BACKREST FOR A VEHICLE SEAT AND VEHICLE SEAT WITH THE BACKREST

Abstract

A backrest for a vehicle seat having a backrest side rail for supporting a side of a body of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat, having an airbag and having a gas generator for protecting the occupant, having a hard cover housing for arrangement on the backrest side rail, wherein the hard cover housing in a lateral plan view is designed as a half shell arranged along a longitudinal extent of the backrest side rail with two longitudinal edges spaced from one another, wherein the airbag and the gas generator can be pushed in and/or are pushed in between the two longitudinal edges.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A backrest for a vehicle seat comprising: a backrest side rail configured to support a side of a seat occupant; a hard cover housing having a half shell in a lateral plan view arranged in a region along a longitudinal extent of the backrest side rail with a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge spaced from the first longitudinal edge; and an airbag module with modular components positioned in between the two longitudinal edges, wherein the modular components include an airbag and a gas generator.

17. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the half shell comprises a profile wall including the second longitudinal edge such that the modular components are at least partially surrounded by the profile wall.

18. The backrest according to claim 17, wherein the half shell further comprises a first front edge, a second front edge and at least one front face, wherein the at least one front face closes at least one of the front edges.

19. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the hard cover housing defines a contour complementary to a geometry of the region of the backrest side rail.

20. The backrest according to claim 16, further comprising a preassembled unit including the airbag module and the hard cover housing attached in the region along a longitudinal extent of the backrest side rail.

21. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the airbag module further comprises a fabric cover, wherein the hard cover housing is attached to the backrest side rail and the modular components are arranged in the fabric cover which together are positioned in between the longitudinal edges of the half shell.

22. The backrest according to claim 21, wherein the airbag module further comprises at least one fastener attaching the hard cover housing to the backrest side rail adjacent to the second longitudinal edge.

23. The backrest according to claim 22, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a pin of the gas generator.

24. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the hard cover housing further comprises a structural feature subdividing the hard cover housing into at least two regions, such that at least one of the two regions can be folded about the structural feature.

25. The backrest according to claim 24, wherein the structural feature comprises at least one of a hinge or a weakened line.

26. The backrest according to claim 16, further comprising a form-fitting connection between the hard cover housing and the backrest side rail, wherein the form-fit connection is disconnectable.

27. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the hard cover housing further comprise a tear-open line along adjacent to the first longitudinal edge.

28. The backrest according to claim 16, further comprises: first and second backrest side rail margins on wherein the backrest side rail in a lateral plan view; and an upholstery foam including a first foam section over molded on the first backrest side rail margin and a second foam section over molded on the second backrest side rail margin, wherein the first foam section includes a mounting for the first longitudinal edge of the half shell.

29. The backrest according to claim 28, wherein the first longitudinal edge of the half shell is held in the mounting in a form-fit manner.

30. The backrest according to claim 16, wherein the hard cover housing is tensioned to press the airbag against the backrest side rail.

31. A vehicle seat comprising a seat bottom and the backrest according to claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a backrest for a vehicle seat;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a lateral perspective view of a backrest side rail and of a hard cover housing of the backrest from FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the hard cover housing from FIG. 1 along the section line A-A and an airbag module that can be arranged on the hard cover housing;

[0045] FIGS. 4a, 4b show an arrangement of a longitudinal edge of the hard cover housing from FIG. 3 in a recess of an upholstery foam section of the backrest from FIG. 1;

[0046] FIGS. 4c, 4d, 4e show alternative arrangements of the longitudinal edge of the hard cover housing to the FIGS. 4a, 4b;

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the backrest from FIG. 1 along the section line A-A with a first version of the hard cover housing;

[0048] FIGS. 6, 7 show the cross section from FIG. 5 in a second and third version;

[0049] FIGS. 8, 9 show the cross section from FIGS. 5 to 7 in a fourth and fifth version;

[0050] FIG. 10 shows the cross section from FIGS. 5 to 9 in a sixth version;

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an external region of the hard cover housing;

[0052] FIG. 12 shows a plan view of the profile wall of the hard cover housing;

[0053] FIG. 13 shows a cross section through the hard cover housing from FIG. 11 along the section line C-C;

[0054] FIG. 14 shows an alternative plan view of the profile wall of the hard cover housing to that from FIG. 12;

[0055] FIG. 15 shows a cross section through the hard cover housing from FIG. 2 along the section line B-B;

[0056] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the first front edge and of the outer region of the hard cover housing with a latching device;

[0057] FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section along the section line B-B from FIG. 2 through the first front edge and through the outer region of the hard cover housing with a tolerance and/or length compensation strap; and

[0058] FIG. 18 shows an alternative arrangement of the tolerance and/or length compensation strap from FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a backrest 1 for a vehicle seat, for example a driver's seat or front passenger seat and/or for a seat of a front or rear seat row of a vehicle, in particular of a car, utility vehicle or of a public transport means.

