Module support arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a module carrier arrangement (M) for mounting on a seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for fixing a pneumatic component (6, 8; 41-50) or non-pneumatic components, comprising a module carrier (1) having a front side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the front side (A). The module carrier arrangement (M) optionally has at least one further component (3), an air guide channel or / and an air guide channel section (28, 201-210) being integrated in the module carrier (1) and / or in the at least one further component (3). According to the invention, at least one pressure accumulator (248, 249, 3) is integrated on or in the module carrier (1) and / or on or in the further component (3), said pressure accumulator being fluidically connected to at least one of the air-conducting channels or the air-conducting channel sections (28, 201-210).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a module support arrangement structure. Background art

[0002] Such a module support arrangement structure, for example the module support arrangement structure known from EP 3 845 415 A1, is usually mounted on a vehicle seat structure and configured to fasten certain functional components thereon, such as fluid actuators, valve bodies or pumps. In addition, the module support arrangement structure is also used to fasten the corresponding ducts for transporting air to the respective components. Usually, such a module support arrangement structure is located behind the backrest or the seat cushion of the seat part in the vehicle seat.

[0003] In known systems, the functional components usually have to be mounted on the module support individually. For this purpose, fastening parts for ducts, valve bodies, pumps, etc. are required. The number of components required for a complete assembly and thus the number of components required is relatively high in this approach. Usually, an air flow is generated in the components guiding the fluid by using a pneumatic pump. Undoubtedly, the pump is thus placed in vibration, resulting in disturbing effects perceived by the vehicle occupants. For example, the signal perceived by the occupants is modulated onto the massage system fed by the pump using the frequency of the pump. The vibrations experienced by the massage bladder during its filling or emptying are felt and are undesirable, and these vibrations should be avoided as much as possible. Usually, an external accumulator is introduced into the pneumatic system at a determined position for this purpose. Usually, this occurs between the pump and the valve body in order to stabilize the air flow through the pneumatic system. However, this measure results in relatively high costs because additional components must be installed, which themselves constitute costs and also require additional assembly time. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a module support arrangement structure by means of which the described disadvantages can be avoided.

[0005] The object is solved by a module support arrangement structure having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle seat having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are located in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention reduces the number of components required by integrating parts of the duct system into the module support arrangement structure or its support material. Thus, according to the invention, the fluid ducts are no longer configured as hoses or the like, but are integrated as air guiding channels or at least air guiding channel sections into the support material of the module support arrangement structure. In order to close the possibly still open channels, only one additional component, such as a cover part, is then required. In this way, it is no longer necessary to install fluid hoses expensively and the number of components is strongly reduced.

[0007] The module support arrangement according to the invention is for mounting on the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for fixing a pneumatic or non-pneumatic component. The module support arrangement has a module support which has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. Optionally, the module support arrangement has at least one additional component. An i) air guide channel or / and ii) air guide channel section is integrated in the module support and / or in the at least one additional component. The latter can preferably be recessed relative to the back side and / or relative to the front side. In alternative case i), a complete air guide channel can be integrated.

[0008] According to the invention, at least one accumulator in fluid connection with at least one of the air guide channel or the air guide channel section is integrated on or in the module support and / or on or in the additional component.

[0009] This embodiment has many advantages. On the one hand, existing components are used to form the at least one accumulator. If, for example, an air guide channel or an air guide channel section is already integrated in the module support, corresponding recesses can be integrated in the module support in a simple manner during its integration process for forming the accumulator. In this construction form, additional separate components can be dispensed with and thus also additional assembly effort. The same applies to additional components that are to be or have been mounted on the module support, such as a cover for the air guide channel section, which can be used to form at least part of the accumulator. Especially when the module support is formed of a plastic material, such as injection molding material, the corresponding recesses for the accumulator can be integrated in a simple manner by placing the parts into the injection molding die.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the module support arrangement according to the invention, the at least one accumulator is arranged in the module support and / or in the additional component. The arrangement can preferably be provided in the vicinity of a pump and / or a fluid actuator and / or an adjustment system of a motor vehicle seat, the pump feeding a pneumatic system, to which the above-mentioned fluid channels also belong, and the fluid actuator being, for example, a fluid-filled bladder of a massage system. In this way, in the vicinity of the active pneumatic component, the air flow into the fluid actuator is stabilized by means of the accumulator, thereby avoiding vibrations caused by the pump.

