METHOD FOR LOCKING AN ADJUSTMENT DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT, AND MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

In a method for locking an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat, a usage situation and/or danger situation is detected. In response to the detected usage situation and/or danger situation, a locking action for the adjustment device is selected, and the selected locking action for the adjustment device is executed.

Claims

1. A method for locking an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat, said method comprising: detecting a usage situation and/or danger situation; selecting a locking action for the adjustment device; and carrying out the selected locking action for the adjustment device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the usage situation and/or danger situation

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the locking action is selected in response to the analysis of the detected usage situation and/or the detected danger situation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein locking actions for two or more adjustment devices are selected.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a locking condition for the adjustment device from the detected usage situation and/or danger situation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating the locking device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the locking device is actuated by a safety ECU.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking action is implemented electromagnetically, pyrotechnically, by motor and/or via a memory metal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage situation is detected by detecting a person-specific feature.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the person-specific feature includes different classifications into weight, size and/or age categories.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage situation is detected by detecting a position of a passenger in the motor vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein when the position of the passenger is detected, a distinction is made between the motor vehicle seat used by the passenger and a seat situation or seat position of the passenger upon the motor vehicle seat.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the danger situation is detected by classifying the danger situation.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the danger situation is classified by distinguishing a crash type.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the danger situation is classified by distinguishing the crash type between a pre-crash, front crash, rear crash, side impact and/or collision speed.

16. A motor vehicle seat, comprising: a seat component; an adjustment device for adjusting the seat component, said adjustment device including a locking device; and an ECU configured for actuating the locking device.

17. The motor vehicle seat of claim 16, further comprising two or more of said adjustment device, said ECU configured to actuate each locking device of the adjustment devices.

18. The motor vehicle seat of claim 16, further comprising two or more of said adjustment device and two or more of said ECU for actuating the locking devices of the adjustment devices, respectively.

19. The motor vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the locking devices are actuatable separately from one another by the ECU using different control commands.

20. The motor vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the locking devices are actuatable separately from one another by the ECUs using different control commands.

21. The motor vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein the locking device is formed as an electric, electromagnetic, pyrotechnic or motor-driven actuator and/or formed from a shape-memory alloy.

22. The motor vehicle seat of claim 18, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a size, weight and/or a seat position of a passenger and/or a seat occupancy.

23. The motor vehicle of claim 16, wherein the ECU is configured to generate a control command for activating the locking device in response to an existing danger situation and/or usage situation.

24. A motor vehicle, comprising: a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat component, an adjustment device for adjusting the seat component, said adjustment device including a locking device, and an ECU configured for actuating the locking device; and a sensor configured to detect a size, weight and/or a seat position of a passenger and/or a seat occupancy.

25. The motor vehicle of claim 24, further comprising a further sensor configured to distinguish between danger situations.

26. The motor vehicle of claim 25, wherein the danger situations are distinguished between pre-crash, front crash, rear crash, side impact and/or collision speed.

27. The motor vehicle of claim 24, wherein the ECU is configured to generate a control command for activating the locking device on the basis of an existing danger situation and/or usage situation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a method for locking an adjustment device in a motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a method for locking an adjustment device in a motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 3a is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a rear collision and backrest upright;

[0042] FIG. 3b is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a front collision and backrest upright;

[0043] FIG. 4a is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a front collision at a high angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed;

[0044] FIG. 4b is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a front collision at a low angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed;

[0045] FIG. 5a is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a rear collision at a low angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed;

[0046] FIG. 5b is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a rear collision at a high angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed;

[0047] FIG. 6a is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention in the event of a pre-crash at a medium angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed; and

[0048] FIG. 6b is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention during a front collision at a medium angle of inclination of the backrest and low collision speed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments may be illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

[0050] Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of one embodiment of a method for locking an adjustment device in a motor vehicle 1 in accordance with the present invention. The motor vehicle 1 has two sensors S1, S2, which each detect a region in front of and behind the motor vehicle 1 and are configured as distance and speed sensors. The data detected by the sensors S1, S2 are passed from the sensors S1, S2 to the ECU 3 and checked for a possible danger situation in the ECU 3. The ECU 3 is connected to a locking device V1 in the motor vehicle seat 2 via a data connection, and actuates said device.

