Vehicle seat component

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat part (1) having a front side (A) and a rear side (B), comprising:-a seat cover (6),-a carrier component (2),-a cushion (3), which is arranged between the carrier component (2) and the seat cover and comprises a first cushion element (31) having at least one recess or through-hole (70, 71, 72), at least one or more fluid-fillable pockets (51, 52) belonging to a seat massage system, which pockets are accommodated directly or indirectly in the at least one recess or through-opening or a plurality of recesses or through-openings of the first cushion element, the vehicle seat part (1) having a second cushion element (32), the capsule is also arranged on the side thereof facing the carrier member (2), preferably directly on the second pad element or on a carrier element (4) arranged between the first pad element and the second pad element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat component. BACKGROUND

[0002] The corresponding vehicle seat component 1, as it is for example shown in the sectional view in Figure 1 and Figure 2 has a front side A, also called A-side, and a back side B, also called B-side. Vehicle seats are often equipped with a seat massage system. This seat massage system usually has a plurality of fluid- fillable bladders 51, 52, which are filled and / or emptied in a corresponding controlled manner in a predetermined pattern in order to implement a corresponding massage program. These bladders 51, 52 are usually arranged in the cushion 3 or in spaces 70, 71, 72 provided for this purpose on the cushion 3. A vehicle seat component 1 equipped with such a massage system usually has a seat cover 6 on one side and a carrier member 2 on the other side and between them a cushion 3. Usually the cushion 3 is composed of a foam material.

[0003] Due to this composition two different possibilities of arranging the corresponding bladders 51, 52 of the seat massage system are provided. One possibility is to arrange the bladders on the back side, the other possibility is to arrange the corresponding bladders on the front side (under the seat cover) Figure 1 The variant on the B-side Figure 2 is the more cost-technically advantageous variant, which of course has the disadvantage that the massage is perceived as less intensive by the seat occupant, mainly because the pressure exerted by the fluid- fillable bladders 51, 52 is transmitted via the foam material of the cushion. This serves to attenuate the effect. The arrangement of the bladders on the A-side, i.e. under the seat cover 6, is more expensive, but for this reason is more effective in the manner depicted, as this is shown in Figure 1 In order to increase the pressure of the fluid- fillable bladders 51, 52, these are usually supported on a rigid body 4, e.g. a plastic plate or the like, on the side facing the B-side.

[0004] Correspondingly, there is a need for a solution for a vehicle seat component, in which an effect similar to that in the arrangement of fluid- fillable bladders between the cushion and the seat cover can be achieved, however at the same time with a reduced cost. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore the task of the invention to give a vehicle seat component with these premises.

[0006] This task is solved by a vehicle seat component having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are visible in the dependent claims.

[0007] The object according to the invention is solved by the invention in that the massage bladder is "almost" moved to the A-side. This is achieved primarily in that the mat is divided into a plurality of mat elements, whereby greater flexibility in the arrangement of the fluid- fillable bladders is achieved. In this way, the massage bladder can be placed closer to the seat cover, which leads to a much stronger massage impression compared to a pure B-side massage, which almost corresponds to an A-side massage that can be achieved much more expensively.

[0008] The vehicle seat component according to the invention having a front side and a back side has a seat cover, a carrier member and a mat. The mat is arranged between the carrier member and the seat cover and comprises a first mat element having at least one recess or through-hole. Furthermore, the vehicle seat component has at least one or a plurality of fluid- fillable bladders belonging to a seat massage system, which are directly or indirectly accommodated in the at least one recess or through-hole or a plurality of recesses or through-holes of the first mat element.

[0009] According to the invention, the vehicle seat component has a second mat element. The bladders are preferably arranged directly on the second mat element or on a carrier element arranged between the first mat element and the second mat element on the side thereof facing the carrier member.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the second mat element is arranged in the recess or through-hole of the first mat element. Here, the second mat element itself comprises at least one further recess or through-hole in which one or a plurality of fluid- fillable bladders are arranged. In this way, fluid- fillable bladders can be arranged in the second mat element and this directly adjacent to the seat cover. This is an example of the above-mentioned indirect accommodation of fluid- fillable bladders in the recess or through-hole of the first mat element.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the carrier member has a plastic material as the main material component or consists of plastic. For example, a module carrier can be used which comprises a prefabricated part consisting of plastic, for example in the form of a plastic shell, or is at least mainly constructed therefrom. This construction form enables a particularly component-saving construction, since many parts of the necessary components can already be integrated in the plastic carrier.

[0012] The carrier element can be constructed from different materials. In general, the carrier element should be at least a little more rigid than the material of the fluid- fillable bladders, so that this bladder can be supported on this carrier element with the underside when the fluid- fillable bladder is filled. One possibility is that the carrier element is a film carrier. Other embodiments are of course equally conceivable.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the application, the second cushion element is arranged on or placed on the carrier member. It is of course also possible for at least one further member to be arranged between the second cushion element and the carrier member.

