Vehicle seat with combined massage and stimulation actuators, seat system and vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided, wherein in the vehicle seat and in at least one passenger-facing seat contact face area of the vehicle seat a controllable massage system is provided, which has at least one massage actuator which is fillable with a medium, which is designed to perform a massage function, and a controllable muscle stimulation system, which has at least one stimulation actuator, which is designed to perform an electrical or magnetic stimulation, wherein one massage actuator and one stimulation actuator are integrated into one controllable applicator device in such a way that the massage actuator and the stimulation actuator are jointly actuated. In one design variant, the housing of each massage actuator serves as a stimulation actuator. In an alternative design variant, each stimulation actuator is configured as a pocket and accommodates one massage actuator which is surrounded by a housing which is impermeable to the medium. The invention also relates to a seat system, a vehicle and a method for actuating an applicator device provided in a vehicle seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manipulating an applicator device, which is disposed in a vehicle seat and consists of massage actuators and stimulation actuators arranged together, as well as a seat system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle seats that provide both massage and electrical stimulation are known, as described in DE102018201760 A1, where electromagnetic fields are used to treat muscle tension in passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Since there is still a need for improvement in the design of components for massage and stimulation systems, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat with improved components to provide massage and stimulation functions. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous designs are those described in the dependent claims.

[0004] A vehicle seat is proposed, wherein within the vehicle seat and in at least one passenger-facing seat contact surface area of ​​the vehicle seat are provided: a controllable massage system having at least one media-fillable massage actuator configured to perform a massage function; and a controllable muscle stimulation system having at least one stimulation actuator configured to perform electrical or magnetic stimulation, wherein each massage actuator and stimulation actuator is integrated into a controllable applicator device such that the massage actuator and stimulation actuator are jointly operated. In one design, the housing of each massage actuator serves as the stimulation actuator. In an alternative design, each stimulation actuator is constructed as a bag-like body and respectively houses a massage actuator surrounded by a media-impermeable outer casing.

[0005] Furthermore, it is specified that the applicator device formed by the massage and stimulation actuator is constructed as part of the vehicle seat surface or part of the seat cover of the vehicle seat.

[0006] Furthermore, it is stipulated that the medium used to fill the massage actuator has a predetermined temperature.

[0007] In addition, it is stipulated that the medium used to fill the massage actuator is either gaseous (including air) or liquid.

[0008] Furthermore, it is specified that the at least one stimulation actuator is configured to generate an electric field for electrical stimulation or to generate a magnetic field for functional magnetic stimulation.

[0009] Furthermore, it is stipulated that the applicator device formed by the massage actuator and the stimulation actuator is respectively set at a predetermined position on the vehicle seat, and when the passenger is sitting in the seat, a specific muscle or a specific muscle group of the passenger sitting in the vehicle seat is located at the predetermined position.

[0010] Furthermore, a seating system for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a vehicle seat configured for a vehicle passenger to sit on; and a control unit operatively connected to each applicator device, the control unit configured to manipulate the applicator device such that the applicator device outputs massage and stimulation toward the seat contact surface such that, during the pressing of the massage actuator into the muscles of the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat, the stimulation actuator performs electrical or magnetic stimulation of the passenger's muscles.

[0011] In addition, a vehicle with a seating system is proposed.

[0012] Furthermore, a method is proposed for manipulating an applicator device consisting of massage and stimulation actuators disposed in a vehicle seat, such that electrical or magnetic stimulation of the passenger's muscles is performed while the massage actuator is pressed into the muscles of a passenger sitting in the vehicle seat.

[0013] Furthermore, a computer program product with program code is proposed, the program code being used to execute the method when it is run on at least one control unit of a vehicle.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention are derived from the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the details of the invention, and from the claims. Each feature can be implemented individually or in any combination in variations of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an applicator device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an applicator device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of key components of a vehicle seat system for performing the method, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the following description of the figures, the same elements or functions are given the same reference numerals.

[0020] As mentioned above, massage systems are known in vehicle seats. These systems are, for example, mechanical or pneumatic and are installed in the seat surface, headrest, neck pillow, footrest, and backrest. The massage function can be used when the vehicle is parked and while driving, and in different seating positions. The massage function works from the seat towards the passenger (back muscles / hips / back of the thighs). Therefore, the massage function works / presses on the body sitting on the seat with the help of gravity. The effectiveness (intensity) of the massage largely depends on the seat position (steep backrest: low massage intensity; flat backrest: high massage intensity; inclined seat surface: high massage intensity; flat seat surface: low massage intensity because there is less contact between the thighs and the seat surface). Because the backrest is generally steeper and the seat surface is flatter, the massage intensity tends to feel weaker. To experience a stronger massage effect, the system must apply higher pressure and therefore consume more energy.

