Motor vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat having a seat massage system (2, 3, 51-54) with one or more fluid- fillable massage bladders (51-54), the motor vehicle seat having a cushion (1) comprising a first side (A) facing a seat occupant and a second side (B) opposite the first side (A). The massage bladders (51-54) are arranged on the second side (B) of the cushion (1) such that a filling of the massage bladders (51-54) causes a pressure of the filled massage bladders (51-54) on pressure areas (11a, 11b) of the cushion (1) and thus a deformation (1a, 1b) of the cushion (1). At least one of the pressure areas (11a, 11b) is surrounded by a recess (11) present in the cushion (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a motor vehicle seat. Background Technology

[0002] This type of motor vehicle seat is known, for example, from DE102019206830A1. This seat features a seat massage system, as simplified in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, it typically operates via multiple fluid-fillable, and in particular air-fillable, airbags 51 to 54. These airbags are generally supported on a support plate 4, which serves as a fulcrum. The motor vehicle seat or seat massage system has a pad 1 having a first side A (also called side A) and a second side B (also called side B), the direction of travel indicated by X in the example shown here. The example shown illustrates a pad 1 for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat; however, the invention also functions as a pad for the seat portion of a motor vehicle seat. Therefore, when pad 1 is mentioned below, this also applies to the backrest pad of a motor vehicle seat and the pad for the seat portion of a motor vehicle seat. In any case, side A is the side facing the vehicle occupant seated in the motor vehicle seat, and side B of the pad is the side opposite side A. Figure 1 As can be seen, airbags 51 to 54 are arranged between the support plate 4 and the liner 1, wherein they are supplied with fluid, preferably air, through the pipe 3 and the controllable valve body 2 or the like. Therefore, individual airbags 51 to 54 can also be operated independently.

[0003] If air bladders 51 to 54 are filled with fluid, they expand toward side B of the padding 1 because they are blocked in the other direction by the support plate 4, ensuring that the padding 1 (preferably a foam material or the like) deforms locally within the area of ​​the filled air bladders 51 to 54. Figure 2 As can be seen, airbags 51 and 53 are filled with air, and on side A, relative to reference line L showing the undeformed pad 1, there are localized arches or bulges 1a or 1b on side A of the pad 1. The vehicle occupants then perceive these localized arches 1a or 1b as massage stimulation.

[0004] Since the padding material is typically compressed by the fluid-filled airbags 51 to 54, most of the pressure exerted by the corresponding massage airbags 51 to 54 is absorbed into the deformation of the padding, and more precisely, it acts not only in the direction toward the vehicle occupants but also in the direction perpendicular to the direction toward the vehicle occupants. In other words, a portion of the force exerted by the airbags 51 to 54 does not affect the vehicle occupants. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a motor vehicle seat having a seat massage system of the type described at the beginning, which does not have the disadvantages described.

[0006] The task is accomplished using a motor vehicle seat equipped with a seat massage system.

[0007] The motor vehicle seat according to the invention has a seat massage system having one or more fluid-fillable massage airbags. Furthermore, the motor vehicle seat has a cushion comprising a first side facing the seat occupant and a second side opposite the first side. Here, the one or more massage airbags are arranged on the second side of the cushion such that filling the one or more massage airbags causes pressure on pressure areas of the cushion by the filled airbags, and thus causes deformation of the cushion. These pressure areas are preferably areas of the cushion in which the massage airbags are in direct contact, or in such a way that the massage airbags rest against the cushion even when the seat massage system is off, but at least when the seat massage system is on, i.e., when at least one massage airbag is filled with fluid.

[0008] According to the present invention, at least one of the pressure regions is surrounded by a recess present in the pad.

[0009] This results in a whole series of advantages. On the one hand, when the filled massage airbag is pressed onto the corresponding pressure area surrounded by the concave portion, the pressure area is first deformed, or more precisely, compressed substantially toward side A of the pad.

[0010] Here, the area of ​​the padding that does not directly contact the corresponding massage airbags is largely left with gaps, because the recesses ensure that the force applied to the padding by the filled massage airbags causes the padding material to deform and enter into the area with gaps through the recesses. In this way, the pressure of the filled airbags can be more targeted towards side A of the padding. As a result, the massage experience felt by the seat occupant is improved compared to known solutions, because the force of the massage airbags is not partially introduced into adjacent areas of the padding. Preferably, the padding comprises or is constructed as a foam component. This material can be processed and manufactured particularly easily and has proven to be useful in past use for seat padding.

[0011] The pressure zones can, in principle, be constructed as a single piece with the padding. However, it is also preferable that at least one of the pressure zones is constructed as a separate component, preferably made of a material softer than the padding material, and inserted into a corresponding recess in the padding. This separate component can be made of the same material as the surrounding padding, or it can be a different material. According to a preferred embodiment, the material of this separately constructed pressure zone is softer than the padding material, for example, in a way that the material has lower compressive stiffness than the padding. Therefore, the pressure of the massage airbag towards side A can be increased.

