Seat device for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for operating a motor vehicle with a seat device

Abstract

Seat device (2) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the seat device (2) has a vehicle seat (12) and at least two plates (18) arranged adjacent to one another and tiltably mounted on a respective support element (21), wherein each of the plates (18) is movably coupled to the at least one adjacent plate (18) on a coupling side (19), and the vehicle seat (12) is coupled to the respective plate (18) at least indirectly on a side (22) of the plate (18) facing away from the respective support element (21), characterized in that when a force (29) is applied from the vehicle seat (12) to exactly one of the plates (18), said plate can be brought into a first tilt position and the at least one adjacent plate (18) can be brought into a second tilt position, wherein the second tilt position is a mirror image of the first tilt position on the coupling side (19).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat device for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having such a seat device and a method for operating such a motor vehicle, i.e., a method for operating a motor vehicle having such a seat device.

[0002] At least one seating device is typically arranged in a motor vehicle. For example, a driver's seat and a front passenger seat can be arranged in a front region of the interior of the motor vehicle, and several rear seats can be arranged in a rear region of the interior. At least the driver's seat and the front passenger seat often have a seat adjustment option, so that, for example, a seat height relative to a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle and / or a relative arrangement of a seat surface and a backrest of the respective seat can be adjusted.

[0003] US Pat. No. 8,942,892 B2 discloses a vehicle seat system comprising a vehicle seat and a seat control motor coupled to the seat. The seat control motor is configured to move the vehicle seat to a desired position and generate a vibration within the vehicle seat.

[0004] CN 1 09 334 519 B shows an adjustable vehicle seat by means of which, for example, a height and a rotation angle of the vehicle seat about a vertical axis of the vehicle seat can be adjusted.

[0005] GB 946 298 A discloses a combination vehicle seat with a support and spring unit that can be actuated by subatmospheric pressure to raise the seat from a floor. A leveling valve is also provided that is responsive to a change in the level of the seat and is operative to control the unit to maintain the seat at a predetermined intermediate level, regardless of changes in the load on the seat.

[0006] DE 10 2020 121 379 A1 discloses a system for increasing the travel comfort of at least one occupant in a vehicle, in particular for suppressing symptoms of kinetosis. The system comprises a vehicle seat, a sensor device, and a control device for controlling a comfort device. The control comprises modifying a comfort parameter based on the sensor parameter, and the comfort parameter comprises suspension parameters and / or damping parameters of the vehicle seat.

[0007] DE 10 2010 055 955 A1 discloses a seat system, particularly for a vehicle, comprising a seat cushion and at least one lifting device for raising or lowering a portion of the seat cushion relative to at least one other portion of the seat cushion. The at least one lifting device can be used to tilt the pelvis of a seat occupant about a rotational axis located in the symmetry plane of the pelvis.

[0008] WO 2007 / 142 448 A1 discloses a chair seat comprising a front fixed member fixed to a front portion of a frame supported by a leg unit, and a rear movable member divided into left and right parts behind the front fixed member and having a movement device allowing the left and right parts to rotate under the weight of an occupant, thereby effectively distributing the weight on the hips.

[0009] It is the object of the invention to provide a solution by means of which a robust seating device for a motor vehicle can be provided.

[0010] The problem is solved by the subject matter having the features of the independent patent claims.

[0011] A first aspect of the invention relates to a seating device for a motor vehicle. The seating device comprises a vehicle seat and at least two plates. The two plates are arranged adjacent to one another and tiltably mounted on a respective support element. Preferably, the seating device comprises exactly two plates arranged adjacent to one another and tiltably mounted on the respective support element. The respective plate is characterized in that a length and a width of the plate are greater than a height or depth of the plate. The length is preferably arranged in a transverse direction, the width in a depth direction, and the height in a vertical direction of the seating device and in particular of the vehicle seat. Each of the plates is movably coupled to the at least one adjacent plate on a coupling side. This coupling is preferably achieved by interlocking the two plates.Alternatively, the coupling can be realized by means of a spring element connecting the two plates. A region of the toothing is formed, for example, on the coupling side of the respective plate. The coupling sides of the coupled plates are preferably formed parallel to one another and preferably lie opposite one another, in particular touching one another. For example, a first plate has a recess on the coupling side and an adjacent second plate has a protruding element on the coupling side adjacent to the coupling side of the first plate, which can engage in the recess of the first plate. The two adjacent coupled plates are movable relative to one another at least in a vertical direction of the seat device, which is preferably formed parallel to the plane of the coupling side. The coupling side is preferably arranged perpendicular to the side of the plate facing away from the respective support element.The coupling side can alternatively be called the contact side because it represents the area of ​​the plates where the two plates preferentially touch each other.

[0012] The vehicle seat is coupled to the respective plate at least indirectly on a side of the plate facing away from the respective support element. Thus, viewed in the vertical direction, the seat device comprises the vehicle seat, adjacent to it the at least two interconnected plates coupled to the vehicle seat, and then the respective support elements, on each of which one of the plates is tiltably mounted. In other words, the respective support element is arranged on a side of the plate opposite the side facing away from the respective support element and thus facing away from the vehicle seat.

[0013] When a force is applied from the vehicle seat to one of the plates, this plate can be brought into a first tilted position and the at least one adjacent plate into a second tilted position. When a force is applied to one of the plates from the direction of the vehicle seat, the seat device is therefore designed to bring this plate, i.e. the plate that has experienced the force, into the first tilted position and the at least one adjacent plate into the second tilted position, i.e. to move it or, in other words, to tilt or rotate it. The force application varies locally, i.e., the case is assumed in which, for example, a plate arranged on the right in the transverse direction experiences the force and is then brought into the first tilted position. The left plate coupled to the right plate is also moved due to the force acting on the right plate, namely into the second tilted position.The second tilt position is a reflection of the first tilt position on the coupling side. The coupling side therefore represents a mirror plane, at which the position into which the right panel, for example, was tilted is ultimately mirrored. The mirrored position corresponds to the position of the left panel in the second tilt position. Ultimately, due to the coupling, both panels always behave in a mirrored manner. This does not involve a point reflection at a specific point on the seating device, but rather a reflection at the mirror plane, with the mirror plane being defined by the coupling side or at least arranged parallel to the coupling side. Ultimately, the mirror plane is provided by the coupling side.

