DE102004048350B4 - Metal structure and vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

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), in which the rear shell (2) has an inner, rear and possibly recessed area (FIG. 4), one of these forwardly directed first fold (6) and an adjoining, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold (7), characterized in that - the front shell (3) has an inner, rear and optionally provided with recesses Surface area (8), a first bent edge (10) directed therefrom and a subsequent, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold (11), - the front shell (3) and the rear shell (2) in the inner surface area (4 , 8) as well as in the region of the second fold (7, 11) are at least partially superimposed on one another and preferably together are connected by laser welding, - the first and second folds (6, 7, 10, 11) respectively comprise the upper region and the lateral regions of the front shell (3) and rear shell (2) and - the front shell (3) and the rear shell (2) consist essentially of thin steel sheet and are provided in the field of fitting connections with thickenings (14) made of sheet steel.

Description

The invention relates to a metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat, with a preferably deep-drawn front shell and a preferably deep-drawn rear shell, wherein the rear shell an inner, rear and optionally provided with recesses surface area, one of which directed forward first fold and a subsequent thereto, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold, and a vehicle seat.

State of the art

A metal structure of the type mentioned for use as the backrest of a vehicle seat is disclosed in the publication DE 2 303 289 A disclosed. The structure consists of a rear shell on which a front shell is placed partially to increase the rigidity. The rear shell has a surface area which makes up the largest part of its extent and which has a forwardly directed first fold and, subsequent thereto, an outwardly directed second fold. The front shell is also provided with a surface area, which is provided at the edge with a forward bending, which is connected to the first fold of the rear shell. In addition, a reinforcing plate is used in this connection region at each lateral edge, which serve for fastening of fittings for connection to the seat part of the vehicle seat.

Although this structure can also be used in the use of steel sheets for the production of the structural part, but in particular provided for the use of plastic and optimized it.

A metal structure for the backrest of a vehicle seat is known from the published patent application DE 199 05 215 A1 known. It consists of an integrally pressed rear shell with an inner surface area provided with openings, from which a right-angled bend extends forward at the edge, and from an integrally pressed front shell with an inner surface area, which has at its edges a right angle to the rear extending bevel , In the inner surface area of the front shell, cutouts are provided in such a way that the remaining sheet metal areas have a wave-like spring structure. The front and rear shell have essentially the same wall thickness at all locations and are connected to one another in the region of the overlapping bends by spot welding. The base body produced in this way is subsequently partially coated on its outside with polyurethane foam.

In the area of the connection of the inclination adjusters (recliners), the side surfaces of the rear shell are provided with U-shaped beads. In these groove-like depressions, the fastening tabs of the inclination adjuster are used and screwed. Due to the attached front shell, the backrest side mounting straps are later completely covered.

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

This production concept is basically suitable for the production of high-quality vehicle seats. To accommodate the forces occurring in the region of the tilt adjuster, the front and rear shell are pressed from relatively thick-walled sheets, so that the main body has a high weight. Furthermore, the spot welding takes place from different sides, which does not meet economic production. More backrests show the DE 35 21 402 C1 and DE 197 57 060 A1 ,

task

The invention has for its object to produce a generic metal structure with high strength and low weight economically efficient.

solution

The object is achieved in that the front shell has an inner, rear and optionally provided with recesses surface area, one of which forward facing first fold and a subsequent, outwardly or inwardly directed second fold, the front shell and the rear shell in inner surface area as well as in the region of the second fold at least partially superimposed and preferably connected to each other by laser welding, the first and second fold each comprise the upper region and the lateral regions of the front shell and rear shell and the front shell and the rear shell consist essentially of thin steel sheet and are provided in the field of fitting connections with thickenings of sheet steel.

The steel thin sheet used 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 region of the thickenings has a wall thickness of 2.0 to 3.0 mm, preferably 2.5 mm, has.

The thickenings can preferably be produced by applying reinforcement plates, in particular by means of laser welding, to the integrally deep-drawn front and / or rear shell.

Alternatively, the thickenings can also be prefabricated prior to thermoforming by joining sheet metal blanks with the steel thin sheet, in particular by welding ("taylored blanks"). In principle, it is also conceivable to connect the two embodiments with each other, ie to reinforce a thickening already provided in the semifinished product by subsequent welding of reinforcing plates.

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 have substantially the same external dimensions, forming a cavity in the region of the first bend.

characters

The figures illustrate by way of example and schematically various embodiments of the invention.

Show it:

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 , each in one piece from a steel thin sheet of QSTE 420 are pressed 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 areas 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 from QSTE 420 , welded, resulting in 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".

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

metal structure

2

backshell

3

front shell

4

inner surface area

5

punching

6

first fold

7

second fold

8th

inner surface 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 (6)

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 ), in which 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 ), 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 ), - 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, - 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 ) and - the front shell ( 3 ) and the rear 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 in that the steel thin sheet has a wall thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm. 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 applying reinforcing sheets ( 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 the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second folds ( 6 . 7 . 10 . 11 ) each have a folding angle of about 90 °. Vehicle seat with a metal structure according to one of the preceding claims.

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