Vehicle seat and procedures

Abstract

Vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat section (12) and a backrest (13) adjustable between a sitting position (S1) and a resting position (S2), wherein a height adjustment device (14) is provided, comprising a front height adjustment element (16) and a rear height adjustment element (18), each of which is mounted with at least one upper pivot joint (20) on a seat base (22) of the seat section (12) and each of which is mounted with at least one lower pivot joint (24) on a vehicle-fixed support structure (26), wherein in addition to the height adjustment device (14) a tilt adjustment device (28) that can be operated independently of it is provided, by means of which the front height adjustment element (16) can be adjusted, wherein a further tilt adjustment device (30) that can be operated independently of the height adjustment device (14) is provided, by means of which the rear height adjustment element (18) can be adjusted,wherein the vehicle seat (10) is adjustable to the rest position (S2) by means of the further tilt adjustment device (30), wherein the at least one upper pivot joint (20) of the rear height adjustment element (18) is pivotably attached to a rail device (32) fixed to the vehicle seat, wherein the at least one lower pivot joint (24) of the rear height adjustment element (18) is pivotably attached to a rail device (34) fixed to the support structure, characterized in that pivoting of the rear height adjustment element (18) beyond a substantially horizontal support structure plane (E) is provided by means of the rear upper pivot joint (20), wherein a receptacle (36) corresponding to the seat part (12) is provided on the support structure (26) for pivoting of the rear height adjustment element (18) beyond the substantially horizontal support structure plane (E).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a vehicle seat.

[0002] Seat height adjustments play a crucial role in the design of vehicle seats, especially for passenger cars. The possibility and ability to adjust the height of the vehicle seat to individual needs is addressed in the state of the art, with particular emphasis on comfort, ergonomics, and user-friendliness.

[0003] DE 10 2017 208 688 A1, for example, already discloses a vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest attached thereto, wherein the vehicle seat is designed to be moved from a substantially upright sitting position into a resting or lying position. Height adjustment devices are provided, wherein a front height adjustment element and a rear height adjustment element are arranged, which are mounted via respective pivot joints both on a seat base of the seat part of the vehicle seat and via a lower pivot joint on a vehicle-side seat console element, whereby the height position of the seat part can be adjusted. It is provided that the front height adjustment element can be adjusted by means of a tilt adjustment device such that a height adjustment of the seat part is possible.

[0004] DE 10 2004 055 643 A1 discloses a vehicle seat which has respective connection points with rotary-push joints for adjusting the seat positions as well as connecting structures as drives for height adjustment.

[0005] In addition, WO 97 / 36766 A2, EP 2 360 051 A2 and DE 10 2019 215 769 A1 disclose vehicle seats worthy of mention as prior art for the vehicle seat according to the invention.

[0006] The object of the invention is to further develop a vehicle seat in such a way that a particularly efficient adjustment of the entire vehicle seat is provided by a particularly favorable adjustment device.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of a vehicle seat having the features of patent claim 1 and by means of a method according to the invention. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, with a seat part and with a backrest, which can be adjusted between a sitting position and a resting position, wherein a height adjustment device is provided which has a front height adjustment element and a rear height adjustment element, which are each mounted with at least one upper pivot joint on a seat base of the seat part and which are each mounted with at least one lower pivot joint on a support structure fixed to the vehicle, wherein in addition to the height adjustment device, a tilt adjustment device which can be actuated independently of the latter is provided, by means of which tilt adjustment device the front height adjustment element can be adjusted.

[0009] To achieve the object of the invention, it is provided that an additional tilt adjustment device is provided, which can be actuated independently of the height adjustment device and by means of which the rear height adjustment element can be adjusted. The additional independent tilt adjustment device of the vehicle seat expands the adjustment options for a user or driver, whereby the individual adjustment of the rear height adjustment element results in the inclination of the seat surface and the backrest being able to be adapted or adjusted. In particular, a combination of height and tilt adjustment devices can be used to improve the adaptation of the vehicle seat to the individual needs of the driver or user and thus contribute to solving the problem.

