FIXING DEVICE FOR THE POWER-OPERATED FIXING OF AN OBJECT IN A VEHICLE WITH THE AID OF AT LEAST ONE VARIABLY ELECTRICALLY CONTACTABLE FIXING ELEMENT

Abstract

It is provided a fixing apparatus for fixing an object to a fixing face in a vehicle, having at least one fixing element, which is constructed for fixing the object having a fixing portion which for engagement in a fixing opening can be introduced along an adjustment axis into the fixing opening. The fixing element has on an outer covering face of the fixing portion a coupling region which in at least two different adjustment positions of the fixing element, in which the fixing portion can be introduced in each case into the fixing opening, permits an electrical contacting by a counter-element.

Claims

1. A fixing apparatus for fixing an object to a fixing face in a vehicle, having at least one fixing element, which is constructed for fixing the object having a fixing portion which for engagement in a fixing opening can be introduced along an adjustment axis into the fixing opening, wherein the fixing element has on an outer covering face of the fixing portion a coupling region which in at least two different adjustment positions of the fixing element, in which the fixing portion can be introduced in each case into the fixing opening, permits an electrical contacting by a counter-element.

2. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling region permits an electrical contacting with the counter-element when the fixing portion engages in the fixing opening both in a first adjustment position of the fixing element and in at least a second adjustment position of the fixing element, wherein the second adjustment position can be assumed starting from the first adjustment position by rotating the fixing element about the adjustment axis.

3. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling region permits an electrical contacting with the counter-element when the fixing portion engages in the fixing opening in two different adjustment positions in which the fixing element is rotated through more than 90 about the adjustment axis.

4. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling region has contacts which are connected to at least one signal line and which can be coupled to the counter-element in at least two different spatial directions which are in each case perpendicular to the adjustment axis.

5. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling region, for a plug-in connection to the counter-element in the at least two different adjustment positions, has at least two plug-in connectors on the outer covering face of the fixing portion.

6. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two plug-in connectors are connected to each other by means of a central portion of the fixing portion.

7. (canceled)

8. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the contacts are in the form of socket contacts.

9. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of socket contacts are arranged one behind the other in an extent direction, which is parallel with the adjustment axis, of the fixing portion.

10. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein on the coupling region the contacts are in the form of round contacts in which a contact face which is intended in each case to be electrically contacted by the counter-element extends on the outer covering face of the fixing portion in a circumferential direction about the adjustment axis.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one adjustable locking element which is separate from the fixing element and which in interaction with the fixing portion which engages in the fixing opening locks the fixing element in the fixing opening and blocks the fixing portion against removal from the fixing opening.

14. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one locking element in order to lock the fixing element can be adjusted into a locking position in which the at least one locking element is connected to the fixing portion in a positive-locking manner.

15. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one locking element is displaceably supported in an adjustment direction which extends transversely relative to the adjustment axis of the fixing portion.

16. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the locking element comprises a displaceably supported carriage.

17. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein there is provided on the carriage a locking opening in which the fixing portion, which has been introduced into the fixing opening, of the fixing element engages.

18. A vehicle having an object which is intended to be fixed, a fixing face which is secured to the body, and at least one fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for fixing the object to the fixing face.

19. The vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fixing apparatus is provided on the fixing face or on the object.

20. The vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fixing face is provided in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and there is provided an electronic detection device which is configured to detect a position of the object on the interior face.

21. The vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the object comprises at least one of a vehicle seat, and/or a console and a battery carrier.

22. A vehicle seat having a fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for fixing the vehicle seat to an interior face of the vehicle.

23. A battery carrier having at least one battery cell for a drive of a vehicle and a fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for fixing the battery carrier in the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The appended Figures illustrate exemplary possible variants of the proposed solution.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a sectioned plan view of an interior face of a vehicle interior of a variant of a proposed vehicle with a plurality of interior objects which can be freely displaced herein in the form of vehicle seats.

[0057] FIGS. 2A to 2C show a side view of the interior face of FIG. 1 with a vehicle seat in two different fixing positions and in different phases during a movement from a first fixing position to a second fixing position and a subsequent rotation of the vehicle seat.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an omni wheel for use in the vehicle seat of FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of another variant of an omni wheel for use in a vehicle seat of FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of the interior face of the vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating an electronic detection device, which has at least one component on the interior object in the form of the vehicle seat.

[0061] FIGS. 6A to 6D show a cut-out, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a fixing apparatus having a displaceable carriage of a locking unit for locking a fixing element which is provided for the fixing in the form of a fixing pin.

[0062] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a development of the variant of FIGS. 6A to 6D with a locking unit which has the carriage and which is displaceably supported on guide rails of the fixing apparatus.

[0063] FIGS. 7B to 7F show different views of the fixing apparatus of FIG. 7A with the fixing pin in a position which is introduced into a fixing opening.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows the fixing apparatus of FIGS. 7A to 7F with a cut-out illustration of an object-side fixing pin prior to introduction into a fixing-face-side fixing opening which is further closed by means of a counter-element of the fixing apparatus.

