Standard electrical interface for easy installation of electric seat components

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat system for expanding a vehicle seat (3) by an additional electrical component (1), comprising an electrical interface device (5) with one or more plug-in locations (7) connected to a vehicle bus, in order to connect an electrical component (1) connected to the electrical interface device (5) via the vehicle bus to a control unit (9) of the vehicle seat system, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to store a database containing information about a large number of possible connectable electrical components (1) and, when an electrical component (1) is connected, to recognize at least one property of the connected component (1) by means of the database and, depending on the property, to add, remove, adapt or assign at least one operating element (11) of a human-machine interface (13) to the vehicle to the electrical component (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat system for modularly replacing an electrical component of a vehicle seat of the vehicle seat system and / or for expanding the vehicle seat with an additional electrical component, as well as a vehicle with such a vehicle seat system.

[0002] Vehicle manufacturers usually deliver vehicle seats to the end customer in a specific configuration or with specific features. In most cases, the end customer can specify the configuration of the vehicle seat and which functions the vehicle seat should have when ordering the vehicle. For example, the customer can select how many adjustment options the vehicle seat should have, e.g. 4-way, 6-way, etc.; the vehicle seat can have length adjustment and backrest angle adjustment, or considerably more, such as additional height adjustment, seat depth adjustment, or fewer adjustment options. The customer can also usually choose the functions more or less freely during the vehicle ordering process. Functions such as seat heating, a massage function, and others can often be ordered as options.

[0003] After the customer orders the vehicle, the manufacturer installs the respective vehicle seat into the vehicle and then delivers the vehicle to the customer. Adjusting the vehicle seat after delivery is usually not possible or only possible to a very limited extent due to the design of the vehicle seats.

[0004] Replaceable seat covers are well known in practice. These have a simple undercover over the seat cushions, over which an upper cover can be attached. For installation, the upper cover (the replaceable cover) is connected to the lower cover. Installation is often achieved by securing it with zippers and / or Velcro fasteners. Customers can choose between different upper covers made of different materials and / or colors, or with various other features. The upper covers can be purchased and replaced relatively easily by the customer, thus enabling them to be attached to the seat.

[0005] Further, more extensive adjustments to the seat configuration are not conventionally available to the customer without requiring a visit to the workshop, such as retrofitting seat heating. Even this is not always possible or practical, nor is it possible to achieve a sufficiently high quality, and very often not possible to OEM quality. Furthermore, it is often associated with considerable costs, as in addition to the seat heating itself, switches, cables, control electronics, and other components must also be retrofitted.

[0006] Electric seat components, such as seat heating, massage functions, seat ventilation, etc., and their functional systems are typically characterized by an electromechanical connection, usually in the form of a connector or other device, for connecting to the seat wiring harness and, in turn, to the vehicle's electrical system. In some cases, the electric seat components are first physically connected via the seat wiring harness to a decentralized control unit, which, for example, contains the seat heating control, which in turn is connected to the vehicle's electrical system via a cable connection. In conventional arrangements, the system complexity makes it impossible for a layperson to install an electric seat component in the vehicle seat themselves.Especially since special software often has to be installed on the control unit (decentralized or centralized), which would require not only specialized knowledge of physical installation but also additional specialized knowledge, equipment, and software to commission the component, which are unavailable to the layman end user. However, there are already approaches to making vehicle seats more modular in order to make individual components easier to add or replace.

[0007] CA 2 770 968 A1 relates to a modular seat arrangement for providing an independent functional subdivision of a modular seat in a vehicle cabin, wherein the modular seat arrangement comprises an assembly group of modules and a seating group of modules, wherein the assembly group comprises modules configured for mounting on the vehicle cabin and the seating group comprising modules configured for assembling the modular seat, wherein the seating group is connectable to the assembly group, wherein each module has an independent function and has a mounting interface that removably connects each module to an adjacent module, wherein the modular seat arrangement has an end functionality that is defined by a combination of the independent function of each module.

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve a modular vehicle seat system which allows the replacement or addition of a (replaced / additional) electrical component.

