Air cushion device and seat with such an air cushion device

Abstract

Air cushion device (2) for a seat (4), in particular for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one air cushion (6), wherein the at least one air cushion (6) has an air inlet (8) to be individually filled with air via an air supply system (10), further comprising a pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500) which is fluidically connected to the air cushion (6) to subject the air cushion (6) to a pressure oscillation, further comprising a vibration device (21) which is arranged separately from the pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500) and is controllable.

Description

The invention relates to an air cushion device, in particular for a seat, and a seat with such an air cushion device. Electropneumatic massage systems, for example for vehicle seats, are known in the art. Such a device comprises at least an air cushion, an air supply system, which in particular includes a pneumatic pump, as well as a valve and a valve control unit to control the inflation and deflation of the air cushion. Such a massage system is known, for example, from DE 100 63 478 A1. Such a massage system can be combined with a lumbar support system. Furthermore, DE 10 2011 079 712 A 1 discloses a pneumatic device for generating and transmitting pressure vibrations via an air cushion to the human body. This device is equipped with a pressure generator, a pressure line between the pressure generator and the air cushion, and a control unit. US 5,155,685 A describes a seat with a seat shape-changing device that is controlled based on an assessment of the occupant's physique. JP 2005-168,953 A discloses a device that enables the cyclical application of air to air cushions for the treatment of an occupant. In known systems, the muscles of the seat user are stimulated by stretching, pulling and pressure stimuli in order to increase the user's well-being and counteract the development of tension during prolonged sitting. From DE 10 2019 113 629 A1, a massage device for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, is known, comprising at least one air cushion, wherein the at least one air cushion has an air inlet for being individually filled with air via an air supply system, wherein a vibration generation device is arranged between the air supply system and the air cushion and is fluidically connected to the air cushion in order to subject the air cushion to a pressure vibration. Another massage device is known from WO 2020 / 233 868 A1. The object of the invention is to provide an alternative solution for generating a massage. In particular, the device should be suitable for generating a vibration massage in the sense of andullation therapy. The object of the invention is achieved with respect to the air cushion device by the features of claim 1, and with respect to the seat by the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims. The air cushion device according to the invention for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, comprises at least one air cushion, wherein the at least one air cushion has an air inlet for being individually filled with air via an air supply system, and wherein the air cushion device further comprises a pulsation device which is fluidically connected to the air cushion in order to subject the air cushion to a pressure oscillation. The advantage of the air cushion device according to the invention is that the air cushion(s) can be filled once with a desired volume, and the pressure oscillation can then be generated exclusively via the pulsation device. A further advantage is that both the frequency and amplitude of the pressure oscillation can be adjusted over a wider range by means of a separate pulsation device. Advantageously, the air cushion device comprises several air cushions arranged as an air cushion arrangement. The pulsation device is arranged, in particular, parallel to an air supply system, which includes one or more supply lines and one or more shut-off valve(s). Advantageously, the at least one air cushion includes a further air inlet, with the pulsation device being fluidically connected to this further air inlet. The further air inlet can be arranged next to the air inlet or on another side of the air cushion. Advantageously, a line is arranged between the further air inlet of the air cushion and the pulsation device. This design allows for flexible arrangement of the air cushion device within the installation space of a seat. The additional air inlet can also function as an air outlet, which is fluidically connected to an air release device, in particular an outlet valve. Each air cushion can also have a separate air outlet connected to an air release device. In one embodiment, the pulsation device comprises a pneumatic element including an air chamber with a variable volume. Furthermore, the pulsation device includes a drive element and / or actuating element for changing the volume in the air chamber, also referred to as the internal volume, wherein the air chamber is fluidically connected to the air cushion. In another embodiment, the air chamber may include a diaphragm which is moved by the drive element and / or actuating element. The air chamber may be arranged in a conduit. In another embodiment, the air chamber may be formed by a cushion, which is further described as a pneumatic cushion. An air chamber is expediently connected to