[0010] It is also provided that a pivoting of the rear height adjustment element beyond a substantially horizontal support structure plane is provided by means of the rear pivot joint. The rear height adjustment element is thus connected to the support structure via the rear pivot joint. The pivot joint enables a movement of the height adjustment element beyond the horizontal plane of the support structure. The horizontal plane is essentially a floor plane or the horizontal plane relative to the motor vehicle, whereby the pivoting of the height adjustment element at the rear pivot joint is possible, in particular over 180 degrees. This pivoting allows the seat part to be adjusted to particularly steep angles of inclination; in particular, it is provided to tilt the rear height adjustment element forwards or backwards, for example to provide more ergonomic seating positions.

[0011] In addition, it is provided that a receptacle corresponding to the vehicle seat is provided on the support structure for pivoting the rear height adjustment element beyond the essentially horizontal support structure plane. Depending on the design, the receptacle is, for example, a recess or a holder or an opening on the support structure, at which the seat part of the vehicle seat can be adjusted beyond the support structure plane. This means that in order to adjust the seat part beyond the horizontal support structure plane, at least one opening is provided, or a recess or a receptacle into which the seat part can be adjusted, in particular to enable a steep inclination of the seating position. The rear region of the seat part is thus adjusted into the receptacle or recess to enable the rest position of the vehicle seat.In other words, the recess or receptacle of the support structure allows the seat part to move into a tilted position while providing stable and secure support. The recess is designed to provide a secure connection and support for the seat part while simultaneously allowing the seat part to tilt. Specifically, this recess or receptacle is designed as a depression or recess into which the seat part can be inserted during tilting.

[0012] In other words, the aim is to provide a vehicle seat with both height adjustment and tilt adjustment. The vehicle seat is to be adjustable between the sitting position and the resting position for the ergonomics of the driver or user, whereby the sitting position is a position in which the driver sits in the vehicle and is ergonomically positioned for a journey. The resting position is intended to allow the driver to lean back and be adjusted to a resting position in which they can relax or experience peace and quiet, for example during autonomous driving. The ability to adjust the height and tilt of the vehicle seat in this way leads in particular to increased driving comfort and an ergonomic sitting position while driving.The vehicle seat structure consists of the seat part and the backrest, which together provide a seating position. The backrest is adjustable or pivotable relative to the seat part, thus also allowing this seating position to be adjusted. Furthermore, the height adjustment device of the vehicle seat is responsible for adjusting the height of the vehicle seat. The respective height adjustment elements are adjusted by their respective height or length to adjust the height of the vehicle seat relative to the vehicle floor.In this case, it is possible to maintain the inclined seating position of the seat part by retaining the respective inclination and adjustment of the respective height adjustment elements, but extending or adjusting the height adjustment elements in such a way that the seat part and thus also the backrest are adjusted upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction relative to the vehicle floor. Furthermore, it is also possible to adjust the adjustment downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction, thereby providing height adjustment for the user. In addition, the tilt adjustment device is intended to enable the aforementioned tilting or inclination of the seat part, whereby the seat inclination and seating position of the vehicle seat or of the user or person sitting on the vehicle seat can be adjusted.The tilt adjustment devices make it possible to adjust both the front and rear height adjustment elements of the seat in order to adjust the said inclination of the seat.

[0013] In other words, it is intended to provide tilt adjustment devices that are independent of the height adjustment device and can also be referred to as tilt mechanisms, by means of which the vehicle seat, in particular the seat part of the vehicle seat, can be tilted. In this case, it is intended to tilt the inclination of the vehicle seat forwards or backwards about an axis in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In particular, it is also intended that the height adjustment elements are designed, for example, as telescopic rods or other configurations in order to enable a change in the length of the respective height adjustment elements. By means of the height adjustment device and the tilt adjustment devices, it is possible to adjust the vehicle seat between the sitting position and the resting position.

