ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE SUBASSEMBLY HAVING AN ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM AND A SUPPORTING ELEMENT

Abstract

It is provided an adjustment device for a vehicle subassembly comprises a guide rail which extends along a longitudinal direction, an adjustment assembly which is guided on the guide rail so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction and which is assigned to the vehicle subassembly, a spindle which is arranged on the guide rail, and an adjustment mechanism which is operatively connected to the spindle, is arranged on the adjustment assembly and has a mechanism housing and is able to be driven so that the adjustment mechanism can be displaced, together with the adjustment assembly, along the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail. On the adjustment assembly there is arranged at least one retaining element, which has an opening which is delimited by an edge and through which the spindle extends. The at least one retaining element supports the mechanism housing on the adjustment assembly in a floating manner in such a way that the mechanism housing, together with the spindle, is movable with respect to the at least one retaining element with a bearing travel along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. An adjustment device for a vehicle subassembly, comprising a guide rail which extends along a longitudinal direction, an adjustment assembly which is guided on the guide rail so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction and which is assigned to the vehicle subassembly, a spindle which is arranged on the guide rail, an adjustment mechanism which is operatively connected to the spindle, is arranged on the adjustment assembly, comprises a mechanism housing and is able to be driven so that the adjustment mechanism can be displaced, together with the adjustment assembly, along the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail, and at least one retaining element arranged on the adjustment assembly, which retaining element comprises an opening which is delimited by an edge and through which the spindle extends, wherein the at least one retaining element supports the mechanism housing on the adjustment assembly in a floating manner in such a way that the mechanism housing-together with the spindle, is movable with respect to the at least one retaining element via a bearing travel along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the adjustment device comprises a supporting element which is configured to limit the bearing travel of the mechanism housing along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in such a way that the spindle is prevented from butting against the edge of the opening of the at least one retaining element along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

2. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element is configured to support the mechanism housing relative to the adjustment assembly.

3. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element is arranged on the adjustment assembly.

4. The adjustment device according to claim 3, wherein the supporting element is supported on the at least one retaining element.

5. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element is arranged on the mechanism housing.

6. The adjustment device according to claim 5, wherein the supporting element is formed in one piece with a housing portion of the mechanism housing.

7. The adjustment device according to claim 6, wherein the supporting element is formed as a tab which extends from the housing portion.

8. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element is elastically resilient at least in portions.

9. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element can be detachably mounted on the adjustment assembly.

10. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element is configured to support the mechanism housing relative to the guide rail.

11. The adjustment device according to claim 10, wherein the supporting element is arranged on the mechanism housing.

12. The adjustment device according to claim 10, wherein the supporting element is formed in one piece with the mechanism housing.

13. (canceled)

14. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly is formed by an adjustment rail which comprises a base and two rail legs arranged on the base.

15. The adjustment device according to claim 14, wherein the supporting element is arranged on at least one of the rail legs and is configured to provide support for the mechanism housing- to limit the bearing travel along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

16. The adjustment device according to claim 14, wherein the supporting element is arranged on the mechanism housing and is configured to provide support of the mechanism housing on at least one of the rail legs to limit the bearing travel along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

17. (canceled)

18. The adjustment device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one retaining element is fixedly arranged between the rail legs.

19. The adjustment device according to claim 14, wherein the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is directed perpendicular to the base.

20. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining element forms a flat plate portion which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction.

21. The adjustment device according to claim 1, comprising two retaining elements which are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction and receive between them the mechanism housing.

22. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism housing can be mounted on the at least one retaining element along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction if the at least one retaining element is already mounted on the adjustment assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The concept underlying the solution will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle subassembly in the form of a vehicle seat that is longitudinally adjustable via an adjustment device.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the adjustment device, comprising two guide rail pairs for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle subassembly.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a view of an adjustment assembly on an associated guide rail.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement according to FIG. 3.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the view according to FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment with a supporting element supporting a mechanism housing.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a separate view of the supporting element.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a view of another exemplary embodiment with a supporting element for supporting the mechanism housing.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows a view of a further exemplary embodiment of an adjustment mechanism with a supporting element arranged between rail legs of an adjustment rail.

