Air-conditioned vehicle seat and air conditioning system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, with a seat cushion (12), a backrest (14), a seat sensor (24) for detecting occupancy of the vehicle seat (10) and an air conditioning device (28) passing through the seat cushion (12) and / or the backrest (14) for supplying conditioned air (22) through an upper side (20) of the seat cushion (12) and / or the backrest (14) facing a user, wherein the seat sensor (24) allows the supply of conditioned air (22) through the upper side (20) when the seat sensor (24) detects occupancy of the vehicle seat (10), and blocks the supply of conditioned air (22) through the upper side (20) when the seat sensor (24) does not detect occupancy of the vehicle seat (10), wherein the air conditioning device (28) has a shut-off device (26) switchable by the seat sensor (24) for opening and / or closing an air supply to the upper side (20), characterized in that the shut-off device (26) is arranged in the seat cushion (12) or in the backrest (14) and both the shut-off device (26) and the at least one seat sensor (24) are arranged in the seat cushion (12), wherein the seat sensor (24) lies directly against the shut-off device (26), wherein the seat sensor (24) is designed as a button for actuating the shut-off device (26), which can be switched automatically by the elastic yielding of the seat cushion (12) when a sufficiently large weight force is exerted on the seat cushion (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat and an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, with the aid of which conditioned air can be supplied into an interior of a motor vehicle.

[0002] From DE 10 2012 214 066 A1 an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle is known, in which several air vents are provided in an instrument panel, wherein the occupancy of vehicle seats is detected and only those air vents which flow to an occupied vehicle seat are supplied with conditioned air.

[0003] From DE 20 2004 000 386 U1 an air-conditioned vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is known, in which an air duct of an air conditioning device runs through a seat cushion and / or backrest cushion and has an air outlet that can be closed with a flap, wherein the flap is coupled to a seat occupancy detection device.

[0004] From WO 2022 / 250 883 A1 it is known to switch a seat heater of a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle and an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle depending on a weight sensor in the vehicle seat.

[0005] From DE 102 41 571 A1 and DE 11 2017 004 542 T5 an air-conditioned vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is known, in which an air duct of an air conditioning device runs through a seat cushion, a backrest cushion and a headrest. There is a constant need to achieve comfortable air conditioning for a user at the most cost-effective possible.

[0006] The object of the invention is to show measures that enable cost-effective air conditioning for a user of a motor vehicle.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle seat having the features of claim 1 and an air conditioning system having the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description, which may each individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat cushion, a backrest, a seat sensor for detecting occupancy of the vehicle seat, and an air conditioning device passing through the seat cushion and / or the backrest for supplying conditioned air through an upper side of the seat cushion and / or the backrest facing a user. The seat sensor permits the supply of conditioned air through the upper side when the seat sensor detects occupancy of the vehicle seat and blocks the supply of conditioned air through the upper side when the seat sensor does not detect occupancy of the vehicle seat. The air conditioning device has a shut-off device switchable by the seat sensor for opening and / or closing an air supply to the upper side. The shut-off device is arranged in the seat cushion or in the backrest.and both the shut-off device and the at least one seat sensor are arranged in the seat cushion, wherein the seat sensor lies directly against the shut-off device, wherein the seat sensor is designed as a button for actuating the shut-off device, which can be switched automatically by the elastic yielding of the seat cushion when a sufficiently large weight force is exerted on the seat cushion.

[0009] Because the conditioned air is supplied directly to the vehicle seat, it is not necessary for the conditioned air to first bridge a distance between an instrument panel and the user. This avoids unnecessary turbulence of the conditioned air in the interior of the vehicle. Instead, the user can be supplied with conditioned air directly at the vehicle seat. This takes advantage of the knowledge that the comfort achieved with conditioned air ultimately only depends on the ambient conditions in the immediate vicinity of the user's skin. In fact, it is not necessary to air condition the entire interior of the vehicle to achieve a rapid change in comfort. Instead, it is sufficient to air condition just a portion of the interior around the user.To ensure that only the area surrounding the occupant is air-conditioned, the seat sensor can be used to check whether the respective seat in the vehicle's interior is occupied by a occupant. This allows conditioned air to be supplied to those vehicle seats where a occupant is actually sitting. This prevents the supply of conditioned air to unoccupied vehicle seats.