[0009] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat system for modularly replacing an electrical component of a vehicle seat of the vehicle seat system and / or for expanding the vehicle seat by an additional electrical component, comprising an electrical interface device with one or more plug-in locations for detachably electrically connecting a respective electrical component, wherein the electrical interface device is connected to a vehicle bus in order to connect an electrical component connected to the electrical interface device to a control unit of the vehicle seat system via the vehicle bus, wherein the control unit is designed toto store a database containing information about a large number of possible connectable electrical components and, when connecting an electrical component, to use the database to recognize at least one property of the connected component and, depending on the property, to add, remove, adapt, or assign at least one control element of a human-machine interface to the vehicle to the electrical component.

[0011] The electrical component can, for example, be obtained by the end customer, who must be assumed to be a layperson, and installed or attached to the vehicle seat at any time after the purchase of the vehicle or after it has been handed over to him in another way.

[0012] For this purpose, an electrical interface device with one or more connectors is preferably provided on the vehicle seat itself. The connectors serve as slots, while the interface device forms the hub for the slots. The electrical component can thus be electrically connected by simply plugging an electrical connection of the electrical component into a connector on the interface device.

[0013] This electrical connection is used to transmit information from the electrical component to the control unit, which is able to use this information to detect relevant properties of the electrical component used, in particular to identify them, and to configure a control element of a human-machine interface to the vehicle accordingly.

[0014] For this purpose, the control unit has a pre-stored database containing a variety of possible and connectable electrical components. This database provides a mapping of the electrical component used by the user to the properties and operating functions of the electrical component. The property of the connected component can be retrieved from the database and provides, for example, information about the operability of the electrical component in order to select a corresponding operating element. The property can also consist of a direct mapping to an associated operating element.

[0015] The user therefore only needs to replace the added electrical component, and the electrical component does not need to be stored in the control unit's software using specialist knowledge. Rather, the corresponding software functions and applications are already stored in the control unit's software and can be activated and made available via the human-machine interface by mapping the identified electrical component to appropriate software functions and controls using the database. The database can therefore also be referred to as a component library.

[0016] If the human-machine interface is, for example, a display unit, including a touch-sensitive screen, the database contains corresponding control panels that are to be displayed on the display unit to enable operation of the electrical component via the display unit. This can include corresponding buttons, menu levels, options, etc.

[0017] Until the first detection of a new electrical component and assignment to corresponding control elements using the database, the corresponding control element is not visible on the display unit; rather, it is displayed for the first time after successful identification.

[0018] It is therefore an advantageous effect of the invention that the electrical interface device provides a standard electromechanical interface that allows even a lay user to add a new electrical component to the vehicle seat, for example, a retrofitted seat heater. The human-machine interface is automatically adapted by the control unit, allowing operation of the electrical component without further action by the user. The equipment of a vehicle seat can therefore be advantageously expanded and used without further action, apart from an optionally predictable confirmation.

[0019] The interface device thus functions as a collective interface, which, if its position is known to the user, can be used equally for all possible electrical components for the vehicle seat, as long as additional free slots on the interface device are free and available. Preferably, the slots are designed so that all possible electrical components are compatible with all provided slots, allowing a free selection of slots.

[0020] The concept of detecting an additional electrical component can be used for other vehicle modules beyond the vehicle seat. This approach is not limited to a vehicle seat, but can be applied to other vehicle assemblies, such as a speaker system or another multimedia system for the vehicle interior as an electrical component. Other retrofit components such as special windshield wipers, additional lighting, or similar can also be provided as electrical components so that they can be easily added to the vehicle even by a lay user. Corresponding control elements in human-machine interfaces can thus be adapted or added by an equivalently designed control unit.

[0021] In particular, vehicle seats can be adapted by retrofitting electric seat components to meet short-term needs without the need to purchase a new vehicle or engage in a costly process involving a specialist workshop. This also provides users and customers with a wider selection of seat components, as aftermarket manufacturers can also serve the market. The simple and cost-effective replacement of defective or worn individual components is also possible. Furthermore, when delivering the vehicle with the vehicle seat system, reduced complexity and thus cost savings in the production plant can be achieved by exclusively producing and installing standard seats. Seat configurations can be purchased and installed by private users and customers themselves in the aftersales market.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle seat system further comprises a switch or a button for activating or registering the electrical component on the control unit by manually operating the switch or the button.

