SEAT ADJUSTER HAVING CHARACTERISTIC-MAP CONTROL AND METHOD FOR SEAT ADJUSTMENT

Abstract

A seat adjuster, comprising an adjustable vehicle seat, that may be adjusted by an external force between an initial position and a target position in an interior of a vehicle, the adjustment of the vehicle seat from the initial position into the target position requiring at least pivoting of the vehicle seat about a pivot axis extending from a floor to a ceiling of the vehicle, and an electronic control device for controlling an adjustment drive to adjust the vehicle seat from the initial position into the target position. A characteristic-map memory coupled to the electronic control device is provided, in which characteristic-map memory characteristic-map data for adjustment movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat are stored. The electronic control device controls the adjustment drive by means of the characteristic-map data to adjust the vehicle seat from a current initial position into a certain target position.

Claims

1. A seat adjuster, which at least comprises an adjustable vehicle seat (FS) which is adjustable in a power-operated way between at least one starting position and at least one target position in an interior space (I) of a vehicle, wherein the adjustment of the vehicle (FS) seat from the at least one starting position into the at least one target position at least can include pivoting of the vehicle seat (FS) about a pivot axis which extends along a spatial direction (z) pointing from a vehicle floor of the vehicle to a ceiling of the vehicle, and an electronic control device (2) for controlling at least one adjustment drive (4a-4e) by means of which the vehicle seat can (FS) be driven for a power-operated adjustment from the at least one starting position into the at least one target position, characterized by a characteristic-map memory (3) coupled with the electronic control device (2), in which characteristic-map data for adjusting movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat (FS) are stored, wherein the electronic control device (2) controls the at least one adjustment drive (4a-4e) by means of the characteristic-map data in order to adjust the vehicle seat (FS) from a current starting position into a particular target position.

2. The seat adjuster according to claim 1, characterized in that the characteristic-map memory (3) coupled with the electronic control device (2) stores characteristic-map data for adjusting movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat (FS) in dependence on the at least one starting position and at least one vehicle-specific and/or user-specific restriction parameter and the electronic control device (2) controls the at least one adjustment drive (4a-4e) by means of the characteristic-map data in order to adjust the vehicle seat (FS) into the particular target position in dependence on the current starting position.

3. The seat adjuster according to claim 2, characterized in that the characteristic-map data comprise at least one static vehicle-specific restriction parameter which cannot be changed for the vehicle.

4. The seat adjuster according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one static vehicle-specific restriction parameter is dependent on the dimensions of the interior space (I) of the vehicle and/or on the position and location of immovable vehicle components present in the interior space (I) of the vehicle.

5. The seat adjuster according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one static vehicle-specific restriction parameter is dependent on the position and location of a headliner, a B-pillar and/or a dashboard of the vehicle.

6. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the characteristic-map data comprise at least one dynamic vehicle-specific restriction parameter which has at least two values.

7. The seat adjuster according to claim 6, characterized in that the value of the at least one dynamic vehicle-specific restriction parameter is dependent on an adjustment position of at least one adjustable component which does not belong to the vehicle seat.

8. The seat adjuster according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one adjustable component which does not belong to the vehicle seat comprises a steering wheel column (10), a steering wheel support (11), a central armrest, a center console, a vehicle door, a footrest or a vehicle window pane.

9. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the characteristic-map data comprise at least one user-specific restriction parameter which specifies that an adjustment position of at least one adjustable seat component (S, R, KS) of the vehicle seat (FS) remains unchangeable during the adjustment of the vehicle seat (FS) into the target position.

10. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting movements specified by the characteristic-map data, which are to be carried out in order to adjust the vehicle seat (FS) from the current starting position into the target position, are dependent on the current starting position of the vehicle seat (FS).

11. The seat adjuster according to claim 10, characterized in that the vehicle seat (FS) comprises at least two seat components (S, R, KS) adjustable relative to each other and the current starting position includes a current adjustment position of the at least two seat components (S, R, KS) relative to each other.

12. The seat adjuster according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a seat component is a seat part (S), a backrest (R) or a headrest (KS).

13. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the at least one adjustment drive (4a-4e), in addition to a pivot position of the vehicle seat (FS) with respect to the pivot axis, a longitudinal position of the vehicle seat (FS) and/or on the vehicle seat (FS) a seat depth, an inclination of a seat part (S) and/or a backrest (R) and/or the position of a headrest (KS) can be changed in a power-operated way in order to adjust the vehicle seat (FS) into the target position.

14. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the adjustment of the vehicle seat (FS) into the target position by means of the electronic control device (2) at least two adjustment drives (4a-4e) can be controlled, by means of which, in addition to a pivot position of the vehicle seat (FS) with respect to the pivot axis, a longitudinal position of the vehicle seat (FS), a seat depth, an inclination of a seat part (S) and/or a backrest (R) and/or the position of a headrest (KS) can be changed in a power-operated way.

15. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that via the characteristic-map data in addition to pivoting of the vehicle seat (FS) adjusting movements to be carried out in a power-operated way with and/or on the vehicle seat (FS) are specified in order to adjust the vehicle seat (FS) from the current starting position into the target position.

16. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the characteristic-map data of the characteristic-map memory (3) are rewritable for utilizing the seat adjuster in different vehicles with an unchanged vehicle seat (FS).

17. The seat adjuster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the characteristic-map memory (3) selectively stores characteristic-map data for different vehicles.

18. A vehicle with a seat adjuster according to any of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method for the power-operated adjustment of an adjustable vehicle seat (FS) between at least one starting position and at least one target position in an interior space (I) of a vehicle, wherein the adjustment of the vehicle seat (FS) from the at least one starting position into the at least one target position at least can include pivoting of the vehicle seat (FS) about a pivot axis which extends along a spatial direction (z) pointing from a vehicle floor of the vehicle to a ceiling of the vehicle, characterized in that an adjustment of the vehicle seat (FS) from a current starting position into a particular target position is effected by means of at least one adjustment drive (4a-4e) and on the basis of characteristic-map data via which adjusting movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat (FS) are specified in order to reach the target position.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the adjusting movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat (FS) are dependent on the current starting position and/or at least one vehicle-specific and/or user-specific restriction parameter.

Description

[0031] The attached Figures by way of example furthermore illustrate possible design variants of the proposed solution.

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle interior with an exemplary embodiment of a seat adjuster according to the invention and a vehicle seat of the seat adjuster in a possible starting position;

[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the vehicle interior with the vehicle seat in two different target positions, which proceeding from the starting position of FIG. 1 can be taken without pivoting the vehicle seat about a vertically extending pivot axis;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the vehicle interior with the vehicle seat in a target position in which the vehicle seat is rotated by 180 with respect to the starting position of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a design variant for a method for seat adjustment according to the invention.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle interior I for a vehicle which is able to drive autonomously. In the vehicle interior I a vehicle seat FS is provided. This vehicle seat FS includes a seat part S and a backrest R pivotally arranged thereon in order to support the back of a seat user P. In the seating position of the vehicle seat FS as shown in FIG. 1 the seat part S is disposed in a front interior region IB of the vehicle interior Ibased on the vehicle longitudinal direction pointing from the vehicle front to the vehicle rear. In this (front) seating position of the vehicle seat FS, the seat user P can steer the vehicle as a vehicle operator. Correspondingly, he can comfortably grasp a steering wheel provided on a steering wheel support 11 with his hands and actuate a brake pedal with his foot F in order to brake the vehicle when necessary. The foot F and the legs B of the seat user P protrude into a front interior region IA of the vehicle interior I.

[0038] Via front and rear rail connections SA1 and SA2, the seat part S of the vehicle seat FS is connected to a rail module which provides for an adjustment of the vehicle seat FA in particular along the longitudinal vehicle axis by means of a motorized adjustment drive in the form of a longitudinal adjuster 4e. The vehicle seat FS here can be longitudinally slidable along almost the entire length of the vehicle interior I and hence along a length of at least 100 cm. Via the longitudinal adjuster 4e, the vehicle seat FS is adjustable in particular from the normal driving position as shown in FIG. 1 for example to the rear into a working position as shown in FIG. 2 in a first rear interior region IC and into a relax position corresponding to FIG. 3 in which the seat part S is inclined backwards and the backrest R pivoted to the rear almost completely protrudes into a rearmost interior region ID of the vehicle interior I.

[0039] For a power-operated pivoting of the backrest R with respect to the seat part S about a backrest pivot axis, another motorized adjustment drive can be provided in the form of a backrest adjuster 4a. For the power-operated change of an inclination of the seat part S and/or the seat depth at least one further motorized adjustment drive is provided in the illustrated variant in the form of an inclination adjuster 4c. Furthermore, a headrest KS of the vehicle seat FS also can be adjustable via a motorized adjustment drive in the form of a headrest adjuster 4b. To furthermore adjust the vehicle seat FS into a target position which is pivoted with respect to the starting position of FIG. 1 and to the direction of travel, in particular into a target position rotated by 180 corresponding to FIG. 4, there is furthermore provided a rotary mechanism comprising a motorized adjustment drive in the form of a rotary adjuster 4d on the vehicle seat FS.

