Vehicle seat with a crash-modified panel holder

• US 9,701,226 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brose Sitech GmbH (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Maciej, Steffen, Bratge, Jens
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US14/872,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 2972161, 29721615, 2972162, 297311, 297322, 297337, 29745255
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42727 involving substantially rigid displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42754 of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42781 mechanical triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/60 Removable protective coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6009 covering more than only the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6018 attachments thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6027 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6045 by clamping means

Abstract

A panel holder made of at least one wire which features at least one element for fastening the panel holder to a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder, and at least one element for fastening the panel holder to a panel. The wire forms a support bracket which in the assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a critical region of the panel in which in the event of a crash, a strong crash force acts on the panel.

Claims

1. A panel holder comprising:

at least one wire that has at least one first element fastening the panel holder on a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder; and

at least one second element fastening the panel holder at a panel arranged laterally along a side of a seat portion,

wherein the at least one wire forms a support bracket that in an assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a critical region of the panel in which, in the event of a crash, a strong crash force acts upon the panel.

2. A panel comprising a panel holder according to claim 1.

3. A vehicle seat with a panel holder integrated in a panel according to claim 1.

4. The panel holder according to claim 1, wherein the wire of the panel holder is formed into a wire frame which comprises at least one limb.

5. The panel holder according to claim 4, wherein the at least one limb in the assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged near the critical region of the panel or at least partially protrudes into the critical region of the panel.

6. The panel holder according to claim 4, wherein the support bracket is integrally formed or arranged at the at least one limb.

7. The panel holder according to claim 4, wherein the support bracket branches off the at least one limb and is arranged in a central region of the critical region in the assembled state.

8. A panel holder comprising:

at least one wire that has at least one first element for fastening the panel holder on a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder; and

at least one second element for fastening the panel holder at a panel,

wherein the at least one wire forms a support bracket that in an assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a critical region of the panel in which, in the event of a crash, a strong crash force acts upon the panel,

wherein the wire of the panel holder is formed into a wire frame which comprises at least one limb,

wherein the at least one limb in the assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged near the critical region of the panel or at least partially protrudes into the critical region of the panel,

wherein the support bracket is integrally formed or arranged at the at least one limb, and

wherein the support bracket branches off the at least one limb and is arranged in a central region of the critical region in the assembled state.

9. The panel holder according to claim 8, wherein the at least one clip element of the support bracket indirectly induces the crash force in the adjacent structure via the at least one limb, since the at least one limb features a holding element, which in the assembled state of the panel holder that is connected to the panel, is firmly connected with the structure.

10. The panel holder according to claim 9, wherein the at least one clip element of the support bracket indirectly and directly induces the crash force in the adjacent structure.

11. The panel holder according to claim 8, wherein the at least one clip element of the support bracket directly induces the crash force in the adjacent structure, since the at least one clip element in the assembled state of the panel holder connected to the panel is supported at an inner side of the panel and directly at the adjacent structure.

12. The panel holder according to claim 8, wherein the clip elements are integrally formed or arranged via a further clip element at the at least one limb.

13. A panel holder comprising:

at least one wire that has at least one first element for fastening the panel holder on a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder; and

at least one second element for fastening the panel holder at a panel,

wherein the at least one wire forms a support bracket that in an assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a critical region of the panel in which, in the event of a crash, a strong crash force acts upon the panel, and

wherein the support bracket comprises at least one clip element, which supports the panel and absorbs a crash force in the critical region and supports the panel at the adjacent structure so that the crash force is induced in the adjacent structure.

14. The panel holder according to claim 13, wherein the support bracket is designed u-shaped,

wherein two clip elements are arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the panel holder existing in the assembled state of the panel holder and the panel, and

wherein a clip element linking the two clip elements is arranged in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the panel holder existing in the assembled state of the panel holder and panel.

15. A panel holder for a vehicle seat, the panel holder comprising:

a wire that has a first element fastening the panel holder on a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder; and

a second element fastening the panel holder at a panel,

wherein the wire forms a support bracket that in an assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a region of the panel at which a lap belt section of a safety belt engages.

16. The panel holder according to claim 15, wherein the panel is arranged laterally along a side of the vehicle seat.

17. The panel holder according to claim 15, wherein in the assembled state the panel holder is integrated in the panel.

18. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a panel arranged laterally along a side of the vehicle seat; and

a panel holder integrated in the panel, the panel holder comprising;

a wire that has a first element fastening the panel holder on a fixed structure adjacent to the panel holder; and

a second element fastening the panel holder at the panel,

wherein the wire forms a support bracket that in an assembled state of the panel holder and the panel is arranged in a region of the panel at which a lap belt section of a safety belt engages.

19. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, further comprising a height adjustment lever,

wherein the panel comprises a recess through which the height adjustment lever protrudes.