[0014] Thus, an independent additional tilt adjustment device is provided, which has respective actuators or control devices for a separate adjustment of the rear height adjustment element of the vehicle seat. This allows the angle of the seat surface and the backrest to be individually adjusted, or the angle of the seat surface to be adjusted while the backrest remains unadjusted, thus maintaining the driver's seating position, with only the inclination in this seating position being adjusted. The additional tilt adjustment device is thus an additional component of the vehicle seat that enables independent adjustment of the rear height adjustment element, allowing the driver to adjust the inclination of the seat surface and backrest independently of the seat height adjustment.In particular, the independent additional tilt adjustment device allows the entire position to be changed and fixed by activating the additional tilt adjustment device to adjust the seat's inclination. Thus, the combination of the height adjustment device and the additional independent tilt adjustment device offers particularly advantageous and comprehensive control over the position of the vehicle seat, enabling, in particular, adjustment to the rest position.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the vehicle seat can be adjusted into the rest position by means of the additional tilt adjustment device. The additional tilt adjustment device thus enables the driver to adjust the vehicle seat into the rest position, whereby the actuation of the independent additional tilt adjustment device results in the angle of the seat surface and the backrest being adjusted such that the driver can also be placed in the desired rest position. Such a functioning of the additional tilt adjustment device can vary depending on the individual needs of the user, whereby it is provided to enable all possible adjustment options of the vehicle seat even during adjustment to the rest position.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one upper pivot joint of the rear height adjustment element is pivotally attached to a rail device fixed to the vehicle seat. In this case, the rail device should be a component fixed to the vehicle seat, i.e., it is permanently installed on the vehicle seat. This can, for example, be arranged longitudinally beneath the vehicle seat and is provided as a guide system or as a guide device, thus enabling the movement of the vehicle seat along the rail or the movement of the upper pivot joint along the rail and thus the adjustment of the vehicle seat or the seat part relative to the motor vehicle or relative to the vehicle floor.The respective upper pivot joints of the rear height adjustment element are thus attached to the rail device and enable a pivotable connection between the seat part and, for example, a support structure on which the height adjustment elements are arranged.

[0017] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pivot joint of the rear height adjustment element is pivotally attached to a rail device fixed to the support structure. The rail device fixed to the support structure is a component that is fixedly attached to the vehicle's support structure. The lower pivot joint of the rear height adjustment element is thus attached to the rail device fixed to the support structure and enables a pivotable connection between the seat part and the rail device, with the pivoting movement of the rear height adjustment element about the lower pivot joint enabling further adjustment of the rear height adjustment element.

[0018] A further embodiment of the invention has also proven advantageous, in which a linear adjustment of the height adjustment element along the rail device fixed to the vehicle seat and the rail device fixed to the support structure can be carried out independently of one another. This means that the height adjustment element can be linearly adjusted either along the rail device fixed to the vehicle seat, the rail device fixed to the support structure, or along both rail devices independently of one another. This possibility of independent adjustment allows the driver to adjust the vehicle seat to a desired height, as well as to provide or adjust a desired inclination.Thus, the height adjustment element, in particular the rear height adjustment element, offers the possibility of providing different inclination angles and tilting options for the vehicle seat, independently of the height adjustment device, thereby substantially increasing the flexibility and adaptability of the vehicle seat.

[0019] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the rear height adjustment element is height-adjustable. Various mechanisms can be used here, whereby the rear height adjustment element is adjusted in height or extended in length to enable height adjustment of the vehicle seat. For example, the height adjustment element can be designed as a telescopic rod with a hydraulic device. Other adjustment options or further embodiments of the height adjustment element are also possible. By adjusting the height of the rear height adjustment element, the driver can thus set the seat to the desired position, which is adapted, for example, to his or her needs or body size.

[0020] Finally, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the further tilt adjustment device is designed to be adjusted at least partially automatically depending on vehicle parameters and / or signals transmitted to the further tilt adjustment device. This means that the further tilt adjustment device has at least partial autonomy in order to adapt itself independently based on the information received. For example, a control device is provided for this purpose, with which both the height adjustment device and the further tilt adjustment device can be controlled in order to provide the desired seating position of the vehicle seat. The control device thus enables the driver to adjust the vehicle seat manually, as well as at least partially automatically and thus also provide the height and tilt adjustment.The control device is further configured to enable adjustment of the vehicle seat depending on certain parameters, such as the vehicle's speed. This means that the vehicle seat is automatically adjusted to the correct position based on the acquired information in order to provide or increase the comfort and, in particular, the safety of the driver. Furthermore, the control device is capable of receiving signals in emergency situations and thus adjusting the vehicle seat to the seating position to avoid potential hazards in the event of an accident.

