Device for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user

Abstract

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, wherein the support part (10) has a first support area (24) as the clean side for supporting a leg and a second support area (26) as the dirty side for supporting a foot, characterized in that 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).

Description

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.With regard to a comfortable seating or also reclining position, it is known to configure the seat with a seat extension that can be extended, for example, as a leg rest. In addition, footrests are also known, which are arranged in the foot space and on which the user can place his foot. Such a footrest is exposed to a higher dirt load because it must resist road dirt such as dust and moisture adhering to the shoes.More recent vehicle concepts provide a recliner or reclining seat function for one or more seats, for example for the passenger seat or also for seats in the second seat row. In such reclining seats, a so-called "long seat rail" is often provided for a seat longitudinal adjustment, so that the seat as a whole can be adjusted over a very wide longitudinal range.DE 100 03 407 A1 and DE 691 13 045 T2 each disclose a vehicle seat with a combined foot and leg support, which is pivotably fastened to a seat frame via a lever.DE 199 44 619 A1 discloses an aircraft passenger seat with a pivotably arranged leg rest with a fold-out footrest. A further aircraft seat can be taken from DE 10 2014 119 264 A1, on the rear side of which a footrest for a passenger of a rear row of seats is attached.DE 10 2019 126 180 A1 describes a motor vehicle seat with a pivotable calf support with a telescopically extendable heel support. The heel support includes a hard shelf layer for supporting the foot and a pad for supporting the calf. By rotating the heel support, it is possible to change between the storage layer and the cushion.Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to make a comfortable leg support and footrest possible with little structural complexity.The object is achieved according to the invention by a device for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user having the features of claim 1. The leg support and the footrest are provided jointly by the support part. The device has an overall leg rest position and a footrest position.The device and in particular the support device is in particular a prefabricated structural unit which is installed in the motor vehicle during (final) installation of the latter. In the final assembled situation, the device is therefore part of the motor vehicle.It should be emphasized that the support device has a dual function and can thus be used both as a footrest and as a leg rest. The two different components required hitherto are therefore now combined into one structural unit. This results in advantages with regard to simplified assembly, a reduction in the number of parts and costs. In particular, a compact construction is also achieved as a result.According to a preferred embodiment variant, the support device is adjustable between the leg support position and the foot support position. This means that the support device itself is adjusted to change between the two positions. The adjusting movement can be a rotational movement, a pivoting movement, a linear movement or else a superimposed movement with a plurality of movement components. For this purpose, the support device has, in particular, a suitable adjustment mechanism, for example a pivot lever and / or a joint mechanism. Telescopic elements can also be provided, for example.Alternatively, the support device is fixedly installed in the final assembled state and the change between the two positions takes place by a displacement of the seat relative to the support device.Due to the dual function using the support part both as leg support and as footrest, there is the problem of dirt loading. In order to avoid soiling of clothing in the leg-rest position, the support part has a first support region for supporting a leg and a second support region, arranged locally separately therefrom, for supporting a foot. This ensures that two different regions of the common support part are available on the one hand for the leg rest and on the other hand for the footrest, so that the first support region can always be used for the leg rest. This is also referred to below as clean side. The second support region (for the foot), in contrast, is also referred to below as the dirt side.In a preferred embodiment, the two support regions are configured differently. They are therefore not only arranged at different positions, but also have different properties.They preferably differ in particular with regard to their surface, i.e. by their relationship in this region. For example, a particularly robust surface is selected for the dirt side, which surface is waterproof and / or rubberised, for example. Alternatively and in particular additionally, the two bearing regions also differ in their hardness. Thus, the first support region (clean side) is preferably formed softer than the dirty side. This is achieved in particular, for example, by a softer material or also by a different construction, for example, by intermediate positioning of a foam layer or the like. Thus, for example, hard foam which is resistant to steps is used for the dirt side. For the clean side, for example, a textile material, such as a carpet, nonwoven material, etc., is used, in particular with a soft or foam layer.In an expedient embodiment, during the adjustment between the leg rest position and the foot support position, a change between the two support regions automatically takes place. This ensures that the first support region is active in the leg support position and the second support region is active in the footrest position. This is understood to mean that the respective bearing region is oriented upward in the direction toward the foot or the leg. The automatic change ensures that accidental use of the clean side as a footrest is avoided.The change between the two support regions, in particular the automatically controlled change, is preferably effected by electric motor. Therefore, an electric motor is arranged overall, optionally with a suitable gear mechanism, for adjusting the support part, so that the latter or at least parts thereof can be adjusted in order to bring about the desired change of the two support regions. In addition to an automatic control, there is also the alternative, in principle, that the change is controlled by the user by a suitable operating element.Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment of the support device between the leg support position and the footrest position is also effected by electric motor, preferably initiated by a manual operating command of the user. Alternatively, a manual adjustment is again possible.As an alternative to an electric motor-controlled change between the two support regions, this change is effected automatically by a mechanical positive coupling. The support device therefore has an adjustment mechanism overall, which is designed such that when the leg support position is transferred into the footrest position, the change between the support regions automatically takes place in a mechanically positively guided manner. In this embodiment, an electric motor is therefore not required and in particular is also not provided. At the same time, it is also ensured that accidental soiling of the clean side is avoided.In a preferred embodiment, the support part is generally rotatable or at least pivotable about an axis of rotation, so that by a rotational or pivoting movement the first support region or the second support region can be alternately transferred into a respectively active position. This pivoting movement is driven in particular via the electric motor. Alternatively, such rotation is automatically and mechanically forced upon the adjustment between the leg rest position and the foot support position.According to a preferred embodiment, the support part is designed as a roller and the support regions are formed by different circumferential regions of the roller. According to a first embodiment variant, the roller is arranged rotatably about its central axis forming the axis of rotation, so that the change between the bearing regions thus takes place by a rotation about the central axis.Alternatively, the roller is fixed with respect to its central axis and a change between support regions takes place, for example, by pivoting about a remote pivot axis about which the roller is pivotable by means of a pivot lever. In this variant, the remote pivot axis forms the axis of rotation for changing the support regions.According to the invention, the support part has a carrier and a cover, wherein the cover is adjustable relative to the carrier for changing between the support regions. Such an adjusting movement is, for example, a translatory movement, a rotary movement or a superimposed movement. To perform the movement, a suitable drive means is provided, by means of which, for example, the cover can be rotated in the circumferential direction about the carrier, so that the different support regions can be transferred into their active position in each case by the rotation. In general, in a preferred embodiment, drive means driven by electric motor are provided for displacing the reference relative to the carrier.Preferably, the two support regions can be adjusted relative to one another, in particular positioned one above the other. In this case, it is specifically provided that the dirt side, i.e. the second support region, can be reversibly moved over the clean side (first support region). In this case, either a linear, a rotational or also a superimposed movement is again possible. This ensures that the clean side is at least partially covered by the dirty side when the support device is arranged in the foot support position and is thus protected. Preferably, the clean side in the foot support position is completely covered by the second support region. The clean side is therefore only exposed by moving away / displacing the dirty side.The support part is preferably fastenable to a holding structure via a pivotable lever and is also fastened in the assembled state, wherein the support part is adjustable between the leg support position and the footrest position by pivoting the lever. This achieves a particularly simple structural design.Expediently, during this pivoting movement, the change between the two support regions also takes place automatically. For this purpose, the pivot axis of the lever is arranged, for example, at a distance from the support regions and the support part is fixedly connected to the lever, so that the support part itself is thus rotated by the pivoting movement of the lever and as a result automatically changes into the active support region.According to a preferred embodiment, the support device can be fastened to a seat longitudinal rail and is also fastened in the finally mounted state. Preferably, the support device is also longitudinally displaceably adjustable in this longitudinal seat rail.According to a preferred embodiment variant, the displacement of the support device is coupled to a displacement of the seat, i.e. upon a displacement of the seat, the support device is also automatically displaced. This is effected, for example, by means of a suitable electromotive control or else by means of a mechanical positive coupling.According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning in the leg rest position or in the foot support position is controlled, namely as a function of a current seat position of a seat assigned to the support device. The support device is therefore moved in each case depending on the current seat position into a suitable position relative to the seat in order to assume the respectively desired position, i.e. leg support position or footrest position. For this purpose, a suitable assignment between the different seat positions and the positions then to be assumed for the leg rest or for the footrest is stored in a control unit, for example, within the scope of a characteristic field.In a preferred development, the support part has at least one further functional unit for a further comfort function for the user. In addition to the leg support function and the footrest function, the support part therefore also has at least a third comfort function for the user.For this purpose, an electrical functional unit is in particular integrated into the support part. This is, for example, a massage unit and / or a heating element. The further functional unit can also be an air conditioning unit for cooling and / or for ventilation. In addition, there is also the possibility that further electrical functions, such as, for example, (ambient) lighting, a charging or communication interface, for example, a USB socket, for mobile devices are integrated.In addition to an electrical functional unit, a further mechanical functional unit or a mechanical function such as a storage compartment and / or a storage compartment can also be integrated. For this purpose, the support part is designed in particular as a hollow part with a hollow space which is used as a stowage space. For example, a dressing box or a fire extinguisher is integrated therein.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These are shown in schematic and detail representations: FIG. 1A shows a detail illustration of a first variant embodiment of a device with a combined support device as a leg support and as a footrest in the foot region of a motor vehicle in a footrest position, FIG. 1B shows the device according to FIG. 1A in a leg resting position, FIG. 2A shows a second variant embodiment of such a device in a footrest position, FIG. 2B shows the second embodiment variant in the leg rest position, FIGS. 3A, 3B show a plan view of a seat region of a motor vehicle with a support device, which is arranged pivotably on a central console in two different positions of the support device, and FIGS. 4A, 4B show a side view in the seat region with a fixed support device.FIGS. 1A and 1B show a detail 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 indicated only by the dashed line.The apparatus 2 has a support device 8. This in turn comprises a support part 10 and an adjusting mechanism 12 with which the support part 10 is fastened to a fastening structure of the motor vehicle 6. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, the adjusting mechanism 12 has at least one lever 14 which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 13. The support device 8 is fastened in a longitudinally displaceable manner on a longitudinal seat rail 16, to which a seat 18 (compare in this connection FIGS. 3A, 3B ) is also fastened in a longitudinally displaceable manner, which seat is assigned to the support device 8. The seat longitudinal rail 16 typically includes a pair of rails. Preferably, the support part 10 is connected to a respective rail via a respective lever 14.In the exemplary embodiment, the support part 10 is cylindrical and is in particular configured as a roller or roller. Specifically, the support part 10 is formed hollow. It has a support 20, in particular a hollow cylindrical support, on which a cover 22 is attached. The cover 22 is divided circumferentially into a first support region, referred to below as clean side 24, and a second support region, referred to below as dirty side 26. The dirt 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.The two support regions 22, 24 are locally separated from one another and cover different circumferential regions. They moreover preferably have different properties, in particular different materials for the cover 22. In addition to or alternatively to different materials, the two support regions 22, 24 have different hardnesses. In the region of the clean side 24, the cover 22 is in particular softer.FIG. 1A shows the support device 8 in a footrest position and FIG. 1B shows the support device in a leg-rest position. The adjustment of the support device 8 between these two positions is effected by pivoting the lever 14 about the pivot axis 13 arranged in the region of the seat longitudinal rail 16.By pivoting the lever 14, at the same time there is also automatically a change between the clean side 24 and the dirty side 26 as the respectively active bearing region. The respective support region is referred to as active if it is oriented in each case in the direction of the foot to be supported (FIG. 1A ) or in the direction of the leg to be supported (FIG. 1B ).Alternatively to the rotationally fixed fastening of the support part 10, in a preferred variant the change between the two support regions 22, 24 is achieved by an active adjustment, in particular of at least the reference 22 or else of the entire support part 10. According to one embodiment variant, only the cover 22 is adjusted with respect to the support 20. Alternatively, the entire support part 10 is adjusted, in particular rotated about a central axis of the roller. This adjustment is in particular controlled by electric motor.In FIGS. 1A, 1B, a floor 28, especially a carpet floor, is also shown, which delimits the passenger compartment downward. The seat longitudinal rail 16 and in particular also the pivot axis 13 is arranged below this base 28.In addition to the function as a footrest and the function as a 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, there is also the possibility of integrating a massage function, an air conditioning unit, such as for cooling or for ventilating. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical functional unit 30 is arranged only in the region of the clean side 24.The support part 10 is preferably designed as a hollow part, with a hollow space 32, which is provided and designed at the same time as a storage space and / or storage compartment. Alternatively or additionally, an electric motor for the electric motor change between the two support regions 24, 26 can also be arranged in this cavity. In the case of a stowage space, at least one safety element, such as, for example, dressing material, warning vest, a warning triangle or, as indicated in the figures, a fire extinguisher 34 is preferably accommodated in the cavity 32.FIGS. 2A and 2B show an alternative embodiment variant. In this case, the support device 8 is fastened to a side part, specifically to a central console 36. The support part 10 is in particular again a roller. In this case, an articulated mechanism with preferably several articulated arms 38 connected to one another in an articulated manner in the exemplary embodiment is provided as the adjusting mechanism 12. An end articulated arm 38 to which the support part 10 is fastened is arranged in a generally pivotable manner about a (horizontal) pivot axis 13 and can be transferred by a pivoting movement from the foot support position according to FIG. 2A into the leg support position according to FIG. 2B.The adjusting mechanism 12 is fastened to the center console 36 via a articulation point 40. The articulation point 40 is designed, for example, as a pivot bearing. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment mechanism 12 is also fastened to the center console 36 in a height-adjustable and / or longitudinally adjustable manner via the articulation point 40.The change between the two support regions 24, 26 is effected, for example, again automatically by the pivoting movement of the articulated arm 38 at the end 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 likewise forms an axis of rotation 13.FIGS. 3A, 3B show a further variant embodiment of the support device 8, in which the support part 10 is again arranged pivotably on the central console 36 via an adjustment mechanism 12. In contrast to the horizontal pivot axis 13 according to FIGS. 2A and 2B, however, a vertical pivot axis 13 is provided here, such that the support part 10 can therefore be pivoted onto a side wall of the central console 36 and thus out of the foot well.FIGS. 4A, 4B finally show an embodiment variant with a fixed support device 8, in which the support part 10 is arranged in particular at a fixed position and preferably on the seat longitudinal rail 16. The change between the leg rest position and the footrest position takes place here by a displacement of the seat 18 (not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4 b, only the user in different seating positions) in relation to the support part 10. The change is preferably made automatically by the different seat positions caused by the seat adjustment, so that in the foot support position shown in FIG. 4A, the dirt side 26 is automatically located in the active position facing the foot. In contrast, in the leg rest position shown in FIG. 4B, the clean side 24 is automatically located in the active position facing the leg, without an active adjusting movement of the rest part 10 being required.In FIGS. 4A and 4B, an active setting of the support part 10 and thus support the change between the two support regions is additionally provided. For this purpose, in particular a rotational movement of the support part 10 about a central axis / rotational axis 13 (pivot axis) of the support part 10 is provided, so that the dirt side 26 is rotated counterclockwise for a change into the leg support position.List of reference characters2 Device 4 user 6 motor vehicle 8 support device 10 support part 12 adjustment mechanism 13 rotation axis 14 lever 16 seat longitudinal rail 18 seat 20 support 22 cover 24 clean side 26 dirt side 28 floor 30 electrical functional unit 32 cavity 34 fire extinguisher 36 center console 38 articulated arm 40 articulation point

