Means of transport, seat and component for a seat of a means of transport

Abstract

A seat (1), a means of transport, and a component (6) for a seat (1), a means of transport, a piece of furniture, or the like are proposed. The component (6) comprises: - a case (7), - a cushion (11), - a loudspeaker (12), and - a light source (8), wherein the loudspeaker (12) and the light source (8) are installed in the housing (7) and the cushion (11) is intended to be attached to the shoulder area of ​​a person sitting on the seat.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat, a means of transportation, and a component for a seat of a means of transportation or a piece of furniture. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular assembly for media-assisted travel in a means of transportation.

[0002] User interfaces represent a key factor in purchasing decisions for vehicles. The ever-increasing range of assistance systems and entertainment / infotainment offerings on board vehicles makes reliable, comfortable, and discreet interfaces for vehicle occupants increasingly important. Examples of this include intercom systems, which electronically support vehicle occupants in verbal communication. Voice signals picked up by microphones are output via loudspeakers to individual seating positions, depending on the user. Another interaction option in a vehicle is vibration exciters, which are used, for example, to output signals from a driver assistance system and / or to support a feedback signal regarding the driving / road situation.Finally, the ambient lighting devices used in vehicles are, on the one hand, increasingly integrated into the design of the vehicle in a more comprehensive and visually appealing way, and on the other hand, they are sometimes used to provide feedback to a passenger in the vehicle.

[0003] The aforementioned prior art devices are typically arranged at different positions within the vehicle. Integrating the aforementioned communication media therefore represents a logistical challenge and significantly increases the variety of variants. This is associated with considerable costs and challenges in troubleshooting. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate or mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0004] US 020120086247 A1 relates to a headrest for placement on a vehicle seat of a vehicle and includes a headrest and an entertainment system. The entertainment system includes a screen and a communication device. The communication device is electrically connected to the screen and configured for electrical communication with an external electronic device, such that the communication device electrically connects the screen to the external electronic device to establish interaction between the screen and the external electronic device, allowing a user to operate and control the external electronic device on the screen via the communication device.

[0005] Furthermore, reference is made to the documents US 000010556549 B2, US 020120162891 A1, DE 112021002149 T5, CN 000218634162 U, DE 102020200939 A1, EP 000003439912 B1, DE 102021209927 A1, DE 102005034757 A1, WO 002019050836 A1, loudspeaker. In: WIKIPEDIA online library. 08 / 30 / 2023 URL=https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Sprachrohr https: / / de.wikipedia.org / w / index.php? title=Lautsprecher&oldid=236880037#Lautsprecher mit %C3%9Cberhangspule [searched on July 10, 2024], und Sprachrohr. In: WIKIPEDIA online library. May 11, 2023 URL=https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Sprachrohr [searched on July 11, 2024], which may be helpful for understanding the invention.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention by a component for a seat of a means of transport or a piece of furniture, a seat for a means of transport or a piece of furniture and a means of transport. The component is used to produce a seat or is intended for integration into a seat for a means of transport or a piece of furniture. The component could be understood as an assembly or seat component. It comprises a housing which enables spatial allocation of the components of the component and in particular represents a working environment for the components of the component. The component further comprises a cushion which serves to support a back / shoulder area of ​​a user and thus represents a haptic interface for the user.A loudspeaker and a light source are also provided in the component to provide feedback to the user. The loudspeaker and light source are built into the housing. The loudspeaker uses the housing as a box or chassis, so to speak. The light source is also located in the housing and is spatially defined by it in the vehicle. In addition, the housing provides spatial allocation of the loudspeaker and light source. Since the housing can be designed, in particular, as a one-piece injection mold, this results in a component that can be pre-assembled with the upholstery, loudspeaker and light source and then joined to the rest of the seat. The rest of the seat consists of a headrest, a backrest, a backrest housing, a backrest upholstery and the familiar mechanism for seat adjustment / headrest adjustment.Variations within the rest of the seat can thus be eliminated if the component according to the invention is combined with the rest of the seat (substructure). The entertainment system, a portable user device carried by the user, and a driver assistance system can communicate with the user via the light source and the loudspeaker.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] The housing of the component according to the invention can preferably be connected to a backrest or a backrest chassis. This can be done, in particular, by screwing, clamping, or similar means. The component is thus secured to the seat via the housing. In particular, a fixed connection to a seat or backrest housing is also possible.

