Vehicle seat with adjustable console

Abstract

The invention shows a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (2), a vehicle seat base (4) supporting the seat part (2), an armrest (6a) and a first console (3a) with an operating device (10), wherein the armrest (6a) and the first console (3a) also extend predominantly alongside the seat part (2) and / or the vehicle seat base (4) and the first console (3a) is attached to the vehicle seat base (4) by means of a first console support (9a), wherein the armrest (6a) is fixedly arranged on the first console (3a) and the first console (3a) with the armrest (6a) and the operating device (10) are connected to the vehicle seat base (4) via the console support (9a) and are rotatable about a rotation angle α about a rotation axis (D) extending in a lateral direction (Y).to simultaneously adjust the position of a support point (A) of an occupant's elbow on the armrest (6a) and a grip point (G) of an occupant's hand on the control device (10) in relation to the seat part (2), wherein the console support (9a) has the axis of rotation (D) in a front area and has at least one adjustable lever element (13) in a rear area, wherein a rotation of the first console (3a) about the axis of rotation (D) can be controlled by adjusting or folding down the lever element (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part, a vehicle seat base supporting the seat part, an armrest and a first console with an operating device, wherein the armrest and the first console also extend predominantly alongside the seat part and / or the vehicle seat base and the first console is attached to the vehicle seat base by means of a first console support.

[0002] Commercial vehicles, such as agricultural machinery, construction equipment, or transport vehicles, typically have consoles extending alongside the seat that serve as mounts for operating devices like joysticks or control panels. To prevent occupants' arms from becoming fatigued or strained while holding a joystick or other control device, armrests are fitted to the vehicle seat, providing a comfortable resting place for the occupant. Since occupants vary in height and arm length, comfortable operation of the control unit requires first adjusting the height of the armrest so that the elbow rests on it. Next, the angle of the armrest must be adjusted so that the occupant can reach the control device. Finally, the angle of the control unit relative to the armrest must be adjusted to prevent the wrist from being bent excessively.These various adjustment steps are very complex and time-consuming. Furthermore, the individual components must have a large number of adjustment options.

[0003] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which an improved adjustment system simplifies the adjustment of the console and reduces the manufacturing costs and assembly effort of the vehicle seat.

[0004] To solve the problem, a vehicle seat according to the invention is provided, comprising a seat part, a vehicle seat base supporting the seat part, an armrest and a first console with an operating device, wherein the armrest and the first console also extend predominantly alongside the seat part and / or the vehicle seat base and the first console is attached to the vehicle seat base by means of a first console support.The armrest is fixedly arranged on the first console, and the first console is connected to the vehicle seat base via the console support and is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in a width direction by a rotational angle α in order to simultaneously adjust the position of a support point of an occupant's elbow on the armrest and a gripping point of an occupant's hand on the control device in relation to the seat part, wherein the console support has the rotational axis in a front area and has at least one adjustable lever element in a rear area, wherein a rotation of the first console about the rotational axis can be controlled by adjusting or folding down the lever element.

[0005] 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 extends essentially in the longitudinal and lateral directions, whereas the vertical direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0006] A vehicle seat typically consists of a seat base that is connected to the vehicle body. A seat superstructure, usually comprising a seat cushion, a backrest, and a headrest, is mounted on this base. The seat base usually incorporates a spring system that dampens vertical movement between the seat and the vehicle body and allows for height adjustment of the seat cushion. The superstructure can also be moved longitudinally, and the backrest can be rotated laterally. Various accessories, such as mounting brackets, are typically attached to the seat base.

[0007] A console is a component mounted to the side of the vehicle seat, serving as a support structure for various other components. In particular, operating devices such as joysticks, levers, or buttons are attached to the console for controlling the vehicle or attached implements or machinery. For ease of access, the console is typically adjustable both lengthwise and heightwise. This adjustment allows for fine-tuning the distance between the occupant's upper body and the console. Shorter occupants may need to move the console, and any control unit attached to it, closer to their upper body (i.e., backwards) to comfortably use it, due to their arm length.For taller occupants, the opposite may be true due to longer arms, meaning the console needs to be moved far away from the upper body, i.e., forward. Control devices, especially joysticks or steering wheels, typically have a grip point where an occupant's hand grasps the device. This doesn't necessarily have to be an actual point; it can also refer to a surface or area where the hand touches the control device. The point where a wrist rests on the control device, such as a keyboard or control panel, can therefore also be such a grip point. The point where the elbow rests, as the beginning of the forearm, thus forms the transition from the arm to the armrest.Both the grip point and the contact point remain essentially unchanged, with the exception of shifts in the grip point induced by the operation of the control device, and can therefore be considered constant. This applies particularly during an operating cycle of the control device, i.e., a period of time during which the control device is in use.