[0010] Since the seat sensor allows conditioned air to be supplied only to occupied vehicle seats, the air flow to be conditioned can be limited to the minimum deemed necessary. On the one hand, the air flow to be conditioned can be reduced by supplying the conditioned air directly to the occupant via the vehicle seat. On the other hand, the air flow to be conditioned can be reduced by supplying conditioned air only to the vehicle seats that are actually occupied. The air conditioning performance, such as heating and / or cooling, of the air to be conditioned, particularly within the air conditioning system of the vehicle seat, can thus be minimized.As a result, the air conditioning strategy achieved with the help of the vehicle seat is particularly suitable for electrically powered motor vehicles, preferably purely electric vehicles, in which heating is supplied from a battery and not from an internal combustion engine heated to operating temperature. Unnecessarily heavy strain on the battery's electrical charge can thus be avoided, so that a long electric range of the electrically powered motor vehicle can be maintained. The vehicle seat thus enables comfortable air conditioning even in motor vehicles with low waste heat compared to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. The supply of conditioned air to the upper side of the vehicle seat, which is only provided when a vehicle seat is occupied, enables cost-effective air conditioning for a user of a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically powered one.

[0011] The seat cushion can be fastened in the motor vehicle, in particular displaceably in the X direction. The seat cushion is provided, for example, on an upper side of a seat frame facing opposite the Z direction. The seat cushion can be ergonomically adapted to the user's seating area. For example, the seat cushion can have slight elevations on its sides facing in the Y direction that protrude in the Z direction, which can be part of a seat hollow and / or can provide lateral support for the user's seating area. Air outlet openings for the conditioned air are particularly preferably provided in the upper sides formed by the elevations.

[0012] The backrest can, in particular, be coupled to the seat cushion, preferably being attached to the seat cushion in an articulated manner. The backrest can be ergonomically adapted to the user's back area. For example, the backrest can have slight elevations on its sides facing in the Y direction that protrude in the X direction, which can be part of a recess and / or can laterally support the user's upper body. Particularly preferably, air outlet openings for the conditioned air are provided in the upper sides formed by the elevations.

[0013] The seat sensor can detect the presence of a user sitting in the vehicle seat. The seat sensor is designed as a sensor that can be switched on or off based on the weight of the user sitting in the vehicle seat. The seat sensor can be designed to perform a weight measurement; preferably, the seat sensor is designed as a simple switch that switches when a predefined force is applied. In particular, the seat sensor has exactly two switching states. It is possible to provide exactly one seat sensor in each vehicle seat. However, it is also possible to provide more than one seat sensor in the seat cushion and / or in the backrest in order to be able to take into account a plausible weight distribution for a user sitting in the vehicle seat using the plurality of signals from the various seat sensors.For example, if a weight is detected only in the seat cushion but not in the backrest, this may indicate that the affected vehicle seat contains a weight caused by the transport of an object, but not a seated occupant who, by naturally leaning back in the vehicle seat, would also trigger a weight force in the backrest that would be detectable by the seat sensor in the backrest. This allows for greater certainty in detecting that the vehicle seat is actually occupied.

[0014] The air conditioning system can direct supplied air, which is already air-conditioned or is only being air-conditioned in the air conditioning system, to the various air outlet openings provided in the surface of the seat cushion and the backrest. The plurality of air outlet openings and the flow direction of the air leaving the respective air outlet opening in the surface can be suitably selected in order to achieve air conditioning in the smallest possible volume around the user. Furthermore, the flow velocity and / or the volume flow of the conditioned air flowing through the respective air outlet opening can be suitably specified via the geometric design of the flow channels leading to the air outlet openings, in particular with regard to the flow cross-section.The seat sensor can cooperate with the air conditioning system in such a way that the air conditioning system only allows the supply of conditioned air if the seat sensor has also detected occupancy of the vehicle seat. Depending on the switching state of the seat sensor or the combined sensor result of a plurality of seat sensors, the air conditioning system can block or allow air to flow through the air outlet openings in the upper side of the vehicle seat. Depending on the design of the air conditioning system and the intended operating mode of the air conditioning system as a function of the seat sensor and / or a manually set specification, it is also possible for the air conditioning system to only allow conditioned air to flow through some of the air outlet openings in the upper side of the vehicle seat.

