WO2001087665A1

WO2001087665A1 - Profile rail for an installation element

Info

Publication number: WO2001087665A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torsten Jeromin; Jean-Philippe Thome
Original assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) Ag
Priority date: 2000-05-18
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: AU2001258128A1

Abstract

A profile rail for an installation element, in particular for a passenger seat, has an essentially C-shaped profile (1) which forms a cavity (2) for the insertion of a mounting element displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the profile and belonging to the installation element. Above, below or next to the cavity (2) are provided further cavities (22, 32, 102) which form receiving spaces (22; 32) for electrical busbars (25, 125) or ventilation ducts (102). The use of a busbar in one of the cavities provides a multi-functional modular installation element, by means of which additional functions for passenger seats or load carriers can be implemented in a simple way.

Description

Profile rail for an installation element

The invention relates to a profile rail for an installation element, in particular for a passenger seat or an element in the roof or side-walls or trunk of a vehicle, or a space-frame structure of a vehicle with an essentially C-shaped profile which forms a cavity for the insertion of a mounting element displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the profile and belonging to the installation element .

A series of profile rails for passenger seats is known from the prior art, for example from US 5,104,176. This predetermines a C-shaped profile, in which the rail fastened to the seat slides by means of rollers . By virtue of the design found there, it is possible for the user to cause the rail to disappear almost completely in the floor.

There is a series of comfort arrangements for passenger seats and other loading elements which require a voltage supply. These addition supply cables are troublesome both for the user and in connection with mounting.

Proceeding from this prior art, the object on which the invention is based is to specify a profile rail of the type mentioned in the introduction, which allows simpler mounting, for example in a motor vehicle, and has increased functionality, this being linked to a reduction in cost. Increased functionality results in a greater manufacturing depth and avoids the sequential installation of several elements.

One aim of the invention is also that such a rail may serve for activating and supplying electrical appliances in an installation element, such as a passenger seat.

Another aim of the invention is to make it possible to achieve a visually attractive appearance when such a rail is used.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, in that above, below or next to the cavity are provided further cavities which form receiving . spaces for electrical busbars or ventilation ducts.

The advantage of using this integrated element is, inter alia, that the mounting costs are reduced, since a plurality of functions, such as ventilation and electrical wiring, can be integrated in the seat rail. Furthermore, it is possible to have the capability of reducing the size of the entire rail structure, particularly when the space required by separate electrical cable pits and ventilation ducts is considered. The other aim of the invention is therefore achieved by means of a busbar which is provided for such a profile rail, in that the busbar has an essentially rectangular cross section, there being provided, on a side facing inwards in the installed state, a plurality of electrical contact surfaces, by means of which an electrical supply voltage and/or electrical switching information can be picked off at any point in the longitudinal direction of the profile rail .

It is consequently possible to control a multiplicity of electrical comfort arrangements which may be provided in a seat or in another element to be inserted into the rail.

Finally, it is particularly advantageous to use a modular multi-functional installation element in vehicle construction with a profile rail and with a busbar.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective and partially sectional view of a profile rail according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 shows a top view of a portion of a bar 25 illustrated in isolation, for use in a rail according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the bar 25 according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of the use and arrangement of a bar 25 according to Figs 2 and 3,

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a further simpler exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of second embodiment of the bar 25 according to Fig. 2, Fig. 8 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of a exemplary embodiment of the connector for a rail according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional top view of a exemplary embodiment of the connector for a rail according to Fig. 5.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective and partially sectional view of a profile rail according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The rail is advantageously a drawn profile which may be composed of aluminium, steel or composite materials. Although the rail is shown for the floor of a vehicle, it can also be used for the roof or side-walls of vehicles.

The rail consists, for example, of a first C-shaped portion 1, in which a complementary element of a seat can be latched for the longitudinal adjustment of the latter. The C- shaped portion 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 forms a cavity 2 which is extended in the longitudinal direction and which is partially closed upwardly by means of two lateral and mutually opposite noses 3. The passage 4 between the noses 3 makes it possible, for example, to introduce a locking element for vertically fixing or detaining a seat rail of a passenger seat or of a load carrier.