[0021] In summary, the additional tilt adjustment device is designed such that it can be adjusted semi-automatically and depending on vehicle parameters and / or signals, in particular to increase the safety of the driver or user. Furthermore, the at least semi-automatic adjustment of the vehicle seat can result in a particularly high level of comfort for the driver or user, with operation being enabled in particular via control elements both on the vehicle seat and, for example, on a display device arranged on or coupled to the vehicle seat, in particular a touch-sensitive display device.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, in which a further vehicle seat tilt adjustment device is provided which can be actuated independently of a height adjustment device and by means of which a rear height adjustment element is adjusted.

[0023] In other words, the invention proposes converting a known four-bar linkage into a five-bar linkage for height adjustment of the vehicle seat. To provide a resting position, the vehicle seat is moved through a dead center position of the kinematics. To avoid relative movement to the occupant, an additional kinematics with five joints is used to move to the resting position. However, this additional kinematics requires more installation space and additional effort. By using the 5-bar linkage mechanism according to the invention, the seat can be moved into the relaxed position or resting position without causing any relative movement of the occupant. This contributes to improved seating comfort and a pleasant seating position. At the same time, the extended adjustment of the 4-bar linkage into a 5-bar linkage through the dead center position enables the inclination of the entire vehicle seat.This allows the user to adjust the angle of the seat and adopt a more ergonomic position.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the single figure, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] The only figure shows a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a tilt adjustment device for adjusting the vehicle seat from a sitting position to a resting position.

[0026] In the figure, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0027] The only figure shows a vehicle seat 10 for a motor vehicle, with a seat part 12 and with a backrest 13, which can be adjusted between a seating position S1, which is in the Fig. 1 is not shown, and a rest position S2, which is shown in the Fig.1, is adjustable. In this case, a height adjustment device 14 is provided, which in particular has a front height adjustment element 16 and a rear height adjustment element 18, which are designed in particular as telescopic rods and are adjustable, for example, via a hydraulic device, in particular are adjustable in length. This is intended to enable height adjustment by the height adjustment device 14. The height adjustment elements 16, 18 are each mounted with at least one upper pivot joint 20 on a seat base 22 of the seat part 12 and each with at least one lower pivot joint 24 on a support structure 26 fixed to the vehicle seat. For example, such pivot joints 20, 24 can be designed as ball joints, although other designs are also possible.In addition to the height adjustment device 14, a tilt adjustment device 28 is provided, which can be actuated independently of the height adjustment device 14 and by means of which the front height adjustment element 16 and an independently actuated further tilt adjustment device 30 are provided, by means of which the rear height adjustment element 18 can be adjusted. The tilt adjustment devices 28, 30 are thus capable of or designed to adjust the respective height adjustment elements 16, 18 not only in their length or height and thus enable a height in the vertical direction z of the vehicle seat 10, but also to enable an inclination of the vehicle seat 10 relative to the motor vehicle, wherein it is provided here in particular that the respective height adjustment elements 16, 18 are adjustable independently of one another.In particular, it is thus possible to adjust the vehicle seat 10 from the sitting position S1 to the rest position S2 and back by means of the tilt adjustment devices 28, 30.

[0028] In order to enable particularly dynamic adjustment of the vehicle seat 10 by means of the respective height adjustment elements 16, 18, it is provided that the at least one upper pivot joint 20 of both height adjustment elements 16, 18 is pivotable, but the upper pivot joint 20 of the rear height adjustment element 18 is also pivotably attached to a rail device 32 fixed to the vehicle seat, thereby enabling linear adjustment along the rail device 32. Furthermore, it is also provided that the at least one lower pivot joint 20 of the rear height adjustment element 18 is pivotably attached to a rail device 34 fixed to the support structure.This means that the rail device 34 fixed to the support structure is fastened to the support structure 26, which is arranged fixed to the vehicle, whereby the adjustment of the height adjustment element 18 on the rail device 34 fixed to the support structure is possible in a linear manner, wherein pivoting is also possible by means of the pivot joint 20, which is designed, for example, as a ball joint.