[0051] A method according to the invention for locking an adjustment device V1 of a motor vehicle seat 2 is implemented in three steps. In a first method step, a danger situation is detected. For this purpose, the data detected by the sensors S1, S2 are analyzed in the ECU 3, in particular as to whether a danger situation is present and which one. The data detected by the sensors S1, S2 are analyzed and classified in the ECU 3 for the type of danger situation. In particular, in the ECU 3 it is analyzed and classified whether a collision is immediately imminent, this being known as a pre-crash situation. The danger situation may be a front collision, a rear collision and/or a side collision. The collision speed is also analyzed and classified. Thus, for example, for a higher collision speed, a higher threat potential is to be assumed for the passenger of the motor vehicle seat 2 than for lower collision speeds.

[0052] In a second method step, the locking action for the adjustment device is selected by means of the ECU 3 on the basis of the classification of the danger situation. Depending on the type of danger situation and the collision speed, the locking action is selected that provides the occupant of the motor vehicle seat 2 with the greatest possible protection in the event of a collision.

[0053] In a third method step, the selected locking action for the adjustment device is carried out. For this purpose, the ECU 3 actuates the actuator of the locking device V1. The actuator moves the locking device V1 electromagnetically, pyrotechnically, by motor and/or by means of a shape-memory alloy.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a method for locking an adjustment device in a motor vehicle 1 in accordance with the present invention. Parts corresponding with those in FIG. 1 are denoted by identical reference numerals and not explained again. The description below will center on the differences between the embodiments. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 1 uses three sensors S1, S2, S3 and two locking devices V1, V2, with the two sensors S1, S2 configured, for example, to detect a region in front of and behind the motor vehicle 1 respectively and configured as distance sensors. The data detected by the sensors S1, S2 are passed from the sensors S1, S2 to the ECU 3 checked in the ECU 3 for a possible danger situation. The third sensor S3 is installed in the motor vehicle seat 2 itself and detects data of the usage situation of the motor vehicle seat 2 and passes them to the ECU 3. The ECU 3 is connected to the two locking devices V1, V2 in the motor vehicle seat 2 via a data connection, and actuates the locking devices V1, V2.

[0055] In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2, a method according to the invention for locking the adjustment devices V1, V2 of a motor vehicle seat 2 is also implemented in three steps. In a first method step, a danger situation is detected. For this purpose, the data detected by the sensors S1, S2 are analyzed in the ECU 3, in particular as to whether a danger situation is present and which one. The data detected by sensors S1, S2 are analyzed and classified in the ECU 3 for the type of danger situation. In particular, in the ECU 3 it is analyzed and classified whether a collision is immediately imminent, this being known as a pre-crash situation. The danger situation may be a front collision, a rear collision and/or a side collision. The collision speed is also analyzed and classified.

[0056] The sensor S3 detects the usage situation of the motor vehicle seat and passes this to the ECU 3. In a simplest case, the usage situation includes the information of whether the motor vehicle seat 2 is occupied by a passenger. The usage situation also includes the information of which motor vehicle seats 2 in the motor vehicle 1 are occupied. In particular, occupancy of the front and rear seats in the motor vehicle 1 is detected. In the event that the motor vehicle seat 2 is occupied, the seat situation and seat position of the passenger are detected by means of the sensor S3 and thus become part of the usage situation. Thus, for example the situation of the seat longitudinal adjustment system 10, the angle of inclination of the backrest 5, the position of the seat height adjustment system 9 and/or the situation of the headrest 4 are detected. Moreover, the adjustment of the motor vehicle seat 2 about the vertical axis thereof and an adjustment of the angle of inclination of the seat surface 6 and the seat depth thereof can be detected.

