SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT, AND VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

A seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat may have a number of first rail pairs, each first rail pair having an upper rail and a lower rail. A height adjustment mechanism may be arranged between the number of first rail pairs and a seat part of the vehicle seat. The height adjustment mechanism may have a number of second rail pairs, each second rail pair may have an upper rail and a lower rail. The number of first rail pairs and the number of second rail pairs can be actuated simultaneously.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat, comprising a number of first rail pairs, wherein each first rail pair comprises an upper rail and a lower rail, a height adjustment mechanism, which comprises a number of second rail pairs, is arranged between the number of first rail pairs and a seat part of the vehicle seat, wherein each second rail pair comprises an upper rail and a lower rail, wherein the number of first rail pairs and the number of second rail pairs are actuatable simultaneously.

15. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the number of first rail pairs is arranged and actuatable substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction for a longitudinal adjustment of the seat and that the number of second rail pairs is arranged and actuatable proportionally in the vehicle longitudinal direction and proportionally in elevation for a seat-height adjustment.

16. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a number of third rail pairs, which has substantially the same direction of action as the number of first rail pairs.

17. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein upper rails of the number of first rail pairs are fixed underneath to at least one lower rail of the number of second rail pairs.

18. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein upper rails of the number of first rail pairs are fixed underneath to at least one lower rail of the number of second rail pairs via a first connecting element.

19. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein an upper rail or upper rails of the number of second rail pairs is/are fixed underneath to the seat part of the vehicle seat.

20. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fixing is achieved indirectly via a second connecting element.

21. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 20, wherein lower rails of the number of third rail pairs are fixed to the second connecting element, and that upper rails of the number of third rail pairs are firmly connected to a seat part carrier.

22. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a first electric motor for driving the number of first rail pairs and/or a second electric motor for driving the number of second rail pairs and/or a third electric motor for driving the number of third rail pairs.

23. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein instead of a number of first rail pairs, wherein each first rail pair comprises an upper rail and a lower rail a first linear adjustment system is provided, which comprises a number of fixed parts and a number of moving parts.

24. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein instead of a number of second rail pairs, wherein each second rail pair comprises an upper rail and a lower rail a second linear adjustment system is provided, which comprises a number of fixed parts and a number of moving parts.

25. The seat adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein instead of a number of third rail pairs, wherein each third rail pair comprises an upper rail and a lower rail a third linear adjustment system is provided, which comprises a number of fixed parts and a number of moving parts.

Description

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, referring to drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat according to the prior art,

[0022] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of a first embodiment of a seat adjustment mechanism according to the invention,

[0023] FIG. 3 schematically shows a side view of a second embodiment of a seat adjustment mechanism according to the invention and

[0024] FIG. 4a, 4b show diagrams of longitudinal adjustments over time.

[0025] Parts corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0026] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat according to the prior art. The vehicle seat comprises a tiltable backrest L and a seat part S. The seat adjustment mechanism serves for electrical adjustment of the vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction, that is to say in the x direction, and over a height labelled Z. For adjustment of the vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction, a longitudinal adjustment LV is provided, which comprises two known rail pairs. Pivot levers SH are provided for the height adjustment.

[0027] FIG. 2 schematically shows a seat adjustment mechanism for the electrical adjustment of a vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction, that is to say in an x-direction, and for the height adjustment. Two first rail pairs 1 arranged underneath each comprise an upper rail 1.1 and a lower rail 1.2. Two inclined second rail pairs 2 each comprise an upper rail 2.1 and a lower rail 2.2. The lower rails 1.2 of the first rail pair 1 are fixed underneath to a vehicle floor.

[0028] The upper rails 1.1 of the first rail pairs 1 are fixed indirectly, that is to say by means of a first connecting element 4, to the lower rails 2.2 of the second rail pairs 2.

[0029] Two third rail pairs 3, which each comprise an upper rail 3.1 and a lower rail 3.2, are arranged above the second rail pairs 2. The lower rails 3.2 of the third rail pairs 3 are fixed indirectly, that is by means of a second connecting element 5, to the upper rails 2.1 of the second rail pairs 2.

[0030] The first rail pairs 1 allow a displacement in the direction labelled X1, that is to say in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The second rail pairs 2 allow a displacement in the direction labelled X2, that is to say obliquely upwards. The third rail pairs 3 allow a displacement in the direction labelled X3, that is to say likewise in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0031] The upper rails 1.1 of the first rail pairs 1 arranged underneath are connected, for example screwed or welded, on the upper side to the first connecting element 4.

