WO2014207032A1 - Locking unit for a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1), comprising an unlocking handle (82) which is connected to a detent (30) by an actuating rod (57). According to the invention, a mounting tab (92) is provided which is elastically deformable and which can be moved from an initial position, in which the mounting tab (92) prevents a movement of the actuating rod (57) in the axial direction, to a mounting position, in which a movement of the actuating rod (57) in the axial direction is possible.

Description

 LOCKING UNIT FOR A VEHICLE SEAT AND VEHICLE SEAT

The invention relates to a locking unit for a vehicle seat having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat with the features of claim 15. Prior art

From DE 103 28 504 B3 a generic locking unit for a vehicle seat is known. Such a locking unit comprises a pivotally mounted unlocking handle, which is connected to an actuating rod, and a lock. The actuating rod is connected to a pivotally mounted in the lock latch. By pivoting the unlocking handle, the latch is pivoted by means of pressure on the actuating rod, whereby the locking unit is unlocked.

Such locking units serve, for example, for locking a backrest of a vehicle seat to a body or structure of a vehicle.

The operating rod must be firmly connected to the unlocking handle and the latch. In particular, it must be ensured that the actuating rod is not out of the release handle or from the latch can move out. For a corresponding assurance of the operating rod additional security elements and additional steps in the assembly are required. DE 101 63 61 1 A1 and DE 10 2006 059 089 B4 also disclose generic locking units for a vehicle seat.

From DE 10 2012 220 1 13 A1 discloses a locking unit for a

Vehicle seat known, which is inserted into a frame member of a vehicle seat.

DE 10 201 1 121 703 A1 discloses a slide rail arrangement for a vehicle seat with two locks. The locks can be unlocked by pivoting a cross member, wherein at the ends of the cross member in each case a tooth is arranged, which engages in a bearing and the cross member holds there form-fitting manner.

DE 10 2010 055 244 B4 discloses a vehicle seat which is longitudinally adjustable by means of a pair of rails. The adjustment of the rail pair is limited by three end stops, with one of the end stops is wegschaltbar.

task

The invention is based on the object to improve a locking unit of the type mentioned, in particular the assembly of

To facilitate operating rod.

solution

This object is achieved by a locking unit for a vehicle seat with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

A generic locking unit comprises an unlocking handle, which is connected by means of an actuating rod with a latch.

According to the invention a mounting tab is provided, which is elastically deformable, and which from a starting position, in which the mounting tab prevents movement of the actuating rod in the axial direction, in a

Mounting position can be brought, in which a movement of the actuating rod in the axial direction is possible.

As axial direction while a direction is referred to, in which an axis extends, about which the latch is pivotable. Under the axial direction is not only the course of this axis to understand but all

Parallels.

When mounting the locking unit, the actuating rod is first attached to the unlocking handle. Subsequently, the mounting tab is pressed from the starting position to the mounting position. As a result, a movement of the actuating rod in the axial direction for mounting on the latch of the

Locking unit possible. If the mounting tab is then back in the starting position prevents them from moving out of

Operating rod from the latch. Thus, the operating rod is secured to the locking unit. Other security elements or additional operations to secure the operating rod are not required.

If the mounting bracket moves automatically from the mounting position to the starting position, in particular due to their elastic deformability, so no manual movement of the mounting bracket is required in the starting position, whereby the assembly is further simplified. Advantageously, the mounting tab is bendable about a bending axis. The

Bending axis preferably extends in the axial direction, that is parallel to the

Direction of movement, in which the actuating rod for mounting on the

Locking unit, ie at the latch and the release handle is moved.

The unlocking handle is preferably pivotable about a pivot axis, which runs parallel to the bending axis, ie in the axial direction. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mounting tab is attached to an unlocking housing, in which the unlocking handle is mounted. Particularly advantageous is the mounting bracket integral with the

Unlocking housing formed, for example molded on it. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is on the

 Unlocking housing attached to a guide plate, which runs parallel to the mounting tab located in the starting position. The guide tab is advantageously formed integrally with the unlocking housing, in particular molded onto it.

