Automatic seat tilt adjustment (SNV) for vehicle seats

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat for automatic tilt compensation with a seat part and a backrest, wherein a fluid chamber unit with at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers is arranged between at least one seat plate part of the seat part and a seat cushion part of the seat part arranged above it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat for automatic inclination compensation with a seat part and a backrest part according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] A common problem with commercial vehicles, such as tractors, is that they are temporarily operated in a sideways tilt or slanted position, for example, to pull a plow behind them across a field. When plowing a field, the problem arises that one half of the tractor's wheels are in the area of ​​the already plowed field, while the other half of the wheels are moving on the unplowed soil. This results in a sideways tilt or slanted position of the tractor and thus also of the vehicle seat.

[0003] If the vehicle seat is subjected to such an inclined or tilted position for an extended period of time, this poses a risk of spinal injuries in the working environment of tractors and construction machinery. Construction machinery is also frequently required to operate in an inclined position during road construction work. This also results in the seat occupant sitting at an angle in the vehicle seat and attempting to compensate for this inclined position with their spine.

[0004] This results in a misalignment of the spine from top to bottom, which is consistent with the pelvic position. This can even lead to spinal curvature, known as scoliosis. Humans tend to always want to position their head, and thus their eyes, horizontally, even if the pelvis is tilted at the end of the spine.

[0005] Scoliosis is classified as mild if the angle of curvature of the spine exceeds 10° but does not exceed 40°. Very often, such values ​​are around 20°. While this type of scoliosis can be treated with consistent back exercises, such exercises must be performed consistently and regularly, which is often impossible due to the daily work environment in the fields or on a construction site.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle seat for automatic inclination compensation with a seat part which can easily provide the seat user with a compensation position when the vehicle seat is inclined or tilted.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] The core concept of the invention is that, in a vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest, so-called fluid chambers are used in the area of ​​the seat part for automatic tilt compensation. The seat part and backrest are considered independent of each other. This means that only the seat part, and not the backrest part, is adjusted for a compensating movement.

[0009] For this purpose, a fluid chamber unit with at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers is arranged between at least one seat plate part of the seat part and a seat cushion part of the seat part arranged above it, wherein, with respect to a central axis extending in the direction of the seat, a first half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the left side and a second half of the fluid chamber is arranged on the right side of the central axis and the first and second halves of the fluid chambers can be filled or emptied by means of a control device depending on a determined lateral inclination position of the seat part in such a way that a seat user automatically experiences a compensating position in the buttocks area to the inclination position independently of a backrest position.

[0010] This therefore involves a lateral inclination of the seat section when viewed in the direction of travel. The aim is not to realign the entire vehicle seat, but merely to change the inclination of the seat section to achieve such a compensating position. The decisive factor here is the measurement of an inclination sensor or its measurement data, which serve to regulate a control device using this measurement data in such a way that it specifically fills or empties the left-side fluid chamber and the right-side fluid chamber via inlet and outlet lines in such a way that an opposite compensating inclination of the seat section is established in relation to the inclination position resulting from the tilted vehicle and / or the tilted vehicle seat.

[0011] For example, if the vehicle is driving to the left in the furrow of the already plowed part of a field, viewed in the direction of travel, the tractor will tilt to the left. This will cause the vehicle seat to tilt to the left as well. Consequently, based on the measurement signals sent by the tilt sensor, the control device will ensure that increased amounts of fluid are pumped into the left fluid chamber, while fluid is removed from the right fluid chamber, provided there is still fluid present. This will cause the seat section to tilt in the opposite direction to the tilt position of the vehicle or the vehicle seat, thus creating a certain level of compensation. This allows the vehicle driver or seat occupant to avoid the risk of spinal curvature in the form of scoliosis.

[0012] The seat part is operated in its tilt position independently of the position of the backrest due to the fluid chamber functions.

[0013] In order to control such inflow and outflow of fluids to the individual fluid chambers, not only does the control device have a CPU, but additional valves or valve devices are arranged which are controlled by the control device and enable a controlled inflow and outflow of the fluid.

[0014] An inclination sensor unit attached to the vehicle seat serves to measure the degree of the current lateral inclination of the vehicle seat and / or the vehicle and then to send a resulting inclination measurement signal as a data transmission to the control device.

[0015] The fluid chambers can advantageously be air chambers, preferably having a flexible casing material. This allows the fluid chamber to be quickly inflated or deflated again.