[0014] The connection between the first cushion element and the second cushion element can in principle be effected in different ways. It is also possible for at least one further member to be arranged between the two cushion elements. According to a preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that the second cushion element is positively locking received into the first cushion element.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat part according to the application, it is provided that the first cushion element and / or the second cushion element is composed of a foam material. Other materials are of course also conceivable. It is primarily possible for the first cushion element and / or the second cushion element to also be constructed from another elastic material. Preferably, for this purpose, a material is provided which is constructed from a 3D structure having thermoplastic elastomer fibers, for example elastomer filaments constructed therefrom. Here, it is possible for a 3D weaving to be provided of randomly arranged thermoplastic continuous fibers which form loops and are preferably welded to one another. It is possible, for example, to use polyester-based elastomer fibers. Furthermore, the elastomer fibers can have different cross sections and / or be constructed as internally hollow or solid fibers. The 3D structure mentioned can for example also be constructed by elastomer filaments which are arranged randomly or in a predetermined pattern. It is also conceivable for there to be a certain compressibility and preferably for the compressibility or the compression hardness of the two cushion elements to differ from one another. This can be effected by different material selection or, however, by different thicknesses of the two materials in the case of the same material selection.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the cushion has a total thickness from the back side to the front side, that the thickness of the first cushion element in the region of the bladder is between 60% and 100%, preferably approximately 75%, of the total thickness, and / or that the thickness of the second cushion element in the region of the bladder is between 0 and 40%, preferably approximately 25%, of the total thickness. It is of course also possible for other ratios of the selected thicknesses to exist. The second cushion element can for example also be constructed thicker than the first cushion element in relation to the total thickness in the region of the bladder.

[0017] It can also be provided, preferably, for a plurality of fluid- fillable bladders to be arranged in only one recess or through-hole. Here, the seat cushion material can be produced more simply in terms of product technology, since only one recess or passage opening has to be provided.

[0018] The arrangement of the one recess / multiple recesses or the one through-hole / multiple through-holes can also be chosen in accordance with the desired compression hardness or the desired geometry. Thus, for example, it can be provided that the one recess / multiple recesses or the one through-hole / multiple through-holes extend in the first mat element up to the vicinity of the seat cover or open toward the seat cover. In this way, the pressure point of each fluid- fillable bladder can be moved as close as possible to the body of the seat occupant for massage purposes. Ideally, the pressure point is directly under the seat cover.

[0019] Furthermore, the vehicle seat component according to the application can be constructed such that the second mat element does not extend over the entire carrier member, but only over a region in which one or more fluid- fillable bladders are provided. Thus, the material selection of the second mat element can be constructed, for example, such that a certain compression stiffness is set in the mat in the region in which the fluid- fillable bladders are located, while the mat is correspondingly constructed comfortably for the seat occupant overall in other regions in which no fluid- fillable bladders are provided. In other words, the possibly more rigid region necessary for the pressure application when carrying out a massage program can be limited to the region in which the fluid- fillable bladders are actually also located.

[0020] The application also relates to a method for producing a vehicle seat component, preferably the vehicle seat component described above. The method has the following steps:

[0021] i) providing a first seat component part having a seat cover and a first mat element provided underneath the seat cover;

[0022] ii) providing a second seat component part having a carrier member and a second mat element provided on the carrier member; and

[0023] iii) joining the first seat component part and the second seat component part.

[0024] In this way the individual seat components can be delivered in a prefabricated manner. The fluid- fillable bladder mentioned above can be pre-equipped here, but can also be introduced only during the joining process. According to a preferred embodiment, there are various alternatives, namely that one or more fluid- fillable bladders are provided on the first seat component part and / or on the second seat component part and / or are inserted between the two seat component parts before the joining and / or during the joining. In a preferred variant, the carrier member fixes the second mat element arranged thereon and the fluid- fillable bladder arranged thereon on the seat structure. Then, the first seat component part is also fixed on the seat structure in a next step. This fixing can take place, for example, by means of a tool- free connection via clamping elements, such as straps or belts or elastic bands, which are used at the same time to tension the seat cover on the mat.

[0025] In this way the manufacture of the motor vehicle seat or rather the vehicle seat components discussed in detail here is strongly simplified in that the pre-equipped seat component parts are connected to one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The application is explained below with Figures 1 to 7 The application is explained below with Figures 3 to 7 An embodiment according to the application is shown.