[0009] The housing preferably also has a funnel, in which the loudspeaker is contained or into whose narrow end the loudspeaker radiates. The funnel can thus serve to adapt the loudspeaker to the control panel of the vehicle interior. In particular, the illuminant can also be arranged in the funnel. Both the sound signals and the light from the illuminant now penetrate the vehicle interior from the funnel. This allows a particularly suitable radiation pattern to be achieved for the loudspeaker. The illuminant can be used, in particular, to generate indirect light in the passenger compartment to avoid dazzling occupants.

[0010] The funnel can preferably be concealed on the output side with a cover located in the funnel's outlet. The cover's fastening can protrude into the funnel so that it itself cannot be easily seen. The cover can in particular be located centrally in the funnel's outlet. In this case, it can in particular have a smaller diameter than the funnel's cross-section there, so that it is surrounded by a free cross-section of the funnel through which the sound of the loudspeaker and the light of the lamp can escape from the component. This results, on the one hand, in the cover's floating impression in the funnel outlet, and, on the other hand, in a compact and closed-looking design of the component according to the invention.

[0011] The housing can, in particular, be designed as an injection-molded part, which can be made of a plastic and / or a composite material (e.g., carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or similar). The housing can be provided with a cover for visual concealment, which can, for example, be made of leather, Alcántara, synthetic leather, a fabric, or similar, or can comprise such a material. In particular, the cover can be matched to the cover of a seat of the means of transport or a cover of the backrest of the means of transport. Furthermore, the cover can dampen the housing, thereby further improving its acoustic performance.

[0012] The upholstery can also be covered with a seat cover, which can be made of leather, synthetic leather, Alcantara, a fabric, or similar. In particular, the seat cover can be made of a different material than the casing, and most preferably, a different material than the casing itself. This creates a visually appealing and functionally useful accent.

[0013] The light source and / or loudspeaker can be configured to radiate through a cover of the upholstery. In particular, the light source and / or loudspeaker can be arranged in a cavity of the upholstery or radiate into such a cavity. If only the cover conceals the cavity from the user, an acoustic and / or optical axis (e.g., through holes, perforations, or similar) can ensure that the signals "miraculously" reach the senses of the occupant sitting on the seat.

[0014] The component can further comprise at least one vibration exciter configured to be activated in response to a signal from the means of transport (in particular a driving state variable, an indication of an incoming message, or a notification from a driver assistance / navigation system, or similar). A haptic signal perceptible to the user sitting on the seat according to the invention can be generated, informing the user of the aforementioned events. This information represents a particularly discreet option that is imperceptible to other occupants of the means of transport, and whose acceptance is typically particularly high. A portable user terminal carried by the user can also trigger the vibration of the seat or component, so that the user interface provided directly by the portable user terminal does not need to be used.In particular, this enables a very intuitive and non-threatening way of notifying the user while performing the driving task.

[0015] The component preferably has two or more vibration exciters, a first of which is arranged on a left side and a second of which is arranged on a right side of the seat. This allows side- or direction-selective instructions to be sent to the user, which can be output, for example, by a navigation task (locations of points of interest (POIs), driving maneuvers, collision warnings, or similar). For this purpose, the component according to the invention can, via the two or more vibration exciters, stimulate / trigger or "tap" in particular a left shoulder or a left shoulder blade or a right shoulder or a right shoulder blade of the user.