[0065] FIGS. 9A to 9C show a cut-out view of various phases during introduction of the fixing pin into the fixing opening and the subsequent locking via the displaceable carriage of the fixing apparatus.

[0066] FIGS. 10A to 10D show sectioned views of one variant of a proposed fixing apparatus having a longitudinally displaceable locking unit which has a coupling region for an electrical connection to a pin-side coupling region.

[0067] FIGS. 11A and 11B show individual views of the fixing pin, which has a coupling region with two plug-in connectors, of the variant of FIGS. 10A to 10D.

[0068] FIG. 12 shows a cut-out sectioned view of the fixing apparatus with a fixing pin introduced into the fixing opening according to FIGS. 11A and 11B prior to plugging a counter-element of the displaceable locking unit to a fixing portion of the fixing pin.

[0069] FIG. 13 shows a cut-out of another variant of a fixing pin for one variant of a proposed fixing apparatus in which a fixing portion of the fixing pin can be electrically contacted in various adjustment positions of the fixing pin by a counter-element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] FIG. 1 shows by way of example a vehicle F which in the interior thereof defines a planar interior face I of a length L and a width B, which extends from an instrument panel of the vehicle F to a rear-side loading sill LF. The length L is, for example, in the range from 5 to 7.5 m and the width B is in the range from 1.5 to 2 m. On the interior face I there are provided a plurality of anchor locations A which act as fixing positions for fixing different interior objects. The anchor locations A are in this instance provided in a state distributed as corner locations of a virtual grid on the interior face I.

[0071] At the anchor locations A, in this instance, for example, different vehicle seats 1, 1a to 1c can be fixed as interior objects. In this case, the vehicle seats 1, 1a to 1c are in the form of freely adjustable units which can be moved in a non-mechanically guided manner, in particular a non-mechanically track-guided manner, on the interior face I. If a vehicle seat 1, 1a to 1c is correctly arranged at an anchor location A and arranged with a base 12 of the seat 1, 1a to 1c (cf. in particular FIGS. 2A to 2C), the respective vehicle seat 1, 1a to 1c can be fixed to the interior face 1 in a crash-secure manner. For example, a vehicle seat 1, 1a to 1c can be placed in such a manner over a rear loading sill LF (when the boot lid of the vehicle F is open) on the interior face I and then in a manner electronically controlled by a user, can move to a desired anchor location A on the interior face I and can be fixed at that location. The arrangement of different interior objects such as the vehicle seats 1, 1a to 1c is consequently extremely variable and can be virtually freely configured by a user.

[0072] In the side views of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a vehicle seat 1 is illustrated by way of example in greater detail. The vehicle seat 1 has a base 12 with a battery-operated motorized drive device 12A. The base 12 which can be moved via the motorized drive device 12A carries a seat portion 11 and a backrest 10 of the vehicle seat 1. The backrest 10 may in this instance be able to be adjusted in terms of its inclination with respect to the seat portion 11. Alternatively or additionally, the seat depth may be able to be adjusted by means of an adjustment of the seat portion 11 on the base 12.

[0073] The base 12 can be moved freely on the interior face I by means of an omni wheel or a plurality of omni wheels 2.1, 2.2. A torque for moving the vehicle seat is in this instance applied by means of a drive motor 120 which is accommodated within the base 12. This drive motor 120 is supplied with electrical power by means of a battery 121 which is accommodated inside the base 12 as an energy store. The battery 121 can in this instance be charged independently of the vehicle by means of a connection which is provided by a plug-in connector 122 on the base 12. The vehicle seat 1 can consequently be charged separately from the vehicle F at an electrical power supply. To this end, for example, a vehicle-independent charging station is provided.

[0074] If the vehicle seat 1 is positioned at one of the anchor locations A1, A2 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the vehicle seat 1 can be fixed by means of a vehicle-side fixing element in the form of a fixing pin 31. To this end, the fixing pin 31, which is part of a fixing apparatus 3, is screwed at the anchor location A1 in an upward direction into a coupling portion 123 of the base 12, which defines a fixing opening for the fixing pin 31, 32. In addition to the fixing pin 31 which is illustrated by way of example, additional fixing elements and in particular fixing pins 31 may be provided in order to fix the base 12 and therefore the vehicle seat 1 to the anchor location A1 of the interior face I in a crash-secure manner.

[0075] Via the fixing pin 31 which engages in the base 12 and which is consequently present in a fixing position, in this instance a connection to a vehicle-side energy source, consequently a vehicle-side battery, may also be provided. Via the electrical connection, the battery 121 can then, for example, be charged (in particular when the vehicle is moving).

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, via the coupling to the electrical energy supply of the vehicle F at least one additional electromotive drive of the vehicle seat 1 may be able to be supplied with electrical power in order, for example, to adjust the backrest 10 or the seat portion 11 in an external-power-operated manner. The seat portion 11 may thus, for example, be able to be rotated on the base 12 about a vertical axis which extends parallel with a spatial direction z through more than 90, in particular through up to 180 or even through 360 in an external-power-operated manner, at least when the base 12 is correctly fixed to an anchor location A1 (or A2; cf. FIG. 2C).

