FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a backrest structure and a seat part structure. The backrest structure has a backrest structure of in particular a shell or frame type of construction. The seat part structure has a seat part structure of shell or frame type of construction. The seat part structure bears the front of the backrest structure. The backrest structure is hingedly connected to the seat part structure by an articulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Already known in the state of the art is a vehicle seat, especially a motor vehicle, with an articulation for coupling a backrest structure and a seat part structure wherein the articulation comprises two cheeks, one of which, which is stationary, is intended to be fixed to a seat part of the seat and the other of which, which is mobile, is intended to be fixed to the backrest of the seat, these cheeks being able to rotate one with respect to the other about an axis of articulation X which is perpendicular to them, and means for coupling the cheeks together.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat which provides ease of operation and reliable adjustability between the positions. The external appearance of the backrest structure as well as of the seat part structure can be varied within a broad scope without the need for adaptation of the backrest structure. The vehicle seat is furthermore optimized in terms of weight.

This problem is solved according to the invention by way of a vehicle seat having a backrest structure and a seat part structure wherein an articulation is configured to couple the seat part structure to the backrest structure with a degree of freedom that allows the seat part to move with the backrest while providing a pivot point for stadium of the seat. The backrest structure and the seat part structure can rotate one with respect to the other.

The articulation includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the backrest structure and the seat part structure together, controlled by a member, e.g. a link mechanism which can be actuated in the direction for adjusting at least one of the inclinations of the backrest structure in the opposite direction for temporarily folding this backrest down or back and/or the seat part structure in the opposite direction for temporarily folding the seat part structure up.

The coupling mechanism is configured as link mechanism, e.g. a four-link configuration having four link parts coupled to one another via hinge points. Four link parts may include a seat part, a backrest part, a receiving part, and a coupling rocker.

Further, the four-link configuration is configured to move up, in particular to pivot up the seat part structure from a seating position having a locked rear foot, after the rear foot is unlocked, into a functional position, in particular a vertical (pivoted) position, with adjustment of the four-link configuration. In the vertical position, the seat part structure is arranged parallel to the backrest structure. In an exemplary embodiment the four-link configuration comprises at least two link parts, e.g. two coupling arms, each of them couple the seat part structure with the backrest structure. Each link part comprises two hinge points wherein one of the hinge points of each link part is arranged on the seat part structure and the opposite hinge points of each link part is arranged on the backrest structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows schematic view of a vehicle with four vehicle seats,

Figure 2 shows a vehicle seat according to the invention in a

seating position,

Figure 3 shows the vehicle seat of figure 2 after the backrest

structure has been unlocked and forward folding has begun, Figure 4 shows the vehicle seat in the completely upward-folded functional position of the seat part structure,

Figure 5 shows the vehicle seat in the completely forward-folded functional position of a foot part structure, Figure 6 shows the vehicle seat in the completely unfolded position of the foot part structure,

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the backrest structure and of the seat part structure in the upward-folded position,

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the invention in a seating position,

Figure 9 shows the vehicle seat in the completely upward-folded functional position of the seat part structure,

Figure 10 shows the vehicle seat of figure 8 after the backrest

structure has been unlocked and move together with the seat part structure backwards while providing a pivot point for stadium of the seat, and

Figure 1 1 shows a schematic view of the pivot point of the seat

during backward movement of the seat.

Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows schematic view of a vehicle 1 with four vehicle seats 2. At least the front vehicle seats 2 of a first row R1 are adjustable. For instance, the front vehicle seats 2 are longitudinally adjustable on a longitudinal rail 3 and are lockable in one of its longitudinal positions. Furthermore, the front vehicle seats 2 of the first row R1 as well as the rear vehicle seats 2 of a second row R2 are further adjustable. In particular, the backrest

structures 4 and/or the seat part structures 5 of each of the seats are adjustable, in particular pivotable. The vehicle seat 2 further comprises a headrest 6 which is longitudinally and/or vertically adjustable.

Figure 2 shows a vehicle seat 2, in particular the backrest structure 4 and the seat part structure 5, according to the invention in a seating position P1 .

The vehicle seat 2 has the backrest structure 4 and the seat part structure 5 wherein an articulation 7 is provided to couple the seat part structure 5 to the backrest structure 4 so that the backrest structure 4 and the seat part structure 5 can rotate one with respect to the other.

The articulation 7 includes a coupling mechanism 8 for coupling the backrest structure 4 and the seat part structure 5 together. The coupling mechanism 8 is controlled by a member, e.g. a link mechanism further described below which can be actuated in the direction for adjusting at least one of the inclinations of the backrest structure 4 in the opposite direction for temporarily folding this backrest structure 4 down or back. Further the coupling mechanism 8 is controlled by a member which can be actuated in the direction for adjusting at least one of the inclinations of the seat part structure 5 in the opposite direction for temporarily folding the seat part structure 5 up.

