VEHICLE SEAT, IN PARTICULAR MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

A vehicle seat (1) is transferable from at least one use position either into an entry position or into a floor position. A seat cushion (3) and a backrest (5) are coupled by a carrier (20) to a base (10), providing kinematics (30, 40, 41, 42, 50, 53, 54) to move the carrier (20) between the use position and the entry position of the vehicle seat (1). A link (80) is coupled rotatably at one end to the seat cushion (3) and at the other end to the base (10). The seat cushion (3) is mounted on the carrier (20) by a turning and sliding joint (16, 26). At least one degree of freedom of the turning and sliding joint (16, 26) is lockable by a locking device (90). A drive, a spring, assists the transfer of the seat cushion (3) from the use position into the floor position.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, which is transferable from at least one use position, which is suitable for conveying an individual, either into an entry position or into a floor position, as the non-use position, and back, the vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion; a backrest; a carrier to which the seat cushion and the backrest are coupled; a base; an articulated connection of the carrier to the base such that the carrier is movable between a first position of the carrier corresponding to the at least one use position of the vehicle seat (1), and a second position of the carrier corresponding to the entry position of the vehicle seat; a rocker which is coupled rotatably at one end to the seat cushion and at another end to the base; a turning and sliding joint, wherein the seat cushion is mounted on the carrier by means of the turning and sliding joint; a locking device, wherein at least one degree of freedom of the turning and sliding joint is lockable by the locking device; and a drive, comprising a spring, assisting a transfer of the seat cushion from the use position into the floor position.

2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, during the transfer of the vehicle seat from the use position into the floor position, the locking device is unlocked.

3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, during a transfer of the vehicle seat from the use position into the entry position, the locking device is locked.

4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turning and sliding joint comprises a bolt which is fastened to the seat cushion and is guided in an opening comprised of an elongated hole, in the carrier.

5. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein, when the locking device is locked, the bolt is rotatable in the opening but cannot be displaced within the opening.

6. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulated connection of the carrier to the base comprises a four bar linkage arrangement.

7. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein the articulated connection of the carrier to the base comprises two links.

8. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a seat rail arrangement.

9. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is a vehicle structure or is fixedly connected to a vehicle structure.

10. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat cushion and the backrest have a more upright position in the entry position than in the use position.

11. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in order to transfer the vehicle seat from the use position into the floor position, the backrest is folded forward and the seat cushion is shifted forward and lowered.

12. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cable pull device couples the locking device to the backrest such that a pivoting of the backrest forward about a backrest pivot axis brings about an unlocking of the locking device from a defined pivot angle.

13. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second lock effectively arranged between the carrier and a rear region of the seat cushion.

14. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising fittings, wherein the backrest is adjustable in inclination via the fittings.

15. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backrest can be pivoted rearward such that the vehicle seat takes up a lying position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the drawings:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat according to the invention in a use position;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat from FIG. 1, during the transition into an entry position;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat from FIG. 1 in the entry position; and

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat from FIG. 1 in a floor position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring to the drawings, a vehicle seat 1, which is provided, for example, as an outer seat of a middle or rear seat row of a motor vehicle, for example a van, has a seat cushion 3 and a backrest 5. It is assumed in the directional details used below that the vehicle seat 1 is arranged in the motor vehicle in the forward direction of travel, wherein, in a use position of the vehicle seat 1 that is suitable for conveying an individual, the backrest 5 is located at the rear end of the seat cushion 3. The backrest 5 is adjustable in its inclination by means of at least one fitting 7, in the present case two fittings 7, and therefore a plurality of use positions are defined. The two fittings 7 are designed as latching fittings which are known per se, as are known, for example, in WO 2007/039002 A2, but, in particular in the case of an electrified vehicle seat, could also be geared fittings, as are known, for example, from WO 01/12461 A1. The term seat cushion 3 is intended to be understood as meaning the entire assembly consisting of a supporting structure, in the present case a seat cushion carrier, and a covered pad. To the extent that components are coupled to the seat cushion 3, this should be understood as meaning a coupling to the supporting structure of the seat cushion 3. The same applies to the backrest 5.