[0016] The component can, in particular, have an electrical and / or data connection for supplying the component with electrical energy and / or data. The electrical energy can be used to power the vibration exciters, the lighting device, and the loudspeaker. Alternatively or additionally, a data input can be provided in the component, which is configured to receive and communicate the data of the means of transport and / or the data of a portable user terminal. In particular, a data interface according to the Bluetooth standard can also be provided in the component in order to receive information from the vehicle, the portable user terminal, or other data sources. In particular, notification tones and / or multimedia content can be sent directly from the user terminal to the component according to the invention.The component according to the invention can thus also be used to update older vehicle seats that do not have all or any of the above-mentioned actuators. Thus, only the component needs to be supplied with power and, in particular, data to utilize the advantages of the present invention.

[0017] The light source can, in particular, be configured to encode information by varying a light signal. For example, a light frequency or a light color can be changed over time or in a predefined rhythm. Adjusting the intensity of the emitted light is also possible alternatively or additionally. The intensity curve can pulse / vary cyclically over time or depending on a signal (music / multimedia signal). This results in a visual citation of an acoustic signal. Image signals can also be cited by the light signals of the component according to the invention in order to intensify the spatial impression of an image signal displayed at a different position.

[0018] In particular, the light emitted by the component according to the invention can also be adjusted depending on the ambient light color. In particular, a color of the ambient lighting of the vehicle can be synchronized with a light color emitted by the component according to the invention.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a seat for a means of transport is proposed, which can be used as a driver's seat, passenger seat, front seat, or the like. The seat comprises a component according to the first aspect of the invention, whereby the features, feature combinations, and the resulting advantages are clearly realized in a corresponding manner. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation is proposed which comprises a component according to the first aspect of the invention and / or a seat according to the second aspect of the invention. The means of transportation can be configured as a road vehicle, passenger car, van, truck, motorcycle, aircraft, and / or watercraft. The advantages for the driver of the means of transportation and the means of transportation itself also arise in accordance with the above statements. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention with an embodiment of a seat according to the invention, which has an embodiment of a component according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rear view of a driver's seat having a component according to the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and Fig. 3 a predominantly cutaway side view of an embodiment of a seat according to the invention with an embodiment of a component according to the invention, illustrating details usually hidden from the user inside the seat or the component.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a passenger car 1 as a means of transport 10, on whose driver's seat according to the invention a user 2 is seated as seat 1. The seat 1 has a seat surface 5 and a backrest 4. Between a headrest 3 and the backrest 4, a component 6 according to the invention is provided, which has a cushion 11 facing the occupant 2.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a driver's workplace from the viewpoint of the second row of seats of a means of transport 10 according to the invention. The housing 7 sits on top of a contour of the backrest 4 and partially behind the headrest 16. Approximately at the level of a lower edge of the headrest 16, a funnel 14 with a cover 9 is provided, from which indirect light and sound can be radiated into the passenger compartment. The housing 7 cites the contour of a user's shoulders and essentially merges at a 45° angle into a raised horizontal line above the funnel 14, wherein the horizontal line is slightly lower than an upper edge of the headrest 16. The funnel 14 is open towards the second row of seats and concealed by the cover 9 in the direction of the second row of seats in such a way that the cover 9 appears to float in the outlet opening of the funnel 14.

