U.S. patent application number 09/955327 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for supplemental locking mechanism for a longitudinal adjuster of a vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to KEIPER GMBH & CO. Invention is credited to Goy, Reinhard, Schaffling, Ulf, Strubel, Peter.
Application Number | 20020033625 09/955327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7656696 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020033625 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goy, Reinhard ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
Supplemental locking mechanism for a longitudinal adjuster of a
vehicle seat
Abstract
In a supplemental locking mechanism (11) for a longitudinal
adjuster of a vehicle seat, in particular for a longitudinal
adjuster of an automobile seat, wherein an upper rail (4) extends
for sliding movement in a lower rail (5) and is adapted for being
locked with same, the supplemental locking mechanism (11) being
inactive in the normal case, and locking the upper rail (4) with
the lower rail (5) only in the event of a crash. A part of a safety
belt system is arranged on a belt adapter (12), which is secured to
the upper rail (4), with the mounted component of the safety belt
system moving in the event of a crash at least one part (12'") of
the belt adapter (12) in a defined manner relative to the upper
rail (4) and to the lower rail (5), thereby engaging the
supplemental locking device (11).
Inventors: |
Goy, Reinhard;
(Kaiserlautern, DE) ; Schaffling, Ulf;
(Kaiserlautern, DE) ; Strubel, Peter; (Flonheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
KEIPER GMBH & CO
|
Family ID: |
7656696 |
Appl. No.: |
09/955327 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/344.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/4214 20130101;
B60N 2/085 20130101; B60N 2/42781 20130101; B60N 2/071 20130101;
B60N 2/0715 20130101; B60N 2/0732 20130101; B60N 2/0705 20130101;
B60N 2/43 20130101; B60N 2/0825 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/344.18 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/02; A47C
001/06; A47C 001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2000 |
DE |
100 46 203.0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supplemental locking mechanism for a vehicle seat that
includes a safety belt system and a longitudinal adjuster, with the
longitudinal adjuster having an upper rail mounted for moving
relative to a lower rail and for being locked with respect to the
lower rail, the supplemental locking mechanism comprising: a belt
adapter secured to the upper rail, wherein a component of the
safety belt system is mounted to the belt adapter and the belt
adapter is operative: to allow movement of the component of the
safety belt system relative to the upper rail in the event of a
crash, and so that the movement of the component of the safety belt
system causes at least one part of the belt adapter to move
relative to the upper and lower rails as a result of deformation of
a part of the belt adapter, with the movement of the part of the
belt adapter causing the supplemental locking mechanism to become
engaged and thereby lock the upper rail to restrict movement of the
upper rail relative to the lower rail, and wherein the supplemental
locking mechanism does not prevent movement of the upper rail
relative to the lower rail absent a crash.
2. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the part of the belt adapter that moves relative to the upper and
lower rails is associated with a locking element that is operative,
as a result of the crash, for formfittingly or frictionally
engaging the lower rail or a component integral with the lower rail
to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower
rail.
3. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the part of the belt adapter that moves relative to the upper and
lower rails is associated with a locking element that is operative,
as a result of the crash, for formfittingly and frictionally
engaging the lower rail or a component integral with the lower rail
to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower
rail.
4. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the part of the belt adapter that moves as a result of the crash is
associated with a locking element that is operative, as a result of
the crash, for engaging a component that is integral with the lower
rail to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower
rail, and wherein the component that is integral with the lower
rail is operative for undergoing a deformation in response to the
engaging.
5. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the belt adapter comprises a clamp that surrounds the upper and
lower rails and is moved as a result of the crash.
6. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
the clamp engages a deformable part, which is rigidly connected to
the lower rail, as a result of the crash.
7. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein
the deformable part rigidly connected to the lower rail is designed
and constructed as a locking brush with a plurality of projecting
locking fingers, and the locking brush extends along the lower rail
over an entire possible path of travel of the clamp.
8. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the part of the belt adapter that deforms is positioned between,
and has less stability than, a part of the belt adapter that is
mounted to the upper rail and the part of the belt adapter that
moves relative to the upper and lower rails as a result of the
crash.
