Automated seat tilt compensation (SNV) for vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat for automatic tilt compensation, having a seat part and a backrest, in which a fluid chamber unit having at least two fluid chambers of flexible design is arranged between at least one seat plate part of the seat part and a seat cushion part of the seat part above the seat plate part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat for automatic tilt compensation, having a seat part and a backrest part. Background Art

[0002] A common problem with commercial vehicles, such as tractors, is that they are sometimes operated in a sideways or tilted position, for example to pull a plow behind them on a field. When plowing, the problem arises that half of the tractor's wheels are on the already plowed field, while the other half of the wheels are moving on the unplowed soil. This results in a sideways tilted or tilted position of the tractor and thus also of the vehicle seat.

[0003] If the vehicle seat is tilted or in a tilted position for a long period of time, this can cause stress on the back and spine of the vehicle user, resulting in a risk of spinal injuries in the working environment of tractors and construction machinery. In the case of construction machinery, it is also often the case that these machines have to be operated in a tilted position during road construction processes. This also means that the seat user sits on the vehicle seat in a tilted position and tries to compensate for this tilted position with the help of the spine.

[0004] This causes the position of the spine relative to the pelvis to be misaligned from top to bottom. In some cases, this can even lead to a curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis. This is because the human body tends to want to keep the head and therefore its eyes level even if the pelvis at the end of the spine is tilted.

[0005] Scoliosis is classified as mild if the curvature of the spine is greater than 10° but not greater than 40°. Typically, these values ​​are around 20°. While this type of scoliosis can be treated with consistent back exercises, such exercises must be performed on an ongoing, regular basis, which is often not possible due to the daily working environment on site or at a construction site.

[0006] The present invention is therefore directed to a vehicle seat with an automatic tilt compensation system and a seat part which can easily provide a compensated position for a seat occupant when the vehicle seat is in a tilted or reclined position.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the features of the invention of a vehicle seat for automatic tilt compensation. Summary of the invention

[0008] The core idea of ​​the invention is to use a so-called fluid chamber in the seat part area of ​​a vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest for automatic tilt compensation, so that the seat part and the backrest are regarded as independent of each other. This means that only the seat part and not the backrest part is changed for the compensation movement.

[0009] To this end, a fluid chamber unit having at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers is arranged between at least one seat plate part of the seat part and a cushion part of the seat part arranged thereover, wherein, relative to a central axis extending in the seat direction, a first half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the left side of the central axis and a second half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the right side of the central axis, and the first half and the second half of the fluid chamber can be filled or emptied by means of a control device depending on a detected lateral inclination position of the seat part, so that a seat user automatically experiences a compensation position in the seat area relative to the inclination position, regardless of the backrest position.

[0010] This involves a lateral tilting of the seat part when viewed in the direction of travel. The aim is not to readjust the entire vehicle seat, but only to change the inclination of the seat part in order to achieve this compensating position. The decisive factor here is the measurement of the inclination sensor or its measurement data, which are used to control the control device with the help of this measurement data so that it fills or empties the left and right fluid chambers in such a way that an opposite compensating tilting of the seat part relative to the tilted position is achieved, which is caused by the vehicle and / or the vehicle seat being positioned at an angle.

[0011] If, for example, the vehicle is driven to the left of a furrow in an already cultivated field, the tractor will tilt to the left. As a result, the vehicle seat will also tilt to the left. Based on the measurement signal sent by the tilt sensor, the control device will ensure that more fluid is pumped into the left-hand fluid chamber and fluid is simultaneously drained from the right-hand fluid chamber, provided that there is still fluid in it. This causes the seat part to tilt in the direction opposite to the tilted position of the vehicle or the vehicle seat, thereby creating a certain compensation position. This enables the driver or seat user to avoid the risk of spinal curvature in the form of scoliosis.

[0012] Due to the function of the fluid chamber, the seat part operates in its inclined position independently of the position of the backrest.

