Seating device

Abstract

The invention is a vehicle seating device (1) comprising a rigid support (2) suitable to be mounted in a seating area of a vehicle; a soft seating body (3) superimposed on the support (2) and comprising a seat surface (3a) suitable to support the buttocks or the back of a user; at least one collapsible element (4) arranged at the seat surface (3a) between the support (2) and the seating body (3) and comprising an inner portion (40) comprising an elastically compressible material so as to allow a geometrical variation of the seat surface (3a) at least along a main direction (4a) transversal to the seat surface (3a); an outer shell (41) comprising the inner portion (40) and comprising a gas-tight membrane; a volume variation device (5) suitable to extract and / or to charge gas from / into the outer shell (41) and comprising a pump (50) suitable to extract gas from the outer shell (41) only and a valve (51) suitable to allow or to block the charging of gas into the outer shell (41); wherein the collapsible element (4) comprises at least one contact portion (43) integrally constrained to the inner portion (40) along a side of the inner portion (40) facing the seating body (3) and comprising a rubber material to generate a frictional resistance with the outer shell (41) so as to be able to maintain the shape of the inner portion (40) deformed by the buttocks of said user seated on the seat surface (3a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seating device of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a device that can be implemented within a vehicle seating system, such as any vehicle seating equipped with a seat and backrest, or even the seat of a two-wheeled, three-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle, i.e., the seating portion, or even a non-vehicle seating. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, vehicle seating typically consists of seating that allows the driver to sit stably and comfortably.

[0004] Typically, vehicle seating consists of a seat and a backrest. The seat is defined by the area where the buttocks rest, while the backrest is the area where the user's back rests against.

[0005] Because seating must provide stability and comfort, it typically has padded sections and may include inflatable airbags, which allow for localized increases or decreases in seat volume and mechanical properties.

[0006] Devices designed to operate in a concave state are also known, which can take on a shape opposite to the user's body due to the concavity applied to the seat surface when the user is seated, thereby locally increasing comfort.

[0007] Existing technologies have some significant drawbacks.

[0008] Traditional seating with airbags is not comfortable enough, and in fact, the increased pressure and stiffness from the airbag inflation can introduce localized stress on the user's body, thereby harming the user's health.

[0009] Furthermore, although there are systems that use recesses to maintain a shape that fits the user, these systems will inevitably lose their shape over time, or even very quickly when the user gets up from the seat.

[0010] Therefore, existing devices cannot maintain a comfortable state in a lasting manner.

[0011] Furthermore, motorcycles, as a specific category, are motor vehicles that are smaller than cars, mostly with two wheels, sometimes even three, and in the case of four-wheeled motorcycles, up to four.

[0012] A key characteristic of motorcycles is that the rider is exposed while seated. Especially for two-wheeled motorcycles, when the kickstand is not down, the stability of the motorcycle is determined and guaranteed solely by the rider's feet touching the ground.

[0013] This situation is especially likely to occur when drivers are required to stop at stop signs or traffic lights.

[0014] Therefore, if the rider is short and / or the motorcycle's seat is high off the ground, the rider may have difficulty keeping the motorcycle flexibly on the ground without falling or at least tilting significantly, and a significant tilt may put a lot of stress on one or more of the rider's limbs.

[0015] Therefore, the seats on ordinary motorcycles have the significant disadvantage of being very uncomfortable, while also providing little safety or assurance in keeping the motorcycle stable when it comes to a standstill, especially when the motorcycle is tall or the rider is short. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Against this backdrop, the technical task upon which this invention is based is to design a seating device that can substantially overcome at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0017] Within the scope of the technical task described, an important objective of the present invention is to obtain a seating device that can conform to the body of the seated user and also maintain that shape over time.

[0018] In addition, another technical objective of the present invention is to manufacture a vehicle seating device that retains its shape regardless of whether the user remains seated on it.

[0019] Therefore, an additional objective of the present invention is to greatly enhance the comfort provided by the device.

[0020] Regarding the use of the vehicle seating device according to the invention on a motorcycle, an important objective of the invention is to obtain a motorcycle seat that allows any user, regardless of height or the height of the motorcycle, to be stably supported on the ground even when the motorcycle is stationary, without the support being pulled out.

