LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTER AND VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

A longitudinal adjuster (10), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a lower rail (12) and an upper rail (14) which is displaceably guided in a longitudinal direction (x). A bearing element (16) is arranged between the lower rail (12) and the upper rail (14) and is in contact with the lower rail (12) and the upper rail (14). The bearing element (16) has a locking device (20). A displacement of the bearing element (16) relative to the lower rail (12) beyond a predefined action region is prevented during a displacement of the upper rail (14) relative to the lower rail (12) if the locking device (20) interacts with an opening (28) which is arranged in the lower rail (12). This includes a spring section (24) of the locking device (20) pivoting into the opening (28). A vehicle seat (1) is provided having a longitudinal adjuster (10) of this type.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster comprising: a lower rail; an upper rail; a bearing element arranged between the lower rail and the upper rail with the bearing element in contact with the lower rail and the upper rail, the upper rail being guided along the upper rail for displacing the upper rail in the longitudinal direction, wherein the bearing element comprises a locking means for preventing a displacement of the bearing element relative to the lower rail beyond a predefined action region during a displacement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail if the locking means interacts with an opening which is arranged in the lower rail and wherein the locking means comprises a spring-elastic section positioned for pivoting into the opening.

2. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is integrally joined with the bearing element or is positively locked with the bearing element or is integrally joined with the bearing element and is positively locked with the bearing element to hold the locking means with the bearing element.

3. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the spring-elastic section of the locking means comprises a spring plate in the form of a flat shaped spring.

4. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, wherein: the bearing element comprises holding sections; and the locking means is held on the bearing element by the holding sections.

5. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the locking means further comprises another spring-elastic section to provide two spring-elastic sections.

6. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 5, wherein the two spring-elastic sections are offset in a vertical direction.

7. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 5, one of the two spring-elastic sections delimits the predefined action region in the longitudinal direction to a front and the respective other section of the two spring-elastic sections delimits the predefined action region in the longitudinal direction to a rear.

8. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 6, wherein another opening is arranged in the lower rail such that the lower rail has two openings offset in the vertical direction in accordance with an offset of the respective cooperating spring-elastic sections.

9. A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster according to claim 8, wherein the two openings definine the action region of the bearing element in the longitudinal direction.

10. A vehicle seat comprising a vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster comprising: a lower rail; an upper rail; and a bearing element arranged between the lower rail and the upper rail with the bearing element in contact with the lower rail and the upper rail, the upper rail being guided along the upper rail for displacing the upper rail in the longitudinal direction, wherein the bearing element comprises a locking means for preventing a displacement of the bearing element relative to the lower rail beyond a predefined action region during a displacement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail if the locking means interacts with an opening which is arranged in the lower rail and wherein the locking means comprises a spring-elastic section positioned for pivoting into the opening.

11. A vehicle seat according to claim 10, further comprising: a seat part mounted on the vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster; and a backrest pivotably connected to the seat part, wherein an inclination the backrest can be adjusted relative to the seat part.

12. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 11, wherein the locking means is integrally joined with the bearing element or is positively locked with the bearing element or is integrally joined with the bearing element and is positively locked with the bearing element to hold the locking means with the bearing element

13. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the spring-elastic section of the locking means comprises a spring plate.

14. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 11, wherein: the bearing element comprises holding sections; and the locking means is held on the bearing element by the holding sections.

15. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 11, wherein the locking means further comprises another spring-elastic section to provide two spring-elastic sections.

16. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 15, wherein the two spring-elastic sections are offset in a vertical direction.

17. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 15, one of the two spring-elastic sections delimits the predefined action region in the longitudinal direction to a front and the respective other section of the two spring-elastic sections delimits the predefined action region in the longitudinal direction to a rear.

18. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 16, wherein another opening is arranged in the lower rail such that the lower rail has two openings offset in the vertical direction in accordance with an offset of the respective cooperating spring-elastic sections.

19. A vehicle seat adjuster according to claim 18, wherein the two openings definine the action region of the bearing element in the longitudinal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle seat according to the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a bearing element according to the invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded illustration of the bearing element according to the invention from FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged illustration of a detail of a locking means;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional illustration in the region of an opening in a lower rail in a first state;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 5 with the locking means in a second state;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 5 with the locking means in a third state;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the lower rail;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 5 with a mounting aid; and

[0027] FIG. 10 is a further sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 9 with the mounting aid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawings, a vehicle seat 1 which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 will be described in the following text with the use of three spatial directions which run perpendicularly with respect to one another. In the case of a vehicle seat 1 which is installed in the vehicle, a longitudinal direction x runs largely horizontally and preferably parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction which corresponds to the usual driving direction of the vehicle. A transverse direction y which runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction x is likewise oriented horizontally in the vehicle and runs parallel to a vehicle transverse direction. A vertical direction z runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicularly with respect to the transverse direction y. In the case of a vehicle seat 1 which is installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle vertical axis.

[0029] The position specifications and direction specifications which are used, such as front, rear, top and bottom, relate to a viewing direction of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 1 in a normal seat position, the vehicle seat 1 being installed in the vehicle and being oriented in a use position suitable for passenger transport with an upright backrest 5 and in the driving direction as customary. The vehicle seat 1 can also be installed in a different orientation, however, for example transversely with respect to the driving direction.

