Abstract:
A coupling/uncoupling device is disclosed for joining and disjoining first and second segments of a transmission and/or connection means. An end fitting of the device is arranged on the first segment. The end fitting creates a snap connection with a receiver part arranged on the second segment. The device may be adapted for use in vehicles, such as for a vehicle seat, a tailgate, an engine cover, a storage compartment, a battery pole connection, or for securing transported or loaded items.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a coupling/uncoupling device for a transmission means and/or connection means, in particular the Bowden cable of a vehicle seat with a crash-active headrest and a correspondingly equipped motor vehicle seat. The present invention further relates to a method for connecting and disconnecting two segments of a transmission means and/or connection means. 
     In the still unpublished German patent application DE 10 2006 019 176.5-16, a coupling device for a backrest with a crash-active headrest is disclosed which, in the event of an accident (rear impact), is partially displaced toward the head of the passenger by means of an activation means acted upon by the passenger. For the basic construction and function of such headrests, reference is made to the publication WO 2005/097545 A2. Both patent applications are thus used as references and are thus considered as part of the disclosure of the present invention. The coupling device connects in an unreleasable manner or a reversibly releasable manner a first segment of a transmission means, in particular a Bowden cable, to a second segment of this transmission means and after the coupling causes tension to be transmitted from the actuating means arranged in the lower backrest part to the drive device located in the headrest. The German utility models G 84 25 960.4 and DE 20 2004 019 232 as well as the unexamined German applications DE 10 2005 009 930 and DE 100 54 826 are further prior art known to the applicant. All coupling devices disclosed in the prior art are either of relatively complicated construction and/or the coupling of the two segments is unsuitable for a crash-active headrest. 
     It was, therefore, the object of the invention to provide a coupling/uncoupling device, which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object is achieved by a coupling and/or uncoupling device for a first and a second segment of a transmission means and/or connection means, an end fitting being arranged on the first segment, said end fitting creating a snap connection with a receiver part arranged on the second segment. 
     The coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention is of very simple construction and the connection between the two segments may be produced very easily. 
     By the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention a first and a second segment of a transmission means and/or connection means are connected to one another. This transmission means and/or connection means is a means by which two parts may be connected to one another and/or by which forces, in particular tensile forces, but also bending moments and/or torques may be transmitted. Preferably, the transmission means is the core of a Bowden cable and accordingly the first and second segments are parts of this core. However, it may also be two parts of a closure or a lock, for example, and accordingly the first and second segments may be two parts of a closure or a lock, which are to be connected to one another. 
     According to the invention, an end fitting is arranged on one segment, the first segment. An end fitting in the sense of the invention is, in particular, a thickened portion, which particularly preferably is rotationally symmetrical relative to a rotational axis. Quite particularly preferably, the end fitting is spherical. 
     Furthermore according to the invention the coupling and/or uncoupling device comprises a receiver part which is arranged on the other segment, the second segment, and/or cooperates therewith. This receiver part is preferably designed such that it may entirely receive the end fitting. According to the invention, the end fitting and the receiver part create a snap connection. A snap connection in the sense of the invention is a connection in which a part moved from an original position automatically springs back at least partially in the direction of the original position, and, as a result, the connection is made, in particular between the end fitting and the receiver part. 
     Preferably, the receiver part comprises an opening, the cross section thereof being able to be altered in a reversible manner. Preferably, the reversible alteration of the cross section is carried out by the end fitting. The end fitting preferably enlarges the opening before the creation of the snap connection, the increase thus being made reversible at least partially during the creation of the snap connection. In a further preferred embodiment, in particular when the end fitting is located in the receiver part, the cross section of the opening is enlarged manually or in a motorized manner, so that the end fitting may be removed from the opening. Subsequently, the end fitting springs back into its original position. 
     A further subject of the present invention is a coupling and/or uncoupling device for a first and a second segment of a transmission means and/or connection means, an end fitting being arranged on the first segment and a receiver part for the end fitting being arranged on the second segment and the receiver part comprising an opening, the size thereof being able to be altered in a reversible manner by the end fitting and/or manually or in a motorized manner. 
     The disclosure made relative to the first subject of the invention applies equally to this subject of the invention. 
     The following embodiments refer to both subjects of the invention. 