[0047] FIGS. 11A-11C show views of another exemplary embodiment of an adjustment mechanism, with supporting elements arranged on a mechanism housing.

[0048] FIGS. 12A, 12B show views of the adjustment mechanism in a position mounted on an adjustment rail.

[0049] FIGS. 13A, 13BA show views of a housing part of a transmission housing of the adjustment mechanism during a transverse movement between the rail legs of the adjustment rail.

[0050] FIGS. 14A, 14B show views of the supporting elements in engagement with assigned support openings on the rail legs of the adjustment rail.

[0051] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a supporting element.

[0052] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a supporting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle subassembly in the form of a vehicle seat 1, which has a seat part 10 and a backrest part 11, the inclination of which can be adjusted at the seat part 10.

[0054] The vehicle subassembly in the form of the vehicle seat 1 is connected via a height adjustment device 12 to an adjustment device 2 for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 1 along a longitudinal direction X. For this purpose, the vehicle seat 1 is connected to two guide rail pairs via kinematic parts 120 in the form of so-called rockers of the height adjustment device 12 and is thereby mounted so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction X.

[0055] As can be seen from the schematic view according to FIG. 2, the adjustment device 2 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment has two guide rail pairs, which are each formed by an upper adjustment rail 20 and a lower guide rail 21. The adjustment rail 20 forming an adjustment assembly is coupled to the vehicle seat 1 via the height adjustment device 12 in such a way that the vehicle seat 1 can be moved along the longitudinal direction X by adjusting the adjustment rail 20 longitudinally. The lower guide rails 21 are fixed, for example, to a floor assembly 3, for example a vehicle floor, so that the vehicle seat 1 can be moved with respect to the floor assembly 3 via the lower guide rails 21.

[0056] Each pair of guide rails has assigned to it, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, an adjustment mechanism 22 which has a spindle nut 24 arranged on a spindle 23, which spindle nut 24 is in threaded engagement with the spindle 23 and, when rotated, rolls on the spindle 23 in such a way that the spindle nut 24 is moved longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X with respect to the spindle 23. A drive element 25, for example in the form of a drive worm, is in toothed engagement with the spindle nut 24 so that an adjustment force can be introduced into each spindle nut 24 via an assigned drive shaft 26 and a drive motor 27, and thus the adjustment mechanisms 22 of the guide rail pairs can be driven.

[0057] An exemplary embodiment of a guide rail pair is shown in FIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lower guide rail 21 is comparatively long, for example longer than 1 m, for example longer than 1.5 m, in order to enable adjustment of the vehicle seat 1 over a comparatively large adjustment range in a vehicle interior. The adjustment rail 20 is guided longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X on the guide rail 21, wherein, for this purpose, rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20 arranged on a base 200 are received between legs 211, 212 of the guide rail 21 arranged on a base 210.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a spindle 23 is fixed non-rotatably on the base 210 of the guide rail 21 via fastening elements 230, 231 in the form of so-called spindle retaining brackets. An adjustment mechanism associated with the adjustment rail 20 is operatively connected to the fixed spindle 23 in such a way that the adjustment rail 20 can be moved longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X with respect to the guide rail 21 by driving of the adjustment mechanism 22.

[0059] As can be seen from the longitudinal sectional views according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the adjustment mechanism 22 has a mechanism housing 224 which is accommodated between retaining elements 220, 221 which are fixedly connected to the adjustment rail 20. The retaining elements 220, 221 provide axial support for the adjustment mechanism 22 relative to the adjustment rail 20, in such a way that, when the adjustment mechanism 22 is driven and a longitudinal movement of the adjustment mechanism 22 on the spindle 23 is thereby effected, the adjustment rail 20 is moved together with the adjustment mechanism 22 along the longitudinal direction X and is thus adjusted for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 1.

[0060] As can be seen from the longitudinal sectional views according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the spindle 23 extends through openings 222, 223 in the plate-like retaining elements 220, 221 and is operatively connected to the adjustment mechanism 22 between the retaining elements 220, 221.