[0021] In this embodiment, another important objective of the invention is to produce a comfortable motorcycle seat that allows for a high degree of comfort for the rider in any configuration.

[0022] In summary, another objective of the present invention is to manufacture a simple and versatile motorcycle seat that can be easily adapted to any motorcycle, especially without requiring substantial changes to a conventional seat.

[0023] The technical task and the designated purpose are achieved by the seating device as claimed in appended claim 1.

[0024] The preferred technical solutions are described in detail in the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The features and advantages of the present invention are further illustrated by a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle seating device according to the present invention, wherein the internal portion is expanded so that the valve is open to allow gas to enter the housing, and the seating has a maximum height;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the seat in Figure 1, where the internal portion is compressed by means of a pump, and the height of the vehicle seating assembly is minimal.

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle seating device according to the present invention, wherein the position of the retractable element is shown in cross-section; and

[0029] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seating device according to the present invention, wherein the main body and retractable element have been removed from the support. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In this document, when measurements, numerical values, shape, and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism) are associated with words such as “approximately” or other similar terms such as “actually” or “substantially”, they should be understood as measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing variations, and, most importantly, the presence of slight deviations from the numerical values, measurements, shape, or geometric references associated with them. For example, when such terms are associated with a numerical value, it is preferable to indicate a deviation from that value itself of no more than 10%.

[0031] Furthermore, when terms such as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “primary,” and “secondary” are used, they do not necessarily indicate order, priority of relationship, or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish different components from one another.

[0032] Unless otherwise specified, terms such as “processing,” “calculation,” “determine,” “operation,” or similar terms derived from the following description are considered to refer to the actions and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and / or transform data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic quantities of records in a computing system and / or memory) into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within a computer system, recording, or other storage, transmission, or information display device.

[0033] Unless otherwise stated, the measurements and data reported herein should be considered to have been performed in accordance with the International Standard Atmosphere (ICAO) (ISO 2533:1975).

[0034] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the seating device according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0035] Device 1 is preferably a vehicle seat, and therefore part of a vehicle. The vehicle can be any kind of vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, an aircraft, or even a water vehicle.

[0036] Device 1 preferably includes a seat. For example, it may consist of a seating device having a seat and a backrest. It may also be a seat for use in a home or office, or in an airplane or train, or other type of chair.

[0037] Alternatively, if the transportation is, for example, a motorcycle, then device 1 may include a motorcycle seat. The motorcycle can be of any type, such as a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or even four-wheeled vehicle, but is preferably a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0038] Therefore, the present invention may also include a motorcycle that includes a seat, i.e., device 1 in the specific embodiment, as described in more detail later.

[0039] In any case, generally speaking, device 1 preferably includes support member 2.

[0040] Support 2 is essentially a rigid element. Specifically, the term "rigid" refers to an element whose material is capable of maintaining its geometry when the device 1 is in use.

[0041] More specifically, the support 2 is adapted to be installed in the seating area of ​​a vehicle.

[0042] Therefore, the support member 2 is a rigid part of the device 1 and is designed to connect with the vehicle. Furthermore, the support member 2 is shaped according to the type and shape of the vehicle so that it can be properly accommodated in the portion of the vehicle intended for user seating.

[0043] Therefore, the support member 2 may include a polymer material.

[0044] In addition, like any seat or car seat in the prior art, device 1 includes a seat body 3, which may further include a seat or a backrest.

[0045] The seat body 3 is essentially a soft element. Therefore, unlike the support 2, the seat body 3 is an element of the device 1 that is at least partially deformed (regardless of the magnitude of deformation) during the use of the device 1 (i.e., while the user is sitting on the device 1). Therefore, the seat body 3 may comprise a polymer yielding material, such as polyurethane foam or other related polymer types.

[0046] Therefore, the seat body 3 is stacked on the support member 2. Thus, the seat body 3 is substantially at least partially attached to and in contact with the support member 2. Furthermore, the seat body 3 includes a seat surface 3a.