[0040] The individual adjusters 4a to 4e are coupled with an electronic control device 2. By means of the electronic control device 2, the individual adjusters 4a to 4e are controllable to perform an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS into a desired target position. In the present case, this in particular includes the fact that the seat user P can adjust the vehicle seat FS on the one hand into the working or relax position of FIGS. 2 and 3 and also into the position rotated by 180 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] In particular, pivoting or rotating the vehicle seat FS about the upright axis extending along a z-direction, in particular depending on the vehicle type and the design of the vehicle interior I, is not easily possible. Here, it can depend in particular on the starting position of the vehicle seat FS and among other things on the relative position of the individual seat components (seat part S, backrest R and headrest KS) whether the desired target position can be taken at all or possibly only by adjustment of one or more of the seat components S, R and KS of the vehicle seat FS. The respective current adjustment position of a seat component S, R, KS influences the starting position of the vehicle seat FS taken as a basis on the part of the electronic control device 2.

[0042] Via the electronic control device 2 it is also taken into account whether vehicle components of the vehicle interior I form a potential obstacle in a possible adjustment path to the target position of the vehicle seat FS. Such a vehicle component for example can be a B-pillar of the vehicle. The location of such a vehicle component in the vehicle interior space I, such as for example the location of a B-pillar, here is static and unchangeable.

[0043] An adjustability of the vehicle seat FS into the target position furthermore can be influenced by dynamic vehicle-specific constraints. For example, the adjustability of the vehicle seat FS can depend on the position of the steering wheel support 11, the steering column 10 or other adjustable components not belonging to the vehicle seat FS, such as for example a central armrest, a center console, a vehicle door, a footrest or a vehicle window pane. Such adjustable components can represent potential obstacles with which the vehicle seat FS might collide when it is adjusted into the desired target position, without taking account of the respective adjustment position of the corresponding adjustable components. In the present case, the electronic control device 2 for this purpose is not only coupled with the seat-side adjusters 4a to 4b, but also with the steering column 10, the steering wheel support 11 and further component adjusters 5 by means of which a power-operated adjustment of particular adjustable components, for example a center console or an armrest in the vehicle interior I, is made possible.

[0044] For an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS from an arbitrary, adjustable starting position into an arbitrary desired target position, in particular into a target position in which the vehicle seat FS is rotated by actuating the rotary adjuster 4d about a substantially vertically extending pivot axis in the vehicle interior I, the electronic control device 2 evaluates the current adjustment position of the individual adjustable components and adjustment drives. Furthermore, the electronic control device 2 can be configured to actuate the steering column 10, the steering wheel support 11 and/or the further component adjusters 5 before or during an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS into the desired target position in order to trigger an adjustment of the respective adjustable component.

[0045] The static and dynamic vehicle-specific constraints discussed above including the adjustment positions of the individual adjustable components that do not belong to the vehicle seat FS are included into an evaluation of a control logic of the electronic control device 2 as values for a plurality of restriction parameters in order to determine which adjusters 4a to 4e and 5 or which adjustable components 10, 11 and seat components S, R and KS must be actuated in what way in order to reach the desired target position of the vehicle seat FS. For this purpose, the control logic of the electronic control device 2 employs characteristic-map data of a characteristic-map memory 3 coupled with the electronic control device 2. The characteristic-map memory 3 stores characteristic-map data for adjusting movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat FS in dependence on the respective starting position and the possible vehicle-specific restriction parameters so that by means of these characteristic-map data and by taking account of the individual static and dynamic constraints the electronic control device 2 can determine a (best) possible adjusting sequence at the end of which the vehicle seat FS can be adjusted from the current starting position into the target position which is desired e.g. on the part of the seat user P.

[0046] As an additional constraint, the characteristic-map data of the characteristic-map memory 3 or the control logic of the electronic control device 3 for example also can include the fact that one or more of the seat components S, R and KS of the vehicle seat FS must not be adjusted during the adjustment into the desired target position or at best only to a small extent. For example, it can be preset or is to be set by the seat user P that an adjustment position of the backrest R relative to the seat part S, which is set in the current starting position, should remain unchanged. This adjustment position then is blocked so that with reference to the characteristic-map data of the characteristic-map memory 3 the electronic control device 2if possiblemust determine an adjusting sequence and hence an adjustment path in which the target position can be reached without an adjustment of the backrest R and hence without actuating the backrest adjuster 4a. Such preset constraints or constraints to be set on the part of the user are included into the characteristic-map memory 3 or the electronic control device 2 in the form of values for at least one corresponding user-specific restriction parameter by means of a (user) input E.

