Cover material, in particular seat cover material, and vehicle interior arrangement, in particular a seat assembly

Abstract

A cover material, in particular a seat cover material, having an upper side and a lower side and at least one seam that runs over at least a part of the cover material and that is visible on the upper side. An electrically conductive element that generates an electric field is arranged on the lower side in the region where the seam runs.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a vehicle seat, with a backrest (3), a seat part (2), and a seat cover (6); an electrically conductive element (7) set at an electric potential that differs from the ground potential and thereby generates an electric field; and a control unit (8), which is coupled with the electrically conductive element (7) such that the electric field is modified when a user's finger approaches or touches an upper side of the seat cover (6) in the vicinity of a seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4), and wherein the control unit (8) receives an electric signal generated by a modification of the electric field.

2. The vehicle interior according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle seat assembly has an electric seat function (9), that is accessible by the control unit (8) as a result of the generated signal.

3. The vehicle interior according to claim 2, wherein the electric seat function includes at least one function selected from the group consisting of: backrest angle adjustment, seat length adjustment, seat height adjustment, illumination, seat ventilation, seat heating, seat depth adjustment, lumbar support adjustment, headrest adjustment, side bolster adjustment, and seat massage function.

4. The vehicle interior according to claim 1, wherein the seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) runs over at least a part of the seat cover (6) and is visible on the upper side of the seat cover (6), and the electrically conductive element (7) that generates the electric field is arranged on a lower side (6a) of the seat cover (6) in a region where the seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) runs.

5. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive element (7) is a strip with at least one electrically conductive section.

6. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive element (7) is attached to the seat cover by the seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) on the lower side.

7. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) and the cover material (6) are not electrically conductive.

8. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the cover material (6) is configured in multiple layers.

9. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive element (7) is encapsulated so that the electrically conductive element (7) is impermeable to moisture.

10. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the seam (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) is not electrically conductive.

11. The vehicle interior according to claim 4, wherein the cover material (6) is not electrically conductive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 3D. Although the examples primarily show the configuration of the cover material as a seat cover or seat cover material, the invention is not restricted to this, and so all parts of the vehicle interior with seams, in particular the cover materials, can be configured according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in a principle sketch, a section of a claimed cover material.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through this type of cover material.

(4) FIGS. 3A through 3D show various embodiments of a claimed vehicle interior using the example of a seat assembly.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary switch arrangement for the claimed vehicle interior.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a further application example for a claimed cover material in the area of the dashboard.

(7) FIG. 6 shows yet another application example for a claimed cover material in the area of a vehicle door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 shows a section of the cover material 6 and the functional principle of the technology accommodated in the cover material 6. In the embodiment shown, the cover 6 consists of the cover surface, which is applied to a substrate material 6a. It is preferred that the cover surface, which is not conductive, is applied to the substrate material 6a.

(9) However, it is also conceivable that the cover surface is laminated, adhered or otherwise attached to the substrate material 6a. An electrically conductive element 7 is arranged on the lower side of the seat cover 6. This electrically conductive element is preferably a fabric or fabric strip that is interwoven with electrically conductive threads or has an electrically conductive coating. It is also possible that the electrically conductive element 7 consists of a conductive foil, a fabric of conductive carbon fibers, a metallically coated fabric or a combination thereof.

(10) Said electrically conductive element 7 is attached to the seat cover 6 preferably by being sewn on. The double seam 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 shown here has the advantage over other attachment techniques that it can be seen and felt on the surface of the seat cover 6. A user can use it to orient the hand on the surface of the seat cover 6 and perform the desired accessible electric function 9, especially seat functions. It is entirely possible to configure the seam 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 as a simple seam, and a zig-zag seam can likewise be introduced between the double seams, as well as any other known form of seam that provides haptic support for locating the switch area.

(11) According to the invention, the arrangement functions as a capacitive sensor. The electrically conductive element 7 is thus set at an electric potential different from the ground potential. If the user's finger presses on the seat cover 6 or if the finger comes close to the conductive element 7, the electric field between the electrically conductive element 7 and the finger is modified.

(12) This is expressed in a measurable change in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, which can be evaluated by the downstream control electronics 8 so that an electric control function 9 can be triggered by the signal; simple illumination, for example. In this case, the shield electrode is advantageous, since other instances in which the hand approaches the seam 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 are not supposed to be detected.