[0014] In other words, when a force is applied from the vehicle seat to one of the plates, this plate can be tilted and at least one adjacent plate can be tilted with a tilting movement that is mirrored compared to the tilting effected on the coupling side. If the force applied, for example, causes the right plate to be pushed down in the vertical direction of the seat device, the left plate will also move in this direction because the tilting movement of the right plate is mirrored by the left plate. This means that the part of the vehicle seat that is coupled, for example, to the left plate is also moved in line with the rest of the vehicle seat. The plates, together with the respective support element, form at least two rockers or one- and / or two-sided levers. A point of contact between the respective support element and the respective plate forms a pivot point around which the tilting movement occurs under the application of force.Ultimately, despite a purely local weight distribution of a person sitting on the vehicle seat, this can ensure that the vehicle seat is not tilted relative to a plane of a vehicle floor on which the seat device is positioned, for example, but is always arranged parallel to the vehicle floor. This requires that the seat device is arranged in a preferred installation position in the motor vehicle, in which the two adjacent plates are preferably arranged parallel to the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle within the seat device.

[0015] It can also be assumed that the force exerted on at least one plate is greater than a minimum force, causing the plate to tilt. For forces less than or equal to the minimum force, it may not be possible to move the plates into a first or second tilt position deviating from their initial position because the force acting on the plate is too small.

[0016] Ultimately, the coupling between the plates results in a compensating countermovement of the plate, which is not directly subjected to the force at all, so that the vehicle seat, in particular a seat surface of the vehicle seat, can remain parallel to the vehicle floor or parallel to the vehicle floor. In the case of a seat device not installed in a motor vehicle, in the event of a local force acting from the vehicle seat, it can be achieved that the vehicle seat only moves parallel to the seat surface and that the seat surface does not tilt relative to its initial position without the application of force.

[0017] In the event of locally varying forces acting on the vehicle seat, a relatively simple mechanism can be used to ensure that the vehicle seat surface does not tilt undesirably, but rather that the vehicle seat is always moved parallel to the transverse and longitudinal directions of the seat assembly in the vertical direction, despite or due to the force. The mechanism described for this purpose is particularly easy to implement and also cost-effective. It is also robust, as it is based solely on the plates coupled together. Therefore, a particularly advantageous seat assembly for a motor vehicle can be realized using simple technical means.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment provides that the seating device has a counterweight element. The counterweight element is preferably arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the seating device. A position of the counterweight element within the seating device depends on an arrangement of the support elements in a transverse direction of the seating device. The counterweight element is arranged above or below the plate, depending on the arrangement of the support elements in the vertical direction of the seating device. If, for example, the support elements are located on outer edges of the respective plate, i.e., on a respective side of the plate opposite the coupling side, the counterweight element is arranged above the plates in the vertical direction.Preferably, it is coupled to the plates, for example, via a spring element, so that, for example, after the two plates have been removed from the counterweight element due to a corresponding force, they can be brought back into an initial position by means of the spring element and the counterweight element when the force is released or stopped.

[0019] If the support elements are arranged, for example, centrally below the respective plate or, for example, close to a central axis of the seating device below the vehicle seat, i.e. spatially close to the coupling sides, the counterweight element should be arranged below the plates. The reason for this is that with this arrangement, the force acting from the vehicle seat on one or both plates results in the outer areas of the individual plates being pressed downwards, for example in the transverse and longitudinal directions, so that in a central area of ​​the seating device, preferably near the central axis, they are moved in the opposite direction, i.e. counter to the direction of force application. To return the plates to their original position, the counterweight element, which is preferably connected to the plates by means of a spring element, should pull them downwards in the direction of the force application and thus in the vertical direction.The central axis of the seating device is preferably arranged centrally in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the seating device parallel to the vertical direction of the seating device.

[0020] In addition to the counterweight element, the seating device preferably has a connecting rod and / or a spring element that connects the counterweight element to at least one of the at least two plates. The counterweight element is preferably connected to both plates by means of the connecting rod and / or the spring element. In a simple case, the seating device has a connection that connects the counterweight element to the at least two coupled plates. This ensures that the vehicle seat always moves back to its original position independently and without, for example, manual assistance from a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seating device. This return movement mechanism is also particularly robust because it is based on a purely mechanical arrangement within the seating device, i.e. the counterweight element.

[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seating device comprises a seat platform arranged between the vehicle seat and the plates. The seat platform has a seat platform upper side and an opposite seat platform lower side. The seat platform upper side and the seat platform lower side are arranged parallel to the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of the seating device and are thus arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction of the seating device. The vehicle seat is at least indirectly connected to the seat platform upper side of the seat platform. The seat platform has at least two protruding connecting elements on the seat platform lower side opposite the seat platform upper side. Each connecting element is coupled to the side of the respective plate facing away from the respective support element.For example, if the seat assembly comprises exactly two adjacent panels, it has two connecting elements, one for the panel located on the right, for example, and one for the panel located on the left, for example. The connecting element transmits force from the vehicle seat to the respective panel. The connecting element thus represents the coupling between the vehicle seat and the respective panel.

[0022] The connecting element is designed, for example, as a support point at which the vehicle seat rests on the respective plate. The protruding connecting element is, for example, conical, cuboid-shaped and / or hemispherical. The vehicle seat is therefore preferably not coupled to the two plates over their entire surface, but only at fixed, predetermined locations, which are, for example, fixedly predetermined by the positioning of the at least two connecting elements within the seat device. There is therefore a locally limited and defined point of force application for the force acting on the respective plate. By appropriately arranging the support element and the connecting element to the plate, it can be predetermined where the counterweight element should be arranged in order to be able to effect the above-described return movement to the starting position of the plates.

[0023] It can be provided, for example, that a position of the respective connecting element and / or the respective support element can be selected manually, for example by actuating an actuating element on the seating device by a person sitting on the seating device. This person can, for example, adjust the aforementioned components of the seating device, i.e. preferably the connecting elements and / or the support elements, depending on their height, weight and / or personal preferences, in such a way that they experience a comfortable seating feeling on the vehicle seat. The comfortable seat is preferably characterized in that no undesired tilting of the vehicle seat occurs in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the seating device, for example caused by a shift in weight on the vehicle seat.

[0024] Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the seat device has a height adjustment device. The height adjustment device is designed to move at least the vehicle seat in a vertical direction of the seat device between a lowered position and a raised position of the vehicle seat. Preferably, the vehicle seat can assume several intermediate positions between the lowered position and the raised position. The intermediate positions can be fixed or can be freely selected between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0025] The height adjustment device is preferably arranged centrally in the longitudinal and transverse directions and in the vertical direction beneath the compensating plates, preferably beneath the coupling sides running parallel to the vertical direction. In this case, one half of the height adjustment device is preferably arranged beneath the right-hand plate and the other half beneath the left-hand plate, in the case of two adjacent plates. The height adjustment device is preferably arranged on a side of the plates facing the support elements.

