Device for a motor vehicle to support a part of a user's body

Abstract

The device (2) for a motor vehicle serves to support a part of a user's body and has a support device (8) comprising a support element (10) for the body part. The support element (10) is designed as a combined leg support and footrest, wherein the device (2) can assume a leg support position and a footrest position. The support element (10) has, in particular, a clean side (24) and a separate dirty side (26). The switch between these sides preferably occurs automatically when changing between the leg support position and the footrest position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user, wherein the body part is a foot or a leg.

[0002] To ensure a comfortable sitting or reclining position, it's common to configure the seat, for example, with an extendable seat extension that serves as a legrest. Footrests located in the footwell are also known, allowing the user to rest their feet. Such a footrest is exposed to greater levels of dirt, as it must withstand road grime such as dust and moisture that clings to shoes.

[0003] Newer vehicle concepts provide a reclining or reclining seat function for one or more seats, such as the front passenger seat or seats in the second row. Such reclining seats often feature a so-called "long seat rail" for longitudinal seat adjustment, allowing the seat to be adjusted over a very wide longitudinal range.

[0004] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of providing a comfortable leg rest and footrest with little construction effort.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a device for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user, which device comprises a support device having a support part for the body part and which is designed as a combined leg rest and foot rest. The leg rest and foot rest are provided jointly by the support part. The device has a leg rest position and a foot rest position.

[0006] The device, and in particular the support device, is a prefabricated unit that is installed in the motor vehicle during (final) assembly. In the final assembly state, the device is therefore part of the motor vehicle.

[0007] It's worth emphasizing that the support structure has a dual function, allowing it to be used as both a footrest and a leg rest. The two separate components previously required are now combined into a single unit. This results in advantages in terms of simplified assembly, a reduction in the number of parts, and cost. In particular, it also achieves a compact design.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the support device is adjustable between the leg rest position and the footrest position. This means that the support device itself is adjusted to switch between the two positions. The adjustment movement can be a rotary movement, a pivoting movement, a linear movement, or even a superimposed movement with multiple movement components. For this purpose, the support device has, in particular, a suitable adjustment mechanism, for example, a pivoting lever and / or a joint mechanism. Telescopic elements, for example, can also be provided.

[0009] Alternatively, the support device is permanently installed in the final assembled state and the change between the two positions is carried out by moving the seat relative to the support device.

[0010] The dual function of using the support part as both a leg rest and a footrest gives rise to the problem of dirt. To prevent clothing from becoming dirty when in the leg rest position, the support part, in a preferred embodiment, has a first support area for supporting a leg and a second support area arranged separately from this for supporting a foot. This ensures that two different areas of the shared support part are available, one for the leg rest and the other for the footrest, so that the first support area can always be used for the leg rest. This is also referred to below as the clean side. The second support area (for the foot), in contrast, is also referred to below as the dirty side.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the two support areas are designed differently. Therefore, they are not only arranged in different positions but also have different properties.

[0012] They preferably differ particularly in terms of their surface, i.e. in their covering in this area. For example, a particularly robust surface is chosen for the dirty side, which is, for example, waterproof and / or rubberized. Alternatively, and in particular additionally, the two contact areas also differ in their hardness. For example, the first contact area (clean side) is softer than the dirty side. This is achieved in particular, for example, by a softer material or by a different structure, for example by inserting a layer of foam or similar. For example, a hard, impact-resistant foam is used for the dirty side. For the clean side, a textile material such as a carpet, fleece, etc., particularly with a soft or foam layer, is used.

[0013] In a practical design, when adjusting between the leg rest position and the footrest position, the two support areas automatically switch. This ensures that the first support area is active in the leg rest position and the second support area is active in the footrest position. This means that the respective support area is oriented upwards toward the foot or leg. This automatic switch ensures that the clean side is not accidentally used as a footrest.

[0014] The change between the two support areas, especially the automatically controlled change, is preferably carried out by an electric motor. Therefore, an electric motor, possibly with a suitable gear, is provided for adjusting the support part, so that this or at least parts of it can be adjusted to effect the desired change between the two support areas. In addition to automatic control, it is also generally possible for the change to be controlled by the user using a suitable control element.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment of the support device between the leg rest position and the footrest position is also carried out by an electric motor, preferably initiated by a manual command from the user. Alternatively, manual adjustment is also possible.