[0011] In principle, the accumulator can be completely implemented by being integrated into the module bracket or another component. However, a preferred embodiment provides that the accumulator consists of at least two parts which, after being joined, form an airtight chamber. For example, a recess is formed in the module bracket, which is in fluid connection with an air guiding channel or an air guiding channel section and whose cross-section widens in the flow direction relative to the cross-section of the air guiding channel or the air guiding channel section connected thereto. In principle, the cross-sectional geometry seen transversely to the flow direction can be different. For example, the cross-section of the mentioned recess or fluid memory seen transversely to the flow direction can correspondingly be oval, circular, rectangular or a combination including these.

[0012] Preferably (as indicated above), it is provided that at least a part of the accumulator is integrated into the air guiding channel or the air guiding channel section. In this way, an artificial connection piece between the accumulator and the air guiding section of the pneumatic system mounted on the module bracket does not have to be manufactured. Thus, additional connection pieces can be dispensed with, thereby further reducing the assembly and installation effort.

[0013] The accumulator, which is preferably a chamber, can additionally have a silencer device which is preferably introduced into the accumulator before the accumulator is manufactured. For example, a recess can be provided in the module bracket as part of the accumulator to be manufactured later; then a silencer device, such as foamed material or the like, can be introduced into the recess. Subsequently, the recess is closed by mounting the other component, preferably the cover part, so that the silencer device is integrated therein.

[0014] Preferably, in alternative case ii), it is preferably provided that the air guiding channel section and / or a part of the accumulator are integrated into the module bracket and / or the other component in such a way that each air guiding channel section in the air guiding channel section and / or the part of the accumulator includes an open longitudinal side, wherein the module bracket or the at least one other component serves as a cover part which closes the open longitudinal side of the air guiding channel section of the part of the accumulator to form the air guiding channel and / or the accumulator. On the one hand, a plurality of cover parts can be provided for separately covering the air guiding channel section on the one hand and for covering the recess formed as part of the accumulator on the other hand; on the other hand, all the mentioned components can also be closed by means of a single cover part.

[0015] Here, an open longitudinal side is produced, for example, by introducing a U-shaped groove only in cross-section in the module support, which groove is open towards one side, namely the longitudinal side. Preferably, in the case of a ventilation channel section having an open longitudinal side, a cover is also provided, which covers the open longitudinal side of the air guiding channel section in such a way that an air guiding channel is thereby produced. The air guiding channel thus produced or originally present is then configured such that air can preferably enter or exit only at the end in the flow direction. In principle, branching or openings between the respective ends are conceivable. In this way, the installation of individual air ducts or hoses can be avoided, which saves assembly effort on the one hand and additional components on the other hand, since the cover can simultaneously cover multiple air guiding channel sections. Furthermore, the cover can be part of a housing which is configured to accommodate further pneumatic components, such as valve bodies or pumps. In this way, the degree of integration can be further increased.

[0016] The module support and the at least one further component are preferably configured as a cover for the air guiding channel section and / or as part of a pressure accumulator, which can be connected, for example, by laser welding, high-frequency welding, vibration welding, bonding or clamping.

[0017] Preferably, it is provided that the module support has a recess in which an integrated air guiding channel section is provided. When the further component, for example in the form of a cover, is inserted into the recess, this preferably occurs in a form-fitting manner and the further component is automatically correctly positioned in order to cover the corresponding open longitudinal side, which further simplifies the assembly. The further component or the cover itself can also be configured as multi-piece.

[0018] The material of the module support and / or the further component can be configured in different ways. According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the material comprises or consists of a plastic material, a film material or a felt material. The support material or the module support arrangement can be a part formed by injection molding or thermoforming or have such parts.

[0019] Other parts can also be integrated into the module support arrangement according to the invention. Preferably, for example, it can be provided that the module support includes an integrated fastening section for mounting or arranging pneumatic components and / or non-pneumatic components. Pneumatic components can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: pumps, valve bodies, fluid actuators. Non-pneumatic components can, for example, be selected from the group which includes: vibration system components, ventilation system components, electrical components, cable bundles, connectors, covers. Optional further components can be pneumatic or non-pneumatic components.