[0016] Preferably, one air chamber is arranged on each side of the center axis, or a plurality of individual air chambers are arranged, which are either interconnected or can be controlled separately. However, it is important that the air chambers or fluid chambers are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner in both halves, i.e., to the left and right of the center axis, so that appropriate tilt compensation can be achieved on both sides, regardless of which side the vehicle tilts.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one first plate element is arranged on the left side and at least one second plate element is arranged on the right side between the fluid chambers and the seat cushion part arranged above them. This provides a more stable seating surface for the seat occupant, since a stable sitting position cannot be achieved with direct contact with an inflated air chamber. Rather, the relatively rigid plate element ensures that a stable base is created beneath the seat cushion part, even if, in extreme cases, one air chamber on the left or right side is 100% full, while the air chamber on the other side is completely deflated.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the plate elements have elevations and depressions to increase seating comfort. This eliminates the feeling of a rigid, completely flat plate beneath the seat cushion. Instead, depressions for the pelvic bone areas and to accommodate other buttock shapes can contribute to increased seating comfort.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second plate elements are pivotably mounted up and down by means of a first pivot axis running along the center axis of the seat part. Thus, the plate elements are pivotally suspended in the center, so that the greatest distances during the up and down pivoting of the plate elements occur in their outermost region, i.e., at the outermost side areas of the vehicle seat. This optimally compensates for any unwanted tilt of the vehicle seat.

[0020] The two plate elements, i.e., the first and second plate elements, can be arranged so that they can be pivoted independently of each other. This makes it possible, for example, for a left-side plate element to be pivoted upward, while a right-side plate element can be pivoted downward to a greater or lesser extent, independent of the extent of the left-side plate element's pivoting movement. This allows for highly customized adjustments of the seat cushion's inclination, thus adapting to specific inclination positions of the entire vehicle, which constantly changes its inclination when driving through a field.

[0021] Preferably, the first and second plate elements each have a surface area on the left and right sides relative to the central axis that is no smaller than the surface area of ​​the fluid chamber arranged underneath on the left or right sides. Thus, there is no risk of the fluid chamber exerting a pressure effect on the seat occupant through the cushioning part. Rather, the pressure of an inflated fluid chamber or air chamber is distributed across the plate element, which transmits the pressure or force upwards to the seat occupant in a surface-distributed manner.

[0022] A further advantageous embodiment provides that a third plate element common to all fluid chambers is arranged between the fluid chambers arranged next to one another and the seat cushion part arranged above it, which third plate element is pivotally mounted in a rocker-like manner by means of a second pivot axis running along the central axis of the seat part.

[0023] This means that instead of two separately pivoting plate elements, there is a single plate element. This has the advantage that an upward movement on one side is accompanied by a downward movement on the other side. Many seat users find this rocking motion pleasant, as it prevents unwanted compression or hyperextension of the pelvis due to differently angled plate elements on the left and right sides.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device can be activated at predetermined speeds and / or accelerations of the driver. For example, it can be provided that such a change in the inclination of the seat part is only desired in the plowing mode. However, when the tractor is on a normal tarred road, such an inclination adjustment or inclination compensation should not take place.

[0025] Using an acceleration sensor or acceleration sensor device, it is possible to determine whether the tractor is currently traveling on the road or working in the field. Depending on the acceleration values, acceleration signals transmitted to the control unit can be used to prevent tilt compensation from occurring while the tractor is currently on the road. This also applies to construction vehicles, provided the road is paved.

[0026] Signals from OPS can also be evaluated to compensate for seat pressure distributions via lateral inclination.

[0027] Of course, a non-open system can also be used, which is characterized by the fact that no separate pumps for supplying fluids or air or corresponding valve devices are required. In a closed system, in which the individual air or fluid chambers are connected to one another but have no output or input to the outside to a valve device or a pump, inclination compensation takes place solely through a change in body weight from one side to the other. This change in body weight occurs automatically with a tilted vehicle and a tilted vehicle seat, since the seat occupant tends to lean towards the higher half of the seat section and thus shifts more weight onto this half of the seat section. As a result, the air in this half of the seat section orin the air chamber below and is automatically pushed into the air chamber of the other, lower seat section. Thus, tilt compensation also occurs in this way.

[0028] Further embodiments are shown in the drawing. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a seat part for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 in a cross-sectional view according to arrow B-.-.-B in Fig. 2 the seat part of the vehicle seat according to the invention; Fig. 4a to 4c show perspective side views of parts of the seat part according to the invention in different assembly phases; Fig. 5a to 5c show a front view of a seat part with the structure according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention in different inclination positions; Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b in a perspective schematic representation a section of the seat part according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with different inclination positions

[0029] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a vehicle seat according to the invention. This vehicle seat 1 has a seat part 2 and a backrest 3.

[0030] By means of a pivot axis 7, not only the armrests 4 indicated here can be pivoted, but also the backrest 3 can be pivoted, whereby it should be noted that the seat part 2 can be pivoted independently of the backrest.

[0031] A bellows 5 in the lower area covers a scissor frame not shown in detail here.

[0032] A rotary plate 6, shown here only as an example, serves to pivot the vehicle seat in the upper area relative to the lower area.

