vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (2) and a vehicle seat base (3a) with a lower part (4) and an upper part (5) which is height-adjustable to it, and at least one spring element (6) and connecting component (7) arranged between the upper part (5) and the lower part (4), wherein the spring element (6) springs an adjustment movement in the height direction (Z) from the upper part (5) to the lower part (4) and the connecting component (7) connects the upper part (5) to the lower part (4) in a bearing-like manner, wherein the spring element (6) is connected to the lower part (4), the upper part (5) and the connecting component (7) via at least one fixed bearing each.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part and a vehicle seat base with a lower part and an upper part which is height-adjustable to it, and at least one spring element and connecting component arranged between the upper and lower parts, wherein the spring element cushions an adjustment movement in the height direction from the upper part to the lower part and the connecting component connects the upper part to the lower part in a bearing-like manner.

[0002] Occupants, especially drivers of commercial vehicles such as vans, construction equipment, buses, tractors, etc., often spend many hours at a time in the vehicle seat, which is why seating comfort plays a crucial role in these types of vehicles. Particular emphasis is placed on absorbing and damping the vehicle's movements caused by road surfaces. Since the suspension of agricultural and construction machinery is often unable to compensate for uneven surfaces on unpaved terrain, or because the suspension characteristics have a detrimental effect on the driver, these and other commercial vehicles are equipped with additional suspension systems in the seat. Because the driver's cabs in commercial vehicles are often very cramped due to additional control devices, it is necessary to design the seats to be correspondingly compact.Types of vehicle seats are known, for example, from DE 10 2010 048 210 B4 and US 4 093 197 A.

[0003] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat that has a reduced space requirement, a simpler construction and thus lower assembly and cost costs.

[0004] To solve the problem, a vehicle seat according to the invention is provided, comprising a seat part and a vehicle seat base with a lower part and an upper part which is height-adjustable to it, and at least one spring element and connecting component arranged between the upper and lower parts, wherein the spring element springs an adjustment movement in the height direction from the upper part to the lower part and the connecting component connects the upper part to the lower part in a bearing-like manner, wherein the spring element is connected to the lower part, the upper part and the connecting component via at least one fixed bearing each.

[0005] A typical vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion on which the driver sits and a backrest against which the driver rests. Both the seat cushion and backrest are supported by the vehicle seat base. The vehicle seat may also have armrests attached to the seat cushion or backrest. The vehicle seat base consists of an upper section to which the seat and / or backrest are attached, and a lower section that is attached directly or indirectly to the vehicle body. "Directly" in this context means that the lower section is mounted on a slide or rail that engages with a corresponding track or slide, forming an adjustment system for moving the seat longitudinally.The upper portion is arranged to be height-adjustable relative to the lower portion, with the upper portion being connected to the lower portion by at least one spring element and at least one connecting component. According to the invention, the spring element is connected to the lower portion, the upper portion, and the connecting component via a fixed bearing. This design enables a particularly compact construction of the vehicle seat, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0006] The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions describe a Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z that is oriented to the main extension directions of the vehicle seat. Thus, the seat section extends essentially in the longitudinal and lateral directions, whereas the backrest extends essentially in the lateral and vertical directions.

[0007] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring element is connected to the lower part via a first fixed bearing, the spring element is connected to the connecting component via a second fixed bearing, and the spring element is connected to the upper part via a third fixed bearing, wherein the spring element is rotatable about a first axis of rotation through the first fixed bearing, the spring element is rotatable about a second axis of rotation through the second fixed bearing, and the spring element is rotatable about a third axis of rotation through the third fixed bearing, wherein the first axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation, and the third axis of rotation each run parallel to a plane spanned by the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0008] The fixed bearings preferably fix the spring element against translational movement towards the upper portion, the lower portion, and the connecting component. Preferably, this fixes the connecting component and spring elements essentially against displacement in the longitudinal and / or lateral direction. "Essentially" here means that the deformation of the spring element during an adjustment movement in the vertical direction may result in a minimal movement of the fixed bearing connected to the connecting component.

[0009] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation and the third axis of rotation run parallel to each other.

[0010] Preferably, the first, second, and third axes of rotation run in the width direction of the vehicle seat. Alternatively, they could run in the length direction or a combination of both. However, since the vehicle seat typically moves lengthwise and the upper portion is adjusted vertically, a width-directed arrangement of the axes of rotation has proven advantageous.

[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one spring element is a curved, preferably U-shaped or V-shaped leaf spring with a first leg and a second leg, wherein both legs are connected to each other in a reversal area and the first leg has a first end area and the second leg has a second end area, wherein the leaf spring is formed in one piece or in multiple parts.

