Seat for motor vehicles

• US 6,382,491 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Hauser, Gerhard, Kohfink, Hermann, Lidak, Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US09/637,861
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.05, 296/65.09, 296/65.18, 297/334, 297/335, 297/15
• US Class Current: 296/65.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/045 Longitudinal adjustment by means of articulated rods supporting the seat, e.g. parallelogram mechanisms B60N2/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/309 rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/967 the locking system prevents tilt of whole seat by retaining and locking the seat in a vertical storage position

Abstract

A vehicle seat has a bottom part which is supported by a front leg and a back leg on the vehicle floor. Bottom ends of the legs are mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor and the top ends of the legs are mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat. The seat has a seat-adjustment device operable to adjust the seat between two positions in the direction of a seat longitudinal axis running from the back towards the front. This seat-adjustment device has a tube which is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor, and a rod which is mounted in the tube in such a manner that it can be adjusted in two directions and is pivotably mounted on the bottom part of the seat. The seat-adjustment device has a locking device which fixes the tube and the rod in axial positions relative to one another, which positions are each associated with one of the seat positions.

Claims

1. Seat for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a bottom part which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, a bottom end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to a seat transverse axis which runs transversely with respect to a seat longitudinal axis running from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, a top end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to the seat transverse axis, and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, and

a seat-adjustment device operable to adjust the seat between at least two positions in a direction of the seat longitudinal axis, the seat-adjustment device having at least one strut, which at one end is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor, and at the other end is mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to the seat transverse axis, the strut being of adjustable length, a seat position being set by setting an associated strut length, the strut having a tube and a rod which is mounted in the tube in such a manner that the rod can be adjusted in two directions,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a locking device which can be adjusted between an activated state, in which the tube and the rod are fixed relative to one another in axial positions which are each associated with one of the seat positions, and a deactivated state, in which the rod can be adjusted in two directions in the tube,

wherein the locking device has a slide bush which is fixedly connected to the tube, in which said slide bush the rod is mounted in such a manner that the rod can be adjusted in a controlled manner in the axial direction, and in which at least one radial aperture is formed in an axial plane,

wherein a locking element, is accommodated in each said radial aperture, said locking element being mounted in the aperture in such a manner that the locking element can be adjusted in the radial direction, the radial extent of the locking element being greater than the radial extent of the aperture,

wherein each of the axial positions between the tube and the rod, which can be fixed by the locking device is assigned the axial plane on the rod, in which said axial plane at least one radial depression is formed into which the locking elements can penetrate in the radial direction, the radial extent of the depressions being shorter than the radial extent of the locking element,

wherein the locking device has a rotary sleeve which is fitted coaxially onto an outside of the slide bush and is mounted on the slide bush in such a manner that the locking device can be adjusted rotationally between a securing position and a release position,

wherein, in the axial plane for each said locking element, a radial recess is provided in an inner wall of the rotary sleeve, the radial extent of each of said recesses is at least as great as the radial extent of the depressions in the rod,

wherein, in the release position, the radial recesses are flush with the radial apertures, so that each said locking element can be freely adjusted in the radial direction between the respective depression and recess, and

wherein, in the securing position, the inner wall of the rotary sleeve covers the at least one radial aperture and thereby secures the corresponding locking element in the associated depression in the rod.

2. Seat according to claim 1, wherein the locking device has spring means which preload the rotary sleeve into the securing position thereof.

3. Seat according to claim 1,

wherein the radial recesses in the rotary sleeve, have a ramp profile in the circumferential direction configured in such a manner that a moment which acts on the rotary sleeve in the direction of the securing position transmits a radially inwardly acting force to the locking element which bears against the ramp profile.

4. Seat according to claim 2,

wherein the radial recesses in the rotary sleeve, have a ramp profile in the circumferential direction configured in such a manner that a moment which acts on the rotary sleeve in the direction of the securing position transmits a radially inwardly acting force to the locking element which bears against the ramp profile.

5. Seat according to one of claim 1,

wherein the strut of the seat-adjustment device at one end is mounted pivotably in the region of the bottom end of the back leg and at the other end is mounted pivotably in the region of the top end of the front leg (6).

6. Seat according to one of claim 2,

wherein the strut of the seat-adjustment device at one end is mounted pivotably in the region of the bottom end of the back leg and at the other end is mounted pivotably in the region of the top end of the front leg.

7. Seat according to one of claim 3,

wherein the strut of the seat-adjustment device at one end is mounted pivotably in the region of the bottom end of the back leg and at the other end is mounted pivotably in the region of the top end of the front leg.

8. Seat according to claim 1,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a securing device which, in an activated state, limits the adjustment movements of the seat, with the locking device unlocked, in the forward direction at a forward seat position and which in a deactivated state allows a seat adjustment which goes beyond the forward seat position in the forward direction and in which the seat simultaneously moves downwards and, on reaching a forward and lower limit position, is in an out-of-use position.