[0020] According to the present invention, on the module support, there can be provided a section capable of fastening a hose conduit or a fluid actuator thereto.

[0021] The accumulator can be made of the same material as the module support or / and the other components, preferably a plastic material. Alternatively, the accumulator can also include other materials. Preferably, such materials are selected from the following group: textile materials, preferably nylon or PP, cellulose, open-cell or closed-cell foaming materials, open-cell insulating materials, sound-absorbing materials.

[0022] Finally, the present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a seat frame structure and the above-described module support arrangement suspended on the seat frame structure through a suspension part. Description of the Drawings

[0023] The present invention will be elaborated in more detail hereinafter with the aid of Figures 1-5 The present invention will be elaborated in more detail hereinafter.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic side exploded view showing an embodiment of the module support arrangement according to the present invention in a sectional view,

[0025] Figure 2 Shown as a simple sectional view Figure 1 the embodiment form shown in

[0026] Figure 3 A top view of the back side showing an example of the module support of the module support arrangement according to the present invention,

[0027] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view showing an example of the accumulator constituting the accumulator according to the present invention,

[0028] Figure 5 Shown in Figure 4 A top view of the accumulator with an additional silencer device shown in Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A sectional view showing an exemplary configuration of the module support arrangement M according to the present invention. In Figure 1 shown in an exploded view, and in Figure 2 shown in an assembled view.

[0030] The module support 1 has a front side A and a back side B. Generally, the front side A points to the traveling direction of the vehicle seat equipped with the module support arrangement M according to the present invention. Here, only the seat frame structure 11 and the seat cushion 5 of such a vehicle seat are shown. The module support 1 can then be mounted on the seat frame structure 11 through the suspension part 10, which is a wire or the like in the simplest case.

[0031] The module support 1 is preferably made of the following materials, which preferably include plastic, film or felt. In a preferred embodiment, recesses 2, preferably recesses accessible from the front side A, are provided in the module support 1. The module support 1 preferably has, in the bottom of the recess, an air guiding channel section not shown in detail here or even a complete air guiding channel, which air guiding channel section or air guiding channel is part of a pneumatic system installed on the module support 1 as part of the module support arrangement structure M according to the invention. In addition to the duct system formed by the air guiding channels, the pneumatic system has additional components, such as pneumatic components, such as valve body 6 and / or pump 8.

[0032] In the example shown, the module support arrangement structure M also includes additional components, here in the form of a cover part 3, which can be mounted on the module support 1, preferably in a form-fitting manner in the presence of the recess 2, in order to cover the air guiding channel section present there and to prevent the air flowing through the air guiding channel section from leaking to the outside. If a complete air guiding channel already exists in the module support 1, such a cover part is not necessary. But alternatively or additionally, the corresponding air guiding channel section can also be integrated into the above-mentioned additional component 3. The complete air guiding channel is then likewise created by joining the module support 1 and the additional component 3. The reference numerals 4 and 41 - 45 denote fluid actuators, which are preferably fluid-fillable bladders by means of which a seat adjustment function or even a massage function can be achieved. The fluid actuators 4, 41 - 45 also form components of the pneumatic system and can be connected to the air guiding channels present in the module support 1 and / or the additional component 3 and thus be supplied with air. The seat cushion 5 can then be mounted on the fluid actuators 4, 41 - 45 on the front side A.

[0033] In Figure 3 FIG. shows a top view of the back side B of the module support arrangement structure M according to the invention, more precisely a top view of the module support 1 of the module support arrangement structure. The recessed air guiding channel sections 201 - 210 can be seen. The air guiding channel sections 201 - 210 have corresponding connection ends 211 - 220 at one of their ends, which connection ends are used to connect the above-described fluid actuators to the air guiding system. The fluid actuators can be connected directly or, for example, via short hoses to the connection ends 211 - 220.

