This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 014 333.5, filed Mar. 18, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The technical field relates to a locking device for locking and/or releasing a longitudinal movement of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, comprising at least one unlocking device for locking or unlocking the seat, and at least one actuating unit, which is operationally linked to the at least one unlocking device. Furthermore, the technical field relates to a seat moving device for moving a seat in the longitudinal direction, in particular a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle, having a lock for locking and/or releasing a longitudinal movement of a seat. In addition, the technical field also relates to a vehicle seat having a moving system for moving the vehicle seat and the longitudinal direction, a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle seat device, and a method for handling a seat, in particular a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, in which the seat is movable in the longitudinal direction after unlocking.
Moving devices for seats, in particular for vehicle seats, are generally known. The adjustment of the seats in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the viewing direction of a person sitting on the seat, is triggered by with an actuating unit. Locking systems are known for locking the seat in a specific position. However, the actuating unit and the locking system are not secured against unintentional triggering of the seat adjustment, for example, during installation of the seat.
WO 02/14102 A1 describes a longitudinal adjustment device for motor vehicle seats, in which the seat is fastened on each seat longitudinal side on slide rails, which are displaceably arranged in vehicle-fixed guide rails. Each slide rail has a locking device, which can be disengaged from the connection with the guide rail, and which comprises an unlocking lever pivotably supported on each slide rail for the transfer into a release location, the lever being adjusted via spars of an actuating element mounted on the slide rails. The transmission of a positioning torque exerted on the actuating element to the spars occurs via a compensation gear with decoupling of the spars from one another. In this way, each spar can be moved into the release location up to the final transfer of the locking device. The locking device prevents displacement of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction through an engagement in the slide rail. Separate securing or blocking of the movement is not provided in this case.
It is therefore at least one object to provide a locking device and a seat moving device for a seat, in which unintentional movement of the seat can be prevented by blocking of the seat movement. In particular, it is at least one object invention to provide a vehicle seat and a motor vehicle therefor, as well as a method for the longitudinal movement of a seat. In addition, other objects, desirable features, and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
A locking device is provided for locking and/or releasing a longitudinal movement of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, comprising at least one unlocking device for locking or unlocking the seat, and at least one actuating unit, which is operationally linked to the at least one unlocking device, it is provided that at least one blocking device is provided for blocking the longitudinal movement, in particular independently of an actuation of the unlocking device and/or the actuating unit. A longitudinal movement is understood as a movement of the seat in the viewing direction of a person seated on the seat, i.e., forward and/or backward. The longitudinal movement therefore preferably occurs in a vehicle longitudinal direction, at least in the case of a driver's seat. Other movement directions are also implementable in the case of other seats.
The unlocking device is implemented in one piece in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the unlocking device is implemented in multiple parts, in particular two or three parts. For example, the unlocking device is implemented in the form of a pin or clamp. The unlocking device fixes the seat in a specific longitudinal position. For this purpose, the unlocking device preferably engages in a rail system, via which the seat is movable. Upon unblocking of the unlocking device, the seat is movable in the longitudinal direction. Upon blocking, the seat is not movable in the longitudinal direction.
The actuating unit is implemented either in one piece or multiple parts. The actuating unit is advantageously implemented in multiple parts, in particular two or three parts. For example, the actuating unit is implemented as a lever or crank. The actuating unit is advantageously operationally linked to the unlocking unit. For example, multiple unlocking units can be actuated simultaneously and/or jointly via the actuating unit. The unlocking device is unlockable or blockable with the actuating unit, so that a movement of the seat is made possible or prevented. The blocking device is implemented in such a manner that it prevents unlocking independently of the actuation of the actuating unit. In other words, the blocking device functions as a switch, which turns on and off the function of the unlocking device and/or the actuating unit. In this way, it is possible, for example, in the event of an installation and/or removal of a vehicle seat having unlocking device, to block the unlocking device, so that accidents do not occur here because of an unintentional actuation of the unlocking device.
In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one blocking device is coupled to the at least one actuating unit and/or the at least one unlocking device for the blocking. The blocking device is advantageously coupled or operationally linked to the actuating unit. In one embodiment, the blocking device and the actuating unit are implemented integrally. In other embodiments, the blocking device and the actuating unit are implemented separately and are operationally linked to one another and are therefore implemented in multiple parts. In another embodiment, the blocking device is coupled or operationally linked to the unlocking device. In one embodiment, the blocking device and the unlocking device are implemented integrally. In other embodiments, the blocking device and the unlocking device are implemented separately and are operationally linked to one another and are therefore implemented in multiple parts. In still another embodiment, the blocking device is operationally linked to the actuating unit and the unlocking device. The actuating unit and the unlocking device are advantageously coupled to one another and therefore operationally linked.
