DE10008972A1 - Seat slide device for motor vehicle seats has relatively moveable seat carrier and floor part with locking units, and resetting units to move seat with passenger backwards during frontal collision - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a support part (1) connected to a seat, and a floor part (3) on the vehicle floor. The parts are relatively moveable and have locking units. Resetting units active between support and floor parts are set, so that when the first locking unit is released, the resetting units cause the support part, including a weight corresponding to that of a seat (2) and a person occupying it, to move from a first into a second locking position. Movement takes place within a period, which covers crumple times of conventional motor vehicles during a front collision at 50km/h,pref. 80km/h, esp. pref. 130km/h.

Description

The invention relates to a feedback device for a Motor vehicle seat with a supporting part that with a force Vehicle seat is connectable, one with the vehicle floor egg Nes motor vehicle connectable bottom part, the support part and Bottom part are guided relative to each other, and locking device acting between the supporting part and the base part devices for locking the support part relative to the Bo partly different locking positions.

Such seat displacement devices are part of the series equipment of passenger cars, being by manual or electrically powered displacement of the passenger seat one Adaptation of the spatial conditions in particular to the Body length of the user is enabled.

In the event of a frontal impact of a vehicle, enormous loads act accelerations on the occupants, so that a considerable Ver risk of injury from the violence of the front seat arranged vehicle parts, such as steering wheel or Ver clothing items, even if the person is using a seat belt is restrained on the seat. On Progress has been made with the introduction of airbags, which occurs automatically when a frontal impact is detected in the space between the person's upper body and the unfold vehicle parts in front and the force and  Reduce the hardness of the impact. However, substantial remain There is still a risk of injury. This applies in particular the other is when the front vehicle as a result of the impact part is so tightly squeezed that the one in front of an insas sen arranged vehicle parts get into its area, so that a violent impact is not possible with the help of an airbag can be prevented. This is particularly critical view especially the leg and foot space, since the airbag übli is aimed at the upper body of the occupant and the lower extremities opposite the trunk in the usual Sitting posture are arranged upstream.

The object of the present invention is that Risk of injury to motor vehicle passengers in the event of a To further reduce frontal impact. The term frontal impact is to be understood in the broadest sense and is meaningful any sudden violence on the vehicle from outside which attaches to the front of the car and one to the Vehicle longitudinal axis parallel force facing the vehicle component. Are also included laterally applied forces from the center.

For this purpose it is provided that between the supporting part and Bo d restoring devices are provided, de ren restoring force is dimensioned so that he loosened most locking devices a shift of the support partly including a weight that that of an ordinary vehicle seat plus the weight of a person speaks from the first to the second locking position cause.  

First, some are essential for understanding the invention che terms and features explained.

The supporting part of the feedback device is in the assembled position Condition with the motor vehicle seat in firm connection; it is not required, however, that the supporting part itself immediately bar must be attachable to the seat. For example, between supporting part and seat further usual adjustment devices for example for the position and inclination of the seat to be in order. The same applies to the connection of the bottom part the feedback device with the vehicle floor. In the mon tated state corresponds to the first locking position the normal operating position. So the seat is in ge normal operation with the help of the first locking device fundamentally at the first locking position held. The first locking position is in the right gel is not fixed in relation to the vehicle, but is included with the above-mentioned displacement devices of the prior art Technology set differently depending on the user.

The displaceability of the support part and base part relative to each other affects a certain direction, in the assembled direction usually stood the longitudinal axis of the vehicle while carrying part and bottom part in directions transverse to this direction z. B. be positively held. For example, support part and bottom part by pairs of interlocking guide seemed to be formed. The two locking positions are located in the direction of free movement different positions; the distance between the two ares Retention positions corresponds to the distance by which the Carrying part and with it, in the assembled state, the seat back are to be fed. For the first and second locking positions  separate locking devices can be used the. If necessary, parts of the lock can also be directions match for both locking positions. For example, two latching openings can be arranged on the support part be net, into which a locking hook attached to the bottom part snaps; the locking hook is then part of both the first and also the second locking devices.

The reset devices can be, for example Tensioning devices act in the first arrest biased position. It can be, for example also act as pneumatic devices in which the Ar working gas in the first locking position under correspond appropriate pressure.

By arranging the reset devices between the support part and bottom part is achieved that when the first ar locking devices a restoring force on the supporting part acts towards the second locking position. He according to the restoring force of the restoring device gene dimensioned so that this the displacement of the support part of including the first to the second locking position the weight of a conventional vehicle seat and one Person corresponds. The Rei in particular to overcome exercise forces, which between the support member and Bo part as well as between the user's feet and the driver floor and the holding forces of the user's hands on Overcoming steering wheel. The expert is familiar with how the ge named restoring force is dimensioned so that the above Friction and holding forces with sufficient certainty about can be wounded. If, for example, cylindrical Helical compression springs can be used, the winding diameter,  the wire diameter, the spring material, the Number of turns etc. can be adjusted accordingly.

The effect of the invention is described in the following using a a motor vehicle mounted feedback device be wrote. However, protection also includes repatriation tion device as such, which, for example, as a night kit for existing motor vehicle seats independent Be interpretation, as well as the combination of a repatriation direction with a motor vehicle seat.

The invention causes that in connection with a frontal impact of the vehicle and related solution he Most locking devices including the supporting part the seat attached to it and the strapped per son is shifted back by a distance that corresponds to the Ab the position of the two locking positions. The Ver shift "backwards" in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, is caused by the feature that in the assembled Zu the second locking position was behind the first, be pulled on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This arrangement takes into account the fact that in a frontal impact the forces acting on the vehicle occupants forward act and throwing the occupants forward where due to the risk of impact from body parts on the front Person arranged vehicle parts is caused. With Hil fe of the invention, the person by a corresponding length removed from the vehicle parts in front of her what the Risk of injury in connection with a frontal impact significantly reduces. Already a provision of 5 or 10 cm can significantly reduce the risk of injury interpret, considering that the distance between a user's knees  of the cladding parts in the north painting operation is often less than 10 cm.

The guidance of the support and base parts is expediently closed each other with low friction, for example with the help of ball bearings executed so that the necessary restoring force accordingly is lower and the reset devices accordingly must be vigorous.

On the one hand, it may be useful for the solution to the first Locking devices with a certain time delay takes place so that the return after catching the first Impact occurs, that is when the vehicle essentially has come to a standstill or at least its speed severity is significantly reduced. In this case, by the seat return on the one hand the risk of injury to the subsequent (rear-end) accidents are reduced, on the other hand the accessibility of the user in subsequent rescue measures improved. In the case described is the Kombina tion of the inventive feedback device with a Airbag particularly advantageous, which serves the intercept the first impact force, after which the inventive Seat repositioned to avoid consequential injuries.

Follow the improved accessibility of the user Another aspect of the inven- tion serves the rescue measures after the solution of the first locking device the automatic release of the buckle of the back led seat assigned seat belts with a time delay control of more than 10 s, preferably more than 30 s. In the event that a vehicle occupant buckles up after an accident can not loosen the belt independently, this happens after one  automatically for a certain period of time. The delay range is on the one hand, dimensioned so that the seat belt protects it does not work in the event of subsequent accidents loses, taking into account that this is usually follow shortly after the first impact. On the other hand, can a time delay of 30 s, for example, hardly hurts, because such a time span is at least to be applied anyway, be before a rescuer can reach the vehicle. The described The feature may be worthy of independent protection.

To maintain the protective function of the corresponding Seat belts, it is advantageous if this at all times tight against the person. The seat belt can do this be carried out that an automatic tightening of the belt tes in any case within the requirements for returning the seat Chen periods takes place. It may also be appropriate that egg ne It may be necessary to trigger the seat return the deployment of an appropriate airbag is coupled because in this case the importance of the seat belt for protection the buckled person secondary and, if necessary, ver is mandatory.

Particular advantages are with a solution of the first arrest tion facilities and a repatriation of the seat from the first into the second locking position before Occurrence of the highest accelerations associated. The two ten locking devices are expedient executed self-locking, so that the seat at the time the point at which the greatest accelerations work is held firmly in the second locking position. On in this way, the free space according to the invention is between the person and the vehicle parts in front of them  ready at the time of the greatest risk of injury poses.

In the case described, the reset elements must have a have a sufficiently large restoring force. With a frontal impact at a speed of 64 km / h becomes a Knee length of 1 m in a time span of less than 50 ms run through. Taking into account the usual crumple zones of motor vehicles and at speeds up to 130 km / h the restoring force of the restoring devices is therefore too high dimensioned that a shift of the type described within half a period of preferably 10-20 ms or at most 50 ms can take place.

The accelerations required for this require at Use of springs has an extraordinarily high spring stiffness speed. Greater acceleration forces can be exploited generation of explosion forces. One example is conceivable as the ignition of an encapsulated propellant, the Driving force is sufficiently high to the described Cause repatriation. This will be extremely high Press up significantly less than 1 ms within periods builds. Furthermore, the pressures required are only necessary if necessary built up so that on permanent upkeep facilities maintenance of a corresponding very high pressure is dispensed with can be. The reset devices according to the invention So don't just include those versions where the Restoring force, for example by pretensioning Spannele ment is generated and therefore constantly maintained must, but also versions like the one described above ne, where the restoring force only in connection with egg nem frontal impact of the motor vehicle is generated. In this  The case is expediently an activation control provided, which is approximately parallel to the solution of the first array the activation of the reset device effects on the generation of the restoring force. The Formu "Triggering of the first locking devices" in the following also includes the activation of the Reset devices.

With a seat return within the shortest mentioned Periods must ensure that the user is seated is returned and not due to its inertia remains in its original position. For this purpose it should be appropriate to fasten the seat belt so that it is also returned when the seat is returned, at least as far as this is necessary for the exercise of its holding function is agile. The seat belt can be attached to the seat in particular be attached yourself. It can be a three-point belt, but also around a well-known from the sports car area Act shoulder strap. It can also be a shoulder or pelvis Belt can be provided in addition to the usual three-point belt. When using a conventional adjustable length (Three-point) belts, it can be useful, the belt lock tion, which is usually automatically caused by a jerky train acts on the triggering of the first locking device coupling so that it is ensured in any case that the seat belt the return of the user with the Seat.

The motor vehicle expediently has an impact sor to detect an occurring or nearing standing frontal impact. Similar impact sensors z. B. used in connection with airbags. That from  Impact sensor generated impact signal is used for control the automatic solution of the first locking device gen. The invention does not require that upon detection of a frontal impact generally automatically the first arrays would be solved. Rather, one Control to solve the first locking devices so be carried out that they trigger only under certain loading conditions, for example depending on the current driving tool speed, makes. For example, the trigger solution above a certain speed, for example 20, 30 or 40 km / h, because at lower speeds in combination with provides sufficient protection for an airbag. It can also make sense be, the trigger only below a certain maximum Ge speed, for example 170, 150 or 130 km / h hen. For example, if the speed is so high, that there is no guarantee that the seat will be in front of the entrance the second arrest reached position, the seat feedback can be triggered omitting if necessary.

The use of improved impact is also conceivable sensors, for example using radar, which an impending frontal impact before the first Determine if the vehicle touches the obstacle can, which are available for returning the seat de time would be increased accordingly.

The signal generated by the impact sensor is preferred electrically to the control to release the first locking facilities and, if applicable, the activation tax tion for the reset devices. The first  Locking devices can be designed so that their Solution can be done essentially without a time delay. An example is an electromagnetically operated lock called facility. Also pneumatically operated first Locking devices are conceivable; the power transmission is known to be done very quickly. Possibly can be the pressure created by the ignition of a propellant charge partly used to control the pneumatic elements become.

The reset devices and / or are advantageous the distance between the two locking positions adapted the properties of the respective vehicle in which the return device is to be arranged. For example can reset in relatively shorter automobiles gone, d. H. the distance between the two locking positions less than in larger vehicles. Furthermore is before preferably the overall height of the return device increases slightly hold, in particular the retrofittability of existing Vehicles is possible without the seat height under Be taking into account the vehicle height would be significantly increased. Wei tere vehicle properties that are related to the Aus management of the return facilities can be important are the maximum vehicle speed, the seat weight and the front knee length.

The release of the seat return can be omitted if arranged on a seat behind the returnable seat Seat is a person who ge through the seat return would be at risk. It can also happen that the return tion of the seat required space is loaded and therefore is not available for seat return. In both cases  blocking sensors can advantageously be provided, which the control device for releasing the first Arre Blocking facilities if necessary.

The spatial and / or temporal development of a given Airbags if provided is mostly critical to the room Chen conditions matched. For the advantageous Kombinati on an airbag with a seat return according to the invention tion device, it is therefore appropriate to control the To make airbags dependent on whether or not a seat return follows. If there was a corresponding signal the deployment of the airbag, particularly depending on the spatial relationships take place by the position of the Seat are given in the second locking position. There the strength of the restoring force of the restoring devices can also affect the timing of the seat return the course of the airbag deployment expediently be coordinated with it. It can e.g. B. first the time Seat return and then more or less independent of which the airbag deployment takes place.

If the seat is returned by a distance as follows is great that thereby reaching the steering wheel and the Foot pedals for controlling the motor vehicle can be prevented automatic control can be advantageous the brakes and / or the steering. In the simplest The case is the automatic triggering egg full braking and / or the locking of the steering wheel, so uncontrollable vehicle movements following the up can be prevented or the vehicle at least to Standstill comes.

The invention is based on advantageous Ausfüh tion examples with reference to the accompanying figures explained. Show it:

Fig. 1 motor vehicle with seat support part in the first Arre tierungsposition;

Fig. 2 motor vehicle with seat support in the second Arre tierungsposition;

Fig. 3 cross section through interlocking seat support and floor parts;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a Rückführungsvor direction in the first locking position.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the Rückführungsvorrich device of Figure 4 in the second locking position.

Fig. 6 schematic plan view of a Rückführungsvor direction with propellant in the first Arretierungspo position;

Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of the Rückführungsvorrich device of Fig. 6 in the second locking position.

The seat return device consists of a support part 1 , which is directly or indirectly connected to a passenger seat 2 of a motor vehicle, and a floor part 3 , which is connected to the vehicle floor 4 . The support member 1 is held paral lel slidably guided to the vehicle longitudinal axis of the floor part 3 . In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS . 3 to 5, the support part and base part are formed by two metal rails which are guided into one another. The dashed line indicates that there are two pairs of corresponding rails in the present case; however, this is not essential to the success of the invention. In Fig. 3, the mounting rail 1 is perpendicular to the paper plane, which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in the bottom rail 3 , while it is held in the paper plane with a positive fit.

In the first Arretierungsposi tion shown in FIGS . 1 and 4, the seat 2 is in the usual operational position. Not shown are the known displacement devices of the prior art, with the help of which this position can be adjusted to the body mass of the user. Preferably, the feedback device according to the invention is not arranged above or below the usual Verschiebeinrichtun conditions, but laterally offset, for example, inward so that the seat height remains unchanged. This is particularly advantageous if a feedback device according to the invention is installed as a retrofit kit in existing motor vehicles. In the example of FIG. 3, the supporting part 1 would not be connected to the seat 2 as shown above in the case of a laterally offset arrangement, but instead, for example, with a laterally adjacent guide rail of a conventional seat displacement device.

The support part 1 is held in the first locking position with the aid of first locking devices. The se are in the embodiment of Fig. 4 by a hook catch 5 is formed, which lockingly engages in a first catch opening 6. A restoring device acts between the supporting part 1 and the bottom part 3 , which is formed by a tension spring 7 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS . 4 and 5. The spring 7 is biased in the first locking position and therefore exerts a permanent pressure on the supporting part 1 . The associated restoring force is directed parallel to the guide direction of the support part 1 relative to the base part 3 . In solved first locking devices, ie if in the example of FIG. 4 the locking hook 5 is in the open position indicated by the dashed line, the return spring 7 causes a displacement of the support part 1 relative to the bottom part 3 in the direction of that in FIGS . 2 and 5 showed the second locking position. The displacement caused by the return spring 7 is ended by the latching of the latching hook 5 in the second latching opening 8 . The locking hook 5 forms with the locking opening 8 the second locking devices. The locking hook 5 is locked in the locking opening 8 automatically; For this purpose, the locking hook can be acted upon, for example, by means of a spring with a force acting towards the supporting part 1 . After Lö sen the locking hook from the first locking opening 6 then the hook end runs along the outside of the support member 1 until it engages in the second locking opening 8 self-locking. In order to relieve the locking devices, a possibly damped stop element 9 is also provided, on which the supporting part strikes when the second locking position is reached.

The impact shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the motor vehicle on an obstacle can be detected in a known manner with the aid of a sensor 10 immediately after the first tion. The sensor 10 is connected by a signal line to the controller 11 , which controls the solution of the latching hook 5 from the closed position to the open position. The release of the locking hook can be done with a certain time delay. The controller 11 can have further inputs, for example for receiving signals from locking sensors, not shown, for determining whether a seat located behind the returnable seat is occupied by a person and / or whether the space required for the return is available. Another example is an input for receiving a signal proportional to the vehicle speed and an input for receiving a signal from the airbag control. The solution of the locking hook 5 from the first locking opening 6 can depend in this way on different external conditions that are supplied to the controller 11 via signal lines.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller 11 controls the release of the first locking devices 5 , 6 without a time delay immediately after receiving the impact signal generated by the sensor 10 , possibly as a function of further external conditions. The restoring force generated by the return spring 7 then causes a displacement of the support part 1 relative to the bottom part 3 to the second locking position, which is characterized by the stop of the support part 1 on the stop 9 and self-locking of the locking hook 5 in the locking opening 8 . In order to achieve this feedback under normal operating conditions, the spring 7 in the first locking position generates a sufficiently large restoring force to compensate for the frictional forces occurring between the support part and the base part, which depend on the weight of the driver and the seat, and between the driver and the vehicle floor and holding forces to overcome the driver's steering wheel with a certain margin of safety. Furthermore, the spring stiffness of the return spring 7 and the spring is gone, and other relevant spring parameters are dimensioned such that the return of the supporting part including seat and person strapped to it takes place completely at normal vehicle speeds and crumple zones before the greatest accelerations act in the event of a frontal impact. At the moment shown in FIG. 2, the seat is already fully retracted and is securely locked in the second locking position; the available knee length has not yet been completely overcome, so that the moment of the greatest acceleration forces acting on the driver is still imminent. In comparison to Fig. 1 (seat in the first locking position) it is clear that he has a considerable amount of space between the driver and the vehicle parts in front of him be created, whereby the risk of injury by pushing these vehicle parts into the passenger compartment or the opening of Body parts on vehicle parts are significantly reduced by the forces acting forward. This becomes particularly clear, for example, when the driver's knees are spaced from the clothing parts 12 in front of them.

Not shown in the figures is the optional airbag, the spatial and temporal deployment of which is preferably adapted to whether the seat is in the first or second locking position. Also not shown is the seat belt, which is preferably attached to the seat 2 , so that it is returned with the seat and brings about the return of the strapped person.

With a time delay of, for example, 60 s compared to the impact signal from the sensor 10 , the seatbelt buckle of the seat belt 2 assigned to the seatbelt is automatically released in order to improve accessibility to the driver from outside during rescue measures.

Another embodiment of the feedback devices is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, the restoring force is not generated with the help of spring forces, but with the help of explosive forces. The bottom part 3 is here cylindrical, while part of the support part 1 runs as a piston in the cylinder 3 . In the first locking position shown in FIG. 6, the piston saves an ignition space in the cylinder 3 in that a propellant charge 13 with an igniter 14 is arranged. In the operating state, the support part 1 is connected to the base part 3 via a material bridge 15 . In this way, it represents a predetermined breaking point. However, these first arresting devices can also be designed, as shown in FIG. 4, as a latching hook which hooks into a latching opening, or in another manner known to the person skilled in the art. The signal generated by the impact sensor 10 controls an activation control 16 for igniting the igniter 14 , as a result of which the propellant charge 13 detonates almost without delay, or even before the first contact of the vehicle with the obstacle to the impact. The explosion pressure leads to a rupture of the material bridges 15 and causes the displacement of the support part 1 in the second locking position, which in turn is defined by strikes 9 and locking devices 5 , 8 . The explosive force of the propellant charge 13 is on the one hand dimensioned sufficiently high to cause a seat return up to vehicle speeds of 130 km / h before the greatest acceleration forces occur on the driver. Appropriately, devices can be provided which allow egg NEN pressure reduction in the ignition chamber following the seat return. In the case shown, the controller 16 for activating the resetting devices by ignition of the igniter 14 simultaneously forms the controller for solving the most locking devices 15 , which takes place automatically as a result of the explosion pressure building up. A separate control for solving the first locking devices can therefore be dispensed with.