[0026] The height adjustment device is characterized by the fact that it only effects a height adjustment. Therefore, it does not, for example, cause the seat device to be moved in a longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the seat device. In other words, the vehicle seat, and in particular the seat surface and the backrest of the vehicle seat, are moved together in the vertical direction. This means that there is no relative movement between the seat cushion and the backrest. Furthermore, the vehicle seat is not moved away from an initial position in the longitudinal and transverse directions prior to the height adjustment of the vehicle seat when it is moved in the vertical direction. The height adjustment device has, for example, a spring element for this purpose, such as a gas pressure spring. The height adjustment device can, for example, be moved back and forth between the low position and the high position by actuating an actuating element to adjust the height.Ultimately, a stable height adjustment can be achieved that does not involve unwanted movement in directions other than vertical. Thus, a pure height adjustment is provided.

[0027] Furthermore, one embodiment provides for the seat device to have a rotation device. The rotation device is designed to rotate the vehicle seat relative to the plates about a rotation axis arranged parallel to a vertical direction of the seat device. The rotation axis preferably corresponds to the central axis or is at least arranged parallel to it. The rotation device has, for example, an electric motor, by means of which the rotational movement can be driven.

[0028] For example, in a motor vehicle designed for fully autonomous driving, a seating device that can be rotated by at least 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, or 360 degrees may be useful. The vehicle seat can preferably assume any rotational position between its starting position (i.e., 0 degrees) and 360 degrees. A complete rotation about the rotation axis is therefore preferably possible. This enables a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seating device to rotate their seat 180 degrees, for example while driving in a fully autonomous driving mode of the motor vehicle, in order to, for example, have a comfortable conversation with a person sitting in one of the rear seats of the motor vehicle, i.e. to turn towards that person during the conversation.

[0029] By means of the rotation device, for example, the seat platform on which the vehicle seat is arranged can be rotated about the rotation axis. The at least two plates are preferably not rotated along with the rotation. This means that the two support elements arranged on the side of the two plates facing away from the vehicle seat are also not rotated. The possible rotation of the vehicle seat is also independent of the height adjustment by means of the height adjustment device, so that, for example, the vehicle seat can be rotated in any position between the lowered and raised positions. This provides a particularly comfortable and versatile vehicle seat by means of the seating device.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the seat device comprises an actuator. The actuator is arranged, for example, between the vehicle seat and the plates so as to be movable in a transverse direction of the seat device. The actuator is designed to dampen or generate a vibration of the vehicle seat. Thus, a vibration of the vehicle seat can be dampened or generated by means of the actuator.

[0031] The actuator can be a spring, which can be arranged centrally between the two plates and the vehicle seat to dampen the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the actuator is an electromechanical transducer. The actuator is preferably an electric motor, which can cause the vehicle seat, in particular the seat surface, to vibrate at a frequency specified by the actuator. Depending on the direction to which the actuator is moved on a side arranged parallel to a plate, the coupling of the plates can trigger an identical vibration movement for both plates, which is then transmitted to the vehicle seat, for example, via the connecting elements.

[0032] The actuator can be adjusted, for example, using a control device of the seat device, so that, for example, depending on the current vibration of a motor vehicle in which the seat device is installed, the damping of the current vibration can be adjusted using the actuator for the vehicle seat. This can cause the vehicle seat, for example, to vibrate less than it would without the damping. This can be perceived as particularly pleasant and comfortable by a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seat device.

[0033] If the seat device has the height adjustment device, the actuator is preferably arranged between the height adjustment device and the plates.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a seating device as described above. The seating device has a base plate element to which the support elements are fastened and which is at least indirectly fastened to a floor of the motor vehicle. The support elements are thus arranged on the base plate element, wherein they are preferably firmly connected to the base plate element. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a vehicle floor to which the base plate element is firmly screwed, for example, so that the base plate element is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle. With the aid of the base plate element, the seating device can be installed in a motor vehicle particularly easily and quickly. Furthermore, it provides stabilization for the support elements so that they cannot, for example, be unintentionally displaced relative to the at least two plates in the transverse and / or longitudinal direction.

[0035] The motor vehicle according to the invention can be designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, as a passenger bus, or as a motorcycle. The seating device can therefore be, for example, a motorcycle seat.

[0036] An additional aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle as described above. The method is thus suitable for operating the motor vehicle with the seat device.

[0037] The advantageous embodiments described in connection with the seat device according to the invention and their advantages as well as combinations of embodiments are, to the extent applicable, to be regarded as embodiments for the motor vehicle according to the invention and for the method according to the invention.

[0038] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: Acquiring movement information that describes a motor vehicle-related movement. The movement information is, for example, vehicle vibration information that describes a vibration of the motor vehicle. The movement information is acquired using a detection device of the motor vehicle. In the case of vehicle vibration information as movement information, it can be acquired, for example, using a vibration detection device of the motor vehicle.

[0039] A further method step is in particular determining a control command for the actuator of the seat device taking into account the detected movement information.

[0040] When the actuator is controlled according to the control command, a vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the vehicle-related movement is dampened or amplified by at least a damping value. In this example, the vibration of the motor vehicle, which is available in the form of vehicle vibration information, for example, as a current value, is taken into account when determining the control command. When the actuator is controlled, for example, if this occurs according to the determined control command, a vibration of the vehicle seat, which is to be expected due to the vibration of the motor vehicle, can be dampened by the damping value.

[0041] In a further method step, the actuator is controlled in accordance with the determined control command. The previously merely determined control command is thus actually implemented in the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the actuator of the seat device is controlled, for example, using the control device.

[0042] Alternatively, for example, to provide a warning function for a person sitting in the vehicle seat, the vibration that the vehicle seat would already experience due to the vibration of the motor vehicle can be further amplified by the damping value. This can, for example, lead to or at least contribute to the person sitting in the vehicle seat being warned of an obstacle in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. This haptic warning is preferably provided in addition to an acoustic and / or visual warning in the motor vehicle. The haptic warning, i.e. a haptically perceptible warning, is therefore provided by the amplified vibration of the vehicle seat.

[0043] The control command is preferably determined by the control device of the seat device. For this purpose, an evaluation algorithm is stored in the control device, i.e., is stored there. This evaluation algorithm can be used to determine the control command, taking into account the detected movement information. The evaluation algorithm thus includes a rule and / or further data that can be used to determine the control command. Amplification by the damping value is suggested, for example, as a warning, whereas damping by the damping value is understood as an additional comfort measure intended to provide particularly comfortable driving and sitting in the vehicle seat, despite, for example, the uneven road surface on which the vehicle is currently traveling.

[0044] An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the movement information comprises one of the following information: vehicle vibration information, vehicle seat vibration information, acceleration information and / or driving surface information.

[0045] The vehicle vibration information describes a vibration of the motor vehicle and is preferably detected by a vibration detection device of the motor vehicle. The vehicle seat vibration information describes a vibration of the vehicle seat arranged in the motor vehicle and is preferably determined by a vibration detection device of the seat device. The acceleration information describes an acceleration of the motor vehicle and is preferably detected by an acceleration sensor of the motor vehicle.