[0012] Designing the spring element as a leaf spring allows for a very compact vehicle seat, as the leaf spring requires less vertical space at maximum compression compared to a conventional coil spring. The leaf spring preferably consists of a single, parabolically curved band. Alternatively, two individual bands can be connected at the inversion point, for example, by a force-fit, material-fit, or form-fit connection. The inversion point is the area where the apex of the leaf spring is located. Preferably, the two legs of the leaf spring extend primarily in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat, with the leaf spring opening towards a front or rear end of the seat. Alternatively, the leaf spring opens towards a right or left end of the seat.Instead of a one-piece leaf spring, a multi-piece leaf spring can also be used, which corresponds, for example, to several individual leaf springs that can be rotated around the same axes of rotation.

[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first fixed bearing is arranged in the first end region of the leaf spring and the third fixed bearing is arranged in the second end region of the leaf spring, wherein the second fixed bearing is arranged in the reversal region of the leaf spring.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first fixed bearing and the third fixed bearing are arranged opposite the second fixed bearing in a longitudinal direction and / or a lateral direction of the vehicle seat, wherein the second fixed bearing can be displaced relative to the first fixed bearing and the third fixed bearing along a longitudinal direction and / or a lateral direction by means of an adjustment movement in the vertical direction.

[0015] Preferably, the first leg is oriented towards the lower portion and connected to the lower portion via the first fixed bearing in the first end region, which is located at the end of the first leg opposite the reversal region. Equally preferably, the second leg is oriented towards the upper portion and connected to the upper portion via the third fixed bearing in the second end region, which is located at the end of the first leg opposite the reversal region.

[0016] By adjusting the upper portion relative to the lower portion in the vertical direction, the leaf spring is compressed or spread, which sometimes shifts the apex of the leaf spring perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation, and the vertical direction. This shift is generally very small.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting component has at least one second sliding bearing on which the upper part rests, and at least one first sliding bearing which rests on the lower part, wherein the first sliding bearing and the second sliding bearing are movable at least in one direction which is parallel to the plane which is spanned by the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0018] The first and second floating bearings allow the connecting component to be displaced relative to the upper and lower sections, and thus relative to the first and third fixed bearings. The upper section rests on the connecting component via the second floating bearing and on the lower section via the first floating bearing. The connecting component therefore supports the upper section relative to the lower section and prevents the upper section from tilting about the third axis of rotation or the spring element from tilting about the first axis of rotation.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first floating bearing and the second floating bearing are a sliding bearing or a rolling bearing, wherein the movement of the floating bearings is guided by a roller and / or a slider.

[0020] Corresponding rails can be incorporated into the lower and upper sections, which facilitate the displacement of the roller and / or slider. In particular, a movement of the roller and / or slider due to an adjustment movement in the vertical direction from the upper to the lower section can thus be directed in a specific direction, preferably longitudinally.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting component comprises at least a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, wherein the first scissor arm and the second scissor arm are rotatably arranged in a central area about a common axis of rotation, wherein the first scissor arm has the first floating bearing and the second floating bearing, and the second scissor arm has a third floating bearing and a fourth floating bearing, wherein the upper part rests on the fourth floating bearing and the third floating bearing rests on the lower part.

[0022] The connecting component therefore comprises a scissor mechanism, with the first and third floating bearings connecting the lower portion to the connecting component and the second and fourth floating bearings connecting the upper portion to the connecting component. The scissor mechanism allows the vertical adjustment movement of the connecting component to be tracked; that is, the height of the connecting component changes proportionally to the distance between the upper and lower portions, i.e., proportionally to the distance between the first and third fixed bearings.

[0023] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the common axis of rotation is the second axis of rotation.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the following description in conjunction with the drawing. These show: Fig. 1 a general view of a vehicle seat according to the invention; Fig. 2 a section through a vehicle seat according to the invention in a fully extended position; Fig. 3 a section through a vehicle seat according to the invention in a compressed position; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a vehicle seat base according to the invention and Fig. 5 a leaf spring according to the invention.