9. Seat according to claim 2,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a securing device which, in an activated state, limits the adjustment movements of the seat, with the locking device unlocked, in the forward direction at a forward seat position and which in a deactivated state allows a seat adjustment which goes the this forward seat position in the forward direction and in which the seat simultaneously moves downwards and, on reaching a forward and lower limit position, is in an out-of-use position.

10. Seat according to claim 3,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a securing device which, in an activated state, limits the adjustment movements of the seat, with the locking device unlocked, in the forward direction at a forward seat position and which in a deactivated state allows a seat adjustment which goes beyond the forward seat position in the forward direction and in which the seat simultaneously moves downwards and, on reaching a forward and lower limit position, is in an out-of-use position.

11. Seat for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a bottom part which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, a bottom end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to a seat transverse axis which runs transversely with respect to a seat longitudinal axis running from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, a top end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to the seat transverse axis, and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, and

a seat-adjustment device operable to adjust the seat between at least two positions in a direction of the seat longitudinal axis, the seat-adjustment device having at least one strut, which at one end is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor, and at the other end is mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to the seat transverse axis, the strut being of adjustable length, a seat position being set by setting an associated strut length, the strut having a tube and a rod which is mounted in the tube in such a manner that the rod can be adjusted in two directions,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a locking device which can be adjusted between an activated state, in which the tube and the rod are fixed relative to one another in axial positions which are each associated with one of the seat positions, and a deactivated state, in which the rod can be adjusted in two directions in the tube, and

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a securing device which, in an activated state, limits the adjustment movements of the seat, with the locking device unlocked, in the forward direction at a forward seat position and which in a deactivated state allows a seat adjustment which goes beyond the forward seat position in the forward direction and in which the seat simultaneously moves downwards and, on reaching a forward and lower limit position, is in an out-of-use position.

12. Seat according to claim 11,

wherein the securing device has a securing catch which is arranged on an outside of the tube of the strut and, when the securing device is in the activated state, engages through an opening formed in the tube into an axial cutout formed in the rod of the strut, at least one axial end of the cutout interacting as a stop with the securing catch and limiting the adjustability between the tube and the rod when the locking device is in an unlocked state, the securing catch being able to move out of the cutout in order to deactivate the securing device.

13. Seat for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a bottom part which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, a bottom end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to a seat transverse axis which runs transversely with respect to a seat longitudinal axis running from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, a top end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to the seat transverse axis, and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, and

a seat-adjustment device operable to adjust the seat between at least two positions in a direction of the seat longitudinal axis, the seat-adjustment device having at least one strut, which at one end is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor, and at the other end is mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to the seat transverse axis, the strut being of adjustable length, a seat position being set by setting an associated strut length, the strut having a tube and a rod which is mounted in the tube in such a manner that the rod can be adjusted in two directions,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a locking device which can be adjusted between an activated state, in which the tube and the rod are fixed relative to one another in axial positions which are each associated with one of the seat positions, and a deactivated state, in which the rod can be adjusted in two directions in the tube,

wherein the strut of the seat-adjustment device at one end is mounted pivotably in the region of the bottom end of the back leg and at the other end is mounted pivotably in the region of the top end of the front leg, and

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a securing device which, in an activated state, limits the adjustment movements of the seat, with the locking device unlocked, in the forward direction at a forward seat position and which in a deactivated state allows a seat adjustment which goes beyond the forward seat position in the forward direction and in which the seat simultaneously moves downwards and, on reaching a forward and lower limit position, is in an out-of-use position.

14. Seat for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a bottom part which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, a bottom end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to a seat transverse axis which runs transversely with respect to a seat longitudinal axis running from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, a top end of the front leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor parallel to the seat transverse axis, and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat parallel to the seat transverse axis, and

a seat-adjustment device operable to adjust the seat between at least two positions in a direction of the seat longitudinal axis, the seat-adjustment device having at least one strut, which at one end is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor, and at the other end is mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to the seat transverse axis, the strut being of adjustable length, a seat position being set by setting an associated strut length, the strut having a tube and a rod which is mounted in the tube in such a manner that the rod can be adjusted in two directions,

wherein the seat-adjustment device has a locking device which can be adjusted between an activated state, in which the tube and the rod are fixed relative to one another in axial positions which are each associated with one of the seat positions, and a deactivated state, in which the rod can be adjusted in two directions in the tube,

wherein the seat has an entry-aid device which makes the seat adjustable between an in-use position, in which the seat can be used as intended, and an entry position, in which the seat has been pivoted forwards, with respect to the in-use position, about a pivot axis in the direction of the seat longitudinal axis which runs from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, and thus facilitates access to a space arranged behind the seat, and

wherein the entry-aid device has a retaining device which in an activated state secures a telescopic rod in a retracted position, associated with the in-use position, and in a deactivated state allows the length of the telescopic rod to be adjusted in order to pivot the seat.

