Energy absorber for a vehicle seat, linear adjuster for a vehicle seat having an energy absorber, and vehicle seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10967766-B2
Application number	US-201716332615-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2017
Priority date	Sep 13, 2016
Publication date	Apr 6, 2021
Grant date	Apr 6, 2021

Abstract

An energy absorber ( 100 ) for a vehicle seat ( 1 ), in particular for a linear adjuster ( 60 ) of the vehicle seat ( 1 ), includes a deformation element ( 110 ). The deformation element ( 110 ) is deformable by forces occurring in a vehicle collision. The energy absorber ( 100 ) includes a bending element ( 120 ) that releases the deformation element ( 110 ). Upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element ( 120 ), the bending element ( 120 ) bends and the bending element ( 120 ) thereby releases the deformation element ( 110 ) to a lesser extent. A linear adjuster ( 60 ) for a vehicle seat ( 1 ) is also provided, having the energy absorber ( 100 ). Further, a vehicle seat ( 1 ) is provided having at least such one linear adjuster ( 60 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A linear adjuster for a vehicle seat comprising at least one energy absorber, the at least one energy absorber comprising:
a deformation element deformable by forces occurring in a vehicle collision; and
a bending element which releases the deformation element, wherein, upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element, the bending element bends and the bending element thereby releases the deformation element to a lesser extent;
wherein the linear adjuster has a first point of articulation and a second point of articulation, wherein the spacing between the first point of articulation and the second point of articulation is adjustable;
wherein the at least one energy absorber comprises one energy absorber that is arranged in a region of the first point of articulation and one further energy absorber that is arranged in a region of the second point of articulation of the linear adjuster.

2. The linear adjuster as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy absorber is arranged in a region of the first point of articulation or in a region of the second point of articulation of the linear adjuster.

3. A vehicle seat having at least one linear adjuster, the at least one linear adjuster comprising at least one energy absorber, the at least one energy absorber comprising:
a deformation element deformable by forces occurring in a vehicle collision; and
a bending element which releases the deformation element, wherein, upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element, the bending element bends and the bending element thereby releases the deformation element to a lesser extent;
wherein the linear adjuster has a first point of articulation and a second point of articulation, wherein the spacing between the first point of articulation and the second point of articulation is adjustable;
wherein the at least one energy absorber comprises:
one energy absorber arranged in a region of the first point of articulation; and
one further energy absorber arranged in a region of the second point of articulation of the linear adjuster.

4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the at least one energy absorber is arranged in a region of the first point of articulation or in a region of the second point of articulation of the linear adjuster.

5. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the bending element has a predetermined bending point comprising a recess in a base body of the bending element.

6. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the deformation element comprises a base body with means for a targeted deformation of the base body comprising a slot.

Assignees

• Adient Luxembourg Holding Sarl

Inventors

• Schoenbach Roland
• Hoffmann Andreas

Classifications

• B60N2/067

  by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms · CPC title

• B60N2/42745

  of the back-rest (B60N2/433 takes precedence; higher part of the back-rest moving together with the headrest B60N2/888) · CPC title

• B60N2/4228 Primary

  due to impact coming from the rear · CPC title

• B60N2/42709 Primary

  involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure · CPC title

• B60N2/68

  Seat frames · CPC title