Patent ID: 12257930

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According toFIG.1, a vehicle seat1for a motor vehicle comprises a seat portion2and a back rest3auf, whereby the vehicle seat1is connected on both to a floor5of the vehicle or an element firmly affixed to the floor via a support structure of the seat portion2on two rail systems4arranged in parallel to one another and extending in the longitudinal direction X. According to the detailed view inFIG.2, the rail systems4each comprise a lower rail6firmly affixed to the floor and an upper rail7guided in the lower rail6such that it can be longitudinally displaced, whereby the support structure of the seat portion2is attached via corresponding attachment means8on the upper rail7so as to enable longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat1.

Hereby, the longitudinal adjustment is carried out via a longitudinal adjustment device10which comprises a threaded spindle11extending in the longitudinal direction X and a transmission housing12in which a12aincluding a spindle nut12bis disposed. The threaded spindle11firmly affixed to the lower rail6within the lower rail6via supports13,14at the ends. The transmission housing12including the transmission12ais connected firmly to the upper rail7via a receptacle area15. The transmission12acomprises a drive interface12cvia which the transmission12acan be coupled with a drive or a motor respectively (not shown) whereby the spindle nut12bcan be rotated. The spindle nut12bis screwed onto the threaded spindle11so that motorised actuation of the longitudinal adjustment device10causes, via the transmission12a, the upper rail7to be adjusted linearly in the longitudinal direction X in relation to the lower rail8.

According toFIG.3, further, a sleeve-like protective element16is arranged between the front and the rear support13,14which in the embodiment shown surrounds the threaded spindle11at least in certain regions, thereby protecting the threaded spindle11against dirt, e.g. dust, sand or smaller objects. Hereby, the sleeve-like protective element16is arranged between the supports13,14such that displacement of the sleeve-like protective element16in the longitudinal direction X in relation to the threaded spindle11is prevented. This can be achieved, for example, in that ends16a,16bof the sleeve-like protective element16each rest against the supports13,14“up to contact.” This prevents the sleeve-like protective element16surrounding the threaded spindle11from being displaced either beyond the front or beyond the rear support13,14. In addition, the ends16a,16bof the sleeve-like protective element16may also be suitable affixed to the supports13,14.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the sleeve-like protective element16can be opened at the top so as to make way for the transmission housing12in the case of motorised longitudinal adjustment. To that end, the sleeve-like protective element16has as its default shape the shape of a sleeve which is closed at the top, i.e. towards the upper rail7, in an overlap region17by longitudinal edges16c,16doverlapping perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X or, respectively, in the transverse direction Y thereby covering the threaded spindle11. By means of any desired guide element18it is possible to elastically deform the longitudinal edges16c,16dsideways, i.e. in the transverse direction Y, such that the overlap no longer thereby forming an opening19in the sleeve-like protective element16in the region around the guide element18through which the transmission housing12can project out of the sleeve-like protective element16into the receiving region15.

When the guide element18is displaced in the longitudinal direction X the opening19also shifts in the longitudinal direction X, whereby the longitudinal edges16c,16doverlapping in the transverse direction Y are opened prior to the guide element18in the direction of movement and, owing to the elasticity of the material of the sleeve-like protective element16, also closed again or, respectively start overlapping again behind the guide element18in the direction of movement. Thus, the sleeve-like protective element16is pushed away to the side or, respectively, in the transverse direction Y by the guide element18in the region of the transmission housing12so that in this area the threaded spindle11is no longer covered by the sleeve-like protective element16, however, covered by the upper rail7instead, as can be seen, in particular, inFIG.2orFIG.3.

In order to enable such an elastic deformation of the longitudinal edges16c,16dor, respectively, the sleeve-like protective element16in the transverse direction Y on a permanent basis, the sleeve-like protective element16is made from a fatigue resistant material providing reversion into the default shape (sleeve shape) even following repeated elastic deformation. The chosen material may be, for example, metal or plastic. Depending on the elasticity of the material an opening19is then formed by “displacement” in the longitudinal direction X in front of and behind the guide element18for the transmission housing12correspondingly extending in the transverse direction Y and longitudinal direction X.