[0047] The seat surface 3a is essentially the part of the seat body 3 that the user interacts with. Therefore, the seat surface 3a is the part of the seat body 3 that is adapted to support the user's buttocks and / or back.

[0048] The device 1 also preferably includes at least one retractable element 4.

[0049] The retractable element 4 is preferably placed between the support 2 and the seat body 3.

[0050] In addition, specifically, the retractable element 4 is arranged at the seat surface 3a, that is, considering, for example, the configuration of the device 1 when used in a vehicle, the retractable element 4 is below the seat surface 3a.

[0051] Then, the retractable element 4 can be part of the seat, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, or part of the backrest. For example, it can be a lumbar support for a seat, especially a car seat, or a support similar to that described in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and paragraphs 48-57 of European Patent EP 3 580 090 B1.

[0052] The retractable element 4 is preferably deflated and can be positioned in a concave state to geometrically change, i.e., alter the shape of the seat surface 3a. It is preferably located at a distance of less than 3 cm from the seat surface 3a, more preferably less than 2 cm, and most preferably between 5 mm and 1.5 cm. In other words, the portion of the seat body 3 that separates the seat surface 3a from the retractable element 4 can have the thickness described above.

[0053] Preferably, the retractable element 4 includes an internal portion 40.

[0054] The internal portion 40 is preferably made of an elastic compressible material.

[0055] Specifically, the internal portion 40 is the part of the retractable element 4 that gives the retractable element 4 the ability to geometrically change the seat surface 3a. Preferably, the internal portion 40 comprises a material whose density is less than the density of the material constituting the seat body 3, at least less than the density of the material at the seat surface 3a.

[0056] In particular, preferably, the internal portion allows for geometrical variation of the seat surface 3a at least along one principal direction 4a.

[0057] The main direction 4a is preferably transverse to the seat surface 3a.

[0058] Therefore, when device 1 is in use on a vehicle, the main direction 4a preferably corresponds to the vertical axis of the vehicle, which is at least transverse to the ground and sometimes perpendicular to the ground when the vehicle is stationary.

[0059] Therefore, when the device 1 is in use, the deformation of the internal part 40 allows the seat surface 3a to be lowered or raised relative to the ground.

[0060] The retractable element 4 also includes a housing 41.

[0061] The outer shell 41 is the outer part of the retractable element 4. Therefore, the outer shell 41 is connected to the support 2 and the seat body 3 and separates them from the inner part 40.

[0062] Furthermore, the housing 41 includes an internal portion 40. In this respect, the housing 41 includes or is composed of a flexible, airtight membrane.

[0063] Preferably, the internal portion 40 may have different shapes, especially considering the top view of the following surface, which is similar in size and shape to the surface occupied by the two buttocks when the user is seated on the device 1, and whose height is variable when not compressed or expanded, and preferably between 5 cm and 1.5 dm, for example, preferably 1 dm.

[0064] When the inner portion 40 expands, the outer casing 41 preferably contacts and wraps around or overlaps the inner portion 40 without wrinkles. It is preferably an airtight membrane known per se. The purpose of the outer casing 41 is to house the inner portion 40 and enable it to be airtightly isolated from the external environment.

[0065] In general, the internal portion 40 is preferably a polymer foam or foamed polymer material or other elastic compressible material, preferably a polymer. For example, it is made of polyurethane foam or other materials. Preferably, the internal portion 40 is embedded in the volume of the seat body 3 and separated from it by the outer shell 41, and the seat body 3 is preferably made of a material having properties very similar to those of the material of the internal portion 40, for example, preferably made of the exact same material.

[0066] The outer shell 41 is preferably made of a flexible, airtight polymer, such as a polymer material membrane.

[0067] More specifically, the internal portion 40 is preferably made of one or more materials that reduce the volume by at least 5% when the outer casing 41 is placed under a vacuum. More preferably, the volume reduction exceeds 10%, even more preferably exceeds 20%, even more preferably exceeds 30%, even more preferably exceeds 40%, even more preferably exceeds 50%, and even more preferably exceeds 60%.