[0046] The driving surface information describes the driving surface of the motor vehicle, in particular the degree of unevenness of the driving surface. The driving surface information is recorded using an environmental detection device of the motor vehicle. The degree of unevenness of the driving surface describes, for example, the number and / or depth of potholes or other uneven surfaces, such as bollards, per area of ​​the driving surface. The degree of unevenness can alternatively or additionally refer to a road surface. The degree of unevenness can be specified in relation to a smooth driving surface and can range, for example, between 0 for a smooth, paved driving surface and 1 for a gravel track or a road with a high density of potholes. The environmental detection device is, for example, a front camera, a side camera, a rear camera, and / or a radar device.Environmental data acquired by the environmental detection device are evaluated, for example, by means of the control device using image processing methods in order to determine the driving surface information.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the driving background information can be transmitted by other road users and / or an external computing device. For example, the driving background information can be transmitted to the motor vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication connection or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication connection. The corresponding driving background information is then dependent, for example, on a current position of the motor vehicle, wherein a map of the motor vehicle's surroundings can be stored in the external computing device, which map includes, for example, the driving background information. The external computing device can transmit the route information to the motor vehicle, for example, in response to a request from the motor vehicle or on its own initiative, for example, depending on a current position and / or an activated route of a navigation system of the motor vehicle.The other road user can, for example, be another motor vehicle that uses its own environmental detection device to determine the driving background information and transmits it to the motor vehicle. For this purpose, a preferably wireless communication connection is established between a communication interface of the motor vehicle and a communication interface of the other road user and / or the external computing device. The communication connection can be provided, for example, via a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Bluetooth connection, and / or a mobile data network, for example based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), or Fifth Generation (5G) mobile communications standard.

[0048] Various pieces of information can therefore be taken into account in order to determine the control command. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle vibration information and the vehicle seat vibration information are taken into account in order to achieve a reduction in the vibration of the vehicle seat using the control command. Damping of the vibration is therefore desired. The actuator is then selected according to the determined corresponding control command, the determination of which takes into account the vehicle vibration information and the vehicle seat vibration information. This allows the vibration of the vehicle seat caused by the motor vehicle itself during its current journey to be dampened, which is particularly advantageous for the person sitting in the vehicle seat.

[0049] Furthermore, one embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that occupant information is detected by means of an interior detection device of the motor vehicle. The interior detection device is, for example, an interior camera that detects the person sitting on the vehicle seat and thus provides camera data describing the person. Particularly preferably, the interior detection device is a distance-measuring camera, such as a time-of-flight camera. The camera is therefore designed to perform a time-of-flight detection so that, for example, a movement of the person sitting on the vehicle seat can be detected. For example, detection can therefore occur when the person is holding a cup containing a beverage, such as coffee or tea, in one hand and, for example, raises this cup to their mouth.

[0050] By applying an occupant action recognition criterion to the acquired occupant information, occupant action information is determined. This describes a recognized occupant action of the motor vehicle occupant. The occupant action recognition criterion comprises an algorithm and / or a rule by which an actual action performed by the occupant, i.e., the person sitting in the vehicle seat, can be identified from, for example, the camera data of the time-of-flight camera. In the case of the occupant who is currently raising the cup to his mouth, for example, the occupant action "drinking" is recognized. This occupant action can be linked, for example, to the fact that any vibrations or unexpected movements could lead to spillage of the drink and should therefore be avoided as far as possible. This link can be stored in the control device.For example, a list of known occupant actions that can be detected by the interior detection device with corresponding links to vibration damping and / or vibration amplification can be stored in the control device.

[0051] The occupant action information describing the detected occupant action is then taken into account in particular when determining the control command. The occupant action information is, for example, data determined when applying the occupant action recognition criterion. When the actuator is controlled according to the determined control command, the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the motor vehicle-related movement is dampened or amplified in such a way that the occupant is supported in the detected occupant action. In the case of a drinking occupant, for example, a particularly strong damping is selected, i.e., by controlling the actuator according to the determined control command, the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the movement of the motor vehicle is dampened by a relatively large damping value.

[0052] Alternatively, the occupant may be inattentive, meaning, for example, that they are not looking at the roadway, but are instead looking out of a side window of the vehicle at the surroundings of the vehicle, particularly frequently and / or for a prolonged period. In such a case, this lack of attention on the part of the occupant can be recognized as a corresponding occupant action, so that, for example, by amplifying the vibration of the vehicle seat, the occupant is alerted to the need to refocus their attention on the traffic in the direction of travel of the vehicle. In this example, the vibration of the vehicle can be amplified using the determined control command.

[0053] Alternatively, a searching movement of the occupant's hand can be detected, for example if they are looking for a mobile phone on the front passenger seat and / or a key in the footwell and / or trying to grab a bag on a rear seat of the vehicle. Using the determined control command, the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat can then be amplified in such a way that the occupant is supported in their search for the object they are missing, for example the mobile phone, the keys or the bag. For example, whenever their hand gets closer to the object they are looking for, the vibration is amplified or dampened. In contrast, the vibration can be dampened or amplified as their hand moves further and / or becomes increasingly farther away from the object.

[0054] Preferably, the vehicle seat initially does not vibrate during the search. This means that the vibration of the vehicle, for example due to the current driving movement, is initially dampened only for the comfort of the occupant. If the occupant deviates from the direction of the object while searching for it blindly, for example by moving away from it, the vibration can be amplified. This allows the occupant to be actively supported by the vehicle seat's vibration system in the search for the object.

[0055] It can also be provided that the motor vehicle has several sensors in the vehicle floor and / or one or more weight sensors in the front passenger seat and / or in the rear seats. Using these sensors, the object that the occupant is searching for based on their detected action can be located in the vehicle. For example, several sensors can be installed in the vehicle floor, embodied, for example, as at least three microphones that can locate the object lying on the vehicle floor via structure-borne sound from the object and correspondingly modified sound waves in the vehicle floor.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the sleeping of a small child in a child seat can be detected as an occupant action, so that by appropriately controlling the vibration, for example by first repeating increasing and then decreasing damping cycles, a movement of the vehicle seat can be carried out which has the effect of putting the small child to sleep.

[0057] Particularly preferably, the determination of occupant information, i.e., the recording and, if applicable, recognition of the occupant's actions, takes into account the vehicle vibration information, the vehicle seat vibration information, the acceleration information, and / or the driving surface information. By evaluating all of this different movement information as well as the occupant action information, the actuator of the seat device and thus an active seat mechanism can be controlled. Preferably, a corresponding acoustic cue, such as a voice output, is also activated so that, in addition to the purely haptic vibrations, the occupant is provided with concrete, understandable information about what the seat device is indicating to them by dampening or strengthening the vibration. Overall, this achieves the provision of an intelligent operating assistant for the vehicle seat in the motor vehicle.

[0058] The invention also includes the control device for the seat device. The control device has a processor device configured to implement one embodiment or a combination of embodiments of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code configured to implement the embodiment or a combination of embodiments of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device.

