Vehicle seat with automatic seat portion tilt compensation

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) for automatic tilt compensation, comprising a seat part (2) having a seat cushion part (2a), a fluid chamber unit having at least two fluid chambers (16a, 16b) of flexible design being arranged in an upper seat region of the seat cushion part (2a), the fluid chamber unit having at least two fluid chambers (16a, 16b) extending in the seating direction in relation to a central axis (15) extending in the seating direction. The first half of the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) is arranged on the left side of the central axis (15) and the second half of the fluid chamber (16b) is arranged on the right side of the central axis (15), and wherein the first and second half of the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) can be filled or emptied by a control device (13) depending on the detected lateral tilt position of the seat part (2), therefore, the seat user automatically experiences the compensation position of the inclined position in the seating area.

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] For this purpose, a vehicle seat with a seat part (which has a seat cushion part) has a fluid chamber unit, which has at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers in the seat cushion part, wherein the fluid chamber unit is arranged only in the upper seat area of ​​the seat cushion part. The plurality of fluid chambers are divided into two halves with respect to a central axis extending in the direction of the seat. The first half is located to the left of the central axis and corresponds in volume and number to the total fluid chambers or half of their fluid chamber volume. In the second half with respect to the number and volume of the total fluid chambers, the remaining fluid chambers are arranged to the right of the central axis.

[0010] Depending on the detected lateral inclination of the seat part, the fluid chambers of the first and second halves can be filled and / or emptied by means of the control device so that the seat occupant automatically experiences a compensation position in the seat area in the lateral direction of the vehicle inclination.

[0011] For this purpose, preferably a tilt sensor unit is used, which is connected to the vehicle seat, thereby measuring the current lateral tilt of the vehicle seat and / or the vehicle and sending a tilt measurement signal to the control device. The data received from the tilt measurement signal are processed in the control device, after which the valve device receives a signal from the control device to inflate the left fluid chamber or the right fluid chamber with fluid.

[0012] This means that the fluid chamber on the side where the vehicle and vehicle seat are tilted can be inflated or pumped in a targeted manner to achieve a compensating position opposite to the tilted position of the entire vehicle seat and vehicle. This realigns the pelvis so that the seat user's hips are aligned horizontally without moving the backrest. The aim is to ensure that the spine is straight even if the vehicle is tilted extremely to one side. This is to prevent scoliosis or damage to the spinal structure.

[0013] Of course, when creating such a compensation position, there cannot be only one fluid chamber on each side of the central axis, but rather a plurality of fluid chambers that can be inflated or deflated to different degrees. This means that, depending on the body structure and shape of the chair user, increased sitting comfort in the seat area of ​​the chair user can be achieved by adjusting the compensation position, for example by inflating the fluid chambers to a greater extent in the pelvic bone area thereby creating a stronger cushion in this area. The fluid chambers can also have different surface areas so that certain areas of the user's buttocks are supported or not supported. This ensures that the seat can adapt to the shape of the user's body.

[0014] Of course, it is also possible to inflate a fluid chamber arranged on one side or half of the seat part while simultaneously emptying the fluid chamber of the other half in order to achieve a correspondingly strong compensation position in the transverse direction. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the volume in the fluid chamber can be controlled using the control device and the valve device so that any volume between a maximum value and a minimum value can be set in the fluid chamber. This means that different compensation positions can be obtained in the transverse direction, which are adjusted depending on the inclination of the vehicle and the vehicle seat.

[0015] In the simplest case, the left and right fluid chambers, or the left and right fluid chambers, are directly connected to each other so that the fluid automatically escapes from one chamber of one half to the other chamber of the other half simply by shifting body weight. This can even be done without the aid of control devices and valve devices. Even a tilt sensor is not required.

[0016] However, in this case, the expected effect of the compensation position is very limited. This type of compensation position, i.e. by shifting the body weight, can also be combined with a targeted additional supply or removal of fluid to / from the left fluid chamber and / or the right fluid chamber or to / from several fluid chambers on the left and / or right. This is done with the help of the already mentioned control device, the tilt measurement signal of the tilt sensor device and the valve device.

