Vehicle seat having a suspension unit for cushioning rolling and vertical suspension movements

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a suspension unit for cushioning the rolling and vertical suspension movements of the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, wherein the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat upper part are connected by means of the suspension unit so that the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are movable relative to one another, wherein the suspension unit comprises a scissor arrangement having a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, characterised in that the suspension unit is rotatably connected about a first axis of rotation to the vehicle seat lower part and comprises a spring element support and a first spring element, the first spring element being connected on the one hand to the vehicle seat lower part and on the other hand to the spring element support which is rotatably connected about a second axis of rotation to the first scissor arm and rotatably connected about a third axis of rotation to the second scissor arm, and the first spring element being preferably arranged at a first angle to a vehicle seat width direction and at a second angle to a vehicle seat height direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a suspension unit for cushioning rolling and vertical suspension movements of the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, wherein the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are connected by means of the suspension unit so that the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are movable relative to one another, wherein the suspension unit has a scissor arrangement having a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, wherein the suspension unit is connected rotatably about a first axis of rotation to the vehicle seat lower part and comprises a spring element support and a first spring element, the first spring element being connected to the vehicle seat lower part and to the spring element support, wherein the first spring element is arranged at a first angle to a vehicle seat width direction and at a second angle to a vehicle seat height direction, and wherein the first axis of rotation is parallel to a vehicle seat longitudinal direction.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the suspension unit comprises a second spring element, the second spring element being connected to the vehicle seat lower part and to the spring element support, and wherein the second spring element being is arranged at a third angle to the vehicle seat width direction and at a fourth angle to the vehicle seat height direction.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first angle and the second angle each have a value in a range of 0 to 90°.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the third angle and the fourth angle each have a value in a range of 0 to 90°.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation is defined by a shaft.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first scissor arm is displaceably connected by means of a first floating bearing to the vehicle seat upper part and by means of a second floating bearing with respect to the first axis of rotation, wherein the second scissor arm is displaceably connected by means of a third floating bearing to the vehicle seat upper part and by means of a fourth floating bearing with respect to the first axis of rotation, wherein a first connecting element connects the first scissor arm to a first fixed bearing which is arranged rigidly with respect to the first axis of rotation, wherein a second connecting element is provided which has a first connecting element part and a second connecting element part, wherein the first connecting element part is rotatably connected to the second scissor arm and the second connecting element part, and wherein the second connecting element part is rotatably connected to the first connecting element part, the first scissor arm and the vehicle seat upper part.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first scissor arm is connected to a support part by means of a fixed bearing and to the vehicle seat upper part by means of a first floating bearing, and the second scissor arm is connected to the vehicle seat upper part by means of a second fixed bearing and to the support part by means of a fourth floating bearing.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein the second floating bearing and the fourth floating bearing are each designed as a displacement element so that the first scissor arm and the second scissor arm are in each case displaceable relative to a shaft.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein when viewed in the vehicle seat longitudinal direction, the second floating bearing is arranged in front of the third floating bearing and the first floating bearing is arranged in front of the fourth floating bearing.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the spring element support is rotatably connected about a second axis of rotation to the first scissor arm and rotatably connected about a third axis of rotation to the second scissor arm.

11. A vehicle seat having a suspension unit for cushioning rolling and vertical suspension movements of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle seat has a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, wherein the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are connected by means of the suspension unit so that the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are movable relative to one another, wherein the suspension unit has a scissor arrangement having a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, wherein the suspension unit is connected rotatably about a first axis of rotation to the vehicle seat lower part and comprises a first spring element, the first spring element being connected to the vehicle seat lower part and to the vehicle seat upper part, wherein the first spring element is arranged at a first angle to a vehicle seat width direction and at a second angle to a vehicle seat height direction, and wherein the first axis of rotation is parallel to a vehicle seat longitudinal direction.

12. A vehicle seat comprising a suspension unit for cushioning rolling and vertical suspension movements of the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, wherein the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are connected by means of the suspension unit so that the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part are movable relative to one another, wherein the suspension unit has a scissor arrangement having a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, wherein the suspension unit is connected rotatably about a first axis of rotation to the vehicle seat lower part and comprises a spring element support and a first spring element, wherein the first spring element is connected to the vehicle seat lower part and to the spring element support, wherein the first spring element is arranged at a first angle to a vehicle seat width direction and at a second angle to a vehicle seat height direction, and wherein the spring element support is rotatably connected about a second axis of rotation to the first scissor arm and rotatably connected about a third axis of rotation to the second scissor arm.