[0013] In order to control such inflow and outflow of fluid to each fluid chamber, the control device not only has a CPU, but also is provided with additional valves or valve devices which are controlled by the control device and can control the inflow and outflow of fluid.

[0014] The inclination sensor unit attached to the vehicle seat is used to measure the current lateral inclination of the vehicle seat and / or the vehicle and then sends a determined inclination measurement signal as data transmission to the control device.

[0015] The fluid chamber may advantageously be an air chamber, preferably with a flexible outer shell material. This makes it easy to quickly inflate or deflate the fluid chamber.

[0016] Preferably, there is one air chamber on each side of the central axis, or a plurality of separate air chambers which are connected to each other or can be controlled individually. However, it is important that the air chambers or fluid chambers are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner in two halves, i.e. on the left and right side of the central axis, so that no matter which side the vehicle tilts, corresponding tilt compensation can be performed on both sides.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, between the fluid chamber and the seat cushion portion arranged above the fluid chamber, at least one first plate element is arranged on the left side and at least one second plate element is arranged on the right side in order to obtain a more stable support surface for the seat user, since a stable sitting position cannot be achieved in direct contact with the inflated air chamber. Instead, the relatively rigid plate elements ensure that a stable surface is formed under the seat cushion portion, even in the extreme case that one of the air chambers on the left or right side is 100% full and the air chamber on the other side is completely empty.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the plate element has raised and recessed areas to increase seating comfort. This means that no rigid plate is felt underneath the completely flat seat cushion portion. Instead, recesses for the pelvic bone area and for accommodating other hip shapes contribute to improved seating comfort.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the first plate element and the second plate element are mounted so that they can be rotated up and down by means of a rotation axis extending along the central axis of the seat part. This means that the plate elements are suspended so that they can be rotated in the center so that when the plate elements are rotated up and down, the greatest distance occurs in their outer area, i.e. in the outermost area of ​​the vehicle seat. This is the best way to compensate for an unintentional tilted position of the vehicle seat.

[0020] The two plate elements, namely the first plate element and the second plate element, can be arranged so that they can be rotated independently of each other. This makes it possible, for example, for the left plate element to be rotated upwards, while the right plate element can be rotated more or less downwards, regardless of the degree of rotational movement of the left plate element. This makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the cushion part very individually, so as to respond individually to certain tilting positions of the entire vehicle, which can change constantly when driving through a field.

[0021] The first plate element and the second plate element preferably each have a surface area on the left and right side of the central axis that is not less than the surface area of ​​the fluid chamber arranged on the left or right side. This means that the fluid chamber does not exert pressure on the seat occupant through the seat cushion. Instead, the pressure of the inflated fluid chamber or air chamber is distributed over the entire plate element, which then transmits the pressure or force in an upward direction to the seat occupant over the surface area.

[0022] Another advantageous design variant provides a third plate element common to all fluid chambers, which is arranged between the fluid chambers arranged adjacent to each other and the seat cushion part arranged above them, the third plate element being mounted in a rocker-like manner so that it can be rotated by means of a rotation axis extending along the central axis of the seat part.

[0023] This means that there are not two plate elements that can rotate separately from each other, but one common plate element. The advantage of this is that when one side moves up, the other side also moves down to the same extent. Many chair users find this rocking movement pleasant because it prevents unnecessary compression or overstretching of the pelvis due to the plate elements on the left and right being at different angles.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the control device can be activated at a predetermined speed and / or acceleration of the vehicle driver. For example, it can be provided that the inclination of the seat part needs to be changed only when ploughing. However, when the tractor is driving on a normal asphalt road, no such inclination adjustment or compensation should be performed.

[0025] An acceleration sensor or an acceleration sensor arrangement can be used to determine whether the tractor is currently traveling on a road or on a field. Based on the acceleration value, if the tractor is currently on a road, an acceleration signal can be sent to a control device to prevent the tractor from leveling out. This also applies to construction vehicles, provided that the road is paved with asphalt.

[0026] The signals from the OPS can also be evaluated to compensate the seat pressure distribution by lateral tilt.