Although the C-shaped element is normally used nowadays in order to prevent a seat, once introduced into the rail, from falling out, according to the invention the C-rail may also be dispensed with. The function of the noses 3 may then be performed by the noses 23 and 33. This results solely in the need for a smaller form of construction of the seat fastening and has no influence on the functionality of the device according to the invention. Above the cavity 2 surrounded by the C-shaped portion 1 and the noses 3 is formed, in the upward prolongation, with the same width, an intermediate cavity or gap 12 which is delimited laterally by two bus cavities or ducts 22 and 32. These left and right bus cavities 22 and 32 are essentially C-shaped and are delimited laterally by profile bottoms 21 and 31 which at the same time form the side walls of the profile as such. Noses 23 and 33 located in each case opposite one another form the dividing partition from the intermediate cavity 12. This results in passages 24 and 34, from which elements, such as are described below, can engage horizontally into the bus cavities 22 and 32 for picking off electrical information and for detaining a seat or load element . Bars 25 and 35 are introduced, for example with an accurate fit, or glued into the left and right bus cavities 22 and 32. It is also possible for only one bar 25 or 35 to be provided on one side. A more detailed description of the bars is to be found in connection with Figs 2 to 4. Access to the, for example, electrical contact surfaces of the bars 25, 35 is had via the intermediate cavity 12 and the free space 24 or 34 between the noses 23 and 33. It is seen, in connection with Fig. 5 , that the electrical contact surfaces may also be combined with a detaining bolt . The profile, starting from the smaller C-shaped portion

1, merges, via the wider intermediate region having the side walls 21 and 31, into left and right bearing surfaces 41 and 42 to be arranged horizontally, by means of which the profile rests on a floor structure 100 of a vehicle, for example of a passenger car, bus, ship or aircraft. The floor structure 100 is, in the simplest instance, a flat surface which has a recess oriented in the longitudinal direction of the passenger seat, for example a rectangular punched-out portion. In the application illustrated, the floor structure 100 has a U-shaped depression 101 of a width which can receive the side walls 21 and 31 of the profile. The remaining free space 102, here U-shaped, between the bottom of the U-shaped portion 1 and the bottom of the depression 101 may then serve, in particular, as a ventilation duct and, for example, for distributing airstreams generated by the ventilation system of the vehicle, over and beyond the corresponding seat position further to the rear in the vehicle. On the other hand, further supply lines may be laid there . It is also possible, ^• although not illustrated in the drawings, for the bottom 1 of the C-shaped profile to have an orifice in order to guide an airstream via a corresponding connection into the region of the seat . Latching noses 51 for detaining and fastening a seat or load carrier are provided at the underside of the noses 23 and/or 33. Grooves 52 which open into a cavity and into which brushes 53, illustrated only partially here, can be inserted are provided in the rounded regions on each of the two sides between the noses 23 and/or 33 and the bearing surfaces 41 and 42. Instead of the brushes 53, sealing-off lips made from a flexible material, such as rubber, may also be provided. On the top side of the surfaces 41 and 42, recesses may be provided, into which luminous strips 54 can be inserted. These may also be electrically operated luminous elements. It may also be a running rail for a stepping motor for seat adjustment or similar elements.

In a preferred embodiment the user of the seat or load carrier releases this element through manipulating a lever pivoting an retaining element out of the latching noses 51. This is shown in Fig. 8. Same features receive the same numerals. A body 120 is fixed to said seat, load carrier or another element which is to be mounted mechanically and electrically to the rail in the floor, roof or elsewhere in the car. Within this body 120 a spring 121 biases the cap 122 of an electrical switch within a sleeve 123 against the bar 25.

The bar 25 is described in connection with Fig. 2, 3 and 7. Although the number of contacts 64 of the bar 25 is four in said drawings, the actual number can be chosen between two and six and even more. In this embodiment the bar 25 only comprises two resilient contacts 64 which are pressed through the action of the spring 121 in the two slots 63. The electrical contact with the load within the seat, load carrier or further element is made through a conventional cable 124. Besides the utilization of conventional cables also ribbon cables, flexible flat cables, flexible printed circuits and conductive molded interconnection devices could be used for electrical connection 124 e.g. in a different and/or similar way in view of the embodiments shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

A lever 125 is mounted on the body 120. The lower end

126 of the lever 125 extends below the nose 3 and is capable to engage the nose 3 from the cavity 2. Lever 125 is also biased through the spring 121. This can be achieved through retainer ring 127.

Lever 125 / sleeve 123 is connected with an actuating lever 132 (here shown as shaft) to be actuated by the user of the element to retract the sleeve 123 / lever 125 out of the nose 3 / bar 25. Then the user can choose the appropriate position in the longitudinal direction of the profile rail. When the position the user was looking for is reached, the user releases said lever 132 and the retaining element 126 re-engages one further latching nose 51. With the same or another, further pivoting movement the electrical connector 61, also shown in Fig. 2, engages the bar 25 and connects to the resilient contacts 64 in the slots 63 of the bar 25.

It is possible to use the traditional lever 125 as mentioned above; the movement in and out of the latching noses 51 and in and out of the slots 63 of the bar 25 can also be driven by a motor element, through pneumatic or hydraulic activation or a smart material actuator. The pivoting movement can be simultaneous or the pivoting movement establishing the electrical connection can be performed after the pivoting movement establishing the mechanical connection of the seat to the profile rail .

