DEVICE FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT AND ADJUSTMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES SEATS

Abstract

A device that enables the correct ergonomic adjustment, by means of preset longitudinal positions, of the advancement and retreat of the motor vehicles seats, to guarantee comfort and safety of the driver as well as of the passengers. The device is made up by two rails (special and differentiated profiles), the upper rail (1) having a flat base (10) with flaps at tangent arcs (11 to 15) and the lower base (2) having tangential curved flaps (21 to 27), being fit and inserted in the inner spaces of the flaps by bearing balls (3). It further includes stops (16 and 28) of longitudinal movement and a position lock (4) activated by a bi-articulated mechanism (5) through a tubular lever (6), with vertical activation.

Claims

1) A device for longitudinal movement and adjustment of automotive vehicle seats, consisting of: one upper (1) and one lower (2) sinuous flap profiles, fitted and separated by bearing balls (3); the upper rail section (1) containing a flat base (10) with tangential arcs (11 and 12), arranged in opposite directions and projecting vertically, which horizontally tune other smaller arcs (13 and 14) tangent between yes and arranged in opposite directions; the bottom rail section (2) containing a slightly raised flat base (20) and having tangential arched flanges (21 and 22), arranged in opposite directions and projecting vertically, projecting in an inclined plane (approximately 45) tangent to other smaller arcs (23, 24, 25, 26 and 27), tangent to each other and arranged in opposite directions; a row of bearing balls (3) being interspersed in the inner spaces of the side flaps formed between the arcs (14 and 26) and another row of bearing balls (3) between the inner spaces of the side flaps formed between the arcs (13 and 22).

2) The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement of the bearing balls (3) forms an angle (A) of 22.5 with respect to the axis of support of the vertical assembly (Z) of each flap, ensuring the self alignment of the rails (1 and 2) while supporting the major vertical load (P) applied on the seat.

3) The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rails (1 and 2) form the seat sliding assembly, the upper rail (1) being fitted by its side flaps to the interior space of the lower rail (2) side flaps.

4) device according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal position is limited by stops (16 and 28) arranged at the ends of the upper (1) and lower (2) rails.

5) device according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal position is ensured by means of a position lock (4) assembled inside the upper rail (1), with cogs (41) which cross the position lock surface (6) and fill the cut-out spaces (29) in the lower rail (2) when at rest.

6) device according to claim 1, characterized in that the position lock (6) is activated by a bi-articulated mechanism (5) internal to the upper rail (1) by means of a tubular lever (6), with vertical activation; the upper rail (1) being fixed to the seat frame and the lower rail (2) being fixed of the vehicle floor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the seated rail assembly.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the rail assembly.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the profile sections of the mounted assembly showing the contact points on which the ball bearings run and the 22.5 positioning angle of the ball bearings relative to the vertical load axis.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly showing the locks on the cutouts in the locked position.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly showing the latches on the cutouts in the unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] According to these figures and their numerical references, this Invention describes a device for longitudinal moving of automotive vehicle front seats, consisting of one upper (1) and one lower (2) sinuous flap profile, fitted and separated by bearing balls (3) which, positioned between them, enable sliding one along the other so as to promote the advancement or retreat of the seat.

[0016] The upper (1) and lower (2) rails, the sections of which are special and differentiated, feature in the upper rail (1) section a flat base (10) for supporting and securing the seat, and tangential curved flaps (11 and 12), arranged in opposite directions and projected vertically, and then horizontally tangent to other smaller arcs (13 and 14) arranged in opposite directions; and in the lower rail (2) section a slightly raised flat base (20) for support and securement on the vehicle floor, and tangential curved flaps (21 and 22), also arranged in opposite directions and projected vertically, then projected in a sloping plane (approximately 45) tangential to other smaller arcs (23, 24, 25, 26 and 27) arranged in opposite directions.

[0017] The rails (1 and 2) form the seat sliding assembly, the upper rail (1) being fit by its side flaps into the interior space of the side flaps of the lower rail (2). Such fitting has a row of bearing balls (3) interspersed in the inner spaces of the side flaps formed between the arcs (14 and 26) and another row of bearing balls (3) arranged in the inner spaces of the side flaps formed between the arcs (13 and 22).

[0018] This arrangement of the bearing balls (3) at an angle (A) of 22.5 to the support axis of the assembly ensures that the great majority of the vertical load is supported on the vertical axis (Z) with a small portion discharged horizontally. This small lateral load portion is sufficient to ensure self-alignment of the rails (1 and 2) while supporting the vertical majority load (P) arranged in the seat.

[0019] Thus, in addition to approaching the right angle, it drastically attenuates the uneven stresses that occur with the lateral load concentrations on the rails (1 and 2) and bearing balls (3), thereby promoting less resistance to slippage resulting in a significant reduction wear on the rails (1 and 2), besides lessening wear and resistance of the rails (1 and 2) on the bearings, further allowing the correct and easy ergonomic adjustment of the preset advancing and retreating positions of the seats.

[0020] This longitudinal position, limited by stops (16 and 28) disposed at the ends of the upper and lower rails (1 and 2), is secured by means of a position lock (4) assembled inside the upper rail (1), with cogs (41) crossing the surface of the position lock (6) and filling the cut-out spaces (29) in the lower rail (2) when at rest. The position lock (6) is activated through a bi-articulated mechanism (5) which is internal to the upper rail (1) by means of a tubular lever (6), with vertical activating. The upper rail (1) is fixed to the seat frame and the lower rail (2) is fixed to the vehicle floor.

[0021] In practice, the seat occupant, upon activating the lever (6), moves the bi-articulated mechanism (5), internal to the upper rail (1) and promotes the vertical displacement of the position lock (4), releasing it from the cut-out spaces (16) of the upper rail (1), thus allowing the relative sliding of the assembly, enabling the correct advance or retreat of the seat in order to obtain an ergonomic, comfortable and safe position for the occupant. By releasing the lever (6), the bi-articulated mechanism (5) returns the position lock (4) to the interior of the cutout spaces (29) of the lower rail (2), immobilizing the assembly.