VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a seat part and a backrest, wherein the vehicle seat has an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy, which comprises at least one first detection device and at least one second detection device, wherein the at least one first detection device is suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the seat part, wherein the at least one second detection device is suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the backrest.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a seat part and a backrest, wherein the vehicle seat has an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy, which comprises at least one first detection device and at least one second detection device, wherein the at least one first detection device is suitable and intended for detecting an occupancy of the seat part, wherein the at least one second detection device is suitable and intended for detecting an occupancy of the backrest.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus for detecting seat occupancy outputs a seat occupancy state, wherein the seat occupancy state is only output as not occupied if non-occupancy is detected by the at least one first detection device and by the at least one second detection device in each case.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first detection device outputs a first signal when occupied, wherein the at least one second detection device outputs a second signal when occupied, wherein the at least one first detection device and the at least one second detection device are connected in parallel in terms of signalling technology or are linked by means of a logical OR operation.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first detection device is arranged in or on the seat part, wherein the at least one second detection device is arranged in or on the backrest.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first detection device comprises at least one first sensor which is suitable and intended for detecting an occupancy of the seat part, wherein the first sensor is selected from the group of a mechanical sensor, a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an optical sensor, an air-flow sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor an electromagnetic sensor, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged on a first mat element.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second detection device comprises at least one second sensor which is suitable and intended to detect an occupancy of the backrest, wherein the second sensor is selected from the group: a mechanical sensor, a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an optical sensor, an air-flow sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, wherein the at least one second sensor is arranged on a second mat element.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first detection device and/or the at least one second detection device comprises at least one first switching element, wherein a weight force acts on the at least one first switching element as a result of the occupancy, whereby the at least one first switching element can be brought from a first switching state into a second switching state.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first detection device and/or the at least one second detection device comprises a pivotably arranged rod-like element, wherein a second switching element is provided, which is in active contact with the rod-like element, wherein a prestressing element is provided, which holds the rod-like element in a first position, wherein a force is exerted on the rod-like element by an occupancy, whereby the rod-like element is displaced to a second position, wherein the second switching element is also displaced by this displacement and thereby contacts a contact element.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the backrest is arranged on the seat part by means of two fittings, wherein the backrest is pivotable relative to the seat part, wherein at least one fitting comprises an elastic element the elastic force of which counteracts the pivoting, wherein the at least one second detection device is arranged in at least one fitting, wherein an occupancy of the backrest can be detected due to a pivoting thereof relative to the seat part.

10. The vehicle comprising a vehicle seat according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 a vehicle seat according to one embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the apparatus for detecting seat occupancy according to one embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 3 a vehicle seat with an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy according to one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 4 a vehicle seat with an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy according to one embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 5 a detection device according to one embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 6 a vehicle seat with an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a seat part 2 and a backrest 3. The vehicle seat 1 has an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy 4. This device comprises at least one first detection device 5 and at least one second detection device 6, wherein the at least one first detection device 5 is suitable for detecting an occupancy of the seat part 2, wherein the at least one second detection device 6 is suitable and intended for detecting an occupancy of the backrest 3.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus for detecting seat occupancy 4. The two detection devices 5, 6 are shown in principle as switching elements connected in parallel. The two detection devices 5, 6 can, as shown, be connected in parallel in terms of signalling. This would be applicable if the detection devices 5, 6 comprise corresponding switching devices. However, a logical connective in the form of a disjunction (OR) would also be conceivable. This would be preferable if the detection devices comprise detection elements in the form of sensors. However, the parallel connection and the disjunction (OR) would lead to the same behaviour.