[0057] In addition, person-specific features of the passenger are detected and classified. The person-specific features include in particular weight, size and age specifications of the passenger. These detected data are passed from the sensor S3 to the ECU 3 and are part of the usage situation. In the ECU 3, the danger situation and the usage situation are analyzed and classified in terms of the threat potential for the passenger. When the usage situation is such that the motor vehicle seats 2 in the second row of the motor vehicle 1 are occupied by passengers, generally speaking all locking devices V1, V2 are locked. It has been found that injuries are reduced for passengers in the second row in this case.

[0058] In a second method step, the locking action for the adjustment devices is selected by means of the ECU 3 on the basis of the classification of danger situation and the usage situation. Depending on the type of danger situation, usage situation and collision speed, the locking action is selected that provides the passenger of the motor vehicle seat 2 with the greatest possible protection in the event of a collision. Thus, it is possible for both locking devices V1, V2, only one locking device (V1 or V2), or neither of the locking devices V1, V2 to be selected. Moreover, the locking devices V1, V2 may be selected with a time offset from one another.

[0059] In a third method step, the selected locking action for the adjustment device is carried out. For this purpose, the ECU 3 actuates the associated actuator or actuators of the locking devices V1, V2 that were selected as a locking action in the second method step. The actuator moves one or both locking devices V1, V2 electromagnetically, pyrotechnically, by motor and/or by means of a shape-memory alloy.

[0060] FIGS. 3a and 3b show side views of a motor vehicle seat 2 according to the invention, which is exposed to a rear collision (FIG. 3a) and to a front impact at a high collision speed (FIG. 3b). The motor vehicle seat 2 has a seat surface 6, an adjustment system 8 of the backrest inclination and a headrest 4. In this embodiment, the adjustable-inclination backrest 5 is in the upright position. The motor vehicle seat 2 is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle 1 via a seat longitudinal adjustment system 10, which has an upper rail 10.1 and a lower rail 10.2. The seat height adjustment system 9 has a rear 9.1 and a front kinematic system 9.2. In this embodiment, the seat height adjustment system 9 has the locking device V1, the adjustment system for the backrest inclination 8, and the locking device V2.

[0061] In a rear collision (FIG. 3a), the force action F affects the motor vehicle seat 2 from the rear. In this scenario, the locking devices V1, V2 are not locked. It has been found that the risk of injury, for example the danger of whiplash, is lowest for the passenger. As a result of the locking, the rotational movement of the passenger's pelvis is minimized. Complete locking would have a negative influence on the behavior of the structure of the motor vehicle seat 2 in the event of a rear impact at low speeds. The low energy input into the structure of the motor vehicle seat 2 would have negatively affect the bone structure of the passenger in the event of whiplash.

[0062] In the event of a front collision (FIG. 3b), the force action F affects the motor vehicle seat 2 from the front. In this scenario, the locking device of the seat height adjustment system V1 is locked, but the adjustment system for the backrest inclination 8 is not locked by the adjustment device V2. As a result of this action, the collision energy is dissipated in the kinematics 9.1, 9.2 of the seat height adjustment system 9. It has been found that the spinal compression of the passenger is lowest as a result of this action.

[0063] FIGS. 4a and 4b are side views of a motor vehicle seat 2 according to the invention, which is exposed to a front collision at a low (FIG. 4a) and a high (FIG. 4b) angle of inclination of the backrest 5 and a low collision speed. The motor vehicle seat 2 has a seat surface 6, an adjustment system 8 for the backrest inclination, and a headrest 4, as well as an adjustable-inclination backrest 5. The motor vehicle seat 2 is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle 1 via a seat longitudinal adjustment system 10, which has an upper rail 10.1 and a lower rail 10.2. The seat height adjustment system 9 has a rear 9.1 and a front kinematic system 9.2. In this embodiment, the seat height adjustment system 9 has the locking device V1, the adjustment system for the backrest inclination 8, and the locking device V2. In this embodiment, the force action F affects the motor vehicle seat 2 from the front, and the collision speed is low.