The coupling mechanism 8 is configured as a link mechanism, e.g. a four- link configuration having four link parts 8.1 to 8.4 coupled to one another via hinge points G1 to G4. The four link parts 8.1 to 8.4 may include a seat part, a backrest part, a receiving part and a link arm or coupling rocker. For instance, the link parts 8.1 and 8.2 are coupling rocker. The link part 8.3 is the seat part structure 5. The link part 8.4 is the backrest structure 4. In the embodiment the link part 8.4 are made of a multi-part coupling rocker with an extending coupler 8.5 which vertically extends from the backrest 4.

The four-link configuration 8 is configured to move up, in particular to pivot up the seat part structure 5 from the seating position P1 having a locked rear foot 9. The locked rear foot 9 is locked by a fastener 10, e.g. a hook or locking arm, which engages a corresponding structure, e.g. a hole or a pin arranged in the seat part structure 5, to lock the rear foot 9 with the backrest structure 4. The fastener 10 is pivotably arranged and held onto the backrest

structure 4, in particular onto the extending coupler 8.5. For simplification the fastener 10, e.g. a latch or hook, is configured as a thick heat treated coming hook that can exceed all functional loading and abuse. In particular, the fastener 10 is hinged at a lower hinge point G4 arranged on the extending coupler 8.5.

In an exemplary embodiment the four-link configuration 8 comprises the at least two link parts 8.1 and 8.2, e.g. two coupling arms, each of them couple the seat part structure 5 with the backrest structure 4. Each link part 8.1 and 8.2 comprises two hinge points G1 and G2 as well as G3 and G4 wherein one of the hinge points G1 , G3 of each link part 8.1 , 8.2 is arranged on the seat part structure 5 and the opposite hinge points G2 and G4 of each link part 8.1 , 8.2 is arranged on the backrest structure 4. Each of the link parts 8.1 and 8.2 is formed as a straight coupling arm with hinge points G1 to G4 at each arms end. The hinge points G1 and G3 arranged on the seat part structure 5 are spaced from one another. Further, the hinge points G1 and G3 arranged on the seat part structure 5 are oriented along a relatively horizontal line.

The hinge points G2 and G4 arranged on the backrest structure 4 are oriented along a relatively vertical line and are spaced from one another. The lower hinge point G4 is arranged below the horizontal line with respect to the hinge points G1 and G3. The upper hinge point G2 of link part 8.1 is directly linked at the backrest structure 4. The lower hinge point G4 of link part 8.2 is arranged on a lower end of the extending coupler 8.5. The extending coupler 8.5 is linked to the backrest structure 4 at the axis A.

In a possible embodiment, the lower hinge point G4 is a common hinge point for the link part 8.2 and the fastener 10.

The headrest 6 as well as the seat part structure 5 is arranged in the functional or used seating position P1 . The headrest 6 travels within a track 1 1 in a longitudinal direction X. A leg 12 of track 1 1 is configured to accommodate changes or rotation and linear slide along with tolerance variation. The leg 12 is arranged at the end of the track 1 1 which is oriented to the backrest structure 4. The leg 12 comprises holes, rounds, slots and/or hinge points to compensate tolerance variations. The leg 12 couples the track 1 1 and the backrest structure 4.

Figure 3 shows the vehicle seat 2 of figure 2 after the backrest structure 4 has been unlocked and forward folding has begun according to arrow F1 . The headrest 6 also travels along the track 1 1 forwards.

The fastener 10 holds the seat part structure 5 in its seating position P2. The backrest structure 4 is pivoted by the articulation 7. In particular, the backrest structure 4 is pivoted about a horizontal axis A as a further hinge point of the four-link configuration 8.

The headrest 6 and the backrest structure 4 are moved into forward position P3.

Figure 4 shows the vehicle seat 4 in the completely upward-folded position P4 ("stadium position") of the seat part structure 5 after the rear foot 9 is unlocked, into another functional position, in particular a vertical or upward-folded position P4, with adjustment of the four-link configuration 8.

In this upward-folded position P4, the seat part structure 5 is arranged parallel to the backrest structure 4.

The rear foot 9 comprises a locking pin 13 to lock the fastener 10 in the seating position P1 shown in figures 1 and 2. The rear foot 9 is releasably locked by the fastener 10 fixed onto the locking pin 13. The fastener 10 is unlockable in order to pivot the front foot 15 of the seat part structure 5 upwardly after the unlocking. The fastener 10, e.g. the hook, takes load in one direction non camming with degree of freedom makes stop loads totally in tension and provides kinematics that are totally rotated. In a possible embodiment the fastener 10, e.g. the hook, will have a detented housing or latch.