9. A supplemental locking mechanism for a vehicle seat that
includes a safety belt system and a longitudinal adjuster, with the
longitudinal adjuster having an upper rail mounted for moving
relative to a lower rail and for being locked with respect to the
lower rail, the supplemental locking mechanism comprising: adapter
means secured to and rotatable relative to the upper rail, wherein
a component of the safety belt system is mounted to the adapter
means and the adapter means is for allowing movement of the
component of the safety belt system relative to the upper rail
substantially solely in the event of a crash of at least a
predetermined magnitude, so that the movement of the component of
the safety belt system causes the adapter means to rotate relative
to the upper and lower rails, with the rotation of the adapter
means causing the supplemental locking mechanism to become engaged
and thereby lock the upper rail to restrict movement of the upper
rail relative to the lower rail, and wherein the supplemental
locking mechanism does not prevent movement of the upper rail
relative to the lower rail absent a crash.
10. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein
the adapter means is a rotational lever with a shorter lever arm
and a longer lever arm that is longer than the shorter lever arm,
wherein the component of the safety belt system is mounted to the
shorter lever arm.
11. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein
the adapter means is mounted for pivoting about an upright axis
relative to the upper and lower rails.
12. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein
the adapter means is associated with a locking element that is
operative, as a result of the crash, for engaging the lower rail or
a component integral with the lower rail to restrict movement of
the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
13. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein
the belt adapter comprises a clamp that at least partially
surrounds the upper and lower rails and is moved as a result of the
crash.
14. A vehicle seat, comprising: a longitudinal adjuster having an
upper rail mounted for moving relative to a lower rail and for
being locked with respect to the lower rail; seat structure mounted
to the upper rail and movable with the upper rail relative to the
lower rail; and a supplemental locking mechanism including adapter
means secured to the upper rail, wherein a component of a safety
belt system is mounted to the adapter means and the adapter means
if for allowing movement of the component of the safety belt system
relative to the upper rail substantially solely in the event of a
crash of at least a predetermined magnitude, so that the movement
of the component of the safety belt system causes at least one part
of the adapter means to move relative to the upper and lower rails,
with the movement of the part of the adapter means causing the
supplemental locking mechanism to become engaged and thereby lock
the upper rail to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to
the lower rail, and wherein the supplemental locking mechanism does
not prevent movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail
absent a crash.
15. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein
the movement of the part of the adapter means that moves relative
to the upper and lower rails causes deformation of a part of the
adapter means.
16. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein
the adapter means comprises a clamp that at least partially
surrounds the upper and lower rails and is moved as a result of the
crash.
17. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein
the part of the adapter means that moves as a result of the crash
is associated with a locking element that is operative, as a result
of the crash, for engaging a deformable component of the lower rail
to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail,
and wherein the deformable component of the lower rail is operative
for undergoing a deformation in response to the engaging.
18. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 17, wherein
the deformable component of the lower rail is designed and
constructed as a locking brush with a plurality of projecting
locking fingers.
19. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein
the adapter means is secured to and rotatable relative to the upper
rail, so that the movement of the component of the safety belt
system causes the adapter means to rotate relative to the upper and
lower rails, with the rotation of the adapter means causing the
supplemental locking mechanism to become engaged and thereby lock
the upper rail to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to
the lower rail.
20. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 19, wherein
the adapter means is a rotational lever with a shorter lever arm
and a longer lever arm that is longer than the shorter lever arm,
wherein the component of the safety belt system is mounted to the
shorter lever arm.
21. A supplemental locking mechanism according to claim 19, wherein
the adapter means is mounted for pivoting about an upright axis
relative to the upper and lower rails.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a supplemental locking
mechanism for a longitudinal adjuster of a vehicle seat, in
particular for a longitudinal adjuster of an automobile seat.
