Oyster fiber seat cover for a vehicle seat, vehicle seat and motor vehicle with such a vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat cover (20) for a vehicle seat (10) comprising a seat element (12) and a backrest element (14). The seat cover (20) has a first textile structure (22) in a first seating area (B1) associated with the seat element (12) of the vehicle seat (10) and a second textile structure (24) in a second seating area (B2) associated with the backrest element (14) of the vehicle seat (10). The first textile structure (22) and the second textile structure (24) are provided to comprise oyster fibers (30). Furthermore, a vehicle seat (10) and a motor vehicle with such a vehicle seat (10) are described.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat cover for a vehicle seat, a vehicle seat, and a motor vehicle with such a vehicle seat.

[0002] Methods for producing oyster fibers are known from the prior art. For example, document CN 116 288 779 A describes a method for producing oyster fibers in which oyster shells are processed into a fine oyster shell powder, which is further processed into a spinning solution and sprayed under pressure into a coagulation bath, where solid fibers are formed.

[0003] A method for producing an antibacterial elastic fiber material is known from publication CN 116 180 267 A, in which oyster shells are applied to a high polymer modification.

[0004] In the automotive industry, alternative materials for vehicle seats are gaining increasing importance. Manufacturers are looking for sustainable and more environmentally friendly options, such as recycled plastics derived from old plastic bottles or other plastic waste. These plastics can be processed into durable and comfortable seat covers that simultaneously reduce environmental impact.

[0005] Commonly used materials for vehicle seat covers include imitation leather made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU), or synthetic fibers such as polyester. While these materials are inexpensive, durable, and easy to clean, they are not breathable. This causes vehicle seats to overheat quickly when the seat heating is switched on, compromising comfort. Furthermore, imitation leather does not distribute heat evenly, leading to uncomfortable hot spots. Artificial leather and other synthetic materials like polyester are also not sufficiently air-permeable. This hinders effective air circulation and reduces the efficiency of the seat ventilation. Consequently, the vehicle seats are not adequately cooled in warm weather, causing occupants to sweat and significantly reducing driving comfort.

[0006] Another disadvantage of synthetic leather and other synthetic materials is their environmental impact during production. Manufacturing these materials requires the use of chemicals and fossil fuels, resulting in a high carbon footprint. Furthermore, these materials are not biodegradable and contribute to environmental pollution when disposed of.

[0007] There are also disadvantages to using genuine leather. While leather is durable and offers a high level of comfort, its production is resource-intensive and has significant environmental impacts. Animal husbandry for leather production contributes to deforestation and high water consumption. Furthermore, leather tanning often involves the use of harmful chemicals that can pollute the environment.

[0008] The object underlying the invention is seen as being to provide an improved seat cover for a vehicle seat that provides efficient seat climate control and enables a low environmental impact during production and disposal.

[0009] This problem is solved by a seat cover for a vehicle seat, a vehicle seat with the seat cover, and a vehicle with the features of the respective independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0010] The proposal is for a seat cover for a vehicle seat consisting of a seat element and a backrest element. The seat cover features a first textile structure in a first seating area associated with the seat element and a second textile structure in a second seating area associated with the backrest element. Both the first and second textile structures are designed to contain oyster fibers.

[0011] The use of oyster fibers makes it possible to provide a seat cover for a vehicle seat that offers optimized heat distribution and air circulation. Oyster fibers are highly breathable, which enhances seat ventilation by allowing moisture to be wicked away more quickly, ensuring a comfortable seating climate. The efficiency of seat heating is also improved, as heat is retained more effectively by the oyster fibers and thus remains available for longer. This reduces energy consumption and optimizes heating performance. Additionally, oyster fibers possess natural antibacterial properties that can help keep the vehicle seat more hygienic.

[0012] Oyster shells can be formed by embedding oyster shell material in synthetic fibers or by coating natural fibers with the oyster shell material.

[0013] Oyster shells are a byproduct of oyster farming and are normally disposed of as waste. Using them in seat covers can reduce this waste and allow for meaningful recycling. Consequently, the use of oyster shells in textiles can promote sustainability by utilizing natural and renewable resources.

[0014] Oyster fibers, for example, can have a high density and a porous surface structure.

[0015] The first textile structure can differ from the second textile structure.

[0016] For example, by using a special, vehicle-specific shaping of the oyster fibers in the first and second textile structure, the moisture-regulating and antibacterial properties of the oyster fibers can be utilized.