[0033] A lower plate element 8 is arranged below fluid chambers not shown in detail here and serves to support and bed the fluid chambers downwards.

[0034] An upper plate element 9 is arranged above the fluid chambers (not shown in detail here) and serves to separate the fluid chambers upwards from the seat cushion part 2a, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0035] Air supply and discharge lines 10 run from a valve device (not shown in detail here) to the air chambers arranged on the left and right sides between the plate elements 9 and 8. An air-propelling pump 11 is connected to the valve device via an air line 12, ensuring an air supply. A control device 13 for controlling the inclination adjustment of the seat part, as well as an inclination sensor or inclination sensor device 14, will be described in more detail below.

[0036] An axis 15 serves to pivotally arrange a left-side plate element 9 and a right-side plate element 9 relative to each other.

[0037] In Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the seat part in its construction according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The seat part 2 has the seat cushion part 2a. The previously described plate element 9 is arranged below it, which in turn separates a left-side fluid chamber or air chamber 16a from the cushion part 2a.

[0039] The plate element 9 is pivotally mounted on the pivot axis 15, with the pivot axis 15 being aligned along a central axis 15a of the seat part 2. In the version shown here, the front of the seat part can be seen at the bottom, whereas the rear side can be seen in the upper area of ​​the image plane.

[0040] The Fig. The seat part shown in Figure 2 is shown in a cross-sectional view along the arrows B-.-.-B. This is shown in Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0041] The Fig. 3 shows that an upper plate element 9 is pivotally suspended on a pivot axis 15. The plate element 9 can be formed as a single piece across the entire width of the seat part and pivoted like a rocker on the pivot axis 15. However, it can also be in a two-part form. In the case of a two-part plate element 9, a right-side plate element 9 is pivotally arranged on the pivot axis 15. A left-side plate element 9 is also arranged on the pivot axis 15. These two plate elements can be pivoted upwards or downwards either dependently on one another or independently of one another.

[0042] A left-side air chamber 16a and a right-side air chamber 16b are arranged below the plate element 9 or the plate elements.

[0043] The bellows 5 is supported downwards against a base element 17.

[0044] The two air chambers 16a and 16b are supported downwards by another plate element 8, so that both air chambers are arranged between the two plate elements 9 and 8.

[0045] In the Fig. Figures 4a to 4c show a perspective view of the seat part in various structural sections. These illustrations show that the circumferential bellows 5 is connected to the underside of the seat part. The lower plate element 8 is arranged to accommodate the air chambers 16a and 16b next to each other. Both have supply and exhaust air lines 10a and 10b, which, not shown in detail here, lead to a valve device.

[0046] The two air chambers 16a and 16b are preferably oval-shaped and have a recess 18a and 18b in the center. This shape of the air chambers increases the stability of the seat part and the entire seat surface when the air chambers are inflated.

[0047] The air chambers 16a and 16b have different sections. The rear sections 19a and 20a are semi-arc-shaped. The front ends 19b and 20b are also arc-shaped. Longer sections connecting these arc-side ends are designated 19c, 19d, 20c, and 20d. All sections 19a-d and 20a-d can be fluidically connected to one another as required.

[0048] Between the air chambers there is a section 8a of the lower plate element, which can serve to support a pivot axis arranged above it according to Fig. 4b with the reference number 15 without damaging the underlying air chambers.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 4b shows the plate element 9 above the air chambers, which can be pivoted up and down or left and right via the pivot axis 15. If the upper plate element 9 is formed as a single-piece component on the left and right sides, the pivot axis 15 functions as a centrally located pivot axis for a rocking movement of the plate element 9.

[0050] However, the plate element 9 can alternatively be designed in two parts, with a left-side plate element 9 and a right-side plate element 9, both of which meet at the pivot axis 15 and can be pivoted upwards or downwards independently of each other. This allows for less of a rocker-like movement of the plate element 9 and more of a wing-like movement of the two plate elements 9 to the left and right of the pivot axis.

[0051] In Fig. 4c, the seat cushion part 2 is additionally arranged on the plate element 9. A left- and right-side upward and downward movement of the cushion part 2a results from the pumping up and down of the underlying air in the air chambers 19a-d and 20a-d and the plate elements 9 moving with it, which are arranged between the cushion part 2a and the air chambers.

[0052] In the Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b and Fig. Figure 5c shows a front view of the seat part with different tilt positions or compensating movements. These figures clearly show that the seat part 2 in Fig. 5a has not assumed a tilt position. In Fig. In contrast, in 5b, the seat part is tilted to the left, viewed in the direction of travel, as indicated by arrow 21. This means that the vehicle rides higher on the left side than on the right. Such an inclination adjustment is achieved by inflating the air chamber 16b on the right side of the seat part, whereupon the plate element 9 rises at this point and lowers on the left side. This causes the air chamber 16a to release air. This process is controlled by the control device (not shown in detail here).