[0061] The backrest 1 includes a backrest side rail 2, a hard cover housing 3 and an upholstery foam with a first upholstery foam section 4 and with a second upholstery foam section 5, a backrest cover 6, and an airbag module 7 (FIG. 3). The airbag module 7 has an airbag 7a and a gas generator 7b, which form modular components 7a, 7b of the airbag module 7. Optionally, the airbag module 7 can additionally include at least one further module component, for example a diffuser.

[0062] The backrest side rail 2 adjoins a backrest frame of the backrest 1 which is not shown on a narrow side of the backrest 1, which forms an inner structure of a lean-back surface of the backrest 1. The backrest side rail 2 runs in its longitudinal extent L along a height of the backrest frame. It is arranged on a narrow side of the backrest 1, which is directed towards a body section of the vehicle (not shown), in which the vehicle seat is arranged. The body section can for example be a vehicle door or a vehicle pillar. The backrest side rail 2 extends in a seating direction S of the vehicle seat towards the front and thus protrudes laterally from the lean-back surface of the backrest 1, so that a side of a body of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat can be supported by the backrest side rail 2.

[0063] The backrest side rail 2 is formed as a three-dimensional elongated component. It includes a first backrest side rail margin 2a, which is directed towards the front in seating direction S. A second backrest side rail margin 2b is directed towards the back in opposite direction. The backrest side rail 2 includes a section 2c on which the airbag module 7 is arranged. The section 2c of the backrest side rail 2 is substantially arranged centrally in a longitudinal extent L of the backrest side rail 2. Its proportion amounts to at least forty percent in particular at least 50 percent and/or maximally 90 percent of the longitudinal extent L.

[0064] The backrest 1 is overfoamed by the upholstery foam in order to make it possible for the occupant to comfortably lean against. The backrest side rail 2 is overfoamed by the first upholstery foam section 4 in a first direction which is directed towards the front in particular in seating direction S and towards the back overfoamed in opposite direction by the second upholstery foam section 5. The backrest cover 6 is arranged on the upholstery foam and covers the same so that it forms a visible side of the backrest. Because of this, the backrest cover 1 can be designed in a visually and haptically attractive manner.

[0065] The hard cover housing 3 is arranged on the backrest side rail 2. In particular, the hard cover housing 3 is arranged in the section 2c of the backrest side rail 2 on which the modular components 7a, 7b are positioned. These are arranged between the section 2c of the backrest side rail 2 and the hard cover housing 3.

[0066] The hard cover housing 3 is formed as a flat plastic part consisting of a ductile plastic such as for example PP and EPDM or TPO. The hard cover housing 3 in its form and/or contour, in particular in its outer contour, is matched to the geometry of the section 2c of the backrest side rail 2 and/or follows the same. It is covered by the backrest cover 6 so that it is integrated in the backrest 1 in a visually attractive manner.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows the backrest side rail 2 and the hard cover housing 3 in a perspective lateral view. The hard cover housing 3 is designed as a half shell 3a with a first longitudinal edge 3b directed towards the front in seating direction S and with a second longitudinal edge 3c directed towards the back. The two longitudinal edges 3b, 3c are arranged spaced from one another. Because of this, the modular components 7a, 7b can be pushed in between the two longitudinal edges 3b, 3c and be mounted to the backrest side rail 2. For this purpose, the backrest 7a can also be pneumatically compressed as a package so that it is of a more compact form and can be more easily pushed in.

[0068] The half shell 3a has a profile wall 3d, which includes the second longitudinal edge 3c and/or leads into the same. The airbag 7a and the gas generator 7b (FIG. 3) are surrounded by the profile wall 3d at least in sections.

[0069] The half shell 3a has a first front edge 3e, which in the image plane is directed towards the top and a second front edge 3f, which in the image plane is directed towards the bottom. According to FIG. 2, the first longitudinal edge 3b is designed open and has no wall section. The two front edges 3e, 3f are likewise designed open; in particular, they have no front faces 23.

[0070] In order to increase a stiffness of the half shell 3a, at least one of the front edges 3e, 3f can have the front face 23 and/or the first longitudinal edge 3b the wall section in an alternative exemplary embodiment (FIG. 16). In this case, at least one of the front edges 3e, 3f and/or the first longitudinal edge 3b are designed at least partly closed.