In the embodiment example ofFIG.3the guide element18is formed by the transmission housing12itself which provides that the longitudinal edges16c,16din longitudinal direction X are elastically deformed sideways in front of and behind the transmission housing12so that a corresponding opening19is formed around the transmission housing12. Alternatively, other components may be provided as guide elements18in front of and behind the transmission housing12which provides that the longitudinal edges16c,16din the transverse direction Y are elastically deformed.

The deformation of the longitudinal edges16c,16dby the transmission housing12is shown by way of example in different sectional views in theFIGS.4athrough4f, which correspond to the cutting lines B-B-through G-G depicted inFIG.4. Thus, the protective element16inFIG.4a(B-B) still exhibits the default shape or sleeve shape respectively in which the protective element16wraps completely around the threaded spindle11thereby covering it at the top. InFIG.4b(C-C) andFIG.4c(D-D) the sleeve-like protective element16is already open at the top and the threaded spindle11partially exposed without the transmission housing12as guide element18being in immediate contact with the longitudinal edges16c,16din this region. Hereby, the longitudinal edges16c,16dbecome more and more undone in the transverse direction Y as the distance to the transmission housing12decreases.

It is not until inFIG.4d(E-E) that the transmission housing12rests against the longitudinal edges16c,16ddirectly pressing them outwards in the transverse direction Y. Hereby, the longitudinal edges16c,16dextend between the transmission housing12and the upper rail7at opposing sides of the transmission housing12. In theFIG.4e(F-F) andFIG.4f(G-G) elastic recovery presses the longitudinal edges16c,16dback into the default shape, with the longitudinal edges16c,16dapproaching one another more and more as the distance from the transmission housing12increases (in the transverse direction Y) and inFIG.4fagain forming an overlap (in the transverse direction Y) in the default shape/sleeve shape so that the threaded spindle11is covered again at the top. This results in a substantially symmetrical deformation of the longitudinal edges16c,16dbefore and behind the transmission housing12, assuming a homogeneous material is used.

According toFIG.5, an alternative embodiment example is provided, wherein no sleeve-like protective element16is provided but, rather, a strip-shaped protective element20consisting of two partial strips21,22lying side by side in the transverse direction Y. Hereby, the same functionality can be attained as in the previous embodiment, namely protecting the threaded spindle11against dirt, because the partial strips21,22cover the threaded spindle11at least in overlap regions17. Hereby, too, the strip-shaped protective element20is arranged with its ends20a,20bbetween the end point supports13,14of the threaded spindle11, whereby the movement of the strip-shaped protective element20in the longitudinal direction X is limited by the supports13,14. This can be ascertained by an additional end point attachment of the strip-shaped protective element20to the supports13,14.

In this embodiment example, too, longitudinal edges20c,20dof the strip-shaped protective element20, which are formed by the respectively interior edges of the two partial strips21,22extending in the longitudinal direction X, may be displaced or, respectively, elastically deformed by a guide element18from their default position towards the side or, respectively, in the transverse direction Y so as to form an opening19for the transmission housing12. In front of and behind the opening19the two partial strips21,22overlap in the transverse direction Y along the longitudinal edges20c,20din an overlap region17so that the threaded spindle11is protected against dirt. Here, too, the longitudinal edges20c,20dcontinuously approach one another starting from the transmission housing12towards both sides as the distance from the transmission housing12increases until they overlap again in the transverse direction Y in the overlap regions17.

By virtue of the elastic deformation of the longitudinal edges20c,20din the transverse direction Y, which happens according to the sectional views in theFIGS.5athrough5ein a manner similar to the manner depicted in theFIGS.4athrough4f, it is also possible to enable a longitudinal adjustability of the transmission housing12. Hereby, in contrast to the previous embodiment, the partial strips21,22of the strip-shaped protective element20do not wrap around the underside of the threaded spindle11which, however, is not absolutely necessary given the construction of the rail system4because dirt mainly enters from above.