[0002] Longitudinal adjusters of vehicle seats must be dimensioned
such that in the event of a crash, paired seat rails do not
disengage and locking mechanisms do not open. Otherwise, the
vehicle seat will separate from the vehicle structure, and
accelerate in the event of a crash. In the case of vehicle seats
with a manual lengthwise adjustability, it may further occur that
shortly before a crash, the seat user has accidentally released the
locking mechanism to readjust the vehicle seat. If a crash occurs,
the vehicle seat will be accelerated likewise in this event. Due to
the high relative speed, the locking mechanism will no longer be
able to engage, even when the locking lever is let go. In this
instance, the vehicle seat moves to its end stop and then abruptly
stops, which may cause injuries to the seat user. For this reason,
DE 35 36 545 A1 proposes to provide a supplemental locking
mechanism with a crash-sensitive inertia pendulum as a triggering
device. This solution is somewhat expensive in its manufacture,
since a high sensitivity requires precision machining of the
parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
improved supplemental locking mechanism is provided. In accordance
with this aspect, the supplemental locking mechanism is for a
vehicle seat that includes a safety belt system and a longitudinal
adjuster, with the longitudinal adjuster having an upper rail
mounted for moving relative to a lower rail and for being locked to
the lower rail. Further in accordance with this aspect, the
supplemental locking mechanism includes a belt adapter secured to
the upper rail, and a component of the safety belt system is
mounted to the belt adapter. More specifically, the belt adapter is
operative to allow movement of the component of the safety belt
system relative to the upper rail in the event of a crash. The belt
adapter is additionally operative so that the movement of the
component of the safety belt system causes at least one part of the
belt adapter to move relative to the upper and lower rails as a
result of the crash. The supplemental locking mechanism engages as
a result of the movement of the part of the belt adapter. While
engaged, the supplemental locking mechanism locks the upper rail to
restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail. In
contrast, the supplemental locking mechanism does not prevent
movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail absent a
crash
[0004] In the following, the term "locking" refers not only to a
formfitting engagement, but also to a frictional engagement, if
need arises. By mounting a component of a safety belt system to a
belt adapter secured to the upper rail, with the mounted part of
the safety belt system moving at least one part of the belt adapter
in a definable manner relative to the upper and lower rails, and
engaging the supplemental locking mechanism in the event of a
crash, a supplemental locking mechanism with a very sensitive crash
sensor is made available, which is simple and cost-favorable to
make because of the use of already existing components. The defined
movement of the belt adapter or of its part sees to a reliable
engagement of the supplemental locking mechanism.
[0005] Preferably the part of the belt adapter that is to be moved
in the event of a crash is associated with a locking element. The
locking element comes, as a result of the movement in the event of
a crash, into contact with the lower rail or a component rigidly
connected thereto, and cooperates with same while producing a
formfitting engagement and/or a frictional engagement for purposes
of locking. For a reliable transmission of force, the locking
element is made preferably integral to the belt adapter, but may
also be made separate and be separately supported, so long as it is
rigidly connected to the belt adapter. For a simpler production and
a better possibility of retrofitting, the part that is rigidly
connected to the lower rail is made as a separate component. Before
producing a formfitting and/or a frictional engagement for locking,
a deformation of components of the supplemental locking mechanism
may occur, which is used for degrading energy or for forming a part
of the defined movement. The defined movement of the part of the
belt adapter relative to the upper rail occurs in such preferred
cases by means of deforming the belt adapter. This is followed by
the engagement of the supplemental locking mechanism.
[0006] In a preferred construction, the belt adapter includes a
clamp, which surrounds the upper and the lower rails, and which is
moved in the event of a crash. The complete or almost complete
enclosure of the rails by the clamp provides for a better locking
engagement in the event of a crash. When the clamp is made integral
with the belt adapter, it is possible to make the belt adapter
simply as a stamped and bent metal part. In the event of a crash,
the clamp cooperates preferably with a deformable part rigidly
connected to the lower rail, so that with the exception of energy
degradation, there is still a proper formfitting engagement after
the deformation. The clamp itself sees to a suitably shaped
engagement with the lower rail. Preferably, the deformable part is
designed and constructed as a locking brush with a plurality of
projecting locking fingers. This locking brush extends along the
lower rail over the entire possible path of travel of the clamp,
and has good deforming capabilities. A deformability in sections
exists in any possible longitudinal position of the seat, which
increases safety.