[0012] To increase the pressure of the massage airbags toward side A, it may be alternatively or additionally specified that the one or more massage airbags are arranged between the second side of the pad and the support device serving as a support.

[0013] The recess according to the invention can be constructed in different ways. Preferably, the recess is a groove or recess, the depth direction of which is oriented toward the first side. When selecting a foam material, such a groove or recess can be subsequently cut into the material. Alternatively, the groove or recess can be considered and formed during the molding process of the liner.

[0014] To ensure that deformation of the pressure area does not affect adjacent areas of the padding or introduce pressure from the massage airbag into adjacent areas, the recess can have a closed shape in such a way that it completely surrounds the one or more massage airbags. Therefore, free space is provided around the pressure area, which is deformed by the respective massage airbag under pressure, in which portions of the pressure area can be offset during compression, thus producing little or no contact with the remaining padding.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the recess is configured such that the massage airbag, when pressed against the pressure area of ​​the pad surrounded by the recess in its filled state, is at least partially surrounded by the pad material. In this way, the massage airbag can sink at least partially into the recess in the pad and thus be closer to the first side. This further improves the efficiency of the massage.

[0016] For fluid filling of one or more massage airbags, air is preferred, but other fluids, i.e., liquids or gases, can also be used.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the massage experience can be further enhanced if special pressure zones are also provided on side A. Here, it is preferable to provide pressure zones on the first side of the pad, opposite to the pressure areas present on the second side. The deformation of the pad by the massage airbag and the resulting pressure (transmitted from the inflated massage airbag through the corresponding pressure zones and across the pad to side A and ultimately to the seat occupant) can be amplified on the first side by additional pressure elements opposite to the corresponding pressure zones. Preferably, these pressure zones are made of a material with greater stiffness, especially greater compressive stiffness, relative to the pad material. In another embodiment, these pressure zones may simply be small areas where very selective pressure is applied to the vehicle occupant. In this embodiment, the pressure zones may also be grooves or channels or the like formed in the pad material on the first side.

[0018] Similar to the second side, a region surrounding the pressure section can also be cut into the first side, such that a recess is arranged around the pressure section in the unpressurized state, which in principle can have the same characteristics as the recess described above. Preferably, the pressure section is thus surrounded by the recess present in the padding on the first side. This allows the corresponding pressure section opposite to the pressure area compressed on the first side to experience additional travel during airbag filling, because the recess is a material weakening section, which enables higher deformation in the area of ​​the material weakening section.

[0019] This invention significantly improves the massage experience for seat occupants compared to known solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a chair massage system according to the prior art is shown, wherein the massage device is turned off.

[0022] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The image shows a seat massage system with the massage device turned on.

[0023] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view is shown of a seat massage system used in a motor vehicle seat according to the invention, according to a first embodiment, wherein the massage device is turned off.

[0024] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 The image shows a seat massage system with the massage device turned on.

[0025] Figure 5A perspective view of the pad used in this invention is shown from side B.

[0026] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 A magnified view of detail D in the image.

[0027] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view is shown of a seat massage system used in a motor vehicle seat according to the invention, according to a second embodiment, wherein the massage device is turned off.

[0028] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 The image shows a seat massage system with the massage device turned on. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the appendix discussed at the beginning Figure 1 and 2 The various features have already been discussed using specific reference numerals. As long as... Figures 3 to 8 The same reference numerals are used in the figures, and the implementation described above applies accordingly; see there for reference in order to avoid repetition.

[0030] exist Figures 3 to 8 The embodiment shown is a part of the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention, and the motor vehicle seat is not shown in detail here for clarity.

[0031] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, pressure regions 11a and 11b can be seen in the cross-sectional view, and in the illustrated example, massage airbags 51 and 53 are abutted against these pressure regions. In the illustrated cross-section, segments indicated by 11 of the recess according to the invention can be seen on both sides of the pressure regions 11a and 11b of the pad 1, these segments preferably completely surrounding the pressure regions 11a and 11b. If the massage program is initiated by means of a corresponding control device 2, which may include a valve body, then the massage airbags 51 to 54 are filled with fluid, particularly air, according to a specific pre-defined procedure. Figure 4 In the example shown, the massage airbags 51 and 53 are filled, pushed open by the support plate 4, arched, and themselves apply pressure to the pressure regions 11a and 11b. The pressure regions 11a and 11b are thus deformed and partially squeezed into the region of the recess 11. Meanwhile, as in Figure 4 As shown by the dashed lines, a deformable portion 1a or 1b is formed on side A, which is opposite to pressure regions 11a and 11b located on side B.