     Preferably, a means protrudes into the opening, by which the cross section thereof may be altered. The means may, for example, be an extension. Particularly preferably, this means is pretensioned in the direction of the opening, firstly to reduce rattling and secondly to achieve the snap connection i.e. the automatic resetting of the means for reducing the cross section. Quite particularly preferably, the end fitting cooperates with the means in order to enlarge the cross section of the opening, as a result. Before creating the snap connection, the means is displaced by the end fitting, for example, such that it no longer protrudes into the cross section. As a result, the opening of the receiver part is enlarged and said receiver part may receive the end fitting and at least partially create a positive connection therewith. The means may, however, also be driven manually and/or in a motorized manner directly or indirectly. This preferred embodiment is, in particular, required for releasing the connection between the two segments. The means is removed from the cross section of the opening manually or in a motorized manner, so that said opening may be enlarged and the end fitting may be moved through the opening. 
     Preferably, the cross section of the opening is reduced again after the end fitting has been received in the receiver part or removed therefrom. As a result, the end fitting is prevented, in particular, from inadvertently slipping out of the receiver part. This takes place, for example, by the above described means, which are for example spring-driven, preferably slipping back automatically into the opening, in particular snapping back and again reducing the cross section thereof. The means may, however, also have any other drive. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmission means and/or connection means is the core of a Bowden cable. This Bowden cable has a sheath, which is preferably supported on the receiver part. 
     Preferably, the coupling and/or uncoupling device comprises a means for the subsequent release of the connection between the end fitting and the receiver part. 
     The coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention may be used in all areas where transmission means and/or connection means are present. Preferably, the coupling device, however, is part of a crash-active headrest, such as for example is disclosed in DE 10 2004 048 910.6, in DE 10 2007 006 835.4 and in WO 2005/097545 A2, which are thus used as references and are therefore considered as part of the disclosure. 
     Preferably, the first segment is arranged on the headrest or the retaining bar thereof and the receiver part is arranged on the backrest of a motor vehicle seat. 
     The coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention is preferably part of a motor vehicle seat. A further subject of the present invention is, therefore, a motor vehicle seat comprising the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention. 
     Preferably, the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention is part of a motor vehicle seat, a tailgate, an engine cover, a storage compartment. It may be used to connect the vehicle seat to the bodywork or other parts of the vehicle interior. Moreover, the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention may be used as a closure for the tailgate, the hood and/or the cover of a storage compartment, for example a glove compartment. The end fitting is thus arranged on a part, for example the tailgate or hood and the transmission means and/or connection means is arranged on the other part. When closing, the end fitting engages in the transmission means in the transmission means and/or connection means, so that a reversible connection is produced therebetween, which may then be released again by the vehicle occupants. 
     Moreover, the transmission means and/or connection means may be used for fastening transported items or loaded items in motor vehicles and/or as the battery pole connection. 
     A further subject of the present invention is a method for connecting two segments of a transmission means, an end fitting being arranged on the first segment and a receiver part being arranged on the second segment and the end fitting being inserted into the receiver part and thus an opening being enlarged which, after the reception of the end fitting in the receiver part ( 6 ), is automatically reduced again. 
     The above disclosure applies equally to the method according to the invention. 
     A further subject of the present invention is a method for connecting two segments of a transmission means, an end fitting being arranged on the first segment and a receiver part being arranged on the second segment, and an opening of the receiver part being enlarged, the end fitting being removed from the receiver part and after the removal of the end fitting the opening being automatically reduced again. 
     The above disclosure applies equally to the method according to the invention. 
     Preferably, the opening is altered by a means. Particularly preferably, this means for enlarging the opening is altered in its position. Particularly preferably, the means for reducing the opening is moved back at least partially into its original position, preferably by means of a spring. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Hereinafter, the invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . These explanations are merely provided by way of example and do not limit the general inventive idea. The explanations apply equally to all subjects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show the creation of the connection between the end fitting and the receiver part. 
