Seat for vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a seat (10) for a vehicle (1), the seat (10) comprising a seating portion (11) for supporting a lower body (3) of an occupant (2) of the seat (10) and a leg rest (12) for supporting legs (4) of the occupant (2), the leg rest (12) being attached to the seating portion (11), where the seat (10) comprises at least one force absorbing element (20), the at least one force absorbing element is configured to at least partially absorb a force (F) exerted on the leg rest (12) by the leg (4) of the occupant (2) in a collision event (CE) of the vehicle (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat for a vehicle, and to a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In vehicles, in particular in autonomous vehicles, a relaxed seating position can be offered to its occupants. To this end, the seat can comprise a leg rest for supporting the legs.

[0003] With current vehicle seats, there can be a risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash. For example, in the event of a rear-end collision, the occupant can move into the seat and due to the inertia of the lower limbs, the leg rest can subject the femur and the pelvis of the occupant to high loads. In particular, the loading of the femur and the leg can lead to a femur fracture, or for a fragile occupant, to a pelvis fracture in the form of an acetabular fracture. SUMMARY

[0004] This problem is at least partially solved or mitigated by the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a seat for a vehicle, the seat comprising a seating portion for supporting a lower body of an occupant of the seat and a leg rest for supporting legs of the occupant, the leg rest being attached (or in other words, arranged) to the seating portion, wherein the seat comprises at least one force-absorbing element configured for at least partially absorbing, in the event of a vehicle crash, a force exerted by the legs of the occupant on the leg rest.

[0006] Thus, the invention solves the above-mentioned risk of injury in the event of a crash by using at least one force-absorbing element within the seat, wherein said at least one force-absorbing element at least partially absorbs, in the event of a crash, a force exerted by the legs of the occupant on the leg rest. Thus, the invention helps to reduce occupant leg and pelvis loads in a crash, including a rear-end collision, and rearward-facing occupant leg and pelvis loads in a frontal collision. Furthermore, leaning away from the seat can be an issue that is generally prevented by seat belts, but the further occupant support provided by the seat of the invention can help in this regard. In particular, the controlled support of the legs provided by the invention also reduces the risk of leaning away from the seat, which can be a particular issue in rear-end collisions.

[0007] Thus, the leg rest not only increases the comfort of any vehicle, including autonomous vehicles, but also the safety of the occupant.

[0008] Generally, the vehicle can be any type, including but not limited to a car, a truck, a bus, etc. Furthermore, generally, the seat can be configured to accommodate a single occupant or multiple occupants, such as two or three occupants. For example, the seat can be a front seat for a single occupant, e.g. a driver seat or a co-pilot seat for a car.

[0009] The seating portion can generally be part of a seat, or in other words part of a seating arrangement, which is intended or configured for a vehicle occupant, or in other words a passenger, to sit on. This means that the seating portion can comprise a seating surface on which the occupant can sit. The seating surface can be provided or formed by a cushion of the seat. The cushion can be arranged on or attached to a frame of the seat. In addition, the seat can comprise a backrest, which can comprise a back cushion and / or a surface, in particular a back surface on which the occupant can lean with their back. The lower body of the occupant comprises at least the occupant's hips, or in other words the occupant's buttocks, and can comprise the occupant's thighs. In particular, the seating portion can be configured for supporting the occupant's buttocks and / or thighs.

[0010] The force-absorbing element can alternatively be referred to as an energy-absorbing element, which can be configured for at least partially absorbing energy applied by the leg, or resulting from the force applied by the occupant's leg on the leg rest, in the event of a crash, or in other words a vehicle collision. In particular, the at least one force-absorbing element can be configured for at least partially absorbing the energy of a force from the leg rest directed towards the seating portion, or in other words in a direction extending from the leg rest towards the seating portion. The force-absorbing function provided by the at least one force-absorbing element can be used independently of the orientation of the seat within the vehicle. The force-absorbing function is that a force applied on the leg rest will be directed towards the seating portion and at least partially absorbed by the at least one force-absorbing element. For example, if the seat is installed in the vehicle such that it faces the front or front end of the vehicle (in the forward direction of the vehicle), the force-absorbing function will be triggered in the event of a rear-end collision or crash of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the seat is installed in the vehicle such that it faces the rear or towards the rear end of the vehicle (in the rearward direction of the vehicle), the force-absorbing function will be triggered in the event of a front-end collision or crash of the vehicle. Thus, a vehicle with a rear-facing seat, in particular in an autonomous vehicle, can also benefit from the present invention in frontal collision scenarios.