Between the guide tab and the one in the starting position

Mounting tab is formed a gap within which the mounted

Operating rod runs. If the extension of the gap in the axial direction is only slightly wider than the diameter of the actuating rod, then a movement of the

Operating rod for locking and unlocking the locking unit is not hindered, but a movement of the actuating rod in the axial direction is reliably prevented. The object is also achieved by a vehicle seat with the features mentioned in claim 15, which is an inventive

Has locking unit.

Figures and embodiments of the invention

In the following the invention is explained in more detail with reference to an advantageous embodiment shown in FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle seat,

2 shows an exploded view of a lock of a locking unit according to the prior art,

3 is a perspective view of the locking unit during the

 Assembly,

4 shows a side view of the locking unit during assembly,

5 is a perspective view of the assembled locking unit in the locked state,

Fig. 6: a side view of the mounted locking unit in the locked

 Status,

Fig. 7: a partial perspective view of the assembled

 Locking unit and

Fig. 8: a side view of the mounted locking unit in the unlocked

Status. In a motor vehicle is a locking unit 10 for connecting a structural part, in this case a backrest 3, a vehicle seat 1,

in particular a rear seat, provided on a vehicle structure. The backrest 3 is from a position of use in one

Non-use position pivotally attached to a seat part 5.

The arrangement of the vehicle seat 1 within the vehicle and its usual direction of travel define those used below

Directional information. In this case, a direction oriented perpendicular to the ground is hereinafter referred to as vertical direction and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and perpendicular to the direction of travel is hereinafter referred to as

Transverse direction.

The locking unit 10 has a lock 50 with a lock housing, which comprises a first side plate 16 and a second side plate 18. The base surfaces of the side plates 16, 18 are present largely flat and arranged in a plane defined by the direction of travel and the vertical direction, ie perpendicular to the transverse direction. The first side plate 16 includes two presently circular executed first bearing bores 13, and the second side plate 18 includes two present circular running second bearing bores fourteenth

The first side plate 16 and the second side plate 18 form a receptacle which opens in the direction of a locking bolt 12 to receive it for locking. In this case, the locking unit 10 is presently attached to the backrest 3 and the locking bolt 12 to the vehicle structure. It is also conceivable that the locking unit 10 at the

Vehicle structure and the locking pin 12 is fixed to the backrest 3. The male portion of the locking bolt 12 to be received by the receptacle in the present case extends horizontally in the transverse direction. A rotary latch 20 is pivotally mounted on a first bearing pin 51. The first bearing pin 51 is formed at least approximately rotationally symmetrical to its bearing axis. A direction in which the bearing axis extends is referred to below as the axial direction.

In the present case, the axial direction corresponds to the transverse direction. As the axial direction not only the course of this bearing axis is referred to in the following but also all parallels thereto. The rotary latch 20 has for storage on the first bearing pin 51 a

 Rotary latch hole 24, which is presently designed as a circular opening, and which is penetrated by the first bearing pin 51. The rotary latch 20 also has to cooperate with the locking bolt 12 a

Hook mouth 21 on. By means of a first spring 71, the rotary latch 20 in

Biased opening direction.

The rotary latch 20 has a functional surface 22 which limits the hook mouth 21 partially laterally. In the locked state, the functional surface 22 approximately in the direction of a second bearing pin 52, which is arranged parallel to the first bearing pin 51 and thus also extends in the transverse direction and in the axial direction. The functional surface 22 is present in this case

formed, but may for example also be arcuate curved and convex or concave. On the side facing away from the rotary latch hole 24 of the hook mouth 21, the

Functional surface 22 opposite, the hook mouth 21 is laterally bounded by a nose of the catch 20.