[0016] As an alternative to an electric motor-controlled change between the two support areas, this change occurs automatically via a mechanically controlled coupling. The support device therefore features an adjustment mechanism designed in such a way that when moving from the leg rest position to the footrest position, the change between the support areas occurs automatically and with mechanical force. Therefore, an electric motor is not required in this design and, in particular, is not provided. At the same time, it is ensured that accidental contamination of the clean side is avoided.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the support part is generally rotatable or at least pivotable about a rotational axis, so that the first support area or the second support area can be alternately moved into an active position by a rotating or pivoting movement. This pivoting movement is driven in particular by the electric motor. Alternatively, such a rotation occurs automatically and mechanically forced when adjusting between the leg rest position and the footrest position.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the support part is designed as a roller, and the support areas are formed by different circumferential regions of the roller. According to a first embodiment, the roller is arranged to rotate about its central axis, which forms the axis of rotation, so that rotation about the central axis enables switching between the support areas.

[0019] Alternatively, the roller is fixed with respect to its central axis, and switching between support areas occurs, for example, by pivoting around a remote pivot axis, around which the roller can be pivoted using a pivot lever. In this variant, the remote pivot axis forms the rotation axis for changing support areas.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the support part has a carrier and a cover, wherein the cover is adjustable relative to the carrier to change between the support areas. Such an adjustment movement is, for example, a translational movement, a rotational movement, or a superimposed movement. To execute the movement, a suitable drive means is provided, via which, for example, the cover can be rotated circumferentially around the carrier, so that the different support areas can each be transferred into their active position by rotating them. In general, in a preferred embodiment, electric motor-driven drive means are provided to move the cover relative to the carrier.

[0021] The two support areas are preferably adjustable relative to one another, in particular positionable one above the other. In particular, it is provided that the dirty side, i.e. the second support area, can be moved reversibly over the clean side (first support area). In this case, either a linear, a rotary or an overlapping movement is possible. This ensures that the clean side is at least partially covered by the dirty side and thus protected when the support device is arranged in the footrest position. Preferably, the clean side is completely covered by the second support area in the footrest position. The clean side is therefore only exposed when the dirty side is moved away / displaced.

[0022] Preferably, the support part can be attached to a support structure via a pivoting lever and is also attached in the assembled state. By pivoting the lever, the support part can be adjusted between the leg rest position and the footrest position. This results in a particularly simple structural design.

[0023] Conveniently, this pivoting movement also automatically switches between the two support areas. For this purpose, the lever's pivot axis is positioned at a distance from the support areas, and the support part is firmly connected to the lever, so that the support part itself is rotated by the lever's pivoting movement and thus automatically switches to the active support area.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the support device can be attached to a longitudinal seat rail and is also attached in the final assembled state. Preferably, the support device is also longitudinally adjustable within this longitudinal seat rail.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the movement of the support device is coupled with a movement of the seat, i.e., when the seat is moved, the support device is also automatically moved. This is achieved, for example, via a suitable electric motor control or by a mechanical forced coupling.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, positioning in the leg rest position or footrest position is controlled, specifically depending on the current seat position of a seat assigned to the support device. The support device is therefore moved to a suitable position relative to the seat depending on the current seat position in order to assume the desired position, i.e., leg rest position or footrest position. For this purpose, a suitable assignment between the different seat positions and the positions to be assumed for the leg rest or footrest is stored in a control unit, for example within the framework of a characteristic curve field.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the support part has at least one additional functional unit for an additional comfort function for the user. In addition to the leg rest and footrest functions, the support part therefore has at least one additional comfort function for the user.

[0028] For this purpose, an electrical functional unit is integrated into the support element. This could be, for example, a massage unit and / or a heating element. The additional functional unit can also be an air conditioning unit for cooling and / or ventilation. It is also possible to integrate additional electrical functions, such as (ambient) lighting, a charging or communication interface, such as a USB port, for mobile devices.

[0029] In addition to an electrical functional unit, another mechanical functional unit or a mechanical function, such as a shelf and / or storage compartment, can also be integrated. For this purpose, the support part is designed, in particular, as a hollow part with a cavity that serves as storage space. For example, a first-aid kit or fire extinguisher is integrated into this cavity.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, each of which shows, in schematic and fragmentary representations: Fig. 1A is a partial view of a first embodiment of a device with a combined support device as a leg rest and as a footrest in the foot area of ​​a motor vehicle in a footrest position, Fig. 1B the device according to Fig. 1A in a leg rest position, Fig. 2A a second embodiment of such a device in a footrest position, Fig. 2B the second version in the leg rest position, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B a plan view of a seating area of ​​a motor vehicle with a support device which is pivotably arranged on a center console in two different positions of the support device and Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B a side view in the seating area with a fixed support device.