[0077] In response to a user operating request, the vehicle seat 1 can be moved from the anchor location A1 to another anchor location A2 on the interior face I. To this end, the fixing pin 31 is firstly retracted into a starting position on the interior face I and the base 12 is thereby released. The vehicle seat 1 can then be moved in a motorized manner using the omni wheels 2.1, 2.2 in a movement direction R from the anchor location A1 to the anchor location A2. This external-power-operated movement of the vehicle seat 1 is controlled via an electronic detection device D, which includes in this instance a detection element 4 which is provided on the base 12. This is, for example, in this instance a tag 4 which together with at least one vehicle-side sensor element of the detection device D enables an electronic detection of the position of the seat 1 on the interior face I.

[0078] In this manner, it is, for example, possible to electronically detect when the vehicle seat 1 has reached the (second) anchor location A2, in such a manner that a vehicle-side fixing pin 32 can engage on this (second) anchor location A2 in the coupling portion 123 of the base 12 in order to fix the vehicle seat 1 to the anchor location A2. Accordingly, the vehicle seat 1 may, for example, be rotated about the vertical axis through 180.

[0079] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate exemplary possible variants for an omni wheel 2.1, 2.2 on the base 12 of the vehicle seat 1. FIG. 3 shows in this instance, for example, in a perspective view, an omni wheel 2.1, 2.2 with a disk-like roller carrier 20 on which at the circumference a large number of rollers 21 are rotatably supported. In the variant of an omni wheel 2.1, 2.2 of FIG. 4, on a disk-like roller carrier 20 only four rollers 21 are rotatably arranged in a manner offset from each other through 90 in each case about a center of the roller carrier 20. Via each of the roller carriers of FIGS. 3 and 4, an adjustment in each spatial direction along a plane is possible.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows in a plan view by way of example a possible configuration of a detection device D, via which the position of a vehicle seat 1 can be detected during movement on the interior face I. In the variant illustrated, four sensor elements 5.1-5.4 are provided at defined positions of the vehicle interior and where applicable on the interior face I of the vehicle F (for example, at the corner locations thereof).

[0081] The vehicle seat 1 further has a tag 4 and where applicable an additional tag 4a. The tags 4, 4a can in this instance be detected by means of the sensor elements 5.1-5.4, for example, by the tags 4, 4a actively transmitting signals which can be received by the sensor elements 5.1-5.4 or by the sensor elements 5.1-5.4 being able to be read in the manner of an RFID label. In this manner, for example, using the detection device D, a position of the vehicle seat 1 inside a spatial detection field which is defined or monitored by the sensor elements 5.1-5.4 can be detected on the interior face I. Via an electronic evaluation system AE, which is coupled to the sensor elements 5.1-5.4, of the detection device D, a position of the vehicle seat 1 can then be determined from sensor signals produced on the interior face I, for example, by means of triangulation.

[0082] In order to improve the detection of a position of the vehicle seat 1 and to prevent occurrences of erroneous detection, different measurement principles are, for example, combined with each other so that the position of the vehicle seat 1 on the interior face I is monitored by means of sensor elements 5.1-5.4 using different measurement principles. For example, a Lidar system, a radio-based tracking based, for example, on electromagnetic waves, such as radar waves, UWB, Bluetooth, a search wire in the ground or on the ceiling, a detection based on infrared signals and/or ultrasound signals may thus be provided.

[0083] The detection device D further has in the variant of FIG. 5 in addition a transmitter unit 65 which, based on the position of the vehicle seat 1 on the interior face I as established by means of the electronic evaluation system AE, transmits control signals to the motorized drive device 12 of the vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 has in this instance, for example, also on the base 12, a receiver unit 61 which is configured to receive the control signals of the transmitter unit 65. The receiver unit 61 is coupled to the drive motor 120 of the base 12 in order to move the vehicle seat 1 in accordance with the control signals 65 and consequently in particular in accordance with the detected position of the vehicle seat 1 on the interior face I to a desired anchor location A, A1 or A2.

[0084] The movement of the vehicle seat 1 may in this instance be able to be controlled, for example, by a user using a control application, in particular a control application installed on a mobile telephone. Alternatively or additionally, a specific position of a vehicle seat 1 on the interior face I may be preconfigured, where applicable also in combination with predetermined positions for additional interior objects, such as, for example, a central arm console or a table. In this manner, a user may, for example, select a specific preconfiguration and via the detection device D have the vehicle seat 1and where applicable additional interior objectsmoved automatically into position. A corresponding control for the movement of a vehicle seat 1 (or other interior objects) on the interior face I can alternatively or additionally be integrated in the vehicle F. This includes in particular the adjustment and subsequent configuration of one or more preconfigurations in a vehicle-side operating unit for the arrangement of one or more interior objects.