[0068] Therefore, according to the well-known formula β = -∂V / (V ∂p), the compressibility coefficient β of the internal portion 40 is preferably greater than 0.5 GPa. -1 More preferably greater than 1 GPa -1 More preferably greater than 2 GPa -1 More preferably greater than 3 GPa -1 More preferably greater than 4 GPa -1 More preferably greater than 5 GPa -1 More preferably greater than 6 GPa -1 .

[0069] In this regard, as described above, the internal portion 40 preferably comprises or is made of the following: a polymer foam, preferably polyurethane foam, which is preferably open-cell and preferably highly expandable. For example, such materials are referred to as foam rubber. Other such materials are referred to as foam. The internal portion 40 may be made of open-cell polyurethane foam or similar materials.

[0070] Therefore, the outer shell 41 and the inner portion 40 define the airbag; however, in the position of maximum extension, it appropriately maintains the shape of the inner portion 40, which can be arbitrary and not limited to the known circular or spherical shape of airbags, and as mentioned above, can be shaped like the user's buttocks.

[0071] The internal portion 40 can be compressed by applying a denting force to the outer shell 41 or even simply by external forces such as the weight of a human body or an object.

[0072] In other words, the retractable element 4 is preferably capable of allowing the volume of the outer casing 41 to expand or contract at most equal to the volume defined by the inner portion 40. Preferably, the outer casing 41 is not allowed to be further inflated because, specifically, the retractable element 4 is preferably subjected primarily to pressures below atmospheric pressure, which, at their maximum, is approximately equal to atmospheric pressure. Specifically, the inner portion 40 is specifically used when its volume is equal to or less than the volume of the inner portion 40 at ambient pressure.

[0073] The membrane forming the outer shell 41 can then be configured in a minimum stretch configuration and a maximum stretch configuration. In the minimum stretch configuration, there is essentially no gaseous material within the membrane, and atmospheric pressure compresses the inner portion 40 at approximately 1 bar, minimizing its volume. In the maximum stretch configuration, the inner portion 40 is preferably not substantially compressed by the membrane, which preferably precisely wraps around the inner portion 40 by being substantially attached to itself. In this configuration, the pressure within the outer shell 41 is preferably ambient pressure, or the membrane can define an outer shell 41 with an internal volume greater than that of the inner portion 40, and the maximum stretch configuration can still provide a slight indentation force (e.g., 0.1-0.2 bar) that allows the inner portion 40 to substantially maintain its shape.

[0074] In addition to those already described, device 1 may also include a control section 42. If present, the control section 42 is preferably located within housing 41.

[0075] In general, the control portion 42 is at least more rigid than the internal portion 40. Preferably, the control portion 42 is rigid enough to hardly deform when the device 1 is in use.

[0076] Therefore, similar to support 2, control part 42 is able to maintain its geometry even when device 1 is subjected to pressure exerted by the user's weight.

[0077] Furthermore, the control portion 42 is preferably integrally constrained to the inner portion 40. Specifically, the control portion 42 is constrained to the inner portion 40 along the side of the inner portion 40 facing the support member 2.

[0078] From a structural perspective, the control portion 42 may include a plate or layer integrally constrained to a portion of the inner portion 40. This constraint may be achieved, for example, by adhesive bonding.

[0079] For example, the control portion 42, whose volume deformation does not exceed five percent of the initial stress-free volume due to the applied pressure gradient, can be considered substantially undeformed.

[0080] Also preferably, the control portion 42 is breathable. For example, such control portion 42 may be made of a material such as nonwoven fabric, preferably with a thickness of more than 1 mm, or a mesh made of rigid material, polymer or metal material or other material capable of achieving the above-mentioned properties.

[0081] This control section 42 is essentially designed to control the deformation direction of the seat surface 3a of the device 1. In fact, when a concave force is generated in the housing 41, the deformation direction is almost perpendicular to the control section 42, and a portion of the internal part 40 directly connected to the control section 42 partially retains its shape, while the internal part 40 is compressed, allowing the rest of the internal part to adapt to the shape of the user's buttocks, effectively making the seat surface 3a adapt to it.

[0082] In general, the control portion 42, if present, defines a preferred compression direction, for example, perpendicular to one side of the inner portion 40 to which the control portion 42 is adhered.

