DE102004048350A1 - Metal structure for the backrest of a vehicle seat comprises a front shell and a rear shell made from thin sheet steel provided with thickened areas in the region of mounting points - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal structure (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat, with a preferably deep-drawn front shell (3) and a preferably deep-drawn rear shell (2). According to the invention, the front shell (3) and the rear shell (2) essentially consist of thin steel sheet and are provided in the region of fitting connections with thickenings (14) made of sheet steel. Suitable front shells (3) and rear shells (2) each have an inner surface region (4, 8), a first, forwardly directed fold (6, 10) and a second fold (7) extending parallel to the inner surface region (4, 8) , 11). The invention further relates to a vehicle seat provided with this metal structure.

Description

The The invention relates to a metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest a motor vehicle seat, with a preferably thermoformed Front shell and a preferably deep-drawn rear shell, as well as a vehicle seat.

A generic metal structure for the backrest a vehicle seat is known from the document WO 00/47441 A1. It consists of one piece pressed rear shell with a perforated inner surface area, from which edge a right-angled fold forward extends, as well as one piece pressed front shell with an inner surface area, the edge side has a right angle to the rear extending bevel. In the inner surface area The front shell punched in such a way provided that the remaining sheet metal areas a wave-like spring structure exhibit. The front and rear shell are essentially in all places the same wall thickness and are in the range of overlapping Bends joined together by spot welding. The one in this Way generated basic body will follow on its outside partially covered with polyurethane foam.

in the Area of the connection of the inclination adjusters (Recliner) are the faces the back shell with U-shaped Provided beads. In these groove-like depressions are the Mounting straps of the inclination adjuster inserted and screwed. Due to the attached front shell, the backrest side mounting straps are later completely covered.

The the same structure may also have the metal structure of the seat part.

This Manufacturing concept is basically for Production of high-quality vehicle seats suitable. In the area of the inclinometer occurring forces are front and back shell pressed from relatively thick-walled sheets, so that the main body has a high weight. Furthermore, the spot welding of different sides, which is not economical production accommodates.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a generic metal structure economically efficient production with high strength and low weight.

solution

The The object is achieved in that Front shell and rear shell essentially made of thin steel sheet exist and in the field of fitting joints with thickening Steel sheet are provided. The main body thus points only to the Places an elevated one Strength on which over Fitting parts under normal use or accidentally high forces are introduced, while he otherwise is kept very light.

The used steel thin sheet preferably has a wall thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, in particular about 0.5 mm, whereas the steel sheet in the area of thickening a wall thickness of 2.0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 2.5 mm.

The Thickening can by a first embodiment of the invention subsequently by Application of reinforcing sheets, especially by means of laser welding, on the integrally deep-drawn front and / or rear shell are generated.

alternative can the thickenings before deep drawing by joining Sheet metal blanks with the steel thin sheet, in particular by welding, prefabricated ("taylored blanks"). Basically also conceivable, both versions to connect with each other, so one already provided in the semi-finished product Thickening by subsequent welding of reinforcing sheets reinforce again.

The The previously described metal structure has a particular advantage Front shell with an inner, rear and possibly with a recess provided area on, the edge with a forward-looking first fold and an adjoining, outward-facing one second fold is provided.

The rear shell has in this case an inner, rear and possibly provided with a recess area, a front thereof directed forward fold and a subsequent, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold, wherein the first and second folds each U-shaped are formed and include the upper portion and the lateral areas of the front and rear shell. The fold angle of the first and second folds is in each case preferably about 90 °. The inner surface region of the front shell is advantageously smaller in size than the inner surface region of the rear shell such that the front shell and the rear shell essentially form the hollow space in the region of the first bend have the same outer dimensions. In such a design, the front shell and the rear shell in the inner surface region and in the region of the second fold at least partially superimposed and preferably connected to each other by laser welding, wherein the welding process takes place exclusively from the front of the metal structure. The complexity of the welding device and / or the clamping devices for connecting the front and rear shell can thereby be significantly reduced.

characters

The Figures form examples and schematically different versions of the invention.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of the components of the metal structure of the vehicle seat,

2 a section along the plane A in 1 After completion of the assembly of the components shown there in a first training ( 2a ) and a second training ( 2 B )

3 a corresponding section through the plane B in a first embodiment ( 3a ) and another training ( 3b ).

The metal structure 1 to 1 consists of a back shell 2 and a front shell 3 , which are each pressed in one piece from a steel thin sheet of QSTE 420 with a uniform wall thickness of about 0.5 mm and punched out in the middle 5 . 9 exhibit. The weight of each shell is about 700 g.

As from the in 2a and 3 shown sections A and B through the composite metal structure 1 apparent, owns the rear shell 2 a rear, inner surface area 4 with a central, approximately rectangular cut 5 , from the edge of a first (in turn repeatedly folded) fold 6 extends forwards at an angle of 90 °. At the front end of the first fold 6 is a second fold 7 molded, which is angled inwards by 90 °. The inner surface area 4 and the second fold 7 thus run substantially parallel to each other and with respect to the first fold 6 in the same direction. The first fold 6 and the second fold 7 run around the sides and the top of the back shell 2 around while the bottom edge of the back shell 2 is free from bending.

The front shell 3 is also with a rear, inner surface area 8th with central punching 9 provided, from which a first fold 10 extends at right angles to the front. This is followed by an outwardly directed second fold 11 at. The inner surface area 8th and the second fold 11 are again parallel to each other, but extend from the first fold 10 forth in different directions. Also with the front shell 3 is only the lower edge free of bends.

In addition, the inner surface area 8th the front shell 3 smaller than the inner surface area 4 the back shell 2 , In the production of the metal structure 1 be front shell 3 and back shell 2 so intertwined that the inner surface area 4 . 8th as well as the second bends 7 . 11 one above the other and can be connected to each other in the direction of the rectified arrows X by laser welding. Due to the different size training of the inner surface areas 4 and 8th This creates a U-shaped around the edge of the metal structure 1 circumferential cavity 12 showing the torsional rigidity of the metal structure 1 increased.

The second fold 7 the back shell 2 may alternatively, as in 2 B shown, facing outwards and in the overlap area with the second fold 11 the front shell 3 be welded. It is also conceivable, the second fold 7 . 11 from front shell 3 or rear shell 2 both to let inward.

On the first fold 6 the back shell 2 are in the execution after 3a reinforcement plates on both sides 13 , also made of QSTE 420, welded to local thickening 14 the metal structure 1 to lead. In the area of these thickenings 14 in which the metal structure 1 has a wall thickness of about 2.5 mm, can subsequently from the outside on the reinforcing plates 13 resting the fastening tabs 15 of fittings 16 screwed or otherwise fixed to adjust the backrest angle. The reinforcing sheets 13 can with positive locking elements, for example, outwardly projecting bolts 17 be provided, which holes 18 in the fastening straps 15 penetrate and align the fittings 16 simplify.

How out 3b can be seen, the thickening 14 also from a sheet metal blank 19 greater wall thickness, which already before pressing the rear shell 2 is welded into the relevant, otherwise thin-walled sheet metal semi-finished product. Such prepared semi-finished products are referred to as "Taylor blanks".

1

metal structure

2

backshell

3

front shell

4

internal area

5

punching

6

first fold

7

second fold

8th

internal area

9

punching

10

first fold

11

second fold

12

cavity

13

Support panel

14

thickening

15

mounting tab

16

fitting

17

bolt

18

drilling

19

sheet metal blank

Claims (12)

Metal structure ( 1 ) for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat, with a preferably deep-drawn front shell ( 3 ) and a preferably deep-drawn back shell ( 2 ), characterized in that front shell ( 3 ) and back shell ( 2 ) consist essentially of steel thin sheet and in the range of fitting connections with thickenings ( 14 ) are made of sheet steel. Metal structure according to claim 1, characterized that the steel thin sheet a wall thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm, having. Metal structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the steel sheet in the region of the thickenings ( 14 ) has a wall thickness of 2.0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 2.5 mm. Metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the thickenings ( 14 ) by subsequent application of reinforcing plates ( 13 ) on the deep-drawn front shell ( 3 ) and / or back shell ( 2 ), in particular by laser welding, are generated. Metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the thickenings ( 14 ) by joining sheet metal blanks ( 19 ) are already connected to the steel thin sheet, in particular by welding, before deep-drawing ("taylored blanks"). Metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front shell ( 3 ) an inner, rear and optionally provided with recesses surface area ( 8th ), a forwardly directed therefrom first fold ( 10 ) and an adjoining, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold ( 11 ) having. Metal structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear shell ( 2 ) an inner, rear and optionally provided with recesses surface area ( 4 ), a forwardly directed therefrom first fold ( 6 ) and an adjoining, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold ( 7 ) having. Metal structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and second folds ( 6 . 7 . 10 . 11 ) in each case the upper area and the lateral areas of the front shell ( 3 ) and back shell ( 2 ). Metal structure according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second folds ( 6 . 7 . 10 . 11 ) each have a folding angle of about 90 °. Metal structure according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the inner surface area ( 8th ) of the front shell ( 3 ) in relation to the inner area ( 4 ) of the rear shell ( 2 ) is made smaller such that the front shell ( 3 ) and back shell ( 2 ) forming a cavity ( 12 ) in the area of the first fold ( 6 . 10 ) have substantially the same external dimensions. Metal structure according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the front shell ( 3 ) and the rear shell ( 2 ) in the inner area ( 4 . 8th ) as well as in the area of the second fold ( 7 . 11 ) are at least partially superimposed and preferably connected to each other by laser welding. Vehicle seat with a metal structure after one of the preceding claims.