Seating system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a cushion (3) which has a seat surface (4) designed for sitting by a person, and a spring and / or damper element (8) which is covered from above by the cushion (3) at least in the vehicle's vertical direction (5), wherein a coupling element (12) designed separately from the spring and / or damper element (8) is provided, via which the spring and / or damper element (8) can be coupled or connected to a drive element (10) movable for adjusting a seating position of the seat assembly (1), whereby when the drive element (10) is moved, the spring and / or damper element (8) is moved from a first position (13) to a second position (14) by means of the coupling element (12) through a change in shape of the spring and / or damper element (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seating system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Submarining refers to the phenomenon in a car accident, such as a head-on collision, where a passenger is forced into the seat and slides excessively deep into the seat, potentially slipping under the seatbelt, particularly the lap belt. This can result in serious injuries, making submarining a critical issue. In a frontal collision, also known as a frontal crash, the occupant's pelvis can sink significantly into the seat and rotate backward. Seats designed with comfort in mind may be more susceptible to submarining, as they may lack optimal rigidity in the seat's substructure.This means that if the seating system, also simply referred to as a seat, is designed with regard to seating comfort and, for example, packaging, such that a seat cushion and suspension system offer maximum comfort in all seating kinematic positions, the seating system's crash behavior with regard to submarining may not be ideal. Therefore, such design criteria should be avoided in particular, thereby achieving an optimal crash result with regard to submarining. Measures known from the prior art to prevent submarining are associated with very complex additional measures, which can negatively impact the manufacturing costs of the seating system and, consequently, the manufacturing costs of the vehicle.

[0003] EP 3 022 083 B1 discloses a motor vehicle with a vehicle seat comprising an adjustable seat surface, an adjustable backrest surface and adjustable, paired, and opposing side bolsters provided on the seat and / or backrest side, which can be varied differently in their size or geometry, wherein the seat surface and / or the backrest surface can be tilted to one side in an at least semi-autonomous operating mode of the motor vehicle in order to create a seating position rotated relative to the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, for which electromechanical or pneumatic adjustment means are provided.

[0004] Furthermore, an activation system for actuators of a vehicle seating system is known from DE 10 2011 082 058 A1, comprising a first control device, a gas pressure accumulator with a gas pressure accumulator valve arranged thereon, a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator and a connecting device arranged between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, wherein the actuators can be activated depending on an accident characteristic which can be determined by means of the first control device and transmitted to the pressure distribution device.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 1 415 853 A2 discloses a seat construction comprising an arm arranged in the rear region of a seat cushion and reinforced in a normal state with a torsion bar in the backward direction of fall, a support frame supported by the arm and arranged along a width direction on the rear of the seat cushion, a front frame arranged on the front of the seat cushion, having a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction of the seat cushion and having a vertically movable front edge, and a cushioning element extending between the support frame and the front frame and tensioned by an elastic force of the torsion bar.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a seating system for a motor vehicle in such a way as to increase the safety of the motor vehicle, particularly in a particularly comfortable manner.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a seating system for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0008] The invention relates to a seating system for a motor vehicle. Preferably, the motor vehicle, particularly in its fully manufactured state, includes the seating system. The motor vehicle is, for example, a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. The term "seating system" refers in particular to a vehicle seat. Accordingly, the seating system is specifically designed or intended for seating at least one person, that is, for at least one occupant of the motor vehicle. In particular, the seating system can be arranged or is arranged in an interior space of the motor vehicle. The interior space, which can be referred to as the vehicle interior, refers in particular to a passenger compartment or passenger cell.

