Abstract
A seat for a motor vehicle includes a basic shell and a seat surface. The seat surface includes a vacuum layer and an air cushion layer; and the air cushion layer is arranged between the vacuum layer and the basic shell. Also disclosed is a motor vehicle having such a seat.
Claims
1. A seat for a motor vehicle comprising: a basic shell and a seat surface, wherein the seat surface comprises a contour layer comprising a vacuum layer and an air cushion layer, and wherein the air cushion layer is arranged between the vacuum layer and the basic shell.
2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the seat surface furthermore comprises a comfort layer comprising a lattice structure layer, and the lattice structure layer covers the seat surface.
3. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the seat surface furthermore comprises a sensor network that runs through the seat surface.
4. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the seat surface furthermore comprises a physiologically active layer arranged within the seat surface.
5. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the seat has a belt system and a frame, and the belt system is connected to the frame at a fastening point (B).
6. The seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the basic shell is both (a) pivotable about a pivot point (D) at shoulder height (S) with respect to the frame between a relaxed position and a drive position, and (b) configured to be mounted rotatably with respect to a yaw axis of the motor vehicle, and the seat is configured such that occupants of the vehicle take up a first hip position (HD) in the drive position and a second hip position (HR) in the relaxed position, wherein the fastening point (B) of the belt system is adapted (BD, BR) to the respective hip position (HD, HR).
7. A motor vehicle having the seat as claimed in claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows the longitudinal section of a seat according to a first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the longitudinal section of a seat according to a second embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a simplified longitudinal section of the seat according to FIG. 2 without a seat surface.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a section in the plane A-A according to FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the side view of the occupant of a vehicle in the drive position in alternative body heights.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the longitudinal section of a seat according to a third embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows schematically the simplified longitudinal section of the seat.
[0025] FIGS. 8-11 show sections of the seat in the planes I, II and II according to FIG. 7.
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a pressure diagram obtained by means of a sensor network.
[0027] FIG. 13 shows an enlarged section of the seat surface.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows, in an illustration corresponding to FIG. 3, the seat according to the second embodiment extended by a belt system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic structure of features of a seat (10) according to aspects of the invention. It is already possible to see here an outer or basic shell (51) which is mounted pivotably on a positionally fixed frame in the vehicle structure and which, in combination with an inner vacuum layer (12), which serves as a stabilizing mattress, with a cushion support lying in-between, fulfils the sandwich function. The inner, contour-providing layer (15) having a variable shaping function gives the seat (10) its individual fit and permits the seat to be adapted to very different body heights and to stabilize bodies. A form fit is produced in said layer passively (when sitting down) or variably by means of active adaptation, for example with gas- or liquid-filled elements.
[0030] The contour layer (15) therefore as it were fulfils the function of a cushion support (2) and in this way provides an individually perfect support in the seat (10) by the respectively set fit being stiffened in accordance with the sandwich principle. The assembly having variable contours in such a way comprises, in addition to the stiff outer shell (51) with the inner volume-adjustable cushion support (2), a sensor network (14) which runs through the sandwich. The sensor network senses the relative position of the vacuum layer in relation to the shell.
[0031] The sitting comfort is decisively determined by the upper side of the vacuum layer (12), said upper side being oriented with respect to the user's body. Said vacuum layer is therefore preferably covered by a tree structure layer or body contact layer (11) which is climatized by active extraction of air and supply of air, but is at least passively ventilated and which can be supplemented by a physiologically active layer (5) which is capable of serving for local massage or of having other kinetic elements. The body-oriented force actions of said physio-active layer (5) provide optimum resistance to the stiff vacuum layer (3).
[0032] The functional principle of the seat (10) that is illustrated in FIG. 2 is based here on a seat adjustment that is uniform for all body types, by means of the basic shell (51) which is mounted on the frame so as to be pivotable or rotatable about a pivot axis (D) located at shoulder height. As per the figure, the contour layer (15) which serves as a shape-providing support and is constructed here from multiple layers is composed of said vacuum layer (12), an air cushion layer (13) for adaptation to the user's body height and shape, and of the sensor network (14).