[0034] At its other end, the air guiding channel section 201 - 210 is provided on one of the connection end rows 240, 241 for the valve body 6. The valve body 6 is supplied by the pump 8 through the air guiding channel section 28. Through the inlet valve 228, the air guiding channel section 28 is connected to the valve body and supplies the valve body with fluid, preferably compressed air. The compressed air from the pump 8 to the air guiding channel section 28 is conveyed through the pump connection end 238. The vibrations of the pump and the fluctuations of the compressed air should not be transmitted into the valve body as much as possible and thus not into the rest of the pneumatic system. For this purpose, in this embodiment, two accumulators 248 are integrated into the air guiding channel section 28. These are mainly sections of the air guiding channel section 28, where the cross-section is strongly enlarged compared to the other air guiding channel sections 28. The function can be elaborated with the help of Figure 4 explained more clearly.

[0035] Figure 4 The air guiding channel section 28 is shown in perspective view, which is machined into the front side A of the module bracket 1. On the left side, the air guiding channel 28 ends in the inlet valve 228 to which the valve body 6 is connected. At the right end, the air guiding channel section 28 leads into the pump connection end 238. The strong widening of the air guiding channel section 28 forms the accumulator 248. The air guiding channel section 28 is closed by the cover part 3. The pressure wave coming from the pump 8 is weakened by the strong enlargement of the cross-section in the accumulator 248. Only a part of the pressure wave is transmitted to the subsequent section of the air guiding channel section 28. The remaining part of the pressure wave is basically reflected in the accumulator 248 and fades away slowly.

[0036] Figure 5 Shown in a top view in Figure 4 is the air guiding channel section 28 shown above. Figure 5 The version shown above is different in that a silencer device 249 has been introduced into the accumulator 248. The silencer device 249 weakens the pressure wave or sound wave in the accumulator more strongly, so that the pressure wave or sound wave fades away more quickly.

[0037] With such a device, the fluid actuators 4, 41 - 45 work with less interference and more quietly, so that such a device is felt to be more comfortable for the user during its use.

Claims

1. A module support arrangement (M) for mounting on a seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for fastening a pneumatic component (6, 8; 41-50) or a non-pneumatic component, the module support arrangement comprising a module support (1), the module support having a front side (A) and a back side (B) opposite the front side (A), and the module support arrangement optionally comprising at least one further component (3), wherein: In the module support (1) and / or in the at least one further component (3) there is integrated i) air guide channels and / or ii) an air guide channel section (28, 201-210), In this case, at least one pressure accumulator (248, 249, 3) which is in fluidic connection with at least one of the air guide ducts or air guide duct sections (28, 201-210) is integrated on or in the module carrier (1) and / or on or in the further component (3).

2. The module support arrangement (M) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The at least one pressure accumulator (248, 3; 249) is arranged in the module carrier (1) and / or the further component (3), preferably in the vicinity of a pump (8) and / or a fluid actuator.

3. The modular support arrangement (M) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The pressure accumulator (248) is composed of at least two parts (248, 3) which, when joined, form an airtight chamber.

4. The module support arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one component (248) of the pressure accumulator (248, 3; 249) is integrated in an air-conducting duct or an air-conducting duct section (28).

5. The module support arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pressure accumulator (248, 3; 249) has a silencer device (249), which is preferably introduced into the pressure accumulator before the pressure accumulator (248, 3; 249) is produced.

6. The module support arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The air guide channel sections (28, 201-210) and / or parts (248) of the pressure accumulator are integrated in the module support (1) and / or the further component (3) in such a way that each of the air guide channel sections (28, 201-210) and / or parts (248) of the pressure accumulator comprises an open longitudinal side, wherein the module support (1) or at least one further component (3) serves as a cover (3) which closes the open longitudinal sides of the air guide channel sections (28, 201-210) and / or parts of the pressure accumulator for forming the air guide channel and / or the pressure accumulator.

7. The module support arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The module carrier (1) and the at least one further component (3), preferably a cover (3) for an air guide duct section and / or a part (248) of a pressure accumulator, are connected by laser welding, high-frequency welding, vibration welding, adhesive bonding or clamping.

8. The module support arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pressure accumulator (248, 249) is made of the same material as the module bracket (1) and / or the other component (3), preferably a plastic material, or the pressure accumulator (248, 249) also includes another material, which is preferably selected from the following group: textile material, preferably nylon or PP, cellulose, open-cell or closed-cell foam material, open-cell insulating material, sound-absorbing material.

9. A vehicle seat having a seat frame structure and a module carrier arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, which is suspended on the seat frame structure via a suspension (10).

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