15. Seat for a motor vehicle, having a bottom part, which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, the back leg being formed by a telescopic rod of adjustable length, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to a seat transverse axis running transversely to a seat longitudinal axis, the bottom part of the seat being mounted pivotably, in a front region, relative to the vehicle floor, about a pivot axis running parallel to the seat transverse axis,

wherein the seat has an entry-aid device which makes the seat adjustable between an in-use position, in which the seat can be used as intended, and an entry position, in which the seat has been pivoted forwards, with respect to the in-use position, about the pivot axis in the direction of the seat longitudinal axis which runs from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, and thus facilitates access to a space arranged behind the seat,

wherein the entry-aid device has a retaining device which in an activated state secures the telescopic rod in a retracted position, associated with the in-use position, and in a deactivated state allows the length of the telescopic rod to be adjusted in order to pivot the seat,

wherein the telescopic rod has an outer tube and an inner rod which can be retracted and extended coaxially with respect to the tube,

wherein one of the outer tube and inner rod is mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat and the other is mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor,

wherein, in a section facing towards a bearing point of the inner rod, at least one locking member is mounted on the inner rod in such a manner that the locking member can be adjusted in a radial direction,

wherein, in a section facing away from a bearing point of the outer tube, a radial locking socket is formed on the outer tube for each said locking member into said locking socket the corresponding locking member can engage in the radial direction when the inner rod has been retracted into the outer tube, and

wherein the retaining device has an actuator, with which the at least one locking member can be pulled out of the locking socket in order to deactivate the retaining device.

16. Seat according to claim 15,

wherein the retaining device has a spring which preloads the at least one locking member for engagement in the corresponding locking socket.

17. Seat according to claim 15.

wherein the retaining device has a substantially C-shaped spring clamp, which has two limbs which are connected to one another via a base, said limbs each serving as a locking member,

wherein the base of the spring clamp is attached to the inner rod in such a way that the limbs can be adjusted resiliently substantially in an axial plane, and

wherein the actuator acts on free ends of the limbs and, in order to deactivate the retaining device, the limbs move towards one another, counter to a spring force, the limbs moving out of the associated locking sockets.

18. Seat according to claim 16,

wherein the retaining device has a substantially C-shaped spring clamp which has two limbs which are connected to one another via a base, said limbs each serving as a locking member,

wherein the base of the spring clamp is attached to the inner rod in such a way that the limbs can be adjusted resiliently substantially in an axial plane, and

wherein the actuator acts on free ends of the limbs and, in order to deactivate the retaining device, the limbs move towards one another, counter to a spring force, the limbs moving out of the associated locking sockets.

19. Seat according to claim 15,

wherein the retaining device is formed on the telescopic rod.

20. Seat according to claim 16,

wherein the retaining device is formed on the telescopic rod.

21. Seat according to claim 17,

wherein the retaining device is formed on the telescopic rod.

22. Seat according to claim 18,

wherein the retaining device is formed on the telescopic rod.

23. Seat for a motor vehicle, having a bottom part, which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, the back leg being formed by a telescopic rod of adjustable length, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to a seat transverse axis running transversely to a seat longitudinal axis, the bottom part of the seat being mounted pivotably, in a front region, relative to the vehicle floor, about a pivot axis running parallel to the seat transverse axis,

wherein the seat has an entry-aid device which makes the seat adjustable between an in-use position, in which the seat can be used as intended, and an entry position, in which the seat has been pivoted forwards, with respect to the in-use position, about the pivot axis in the direction of the seat longitudinal axis which runs from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, and thus facilitates access to a space arranged behind the seat,

wherein the entry-aid device has a retaining device which in an activated state secures the telescopic rod in a retracted position, associated with the in-use position, and in a deactivated state allows the length of the telescopic rod to be adjusted in order to pivot the seat, and

wherein the retaining device is formed on the telescopic rod.

24. Seat for a motor vehicle, having a bottom part, which is supported in use by at least one front leg and at least one back leg on a vehicle floor, the back leg being formed by a telescopic rod of adjustable length, a bottom end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the vehicle floor and a top end of the back leg being mounted pivotably on the bottom part of the seat, in each case parallel to a seat transverse axis running transversely to a seat longitudinal axis, the bottom part of the seat being mounted pivotably, in a front region, relative to the vehicle floor, about a pivot axis running parallel to the seat transverse axis,

wherein the seat has an entry-aid device which makes the seat adjustable between an in-use position, in which the seat can be used as intended, and an entry position, in which the seat has been pivoted forwards, with respect to the in-use position, about the pivot axis in the direction of the seat longitudinal axis which runs from the back of the seat towards the front of the seat, and thus facilitates access to a space arranged behind the seat,

wherein the entry-aid device has a retaining device which in an activated state secures the telescopic rod in a retracted position, associated with the in-use position, and in a deactivated state allows the length of the telescopic rod to be adjusted in order to pivot the seat, and

wherein a pivot axis of a top end of a strut of the entry-aid device runs coaxially with respect to a pivot axis of a top end of the front leg.