Seating device for a vehicle

Abstract

Seating device (20) for a vehicle with a seat cushion element (4) and a backrest element (2) connected to the seat cushion element (4) and movable relative to it; at least one seat panel (5) arranged laterally on the seat cushion element (4); and a backrest cover (9) arranged on the backrest element (2), characterized in that the seat device (20) further comprises at least one flexibly stretchable sail (10, 10a, 10b) which is arranged laterally between the seat cushion element (4) and the backrest element (2) and is connected to the seat cushion element (4) and the backrest element (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seating device for a vehicle comprising a seat cushion element and a backrest element connected to the seat cushion element and movable relative thereto; at least one seat panel arranged laterally on the seat cushion element; and a backrest cover arranged on the backrest element.

[0002] Vehicle seats with a seat cushion and a seat back are known from the prior art. The seat back is usually integrally connected to the seat cushion and mounted movably, allowing the user to adjust the angle of the backrest. The connection point between the seat cushion and the seat back is designed so that technical connecting structures are covered by a hard plastic cover to prevent potential damage.

[0003] The subsequently published document DE 10 2020 103 788 A1 describes a vehicle seat with a shielding device for a vehicle passenger.

[0004] The document DE 10 2019 208 755 A1 relates to a headrest for a seat, wherein the headrest has a first and a second shielding element.

[0005] The document DE 20 2016 005 379 U1 describes a vehicle seat for a vehicle with a backrest and a convertible top arrangement.

[0006] To ensure that the mobility of the seat back and ease of entry are not impeded, such a panel only covers a specific side area. The shape is always rigid and can only be adjusted to the seating position in one position. This seating position usually corresponds to an upright position of the seat back. However, in autonomously controlled vehicles, resting positions with a tilted seat back are of key importance. If the seat back is adjusted, for example to a resting position of 40°, it no longer matches the seat cushion and panel. The connecting structures concealed by this panel are then exposed again. In such an extreme position, the vehicle seat appears to be defective in terms of design, as a visual predetermined breaking point is created between the seat back and the seat cushion. Furthermore, dirt can penetrate the exposed connecting structures and damage them over time.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is therefore to provide an improved seat for a vehicle which, on the one hand, minimizes the risk of damage to exposed connecting structures and, on the other hand, offers optimal comfort in various seating positions.

[0008] This object is achieved by a seat device for a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of patent claim 12. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0009] Thus, a seat device for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a seat cushion element and a backrest element connected to the seat cushion element and movable relative thereto; at least one seat panel arranged laterally on the seat cushion element; and a backrest cover arranged on the backrest element. It is provided that the seat device further comprises at least one flexibly stretchable sail arranged laterally between the seat cushion element and the backrest element and connected to the seat cushion element and the backrest element.

[0010] The stretchable sail provides optimal coverage for the seating structure, preventing the connecting structures between the backrest and seat cushion from becoming exposed. This minimizes the risk of damage, for example, due to dirt.

[0011] Here, the sail can relax as a result of a first movement of the backrest element toward a first reclining position. The first movement can occur along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, extending from a rear section of the vehicle to a front section of the vehicle. In other words, the first movement can be an uprighting of the backrest element, with the first reclining position corresponding to an upright position. In this position, the sail can retract sufficiently to automatically allow entry / exit. Consequently, entry and exit are possible comfortably.

[0012] Furthermore, the sail can be stretched to a different reclining position as a result of a further movement of the backrest element that differs from the first movement. The second movement can correspond to an inclination of the backrest element. The sail stretches so that it encloses a user in the seat. This creates a so-called "cocooning effect," which offers a high level of comfort, especially in autonomous driving.

[0013] More specifically, in the further reclining position, the backrest element can have an inclination relative to an axis running through a pivot point of the backrest element perpendicular to the seat cushion element. The backrest angle relative to the axis can range from 20° to 80°. The further reclining position can correspond to a resting position.

[0014] In this context, the backrest element can be arranged substantially parallel to the axis in the first reclining position. As briefly described above, the first reclining position can correspond to an upright position.

[0015] For attachment, a first section of the sail connected to the backrest element can be attached under the backrest cover. Furthermore, another section of the sail connected to the seat cushion element can be attached under the seat panel. This attachment can be achieved in such a way that the sail is stretched between the backrest element and the seat cushion element and the seat panel. This ensures that, when the backrest element moves, the connecting structures are concealed regardless of its position, and the sail expands or contracts accordingly according to the movement, comfortably surrounding the user.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the seating device may further comprise a rod connected to the sail, which is adapted to influence a shape contour of the sail. For example, the rod may be arranged below the sail at an upper end portion of the sail, such that it influences the shape and elongation of the sail.

[0017] For this purpose, the rod can comprise several sections with different cross-sections. The different cross-sections can be adjusted to achieve different bending radii. The tension of the sail is adjusted accordingly using the different bending radii.

[0018] Between the seat panel and the backrest cover, the seat device may further comprise a recess which enables the movement of the backrest element relative to the seat cushion element.

[0019] The sail may be made of a stretchable material that includes a flat material such as a nonwoven material or a stretch material.