[0017] For example, the first textile structure can have a high thread density of oyster fibers. In the first seating area (for example, in an area of ​​the vehicle seat corresponding to the buttocks and upper thighs of an occupant), the high-density oyster fibers with their porous surface structure can enable even heat distribution. This allows heat to be released continuously across the entire first seating area.

[0018] The second textile structure, however, can have a lower thread density of oyster fibers than the first. In the second seating area (for example, in a section of the vehicle seat corresponding to the occupant's back), a lower oyster fiber density results in more open fabric structures with larger pores. These, in combination with the porous structure of the oyster fibers, can ensure better air circulation within the seat cover.

[0019] The first textile structure and the second textile structure can be created using knitting or weaving techniques.

[0020] The above task is also solved by oyster fibers, which are used for a seat cover of a vehicle seat.

[0021] A vehicle seat with the seat cover described above can have a seat element and a backrest element, as well as seat heating.

[0022] The vehicle seat can be located in a vehicle.

[0023] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic and simplified representation of an embodiment of a seat cover for a vehicle seat; Fig. 2 a schematic and simplified representation of a first textile structure and a second textile structure of the seat cover according to embodiments; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a simplified and schematic representation of a principle of a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic and simplified representation of an embodiment of a seat cover 20 for a vehicle seat 10.

[0025] The vehicle seat 10 has a seat element 12 and a backrest element 14 and is arranged in a vehicle F, which in relation to Fig. 3 is described in more detail. The seat cover 20 can completely surround the vehicle seat 10, as shown in Fig. 1 illustrated, or may be designed individually for different elements (such as a headrest, the seat element 12, and / or the backrest element 14) of the vehicle seat 10.

[0026] The seat cover 20 comprises a first textile structure 22 in a first seating area B1 assigned to the seat element 12 of the vehicle seat 10 and a second textile structure 24 in a second seating area B2 assigned to the backrest element 14 of the vehicle seat 10.

[0027] The first textile structure 22 and the second textile structure 24 contain oyster fibers 30, which are simplified into Fig. 2 are shown and in relation to Fig. 2 will also be described in more detail.

[0028] In other words, the first text structure 22 and the second textile structure 24 are each provided with oyster fibers 30 made from oyster shells, which are optimized for the vehicle-specific application. The oyster fibers 30 can be incorporated into the seat cover 20 of the vehicle seat 10 in such a way as to increase the efficiency of the seat heating 16 and seat ventilation. More efficient seat climate control leads to lower energy consumption and, for example, enables a greater range in electric vehicles.

[0029] In general, the use of alternative materials for seat covers, which can be produced sustainably and in an environmentally friendly way, is becoming increasingly important. For example, the use of natural materials such as plant fibers from hemp, flax, or bamboo is of interest. These natural fibers are biodegradable, very robust, and durable. They can be used in combination with other materials to improve the comfort and durability of vehicle seats and their covers.

[0030] Leather alternatives made from plant sources, such as pineapple leather (Piñatex®) or mushroom leather, are also increasingly being used. These materials offer similar properties to traditional leather but are significantly more environmentally friendly in their production and processing.

[0031] Oyster shells consist of calcium carbonate and possess natural properties that optimize both heat distribution and air circulation. When used with a seat heater 16 integrated into the vehicle seat 10, the oyster fibers 30 formed from oyster shells can help distribute heat more evenly. Their excellent thermal conductivity also ensures that the generated heat is distributed not just at a single point, but across the entire seating surface of the first seating area B1. This prevents hot spots and provides a more comfortable seating experience. Furthermore, the oyster fibers 30 can retain heat for longer, increasing the efficiency of the seat heater 16 and reducing energy consumption.

[0032] Oyster fibers 30 can be formed, for example, by embedding oyster shell material in synthetic fibers or by coating natural fibers with the oyster shell material.

[0033] Oyster shells can be collected as a byproduct of oyster farming and thoroughly cleaned to remove organic residues and impurities. After cleaning, the shells can be ground into a fine powder or granules, which can then be mixed with textile fibers. This can be done using various techniques, such as embedding the shell particles in synthetic fibers as described above, or coating natural fibers with the shell material. These enriched textile fibers can then be processed into fabrics used for the production of seat cover 20.

[0034] The oyster fibers 30 can have a high density and a porous surface structure. This porous structure allows for better air circulation within the seat cover 20. This can, for example, help the vehicle's ventilation systems F to wick away moisture more quickly and effectively cool the vehicle seat 10. The moisture-regulating properties of the oyster fibers 30 help keep the seat 20 dry, which can increase comfort, especially on hot days.