[0085] In an exemplary method for moving a vehicle seat 1 using the detection device D, the device is for example, first switched on. Subsequently, the sensor elements 5.1-5.4 can synchronize and be tested for functionality. Then, using one of the sensor elements 5.1 one of the tags 4, 4a, for example, a first tag 4, is interrogated. This first tag 4 transmits a response signal which is received by all the sensor elements 5.1-5.4. There are then evaluated via the electronic evaluation system AE, the running time differences which are produced from the interrogation of the tag 4 and the (response) signal of the tag 4 received in response thereto on the individual sensor elements 5.1-5.4. From this, a position value which is then representative of the position of the tag 4 and consequently of the vehicle seat 1 can then be calculated.

[0086] Using a similar procedure for the additional tag 4a, another position value is produced for the vehicle seat 1. This additional position value can be used for (plausibility) testing of the position value established using the first tag 4 and/or in order to establish an orientation of the vehicle seat 1 with respect to the sensor elements 5.1-5.4 on the interior face 1. As a result of the position of two tags 4, 4a which are arranged in a specific fixed relative position with respect to each other on the vehicle seat 1, it is thus possible to establish not only the location of the vehicle seat 1, but also how the vehicle seat 1 or the base 12 thereof is orientated on the interior face I. Based on the established position(s) of the vehicle seat 1, the vehicle seat 1 then begins to move until it has reached a desired fixing position at which the vehicle seat 1 is fixed and can consequently be secured at an anchor location A, A1 or A2 in the reached fixing position.

[0087] FIGS. 6A to 6D show cut-outs of other details of a fixing apparatus 3, as may be used in particular for a vehicle seat 1 of FIGS. 2A to 2C. In principle, however, one variant of a proposed fixing apparatus 3 may also be used with other objects, in particular with objects which are moved manually into a desired fixing position, for example, therefore deposited by a user at a fixing position.

[0088] FIGS. 6A to 6D show different views of an external-power-operated fixing using a displaceable locking unit 33 of the fixing apparatus 3.

[0089] In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, a fixing pin 31 is constructed to protrude in each case rigidly at a lower side of the vehicle seat 1. In order to introduce the fixing pin 31 in a fixing opening on the interior face I, the vehicle seat 1 or at least a component, which carries the fixing pin 31, of the vehicle seat 1, such as, for example, the base 12, consequently has to be lowered to such an extent that a fixing portion 310 of the fixing pin 31 can be introduced into the fixing opening. This may, for example, be achieved by means of wheels of the vehicle seat 1 which can be lowered.

[0090] The fixing pin 31 protrudes in this instance with the fixing portion 310 from a through-opening on the vehicle seat 1, at the end of which, for easier introduction into a fixing opening O1 (cf. FIG. 9A) on the fixing face, in this instance the interior face I, an introduction cone 310A is formed.

[0091] For fixing the fixing pin 31 to the interior face I, a displaceable locking unit 33 is provided in this instance as part of the fixing apparatus 3. The locking unit 33 is displaceably supported below the interior face I by means of at least one guide rail 35 in mutually opposing adjustment directions V1 and V2. The adjustment directions V1 and V2 extend in this instance in each case transversely relative to an adjustment axis, along which the fixing pin 31 can be introduced into a respective fixing opening O1 on the interior face I.

[0092] The locking unit 33 is displaceably retained on the guide rail 35 by means of a base 330. On this base 330, a carriage 34 is in turn supported so as to be able to be longitudinally displaced. For the longitudinal displaceability of the carriage 34 on the base 330, a carriage guide 331 is provided on the base 330. This carriage guide 331 is carried by a guiding portion 330A of the base 330, via which the base 330 is displaceably retained on the guide rail 35. In a manner substantially perpendicular to this guiding portion 330A, the support member 330B protrudes on the base 330 which is consequently L-shaped in cross section.

[0093] The carriage 34 in in this instance resiliently pretensioned in the adjustment direction V1 against a base-side support member 330B by means of a resilient element in the form of a pressure spring 34B. To this end, the pressure spring 34B is supported, on the one hand, on the support member 330B and, on the other hand, on a carriage-side support sleeve 34A. In this manner, the carriage 34 can be displaced with the base 330 in the adjustment directions V1 and V2. At the same time, the carriage 34 can itself be additionally displaced on the base 330 and resiliently pretensioned in the adjustment direction V1. The pressure spring 34B is fitted onto the support member 330B on a bearing pin 330.3B which protrudes thereon.

[0094] In the adjustment direction V1, the locking unit 33 and consequently in particular the carriage 34 is displaced when the fixing pin 31 has been correctly introduced into a fixing opening O1 which is associated with the carriage 34 and accordingly the fixing pin 31 and consequently the respective object, in this instance, for example, the vehicle seat 1, is intended to be fixed on the interior face I. To this end, the carriage 34 has a locking plate 340 which faces the lower side of the interior face I and which has a locking opening 341. The locking opening 341 of the carriage-side locking plate 340 is arranged below the fixing opening O1 in the interior face, and initially in a release position, in which a first opening portion 341A of the locking opening 341 is brought into alignment with the fixing opening O1. At this first opening portion 341A, the locking opening 341 has sufficiently large dimensions so that the fixing pin 31 with the fixing portion 310 thereof which has the introduction cone 310A can engage through the fixing opening O1 into the locking opening 341 of the carriage 34. On the fixing portion of the fixing pin 31, an engagement region in the form of an annular groove 310B is formed, in this instance adjacent to the introduction cone 310A.