[0017] The fluid chambers can be designed as air chambers, a plurality of which are arranged to the left and right of the central axis. The air medium is advantageously suitable for vehicle seats, since many vehicle seats are equipped with air suspensions and therefore already have an air supply to the vehicle seats. Thus, this air supply, for example by means of a pump device, can be used not only for the suspension of the vehicle seat but also for the automatically adjustable tilt compensation of the seat part according to the invention.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid chamber does not extend over the entire seat surface of the seat part, but is limited in the seating direction to the length of the pelvis in the area of ​​the seat user's hips. This means, for example, that the front support surface for the legs of the seat user is not covered by the fluid chamber. This is also unnecessary, since the main purpose is to support the pelvis.

[0019] Furthermore, this also saves on the amount of fluid or air. This has the advantage that the degree of tilt compensation can also be changed quickly and automatically, for example if the tractor constantly changes the lateral alignment of its tilt position when moving on uneven ground during ploughing operations. In this case, the larger the volume of the fluid chamber, the more fluid volume needs to be adjusted in a short time, which reduces the reaction time of the vehicle seat for automatic tilt compensation according to the invention.

[0020] Furthermore, the extension of the fluid chamber in a direction transverse to the seat direction, i.e. in the width direction, can be limited to the width of the central flat area of ​​the seat cushion, preferably to the transition to the side cheek areas. This central flat area is the main area of ​​pelvic pressure exerted by the seat user, so it is sufficient to arrange the fluid chamber in this area.

[0021] The control device is electrically connected to the valve device, whereby the valve device, in response to a signal from the control device, fills the fluid chamber in the first half on the left side or the second half on the right side with a fluid, preferably air, through the open position of the valve. This allows quickly obtaining a counter-compensated position and alignment of the seat surface on which the seat user sits with his buttocks with the externally induced vehicle tilt position.

[0022] In order to prevent the seat user from feeling the shape of the inflated fluid chamber, preferably at least one felt layer is arranged on the upper side of the fluid chamber and at least one felt layer is arranged on the lower side of the fluid chamber, which extends over the entire surface area where the fluid chamber is located. This would be, for example, the entire middle area of ​​the seat part. This ensures that the felt layer smoothes any height differences that occur at the transition from the area of ​​the fluid chamber to the area without the fluid chamber. As an alternative or in addition to these felt layers, a plastic layer can also be used.

[0023] The plastic or felt layer on the underside is primarily used to ensure that the fluid chamber is well supported in the actual foam area of ​​the seat cushion portion.

[0024] It must be emphasized that the entire structure of the upper and lower felt layers, the fluid chamber and the top covering fabric is located only in the upper area of ​​the cushion foam portion or the cushion portion. This means that, viewed from top to bottom, a large amount of the foam material of the cushion portion still exists below this multilayer structure before the actual cushion portion ends and the lower structure of the vehicle seat begins.

[0025] A layer of covering material is also preferably arranged on the top felt layer to protect the seat portion and to provide a visual design for the seat portion.

[0026] The control device has a time unit, by means of which the automatic readjustment of the compensation position of the seat part can be limited in time. For example, in this way it can be ensured that the active tilt compensation is not used too frequently within a predetermined time period and / or is terminated after a period of time, so that too frequent readjustment does not irritate the seat user.

[0027] Such a limitation of the active tilt compensation for field work or construction site work can also be achieved by activating the control device only at predetermined speed values ​​and / or acceleration values ​​of the vehicle. For example, the acceleration sensor unit can be used to assess whether the vehicle is currently driving on an asphalt road or in a field, i.e. on cultivated land. It is known that lower accelerations occur during field use of the vehicle. The control device can therefore be set by means of the CPU so that tilt compensation only takes place at low acceleration values ​​measured by the acceleration sensor unit.

[0028] However, even if the speed value is measured with the aid of the speed sensor unit, the control device can use the CPU to assess whether the vehicle is currently traveling at a low speed in a field or on a construction site, or on a normal road. This can also be used to activate or deactivate tilt compensation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] A further advantageous embodiment can be seen in the attached drawing. Here it is shown:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective rear view as an exploded view showing a vehicle seat according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective front view showing components of a seat part according to the invention for tilt compensation according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] Figure 3 is a plan view showing components of a seat part for tilt compensation according to the invention according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 4 is based on Figure 3 A--A cross-sectional view showing a seat portion with tilt compensation according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing Figure 4 the right side area of ​​the cross-sectional view shown;

[0035] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a fluid chamber for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 Partially covered Figure 6 The fluid chamber shown; and

[0037] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a fluid chamber with a device connected thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 A vehicle seat 1 according to the invention for compensating for a tilt of a seat part is shown in a perspective rear view and in an exploded view. The vehicle seat 1 has a seat part 2 with a cushion part 2a.