[0071] Between the first longitudinal edge 3b and the profile wall 3d an outer region 3i of the hard cover housing 3 is arranged. The same is directed towards the body section when the backrest 1 is mounted on the vehicle seat and the same is integrated in the vehicle.

[0072] The first longitudinal edge 3b runs along the first backrest side rail edge 2a. A surface contour and/or outer contour of the half shell 3a is adapted in its geometry and in its course to the geometry and the course of the section 2c of the backrest side rail 2. Because of this, a precise backrest outer contour can be created. In the FIGS. 3 to 4e, cross sections of the hard cover housing 3 and of the airbag module 7 along the section line A-A from FIG. 1 are shown.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows that the airbag module 7 includes the airbag 7a, the gas generator 7b and a fabric cover 15. The fabric cover 15 is formed for example from a textile material, for example from a felt or polyester. In this case, the airbag module 7 is formed as a so-called soft cover airbag module. The airbag 7a and the gas generator 7b are jointly arranged in the fabric cover 15 and enclosed by the same. In this enclosed state, they are pushed in between the two longitudinal edges 3b, 3c (FIG. 2) of the half shell 3a, which is already attached to the backrest side rail 2. Because of this, the airbag module 7 is arranged between the section 2c of the backrest side rail 2 and the hard cover housing 3. The airbag module 7 is arranged within the profile wall 3d so that it is at least partly surrounded by the same. Because of this, the hard cover housing 3 in the assembled state on the backrest side rail 2 functions as a trim component for the airbag module 7.

[0074] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the airbag module 7 can include the hard cover housing 3. In particular, the airbag module 7 and the hard cover housing 3 in this case form a preassembled unit. The preassembled unit is attached to the backrest side rail. Because of this, the airbag module 7 is formed as a so-called hard cover airbag module.

[0075] The gas generator 7b has a fastening means for fastening to the backrest side rail 2. The fastening means is formed as a pin 8 for the form-fit and/or force-fit connecting to the backrest side rail 2.

[0076] The profile wall 3d has a hole 9 for the pin 8 of the gas generator 7b. The pin 8 can be passed through the hole 9 so that the hard cover housing 3 can be attached to the backrest side rail 2 jointly with the airbag module 7.

[0077] An ignition connector of the gas generator 7b which is not shown is arranged on or in the half shell 3a, in particular within the profile wall 3d. Alternatively, the ignition connector can also be arranged outside the half shell 3a, for example be surrounded by one of the upholstery foam sections 4, 5. Alternatively, the ignition connector can be at least partly surrounded by a wall molded onto the half shell 3a, which protects the ignition connector.

[0078] The hard cover housing 3 has a hinge and/or weakened line 10 formed by a local reduction in wall thickness. The hinge and/or weakened line 10 is arranged between the outer region 3i and the profile wall 3d. The hinge and/or weakened line 10 is orientated vertically and runs from the top down. Along the hinge and/or weakened line 10, the outer region 3i can fold relative to the profile wall 3d in order to be able to form an opening for the airbag 7 being inflated upon and/or after an activation of the airbag module 7, for example due to an impact of the vehicle.

[0079] Optionally complementarily, the hard cover housing 3 can have at least one further vertically orientated hinge and/or weakened line which makes possible a folding of a further region of the hard cover housing 3. The at least one further hinge and/or weakened line can be arranged in the outer region 3i, in particular adjacent to the first longitudinal edge 3b.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4a, the first upholstery foam section 4 shows the mounting 12 for the first longitudinal edge 3b of the hard cover housing 3. The mounting 12 is arranged located inside in the upholstery foam section 4. This means that the upholstery foam is arranged in the image plane above and under the first longitudinal edge arranged in the mounting 12. In particular, the first longitudinal edge 3a is surrounded all round by the upholstery foam. Between the longitudinal edge 3b and the backrest cover 6 (FIG. 1) arranged on the upholstery foam section 4, upholstery foam is arranged.

[0081] The first longitudinal edge 3b is held in the mounting 12 in a form-fit manner. Upon and/or after the activation of the airbag module 7, the first longitudinal edge 3b is dislodged from the mounting 12 because of the acting forces so that the at least one region of the half shell 3a can fold about the hinge and/or weakened line 10 (FIG. 3).

[0082] As is shown in FIG. 4b, the mounting 12 is alternatively arranged located outside in the first upholstery foam section 4. Located outside means that the upholstery foam on the image plane is arranged above the first longitudinal edge 3a and only the backrest cover 6 runs under the first longitudinal edge 3b. Thus, the first longitudinal edge 3a contacts the backrest cover 6 when it is arranged in the mounting 12.

