Massage device for a backrest of a vehicle seat

Abstract

Massage device (6) for a backrest (2) of a vehicle seat (1), the massage device (6) comprising: - a control device (9), - a feed pump (10) for conveying air and - an air cushion device inflatable by the feed pump (10), which has an air cushion (7) with several inflatable chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) and channels (22) connecting the chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), wherein the air cushion (7) can be filled via a single air line (8) and has a single common air connection (24) for air intake and air discharge, wherein each chamber (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) has a pressure region (20) for exerting a pressure effect, which is provided in the region of the greatest thickness of the chamber (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) in the inflated state, wherein the air cushion (7) is free of valves, wherein the control unit (9), the feed pump (10) and the air cushion (7) with the channels (22) and cross sections and lengths of the channels (22) are designed in such a way that inflation processes of the individual chambers (18, 19) overlap and have a time delay, wherein internal air flows through the individual channels (22) relative to one another and in relation to the supplied air flow via the air line (8) set by the feed pump (10) are designed in such a way that by selecting the cross sections and lengths of the individual channels (22) a massage function with the time delay of the inflation processes of the individual chambers (18, 19) is set.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a massage device for a backrest of a vehicle seat, as well as a corresponding backrest.

[0002] Massage devices in backrests, especially in high-quality vehicle seats, serve to increase comfort and prevent tension in the user's back. They are typically designed for the lower or middle back area, e.g., in the lumbar or lordosis region. Such massage devices typically feature several air cushions connected to a feed pump via air lines (pneumatic lines) and corresponding valves. The individual air cushions can be inflated and deflated at intervals. A particularly effective massage effect can be achieved by inflating the air cushions at different times rather than simultaneously.

[0003] DE 102 38 240 A1 shows such a massage system with several air cushions that are connected to a feed pump via valve devices and are alternately inflated and deflated accordingly.

[0004] EP 1 200 035 A2 shows an air cushion device with several air cushions arranged vertically one above the other, which can be successively pressurised via corresponding lines.

[0005] DE 100 63 478 A1 discloses a seat with multiple air cushions, in which the pressure in the cushions and / or the frequency of compressed air application can be varied during the massage. EP 1 447 070 A1, DE 10 2009 008 421 A1, and DE 31 42 833 A1 also disclose massage devices with air cushions.

[0006] US 6,074,006 A describes a vehicle seat with pneumatic pelvic stabilization, wherein two wedge-shaped cushions are controlled via a valve and a pump in such a way that they are inflated to support the pelvic area of ​​a user.

[0007] DE 20 2004 009 923 U1 describes a control system for a motor vehicle seat, in particular a lumbar adjustment device, with a control device and a switch device for actuation. EP 1 447 070 A1 describes a seat with a massage device in which an air cushion with multiple chambers is formed between flexible foils; the multiple chambers are controlled via separate lines.

[0008] DE 102 42 760 A1 describes a vehicle seat with a massage function in which several air cushions are controlled via separate lines.

[0009] Such massage devices are relatively complex to manufacture and require considerable installation space. They are generally attached to the backrest using additional structures or fastening elements, e.g., directly in the upholstery or on the backrest structure. Accordingly, installation can be quite complex.

[0010] DE 199 17 495 A1 describes a vehicle seat in which an airbag is provided in the area of ​​a cushion. The air volume or gas volume in the airbag is adjustable and the airbag comprises several individual, interconnected finger airbags. The airbag can comprise several independent chambers, with the airbag, in particular, comprising a flexible, but non-stretchable, or only slightly stretchable, shell.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of creating a massage device for a backrest of a vehicle seat and such a backrest which enable a massage effect with relatively little effort.

[0012] This object is achieved by a massage device according to claim 1 and a backrest according to claim 10. The subclaims describe preferred developments.

[0013] According to the invention, an air cushion device is thus provided which comprises an air cushion with a plurality of chambers and channels, wherein the plurality of chambers are connected to one another via the channels (or connecting regions). The chambers of the air cushion are inflatable, i.e., they increase their thickness when pressurized with air, thereby achieving a massage effect. The channels (or connecting regions) of the air cushion connecting the chambers are not relevant for the direct massage effect; they preferably experience no or no significant cross-sectional increase when pressurized with air. The air cushion is connected via a single air line.

[0014] According to the invention, no valves are provided in the air cushion. The multiple chambers are thus connected by channels without valves. The air flow velocity in the channels between the chambers is thus determined by the cross-section and length of the channels.

[0015] Particularly preferred is that there are no valves between the air cushion and the air line, and preferably also no valves in the air line itself. A single valve in the control device or in the feed pump, for example, is sufficient.

