Motor vehicle seat with lighting device

Abstract

Motor vehicle seat having a backrest (3) on which a headrest (2) is arranged, characterized in that - a lighting device (1) generating ambient lighting is arranged on the headrest (2) of the motor vehicle seat, which lighting device is arranged on a side of the headrest (2) facing the backrest (3), wherein light emitted by the lighting device (1) is directed downwards onto the backrest (3) of the motor vehicle seat connected to the headrest (2), - the lighting device (1) is accommodated in a frame of the headrest (2), wherein a light exit opening (4) is provided on the frame, - the backrest (3) is indirectly illuminated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat equipped with a lighting device in the area of ​​the headrest; as well as the lighting device itself.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to provide so-called ambient lighting in motor vehicles. Such lighting elements are already incorporated into decorative components such as the instrument panel or door panel of a motor vehicle.

[0003] DE 80 34 797 U1 discloses a head and neck support which is combined with an interior or reading light in the area of ​​its surface.

[0004] DE 199 57 449 C1 discloses a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat part and a backrest, with a light for the entry area arranged on the outward-facing flank of the seat part. The light can be switched on by opening the adjacent motor vehicle door.

[0005] DE 10 2008 061 816 A1 discloses a headrest for a vehicle seat with a frame comprising two lateral frame parts that are connected to each other at least in their lower region. Also provided are upholstery, a cover, and a lighting device. The upholstery is provided only in the area of ​​the two lateral frame parts. The cover extends in the area between the two lateral frame parts, with the lighting device arranged within the cover.

[0006] DE 100 08 992 A1 discloses a device for illuminating a vehicle interior, wherein the interior has a headliner and wherein at least one seat with a headrest is arranged in the interior. At least one illuminant is arranged in at least one headrest such that light emerging from the illuminant at least partially strikes the vehicle headliner and from there illuminates the vehicle interior.

[0007] From DE 10 2006 035 508 A1 a motor vehicle is known, comprising two front seats and rear seats located behind them, wherein a reading light is integrated into the back of one or both front seats, which is fixed in position and aligned with its radiation field to illuminate the rear seats.

[0008] It is also known to attach a reading light for a rear passenger to a front seat of a motor vehicle. A vehicle seat with a lighting device that serves as a reading light is disclosed in DE 10 2009 013 942 A1. Therein, a vehicle seat is described in which a preferably horizontally arranged lighting device is accommodated in the rear of the backrest and / or the back of the headrest. This can be a reading lamp that has at least one light guide and at least one light source that couples light into the light guide. The light guide is guided with its radiating surface along the surface of the rear of the backrest or the headrest. Furthermore, it is provided there that at least one light source and the light guide are arranged in a flat support element lying in the plane of the rear of the backrest and fastened to a backrest frame.Furthermore, the light guide should be covered by a substantially flat cover element so that glare for rear passengers is avoided by directing the light downwards.

[0009] This results in a lighting device that is very bright and therefore does not emit atmospheric light and is only switched on when the rear passenger wishes to read.

[0010] Based on this state of the art, the task arises to create ambient lighting in a motor vehicle that is indirect and creates a feel-good atmosphere.

[0011] This object is achieved by the motor vehicle seat having the features of claim 1 and further by the lighting device having the features of claim 10. Further developments of the device are set out in the subclaims.

[0012] The motor vehicle seat according to the invention, which has a backrest and a headrest and is configured as known from the prior art, has a lighting device mounted on the headrest of the motor vehicle seat so that it faces the backrest of the seat. The light emitted by the lighting device is directed downwards onto the backrest of the motor vehicle seat connected to the headrest. This advantageously results in the backrest being indirectly illuminated and, thus, a pleasant light being distributed throughout the motor vehicle interior, which contributes to creating a pleasant interior atmosphere.

[0013] According to the invention, the lighting device is accommodated in the frame of the headrest, wherein a light exit opening is provided on the frame of the headrest in order to enable the light emission according to the invention.

[0014] In one embodiment, the headrest can be rigidly connected to the vehicle seat. A seat that already has this feature can be a bucket seat.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lighting device can comprise a light guide into which light from a light source is coupled. This light source can preferably be located inside or partially inside, but also outside, the headrest. In the case of a motor vehicle seat that is immovably connected to the headrest, it is easy to guide the light guide from a light source via the backrest into the headrest.

[0016] Alternatively, the lighting device can also directly incorporate a light source, particularly an LED. LEDs are particularly economical to use and also long-lasting. They have low energy consumption and can therefore also be powered by a battery.

