Safety device

A safety device for a lock mechanism may have a housing that encapsulates the lock mechanism. The housing may have at least one opening, through which at least one adjustment element coupled to the lock mechanism is guidable. The at least one opening may have a sealing element. A seat track for a seat is also disclosed. The seat track may have a first track assembly with at least one track member, a second track assembly with at least one further track member, and a lock mechanism configured to lock an adjustment of the seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a safety device for a lock mechanism.

Lock mechanisms are well known in the state of art and may be used in adjustable vehicle seats. For example, one or more lock mechanism is used for locking an elevation and/or tilting of an angle of the seat and/or for locking the seat on rails so that the seat slide backwards or forwards until a required position is reached. One example of such a lock is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,480 A.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a safety device for a lock mechanism that enables protection of the lock mechanism against environmental influences, in particular dirt, mud and dust.

The object is achieved by a safety device according to claim1and by a seat track according to claim11.

According to the disclosure, a safety device for a lock mechanism comprises a housing containing the lock mechanism, wherein the housing comprises at least one opening, through which at least one adjustment element coupled to the lock mechanism is guidable and wherein the at least one opening comprises a sealing element.

The safety device enables a protective encapsulation, e.g. sealing, of the lock mechanism in order to minimize reduction of function due to environmental influences, e. g. dirt, mud and dust. This may be of particular advantage if the lock mechanism refers to a vehicle seat track and/or vehicle seat recliner of a manufacture open side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Such vehicles can get buried in water and mud during usage so that the vehicle seat including the lock mechanism can get completely contaminated. The safety device protects the lock mechanism against such contamination.

The safety device may be alternatively used for a lock mechanism of a vehicle seat recliner. Moreover, the safety device may be used for any lock mechanism without limitation for use in a vehicle seat or vehicle.

The housing may be two-parted and comprise for instance at least a cap shell and a bottom shell engaged to each other in an interlocking and/or force-fitting manner. A two parted housing enables mounting of the lock mechanism inside the safety device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the engaging area between the cap shell and bottom shell is sealed by a circumferential sealing in order to seal an inside of the housing.

The cap shell and bottom may each comprise a circumferential groove on their edge configured to receive the circumferential sealing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cap shell is configured as a cover and comprises a number of slots through which fixing elements of the lock mechanism are guidable. The lock mechanism may be thus sealingly coupled to a seat track by the safety device. In particular, the safety device, e.g. the housing, encapsulates the lock mechanism in its assembled position to a track or a recliner.

Furthermore, the bottom shell may be configured shell-like and comprises the at least one opening. The bottom shell may comprise a further opening on a side wall, through which a releasing element that is configured to release the lock mechanism is guidable.

In an exemplary embodiment, the openings are respectively sealed by the sealing element. The slots in the cap shell may be sealed as well by a sealing element. For example, the sealing element is a seal ring, i. e. an O-ring.

Moreover, the housing may be made from a stainless metal. This enables protection of the lock mechanism inside the housing.

According to the disclosure, a seat track assembly for a seat comprises a first track assembly with at least one track member, a second track assembly with at least one further track member, a lock mechanism configured to lock an adjustment of the seat and a safety device. In particular the lock mechanism is configured to lock at least one of the track member e.g. by friction.

The safety device may be used for a lock mechanism of a vehicle seat track comprising at least one linear lock device offering an infinite adjustment of the vehicle seat in a forward and backward direction. To that the vehicle seat track comprises two rods, whereby the lock device is used to lock the seat on these rods. The linear lock device may have torsional springs engaged to the rods in order to lock the seat in a required position.

Furthermore, the lock mechanism may comprise at least one lock device and at least one bearing element each contained in the housing. The bearing element is configured to enable an adjustment of the vehicle seat with low effort. The bearing element may be contained in the housing of the safety device in community with the linear lock device. Particularly, the bearing element may be mounted on an end side of the lock device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the track member of the second seat track assembly is configured as a rod that is guided through the at least one opening in the housing of the safety device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a seat1, in particular a vehicle seat.