[0008] According to the invention, the armrest is fixedly attached to the console. Preferably, the control unit is also fixedly attached to the console, so that the armrest, console, and control unit form a single unit. Since this unit is rotatable about a pivot axis extending in the width direction, both the grip point and the support point can be rotated together by the same angle α about the pivot axis. Therefore, when adjusting the tilt of the armrest, it is no longer necessary to adjust the tilt of the console, as both are rotated together.

[0009] The axis of rotation is located in a front area of ​​the console. Preferably, the axis of rotation is located in an area below the grip point, or more preferably in an area below the occupant's wrist. Advantageously, this results in a negligible vertical displacement of the grip point for a rotation through a small angle α. However, a noticeable vertical displacement occurs for the support point. Preferably, the lever element is located in an area below the support point. Most preferably, the lever element drives a rotation of the console.

[0010] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, by rotating the first console in a first direction of rotation the support point can be moved upwards in a vertical direction and by rotating the first console in a second direction of rotation the support point can be moved downwards in the vertical direction.

[0011] Rotating the console allows the support point to be adjusted vertically and adapted to the occupant. This combines both the height and tilt adjustment of the armrest.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the lever element is a push-pull crank with an L-shaped crank, which is connected at a short end to a linear drive and the short end is directed downwards in the vertical direction, a long end is directed longitudinally to the rear and the crank is rotatably mounted on the first console support in the connection area of ​​the short and long ends.

[0013] Preferably, the linear actuator is operable from the front of the vehicle seat. To reliably control the rotational movement of the console, the linear actuator is connected to the L-shaped crank, which, since it forms a right angle and is rotatably mounted on the console support around its apex, converts the movement of the linear actuator primarily in the longitudinal direction into a movement of the crank primarily in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the long end of the crank is connected to the first console in a rear lower region of the first console, wherein the rear lower region of the first console is arranged opposite the front region in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The longitudinally opposed arrangement of the crank and the pivot axis creates the largest possible lever, allowing the console to be rotated with minimal effort. This is necessary because consoles with armrests and controls are quite heavy due to the stability they require and the integrated electronics.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the linear drive has a threaded spindle with a guide nut, wherein a rotary movement of the threaded spindle can be converted into a linear movement by means of the guide nut and the linear movement can be converted into a rotary movement by means of the crank, and thus the crank can be raised or folded down.

[0017] The lead screw has proven to be a simple and reliable linear drive. It allows for stepless adjustment of the console. The lead screw can be driven manually via a star knob or by an actuator. Alternatively, the lever element could also be driven directly by an actuator.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat has a second console support and a second console, wherein a second armrest is arranged on the upper side of the second console, wherein the second console, the second console support and the second armrest are arranged opposite the first console, the first console support and the first armrest with respect to the seat part.

[0019] Typically, due to the abundance of operating controls, especially in agricultural and construction machinery, a vehicle seat includes a console on each side, right and left.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the second console is arranged parallel to the first console and is rotatable about the axis of rotation in a front area of ​​the second console.

[0021] Since the second console should also be adjustable to the size of the occupant, it is also mounted on a swivel. Because the occupants are essentially symmetrical on the right and left, it is desirable that both consoles be adjustable in the same way. Therefore, both consoles are mounted on a swivel around the same axis.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the second console support has a second crank, wherein the first crank and the second crank are arranged opposite and parallel to each other with respect to the seat part, wherein the second crank is rotatably mounted on the second console support, wherein the first crank and the second crank are connected to each other via a shaft, wherein a rotation of the first crank can be transmitted to the second crank via the shaft.

[0023] Since the second console also needs to be adjustable, it features a second crank, similar to the first. Unlike the first crank, the second crank only needs to be I-shaped, as it is not connected to a linear actuator. One end of the crank is rotatably mounted on the second console support, while the other end is fixed to the console itself. To rotate the second console, the second crank is connected to the first via a shaft. Both cranks rotate around the axis of rotation of the shaft.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first console and the second console, and thus the first armrest and the second armrest, are adjusted in parallel and synchronously when one of the two is adjusted.

[0025] As mentioned previously, the occupants are essentially symmetrical, so both consoles are usually set to the same height. To avoid having to adjust both consoles sequentially, they are connected via a shaft, so that any adjustment made to the first console is transferred to the second console in parallel and synchronously.

[0026] If different height settings are desired for both consoles, an adjusting mechanism can be provided on the second console, in particular between the shaft and the crank, by which the second console can be rotated independently of the first.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, an angle β between the grip point and the support point and a main extension axis of the armrest remains constant when the console is adjusted.

[0028] Simultaneous adjustment of the armrest and grip point by rotating the console combines several adjustment processes, eliminating the need for cumbersome readjustment of individual components. Since the angle β remains constant, adjusting the armrest or control unit prevents overextension of the user's wrist, thus enabling comfortable and healthy working.

[0029] 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 side view of a vehicle seat according to the invention; Fig. 3 an isometric view of a first console support and a second console support; Fig. 4a a first console support in a central position; Fig. 4b a first console support in an elevated position; Fig. 4c a first console support in a low position and Fig. 5 A schematic representation of the rotation of the console.

[0030] For the sake of clarity, some reference symbols have been omitted from the figures.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an overall view of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. The vehicle seat 1 can be divided into a vehicle seat base 4 and a vehicle seat superstructure arranged above and supported by it. The vehicle seat superstructure comprises a seat section 2, which extends substantially parallel to the plane defined by the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. A backrest 7 is arranged on the seat section, extending substantially in the vertical direction Z and in the lateral direction Y. The backrest 7 is arranged here almost perpendicular to the seat section 2 and oriented longitudinally, the angle between the seat section 2 and the backrest 7 being adjustable by a pivoting mechanism. A headrest 8 is additionally arranged at the upper end of the backrest 7. A first console 3a extends laterally to the right of the seat section 2 and also laterally to the backrest 7, and a second console 3b extends laterally to the left.Both consoles 3a and 3b can be rotated about the width direction Y relative to the seat section 2. For this purpose, consoles 3a and 3b are not attached to the seat section 2, but to the vehicle seat base 4 by means of a console support 9a and 9b. On the first console 3a, an operating device 10 in the form of a keypad 10 is arranged on the upper front surface. The vehicle seat base 4 is screwed to the vehicle body on its underside. In a lower section, the vehicle seat base 4 has a spring device (not visible here) that allows for spring movement and height adjustment of the seat structure. Above the spring device, two adjustment rails 5 are arranged extending longitudinally X. Only one adjustment rail 5 is visible here, which is located on the left side of the vehicle seat 1. Another is arranged opposite it in the width direction on the right side of the vehicle seat.The seat section 2 is attached to the adjustment rails 5 via spacers and can therefore be moved longitudinally relative to the spring assembly or the remaining part of the vehicle seat base 4. An armrest 6a and 6b are each arranged on the consoles 3a and 3b shown here.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention. The first console 3a is arranged on the right side of the vehicle seat and extends predominantly alongside the seat section 2. The console 3a can be moved forwards and backwards in the longitudinal direction X by means of a slide (not shown). The first console support 9a is attached to the vehicle seat base, or rather to the slide, and has a bearing 11a and 11b in a front and a rear section, respectively. The console 3a, which is roughly rectangular in shape, is rotatably mounted on the bearing 11a in a lower front section near a lower front corner about the axis of rotation D. In a lower rear section, near a lower rear corner, the console 3a is connected to the second bearing 11b. Extending from the console support 9a, the console 3a extends vertically Z beyond the seat section 2. The armrest 6a is fixedly arranged on the upper side of the console 3a.This extends from a rear end, positioned longitudinally X at the level of the backrest 7, to a front end, positioned longitudinally X at the level of the pivot axis D. Following the armrest 6a, the console 3a transitions into a mount for the joystick 10. In a rear section of the armrest, longitudinally between the first front bearing 11a and the first rear bearing 11b, the occupant's elbow support point A is located on the surface of the armrest 6a. The grip point G is located centrally on the top of the joystick 10. The precise position of the support point A and the grip point G is not critical; what matters is that their relative positions remain constant.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a first console support 9a and a second console support 9b. The two console supports 9a and 9b are arranged opposite each other on a slide 12. The first console support 9a has a lever element 13 that drives the rotation of the console about the axis of rotation D. For this purpose, the lever element is designed as an L-shaped crank 13 with a long arm 13a and a short arm 13b. Both arms 13a and 13b are arranged at right angles to each other, with the long arm 13a pointing backwards in the longitudinal direction X and the short arm 13b pointing downwards in the vertical direction when the console 3a is in its neutral position. At the apex 13c between the two arms 13a and 13b, the crank 13 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation R. The axis of rotation is parallel to both the axis of rotation D and the lateral direction Y.