exactly one air cushion. Alternatively, a group of two or more air cushions can also be connected to one air chamber. In this configuration, exactly one actuating element is assigned to each air chamber. An actuating element can, for example, be a piston that delimits an air chamber on one side. In its embodiment, the air cushion device includes a pulsation module which comprises one or more pulsation devices. The drive element is preferably made of a magnetic oscillating drive, a mechanical crank drive or an electroactive polymer. The pulsation device, in its configuration, generates a low-frequency vibration. Such a low-frequency vibration lies particularly in the range of 0.5 Hz to 1000 Hz, especially between 3 Hz and 100 Hz, and particularly below 70 Hz. Ideally, the air supply system includes a pump. Alternatively, the air supply system can also include a connection to a central compressed air supply. The air supply system expediently comprises a valve control unit and a valve for each air cushion, with the valve control unit controlling the valve(s). The valves can be arranged in one or more valve units. The function of a valve control unit can also be performed by a central control unit in the vehicle. This allows the air volume of individual air cushions to be controlled individually. In particular, the air cushions can be pneumatically isolated from each other by the air supply for operating the pulsation device. The present air cushion device can therefore also be designed as a lumbar support device or for individual contour adjustment of the seat. In this embodiment, a vibration device is arranged with the air supply system or in a supply line between the valves or valve units of the air supply system and the air cushion in a flow-through geometry, or connected to the supply line between the valves or valve units and the air cushion via a T-piece. A vibration device is known, for example, from DE 10 2019 113 629 A1. In this embodiment, it is possible to subject the air cushions to two different vibrations simultaneously or with a time delay. For this purpose, it is advantageous to connect the vibration device to the air inlet and the pulsation device to the other air inlet of the air cushion. Alternatively, the vibration device can also be designed as a vibrator that is non-fluidically connected to the air cushion. The vibration device and the pulsation device are arranged separately from each other and can be controlled separately. The pulsation device is connected to a group of air cushions. This group of air cushions can be connected to the air supply via the same or different valve control units. The air cushions, or all of them, can be driven by the vibration in phase or with a phase shift. In some configurations, a pulsation device can be provided for each air cushion. The actuating element is designed for the opposite-phase actuation of several pneumatic elements. The actuating element comprises, in one embodiment, a pivoting arm which can be pivoted about an axis by an angle, wherein at least one pneumatic element is arranged on opposite sides of the pivoting arm; or wherein the actuating element is arranged to be movable linearly along an actuating path, wherein at least one pneumatic element is arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element. In one embodiment, the pulsation device comprises a cylinder in the interior of which pneumatic elements are arranged concentrically with an interior volume connected to the line and pressure-balanced, wherein the actuating element comprises a roller arranged eccentrically to the cylinder within the cylinder, wherein the pneumatic elements and the actuating element are arranged such that an eccentric movement of the roller about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder can change the interior volume of the pneumatic elements to impart a pulsation to the air cushion. In its embodiment, the air cushion device, in particular equipped with a drive element for the actuating element, is equipped with the pulsation device, in particular the actuating element, to produce a pulsation with a frequency of 1 Hz to 1000 Hz or 3 Hz to 100 Hz or 60 Hz to 80 Hz or between 5 Hz and 20 Hz, in particular between 5 Hz and 15 Hz, particularly preferably between 7 Hz and 12 Hz. Alternatively or additionally, the air cushion device is designed to implement a massage function and / or an entertainment function and / or a line assist function and / or a lane change warning function. The seat according to the invention, in particular a vehicle seat, comprises an air cushion device according to the invention. The air cushion device is conveniently integrated into a backrest and / or a seat surface of the seat. In this embodiment, the air cushions are arranged in at least one, in particular in at least two, in particular at least four rows. The invention is further explained below with regard to its features and advantages by means of a description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show, in each case in a schematic diagram: Fig. 1 Schematic of an air cushion device; Figs. 2A-2C Air cushion device; Fig. 3 Pulsation device; Fig. 4 Seat; Fig. 5 Further schematic of an air cushion device; Figs. 6A-6C Embodiments of a pulsation device; Fig. 7 Further embodiment of a pulsation device; Fig. 8 Pulsation device with swivel arm; Fig. 9 Further embodiment of a pulsation device; and Fig. 10 An implementation of the transmission between the drive motor and the pulsation element. Fig. 