[0025] For the sake of clarity, some reference symbols have been omitted from the figures.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. The vehicle seat 1 extends upwards and downwards in a vertical direction Z, forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction X, and to the right and left in a lateral direction Y. In a lower region, the vehicle seat comprises a vehicle seat base 3a. The vehicle seat base 3a forms the connection between the vehicle seat assembly 3b and a vehicle. A lower portion 4 of the vehicle seat base 3a is screwed to the vehicle body. The lower portion 4 is connected to an upper portion 5 above it via a connecting element 7 (not shown) and a spring element 6 (also not shown). The upper portion 5 supports the vehicle seat assembly 3b. This assembly initially comprises a seat part 2, which is attached to the upper portion 5 by means of an adjustment rail 15. The adjustment rail 15 allows the vehicle seat assembly 3b to be moved in the longitudinal direction X.Alternatively, the adjustment rail 15 can also be arranged between the lower part 4 and the vehicle body, so that the entire vehicle seat 1 is movable. A backrest 12 is also attached to the seat part 2, extending mainly in the width direction Y and the height direction Z. Armrests 14 are arranged on both sides of the backrest 12, and a headrest 13 is located in an upper area of ​​the backrest 12.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a section through a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention along an XZ plane. The seat part 2 and the backrest 12 are arranged on the vehicle seat base 3a. The vehicle seat base 3a comprises the lower part 4, the upper part 5, the connecting component 7 arranged between them, and the spring element 6. The lower part 4 consists of a rectangular plate 4a, which extends mainly in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. The plate 4a is provided with a rim 4b around its perimeter, so that the lower part 4 is box-shaped. According to this embodiment, the upper part 5 is symmetrical to the lower part 4, so that the upper part 5 also has a plate 5a and a rim 5b. The spring element 6 is designed as a parabolic, one-piece leaf spring 6.The leaf spring 6 is positioned between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4 such that the apex 6c lies midway between them in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the apex is located in a front section 17 between the two portions 4 and 5 along the longitudinal direction X, in the front third of the spring. The first leg 6a extends from the apex 6c along the longitudinal direction X to a rear section 4c of the lower portion 4. There, the first leg 6a is connected to the lower portion 4 by a first fixed bearing 8a. For this purpose, the first leg 6a has a circular opening at its end opposite the apex 6c. Parallel to this, the edge 4b ​​of the lower portion has a corresponding circular opening, with a first bushing 16a passing through both openings, thus fixing the first leg 6a to the lower portion 4.Analogous to the first leg 6a, the second leg 6b extends from the vertex 6c along the longitudinal direction X to a rear section 5c. Again analogous to the first leg 6a, the second leg 6b is connected to the upper portion 5 by a third fixed bearing 8c with a third bushing 16c.

[0028] The connecting component 7 is arranged in the front area 17 between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4. The connecting component 7 has a circular opening in the center, viewed in the vertical direction Z. The leaf spring 6 is partially circular at its apex 6c, with a second bushing 16b passing through the opening of the connecting component 7 and the partial circle of the leaf spring 6. The leaf spring 6 is thus connected to the connecting component 7 via the second fixed bearing 8b and the second bushing 16b. The vehicle seat 1 is in Fig. Figure 2 shows the leaf spring in its extended state. Extended means that the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4 are at their maximum distance from each other in the vertical direction Z. The leaf spring 6 is preferably pre-tensioned, and the extended state does not correspond to the relaxed state. The extended state is determined by the connecting element 7, which limits the maximum and preferably also the minimum distance between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4 in the vertical direction.

[0029] The connecting component 7 has a first scissor arm 7a and a second scissor arm 7b, which are arranged crosswise between the upper part 5 and the lower part 4. Each of the two scissor arms 7a and 7b contacts the upper part 5 at one end and the lower part 4 at the other. The connecting component 7 has the previously described opening in its center. The second bushing 16b connects both the first and second scissor arms 7a and 7b to form a scissor frame 7 and also connects the scissor frame 7 to the leaf spring 6. The first scissor arm 7a is connected to the lower part 4 via a first floating bearing 11a and to the upper part 5 via a second floating bearing 11b. The second scissor arm 7b is connected to the lower part 4 via a third floating bearing 11c and to the upper part 5 via a fourth floating bearing 11d. The loose bearings 11a to 11d are formed by sliders which are guided in guide rails.For this purpose, grooves 18 are arranged in the edges 4b and 5b in which the sliders can move along the longitudinal direction X until they reach a stop in the respective groove. Together with the scissor frame, the length of the grooves 18 defines the maximum and minimum distance between the upper 5 and the lower portion 4.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 shows the vehicle seat 1 in its compressed state. The lower portion 4 and the upper portion 5 are minimally spaced apart. The leaf spring 6 is compressed such that the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b are in contact. The scissor arms 7a and 7b of the scissor frame 7 are maximally spread in the vertical direction. The first axis of rotation 9a runs along the first fixed bearing 8a, the second axis of rotation 9b runs along the second fixed bearing 8b, and the third axis of rotation 9c runs along the third fixed bearing 8c. The axes of rotation 9a, 9b, and 9c run parallel to the lateral direction Y.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat base 3a according to the invention. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 6 has notches at its ends and at the apex 6c, whereby the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b are divided in their end regions, and the leaf spring is divided at the apex 6c. Each of the divided ends, including the one at the apex 6c, has an opening through which a bushing is passed. The upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4 have recesses 19 in the plates 5a and 4a in their end regions 5c and 4c, in which the divided ends of the respective legs 6a and 6b of the leaf spring 6 are arranged. The recesses 19 form a positive fit for the leaf spring 6, thereby fixing it against displacement in the lateral direction Y. Similarly, two scissor frames of the connecting component 7 enclose the leaf spring 6 at the apex 6c.The scissor frames form a positive fit for the leaf spring 6, thus fixing it against displacement in the lateral direction Y. Furthermore, a damper can be arranged between the upper part 5 and the lower part 4, between the upper part 5 or the lower part 4 and the connecting component 7, or on the connecting component 7, for example, between the first scissor arm 7a and the second scissor arm 7b. The damper dampens any adjustment movement in the vertical direction Z between the upper part 5 and the lower part 4.