For a better understanding of subsequent descriptions of the seat1a coordinate system is shown in further figures. The coordinate system comprises a longitudinal axis x, a transverse axis y and a vertical axis z.

The seat1comprises a seat pan2, a backrest3and a seat base4. The backrest3may be adjustable relatively to the seat pan2. In particular, the backrest3may be pivotably connected to the seat pan2by a recliner mechanism comprising recliner fittings (not shown) or may be fixed relative thereto. The seat base4is fixed to a floor, in particular a vehicle floor.

The seat1further comprises a seat track5through which the seat1may be coupled to the vehicle. The seat track5is configured to allow a seat occupant to selectively adjust the position of the seat1in a translational manner along the longitudinal axis x (shown by the arrows inFIG. 1). For example, the seat track5may be arranged within the vehicle in a manner that enables a vehicle seat occupant to infinitely adjust the position of the seat1in a fore and aft direction with respect to the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the seat track5generally includes a first track assembly5.1and a second track assembly5.2. The first track assembly5.1is configured to be affixed (formed, bolted, fastened, welded, or the like) to the seat1, such as to a bottom of the seat pan2, or the like. The second track assembly5.2is configured to be affixed (formed, bolted, fastened, welded, or the like) to the seat base4. The seat track assemblies5.1,5.2are configured to operatively cooperate with each other to enable the movement or translation of the seat1relative to the vehicle when a vehicle seat occupant actuates a lever or other actuator (not shown). The seat1comprises two pairs of seat tracks wherein the pairs of tracks are arranged on each lateral side of the seat pan2.

The first track assembly5.1may comprise elongated track members5.1.1that are fixed to the seat pan2. The second track assembly5.2comprises further elongated track members5.2.1that may be configured as hollow or solid rods and that are configured to be coupled to the seat base4. The track members5.1.1,5.2.1are slidably engaged to each other in order to enable the movement or translation of the seat1relative to the vehicle. One seat track member5.1.1slidably coupled to another seat track member5.2.1forms one of the pairs of seat tracks.

The seat track5further comprises a lock mechanism L that releasably retains the track members5.1.1,5.2.1in a locked position relative to one another until the lock mechanism L is released. Once the lock mechanism L is released, the track members5.1.1,5.2.1can be moved relative to one another e.g. by bowden cables, which enable the vehicle seat occupant to adjust the position of the seat1and to then re-engage or release the lock mechanism L to hold the seat1in the new position. In particular, the lock mechanism L is configured to enable infinitely adjustment of the seat1.

FIG. 4shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the lock mechanism L.

The lock mechanism L may comprise two linear lock devices6each engaged to one further track member5.2.1.

The two linear lock devices6can be coupled by a transmission component6.1for simultaneous release of the lock mechanism L, in particular the lock devices6. The transmission component6.1is connected to the lock devices6via coupling elements6.2(shown inFIG. 4). The transmission component6.1can be actuated by a bowden cable (not shown). Alternatively, the linear lock devices6could be released directly by at least one actuation element (not shown) which is directly coupled to the coupling elements6.2.

The coupling elements6.3can be also enclosed by the housing8, e.g. by a separate housing part8.2. Each of the housing parts8.2comprises exits8.3for a bowden cable or another suitable actuation element and/or the transmission component6.1. All exits8.3are formed as openings. The exits8.3can be sealed with sealing elements10.

For example, the linear lock devices6are respectively configured as a mechanical lock including a number of teeth that operatively engage gaps (not shown) in the other track member5.1.1, whereby the seat1is locked in position when a teeth engages a gap. The mechanical lock may also be biased, such as by a spring or the like, towards a locked position. Alternatively, the lock mechanism L may comprise only one lock device6engaged to one of the track members5.2.