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a first air cushion device 2. In the embodiment shown, the air cushion device 2 comprises three air cushions 6, each having an air inlet 8 and a further air inlet 9. The air cushions 6 are connected to a common air supply system 10, which in particular includes a pump 11. A valve 14, in particular a controllable valve, is arranged in each supply line 16 between the air supply system 10 and the air cushions 6. A pulsation device 20 is arranged parallel to the air supply device 10 and is connected to the air cushion 6 via a line 17 at the connection 9. A further valve 26 can be arranged in each of the lines 17 to direct the pulsation selectively to the individual air cushions or to protect the pulsation device from excessive airflow during the filling or emptying of the air cushions 6. Furthermore, the...The valves 26 also take on the function of an air release device and are designed for this purpose. The air cushions 6 can be constructed from two interconnected chambers, as shown. Alternative configurations of the air cushions, e.g., with only one or more than two chambers, are possible. Figures 2A-2C show three embodiments of the air cushion device 2. In Figure 2A, three air cushions 6 are again connected to an air supply system 10. A valve control unit 12 with three valves 14 is connected to the air supply system 10. A pulsation device 20 is connected to the air cushions 6 via lines 17. The individual lines 17 are pneumatically isolated from each other. Fig. 2B shows an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, each air cushion 6 has its own pulsation device 20. Fig. 2C shows a further embodiment of the air cushion device 2. The air cushion device 2 is equipped with a pulsation device 20 and a vibration device 21, which here is arranged pneumatically in the supply line 16 from the air supply unit 10. An alternative arrangement of the vibration device 21 in the air supply unit 10 or the provision of individual vibration devices in each supply line 16 is just as possible, as is a combination of a vibration device 21 with the embodiment of Fig. 2A. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a pulsation device 20, which can be arranged on a line 17. The pulsation device 20 comprises an air chamber 22, the volume of which can be increased or decreased by a drive element 24. For this purpose, as shown here, a boundary of the air chamber 22 can be formed, for example, from a membrane 23. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a seat 4, in particular a vehicle seat. The seat 4 comprises air cushions 6, which are arranged in two rows in the backrest of the seat. The air cushions 6 are part of an air cushion device 2 according to the invention. Each of the two rows of air cushions 6 is expediently subjected to vibration by the pulsation device 20 independently of the other row. Alternatively, each of the air cushions 6 can be subjected to vibration independently by several pulsation devices or by a pulsation device and a vibration device. Fig. 5 shows another schematic sketch of an air cushion device 2. The air cushion device 2 comprises a plurality of air cushions 6, which are connected to an air supply system 10 via supply lines 16. The air supply system 10 includes a common pressure supply 111, which is connected to the individual supply lines 16 via a valve unit 114 with a plurality of valves 14. In this embodiment, each air cushion 6 is assigned a valve 14. It is also possible, for example, to assign a valve 14 to air cushions 6 in pairs, so that two air cushions 6 are filled simultaneously. When a target pressure is reached in the respective air cushion 6, the respective valve 14 can be closed, so that the air cushion 6 is pneumatically isolated from the air supply 10. The valves can be controlled, for example, by the control unit 160, such as the on-board computer of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the control unit 160 can control a separate valve control unit or comprise one. In the embodiment shown, the control unit 160 also controls the pulsation module 102 as described below. This allows for the targeted implementation of a wide variety of functions. For example, the massage function mentioned above can be achieved by inflating the individual air cushions with air at different frequencies, in opposite directions, or alternately. Certain entertainment functions, such as enhancing acoustic effects like music or films, can also be implemented by selectively inflating individual or multiple air cushions. Alternatively or additionally, the inflation and deflation of the air cushions can be used to implement vehicle assistance systems. For instance, a lane departure warning function and / or a lane change warning function can be implemented using this air cushion arrangement.For example, when changing lanes from the right to the left, a series of air cushions mounted on the left side of the seat (in the direction of travel) can be inflated to warn the driver that a lane change is imminent. The air cushions mounted on the right side (in the direction of travel) can then remain deflated, i.e., not inflated. In principle, air cushions positioned laterally in the seat (e.g., laterally in the area of ​​the backrest and / or seat cushion and / or in the side bolsters of the seat cushion and / or the side bolsters of the backrest) could be equipped