Seat system with changeable seat cushion

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat system for a seat, having at least one filling section, the at least one filling section being equipped with at least one clamping device and being covered on the outside by a cover, the at least one clamping device being provided for clamping the at least one filling section on the outside. The usable surface of the cover is at least partially changed by acting on the at least one filling section and / or the cover. Further, a method is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a seat system for a seat, the seat system having at least one filling section, wherein the at least one filling section is equipped with at least one clamping device. The invention also relates to a method. Background Art

[0002] Seat cushions of seats, for example vehicle seats, usually have a stable shape in order to ensure reliable lateral support and optimum durability of the cushion. Depending on the equipment variant, seats are known which have additional functions such as heating, ventilation or massage. However, despite these comfort functions, the conventionally tightened basic setting or "feature / look" of the seat is retained, since the cushion is not altered in terms of its rigidity or elasticity. Due to the aesthetic advantages of a seat that is upholstered in a tightened manner and has a well-defined shape, the comfort of the seat is usually of little importance in the vehicle area.

[0003] DE 10 2014 001 654 A1 discloses a seat device for a vehicle, which has a neck support element. Here, the neck support element can be adjusted between a stowed position and a use position to achieve a comfortable sleeping position.

[0004] DE 10 2017 214 323 A1 describes an adjustment device for a vehicle seat, in which an electroactive polymer is deformed in order to adjust the seat hardness of a seat surface. By activating the polymer, the polymer stiffness can be adjusted when the seat surface bends due to pressure loading.

[0005] DE 20 2013 012 342 U1 discloses a vehicle seat with a pillar, wherein the hardness or thickness of the seat cushion surface is adjustable. Here, a seat surface with two inserted air cushions is provided, which can be loaded with variable pressure to adjust the hardness and seat height. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a seat system and method by which the appearance and characteristics of a seat can be effectively adjusted.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a seat system having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a seat system for a seat is provided. The seat system has at least one padded section, which is equipped with at least one clamping device and is covered on the outside by a cover. The seat system can have a plurality of padded sections, which are covered or concealed by a common cover.

[0009] At least one clamping device is provided for at least partially changing the available surface of the cover by acting on at least one filling section and / or the cover. This measure can lead to tightening or loosening of areas or sections of the seat, thereby effectively adjusting the contour of the seat and the comfort of the seat.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for changing seat characteristics is provided by means of a seat system according to the invention. In one step of the method, at least one clamping device of the seat system is activated and / or manipulated so that the at least one clamping device is transferred from a relaxed state to a deformed state or from a deformed state to a relaxed state. Advantageously, at least one filling section and / or cover of the seat system is acted upon by the clamping device transferred to the relaxed state or the deformed state.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle having at least one seat according to the present invention is provided. The seat can be designed as a driver's seat, a co-driver's seat and / or a passenger seat and is installed in the interior space of the vehicle.

[0012] The effect of the at least one clamping device causes the seat cushion of the seat, which can be formed by the padding section, to be designed to be variable in its aesthetics or softness. The seat cushion of the seat can thus change its shape. In particular, the seat or the seat cushion can be adjusted from a seat cushion with a defined structure to a seat cushion with a softer and vibration-damping and therefore less defined structure, and vice versa. In addition, the method makes it possible for the seat user to noticeably feel the softness of the seat or the seat cushion, because when the at least one clamping device is transferred from a deformed or tensioned state to a relaxed state, the seat or the seat cushion will appear fluffy and wrinkled in the fabric or leather.

[0013] Thus, for example in the vehicle area, a targeted change can be achieved compared to a seat which is usually tight and designed with a defined structure as a driver's seat if the seat is locally folded and the seat cushion or seat padding of the seat becomes particularly soft and comfortable, similar to fixed furniture.

[0014] Here, the properties of the seat are to be understood as the features or characteristics of the seat in terms of comfort and support function. In this case, the position of specific supporting elements of the seat is not adjusted, but the basic characteristics of the seat are changed, and the visual properties of the seat are also changed. Thus, a tight, sporty seat can be adjusted by this method, so that a seat with pleats in the cover and increased softness of the seat cushion in the form of a padding section can present a visual effect and a riding experience similar to that of a fixed piece of furniture rather than a vehicle seat.

[0015] Depending on the design, the entire seat or only parts or sections of the seat can be adjusted with the aid of the method with regard to its properties. In particular, in the vehicle area, it is advantageous to be able to adjust only certain parts or sections of the seat accordingly. It is advantageous here if these parts or sections of the seat perform secondary supporting functions that are not or not very relevant to traffic safety. Depending on the design, the properties of the entire seat can also be adjusted in the vehicle area if the vehicle is not moving or is moving at a low speed.