13. The vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the second axis of rotation and the third axis of rotation are arranged extending in the vehicle seat width direction and the second and the third axis of rotation are arranged parallel to one another.

14. The vehicle seat according to claim 12, wherein the second axis of rotation and the third axis of rotation are arranged extending in the vehicle seat width direction and the second and the third axis of rotation are arranged parallel to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional aims, advantages and expedient uses of the present invention can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a preferred embodiment;

(3) FIG. 1B shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A in a further embodiment;

(4) FIG. 2A is a front view of the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A in a neutral position;

(5) FIG. 2B shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 2A in a downwardly deflected position;

(6) FIG. 2C shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 2A in a upwardly deflected position;

(7) FIG. 3A is a front view of the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A in the neutral position;

(8) FIG. 3B shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 3A in a rolling position;

(9) FIG. 4A shows a comparison between FIGS. 2B and 2C;

(10) FIG. 4B shows a comparison between FIGS. 3A and 3B;

(11) FIG. 5 shows a vehicle seat according to one embodiment with different angles of attack of the spring elements;

(12) FIG. 6A shows a scissor arrangement according to a first embodiment;

(13) FIG. 6B shows a scissor arrangement according to a second embodiment;

(14) FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A in the neutral position;

(15) FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A in the downwardly displaced position;

(16) FIG. 8A is a first perspective view of a spring support element;

(17) FIG. 8B is a second perspective view of a spring support element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs, wherein it is possible for the reference signs to be omitted in some drawings for greater clarity.

(19) FIG. 1A shows a vehicle seat 1 or a vehicle seat substructure 1′, wherein the vehicle seat 1 has a vehicle seat upper part 3 and a vehicle seat lower part 4, which are connected to one another by means of a suspension unit 2 in such a way that the vehicle seat upper part and the vehicle seat lower part can be moved and cushioned relative to one another. It can also be seen that the suspension unit 2 is rotatably connected about a first axis of rotation 10 to the vehicle seat lower part 4.

(20) A locking unit 51 is also preferably provided, comprising a first screw element 49 and a second screw element 50. The screw elements 49, 50 can connect the vehicle seat lower part 4 and the suspension unit 2 to one another by a rotary movement, so that the suspension unit 2 can no longer move about the first axis of rotation 10. The screw elements 49, 50 can particularly preferably be connected to a support part 40. The screw elements 49, 50 are preferably designed as knurled screws. The screw elements 49, 50 are more preferably arranged at a distance from the first axis of rotation 10, in particular symmetrically with respect to the first axis of rotation 10.

(21) The suspension unit comprises a scissor arrangement 5 having a first scissor arm 6 and a second scissor arm 7, wherein the suspension unit further comprises a spring element support 11 and a first spring element 12 and a second spring element 13. As can be seen, the spring element support is rotatably connected about a second axis of rotation to the first scissor arm and rotatably connected about a third axis of rotation 15 to the second scissor arm 7, wherein the first spring element 12 is connected to the vehicle seat lower part 4 on the one hand and to the spring element support 11 on the other hand, wherein the first spring element 12 is further arranged at a first angle 16 to a vehicle seat width direction B and at a second angle 17 to a vehicle seat height direction H.

(22) The more detailed arrangement of the spring elements 12, 13 and the more detailed configuration of the scissor arrangement 5 are described further in the following drawings.

(23) The first air spring 12 and the second air spring 13 are designed as a resiliently deformable air spring in FIG. 1A, wherein it is also conceivable that the first spring element 12 and the second spring element 13 can be designed as a mechanical spring.

(24) It is also conceivable that the first spring element 12 is designed as an air spring and the second spring element 13 is designed as a mechanical spring, or vice versa.

(25) Furthermore, the scissor arrangement 5 has a first connecting element 25 and a second connecting element 26, wherein the second connecting element 25 has a first connecting element part 27 and a second connecting element part 28, wherein the first connecting element 25 is rotatably connected to the first scissor arm 6 and on the other hand is connected to a first fixed bearing 29, wherein the first fixed bearing 29 is connected to a shaft 20.

(26) Furthermore, the first connecting element part 27 is rotatably connected to the second scissor arm 7 and rotatably connected to the second connecting element part 28, wherein the second connecting element part 28 is further rotatably connected to the first scissor arm 7 and connected to the vehicle seat upper part 3 by means of a fixed bearing 30.

(27) FIG. 1B shows the same vehicle seat 1 as shown in FIG. 1A, with additional damper elements 33 being provided, at least one damper element 33, preferably at least two damper elements 33 and particularly preferably four damper elements 33 being provided, which are each arranged at an angle to the vehicle seat longitudinal direction L, the vehicle seat width direction B and the vehicle seat height direction H. Furthermore, the damper elements 33 are connected to the spring element support 11 on the one hand and to the vehicle seat lower part 4 on the other hand.

(28) In FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1A is shown in a front view, wherein in FIG. 2A the vehicle seat 1 is shown in a neutral position N, in FIG. 2B it is shown in a downwardly deflected position U, and in FIG. 2C it is shown in an upwardly deflected position O, wherein “upwardly” and “downwardly” are of course to be understood in the vehicle seat height direction H in each case.

(29) With regard to FIG. 2A, which shows the vehicle seat 1 in the neutral position N, it can be seen that the first spring element 12 is arranged at a first angle 16 and the second spring element 13 at a third angle 18 to the vehicle seat width direction B. According to the invention, it is provided that the first spring element 12 and the second spring element 13 are connected to the spring element support 11 on the one hand and to the vehicle seat lower part 4 on the other hand. In the case of a suspension movement in the vehicle seat height direction H, i.e. in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat 1, it is provided that the position of the first spring element 12 or the second spring element 13 is changed at this point through the connection to the vehicle seat lower part 4, but when moving in the vehicle seat height direction in the direction H, the spring element support 11 naturally also moves upwards or downwards in the vehicle seat height direction H. This means that the connection point between the spring elements 12, 13 to the spring element support 11 also moves upwards or downwards in the vehicle seat height direction H. This means that the first angle 16 and the third angle 18 are not constant during a suspension movement in the vehicle seat height direction H.

(30) The same also applies to FIGS. 3A and 3B, with the vehicle seat being shown in the neutral position in FIG. 3A and the vehicle seat being shown after a rolling movement W in FIG. 3B. In this case, it should be noted that the connection between the spring elements 12, 13 does not move with the spring element support, but rather the position of the lower connection between the spring elements 12, 13 and the vehicle seat lower part 4 changes. However, the reverse can also occur, depending on the installation situation and the vibration that occurs.

(31) The change in angles 16, 17, 18, 19 can be seen from a comparison of FIG. 2A-2C and FIGS. 3A and 3B. An overlay of FIG. 2A-2C is shown in FIG. 4A and an overlay of FIGS. 3A and 3B can be seen in FIG. 4B. The change in angle is again shown schematically.

(32) Referring to FIG. 4A, in which, on the one hand, the vehicle seat 1 is shown by the solid lines in a downward position U, and is shown by the dashed lines in an upward position O, wherein the change in the associated first angle 16 or the third angle 18 can be seen.

(33) FIG. 4B shows the comparison of FIGS. 3A and 3B, a neutral position N of the vehicle seat 1 being shown by the solid lines and the rolling position W of the vehicle seat 1 being shown by the dashed lines.

(34) The vehicle seat 1 according to FIG. 2A can also be seen in FIG. 5, wherein the angles of attack, i.e. the first angle 16 and the third angle 18, are different from one another. This means that the first angle 16 has a different angle from the third angle 18.

(35) In general, the description with regard to the first angle 16 and the third angle 18 also applies to the second angle 17 and the fourth angle 19.

(36) By adjusting the angles 16, 17, 18, 19, the spring stiffnesses in the rolling and vertical spring directions are adjusted. Since the position of the spring element support 11 is arranged so as to not be changed by the associated axes of rotation, the spring connection points are changed in the distance from the first axis of rotation 10 with respect to the vehicle seat lower part 4, which causes an angle change of the angles 16, 17, 18, 19.

(37) However, it can also be provided that in a neutral position N of the vehicle seat 1, the first angle 16 corresponds to the third angle 18 and the second angle 17 corresponds to the fourth angle 19.

(38) The configuration with different angles for the respective spring element 12, 13 makes it possible to adjust the spring stiffness of the spring elements 12, 13.

(39) A first embodiment of the scissor arrangement 5 can be seen in FIG. 6A and a second embodiment of the scissor arrangement 5 can be seen in FIG. 6B.

(40) The embodiment of the scissor arrangement 5 according to FIG. 6A will be described first.

(41) The scissor arrangement 5 comprises a first scissor arm 6, a second scissor arm 7, a third scissor arm 8 and a fourth scissor arm 9.

(42) The designs of the third scissor arm 8 and the fourth scissor arm 9 apply correspondingly to the associated first scissor arm 5 and the associated second scissor arm 7. This is particularly true since the third scissor arm 8 runs identically to the first scissor arm 6 and the fourth scissor arm 9 runs identically to the second scissor arm 7.

(43) As can also be seen, the spring element support 11 is provided, which is rotatably connected about a second axis of rotation 14 to the first scissor arm 6 and rotatably connected about a third axis of rotation 15 to the second scissor arm 7.

(44) Furthermore, the first scissor arm 6 is connected to the vehicle seat upper part 3 by means of a first floating bearing 21 and to a shaft 20 by means of a second floating bearing 22, and the second scissor arm 7 is connected to the vehicle seat upper part 3 by means of a third floating bearing 23 and to the shaft 20 by means of a fourth floating bearing 24, wherein a first connecting element 25 connects the first scissor arm 6 to a first fixed bearing 29 which is arranged on the shaft 20, and wherein a second connecting element 26 is provided which has a first connecting element part 27 and a second connecting element part 28, wherein the first connecting element part 27 is rotatably connected to the second scissor arm 7 and the second connecting element part 28, and wherein the second connecting element part 28 is rotatably connected to the first connecting element part 27, the first scissor arm 6 and the vehicle seat upper part 3. The second connecting element part 28 is rotatably connected in particular to a second fixed bearing 30. The second fixed bearing is arranged on the vehicle seat upper part 3.

(45) The first floating bearing 21 and the second floating bearing 23 are each designed as running rollers 36, which are rotatably connected to the respective scissor arm 6, 7, 8, 9 and are mounted in a rolling manner in a running rail 37, wherein the running rail 37 is arranged on the vehicle seat upper part 3.

(46) The second floating bearing 22 and the fourth floating bearing 24 are designed in such a way that a first displacement element 31 and a second displacement element 32 are provided, wherein the first scissor arm 6 is rotatably connected to the first displacement element and the second scissor arm 7 is rotatably arranged on the second displacement element 32.

(47) The displacement elements 31, 32 can be displaced in such a way that they can be displaced with respect to the shaft 20 in the direction of the first axis of rotation 10. Further preferably, the displacement elements 31, 32 are mounted rotatably about the first axis of rotation 10, in the case of a shaft 20 which has a substantially cylindrical design.

(48) The first displacement element 31 and the second displacement element 32 are displaced in particular during a vertical movement of the vehicle seat 1.

(49) Because the scissor arms 6, 7, 8, 9 are each connected to the vehicle seat lower part 4 or to the vehicle seat upper part 3 by means of a floating bearing, it is necessary to limit the degrees of freedom with regard to the movement of the scissor arrangement 5. This is done by means of the first connecting element 25 and the second connecting element 26.

(50) Furthermore, the spring element support 11 has an adapter plate 38, by means of which the respective spring element 12, 13 (not shown here) can be connected to the spring element support 11.

(51) The second embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 6B, is identical in terms of its functional principle to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, although the configuration differs.

(52) The embodiment of FIG. 6B also includes a first scissor arm 6, a second scissor arm 7, a third scissor arm 8, and a fourth scissor arm 9, wherein the first scissor arm 6 and the third scissor arm 8 as well as the second scissor arm 7 and the fourth scissor arm 9 each run identically. Likewise, the respective scissor arms 6, 7, 8, 9 are guided in the guide rail 37 of the vehicle seat upper part 3 by means of a floating bearing 21, 23 which is designed as a running roller 36.

(53) This embodiment also has the first connecting element 25 and the second connecting element 26 in the same arrangement and function as described in FIG. 6A.

(54) The arrangement of the floating bearings 22, 24 with respect to the vehicle seat lower part 4 is different here. In particular, a support part 40 is shown which is rotatably connected to the vehicle seat lower part 4 about the first axis of rotation 10. A shaft 20 is provided at the front and the rear end of the support part in the vehicle seat longitudinal direction L, the support part 40 also having running rails 37 in which the floating bearings 22, 24 can roll by means of running rollers 36 with respect to the support part 40.

(55) The first fixed bearing 29, by means of which the first scissor arm 6 is connected by means of the first connecting element 25, is also arranged on the support part 40.

(56) A lower adapter plate 39 is also shown schematically in FIG. 6B, by means of which the spring element 12, 13 can be connected to the vehicle seat lower part 4. As can be seen, the lower adapter plate 39 has an inclined portion, by means of which the angle of the corresponding spring element 12, 13 and the resulting distance from the first axis of rotation 10 can be adjusted.

(57) The same also applies to the upper adapter plate 38, which has an angle with respect to the vehicle seat width direction B, wherein the inclination of the upper adapter plate 38 and of the lower adapter plate 39 are parallel to one another. However, an angular offset between the adapter plates 38, 39 can also be provided or permitted.

(58) In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the kinematics of the moving parts of the vehicle seat 1 is shown again schematically.

(59) In FIG. 7A, the vehicle seat is shown in the neutral position N and in FIG. 7B in the downward position U.

(60) The movement of the moving parts, which are denoted by the corresponding reference signs, can be seen by comparing FIGS. 7A and 7B.

(61) Furthermore, FIGS. 8A and 8B show the spring element support 11 in a first perspective and in a second perspective representation.

(62) The spring element support 11 has a first spring element support holder 45 and a second spring element support holder 46, which are connected to one another by means of a connecting part 47. The respective spring element support holder 45, 46 has a first connection point 42 and a second connection point 43, by means of which the spring element support can be connected, in particular rotatably, to the first scissor arm 6 and the second scissor arm 7, or to the third scissor arm 8 and the fourth scissor arm 9.

(63) Furthermore, both the first spring element holder 45 and the second spring element holder 46 have an adapter plate holder 44, by means of which the upper adapter plate 38 can be connected to the spring element support (11).

(64) All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as being substantial to the invention, provided that they are, individually or in combination, novel over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(65) 1 Vehicle seat

(66) 2 Suspension unit

(67) 3 Vehicle seat upper part

(68) 4 Vehicle seat lower part

(69) 5 Scissor arrangement

(70) 6 First scissor arm

(71) 7 Second scissor arm

(72) 8 Third scissor arm

(73) 9 Fourth scissor arm

(74) 10 First axis of rotation

(75) 11 Spring element support

(76) 12 First spring element

(77) 13 Second spring element

(78) 14 Second axis of rotation

(79) 15 Third axis of rotation

(80) 16 First angle

(81) 17 Second angle

(82) 18 Third angle

(83) 19 Fourth angle

(84) 20 Shaft

(85) 21 First floating bearing

(86) 22 Second floating bearing

(87) 23 Third floating bearing

(88) 24 Fourth floating bearing

(89) 25 First connecting element

(90) 26 Second connecting element

(91) 27 First connecting element part

(92) 28 Second connecting element part

(93) 29 First fixed bearing

(94) 30 Second fixed bearing

(95) 31 First displacement element

(96) 32 Second displacement element

(97) 33 Damper element

(98) 34 First end of the shaft

(99) 35 Second end of the shaft

(100) 36 Running roller

(101) 37 Running rail

(102) 38 Adapter plate

(103) 39 Lower adapter plate

(104) 40 Support part

(105) 41 Locking element

(106) 42 First connection point

(107) 43 Second connection point

(108) 44 Adapter plate holder

(109) 45 First spring element support holder

(110) 46 Second spring element support holder

(111) 47 Connecting part

(112) 48 Damper element holder

(113) 49 First screw element

(114) 50 Second screw element

(115) 51 Locking unit

(116) N Neutral position

(117) O Upward deflected position

(118) U Downward deflected position

(119) W Rolling position

(120) L Vehicle seat longitudinal direction

(121) B Vehicle seat width direction

(122) H Vehicle seat height direction