In operation, after the seat part structure 5 has been unlocked the front foot 15 is pivoted upwardly and the rear foot 9 is pivoted forwardly, with guiding by the four-link configuration 8. Figure 5 shows the vehicle seat 5 in the completely forward-folded position P5 of a foot part structure 14. The foot part structure 14 extends from the front foot 15 of the seat part structure 5 in the forward-folded position P5. The front foot 15 comprises another articulation 16 with a single link part 17. The foot part structure 14 is hinged to the front foot 15 by the link part 17 which is hinged to the foot part structure 14 at one end and to the seat part structure 5 at the opposite end by the hinge points G5 and G6.

In operation, the foot part structure 14 is pivoted downwardly and forward, with guiding by the link part 17. The foot part structure 14 is not directly fixed to the front foot 15, but, rather, is pivotable about its hinged point G5 in an angular range. The link part 17 is formed by a curved arm. The hinge point G6 is arranged at the front side of the seat part structure 5. The foot part structure 14 rotates into the forward-folded position P5 against a stop 20 on link part 17.

Figure 6 shows the vehicle seat 2 in the completely (unused) unfolded position P6 of the foot part structure 14. The seat part structure 5 is in the seating position P2. The foot part structure 14 is arranged below the seat part structure 5 and parallel to the seat part structure 5 by the link part 17.

In an embodiment, a structural stage of 4way pump is used. A release handle 18 disengages wedges 19 and hits the stop 20 on the link part 17, e.g. a fixed stop on an arm. Continuing movement pushes the link part 17 to rotate until the release handle 18 is released.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the backrest structure 4 and of the seat part structure 5 in the upward-folded position P4. Figure 8 shows another embodiment of a vehicle seat 2 according to the invention in a seating position P1 of the backrest structure 4 and the seating position P2 of the seat part structure 5. The seat 2 comprises an alternative articulation 7 configured as an alternative four-link configuration 8 arranged on the rear foot 9.

The four-link configuration 8 comprises two link parts 8.1 , 8.2 which are hinged at the same hinge point G1 on the seat part structure 5. On the opposite ends the two link parts 8.1 and 8.2 are hinged at different hinge points G2 and G3 directly on the backrest structure 4 and indirectly on a base part 21 . The base part 21 forms a coupling part to couple the link part 8.1 with the backrest structure 4 by the hinge point G4. The base part 21 extends from the lower end 4.1 of the backrest structure 4. The link part 8.2 of the alternative embodiment has a curved or bent shape. The link part 8.1 has a straight form.

The end of the adjustable leg 12 of track 1 1 oriented to the backrest structure 4 is enlarged or expanded and indirectly coupled to the backrest structure 4 by an adjustable coupler 12.1 . The coupler 12.1 is adjustable in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction and/or the longitudinal direction. In particular, the coupler 12.1 comprises rounds, elongated holes, slots and/or hinge points. Figure 9 shows the vehicle seat 2 in the completely upward-folded position P4 of the seat part structure 5. The base part 21 provides a drive link of the four-link configuration 8. The front hinge point G4 is a common front hinge point of the link parts 8.1 and 8.2. The front foot 15 of the seat part structure 5 is pivoted about the front hinge point G4 into the upward- folded position P4. In this upward-folded functional position P4, the seat part structure 5 is parallel to the backrest structure 4. Figure 10 shows the vehicle seat 2 of figure 8, after the backrest structure 4 has been unlocked and moves together with the fixedly coupled seat part structure 5 backwards into a lying or flat position P7.

Thus, the articulation 7 is provided to couple the seat part structure 5 to the backrest structure 4 with a degree of freedom that allows the seat part structure 5 to move with the backrest structure 4 while providing a pivot point D about the hinge point G4 for stadium of the seat 2.

Thereby, the four-link configuration 8 allows the seat part structure 5 or cushion to articulate with motion of the backrest structure 4 for a preferred movement and positioning into the flat position P7.

Figure 11 shows a schematic view of the pivot point D of the seat 2 during backward movement of the seat 2 into the flat position P7.

List of References

1 vehicle

2 vehicle seat

3 rail

4 backrest structure

5 seat part structure

6 headrest

7 articulation

8 coupling mechanism, four-link configuration

8.1 to 8.4 link parts

8.5 coupler

9 rear foot

10 fastener

1 1 track

12 leg

12.1 coupler

13 locking pin

14 foot part structure

15 front foot

16 articulation

17 link part

18 release handle

19 wedges

20 stop

21 base part

A horizontal axis

D pivot point

F1 arrow

G1 to G8 hinge points P1 , P2 seating position

P3 forward position

P4 upward-folded position

P5 forward-folded position

P6 unfolded position

P7 flat position

R1 first row

R2 second row

X longitudinal direction