[0033] The apparatus for detecting seat occupancy 4 outputs a seat occupancy state or a signal corresponding to a seat occupancy state. The seat occupancy state can be output as occupied and unoccupied. There are therefore only two states that are output by the apparatus for detecting seat occupancy 4. Such an output is analysed accordingly by a control device of the commercial vehicle. For example, if the vehicle seat is not occupied, the commercial vehicle can be stopped. In the present case, the apparatus for detecting seat occupancy 4 only outputs a seat occupancy state as unoccupied if unoccupancy is detected by the at least one first detection device 5 and by the at least one second detection device 6.

[0034] The at least one first detection device and the at least one second detection device can output the occupancy in different ways. In the event of occupancy, the at least one first detection device 5 outputs a first signal. In the event of non-occupancy, a correspondingly defined signal can be output or the absence of the first signal can be analysed as a non-occupancy signal. The at least one second detection device outputs a second signal in the event of occupancy. In the case of the at least one second detection device, a correspondingly defined signal can also be output in the event of non-occupancy, or the absence of the second signal can be evaluated accordingly as a non-occupancy signal.

[0035] By evaluating an occupancy of both the seat part and the backrest, it is possible to prevent an erroneous output of the seat occupancy due to a reduced weight force acting on the first detection device 5 in the seat part 2 from leading to an output of a non-occupancy.

[0036] The at least one first detection device 5 can be arranged in or on the seat part 2. Similarly, the at least one second detection device 6 can be arranged in or on the backrest 3. The detection devices 5, 6 can be designed differently. The detection devices 5, 6 can comprise detection elements in the form of mechanical switching elements, electrical switching elements or also in the form of various sensors which can detect occupancy of the seat part 2 or the backrest 3. In this case, occupancy is the occupant's body coming into contact with the seat part 2 or the backrest 3, but occupancy can also be the application of force by the occupant's body to the seat part 3 or the backrest 3.

[0037] FIGS. 3-6 show various embodiments of how a second detection device 6 can be designed. In these embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, the design of the first detection device 5 is not explicitly specified. The first detection device 5 can of course be designed analogue to the second detection device 6. Several first detection devices 5 and/or several second detection devices 6 can also be provided. Any combination of the at least one first detection device 5 and the at least one second detection device 6 is conceivable, and it would also be conceivable to provide detection devices that are designed differently from those shown in FIGS. 3-6.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a second detection device 6, which comprises a second mat element 7. The second mat element 7 has at least one second sensor 8. In the present case, 6 second sensors 8 are provided, which are distributed at predetermined distances on the second mat element 7. The second sensors 8 are suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the backrest 3. Various types of sensors can be used for this purpose.

[0039] For example, a pressure sensor that detects pressure caused by the weight of the occupant's body.

[0040] It would also be conceivable to use a capacitive sensor. A capacitive sensor is a sensor that works on the basis of the change in the electrical capacitance of an individual capacitor or a capacitor system. The capacitance can be influenced by the variable to be detected in various ways. For example, one electrode can be moved relative to another by a pressure movement. However, a capacitive sensor can also be designed as a type of proximity switch whose function is based on the change in the electric field in the environment in front of its sensor electrode.

[0041] It would also be conceivable to use an optical sensor. An optical sensor can, for example, comprise a light source that emits visible or infrared light and a detector. A change in the reflection or the amount of light from the occupant's body is detected.

[0042] Other conceivable types of sensors are: a mechanical sensor, an inductive sensor, an air-flow sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor or an electromagnetic sensor, for example LIDAR or RADAR. The sensors output a corresponding signal, which is then combined with a signal from the first detection device. The resulting signal is then passed on to a control device of the vehicle.

[0043] The at least one first detection device can of course also be equipped in an analogue manner with a first mat element, which comprises at least one first sensor that is suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the seat part 2. The first sensor can be designed in an analogue manner to the second sensor.

[0044] The at least one first detection device 5 and/or the at least one second detection device 6 can also comprise at least one first switching element 9, which can preferably be designed as a mechanical switching element. The occupant's body causes a weight force to act on the at least one first switching element 9, as a result of which the at least one first switching element 9 can be brought from a first switching state into a second switching state.