[0024] Fig.3 shows a predominantly free-cut side view of an embodiment of a seat 1 according to the invention with a component 6 according to the invention. Components known in the prior art essentially represent the headrest 16 and the backrest 4 with a housing 17 and a cover 18. Above the housing 17, a housing 7 of the component 6 according to the invention is arranged, which merges into a cushion 11 towards the driver. The cushion 11 is closed off to the outside by a cover 24 in the form of leather. Located behind the headrest 16 in the direction of travel, a funnel 14 is provided with a panel 9 arranged therein that appears to float. Between the headrest 16 and the panel 9, a loudspeaker 12 directed rearward (towards the second row of seats) and an LED strip as a lighting means 8 are provided. The panel 9 itself is connected to the wall of the funnel 14 and the housing 7 via two webs.A left vibration exciter 19a and a right vibration exciter 19b are provided as additional user interfaces for outputting signals to a user. The loudspeaker 12, the light source 8, and the vibration exciters 19a, 19b are connected via a data output 23 of an electronic control unit 21. The data input 22 of the evaluation unit 21 is connected to a connector 20, which can be connected, for example, to a bus of the vehicle. A Bluetooth antenna 25 is provided to establish a direct short-range radio connection to a wireless user terminal carried by the user and to instruct this to provide music signals and warning tones / signals.Even if the user cannot directly see the light of the lamp 8 while performing his driving task, the light can be reflected (single or multiple times) via the wall and / or window panes of the passenger compartment, thus providing a visually appealing and discreet way of communicating warning tones and signals to the user. List of reference symbols 1 seat 2 users 3 headrest 4 backrest 5 Seat 6 Component 7 housings 8 bulbs 9 aperture 10 means of transport 11 cushions 12 speakers 14 funnels 16 Headrest 17 Housing (of seat 1) 18 Reference 19a, b Vibration exciter 20 plugs 21 Evaluation unit 22 Data input 23 Data output 24 Reference 25 Bluetooth-Antenne

Claims

[1] Component (6) for a seat (1) of a means of transport (10) or a piece of furniture, which consists of the component (6) and a remainder of the seat (1) comprising a headrest (16), a backrest (4), a housing (17) of the backrest (4), a cushion of the backrest (4) and a mechanism for seat adjustment, wherein component (6) comprises: - a housing (7), - a cushion (11), - a loudspeaker (12), and - a light source (8), wherein the housing (7) provides a box or chassis for the loudspeaker (12) and a spatial arrangement of the components of the component (6) and the loudspeaker (12) and the lighting means (8) are installed in the housing (7) and the cushion (11) is intended to rest on a shoulder area of a person sitting on the seat (1). [2] Component according to claim 1, wherein the housing (7) is arranged to be fastened above a housing (17) of a backrest (4) of the seat (1). [3] Component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (7) has a funnel (14) into which the loudspeaker (12) radiates and / or in which the illuminating means (8) is arranged. [4] Component according to claim 3, wherein the funnel (14) is covered on the output side with a cover (9) around which a sound of the loudspeaker (12) and / or light of the illuminant (8) can emerge from the component (6). [5] Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (7) - a plastic and / or - has a composite material and / or - is covered with a cover. [6] Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushion (11) is covered with a seat cover (25). [7] Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting means (8) and / or the loudspeaker (12) are arranged - to radiate through a cover of the cushion (11). [8] Component according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - a vibration exciter (19a) which is designed to generate a vibration for an occupant sitting on the seat (1) in response to a signal from the means of transport (10) and / or a portable user terminal carried by the user. [9] Component according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 further comprising - two vibration exciters (19a, 19b), a first (19a) of which is arranged on a left side and a second (19b) of which is arranged on a right side of the seat (1) within the component (6) and which are arranged depending - a navigation project and / or - a driver assistance signal can be controlled individually on each side. [10] Component according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - an electrical connection for supplying the component (6) with electrical energy and / or - a data input (22) which is configured to receive data from the means of transport (10) and / or a portable user terminal carried by a user. [11] Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illuminant (8) is arranged to provide optical feedback in the form of a change - a light frequency and / or - a color and / or - an intensity and / or - to output an intensity time curve. [12] Component according to one of the preceding claims which is further arranged - to detect a change in the ambient light colour of the means of transport (10) and, in response thereto, - to emit a light radiation corresponding to the changed ambient light colour by means of the light source (8). [13] Seat (1) for a means of transport (10) with a component (6) according to one of the preceding claims. [14] Means of transport (10), which - a component (6) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 and / or - has a seat (1) according to claim 13.

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