[0020] The stretch material can be a 2-way stretch fabric or a 4-way stretch fabric. For example, the 4-way stretch fabric can have one stretch direction in the transverse direction and another stretch direction in the lengthwise direction of the sail. This provides additional flexibility.

[0021] The above object is also achieved by a vehicle with a seating device as described above.

[0022] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of a seating device for a vehicle; Fig. 2 a simplified schematic representation of a movement of a backrest element of an embodiment of the seat device; Fig. 3 a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of the seating device; and Fig. 4 a simplified schematic sectional view through the backrest element of an embodiment of the seating device.

[0023] In Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of a seat device 20 for a vehicle (not shown in Fig. 1). The seat device 20 comprises a seat cushion element 4, a backrest element 2 connected to the seat cushion element 4 and movable relative thereto, and a headrest 1.

[0024] In addition, the seat device 20 comprises at least one seat panel 5 arranged laterally on the seat cushion element 4. In Fig. 1 illustrates a side seat panel 5. A further seat panel 5 arranged on the opposite side of the seating device 20 is also possible.

[0025] Furthermore, the seat device 20 has a backrest cover 9, which forms a recess 6, 6a, 6b with the seat panel 5, which will be described in detail later.

[0026] In Fig. 1 shows two different positions Pos1, Pos2 of the backrest element 2, which result from an adjustment of the backrest element 2.

[0027] In a conventional vehicle seat, such an adjustment of a seat back, especially to a tilted position, results in the exposed connecting structures in the transition area between the seat back and a seat cushion. These connecting structures are exposed to dirt or other objects in the vehicle and are damaged. However, since such tilted positions of the seat back play an important role in autonomous vehicles, for example, for relaxation, it is important to protect these connecting structures accordingly.

[0028] This is realized in the seat device 20 according to the invention of the present application by at least one flexibly stretchable sail 10, 10a, 10b included in the seat device 20, which is arranged laterally between the seat cushion element 4 and the backrest element 2 and is connected to the seat cushion element 4 and the backrest element 2.

[0029] The sail 10, 10a, 10b allows the exposed connecting structures to be covered in all positions of the backrest element 2. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sail 10, 10a, 10b is indicated by the hatched area. A sail 10, 10a, 10b arranged on the opposite side of the seating device 20 (not shown in Fig. 1) is also possible.

[0030] As shown on the right side in Fig. 1, the sail 10, 10a can be relaxed as a result of a first movement 11a of the backrest element 2 towards a first backrest position Pos1. The first movement 11a, which is indicated by a corresponding arrow in Fig. 1, takes place along a vehicle longitudinal direction FLR, which extends from a rear section of the vehicle to a front section of the vehicle. The backrest position Pos1 of the seat device 20 resulting from this movement 11a is shown on the left side in Fig. 1 illustrated.

[0031] In this context, Fig. 2 shows in simplified form the movements 11a, 11b of the backrest element 2 indicated by corresponding arrows (the sail 10, 10a, 10b is not in Fig. 2). The first movement 11a involves raising the backrest element 2 to the first backrest position Pos1. In Pos1, the sail 10, 10a can relax to such an extent, i.e., assume a maximally relaxed state, that entry / exit is possible without further restriction.

[0032] The sail 10, 10b can also be stretched as a result of a further movement 11b (hereinafter referred to as second movement 11b) of the backrest element 2, which is different from the first movement 11a, to a further backrest position Pos2 (hereinafter referred to as second backrest position Pos2). The second movement 11b is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is also indicated by a corresponding arrow. As can be seen from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the second movement involves a tilting of the backrest element 2 around a pivot point 13. In Fig. 2, the backrest element 2 is shown in various inclined positions Pos2, which is indicated by the dashed lines of the backrest elements 2. The inclined positions Pos2 are examples of further positions. In Pos2, the sail 10, 10b stretches, ie it can assume a maximally stretched state, so that it can support a user located in the seating device 20 (not in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown).

[0033] In the second backrest position Pos2, the backrest element 2 can have an inclination to an axis A running through the pivot point 13 of the backrest element 2 perpendicular to the seat cushion element 4. The axis A is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is also shown in simplified form by a dashed line. The backrest angle LW to axis A can range from 20° to 80°, in particular 40°. The second backrest position Pos2 corresponds to a resting position.

[0034] Furthermore, the backrest element 2 can be arranged in the first backrest position Pos1 substantially parallel to the axis A. The first backrest position Pos1 can correspond to an upright position, as already described above.

[0035] A first section of the sail 10, 10a, 10b connected to the backrest element 2 is mounted under the backrest cover 9, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. Fig. Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic sectional view through the backrest element. A further section of the sail 10, 10a, 10b connected to the seat cushion element 4 can be mounted under the seat panel 5, as shown in Fig. 1. The corresponding sections are attached to the backrest element 2 and the seat cushion element 4 in such a way that the sail 10, 10a, 10b is stretched between the backrest element 2 and the seat cushion element 4 and the seat panel 5. This arrangement ensures that the connecting structures are covered during a movement 11a, 11b of the backrest element 2, regardless of the respective position.

