Module carrier arrangement

Abstract

A module carrier arrangement (M) for attachment to the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for fixing pneumatic components (6, 8; 41-50) or non-pneumatic components comprises a module carrier (1) with a front side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the front side (A), and optionally at least one further component (3). Air ducts and / or air duct sections (201-210) are integrated into the module carrier (1) and / or the at least one further component (3). At least one of the air ducts or air duct sections (201-210) has at least a local change (21, 22) in the cross-sectional area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a module carrier arrangement.

[0002] Such module carrier assemblies, as known from EP 3 8 454 15 A1, for example, are generally attached to a vehicle seat structure and are designed to fasten certain functional components thereto, such as fluid actuators, valve blocks, or pumps. In addition, the module carrier assemblies also serve to fasten the corresponding lines for transporting air to the individual components. Such module carrier assemblies are generally found in vehicle seats behind the seat upholstery of the backrest or seat part. In the known systems, the functional components usually have to be attached individually to the module carrier. This requires fastenings for lines, valve blocks, pumps, etc. The number of components required for complete assembly, and thus the number of parts required, is relatively high with this approach.Additional components are particularly necessary when special requirements are placed on the properties of the ducts. The size and shape of the duct cross-section influence not only the flow rate but also the type of flow, whether it is laminar or turbulent. However, the type of flow also influences the acoustics of such a pneumatic system. Therefore, it can sometimes be advantageous to adapt the shape and cross-section of the air ducts used to meet the acoustic requirements. Traditionally, this means that different duct sections must be provided as separate components.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a module carrier arrangement in which the required number of components is reduced compared to the prior art.

[0004] This object is achieved by a module carrier arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle seat having the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The present invention reduces the number of required components by already integrating parts of the piping system into the module carrier assembly or its carrier material. Thus, the invention provides that the fluid lines are no longer designed as hoses or the like, but rather as air ducts or at least air duct sections that are already integrated into the carrier material of the module carrier assembly. To close any remaining open ducts, only one additional component, e.g., a cover, is then required. Complex installation of fluid hoses is thus no longer necessary, and the number of components is greatly reduced.

[0006] The module carrier assembly according to the invention, which is used for attachment to the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for securing pneumatic components or non-pneumatic components, comprises a module carrier with a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. Optionally, the module carrier assembly comprises at least one further component. In the module carrier assembly according to the invention, i) air ducts and / or ii) air duct sections are integrated into the module carrier and / or the at least one further component. The latter can be recessed, preferably opposite the rear side and / or opposite the front side. In the case of alternative i), complete air ducts can therefore be integrated. This eliminates the need for additional air ducts and reduces the number of components to be used.

[0007] According to the invention, at least one of the air ducts or air duct sections has a change in cross-sectional area, at least locally. Preferably, the change in cross-sectional area or changes in cross-sectional area are located in the region between the two ends of an air duct or air duct section. The cross-sectional area can be changed once or multiple times within at least one air duct section. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of tapered and / or widened portions of the cross-section or cross-sectional area of ​​an air duct or air duct section are present in a sequence, preferably in a region between the two ends thereof.Cross-sectional area refers to the area of ​​the cross section of the air ducts or air duct sections perpendicular to their longitudinal direction or main flow direction, or generally perpendicular to the flow path. The cross section of the flow path thus refers to the cross-sectional profile of the area of ​​the air ducts or air duct sections through which fluid / air flows. Changes in cross-sectional areas generally lead to a change in the flow behavior of the flowing medium and thus to a change in the vibrations generated in the medium. The primary purpose of these changes is to reduce unwanted noise.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the change in the cross-sectional area or the cross-section of the flow path comprises at least a local and / or continuous reduction or widening and / or change in the shape of the cross-sectional area or the cross-section of the flow path. By changing the cross-section, the speed of the medium flowing through is changed, and the length of resonance sections also changes, which leads or can lead to a change in the vibration of the medium. Furthermore, turbulence can occur within the flow, particularly at the points of change, which interrupts laminar flows. This leads to a change in the vibrations generated within the flow, with a reduction in noise being particularly preferred.

[0009] Particularly preferably, the cross-sectional change is realized by changing the width and / or height and / or cross-sectional geometry of an air duct or air duct section. The cross-sectional geometry can be rectangular, round, oval, flat, regular, or irregularly polygonal, with each of the different cross-sections generating its own, distinct vibration behavior. A change in the cross-sectional geometry can thus lead to a broader vibration spectrum and thus attenuate an inherently characteristic noise.

[0010] Particularly preferably, in the case of alternative ii), it is provided that air duct sections are integrated, preferably in a recessed manner, in such a way that each of the air duct sections comprises open longitudinal sides, wherein the module carrier or the at least one further component serves as a cover which closes the open longitudinal sides of the air duct sections in such a way that air ducts are created. Open longitudinal sides are created, for example, by the module carrier only having U-shaped grooves in cross section that are open to one side, the longitudinal side. Preferably, in the case of existing ventilation duct sections with open longitudinal sides, a cover is also provided which closes the open longitudinal sides of the air duct sections in such a way that air ducts are created.Air ducts created in this way, or already present, are then designed in such a way that air can enter or exit preferably only at the ends in the direction of flow. Branches or openings between the ends are conceivable in principle. This avoids the need for separate air lines or hoses, which saves assembly effort on the one hand and additional components on the other, since the cover can cover multiple air duct sections simultaneously. The cover can also be part of a housing designed to accommodate another pneumatic component, such as a valve block or a pump. This allows integration to be increased even further.