[0059] The invention comprises the combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0060] Information within the meaning of the invention preferably comprises data, in particular at least one data element.

[0061] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with several seating devices; Fig. 2 a front view of a seating device; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the seating device; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a tilting mechanism of a first embodiment of the seat device; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the seat device with an actuator; Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a tilting mechanism of the second embodiment of the seat device; Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the seating device; Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a signal flow graph of a method for operating a motor vehicle with a seat device; and Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a signal flow graph of a method for taking into account an occupant action when controlling a vehicle seat.

[0062] The embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0063] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0064] In Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 has several seating devices 2. One of the seating devices 2 represents a driver's seat, another seating device 2 represents a passenger seat, and further seating devices 2 represent rear seats on a rear bench of the motor vehicle 1. The driver's seat and the passenger seat are arranged at the top in the x-direction shown and thus at the front of the motor vehicle 1, and the rear seats are arranged at the bottom in the x-direction and thus at the rear of the motor vehicle 1. The x-direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle 1. The x-direction also corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the seating device 2.

[0065] The seat device 2 has a vibration detection device 3. This is shown here only for the driver's seat by way of example. However, each of the seat devices 2 can have the vibration detection device 3. The vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2 is designed to detect a vibration of the seat device 2 arranged in the motor vehicle 1.

[0066] The motor vehicle 1 also has the vibration detection device 3, which is designed to detect a vibration of the motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 also has an acceleration sensor 4 for detecting an acceleration of the motor vehicle 1, an environment detection device 5 for detecting the environment of the motor vehicle 1, and an interior detection device 6 for detecting the interior of the motor vehicle 1. The environment detection device 5 is embodied here, for example, as a front camera. The interior detection device 6 is, for example, an interior camera of the motor vehicle 1.

[0067] The motor vehicle 1 also has a communication interface 7. The communication interface 7 is designed to establish a preferably wireless communication connection 8 to an external computing device 9 and / or another road user 10. For this purpose, the external computing device 9 and / or the other road user 10, for example, another motor vehicle 1, also has the communication interface 7.

[0068] The seat device 2 also has a control device 11. By means of the control device 11, for example, evaluation steps and / or control of the seat device 2, in particular individual components of the seat device 2, can be carried out. Each seat device 2 preferably has the control device 11. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 11 can be arranged spatially separate from the rest of the seat device 2. The control device 11 of the seat device 2 can be outsourced, i.e., integrated, into a control unit of the motor vehicle 1, for example, a central computer and / or zone computer of the motor vehicle 1.

[0069] Fig. 2 shows the seating device 2 for the motor vehicle 1 in a frontal view. The seating device 2 has a vehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 can have two seat legs 13. Furthermore, the seating device 2 has a seat platform 14. The seat platform 14 has a seat platform upper side 15 and a seat platform lower side 16. The seat platform upper side 15 is opposite the seat platform lower side 16. The vehicle seat 12 is at least indirectly connected to the seat platform upper side 15 of the seat platform 14.

[0070] Here, it is connected to the latter via the two seat legs 13. Two protruding connecting elements 17 are arranged on the underside 16 of the seat platform. These are conical in shape here. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting elements 17 can be cuboid-shaped, hemispherical, or of a different design. The connecting elements 17 connect the seat platform 14 to the vehicle seat 12 at two defined positions here, with additional components of the seat device 2 arranged below the seat platform 14 in a vertical direction of the seat device 2 (z-direction).

[0071] In this example, the seating device 2 has two plates 18. The seat platform 14 is arranged between the two plates 18 and the vehicle seat 12. Each of the connecting elements 17 is coupled to an adjacent side 22 of the respective plate 18. Each of the two plates 18 is movably coupled to the adjacent plate 18 at a coupling side 19. In this example, the two plates 18 are interlocked at the coupling side 19, which is illustrated here by a toothing 20. The two plates 18 are coupled to one another by the toothing 20 in such a way that a joint movement of the plates 18 is possible at least in the z-direction, i.e., in the vertical direction of the seating device 2. In a transverse direction, i.e., in a y-direction, as well as in the longitudinal direction (x-direction), the two plates 18 can preferably not move away from one another due to the coupling.

[0072] The z-direction, i.e. the vertical direction of the seat device 2, preferably corresponds to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle 1 and the y-direction, i.e. the transverse direction of the seat device 2, corresponds to a transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1.

[0073] Each of the two plates 18 is tiltably mounted on a respective support element 21. Here, the two support elements 21 are arranged on respective outer edges of the respective plates 18 in the transverse direction. Finally, the two support elements 21 are located here on an edge of the respective plate 18 opposite the coupling side 19. The two plates 18 are arranged adjacent to one another. Ultimately, each of the plates 18 forms a lever mounted on one side of the support element 21. A force can act from the vehicle seat 12, i.e., in the negative z-direction, on the respective plate 18 only via the respective connecting element 17.

[0074] Each of the plates 18 has a side 22 facing the respective connecting element 17. Furthermore, each plate 18 has a side 23 facing the respective support element 21. The side 22 can alternatively be referred to as the side 22 of the plate 18 facing away from the respective support element 21. The vehicle seat 12 is indirectly coupled to the respective plate 18 at the side 22 facing away from the respective support element 21. Here, it is coupled to this, for example, via the seat legs 13, the seat platform 14, and the connecting element 17.

[0075] The seat device 2 has a base plate element 24. The support elements 21 are fastened to the base plate element 24. Furthermore, the seat device 2 can be fastened to a floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 by means of the base plate element 24. For this purpose, the base plate element 24 can, for example, be screwed to the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 or firmly connected in some other way. A height adjustment device 26 can also be fastened to the base plate element 24.

[0076] The seating device 2 also has the height adjustment device 26. This is designed to move the vehicle seat 12 in the vertical direction of the seating device 2, i.e., in the z-direction, between a lowered position and a raised position of the vehicle seat 12. Preferably, not only the vehicle seat 12 but also the seat platform 14 and the two plates 18 are moved in the vertical direction between the lowered position and the raised position of the vehicle seat 12. Preferably, the base plate element 24 is moved in the z-direction with the height adjustment device 26 relative to the floor 25, so that the plates 18, together with the support elements 21 and the connecting elements 17, are moved during the height adjustment and are not moved relative to one another. For this purpose, the height adjustment device 26 preferably has a spring, for example a gas pressure spring.To enable manual or electrical height adjustment, either an operating lever and / or control knob on the seat device 2 and / or an electronic control, for example, by means of the control device 11 of the seat device 2, which can be controlled, for example, by means of a touch-sensitive operating device in the motor vehicle 1, can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, a button, switch, and / or rotary push-button switch can be provided in the motor vehicle 1 to enable the height adjustment of the vehicle seat 12 by means of the height adjustment device 26.

