ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE SEAT AND VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

An adjusting device for a vehicle seat for adjusting a component of the vehicle seat, may have a tube, a motor and a pinion which is drivable by the motor. The motor and the pinion may be arranged in the tube. In addition, a vehicle seat may have a transverse tube, a component which is movable relative to the transverse tube and the adjusting device for adjusting the component relative to the transverse tube.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An adjusting device for a vehicle seat for adjusting a component of the vehicle seat, the device comprising: a tube, a motor and a pinion which is drivable by the motor, wherein the motor and the pinion are arranged in the tube.

12. The adjusting device according to claim 11, wherein the motor drives the pinion by a gear mechanism.

13. The adjusting device according to claim 12, wherein the gear mechanism is arranged in the tube.

14. The adjusting device according to claim 12, wherein the gear mechanism has at least one gear stage.

15. The adjusting device according to claim 12, wherein the gear mechanism has a plurality of gear stages.

16. The adjusting device according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said at least one gear stage is configured as a planetary gear stage.

17. The adjusting device according to claim 14, wherein all of the gear stages of the at les tone gear stage are configured as planetary gear stages.

18. A vehicle seat having a transverse tube, a component which is movable relative to the transverse tube and the adjusting device according to claim 11 for adjusting the component relative to the transverse tube.

19. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, wherein the transverse tube is formed by the tube of the adjusting device.

20. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, wherein a toothed segment which is connected to the component of the vehicle seat is in toothed engagement with the pinion and the toothed segment cooperates with the pinion such that the component and the transverse tube are movable relative to one another.

21. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, wherein the component is a constituent part of an adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat.

22. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, wherein the constituent part comprises a base of height-adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat.

23. The vehicle seat according to claim 21, wherein the adjustment kinematics comprise at least one four link arrangement for a height adjustment of the vehicle seat.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] The invention is described hereinafter in more detail in each case by way of an advantageous exemplary embodiment, shown in the figures, of an adjusting device according to the invention and a vehicle seat according to the invention. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. In the figures, schematically:

[0036] FIG. 1: shows a side view of a vehicle seat according to the invention,

[0037] FIG. 2: shows in a simplified view a perspective view of an adjusting device according to the invention of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 3: shows a detail of a view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1 in the region of the adjusting device,

[0039] FIG. 4: shows a detail of a side view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1 in the region of the adjusting device,

[0040] FIG. 5: shows a perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1, and

[0041] FIG. 6: shows a side view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] A vehicle seat 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is described hereinafter by using three spatial directions running perpendicularly to one another. A longitudinal direction x in a vehicle seat 1 installed in a vehicle runs substantially horizontally and preferably parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the usual direction of travel of the vehicle. A transverse direction y running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x is also horizontally oriented in the vehicle and runs parallel to a vehicle transverse direction. A vertical direction z runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicularly to the transverse direction y. In a vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle vertical axis.

[0043] The positional and directional information used, such as for example front, rear, top, bottom and transversely, relate to a viewing direction of an occupant seated on a seat part 2 of the vehicle seat 1 in the normal seating position, wherein the vehicle seat 1 is installed in the vehicle, in a position of use suitable for passenger conveyance, with an upright backrest 4 and is oriented in the direction of travel, as is usual. The vehicle seat 1 according to the invention, however, may also be installed in a different orientation, for example transversely to the direction of travel. Provided it is not described differently, the vehicle seat 1 is constructed mirror-symmetrically to a plane running perpendicularly to the transverse direction y.

[0044] The vehicle seat 1 has an adjusting device 100. The vehicle seat 1 is height-adjustable by the adjusting device 100, i.e. a distance in the vertical direction z between a seat surface of the seat part 2 and a vehicle floor may be adjusted, in particular, in order to adapt the vehicle seat 1 to the height of an occupant.

[0045] The vehicle seat 1 comprises a seat structure and a plurality of upholstery parts borne by the seat structure, the upholstery parts comprising foam parts and upholstery covers, in particular made of fabric or leather. The backrest 4 has, in particular, a backrest structure. The seat part 2 has, in particular, a seat substructure. The backrest structure and the seat substructure substantially form the seat structure. The backrest structure is pivotably fastened to the seat substructure 2 by two fittings 5.