[0011] In one example, the leg rest can be attached to the seating portion by the at least one force-absorbing element. In addition to having the at least one force-absorbing element, it is also not excluded that other elements can be used for attaching the seating portion. Such other elements can for example be mechanical links, such as guides, beams, tracks, rotating shafts, etc. Furthermore, such other elements can comprise or be attached to the at least one force-absorbing element.

[0012] In one example, the at least one force absorption element can be part of or attached to a first attachment section at the seating portion, the first attachment section being attached to a second attachment section at the leg rest. One or both of the first and second attachment sections can comprise one or more elements as described above. The attachment sections can be configured as a frame, a beam or the like and be made of any material, such as but not limited to metal.

[0013] In one example, the second attachment section can comprise a rotation axis for rotating the leg rest relative to the seating portion by the occupant, wherein the rotation axis is lockable in one or more rotational positions of the leg rest relative to the seating portion. By means of the rotation axis, the leg rest can be rotated by the occupant relative to the seating portion to ensure a comfortable seating position. Advantageously, the rotation axis is lockable by the occupant. To this end, the second attachment section can comprise one or more locking elements for locking the rotation axis in the one or more rotational positions. In particular, the rotation axis and the one or more locking elements can be configured such that the rotation axis can be locked continuously at any rotational position within the rotation of the rotation axis or at discrete rotational positions.

[0014] In one example, the rotation axis can be lockable such that it does not unlock in case of a vehicle crash. In particular, the rotation axis can be locked with a locking force, in particular of the one or more locking elements, which is high enough to prevent unlocking of the rotation axis and subsequent rotational movement in a crash event. Thus, in case of a vehicle crash, the rotation axis will remain in the locked rotational position. This prevents the leg rest from collapsing and prevents at least a portion of the force exerted thereby by the legs of the occupant from no longer being absorbed and prevents the legs from hitting a front side of the seat which can be located behind the leg rest.

[0015] In one example, when the at least one force absorption element at least partially absorbs the force, one of the attachment sections can be configured movable relative to or within the other of the attachment sections. The movability of the attachment sections relative to or within each other can be controlled by the at least one force absorption element. In particular, when one of the attachment sections, such as the first attachment section, comprises or has attached thereto the at least one force absorption element, the movement can be controlled by the absorption of the force by the at least one force absorption element. In particular, by at least partially absorbing the force, the total movement due to the force exerted by the legs can be limited or reduced compared to a situation without force absorption. Furthermore, by enabling the attachment sections to move relative to each other, for example, the leg rest attachment to the seating portion and the seat in general are not damaged or at least less likely to be damaged except in the case of the at least one force absorption element using plastic deformation to absorb the force.

[0016] In one example, at least one of the attachment sections can be in the form of a beam. The beam form of the attachment sections can ensure that the leg rest is stably attached to the seating portion. Also, it can allow the force exerted by the leg to be well transmitted forward to the at least one force absorption element to at least partially absorb the force. For example, one of the attachment sections can be a U-shaped beam and the other of the attachment sections can be a C-shaped beam. In particular, the first attachment section can be a U-shaped beam and the second attachment section can be a C-shaped beam. Specifically, the C-shaped beam can be movably, in particular slidably, arranged within the U-shaped beam.

[0017] In one example, the seat can comprise at least two force absorption elements arranged on opposite lateral sides of the seat. Further, the seat can comprise two first attachment sections and two second attachment sections arranged on opposite lateral sides of the seat. Thus, the force can be at least partially absorbed by the at least two force absorption elements in a substantially uniform manner.

[0018] In one example, the at least one force absorption element can be mechanically deformable for at least partially absorbing the force. In particular, the mechanical deformation can be a plastic deformation. In other words, the at least one force absorption element can be configured to at least partially absorb the force by a plastic deformation thereof. For example, the at least one force absorption element can comprise or be made of a metal, which can be deformed to absorb the force. However, alternative materials can additionally or alternatively be used. Also, the at least one force absorption element can have a geometry that enables or supports the force absorption.