[0030] For the sake of simplicity, in the following, only the left vehicle seat side of the vehicle seat 1, which is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane running in the direction of travel and vertically, is described, i.e. the components mentioned below, unless described differently, are present in duplicate (optionally mirror-symmetrically). The vehicle seat 1 is first of all described in a special use position, namely the design position, in which the backrest 5 is inclined slightly to the rear, in the present case by approximately 22, in relation to the vertical. A base 10 of the vehicle seat 1 is connected to the structure of the motor vehicle, for example to the floor of the vehicle body.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the base 10 is designed as a seat rail arrangement which opens up the possibility of a longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 1. In the present case, the base 10 has a first seat rail 12 which is connected directly to the vehicle structure, and a second seat rail 14 which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to said first seat rail. The two seat rails 12 and 14, which have a substantially U-shaped profile, engage one behind the other in an alternating manner by their inwardly and outwardly curved longitudinal edges and are lockable to each otherby means of a rail lock which is known per se.

[0032] A carrier 20 is coupled to the base 10. The carrier 20 has a U-shaped design with a first carrier portion 21 running approximately in the direction of travel, a second carrier portion 22 which is angled forward and obliquely upward in the front region of the first carrier portion 21, and a third carrier portion 23 which is angled rearward and obliquely upward in the rear region of the first carrier portion 21. In its upper region, the second carrier portion 22 has an elongated hole 26 which, in the use position of the vehicle seat 1, runs forward and downward by approximately 35 in relation to the direction.

[0033] The carrier 20 is coupled, in particular in a front region, to the base 10, in the present case to an adaptor 60 of the second seat rail 14, by means of a four bar linkage 30. The four bar linkage 30 comprises a first link 40 and a second link 50 arranged behind the first link 40 in the direction of travel, which links each have a joint 41, 42, 53, 54 in the regions of the two link ends. A first joint 41 connects the first link 40 to the adaptor 60 fastened to the second seat rail 14. A second joint 42 connects the first link 40 to the carrier 20, a third link 53 connects the second link 50 to the adaptor 60 and a fourth link 54 connects the second link 50 to the carrier 20. The carrier 20 is therefore connected in an articulated manner to the adaptor 60 of the base 10 by means of the links 40 and 50.

[0034] The carrier 20 is additionally lockable in its rear region by means of a first lock 70 in a releasable manner to the base 10, more precisely to a counter element which is mounted on the base, in the present case a first bolt 15 fastened to the second seat rail 14, and is therefore indirectly connected to the vehicle structure. The first lock 70 is designed as a rotary latch lock which is known per se, as is known, for example, from WO 2004/069580 A2.

[0035] A first fitting part of the fitting 7 is attached to the third carrier portion 23 of the carrier 20, while a second fitting part of the fitting 7, which fitting part is pivotable about a backrest pivot axis A relative to the first fitting part and is lockable thereto, is fastened to the backrest 5. The backrest 5 is adjustable in its inclination relative to the carrier 20 by means of the fitting 7. The backrest pivot axis A runs horizontally between the two vehicle seat sides and can be designed as a transmission rod which runs between the fittings 7 present on both sides and couples the locking state of said fittings to each other. When the backrest 5 is adjusted in inclination, the fitting 7 on each vehicle seat side is unlocked, the backrest 5 is pivoted about the backrest pivot axis A into the desired position and then each fitting 7 is locked again. The backrest 5 can optionally also be pivoted rearward in a substantially flat manner such that the vehicle seat 1 takes up a lying position.