[0083] Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the retractable element 4 includes at least one contact portion 43. The latter is preferably integrally constrained to the inner portion 40 along the side of the inner portion 40 facing the seat body 3.

[0084] Preferably, the contact portion 43 comprises or is composed of a high-friction material, such as rubber, or otherwise generates frictional resistance with the housing 41. Thus, the contact portion 43 is able to generate resistance, which is enhanced by the indentation force achieved in the housing 41 by a vacuum, enabling it to maintain the shape of the inner portion 40 as the user sits on the seat surface 3a, which is deformed by the user's buttocks.

[0085] Preferably, the contact portion 43 comprises EPM or neoprene or closed-cell polyurethane foam at least at the seat surface 3a.

[0086] More generally, the contact portion 43 includes a material capable of generating a coefficient of friction of at least 0.6 (e.g., between 0.7 and 0.9) when in contact with the material of the inner portion 40.

[0087] The contact portion 43 is preferably arranged on the side of the inner portion 40 opposite to another control portion 42 (if present).

[0088] Therefore, in this way, the retractable element 4 defines a sandwich structure formed by the control portion 42 and the contact portion 43 separated by the inner portion 40. As a result of this configuration, when the outer shell 41 is subjected to a concave force, the deformation of the inner portion 40 causes the distance between the control portions 42, which themselves maintain their shape, to decrease. Thus, in this configuration, the retractable element 4 acts as a sandwich panel with variable thickness. In this case, when a concave force is generated in the outer shell 41, the contact portion 43 maintains the shape of the seat surface 3a given to it by the user's buttocks.

[0089] In addition to the inherent features of the retractable body 4 as described above, which allow for control over deformation and deformation direction, the retractable body 4 can be geometrically implemented to fit with the seat body 3 to facilitate certain deformation directions.

[0090] In this sense, preferably, the retractable element 4 can be defined as a parallelepiped shape, or even a rectangle, and the seat body 3 can be defined as a shell that is shaped to just accommodate the retractable element 4, i.e., shaped as the negative shape of the parallelepiped itself.

[0091] The device 1 further preferably includes a volume change device 5 for the internal portion 40, which is preferably adapted to extract and / or fill gas into the housing 41.

[0092] Therefore, the shrinkable element 4 can be used in a compression configuration, wherein it is under vacuum, preferably at least 0.3 bar below ambient pressure, and more preferably at least 0.5 bar below ambient pressure, and in an expansion configuration, wherein it is preferably at ambient pressure.

[0093] The volume change device 5 can be of various types. Advantageously, the device utilizes (particularly for volume increases) the natural tendency or springback of the material to return to its original shape.

[0094] Preferably, the volume change device 5 includes a pump 50, which is designed to draw gas from at least the housing 41. More preferably, the pump 50 is only adapted to draw gas, and even more preferably, there is no active device for filling the housing 41 with gas. Logically, drawing gas from the housing 41 follows the compression of the internal portion 40 due to ambient pressure, and thus causes a change in the seat surface 3a, for example, a reduction in height as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0095] Pump 50 may be absent; in this case, volume change device 5 may be used by the user to physically manipulate the material through compression and / or elasticity, causing it to tend to return to its original shape composition.

[0096] Preferably, the volume change device 5 further includes a valve 51 adapted to allow or block gas from entering the housing 41, preferably gas from the external environment. The valve 51 is preferably normally open and closes only when gas is drawn from the housing 41. It is also preferably a solenoid valve.

[0097] In order to return the retractable element 4 to an expanded or larger volume configuration, it is preferable to simply keep the valve 51 open by utilizing the springback of the internal portion 40.

[0098] Device 1 preferably also includes a control device, such as an electronic device, like an Arduino® microcomputer or similar device.

[0099] Advantageously, the control device is at least configured to shrink and / or expand a shrinkable element 4.