[0011] Preferably, the module carrier has a recess in which the integrated air duct sections are arranged. When the additional component, e.g., in the form of a cover, is inserted into the recess, which preferably occurs with a form-fitting fit, the additional component is automatically correctly positioned to close the corresponding open longitudinal sides, further simplifying assembly. An additional component or cover can itself be constructed in multiple parts.

[0012] The material of the module carrier and / or the further component can be formed in different ways. According to preferred embodiments, the material can comprise or consist of a plastic material, a film material, or a felt material. The carrier material or the module carrier arrangement can be or comprise a part formed by injection molding or thermoforming.

[0013] Other parts can also be integrated into the module carrier arrangement according to the invention. For example, it can preferably be provided that the module carrier comprises integrated fastening sections for attaching or accommodating pneumatic components and / or non-pneumatic components. The pneumatic components can be selected, for example, from the following group: pump, valve block, fluid actuator. A non-pneumatic component can be selected, for example, from the group comprising the following: vibration system component, ventilation system component, electrical component, cable harness, connector, cover. The optional additional component can be a pneumatic or non-pneumatic component.

[0014] According to the invention, sections can be provided on the module carrier to which hose lines or fluid actuators can be attached.

[0015] Finally, the invention relates to a vehicle seat which has a seat frame structure and a module support arrangement as described above suspended therefrom via a suspension.

[0016] The invention is described below with reference to Fig. 1-10 are explained in more detail. Fig. 1 - shows a schematic, side exploded view of an embodiment of a module carrier arrangement according to the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 2 - shows the Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment as a simple sectional view, Fig. 3 - shows a plan view of the front of an example of a module carrier according to the invention as part of a module carrier arrangement, Fig. 4 - shows a perspective view of detail D of the Fig. 3 shown module carrier, Fig. 5 - shows an enlarged view of detail D from Fig. 3, Fig. 6 - shows a cross section through a constriction of a flow path corresponding to section III in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 - shows a cross section through a flow path as in Fig. 6, showing an alternative cross-section, Fig. 8 - shows a cross section of a flow path corresponding to section I in Fig. 5, Fig. 9 - shows a longitudinal section of a flow channel corresponding to section II in Fig. 5, Fig. 10 - shows the cross section of an alternative constriction in a flow path.

[0017] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a sectional view showing an exemplary structure of a module carrier arrangement M according to the invention. In Fig. 1 in exploded view, in Fig. 2 in composite representation.

[0018] The module carrier 1 has a front side A and a rear side B. Typically, the front side A will face in the direction of travel of a vehicle seat equipped with the module carrier arrangement M according to the invention. Only the seat frame structure 11 and a seat cushion 5 of such a vehicle seat are indicated here. The module carrier 1 can then be attached to the seat frame structure 11 via a suspension 10, which in the simplest case consists of metal wires or the like.

[0019] The module carrier 1 is preferably made of a material that preferably contains plastic, a film, or felt. In a preferred embodiment, a recess 2, which is not absolutely necessary, is arranged in the module carrier 1, preferably a recess accessible from the front side A. The module carrier 1 has, preferably in the bottom of the recess, air duct sections (not shown in detail here) or even complete air ducts, which are part of a pneumatic system that is installed on the module carrier 1 as part of the module carrier arrangement M according to the invention. In addition to a line system formed by the air ducts, the pneumatic system can have further components, for example pneumatic components such as a valve block 6 and / or a pump 8.

[0020] In the example shown, the module carrier arrangement M further comprises a further component, here in the form of a cover 3, which can be attached to the module carrier 1 - preferably in a form-fitting manner if the recess 2 is present - in order to cover the air duct sections present there and to prevent the air flowing through them from escaping to the outside. If complete air ducts are already present in the module carrier 1, such a cover is unnecessary. However, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to integrate corresponding air duct sections into the aforementioned further component 3. The complete air ducts are then also created by joining the module carrier 1 and the further component 3. 4 or 41-45 designates fluid actuators, which are preferably fluid-fillable bladders with the aid of which a seat adjustment function or a massage function can be implemented.These fluid actuators 4, 41-45 also form components of the pneumatic system and can be connected to the air ducts present in the module carrier 1 and / or the additional component 3, thereby supplying them with air. A seat cushion 5 can then be attached to the front side A above the fluid actuators 4, 41-45.