[0032] On actuation of the first rail pairs 1 arranged underneath a longitudinal adjustment ensues both of the connecting elements 4, 5 and of the second and third rail pairs 2, 3 affixed thereto, and thereby of a seat part carrier 6, relative to the vehicle floor. The seat part carrier 6 is fixed, for example screwed or welded, to the upper side of the upper rail 3.1 of the third rail pair 3.

[0033] On actuation of the inclined second rail pairs 2 there ensues both a longitudinal adjustment and a height adjustment both of the third rail pairs 3 and of the seat part carrier 6 indirectly affixed thereto relative to the first connecting element 4 and relative to the vehicle floor.

[0034] If the first rail pair 1 and the third rail pair 3 are actuated simultaneously and in the same direction of action, a longitudinal adjustment ensues at a rate corresponding to the sum of the differential speeds between the rails 1.1, 1.2 on the one hand and the rails 3.1, 3.2 on the other. This allows an especially rapid longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat for adjusting to the comfort position from the driving position, and vice-versa.

[0035] This is particularly advantageous because an especially rapid longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat from the comfort position into the driving position is allowed when, for example, the termination of a self-driving mode dictated by the driving situation is necessary, allowing a driver to take control of the vehicle.

[0036] If the first rail pair 1 and the second rail pair 2 are actuated simultaneously and in at least proportionally the same direction of action, a longitudinal adjustment ensues at a rate corresponding to the sum of the differential speeds between the rails 1.1, 1.2 on the one hand and a horizontal speed component of the rails 2.1, 2.2 on the other. This allows an especially rapid longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat for adjusting to the comfort position from the driving position, and vice-versa.

[0037] If the third rail pair 3 and the second rail pair 2 are actuated simultaneously and in at least proportionally the same direction of action, a longitudinal adjustment ensues at a rate corresponding to the sum of the differential speeds between the rails 3.1, 3.2 on the one hand and the horizontal speed component of the rails 2.1, 2.2 on the other. This allows an especially rapid longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat for adjusting to the comfort position from the driving position, and vice-versa.

[0038] The connecting elements 4, 5 are angular and like the rail pairs 1, 2, 3 stable enough to at least largely prevent an unwanted deformation of the seat even in the event of an accident.

[0039] FIG. 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a seat adjustment mechanism according to the invention for the electrical adjustment of a vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction and in elevation. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment represented in FIG. 2 but does not comprise a third rail pair 3. Here the seat part carrier 6 is fixed to the upper rails 2.1 of the second rail pairs 2. The underside of the seat part carrier 6 is preferably fixed to the upper sides of the upper rails 2.1 of the second rail pairs 2.

[0040] If the first rail pair 1 and the second rail pair 2 are actuated simultaneously and in at least proportionally the same direction of action, a longitudinal adjustment ensues at a rate corresponding to the sum of the differential speeds between the rails 1.1, 1.2 on the one hand and a horizontal speed component of the rails 2.1, 2.2 on the other. This allows an especially rapid longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat for adjusting to the comfort position from the driving position, and vice-versa, in which a height adjustment simultaneously ensues.

[0041] FIG. 4a shows a diagram with a time curve of a longitudinal adjustment, for example a maximum longitudinal adjustment, of a vehicle seat either solely through actuation of the first rail pairs 1 or solely through actuation of the third rail pairs 3. For achieving a specific longitudinal adjustment, for example a maximum longitudinal adjustment, a specific period of time is required.

[0042] FIG. 4b shows a diagram with a time curve of a longitudinal adjustment, for example a maximum longitudinal adjustment, of the vehicle seat with simultaneous actuation of the first rail pairs 1 and the third rail pairs 3 ensuing in the same direction of action. For achieving a specific longitudinal adjustment, for example a maximum longitudinal adjustment, a period of time is required which is significantly less than that shown in FIG. 4a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0043] 1 first rail pairs

[0044] 1.1 upper rail of a first rail pair

[0045] 1.2 lower rail of a first rail pair

[0046] 2 second rail pairs

[0047] 2.1 upper rail of a second rail pair

[0048] 2.2 lower rail of a second rail pair

[0049] 3 third rail pairs

[0050] 3.1 upper rail of a third rail pair

[0051] 3.2 lower rail of a third rail pair

[0052] 4 first connecting element

[0053] 5 second connecting element

[0054] 6 seat part carrier

[0055] S seat part

[0056] L backrest

[0057] LV longitudinal adjustment

[0058] SH pivot lever