The rotary latch 20 has a base body which is bounded in the axial direction by a respective flat base. The width of the functional surface 22 corresponds to the thickness of the main body of the rotary latch 20, so the expansion of the body in the axial direction. The first bearing pin 51 is inserted into a first bearing bore 13 of the first side plate 16 and a second bearing bore 14 of the second side plate 18 and is perpendicular from the base surfaces of the side plates 16, 18. The first bearing pin 51 thus extends horizontally in the transverse direction and in the axial direction. Also, the second bearing pin 52 is inserted into a first bearing bore 13 of the first side plate 16 and a second bearing bore 14 of the second side plate 18 and is perpendicular from the base surfaces of the side plates 16, 18. The second bearing pin 52 thus also extends horizontally in the transverse direction and in the axial direction.

The lock 50 of the locking unit 10 is presently attached to a frame part 60 of the backrest 3, in this case screwed. In this case, the second side plate 18 of the lock housing of the lock 50 rests against the frame part 60, while the first side plate 16 faces away from the frame part 60.

The bearing pins 51, 52 are formed approximately hollow cylindrical and each have an axially extending through hole 55 with an approximately constant inner diameter. Screws 65 project through the bearing bolts 51, 52 and are in a corresponding thread on the frame part 60

screwed. The lock 50 is thus connected to the frame part 60 by means of two screws 65.

On the second bearing pin 52, a clamping element 40 is pivotally mounted. For this purpose, the clamping element 40 a present circular clamping element hole 44, which is penetrated by the second bearing pin 52. By means of a third spring 73, the clamping element 40 is biased toward the rotary latch 20.

In the locked state, when the hook mouth 21 of the rotary latch 20 the

Locking pin 12 receives, exerts the clamping element 40 due to

Bias by the third spring 73 as a fuse element a closing moment on the rotary latch 20. For this purpose, the clamping element 40 a eccentric to the second bearing pin 52 curved clamping surface 41, which is in non-self-locking contact with the functional surface 22 of the rotary latch 20. The clamping surface 41 is present circular arc-shaped and convex.

A latch 30 is on the second bearing pin 52 axially adjacent to the

Clamping element 40 is arranged and also pivotable on the second

Bearing pin 52 mounted, so aligned with the clamping element 40. For this purpose, the latching pawl 30 a presently circular detent pawl hole 34 which is penetrated by the second bearing pin 52. By means of a second spring 72, the latch 30 is biased toward the rotary latch 20.

In the present case, the latching pawl 30 is arranged adjacent to the first side plate 16, and the tensioning element 40 is arranged adjacent to the second side plate 18 in the present case. The latching pawl 30 and the clamping element 40 are coupled with a free travel on entrainment, for example by means of a slot-pin guide or by means of an axially projecting driver.

The latching pawl 30 has a latching surface 31, which is located in the vicinity of the clamping surface 41 of the clamping element 40. In the locked state, the latching surface 31 is positioned at a distance from the functional surface 22 of the rotary latch 20. The latching surface 31 is curved in the present circular arc and convex, but may also be flat. The width of the functional surface 22, which is the thickness of the main body of the

Rotary latch 20 corresponds, corresponds approximately to the sum of the thickness of the latch 30 and the thickness of the clamping element 40. The rotary latch 20 thus has approximately the same material thickness as the latch 30 and the

Clamping element 40 together.

If, in the event of a crash, the rotary latch 20 experiences an opening moment and the

Clamping element 40 pushes something, the locking surface 31 comes into contact with the Functional surface 22 of the rotary latch 20. Thus, the latching pawl 30 serves to support the rotary latch 20 and prevents, as a further securing element, a further rotation of the rotary latch 20 in the opening direction. Thus, the latch 30 prevents opening of the rotary latch 20th

The latching pawl 30 also has a coupling opening 36, which is designed here as a circular, continuous bore. In the coupling opening 36, a first end portion 58 of an actuating rod 57 is mounted. The

Operating rod 57 is in the present case designed in the form of a round wire with approximately constant diameter. The first end region 58 is formed by an approximately right-angled bend and extends approximately in the transverse direction and in the axial direction.