[0021] Electromagnetic coils, known to date, installed in vehicle seats, have been used to treat passengers and can be operated and set separately from massage functions.

[0022] The basic principle of this invention is to improve the massage effect while reducing the pressure required through the massage system. To this end, it is proposed to equip the vehicle seat 10 with an applicator device having integrated massage and stimulation actuators 2 and 3, such as... Figure 3 As shown schematically, the massage actuator 2 is filled with a medium to be pressed into the back of the passenger 100. To reduce pressure, the massage actuator is then at least partially emptied again. They are advantageously designed as medium-sealed sacs into which the medium is injected. The medium is advantageously gaseous, especially air, but can also be a liquid medium. The stimulation actuator 3 is an electromagnetic coil by means of which electrical (muscle) stimulation (EMS) or functional magnetic (muscle) stimulation (FMS) is generated.

[0023] The massage and stimulation actuators 2 and 3 always interact, meaning they are always operated together, essentially simultaneously. That is, the massage function is combined with muscle tension in the passenger 100 generated by the stimulation system, i.e., by the one or more stimulation actuators 3. This tension in the muscle groups, achieved through EMS or FMS, induces movement in the body (back / hips), which ideally triggers movement within the seat during the massage system's application of the one or more massage actuators 2 to the muscle area.

[0024] As described above, the applicator device has massage and stimulation actuators 2 and 3 integrated with each other. In the prior art, they have always been constructed and manipulated separately from each other. Typically, the stimulation actuator 3 is located in a different area from the massage actuator 2 or is mounted on the area of ​​the massage actuator 2 by bonding it to the surface of the massage actuator 2. In contrast, according to the present invention, the housing of each massage actuator 2 serves as the stimulation actuator 3, such as... Figure 1 As shown, or each stimulation actuator 3 is constructed as a bag-like body and respectively houses a massage actuator 2 surrounded by an outer casing that is impermeable to the medium, such as Figure 2 As shown. In both cases, the material of the stimulation actuator 3 or the bag-like body should be ensured to have sufficient elasticity so that the massage actuator 2 can increase in volume to perform massage. Where the housing of each massage actuator 2 is used as the stimulation actuator 3, the housing should also be made impermeable to the medium.

[0025] Actuators 2 and 3 are disposed in the area of ​​the seat contact surface 11 on the vehicle seat 10, such as Figure 3 As shown. Seat contact surface 11 refers to the surface of vehicle seat 10 on which passenger 100 contacts vehicle seat 10, such as seat surface (buttocks, thighs), backrest (upper back, middle back, lower back, shoulders), armrests (upper arms, forearms), leg rests (calves / lower legs), and footrests. Advantageously, an applicator device is provided for each muscle group to be massaged / stimulated, so that targeted massage / stimulation of individual muscle groups can be performed.

[0026] Each actuator 2, 3 of the applicator device is constructed as part of the surface of the vehicle seat 10, i.e., visible to the passenger 100, or integrated into the vehicle seat 10, for example, under the seat cover and / or in the foam material (located near the seat contact surface 11). Of course, components required for stimulation and massage are also disposed in or connected to the vehicle seat 10 to provide functionality. The power supply may be, for example, from an energy source of the vehicle 1, such as a storage battery or battery.

[0027] In one embodiment, the medium filled into the massage actuator 2 can be temperature-controlled, i.e., have a predetermined temperature. It can be heated, for example, to enhance the massage effect. However, depending on the application, it can also be cooled. Alternatively, the temperature can be selected by the passenger 100.

[0028] Each applicator device, i.e. each actuator 2, 3, is operated by a control unit 4, which is part of the applicator device or part of the vehicle interior controller 5, which is communicatively connected to the applicator device to operate it.

[0029] Preferred muscle groups to be massaged and stimulated by EMS or FMS are muscles in the lower back region, but may also be muscles in the mid-back or upper back region and shoulders or neck. Muscle groups in the arms and / or legs and hips may also be stimulated. Advantageously, one applicator device is provided for each potential muscle group to be massaged / stimulated. The one or more applicator devices can be operated individually or in groups by means of a control unit 4 according to the muscle stimulation program to be performed.