[0009] The seating system includes at least one cushion, which can be understood to be, in particular, a seat cushion. The cushion has, for example, a base, which can be referred to as the cushion body. The base is made, for example, of foam, which can also be referred to as seat foam. In other words, the cushion is made, for example, at least partially, and in particular predominantly or completely, of foam. The seating system also includes, for example, a cover, which can be referred to as the seat cover. The seat cover is attached, for example, to the base of the cushion. This means that, for example, the base of the cushion is covered by the cover. In other words, the base is, for example, at least partially, and in particular predominantly or completely, covered by the cover.The upholstery, in particular the base and / or the cover, has at least one seating surface designed or intended for a person, that is, in particular for a vehicle occupant. This means that the person sitting on the seat assembly sits directly on the seating surface. For example, the seating surface, particularly when the seat assembly is installed in the motor vehicle or in the interior, faces upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction. In other words, the person sitting on the seat assembly, in particular the person sitting on the seating surface, can be supported or is supported downwards by the seating surface in the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the seating system has at least one spring and / or damper element that is covered by the upholstery, at least in the vertical direction of the vehicle, from above, for example at least partially, and in particular at least predominantly or completely, by means of which, in particular, seat suspension and / or seat damping of the seating system can be effected, or is effected, or is effected for the person sitting on the seating system, especially the seat surface. In other words, the upholstery, particularly in the installed position of the seating system in the motor vehicle or in the interior, extends at least in some areas further upwards than the spring and / or damper element. This means that the spring and / or damper element is arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle, in particular directly, beneath the upholstery.For example, the spring and / or damping element is embedded in the upholstery, whereby the spring and / or damping element extends, at least partially, within the upholstery, for example, within the base body. In particular, the damping and / or suspension properties of the seating system, especially the upholstery, can be determined by the spring and / or damping element. In particular, the spring and / or damping element is designed separately from the upholstery.

[0011] To significantly enhance the safety of the motor vehicle, particularly in a highly comfortable manner, the seating system according to the invention comprises at least one coupling element designed separately from the spring and / or damper element, via which the spring and / or damper element can be coupled, for example at least indirectly or directly, to a drive element, particularly mechanically, which is movable for adjusting a seating position of the seating system, especially the cushion. This means that the drive element can be moved, for example, from a first drive element position to a second drive element position that differs from the first drive element position, in order to adjust the seating position of the seating system, that is, for example, to move the seating system, in particular the cushion, from a first seating system position to a second seating system position that differs from the first seating system position.In other words, moving the drive element, for example from the first drive element position to the second drive element position, is accompanied by a movement of the seat assembly, for example from the first seat assembly position to the second seat assembly position. Adjusting the seat position refers specifically to adapting, that is, changing, the seat position. The seat position is understood to be, in particular, the position of the seat assembly. Adjusting the seat position, that is, moving the seat assembly, involves, for example, moving the seat assembly, or at least the upholstery, within the interior, that is, relative to at least one component of the vehicle located in the interior, such as a floor element and / or a trim panel of the vehicle.For example, in the first and second seat configurations, at least the upholstery is arranged differently, meaning, for example, in a different spatial orientation and / or at a different angle within the interior. For example, the seating position of the vehicle occupant, particularly within the interior, differs between the first and second seat configurations. Moving the drive element is, in particular, moving the drive element relative to the upholstery and / or relative to the coupling element. The fact that the spring and / or damper element can be coupled or is coupled to the drive element via the coupling element is understood to mean, in particular, that the drive element can be connected or is connected to the spring and / or damper element via the coupling element, for example, in a force-transmitting manner.The term spring and / or damper element refers in particular to a spring and / or damper system of the seating system.

[0012] Because the spring and / or damper element can be coupled or connected to the drive element via the coupling element, moving the drive element, for example from the first drive element position to the second drive element position, particularly for adjusting the seat position, i.e., for example for moving the seat system from the first seat system position to the second seat system position, involves a, in particular targeted, movement of the spring and / or damper element from a first position to a second position, in particular one different from the first position, for example relative to the cushion, mediated by the coupling element through at least one change in the shape of the spring and / or damper element.This means that by moving the drive element, for example from the first drive element position to the second drive element position, via the coupling element or mediated by the coupling element, the movement of the spring and / or damper element from the first position to the second position, and thereby in particular the change in shape of the spring and / or damper element, can be effected or is effected or is effected.