The locking unit 10 also has an unlocking housing 80 with a pivotally mounted unlocking handle 82. The unlocking housing 80 and the release handle 82 are made of plastic. Of the

Unlocking handle 82 has a suspension opening 86, which is designed here as a circular, continuous bore. In the suspension opening 86, a second end portion 59 of the actuating rod 57 is mounted. The second end portion 59 is formed by a double right-angled bend and has an approximately z-shaped configuration. A middle part of the second end portion 59, which is arranged between the two bends, extends approximately in the transverse direction and in the axial direction. In the illustrations shown, the release handle 82 is largely concealed by the unlocking housing 80 and therefore only partially visible.

In the locked state of the locking unit 10 is the

Locking bolt 12 in the receptacle formed by the side plates 16, 18 and the hook mouth 21 of the closed rotary latch 20. The clamping element 40 secures by interaction of the clamping surface 41 with the functional surface 22 the Rotary latch 20. The locking surface 31 of the latch 30 is slightly different from the

Functional surface 22 of the rotary latch 20 spaced.

The unlocking handle 82 is pivotable about a pivot axis which extends in the transverse direction and in the axial direction. To open the locking unit 10, the unlocking handle 82 is pivoted relative to the unlocking housing 80 in its unlocked position. In this case, the actuating rod 57 acts as a push rod and acts on the latch 30. As a result, the latch 30 is pivoted away from the rotary latch 20, whereby the latching surface 31 of the latch 30 further away from the functional surface 22 of the catch 20. The latch 30 takes the clamping element 40 due to the driving coupling, so that the rotary latch 20 is no longer secured. Due to the bias due to the first spring 71, the rotary latch 20 opens, so pivots in the opening direction. Alternatively, or in addition to the bias by the first spring 71, the rotary latch 20 for opening also from the

Pawl 30 or be taken from the clamping element 40. Due to the pivotal movement of the rotary latch 20, the hook mouth 21 retracts from the receptacle formed by the side plates 16, 18 and releases the locking pin 12 which moves away from the lock 50 of the locking unit 10 against the Einschwenkrichtung. If the locking bolt 12 has left the hook mouth 21, then the locking unit 10 is in the unlocked state.

Arrives in this unlocked state, the locking pin 12 back into the receptacle formed by the side plates 16, 18 and in abutment with the edge of the hook mouth 21, so presses the locking pin 12, the catch 20 in its closed position. The clamping element 40 moves due to its

Preload by the third spring 73 along the functional surface 22. Taken from the clamping element 40 or due to the bias of the second Spring 72 pivots the latching pawl 30 toward the rotary latch 20, wherein the latching surface 31 of the functional surface 22 of the rotary latch 20 approaches. Thereafter, the locking unit 10 is again in the locked state. Also, the actuating rod 57 acts as a push rod and acts on the unlocking handle 82. The unlocking handle 82 is characterized relative to the

Unlocking housing 80 is pivoted into its locking position.

On the unlocking housing 80, a guide tab 90 and a mounting tab 92 are also provided. The guide tab 90 and the mounting tab 92 are present in one piece with the unlocking housing 80 and made of plastic. The guide plate 90 and the mounting tab 92 are configured cuboid and extend from a body of the

Entriegelungsgehäuses 80 approximately parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and perpendicular to the axial direction.

Between the guide tab 90 and the mounting tab 92 remains a transversely and axially extending gap 94, which is slightly wider than the diameter of the actuator rod 57. The actuator rod 57 extends within the gap 94 between the guide tab 90 and the mounting tab 92 therethrough.

The actuating rod 57 is thus surrounded in the transverse direction and in the axial direction by the guide tab 90 and the mounting tab 92. A movement of the actuating rod 57 in the transverse direction or in the axial direction is thus not possible. The first end portion 58 of the actuating rod 57 is thus in the

Coupling opening 36 secured and can not be in the transverse direction or in

Move axial direction out of this. The second end 59 of the

Actuating rod 57 is due to its z-shaped configuration in the

Hooked opening 86 secured and can not be in the transverse direction or in

Move axial direction out of this. The mounting tab 92 is flexible with the main body of the