         FIG. 3  shows a headrest comprising the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B show the release of the connection between the end fitting and the receiver part. 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B show a further embodiment of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B show a further embodiment of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 7A ,  7 B show a further embodiment of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 8A ,  8 B show a headrest with the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 9  show an embodiment of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention as, for example, may be used in the headrest according to  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a further embodiment of the slider of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention, according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As is visible from  FIG. 1 , the coupling/uncoupling device  1  comprises an end fitting  2 , which is fastened to one end of a first segment of the transmission means, namely the segment  3  of the core  4  of a Bowden cable. The end fitting  2  has a largest dimension D and is preferably configured to be rotationally symmetrical relative to at least one axis. In the embodiment, the end fitting is of spherical configuration, i.e. rotationally symmetrical about a plurality of axes. The end fitting  2  is able to be inserted through a receiver opening  5  into a receiver part  6 , which is located at the associated end of the other segment  7  of the core  4 . The size of the receiver opening  5  thus corresponds substantially to that of the dimension D of the end fitting  2 . In the embodiment, the receiver opening  5  is of spherical design. The receiver part  6  is provided with means which are capable of automatically reducing the free cross section Q of the receiver opening  5 , after inserting the end fitting  2 , to a free cross section Q′ which is smaller than the dimension of the end fitting  2  (in the inserted state denoted by  2 ′). The end fitting  2 ′ is, as a result, captured in the receiver part  6 , so that a positive connection is produced between the segments  3 ,  7 . 
     The aforementioned means is a piston-like slider  8 , which is arranged longitudinally displaceably in the sleeve-shaped receiver part  6 , and by means of a spring  9  is pretensioned in the direction of the receiver opening  5  provided in an axial surface of the receiver part  6 . The slider  8  has, in turn, on its axial surface facing the receiver opening  5  a tab-like extension  10  extending its peripheral surface. Said extension is associated in its end position with the receiver opening  5  which is capable of reducing the free cross section Q to the free cross section Q′. On its end facing the opening  5 , the extension has a chamfer so that the ball  2  is guided in the direction of the cavity in the receiver part. The tab  10  is pressed by the spring  9  against an end stop  6 ′. The tab  10  has to be able to be lowered in the present example at least by the dimension X 1 , so that the ball  2  may be inserted through the receiver opening  5 . Accordingly, in the lower region at least one path X 2  has to be provided, the length thereof at least corresponding to the dimension X 1 . In the installed state, the end fitting  2  bears against a projection  6 ″ in the receiver part  6 . 
       FIG. 2  shows schematically the creation of the connection between the end fitting  2  and the receiver part  6  in 3 different phases. 
       FIG. 2   a : initial position. The receiver opening  5  itself has a sufficient free cross section Q for inserting the end fitting  2 , which is reduced by the slider  8  located in the upper end position to a free cross section Q′. 
       FIG. 2   b : during the insertion of the end fitting into the receiver part  6 , the slider  8  is displaced counter to the force of the spring  9  in the receiver part  6  and allows the insertion of the end fitting  2  as far as the interior of the receiver part  6 . 
       FIG. 2   c : as soon as the end fitting  2  is sufficiently located in the receiver part, the slider  8  returns i.e. snaps back into the initial position and again partially closes the receiver opening  5 . The free cross section Q′ is smaller than the diameter D of the end fitting  2 , whereby said end fitting is captured in the receiver part  6 . 
     By means of this process, the coupling device according to the invention is closed. 
     The contour of the extension  10  is designed such that tension applied to the captured end fitting  2  only causes small axial forces or no axial force to be applied to the slider  8  in the direction away from the receiver opening  5 . An inadvertent opening of the coupling/uncoupling device  1  is thus excluded. In the present embodiment, tension applied to the end fitting even causes a force to be applied to the extension  10  in the direction of the receiver opening  5 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a specific installed situation of the coupling/uncoupling device according to the invention  1 , which in this case is part of a crash-active headrest, as for example is disclosed in WO 2006/037801, which is thus used as a reference and is therefore considered as part of the disclosure. The crash-active headrest  11  is fastened via retaining bars  12 ,  12 ′ to the backrest of a vehicle seat, not shown. The fastening takes place via headrest sleeves  13  (only shown for retaining bars  12 ) which, for example, are incorporated in the upper transverse member of the backrest. The retaining bar  12  is thus inserted vertically from above into the headrest sleeve  13  and locked there preferably in a height-adjustable and/or releasable manner. In the lower region of the passenger bearing surface of the backrest, an actuating means  14  is arranged, which is actuated in the event of a rear impact by the inertia of the seat occupant, and thus compressed. For the construction of suitable actuating means, reference is expressly made to the German patent applications DE 10 2004 048 910.6 and DE 10 2007 006 835.4. These patent applications are thus used as references and are therefore considered as part of the disclosure. 