[0019] In one example, the at least one force absorption element can be a sheet metal element, which can in particular be plastically deformed by shearing and / or buckling. For the plastic deformation by shearing and / or buckling, the at least one force absorption element can be designed to have a certain material thickness and / or shape along a path of the force exerted by the leg and proceeding to the at least one force absorption element.

[0020] In one example, alternatively or additionally, the at least one force absorption element can be a damping element for at least partially absorbing the force. Thus, instead of a mechanical, in particular plastic, deformation, or additionally, the force can be reversibly damped. The damping element may, for example, be a damper such as a hydraulic damper, one or more mechanical springs, a combination thereof, or the like.

[0021] In one example, the at least one force absorption element can be configured such that, in the event of a vehicle collision, the leg rest moves towards the seating portion. Specifically, due to the at least partial force absorption, the leg rest can move towards the seating portion. For example, in the case of a plastic deformation or damping, the at least one force absorption element can undergo compression and shorten in extension, whereby the leg rest moves closer to the seating portion.

[0022] In one example, the at least one force-absorbing element can be configured such that the maximum distance of movement of the leg rest towards the seating portion is in the range of 3 cm to 20 cm, in particular in the range of 5 cm to 15 cm. The range of the maximum distance of movement can be defined at least by the design of the at least one force-absorbing element, in particular by the force-absorbing characteristics provided thereby. It has been found that the range as specified herein is advantageous for the occupant as it allows for sufficient force absorption in case of a vehicle crash to prevent the occupant injuries as specified herein.

[0023] In one example, the at least one force-absorbing element can be configured to absorb the force at least partially if the force is in the range of 1 kN to 4 kN, in particular in the range of 1.5 kN to 4 kN (kilo Newton). It has been found that this range is suitable for most occupants, otherwise this can depend on their body measurements, including their weight and size, in particular their lower body and leg mass, to prevent the injuries as specified herein in case of a vehicle crash, in particular in a rear or frontal crash. In particular, by means of the lower values in this range, it can be ensured that the at least one force-absorbing element does not absorb forces below 1 kN or 1.5 kN, which can be associated with other events than a crash, such as a forced braking or acceleration of the vehicle or an accidental pushing of the leg rest. Furthermore, this range can ensure that the force-absorbing function will be triggered for most or all occupants, independent of their body measurements. Furthermore, the higher values in this range can ensure that the force-absorbing element does not need to be oversized in terms of its force-absorbing characteristics, which can unnecessarily increase the cost, weight, packaging space, etc. of the seat.

[0024] According to a second aspect, a vehicle comprising at least one seat of the first aspect is provided.

[0025] In particular, the vehicle can comprise two or more seats of the first aspect. Furthermore, one or more of the seats can be oriented towards the rear or the front of the vehicle or in any other direction in between.

[0026] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A side view showing a first crash scenario involving two vehicles is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 A side view showing a second crash scenario involving two vehicles is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 A side view showing a first crash scenario involving two vehicles is shown; Figure 1 and Figure 2A side view of the seat used in one of the two vehicles; and

[0031] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A perspective view of the seat frame, schematically showing the attachment structure for attaching the seat leg rest to the seat seating area. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The accompanying drawings are merely schematic representations and are intended to illustrate examples of this disclosure only. Identical or equivalent elements are generally provided with the same reference numerals.

[0033] Figure 1 A side view of a first collision scenario involving two vehicles 1 is shown. Figure 1 Vehicle 1 on the right is shown as being involved in the rear-end collision event CE, where Figure 1 The left vehicle 1 collided with the rear of the right vehicle 1. Therefore, the occupant 2, or in other words, the passenger in seat 10 inside the passenger compartment of the right vehicle 1, was... Figure 1 The occupant experiences a collision acceleration CA in a left-to-right direction. In this example, seat 10 faces the front of the right-hand vehicle 1 in which it is mounted. Therefore, the occupant 2 sits in seat 10 such that they are looking in a direction facing forward towards the right-hand vehicle 1.