Entriegelungsgehäuses 80 connected. In this case, the mounting tab 92 is pivotable relative to the base body of the unlocking housing 80 about a transverse in the transverse direction and axially extending bending axis 99, or bendable. The mounting tab 92 is elastically deformable. After pivoting or bending about the said bending axis 99, the mounting tab 92 automatically returns to its original position, in which the mounting tab 92 extends parallel to the guide tab 90. When mounting the locking unit 10, the z-shaped configured second end portion 59 of the actuating rod 57 is first introduced in the transverse direction and in the axial direction in the insertion opening 86 of the release handle 82. The mounting tab 92 is in its initial position. Subsequently, the actuating rod 57 is moved such that the first

End portion 58 of the coupling opening 36 of the latch 30 approaches. In this case, the mounting tab 92 is bent by the actuating rod 57 about the axis extending in the transverse direction and in the axial direction of bending axis 99 relative to the main body of the Entriegelungsgehäuses 80 and moved to its mounting position. This state is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Then, the first end portion 58 of the operating rod 57 is inserted in the transverse direction and in the axial direction in the coupling opening 36 of the latch 30, whereby the position of the actuating rod 57 changes.

As a result, the actuating rod 57 moves away from the mounting tab 92 and moves into the gap 94 between the guide tab 90 and the

Mounting tab 92 into it. In this case, the mounting tab 92 bends independently due to their elasticity about the bending axis 99 and returns to the starting position and runs thereafter again parallel to the guide plate 90. This state is shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8.

The actuating rod 57 is now in the gap 94 between the mutually parallel tabs 90, 92 and is thus secured in the transverse direction and in the axial direction.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may, both individually and in combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments of

Meaning.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

vehicle seat

backrest

seat part

locking unit

locking bolt

first bearing bore

second bearing bore

first side plate

second side plate

catch

hook mouth

functional surface

Rotary latch hole

latch

Rest area

Latch hole

coupling opening

clamping element

clamping surface

Tensioner hole

lock

first bearing pin

second bearing pin

Through opening

actuating rod

first end area

second end area

frame part screw

first spring second spring third spring

Unlocking housing Unlocking handle Hinge opening Guide tab Mounting tab Gap

bending axis

Claims

claims 1 . Locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1),  comprising an unlocking handle (82),  which is connected by means of an actuating rod (57) with a latching pawl (30), which is pivotable about an axis extending in the axial direction,  characterized in that  a mounting tab (92) is provided  which is elastically deformable, and  which from a starting position in which the mounting tab (92) prevents movement of the actuating rod (57) in the axial direction, can be brought into a mounting position in which movement of the  Actuating rod (57) in the axial direction is possible. 2. locking unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting tab (92) moves automatically from the mounting position to the starting position. 3. locking unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting tab (92) about a bending axis (99) is bendable. 4. locking unit (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bending axis (99) extends in the axial direction. 5. locking unit (10) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that  the unlocking handle (82) is pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the bending axis (99). 6. locking unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting tab (92) on a  Unlocking housing (80) is fixed, in which the unlocking handle (82) is mounted. 7. locking unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting tab (92) is formed integrally with the Entriegelungsgehäuse (80). 8. locking unit (10) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized  characterized in that on the Entriegelungsgehäuse (80) a  Guide tab (90) is fixed, which runs parallel to the starting position in the mounting tab (92). 9. locking unit (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide tab (90) is formed integrally with the Entriegelungsgehäuse (80). 10. locking unit (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized  in that a gap (94) is formed between the guide lug (90) and the mounting lug (92) located in the starting position, within which the actuating rod (57) runs. 1 1. Locking unit (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the extension of the gap (94) in the axial direction is slightly wider than the diameter of the actuating rod (57). 12. Vernegelungseinheit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rotary latch (20) is provided which is pivotable about an axis extending in the axial direction. 13. locking unit (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that a clamping element (40) is provided which in the locked state of the locking unit (10) exerts a closing moment on the rotary latch (20) 14. Locking unit (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping element (40) and the latching pawl (30) are pivotable about the same axis. 15. Vehicle seat (1) comprising at least one locking unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.