[0016] According to one embodiment, at least one filling section is designed as a one-piece or multi-piece seat filling, wherein each filling section has an internal and / or external contour element. The seat filling can consist of foam material, fabric or spacer fabric, etc. By using contour elements, the basic shape of the seat can be maintained despite the changeable appearance of the seat by the action of the clamping device. In particular, it can be ensured that the seat can have the same comfort characteristics again when the clamping device is transferred into the deformed state.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the contour element is designed as an outer contour seam, an inner spacer fabric, a partial seat cushion reinforcement, an at least partial inner or outer seat covering, or an outer cover seam. By means of these measures, the shaping and contouring of the seat can be ensured in many different ways.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a seat or a seat system has a seat surface and a backrest that can be adjusted relative to the seat surface. In this case, the seat can be designed as a vehicle seat, for example. In particular, the seat can be designed as a driver's seat or a front passenger seat or any passenger seat. Advantageously, at least one filling section is integrated into the seat surface and / or the backrest. In one design, the seat surface and the backrest are covered by a common cover. In an alternative design, the seat surface and the backrest are each equipped with at least one separate cover. This measure can be used to adjust the properties of the entire backrest and / or the entire seat surface and / or a section of the backrest and the seat surface by the clamping device. In this case, the cover can be shortened or lengthened locally in order to effectively adjust the characteristics of the corresponding section of the seat.

[0019] According to another embodiment, at least one clamping device is designed as a controllably deformable material segment or a hydraulically or pneumatically deformable chamber.Thus, the hardness, appearance and comfort of the seat can be effectively changed or adjusted by different mechanisms.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the material segment is designed as a bimetallic component or as a polymer component that can be deformed by a control command. The clamping device designed as a bimetallic component can also be bent or straightened in response to a control command. The control command can be implemented in the form of heating, for example due to a current flowing through the material segment. The material segment can also consist of an electrically activatable polymer component, which can thus be deformed. These measures make it possible, in particular if one or more material segments are arranged on the back of the seat or cover, to extend or shorten the cover segment in a technically simple manner. As a result, the cover can be pressed onto the seat cushion at least partially with different strengths, so that the seat comfort can be effectively adjusted.

[0021] According to another embodiment, at least one chamber is embedded in at least one filling section or is formed by a partially open-cell foam structure. The formation of an integral chamber inside the foam section enables a cost-effective and technically simple embodiment, by which the hardness and / or the size of the area of ​​the filling section or of the entire filling section can be adjusted. In addition to the effect of the clamping device, this measure also enables additional control of the characteristics of the seat.

[0022] According to one embodiment, at least one chamber is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to at least one adjacent chamber or is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a drive, in particular a compressor or a hydraulic pump. As a result, the chamber can be directly filled with compressed air or filled with a liquid. When a plurality of chambers are used, these chambers can be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to each other in parallel or in series, so that all chambers can be filled or emptied uniformly. The chambers can be filled or emptied by means of one or more valves, which can be connected upstream in the corresponding fluid lines or fluid connections of the chambers.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the area of ​​the cover that serves as the seat support surface is at least partially enlarged or reduced by manipulating at least one clamping device. By enlarging the seat support surface of the cover, the seat can be transferred into a comfort mode, and by reducing the seat support surface of the cover, the seat can be transferred into a tension mode / strain mode. In the tension mode, the seat can have a sporty appearance with correspondingly supported and harder-adjusted properties. In the comfort mode, the properties of the seat can be adjusted in such a way that the support function is less dependent on at least specific body parts and the comfort is increased. In particular, in the comfort mode, the exterior shape is adjusted so that the seat cushion is at least partially wrinkled and the adjustment of the softness of the seat cushion can already be visually perceived. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention is schematically shown according to the embodiments in the accompanying drawings and is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In which:

[0025] Figure 1 A seating system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Perspective and cross-sectional views of the shoulder area of ​​the mid-seat system.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a shoulder region of a seat system according to another embodiment.

[0028] List of reference numerals:

[0029] 1. Vehicle System

[0030] 2 Seat surface

[0031] 4 Backrest

[0032] 6Shoulder area

[0033] 8 Headrest

[0034] 10 Filling Sections

[0035] 12 Hood

[0036] 14 Clamping device

[0037] 15 Material sections / clamping devices

[0038] 16 chambers / clamping device

[0039] 18 contour elements

[0040] 20Driver / Compressor

[0041] 21 valves

[0042] F Seat support surface facing the seated person's face / mask DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A seat system 1 in the form of a vehicle seat according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The seat system 1 has a seat surface 2 and a backrest 4 which is adjustable relative to the seat surface 2 .

[0044] The seat or seat system 1 can be varied as required in terms of its hardness and at the same time in a suitable form of hardness or softness. Figure 1 1 shows the adjustment of the seat system 1 from the tight mode (left) to the comfort mode (right). For the sake of clarity, in the exemplary embodiment shown, only the shoulder region 6 and the headrest 8 of the backrest 4 of the seat system 1 are adjusted in terms of properties.

[0045] Here, the seat cushion is adjusted from a defined type to a softer one with a cushioning effect, and vice versa. During this change, the user can also notice the seat softness and therefore also visually perceive and understand the seat softness.