[0100] Preferably, the shrinkage of the shrinkable element 4 is accomplished by placing it under vacuum through the operation of the pump 50. Thus, through shrinkage, the shrinkable element 4 reduces its size at least along the main direction 4a. Advantageously, the size along the main direction 4a is reduced by at least 50%. When the device 1 is in use, this effect results in a reduction in the overall thickness of the device 1 along the main direction 4a. For example, if the shrinkable element 4a has a defined thickness of 1 dm along the main direction 4a, this change could correspond to 5 cm, and the device 1 could then be reduced by 5 cm.

[0101] Correspondingly, the expansion of the retractable element 4 is defined along the main direction 4a. This expansion is achieved by the control device through the opening of the operating valve 51. Advantageously, the dimension along the main direction 4a is reduced, corresponding to a reduction of at least 50%. When the device 1 is in use, this effect results in an increase in the overall thickness of the device 1 along the main direction 4a. For example, if the retractable element 4a has a defined thickness of 1 dm along the main direction 4a, this change can correspond to 5 cm, and then the device 1 can be raised by 5 cm.

[0102] As anticipated above, the present invention also includes a novel means of transportation comprising device 1. For example, as described above, device 1 may include or be part of the seat or backrest of a vehicle seat.

[0103] Furthermore, the means of transportation can be a motor vehicle. Therefore, device 1 can be a vehicle seat.

[0104] The vehicle may also include additional accessories. For example, the control unit and volume change device 5, as well as other components, may not be integrated with the structure of the device 1 itself, but may be included in the vehicle's control unit or similar device.

[0105] In particular, where device 1 defines a motorcycle seat, the vehicle (i.e., the motorcycle) may also include at least one speed sensor. This speed sensor, known and present in motor vehicles, is preferably operatively connected to the control device.

[0106] Furthermore, the speed sensor can be specifically configured to issue a stop signal when the vehicle has a speed below a predetermined speed threshold, and to issue a movement signal when the vehicle has a speed above the same predetermined speed threshold.

[0107] For example, the predetermined threshold can be close to zero, with a tolerance of a fraction of a kilometer per hour.

[0108] Therefore, the control device can be advantageously configured to actuate pump 50 in response to the stop signal to lower the height of the seat (i.e., device 1) relative to the ground, and to actuate valve 51 in response to the motion signal to raise the height of the seat (i.e., device 1) relative to the ground.

[0109] The sensitivity of this overall control system can also be increased by providing additional data to the control device.

[0110] For example, pump 50 can be scheduled to operate when the vehicle experiences a sharp deceleration, or when the vehicle decelerates simultaneously and its speed falls below a given value. Conversely, actuation of valve 51 can follow acceleration, or when the vehicle accelerates simultaneously and its speed reaches and exceeds a given value.

[0111] The operation of the device 1, which was previously described in terms of structure, is as follows.

[0112] It defines a new method for deforming the seats of motor vehicles.

[0113] The method is preferably applied to a vehicle seat provided by the device 1 as described above, and its preferred application is described.

[0114] The method includes at least a contraction and an expansion phase.

[0115] Specifically, as explained, during the shrinkage phase, the shrinkable element 4 is shrunk and placed under vacuum by the actuation of the pump 50, causing its dimensions to decrease by at least 50% along the main direction 4a, resulting in a reduction in the overall seat thickness along the main direction 4a.

[0116] However, during the expansion phase, the retractable element 4 preferably expands along the main direction 4a by opening the operating valve 51 to increase the overall seat thickness along the main direction 4a.

[0117] As the retractable element 4 expands and contracts, the seat surface 3a changes in height or hardness, allowing the user to gain or lose position relative to the ground.

[0118] Therefore, the present invention also realizes a new method for controlling the seating height of motor vehicles.

[0119] This method is implemented by applying the aforementioned variation of device 1 when device 1 is configured as a vehicle seat.

[0120] Specifically, advantageously, the vehicle reduces its seating height during the contraction of the retractable element 4, and increases its seating height during the expansion of the retractable element 4.

[0121] The vehicle seating device 1 and related modifications according to the present invention achieve significant advantages.

[0122] In general, mainly due to the contact portion 43, the device 1 is able to conform to the body of the seated user while maintaining its shape over time.

[0123] Furthermore, the vehicle seating device 1 maintains its shape regardless of whether the user remains seated on the device 1.