[0046] The vehicle seat 1 is able to be fastened to a base 16, for example having two seat rail pairs, on the vehicle floor of the vehicle. The seat substructure of the seat part 2 comprises an adjustment kinematics 10, in the present case a height-adjustment kinematics 10. The height-adjustment kinematics 10, when viewed in the transverse direction y, comprises in each case on both seat sides a four link arrangement, which is formed in each case from the base 16, a front rocker 12, a rear rocker 14, a seat frame 6 and four rotary joints I, II, III, IV. The base 16, the front rockers 12, the rear rockers 14 and the seat frame 6 are connected together by the rotary joints I, II, III, IV, as described in more detail below.

[0047] The seat frame 6 (when viewed in the transverse direction y) comprises in each case on both sides a seat frame side part 7. Additionally, the seat frame 6 has a transverse tube 18. The two seat frame side parts 7 are arranged spaced apart from one another and are connected together by the transverse tube 18. In the present case, the transverse tube 18 is arranged in a rear region of the seat frame 6. In a front region of the seat frame 6, the two seat frame side parts 7 are preferably connected together by a front cross member.

[0048] On both seat sides, a first rotary joint I (when viewed in the transverse direction y) pivotably connects in each case the base 16 to the respective rear rocker 14. On both seat sides, a second rotary joint II pivotably connects in each case the respective rear rocker 14 to the seat frame 6. On both seat sides, a third rotary joint III pivotably connects in each case the seat frame 6 to the respective front rocker 12. On both seat sides, a fourth rotary joint IV pivotably connects in each case the front rocker 12 to the base 16. The rotary joints I, II, III, IV permit a rotary movement, respectively about an axis parallel to the transverse direction y.

[0049] A distance (a height) between the seat surface of the seat part 2 and the vehicle floor (and thus the base 16) is adjustable by the height-adjustment kinematics 10.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows the constituent parts of the adjusting device 100 according to the invention of the vehicle seat 1. The adjusting device 100 has a tube 102, a motor 110, a gear mechanism 120 and a pinion 130. After the adjusting device 100 has been mounted in the vehicle seat 1, the pinion 130 is in toothed engagement with a toothed segment 140 of the vehicle seat (1) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The motor 110, the gear mechanism 120 and the pinion 130 are arranged in the tube 102. By activating the motor 110, the pinion 130 is rotatable and rollable on the toothed segment 140.

[0051] After the adjusting device 100 has been mounted in the vehicle seat 1, the adjusting device 100 is a constituent part of the vehicle seat 1.

[0052] In the present case, the tube 102 of the adjusting device 100 is used as a transverse tube 18 of the vehicle seat 1. After the adjusting device 100 has been mounted in the vehicle seat 1, the tube 102 is thus identical to the transverse tube 18 which in the present case is both a constituent part of the adjusting device 100 and of the seat frame 6 of the vehicle seat 1. Preferably, the adjusting device 100 is a unit which is capable of being tested even before being mounted in the vehicle seat (1). Alternatively, the transverse tube 18 is mounted in the seat frame 6 before the adjusting device 100 is mounted.

[0053] The motor 110 is preferably an electric motor. The motor 110 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The motor 110 fills substantially entirely a cross section of the tube 102. The motor 110 is secured, preferably positively secured, against rotation in the tube 102.

[0054] In the present case the gear mechanism 120 is a multi-stage planetary gear. In the present case the gear mechanism 120 has a first gear stage 121, a second gear stage 122, and a third gear stage 123. The gear mechanism 120 may, however, in modifications of the exemplary embodiment have a number of gear stages deviating therefrom, for example exactly one gear stage. In a further modification of the exemplary embodiment, the gear mechanism may be dispensed with and the motor may directly drive the pinion.