[0083] The FIGS. 4c-4e show alternative arrangements of the first longitudinal edge 3b of the hard cover housing 3 relative to the first upholstery foam section 4. The first upholstery foam section 4 has no mounting 12 for the first longitudinal edge 3b.

[0084] According to the FIG. 4c, the first longitudinal edge 3b is inserted between the airbag 7 and the first upholstery foam section 4. According to FIG. 4e, the first longitudinal edge 3b of the hard cover housing 3 adjoins the first upholstery foam section 4 and/or is arranged adjacent to the same. Upon and/or after the activation of the airbag module 7, the first longitudinal edge 3b can be dislodged through the acting forces.

[0085] In FIG. 4d, the first longitudinal edge 3b is attached to the front backrest side rail margin 2a. The attachment is solved by way of a rivet, screw, clamping or latching connection. Adjacent to the connection, a tear-open pin 21 is present, which ensures that the connection tears open upon and/or after the activation of the gas generator 7b. Alternatively or optionally complementarily, the hard cover housing 3 can have a tear-open line 22 (FIG. 5) in this region.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a cross section A-A through the backrest 1 from FIG. 1. The first longitudinal edge 3b is arranged in the mounting 12 located inside. In a region 3k of the profile wall 3d directed towards the backrest side rail 2 the hard cover housing 3 is connected to the backrest side rail 2 via the pin 9 of the airbag module 7. Additionally, the hard cover housing 3 is connected to the backrest side rail 2 via a further fastening means such as for example a rivet, a screw, a latching and/or clamping device. There, the hard cover housing 3 has the tear-open line 22 along which the hard cover housing 3 upon and/or after the activation of the gas generator 7b can tear open and thus make possible the folding about the hinge and/or weakened line 10. The second upholstery foam section 5 adjoins a back outer surface 3h of the profile wall 7b of the hard cover housing 3.

[0087] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a first and second version of the cross section A-A through the backrest 1 from FIG. 5. The hard cover housing 3 has a circumferential margin with the first longitudinal edge 3b and with a complementary longitudinal edge 3g. The circumferential margin overlaps the first and second upholstery foam section 4, 5 and/or lies on the same. In particular, the first longitudinal edge 3b is arranged in the mounting 12 located outside of the first upholstery foam section 4. The complementary longitudinal edge 3g is arranged in a further mounting 13 located outside of a second upholstery foam section 5. Because of this, the wall thickness of the circumferential margin can be offset.

[0088] Between the two longitudinal edges 3b, 3g the hinge and/or weakened line 10 is arranged in the outer region 3i, about which the at least one region of the hard cover housing 3 can fold upon and/or after the activation of the airbag module 7. The second upholstery foam section 5 lies against the back outer surface 3h of the profile wall 3d.

[0089] According to FIG. 6, the half shell 3a has hinge ribs 14 for stiffening. The hinge ribs 14 are arranged in the profile wall 3d on the inside. The hinge and/or weakened line 10 is arranged before or at the start of the hinge ribs 14.

[0090] FIG. 7 shows the airbag module 7 in the design as soft cover airbag module. The airbag 7a and the gas generator 7b are arranged in a fabric cover 15.

[0091] FIGS. 8 and 9 show further versions of the cross section A-A through the backrest 1. In contrast with the FIGS. 7 and 8, the hard cover housing 3 does not have a circumferential margin. The first longitudinal edge 3b rather terminates with the first upholstery foams 4 and/or adjoins the same. The complementary longitudinal edge 3g is omitted. The second upholstery foam section 5 adjoins the back outer surface 3h of the half shell 3a, in particular in the region of the profile wall 3d. In the outer region 3i of the hard cover housing 3, the hinge and/or weakened line 10 is introduced about which the at least one region of the hard cover housing 3 can fold. The airbag module is designed as soft cover airbag module. The airbag 7a and the gas generator 7b are arranged in the fabric cover 15.

[0092] In FIG. 9, the backrest 1 includes a fabric unfurling duct 16. In the fabric unfurling duct 16, the airbag module 7 and the hard cover housing 3 are arranged for mutual fixing. The fabric unfurling duct 16 is sewn to the backrest cover 6 in the region of the first longitudinal edge 3b as a result of which a visible tear-open seam 11 is formed. Upon and/or after the activation of the gas generator 7b, the tear-open seam 11 tears open. At the same time, at least one region of the hard cover housing 3 hinges about the hinge and/or weakened line 10. The fabric unfurling duct 16 serves in order to steer the airbag 7a being inflated into the correct inflation direction so that the occupant can be most effectively protected from injuries.