[0064] When the backrest 5 is upright (FIG. 4a), locking devices V1, V2 are not locked in this scenario. It has been found that the risk of injury, for example the danger of whiplash, is lowest for the passenger. At a high angle of inclination of the backrest 5 (FIG. 4b), for example in a rest position of the motor vehicle seat 2, the locking devices V1, V2 are locked. The danger of the passenger sliding through under the belt restraint system is thus reduced, and the belt restraint system can better restrain the passenger.

[0065] FIGS. 5a and 5b are side views of a motor vehicle seat 2 according to the invention, which is exposed to a rear collision at a low (FIG. 5a) and a high (FIG. 5b) angle of inclination of the backrest 5 and a low collision speed. The motor vehicle seat 2 has a seat surface 6, an adjustment system 8, and a headrest 4, as well as an adjustable-inclination backrest 5. The motor vehicle seat 2 is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle 1 via a seat longitudinal adjustment system 10, which has an upper rail 10.1 and a lower rail 10.2. The seat height adjustment system 9 has a rear 9.1 and a front kinematic system 9.2. In this embodiment, the seat height adjustment system 9 has the locking device V1, the adjustment system for the backrest inclination 8, and the locking device V2. In this embodiment, the force action F affects the motor vehicle seat 2 from the front, and the collision speed is low.

[0066] When the backrest 5 is upright (FIG. 5a), locking devices V1, V2 are not locked in this scenario. It has been found that the risk of injury, for example the danger of whiplash, is lowest for the passenger. As a result of the locking, the rotational movement of the passenger's pelvis is minimized. Complete locking would have a negative influence on the behavior of the structure of the motor vehicle seat 2 in the event of a rear impact. The low energy input into the structure of the motor vehicle seat 2 would negatively affect the bone structure of the passenger in the event of whiplash. At a high angle of inclination of the backrest 5 (FIG. 5b), for example in a rest position of the motor vehicle seat 2, the locking devices V1, V2 are locked. The danger of the passenger sliding through under the belt restraint system is thus reduced, and the belt restraint system can better restrain the passenger.

[0067] FIGS. 6a and 6b are side views of a motor vehicle seat 2 according to the invention in the pre-crash situation (FIG. 6a) and during a front collision (FIG. 6b) at an average angle of inclination of the backrest 5 and a low collision speed. The motor vehicle seat 2 has a seat surface 6, an adjustment system 8, and a headrest 4, as well as an adjustable-inclination backrest 5. The motor vehicle seat 2 is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle 1 via a seat longitudinal adjustment system 10, which has an upper rail 10.1 and a lower rail 10.2. The seat height adjustment system 9 has a rear 9.1 and a front kinematic system 9.2. In this embodiment, the seat height adjustment system 9 has the locking device V1, the adjustment system for the backrest inclination 8, and the locking device V2. In this embodiment, the force action F affects the motor vehicle seat 2 from the front, and the collision speed is low.

[0068] In the pre-crash situation (FIG. 6a), conventionally the backrest 5 is adjusted into the upright position through an angle of 10 by motor 200 ms before the front collision. 20 ms after the start of the accident (FIG. 6b), both locking devices V1, V2 are locked. The danger of the passenger sliding through under the belt restraint system is thus reduced, and the belt restraint system can better restrain the passenger. Likewise, in the pre-crash situation (FIG. 6a), the adjustment system for the angle of inclination (not shown) of the seat support (6) can be adjusted upward through an angle of 10 200 ms before the front collision. 20 ms before the start of the accident (FIG. 6b), both locking devices V1, V2 are locked. The danger of the passenger sliding through under the belt restraint system is thus reduced, and the belt restraint system can better restrain the passenger.

[0069] While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0070] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: