Support device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

A support device (1) for a vehicle seat (F) comprises - a support (10) for supporting the legs and / or feet of a user sitting on the vehicle seat (F), - at least two frame elements (11), - two adjusting devices (12) for adjusting the support relative to the frame elements (11) between an extended and a retracted position, wherein each of the adjusting devices (12) comprises a rocker (120) which is pivotally mounted on one of the frame elements (11), wherein the rockers (120) are spaced apart from one another in a width direction (B) of the support device (1), and - a motor drive unit (13) for exerting a drive torque on at least one of the rockers (120) of the adjusting devices (12) in order to adjust the support (10) relative to the frame elements (11). The drive unit (13) is arranged along the width direction (B) between the two adjusting devices (12).

Description

The proposed solution relates to a support device for a vehicle seat and to a vehicle seat comprising such a support device.Due to the increasingly desired comfort in vehicles, in particular in motor vehicles, there is an increasing need for adjustment possibilities of a vehicle seat for relieving the body of a vehicle occupant during the travel time, but also while the vehicle is parked, in particular while the vehicle is being loaded.A clear gain in comfort can be achieved if the legs and / or feet of a vehicle occupant can be deposited in an elevated manner with respect to a vehicle floor. Vehicle seats with supports for depositing the legs or feet of a vehicle occupant are widely used in practice, wherein the supports are mounted on a seat part of the vehicle seat. Such supports may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting such supports between retracted and extended positions. The supports are adjusted to the extended state as needed to be used as a leg or foot support.The comfort requirement, which is increasingly required for vehicle seats, however, also requires further adjustment possibilities, such as, for example, a height or longitudinal adjustment of a seat part or an inclination adjustment of the backrest of a corresponding vehicle seat relative to its seat part. However, such adjustment options generally already require a large installation space in the vehicle seat. It is thereby possible that for an adjustment drive for a support, only a limited mounting space on the vehicle seat and a limited design and installation flexibility are available.US 2020 / 0223342 A1 discloses a vehicle seat which discloses an adjustment mechanism for a support which comprises two gear drives for adjusting the support between a retracted position and an extended position. However, this use of two adjusting drives requires a large installation space and accordingly restricts the design possibilities of further adjusting mechanisms.The object is to increase the comfort of a vehicle seat.This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1.Accordingly, a support device for a vehicle seat is provided, which comprises a support for supporting the legs and / or feet of a user sitting on the vehicle. The support device comprises two frame elements. By means of the frame elements, the support device can be mounted or fixed to a vehicle seat, in particular to a seat part of the vehicle seat. For example, the frame elements are arranged on their sides with respect to the width direction of the support device. In particular, arranged on mutually opposite sides of the support device such that the support device can be fixed on mutually opposite sides, in particular on a left and a right side, of the vehicle seat.Furthermore, the support device comprises two adjustment devices for adjusting the support between an extended and a retracted position, namely relative to the frame elements. The retracted position can be a storage position or a folded-in position, in which the support is located close to the seat part of the vehicle seat in an assembled state. Preferably, in the retracted position, in a mounted state of the support device, the support is arranged on the seat part such that the foot space or floor in the vehicle remains free in front of the seat part of the vehicle seat for placing the feet of the user. The extended position can be a support position which allows the user to place or support his legs and / or feet on the support, in particular on a support surface of the support.Each of the adjusting devices comprises (at least) one rocker which is (in each case) pivotably mounted on in each case one of the (two) frame elements. Those links of the support device are arranged spaced apart from one another in a direction which is referred to as the width direction of the support device for ease of reference. The width direction of the support device runs in particular parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support.Furthermore, the support device comprises a (motorized) drive unit. The drive unit is designed to transmit a drive torque to at least one of the oscillations, in particular to the oscillations of the adjusting devices. The drive torque enables the rockers of the adjusting devices to be set into a rotational movement, in particular a pivoting movement, for example about a rotational or pivot axis which extends between the frame elements. The support of the support device is adjustable relative to the frame elements, in particular pivotable or adjustable along a curved path (which has both translatory and rotatory components, for example. This makes it possible to effect an adjustment of the support between the retracted and the extended position. In an assembled state, in which the support device is mounted, for example, on a seat part of a vehicle seat, the support is correspondingly adjustable relative to the seat part of the vehicle seat. The drive torque drives the rockers, which in turn drive the support.The drive unit is arranged between the two adjusting devices with respect to the width direction of the support device. This arrangement of the drive unit between the two adjustment devices allows the drive torque of the (one) drive unit to be transmitted jointly to the oscillations of the two adjustment devices. Because only one drive unit is required for two adjustment mechanisms of the support, a particularly space-saving arrangement of the adjustment drive for a leg or foot support is ensured. The arrangement of the drive unit between the adjustment devices in turn allows sufficient installation space to remain in the vehicle seat in an assembled state of the support device in order to install further adjustment mechanisms, in particular in the region of the side parts of the seat part, in which longitudinal or height adjustment mechanisms are usually provided, in the vehicle seat. The proposed solution thus allows the provision of a plurality of adjustment mechanisms of a vehicle seat which are favourable to the comfort of a vehicle occupant, with at the same time a particularly compact design. In addition, the support device allows a particularly high flexibility in the assembly of various adjustment mechanisms in the vehicle seat.The support device can comprise a shaft which couples the two adjusting devices to one another. In particular, the shaft is mounted on the rockers in a rotationally fixed manner. This allows the drive torque of the (motor) drive unit to be transmitted jointly to the vibrations via the shaft.The shaft is preferably rotatably mounted on the frame elements. As a result, the shaft is rotatable relative to the frame elements. This in turn allows the drive torque exerted by the drive unit on the shaft to be transmitted jointly to the rockers of both adjusting devices and an adjustment of the support relative to the frame elements to be effected. The shaft can be rotatably mounted on the frame elements directly or via intermediate elements.The axis of rotation of the shaft runs in particular parallel to the width direction of the support device. In one example, the support is adjustable, in particular pivotable, about a pivot axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. This allows a particularly efficient and uniform transmission of the drive torque of the (single) drive unit to the two adjustment devices.The drive unit can be arranged spaced apart from the frame elements, in particular along the width direction of the support device. In particular, the drive unit is arranged at a distance from the frame elements which is in each case at least one quarter, in particular at least one third, of the longitudinal extent of the support device and / or of the shaft. For example, the drive unit is arranged at a distance of at least 3 cm from the frame elements, in particular from the rockers, along the longitudinal extension of the support device and / or the shaft.In one example, the drive unit is arranged centrally in relation to the width direction of the support device between the frame elements. This allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the drive unit in the vehicle seat. In addition, a sufficiently large distance of the drive unit from the frame elements is ensured, so that sufficient installation space remains for further adjustment mechanisms for adjusting the vehicle seat, which are to be provided in particular in the region of the (left and right) sides of the vehicle seat.In one example, the drive unit of the support device comprises a support element. The shaft can be rotatably mounted on the support element. The support element allows the drive unit to be supported on the remaining support device.For example, the support element extends in a plane which extends perpendicular to the shaft. This allows a particularly compact and space-saving arrangement of the drive unit on the support device.The support device can comprise a further frame element. For example, the further frame element extends between, in particular perpendicularly to, the two frame elements. In one example, the further frame element extends along the longitudinal extent of the shaft, in particular parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The support element can be fixed to the further frame element. This allows a particularly stable support of the reaction torque on account of the adjustment torque and thus a particularly uniform transmission of the drive torque to the adjustment devices.The support element may be a sheet metal. This allows particularly simple production and a particularly space-saving arrangement of the drive unit on the support device.The motor drive unit may comprise a gear drive. The gear drive may comprise (e.g. exactly) a toothed segment or gear wheel which is fastened to the shaft. For example, the gear is a sector gear. In particular, the gearwheel extends parallel to the plane of the supporting element. This allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the drive unit in the vehicle seat in an assembled state of the support device.The motor drive unit is, for example, a pinion drive unit. In particular, the gear drive comprises a pinion. This allows the rockers to be pivoted in a particularly large angular range, for example within an angular range greater than 180°. In particular, the adjustment devices can thereby be adjusted in a particularly large angular range relative to the seat part. The drive unit may include a motor coupled to the pinion gear. In one example, the motor and gear of the gear train are disposed on different sides of the support member. This allows a particularly compact and flexible integration of the drive unit in a vehicle seat in an assembled state of the support device and thus particularly sufficient installation space for further adjustment mechanisms for the vehicle seat. Preferably, the motor and the gear wheel are arranged on opposite sides of the support element, in particular with respect to the width direction and / or longitudinal extension of the shaft.In one example, the rocker is a first rocker and the adjusting devices of the support device each comprise one or more further rockers. The (first and the one or more further) links may be pivotally connected or coupled to each other via one or more joint(s). Such a joint mechanism allows a particularly uniform conversion of the drive torque into an adjustment movement, in particular a pivoting movement of the support relative to the frame elements.The first rocker (in each case with respect to the width direction of the support device) can be arranged closer to the drive unit than the one or more further rockers. In particular, the first rocker is arranged in each case closer to the frame elements than the one or more further rockers with respect to the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the support device. This allows a particularly high rigidity of the support device and a particularly efficient transmission of the drive torque into the adjustment devices and thus a particularly uniform conversion of the drive torque into an adjustment movement of the support relative to the frame elements of the support device.It can be provided that each adjusting device comprises a plurality of further rockers and the first rocker and the plurality of further rockers each form a multiple joint with the support and the respective (lateral) frame element. A multiple joint permits a particularly stable and vibration-free adjustment movement between the retracted and extended positions of the support. Furthermore, it is thereby possible to position the support in its respective starting and end positions in a particularly positionally accurate and angularly accurate manner. In addition, a multiple joint enables a particularly high range of the adjustment devices and thus of the support to be adjusted relative to the seat part of a corresponding vehicle seat. This makes it possible, with the same installation space of the (respective) vehicle seat, to realize a particularly large adjustment range of the support and thus a particularly flexible adaptation to different leg lengths of vehicle users.The multiple joint may be a four-joint or a seven-joint. In one example, the multiple joint is designed as a pantograph. This allows a particularly vibration-free and loadable adjustment movement of the support relative to the frame elements.The first rocker and / or the one or more further rockers can extend at least substantially in (or parallel to) in each case one plane which runs, for example, parallel to the plane of the supporting element. This in turn allows a particularly low-vibration and stable adjustment movement of the support between its retracted and extended positions.According to a further aspect, a vehicle seat is provided with a support device which is designed in particular according to any desired configuration described herein. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the above details of the support device.The frame elements of the support device can be fastened to a seat part of the vehicle seat. This enables a compact and comfortable construction.The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle seat having a seat part, a backrest, a height adjustment device, a longitudinal adjustment device and a support device; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the support device of the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1 in a retracted position; FIG. 3A is a further perspective view of the support device according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 3A in an extended position; FIG. 4A is a side view of the support device according to FIG. 3A ; FIG. 4B is a side view of the support device according to FIG. 3B ; FIG. 5A is a rear view of the support device according to FIG. 3A ; FIG. 5B is a rear view of the support device according to FIG. 3B ; FIG. 6A is a plan view of the support device according to FIG. 3A ; FIG. 6B is a plan view of the support device according to FIG. 3B ; FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic views of a four-bar linkage; FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a single joint; and FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a support device in a state mounted on a vehicle seat.FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat F with a seat part 2 and a backrest 3 in a simplified schematic illustration. The backrest 3 is mounted on the seat part 2 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, in the present case by means of a backrest inclination adjustment device 4 which comprises, for example, an arrangement of rotary fittings. By means of the backrest inclination adjustment device 4, the backrest 3 can be pivoted relative to the seat part 2 in order to adapt the inclination position of the backrest 3 to the seat part 2.The seat part 2 of the vehicle seat F extends along a vehicle longitudinal axis X. The backrest 3 extends along a vehicle height axis Z (at an angle thereto depending on the setting of the pivoted position) which is oriented perpendicularly to the vehicle longitudinal axis X. A vehicle width axis Y (parallel to the viewing direction of FIG. 1 ) is oriented perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis X and perpendicular to the vehicle height axis Z. The pivot axis of the backrest 3 relative to the seat part 2 runs parallel to the vehicle width axis Y.Such a vehicle seat F can be designed as a front seat in a vehicle. However, such a vehicle seat F can also be used as a rear seat in a second or third row of seats in a vehicle.In the example shown, the vehicle seat F is connected via a height adjustment device 5 for adjusting the seat height of the seat part 2 (together with the backrest 3) along the vehicle height axis Z to a longitudinal adjustment device 6 for adjusting the seat part 2 relative to a vehicle floor 7 along the vehicle longitudinal axis X and via the longitudinal adjustment device 6 in a longitudinally adjustable manner to the vehicle floor 7.However, this embodiment is merely exemplary and the vehicle seat F could also comprise fewer adjusting devices, for example only the backrest inclination adjusting device 4, the height adjusting device 5 or the longitudinal adjusting device 6, or nothing thereof.Furthermore, the vehicle seat F comprises a support device which is explained in more detail below.In the present example, the vehicle seat F has a holder 8 on each side, i.e. on the left and right sides (not shown), of the seat part 2. The holders 8 serve for mounting the support device 1, which is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6B. In the assembled state, the support device 1 is fastened to the holders 8. Alternatively, the brackets 8 may be provided on another part of the vehicle seat F or the vehicle.FIGS. 2 to 6B show the support device 1 of the vehicle seat F shown in FIG. 1 for mounting on the holders 8, and accordingly FIG. 2 shows the seat part 2 and thus schematically an assembly state of the support device 1 indicated by dashed lines.The support device 1 comprises a support 10. Accordingly, FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B show the support 10 in an extended position, which is also referred to below as a support position.In the resting position, a user sitting on the vehicle seat F can rest at least one body part on the rest 10, namely for example the legs, in particular the calf, or the feet of the user. Accordingly, the support can serve as a leg support, in particular as a calf support, and / or as a footrest. For this purpose, the support has a support surface 100 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B ).In the present case, the support 10 is plate-shaped. Accordingly, the support surface 100 is planar. However, other shapes are also conceivable, for example, those of a tube or a rod with planar side walls and / or concave or convex bearing surfaces.The support 10 extends along a width direction B of the support device 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 5B to 6B ). In the mounted state of the support device 1 in the present example, the width direction B runs parallel to the vehicle width axis Y and parallel to the pivot axis of the backrest 3 relative to the seat part 2 of the vehicle seat F.For adjusting the support device 1 between the storage position and the support position, the support device comprises two adjusting devices 12. The adjusting devices 12 each comprise a (first) rocker 120 and, in the present case, a plurality of further, namely (exactly) four further rockers 120A- 120C. The links 120, 120A- 120C are pivotably connected to at least one further link 120, 120A- 120C in each case via at least one joint 121. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, each hinge 121 defines a pivot axis S about which the respective links 120, 120A-120C are pivotable.In the example shown, each of the adjusting devices 12 comprises the first rocker 120, a second rocker 120A, a third rocker 120B and a fourth rocker 120C. The two first rockers 120 are arranged on the inside, and the two fourth rockers 120C on the outside. The adjusting devices 12 are, for example, mirror-image structures. In each of the adjusting devices 12, the rockers 120, 120A- 120C are pivotably connected as follows (in each case via one of the joints 121). The first rocker 120 is connected to a respective frame element 11 and the second rocker 120A. The second rocker 120A is connected to the first rocker 120, to a holder 122 fixedly connected to the support 10 and, in between, to the third rocker 120B. The third link 120B is connected to the fourth link 120C, the frame member 11, and, therebetween, to the second link 120A. The fourth swing arm 120C is linked to the holder 122 and the third swing arm 120B. At least one rocker, here the first and fourth rocker 120, 120C, has (exactly) two joints 121. At least one rocker, here the second and third rocker 120A, 120B, has (exactly) three joints 121. Furthermore, in the present case, the shaft is arranged on the first (inner), in particular seat-side, rockers 120.The support 10 is movably mounted (via the two holders 122) on respectively two rockers 120A, 120C of each adjusting device 12, in the present case on the external rockers 120C with respect to the width extension B of the support device 1.The adjusting devices 12 are coupled to one another via a shaft 14. Specifically, one, in the present case the first, rocker 120 of each adjusting device is fastened to the shaft 14 in a rotationally fixed manner. However, it is also possible for another rocker, for example the third rocker 120B, to be fastened in each case in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft. The shaft 14 is rotatable about an axis of rotation D. In this way, a (drive) torque transmitted to the shaft 14 can be transmitted to the first rocker 120, alternatively or additionally, however, also to a further rocker, such as the third rocker 120B, in such a way that the first rocker 120 and / or the further (third) rocker 120B can be correspondingly pivoted about the axis of rotation D of the shaft 14.In the present case, pivoting of the first rocker 120 causes pivoting of the plurality of further rockers 120A- 120D about the pivot axes S of the corresponding joints 121. The pivot axes S of the one or more joints 121 in the present case run parallel to the axis of rotation D of the shaft 14.The support device 1 comprises the aforementioned two (lateral) frame elements 11 which are arranged in the present case along the width direction B of the support device 1 on a respective (outer) side of the support device 1. By means of the frame elements 11, the support device 1 can be fixed to the vehicle seat F, specifically for example by means of the holders 8 indicated schematically in FIG. 1.The first rockers 120 of each of the adjusting devices 12 are rotatably fixed to a respective one of the (lateral) frame elements 11 of the support device 1. This allows an adjustment, in particular a pivoting, of the first rocker 120 and consequently also of the further rocker 120A- 120D relative to the seat part 2 of the vehicle seat F between a retracted and an extended position.The support device 1 can comprise one or more stops 17. In the present case, a stop 17 is mounted on the holders 122 of the support 10 in each case. (see FIGS. 3B to 4B ) The stops 17 can, however, also be mounted directly on the support 10. The stops 17 serve to support and / or cushion the support in the retracted state, in particular in the retracted state.In the example shown corresponding to FIGS. 2 to 6B, the rockers 120, 120A- 120D of each adjusting device 12 form, together with the holder 122 of the support 10 and in each case one of the frame elements 11, a multi-joint, in the present case a seven-joint. Each of the adjusting devices 12 comprises (exactly) seven joints 121. However, other multiple kinematics are also conceivable, such as, for example, a four-bar linkage as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 7A (retracted) and 7B (extended), or a single-bar linkage as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8.In the case of a four-bar linkage, one frame element 11 is provided as a frame for each adjusting device, two rockers 120, 120A and the support 10 (or a holder firmly connected thereto) as a coupler. Each of the two rockers 120, 120A then has (exactly) two joints 121.In the case of a single joint, the (first) rocker 120 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 14 and fastened directly to the support 10. The (single) joint 121 is formed by the shaft 14, wherein the rocker 120 is pivotable about the axis of rotation D of the shaft 14.In each embodiment, the adjusting devices 12 effect an adjustment of the support 10 relative to the frame elements 11. the adjustment can be a pivoting of the support 10 about a pivot axis relative to the frame elements 11, wherein the pivot axis runs in particular parallel to the width direction B of the support 10, to the longitudinal extension and / or to the axis of rotation of the shaft 14. The adjusting movement of the support 10 can, however, also be a translatory movement or also a (complex) path curve movement.The support device 1 