[0029] In particular, it is provided that a pivoting of the rear height adjustment element 18 beyond a substantially horizontal support structure plane E is provided by means of the rear pivot joint 20. This allows an inclination of the vehicle seat 10 or the seat part 12, whereby an excessive inclination of the vehicle seat 10 would cause the seat part 12 to collide with the support structure 26 or the floor. To avoid this, it is provided that for the pivoting of the rear height adjustment element 18 beyond the substantially horizontal support structure plane E, a receptacle 36 or recess or opening corresponding to the seat part 12 is provided on the support structure 26 and / or on the vehicle floor 38. This makes it possible to tilt the seat part 12 such that it is also adjusted beyond the support structure plane E without colliding with the support structure 26 or the vehicle floor 38.

[0030] Furthermore, it is provided that a linear adjustment of the height adjustment element 18 along the rail device 32 fixed to the vehicle seat and / or the rail device 34 fixed to the support structure can be carried out independently of one another, whereby the adjustment of the rear height adjustment element 18 is designed to be particularly flexible. For an adjustment of the height adjustment element 18, respective control devices and actuators are arranged, by means of which the various tilt positions of the seat part 12 and thus the adjustment between the sitting position S1 and the rest position S2 are provided. Furthermore, it is provided that the further tilt adjustment device 30 is designed to be adjusted at least partially automatically depending on vehicle parameters and / or signals transmitted to the further tilt adjustment device 30.This means that the adjustment device receives, for example, vehicle parameters and / or signals via an arranged control device that command certain adjustments. For example, at an increased speed and thus when a vehicle parameter other than speed is transmitted, a forward adjustment of the vehicle seat 10 and thus of the seat part 12 and the backrest 13 can be provided, or a forward inclination can be provided, thereby providing a particularly safe seating position.

[0031] Furthermore, it is also possible, in the event of an emergency situation and an emergency signal, to automatically adjust the vehicle seat 10 to the seating position S1 in order to provide immediate protective measures, in particular before the emergency situation occurs. In particular, the vehicle seat 10 has all the components provided for this purpose, for example the control device or an electronic computing device, and is equipped with operating elements that can be arranged both on the vehicle seat 10 and on an instrument panel or dashboard, wherein operation of operating elements on a touch-sensitive display device is also possible. Furthermore, it is provided to adjust the vehicle seat 10 between the desired positions by means of a method for operating the vehicle seat 10, thus increasing the comfort and safety of the vehicle seat 10.

[0032] In summary, the invention describes a seat kinematics for a resting position or “relaxed seating”.

Claims

[1] A vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat part (12) and a backrest (13) which is adjustable between a sitting position (S1) and a resting position (S2), wherein a height adjustment device (14) is provided which has a front height adjustment element (16) and a rear height adjustment element (18), which are each mounted by at least one upper pivot joint (20) on a seat base (22) of the seat part (12) and which are each mounted by at least one lower pivot joint (24) on a support structure (26) fixed to the vehicle, wherein, in addition to the height adjustment device (14), a tilt adjustment device (28) which can be actuated independently of the latter is provided, by means of which the front height adjustment element (16) is adjustable, wherein a further tilt adjustment device (30) which can be actuated independently of the height adjustment device (14) is provided, by means of which the rear height adjustment element (18) is adjustable,wherein the vehicle seat (10) is adjustable into the rest position (S2) by means of the further tilt adjustment device (30), wherein the at least one upper pivot joint (20) of the rear height adjustment element (18) is pivotally attached to a rail device (32) fixed to the vehicle seat, wherein the at least one lower pivot joint (24) of the rear height adjustment element (18) is pivotally attached to a rail device (34) fixed to the support structure, characterized by that a pivoting of the rear height adjustment element (18) beyond a substantially horizontal support structure plane (E) is provided by means of the rear upper pivot joint (20), wherein for a pivoting of the rear height adjustment element (18) beyond the substantially horizontal support structure plane (E) a receptacle (36) corresponding to the seat part (12) is provided on the support structure (26). [2] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat a linear adjustment of the rear height adjustment element (18) along the rail device (32) fixed to the vehicle seat and the rail device (34) fixed to the support structure can be carried out independently of one another. [3] Vehicle seat (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rear height adjustment element (18) is height adjustable. [4] Vehicle seat (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tilt adjustment device (30) is designed to be adjusted at least partially automatically depending on vehicle parameters and / or signals transmitted to the tilt adjustment device (30). [5] Method for operating a vehicle seat (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4.

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