Method for dynamic adaptation of lateral support to vehicle states in motor vehicle seats with a seat surface and with a backrest and corresponding seat

Abstract

A method for adjusting a motor vehicle seat includes receiving pressure signals from pressure sensors disposed in a grid network on outside surfaces of edge bladders of the seat. The method further includes raising or lowering a fluid pressure within the edge bladders using the pressure signals, including lowering of the bladder pressure on the door side on recognizing an entry or exit situation only if a load-related pressure rise in bladders on the door side has occurred.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, comprising: using a controller to: receive pressure signals from pressure sensors disposed in a grid network on outside surfaces of edge bladders of the seat; starting when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off, the door is opened, or no change in acceleration occurs that indicate a movement of the vehicle, monitor for at least one of the pressure signals indicating an increase in the bladder pressure on a door side of the seat; and raise or lower a fluid pressure within the edge bladders using the pressure signals, including lowering of the bladder pressure on the door side on recognizing an entry or exit situation only if a load-related pressure rise in bladders on the door side has occurred.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensors are fiber optic pressure sensors, in which flexural losses induced by pressure result in transmission changes in the glass fibers.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the event of at least one of the pressure signals indicating an increase in pressure, carrying out a pressure increase in at least one of the bladders if the vehicle is in a turn.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a pressure increase of the bladder pressure on an outside of the turn is carried out.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid pressure within the edge bladders is carried out using a pressure-controlled fluid source and a controller for the fluid source, pressure sensors being connected with the controller.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat includes a seat surface and a backrest, the edge bladders being disposed within at least one of the seat surface and the backrest.

7. A motor vehicle seat, comprising: a seat surface; edge bladders beneath the seat surface; a pressure-controlled fluid source coupled with the bladders; pressure sensors disposed between the bladders and the seat surface; and a controller coupled with the fluid source and the pressure sensors causing the fluid source to lower a fluid pressure within at least one bladder disposed on a door side of the seat upon recognizing an entry or exit situation wherein the entry or exit situation is identified by monitoring for a signal indicating an increase in the bladder pressure on a door side of the seat when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off, the door is opened, or no change in acceleration occurs that indicate a movement of the vehicle.

8. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fluid pressure within the bladders is varied using the pressure signals from the pressure sensors in order to increase or reduce a lateral support provided by the edge bladders.

9. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressure sensors are disposed in a grid network on the surface of the bladders.

10. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressure sensors are fiber optic pressure sensors, in which flexural losses induced by pressure result in transmission changes in the glass fibers.

11. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller further carries out a pressure increase in at least one of the bladders if the vehicle is in a turn, in the event of at least one of the pressure signals indicating an increase in pressure.

12. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller carries out the pressure increase of the bladder pressure on one of the bladders disposed toward an outside of the turn.

13. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the seat includes a seat surface and a backrest, the edge bladders being disposed within at least one of the seat surface and the backrest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the process of controlling the lateral bladder pressure in a motor vehicle seat according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, interior, exterior, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature of component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.

(5) In FIG. 1, a seat, which is denoted as a whole by 1, of an automobile is shown. The seat 1 includes a backrest 2, a seat surface 3 and a headrest 4, each of which has a supporting surface 5, 6, 7 for the occupant.

(6) The seat 1 further includes lateral upholstery on each edge that improves the lateral support. Said edge upholstery is fitted with pneumatic fluid bladders 8A, B and 9A, B, the pressure of which and thereby the size of which are variable. Each fluid bladder 8A, B and 9A, B include a plurality of chambers that can be individually pressurized.

(7) There is a network of pressure sensors 11A,B, 12A,B disposed between the surface of the bladder and the supporting surfaces 5, 6 of the backrest 2 and the seat surface 3 in each case, wherein fiber optic pressure sensors are used.

(8) There is a controller 10, including the compressed air source compressor 13, for querying the sensors and carrying out the pressure control. The controller 10 can automatically control the air pressure in the fluid bladders 8A, B and 9A,B by specifically pressurizing the individual chambers after analyzing the data originating from the sensors regarding the local pressure and taking into account the driving situation and possibly the passenger characteristics.

(9) Manual control, presetting or intervention in the automatic control is also conceivable.

(10) In FIG. 2 the possible process of the control of the pressure in the fluid bladders 8A,B and 9A,B is represented in the form of a flow chart.

(11) Initially (in step A), the vehicle seat 1 carries out a measurement of the occupant and determination of the pressure in the bladders in the static state. This is known in principle.

(12) Then in step B, the optimum lateral support and the pressure necessary for this in the chambers of the fluid bladders 8A,B and 9A,B are calculated in the controller 10 and adjusted by means of the compressor 13. This applies to the static case.

(13) Then, the dynamic detection of the local pressure in the fluid bladders 8A,B and 9A,B by means of the sensors 11A,B or 12A,B starts (step C).

(14) During this, a check is first made by means of a check (step D) of whether an entry or exit situation is recognized (step E), for example, by means of door contact and an increase of the contact pressure on the corresponding bladder on the door side.

(15) If this is not the case, in step F, the optimum lateral support and the pressure necessary for this in the chambers of the fluid bladders 8A,B and 9A,B is calculated in the controller 10 and adjusted by means of the compressor 13. This applies to the dynamic case.

(16) Then the method is repeated following a delay.

(17) If, however, an entry or exit situation is recognized in step E, then in step H the pressure in the corresponding bladders on the door side is discharged in order to enable a comfortable entry or exit. According to the invention, after recognizing the entry or exit situation the pressure reduction is only carried out if in turn a load-related pressure rise has previously been recognized in the corresponding bladder. In this manner, it is clear that the occupant has placed weight on the respective bladder in order to exit or enter, resulting in the pressure rise.

(18) The method may, subsequently, repeat.

(19) It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

(20) For purposes of this disclosure, the term coupled (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

(21) It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

(22) It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.