LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTER FOR A VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

Longitudinal, adjuster (27) having an outer and an Inner rail (50, 51), characterized in that the outer rail (50) has a structural element (53) which absorbs vertical forces and has a flexible element which biases a rolling body (52) against the inner rail (51).

Description

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat.

FIGS. 2-5 schematically show the longitudinal adjuster according to the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 is in the form of a conventional vehicle seat and comprises at least a seat part 2 and a backrest 3. Furthermore, the vehicle seat 1 has a conventional longitudinal adjuster 4, by means of which the vehicle seat 1 is coupled to a bodywork structure of a vehicle (not illustrated).

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the cross-section of a longitudinal adjuster having an outer rail 30 and an inner rail 31. Rolling bodies 52 are arranged between the rails 50, 51, in each case in the upper and lower region. According to the invention, the outer rail 50 has a structural element 53 which interacts with a structural element which is arranged preferably integrally on the inner rail, and as a result absorbs vertical and/or lateral forces. The structural element 53 has a high rigidity and does not deform during the assembly of the inner- and outer rail. Preferably, the structural element 53 provides a contact surface for the rolling bodies. Furthermore, according to the invention, the outer rail has an elastic region 54 which interacts with the rolling bodies 52, in particular the rolling bodies arranged in the upper region of the rail according to the invention, and biases them against the inner rail 51. Preferably, the elastic element deforms elastically during the assembly of the inner- and the outer rail. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the elastic regions 54 are provided in each case integrally with the outer rail 50, it can be seen that the structural element 53 an be provided in different regions of the outer rail. Preferably, the elastic region 54 comprises an area 68 with reduces material material thickness and or an arm like region 68, which deforms at comparatively little forces. Preferably, the outer and the inner rail are produced in each case from a lightweight material, in particular aluminium, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic and/or plastic composite materials or the like, preferably as an extruded component.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, reference can be made essentially to the statements as per FIG. 2, although in the present case the elastic element 54 is not provided integrally with the outer rail. In the present case, the rail has an additional element 54 which biases the rolling bodies 52 against the inner rail.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, a rolling and/or sliding body cage 55 is provided between the outer rail 50 and the inner rail 51 and is connected preferably to the inner rail, in particular in a displaceable manner, and is configured such that it biases the inner rail against the outer rail both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction. The rolling/sliding body cage (spring cage) made out of flexible material tor example spring steel) installed on the inner rail, one end is fixed and another is free to deflect. Having one end free allows to generate relatively low normal forces, which means low slide effort. After rails are assembled, then the other end should be fixed, which provide required rigidity for whole system and et the same time low sliding effort. Preferably, the cage comprises at least one region 67 with a reduced friction. Preferably, the inner rail comprises indetations 64. The cage is preferably fixed to the resulting convexities 65. Preferably, the cage 55 is designed to absorb forces hi two directions, which are perpendicular to each other.

As can be seen particular from FIG. 5, the longitudinal adjuster according to the invention has preferably a locking element 56. FIG. 5a illustrates the locking element in its locking state. FIG. 5b shows the unlocked state of the locking element 56.

The inner rail is pre assembled, in the present case with two rolling and/or sliding body cages (spring cages) made out of flexible material, preferably spring steel. Each has one end free and another fixed to inner rail. The fixed end of one of the spring cage is, in the present case, located at the front of the rail and another spring cage has a fixed end on the rear of the rail, The free ends of the both spring rages are located toward the middle of the rail. Also, the rail has a locking element 56, which can lock/fix (prevent movement) of the free ends of both spring cages. This looking element is preferably synchronized with the main latching device (which handles the structural load and prevents the inner rail from moving relative to outer rail). Which means, when the longitudinal adjuster requires an adjustment, the main latch is released and preferably, each spring cage locking element is released as well which means ends of the spring cages are again free and as function of it, the sliding effort is low, which allows to adjust the track with low sliding effort. As soon, as required adjustment completed, then the main latch and preferably the spring cage irking element return to locking mode, which provide required system rigidity and prevent relative movement between inner and outer rails.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

Vehicle seat

Seat part

Backrest

Longitudinal adjusting device

inclination adjusting apparatus

Adjusting lever

27 Longitudinal adjustment rail

Deformation region

Outer rail

inner rail

Rolling body

Structural element

Flexible element

Roiling body cage

Lock

Cable pull, Bowden cable

Guide

Height adjuster

Force transmission means

Lock of the two rails

Indentation 64

Convexity

Upper end of the inner rail

Low friction region

Reduced material thickness; arm-like area

Claims

1. A longitudinal adjuster having an outer and an inner rail, wherein the outer rail has a structural element which absorbs vertical forces and has a flexible element which biases a rolling body against the inner rail.

2. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element is provided integrally with the outer rail and/or as a separate component.

3. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1 wherein it is produced from a lightweight building material.

4. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, including a rolling and/or sliding body cage which is comprised of flexible material and arranged in between the inner and outer rail, wherein the rolling and/or sliding body cage is formed in a resilient manner.

5. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 4 wherein the rolling and/or sliding body cage is connected to the inner rail, wherein one end of the cage has zero degrees of freedom relative to inner rail and the other end of the rolling and/or sliding body cage has at least one degree of freedom and the second end is fixed to the inner rail.

6. A longitudinal adjuster having an outer and an inner rail and at least one or more rolling and/or sliding body cage(s) wherein each are made out of flexible material and arranged in between the inner and the outer rail, further including a lock which prevents the rolling or sliding body cage(s) from moving relative to the inner rail.

7. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1 wherein it is produced from aluminium, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic end/or plastic composite materials.

8. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 5 wherein only after the assembly of the inner and outer rails the second end is reversibly fixed to the inner rail

9. The longitudinal adjuster according to claim 6 which includes two or more roiling and/or sliding body cage(s).