[0046] At least one filling section 10 (forming a seat cushion) Figure 2 ) is integrated into the seat surface 2 and / or the backrest 4.

[0047] exist Figure 2 The perspective view (above) and the cross-sectional view along the sections aa and bb (below) are shown in FIG. Figure 1 , wherein the tightening mode (left) and the comfort mode (right) are respectively shown. In particular, the filling section 10 is shown, which is covered on the outside by a cover 12 and is equipped with a clamping device 14 on the back.

[0048] The clamping device 14 is provided for at least partially changing the usable surface of the cover 12 by acting on at least one filling section 10 and / or the cover 12 .

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping device 14 is designed as a controllably deformable material section 15. In particular, the controllably deformable material section 15 is designed, for example, as a bimetallic strip.

[0050] In order to transfer the seat system 1 into the tension mode, the material section 15 of the clamping device 14 is tensioned or bent. This can be achieved, for example, by applying a voltage with the resulting current and corresponding heat release. A control unit, not shown, can be responsible for the control of the clamping device 14. If the material section 15 of the clamping device 14 is relaxed or loose, this section of the seat system 1 can be transferred into the comfort mode. When the section 6 of the seat system 1 is transferred into the comfort mode, the cover 12 can be "loosened" or "unfolded" and thus have an increased surface and reduced tension. The arrow shows that the cover 12 is unfolded in the direction of the surface F of the section 6 facing the seated person.

[0051] The clamping device 14 is connected to the edge section of the cover 12 at the rear side, so that the cover 12 can be tightened or loosened. In addition, the clamping device 14 exerts a force on the filling section 10 to make the filling section harder or softer.

[0052] Furthermore, a contour element 18 in the form of a cover seam is introduced into the filling section 10 , which contour element can fix the shape of the filling section 10 .

[0053] Figure 3 A further embodiment of a seat system 1 is shown, in which a chamber 16 is additionally integrated into the Figure 2 In the example shown in the filling section 10 in order to be able to adjust the function of the section 6 of the seat system 1 more finely. The sectional view shown here also corresponds to Figure 2 Sections aa and bb in.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the chamber 16 can be pneumatically charged with compressed air. For this purpose, a drive device 20 in the form of a compressor is provided, which drive device 20 is equipped with a valve 21 and can be controlled by a control unit. Thus, in a tightening mode or a sport mode of the seat system 1, air can escape from the chamber 16 to achieve an adjustment or feature of the seat 1 that is particularly suitable for sport. In a comfort mode, air is supplied to the chamber 16 by the drive device 20, so that the filling section 10 is locally softer.

[0055] The drive device 20 with the valve 21 and the chamber 16 can be designed as part of the clamping device 14 .

Claims

1. A seat system (1) in the form of a chair, the seat system having at least one filling section (10), wherein: The at least one filling section (10) is equipped with at least one clamping device (14) and is covered on the outside by a cover (12), wherein the at least one clamping device (14) is configured to at least partially change the usable surface (F) of the cover (12) by acting on the at least one filling section (10) and / or the cover (12).

2. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one filling section (10) is designed as a one-piece or multi-piece seat padding, wherein each filling section (10) has inner and / or outer contour elements (18).

3. The seat system according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one contour element (18) is designed as an outer contour seam, an inner spacer fabric, a partial seat cushion reinforcement, at least a partial inner or outer seat covering, or an outer cover seam.

4. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The seat comprises a seat surface (2) and a backrest (4) which is adjustable relative to the seat surface (2), wherein at least one padding section (10) is integrated into the seat surface (2) and / or the backrest (4), wherein the seat surface (2) and the backrest (4) are covered by a common cover (12), or wherein the seat surface (2) and the backrest (4) are each provided with at least one cover (12).

5. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The at least one clamping device (14) is designed as a material section (15) that can be deformed in a controlled manner and / or as a hydraulically or pneumatically deformable chamber (16).

6. The seat system according to claim 5, wherein: The material section (14) is designed as a bimetallic component or a polymer component which can be deformed by a control command.

7. The seat system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: At least one chamber (16) is embedded in at least one filling section (10) or is integrally formed by a partially open-cell foam structure.

8. A seat system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The at least one chamber (16) is fluidically connected to at least one adjacent chamber (16) or to a drive device (20), in particular a compressor or a hydraulic pump.

9. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: By manipulating the at least one clamping device (14), the area of ​​the cover (12) serving as the seat support surface (F) is at least partially enlarged or reduced, wherein by enlarging the seat support surface (F) of the cover (12), the seat (1) can be transferred to a comfort mode, and by reducing the seat support surface (F) of the cover (12), the seat (1) can be transferred to a tension mode.

10. A method for changing seat characteristics by means of a seat system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Activating and / or operating at least one clamping device (14) of the seat system (1) so that the at least one clamping device (14) is transferred from a relaxed state to a deformed state or from a deformed state to a relaxed state, wherein the clamping device (14) transferred to the relaxed state or the deformed state acts on the cover (12) and / or at least one filling section (10) of the seat system (1).

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