Claims (13)

1.Return device for a motor vehicle seat with a support part which can be connected to a motor vehicle seat, a floor part which can be connected to the vehicle floor of a motor vehicle, the support part and floor part being guided so as to be displaceable relative to one another, and the first ( 5 , 6 , 15 ) and second locking devices ( 5 , 8 ) for locking the support part relative to the base part at a first or a second locking position, characterized by reset means ( 7 , 13 , 14 ) acting between the support part ( 1 ) and base part ( 3 ). , the restoring force of which is dimensioned such that, when it is released, the locking devices ( 5 , 6 , 15 ) cause a displacement of the supporting part ( 1 ) including a weight which corresponds to that of a conventional vehicle seat ( 2 ) plus the weight of a person effect first in the second locking position. 2. Feedback device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide of the support part ( 1 ) and bottom part ( 3 ) is designed to be relatively low-friction. 3. feedback device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the restoring force of the Rückstellein devices ( 7 , 13 , 14 ) is dimensioned such that this a shift of the type described within a period of 50 ms, preferably 30 ms, more preferably Effect 10 ms. 4. feedback device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the restoring force of the Rückstellein devices ( 7 , 13 , 14 ) is dimensioned so that they cause a return of the type described within a period of time, in the order of magnitude of the crushing times of conventional motor vehicles in a frontal impact at 50 km / h, preferably 80 km / h, more preferably 130 km / h. 5. Person seat for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it is connected to the supporting part ( 1 ) of a feedback device designed according to one of claims 1 to 4. 6. Motor vehicle having a passenger seat, characterized in that the seat ( 2 ) with the support part ( 1 ) is connected to a return device designed according to one of claims 1 to 4, the bottom part ( 3 ) of which is connected to the vehicle floor ( 4 ) , so that the first locking position corresponds to the normal operating position of the seat ( 2 ) and the second locking position is behind the first locking position, based on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. 7. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by a Belt device, which the return of the user with the seat to be returned. 8. Motor vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the solution of the first locking devices ( 5 , 6 , 15 ) the automatic solution of the belt lock to the return seat ( 2 ) assigned to seat belts with a time delay of more than 10 s, controls preferably more than 30 s. 9. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the restoring force of the Rückstellein directions ( 7 , 13 , 14 ) and / or the distance (d) between the locking positions are adapted to the vehicle properties, in particular the spatial conditions. 10. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 9, the egg NEN impact sensor ( 10 ) for detecting a frontal impact, characterized in that the impact signal generated by the impact sensor ( 10 ), the automatic solution of the first locking devices ( 5 , 6 , 15th ) controls. 11. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by blocking sensors for determining whether a seat located behind the returnable seat ( 2 ) is occupied by a person and / or whether the space required for returning the seat ( 2 ) Is available, and possibly blocking the solution of the first locking devices ( 5 , 6 , 15 ). 12. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 11, the egg nen the passenger seat ( 2 ) associated airbag, characterized in that the spatial and / or temporal control of the airbag depending on it follows whether a solution of the first Arretierungseinrichtun conditions ( 5 , 6 , 15 ), and / or depending on the restoring force of the restoring devices ( 7 , 13 , 14 ) and / or the distance (d) between the locking positions. 13. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 12, the egg nen assigned to the passenger seat airbag, characterized in that the control of the first Arre processing devices ( 5 , 6 , 15 ) in such a way depends on the triggering of the airbag that the Solution of the first locking devices is omitted if no triggering of the airbag is provided.