[0034] Figure 2 A side view of a second collision scenario involving two vehicles 1 is shown. Figure 1 Vehicle 1 on the right is shown as being involved in the frontal collision event CE, where Figure 1 The vehicle on the left collided with the front of the vehicle on the right. Therefore, passenger 2, seat 1 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle on the right, was also injured. Figure 1 The collision acceleration CA is measured from left to right and from right to left, and the collision acceleration CA is measured in the opposite direction. In this example, seat 10 faces the rear end of the right-hand vehicle 1 in which it is mounted. Therefore, occupant 2 sits in seat 10 such that they are looking towards the rear of the right-hand vehicle 1. Therefore, compared with... Figure 1 The difference lies in Figure 2 In the example, occupant 2 is not facing the forward driving direction of vehicle 1 on the right.

[0035] Figure 3 As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side view of the seat 10 used in the right-hand vehicle 1. The right-hand vehicle 1 can be, in particular but not only, an autonomous vehicle in which a relaxed seating posture can be provided to the occupant 2 of the vehicle 1. For example, as Figure 2As shown, the occupant 2 can not need to drive the vehicle 1 himself and thus looks at the road facing the rear end of the vehicle 1 instead of the front end. In order to increase comfort during such a relaxed seating position, the seat 10 can comprise a leg rest 12 for supporting the legs 4 of the occupant.

[0036] While comfort is brought by the leg rest 12, in any one of the collision events CE of the vehicle 1 on the right side Figure 1 and Figure 2 there can be a risk of injury. For example, in the case of a rear-end collision, the occupant 2 can be moved into the seat 10 and, due to the inertia of the lower limbs, in particular the legs 4, the leg rest 12 can subject the occupant 2 to high loads on the femur and the pelvis. The force F is schematically indicated in Figure 3 by arrows at the position of the legs 4 and approximately at the shoulder of the occupant 2. In particular, the loading of the femur and the legs 4 of the occupant 2 can lead to a femur fracture or, for a vulnerable occupant 2, to a pelvis fracture in the form of an acetabular fracture.

[0037] In order to prevent this, the seat 10, or in other words the seat arrangement, used in the vehicle 1 comprises one, two or more force absorption elements 20 configured to at least partially absorb the force F applied by the legs 4 of the occupant 2 onto the leg rest 12 in any one of the collision events CE of the vehicle 1. As Figure 3 shown, the force F can point in a direction opposite to the direction of the collision acceleration CA that the vehicle 1 can experience. In other words, the force F can point in a direction from the leg rest 12 towards the seat 10 or towards the seating portion 11 of the seat 10. This can force, or in other words press, the occupant 2 into the seat 10, in particular when the occupant 2 is using the safety belt 15 to keep him fixed to the seat 10 during the collision event CE.

[0038] As Figure 3 shown, the leg rest 12 can be attached to the seating portion 11 of the seat 10 on which the occupant 2 can sit with his lower body 3, in particular the buttocks or hips. The seating portion 11 can comprise a seat cushion. Typically, the seating portion 11 can be provided on a seat frame 16 of the seat 10 by omitting a cover of the seat 10 below the seating portion 11, as schematically shown in Figure 3 Furthermore, the seat 10 can comprise a backrest 13 and / or a headrest 14.

[0039] In the example of Figure 3 , the leg rest 12 is attached to the seating portion 11 using one or more force absorption elements 20. In the example of Figure 3The enlarged view shows a leg rest 12 and a force absorption element 20 in detail. Here, the force absorption element 20 is exemplarily shown as a damping element, in particular a mechanical spring. However, the force absorption element 20 can alternatively or additionally be or comprise other types of force absorption elements 20, such as a mechanically deformable element, e.g. a metal sheet. Further, the enlarged view shows a movement distance d, which indicates that the leg rest 12 moves towards the seat part 11 when the force absorption element 20 absorbs the force F.

[0040] Figure 4 A perspective view of the frame 16 of the seat 10 is shown, wherein the seat part 11 and the cushion of the backrest 13 are not shown. The frame 16 comprises as Figure 4 The attachment structure 30 is schematically shown in Figure 4 An enlarged view in detail shows a part or half of the attachment structure 30.

[0041] In this example, the part of the attachment structure 30 shown in the enlarged view within Figure 4 comprises a first attachment section 31, which can be formed as a U-beam, for example. The first attachment section 31 can be attached to or located at or below the seat part 11, for example. Further, the attachment structure 30 comprises a second attachment section 32, which can be formed as a C-beam and which is arranged movable within the first attachment section 31, for example. In particular, the first attachment structure 31 can comprise the force absorption element 20. When the force absorption element 20 absorbs the force F in a crash event CE, the leg rest 12 moves towards the seat part 11 by moving or sliding the second attachment section 32 within the first attachment section 31, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 The movement distance d is shown in Figure 3 .