[0034] At the end of the long arm 13a opposite the apex 13c, the first rear bearing 11b is arranged in the form of a first rear bearing journal 11b extending outwards in the lateral direction Y. The first front bearing 11a is also designed as an outwards extending bearing journal 11a. Both bearing journals 11a and 11b are arranged parallel to each other. A linear actuator 14 is also arranged below the first front bearing journal 11a. The linear actuator is connected to an end of the short arm 13b opposite the apex 13c. The linear actuator 14 is configured to deflect the free end of the short arm 13b primarily in the longitudinal direction X. This rotates the entire crank 13 about the axis of rotation R, thereby deflecting the free end of the long arm 13a with the first rear journal 11b primarily in the vertical direction Z.The connection between the first rear pin 11b and the first console 3a causes the first console 3a to be rotated by the angle a by the deflection of the long arm 13a or by the deflection of the crank 13.

[0035] The crank 13 is connected to a second crank 15 via a shaft W. The shaft W extends along the axis of rotation R between the first crank 13 and the second crank 15. Both cranks 13 and 15 are rotationally fixed to each other by the shaft W, so that any deflection of the first crank 13 is also transmitted to the second crank 15. The second crank 15 comprises only a long arm 15a, which is rotatably connected to the shaft at one end about the axis of rotation R and has a second rear bearing journal 11d at the other end. The long arm 13a of the first crank 13 and the long arm 15a of the second crank 15, as well as the first rear bearing journal 11b and the second rear bearing journal 11d, are all aligned parallel to each other.The second console support 9b also has a second front bearing pin 11c, which extends around the axis of rotation D opposite the first front bearing pin 11a with respect to the lateral direction Y. The bearing pins 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are aligned, in particular, mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane, parallel to the longitudinal direction and to the vertical direction through the center of the vehicle seat 1.

[0036] A second bracket 3b, not shown here, is attached to the second bearing journals 11c and 11d. Due to the connection of the first crank 13 and the second crank 15 via the shaft W, both brackets rotate synchronously when either bracket 3a or 3b is rotated.

[0037] The Fig. Figures 4a to 4c show the first console support 9a in a central position, a raised position, and a lowered position. The linear actuator 14, for driving the first crank 13, comprises a threaded spindle 14a that extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction to the front of the vehicle seat. A star knob 14b is arranged at the front end of the threaded spindle 14a. The threaded spindle 14a is mounted in a spindle bearing 14c so that it is fixed in the longitudinal direction X. The threaded spindle 14a engages with its rear end in the thread of the guide nut 14d. By screwing the spindle 14a into the nut 14d, the nut can be drawn closer to the bearing 14c, and by unscrewing the spindle 14a from the nut 14d, the nut can be pushed further away from the bearing 14c. Fig. Figure 4b shows crank 13 deflected upwards by the linear drive 14. The first rear bearing journal 11b is deflected upwards to such an extent that the bracket 3a is rotated by α1 ≈ 10° about the axis of rotation D. Fig. In step 4c, the crank 13 is deflected downwards, so that the console is rotated downwards by α2 ≈ -10° about the axis of rotation D. The degree values ​​refer to the neutral position of the Fig. 4a, in which a=0.

