spring 4.

(34) The installation state shown is the state in which the spring assembly 1 is preferably delivered for the installation of an unlocking mechanism for a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat. The notch 2.3.1 arranged on the bulged portion 2.3 prevents an inadvertent axial displacement of the spring guide 3 without a defined additional expenditure of force in the installation state and serves as transport securing means.

(35) The spring guide 3 is longitudinally displaceable on the second clip section 2.2, in particular displaceable in the direction of the angled-back portion of the clip wire 2. With a sufficiently large axial displacement of the spring guide 3 on the second clip section 2.2 the first cam 3.4 is preferably displaced in the direction of the angled-back portion of the clip wire 2 adjacent to the bulged portion 2.3, so that the bulged portion 2.3 is no longer pressed against the first cam 3.4 and is prevented from moving upwards. In this case, the maximum travel of the first cam 3.4 is less than the spacing from the first clip section 2.1 to the side of the second clip section 2.2 which is adjacent to the bulged portion 2.3 and which faces the first clip section 2.1. As a result, after the axial displacement of the spring guide 3 the second clip section 2.2 may be moved at least partially upwardly, following the pretensioning force of the leg spring 4, wherein the pretensioning force of the leg spring 4 is partially, preferably only slightly, dissipated.

(36) FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show a perspective view of a first installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1 and/or an associated sectional view. The spring assembly 1 is intended to be installed on an upper seat rail 5 of a vehicle seat, not shown. The upper seat rail 5 comprises an unlocking lever 6, which is known per se, a seat lock being released during the downward actuation thereof. To this end, the spring assembly 1 is intended to be fitted in order to permit a spring force, which has to be overcome for the unlocking, to act on the unlocking lever 6.

(37) In the installation state shown, the spring assembly 1 as described above is still pretensioned, the bulged portion 2.3 is thus still retained by the first cam 3.4. The spring assembly 1 is not yet moved into the final fitted position.

(38) FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a perspective view of a second installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1 and/or an associated sectional view.

(39) The spring assembly 1 is already displaced further in the longitudinal direction, wherein the spring guide 3 with the leg spring 4 has already reached the final fitted position. The spring assembly 1, however, is still in the above-described installation state. In other words, the bulged portion 2.3 is still retained by the first cam 3.4. The second cam 3.5 already bears against the vertical outer wall of the upper seat rail 5. The spring assembly 1 is still untensioned relative to the unlocking lever 6. The clip section 2.1 serves in the installation state as a pivot pin for the unlocking lever 6.

(40) FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show a perspective view of a third installation step for installing the first embodiment of the spring assembly 1 and/or an associated sectional view.

(41) The spring assembly 1 is already moved into its final fitted position. The spring assembly 1 is no longer in the above-described installation state. The clip wire 2 has been axially displaced in the spring guide 3, so that the bulged portion 2.3 is no longer retained by the first cam 3.4. As a result, the second clip section 2.2 bears from below against the unlocking lever 6, whereby this unlocking lever is pressed upwardly. The second cam 3.5 also bears against the vertical outer wall of the upper seat rail 5 and is thus pressed thereagainst.

(42) The installation position of the spring assembly 1 has thus been deactivated during the installation thereof by displacing the clip wire 2, so that for actuating the unlocking lever 6 downwardly, a spring force which is predetermined by the spring assembly 1 now has to be overcome.

(43) The clip hook 2.4 is arranged such that in the operating state, i.e. after installation, the spring assembly 1 is now prevented from being pulled out.

(44) FIGS. 9A to 9D show a perspective view of a first embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail 5. A holder 7 for receiving a Bowden cable is arranged on the upper seat rail 5. Moreover, a corresponding holder 7′ is shown, said holder being able to be arranged or being arranged on a second upper seat rail, not shown here.

(45) FIGS. 10A to 10D show a perspective view of a second embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system of a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail 5. A holder 70 for receiving a Bowden cable is arranged on the upper seat rail 5. FIGS. 10A and 10B also show a spring assembly 1, FIG. 10D shows the holder 70 alone.

(46) FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show a perspective view of an embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail 5, an unlocking lever 6 being located thereon.

(47) FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show a perspective view of an embodiment of a longitudinal adjustment system for a vehicle seat with a lower and an upper seat rail 5, an unlocking lever 6, which is subjected to a spring force by a spring assembly 1, being located thereon.

(48) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.