[0036] The seat cushion 3 is coupled to the adaptor 60 by means of a rocker 80, wherein said rocker 80 has two ends, and a respective joint 85, 86 is provided in the region of said two ends, of which joints a fifth joint 85 forms the coupling of the rocker 80 to the adaptor 60 and a sixth joint 86 forms the coupling of the rocker 80 to the front end of the seat cushion 3. The fifth joint 85 is arranged between the first joint 41 and the third joint 53, as seen in the direction of travel.

[0037] A second bolt 16 protrudes laterally from the seat cushion 3 and reaches into the elongated hole 26 of the second carrier portion 22 of the carrier 20. The elongated hole 26 forms a slotted guide mechanism for the second bolt 16, and therefore the seat cushion 3 is mounted rotatably and to a limited extent displaceably with respect to the carrier 20. The elongated hole 26 and the second bolt 16 form a turning and sliding joint. The turning and sliding joint 16, 26 has two degrees of freedom. A first degree of freedom permits rotation of the second bolt 16, and a second degree of freedom permits displacement of the second bolt 16 in the elongated hole 26. A locking device 90 serves for locking the position of the second bolt 16 relative to the elongated hole 26, to be precise in a position in which the second bolt 16 is located in the rear upper end region of the elongated hole 26. As a result, the turning and sliding joint 16, 26 is lockable to form a pure turning joint. The degree of freedom of the displacement of the second bolt 16 in the elongated hole 26 can be blocked by the locking device 90.

[0038] A third bolt 17 is fastened to the seat cushion 3 in the rear region thereof. A second lock 100 fastened to the carrier 20 serves in the use position for downwardly supporting the third bolt 17 on the carrier 20 and for locking the third bolt 17. The second lock 100 can be designed as a rotary latch lock. The third bolt 17 cannot be moved forward when the second lock 100 is locked. Locking of the third bolt 17 upward in the vertical direction can optionally be provided. The second lock 100 therefore locks the seat cushion 3 to the carrier 20 at least in a substantially horizontal direction. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the second lock 100 is omitted and can be replaced by a support for the third bolt 17.

[0039] A first cable pull device (not illustrated in the figures) couples the locking device 90 to the backrest 5 in such a manner that a pivoting of the backrest 5 forward about the backrest pivot axis A, from a defined pivot angle, brings about an unlocking of the locking device 90 such that the second bolt 16 is freely movable within the elongated hole 26.

[0040] A second cable pull device (not illustrated in the figures) couples the second lock 100 to the backrest 5 in such a manner that a pivoting of the backrest 5 forward about the backrest pivot axis A, from a defined pivot angle, brings about an unlocking of the second lock 100 such that the third bolt 17 is unlocked and the seat cushion 3 is movable relative to the carrier 20. In addition, the second lock 100 is coupled in such a manner to an operating element (not illustrated in the figures) for unlocking the first lock 70 that an unlocking of the first lock 70 also brings about an unlocking of the second lock 100. Such a coupling between the first lock 70 and the second lock 100 can be omitted if the second lock 100 in the locked state does not secure the third bolt 17 and therefore the seat cushion 3 in the vertical direction.

[0041] For the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 from the use position into an entry position as an excellent non-use position, the first lock 70 and therefore also the second lock 100 are unlocked. The fitting 7 and the locking device 90 each remain locked. The carrier 20 is now offset forward in relation to the base 10 by means of the four bar linkage 30, i.e. by means of the two links 40, 50. The carrier 20 moves as a result from a first position of the carrier 20 into a second position of the carrier 20. The pivoting movements of the links 40, 50 cause the carrier 20 to be moved upward and forward relative to the base 10, as a result of which said carrier moves away from the base 10. As a result, the backrest 5 is in a rigid arrangement relative to the carrier 20, but pivots upward and forward as a whole. In accordance with the described movement of the carrier 20, the second bolt 16, which is locked in the elongated hole 26, also moves together with the carrier 20. The rocker 80 is thereby pivoted forward and the seat cushion 3 rotates about the second bolt 16, the relative position of which with respect to the second carrier portion 22 remains unchanged, but which rotates relative to the carrier 20. In the entry position, the seat cushion 3 is thereby in a position which is more upright and is arranged further forward in comparison to the use position.