[0061] In order to allow an adjustment of the vehicle seat 1 over a relatively large adjustment range, corresponding to the long design of the guide rail 21, the spindle 23 is also relatively long, as can be seen in FIG. 4. As a result, due to tolerances in the positioning or the straightness of the spindle 23 or also due to an effect of gravity, the position of the spindle 23 can change during an adjustment movement relative to the retaining elements 220, 221, so that the spindle 23 can, if necessary, approach an edge of the retaining elements 220, 221 delimiting the openings 222, 223 respectively, as is shown for the spindle 23 by way of dashed lines in FIG. 5. If the spindle 23 comes into contact with the retaining elements 220, 221 during operation, this can lead to undesired friction and also to noise generation.

[0062] To counteract this, it can be provided to enlarge the openings 222, 223 in the retaining elements 220, 221. However, it should be noted that, for example, in the event of a collision, large collision forces that lead to a deformation of, for example, the retaining elements 220, 221 should cause the spindle 23 to engage with the retaining elements 220, 221 in order to create additional collision support in this way and thus prevent uncontrolled adjustment of the vehicle seat 1 in the event of a collision. The openings 222, 223 should therefore not be too large.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the retaining elements 220, 221 are configured as plate-like elements, which support the mechanism housing 224 of the adjustment mechanism 22 axially along the longitudinal direction X, but at the same time support the mechanism housing 224 in a floating manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, in particular along a vertical direction Z, so that the mechanism housing 224 can move along the vertical direction Z with respect to the retaining elements 220, 221 by a certain bearing travel. This allows a compensating movement of the adjustment mechanism 22 to compensate for tolerances, but at the same time favors an approaching of the spindle 23 towards the edges of the openings 222, 223 in the retaining elements 220, 221.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an additional supporting element 28 in the form of a spring element shown in a separate view in FIG. 8 is, for this reason, arranged between the retaining elements 220, 221 and limits a bearing travel of the mechanism housing 224 along the vertical direction Z. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the supporting element 28 is arranged on a lower side of the mechanism housing 224 facing the base 210 of the guide rail 21 and thereby supports the mechanism housing 224 downwards. Tolerances or a gravity-induced deflection at the spindle 23 (in the form of a sagging of the spindle 23) therefore cannot cause the spindle 23 to approach edges 225 of the openings 222, 223 in such a way that the spindle 23 comes into contact with the edges 225.

[0065] In particular, the supporting element 28 is placed between the retaining elements 220, 221 in such a way that a bearing travel Z1 of the mechanism housing 224 is limited in such a way that the mechanism housing 224 comes into contact with the supporting element 28 during normal operation before the spindle 23 can come into contact with the edges 225 of the openings 222, 223 of the retaining elements 220, 221 along the vertical direction Z.

[0066] As can be seen from FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the retaining elements 220, 221 are plate-like and are supported form-fittingly in receiving openings 203, 204 on the leg 202 of the adjustment rail 20. In addition, the retaining elements 220, 221 can, for example, be fixedly connected to the base 200, for example by means of a welded connection.

[0067] As can also be seen from FIG. 7, the supporting element 28, which is configured as a spring element in the form of a bent wire spring, extends in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and is received via legs 280, 281 in slot openings 205 on the inner side of the legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20, so that the supporting element 28 is thus fixed between the rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20. The supporting element 28 is also supported on the retaining elements 220, 221 via contact portions 282 in the form of contact points and via the ends of the legs 280, 281 that lie away from the contact portions 282.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8, the mechanism housing 224 is thus supported relative to the retaining elements 220, 221 and thereby relative to the adjustment rail 20.

[0069] In this case, the adjustment mechanism 22 can be inserted from below for mounting between the retaining elements 220, 221 already arranged on the adjustment rail 20, wherein the supporting element 28 is mounted after insertion of the adjustment mechanism 22.