[0027] Of course, it is also possible to use a non-open system, which is characterized in that no separate pump is required for the supply of fluid or air, nor is a corresponding valve arrangement required. In a closed system, the individual air chambers or fluid chambers are connected to one another, but have no outlets or inlets to the outside of the valves or pumps, and the tilt compensation is achieved simply by shifting the body weight from one side to the other. This change in body weight occurs automatically when the vehicle and the vehicle seat are tilted, because the seat user tends to lean towards the higher half of the seat part and thus transfers more weight to this half of the seat part. This causes the air in the air chambers in this half of the seat or below it to be pushed out and automatically into the air chambers of the other lower half of the seat. This is also how the tilt is compensated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further designs can be seen in the attached drawings. Shown here:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2is a top view of a seat portion of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along the arrow B-.-.-B in (the seat portion of the vehicle seat according to the present invention);

[0032] Figures 4a to 4c are perspective side views of a seat part according to the invention in different stages of assembly;

[0033] Figure 5a to Figure 5c is a front view of a seat portion according to an embodiment of the invention having a structure according to the invention in different inclined positions; and

[0034] Figure 6a and Figure 6b is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a seat part with different tilted positions according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A rear view of a vehicle seat according to the invention is shown. The vehicle seat 1 has a seat part 2 and a backrest 3 .

[0036] The pivot axis 7 can be used not only for rotating the armrest 4 shown here, but also for rotating the backrest 3 , whereby it should be noted that the seat part 2 can be rotated independently of the backrest.

[0037] The cover 5 in the lower region covers a folding frame which is not shown in detail here.

[0038] The turntable 6 shown here by way of example serves to rotate the upper part of a vehicle seat relative to the lower part.

[0039] The seat pan part 8 is arranged below a fluid chamber which is not shown in detail here, and serves to support and fix the fluid chamber downward.

[0040] The third plate element 9 is arranged above the fluid chamber, which is not shown in detail here, and serves to delimit the fluid chamber upwardly relative to the seat cushion part 2a, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0041] Air supply and discharge pipes 10 extend from valve devices, not shown in detail here, to air chambers arranged on the left and right sides between the third plate element 9 and the seat plate part 8. An air delivery pump 11 is connected to the valve devices via air pipes 12, thereby ensuring the air supply. A first control device 13 for controlling the tilt adjustment of the seat part, as well as a tilt sensor or tilt sensor device 14 are described in more detail.

[0042] The rotation axis 15 serves to arrange the third plate element 9 on the left and the third plate element 9 on the right such that they can be rotated toward each other.

[0043] Figure 2 A top view of a seat portion according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0044] The seat part 2 has a cushion part 2a. The third plate element 9 already described is arranged below it and in turn separates the left fluid chamber 16a or air chamber from the cushion part 2a.

[0045] The third plate element 9 is arranged such that it can rotate on a rotation axis 15, whereby the rotation axis 15 is aligned along a central axis 15a of the seat part 2. In the version shown here, the front side of the seat part can be seen at the bottom of the image plane, while the rear side can be seen in the upper area.

[0046] Figure 2 The seat portion is shown in a cross-sectional view along arrows B-.-.-B. Figure 3 shown.

[0047] Figure 3 It is shown that the third plate element 9 is suspended on the rotation axis 15. The third plate element 9 can be designed as a single piece across the entire width of the seat part and rotate on the rotation axis 15 like a rocker. However, it can also be divided into two parts. In the case of a two-part third plate element 9, the right-hand third plate element 9 is arranged so that it can rotate on the rotation axis 15. The left-hand third plate element 9 is also arranged on the rotation axis 15. The two plate elements can be rotated upwards or downwards independently of each other or dependent on each other.

[0048] The left fluid chamber 16a and the right fluid chamber 16b are arranged below the third plate element 9 or the two third plate elements.

[0049] The bottom of the protective cover 5 is supported by a base element 17 .

[0050] The left-hand fluid chamber 16 a and the right-hand fluid chamber 16 b are supported at the bottom by the seat pan part 8 , so that both fluid chambers are arranged between the third plate element 9 and the seat pan part 8 .