[0013] The term "change in shape" refers specifically to the fact that the spring and / or damper element has a first shape in the first position and a second shape that differs from the first in the second position. The respective shape refers specifically to the respective geometry of the spring and / or damper element. Thus, it is specifically intended that the spring and / or damper element must be deformed, or is deformed, to move it between the first and second positions, for example, from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the movement of the spring and / or damper element from the first position to the second position is accompanied by a change in shape. This change in shape is preferably elastic.

[0014] The change in shape results, for example, in a change in the spring and / or damping properties of the seating system, especially the upholstery, such as a change in the stiffness of the upholstery. As a result, the stiffness of the upholstery in the second position is, for example, higher than in the first position.

[0015] By coupling the spring and / or damper element to the drive element via the coupling element, the suspension and / or damping characteristics of the seat system, such as the stiffness of the upholstery, can be adjusted or changed, particularly automatically, when the drive element is moved, i.e., when the seat position is adjusted. Thus, the shape or geometry of the spring and / or damper element, and therefore the stiffness of the upholstery, depends, for example, on the seat position. This allows the suspension and / or damping characteristics of the seat system to be optimally adjusted at all times to prevent submarining, so that, for example, the vehicle occupant sitting on the seat system is less likely to sink downwards, especially into the seat. This significantly increases safety against submarining.Accordingly, the seat cushioning of the seating system, particularly through the spring and / or damping element, can be controlled via seat kinematic settings, especially automatically. The spring and / or damping characteristics of the seating system, that is, the seat cushioning or the spring and / or damping element, thus do not act uniformly in all seating positions or with all seat kinematics, allowing the seating system to be ideally adapted to prevent submarining. For example, in the second position, the stiffness of the cushion can be increased by the spring and / or damping element, that is, in particular through the aforementioned change in shape, compared to the first position, so that, for example, particularly short people, who are generally more susceptible to submarining, cannot slide under the seat belt.This allows for a compromise between safety and comfort, ensuring safety for very short people and comfort for very tall people. For example, a tall person sits particularly low, meaning quite low in the vehicle's interior.

[0016] To further enhance the safety of the vehicle, particularly against submarining, a further embodiment provides that the deformation of the spring and / or damper element is accompanied by a curvature. This means that the deformation of the spring and / or damper element includes at least the creation of a curvature. In other words, the spring and / or damper element exhibits this curvature, at least in the second position. This means that the spring and / or damper element is curved, at least in the second position. In the first position, for example, the spring and / or damper element is free of this curvature. The curvature can, for example, significantly increase the stiffness of the cushion, particularly locally, thereby significantly enhancing safety against submarining.The curvature is in particular a convex curvature, for example in relation to the person sitting on the seat, that is to say in particular viewed from the perspective of the person sitting on the seat.

[0017] To further enhance the safety of the vehicle, a further embodiment provides that the change in shape is accompanied by a modification, in particular a strengthening, of at least one curvature of the spring and / or damper element. This means that the spring element exhibits the curvature in both the first and second positions, with the curvature being more pronounced in one of the positions, for example, the second position. Thus, in the second position, the spring and / or damper element is more strongly curved than in the first position. This allows the stiffness of the cushion to be significantly increased in the second position, thereby significantly improving safety against submarining.