Rail systems for vehicle seats may comprise a lower rail to be attached firmly to the floor or chassis respectively and an upper rail received in the lower rail such that it can be longitudinally adjusted. Motorised rail systems further include a threaded spindle onto which a spindle nut is screwed, the threaded spindle, for example, being firmly affixed to the lower rail and the spindle nut being arranged in a transmission housing firmly affixed to the upper rail. Hereby, the upper rail can be longitudinally displaced by motorised rotation of the spindle nut on the threaded spindle, upon which rail the vehicle seat or a seat structure of the vehicle seat respectively is arranged. In order to attain a durable functionality of such a motorised longitudinal adjustment mechanism it is to be ascertained that no dirt gets into the mechanical components, whereby the transmission is secure already by the transmission housing.

In one comparative design, protection of the lower rail against dirt entering may occur by means of a strip shaped protective element extending between two longitudinal guides on the immobile lower rail affixed to the floor. The end of the strip shaped protective element is attached to the mobile upper rail and is carried along by the mobile upper rail upon longitudinal displacement in such a manner that the slot in the lower rail affixed to the floor is successively covered by the strip shaped protective element.

In another comparative design, covering a longitudinal adjustment device formed by a threaded spindle and a spindle nut by means of a caterpillar-like protective element which is designed as a continuous band. Hereby, the continuous band is guided, starting from one end of the mobile upper rail, along the upper side towards one of the ends of the lower rail affixed to the floor, deflected downwards and guided back along the underside towards the other end of the lower rail. Starting from there, the continuous band is deflected again upwards and guided towards the other end of the upper rail. When the upper rail is longitudinally adjusted the continuous band guided in the lower rail is carried along whereby complete covering of the lower rail is attained for each longitudinal position.

In another comparative design, a laterally guided planar protective element covering the lower rail and being attached to the end of the upper rail and on the other side being coiled onto a cylinder. Thus, when the upper rail is longitudinally adjusted the protective element is able to move along with the upper rail and maintain the cover of the lower rail.

In another comparative design, a zipper system the slider of which is connected to the upper rail. The slider acts in such a way that the zipper is closed in front of as well as behind the slider so that the zipper opens only in the region where the upper rail is located. This allows the lower rail to be covered in the region next to the upper rail.

The present disclosure is based on the object of designing a rail system which can be motor driven allowing for a simple and reliable protection of the mechanical components against dirt. This task is solved by a rail system according to the present disclosure.

Thus, according to the present disclosure, it is provided that longitudinal edges of a protective element overlap in the transverse direction above a threaded spindle in at least one overlap region, i.e. lie planar on top of one another, such that the threaded spindle is covered at the top by the protective element in the at least one overlap region and the longitudinal edges are elastically deflected or capable of being elastically deformed in the transverse direction, i.e. towards the side or, respectively, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that an opening is formed between the longitudinal edges above the threaded spindle and the transmission housing connected to the upper rail projects from that opening.

Thus, advantageously, a simple and effective protection of the mechanical components of the rail system which can be motor driven is provided by virtue of an elastically deformable protective element which covers the threaded spindle at the top in its default shape, while at the same time enabling a simple option to connect the transmission housing to the upper rail. Owing to its overlap at the top the protective element is easy to mount in that it, for example, sheathed or positioned over the threaded spindle in its state open at the top and subsequently returns to its default shape by elastic recovery in which the longitudinal edges overlap or, respectively, lie planar on top of one another in the overlap region.

The longitudinal edges are kept open only in the region of the transmission housing. Preferably, on both sides this opening is joined by an overlap region covering the threaded spindle. Because in the region of the opening a cover is preferably provided by the upper rail it is sufficient for the threaded spindle to be covered by the protective element only in the overlap region.

Moreover, such a protective element can be designed having lower weight, for example made from a fatigue resistant material, for example a plastic or metal, so as to allow for elastic recovery into the respective default shape after repeated elastic deformation. Hereby, also, a corrosion-free material may be utilised. Further, the present disclosure also provides a good optical quality perception.