[0027] Figure 1 A sectional view of a part of a vehicle seat component according to the prior art is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 A sectional view of a part of another vehicle seat component according to the prior art is shown;

[0029] Figure 3 A sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the application is shown according to a first embodiment, which can be coupled to Figure 1 and Figure 2 a similar sectional view;

[0030] Figure 4 A sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the application is shown according to a second embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5 A sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the application is shown according to a third embodiment;

[0032] Figure 6 A sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the application is shown according to a fourth embodiment;

[0033] Figure 7 A sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the application is shown according to a fifth embodiment;

[0034] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat component according to the sixth embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] It has already been discussed above Figure 1 and Figure 2 , so as to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the above embodiments. Also in the discussion of embodiments according to the application reference is made to the reference numerals used in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , so as to explain that the components associated with these reference numerals can also be referred to in the above embodiments.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat component 1 according to the application, which has a front side A and a back side B. The front side A faces a potential user and covers the remaining elements of the vehicle seat component 1 with a seat cover 6. The seat cover 6 is fitted on a first cushion element 31. In the area where no bladder 51, 52 is provided, the first cushion element 31 extends up to the carrier member 2, which constitutes the back side B and carries the vehicle seat component 1.

[0037] In the area of the cushion 3 where the bladder 51, 52 is to be provided and slightly protruding from this area, a recess is provided towards the back side, which is then filled with a second cushion element 32. The depth of this recess is preferably between 10% and 40% of the total thickness D of the cushion 3. Here, the depth is preferably 25% of the total thickness D. In this embodiment, cylindrical recesses 71, 72 are introduced into the first cushion element 31 from this recess in the direction of the front side A for accommodating the bladder 51, 52. If the bladder 51, 52 is provided in the recesses 71, 72, the recesses 71, 72 are closed with a large area by the carrier element 4, which can completely carry the fluid-technical infrastructure related thereto, such as inlet and outlet pipes, valves and also a fluid pump. Furthermore, the recesses are filled with a second cushion element 32, which is fitted precisely into the recesses.

[0038] The cushion 3 is preferably, but not necessarily, composed of a foam material. Here, both cushion elements 31, 32 can be composed of the same material; preferably, however, the second cushion element 32 is somewhat harder or denser than the first cushion element 31, so that it better supports the carrier element 4 and thus the bladder 51, 52, whereby the expanded bladder 51, 52 deflects the pressure, if desired, preferably in the direction of the front side A.

[0039] It applies in principle to all embodiments that the carrier element 4 is not necessarily necessary. The bladder 51, 52 can likewise be supported directly on the second cushion element 32.

[0040] In principle, this embodiment of the vehicle seat component 1 according to the application corresponds to the solution shown in Figure 2 . Here, the capsules 51, 52 are of course arranged significantly more in the direction of the front side A, so that the effect of the changed filling of the capsules 51, 52 reaches the front side A more simply. The construction is correspondingly low-cost, and the transmission of the pulses triggered by filling or emptying of the capsules 51, 52 reaches the front side A of the seat more easily and thus more simply.

[0041] The embodiment of the vehicle seat component 1 according to the application shown in Figure 4 corresponds essentially to the embodiment discussed in Figure 3 . Most of the elements correspond to the embodiment discussed in Figure 3 , so that the description thereof should not be repeated here. The difference of the embodiment shown here is that the side walls of the recess in which the second cushion element 32 is placed are not embodied vertically here, but preferably extend obliquely. When the capsules 51, 52 are covered by the carrier element 4, the side walls are also occupied by the carrier elements 4a, 4b, so that the conductor wires can be led out of the cushion 3 better and more reliably.

[0042] The third embodiment of the vehicle seat component 1 according to the application shown in Figure 5 is likewise similar to the embodiment described in Figure 3 . In this embodiment, the bottom of the recess 71, 72 in which the capsules 51, 52 are accommodated is not flat as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , but the bottom is curved 71A, 72a in the direction of the front side A. Thereby, the capsules 51, 52 are closer to the front side A exactly when they are filled. Thereby, the pressure transmitted by the inflation of the capsules 51, 52 is transmitted more point- wise towards the front side. A person sitting on the vehicle seat can thus more easily perceive the change in the fluid pressure in the capsules 51, 52, so that the vehicle seat component 1 can work more effectively and the vehicle seat component thus approaches the effective power of the variant shown in Figure 1 .

[0043] The fourth embodiment of the vehicle seat component 1 according to the application shown in Figure 6 is likewise similar to the embodiment described in Figure 3 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment discussed in Figure 3The difference in the implementation discussed is that instead of providing corresponding fitting gaps 71, 72 for each sac 51, 52, a single gap 70 that can accommodate multiple sacs 51, 52 is introduced into the first cushion element 31. Here, on the one hand, the gap 70 can be so large that it can accommodate the sacs 51, 52 of the vehicle seat component 1, or multiple gaps 70 that each accommodate more than one sac 51, 52 can be introduced into the cushion 3.