[0077] In Fig. 3, the vehicle seat 12 is shown in a perspective view. It is clear that the vehicle seat 12 can have a rotation device 27. This is designed to rotate the vehicle seat 12 relative to the plates 18 about a rotation axis 28. The rotation axis 28 is arranged parallel to the vertical direction of the seat device 2, i.e., parallel to the z-direction. Preferably, the rotation device 27 is designed to rotate the seat pedestal 14 about the rotation axis 28. The rotation axis 28 preferably corresponds to a central axis of the seat device 2. Alternatively or in addition to rotating the vehicle seat 12 relative to the plates 18, the base plate element 24, if arranged on the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 such that it can rotate about the rotation axis 28, can be rotatable about the rotation axis 28.In this case, the base plate element with all components of the seat device 2 arranged thereon, i.e. including the vehicle seat 12, is rotated about the rotation axis 28 by a preferably manually predeterminable angle.

[0078] In Fig. 4 shows an outline of the functioning of the seating device 2. Fig. 4 shows a section of the seating device 2 from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in which the two adjacent plates 18 and the two support elements 21 are shown. The case is now sketched in which a force 29 from the direction of the vehicle seat 12 acts on exactly one of the plates 18 in the negative z-direction. In this example, the force 29 acts on the right-hand plate 18 in the y-direction. Due to this force 29, this plate 18, i.e. the right-hand plate 18 here, is moved into a first tilted position. This is sketched here using dashed lines as the right-hand plate 18'. In the first tilted position, the right-hand plate 18 was tilted by a tilt angle 30 in the direction in which the force 29 also acts. Here, the plate 18 is rotated in the negative z-direction by the tilt angle 30 into the position of the plate 18'.Although no direct force 29 acts on the other plate 18, i.e., the left plate 18 here, in the negative z-direction, it is also tilted, specifically into a second tilted position. The second tilted position is a mirror image of the first tilted position on the coupling side 19. The reason for this mirrored behavior of the left plate 18 is the coupling between the two plates 18, which is realized here by the toothing 20. This means that whenever one of the plates 18 is tilted, a correspondingly mirrored tilting movement is also performed by the other plate 18, so that it too is moved into the corresponding position of the tilted plate 18'. A mirror plane 31, which is defined by the coupling side 19 or preferably at least runs parallel to it, is highlighted here as a dashed line.

[0079] The seat device 2 has a counterweight element 32. In the Fig. 4, the counterweight element 32 is arranged in the vertical direction above the plates 18. The counterweight element 32 is connected, for example, by means of a connecting rod and / or a spring to at least one of the two plates 18, preferably to both plates 18, for example in the region of the toothing 20. With the help of the counterweight element 32, after the force 29 is applied, the two plates 18 are returned to their original positions, which are sketched here with a solid line. Ultimately, therefore, when the force 29 is applied, regardless of whether this force 29 is applied only unilaterally to one of the plates 18 or, for example, evenly to both plates 18, a state is always reached due to the coupling between the two plates 18 in which a seat surface of the vehicle seat 12 is displaced parallel to the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1.The reason for this is that a sagging and / or tilting of one of the plates 18 always results in a mirrored sagging or tilting, but in the same direction and at the same tilt angle 30, so that the vehicle seat 12 does not tilt relative to the vertical direction. The vehicle seat 12 is therefore always moved uniformly, i.e., parallel, to the base plate element 24.

[0080] In Fig. Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the support elements 21. Here, these are arranged close to the central axis in the y-direction and thus, for example, border the height adjustment device 26.

[0081] Out of Fig. 5 clearly shows that the seat device 2 can have an actuator 33. This can be designed, for example, as an electromechanical actuator 33, so that it can be supplied with electrical energy, for example, via a connecting cable 34. The actuator 33 is ultimately arranged between the vehicle seat 12, more precisely between the seat platform 14 and the plates 18. Preferably, the actuator 33 is arranged between the height adjustment device 26 and the two plates 18.

[0082] The actuator 33 is arranged to be movable in the transverse direction, i.e., in the y-direction. It can therefore be displaced in the y-direction, for example, parallel to the left plate 18. Due to the coupling between the two plates 18, this one-sided displacement of the actuator 33 is sufficient for a vibration, for example, predetermined by the actuator 33 to also be experienced by the adjacent plate 18. Alternatively or additionally, two actuators 33 can be provided, one for the left plate 18 and one for the right plate 18, with the two actuators 33 arranged next to one another in the y-direction and movable in the y-direction. In this case, for example, two weak but inexpensive actuators 33 can be used instead of a single, but stronger and more expensive, actuator 33. The actuator 33 can dampen a vibration of the vehicle seat 12 or generate it.As an alternative to the embodiment of the actuator 33 shown here as an electromechanical actuator 33, a spring can be provided as the actuator 33 between the plates 18 and the vehicle seat 12 for damping the vehicle seat 12.

[0083] In Fig. 6 is a functioning of the plates 18 according to the Fig. 5 is sketched in detail. Here, the respective starting position of the two plates 18 and of the seating platform 14 with the connecting elements 17 is sketched with a solid line. The corresponding positions of these elements under the action of the force 29 are sketched with dashed lines. Here, the force 29 is transmitted to the plate 18 on the right here via the connecting elements 17 arranged on the outer edge of the respective plate 18. Due to the arrangement of the support element 21 relatively centrally in the transverse direction, a tilting movement in the negative z-direction of the plate 18 to the sketched position of the plate 18' now occurs. Due to the coupling between the two plates 18, a movement correspondingly mirrored at the mirror plane 31 is also carried out by the plate 18 sketched here on the left, which also assumes a corresponding position of the plate 18'.Since the central region of the plates 18 in the region of the coupling side 19 moves in the positive z-direction, the counterweight element 32 is integrated into the base plate element 24. This counterweight element 32 is also preferably coupled to the two plates 18 by means of a rigid rod and / or a spring, so that after the force 29 has ceased, it can move the two plates 18' back to the initial positions of the plates 18.

[0084] A change in height 35 of the vehicle seat 12, i.e. shown here in the form of the change in height 35 of the seat pedestal 14, due to the force 29 is indicated by means of a corresponding distance arrow.

[0085] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a further possible arrangement of the support elements 21 relative to the plates 18 and the connecting elements 17. Here, the support elements 21 are located, for example, centrally below the respective plate 18, whereas the connecting elements 17 are coupled to the respective outer edge of the respective plate 18. If the force 29 is applied centrally and / or a local force 29 is applied laterally, the counterweight element 32 should also be arranged vertically below the two plates 18 due to the arrangement of the support elements 21 relative to the respective plate 18 and the respective connecting element 17. Fig. 7 further shows a spring component 36 which is coupled, for example, to the counterweight element 32.

[0086] Various displacement directions 37 are also outlined. For example, a position of the connecting element 17 can be moved in a positive or negative transverse direction according to the indicated displacement directions 37. Furthermore, a local displacement of the actuator 33 can occur, for example, in the positive y-direction away from or back to the central position.

[0087] In Fig. 8 describes a method for operating a motor vehicle 1 with the seat device 2. In a method step S1, for example, a movement information 38 is recorded. The movement information 38 describes a motor vehicle-related movement. In the Fig. In the example outlined in Figure 8, the movement information 38 comprises vehicle vibration information 39 and vehicle seat vibration information 40. The vehicle vibration information 39 describes the vibration of the motor vehicle 1 and is detected by the vibration detection device 3 of the motor vehicle 1. The vehicle seat vibration information 40 describes the vibration of the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 arranged in the motor vehicle 1 and is detected by the vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2.

[0088] In a further method step S2, in particular, a control command 41 for the actuator 33 of the seat device 2 is determined. This takes place taking into account the detected movement information 38, i.e., for example, taking into account the vehicle vibration information 39 and the vehicle seat vibration information 40. When controlled according to the control command 41, the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat 12 due to the motor vehicle-related movement is dampened or amplified by at least a damping value. For this purpose, the control command 41 is determined, for example, by means of the control device 11 of the seat device 2, which has a corresponding control command determination criterion stored in the control device 11. An algorithm and / or a rule is therefore stored in the control device 11, on the basis of which the control command 41 is determined based on the detected movement information 38.

[0089] In a method step S3, the actuator 33 of the seat device 2 is preferably controlled according to the determined control command 41. If, for example, due to a bumpy driving surface, a strong vibration of the motor vehicle 1 and the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 is expected and / or detected compared to driving on a level road, this vibration can be at least partially dampened by appropriately controlling the actuator 33. This can improve comfort within the motor vehicle 1 for an occupant sitting, for example, on the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2.

[0090] In a method step S4, a warning signal 42 from a control device of the motor vehicle 1 can be taken into account when determining the control command 41 in method step S2. For example, an obstacle on the roadway in the direction of travel in front of the motor vehicle 1 can be detected by means of the environment detection device 5 of the motor vehicle 1 and, for example, a corresponding evaluation by the control device of the motor vehicle 1. Therefore, in addition to, for example, an acoustic and / or optical output of a warning in the motor vehicle 1, for example by means of a loudspeaker device or a microphone device of the motor vehicle 1, a haptic warning is issued. This is achieved, for example, by the control command 41 specifying an amplification of the vibration of the vehicle seat 12 so that it vibrates more strongly than it would due to the vehicle-related movement.Through this additional vibration of the vehicle seat 12, the occupant can be warned about the detected obstacle, i.e. the warning signal 42 can be passed on to the occupant in the form of a haptic warning.

[0091] In Fig.9 outlines an alternative or additional method. In method step S1 outlined here, further movement information 38 is acquired by way of example. Here, the movement information 38 includes acceleration information 43, which describes the acceleration of the motor vehicle 1 and is acquired by means of the acceleration sensor 4 of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the movement information 38 includes vehicle ground information 44. The vehicle ground information 44 describes a driving surface of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, it describes, in particular, a degree of unevenness of the driving surface, i.e., for example, a number and depth of potholes or other uneven surfaces, such as a bump. The vehicle ground information 44 can be acquired by means of the environment detection device 5 of the motor vehicle 1.Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided by the external computing device 9 and / or the other road user 10. For this purpose, it is transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 via the communication connection 8.

[0092] In a method step S2', the control command 41 is preferably determined. For this purpose, the movement information 38 and occupant action information 47 are taken into account. This is preferably initially determined via method steps S5 and S6. In method step S5, occupant information 45 is detected by the interior detection device 6. In method step S6, an occupant action recognition criterion 46 is applied to the detected occupant information 45, and in the process, occupant action information 47 is determined that describes a recognized occupant action of an occupant of the motor vehicle 1. The occupant here is the person sitting on the vehicle seat 12 of the seating device 2.For example, at a current time, the occupant can drink from a cup, i.e., bring the cup to their mouth, search for an object on the passenger seat, such as a mobile phone, search the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 for the object, such as a key, and / or search for the object on the rear seat of the motor vehicle 1, such as feeling for and attempting to grab a handbag left there. By means of the interior detection device 6, which is, for example, an interior camera designed in particular as a time-of-flight camera, this movement of the occupant can be detected and assigned to a predetermined action. In this case, the action "drinking." Thus, ultimately, the current occupant action is recognized and identified as such.

[0093] In method step S2', the determined occupant action information 47 is now taken into account in addition to the acceleration information 43. Subsequently, in method step S3, the actuator 33 is controlled according to the determined control command 41, which in turn, depending on the detected occupant action, leads to a damping or amplification of the vibration of the vehicle seat 12. Preferably, an artificial, additional vibration is generated, i.e., the amplification of the vibration that the occupant can distinguish from road vibrations, i.e., vibrations that occur due to the current travel of the motor vehicle 1. Ultimately, the occupant is assisted in the detected occupant action. In the case of a drinking occupant, for example, the vibration is dampened so that the occupant does not spill their drink.

[0094] When the occupant's search action is detected, the occupant can be assisted in searching for the object, for example, by appropriately amplifying the vibration. For example, when approaching the object, the occupant can be alerted to the approaching object by amplifying the vibration or, alternatively, by reducing the vibration. The position of the object on the vehicle floor, i.e., floor 25, can preferably be determined using a floor sensor system, which is formed, for example, from at least three microphones, which can localize the object's position based on the structure-borne sound of the object. In the case of the object on the rear seat, corresponding weight sensors can be provided in this other seat device 2.

[0095] In addition to controlling the actuator 33 according to the determined control command 41, a voice output 48 can be provided which can explain the function of the vibration.

[0096] For example, in addition to the amplified vibration when approaching the searched object, a corresponding voice output 48 can be output, alerting the occupant that he is approaching the object.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, for example, a sleeping toddler in a child seat that is attached to the seat device 2 can be recognized as an occupant action, so that by appropriately controlling the actuator 33, a vibration of the vehicle seat 12 can be set that the toddler perceives as soporific or sleep-promoting.

[0098] Overall, the examples show a smart seat mechanism, a smart active seat mechanism, and a smart operating assistant for the seat device 2. The active seat mechanism is provided as the described seat device 2.

[0099] The active seat mechanism provides a vibration damping system comprising a vibration sensor, the vibration detection device 3 of the motor vehicle 1, which detects the vibrations of a body of the motor vehicle 1. It also comprises a signal processing block for vibration damping, a drive unit, and the actuator 33. A second vibration sensor, the vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2, can detect the vibration of the vehicle seat 12, thus making the system adaptive. Haptic system warnings are provided via vibrations of the vehicle seat 12. For this purpose, a signal generator, a drive unit, and the active seat mechanism can be provided by the actuator 33 together with the control device 11.