[0039] A backrest 3 is also provided. The indicated armrest region 4 is connected to a pivot axis 7 in the backrest region in order to align them in a pivotable manner.

[0040] The cover 5 surrounds the lower structure of the vehicle seat, which generally has a scissor-type frame.

[0041] A turntable 6 is arranged between the seat part and the scissor-type frame so as to rotate the seat part together with the backrest in a horizontal direction.

[0042] Several actuating elements 8 are arranged on the side of the seat part and can be used to adjust the height, degree of suspension etc. Furthermore, the switches can be used to switch on or off a tilt compensation function in the seat part, as will be described later.

[0043] The valve device 9 in the rear region is connected via a fluid line, typically an air line 10, to fluid chambers or air chambers (not described in detail here) below the seat part 2 in order to inflate or deflate these air chambers in a targeted manner.

[0044] A fluid or air pump device 11 is used to supply air to the valve device via a line 12 .

[0045] A control device 13 with a CPU is provided to control the valve arrangement and to receive measurement signals from an inclination sensor unit 14, the task of which is to determine the current inclination of the vehicle and thus also the vehicle seats and then to send inclination measurement data to the control device.

[0046] Figure 2 A partial perspective view of a seat portion according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The seat portion has a left half and a right half. These left and right halves are separated by an imaginary central axis 15 extending in the direction of travel.

[0047] The left fluid chamber 16 a and the right fluid chamber 16 b are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein one left fluid chamber 16 a is in the left half and one right fluid chamber 16 b is in the right half relative to the center axis 15 .

[0048] The left fluid chamber 16 a and the right fluid chamber 16 b may be connected to each other via a connecting line 17 , but do not necessarily need to be connected.

[0049] The seat cushion has a central flat area 20, the left half of which is marked 20a and the right half of which is marked 20b. The central flat area 20 is delimited on the left and right sides by a left cheek area 21 and a right cheek area 22, respectively, which, unlike the central flat area 20, are raised in height to provide lateral support for the seat occupant in the seat area.

[0050] The front leg area 23 of the seat portion is usually not provided with a fluid chamber or an air chamber, since this area is not particularly relevant to the location of the pelvis.

[0051] As shown, the fluid chambers arranged adjacent to each other are covered on the upper side by an upper felt layer 18 to achieve surface area balance in the height direction from one fluid chamber to another fluid chamber. In addition, the felt layer is covered with a covering material layer 19 or a covering fabric in the central flat area.

[0052] Figure 3 A portion of the seat portion of a vehicle seat according to the invention is shown in cutaway form and in plan view. From this representation it can be seen that the total width 25 of the middle region is limited by the start of the left cheek region 22 and the right cheek region 21. In addition, the central region is characterized by a length 24 to clearly indicate that the left and right fluid chambers 16a, 16b are arranged within this length 24 and the total width 25.

[0053] Along Figure 3 The cross section shown is A-------A, and the relevant cross section is shown as follows Figure 4 In addition, Figure 5 The diagram shows the observation from the image plane according to Figure 4 The right-hand side enlarged portion of the representation.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the layered structure in the upper seat area of ​​the central flat area 20 will be explained according to the present invention. As can be clearly seen from these illustrations, the upper felt layer 18 and the lower felt layer 26 are arranged above and below the left fluid chamber 16a and the right fluid chamber 16b, and the upper felt layer 18 is also covered by the covering material layer 19.

[0055] The lower felt layer 26 on the lower side also extends over the entire width of the central flat area 20 of the seat part or cushion part. Below this lower felt layer 26, the majority of the foam material 27 of the cushion part 2a can still be found. This is to emphasize that the layer structure consisting of the left fluid chamber 16a and the right fluid chamber 16b, the upper felt layer 18, the covering material layer 19 and the lower felt layer 26 is only arranged in the uppermost area of ​​the seat part.