[0023] By pressing the switch or button a predefined number of times, the database query is initiated in the control unit, and the newly added electrical component is registered in the control unit. This advantageously prevents repeated initialization of the electrical component during assembly. Instead, operability at the human-machine interface is only enabled after the control unit has completed configuration upon final assembly of the electrical component to the vehicle seat. The completion of assembly is confirmed by pressing the switch or button.

[0024] The manufacturer of the vehicle or vehicle seat preferably provides a convenient mounting option for the switch or button. For this purpose, it may be sufficient for the switch or button to be connected to the electrical component itself, and for the signal to be transmitted from the switch or button to the control unit via the electrical interface device. A dedicated slot on the interface device can also be provided for the switch or button.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical component is a comfort function for the vehicle seat. Such a comfort function is, for example, one of the following: seat heating; lumbar adjustment; massage function; seat ventilation; and electrically adjustable headrest.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the interface device has a power connection for supplying the electrical component with electrical energy.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical interface device is arranged on a vehicle seat of the vehicle seating system. The interface device is advantageously arranged such that it is easily accessible and reachable by the user.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to receive data with updated entries of the database at a communication interface in order to be able to take newly available electrical components into account.

[0029] Should new seat components become available during the product life cycle of the vehicle seat and the vehicle, the database can be expanded accordingly by updating it in order to ensure operability via the human-machine interface.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the human-machine interface comprises a display unit with a graphical user interface and the operating element is a displayed control panel, wherein the control unit is designed to add at least one control panel depending on the property, wherein the control panel allows operation of the electrical component.

[0031] If a new electrical component is installed on the vehicle seat, a corresponding control panel is created on the display unit, which was previously not visible.

[0032] An alternative to the display unit is a voice assistant, which is used for voice control. The added or adapted control element is then a new voice command that can be used to operate the new electrical component.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the operating element of the human-machine interface is a mechanical operating element which is intended to be additionally connected by a user when arranging the electrical component itself, wherein the control unit is designed to assign an operating function of the electrical component to the operating element when connecting the operating element.

[0034] The mechanical control element can be an alternative or a supplement to, for example, the control panel displayed on a display unit. In addition to the electrical component, the user installs the mechanical control element, which can be a button, switch, touchpad, or similar, in the vehicle interior, for example, on the vehicle seat itself. This control element can be connected to the electrical component in order to transmit an operating signal to the control unit during operation of the electrical component. However, in an alternative embodiment, it can also be arranged on the interface devices in another available slot.

[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to add, remove, reassign or adapt the control element of the human-machine interface only upon confirmation by the user.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a vehicle seating system as described above and below.

[0037] Advantages and preferred developments of the proposed vehicle result from an analogous and analogous transfer of the statements made above in connection with the proposed vehicle seating system.