[0032] As particularly through the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the third fixed bearing 8c has a positive guidance function for the connecting component 7. Due to this positive guidance, the third fixed bearing 8c is positioned centrally between the upper part 5 and the lower part 4 in the vertical direction Z for every deflection of the upper part 5 relative to the lower part 4. Depending on the deflection of the upper part 5 relative to the lower part 4, the leaf spring 6 deforms, resulting in a slight displacement of the third fixed bearing 8c in the longitudinal direction X. The connecting component 7 ensures that the lower part 4 and the upper part 5 remain parallel to each other during any vertical adjustment.

[0033] Fig. Figure 5 shows a leaf spring 6 according to one embodiment of the invention. The leaf spring 6 is divided into four sections 20a to 20d. The inverted section 20a is semicircular in the XZ direction and transitions into the parallel section 20b. In this section, the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b run parallel for a portion of the length. In the subsequent curved section 20c, the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b curve away from each other, increasing the distance between them. In the spread section 20d, the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b each run straight and at an angle α of 40° to each other. The second fixed bearing 8b is arranged in the inverted section 20a and partially in the parallel section 20b. In addition, a second incision 21b is arranged in the reverse section 20a and partly in the parallel section 20b, which cuts into the leaf spring 6 in the middle in the width direction Y.The second notch 21b weakens the structure of the leaf spring 6 in the reverse section 20a, making it easier to spread or compress the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b. The notch 21b thus reduces the spring stiffness of the leaf spring 6. The curved section 20c forms a transition section between the parallel section 20b and the spread section 20d, and the curved section 20c prevents the formation of stress concentrations when the leaf spring 6 is deformed. In the first leg 6a, a first notch 21a is cut into the spread section 20d, and a third notch is cut into the second leg 6b. The first notch 21a and the third notch extend partially into the curved section 20c. The legs are provided with bores 22 at their ends.Using the bores 22, the legs 6a and 6b of the leaf spring 6 can be screwed to the bearing bushings of the first and third fixed bearing 8a and 8c.

[0034] To explain the special shape of the leaf spring 6 in more detail, we must go back to the Fig. Figure 3 is referenced, in which the leaf spring 6 is shown in a compressed state. The curved section 20c is compressed to such an extent that the curved section 20c of the first leg 6a and the second leg 6b rest on each other. In the spread section 20d, the two legs 6a and 6b remain straight, but the angle β at which the two legs run to each other in the spread section 20d is smaller than the angle α at which the legs 6a and 6b run to each other when the leaf spring 6 is not compressed. The angle β is in the Fig. 3 at approximately 20°, slightly more than half the angle α. The parallel section 20b is compressed to such an extent that the legs 6a and 6b converge in this section until they touch in the curved section 20c. The contact of the two legs 6a and 6b also shortens the lever arm of the leaf spring 6, giving the leaf spring 6 a very high spring constant for a small distance between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4, i.e., it is very stiff, thus preventing bottoming out of the suspension. For the area in which the spring is extended ( Fig. 2) Up to the area where the two legs 6a to 6b touch, the spring stiffness is essentially constant. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle seat 2 Seat section 3a Vehicle seat base 3b Vehicle seat construction 4 lower part 4a plate 4b Edge 4c rear area, end area 5 upper part 5a plate 5b Rand 5c rear area, end area 6 Spring element, leaf spring 6a first leg 6b second leg 6c Vertex 7 Connecting component, scissor frame 7a first scissor arm 7b second scissor arm 8a first permanent camp 8b second camp 8c third camp 9a first axis of rotation 9b second axis of rotation 9c third axis of rotation 10a first end area 10b Reversal area 10c second end range 11a first lot storage 11b second lot 11c third lot 11d fourth lot 12 Back section 13 Headrest 14 Armrest 15 Adjustment rail 16a first socket 16b second socket 16c third socket 17 front area 18 Nut 19 Exclusion 20a Reversal section 20b parallel section 20c curved section 20d spread section 21a first incision 21b second incision 22 bore X Vehicle seat longitudinal direction Y Vehicle seat width direction Y Vehicle seat height direction α angle β angle

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (12) and a vehicle seat base (3b) with a lower part (4) and an upper part (5) which is height-adjustable to it, and at least one spring element (6) and connecting component (7) arranged between the upper part (5) and the lower part (4), wherein the spring element (6) springs an adjustment movement in the height direction (Z) from the upper part (5) to the lower part (4) and the connecting component (7) connects the upper part (5) to the lower part (4) in a bearing-like manner, characterized by , that the spring element (6) is connected to the lower part (4), the upper part (5) and the connecting component (7) via at least one fixed bearing (8a, 8b, 8c) each. [2] Vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized by, that the spring element (6) is connected to the lower part (4) via a first fixed bearing (8a), the spring element (6) is connected to the connecting part (7) via a second fixed bearing (8b), and the spring element (6) is connected to the upper part via a third fixed bearing (8c), wherein the spring element (6) is rotatable about a first axis of rotation (9a) through the first fixed bearing (8a), the spring element (6) is rotatable about a second axis of rotation (9b) through the second fixed bearing (8b), and the spring element (6) is rotatable about a third axis of rotation (9c) through the third fixed bearing (8c), wherein the first axis of rotation (9a), the second axis of rotation (9b), and the third axis of rotation (9c) each run parallel to a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y). [3] Vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized by , that the first axis of rotation (9a), the second axis of rotation (9b) and the third axis of rotation (9c) run parallel to each other. [4] Vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one spring element (6) is a curved, U-shaped or V-shaped leaf spring (6) with a first leg (6a) and a second leg (6b), wherein both legs (6a, 6b) are connected to each other in a reversal area (10b) and the first leg (6a) has a first end area (10a) and the second leg (6b) has a second end area (10c), wherein the leaf spring (6) is formed in one piece or in multiple pieces. [5] Vehicle seat according to claims 2 and 4, characterized by , that the first fixed bearing (8a) is arranged in the first end region of the leaf spring (6) and the third fixed bearing (8c) is arranged in the second end region of the leaf spring (6), wherein the second fixed bearing (8b) is arranged in the reversal region (10b) of the leaf spring (6). [6] Vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized by, that the first fixed bearing (8a) and the third fixed bearing (8c) are arranged opposite the second fixed bearing (8b) in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or the lateral direction (Y) of the vehicle seat, wherein the second fixed bearing (8b) is displaceable relative to the first fixed bearing (8a) and the third fixed bearing (8c) along the longitudinal direction (X) and / or the lateral direction (Y) by means of an adjustment movement in the vertical direction (Z). [7] Vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting component (7) has at least one second sliding bearing (11b) on which the upper part (5) rests, and has at least one first sliding bearing (11a) which rests on the lower part (4), wherein the first sliding bearing (11a) and the second sliding bearing (11b) are movable at least in one direction which is parallel to a plane which is spanned by the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y). [8] Vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized by, that the first loose bearing (11a) and the second loose bearing (11b) is a plain bearing or a rolling bearing, wherein the movement of the loose bearings is guided by a roller and / or a slider. [9] Vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized by , that connecting component (7) comprises at least a first scissor arm (7a) and a second scissor arm (7b), wherein the first scissor arm (7a) and the second scissor arm (7b) are rotatably arranged in a central region about a common axis of rotation, wherein the first scissor arm (7a) has the first sliding bearing (11a) and the second sliding bearing (11b) and the second scissor arm (7b) has a third sliding bearing (11c) and a fourth sliding bearing (11d), wherein the upper portion (5) rests on the fourth sliding bearing (11d) and the third sliding bearing (11c) rests on the lower portion (4). [10] Vehicle seat according to claim 9, characterized by , that the common axis of rotation is the second axis of rotation (9b).

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