with a corresponding pulsation device or module. Air cushions positioned in the side bolsters can also be used to adapt the seat's contour to the occupant's body shape by adjusting the amount of air pressurized to the cushions according to the occupant's body shape, thus providing lateral support regardless of their build. These side bolster air cushions can then not only adapt to the body shape but also enable additional functions such as massage, lane departure warning, and entertainment features, including pulsation. Other functions that utilize such pressure on the body to provide the operator with specific information can also be implemented with the air cushion arrangement. The invention is therefore not limited in this respect, although its use in vehicles as part of a vehicle seat, and in particular as part of an air cushion device within the vehicle seat, is preferred. The above additional functions can be achieved not only by inflating and deflating the air cushions. Alternatively or additionally, the pulsation provided for in the invention can also be used. The air cushion device 2 further comprises a pulsation module 102, which has a plurality of pulsation devices 20. In this case, the number of pulsation devices 20 is identical to the number of air cushions 6. Each pulsation device 20 is connected to the air cushion 6 via the respective line 17 without a valve. However, an additional valve 26 can optionally be arranged in the lines 17. Each pulsation device 20 comprises an actuating element 25 and an air chamber 22. The air chamber 22 can be configured as a cushion. The air chamber 22 has a variable volume such that when the volume of the air chamber 22 increases, the pressure in the air chamber 22, the line 17, the air cushion 6, and the supply lines 16 up to the valve 14 (when the valve 14 is closed) is reduced, and when the volume of the air chamber 22 decreases, the pressure in the air chamber 22, the line 17, the air cushion 6, and the supply lines 16 up to the valve 14 (when the valve 14 is closed) is increased. An increase or decrease in the volume of the air chamber 22 is achieved via the actuating element 25. Figures 6A to C show different configurations of pulsation devices 20, which are here referred to as pulsation device 220, pulsation device 230 and pulsation device 240. In the embodiment of the pulsation device 220 shown in Fig. 6A, the pneumatic element is partially formed by the actuating element 224. The actuating element is designed here as a piston, which is movable in the direction of the arrow shown by the drive 221 (e.g., an electric motor, in particular a servo motor). The movement of the actuating element 224 takes place within an internal volume 222 of the air chamber 22, which is partially limited by a boundary surface (also called working space) 225 of the pneumatic element 121. Furthermore, the internal volume 222 of the pneumatic element thus formed is limited by a (preferably) flexible diaphragm 223. This creates an externally sealed internal volume 222, which is pressure-balanced and connected to the line 17 as shown in Fig. 5. When the actuating element 224 is moved by the drive 221, the interior volume 222 changes (for example, periodically). The resulting change in air pressure within the interior volume 222 is then transmitted via the line 17 to the air cushion 6 (not shown in Fig. 6a), thus causing a pulsation in the air cushion 6. According to this embodiment, but also according to all other described embodiments, frequencies between 1 Hz and 1,000 Hz are particularly preferred. For a massage function or similar functions of a vehicle seat, vibrations between 3 Hz and 100 Hz, particularly between 60 Hz and 80 Hz, and especially preferably at about 70 Hz, or between 5 and 20 Hz, particularly between 5 and 15 Hz, and especially preferably between 7 and 12 Hz, have proven to be particularly pleasant for humans, so that even long-term use of such a function is not unpleasant. Figure 6b shows a further embodiment of a pulsation device 230, which differs from Figure 6a essentially in that the pneumatic element is formed entirely by an air cushion, further referred to as the pneumatic cushion 233, which has an internal volume and a flexible external shape that can be changed by the actuating element 232, for example by squeezing or compressing the pneumatic element 121 designed as the pneumatic cushion 233. To prevent the pneumatic cushion from shifting against the mechanical movements of the actuating element 232, the pneumatic cushion 233 can be arranged in a frame 234 or in a holder and optionally mechanically connected to it (e.g., by adhesive bonding). This preferably allows for guided movement of the actuating element 232 and the pneumatic cushion 233, which takes place only within the frame 234. This ensures that the changes in the internal volume of the pneumatic cushion 233 caused by the actuating element 232 are fully converted into pressure information or pulsation that can be transmitted via the line 17. This embodiment offers the advantage that only the pneumatic cushion acts as a pneumatic element, and the actuating element is completely independent of it, and in particular, is not intended to form part of the internal volume. While the flexible membrane 223 in Fig. 6a thus ensured a reliable seal of the interior volume 222 even when the actuating element was moving, the movement of the actuating element no longer needs to be additionally