[0021] A plan view of the front side A of the module carrier arrangement M according to the invention, more precisely of the module carrier 1 thereof, is shown in Fig. 3. Recess 2 and air duct sections 201-208 are shown recessed therein opposite recess 2. These air duct sections 201-208 have corresponding connections 211-218 at one end, which serve to connect the fluid actuators described above to the air duct system. The fluid actuators can be connected to these connections 211-218 either directly or, for example, via a short hose.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the detail section D of the Fig. 3. In the area of ​​the recess 2 in the module carrier 1, a ventilation duct section 205 is embedded, which opens into a connection 215. A fluid actuator 4 (not shown here) is arranged at the connection 215 and is filled and / or emptied via this ventilation duct section 205, which thus forms a flow channel for the fluid actuator 4. Cross-sectional changes in the form of constrictions 22 are inserted into the—in this exemplary embodiment—intrinsically homogeneous cross-section of the guide duct section 205. In this example, the constriction 22 of the cross-section occurs both in the height of the air guide duct section 205 and in the width. The sections 21 are wider than the sections 22. In the example shown, these cross-sectional changes 21, 22 form, for example, various sub-chambers 205a, which are connected via the cross-sectional changes 22.The subchambers 205a are preferably of different lengths, so that in the event of a fluid vibration, different resonances develop in each of the subchambers 205a, thus preventing an amplifying effect of individual vibration frequencies. Preferably, the geometry of such a subchamber 205a is selected such that the possible resonance frequencies lie outside the range of human hearing and thus do not disturb a user of the vehicle seat.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of detail section D of the Fig. 3 with an air duct section 205 leading to a connection 215, thus forming a flow path 20. The flow path has constrictions 22 and widenings in the section shown. The widenings 21 shown here form subchambers that have the same cross-section but different lengths. As a result, each subchamber has a different natural frequency when the fluid flows through it.

[0024] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 each show a cross-section of an exemplary constriction 22, as shown in section III of Fig. 5 is shown. In Fig. 6, the flow path 20 has a semi-oval cross-section, while in Fig. 7 is rectangular. The shape is largely arbitrary and can therefore be adapted to the desired flow behavior of the fluid.

[0025] Fig. 8 shows a cross section of a flow path 20 through a widening 21, as the section I of the Fig. 5. The cross-section is rectangular in this case. The constriction 22 that follows along the flow path 20 is achieved by reducing the width, while the cross-section remains rectangular.

[0026] The Fig. The section shown in Figure 9 corresponds to section II in Fig. 5 and is a longitudinal section through the flow path 20. The flow path 20 is embedded in the surface of the module carrier 1 and ends in the connection 215, where a fluid actuator 4 (not shown) is / can be connected. In this exemplary embodiment, the flow path is closed by the cover 3. The constriction 22 of the flow path 20 is created in this example by elevations from below that reduce the cross-section in height. In this example, it can also be seen that the widened portions 21 are of different lengths.

[0027] Fig.Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of a constriction 22 in cross-section. The flow path 20 is embedded in the module carrier 1 and has a uniform, here almost rectangular, cross-section. The constriction 22 of the flow path 20 is achieved by a cover extension 3a, which protrudes into the flow path 20 when the cover 3 closes the flow path 20, thus narrowing the flow path.

[0028] Pressure fluctuations, switching operations, or simply the flow of a fluid through a flow path 20 can cause the fluid to vibrate. The geometry of the space in which the fluid vibrates creates resonances that can generate a highly disturbing noise externally. With a module support arrangement according to the invention, this resonance space can be modified by cross-sectional changes 21, 22 such that the resulting vibration is divided into a plurality of different vibrations, thus reducing its intensity and preventing or at least significantly reducing disturbing noise. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 8 454 15 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Module carrier arrangement (M) for attachment to the seat structure of a motor vehicle seat and for fixing pneumatic components (6, 8; 41-50) or non-pneumatic components, comprising a module carrier (1) with a front side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the front side (A) and optionally at least one further component (3), wherein in the module carrier (1) and / or in the at least one further component (3) i) Air ducts and / or ii) air duct sections (201-210) are integrated, wherein at least one of the air ducts or air duct sections (201-210) has at least locally a change (21, 22) in the cross-sectional area. [2] Module carrier arrangement (M) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the change (21, 22) of the cross-sectional area comprises at least a local and / or continuous reduction (22) or widening (21) and / or change in the shape of the cross-sectional area (20). [3] Module carrier arrangement (M) according to claim 2, characterized by that the cross-sectional change (21, 22) is realized by a changed width and / or height and / or cross-sectional geometry of an air duct or air duct section (201-210). [4] Module carrier arrangement (M) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that in the case of alternative ii) the air duct sections (201-210), preferably recessed, are integrated in such a way that each of the air duct sections (201-210) comprises open longitudinal sides, wherein the module carrier (1) or at least one further component (3) serves as a cover (3) which closes the open longitudinal sides of the air duct sections (201-210) in such a way that air ducts are created. [5] Module carrier arrangement (M) according to claim 3, characterized by that the module carrier (1) has a recess (2) in which the integrated air duct sections (201 - 210) are arranged and wherein the at least one further component (3) is inserted into the recess (2). [6] Module carrier arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the module carrier (1) and / or the at least one further component is an injection-molded part or a part formed by thermoforming. [7] Vehicle seat, comprising a seat frame structure and a module carrier arrangement (M) according to one of the preceding claims, suspended therefrom via a suspension (10).

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