[0100] The vehicle seat 12 can be moved via a symmetrical lever system. The weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the seated person acts on the levers at two symmetrical positions, the connecting elements 17. The levers can rotate about two bearing points, the support elements 21, and are coupled via a joint in the center of the system, such as the gearing 21. The weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the seated person is balanced by its own weight, the counterweight element 32. To adapt the system to the actual weight of the person, the positions at which the weight acts on the levers, i.e., the connecting elements 17, can be shifted outwards or inwards in the y-direction.

[0101] The inertia of the weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the person is fully compensated, and no relative movement between the base plate element 24 and the body is possible when the motor vehicle 1 oscillates vertically (z-direction). Oscillation may generally be undesirable. To increase the damping of the system, the inertia compensation must be imperfect, and the spring component 36 must be provided as the actuator 33. Instead of the spring component 36, an electromechanical transducer can be provided as the actuator 33, which is arranged between the plates 18 and the seat pedestal 14. The force and the displacement that must be applied by the electromechanical transducer can be adjusted by shifting the position of the transducer, i.e., the connecting element 17, in the y-direction, thus according to the lever principle.Due to the symmetrical structure, it is sufficient to move the sensor, i.e. the connecting element 17, only to one side (plus or minus y-direction) and thus to let it act only on one of the two levers of the system, i.e. one of the plates 18.

[0102] An evaluation unit, i.e., the control device 11, is able to recognize the situation, i.e., the occupant's action, together with the active seat mechanism and solve the problem. Example: The camera detects that the occupant is holding a filled cup of coffee. Preferably, several acceleration sensors 4, which are located, for example, next to a bumper of the motor vehicle 1, detect the body swinging upwards. This movement could also cause the hand to move upwards, and the hot coffee would spill over. However, the active seat mechanism initiates a countermovement, and the coffee remains in the cup. The time-of-flight camera, as the interior detection device 6, sends feedback to the control device 11 to perform recalibration to authorize the countermovement. Active sensors in the motor vehicle can record and contribute data.Likewise, other road users 10 in the surrounding area (for example, on the condition of the ground, potholes) or cloud data can be used, i.e. data from the external computing device 9. List of reference symbols 1 motor vehicle 2 seating device 3 Vibration detection device 4 Accelerometer 5 Environmental detection device 6 Interior detection device 7 Communication interface 8 Communication connection 9 external computing device 10 road users 11 Control device 12 vehicle seat 13 Ischium 14 seating platform 15 Seat platform top 16 Seat platform underside 17 Connecting element 18, 18' record 19 Coupling side 20 Gearing 21 Support element 22, 23 page 24 base plate element 25 floor 26 Height adjustment device 27 Rotation device 28 Rotation axis 29 Force application 30 tilt angle 31 mirror plane 32 Counterweight element 33 Actuator 34 connecting cables 35 Altitude change 36 spring component 37 Direction of displacement 38 Movement information 39 Vehicle vibration information 40 Vehicle seat vibration information 41 Control command 42 warning signal 43 Acceleration information 44 Vehicle underground information 45 Occupant information 46 Occupant action detection criterion 47 Inmate action information 48 voice output S1-S5 process step S2' Process step

Claims

[1] Seat device (2) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the seat device (2) comprises a vehicle seat (12) and at least two plates (18) arranged adjacent to one another and tiltably mounted on a respective support element (21), wherein each of the plates (18) is movably coupled to the at least one adjacent plate (18) on a coupling side (19) and the vehicle seat (12) is coupled to the respective plate (18) at least indirectly on a side (22) of the plate (18) facing away from the respective support element (21), characterized by that when a force (29) is applied from the vehicle seat (12) to exactly one of the plates (18), this plate can be brought into a first tilting position and the at least one adjacent plate (18) can be brought into a second tilting position, wherein the second tilting position is a mirror image of the first tilting position on the coupling side (19). [2] Seat device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the seat device (2) has a counterweight element (32) which, depending on an arrangement of the support elements (21) in a transverse direction of the seat device (2), is arranged above or below the plates (18) in a vertical direction of the seat device (2) and in particular centrally in the transverse direction. [3] Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a seat platform (14) arranged between the vehicle seat (12) and the plates (18), wherein the vehicle seat (12) is at least indirectly connected to a seat platform upper side (15) of the seat platform (14) and the seat platform (14) has at least two protruding connecting elements (17) on a seat platform lower side (16) opposite the seat platform upper side (15), wherein each connecting element (17) is coupled to the side (22) of the respective plate (18) facing away from the respective support element (21). [4] Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a height adjustment device (26) which is designed to move the vehicle seat (12) in a vertical direction of the seat device (2) between a low position and a high position of the vehicle seat (12). [5] Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a rotation device (27) which is designed to rotate the vehicle seat (12) relative to the plates (18) about a rotation axis (28) which is arranged parallel to a vertical direction of the seat device (2). [6] Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) comprises an actuator (33) which is arranged between the vehicle seat (12) and the plates (18) so as to be movable in a transverse direction of the seat device (2) and is designed to dampen or generate a vibration of the vehicle seat (12). [7] Motor vehicle (1) with a seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a base plate element (24) on which the support elements (21) are fastened and which is at least indirectly fastened to a floor (25) of the motor vehicle (1). [8] Method for operating a motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, comprising the following steps: - detecting (S1) movement information (38) describing a motor vehicle-related movement; - determining (S2) a control command (41) for the actuator (33) of the seat device (2) taking into account the detected movement information (38), wherein when the actuator (33) is controlled according to the control command (41), a vibration experienced by the vehicle seat (12) due to the motor vehicle-related movement is damped or amplified by at least one damping value; - Controlling (S3) the actuator (33) according to the determined control command (41). [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein the movement information (38) comprises one of the following information: - vehicle vibration information (39) describing a vibration of the motor vehicle (1); - vehicle seat vibration information (40) describing a vibration of the vehicle seat (12) of the seat device (2) arranged in the motor vehicle (1); - acceleration information (43) describing an acceleration of the motor vehicle (1); and / or - driving surface information (44) which describes a driving surface of the motor vehicle (1), in particular a degree of unevenness of the driving surface. [10] Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein occupant information (45) is detected (S5) by means of an interior detection device (6) of the motor vehicle (1), occupant action information (47) describing a detected occupant action of an occupant of the motor vehicle (1) is determined (S6) by applying an occupant action recognition criterion (46) to the detected occupant information (45), and the determined occupant action information (47) is taken into account when determining the control command (41) (S2'), wherein when the actuator (33) is controlled according to the determined control command (41), the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat (12) due to the motor vehicle-related movement is dampened or amplified in such a way that the occupant is assisted in the detected occupant action (S3).

Images