sealed against the environment. Fig. 6c shows another embodiment of a pulsation device 240. In the embodiment shown here, compared to Fig. 6a, a sealing arrangement 243 is provided instead of the flexible diaphragm 223, which, together with the actuating element 242 and the housing 245, encloses an internal volume 244. Here, too, the internal volume 244 can then be changed by moving the actuating element 242 by means of the drive 241 in order to supply the corresponding pulsation via the line 17 to a downstream air cushion. This embodiment offers the advantage that the internal volume 244 of the pneumatic element is practically entirely limited by mechanically incompressible elements (the actuating element 242 and the housing 245). The sealing element or sealing arrangement 243 can be made of a relatively hard rubber. This means that the available volume is not subject to wear and tear, even over long operating periods, as would be the case for the air cushion and the flexible membrane 223. These can be subject to material fatigue, which can make their use for generating pulsation more difficult or prone to failure over long operating periods or service lives. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment with a multi-stage design in which the movement of the actuating element (i.e., the mechanical actuation) is decoupled from the pneumatic elements. For this purpose, one or more pneumatic elements 121 (e.g., in the form of pneumatic cushions 322) are arranged in a space defined on the one hand by a housing or other suitable boundary 323 and on the other hand by a flexible membrane 321. As in the preceding embodiments, the air cushions are each preferably connected to exactly one air cushion 6 of the air cushion arrangement via the line 17. The area formed on the opposite side of the flexible diaphragm 321 is connected via a line 314 to a further air volume 301. This air volume, which forms in the area between the flexible diaphragm 321, the line 314, and the area 315, is preferably constant and fluidically separated from the pneumatic cushions and the air cushions. The area 315 is delimited, analogous to Fig. 6a, by the actuating element 312 and its associated drive 311, as well as by a flexible diaphragm 313 and a housing 316. When the actuating element 312 is actuated, the pressure within areas 315 and 324, as well as in line 314, changes due to the alteration of the available volume. This change is transmitted via the flexible diaphragm to the pneumatic cushions 322, which deform accordingly and transmit a pulsation (during pulsed movement of the actuating element) to the air cushions connected to them via line 17. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for using a single actuating element to actuate multiple pneumatic elements. As shown here, the pneumatic cushions 322 and 322' are filled with air, and thus the corresponding line 17 is also pressurized. The pneumatic cushion 322' is flattened, specifically shown as empty, since no compressed air has been introduced into the associated supply line.This ensures that even when the actuating element is activated, no unwanted pulsation is caused in the air cushion associated with the pneumatic cushion 322' at the other end of the associated supply line. This ensures that, despite the use of a single actuating element for a group of pneumatic elements, only the air cushions or air cushion arrangements are subjected to pulsation. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6b, several pneumatic cushions can also be arranged in the housing 234. A "pressureless" pneumatic cushion, such as the pneumatic cushion 322', will then not transmit any pressure information to the associated air cushion of the air cushion arrangement, even through the mechanical stroke of the actuating element. To further ensure this, the movement of the actuating element can be adjusted with respect to its amplitude in such a case that the actuating element does not touch a pressureless pneumatic cushion, so that even a portion of "residual air" remaining in the pneumatic element does not cause any undesirable pulsation in the associated air cushion. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of an actuating element 400, wherein the actuating element in this embodiment is designed as a pivoting arm 411 pivotable about an axis 412. In the embodiment shown here, two pneumatic cushions 401 and 402 are provided, with the first pneumatic cushion 401 arranged on one side of the pivoting arm and the second pneumatic cushion 402 on the opposite side of the pivoting arm. Furthermore, counter-pressure elements 441 and 442 are provided such that the pneumatic cushions are each arranged between the pivoting arm 411 and the counter-pressure element associated with it, which stabilizes the position of the pneumatic cushions. This ensures that the mechanical information transmitted to the pneumatic cushion is converted as completely as possible into pressure information, which can be transported as pulsations through the respective lines 17, 17'. In the embodiment shown here, the actuating element, in the form of the pivot arm 411, is pivoted about the axis 412 in the direction of the double arrow shown. This alternately relieves one pneumatic cushion 401 and loads the other pneumatic cushion 402, or vice versa, resulting in an out-of-phase load on the pneumatic cushions 401 and 402. Consequently, the pulsation also travels exactly out of phase through