Preferably, a sleeve-like protective element, i.e. including a sleeve as default shape, may be provided as protective element which in the overlap region wraps fully around the threaded spindle in the manner of a sleeve, with longitudinal edges of the sleeve-like protective element overlapping transversely in the overlap region above the threaded spindle and are elastically deformed or deformable in the transverse direction so as to form the opening for the transmission housing above the threaded spindle. Thus, a secure montage of the protective element can be carried out in a simple manner thereby providing complete protection of the threaded spindle in the relevant areas.

Alternatively, a strip-shaped protective element may be provided as protective element which is formed by two partial strips extending in the longitudinal direction which lie side by side in the transverse direction and the longitudinal edges of which overlap in the overlap region above the threaded spindle in the transverse direction such that the threaded spindle is covered at the top by the partial strips, whereby the longitudinal edges are elastically deformed or deformable in the transverse direction so as to form the opening for the transmission housing above the threaded spindle. Thus, a covering of the threaded spindle at the top can be achieved in a simple manner with little expenditure in terms of material if the strip-shaped protective element made from the two partial strips, in particular in the overlap region, does not fully surround the threaded spindle. Hereby, already, it is possible at least to prevent the relevant entry of dirt from above.

Preferably, it is further provided to have the protective elements at their end rest against and/or be attached to supports of the threaded spindle so as to prevent displacement of the protective elements in the longitudinal direction. In order to prevent, upon longitudinal adjustment of the upper rail or the transmission housing respectively, undesired displacement of the protective element and thereby the threaded rod being unprotected at the top, the longitudinal movement of the protective element is prevented by this (these) measure(s).

According to the present disclosure, it is further provided for the longitudinal edges to be elastically deformable or elastically deformed in the transverse direction by means of a guide element which can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction. In using this, the region around the transmission housing can be purposefully opened in a simple manner upon longitudinal adjustment of the upper rail. Hereby, it is provided that the guide element is or can be formed by the transmission housing itself. Thus, depending on the embodiment and the application, the transmission housing may itself provide for an opening of the protective element at the top that a simple construction is achieved.

Preferably, it is further provided for the longitudinal edges elastically deformed in the transverse direction to be arranged in the region of the transmission housing between the upper rail and the transmission housing. This leads to a secure guidance of the protective element without requiring additional components.

Preferably, it is further provided for the longitudinal edges starting from the transmission housing, as the distance from the transmission housing increases, continuously approach one another in the formed opening until they overlap in the transverse direction in the overlap region. This provides a continuous transition between the and the overlap region, with the transition depending, in particular, upon the elasticity of the chosen material and possibly the type of guide element so that the transition can be purposefully adapted.

The present disclosure relates to a rail system4including a lower rail6and an upper rail7guided therein where the upper rail7is adjustable in relation to the lower rail6via a longitudinal adjustment device10, the longitudinal adjustment device10comprising a threaded spindle11attached inside the lower rail6and a spindle nut12bscrewed onto the threaded spindle11which is firmly affixed to the upper rail7via a transmission housing12so that the upper rail7can be displaced in the longitudinal direction X by motorised actuation of the longitudinal adjustment device10, the threaded spindle11being covered, at least in certain regions, in the lower rail6by a deformable protective element16which comprises longitudinal edges16c,16dextending in the longitudinal direction X.

The present disclosure provides that the longitudinal edges16c,16doverlap above the threaded spindle11in an overlap region17in the transverse direction Y such that the threaded spindle11in the at least one overlap region17is covered at the top by the protective element16, and the longitudinal edges16c,16dare elastically deformable in the transverse direction Y so that an opening19can be formed between the longitudinal edges16c,16dabove the threaded spindle11from which the transmission housing12connected to the upper rail7projects, and the longitudinal edges16c,16d;20c,20dbeing elastically deformable or elastically deformed in the transverse direction Y by a guide element18adjustable in the longitudinal direction X, the guide element18being formed by the transmission housing12.