Vehicle Seat Having a Foot and/or Calf Support

Abstract

A vehicle seat has a foot and/or calf support, a lower seat part which has a seat surface and can be coupled to a vehicle structure having an interior floor in a preferably longitudinally displaceable manner, and a backrest having a backrest surface. The foot and/or calf support has a support surface that is arranged in front of the lower seat part and is movable between a stowed position and a use position. The foot and/or calf support is arranged with a first seat-side edge in front of, on or under the lower seat part and includes a free edge which is remote from the seat-side edge and is arranged in front of the lower seat part so as to be spaced apart from the lower seat part and is coupled to the vehicle structure. The foot and/or calf support is formed by or has at least one support element having the support surface, the support element being designed as an at least two-dimensionally flexible sheet material.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A vehicle seat, comprising: a lower seat part, which has a seat surface and is couplable to a vehicle structure having a passenger-compartment floor; a backrest having a backrest surface; and a foot and/or a calf support having a resting surface, wherein the foot and/or calf support is movable between a stowage position and a use position, the foot and/or calf support is arranged, by way of a first, seat-side edge, in front of, on or beneath the lower seat part and has a free edge, which is directed away from the seat-side edge and is spaced apart in front of the lower seat part and is coupled to the vehicle structure, and the foot and/or calf support is formed by, or has, at least one supporting element, which forms the resting surface, wherein the supporting element is an at least two-dimensionally flexible sheet structure.

17. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sheet structure of the supporting element is formed from a textile web, a sheet-material web, or a net material.

18. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sheet structure of the supporting element is elastically deformable and, in the use position, is stretched in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

19. The vehicle seat according to claim 18, wherein the flexible sheet structure of the supporting element is elastically deformable and, in the use position, is stretched in a vehicle transverse direction.

20. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sheet structure of the supporting element is elastically deformable and, in the use position, is stretched in a vehicle transverse direction.

21. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the free edge, which is directed away from the seat-side edge, is provided, on sides thereof, with guide elements, which guide elements are guided for longitudinal sliding displacement in a guide-rail arrangement, which guide-rail arrangement is connected to the vehicle structure.

22. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the foot and/or calf support has the first, seat-side edge connected to the lower seat part.

23. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the foot and/or calf support is formed by, or has, at least two flexible supporting elements, which together form the resting surface and are movable telescopically relative to one another.

24. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the at least one supporting element comprises a roller-blind arrangement, which forms the resting surface.

25. The vehicle seat according to claim 24, wherein the roller-blind arrangement is arranged on or beneath the lower seat part or is arranged in front of the lower seat part and is connected to the passenger-compartment floor.

26. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, further comprising: a guide-rail arrangement having a left-hand rail and a right-hand rail, which right-hand rail is spaced apart laterally from the left-hand rail, wherein a left guide element, which is provided on the left-hand side of the free edge of the foot and/or calf support, is accommodated by the left-hand rail for displacement in the manner of a slide, and a right guide element, which is provided on the right-hand side of the free edge of the foot and/or calf support, is accommodated by the right-hand rail for displacement in the manner of a slide.

27. The vehicle seat according to claim 26, wherein the left and right guide elements are slidably displaceable synchronously in the respective guide rails via at least one drive device.

28. The vehicle seat according to claim 26, wherein the guide rails define a curved path in a respective longitudinal vertical plane.

29. The vehicle seat according to claim 26, wherein the guide rails are shiftable relative to one another in a transverse direction of the vehicle structure.

30. The vehicle seat according to claim 16, wherein the foot and/or calf support has at least one inflatable cushion portion in a region of the resting surface.

31. A vehicle comprising at least one vehicle seat according to claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 1A is a schematic side-view illustration of a variant of the first embodiment, in the stowage position (A) and the use position (B);

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic side-view illustration of a third embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention, in the stowage position (A) and the use position (B);

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic side-view illustration of a fourth embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention, in the stowage position (A) and the use position (B); and

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic side-view illustration of an alternative to the fourth embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention, in the stowage position (A) and the use position (B).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat 1 which is fitted in a customary manner, by means of longitudinal-adjustment rails 21, 22, on the passenger-compartment floor 20 of a vehicle structure 23 of a motor vehicle 2 such that it can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. The vehicle seat 1 has a lower seat part 10 with a seat surface 11 and also has a backrest 12 with a backrest surface 13, the backrest being articulated on the lower seat part 10 such that it can be inclined.