[0031] In Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows a section of a device 2 for supporting a body part of a user 4. The device 2 is part of a motor vehicle 6, which is only indicated by the dashed line.

[0032] The device 2 has a support device 8. This in turn comprises a support part 10 and an adjustment mechanism 12, with which the support part 10 is fastened to a fastening structure of the motor vehicle 6. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, the adjustment mechanism 12 has at least one lever 14 pivotable about a pivot axis 13. The support device 8 is mounted on a longitudinal seat rail 16 for longitudinal displacement, to which a seat 18 (cf. Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B) is longitudinally displaceably mounted, which is assigned to the support device 8. The seat's longitudinal rail 16 typically has a pair of rails. Preferably, the support part 10 is connected to a respective rail via a lever 14.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment, the support part 10 is cylindrical and, in particular, designed as a roller or cylinder. Specifically, the support part 10 is hollow. It comprises a particularly hollow-cylindrical support 20, on which a cover 22 is attached. The cover 22 is circumferentially divided into a first support area, hereinafter referred to as the clean side 24, and a second support area, hereinafter referred to as the dirty side 26. The dirty side 26 serves as a support area for supporting a foot, and the clean side 24 serves as a support area for supporting a leg.

[0034] The two support areas 22, 24 are spatially separated from one another and cover different peripheral areas. Furthermore, they preferably have different properties, in particular different materials for the cover 22. In addition to or as an alternative to different materials, the two support areas 22, 24 have different hardnesses. In the area of ​​the clean side 24, the cover 22 is particularly softer.

[0035] Fig. 1A shows the support device 8 in a footrest position and the Fig. Figure 1B shows the support device in a leg rest position. Adjusting the support device 8 between these two positions is achieved by pivoting the lever 14 about the pivot axis 13 located in the area of ​​the seat's longitudinal rail 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the support part 10 is connected to the lever 14 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0036] By pivoting the lever 14, a switchover between the clean side 24 and the dirty side 26 as the active support area occurs automatically. The respective support area is referred to as active if it is directed towards the foot to be supported ( Fig. 1A) or in the direction of the leg to be supported ( Fig. 1B) is oriented.

[0037] As an alternative to the rotationally fixed attachment of the support part 10, in a preferred variant, the change between the two support areas 22, 24 is achieved by actively adjusting, in particular at least the cover 22 or even the entire support part 10. According to one embodiment, only the cover 22 is adjusted relative to the carrier 20. Alternatively, the entire support part 10 is adjusted, in particular rotated about a center axis of the roller. This adjustment is particularly controlled by an electric motor.

[0038] In the Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B also shows a floor 28, specifically a carpeted floor, which defines the lower edge of the passenger compartment. The seat longitudinal rail 16 and, in particular, the pivot axis 13 are arranged below this floor 28.

[0039] In addition to its function as a footrest and leg rest, the support device 8 preferably also has a further comfort function. In particular, a functional part, in particular an electrical functional part 30, is integrated into the support part 10. This is, for example, a heating element. In addition, it is also possible to integrate a massage function or an air conditioning unit, such as for cooling or ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical functional unit 30 is arranged only in the area of ​​the clean side 24.

[0040] The support part 10 is preferably designed as a hollow part, with a cavity 32, which is also provided and designed as a storage space and / or storage compartment. Alternatively or additionally, an electric motor for the electric motorized switching between the two support areas 24, 26 can also be arranged in this cavity. In the case of a storage space, at least one safety element, such as first aid supplies, safety vests, a warning triangle, or, as indicated in the figures, a fire extinguisher 34, is preferably accommodated in the cavity 32.

[0041] In the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, an alternative embodiment is shown. In this case, the support device 8 is attached to a side part, specifically to a center console 36. The support part 10 is in particular again a roller. In this case, an articulated mechanism with preferably several, in the exemplary embodiment two, articulated arms 38 connected to one another in an articulated manner is provided as the adjustment mechanism 12. An end-side articulated arm 38, to which the support part 10 is attached, is generally arranged so as to be pivotable about a (horizontal) pivot axis 13 and can be pivoted from the footrest position according to Fig. 2A into the leg rest position according to Fig. 2B.

[0042] The adjustment mechanism 12 is attached to the center console 36 via a pivot point 40. The pivot point 40 is designed, for example, as a pivot bearing. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment mechanism 12 is also attached to the center console 36 via the pivot point 40 in a height-adjustable and / or longitudinally adjustable manner.

[0043] The change between the two support areas 24, 26 takes place, for example, automatically by the pivoting movement of the end-side articulated arm 38 or alternatively by a controlled, in particular electromotive, adjustment, for example by a rotation of the roller (support part 10) about a central axis of the roller, which in this case also forms a rotation axis 13.

[0044] The Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B show a further embodiment of the support device 8. In this case, the support part 10 is again pivotably arranged on the center console 36 via an adjustment mechanism 12. In contrast to the horizontal pivot axis 13 according to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, however, a vertical pivot axis 13 is provided so that the support part 10 can be pivoted to a side wall of the center console 36 and thus out of the footwell.

[0045] The Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B show a variant with a fixed support device 8, in which the support part 10 is arranged in particular in a fixed position and preferably on the seat longitudinal rail 16. The change between the leg rest position and the footrest position takes place by moving the seat 18 (in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4b not shown, only the user in different sitting positions) in relation to the support part 10. The support part 10 in turn has the two support areas 24, 26. The change preferably takes place automatically due to the different sitting positions caused by the seat adjustment, so that in the Fig. 4A, the dirt side 26 is automatically in the active position, facing the foot. In contrast, in the position shown in Fig. 4B, the clean side 24 is automatically in the active position facing the leg, without any active adjustment movement of the support part 10 being required.

[0046] In the Fig. 4A, Fig.4b additionally provides for active adjustment of the support part 10, thus supporting the transition between the two support areas. For this purpose, a rotational movement of the support part 10 about a central axis / rotation axis 13 (pivot axis) of the support part 10 is provided, so that the dirt side 26 is rotated counterclockwise to change to the leg rest position. List of reference symbols 2 Device 4 users 6 Motor vehicle 8 Support device 10 support part 12 adjustment mechanism 13 axis of rotation 14 levers 16 Seat longitudinal rail 18 seats 20 carriers 22 Reference 24 Clean side 26 Dirty side 28 Floor 30 electrical functional unit 32 cavity 34 fire extinguishers 36 Center console 38 Articulated arm 40 Anlenkpunkt

Claims

[1] Device (2) for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user, comprising a support device (8) which has a support part (10) for the body part and which is designed as a combined leg rest and foot rest, wherein a leg rest position and a foot rest position are provided. [2] Device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support part (10) is adjustable between the leg rest position and the footrest position. [3] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support part (10) has a first support area (24) as a clean side for supporting a leg and a second support area (26) as a dirty side for supporting a foot. [4] Device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the two support areas (24, 26) are designed differently and differ, for example, with regard to a cover (22) and / or their hardness. [5] Device (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein when adjusting between the leg rest position and the foot rest position, a change between the two support areas (24, 26) takes place automatically, so that in the leg rest position the first support area (24) is active and in the foot rest position the second support area (26) is active. [6] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a change between the two support areas (24, 26) is controlled by an electric motor. [7] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the change between the two support areas (24, 26) takes place automatically by a mechanical forced coupling. [8] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the support part (10) is rotatable about a rotation axis (13) so that the first support area (24) or the second support area (26) can be alternately transferred into an active position. [9] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the support part (10) is designed as a roller and the support areas (24, 26) are formed by different circumferential areas of the roller. [10] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the support part (10) has a carrier (20) and a cover (22), wherein the cover (22) is adjustable relative to the carrier (20) in order to change between the support areas (24, 26). [11] Device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the two support areas (24, 26) are adjustable relative to one another and in particular can be positioned one above the other, wherein in particular the second support area (26) is reversibly movable over the first support area (24). [12] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) can be fastened to a holding structure via a pivotable lever and can be adjusted between the leg support position and the foot support position by pivoting the lever. [13] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) can be fastened to a seat longitudinal rail (16), in particular in a longitudinally displaceable manner. [14] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning in the leg rest position or the foot rest position is controlled as a function of a current seat position of a seat (18) associated with the support device (8). [15] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) has at least one further functional unit for a further comfort function for the user, wherein the further functional unit is in particular an electrical functional unit (30) such as a massage unit or a heating element. [16] Device (2) according to the preceding claim and according to claim 3, wherein the further functional unit (30) is formed only in the region of the first support region (24). [17] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is installed in a motor vehicle.

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