[0095] If the carriage 34 is in the release position thereof below the fixing opening O1, the fixing pin 31 can engage through the locking opening 341 on the first opening portion 341A in such a manner that the annular groove 310B protrudes below a release region 342.1 of a clamping portion 342 of the carriage 34, which is formed at two longitudinal sides of the locking plate 340. If following the introduction of the fixing pin 31 into the fixing opening O1, and consequently into the locking opening 341 of the carriage 34, the carriage 34 is displaced in the adjustment direction V1 transversely relative to the introduction direction of the fixing pin 31, a second opening portion 341B of the locking opening 341 comes into engagement with the fixing pin 31 on the annular groove 310B thereof. The second opening portion 341B has in this instance significantly smaller dimensions so that a shoulder, which adjoins in the direction of the introduction cone 310A, of the annular groove 310B prevents the fixing pin 31 from being pulled out of the locking opening 341. In this instance, the locking opening 341 has with the opening portions 341A, 341B thereof in plan view a keyhole-like contour. In the locking position, which is assumed as a result of the displacement in the adjustment direction V1, of the carriage 34, the carriage 34 is consequently locked as a locking element of the fixing apparatus 3 in a positive-locking manner to the fixing pin 31 on the fixing opening O1 and blocks it against being pulled out of the locking opening 341.

[0096] In order to further tension with the displacement of the carriage 34 into the locking position thereof the fixing pin 31 and consequently the object which carries the fixing pin 31 against the interior face I, the clamping portion 342 of the carriage 34 forms in the adjustment direction V2 adjacent to the release region 342.1 a ramp region 342.2. This ramp region 342.2 extends in an inclined manner with respect to the adjustment axis of the fixing pin 31 and consequently in an inclined manner relative to the original introduction direction of the fixing pin 31. When the carriage 34 is displaced in the adjustment direction V1, the carriage 34 slides with the locking plate 340 thereof over the ramp region 342.2 along the shoulder of the annular groove 310B and consequently pressesas a result of the inclination of the ramp region 342.2the fixing pin 31 further in the original introduction direction (for example, downward in the illustration of FIG. 6D). If the carriage 34 is in the locking position thereof acted on with a pretensioning force by means of the pressure spring 34B, the fixing pin 31 was consequently displaced via the ramp region 342.2 of the clamping portion 342 into a clamping position and locked in such a clamping position in which a shoulder of the annular groove 310B engages behind the clamping portion 342 on a clamping region 342.3 which adjoins the ramp region 342.2 in the adjustment direction V2. The ramp region 342.2 of the clamping portion 342 on the carriage 34 consequently ensures a locking of the fixing pin 31 with tensioning on the carriage 34. As a result of the pressure spring 34B, which pretensions the carriage 34 in the adjustment direction V1, assuming the locking position is supported by the carriage 34.

[0097] In order to release the locking of the fixing pin 31 on the locking unit 33 and to release the fixing pin 31 again so that the vehicle seat 1 can be displaced on the interior face I again, the locking unit 33 and consequently the carriage 34 is adjusted back along the guide rail 35 in the adjustment direction V2. The fixing pin 31 is then no longer in the position 31 which is illustrated with dashed lines in FIGS. 6A to 6D, but instead again in the region of the first (larger-sized) opening portion 341A of the locking opening 341. In this manner, the fixing pin 31 can again be pulled out of the locking unit 33 and consequently out of the fixing opening O1 at the interior face.

[0098] With the development of a fixing apparatus 3 as illustrated with FIGS. 7A to 7F, 8 and 9A to 9C, with a displaceably supported locking unit 33 elements which correspond to the variant of FIGS. 6A to 6D are given identical reference numerals.

[0099] As shown, for example, in the perspective view of FIG. 7A, in this instance the locking unit 33 of this development is displaceably supported on two mutually parallel guide rails 35A and 35B in the adjustment directions V1 and V2. In place of a base which carries the carriage 34 and the support member 330B together, in this instance the carriage 34 and the support member 330B are displaceably retained as separate components of the locking unit 33 directly on the guide rails 35A and 35B. In order to again act on the carriage 34 via the pressure spring 34B in an adjustment direction V1, the pressure spring 34B is supported, on the one hand, on the carriage 34 and, on the other hand, on the support member 330B. A drive force applied by a motor to displace the locking unit 33 is in this instance applied to the support member 330B relative to which the carriage 34 is supported in a longitudinally displaceable manner.

[0100] In order in this instance to limit the displaceability of the carriage 34 and the support member 330B relative to each other along the guide rails 35A, 35B, two mutually parallel connection arms 330.1B and 330.2B are provided. These connection arms 330.1B and 330.2B are fixed to the support member 330B and engage in each case via an elongate hole connection on the carriage 34. Via this elongate hole connection, a limited displaceability of the carriage 34 with respect to the support member 330B is provided and it is ensured that the carriage 34 is not only also displaced when the support member 330 is displaced but also additionally remains pretensioned via the pressure spring 34B when adjusted in the adjustment direction V1 with respect to the support member 330B.