[0017] In principle, every light source used must be electronically coupled to a power supply source. This light source can be located inside, partially inside, or, in another embodiment, outside the headrest. In this case, an electrical line can extend from the lighting device into the headrest, across the vehicle seat, to a corresponding power supply source.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the lighting device is electronically coupled to a door-opening mechanism. Such mechanisms are already known to those skilled in the art and are also used for conventional interior lighting in motor vehicles. When the lighting device is activated when the door is opened, the light emitted onto the backrest, which can also be colored, creates a pleasant ambient lighting effect and provides a welcoming effect for the boarding passenger.

[0019] These and other advantages are set forth in the following description with reference to the accompanying figure. Reference to the figure in the description serves to support the description and facilitate understanding of the subject matter. The figure is merely a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention; the sole figure shows a side view of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention.

[0020] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle seat having a backrest 3 on which a headrest 2 is arranged, as shown in Fig. 1. The seat is not depicted figuratively.

[0021] A lighting device 1 is arranged on the headrest 2 of the motor vehicle seat. This lighting device is integrated into the frame of the headrest 2 on the lower side of the headrest 2 in such a way that the light emitted by the lighting device 1 is directed downward onto the backrest 3. A passenger's gaze can be directed, for example, through the illuminated gap between the headrest 2 and the backrest 3, as shown by arrow a.

[0022] In the present case, the lighting device 1 is completely incorporated into the frame of the headrest 2 and there is a light exit opening 4 on the lower side of the headrest 2, or rather on its frame.

[0023] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the lighting device 1 protrudes somewhat from the frame and is therefore only partially incorporated into the frame.

[0024] Advantageously, the headrest 2 is immovably connected to the vehicle seat to ensure that the headrest 2 is not moved directly toward the backrest 3, thus obscuring the emitted light. Such a suitable vehicle seat with a fixed headrest 2 can, for example, be a bucket seat.

[0025] One embodiment of the light emission can be realized by a light guide that opens into the light exit opening and into which light is coupled from a light source that can also be arranged outside the headrest.

[0026] Alternatively, light can also be provided directly in the lighting device by a light source 1', Fig. 1, such as an LED 1'. Such light sources 1' can also emit light of a desired, selectable color, regardless of whether they are an LED 1' or a conventional light source 1'.

[0027] The light source 1' is electronically coupled to a corresponding power supply source for power supply. This power supply source can also be one or more batteries located in the headrest 2.

[0028] Especially when using LEDs, this can be easily achieved using small, high-performance batteries.

[0029] If the energy supply source is located outside the headrest 2, the energy can be supplied to the lighting device 1, or to the light source, by means of an electrical line that extends from the energy source through the motor vehicle seat and through the headrest 2 to the lighting device 1.

[0030] Here too, it is advantageous if the headrest 2 is firmly connected to the backrest 3, as is the case when using optical fibers, since the immutability of the headrest 2 prevents undesirable damage to such an optical fiber or to the power supply line.

[0031] If the lighting device 1 is advantageously electronically coupled to a door opening mechanism of a motor vehicle such that when the door is opened the lighting device is activated and the illuminant begins to emit light, the desired ambient lighting effect according to the invention is achieved, which welcomes a vehicle passenger into the vehicle.

[0032] The implementation of such coupled door opening lighting mechanisms is known to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle seat having a backrest (3) on which a headrest (2) is arranged, characterized by , that - a lighting device (1) generating ambient lighting is arranged on the headrest (2) of the motor vehicle seat, which lighting device is arranged on a side of the headrest (2) facing the backrest (3), wherein light emitted by the lighting device (1) is directed downwards onto the backrest (3) of the motor vehicle seat connected to the headrest (2), - the lighting device (1) is accommodated in a frame of the headrest (2), wherein a light exit opening (4) is provided on the frame, - the backrest (3) is indirectly illuminated. [2] Motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized by that the headrest (2) is immovably connected to the motor vehicle seat. [3] Motor vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the motor vehicle seat is a bucket seat. [4] Motor vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the lighting device (1) comprises a light guide into which light from a light source (1') is coupled. [5] Motor vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized by that the lighting device (1) comprises a light guide into which light from a light source (1') arranged outside the headrest (2) is coupled. [6] Motor vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that - the lighting device (1) comprises a light source (1'), or - the lighting device (1) comprises an LED. [7] Motor vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized by that the lighting means (1') is electronically coupled to a power supply source, wherein the power supply source comprises one or more batteries arranged in the headrest. [8] Motor vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized by that the lighting means (1') is electronically coupled to a power supply source which is located outside the headrest (2), wherein an electrical line extends from the lighting device through the headrest (2) and across the motor vehicle seat to the power supply source. [9] Motor vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the lighting device (1) can be electronically coupled to a door opening mechanism. [10] Lighting device (1) suitable for arrangement on a motor vehicle seat (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9.

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