The lock mechanism L further comprises at least one bearing element7(see e. g.FIG. 10) which is configured to reduce sliding effort. In particular, an occupant load from the seat1will not go into the lock mechanism L, but only in the bearing element7. Referring to an exemplary embodiment, the bearing element7is configured as a linear bearing element, whereby on each end-side of the lock device6one bearing element7is mounted (seeFIG. 6). Alternatively, slide blocks or pillow blocks are arranged as friction reducing components in order to reduce sliding effort.

The seat1may be arranged within a manufacture open side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Such vehicles can get buried in water and mud during usage so that the vehicle seat including the lock mechanism can get completely contaminated. In order to protect the lock mechanism L against such contamination, a safety device8(seeFIG. 5) is provided.

FIG. 5shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the seat track5comprising the lock mechanism L and the safety device8.FIG. 6shows an exploded view of the seat track5.

The safety device8comprises a housing8.1containing the lock mechanism L including the lock device6and the bearing7. The housing8may be made from a resistant material, such as stainless metal or rigid plastic.

Referring toFIG. 6, the housing8.1is two-parted and comprises a cap shell8.1.1and a bottom shell8.1.2that are engaged to each other in interlocking and/or force-fitting manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the cap shell8.1.1is flat and comprises a number of slots S through which fixing elements9, e. g. screws, are guided for releasing the lock mechanism L.

In an exemplary embodiment, the box shell8.1.2is shell-like and comprises further openings O, in particular two openings O, each on one front end of the bottom shell8.1.2through which the track member5.2.1of the second track assembly5.2is guided. The bottom shell8.1.2comprises a further opening O on a side wall, through which a not shown Bowden element is guidable in order to release the lock mechanism L.

All openings O are sealed with sealing elements10. The slots S may be sealed as well. In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing elements10are circular shaped. In particular, the sealing elements10are O-rings. Furthermore, the sealing elements10sealing the openings O in the bottom shell8.1.2are configured to wipe away any mud or debris on the track member5.2.1when the seat1is adjusted fore and/or aft.

The housing8.1further comprises a circumferential sealing11(seeFIG. 11), which is inserted between circumferential

grooves8.1.1.1,8.1.2.1arranged circumferentially on the edge of the cap shell8.1.1and the bottom shell8.1.2(seeFIG. 8). Hence, the cap shell8.1.1may seal the bottom shell8.1.2and the bottom shell8.1.2may seal the lock device6and the bearings7.

FIG. 7shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cap shell8.1.1of the safety device8. The cap shell8.1.1is configured as a flat plate.

FIG. 8shows a perspective view of an enlarged section with an exemplary embodiment the box shell8.1.2and the lock device6. The cap shell8.1.1is not shown.

FIG. 9Ashows a perspective view of an enlarged section with the track member5.2.1guided through an opening O of the box shell8.1.2.FIG. 9Bshows a cut view ofFIG. 9A.

FIG. 10shows a cut view of an exemplary embodiment of the seat track5comprising the lock mechanism and the safety device8.

FIG. 11shows a cut view of an enlarged section ofFIG. 10with the track member5.2.1guided through an opening O of the bottom shell8.1.2.

The exemplary embodiments show dual linear lock mechanisms L. The disclosure is not limited to this. There may be a single sided lock mechanism L that locks on one side of the seat track5. The other side comprises just linear bearings7that may be sealed by a safety device8with smaller dimensions.

This lock mechanism L could be released manual with bowden cables or using mechatronics. Furthermore, the safety device8is not limited to be used for a lock mechanism L of a seat track5. The safety device8may be also used for a lock mechanism of a recliner (not shown). Here, linear bearings would not be required since less occupant mass would be applied to the backrest3. A return spring would be required to bring the backrest back to an upright position though. The safety device8could also be configured with smaller dimensions. Moreover, the safety device may be used for any lock mechanism that is required to be protected from outside elements to maintain functionality. Hence, the safety device8is not limited to be used in vehicles.

LIST OF REFERENCES