Connection element of the headrest poles on a seat structure

This application is a US national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/003294, filed Aug. 2, 2012, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 111 057.0, filed Aug. 24, 2011 and German Patent Application No. 10 2011 115 714.3, filed Oct. 12, 2011, the entire disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a connection element of the headrest poles on a seat structure.

According to the current prior art, headrests are connected, for example, via plastic housings in the upper region of the seat structure. In this case, the headrest poles are inserted into the housings and fixed, for example, via a latching mechanism. In the case of a steel tube frame or a structure consisting of steel profiles, the plastic housings are fixed via metal tubes welded thereon. In this case, the metal tubes form the bearing surface for the plastic housings. The two components exist both as round and rectangular variants. For joining metal tubes or profiles in which at least one consists of a non-metal or a non-ferrous metal, a welding method is unsuitable.

It was, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a connection element which permits plastic housings for the headrest poles to be attached to the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat.

The object is achieved by at least one connection element of a headrest pole on the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat, said connection element having a connection profile which receives the headrest pole and/or a headrest pole housing, wherein the connection profile protrudes through a lateral wall of the seat structure.

According to the invention, the connection for the headrest pole housing or the headrest pole consists of a connection element, for example consisting of plastic, steel or a non-ferrous metal, such as for example aluminum. Said connection element has a connection profile which in each case at least partially receives a headrest pole and/or a headrest pole housing and which protrudes through a lateral wall of the seat structure. To this end, in particular, the seat structure has an upper crossmember with at least one, preferably two or more recesses through which the, for example, stamped-out connection profile(s) of the connection element in each case is (are) passed through at least partially. Subsequently, the connection element is joined to the seat structure of the backrest which is manufactured, for example, as a rolled profile, as a continuous casting, as a pressed part or bent part, in a positive and/or non-positive connection and/or connected together by a material connection, in particular by an adhesively bonded connection. By a fixing means preferably integrated in the connection element, the connection element may be held or fixed in its position until the material connection is complete, for example until the adhesive is cured. Preferably, the seat structure receives the entire connection element except for the connection profile(s) so that said connection element does not protrude from the seat structure, apart for the connection profile(s).

Preferably, the connection element has at least one joining surface. By means of said joining surface, the connection element is preferably connected by a material connection to the structure of the motor vehicle seat. Preferably, a joining surface is provided between two connection profiles. Further preferably, a joining surface completely encloses a connection profile. Further preferably, in each case a joining surface is arranged to the right and to the left of a connection profile.

Preferably, the connection element is extruded and in each case is particularly preferably cut to the desired length.

The connection element according to the invention may be connected by a non-positive and/or material connection to the seat structure.

Preferably, the structure of the vehicle seat, in particular the backrest thereof, comprises one or more recesses. Said recesses may be retrospectively incorporated in the structure or integrally formed therein during the manufacture thereof. Preferably, the connection profile of the connection element cooperates positively and/or non-positively with said recess in the structure of a motor vehicle seat. Preferably the recess is cut out or stamped out of the structure of the motor vehicle seat.

Preferably, the connection element according to the invention is a plastic part which, for example, is extruded, cast, molded or produced by injection-molding.

Preferably, the connection element is adhesively bonded at one or more points to the structure of the motor vehicle seat.

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 . Said explanations are provided merely by way of example and do not limit the general inventive idea.

FIGS. 1-4 show the crossmember and the connection element in different views.

FIGS. 5-7 show a further embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 1 partially shows the structure 1 of a motor vehicle seat, in this case the upper crossmember 1 of the frame of the structure of a backrest which in this case is configured as a U-shaped profile, which at the ends of the arms of the U-shape in each case has a connecting flange. Said crossmember 1 has two recesses 4 through which in each case a connection profile 3 of the connection element 2 is inserted. The recess 4 is incorporated, for example, in the structure of the motor vehicle seat by stamping. In this case, the recess 4 extends only through a lateral wall of the structure of the motor vehicle seat. Moreover, the crossmember preferably has a recess 5 which cooperates in a latching manner with a latching means 8 which is also provided on the connection element, preferably integrally. Moreover, the connection element 2 which in the present case consists of plastic and may be provided as an injection-molded/continuously cast or thermoplastic molded element is shown in FIG. 1 . In the present case, said connection element 2 has two connection profiles 3 with a square cross section in this case. Moreover, the connection element has a fixing means 8 , in this case a latching element 8 which in the present case consists of two side-pieces which are provided to be resilient. On its side facing the connection element 2 , the cross member 1 and/or the connection element 2 in each case have at least one, in this case three, joining surfaces 7 in the form of adhesive surfaces by means of which the crossmember 1 and the connection element 2 are connected together by a material connection. For assembly, the connection profiles 3 are inserted through the recesses 4 and the connection element 2 is pressed against the crossmember 1 until the latching element 8 engages in the recess 5 . The latching element 8 fixes the connection element 2 to the crossmember 1 until the adhesive between the crossmember and the connection element is cured.

It may be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the connection profiles 3 may be provided as round or angular U-shaped profiles. The person skilled in the art understands that any other cross section of the connection profile is also conceivable.

FIGS. 5-7 show a further embodiment of the present invention. The structure 9 of the motor vehicle seat, in this case the frame 9 of a backrest, has a crossmember, in this case made of aluminum, which, as in particular may be derived from FIG. 7 , has four recesses 4 in which one respective headrest pole housing and/or a headrest pole may be guided in pairs. At least two recesses 4 located in one plane, preferably all four recesses 4 , have one respective connection element 2 which in the present case is of plate-like configuration and is provided with a through-passage 3 , i.e. the connection element 2 is crimped in the region of its opening. The through-passage 3 is inserted into the recess 4 and protrudes therefrom. The surface of the connection means opposing the crossmember is connected thereto by a material connection, for example by adhesive bonding. Alternatively or additionally, a non-positive and/or positive connection is present between the through-passage 3 and the recess 4 . In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 , a connecting flange 6 is provided on the connection element 2 in order to provide an additional connecting surface and/or positioning surface 6 to the connection element 3 .

1 Structure of the motor vehicle seat, crossmember

2 Connection element

3 Connection profile, stamped connection profile

4 Recess for the connection profile

5 Recess for a latching element

6 Connecting flange, connecting surface and/or positioning surface

7 Joining surface

8 Fixing means, latching element

9 Structure of the motor vehicle seat, frame of a backrest