[0032] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6In this context, side B is explained using a preferred embodiment. It should only be shown here that, of course, a greater number of pressure zones 11a and 11b can be formed on side B of the gasket 1. Figure 6 The image represents one of the pressure regions 11a and the area of ​​the pad 1 surrounding this pressure region. As can be seen, the recess 11 completely surrounds the pressure region 11a here. Figure 5 As also shown, the recess 11 may surround multiple pressure regions 11b. Preferably, it may also be specified that a recess 11c may be provided in the pad 1 on the side of the recess 11 opposite to the pressure region 11a. This recess can be used to accommodate flat, i.e., unfilled massage airbags 51 to 54, so that the massage airbags can be accommodated flush with side B in the pad 1 in an unfilled state.

[0033] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 Another embodiment according to the invention is shown in the figure. Essentially, the figure and the views shown thereon correspond to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this regard, please refer to the above description. (Distinguished from...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The implementation method is as follows: Figure 7 and Figure 8 The embodiment shown has pressure sections 7 and 6 on side A of the padding 1. Of course, theoretically, only one pressure section is provided. These pressure sections 7 and 6 are located in areas on side A, which are deformed by pressing the massage airbags 51 or 53 onto pressure areas 11a or 11b. To produce a massage experience that is better felt by the seat occupant, these pressure sections 7 and 6 are constructed differently from the rest of the padding material. This can be achieved by using a generally stiffer material, or at least a material with high compressive stiffness, for the pressure sections 7 and 6, so that the seat occupant feels stronger, sometimes point-like pressure on their back when pressing the massage airbags onto pressure areas 11a and 11b. Alternatively, the pressure sections 7 and 6 can be constructed as nodes in the padding material of the padding 1. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, recesses can also be constructed around pressure segments 7 and 6 on side A (similar to the recesses 11 surrounding pressure areas 11a and 11b). These recesses can be configured exactly as described above. These recesses constructed around pressure segments 7 and 6 on side A locally enhance the deformability of the padding 1. On one hand, this means that the pressure of the massage airbags 51 and 53 on the corresponding pressure areas 11a and 11b results in stronger deformation of areas 1a and 1b on side A. On the other hand, for example, when the seat massage system is turned off, i.e., when the massage airbags are not inflated, the pressure segments 7 and 6 will be pressed into the padding 1 by the force exerted by the seat occupant on the padding 1. The latter has the effect that when the seat massage system is turned off, the seat occupant will not feel the pressure segments 7 and 6, which increase pressure when the massage is in progress, very strongly or not at all.

[0034] This invention improves the massage experience of seat massage systems in motor vehicle seats while maintaining seat comfort even when the massage is turned off.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle seat having a seat massage system having one or more fluid-fillable massage airbags (51-54), the motor vehicle seat having a cushion (1) and a recess (11) present in the cushion (1), the cushion including pressure areas (11a, 11b), a first side (A) facing the seat occupant and a second side (B) opposite to the first side (A), and the recess (11) being a groove or recess defining the pressure areas (11a, 11b), and at least one of the pressure areas (11a, 11b) being surrounded by the recess (11) present in the cushion (1), wherein, The portion of the pad (1) located within the pressure regions (11a, 11b) is deformable and includes a protrusion surrounded by the groove or recess, thereby isolating the outer wall of the protrusion from the rest of the pad, wherein the massage airbags (51-54) are arranged on the second side (B) of the pad (1) such that the filling of the massage airbags (51-54) causes pressure of the filled massage airbags (51-54) on the pressure regions (11a, 11b) of the pad (1) and thus causes deformation (1a, 1b) of the pad (1).

2. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liner (1) includes or is constructed as a foam component.

3. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the pressure regions (11a, 11b) is constructed as a separate component and inserted into a corresponding recess in the gasket.

4. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the pressure regions (11a, 11b) is constructed as a separate component and is made of a material softer than that of the liner (1) and is inserted into a corresponding recess of the liner.

5. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The massage airbags (51-54) are arranged between the second side of the pad (1) and the support device (4) that serves as a support.

6. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The depth direction of the groove or recess is oriented toward the first side.

7. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recess (11) has a closed shape in such a way that the recess completely surrounds the massage airbag (51-54).

8. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in that, The recess (11) is configured such that the massage airbags pressed against the pressure areas (11a, 11b) of the padding surrounded by the recess (11) in the filled state are at least partially surrounded by the material of the padding (1).

9. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Air is provided for the fluid filling of the massage airbags (51-54).

10. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A pressure section (7, 6) is provided on the first side (A) of the liner (1) opposite to the pressure area (11a, 11b) present on the second side (B).

11. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 10, characterized in that, The pressure zones (7, 6) are made of a material with greater hardness than the material of the liner (1).

12. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 10, characterized in that, The pressure zones (7, 6) are made of a material with greater compressive hardness than the material of the liner (1).

13. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 10, characterized in that, The pressure zones (7, 6) are surrounded by recesses (11) present on the first side of the liner (1).

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