(13) It is also conceivable to configure the element 7 as part of the capacitor and, accordingly, to provide capacitor plates below the element 7 that are charged for this purpose. In this way, various switch locations can be produced over the longitudinal extent of the element 7, if it is configured e.g. as a strip, thereby permitting position detection along the seam.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the arrangement according to FIG. 1, in which the electrically conductive element 7 is disposed below the seat cover 6.

(15) FIG. 3A shows the embodiment of a vehicle interior using the example of a seat assembly, wherein the seat 1 is only partially shown. The drawing shows the seat part 2 and the lower part of the backrest 3. A seam 4 is shown on the side element 2a of the seat part 2, behind which an electrically conductive element 7 (concealed) is sewn on or is otherwise applied below the seam 4. Sensors (concealed) or control units 8 (concealed), with which the seat functions can be adjusted electrically, can be applied at various locations on the seam 4. In a different embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 3B, the control function 8 is applied to the front element 2b of the seat part 2.

(16) This is visible externally as a result of seam 4, since the technology is installed below the seat cover 6, i.e. it is not externally visible.

(17) A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3C. This figure shows the rear side of the backrest 3. A seam 4 is shown in the upper region 3a of the backrest 3, i.e. in the area where the headrest 5 is attached. In this embodiment, a reading lamp for rear passengers could be controlled. For example, LED lights could be installed within the cloth of the seat cover 6 and the backrest 3 provided with the seam 4, and a rear passenger could turn them on and off or regulate brightness by means of the switch and control unit 8 installed below the seam 4.

(18) FIG. 3D shows a further variation of the invention. In this embodiment, the seams 4, 4 are applied to the seat cover 6 of the headrest 5. It is possible to adjust the height and inclination of the headrest 5, for example, by touching the lateral surfaces of the headrest 5.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a switch arrangement of a claimed seat assembly. Electrically conductive elements 7 configured as a row of sensors S1 through S6 are arranged below a seam 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 (not shown here). In this example, the individual sensors S1 through S6 are arranged in a row. In a preferred embodiment, seams are applied to various seat elements 2, 3, 5, and the sensors S1 through S6 corresponding to the electrically accessible seat functions 9 that are associated with the respective seat elements 2, 3, 5 are arranged below said seams.

(20) Nevertheless, it is also possible to provide multiple seams 4 in one place, such as on the side element 2a of the seat part 2, with the sensors S1 through S6 for various functional groups disposed below the seams. Component 10 provides a reference potential, and changes relative thereto caused by manual actuation of the switches can be detected by one of the sensors S1 through S6.

(21) Each of S1 through S6 is linked to the control unit 8 via a bus. This control unit 8 evaluates the sensor signals and activates the appropriate electric seat function 9. Examples of this are: adjusting the length of the seat 1, adjusting the height and inclination of the seat part 2, the inclination of the backrest 3, adjusting the headrest 5, inflating and deflating supporting cushions, backseat lighting, heating the seats. This list of examples does not rule out other electrically accessible seat functions 9. The functions that are not seat functions, such as adjusting the vehicle heating, the internal lighting and the instrument illumination, can also conceivably be controlled with the switches.

(22) In the example shown, for example, 91 identifies a switch for turning the motor 92 in a headrest on and off. The motor 92 can also move or displace other parts of the seat. 93 identifies a circuit for adjusting the heat in the seat or vehicle. LEDs or heating elements 94, for example, can be triggered by means of this circuit. Circuits 95a, 95b for the seating light 96a and the ambient lighting 96b can likewise be provided by the control unit 8.

(23) Pneumatic circuits 97, for instance, can also be activated via the control unit 8 in order to open or close valves 98 so as to adjust cushion elements by inflating or deflating pneumatic elements (bubbles). Finally, the control unit 8 can also adjust the sensors S1 through S6 in terms of their responsiveness; an appropriate circuit 99 can be provided for this purpose, too.

(24) FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of locations in the vehicle interior at which the invention can also be employed. As is shown in FIG. 5, for example, the cover 6 of dashboard 11 can have a seam 4 configured in the manner according to the invention. The inner sides of vehicle doors 10 (FIG. 6) can likewise include the claimed cover materials 6.

(25) Apart from the examples shown, other solutions are also possible. It makes sense to place the switch locations anywhere that can be easily reached by the hand or a finger.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(26) 1 Seat 2 Seat part 2a Side element of 2 2b Front element of 2 3 Backrest 3a Upper side of 3 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 Seam 5 Headrest 6 Cover material seat cover 6a Substrate material 7 Electrically conductive elements 8 Control unit 9 Accessible electric seat functions 10 Vehicle door 11 Dashboard