[0038] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the rotation of console 3a in relation to the three in the Fig.The deflections shown in Figures 4a to 4c are depicted. The solid line represents the center position 16 of the console 3a, the dashed line the raised position 17, and the dotted line the lowered position 18. The upper section schematically shows the armrest 6a with a support point A and a joystick 10 with a grip point G. The lower section schematically shows the lower end of the console 3a and the pivot axis D, or the bearing pin 11a. By rotating the console 3a upwards by the angle α1, the support point A is moved upwards by a height h1 from the center position 16. Conversely, by rotating it by the angle α2, the support point A is moved downwards by a height h2 from the center position. Depending on the occupant's arm length, the height of the support point A of the armrest 6a can thus be adjusted to the occupant's desired height by rotating the console 3a.At the same time, the wrist angle β between the grip point G and the support point A and a main extension axis of the armrest remains constant throughout the entire rotation of the console 3a. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle seat 2 Seat section 3a first console 3b second console 4 Vehicle seat base 5 adjustment rail 6a first armrest 6b second armrest 7 Back section 8 Headboard 9a first console carrier 9b second console carrier 10 Control unit 11a first front bearing 11b first rear camp 11c second front bearing 11d second rear bearing 12 sleds 13 Lever element 13a long arm 13b short arm 13c vertex 14 Linear actuator 14a Threaded spindle 14b Star handle 14c spindle bearing 14d Lead mother 15 second crank 15a long arm of the second crank 16 Middle position 17. Superposition 18 Low position h1 Height between middle and high position h2 Height between middle and low position a rotation angle α1 Angle between middle and high position α2 Angle between center and low position A support point on the armrest G Grip point on the joystick The axis of rotation of the console R axis of rotation of the shaft X Vehicle seat longitudinal direction Y Vehicle seat width direction Z Vehicle seat height direction

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (2), a vehicle seat base (4) supporting the seat part (2), an armrest (6a) and a first console (3a) with an operating device (10), wherein the armrest (6a) and the first console (3a) also extend predominantly alongside the seat part (2) and / or the vehicle seat base (4) and the first console (3a) is attached to the vehicle seat base (4) by means of a first console support (9a), characterized by, that the armrest (6a) is fixedly arranged on the first console (3a) and the first console (3a) with the armrest (6a) and the control device (10) are connected to the vehicle seat base (4) via the console support (9a) and are rotatable about a rotational axis (D) extending in a width direction (Y) by a rotational angle α in order to simultaneously adjust the position of a support point (A) of an occupant's elbow on the armrest (6a) and a gripping point (G) of an occupant's hand on the control device (10) in relation to the seat part (2), wherein the console support (9a) has the rotational axis (D) in a front area and has at least one adjustable lever element (13) in a rear area, wherein a rotation of the first console (3a) about the rotational axis (D) can be controlled by adjusting or folding down the lever element (13). [2] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that by rotating the first console (3a) in a first direction of rotation the support point (A) can be moved upwards in a vertical direction (Z) and by rotating the first console (3a) in a second direction of rotation the support point (A) can be moved downwards in the vertical direction (Z). [3] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lever element (13) is a push-pull crank with an L-shaped crank (13) which is connected at a short end (13b) to a linear drive (14) and the short end (13b) is directed downwards in the vertical direction (Z), a long end (13a) is directed backwards in the longitudinal direction (X) and the crank (13) is rotatably mounted on the first console support (9a) in the connection area of ​​the short and long ends (13b, 13a). [4] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the long end of the crank (13a) is connected to the first console (3a) in a rear lower area of ​​the first console (3a), the rear lower area of ​​the first console (3a) being arranged opposite the front area in the longitudinal direction (X). [5] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the linear drive (14) has a threaded spindle (14a) with a guide nut (14d), wherein a rotary movement of the threaded spindle (14) can be converted into a linear movement by means of the guide nut (14d) and the linear movement can be converted into a rotary movement by means of the crank (13) and thus the crank (13) can be raised or folded down. [6] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the vehicle seat (1) has a second console support (9b) and a second console (3b), wherein a second armrest (6b) is arranged on the upper side of the second console (3b), wherein the second console (3b), the second console support (9b) and the second armrest (6b) are arranged opposite the first console (3a), the first console support (9a) and the first armrest (6a) with respect to the seat part (2). [7] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim and 6, characterized by , that the second console (3b) is arranged parallel to the first console (3a) and is rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) in a front area of ​​the second console (3b). [8] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the second console support (9b) has a second crank (15), wherein the first crank (13) and the second crank (15) are arranged opposite and parallel to each other with respect to the seat part (2), wherein the second crank (15) is rotatably mounted on the second console support (9b), wherein the first crank (13) and the second crank (15) are connected to each other via a shaft (W), wherein a rotation of the first crank (13) can be transmitted to the second crank (15) via the shaft (W). [9] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 6 or 8, characterized by , that the first console (3a) and the second console (3b) and thus the first armrest (6a) and the second armrest (6b) are adjusted in parallel and synchronously when one of the two is adjusted. [10] Vehicle seat (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that an angle β between the grip point (G) and the support point (A) and a principal extension axis of the armrest (6a, 6b) remains constant when the console (3a, 3b) is adjusted.

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