[0101] As can be seen in particular with reference to the perspective illustrations of FIGS. 7B and 7C, the locking unit 33 of FIGS. 7A to 9C also has a locking plate 340 with a keyhole-like locking opening 341 and a clamping portion 342 with an obliquely extending ramp region 342.2 in order to ensure a locking of the fixing pin 31 on the locking unit 33 via a displacement of the carriage 34 in the adjustment direction V1.

[0102] As can be seen from the sectioned and partially sectioned illustrations of FIGS. 7D, 7E and 7F, the fixing apparatus 3 further has in addition in this instance an adjustably supported counter-element 7. This counter-element 7 which is in this instance pin-like extends through the locking unit 33 and is pretensioned via a pressure spring 71 in the direction of the fixing opening O1. The counter-element 7 is displaced counter to the action of the pressure spring 71 when the fixing pin 31 is introduced. As shown in this instance by the perspective detailed illustration of FIG. 8 and the sectioned illustration of the FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the counter-element 7 is in this instance pretensioned via the pressure spring 71 into a closure position in which the counter-element 7 terminates with a closure portion 70 the fixing opening O1 on the interior face I when no fixing pin 31 is inserted therein. If an object, such as, for example, the vehicle seat 1 is intended to be fixed to the fixing opening O1, the fixing pin 32 displaces the counter-element 7 counter to the action of the pressure spring 71 so that the fixing pin 31, as explained above, can engage through the fixing opening O1 and can engage in the locking opening 341 of the carriage 34. In order to facilitate the displacement of the counter-element 7, the closure portion 70 of the counter-element 7 has a conical receiving member as a counter-contour to the introduction cone 310A of the fixing pin 31 into which the introduction cone 310A can be inserted.

[0103] As shown in particular in FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9C, in the illustrated variant the counter-element 7 is supported on a retention member in the form of an insertion pin 8 so as to be longitudinally displaceable (along the adjustment axis of the fixing pin 31). This insertion pin 8 which is fixed in a non-movable manner is fixed by means of a locking base 81, for example, at the body side, so that the carriage 34 can be adjusted relative thereto. The insertion pin 8 extends in this instance through a base plate P which is provided between the guide rails 35A and 35B. In this instance, for example, the counter-element 7 which encloses the insertion pin 8 in the manner of a sleeve may also be able to be at least partially displaced through a through-opening in this base plate P in order to change between the closed position thereof and an adjustment position which is displaced by means of the fixing pin 31.

[0104] The insertion pin 8 further carries a contact element in the form of a contact head 80 relative to which the counter-element 7 can be displaced. To this end, the contact head 80 is received centrally in a sleeve-like portion of the counter-element 7.

[0105] The contact head 80 is accessible within the carriage 34 by displacing the counter-element 7 when the fixing pin has been introduced to a sufficient extent (with the counter-element 7 being displaced) into the fixing opening O1. If the fixing pin 31 after longitudinal displacement of the carriage 34 in the adjustment direction V1 is located in the clamping position thereof (and consequently the carriage 34 is in the locking position thereof), the contact head 80 protrudes from the closure portion 70 of the counter-element 7 and protrudes through an opening which is formed on the introduction cone 310A into the fixing pin 31. Inside the fixing pin 31, a contact/plug-in sleeve 310C, by means of which the inserted contact head 80 produces an electrical connection when the fixing pin 31 has been correctly locked on the carriage 31 according to FIG. 9C, is provided. In this manner, with the locking of the fixing pin 31 on the locking unit 33, an electrical connection can also be provided between the object to be fixed and a vehicle-side power source and/or superordinate electronic control system, particularly via the fixing element which is also used for fixing, in this instance in the form of the fixing pin 31.

[0106] Via the illustrated fixing apparatus 3, the fixing of another objectfor example, in the form of a battery carrieron a fixing face I* can also be carried out. For example, a fixing of the battery carrier on a lower side of a vehicle base as a fixing face is possible. A plurality of battery cells for an electric vehicle, such as, for example, an electric car, can thus be arranged on the battery carrier. Via a fixing apparatus 3 having a locking unit 33 and at least one fixing element 31 (configured accordingly in a stable manner) or a plurality of fixing elements, such a battery carrier which carries a plurality of battery cells can consequently be electronically controlled in a simple manner and fixed in an external-power-operated manner to a vehicle base.

[0107] In principle, a plurality of locking units 33 may also be provided with a plurality of fixing elements for fixing a single object at a fixing position at the object side or vehicle side.