[0007] Suitable for the defined movement of the belt adapter or its
part are, for example, a defined bending, or other deformation of
the belt adapter, or a defined rotation, or sliding of the belt
adapter. In the case of a defined rotation, the belt adapter is
supported, for example, for rotation. During the normal use, it is
secured in frictional engagement by a correspondingly great
friction torque or spring force, or in formfitting engagement by a
pin. In the event of a crash, the belt adapter will rotate only
when the crash forces overcome the friction torque or spring force,
or when they shear the pin. Stationary stops may limit the movement
of the belt adapter or its part. In the case of a defined bending,
an additional degradation of energy occurs. In the case of the
defined rotation, it is possible to obtain advantageous force
ratios by designing and constructing the belt adapter as a
rotational lever.
[0008] A vehicle seat of the present invention may include in its
longitudinal adjuster a supplemental locking mechanism on only one
seat side, preferably that with the belt buckle, or on each side of
the seat, i.e., in addition on the side with the pelvic belt mount.
It is also possible to retrofit finished vehicle seats with the
supplemental locking mechanism of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Having thus described the invention in general terms, in the
following, five embodiments of the present invention are described
in greater detail with reference to drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view, as seen obliquely from
the front of seat rails, which are provided on the right side of
the vehicle seat, according to a first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom view corresponding to FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat according
to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1, as seen from
the back without a rear foot;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial view of a second
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic partial view of a third
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic partial view of a fourth embodiment;
and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic partial view of a fifth
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0019] In the first embodiment, a vehicle seat 1 for an automobile
comprises a preferably manually actuatable longitudinal adjuster 3
with respectively an upper rail 4 integral with the seat structure
and a lower rail 5 integral with the vehicle structure on both
sides of the vehicle seat. The normal orientation of the vehicle
seat 1, which is designed and constructed as a driver seat, defines
the directions indicated in the following. Each upper rail 4
extends for movement as a slide bar in the associated lower rail 5
serving as a guide rail for adjusting the longitudinal position of
the seat in its longitudinal direction. The two rails 4 and 5
engage behind each other in a known manner. To secure the adjusted
longitudinal position of the seat, the longitudinal adjuster 3
comprises a main locking mechanism (not shown). In the following,
the otherwise symmetrically constructed longitudinal adjuster 3 is
described for the sake of simplicity only in the rear region of the
right side of the vehicle seat.
[0020] In case of a crash, the longitudinal adjuster 3 is provided
with a supplemental locking mechanism 11, which includes a belt
adapter 12 with a clamp 14 arranged at the rear end of upper rail
4, and a locking brush 15 arranged at the rear end of lower rail 5.
The belt adapter 12, which is made in one piece as a stamped and
bent metal part, successively includes in the longitudinal
direction of the rails (x-direction), an angular mounting section
12', which is secured with one leg by means of two screws to upper
rail 4, a bending section 12", which is a continuation of mounting
section 12' in two separated legs, and an angular adapter section
12'", which adjoins bending section 12', and to which a belt buckle
16 of a safety belt system is screwed.
[0021] The clamp 14 made integral with belt adapter 12 in the form
of a strip projects from adapter section 12'" laterally inward,
curves downward around upper rail 4, bends around the bottom of
lower rail 5 including locking brush 15 and a rear foot 17 serving
for the mounting to the vehicle floor, and bends again upward
around upper rail 4 toward the outer side of belt adapter 12. The
rear end of belt adapter 12 is arranged at a certain distance
within a stop clamp 18 mounted to upper rail 4.
[0022] The locking brush 15 is made of an elongate metal sheet,
which is slit several times on its two obliquely upwardly bent
longitudinal sides, so that a plurality of locking fingers 15' are
formed as "bristles" of locking brush 15. Together with rear foot
17, the locking brush 15 is screwed to lower rail 5. In the region
of locking brush 15, the lower rail 5 is spaced from the vehicle
floor so far that during the normal longitudinal adjustment of
vehicle seat 1, it is possible to move clamp 14 unimpeded between
locking brush 15 extending over its entire path of travel and the
vehicle floor. The supplemental locking mechanism 11 is therefore
inactive in the normal case.