[0047] When a desired or specified target position is not possible under the given constraints and hence with the (static and dynamic) vehicle-specific and user-specific restriction parameters proceeding from the current starting position, a visually and/or acoustically perceptible information is output to the seat user P. The rotatability of the vehicle seat FS corresponding to FIG. 4, so that the seat user P sitting on the vehicle seat looks in the direction of the rear end, for example also can depend on whether the vehicle is driving autonomously and hence a corresponding control signal is applied at the electronic control device 2. After a possible change of the starting position and/or a change of certain constraints on the part of the user, such as for example the cancellation of a blockage of the current adjustment position of a seat component S, R or KS or the change into an autonomous driving mode, an adjustment into the target position can be attempted again.

[0048] Via the characteristic-map control provided by means of the characteristic-map memory 3 and the electronic control device 2, a vehicle seat FS can be usable in various vehicles and vehicle types on a cross-platform basis and in principle can identically or at least similarly be adjustable. By specifying vehicle-specific constraints and related restriction parameters merely the characteristic maps for the different vehicle types and model variants then differ from each other. For the respective vehicle type or the respective model variant merely appropriate characteristic-map data must be imported into the characteristic-map memory 3 or be selected. The available adjusting sequences in order to get into a desired target position from different starting positions then ultimately depend on the corresponding restriction parameters for the respective vehicle interior I and the adjustable components present therein and coupled with the electronic control device 2, which do not belong to the vehicle seat FS.

[0049] In FIG. 5, the possible sequence for an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS from a current starting position into a desired target position in the vehicle interior I is illustrated by means of a flow diagram.

[0050] The method begins at a starting time with a method step A1, at which for example the seat user P triggers the adjustment of the vehicle seat F into a particular target position or such an adjustment is triggered automatically, e.g. because the vehicle changes into an autonomous driving mode. Correspondingly, in one variant it can also be checked in method step A1 whether the vehicle including the vehicle seat FS is driving autonomously and hence an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS into a particular target position is permissible at all.

[0051] In a subsequent method step A2 a query can be triggered, in which the seat user P must indicate whether an adjustment of the vehicle seat FS is to be made and, if yes, into what target position (possibly by selection from several possible target positions and hence for example the working position of FIG. 2, the relax position of FIG. 3 or the rotated position of FIG. 4).

[0052] Whether in the adjustment to be made a particular seat component S, R or KS is to be blocked in the current adjustment position will be queried in a succeeding method step A3.

[0053] After the vehicle-specific and user-specific restriction parameters and their corresponding values hence are set, an electronic query of the currently taken position of the vehicle seat FS and hence of the respective adjustment positions of the individual seat components S, R and KS subsequently is made in a method step A4. For this purpose, for example position encoders of the individual adjustment drives 4a to 4e are queried. In any case, the current (starting) position of the vehicle seat FS, after method step A4 is carried out, is known to the electronic control device 2.

[0054] Subsequently (possibly also previously or at the same time) the adjustment positions of the adjustable components within the vehicle interior I, which are likewise coupled with the electronic control device 2 and do not belong to the vehicle seat FS, are determined, such as e.g. the adjustment positions of the steering wheel column 10, the steering wheel support 11 or the adjustable components to be adjusted by the component adjuster(s) 5.

[0055] From the available adjustment parameters and restriction parameters a (best) possible adjustment path can be determined by using the characteristic-map data from the characteristic-map memory 3 by means of the control logic of the electronic control device 2 as an adjusting sequence for the actuation of the individual adjustment drives 4a to 4e, 5 and the corresponding seat components S, R and KS as well as the adjustable components 10, 11, on the basis of which the adjustment of the vehicle seat FS into the target position is made in a subsequent method step A7.

[0056] After this, the method then is terminated in a method step A8. The electronic control device 2 then for example passes into a sleep mode, until the vehicle seat FS is to be adjusted again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0057] 1 steering wheel module [0058] 10 steering column [0059] 11 steering wheel support [0060] 2 electronic control device [0061] 3 characteristic-map memory [0062] 4a backrest adjuster [0063] 4b headrest adjuster [0064] 4c inclination adjuster [0065] 4d rotary adjuster [0066] 4e longitudinal adjuster [0067] 5 component adjuster [0068] B leg [0069] E (user) input [0070] F foot [0071] FS vehicle seat [0072] I vehicle interior [0073] IA, IB, IC, ID interior region [0074] KS headrest [0075] P seat user [0076] R backrest [0077] S seat part [0078] SA1, SA2 rail connection [0079] SE electronic control device