[0108] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally in place of the contacting which is illustrated with FIGS. 9A to 9C between the fixing pin 31 and the vehicle-side counter-element 7 for the production of an electrical connection, the locking carriage 34 (alone) can be used. The locking carriage 34 can thus, for example, have an electrically conductive coupling region which when the locking carriage 34 is adjusted into its locking position is brought into contact with a corresponding coupling region on the fixing portion 310 of the fixing pin 31. Accordingly in this instance, an electrical connection is then produced not via the (in this instance vertical) adjustment movement of the fixing pin 31, but instead via a/an (typically horizontal) adjustment movement of the locking element 34 which extends in this instance perpendicularly relative thereto.

[0109] FIGS. 10A to 12B and 13 show variants of a developed fixing apparatus according to the proposed solution, in which an electrical connection between a coupling region 317 of a fixing pin 31 and a carriage-side coupling region 73 is produced by means of an adjustment movement of the locking carriage 34 which extends perpendicularly to an adjustment movement of the fixing pin 31.

[0110] On the locking carriage 34 which carries the locking plate 340 with the locking opening 341, a counter-element 7 which has the coupling region 73 is fixed for this purpose. This coupling region 73 is, for example, in the form of a plug-in connector. If the fixing pin 31 of the variant of FIGS. 10A to 10D which is illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B in single views is introduced to such an extent into the through-opening O1 that the locking carriage 34 can engage via the locking opening 341 in a clamping manner into the annular groove 310B of the fixing pin 31, the bolt-side coupling region 317 is located below the locking plate 340 and opposite the carriage-side coupling region 73. As a result of translational adjustment of the locking carriage 34, the carriage-side coupling region 73 can then be fitted on the pin-side coupling regions 371 when the locking of the fixing pin 31 is carried out on the locking carriage 34.

[0111] For the translational adjustment of the locking carriage 34, the locking unit 33 of the variant of FIGS. 10A to 10D has an electromotive drive 36. The drive 36 comprises in this instance an electric motor unit 36A via which a (drive) spindle 36B can be driven. A spindle nut of the locking carriage 34 meshes with the spindle 36B so that, as a result of the electromotively driven rotation of the spindle 36B, the locking carriage 34 can be adjusted in translation along the spindle axis. As a result of this adjustment, the locking plate 340 can lock or release the fixing pin 31.

[0112] In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D and 11A and 11B, the fixing pin 31 has above the annular groove 310B (and consequently at the end opposite the introduction cone 310A) a drive portion 31A. At this drive portion 31A, a drive movement is introduced into the fixing pin 31 in order to introduce it into the through-opening O1 or to pull it out of the through-opening O1. For example, the drive portion 31A has an outer thread for this purpose.

[0113] In the variant of FIGS. 10A to 10D and 11A to 11B there is further provision for the through-opening O1 to be closed at the fixing face 1, 1*when the fixing pin 31 is not introducedby a separate closure element 9. This closure element 9 is pivotably supported between a closure position and an open position about a pivot axis 91, in this instance on the locking carriage, for example, alternatively at a lower side of the fixing face I, I*. In the closure position, the closure element 9 protrudes with a closure portion 90 into the through-opening O1 and closes it completely. When the fixing pin 31 is introduced into the through-opening O1, the closure portion 90 which is resiliently pretensioned into the closure position, for example, by means of a resilient element, is displaced in the direction of the open position.

[0114] In the variant of FIGS. 10A to 10D and 11A to 11B, the closure portion 90 can be pivoted, for example, through more than 70 in particular through 90 from the closure position into the open position about the pivot axis 91. In this instance, the closure portion 90 is retained in the open position by means of the correctly introduced fixing pin 31 so that the closure portion 90 is displaced back into the closure position and closes the through-opening O1 again only when the fixing pin 31 is pulled out of the through-opening O1. The closure element 9 is in this instance fixed to the locking carriage 34 and is consequently secured to the carriage. In this instance, the guiding element 9 is provided at the edge in the region of the opening portion 341A of the locking opening 341, for example, secured to the locking plate 340. Furthermore, the closure portion 90 of the closure element 9 is sized in such a manner that the closure portion 90, in the event of a pivot movement from the closure position thereof into the open position, can be displaced through the locking opening 341 in the locking plate 340.

[0115] In order to be able to electrically couple the counter-element 7 to the fixing pin 31 in the variant of FIGS. 10A to 12 in different displacement positions of the fixing pin 31 and resultant different orientations of a vehicle seat 1, 1a-1d (or another object on which the fixing pin 31 is provided), the coupling region 317 is formed on the fixing portion of the fixing pin 31 with two plug-in connectors 317A and 317B. The two plug-in connectors 317A, 317B are accessible in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions on an outer covering face of the fixing pin 31. In this manner, a counter-element 7 can either be attached to one plug-in connector 317A of the pin-side coupling region 317 or to the other plug-in connector 317B of the pin-side coupling region 317, depending on whether the fixing pin 31 and consequently the object which carries it is introduced into the fixing opening O1 in one displacement position or in a displacement position which is rotated through 180 about the adjustment axis. The fixing pin 31 can consequently also be used in the event of a rotation through 180 in order to attach the counter-element 7 to the coupling region 317. A counter-element can thus be inserted from both sides on the fixing portion of the fixing pin 31.