The coupling is implemented indirectly via the blocking device in the embodiment. By switching the blocking device, the operational link between actuating unit and unlocking device can therefore be canceled or coupled. Therefore, the operational link can be canceled or implemented by switching the blocking device. By means of the blocking device, the respective component connected to the blocking device is blockable or unblockable in its function, independently of its actuation. Therefore, the longitudinal movement of the seat can finally be prevented or executed by the blocking unit, and the seat is lockable in its respective longitudinal position.
In another embodiment, it is provided that the at least one blocking device comprises a blocking element, which is mounted so it is movable between at least one blocking position and at least one release position. The movement of the blocking element is implemented in one embodiment as a translational movement, in another embodiment as a rotational movement, and in still another embodiment as both a translational movement and a rotational movement. Therefore, the blocking element has a degree of movement freedom from one degree of freedom up to six degrees of freedom (three translation degrees of freedom and three rotational degrees of freedom) depending on the respective embodiment. Alternatively, the blocking element is also implemented as telescoping and/or changeable in its shape. The various types of movement are arbitrarily combinable with one another. The blocking element is implemented in one piece in a preferred embodiment. In another embodiment, the blocking element is implemented in multiple parts, in particular two or three parts. For example, the blocking element is implemented as a block. If the blocking element is located in a release position, the longitudinal movement of the seat is possible through actuation of the actuating unit and therefore unlocking of the unlocking device. As soon as the blocking element is located in a blocking position, however, the longitudinal movement of the seat is blocked.
In one embodiment, it is provided that the blocking element is implemented as mounted so it is movable in the direction of the longitudinal movement of the seat. In still another embodiment, it is provided that the blocking element is implemented as mounted so it is movable transversely to the longitudinal movement of the seat. The movement of the blocking element in the movement direction of the seat preferably occurs in a translational and/or rotational manner, alternatively, a telescoping movement occurs. The blocking element is advantageously mounted so it is rotatable around a rotational axis, and otherwise is fixed in place, for the movable mounting.
The rotational axis is arranged transversely or longitudinally to the direction of the longitudinal movement of the seat in accordance with the movement direction of the blocking element relative to the movement direction of the seat. The mounting of the blocking element is, for example, as a radial bearing, friction bearing, ball bearing, roller bearing, and/or rail.
In a further embodiment, at least one fixing unit is provided, in order to lock the blocking element in the blocking position and/or the release position. In one embodiment, the fixing unit is arranged directly on the blocking device and/or the blocking element or integrated therein, i.e., implemented in one piece. By means of the fixing unit, unintentional rotation of the blocking unit between a release position and a blocking position or disengagement of the blocking unit from its respective position is avoidable. The fixing unit is also, for example, implemented on the actuating unit or on a vehicle-side component, for example, a rail guide for the seat. The fixing unit is implemented in one piece in one embodiment, for example, as a clamp. In another embodiment, the fixing unit is implemented in multiple parts, in particular two or three parts. For example, one part of the fixing unit is implemented on the blocking unit and another part on the actuating unit.
A tool-triggered rotation of the blocking unit is advantageously possible. In particular, it is advantageous to rotate the blocking element from the blocking position into the release position in a tool-triggered manner The blocking element has an engagement point for this purpose. In one embodiment, the engagement point is implemented on the mount of the blocking element, for example, as a square screw head or hexagonal socket. In another embodiment, the engagement point is implemented on one side of the blocking element.
Furthermore, a seat moving device is provided for moving a seat in a longitudinal direction, in particular a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle, having a lock for locking and/or releasing a longitudinal movement of the seat, it is provided that the seat moving device is implemented in one embodiment as described above. In one embodiment, the seat moving device comprises at least one seat-side rail unit, which can slide relatively along at least one vehicle-side complementary rail unit. The relative sliding movement of the rail units to one another is blockable and unblockable with the locking device, so that a movement is prevented or allowed. For this purpose, for example, an engagement in a corresponding opening of the rail units occurs, so that they are immovable relative to one another.