Claims

Device (2) for a motor vehicle for supporting a body part of a user, having a support device (8) which has a support part (10) for the body part and which is designed as a combined leg support and footrest, wherein a leg support position and a footrest position are provided, wherein the support part (10) has a first support region (24) as clean side for supporting a leg and a second support region (26) as dirty side for supporting a foot, characterized in that the support part (10) has a support (20) and a cover (22), wherein, for changing between the support regions (24, 26), the cover (22) is adjustable relative to the support (20).The device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support part (10) is adjustable between the leg support position and the foot support position.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two support regions (24, 26) are formed differently.Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the two bearing zones (24, 26) differ with respect to a covering (22) and / or its hardness.Device (2) according to claim 1 or 3, each in conjunction with claim 2, wherein during the adjustment between the leg rest position and the footrest position, a change between the two rest regions (24, 26) takes place automatically, so that the first rest region (24) is active in the leg rest position and the second rest region (26) is active in the footrest position.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a change between the two support regions (24, 26) takes place under electric motor control.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the change between the two bearing regions (24, 26) takes place automatically by a mechanical positive coupling.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (13), such that the first support region (24) or the second support region (26) can be alternately transferred into an active position.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) is formed as a roller and the support regions (24, 26) are formed by different circumferential regions of the roller.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two support regions (24, 26) are adjustable relative to one another and can be positioned in particular one above the other, wherein in particular the second support region (26) is reversibly displaceable over the first support region (24).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.Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (10) can be fastened in particular in a longitudinally displaceable manner to a longitudinal seat rail (16).Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning in the leg rest position or the foot support position takes place controlled as a function of a current seat position of a seat (18) assigned to the support device (8).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.Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the further functional unit is an electrical functional unit (30), in particular a massage unit or a heating element.Device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the further functional unit (30) is formed only in the region of the first support region (24).Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is installed in a motor vehicle.

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