[0045] A corresponding example is shown in FIG. 4. Here, a second detection device 6 is provided in the backrest 3, which comprises a mechanical switching element 9. The mechanical switching element 9 comprises a rocker element 15, which is pivotably arranged on a frame element of the backrest 3. Preferably, this rocker element 15 is arranged behind or in a cushion element 16 of the backrest 3. The cushion element 16 is deformed by the weight of the occupant, causing the rocker element 15 to pivot in such a way that it makes contact with a contact element 17. This contact closes the switching element 9 and outputs a corresponding signal, which is linked to a signal from the first detection device.

[0046] A further embodiment of a first 5 and/or second detection device 6 is shown in FIG. 5. The respective detection device 5, 6 comprises a pivotably arranged rod-like element 10. This rod-like element 10 has a bracket-like design and is pivotably arranged on a substructure of the seat part 2 or the backrest 3. Furthermore, a prestressing element 12 is provided, which holds the rod-like element 10 in a first position. The rod-like element 10 is also in active contact with a second switching element 11. Furthermore, a plate-like element 20 is provided, on which the rod-like element 10, the prestressing element 12, the switching element 11 and a contact element 13 are arranged.

[0047] The rod-like element 10 is displaced downwards against the force of the prestressing element 12 as a result of a force being applied due to an occupancy. This displacement also causes the switching element 11 to be moved or displaced at the same time. Due to the displacement, the switching element 11 makes contact with a plate-like contact element 13. This contact outputs a corresponding signal, which is linked to the signal of the respective other detection device 5, 6.

[0048] In the case of the second detection device 6, the rod-like element 10 preferably extends over the entire or approximately the entire width of the backrest 3.

[0049] In the case of the first detection device 5, the rod-like element 10 preferably extends over the entire or approximately the entire width of the seat part 2. This ensures detection capability over the entire width of the seat part 2 or the backrest 3.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, the backrest 3 is arranged on the seat part 2 by means of two fittings 14. The backrest 3 can be tilted relative to the seat part 2. At least one fitting 14 comprises an elastic element, the elastic force of which counteracts the tilting. The fitting 14 may further comprise a positioning device and/or a locking device for a tilted position of the backrest 3 (not shown in the figures). The at least one second detection device 6 may be arranged in or on at least one fitting 14. An occupancy of the backrest 3 due to a pivoting thereof relative to the seat part 2 can thus be detected. The second detection device 6 can comprise a third switching element 18 and a third contact element 19. The third switching element 18 can be coupled to the elastic element of the fitting 14 and can be displaced or swivelled during a swivel, which is caused by the force applied by the body of the occupant, in such a way that it comes into contact with the third contact element 19. Such a contact outputs a corresponding signal, which is linked to the signal of the respective other detection device 5, 6.

[0051] Another way of realising a second detection device in a fitting 14 is to provide a measuring device for a torque that is generated by the displacement due to the occupancy. This measuring device emits a signal as soon as the torque exceeds a threshold value.

[0052] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as being essential to the invention, provided that they are new, either individually or in combination, compared to the prior art. It should also be noted that the individual figures also describe features which may be advantageous in themselves. The skilled person immediately recognises that a particular feature described in a figure can also be advantageous without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the skilled person recognises that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual figures or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0053] 1 Vehicle seat [0054] 2 Seat part [0055] 3 Backrest [0056] 4 Apparatus for detecting seat occupancy [0057] 5 First detection device [0058] 6 Second detection device [0059] 7 Mat element [0060] 8 Second sensor [0061] 9 First switching element [0062] 10 Rod-like element [0063] 11 Second switching element [0064] 12 Prestressing element [0065] 13 Contact element [0066] 14 Fitting [0067] 15 Rocker element [0068] 16 Cushion element [0069] 17 Contact element [0070] 18 Third switching element [0071] 19 Third contact element [0072] 20 Plate-like element