     The sheath  15  of a Bowden cable  16  is fastened to the actuating means  14  in a shear-resistant manner, which receives the second segment  7  of the core  4  of the Bowden cable  16 . The segment  7  is connected with its end remote from the coupling/uncoupling device  1  to the actuating means  14 . The receiver part  6 , to which the other end of the segment  7  is connected, is inserted from below into the headrest sleeve  13  and releasably clamped there. 
     The first segment  3  of the core  7  of the Bowden cable  16  is guided from the headrest  11  through the hollow retaining bar  12 , the end fitting  2  protruding down from the retaining bar  12 . A perforated stopper  17  on the lower end of the retaining bar  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) thus holds the end fitting  2  on the other side of the retaining bar  12 . 
     When inserting the retaining bar  12  into the headrest sleeve  13 , the end fitting  2  is anchored without any further assistance (i.e. automatically) in the previously disclosed manner in the receiver part  6 . With further insertion of the retaining bar  12 , the receiver part  6  is preferably released from the headrest sleeve  13 , so that the coupling/uncoupling device  1  is subsequently displaceably arranged in the backrest, and does not hinder a height adjustment of the headrest by displacing the retaining bar  12  in the headrest sleeve  13 . It is understood that the clamping forces of the receiver part  6  in the headrest sleeve  13  have to be greater than the displacement forces of the slider  8  in the receiver part  6 . A removal of the headrest  11  is, however, no longer possible, as the coupling/uncoupling device  1  has no means for separating the segments  3  and  7  again. 
     This is, however, possible in the embodiment of the coupling/uncoupling device according to  FIG. 4 . The slider  8  is preferably provided with at least one projection  18 , preferably protruding radially from the receiver part  6 , which is guided in a slot  19  extending in the longitudinal direction in the receiver part. When the coupling/uncoupling device  1  is closed, this projection  18  has no function ( FIG. 4   a ). 
     When pulling out the retaining bar  12  from the headrest sleeve  13 , however, the projection  18  comes to bear against the lower edge of the headrest sleeve  13  and the means  8 , preferably a slider  8 , displaces said projection, with further tension applied to the retaining bar away from the receiver opening  5  ( FIG. 4   b ). The end fitting  2  now emerges from the receiver part  6 , whilst said end fitting part is again clamped in the headrest sleeve  13  and is ready for further use of the headrest. 
       FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention. The device  1  has a segment  3 , in the present case the core of a Bowden cable, with an end fitting  2  which is inserted in  FIG. 5   a  in the receiver part  6 , and is held in its position there by the slider  8  which has an extension  10 , which reduces the cross section of the receiver opening  5  of the receiver part  6 . By means of the spring  9 , the slider  8  is pretensioned in the direction of the opening  5 . The slider  8  is, moreover, connected to the second segment  7 , in the present case also the core of a Bowden cable, which has at its right-hand end a locking pin  24 , which is supported on the stationary bearing surface  23  and thus limits the path of the segment  7  to the left. Moreover, the device  1  also has a spring  21 , which is supported on its left-hand end on the stationary bearing  20 , and cooperates with its right-hand end with a projection on the housing of the receiver part  6  and thus presses the receiver part against the stationary bearing  22 . If the segment  3  is now sufficiently pulled, the receiver part moves to the left and both springs  9 ,  21  are tensioned. The slider  8  remains in its original position by means of the locking pin  14 . By the relative motion between the receiver part  6  and the slider  18 , the extension  10  connected to the slider is moved out of the receiver opening  5 , so that the end fitting  2  may slip out of the receiver opening  5 , which is shown in  FIG. 5   b . As soon as the end fitting  2  has been released from the receiver part  6 , the springs  9 ,  21  force the slider  8  and/or the receiver part  6  into the position shown in  FIG. 5   a . If the segment  7  is pulled, the slider  8  moves to the right relative to the receiver part  6 , whilst the receiver part  6  does not move. As a result, the extension  10  connected to the slider is moved out of the receiver opening  5 , so that the end fitting  2  may slip out of the receiver opening  5 . 