[0016] Advantageously, the air cushion device is formed exclusively by this air cushion; thus, only a single air cushion is provided with the several chambers that are connected to each other by the internal channels.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the common air access for the air cushion is provided in or on one of the chambers. This means that this chamber is filled and inflated first when pressurized. This already achieves a time difference in the inflation process of the chambers. Even during the inflation process of the directly connected chamber, air continues to flow through the channels or connecting areas of the air cushion to the other chambers, so that these are inflated with a certain time delay during the dynamic inflation process. By selecting the length and cross-section of the channels in the air cushion, a massage effect can be achieved through successive or relatively delayed inflation of the chambers.

[0018] Advantageously, the shared air inlet also serves as the shared air outlet. Thus, when the air is released or emptied from the chambers via the shared air line, the chambers gradually change, thus creating a dynamic massage process.

[0019] Thus, according to the invention, a dynamic massage process can be achieved without additional valves in the air cushion, ie without valves between the chambers or in the channels.

[0020] The air cushion can, in particular, have four chambers, preferably symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides. The two upper chambers can be the same size as or slightly larger than the two lower chambers. The exact design of the chambers can be adapted to the specific fit of the backrest.

[0021] The air cushion can be constructed cost-effectively as a single component, e.g., by folding a single plastic sheet. The walls of the chambers and channels can be formed quickly and cost-effectively by welding or gluing the upper and lower layers.

[0022] The control and air supply to the air cushion can also be implemented very simply. The air line can, for example, be connected directly to the control unit (ECU), so that in this case the feed pump is connected to the control unit via a second air line and one or more electrical control lines. Furthermore, a user-operated, programmable switching device for preprogramming the massage processes can be connected to the control unit.

[0023] The air line to the air cushion can run entirely beneath the backrest cover. The control device and the feed pump can be located in a lower area of ​​the backrest and attached, for example, to a structural component or within a cushion body.

[0024] The air cushion can be placed directly between the upholstery body and the cover.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a vehicle seat with a backrest according to the invention; Fig. 2 the massage device according to the invention Fig. 1 in a) Section view AA from Fig. 1 in the deflated state, b) Section view AA from Fig. 1 in the inflated state; and c) Front view of b).

[0026] A vehicle seat 1 has according to Fig. 1 comprises a backrest 2, a seat section 3, and a headrest 4. The backrest 2 has, in the usual manner, a central support area 2a and laterally adjacent side bulges 2b. The support area 2a serves to support the user's back and, when in the resting state, is essentially flat or slightly curved; the side bulges 2b preferably protrude slightly and serve to laterally limit or support the back.

[0027] A massage device 6 is provided entirely or partially in the contact area 2a of the backrest 2. The massage device 6 comprises an inflatable air cushion 7, an air line (pneumatic line) 8, a control device 9, a feed pump 10, and a switching device 11.

[0028] According to the embodiment shown, the feed pump 10 is connected to the control device 9 via an electrical control line 10a and a second air line 10b; thus, the control device 9 can switch the feed pump 10 on and off via corresponding control signals, with the compressed air being fed via the second air line 10b to the control device 9, to which the air line 8 is connected. The user actuates a switching device 11, which is connected to the control device 9 via an electrical control line 11a. The power supply of the components 9, 10, 11 is not shown; they can be connected separately to a power supply, but the switching device 11 can also be powered via the control device 9.

[0029] The air cushion 7 is accommodated between a cushion body 14 made of foam material, for example, and a backrest cover 16, which represents the outer covering of the backrest 2. Thus, the air cushion 7 - as in Fig. 1 by the dashed line—not visible from the outside. The air duct 8 is also advantageously housed beneath the backrest cover 16 and is not visible. From a vertical position, the air cushion 7 is advantageously located in a central or lower part of the support area 2a of the backrest 2, so that it serves to support the lumbar and / or lordosis region of a user.

[0030] The control device 9, the feed pump 10, and the switching device 11 can also be combined with one another, in whole or in part. The switching device 11 can, for example, provide individual switches for current activations; in particular, this can pre-program a massage procedure that is subsequently executed automatically.

[0031] The air cushion 7 is preferably cross-shaped or cloverleaf-shaped. It has four chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, which significantly increase their volume when the air cushion 7 is inflated via the air line 8, so that the backrest cover 16 is pushed forward at these points, i.e., away from the cushion body 14. The air cushion 7 is advantageously symmetrical with respect to the backrest axis of symmetry or the shown section axis AA, so that the two cushions 18 and the two cushions 19 are each identical or approximately identical. According to the embodiment shown, the two upper chambers 18a, 18b are somewhat larger than the two lower chambers 19a, 19b; however, the chambers 18a, b and 19a, b can also be identical or, when inflated, have the same thickness.

[0032] In their central area, the cushions 18a, 18b, 19a and 19b each have pressure areas 20 which protrude the furthest and thus exert the massage effect on the user's back.

[0033] Between the chambers 18a, 18b, 19a and 19b channels (connecting areas) 22 are provided through which, as in Fig. 2c) As indicated by the arrows, air can flow between the chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, and 19b. An air flow from each of the four chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, and 19b to each of the other three chambers is possible.