[0036] The seat device 20 may further comprise a rod 12 connected to the sail 10, 10a, 10b, which acts on a contour of the sail 10, 10a, 10b. In this context, Fig. 3 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the seating device 20 with the rod 12 in the two previously described backrest positions Pos1, Pos2. The rod 12 is arranged, for example, at an upper end of the sail 10, 10a, 10b. From the Fig. 4, it can be seen that the rod 12 can be accommodated in an outermost end region of the sail 10, 10a, 10b. Furthermore, Fig. 4 illustrates two sails 10, 10a, and 10b. Rod 12 allows for the shape and elongation of sails 10, 10a, and 10b to be influenced.

[0037] For this purpose, the rod 12 comprises several sections with different cross-sections 12a, 12b. Different bending radii can be achieved by the different cross-sections 12a, 12b. For example, a cross-section 12a in a central section of the rod 12 can be smaller than a cross-section 12b at an end section of the rod 12. The smaller cross-section 12a results in a smaller bending radius, which ensures sufficient tension of the sail 10, 10a, 10b in the central region.

[0038] As already indicated above, the seat device 20 can further comprise a recess 6, 6a, 6b between the seat panel 5 and the backrest cover 9, which allows the movement of the backrest element 2 relative to the seat cushion element 4. In this case, the recess 6, 6a is in Fig. 1 on the left side in Pos1 of the backrest element 2 in the maximum open position. On the right side of the Fig. 1 in Pos2 of the backrest element 2, the recess 6, 6b is illustrated in the maximum closed state.

[0039] Furthermore, the sail 10, 10a, 10b can be made of a stretchable material comprising a flat material such as a nonwoven material, or a stretch material.

[0040] For example, the stretch material can be a 2-way stretch fabric or a 4-way stretch fabric. Depending on the requirements of the sail 10, 10a, 10b, the 2-way stretch fabric can be used, which has a predetermined stretch direction. The use of the 4-way stretch fabric, which has two stretch directions, longitudinal and transverse, is also possible.

[0041] A vehicle with the seating device 20 described above therefore offers optimal comfort during autonomous driving. The sail arrangement also prevents damage to the connecting structures of the seating device.

Claims

[1] Seat device (20) for a vehicle with a seat cushion element (4) and a backrest element (2) connected to the seat cushion element (4) and movable relative to it; at least one seat panel (5) arranged laterally on the seat cushion element (4); and a backrest cover (9) arranged on the backrest element (2), characterized by that the seating device (20) further comprises at least one flexibly stretchable sail (10, 10a, 10b) which is arranged laterally between the seat cushion element (4) and the backrest element (2) and is connected to the seat cushion element (4) and the backrest element (2). [2] Seat device (20) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the sail (10, 10a) is relaxed as a result of a first movement (11a) of the backrest element (2) towards a first backrest position (Pos1), wherein the first movement (11a) takes place along a vehicle longitudinal direction (FLR) which extends from a rear section of the vehicle to a front section of the vehicle. [3] Seat device (20) according to claim 2, characterized by that the sail (10, 10b) is stretched towards a further backrest position (Pos2) as a result of a further movement (11b) of the backrest element (2) which is different from the first movement (11a). [4] Seat device (20) according to claim 3, characterized byin that the backrest element (2) in the further backrest position (Pos2) has an inclination to an axis (A) running through a pivot point (13) of the backrest element (2) perpendicular to the seat cushion element (4), wherein a backrest angle (LW) to the axis (A) is in a range of 20° to 80°, and wherein the further backrest position (Pos2) corresponds to a rest position. [5] Seat device (20) according to claim 4, characterized by that the backrest element (2) is arranged in the first backrest position (Pos1) substantially parallel to the axis (A), wherein the first backrest position (Pos1) corresponds to an upright position. [6] Seat device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a first section of the sail (10, 10a, 10b) connected to the backrest element (2) is mounted under the backrest cover (9), and that a further section of the sail (10, 10a, 10b) connected to the seat cushion element (4) is mounted under the seat panel (5), such that the sail (10, 10a, 10b) is stretched between the backrest element (2) and the seat cushion element (4) and the seat panel (5). [7] Seat device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that it further comprises a rod (12) connected to the sail (10, 10a, 10b) which is adapted to act on a shape contour of the sail (10, 10a, 10b). [8] Seat device (20) according to claim 7, characterized by in that the rod (12) comprises a plurality of sections which have mutually different cross-sections (12a, 12b), wherein the different cross-sections (12a, 12b) are adapted such that different bending radii are obtained. [9] Seat device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it further comprises a recess (6, 6a, 6b) between the seat panel (5) and the backrest cover (9), which enables the movement of the backrest element (2) relative to the seat cushion element (4). [10] Seat device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sail (10, 10a, 10b) is made of a stretchable material comprising a flat material such as a nonwoven material or a stretch material. [11] Seat device (20) according to claim 10, characterized by that the stretch material is a 2-way stretch fabric or a 4-way stretch fabric. [12] Vehicle with a seating device (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

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