       FIG. 6  substantially shows the embodiment according to  FIG. 5 , in the present part no bearings  20 ,  22 ,  23  and no spring  21  being present. As soon as the tensile force between the segments  3 ,  7  exceeds the spring force of the spring  9 , the slider  8  is moved to the right inside the receiver part  6 , so that the extension  10  opens up the receiver opening  5 . In the present part, the receiver part  6  is mounted in a bearing  34  which, however, does not have to be the case. 
       FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment of the coupling and/or uncoupling device according to the invention. In the present case, the segment  3  is provided with a spring  30 , which is located between two stops  31 ,  32 , the stop  31  being fixedly connected to the segment  3 , and the stop  31  being displaceably arranged on the segment  3 . For producing the connection, the end fitting  2  is inserted into the receiver opening  5  of the receiver part  6 , in this case forced, and thus forces the slider  8  to the right, so that the receiver opening  5  is completely opened up and the end fitting  2  may be received in the receiver part  6 . As soon as the end fitting  2  is located in the receiver part  6  ( FIG. 7   b ) the slider  8  snaps back by means of a spring, not shown, which pretensions it in the direction of the receiver opening  5  into its original position ( FIG. 7   a ) and the projection  10  which is arranged on the slider partially blocks the opening  5 , so that the end fitting  2  hooks behind the projection  6 ″ and a fixed connection is produced between the segment  3  and the coupling device  1 . During the insertion of the end fitting  2  into the receiver part  6 , the spring  30  is tensioned so that the end fitting always bears against the projection  6 ″ and does not press against the slider  8  and no noise is generated. The connection between the segment  3  and the coupling and/or uncoupling device  1  is released, by the slider  8  being moved to the right. As a result, the extension  10  opens up the opening  5  completely, and by the pretensioning of the spring  30  the end fitting  2  springs out of the receiver part  6 , so that the connection is released. 
     The headrest  1  shown in  FIG. 8 , consists of a base part  11 ′, which is connected via at least one, preferably two, retaining bars  12  to the backrest of a vehicle seat. On the side facing the seat occupant, the headrest  11  is provided with a padded portion  11 ″, which after releasing a coupling and/or uncoupling device  1 , preferably according to the invention, may be displaced from a position of use ( FIG. 8   a ) toward the head of the seat occupant into a safety position ( FIG. 8   b ). To this end, for example, a drive device may be used, which is disclosed in WO 2005/097545 A, in particular in  FIGS. 2 to 7 . 
     The coupling device  1  consists of an end fitting  2  which is spherical in the embodiment, which is held in the position of use of the headrest  11  in a receiver part  6 , and secures the padded portion  11 ″ in its position relative to the base part  11 ′. After the displacement of a slider (see to this end the embodiment according to  FIG. 9 ) the padded portion  1 ″ is displaced by the action of the drive device  33 , only indicated, relative to the base part  11 ′ in the direction of the head of the passenger. The slider  8  (see  FIG. 9 ) may, for example, be moved in a pyrotechnic or electromagnetic manner or even mechanically by a Bowden cable connection with an actuator arranged in the backrest. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIG. 9 , the drive device  33  is combined with the coupling device  1  to form a subassembly  25  (position of use, view in dashed lines) and/or  25 ′ (safety position). The end fitting  2  is thus connected via a tension element  3  to a sleeve  29  which is open in the direction of the coupling device  1 , in which an energy storage mechanism, for example a compression spring  28 , is arranged. The compression spring  28  is thus supported on the axial surface  26  of the sleeve  29  and on a surface  27  of the coupling device  1 , opposing said sleeve. When actuating the slider  8  in the direction of the arrow A, the end fitting  2  is released from the receiver part  6  so that the compression spring  28  displaces the sleeve  29  and the padded portion  11 ″ connected thereto toward the head of the seat occupant (arrow B). 
       FIG. 10  shows a further embodiment of the slider  8 , and how it may be inserted in a receiver part according to  FIG. 1 . The slider is designed in the manner of the slider according to  FIG. 1 , except that in the present case the slider has at least one, in this case two, projections  18 , which run in slots of the receiver part  6 .