[0051] Figures 4a to 4c The seat part is shown in perspective views in different stages of construction. These illustrations show that the seat part is connected to the annular hood 5 at the bottom. The seat plate part 8 is arranged so that the left fluid chamber 16a and the right fluid chamber 16b can be arranged adjacent to each other thereon. Both have air supply and discharge pipes 10, which are not shown in detail here and lead to valve means.

[0052] Both the left and right fluid chambers 16a, 16b are preferably oval in shape and have a left and right concave portion 18a, 18b in the center, respectively. Such shaped air chambers increase the stability of the seat portion and the entire seating surface when the fluid chambers are inflated.

[0053] The left side fluid chamber 16a and the right side fluid chamber 16b have different sections. The rear portion 19a of the left side fluid chamber 16a and the rear portion 20a of the right side fluid chamber 16b are arched. The front end 19b of the left side fluid chamber 16a and the front end 20b of the right side fluid chamber 16b are also arched. The longer sections connecting these arched ends to each other are the first long section 19c of the left side fluid chamber, the second long section 19d of the left side fluid chamber, the first long section 20c of the right side fluid chamber and the second long section 20d of the right side fluid chamber. All sections can be fluidically connected to each other as expected.

[0054] Between the fluid chambers, there is a portion 8a of the seat panel component element, according to Figure 4b It can be used to arrange a rotating shaft, reference numeral 15, above it without damaging the fluid chamber below it.

[0055] exist Figure 4b In the figure, it can be seen that the third plate element 9 is located above the fluid chamber, which can be rotated up and down or left and right via the rotation axis 15. If the third plate element 9 is designed as a one-piece component on the left and right, the rotation axis 15 serves as the centrally arranged rotation axis of the oscillating movement of the third plate element 9.

[0056] However, alternatively, the third plate element 9 can be designed as two parts, i.e., a third plate element 9 on the left and a third plate element 9 on the right, which both intersect at the rotation axis 15 and can be rotated upward or downward independently of each other. This makes it possible to achieve not so much a seesaw-like movement of the third plate element 9 as a wing-like movement of the two third plate elements 9 to the left and right of the rotation axis.

[0057] exist Figure 4c In the embodiment, the cushion portion 2a is additionally arranged on the third plate element 9. The upward and downward movement of the left and right sides of the cushion portion 2a is due to the air in the fluid chamber being pumped up and down, and the third plate element 9 arranged between the cushion portion 2a and the fluid chamber also moves accordingly.

[0058] Figure 5a , Figure 5b and Figure 5c The figures show front views of the seat section with different tilt positions or compensation movements. These figures clearly show that Figure 5a The seat part 2 is not in the tilted position. Figure 5bIn the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the seat part is rotated to the left, as can be seen by arrow 21. This means that the left side of the vehicle is higher than the right side. This tilt adjustment is caused by the inflation of the right air chamber 16 b on the right side of the seat part, so that the third plate element 9 now rises and falls on the left side. This causes the left fluid chamber 16 a to release air. Such a process is controlled by a control device, which is not shown in detail here.

[0059] Figure 5c The seat part 2 is shown in an oppositely tilted position. This is indicated by the arrow 22. This means that, in this case, the left-hand air chamber 16a is inflated by means of the control device, because the tilt sensor has detected the tilt of the vehicle and thus the tilt of the vehicle seat to the left as seen in the direction of travel. This means that the vehicle is lower on the left side when driving, so the seat part must be pumped upwards on the left side according to the arrow 22 and the seat part must be lowered on the right side by releasing air from the right-hand fluid chamber 16b. In this case, the third plate element 9 is designed as a single piece, so that a rocker-like movement is formed.