[0030] The vehicle seat 1 according to the invention has a seat part 3 and the backrest 5, the inclination of which can be adjusted relative to the seat part 3. The vehicle seat 1 is mounted on a longitudinal adjuster 10 according to the invention for adjusting a seat longitudinal position. The longitudinal adjuster 10 comprises a lower rail 12 and an upper rail 14 which is guided therein such that the an upper rail 14 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction x. At least one bearing element 16 is arranged between the lower rail 12 and the upper rail 14, which bearing element 16 is in contact with the lower rail 12 and the upper rail 14.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the bearing element 16 according to the invention. The bearing element 16 has a plurality of balls 18 which are mounted in each case rotatably in ball receptacles of the bearing element 16. The bearing element 16 has a locking means 20. A displacement of the bearing element 16 relative to the lower rail 12, during a displacement of the upper rail 14 relative to the lower rail 12, is prevented beyond a predefined action region if the locking means 20 interacts with an opening 28 which is arranged in the lower rail 12. In the present case, the locking means 20 is clipped into a corresponding recess in the bearing element 16. As an alternative or in addition, the locking means 20 can be fixed in the bearing element 16 by way of hot stamping. Furthermore, the locking means 20 can be integrated into the bearing element 16 via a primary forming process. In the present case, the locking means 20 is arranged in the bearing means 16 centrally in the longitudinal direction x. In the present case, the locking means 20 is arranged in the bearing means 16 centrally in the vertical direction z.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the bearing element 16 from FIG. 2 before mounting of the locking means 20. It is shown here that the bearing element 16 has a bridge 26 in the middle of the recess for receiving the locking means 20. The bridge can serve as a bearing region for the locking element 20 after mounting. Furthermore, stamped portions can be provided in the bearing element 16 in the region of a front and rear (in the longitudinal direction x) end section of the recess, which stamped portions interact with holding sections 22 which are provided on the locking means 20 if the locking means 20 is mounted. The locking means 20 is preferably of symmetrical construction, in particular of rotationally symmetrical construction, relative to a transverse direction y.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged illustration of a detail of an end of the locking means 20, which end is directed to the front in the longitudinal direction x. The locking means 20 has the holding section 22 at the front end, which holding section 22 serves to fasten the locking means 20 to the bearing element 16. Furthermore, the locking means 20 has an elastic spring section 24 which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction x. In the mounted state, the spring section 24 is guided substantially along an inner side of the lower rail 12.

[0034] The operating principle of the engagement of the spring section 24 of the locking means 20 into the opening 28 of the lower rail 12 is shown in detail using the sectional illustrations in FIGS. 5 to 7. A movement direction which is assumed via the sequence of FIGS. 5 to 7 is indicated using the illustrated arrow. Here, FIG. 5 shows a state with a movable bearing element 16. In accordance with the state in FIG. 6, the spring section 24 of the locking means 20 has fallen into the opening 28. Finally, FIG. 7 shows a state, in which the free end of the spring section 24 is brought into contact with a front (in the movement direction) edge section of the opening 28, and therefore a further movement of the bearing element 16 in the corresponding direction of movement parallel to the longitudinal direction x of the longitudinal adjuster 10 is locked.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the lower rail 12. On its side flank, the lower rail 12 has openings 28 which are positioned individually in accordance with the desired action region or movement region of the bearing element 16. Here, the openings 28 are preferably arranged outside a highly loaded region of the lower rail 12. The two openings 28 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction x and are arranged with an offset in the vertical direction z. The vertical arrangement of the openings 28 is reversed on that side flank of the lower rail 12 which lies opposite in the transverse direction y. This allows a use of identical parts in the left-hand and right-hand bearing element 16 as viewed in the transverse direction y.

[0036] FIGS. 9 and 10 in each case show a sectional illustration in accordance with FIG. 5 with a mounting aid 30 for simpler introduction of the bearing means 16 between the upper rail 14 and the lower rail 12. To this end, the mounting aid 30 is introduced into the openings 28 of the lower rail 12 during the mounting of the longitudinal adjuster 10, in particular during the mounting of the bearing element 16. The mounting aid 30 has a bevelled end face which can be moved over more easily by the spring section 24 in the insertion direction along the illustrated arrow, without the spring section 24 getting caught on the mounting aid 30.

[0037] The features which are disclosed in the preceding description, the claims and the drawings can be of significance both individually and in combination for the implementation of the invention in its various refinements.

[0038] Although the invention has been described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, the descriptions are to be understood to be illustrative and exemplary and not restrictive. In particular, the selection of the proportions shown in the drawings of the individual elements is not to be interpreted as required or restrictive. Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to the above-described exemplary embodiments, in particular. Further variants of the invention and their implementation arise for a person skilled in the art from the preceding disclosure, the figures and the claims.

[0039] Terms which are used in the claims such as comprise, have, contain, include and the like do not rule out further elements or steps. The use of the indefinite article does not rule out a plural. A single device can carry out the functions of a plurality of units or devices mentioned in the claims.

[0040] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

APPENDIX

List of Reference Designations

[0041] 1 Vehicle seat [0042] 3 Seat part [0043] 5 Backrest [0044] 10 Longitudinal adjuster [0045] 12 Lower rail [0046] 14 Upper rail [0047] 16 Bearing element [0048] 18 Ball [0049] 20 Locking means [0050] 22 Holding section [0051] 24 Spring section [0052] 26 Bridge [0053] 28 Opening [0054] 30 Mounting aid [0055] x Longitudinal direction [0056] y Transverse direction [0057] z Vertical direction