Seat back for a vehicle seat comprising an integrated protective device

• US 6,802,562 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Müller, Hans-Joachim, Hake, Ernst-Jürgen, Schmale, Gerhard, Strieder, Lutz
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDELL, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US10/049,698
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.12, 297/216.13, 297/216.14, 297/408
• US Class Current: 297/216.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/815 Release mechanisms, e.g. buttons
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/847 with stepwise positioning
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/282 Locking by means of special shape of work-engaging surfaces, e.g. notched or toothed nuts

Abstract

The invention concerns a seatback for a vehicle seat, having an integrated protective device. The protective device includes a device that generates a torque acting in a pivoting direction on an upper back part, a rear-end impact detector that is in effective connection with the torque-generating device in such a way that the device is activated in the event of the rear-end impact and the pivoting motion is initiated, and an immobilization device for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position.

Claims

1. A seatback for a vehicle seat, the seatback having an integrated protective device, comprising:

a lower back part adapted to be joined to a seat part;

an upper back part that is pivotable relative to the lower back part out of a normal use position, about an axis extending in the seatback transversely to a longitudinal vehicle axis, through an angular range in a pivoting direction pointing in a direction of vehicle travel, as a result of a torque acting in the pivoting direction, into a safety position;

a device for generating the torque, wherein the torque-generating device is constituted by a preloaded spring element or multiple preloaded spring elements;

means for detecting a rear-end impact; and

immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position;

wherein the device for generating the torque comprises a force storage device or an energy storage device acting irrespective of any occupancy of the vehicle seat, the means for detecting a rear-end impact comprising a vehicle crash sensor and the immobilization means comprising a lever system, the vehicle crash sensor being in effective connection with the force storage device or the energy storage device, and with the lever system constituting the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part, such that in the event of the rear-end impact, the retention of the upper back part in the normal use position is nullified, the force storage device or the energy storage device is activated, and the upper back part is pivoted in the pivoting direction.

2. The seatback of claim 1, wherein the spring element is constituted by a torsion spring arranged in the pivot axis.

3. The seatback of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a rear-end impact is in effective connection with the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position, and immobilization means is in effective connection with the torque-generating device, in such a way that in the event of the impact, the preloaded spring element is released by the immobilization means.

4. A seatback for a vehicle seat, the seatback having an integrated protective device, comprising:

a lower back part adapted to be joined to a seat part;

an upper back part that is pivotable relative to the lower back part out of a normal use position, about an axis extending in the seatback transversely to a longitudinal vehicle axis, through an angular range in a pivoting direction pointing in a direction of vehicle travel, as a result of a torque acting in the pivoting direction, into a safety position;

a device for generating the torque;

means for detecting a rear-end impact; and

immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position;

wherein the device for generating the torque comprises a force storage device or an energy storage device acting irrespective of any occupancy of the vehicle seat, the means for detecting a rear-end impact comprising a vehicle crash sensor and the immobilization means comprising a lever system, the vehicle crash sensor being in effective connection with the force storage device or the energy storage device, and with the lever system constituting the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part, such that in the event of the rear-end impact, the retention of the upper back part in the normal use position is nullified, the force storage device or the energy storage device is activated, and the upper back part is pivoted in the pivoting direction;

wherein the lever system of the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position is constituted by at least two coacting levers.

5. A seatback for a vehicle seat, the seatback having an integrated protective device, comprising:

a lower back part adapted to be joined to a seat part;

an upper back part that is pivotable relative to the lower back part out of a normal use position, about an axis extending in the seatback transversely to a longitudinal vehicle axis, through an angular range in a pivoting direction pointing in a direction of vehicle travel, as a result of a torque acting in the pivoting direction, into a safety position;

a device for generating the torque;

means for detecting a rear-end impact; and

immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position;

wherein the device for generating the torque comprises a force storage device or an energy storage device acting irrespective of any occupancy of the vehicle seat, the means for detecting a rear-end impact comprising a vehicle crash sensor and the immobilization means comprising a lever system, the vehicle crash sensor being in effective connection with the force storage device or the energy storage device, and with the lever system constituting the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part, such that in the event of the rear-end impact, the retention of the upper back part in the normal use position is nullified, the force storage device or the energy storage device is activated, and the upper back part is pivoted in the pivoting direction;

wherein the lever system is constituted by a pawl, mounted pivotably in the upper back part, wherein the pawl in a locked position braces against a counterbearing that is stationary relative to the upper back part; and

by a pivotably mounted immobilization lever that in a locked position engages into the pawl, and in a release position releases the pawl.

6. The seatback of claim 5, wherein the lever system is mounted in side walls of a holding part arranged in the upper back part.

7. The seatback of claim 6, wherein the counterbearing is arranged at an upper end of a support part that is immovably joined at the other end to the lower back part and projects into the holding part, and is constituted by a stop surface for a lobe of the pawl arranged approximately at an unattached lever end.

8. A seatback for a vehicle seat, the seatback having an integrated protective device, comprising:

a lower back part adapted to be joined to a seat part;

an upper back part that is pivotable relative to the lower back part out of a normal use position, about an axis extending in the seatback transversely to a longitudinal vehicle axis, through an angular range in a pivoting direction pointing in a direction of vehicle travel, as a result of a torque acting in the pivoting direction, into a safety position;

a device for generating the torque;

means for detecting a rear-end impact; and

immobilization means for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position;

wherein the device for generating the torque comprises a force storage device or an energy storage device acting irrespective of any occupancy of the vehicle seat, the means for detecting a rear-end impact comprising a vehicle crash sensor and the immobilization means comprising a lever system, the vehicle crash sensor being in effective connection with the force storage device or the energy storage device, and with the lever system constituting the immobilization means for retention of the upper back part, such that in the event of the rear-end impact, the retention of the upper back part in the normal use position is nullified, the force storage device or the energy storage device is activated, and the upper back part is pivoted in the pivoting direction;

further comprising a second immobilization means for retention of the upper back part against a backward motion out of the safety position into the normal use position;

wherein the second immobilization means is configured as a snap-locking ratchet mechanism having at least one ratchet tooth set attached within the holding part, and having at least one tooth functioning as a counterpart ratchet element, arranged on the support part.