[0034] The entire air cushion 7 is advantageously made in one piece from a plastic material, e.g., a plastic film or plastic sheeting. For this purpose, a plastic sheeting can be folded, for example. An upper layer and lower layer of the plastic sheeting are (in Fig. 2c) are welded or glued together. The chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, and 19b and the channels 22 can thus be defined by welding or gluing the upper and lower layers of the plastic sheet.

[0035] No valves are provided in or on the air cushions 7. Preferably, no valves are provided in the air line 8 or between the air cushion 7 and the air line 8. A valve 23 in or on the control unit 9 or in the feed pump 10 is sufficient.

[0036] Thus, both the air supply to the air cushion 7 and the air release take place via the air line 8 and the valve 23.

[0037] The air line 8 is connected to one of the chambers via an air connection 24. According to the embodiment shown, this is the lower left chamber 19b (in the direction of travel), which is thus inflated most quickly when air is supplied via the air line 8. The other chambers 19a, 18b, and 18a are subsequently filled with air via the channels 22. The channels 22 can be designed with appropriate cross-sections and lengths depending on the desired massage function. Since no valves are provided in the air cushion 7, the inflation processes of the individual chambers 18, 19 overlap; the time delay depends on the size of the internal air flow through the individual channels 22 relative to one another and in relation to the externally supplied air flow through the air line 8. The massage function can thus be adjusted by selecting the cross-sections and lengths of the individual channels 22.

[0038] Thus, for example, it can be set that after the left lower chamber 19b, the left upper chamber 18b is filled first and the two right chambers 18a, 19a are filled with some time delay, for example one after the other.

[0039] The arrows in Fig. 2c) indicate the filling process. To empty or vent the air cushion 7, air flows in the opposite direction, i.e., from the air cushion 7 via the air line 8 and can be released, for example, to the control device 9 via the valve 23.

[0040] Due to the delayed air transfer caused by the different air paths between chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, and 19b, a gradual massage effect on the user's back can be achieved during both inflation and deflation. This massage effect can be achieved through essentially the entire cross-section of chambers 18a, 18b, 19a, and 19b, with the greatest massage effect in pressure zones 20.

[0041] Massage processes can be adjusted by the user via the control device 11, e.g., the duration and, if applicable, the intensity of the massage processes. A massage program with repeated inflation and deflation of the air cushion 7 can then be automatically performed.

Claims

[1] Massage device (6) for a backrest (2) of a vehicle seat (1), the massage device (6) comprising: - a control device (9), - a feed pump (10) for conveying air and - an air cushion device inflatable by the feed pump (10), which has an air cushion (7) with several inflatable chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) and channels (22) connecting the chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), wherein the air cushion (7) can be filled via a single air line (8) and has a single common air connection (24) for air intake and air discharge, wherein each chamber (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) has a pressure region (20) for exerting a pressure effect, which is provided in the region of the greatest thickness of the chamber (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) in the inflated state, wherein the air cushion (7) is free of valves, wherein the control unit (9), the feed pump (10) and the air cushion (7) with the channels (22) and cross sections and lengths of the channels (22) are designed in such a way that inflation processes of the individual chambers (18, 19) overlap and have a time delay, wherein internal air flows through the individual channels (22) relative to one another and in relation to the supplied air flow via the air line (8) set by the feed pump (10) are designed in such a way that by selecting the cross sections and lengths of the individual channels (22) a massage function with the time delay of the inflation processes of the individual chambers (18, 19) is set. [2] Massage device (6) according to claim 1, characterized by that the air cushion (7) has four inflatable chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), wherein an air flow from each of the four chambers (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) to each of the other three chambers is possible. [3] Massage device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the air connection (24) is provided on one of the chambers (19b). [4] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air line (8) and the connection between the air line (8) and the air cushion (7) are free of valves. [5] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a single valve (23) for supplying and discharging air is provided in the control device (9) and / or in the feed pump (10). [6] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air cushion (7) is connected to the control device (9) via the air line (8), wherein the feed pump (10) is connected to the control device (9) via an electrical control line (10a) and a pneumatic line (10b). [7] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a switching device (11) to be actuated by the user for actuating the air cushion and / or for programming massage processes is provided, which is integrated in the control device (9) or is connected to the control device (9) via an electrical control line (11a). [8] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air cushion (7) is made of a plastic tarpaulin or plastic film, e.g. a folded plastic tarpaulin, and the channels (22) are formed by contact areas (25), e.g. welds or adhesives, of an upper layer and lower layer of the plastic tarpaulin. [9] Massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air cushion (7) and the air line (8) are provided for attachment between a cushion body (14) of the backrest and a backrest cover (16) of the backrest (2). [10] Backrest (2) comprising: a cushion body (14), a backrest cover (16) which surrounds the upholstered body (14) at least in some areas, and a massage device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air cushion (7) is provided between the cushion body (14) and the backrest cover (16), preferably in a central contact area (2a) of the backrest (2) between side beads (2b) of the backrest (2).

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