[0023] In the event of a crash, a relative movement between the
seat user and vehicle seat 1 causes a pull in the safety belt,
which pulls buckle 16 upward relative to upper rail 4. Due to the
great bending moment, the belt adapter 12 yields in the region of
bending section 12" in a predetermined defined manner, i.e., the
belt adapter 12 bends in the z-direction such that mounting section
12' remains in contact with upper rail 4, while adapter section
12'" moves upward. As a result, the clamp 14 is likewise pulled
upward, so that corresponding to its width, it comes into contact
with some locking fingers 15', which are arranged within clamp 14
in the adjusted length position of the seat. Due to the great
forces, the clamp 14 bends these locking fingers 15' inward and
comes in the longitudinal direction of lower rail 5 by way of a
formfitting engagement into contact with adjacent locking fingers
15'.
[0024] The upward movement of adapter section 12'" and clamp 14 is
limited respectively by the adapter section 12'" coming into
contact with stop clamp 18, which forms an integral part of the
upper rail, or by clamp 14 contacting the downward extending
nonslitted portion of locking brush 15. Depending on the magnitude
of the crash forces, the vehicle seat 1 may still be caused to move
in the longitudinal direction. During this movement, it is possible
that the clamp 14 will break some locking fingers 15'. The bending
of bending section 12" and locking fingers 15' causes energy to
degrade to such a great extent that it prevents high acceleration
peaks for the seat user.
[0025] In a modified embodiment of the supplemental locking
mechanism, a frictional engagement is produced instead of the
formfitting engagement, for example, between the clamp and a
correspondingly roughened underside of the lower rail.
[0026] The embodiments two to five correspond substantially to the
first embodiment. For this reason, reference numerals, each time
increased by 100, have been selected for identical or identically
acting components, and only differences are described in the
following.
[0027] The supplemental locking device 111 of the second embodiment
comprises a belt adapter 112 in the form of a rotational lever,
which is arranged on the upper side of upper rail 104 such that
effective a certain torque, it rotates about the z-axis. In the
event of a crash, this torque that engages the shorter lever arm,
is applied by the force initiated via the belt buckle. As a result
of the defined rotation of belt adapter 112, the clamp 114 comes
into contact with the side wall of lower rail 105. Depending on the
construction, a frictional engagement is produced, or, if the side
wall of lower rail 105 includes a gear tooth section, as shown in
phantom lines in FIG. 5, a formfitting engagement will be produced,
which additionally locks the two rails 104 and 105,
respectively.
[0028] In the third embodiment, the supplemental locking mechanism
211 likewise comprises a belt adapter 212 as a rotational lever
arranged for rotation on upper rail 204. However, unlike the second
embodiment, it is rotatable about the y-axis. In the case of a
correspondingly great torque on belt adapter 212, same rotates in a
defined manner such that clamp 214 supported at both ends of the
axis of rotation comes into contact with the underside of lower
rail 205 and locks by frictional or formfitting engagement.
[0029] The fourth embodiment resembles the third embodiment.
However, in the case of this supplemental locking mechanism 311,
the belt adapter 312 mounts on its longer arm in the place of the
clamp, a locking comb 324, which is made integral therewith. As a
rotational lever, the belt adapter 312 is mounted to the upper rail
304 such that the locking comb 324 is able to swing downward
laterally from same about the y-axis. Below locking comb 324, a
claw strip 325 with several openings is welded to lower rail 305.
When, in the event of a crash, the belt adapter 312 rotates in a
defined manner because of the correspondingly great torque exerted
by the belt, the locking comb 324 will engage claw strip 325, i.e.,
it will lock in a formfitting engagement.
[0030] The fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. In
the case of this supplemental locking mechanism 411, the belt
adapter 412 is likewise mounted to the upper rail 404 for rotation
about the y-axis. An additional claw 426 extends in the interior of
upper rail 404 for sliding movement in the z-direction. The
additional claw 426 is provided with downward directed teeth, which
are aligned with a rack bar 427 that is mounted to lower rail 405.
The longer lever arm of belt adapter 412 lies against the upward
directed side of additional claw 426, for example, against suitably
shaped projections. When, in the event of a crash, the belt adapter
412 performs a defined rotation, it will push on additional claw
426, which in turn is pushed into rack bar 427, i.e., it will
generate a formfitting engagement for locking the rails in
addition.
[0031] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *