Vehicle seat having at least one pneumatic cushion

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat surface (2) and at last one backrest element (3, 13) which are pivotable about an axis (6) relative to the seat surface (2). The at least one backrest element (3, 13) is movable from a sitting position, in which the backrest element (3, 13) is positioned substantially at an angle (a) relative to the seat surface (2), into a reclined position, in which the seat surface (2) and the at least one backrest element (3, 13) form a substantially planar surface, and back again. The vehicle seat (1) has at least one pneumatic cushion (10; 10.1, 10.2) and a pneumatic unit (9), which is configured in such a way that the pneumatic unit substantially completely inflates the at least one pneumatic cushion (10; 10.1, 10.2) if the at least one backrest element (3, 13) is moved into the reclined position, and the at least one pneumatic cushion (10; 10.1, 10.2) is substantially completely emptied when the backrest element (3, 13) is moved into the sitting position. The at least one pneumatic cushion (10; 10.1, 10.2) is arranged in an edge region (8) of the seat surface (2) or of the at least one backrest element (3, 13), which adjoins the at least one backrest element (3, 13) or the seat surface (2), such that in the reclined position the at least one pneumatic cushion (10; 10.1, 10.2) extends between the seat surface (2) and the at least one backrest element (3, 13).

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a seat face and at least one rest element which can be pivoted relative to the seat face about an axle, wherein the at least one rest element can be moved from a seating position, in which the rest element is located substantially at an obtuse or reflex angle relative to the seat face, into a reclined position, in which the seat face and the at least one rest element form a substantially planar face, and back again, and wherein the vehicle seat has at least one pneumatic cushion and a pneumatic unit which is constructed in such a manner that it substantially completely inflates the at least one pneumatic cushion when the at least one rest element is moved into the reclined position, and substantially completely deflates the at least one pneumatic cushion when the at least one rest element is moved into the seating position, wherein the at least one pneumatic cushion is arranged in an edge region of the seat face or of the at least one rest element, said edge region being adjacent to the at least one rest element or the seat face so that the at least one pneumatic cushion extends between the seat face and the at least one rest element in the reclined position and wherein the at least one pneumatic cushion has a pressure sensor which measures the pressure inside the at least one pneumatic cushion and the pneumatic unit is constricted in such a manner that, when the pressure exceeds or falls below a predetermined set pressure, the at least one pneumatic cushion is deflated or inflated until the set pressure is reached.

2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rest element is a backrest, a leg support, or both.

3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle seat has an actuator including a spindle which is driven by a motor, by means of which the angle of the at least one rest element can be adjusted in a motorized manner relative to the seat face, wherein the pneumatic unit is constructed in such a manner that on the basis of the status of the actuator it inflates or deflates the at least one pneumatic cushion.

4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic unit has a pump, by means of which the at least one pneumatic cushion can be both inflated and deflated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings which serve to explain the embodiment:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat from the prior art with the backrest in a seating position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the vehicle seat from FIG. 1 in the reclined position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention in the reclined position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of a pneumatic cushion;

(6) FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention in a seating position;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 5 in the reclined position.

(8) In principle, components which are identical in the Figures are given the same reference numerals.

METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat 1 according to the prior art. The vehicle seat 1 has a seat face 2 having upholstery and a backrest 3 having upholstery. The backrest 3 constitutes in this instance a rest element which can be adjusted relative to the seat face 2. The vehicle seat 1 has a substructure 4 which is only schematically illustrated in this instance. The backrest 3 is located in FIG. 1 in the seating position, wherein the backrest 3 is located at an obtuse angle a relative to the seat face 2. Furthermore, the backrest 3 is connected by means of a strut 5 to a pivot axle 6, which enables pivoting of the backrest 3 relative to the seat face 2. The backrest 3 can thereby assume different angles a relative to the seat face 2. An adjustment mechanism (not illustrated) which enables locking of the backrest at different angles a relative to the seat face 2 acts on the pivot axle 6. The adjustment mechanism may have an actuator by means of which the backrest 3 can be pivoted in a motorized manner relative to the seat face 2.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the vehicle seat 1 according to FIG. 1 with the backrest 3 in a reclined position, wherein the backrest 3 and the seat face 2 form a substantially planar surface for a passenger (not shown) seated on the vehicle seat. As a result of the arrangement of the pivot axle 6 on the substructure 4, when the backrest 3 is pivoted, a gap 7 is produced between the seat face 2 and the backrest 3. This gap 7 feels unpleasant for a passenger (not shown) reclining on the vehicle seat.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. In order to close the gap 7 according to FIG. 2, the vehicle seat 1 according to the invention has a pneumatic cushion 10 which in a rear edge region 8 of the seat face which is adjacent to the backrest 3—the rest element of the vehicle seat 1—is secured to the edge. When the backrest 3 is moved into the reclined position, the pneumatic cushion 10 is inflated by a pneumatic unit 9. The pneumatic cushion 10 is configured in this instance in such a manner that in the inflated state it forms a planar face with the seat face 2 and the backrest 3. Via the pneumatic unit 9, other pneumatic cushions (not shown) which are arranged on the seat or in the upholstery of the seat face 2 and/or the backrest 3 may be inflated or deflated.

(12) FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of an embodiment of a pneumatic cushion 10 which can be used in a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. The pneumatic cushion has a closed sheath 12. On an outer face of the sheath 12, there is arranged a retention means 16 by means of which the pneumatic cushion 10 can be secured to an edge of a seat face 2 or a rest element. In the embodiment shown, the retention means 16 is constructed as a hook and loop strap. The sheath 12 of the pneumatic cushion further has a desired folding location 17 which facilitates the folding-together of the sheath 12 of the pneumatic cushion 10 during the deflation operation.

(13) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the vehicle seat of this embodiment has in addition to the backrest 3 a second rest element in the form of a leg support 13. The leg support 13 is connected by means of a second strut 15 to a second pivot axle 14. The leg support 13 can be adjusted in a similar manner to the backrest 3 at an angle relative to the seat face 2. The leg support 13 is located in this instance at a reflex angle b relative to the seat face 2.

(14) As shown in FIG. 6, the second embodiment of the vehicle seat 1 according to the invention again has a first pneumatic cushion 10.1 which is arranged on an edge of the seat face 2 which is directed toward the backrest 3. By inflating this first pneumatic cushion 10.1, a gap between the seat face 2 and the backrest can be closed. In the same manner, at another edge of the seat face 2 which is directed toward the leg support 13, there is arranged a second pneumatic cushion 10.2 which is inflated during movement into a reclined position in order to fill a gap between the leg support 13 and the seat face 2. By means of the two pneumatic cushions 10.1, 10.2, it is thus possible with the leg support 13, the seat face 2 and the backrest 3 to form a continuous planar reclining surface.