[0055] Each of the three gear stages 121, 122, 123 is configured as a planetary gear. In a manner known per se, each of the three gear stages 121, 122, 123 has a sun gear, three planet gears and a ring gear. An output pinion of the motor 110 may be the sun gear of the first gear stage 121. The pinion 130 may be driven by the third gear stage 123. The ring gears of the three gear stages 121, 122, 123 are preferably rotatably mounted in the tube 102. In each case, two adjacent ring gears of the three gear stages 121, 122, 123 may be mounted on one another.

[0056] The pinion 130 is able to be driven by the motor 110 via the gear mechanism 120. The pinion 130 has a diameter which is less than an internal diameter of the tube 102. The pinion 130 is rotatably arranged in the tube 102. The tube 102 has an opening 20 in the region of the pinion 130.

[0057] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the adjusting device 100 according to the invention installed in the vehicle seat 1 of FIG. 1. The tube 102 of the adjusting device 102 is identical to the transverse tube 18 of the vehicle seat (1). In the present case, the transverse tube 18 is arranged by way of example in the region of the second rotary joint II. The transverse tube 18 may be alternatively arranged in a region of one of the other rotary joints I, III, IV. In the present case, one respective end of the rear rocker 14 of the four link arrangement (I, II, III, IV) is fixedly connected to the transverse tube 18. The transverse tube 18 is rotatably mounted in the two seat frame side parts 7 of the seat frame 6, in particular on both sides, in each case in a collar of the respective seat frame side part 7. The two second rotary joints II are thus formed by the transverse tube 18 and the two seat frame side parts 7, preferably with the interposition of a bearing bush.

[0058] The toothed segment 140 has a toothing which is in toothed engagement with the pinion 130. In a mounted state of the vehicle seat 1, the toothed segment 140 is inserted in some sections through the opening 20 into the transverse tube 18. The motor 110 serves to drive the pinion 130 and thus to drive a rolling movement between the pinion 130 and the toothed segment 140.

[0059] In the present case, the toothed segment 140 is a curved toothed segment. In the present case, the toothed segment 140 has a toothing running in a circular segment-shaped manner. The centre point of the curvature of the toothing of the toothed segment 140 coincides with the first rotary joint I of the vehicle seat 1, the rear rocker 14 being rotatable about said first rotary joint. The toothed segment 140 is fixedly connected to the base 16. When the pinion 130 is driven, the tube 102 of the adjusting device 100 (the transverse tube 18) travels along the toothing of the toothed segment 140. In this case, the transverse tube 18 entrains the rear rocker 14 which is connected fixedly to the transverse tube 18, and pivots this rear rocker about the first rotary joint I of the vehicle seat 1. As a result, a movement of the height-adjustment kinematics 10 takes place and thus a change to the height adjustment of the vehicle seat 1.

[0060] FIGS. 5 and 6 show further views of the vehicle seat 1 of FIG. 1.

[0061] The backrest 4 of the vehicle seat 1 has on each seat side a backrest frame side part 8. In the present case, the vehicle seat 1 has a calf support 200. The calf support 200 may also be adjustable by an adjusting device according to the invention.

[0062] The features disclosed in the present description, the claims and the drawings may be important both individually and in combination for the implementation of the invention in the various embodiments thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0063] 1 Vehicle seat

[0064] 2 Seat part

[0065] 4 Backrest

[0066] 5 Fitting

[0067] 6 Seat frame

[0068] 7 Seat frame side part

[0069] 8 Backrest frame side part

[0070] 10 Adjustment kinematics (height-adjustment kinematics)

[0071] 12 Front rocker

[0072] 14 Rear rocker

[0073] 16 Base

[0074] 18 Transverse tube

[0075] 20 Opening

[0076] 100 Adjusting device

[0077] 102 Tube

[0078] 110 Motor

[0079] 120 Gear mechanism

[0080] 121 First gear stage

[0081] 122 Second gear stage

[0082] 123 Third gear stage

[0083] 130 Pinion

[0084] 140 Toothed segment

[0085] 200 Calf support

[0086] I First rotary joint

[0087] II Second rotary joint

[0088] III Third rotary joint

[0089] IV Fourth rotary joint

[0090] x Longitudinal direction

[0091] y Transverse direction

[0092] z Vertical direction