[0015] An X-direction is understood to be a coordinate direction along a longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle when the vehicle seat is installed in the motor vehicle. The X-direction is essentially horizontal when the motor vehicle is parked on a flat, horizontal surface. A Y-direction is understood to be a coordinate direction along a transverse axis of a motor vehicle when the vehicle seat is installed in the motor vehicle. The Y-direction is essentially horizontal when the motor vehicle is parked on a flat, horizontal surface. A Z-direction is understood to be a coordinate direction along a vertical axis of a motor vehicle when the vehicle seat is installed in the motor vehicle. The Z-direction is essentially vertical when the motor vehicle is parked on a flat, horizontal surface.The X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0016] The air conditioning system has a shut-off device that can be switched by the seat sensor for opening and / or closing an air supply to the upper side, wherein the shut-off device is arranged in the seat cushion or in the backrest. The shut-off device can be, for example, an adjustable throttle valve and / or a shut-off flap. Depending on the switching state of the at least one seat sensor, the shut-off device can be actuated and held in a closed or open position, for example with the aid of an electric motor. The shut-off device itself can be recessed, in particular, within the seat cushion or within the backrest, so that an area less used for upholstery purposes can be used to accommodate the shut-off device in a space-saving or even space-neutral manner.

[0017] Both the shut-off device and the at least one seat sensor are arranged in the seat cushion, with the seat sensor being located directly against the shut-off device. This allows for particularly small installation space requirements. The seat sensor is designed as a switch for activating the shut-off device, which can be automatically activated by the elastic yielding of the seat cushion when a sufficiently large weight force is exerted on the seat cushion. The seat sensor is a button for activating the shut-off device.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the air conditioning device has a plurality of air outlet openings in the upper side of the seat cushion and the backrest, wherein the plurality of air outlet openings are arranged such that an air curtain is formed that flows laterally around the user. The respective air curtain, composed of the outflowing conditioned air, can form a substantially planar, coherent volume. The respective air curtain can preferably conform to the user, for example through Coandæ effects, and thereby envelop the user. With the help of the air curtains, an air cushion area of ​​conditioned air can be created in which the user sits for the most part.

[0019] In particular, the air curtain can be formed on both a right-hand side in the Y direction and a left-hand side in the Y direction, wherein the plurality of air outlet openings are arranged such that the two air curtains converge in the Z direction above the user. The air cushion area formed with the aid of the air curtains can thus completely envelop the user in the area of ​​the vehicle seat. This enables a quick and cost-effective improvement in comfort through conditioned air in a comparatively small partial volume within the interior of the motor vehicle. The air cushion area formed with the aid of the two converging air curtains can form a type of cocoon for the user made of conditioned air.

[0020] The air conditioning device preferably has, in particular within the seat cushion, a fan for conveying the conditioned air and / or a heater for heating the conditioned air and / or a cooler for cooling the conditioned air, wherein in particular the fan and / or the heater and / or the cooler are designed to communicate with the seat sensor in a way that can be switched on and off by the seat sensor. The air conditioning of the conditioned air to be supplied via the air outlet openings can thus take place locally within the vehicle seat. Temperature losses along a line section between the heater and / or cooler on the one hand and the air outlet openings on the other hand can thus be minimized. Furthermore, it is possible to eliminate a line system from a central air conditioning system to the vehicle seat.Instead, air from the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular from a floor area below the seat cushion, can be sucked in and conditioned by the air conditioning system.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the seat sensor is configured as a weight sensor and / or proximity sensor. This allows the occupancy of the vehicle seat to be reliably detected with low manufacturing costs. For example, a seat sensor configured as a weight sensor is provided in the seat cushion, and an additional seat sensor configured as a proximity sensor is provided in the backrest.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to an air conditioning system for air conditioning the interior of a motor vehicle having a plurality of vehicle seats, which may be configured and developed as described above. In particular, the air conditioning system may be configured and developed as explained above with reference to the vehicle seat. The supply of conditioned air to the upper side of the vehicle seat, which is provided only when one vehicle seat is occupied, enables cost-effective air conditioning for a user of a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically driven one.

[0023] In particular, a shared air conditioning compressor is provided to deliver a conditioned air flow to the vehicle seats. By at least partially sharing central units for several vehicle seats, the equipment required can be kept to a minimum.

[0024] Preferably, the operating capacity for delivering conditioned air is adjustable and / or controllable depending on the number of vehicle seats detected as occupied by seat sensors. This prevents an unnecessarily high delivery pressure and / or volume flow from building up in the respective vehicle seat when the shut-off devices are closed, which may then be reduced again in the respective vehicle seat.

[0025] The invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat and Fig. 2: a schematic sectioned principle diagram of the vehicle seat from Fig. 1.