[0037] A flexible supporting element 33 of a foot and/or calf support 3 is fitted, by way of a first, seat-side edge 30, on the front edge 14 of the seat surface 11. In the example of FIG. 1, the supporting element 33 is formed from a net-like elastic fabric, which has been tensioned downward in the direction of the vehicle floor from the seat-side edge 30 (stowage position A). On its free edge 34, which is directed away from the seat-side edge 30, the supporting element 33 is provided with a transverse strut 36, which extends in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and which holds the net-like fabric of the supporting element 33 tensioned.

[0038] The free edge 34 with its transverse strut 36 is provided, on its outer sides 34′, 34″, with a respective guide element 36′, 36″, which is formed, for example, by a slide provided at the respective lateral end of the transverse strut 36. The respective guide element 36′, 36″ is guided for sliding displacement in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle in a respective rail 24, 26, which runs in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, wherein the guide rails 24, 26 are connected to the vehicle structure 23 and form a guide-rail arrangement 25 for the transverse strut 36, which is provided on the free edge 34 of the supporting element 33.

[0039] A respective drive device (not shown) is provided in the guide rails 24, 26, the drive device acting on the respective guide element 36′, 36″ and moving the latter along the associated guide rail 24, 26 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, as a result of which the transverse strut 36 can be displaced forward or back, as is symbolized by the forward-directed arrow P in FIG. 1. If the transverse strut 36, and with it the free edge 34 of the flexible supporting element 33 of the foot and/or calf support 3, is displaced forward in the direction of the arrow P, then the elastic and flexible supporting element 33 stretches into the position illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 1 (use position B) and, rather than running vertically downward from the front edge 14 of the seat surface 11, runs—in a stretched state—obliquely forward and downward and, in this way, forms a resting surface 32 for the calves of a passenger sitting on the seat 1. The supporting element 33 can have at least one inflatable cushion portion (not illustrated) in the region of the resting surface 32, in order to enhance the comfort or—in the case of a plurality of cushion portions—to adapt the contour of the resting surface 32 to the passenger's requirements.

[0040] According to a specific embodiment of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, the guide rails 24, 26 can be shifted, for example by sliding, relative to one another in the transverse direction Y, as is illustrated symbolically by the double arrow Y′ in FIG. 1. This makes it possible to change the tensioning acting on the flexible and elastic resting surface 32 in the transverse direction Y, and therefore the hardness of the resting surface 32. Repeated tensioning and loosening of the elastic and flexible resting surface in the transverse direction Y can achieve a massage effect.

[0041] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic side-view illustration of a variant of the first embodiment of the vehicle seat 201 according to the invention, in the stowage position (A) and the use position (B). The supporting element 233 with the flexible and elastic resting surface is integrated, in the stowage position A, in the foot matt 220′ or the covering of the passenger-compartment floor 220, for example it is formed therefrom, or it has its front, free edge 234 attached thereto, wherein the seat-side edge 230 of the flexible and elastic supporting element 233 is guided in the guide rails 226, 224 (not shown). The guide rails 226, 224 are mounted for pivoting in the vertical direction Z, so that the seat ends of the guide rails 226, 224 can be raised. The guide rails can also be integrated in the passenger-compartment floor or, as an alternative, in the foot matt 220′. The elastic and flexible supporting element 233 can be coupled to the lower seat part and/or to the backrest for example via mechanical or electromechanical actuating mechanism, such as a cable-pull or Bowden-cable connection 237, as a result of which the resting surface of the supporting element can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction via the longitudinal adjustment of the seat and/or the inclination adjustment of the backrest, for example in a map-controlled manner, as is illustrated by the arrow X′ in FIG. 1A, this arrow symbolizing the rearwardly shifted vehicle seat 201. It is also possible for the inclination of the guide rails to be adjusted in an equivalent manner by way of such mechanical or electromechanical actuating mechanism. Repeated tensioning and loosening of the elastic and flexible resting surface of the supporting element 233 in the longitudinal direction X can likewise achieve a massage effect.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a foot and/or calf support 103 on a vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 is constructed in the same way as the vehicle seat in FIG. 1 and is also, likewise, connected to the vehicle structure 23. It is also the case that the guide rails 24, 26 are provided, in the same way, in front of the vehicle seat 1 and are connected to the vehicle structure 23, as has been described in connection with FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates the foot and/or calf support 103 in two states, namely, on the left-hand side, as seen in the direction of travel F, in its use position B′, in which it has been extended forward, and, on the right-hand side, as seen in the direction of travel F, in the stowage position A′.

[0044] In the example shown, the foot and/or calf support 103 has, as its supporting element 133, three panel elements 130, 131, 132, which run in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and can be moved telescopically relative to one another, and one inside the other, at right angles to the free edge 134 and to the seat-side edge 135, as is illustrated symbolically by the double arrow in FIG. 2.

[0045] If, then, the free edge 134 of the supporting element 133 of the foot and/or calf support 103, said free edge being provided with the transverse strut 136, is moved forward in the direction of travel F, the telescopic supporting element 133 is pivoted about the seat-side edge 135 and the flexible supporting-element portions 131, 132, which can be moved, for example by sliding, telescopically relative to one another, extend telescopically from their respective position in which they are held in the respectively accommodating flexible supporting-element portion 130, 131, as is illustrated in connection with the use position B′ in FIG. 2. In an analogous manner, the supporting-element portions move telescopically one inside the other again if the transvers strut 136 is moved back in the rearward direction, that is to say in the direction of the vehicle seat 1. The supporting element 133 moved into the use position B′ forms a flexible resting surface 137 for the passenger's calves. Here too, the resting surface 137 can be provided with at least one inflatable cushion.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic side-view illustration of a third embodiment of the vehicle seat 301 according to the invention, in the stowage position A and the use position B. The supporting element 333 with the flexible and elastic resting surface, in the stowage position A, is arranged essentially vertically beneath the front edge 314 of the seat surface 311, so that it essentially covers the front opening of the seat console 315 between the lower seat part 310 and the passenger-compartment floor 320. The front, free edge 334 of the flexible supporting element 333 is fastened on the passenger-compartment floor 320 and the seat-side edge 330 is fitted on the lower seat part 310. This means that, when the vehicle seat 301 moves back in the direction of the arrow X′, the flexible and elastic supporting element 333 is stretched and opens out obliquely in front of the vehicle seat. The seat-side edge 330 of the supporting element 333 can advantageously also be connected directly to the seat cushion of the seat surface 311 of the lower seat part 310 in the region of the front edge 314, this creating a resting surface 332 which adjoins the seat surface 311 without interruption.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side-view illustration of a fourth embodiment of the vehicle seat 401 according to the invention, in the stowage position A and the use position B. In the case of this embodiment, a roller-blind-like mount 437, which forms a roller blind, is provided in the region of the front edge 414 of the seat surface 411, the flexible supporting element 433 being wound up in the mount. In a manner analogous to the example of FIG. 1, the front, free edge 434 of the flexible supporting element 433, said free edge being provided with a transverse strut 436, is guided in lateral guide rails and can be slidably displaced, by drive means, in the longitudinal direction X, only the right-hand guide rail 426 being shown here.

[0048] When the transverse strut 436 is being moved forward in the direction of the arrow X″ and/or when the vehicle seat 401 is being moved rearward, the supporting element 433 is unwound in the manner of a roller blind. In the case of this variant, the flexible supporting element 433 need not be elastic. The roller-blind-like mount 437 can be fitted at the front, in front of or beneath the lower seat part 410, or it can be integrated in the lower seat part 410 and the flexible supporting element 433 can exit from the lower seat part 410 in the forward direction, for example, from an exit slot 438 in the region of the front edge 414 of the lower seat part 410. It is possible for the front, free edge 434 of the flexible supporting element 433—as shown in FIG. 4—to be guided in guide rails or—as in the example of FIG. 3—to be connected firmly to the passenger-compartment floor 420.

[0049] As an alternative, the seat-side edge 530 of the flexible supporting element 533—as illustrated in FIG. 5—is fitted on the lower seat part 510 and the roller-blind-like mount 537, likewise forming a roller blind, along with the free edge of the supporting element 533, is fitted in or on the passenger-compartment floor 520. When the vehicle seat 501 is being moved rearward in the direction of the arrow X′, the flexible supporting element 533 unrolls from the roller-blind-like mount 537 and forms the resting surface 532. As an alternative, or in addition, the roller-blind-like mount 537—like the front edge of the supporting element in the example of FIG. 1—can be guided in lateral guide rails (not illustrated in FIG. 5) and can be slidably displaced, by drive means, in the longitudinal direction X. This is advantageous, in particular, when the flexible supporting element 533 is to be unrolled when the backrest 512 is being inclined rearward, driven via an electromechanical drive or via a cable pull.

[0050] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments above, which serve merely to give a general explanation of the core concept of the invention. Rather, in line with the scope of protection, the apparatus according to the invention can also take on configurations other than those described above. In particular, the apparatus here can have features which constitute a combination of the respective individual features of the claims. Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings serve merely to give a better understanding of the invention and should not limit the scope of protection.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0051] 1 Vehicle seat [0052] 2 Motor vehicle [0053] 3 Foot and/or calf support [0054] 10 Lower seat part [0055] 11 Seat surface [0056] 12 Backrest [0057] 13 Backrest surface [0058] 14 Front edge [0059] 20 Passenger-compartment floor [0060] 21 Longitudinal-adjustment rail [0061] 22 Longitudinal-adjustment rail [0062] 23 Vehicle structure [0063] 24 Left-hand guide rail [0064] 25 Guide-rail arrangement [0065] 26 Right-hand guide rail [0066] 30 Seat-side edge [0067] 32 Resting surface [0068] 33 Flexible supporting element [0069] 34 Free edge [0070] 34′ Outer side [0071] 34″ Outer side [0072] 36 Transverse strut [0073] 36′ Guide element [0074] 36″ Guide element [0075] 103 Foot and/or calf support [0076] 130 Supporting-element portion [0077] 131 Supporting-element portion [0078] 132 Supporting-element portion [0079] 133 Supporting element [0080] 134 Free edge [0081] 135 Seat-side edge [0082] 136 Transverse strut [0083] 137 Resting surface [0084] 201 Vehicle seat [0085] 220 Passenger-compartment floor [0086] 220′ Foot mat [0087] 224 Guide rail [0088] 226 Guide rail [0089] 230 Seat-side edge [0090] 233 Elastic and flexible supporting element [0091] 234 Front, free edge [0092] 237 Cable-pull or Bowden-cable connection [0093] 301 Vehicle seat [0094] 310 Lower seat part [0095] 311 Seat surface [0096] 314 Front edge [0097] 315 Seat console [0098] 320 Passenger-compartment floor [0099] 330 Seat-side edge [0100] 332 Resting surface [0101] 333 Flexible and elastic supporting element [0102] 334 Front, free edge [0103] 401 Vehicle seat [0104] 410 Lower seat part [0105] 411 Seat surface [0106] 414 Front edge [0107] 420 Passenger-compartment floor [0108] 426 Right-hand guide rail [0109] 433 Flexible supporting element [0110] 434 Front, free edge [0111] 436 Transverse strut [0112] 437 Roller-blind arrangement/roller-blind-like mount [0113] 438 Exit slot [0114] 501 Vehicle seat [0115] 512 Seat rail [0116] 510 Lower seat part [0117] 520 Passenger-compartment floor [0118] 530 Seat-side edge [0119] 532 Resting surface [0120] 533 Flexible supporting element [0121] 537 Roller-blind arrangement/roller-blind-like mount [0122] A Stowage position [0123] A′ Stowage position [0124] B Use position [0125] B′ Use position [0126] F Direction of travel [0127] P Arrow [0128] X Longitudinal direction of the vehicle [0129] X′ Arrow [0130] X″ Arrow [0131] XZ Longitudinal vertical plane [0132] Y Transverse direction of the vehicle [0133] Y′ Double arrow [0134] Z Vertical direction