[0042] Further, as schematically shown in Figure 4 The attachment structure 30 or generally the seat 10 can comprise a rotation axis 33 for rotating the leg rest 12 relative to the seat part 11. The rotation axis 33 can be locked in a rotation position with a locking force, such that the rotation axis 33 is not unlocked in any of the crash events CE of Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0043] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one of any one or more of the entities listed, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed, and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list. This definition also allows that the entities can optionally be present other than the entities expressly identified in the phrase “at least one of.” To the contrar, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one example, to at least one A, optionally including more than one A, there being no B; in another example, to at least one B, optionally including more than one B, there being no A; in yet another example, to at least one A, optionally including more than one A, and at least one B, optionally including more than one B, and so on. In other words, the phrases “at least one of,” “one or more of,” and “and / or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” can mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, as well as A, B, and C together, and so on.

[0044] Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several items or steps recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0045] List of reference signs

[0046] 1 vehicle

[0047] 2 occupant

[0048] 3 lower body

[0049] 4 leg

[0050] 10 seat

[0051] 11 seating portion

[0052] 12 leg rest

[0053] 13 backrest

[0054] 14 headrest

[0055] 15 seat belt

[0056] 16 frame

[0057] 20 force absorbing element

[0058] 30 attachment structure

[0059] 31 first attachment section

[0060] 32 second attachment section

[0061] 33 rotation axis

[0062] CA crash acceleration

[0063] CE crash event

[0064] D movement distance

[0065] F force

Claims

1. A seat (10) for a vehicle (1), the seat (10) comprising a seating portion (12) for supporting a lower body (3) of an occupant (2) of the seat (10) and a leg rest (12) for supporting a leg (4) of the occupant (2), the leg rest (12) being attached to the seating portion (11), wherein, The seat (10) comprises at least one force absorption element (20) which is configured for at least partially absorbing a force (F) exerted by a leg (4) of the occupant (2) on the leg rest (12) in a crash event (CE) of the vehicle (1).

2. The seat (10) according to claim 1, wherein The leg rest (12) is attached to the seating portion (11) by the at least one force absorption element (20).

3. The seat (10) according to claim 2, wherein The at least one force absorption element (20) is part of or attached to a first attachment section (31) at the seating portion (11), which is attached to a second attachment section (32) at the leg rest (12).

4. The seat (10) according to claim 3, wherein The second attachment section (32) comprises a rotation axis (33) for rotating the leg rest (12) relative to the seating portion (11) by the occupant (2), wherein the rotation axis (33) is lockable in one or more rotational positions of the leg rest (12) relative to the seating portion (11).

5. The seat (10) according to claim 4, wherein The rotation axis (33) is lockable such that it is not unlocked in a crash event (CE) of the vehicle (1).

6. The seat (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, One of the attachment sections (31, 32) is configured to be movable relative to or within the other of the attachment sections (31, 32) when the at least one force absorption element (20) at least partially absorbs a force (F).

7. The seat (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, At least one of the attachment sections (31, 32) is in the form of a beam.

8. The seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The seat (10) comprises at least two force absorption elements (20) arranged on opposite lateral sides of the seat (10).

9. The seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one force absorption element (20) is mechanically deformable to at least partially absorb a force (F).

10. The seat (10) according to claim 9, wherein The at least one force absorption element (20) is a sheet metal element which is plastically deformable by shearing and / or buckling.

11. The seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one force absorption element (20) is a damping element for at least partially absorbing a force (F).

12. The seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one force absorption element (20) is configured such that the leg rest (12) moves towards the seating portion (11) in a crash event (CE) of the vehicle (1).

13. The seat (10) according to claim 12, wherein, The at least one force absorption element (20) is configured such that a maximum movement distance (d) of the leg rest (12) towards the seating portion (11) is in the range of 3 to 20 cm, in particular in the range of 5 to 15 cm.

14. The seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one force absorption element (20) is configured to at least partially absorb a force (F) if the force (F) is in the range of 1 kN to 4 kN.

15. A vehicle (1) comprising at least one seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images