[0026] The Fig. The vehicle seat 10 shown in Figure 1 can be installed in the interior of a motor vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 is designed as a driver's seat or front passenger seat. However, the explanations regarding the driver's seat 10 also apply analogously to a rear seat or a rear bench. The vehicle seat 10 has a seat cushion 12 and a backrest 14 that is directly or indirectly hinged to the seat cushion 12. With the aid of a seat frame 16, the vehicle seat 10 can be fastened in the interior of the motor vehicle. The seat cushion 12 and the backrest 14 have elevations 18 on their sides to form a seat hollow for the vehicle seat 10. The seat hollow formed in this way defines an upper side 20 of the vehicle seat 10. Air outlet openings are formed in the elevations 18, through which air-conditioned air 22 can flow, which can flow out in the immediate vicinity of a user and flow around the user.

[0027] As in Fig.2, a seat sensor 24 can be provided, for example, in the seat cushion 12, which can detect occupancy of the vehicle seat 10 by a user, for example as a result of a detected weight force. The seat sensor 24 can be coupled to a shut-off element 26 of an air conditioning device 28 integrated in the vehicle seat 10, so that conditioned air can only pass through the shut-off element 26 if the seat sensor 24 detects occupancy of the vehicle seat 10 and otherwise causes the shut-off element 26 to be blocked. The air conditioning device 28, which is integrated, for example, primarily in the seat cushion 12 and / or in the seat frame 16, can have a heater 30 and / or a cooler 32 and / or a fan 34. The fan 34 can, for example, suck in air from the floor area of ​​the vehicle seat, preferably via a dust filter (not shown).The drawn-in air can be conditioned by the heater 30 and / or the cooler 32 and guided via air ducts to the air outlet openings in the upper side 20, where the conditioned air 22 can form air curtains enveloping the user. The air conditioning device 28 can be supplied with electrical energy, in particular, by a battery of the motor vehicle.

[0028] In particular, it is possible to connect several motor vehicle seats 10 to form an air conditioning system (not shown), in which preferably a common air conditioning compressor is provided for all connected air conditioning devices 28 of the vehicle seats 10.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, with a seat cushion (12), a backrest (14), a seat sensor (24) for detecting occupancy of the vehicle seat (10) and an air conditioning device (28) passing through the seat cushion (12) and / or the backrest (14) for supplying conditioned air (22) through an upper side (20) of the seat cushion (12) and / or the backrest (14) facing a user, wherein the seat sensor (24) allows the supply of conditioned air (22) through the upper side (20) when the seat sensor (24) detects occupancy of the vehicle seat (10), and blocks the supply of conditioned air (22) through the upper side (20) when the seat sensor (24) does not detect occupancy of the vehicle seat (10), wherein the air conditioning device (28) has a shut-off device (26) switchable by the seat sensor (24) for opening and / or closing an air supply to the upper side (20), characterized by , that the shut-off device (26) is arranged in the seat cushion (12) or in the backrest (14) and both the shut-off device (26) and the at least one seat sensor (24) are arranged in the seat cushion (12), wherein the seat sensor (24) lies directly against the shut-off device (26), wherein the seat sensor (24) is designed as a button for actuating the shut-off device (26), which can be switched automatically by the elastic yielding of the seat cushion (12) when a sufficiently large weight force is exerted on the seat cushion (12). [2] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 1, wherein the seat sensor (24) has only exactly two switching states. [3] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein more than one seat sensor (24) is provided in the seat cushion (12) and / or in the backrest (14) in order to be able to take into account a plausible weight distribution for a user sitting in the vehicle seat (10) by means of the plurality of signals from the various seat sensors (24). [4] Vehicle seat (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioning device (28) has a plurality of air outlet openings in the upper side (20) of the seat cushion (12) and the backrest (14), wherein the plurality of air outlet openings are arranged such that an air curtain flowing laterally around the user is formed. [5] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 4, wherein the air curtain can be formed on both a right side in the Y direction and a left side in the Y direction, wherein the plurality of air outlet openings are arranged such that the two air curtains converge in the Z direction above the user. [6] Vehicle seat (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air conditioning device (28), in particular within the seat cushion (12), has a fan (34) for conveying the conditioned air (22) and / or a heater (30) for heating the conditioned air (22) and / or a cooler (32) for cooling the conditioned air (22), wherein in particular the fan (34) and / or the heater (30) and / or the cooler (32) are designed to be switchable by the seat sensor (24) and to communicate with the seat sensor (24). [7] Vehicle seat (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seat sensor (24) is designed as a weight sensor and / or proximity sensor. [8] Air conditioning system for air conditioning an interior of a motor vehicle, with several vehicle seats (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Air conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein a common air conditioning compressor is provided for conveying an air-conditioned air flow (22) to the vehicle seats (10). [10] Air conditioning system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an operating power for conveying conditioned air (22) is adjustable and / or controllable depending on the number of vehicle seats (10) detected as occupied by seat sensors (24).

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