[0033] The seat surface (53) which is essential for comfort is formed here by the above-described tree structure layer or body contact layer (11), an integrated system for ventilating the layer (11) and the additional physio-active layer (5).
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates how, in a refinement of the invention, even the most different bodies are stabilized by an individual form fit. As is revealed in the drawing, the basic shell (51—FIG. 1) is mounted for this purpose so as to be (a) pivotable in the X direction relative to the frame (16) and (b) rotatable relative to the Z direction, which provides the seat surface (53—FIG. 1) with a variable length. This pivotable mounting makes it possible for the basic shell (51) to take up three different positions which, depending on the application, set the vehicle occupant into a drive position, work position or relaxed position. The variable width of the basic shell (51), said width being marked by arrows in FIG. 4, permits the adaption of the side support.
[0035] FIG. 5 documents the central requirements imposed on the contour layer (52) that has already been outlined in the explanations regarding FIGS. 1 and 2: the structure for each body shape is intended to provide a stable support with pleasant sitting comfort and is intended to be correspondingly adaptable to sitting postures of all use cases. Furthermore, owing to the shoulder-centered position of drivers of differing height, an extended seat setting is desirable to compensate for the difference (16) in height and leg length. Finally, depending on the use case, either comfort or support and safety are paramount in order to achieve maximum performance and individualization.
[0036] Further details of seat surface (53) and mattress concept are illustrated by FIGS. 6 to 11. As especially FIG. 6 shows, the air cushion layer (13) is supported on the basic shell (51) and lies over the full surface against the latter. A height regulation that is adapted to extremely different drivers is made possible by inflation of the air chambers of said air cushion layer in accordance with the operative principle of a “breathing shell”. Depending on the seat area, different distances between minimum and maximum pressurization are possible here. A single- or multi-layered structure is applicable. The sensor network (14) which is likewise marked in FIG. 6 and which runs through the entire seat surface (53) measures the internal pressure of the air cushion and, on the basis thereof, identifies the distribution (see FIG. 12) and possible shifting of the weight loading the seat (10). The regulation of the air cushion internal pressure and the sensing of temperature, cardiovascular system and body proportions and postures of changing occupants are also carried out by the sensor network (14). In a preferred variant, the sensor network (14) also automatically regulates the adaptation to different body shapes by means of the vacuum layer (12) which, in an innervated state, stabilization of the shape once the latter has been taken up.
[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates the function of the seat surface (53) which is decisive for the comfort. The physio-active layer (5) here provides for the activation or relaxation of the body during prolonged sitting. Local regions are simulated by means of massage. Kinetic elements counteract fatigue by slowly changing the sitting posture. An active venting system (27) in this layer provides comfort by means of air conditioning and active is transporting away of moisture.
[0038] The tree structure layer (11) denoted in the same FIG. serves for optimally adapting the seat (10—FIG. 1) to the comfort needs of the driver. Said comfort layer consisting of flexible elements oriented orthogonally to the surface branches out from a trunk via branches into individual twigs and, in conjunction with the stabilized vacuum layer (12), permits a dynamic distribution of pressure from its structure. For this purpose, the tree structure distributes the weight ideally in the manner of a space lattice which is stiffened in relative terms from small to large and thus comfortably absorbs forces.
[0039] A belt system which is illustrated finally in FIG. 14 and is decoupled mechanically from the basic shell (51) is fastened to a fastening point (B) of the frame (16) and to a fixing point (F) of the vehicle structure. The seat belt has to be carried along in the region of the pelvis during the rotational movement of the seat (10) in order to guarantee the safety of the occupant. The fastening point (B) therefore follows possible pivoting movements of the basic shell (51) in order to be able to maintain its relative position with respect to the hip point (H) even during an absolute change thereof. The basic frame (16) is for its part connected in a positionally fixed manner to the vehicle structure, guides the basic shell (51) and therefore assists the rotations required for taking up a desired sitting position. Via two parallel basic supports or rails, this sitting concept permits pivoting with an angle of inclination of the back rest of 17° to 55° with respect to the vertical axis. The shoulder-centered pivot point (D) optionally permits a connection, which is known from conventional belt systems, to the B pillar of the vehicle or deflection about the B pillar of the vehicle.