[0042] During the transition from the use position into the entry position, the locking of the seat rails 12 and 14 is unlocked in a force-controlled manner, in a modification of the exemplary embodiment, and therefore the second seat rail 14 is movable forward, which additionally increases the space behind the vehicle seat 1, i.e. the entry size, and facilitates the access.

[0043] When the entry position is reached in which the access to a rear seat row is facilitated, one of the locks 70, 100 or an additional locking device can optionally secure the entry position.

[0044] The return into the previously adopted use position takes place by the carrier 20 being pivoted back into a position corresponding to the use position by a pull on the backrest 5 counter to the direction of travel, and therefore the first lock 70 is locked again to the first bolt 15. The seat cushion 3 is likewise pivoted back into the use position on account of its coupling to the carrier 20. As far as the described modification of the exemplary embodiment with an additional longitudinal displacement is concerned, after the first lock 70 is locked, the vehicle seat 1 is pushed back again, by movement of the second seat rail 14, into its longitudinal position corresponding to the use position and the rail lock is locked again.

[0045] By means of a comparison between the use position and the entry position, a virtual replacement pivot point for the four bar linkage 30 can be defined. If the carrier 20 were coupled to the base 10 or the vehicle structure in said virtual replacement pivot point, a pivoting movement of the vehicle seat 1 about said virtual replacement pivot point would have the same starting and end position as when the four bar linkage 30 is used. However, in the solution according to the invention, the virtual replacement pivot point lies significantly below the base 10, and therefore cannot be realized. The desired entry size (i.e. the dimensions of the accessible space behind the vehicle seat 1 in the entry position) could not be achieved with a direct coupling of the carrier 20 to the base 10. Better utilization of the pivoting angle range therefore takes place with the four bar linkage 30.

[0046] For the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 from the use position into a floor position as a further excellent non-use position in which an increased loading space is available, the backrest 5 is folded forward after the fittings 7 are unlocked. As a result, the locking device 90 and the second lock 100 unlock. The first lock 70 and the rail lock remain locked.

[0047] A spring (not illustrated in the figures) which preferably acts in the region of the fifth joint 85 between the rocker 80 and the adaptor 60 pretensions the rocker 80 in such a manner that, when the locking device 90 is opened and the second lock 100 is opened, the third bolt 17 of the seat cushion 3 leaves the opened second lock 100 and the seat cushion 3 is shifted forward. The spring therefore serves as a drive which assists the transfer of the seat cushion 3 from the use position into the floor position. A moment M produced by the spring is depicted in FIG. 4 as a curved arrow about the fifth joint. The rocker 80 pivots forward here about the fifth joint 85, and the second bolt 16 moves forward and downward within the elongated hole 26. As a result, the seat cushion 3 is shifted forward and lowered.

[0048] With the approach to the floor position, in which the rear side of the backrest 5 is at least approximately situated in the horizontal, the backrest 5 is placed onto the seat cushion 3. The four bar linkage 30 remains unmoved during the transfer of the vehicle seat 1 into the floor position.

[0049] The folded-up floor position is secured by locking of the fitting 7. Alternatively or additionally, the locking device 90 or an additional locking device can secure the floor position.

[0050] The return from the floor position into the use position takes place by first of all, after the fittings 7 are unlocked, the backrest 5 being pivoted back into a position corresponding to the use position. The seat cushion 3 is subsequently moved back manually into the position corresponding to the use position by prestressing of the previously described spring. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the backrest 5 is coupled to the seat cushion 3 via a cable pull in such a manner that a pivoting back of the backrest 5 causes the seat cushion 3 to be automatically moved back into the position corresponding to the use position.

[0051] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in combination for realizing the invention in its various refinements.

[0052] 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.