[0124] Therefore, device 1 allows for a significant increase in comfort for seating or vehicle seats.

[0125] Specifically, when device 1 is a motorcycle seat and the related method of seat deformation, it allows any user, regardless of size or motorcycle height, to be stably supported on the ground even when the motorcycle is stationary, without lowering the support.

[0126] Furthermore, the motorcycle seat and the related methods for seat transformation ensure a comfortable seating experience for the user, and guarantee a high level of comfort in any configuration.

[0127] In summary, this motorcycle seat is simple and versatile, easily adaptable to any motorcycle, and in particular, avoids making substantial changes to ordinary seats.

[0128] This invention can be varied within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims. Within this scope, all details can be replaced with equivalent elements, and materials, shapes, and sizes can be arbitrary.

Claims

1. A seating device (1), comprising: - Rigid support (2); - A soft seat body (3) is stacked on the support (2) and includes a seat surface (3a) suitable for supporting the user's buttocks and / or back. The characteristic is that the seating device includes - At least one retractable element (4) is disposed at the seat surface (3a) between the support (2) and the seat body (3), and includes: - The internal portion (40) includes an elastic compressible material to allow for geometric changes in the seat surface (3a) at least along the principal direction (4a) transverse to the seat surface (3a). - A housing (41) that includes the inner portion (40) and includes an airtight membrane; - A volume change device (5) adapted to allow gas to be drawn from and / or filled into the housing (41), - The retractable element (4) includes at least one contact portion (43) integrally constrained to the inner portion (40) along the side of the inner portion (40) facing the seat body (3) and includes material to generate frictional resistance with the outer shell (41), thereby allowing the inner portion (40) to maintain its shape as the user’s buttocks are deformed by sitting on the seat surface (3a).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control device, the control device being configured at least for: - By actuating the pump (50), the retractable element (4) is subjected to a concave force, causing the retractable element (4) to shrink its own size by at least 50% along the main direction (4a), thereby reducing the overall thickness of the device (1) along the main direction (4a), and - The retractable element (4) is expanded along the main direction (4a) by opening the actuating valve (51) to increase the overall thickness of the device (1) along the main direction (4a).

3. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (4) includes at least a control portion (42) that is more rigid than the inner portion (40) so as to hardly deform when the device (1) is in use and is integrally constrained to the inner portion (40) along the side of the inner portion (40) facing the support (3) such that the retractable element (4) defines a sandwich structure formed by the control portion and the contact portions (42, 43) separated by the inner portion (40).

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic compressible material comprises polymer foam.

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat body (3) comprises the same material as the internal portion (40).

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (51) is a normally open solenoid valve.

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume change device (5) comprises: - A pump (50) adapted specifically to draw the gas from the housing (41), and - A valve (51) adapted to allow or block the gas from being introduced into the housing (41).

8. A means of transport comprising the device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The means of transport according to the preceding claims, wherein the means of transport is a motor vehicle, and the device (1) is a seat for the motor vehicle.

10. The vehicle according to any one of claims 8 to 9, comprising at least a speed sensor operatively connected to a control device and configured to issue a stop signal when the vehicle has a speed below a predetermined speed threshold and to issue a movement signal when the vehicle has a speed above the predetermined speed threshold; and the control device is configured to actuate a pump (50) in response to the stop signal and actuate a valve (51) in response to the movement signal.

11. A method for deforming the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method includes: - By actuating the pump (50), the retractable element (4) is subjected to a concave force, causing the retractable element (4) to shrink its own size by at least 50% along the main direction (4a), thereby reducing the overall thickness of the device (1) along the main direction (4a), and - The retractable element (4) is expanded along the main direction (4a) by opening the actuating valve (51) to increase the overall thickness of the device (1) along the main direction (4a).

12. A method for controlling the seating height of a motor vehicle, comprising the vehicle according to claim 8 and the method of modifying the device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein during the contraction, the vehicle reduces its own seating height, and during the expansion, the vehicle increases its own seating height.

13. The method for controlling the seating height of a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the contraction is performed in response to the stop signal and the expansion is performed in response to the movement signal.

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