[0093] FIG. 10 shows yet another version of the cross section from FIG. 5 through the backrest 1 along the section line A-A. The first longitudinal edge 3b of the hard cover housing 3 and a marginal region of the first longitudinal edge 3b lie against the first upholstery foam section 4. The profile wall 3d is not covered by the second upholstery foam section 5 towards the back. The back outer surface 3h is covered by the backrest cover 6. Thus, the hard cover housing 3 is formatively designed for the backrest 1 in particular in the region of the back outer surface 3h. Between the airbag module 7 and the profile wall 3d the hinge ribs 14 are arranged. These run on the inside in the profile wall 3d from the region 3k facing the backrest side rail 2 as far as to the hinge and/or weakened line 10.

[0094] FIG. 11 shows the hard cover housing 3 in a plan view onto the outer region 3i. FIG. 12 shows the hard cover housing in a plan view from the back, in particular onto the back outer surface 3h of the profile wall 3d. In the FIG. 13, a cross section along the section line C-C through the hard cover housing 3 from FIG. 11 is shown.

[0095] The hard cover housing 3 has the circumferential margin as in the FIGS. 6 and 7. The outer region 3i of the half shell 3a runs between the first longitudinal edge 3b and the complementary longitudinal edge 3g. Said region is arranged tensioned so that a vaulting 18 of the outer region 3i occurs. Because of this, the airbag module 7 is pressed against the backrest side rail 2 so that it is installation space-savingly integrated in the backrest 1.

[0096] The profile wall 3d encloses the airbag module 7 in the region of the gas generator 7b. In the profile wall 3d, two holes 9 are arranged. Because of this it can be ensured that the hard cover housing 3 can be variably employed for different airbag module versions. In particular, the hard cover housing 3 can be attached to the backrest side rail 2 jointly with airbag modules in different configurations and sizes.

[0097] Directed towards the region 3k (see in particular FIG. 12) facing the backrest side rail 2 the hard cover housing 3 has an open wall 16. Thus, material can be saved and the weight of the hard cover housing 3 reduced.

[0098] FIG. 14 shows a modified cross section along the section line C-C through the hard cover housing 3 from FIG. 11. In FIG. 15, a modified cross section along the section line B-B through the hard cover housing 3 from FIG. 2 is shown. In the region 3k facing the backrest side rail 2, the hard cover housing 3 has a wall 17 which is at least partly, for example at least two-thirds closed. Optionally, the closed wall 17 can be continuous, slit, partly or completely separated. The tear-open line 22 runs in the outer region 3i, along which the hard cover housing 3 can tear open in order to form the opening for the airbag 7a being inflated.

[0099] In FIG. 16, a cross section along the section line B-B from FIG. 2 through the first front edge 3e of the hard cover housing 3 is shown. The hard cover housing 3 is designed foldable so that at least one region can be folded open and closed along the further hinge and/or weakened line 10 or multiple regions of the hard cover housing 3 can be folded open and closed along the further hinge and/or weakened line. Because of this, an installation of the hard cover housing 3 in the backrest 2 can be simplified. Likewise, an injection mound in which the hard cover housing 3 is produced, can be configured simpler and more cost-effectively. In particular, introducing expensive undercuts in the mound can be omitted.

[0100] On the first front edge 3e and optionally complementarily on the second front edge 3f, the front surface 23 is arranged which closes the front edge(s) 3e, 3f. The hard cover housing 3 has at least one latching device 19 which is arranged on the front face 23 of the first edge 3e and optionally complementarily on the front face 23 of the second front edge 3f. Because of the latching device 19, the region 3k of the profile wall 3d facing the backrest side rail 2 and the outer region 3i of the hard cover housing 3 can be mutually latched to one another.

[0101] FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section along the section line B-B from FIG. 2 through the first front edge 3e of the hard cover housing 3. At the transition between the first front edge 3e and the region 3k directed towards the backrest side rail 2 a tolerance and/or length compensation strap 20 is introduced. The same is arranged where the hard cover housing 3 can fold along the at least one hinge and/or weakened line 10. Optionally, the tolerance and/or length compensation 20 is arranged adjacent to the tear-open seam 11 and/or combined with the same. The backrest cover 6 presses the back outer surface 3h against the profile wall 3d. Through the tolerance and/or length compensation strap 20, tolerances and lengths can be adapted during the integration of the hard cover housing 3 into the backrest 1. FIG. 18 shows an alternative arrangement of the tolerance and/or length compensation strap 20 of the hard cover housing 3.

[0102] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.