[0070] Due to its resilient design, the supporting element 28 can also be released again so that the adjustment mechanism 22 can be dismantled if necessary.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8, the supporting element 28 is arranged on the mechanism housing 224 and is formed in one piece with the mechanism housing 224, for example by plastics injection molding. In this case, the supporting element 28 protrudes from the mechanism housing 224 along the vertical direction Z in the form of a lug or a rib and extends starting from the mechanism housing 224 in the direction of the base 210 of the guide rail 21. The supporting element 28 thus provides support for the mechanism housing 224 on the base 210, so that an excessive approach of the mechanism housing 224 and thus of the spindle 23, which is operatively connected to the spindle nut 24 enclosed in the mechanism housing 224, towards the base 210 of the guide rail 21 is prevented.

[0072] This also prevents the spindle 23 from coming into contact with the edges 225 of the openings 222, 223 in the retaining elements 220, 221 during normal operation.

[0073] Apart from the design of the supporting element 28, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 is otherwise functionally identical to the exemplary embodiments described above, and therefore reference should also be made to the preceding explanations.

[0074] In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a supporting element 28 is arranged between rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20. The supporting element 28 (viewed in FIG. 10 from below along the vertical direction Z into the adjustment rail 20) here has a plate-like basic form extending transversely to the vertical direction Z, with a base portion 283 which (viewed along the vertical direction Z) is arranged below the mechanism housing 224 of the adjustment mechanism 22 and thus provides support for the mechanism housing 224 downwards along the vertical direction Z. The supporting element 28 is arranged between the rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20 and, for this purpose, engages with engagement protrusions 284A, 284B, 285A, 285B in an assigned support opening 205 on the rail legs 201, 202. The mechanism housing 224 has play in the space created between the rail legs 201, 202 and delimited along the vertical direction Z by the base 200 of the adjustment rail 20 on the one hand and by the supporting element 28 on the other hand, so that the adjustment mechanism 22 is mounted in a floating manner within the adjustment rail 20, but a bearing travel of the mechanism housing 224 is limited along the vertical direction Z by the supporting element 28.

[0075] Apart from the design of the supporting element 28, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10 is otherwise functionally identical to the exemplary embodiments described above, and therefore reference should also be made to the explanations above.

[0076] FIGS. 11A to 11C show an exemplary embodiment of an adjustment mechanism 22 comprising a mechanism housing 224 created by housing parts 226-229 with supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C arranged thereon.

[0077] Housing parts 226, 227 here realize housing halves which are placed against each other along the vertical direction Z and between which the spindle nut 24 is enclosed and rotatably mounted. On the front side of the housing parts 226, 227, housing parts 228, 229 are arranged in the form of housing plates which connect the housing parts 226, 227 to each other.

[0078] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are formed in one piece with the housing part 226 and protrude from the housing part 226 in the form of tabs. The supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are configured here as snap-action hooks and are injection-molded together with the housing part 226.

[0079] Each supporting element 28A, 28B, 28C has a free end 286 extending from the mechanism housing 224. In the region of the free end 286, an engagement protrusion 287 is formed in each case, which engages in an assigned support opening 205 on an assigned rail leg 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20 for support, as can be seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

[0080] The supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C each have a run-on bevel 288 on the engagement protrusion 287 on a side facing away from the end 286. The run-on bevels 288 on the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C allow the adjustment mechanism 22 to be inserted along the vertical direction Z from below between the rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20, with the engagement protrusions 287 snapping into engagement with the assigned support openings 205 on the rail legs 201, 202.

[0081] In the assembled position, shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C engage with their engagement protrusions 287 with play in the assigned support opening 205. The adjustment mechanism 22 is thus mounted with its mechanism housing 224 in a floating manner along the vertical direction Z between the rail legs 201, 202, wherein a bearing travel along the vertical direction Z is limited by the engagement of the engagement protrusions 287 of the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C with play in the assigned support openings 205.

[0082] The limitation of the bearing travel is in particular such that the spindle 23 in threaded engagement with the spindle nut 24 (see FIGS. 1-6) cannot come into contact with the edges delimiting the openings 222, 223 in the retaining elements 220, 221, but a support is created along the vertical direction Z before contact is made.