[0044] Figure 7 A fifth embodiment of the vehicle seat component 1 according to the present invention is shown. The construction roughly corresponds to the embodiments described so far: a seat cover 6 on the front side A of the vehicle seat component 1 is disposed on a cushion 3 formed by a first cushion element 31, which in turn is disposed on a carrier member 2 forming the back side B. In the area where the pockets 51, 52 are to be provided, a gap is introduced from the back side into the first cushion element 31. At the bottom of this gap, gaps 71, 72 for the pockets 51, 52 are introduced into the first cushion element 31. In this embodiment, the gaps extend to the front side of the first cushion element 31, such that only the seat cover 6 is tensioned between the pockets 51, 52 and the front side A of the seat. The gaps 71, 72 are closed towards the back side by the carrier element 4. The large gaps towards the back side B are precisely closed by the second cushion element 32. This embodiment has a low-cost construction, as it is provided by… Figure 2 The version shown is known, but is also quite close to... Figure 1 The technology shown in the diagram allows changes in the filling of sacs 51 and 52 to be directly transmitted to the person sitting in the seat via the covering material 6, making the system quick and comfortable for that person.

[0045] The vehicle seat component 1 according to the present invention Figure 8 The variation shown differs from the aforementioned variation in that the fluid-fillable bladders 51 and 52 are not directly located in the gaps 70 of the first cushion element 31, but are indirectly disposed therein. This occurs by introducing at least one fluid-fillable bladder 51 or 52 into at least one gap or through-hole 73 or 74 of the second cushion element 32. The gaps 73 and 74 can preferably be disposed near side A, i.e., directly adjacent to the seat cover 6, so that the fluid-fillable bladders 51 and 52 inserted into the second cushion element 32 can then be disposed as close as possible to the front side A. Of course, it is also possible to use the carrier element 4 in the illustrated embodiment, as described in the previous embodiments.

[0046] The vehicle seat component 1 according to the invention provides a low-cost device that produces a massage effect for the user that is almost identical to many solutions known in the prior art. Therefore, a massage effect that would otherwise be expensive to purchase can be provided at low cost in a motor vehicle seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat component (1), the vehicle seat component including a front side (A) and a back side (B), the vehicle seat component having: - Seat covers (6), -Carrier component (2), - A cushion (3), said cushion being disposed between the carrier member (2) and the seat cover (6) and including a first cushion element (31), the first cushion element having at least one gap or through hole (70, 71, 72). - At least one or more fluid-filled bladders (51, 52) belonging to the seat massage system, the bladders being directly or indirectly housed in at least one or more gaps or through holes or multiple gaps (70, 71, 72) or through holes of the first pad element (31), the vehicle seat component (1) having a second pad element (32), the bladders (51, 52) also preferably being disposed directly on the second pad element (32) on their side facing the carrier member (2) or on a carrier element (4) disposed between the first pad element (31) and the second pad element (32).

2. The vehicle seat component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier component (2) is made of plastic material or is composed of plastic as the main material component.

3. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier element (4) is a membrane carrier.

4. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second pad element (32) is disposed on or placed on the carrier member (2).

5. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second pad element (32) is fitted into the first pad element (31).

6. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pad (3) has a total thickness (D) from the back side (B) to the front side (A), and in the region of the pouch (51, 52), the thickness of the first pad element (31) is between 60% and 100% of the total thickness (D), preferably about 75%, and / or the thickness of the second pad element (32) is between 0 and 40% of the total thickness (D), preferably about 25%.

7. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first pad element (31) and / or the second pad element (32) are made of foam material or other elastically deformable material.

8. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of fluid-fillable sacs (51, 52) are disposed in a single void (70) or through hole.

9. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The one or more gaps (70, 71, 72) or the one or more through holes extend in the first pad element (31) to the vicinity of the seat cover (6) or open toward the seat cover (6).

10. The vehicle seat component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second pad element (32) does not extend over the entire carrier member (2), but only over a region in which one or more fluid-fillable sacs (51, 52) are disposed.

11. The vehicle seat component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second pad element (32) is disposed in the void or through hole (70) of the first pad element (31) and includes at least one additional void or through hole (73, 74), in which one or more fluid-filling sacs (51, 52) are provided.

12. A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat component (1), preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: i) Provide a first seat component portion having a seat cover (6) and a first cushion element (31) disposed under the seat cover; ii) Provide a second seat component portion having a carrier member (2) and a second cushion element (32) disposed on the carrier member; and iii) Join the first seat component portion and the second seat component portion.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, One or more fluid-fillable bladders (51, 52) are provided on the first seat component portion and / or the second seat component portion, or are provided before the engagement, or are inserted between the two seat component portions during the engagement.

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