[0035] According to embodiments, the first textile structure 22 can differ from the second textile structure 24.

[0036] For example, the first textile structure 22 can have a high thread density of oyster fibers 30.

[0037] Thread count generally represents a measure of the number of threads / fibers per square centimeter or square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the more densely woven the fabric.

[0038] In other words, the first textile structure 22 can have a large number of oyster threads 30 per square centimeter / square inch, and consequently be densely woven.

[0039] The first textile structure 22 of the seat cover 20 used in the first seating area B1 is simplified here on the left side in Fig. 2 shown. In the first seating area B1 (for example, in the buttocks and upper thigh of an occupant of vehicle seat 10, not in Fig. (1 shown) the oyster fibers 30, by means of their high thread density and porous surface structures, can optimize the thermal conductivity of the seat cover 20, thus ensuring even and rapid heat distribution without hotspots.

[0040] In this context, the second textile structure 24 can have a lower thread density of oyster fibers 30 than the first textile structure 22. For example, the second textile structure 24 in the second seating area B2 (for example, in the area of ​​the back of an occupant of the vehicle seat 10) can comprise open fabric structures with larger pores, which on the right side in Fig. 2 is shown. These can allow for better air circulation and thus help to remove moisture more quickly.

[0041] The first textile structure 22 and the second textile structure 24 can be formed, for example, using knitting or weaving techniques. For instance, mesh fabrics made of oyster fibers 30 can be used for the first and second seating areas B1, B2 to increase air permeability. Such 3D structures in textiles made of oyster fibers 30 can increase the surface area and thus further improve air circulation. These structures create channels through which air and moisture can circulate more easily along the oyster fibers 30, which can further enhance comfort.

[0042] The use of oyster fibers 30 for the seat cover 20 of the vehicle seat 10 thus offers improved heat distribution as well as air circulation. In addition, the oyster fibers 30 have natural antibacterial properties that can help keep the vehicle seat 10 more hygienic.

[0043] Oyster shells are a byproduct of oyster farming and would normally end up as waste. Their use in the seat cover 20 reduces this waste and allows for meaningful recycling.

[0044] Furthermore, the use of oyster shells in textiles promotes sustainability, as natural and renewable resources are used.

[0045] Oyster fibers 30 are biodegradable, which means that at the end of their use they cause less environmental impact than synthetic materials, which often cannot be broken down and contribute to pollution.

[0046] As already described, the vehicle seat 10 comprises the seat cover 20 described above, as well as the seat element 12 and the backrest element 14. The vehicle seat may also have seat heating 16, as shown in Fig. 1 illustrated.

[0047] Vehicle seat 10 is in a Fig.The vehicle F is arranged in a simplified representation. Only one vehicle seat 10 is shown, but further vehicle seats 10 with corresponding seat covers 20 may be arranged in the vehicle F.

[0048] According to further embodiments, fibers (natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers) that are provided with natural materials made of calcium carbonate can also be used for the seat cover 20. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 116 288 779 A

[0002] CN 116 180 267 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Seat cover (20) for a vehicle seat (10) with a seat element (12) and a backrest element (14), wherein the seat cover (20) has a first textile structure (22) in a first seating area (B1) associated with the seat element (12) of the vehicle seat (10) and a second textile structure (24) in a second seating area (B2) associated with the backrest element (14) of the vehicle seat (10), characterized by , that the first textile structure (22) and the second textile structure (24) contain oyster fibers (30). [2] Seat cover (20) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the oyster fibers (30) are formed by embedding oyster shell material in synthetic fibers or by coating natural fibers with the oyster shell material. [3] Seat cover (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the oyster fibers (30) have a high density and a porous surface structure. [4] Seat cover (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first textile structure (22) differs from the second textile structure (24). [5] Seat cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first textile structure (22) has a high thread density of oyster fibers (30). [6] Seat cover according to claim 5, characterized by , that the second textile structure (24) has a lower thread density of oyster fibers (30) than the first textile structure (22). [7] Seat cover (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first textile structure (22) and the second textile structure (24) are formed using knitting or weaving techniques. [8] Vehicle seat (10) with a seat cover (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a seating element (12); a backrest element (14); and a seat heater (16). [9] Vehicle with at least one vehicle seat (10) according to claim 8.

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