the lines 17, 17'. This is particularly advantageous for avoiding resonances in the air cushion arrangement, which could potentially have an unpleasant effect on people. While in the embodiment shown here only one pneumatic cushion is arranged on each side of the pivot arm 411, several pneumatic cushions can also be arranged (in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 8), so that, for example, different groups of pneumatic cushions can be operated in opposite phases. Here, too, it can be provided that unpressurized pneumatic cushions are either not touched by the pivot arm 411 or at least do not transmit any pressure information to their associated air cushions of the air cushion arrangement, so that switching off (releasing the air) of individual air cushions is also possible without causing a pulsation in them. Moreover, no pivoting is necessary. In some embodiments, instead of the pivoting arm, the actuating element can also be linearly movable, in which case pneumatic elements can be arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element (for example, also using corresponding counter-pressure elements 441 and 442) such that the movement of the actuating element, analogous to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 above, alternately loads one pneumatic element and unloads the other, in order to cause a pulsation in the air cushion or in the air cushions associated with the pneumatic elements during (periodic or repeated) movement of the actuating element. Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention, wherein in this embodiment the pulsation device 500 is designed as a cylinder, which is shown here only in a cross-sectional view, with the plane of Fig. 9 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In the embodiment shown here, a series of pneumatic cushions 505 to 508 are arranged on the inner wall of an outer limit cylinder 501. This can be achieved, for example, by bonding the pneumatic cushions or by other mechanical fastening, such as screwing or clamping, as long as it is ensured that the pneumatic cushions are hermetically sealed. Each of the pneumatic cushions (shown using pneumatic cushion 505 as an example) is connected to an air cushion 6 of the air cushion arrangement via a corresponding line 17 extending from the outer limit cylinder 501. Preferably, the pneumatic cushions 505 to 508 have the same shape and / or volume. Furthermore, an actuating element 502 is arranged in the outer limit cylinder 501, which in this embodiment is implemented as a roller arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the outer limit cylinder 501, extending at least along a portion of the total length (perpendicular to the plane of the image) of the outer limit cylinder 501. The roller may be designed to have either a cylindrical shape or (minor) deviations from a cylindrical shape. In particular, deviations may be provided on the base and top surfaces of the roller (corresponding to the base and top surfaces of the outer boundary cylinder 501), which may result in a chamfer of the roller towards the base or top surface. For example, the radius of the roller may decrease from its center point towards the base or top surface. This can preferably be in the form of a curve (e.g., a parabolic segment) to avoid edges and thus undesirable stresses on the pneumatic cushions. In the embodiment shown here, the roller rotates with its central axis 504 around the central axis 503 of the outer limit cylinder during operation of the actuating element. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the roller 504, the pneumatic cushions 505 to 508 are deformed to varying degrees when the roller 502 rotates around the axis 503, as can already be seen in Fig. 9. The pneumatic cushion 505 is significantly deformed here, and its volume is therefore considerably smaller than that of the pneumatic cushion 507. This generates pressure information in the pneumatic cushions, which can be transmitted as a pulsation (during repeated and / or periodic rotation of the roller) via line 17 to the air cushion 6 of the air cushion assembly. While in the embodiment shown here the roller is arranged within the area in which the pneumatic cushions are arranged, it can also be provided that the pneumatic cushions are surrounded by an actuating element designed as a hollow roller in the cylinder 501, in which case the pneumatic cushions are rigidly connected, for example, to a physically formed axis 503 of the limiting cylinder 501 in order to fix their position. The roller then rotates eccentrically on the outside around the pneumatic cushions and thus causes the desired deformation to generate the pulsation. While in the embodiment shown in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, where the roller comes into direct contact with the pneumatic cushions, it can also be provided that spacers, for example in the form of rubber elements or generally elastic elements, are arranged on the surface of the pneumatic cushions facing the roller 502. The roller 502 interacts with these spacers during its rotation to transmit a mechanical movement of the roller into a deformation of the pneumatic cushions. This reduces wear on the surface of the pneumatic cushions. Additionally or alternatively, the contact surface of the pneumatic cushions with the roller can be lubricated with a lubricant, such as grease, and / or the pneumatic elements (especially pneumatic