Patent ID: 6733075
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A vehicle seat for being mounted to a vehicle structure and for performing advantageously in the event of a crash, the vehicle seat comprising:a height adjuster mounted between a seat frame and an understructure for adjusting a height of the seat frame relative to the understructure, wherein the understructure is for being connected to the vehicle structure, the height adjuster is operative so that a change in geometry of the height adjuster occurs in the event of a crash in which the vehicle seat experiences at least a predetermined load, and the change in the geometry of the height adjuster is substantially irreversible; and at least one locking device mounted for locking in response to the change in geometry to provide an alternative force transmission path between the seat frame and the understructure, wherein: the height adjuster is operative so that at least one additional degree of freedom of mobility is added to the height adjuster in the event of the crash, and the additional degree of freedom of mobility at least partially facilitates the change in the geometry of the height adjuster, the height adjuster includes: at least two components that are mounted for there being relative rotation therebetween, with the change in geometry including there being relative rotation between said two components, and a connecting element which holds together said two components to restrict the relative rotation therebetween, the connecting element is operative for deforming in the event of the crash so that the connecting element no longer holds together said two components to restrict the relative rotation therebetween, whereby the additional degree of freedom of mobility is added to the height adjuster, the locking device includes a locking element that is stationary with respect to the seat frame during the adjusting of the height of the seat frame prior to the crash, and the locking element is engaged to a locking element of one of said two components while the locking device is locked.