A longitudinal movement of the seat can be executed with the actuating unit through a disengagement of the unlocking device. The seat then slides over the seat-slide rail unit relative to the vehicle-side complementary rail unit. The rail units are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the seat, so that a movement in the longitudinal direction is possible. Other orientations are also implementable. The longitudinal movement is advantageously only possible when the blocking element is oriented in the release position. The blocking element therefore allows unblocking of the unlocking device by the actuating unit. When the actuating unit is released, the unlocking device fixes the seat in its respective position on the rail units, in that the sliding is blocked, even if the blocking element is located in the release position. This is performed by blocking, for example, i.e., by engagement of the unlocking unit in the rail units which can slide relative to one another. If the blocking element is rotated into the blocking position, unblocking of the unlocking device by the actuating unit is prevented, so that the seat is fixed in its respective position, i.e., is not longitudinally movable. In another embodiment, the blocking element blocks the movement of the seat by blocking of the unlocking device. Sliding of the rail units against one another is thus prevented.
A vehicle seat is provided that has a movement system for moving the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction, it is provided that the movement system is implemented in one embodiment as the above-described seat moving device. In the case of a vehicle seat having the above-described seat moving device, the fixing of the seat in a specific position is executable independently of an actuation of the actuating unit. The vehicle seats are individual seats or bench seats, for example. A vehicle seat is advantageously mounted so it can slide on both longitudinal sides in each case on a pair of two complementary rail units. In one embodiment, the locking device is implemented on one side, i.e., only on one rail unit pair, in another embodiment, it is implemented on both sides. In a preferred embodiment, a blocking element is only implemented on one rail unit pair. Therefore, a longitudinal movement of the vehicle seat on the rail units advantageously occurs synchronously, i.e., the movement occurs uniformly on the rail units on both longitudinal sides of the vehicle seat.
In addition, a motor vehicle is provided that has at least one vehicle seat device, it is provided that the at least one vehicle seat device is implemented in one embodiment as the above-described vehicle seat. The vehicle can be, for example, a motor vehicle such as a sedan, jeep, caravan, SUV, or omnibus, or a rail vehicle such as a passenger train. The longitudinal direction of the seat movement relative to the vehicle is dependent on the orientation of the vehicle seat. In one embodiment, the vehicle seat is oriented having the viewing direction of the passenger in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the direction of the longitudinal movement then nearly corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In another embodiment, if the vehicle seat is installed having viewing direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the longitudinal movement of the seat is also transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis. Curved directions along a curved rail guide are also implementable, for example.
A method for handling a seat, in particular a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, in which the seat is movable in the longitudinal direction after unlocking, at least the step of blocking the movement of the seat in order to lock the vehicle seat in a position is provided. The method is advantageously executable during the installation and/or removal of a seat. It is ensured by means of the method having locking that the seat is arranged in the same position on the seat rails on both longitudinal sides during the installation and/or removal. By means of the blocking element, unintended and uneven movement of the seat is prevented, so that the movement of the seat advantageously occurs synchronously. Irregularities in the seat setting are therefore possibly not immediately noticeable and are only conspicuous to a customer upon use. An extensive description of the method during the installation of the seat is performed in the description of the figures.
In another embodiment, the method is also applicable in the case of an already installed seat. The blocking unit is also controllable via a radio signal or electronically, for example. A coupling to a door key or the actuation of the ignition key is thus implemented, for example.
Further measures that improve the embodiments are also provided or result from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are schematically shown in the figures. Uniform reference signs are used for identical or similar components or features. Features or components of various embodiments can be combined with one another to thus obtain further embodiments. All features and/or advantages from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangement, and method steps, may thus be essential to the invention per se and also in greatly varying combinations.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description.
The locking device 1 comprises one actuation unit 3 per rail unit 11 or 12. The actuating units 3 are connected by means of a transverse strut 102 for stabilization and for the operational linkage, since the locking device 1 is only implemented on one side of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the locking device 1 comprises an unlocking device 4. The actuating unit 3 and the unlocking device 4 are operationally linked, i.e., through an actuation of the actuating unit 3, the unlocking device 4 unblocks or blocks the sliding of the rail units 11 and 12 against one another. The locking device 1 further comprises a blocking device implemented as a blocking element 2. The blocking element 2 is mounted so it is rotatable on the actuating unit 3. In
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While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and 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 in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and 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 as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2011 014 333.5 | Mar 2011 | DE | national |