cushions) can be equipped with a TPU film on their contact surface, thus reducing friction with the cylinder. Both embodiments allow for a reduction in the physical stress on the pneumatic elements, thereby advantageously increasing their service life. Furthermore, it can be provided that a seam of the pneumatic cushion is arranged in such a way that the physical stress acting on the seam is as low as possible. Such a seam is provided to close the pneumatic cushion. The seam can be bonded, for example, by heating the material of which the pneumatic cushion is made and partially melting it. If the seam were to run perpendicular to the plane shown in Fig. 9, i.e., parallel to the axis 503 of the limiting cylinder 501, this would mean that the pneumatic cushion would be stressed along its entire length along the seam simultaneously by the movement of the roller. To avoid this, it can be provided that the seam starts from the upper end or...The upper corner surface of the outer limiting cylinder 501 extends at least partially in the circumferential direction towards the lower limiting surface of the outer limiting cylinder, forming an angle with the axis of the outer limiting cylinder 501. This ensures that when the roller 502 rotates, the entire seam of the pneumatic cushion is not loaded simultaneously, but rather different areas of the seam are loaded at different rotational positions of the roller. This results in a distribution of the forces acting on the pneumatic cushion and thus improves its expected service life. To enable the installation of this embodiment in a space-saving manner, for example in the backrest of a vehicle seat, the dimensions of the air cushions, the roller, and the outer limiting cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the image can be as small as possible, preferably no greater than 2 cm or no greater than 3 cm. To nevertheless ensure a sufficient volume for generating a pulsation, the inner diameter of the outer limiting cylinder can be at least 5 cm, preferably at least 7 cm, but preferably no more than 10 cm. The roller and the pneumatic cushions can then be dimensioned according to the requirements, with the volume of the pneumatic cushions or, more generally, pneumatic elements also depending on the number of pneumatic elements provided. As a drive for the actuating elements, a [missing information] can be used in principle (not only in Fig. 9 or Fig. 1).6) An electric motor, in particular a servo motor, may be provided. However, since the frequency at which the pulsation is to be generated in the air cushions of the air cushion arrangement may deviate in part from the rotational frequencies usual for servo motors, it may be provided that a connection between the drive and the actuating element is mediated via a gearbox that realizes a specific transmission ratio. Such an arrangement is shown schematically in Fig. 10. The drive motor is shown here as drive motor 601 and can be, for example, an electric motor or servo motor. A gearbox 602 can be arranged between this drive motor 601 and the pulsation element, in particular the actuating element 603 (for example, the roller from Fig. 9 or the actuating elements of Figs. 6, 7 to 8), which provides a specific transmission ratio between the speed of the drive motor and the frequency of the actuating element. This transmission ratio can be adjusted depending on the application. In principle, it is also conceivable that different transmission ratios can be achieved with one and the same gearbox, as is well known from gearboxes in drive technology.The pulsation frequency can be adjusted, which can be particularly advantageous with regard to the various applications of this pulsation effect (massage function on the one hand, support of an entertainment system on the other, for example). The control unit can be connected to the transmission and control the gear ratio, depending, for instance, on a desired or required pulsation frequency for specific applications. While the air cushion arrangement according to the invention has only been described in general terms here, it can be specifically provided that this air cushion arrangement is positioned in the area of ​​a backrest of a vehicle seat and / or in the area of ​​a seat surface of a vehicle seat. In particular, a combination of this air cushion arrangement with a lumbar support system, as is now frequently used in the automotive industry, can be implemented in a single seat.The number of air cushions in the air supply system, which exert pressure on the seated person's body, is essentially arbitrary; it could be, for example, 10 or 20 air cushions. Any number of air cushions is conceivable. Specifically, it is intended that the pulsation device, e.g., as a pulsation module, and the air cushions of the air cushion assembly are integrated into the seat. The air supply system, however, does not necessarily have to be located in the seat and could, for example, also be located in the vehicle floor. Alternatively, the air cushion assembly could be located in the seat back, while the air supply system is located in the seat cushion. Reference symbol list 2 Air cushion device 4 Seat 6 Air cushion 8 Air inlet 9 Additional air inlet 10 Air supply system 12 Valve control unit 14 Valve 16 Supply line 17 Line 20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500 Pulsation device 21 Vibration device 22 Air chamber 23, 223, 313, 321 Diaphragm 24 Drive element 25, 224, 232, 242, 312, 502, 603 Actuating element 26 Additional valve 102 Pulsation module 111 Pressure supply 113 Line 114 Valve unit 121 Pneumatic element 160 Control unit 221, 231, 241 Drive 222, 244 Interior volume 225, 234, 245 Boundary surface 233, 322, 401, 402, 505, 506, 507, 508 Pneumatic cushion 243 Sealing arrangement 301 Air volume 314 Line 315 Range 316 Housing 411 Swivel arm 412 Axle 441, 442 Counter pressure element 501 Limiting cylinder 503 Center axis 504 Roller 600 Drive arrangement 601 Drive motor 602 Gearbox