[0083] As can be seen in FIGS. 13A, 13B, the mechanism housing 224 can also be moved along the transverse direction Y directed transversely to the vertical direction Z and transversely to the longitudinal direction X between the rail legs 201, 202. The supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are configured here in such a way that, even in the event of a transverse movement of the mechanism housing 224, illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B by means of the housing part 226, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C cannot interact with the spindle nut 24 enclosed in the mechanism housing 24.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are formed in one piece with the housing part 226 and can be deflected here elastically along the transverse direction Y, as can be seen in FIGS. 13A, 13B. However, along the vertical direction Z, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are flexurally rigid here, in such a way that a support of the mechanism housing 224 relative to the rail legs 201, 202 of the adjustment rail 20 can be created via the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C to limit the bearing travel along the vertical direction Z.

[0085] In a normal position (for example under a load not exceeding a control load), the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C with their engagement protrusions 287 are preferably not in contact with the edges delimiting the support openings 205 on the rail legs 201, 202, so that a forced position of the adjustment mechanism 22 is counteracted in a normal position and, in normal use, the adjustment mechanism 22 is movable in a floating manner on the adjustment rail 20 within the scope of its bearing play.

[0086] The engagement protrusions 287 of the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C may be configured to provide downward support only in the vertical direction Z, as shown in FIG. 15. To this end, the engagement protrusions 287 can form a downward-facing contact surface extending transversely to the vertical direction Z, which can come into contact with a lower edge of the respective associated support opening 205 for support. An upward support is not created with this embodiment.

[0087] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 16, the engagement protrusions 287 may also be configured to provide support both upwardly and downwardly. For this purpose, the engagement protrusions 287 can each have a downwardly facing contact surface extending transversely to the vertical direction Z for supporting interaction with a lower edge of the assigned support opening 205 and an upwardly facing contact surface which extends transversely to the vertical direction Z for support on an upper edge of the assigned support opening 205.

[0088] As can be seen from FIGS. 14A, 14B, the engagement protrusions 287 of the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C also engage with play in the assigned support apertures 205 along the longitudinal direction X. Along the longitudinal direction X, axial support of the mechanism housing 224 is provided (solely) via the retaining elements 220, 221.

[0089] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 to 16, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C are shaped as tabs in the form of snap-action hooks on the mechanism housing 224. Alternatively, the supporting elements 28A, 28B, 28C may be shaped as pins, which may be separate elements to be connected to the mechanism housing 224, for example by insertion, by a bayonet connection or by another form-fit connection.

[0090] The idea underlying the solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be realized in other ways.

[0091] A vehicle subassembly to be adjusted via the adjustment device can be configured as a vehicle seat or, for example, a console element that is to be adjusted longitudinally in a vehicle interior.

[0092] Such a vehicle subassembly can be displaceably mounted via a guide rail and an associated adjustment assembly or also via two or possibly more pairs, each comprising a guide rail and an associated adjustment assembly.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0093] 1 vehicle subassembly (vehicle seat) [0094] 10 seat part [0095] 11 backrest part [0096] 12 height adjustment device [0097] 120 kinematic parts [0098] 2 longitudinal adjustment device [0099] 20 adjustment assembly (adjustment rail) [0100] 200 base [0101] 201, 202 rail leg [0102] 203, 204 receiving opening [0103] 205 support opening [0104] 21 guide rail [0105] 210 base [0106] 211, 212 leg [0107] 22 adjustment mechanism [0108] 220, 221 retaining element [0109] 222, 223 opening [0110] 224 mechanism housing [0111] 225 edge [0112] 226-229 housing part [0113] 23 spindle [0114] 230, 231 fastening element [0115] 24 spindle nut [0116] 25 drive element (drive screw) [0117] 26 drive shaft [0118] 27 drive motor [0119] 28 supporting element [0120] 28A, B, C supporting element [0121] 280, 281 leg [0122] 282 contact portion [0123] 283 base portion [0124] 284A, B engagement protrusion [0125] 285A, B engagement protrusion [0126] 286 end [0127] 287 protrusion [0128] 288 run-on bevel [0129] 3 floor assembly [0130] X longitudinal direction [0131] Y transverse direction [0132] Z vertical direction [0133] Z1 bearing travel