[0038] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which at least one embodiment is described in detail—possibly with reference to the drawings. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0039] They show: Fig. 1: A vehicle seat system according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: A vehicle seat system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle seat system with a vehicle seat 3, which can be easily adjusted by the end customer as the user after delivery of the vehicle. To do so, the end customer can purchase electric seat components 1 from a dealer and install them independently in the vehicle seat 3 in order to expand its range of functions. Simple physical assembly and an intuitive training process make installation possible for the layman. The vehicle seat 3 is designed in such a way that the end customer can adjust the electric seat component 1, which is included in the Fig. 1 is designed, for example, as a seat heater, to be physically arranged on the vehicle seat 3 or to be installed in it. Once the end customer has physically installed the seat heater 1 on the vehicle seat 3, they lay the connection cable for the seat heater 1 in the vehicle seat 3 according to the instructions. For this purpose, special cable holders can, for example, be pre-installed in the vehicle seat 3 to ensure secure cable routing. Finally, the end customer selects a free slot 7 on the interface device 5 and plugs in the plug for the seat heater 1. The electrical interface device 5 comprises a data hub and provides several slots 7, physically and electrically forming the collective interface to the vehicle's on-board power supply and bus system. Slots 7 are provided that are designed as standardized plug connections.A central control unit 9 or local control unit 9 of the vehicle is connected to the interface device 5 via a vehicle bus system, which is preconfigured with a database such that it already knows all commercially available electric seat components 1 ex works. For this purpose, the database contains a component library of the known seat components 1. If new seat components are provided by the OEM during the product life cycle, the component library can be expanded by updating the database. The component library contains all control functions and operating screens for the human-machine interface 13 and, as part of this, for the display unit 17 for the electrical components 1, which the customer can install in the vehicle seat 3. Until the seat heating 1 is connected for the first time, the associated control panels 11 on the display unit 17 are not visible to the customer.After the seat heater 1 is connected, these are displayed on the display unit 17 and made available for future retrieval by the customer via newly appearing buttons 11 in the corresponding higher-level menu levels 11. By transmitting a unique identifier to the control unit 9, the control unit 9 recognizes, through comparison with the component library, that the electrical component 1 is a seat heater 1 located in a specific vehicle seat 3 of the driver. Since this is the first installation of a seat heater 1, the seat heater menu 11 appears for the first time on the screen 17, controlled by the control unit 9. The screen 17 can be a touchscreen located in the central cluster or at any other location in the vehicle. The information that a seat heater 1 has been installed and recognized in the vehicle seat 3 appears on the screen 17. The end customer is prompted for confirmation.The end customer then confirms the installation via screen 17 and can now operate the seat heating 1 via the touch-sensitive screen 17. The same procedure can now be followed with other electric seat components 1, e.g., with the installation and programming of a seat heating 1 in the front passenger seat or a seat massage function in the driver's seat.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a variant of the vehicle seating system in the interior of the vehicle. In contrast to the design of the vehicle seating system of Fig. 1 is the Fig. 2 an additional switch 15 is provided. If this is pressed by the user, the initialization of the newly installed electrical component 1 is initiated, ie a database query is carried out by the control unit 9 and the corresponding operating elements 11 are configured on the human-machine interface 13. The user installing the electrical component 1 is therefore responsible for the time at which the data query is carried out by the control unit 9 and when the further steps are subsequently carried out by the control unit 9 in order to ensure the operability of the electrical component 1. In further difference to the vehicle seat system of the Fig. 1 is the vehicle seat system of the Fig.2 For example, the electrical component 1 is not a seat heater, but an electric headrest adjustment 1. A variety of other electrical components 1 can thus be replaced or added in the vehicle seats 3.

[0043] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that numerous variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. List of reference symbols 1 electrical component 3 vehicle seat 5 Interface setup 7 slots 9 Control unit 11 Control element 13 Human-machine interface 15 switches 17 Display unit 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] CA 2 770 968 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat system for the modular replacement of an electrical component (1) of a vehicle seat (3) of the vehicle seat system and / or for expanding the vehicle seat (3) by an additional electrical component (1), comprising an electrical interface device (5) with one or more plug-in locations (7) for the detachable electrical connection of a respective electrical component (1), wherein the electrical interface device (5) is connected to a vehicle bus in order to connect an electrical component (1) connected to the electrical interface device (5) via the vehicle bus to a control unit (9) of the vehicle seat system, wherein the control unit (9) is designed toto store a database containing information about a plurality of possible connectable electrical components (1) and, when connecting an electrical component (1), to recognize at least one property of the connected component (1) by means of the database and, depending on the property, to add, remove, adapt, or assign at least one control element (11) of a human-machine interface (13) to the vehicle to the electrical component (1). [2] Vehicle seat system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch (15) or a button for activating or registering the electrical component (1) on the control unit (9) by manual operation of the switch (15) or button. [3] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical component (1) is a comfort function for the vehicle seat (3). [4] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface device (5) has a power connection for supplying the electrical component (1) with electrical energy. [5] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical interface device (5) is arranged on a vehicle seat (3) of the vehicle seat system. [6] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to receive data with updated entries of the database at a communication interface in order to be able to take newly available electrical components (1) into account. [7] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the human-machine interface (13) is a display unit (17) with a graphical user interface and the operating element (11) comprises a displayed control panel, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to add at least one control panel depending on the property, wherein the control panel allows operation of the electrical component (1). [8] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (11) of the human-machine interface (13) is a mechanical operating element (11) which is intended to be additionally connected by a user when arranging the electrical component (1), wherein the control unit (9) is designed to assign an operating function of the electrical component (1) to the operating element (11) when connecting the operating element (11). [9] Vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to add, remove, reassign or adapt the control element (11) of the human-machine interface (13) only upon confirmation by the user. [10] Vehicle with a vehicle seat system according to one of the preceding claims.

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