[0030] The result of combining massage with EMS or FMS is that the pressure required for the massage system (system pressure) is lower, the effective pressure of the massage on the passenger 100's anatomy is improved, and the passenger 100 can better experience the massage sensation. Furthermore, the relative movement of the body being lifted from the seat by the massage system is reduced. This is advantageous because a constant viewpoint position is important for other vehicle functions such as the head-up display. Additionally, the extra effect of simultaneously activating and training antagonistic muscles through EMS / FMS should be mentioned, but this is not the focus compared to implementations shown in the prior art. By integrating the massage system and stimulation system into the applicator device, the system is significantly simplified. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the seat position to increase the intensity of the massage function. The lifting stroke of the massage actuator is also reduced, and the system pressure (pneumatic device) or system force (mechanical device) is also lowered while achieving the same or even better tactile massage effect. Furthermore, structural space is saved by combining the massage and stimulation actuators.

[0031] It can be specified that the passenger 100 itself can make certain settings, particularly regarding parameters concerning the duration and intensity of the massage / stimulation. Alternatively, it can be specified that the passenger defines specific driving conditions or psychological states under which massage / stimulation is permitted or prohibited. This is stored as a user profile in the controller 5 of the vehicle 1 or in the control unit 4 of the applicator device.

[0032] List of reference numerals

[0033] 1 vehicle

[0034] 10 vehicle seats

[0035] 11 Seat contact surfaces

[0036] 2 Massage Actuators

[0037] 3 Stimulators

[0038] 42 control unit

[0039] 51 controller

[0040] 100 passengers

Claims

1. Vehicle seats (10), of which, The following are provided within the vehicle seat (10) and in the area of ​​at least one seat contact surface (11) of the vehicle seat (10) facing the passenger (100): - A controllable massage system having at least one massage actuator (2) capable of being filled with a medium, the massage actuator being configured to perform a massage function, and - A controllable muscle stimulation system having at least one stimulation actuator (3) configured to perform electrical or magnetic stimulation. In this device, a massage actuator (2) and a stimulation actuator (3) are integrated into a controllable applicator, allowing the massage actuator and the stimulation actuator to be operated together. - The housing of each massage actuator (2) serves as a stimulation actuator (3). - Alternatively, each stimulation actuator (3) is constructed as a bag and each contains a massage actuator (2), which is surrounded by a cover that is impermeable to the medium.

2. The vehicle seat (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The applicator device (2) formed by the massage and stimulation actuators (2, 3) is configured as part of the surface of the vehicle seat (10) or part of the seat cover of the vehicle seat (10).

3. The vehicle seat (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The medium used to fill the massage actuator (2) has a predetermined temperature.

4. The vehicle seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The medium used to fill the massage actuator (2) is either gaseous (including air) or liquid.

5. The vehicle seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one stimulation actuator (3) is configured to generate an electric field for electrical stimulation or to generate a magnetic field for functional magnetic stimulation.

6. The vehicle seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The applicator device (2), formed by the massage actuator and the stimulation actuator (2, 3), is respectively set at a predetermined position on the vehicle seat (10), where a specific muscle or a specific muscle group of the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat (10) is located at the predetermined position when the passenger is sitting on the seat.

7. A seating system for a vehicle (1), the seating system comprising: - The vehicle seat (10) according to any one of the preceding claims is provided for a passenger (100) of the vehicle (1) to sit on; - A control unit (4) is connected to each applicator device, the control unit being configured to manipulate the applicator device such that the applicator device outputs massage and stimulation toward the seat contact surface (11), such that during the period when the massage actuator (2) presses into the muscles of the passenger (100) sitting on the vehicle seat (10), the stimulation actuator (3) performs electrical or magnetic stimulation of the passenger's muscles.

8. A vehicle (1) having a seating system according to claim 7.

9. A method for manipulating an applicator device formed by massage and stimulation actuators (2, 3) disposed in a vehicle seat (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, such that electrical or magnetic stimulation of the muscles of a passenger (100) sitting on the vehicle seat (10) is performed during the pressing of the massage actuator (2) into the muscles of a passenger (100) sitting on the vehicle seat (10).

10. A computer program product having program code for performing the method according to claim 9 when it is run on at least one control unit (4) of a vehicle.

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