[0053] In Fig. 5c shows the position of the seat part 2 tilted in exactly the opposite direction. This is indicated by arrow 22. This means that in this case, the air chamber 16a is inflated by the control device, since the tilt sensor has detected a tilt of the vehicle and thus of the vehicle seat to the left, as viewed in the direction of travel. This means that the vehicle travels lower on the left side and, consequently, the seat part must be pumped upwards on the left side according to arrow 22 and moved downwards on the right side by releasing air from the air chamber 16b. In this case, the plate element 9 is formed in one piece and therefore performs a rocking-like movement.

[0054] In Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b shows a schematic representation of the seat part with the associated control unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b differ in their pivot position. Fig. The pivoting position of the upper plate elements 22a and 22b shown in Figure 6a is intended to demonstrate that both plate elements are suspended so that they can pivot on one side and can move upwards or downwards independently of each other. An upward pivoting movement 27 of the left-side plate element 22a can therefore be greater than a downward pivoting movement of the right-side plate element 22b. Consequently, for example, more air can be released from the left-side air chamber 16b than is pumped into the left-side air chamber 16a. Or vice versa.

[0055] The inclination sensor device 26 and the associated control device 27 are shown only schematically.

[0056] The two lines 10a and 10b for the air supply and discharge flows are connected to a valve device 23, which in turn is connected to a pump 25 via a main air line 24. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle seat 2 seat part 2a Seat cushion part 3 backrest 4 armrest 5 bellows 6 turntables 7 Swivel axis 8 Seat plate part 9 Plate element 10a line 10b line 11 air-promoting pump 12 Air line 13 Control device 14 Tilt sensor device 15 Swivel axis 15a Central axis 16 Fluid chamber unit 16a Fluid chamber unit 16b Fluid chamber unit 17 Floor element 18a recess 18b Recess 19a Fluid chamber unit 19b Fluid chamber unit 19c Fluid chamber unit 19d Fluid chamber unit 20 Fluid chamber unit 20a Fluid chamber unit 20b Fluid chamber unit 20c Fluid chamber unit 20d Fluid chamber unit 21 Compensation position 22 Compensation position 22a first plate element 22b second plate element 23 Wheel element 24 Main air line 25 Pump 26 Axis 27 upward swivel movement

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (1) for automatic inclination compensation with a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), wherein a fluid chamber unit (16a, 16b; 19a-19d, 20a-20d) with at least two flexibly designed fluid chambers (16a, 16b) is arranged between at least one seat plate part (8) of the seat part (2) and a seat cushion part (2a) of the seat part (2) arranged thereabove, characterized byin that, with respect to a central axis (15a) extending in the direction of the seat, a first half of the fluid chambers (16a) are arranged on the left side and a second half of the fluid chambers (16b) are arranged on the right side of the central axis (15a), wherein the first and the second half of the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) can be filled or emptied by means of a control device (27) depending on a determined lateral inclination position of the seat part (2) in such a way that a seat user automatically experiences a compensating position (21, 22; 27) for the inclination position in the buttocks area independently of a backrest position. [2] Vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized by that an inclination sensor unit (26) attached to the vehicle seat (1) measures the degree of the current lateral inclination of the vehicle seat (1) and / or the vehicle and sends an inclination measurement signal to the control device (27). [3] Vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) are air chambers (19a-d, 20a-d). [4] Vehicle owner claim 3, characterized by that a plurality of air chambers are arranged on the left and right sides of the central axis (15a). [5] Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that between the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) and the seat cushion part (2a) arranged above it, at least one first plate element (22a) is arranged on the left side and at least one second plate element (22b) is arranged on the right side in order to obtain a more stable support seat surface for the seat occupant. [6] Vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized by that the first and second plate elements (22a, 22b) have elevations and depressions to increase seating comfort. [7] Vehicle seat according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the first and second plate elements (22a, 22b) are mounted so as to be pivotable upwards and downwards by means of a first pivot axis (15) running along the central axis (15a) of the seat part (2). [8] Vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized by that the first and second plate elements (22a, 22b) each have a left-hand and right-hand surface extension with respect to the central axis (15a) which is not smaller than the surface extension of the fluid chambers (19a - d, 20a - d) arranged therebelow on the left or right side. [9] Vehicle seat according to claim 8, characterized by that the first and second plate elements (22a, 22b) can be pivoted independently of one another. [10] Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1-4, characterized bythat between the fluid chambers (16a, 16b) arranged next to one another and the seat cushion part (2a) arranged above them, a third plate element (9) is arranged which is common to all fluid chambers (16a, 16b) and which is pivotally mounted in a rocker-like manner by means of a second pivot axis (15) running along the central axis (15a) of the seat part (2). [11] Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device (27) can be activated at predeterminable speed values and / or acceleration values of the vehicle.

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