[0056] At the level of the left and right fluid chambers 16a, 16b, there may be a width extension 29 of the air chamber-free region 28 in the outer region. Thus, the width 30 of the left and right fluid chambers 16a, 16b is smaller than the total width 25 of the central flat region.

[0057] Figure 6 A portion of a seat portion with a left fluid chamber 16a and a right fluid chamber 16b is shown in perspective. This view clearly shows that half of the fluid chamber or one fluid chamber is arranged on one side of the central axis 15, and the other half of the fluid chamber or the other fluid chamber is arranged on the other side of the central axis.

[0058] The left and right fluid chambers can be connected to each other by means of several connecting lines 17. This alone can produce a tilt compensation due to changes in body weight and thus maintain the equilibrium position of the seat part and the seat surface. However, such body movements alone are usually not sufficient. The intermediate web 31 serves to separate the two fluid chambers from each other and stabilize them in their position.

[0059] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 1, but with some of the components covered by the upper felt layer 18. This creates a uniform height compensation for a chair user sitting on the seating surface.

[0060] Figure 8 A perspective view of a left-hand fluid chamber 16a and a right-hand fluid chamber 16a is shown, from which it can be seen that the fluid chambers can be supplied with air or evacuated via a first line 10a and a second line 10b separated by a valve device 9. In this case, the intermediate connecting line 17 between the fluid chambers can remain in place or be blocked, or even absent. This makes it possible to control the air chambers individually in an improved manner.

[0061] Also shown are a tilt sensor unit 14, a control device 13 and a fluid or air pump device 11 connected to the valve device 9 by means of a line 12. Existing connections between the control device and the valve device and the tilt sensor unit are not shown.

[0062] Reference numerals list 1 vehicle seat; 2 Seat section; 2a Seat cushion part; 3. Backrest; 4 Armrest area; 5. Shield; 6 Turntable; 7 Pivot axis; 8 actuating element; 9 valve device; 10 Air lines; 10a first pipeline; 10b second pipeline; 11 Fluid or air pumping devices; 12 pipelines; 13. Control device; 14 Tilt sensor unit; 15 Central axis; 16a left fluid chamber; 16b right fluid chamber; 17 Connecting pipelines; 18 upper felt layer; 19 covering material layer; 20 Central flat area; 20a 1st half; 20b second half; 21 left cheek area; 22 right cheek area; 23 front leg area; 24 Length; 25 total width; 26 lower felt layer; 27 Foam materials; 28 No air chamber area; 29 Width extension; 30 width; 31 Middle web.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (1) for automatic tilt compensation, comprising a seat part (2) with a cushion part (2a), Features A fluid chamber unit having at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers (16a, 16b) is arranged in the upper seat area of ​​the cushion part (2a), wherein the first half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the left side and the second half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the right side of the central axis (15) relative to the central axis (15), wherein the first half and the second half of the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) can be filled or emptied by means of a control device (13) according to the detected lateral tilt position of the seat part (2), so that the seat user automatically experiences a compensation position for the tilt position in the seat area.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, Features A tilt sensor unit (14) is connected to the vehicle seat (1), which measures the instantaneous lateral tilt of the vehicle seat (1) and / or the vehicle and sends a tilt measurement signal to the control device (13).

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 arranged on the left and right sides of the central axis (15).

5. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The fluid chambers (16a, 16b) extend in a seating direction to the length (24) of the pelvis of the seat occupant's seating area.

6. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The fluid chambers (16a, 16b) extend transversely in the direction of the seat, limited by the total width (25) of the central flat area (20) of the seat cushion portion (2a), until the transition to the left cheek area (21) and the right cheek area (22).

7. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The control device (13) is connected to a valve device (9), which responds to a signal from the control device (13) and fills the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) in the first half (20a) on the left or in the second half (20b) on the right with a fluid, preferably air, through the open position of the valve.

8. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features In each case, the fluid chamber (16a, 16b) is covered at the top and bottom with at least one felt layer and / or one plastic layer.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, Features The upper felt layer (18) is covered with a layer of covering material (19) on which the chair user sits.

10. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The control device (13) comprises a time unit, by means of which a time limit for the compensation position of the seating section (2) can be set.

11. A vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The control device (13) can be activated at a predetermined speed value and / or acceleration value of the vehicle.

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