Claims

Air cushion device (2) for a seat (4), in particular for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one air cushion (6), wherein the at least one air cushion (6) has an air inlet (8) to be individually filled with air via an air supply system (10), further comprising a pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500) which is fluidically connected to the air cushion (6) to subject the air cushion (6) to a pressure oscillation, further comprising a vibration device (21) which is arranged separately from the pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500) and is controllable. Air cushion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device (21) is arranged in flow geometry between valves (14) or valve units (12) of the air supply system (10) and air cushions (6). Air cushion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device (21) is designed as a vibrator which is non-fluidically connected to the air cushion (6). Air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one air cushion (6) has a further air inlet (9), wherein the pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240, 300, 400, 500) is connected to the further air inlet (9). Air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air supply system (10) comprises a valve control unit (12) and a valve (14) for each air cushion (6), wherein the valve control unit (12) controls the valve(s) (14), in particular wherein the valve(s) (14) are arranged in a valve unit (114). Air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a pulsation device (20, 220, 230, 240) is connected to exactly one air cushion (6) or wherein the pulsation device (20) is connected to a group of air cushions (6). Air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulsation device (20) comprises a pneumatic element (121) with an air chamber (22) having a variable volume and a drive element (24) and / or actuating element (25, 224, 232, 242, 312, 502, 603) for changing the volume in the air chamber (22), wherein the air chamber (22) is fluidically connected to the air cushion (6), wherein the actuating element (25, 224, 232) is in particular assigned to exactly one air chamber (22). Air cushion device (2) according to claim 7, wherein the air chamber (22) is designed as a pneumatic cushion (233, 322, 401, 402, 505, 506, 507, 508). Air cushion device (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the actuating element (25) is designed for actuating several pneumatic elements (121) in opposite phases. Air cushion device (2) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the actuating element (25) comprises a pivoting arm (411) which is pivotable about an angle about an axis (412), wherein at least one pneumatic element (401, 402) is arranged on opposite sides of the pivoting arm (411); or wherein the actuating element (25, 224, 232, 242, 312) is arranged to be movable linearly along an actuating path, wherein at least one pneumatic element (121) is arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element (25, 224, 232, 242, 312). Air cushion device (2) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pulsation device (500) comprises a cylinder (501) in the interior of which pneumatic elements (505-508) are arranged concentrically with an interior volume connected to the line (17) and pressure-balanced, wherein the actuating element comprises a roller (502) arranged eccentrically to the cylinder (501) within the cylinder, wherein the pneumatic elements and the actuating element are arranged such that an eccentric movement of the roller (502) about the longitudinal axis (503) of the cylinder (501) can change the interior volume of the pneumatic elements (505-508) to actuate the air cushion (6) with a pulsation. Air cushion device (2) according to one of claims 7 to 11, comprising a pulsation module (102) with at least two pulsation devices (20), each comprising an air chamber (22) with a variable internal volume. Air cushion device (2) according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the pulsation device (20) comprises a drive element (24) consisting of a magnetic oscillating drive, a mechanical crank drive or an electroactive polymer. Air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulsation device (20), in particular the actuating element, is designed to produce a pulsation with a frequency of 1 Hz to 1000 Hz or 3 Hz to 100 Hz or 60 Hz to 80 Hz or between 5 Hz and 20 Hz, in particular between 5 Hz and 15 Hz, particularly preferably between 7 Hz and 12 Hz; and / or wherein the air cushion device (2) is configured to implement a massage function and / or an entertainment function and / or a line assist function and / or a lane change warning function. Seat (4), in particular vehicle seat, with a seat surface and a backrest with an air cushion device (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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