comprises a motorized drive unit 13 for driving the adjusting devices 12, which is designed to exert a drive torque on the adjusting devices 12, in particular via the shaft 14. The drive unit 13 comprises a motor 131 and a gear drive coupled to the motor 131. In the present case, the gear drive comprises a gearwheel 130, in the example shown a sector gearwheel. The gear 130 is fixed to the shaft 14. Further, the gear train includes a pinion gear 132 to which the motor 131 is coupled. The motor 131 is configured to apply driving torque to the pinion 132. The pinion gear 132 in turn meshes with the gear 130 such that a driving torque exerted by the motor 131 on the pinion gear 132 is transmitted to the shaft 14 via the gear 130. The drive torque exerted on the shaft 14 in turn brings about an adjustment of the adjustment devices 12 and indirectly an adjustment of the support 10 relative to the frame elements 11, as described above.The drive unit 13 comprises a support element 15. The support element 15 is in the present case at least substantially plate-shaped and is in the example shown specifically formed as a metal sheet. The support element 15 extends in a plane E which extends perpendicular to the width direction B of the support device 1 and / or to the longitudinal extent of the shaft 14. The plane E runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective rockers 120, 120A- 120D. This narrow design of the support element 15 allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the drive unit 13 between the frame elements 11 and / or between the adjusting devices 12 along the width direction B of the support device 11.The support element 15 is designed to support, in particular stabilize, the (entire) drive unit 13. Expediently, the support element 15 is fastened to a further frame element 16, as can be seen in particular with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6B. The support element 15 has an opening through which the shaft 14 extends. The shaft 14 is rotatably mounted in the opening, for example. The pinion 132 is rotatably mounted on the support element 15.The further frame element 16 extends between the (lateral) frame elements 11 along the width direction B of the support device 1 and is in the present case respectively fastened to the frame elements 11 in order to absorb the reaction torque (due to the adjustment torque). In addition, this maintains the position with respect to the width direction B, thus ensuring correct meshing of the gears.The frame elements 11 can be connected to one another in one piece, for example via the further frame element 16.In the example shown, the motor 131 and the gear drive are arranged on different, specifically on opposite sides of the support element 15. In the present case, the gearwheel 130 is arranged closer to a first (lateral) frame element 11, while the motor 131 is arranged closer to the second (lateral) frame element 11. As a result, the drive unit can be arranged as centrally as possible between the adjusting devices 12 and / or the frame elements 11 in relation to the width direction B of the support apparatus 1.The drive unit 13 and in particular the support element 15 is arranged spaced apart from the frame parts 11 and the adjusting devices 12 with respect to the width direction B of the support device 1 and to the longitudinal extent of the shaft 14. Specifically, the distance is in each case so large that, in an assembled state in the vehicle seat F, sufficient installation space is still available in order, for example, to provide the height and longitudinal adjustment devices 5, 6 already described above in the context of FIG. 1 on the sides of the seat part. This allows the provision of a particularly comfortable vehicle seat F.FIG. 9 shows a support 10 in a state mounted on a seat part 2. The (preferably central) arrangement of the drive unit 13 between the adjusting devices 12 with respect to the width direction B allows the drive torque of the drive unit 13 to be transmitted jointly to both adjusting devices 12 via the shaft 14. This in turn causes the adjustment of the support 10 between retracted and extended positions by applying a driving torque from a single compact drive unit 13 via a common shaft 14 to two articulated adjusting devices 12.As further shown in FIG. 9, the drive unit 13 is arranged between two further drive units 20 with respect to the width direction B of the support device 1. The further drive units 20 can drive, for example, a height adjustment device 5 or a longitudinal adjustment device 6. The arrangement of the support device 1 with the drive unit arranged between the two adjustment devices 12 allows a particularly space-saving construction in the interior of the vehicle seat F, in particular of the seat part 2, which creates space for further drive devices 20 for further seat adjustment mechanisms.List of reference characters1 Support device 10 Support 100 Support surface 11 Frame element 12 Adjusting device 120 Rocker 120A- 120C Rocker 121 Joint 122 Holder 13 Motorized drive unit 130 Gearwheel 131 Motor 132 Pinion 14 Shaft 15 Support element 16 Frame element 17 Stop 2 Seat part 20 Drive device 3 Backrest 4 Backrest inclination adjusting device 5 Height adjusting device 6 Longitudinal adjusting device 7 Vehicle base 8 Holder B Width direction D Axis of rotation E Plane F Vehicle seat X Vehicle longitudinal axis Y Vehicle width axis Z Vehicle height axisReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 2020 / 0223342 A1