[0116] As can be seen in particular with reference to the sectioned illustrations of FIGS. 11B and 12, the fixing pin 31 has in the interior thereof a central portion 318 which connects the two plug-in connectors 317A and 317B. A signal line SL which is connected to contacts K of the plug-in connectors 317A, 317B is also fixed to this central portion 318. The contacts K are in the variant of FIGS. 10A to 12 in the form of socket contacts and arranged in the central portion 318 so that the ends of the socket contacts K are accessible via each of the plug-in connectors 317A, 317B. A corresponding (counter) plug-in connector of the counter-element 7 can thus be fitted onto the socket contacts K from two mutually opposing sides.

[0117] In the variant illustrated, the socket contacts K of the fixing pin 31 are further arranged along the adjustment axis and consequently in a parallel extent direction of the fixing pin 31 in a linear manner one behind the other. In principle, however, another arrangement of the contacts K is of course also possible on the coupling region 317.

[0118] In an alternative variant according to FIG. 13, the fixing pin 31 has on the fixing portion thereof which is intended to be introduced into the fixing opening O1 and which is intended, for example, to be locked with a locking carriage 34, a coupling region 317 for coaxial contacting of a counter-element, for example, in a similar manner to the variant of FIGS. 7A to 8. The coupling region 317 of FIG. 13 is to this end formed with round contacts K which extend in an annular manner around the fixing portion. The individual round contacts K are in this instance in each case separated from each other in pairs by means of an insulating portion IS. In this manner, in an extent direction of the fixing pin 31, a plurality of round contacts K with in each case annularly extending contact faces are arranged in a state separated from each other by means of insulating portions IS one behind the other on the fixing portion.

[0119] The provision of the round contacts K on an outer covering face of the fixing portion also enables contacting with a counter-element in a plurality of (at least two) different adjustment positions of the fixing pin 31 with respect to the fixing opening O1. In this instance, an electrical connection after locking via the fixing pin 31 is ultimately possible in any adjustment position, which can be assumed by means of rotation about the adjustment axis, of the fixing pin 31. Whilst with the variant FIGS. 10A to 12 a correct electrical connection to a counter-element 7 is therefore possible by means of a plug-in connector in each case in two adjustment positions which are rotated through 180 about the adjustment axis, a corresponding coupling in the variant of FIG. 13 is possible regardless of the angle. In both cases, however, in particular a fixing of an interior object, such as, for example, a vehicle seat 1, 1a to 1c in different orientations, in particular in 0 and 180 with respect to the travel direction is possible, which leads to an increased variability in the configuration of the vehicle interior and the components which are intended to be arranged there.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0120] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Vehicle seat (interior object) [0121] 10 Backrest (adjustment portion) [0122] 11 Seat portion (adjustment portion)) [0123] 12 Base [0124] 120 Drive motor [0125] 121 Battery [0126] 122 Plug-in connector [0127] 123 Coupling portion [0128] 12A Drive device [0129] 2.1, 2.2 Omni wheel [0130] 20 Roller carrier [0131] 21 Roller [0132] 3 Fixing apparatus [0133] 31, 31 Fixing pin (fixing element) [0134] 310A Introduction cone [0135] 310B Annular groove (engagement region) [0136] 310C Contact (plug-in sleeve) [0137] 317 Coupling region [0138] 317A, 317B Plug-in connector [0139] 318 Central portion [0140] 31A Drive portion [0141] 32 Fixing pin (fixing element) [0142] 33 Locking unit [0143] 330 Base [0144] 330.1B, 330.2B Connection arm [0145] 330.3B Bearing pin [0146] 330A Guiding portion [0147] 330B Support member [0148] 331 Carriage guide [0149] 34 Locking carriage (locking element) [0150] 340 Locking plate [0151] 341 Locking opening [0152] 341A, 341B Opening portion [0153] 342 Clamping portion [0154] 342.1 Release region [0155] 342.2 Ramp region [0156] 342.3 Clamping region [0157] 34A Support sleeve [0158] 34B Pressure spring (resilient element) [0159] 35A, 35B Guide rail [0160] 36 Drive [0161] 36A Electric motor unit [0162] 36B Spindle [0163] 4, 4a Tag (detection element) [0164] 5.4 Sensor element [0165] 61 Receiver unit [0166] 65 Transmitter unit [0167] 7 Counter-element [0168] 70 Closure portion [0169] 71 Pressure spring [0170] 73 Coupling region [0171] 8 Plug-in pin (retention member) [0172] 80 Contact head (contact element) [0173] 81 Locking base [0174] 9 Closure element [0175] 90 Closure portion [0176] 91 Pivot axis [0177] A, A1, A2 Anchor location (fixing position) [0178] AE Electronic evaluation system [0179] B Width [0180] D Detection device [0181] F Vehicle [0182] I, I* Interior face (fixing face) [0183] IS Insulating portion [0184] K (Socket/round) contact [0185] L Length [0186] LF Loading edge [0187] O1 Fixing opening [0188] P Base plate [0189] R Movement direction [0190] SL Signal line [0191] V1, V2 Adjustment direction