[0060] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A schematic diagram of a seat portion with an associated control unit according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. Figure 6a and Figure 6b The rotational position is different. Figure 6a The rotational positions of the first plate element 22a and the second plate element 22b shown are intended to show that both plate elements are suspended so that they can rotate on one side and can move upward or downward independently of each other. Therefore, the upward rotational movement of the first plate element 22a can be greater than the downward rotational movement of the second plate element 22b. As a result, for example, more air is released from the right fluid chamber 16b than is pumped into the left fluid chamber 16a. Vice versa.

[0061] The inclination sensor unit 26 and the associated second control device 27 are shown only schematically.

[0062] The first air supply and exhaust pipe 10 a and the second air supply and exhaust pipe 10 b for air supply and exhaust are connected to a valve device 23 , which in turn is connected to a pump 25 through a main air pipe 24 .

[0063] Reference numerals list 1 vehicle seat; 2 Seat section; 2a Seat cushion part; 3. Backrest; 4 Handrails; 5. Shield; 6 Turntable; 7 Pivot axis; 8 Seat panel parts; 9 third plate element; 10 Air supply and exhaust pipes; 10a a first air supply and exhaust pipe; 10b a second air supply and exhaust pipe; 11. Air delivery pump; 12 Air pipe; 13 first control device; 14 tilt sensor device; 15 Rotation axis; 15a Central axis; 16a left fluid chamber; 16b right fluid chamber; 17 base element; 18a left concavity; 18b right concave; 19a Rear part of left fluid chamber; 19b front end of left fluid chamber; 19c First long segment of the left fluid chamber; 19d Second long segment of the left fluid chamber; 20a rear portion of right fluid chamber; 20b front end of the right fluid chamber; 20c First long segment of the right fluid chamber; 20d, first long segment of the right fluid chamber; 21 Compensation position; 22 Compensation position; 22a a first plate element; 22b a second plate element; 23 valve device; 24 Main air pipe; 25 pumps; 26 Tilt sensor unit; 27 Second control device.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (1) for automatic tilt compensation, comprising a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), wherein a fluid chamber unit having at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers (16a, 16b) is arranged between at least one seat pan part (8) of the seat part (2) and a cushion part (2a) of the seat part (2) arranged thereon, Features With respect to a central axis (15a) extending in a sitting direction, a first half of the fluid chamber is arranged on a left side, and a second half of the fluid chamber is arranged on a right side of the central axis (15a), The first and second halves of the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) can be filled or emptied by means of a second control device (27) depending on the detected lateral tilt position of the seat part (2), so that the seat user automatically experiences a compensation position (21, 22) relative to the tilt position in the seat area, regardless of the backrest position.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, Features A tilt sensor unit (26) is attached to the vehicle seat (1), which measures a current lateral tilt of the vehicle seat (1) and / or the vehicle and sends a tilt measurement signal to the second control device (27).

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, Features The fluid chambers (16a, 16b) are air chambers.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, Features A plurality of air chambers are provided on the left and right sides of the central axis (15a).

5. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features At least one first plate element (22a) is arranged on the left side and at least one second plate element (22b) is arranged on the right side between the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) and the seat cushion portion (2a) arranged thereon, so as to obtain a more stable supporting seat surface for the seat user.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, Features The first plate element (22a) and the second plate element (22b) have raised areas and recessed areas to increase sitting comfort.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 5 or 6, Features The first plate element (22a) and the second plate element (22b) are mounted so as to be rotatable up and down by means of a rotation axis (15) extending along a central axis (15a) of the seat part (2).

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, Features The first plate element (22a) and the second plate element (22b) each have a left side surface extension and a right side surface extension relative to the center axis (15a) which are not smaller than the surface extension of the left or right fluid chamber arranged underneath.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, Features The first plate element (22a) and the second plate element (22b) are rotatable independently of each other.

10. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Features A third plate element (9) common to all fluid chambers (16a, 16b) is arranged between the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) arranged adjacent to each other and the seat cushion portion (2a) arranged thereon, and the third plate element (9) is mounted in a rocker-like manner via a rotation axis (15) extending along the central axis (15a) of the seat portion (2).

11. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The second control device (27) can be activated at a predetermined speed value and / or acceleration value of the vehicle.

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