[0005]

Claims

Support device (1) for a vehicle seat (F) comprising: - a support (10) for supporting the legs and / or feet of a user sitting on the vehicle seat (F), - at least two frame elements (11), - two adjusting devices (12) for adjusting the support relative to the frame elements (11) between an extended and a retracted position, wherein each of the adjusting devices (12) comprises a rocker (120) which is pivotably supported on in each case one of the frame elements (11), wherein the rockers (120) are spaced apart from one another in a width direction (B) of the support device (1), - a motorized drive unit (13) for applying a drive torque to at least one of the rockers (120) of the adjusting devices (12) in order to adjust the support (10) relative to the frame elements (11), wherein the drive unit (13) is arranged along the width direction (B) between the two adjusting devices (12).Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the motorized drive unit (13) is a pinion drive unit.Support device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the drive unit (13) is at a distance of at least 3 cm along the width direction (B) from each rocker (120).Support device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (1) comprises a shaft (14) which couples the two adjusting devices (12) to one another and is fastened to the swing arm (120) in a rotationally fixed manner.Support device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the shaft (14) is rotatably mounted on the frame elements (11).Support device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the support (10) is pivotable about a pivot axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation (D) of the shaft (14).Support device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (13) is arranged spaced apart from the frame elements (11) along the width direction (B).Support device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5 to 7 as far as referring back to claim 4, characterised in that the drive unit (13) is arranged at a distance from the frame elements (11) which is in each case at least one quarter, preferably at least one third, of the longitudinal extent of the shaft (14).Support device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5 to 8, insofar as it refers back to claim 2, characterised in that the drive unit (13) comprises a support element (15) in which the shaft (14) is rotatably accommodated.Support device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the support element (15) extends in a plane (E) perpendicular to the shaft (14).Support device (1) according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the support element (15) is fixed to a further frame element (16), the further frame element (16) extending between the two frame elements (11) along the longitudinal extent of the shaft (14).Support device (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the motorized drive unit (13) comprises a toothed wheel drive with a toothed wheel (130) fastened to the shaft (14).Support device (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that the gear drive comprises exactly one gearwheel (130) fastened to the shaft (14), and the gearwheel is a sector gearwheel.Support device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the motorized drive unit (13) comprises a motor (131) coupled to the gear drive and the motor (131) and the gear wheel (130) are arranged on different sides and / or on opposite sides of the support element (15) along the longitudinal extension of the shaft (14) of the support element (15).Support device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rocker (120) is a first rocker and the adjusting devices (12) each have one or more further rockers (120A-120C), wherein the rockers (120, 120A-120C) are pivotably connected to one another via one or more joints (121).Support device (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that the first rocker (120) is arranged closer to the drive unit (13) than the one or more further rockers (120A-120C) in each case with respect to the width direction (B) of the support device (1).Support device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that each of the adjusting devices (12) comprises a plurality of further rockers (120A-120C) and the first rocker (120) and the plurality of further rockers (120A-120C) of each adjusting device (12) form a multiple joint in each case with the support (10) and the respective frame element (11).Support device (1) according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that each of the adjusting devices (12) forms a four-bar linkage or a seven-bar linkage.Vehicle seat (F), characterized bya support device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.Vehicle seat (F) according to Claim 19, characterized in that the frame elements (11) of the support device (1) are fastened to a seat part (2) of the vehicle seat (F).

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