In another embodiment the electrical connection remains established even in the case that the seat or load carrier is moved within the profile rail. In this case the connector 61 is fixed to an element of the seat or load carrier or retracting the lower end 126 of the lever 125 does not need to disengage the electrical connector 61 from the bar 25.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of a bar 25 illustrated in isolation, for use in a rail according to Fig. 1. Illustrated opposite the bar 25 and above the latter is a connector 61 which has four electrical contacts 62 which are arranged parallel to one another and can be inserted into four slots 63 arranged parallel in the longitudinal direction of the bar 25. The number of contacts is variable and may also be, for example, two or six or even more . Arranged in these slots 63 are resilient contacts 64 which make the electrical connection with the contacts 62. The outwardly open end of the slots is sealed off by means of a rubber lip, in order to prevent the penetration of dirt. The connector 61 has a cable connection 65 which belongs to consumers and/or control units connected in the associated seat or other element to be inserted. These may be heating elements or elements adjusting the seat position; in the case of load carriers, they may be, for example, cooling assemblies. Information systems or control appliances may also be envisaged. The type of appliance is unimportant, since, by virtue of the configuration of the bar, simple plugging-in is sufficient for making the connection, when this takes place by corresponding digital coding.

The connector 61 is fastened, by means of fastening elements, such as a groove or screws, not illustrated in the drawings, to the seat rail which projects into the cavities 2 and, in particular, 12.

In the above mentioned case the contacts 62 of the connector 61 are always in electrical contact with the resilient contacts 64 within bar 25. In another embodiment the connector 61 is displaceable out of the bar 25, especially when the seat or load carrier is moved along the profile rail. The releasing movement of the connector 61 which can be a pivoting or a withdrawing movement can be performed before or at the same time the retaining element of the seat or load carrier is disengaging from the latching noses 51. Fig- 3 shows a possible embodiment of the bar 25, in which the outer contacts 71 and 74 are carriers of the supply voltage, whilst the middle contacts 72 and 73 are carriers of data information and negated data information. The bar 25 is symmetrical in cross section here and has an essentially rectangular shape with rounded corners 26. Asymmetric outer elements may also be provided on the bar 25, in order to make installation simple and reliable. Fig. 7 shows another possible embodiment of the bar 25, in which each contact consists of two parallel copper wires 75 arranged within the slot 63. The bar 25 is made of resilient plastic closing the entry 76 of the slots 63. The contacts 62 of connector 61 push the resilient material of the bar 25 sidewards, enter the slots 63 and are seated between the respective pair of wires 75, which can have different diameters dependent on the electrical requirements. The wires 75 can have different diameters and can be mounted in corresponding recesses within the slots 63.

Fig. 4 shows diagramatically a possible embodiment of the use and arrangement of a bar 25 according to Figs 2 and 3. Three portions 81, 82 and 83 of a bar are illustrated diagrammatically. In this case, the element 81 may be the bar element 25 inserted in the cavity 22, the element 82 forms a curved transition from the seat rail and the element 83 forms a feed element for supply voltage and data. These elements 82 and 83 may be covered, on the sides carrying the contacts, for protection against dust and against faulty electrical contacts. The "profile rail" installation element can be a part of a "space frame" structure which is an integration of important structural function including the other mechanic and electrical properties .

Elements 81 can be arranged in the side walls / doors of a vehicle, they can be installed in the A- or B- columns and run alongside the roof of a vehicle. They can be installed within the trunk of the vehicle and they can ultimately converge within a confined space housing the control means for all electrical means which can be contacted electrically and/or mechanically through the bar.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. Identical features are provided with the same reference symbols in each case in all the figures . The bar 125 illustrated here is likewise in each case arranged in a lateral cavity 22 or 32. This cavity 22 or 32 is divided in two with the aid of protuberances 128, the outer portion performing merely a holding function for the bar 125. The bar 125 itself consists, on the side illustrated on the left, of four contacts projecting beyond the basic body. Accordingly, then, a connector, not illustrated in the drawings, is equipped with slots in a similar way to the connector 61. A closing insert 123 is inserted between the noses 23 or is integrated in one piece together with the noses 23. On the side illustrated on the right, the complementary cavity 23 is closed by the wall 223, and a bar element 225 complementary to the bar 125 forms merely an element for transmitting the voltage supply and the information. The seat is detained in the orifices 87, and the electrical contacting will be described in connection with Fig. 9.

The lower C-shaped element 1 is fastened to the structure 101 via a screw 141 and a back plate 142. The horizontal bearing surface 41 is fastened to the structure 100 by means of screws 143. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the design is more open upwardly and, at the same time, the structure 100 has a step-shaped design and supports the lateral cavities 22 and 23, so that the C-shaped cavity 1 is underlaid directly and solely by the cavity 102. The latter may, in turn, serve as an air guide duct.

Fig. 6 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, with an arrangement of the bar 25 which is of modular design. Here, the bearing surface 42 is fastened to the floor structure 100 by means of screws 143. The bearing surface 42 and the screws 143 are covered by a carpet 105. The brushes 53, of which two are provided opposite one another, are inserted in a receptacle having a tab 106, the tab 106 being clamped between the bearing surface 41 or 42 and the carpet 105. They may, for example, also be glued additionally to the carpet 105 or the bearing surface 41 or 42.

Orifices 87, into which holding elements for latching positions for the seat to be used can be latched, are provided in the inner lateral wall of the lateral cavities 22 and 32. In this case, a plug is integrated in the bolt projecting through the orifice 87 and, after the latching of the bolt, engages into the bar 25 and is thus reliably connected electrically to the latter. It can be seen from the layered structure of the profile that a C-shaped profile surrounding the cavity 2 is fastened in each case to L-shaped profiles which, together with cascaded L-profiles, give the entire profile rigidity and form the cavities 22 and 32. Fig. 9 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional top view of an exemplary embodiment of the connector for a rail according to Fig. 5. It is shown that the cap of the connector 61 engages one orifice 87 ensuring the mechanical contact and stability and the contacts 62 enter the slots 63 of the bar 125 and ensure the electrical contact. A lever 130 engages the retainer ring 127 and can be pivoted through a cam 131 which is connected to an actuating element 132 as the lever 125 in the embodiment of Fig. 8. The actuating element 132 is schematically shown in Fig. 8 as a shaft . The combination of mechanical and electrical contact along one axis provides the possibility of having a profile rail without a cavity 2 although the same kind of connector is used.

In another embodiment of the profile rail, not illustrated in the drawings, the latter has a U-shaped wall which, in a use according to Fig. 1, starting from the side wall 21, runs in the prolongation of the latter, parallel to the wall of the floor structure 100, parallel to the bottom 101 and further upwards as far as the side wall 31 and thus forms a U which, as a consequence of construction, surrounds the cavity 102. Alternatively, it is also possible to lay a hose in this space. Advantageously, locating elements at the end points of the rail can then be placed onto the cross section, which can be seen, for example, in Fig. 1, in order to transfer the advantage of the modular design to adjacent structural portions.

All the drawings illustrate a C-profile with a cavity 2 below a middle cavity or intermediate cavity 12. It is also possible for the cavity 2 as such to be dispensed with and for its function to be integrated into the middle cavity 12. The noses are then arranged above the orifices 87 at the top edge of the structure.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Profile rail for an installation element, in particular for a passenger seat or an element in the roof or side-walls or trunk of a vehicle, or a space-frame structure of a vehicle with an essentially C-shaped profile (1) which forms a cavity (2; 12) for the insertion of a mounting element displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the profile and belonging to the installation element, characterized in that above, below or next to the cavity (2; 12) are provided further cavities (12; 22, 32, 102) which form receiving spaces (22; 32) for electrical busbars (25, 125) or ventilation ducts (102) .

2. Profile rail according to Claim 1, characterized in that, above the C-shaped profile (1), there is a passage cavity (12) , on the left and/or right side of which are provided the further cavities (22, 32) .

3. Profile rail according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the cavity or cavities (22, 32) are surrounded by C-shaped side walls (21, 3; 31, 3) .

4. Profile rail according to Claim 3, characterized in that protuberances (128) project within the cavity or cavities (22, 32) .

5. Profile rail according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that below the cavity (2) is provided a further cavity (102) which is formed by walls (100, 101) delimiting the profile rail or by a U-shaped profile adjacent to the profile rail.

6. Busbar for a profile rail according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar has an essentially rectangular cross section, there being provided, on a side facing inwards (12) in the installed state, a plurality of electrical contact surfaces (64; 71, 72, 73, 74), by means of which an electrical supply voltage (71; 74) and/or electrical switching information (72; 73) can be picked off at any point in the longitudinal direction of the profile rail.

7. Busbar according to Claim 6, characterized in that the essentially rectangular cross section has two mutually opposite grooves which engage into protuberances of the associated cavity.

8. Modular multi-functional installation element in vehicle construction with a profile rail according to one of Claims 1 to 5 and with a busbar according to one of Claims 6 or 7, wherein fixing means (3, 51, 24 and 120, 61, 121; 87 and 120, 61, 121) fix the installation element mechanically onto the profile rail, wherein contacting means (62, 63, 75 and 120, 121) electrically contact the installation element with the busbar and wherein fixing means and contacting means comprise a common actuating element (132) .

9. Modular multi-functional installation element according to Claim 8, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a nose (3, 51) which can be engaged by a lever end (126) of an lever (125) connected with the common actuating element (132) .

10. Modular multi-functional installation element according to Claim 8, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a bolt (61) extending coaxial to the contacting means, the bolt being provided to engage one of a multitude of orifices (87) within the profile rail, wherein bolt and contacting means are connected with the common actuating element (132) .