[0018] To further enhance the safety of the motor vehicle, a further embodiment provides that a first angle between at least a portion of the spring and / or damper element in the second position and a plane extending perpendicular to the vehicle's vertical direction (in particular, an imaginary plane) is greater than a second angle between the seat surface and the plane, particularly in the second seat position. In other words, in the second position, at least the portion of the spring and / or damper element extends at the first angle, that is, in particular, below the first angle, to the plane, and the seat surface extends at the second angle, that is, in particular, below the second angle, to the plane, particularly in the second seat position and / or in the second position, where the first angle is greater than the second angle.This means that in the second position, at least part of the spring and / or damper element is angled relative to the seat surface of the seat assembly, particularly when it is in the second seat assembly position. Specifically, it is angled further rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and / or higher in the vertical direction than the seat surface. Because the first angle is greater than the second angle, at least part of the spring and / or damper element forms, for example, a ramp, or more specifically, a ramp-shaped geometry. This ramp, particularly through a local increase in the stiffness of the upholstery, can cause the vehicle occupant sitting on the seat assembly to sink less deeply in the vertical direction of the vehicle, especially into the upholstery, in the event of an accident than if the seat assembly or the spring and / or damper element were free of the ramp-shaped geometry.Thus, the vehicle occupant sitting on the seating system can, for example, be lifted at least locally upwards in the direction of the vehicle by the ramp, which can significantly increase safety against submarining.

[0019] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the drive element is covered by the upholstery, at least partially, and in particular predominantly or completely, from above, at least in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In other words, the drive element extends at least partially under the upholstery in the vertical direction of the vehicle. This allows the drive element to be accommodated in the seat system in a particularly space-saving manner. In particular, the upholstery is supported at least partially downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle, in particular at least indirectly or directly, against or on the drive element. Thus, for example, the upholstery, i.e., the seat foam of the cushion, rests on the drive element.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the drive element, particularly for adjusting the seat position, is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis. In other words, moving the drive element, especially from the first drive element position to the second drive element position, is a rotational movement, which can be described as a rotary motion. During this rotary movement, the drive element rotates around the pivot axis, for example, relative to the upholstery. In other words, moving the drive element, especially from the first drive element position to the second drive element position, involves rotating the drive element around the pivot axis.This allows the drive element to be coupled to the spring and / or damper element in a particularly advantageous way via the coupling element, enabling the spring and / or damper element to be moved, for example, with particular reliability and / or in a particularly space-saving manner. For example, the drive element is designed as a shaft or a tube.

[0021] To further enhance vehicle safety, the design incorporates a feature that adjusting the seat position—specifically, moving the seat from the first to the second position—includes at least an adjustment of the seat height relative to the vehicle's interior. In other words, adjusting the seat position—specifically, moving the seat from the first to the second position—involves a change in the seat height relative to the vehicle's interior, such that, for example, in the second position, the seat is positioned higher relative to the vehicle's interior than in the first position.This embodiment is based in particular on the understanding that smaller individuals may be more susceptible to submarining than larger individuals, as they are more likely to submerge under the seatbelt during an accident. Therefore, when adjusting the seat height using the drive element, i.e., by moving the drive element, particularly automatically, the shape of the spring and / or damper element can be changed, i.e., the spring and / or damper element can be moved from its first to its second position, thereby adjusting, for example, the stiffness of the cushion.

[0022] By rotating the drive element around the axis of rotation, it is possible, for example, to adjust the seat height of the seating system, for example via a four-bar linkage, whereby this is accompanied in particular by a change in the shape of the spring and / or damper element.

[0023] To further enhance the safety of the motor vehicle, particularly against submarining, a further embodiment provides that the spring and / or damper element has a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section extending, at least indirectly or directly, to the rear of the first longitudinal section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, particularly in the installation position of the seating system in the motor vehicle or the interior. In other words, the second longitudinal section is positioned further rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the first longitudinal section, particularly in both the first and second positions. The coupling element is attached to the first longitudinal section, particularly directly, bypassing the second longitudinal section.This means that the first length section has at least one attachment point to which the coupling element is attached, in particular directly, whereby the coupling of the coupling element to the spring and / or damper element occurs via the first length section. In other words, the coupling element is attached exclusively, in particular directly, to the first length section with respect to both the first and second length sections. This allows at least the first length section to be deformed, in particular elastically, when the drive element is moved, for example, when the drive element is moved from the first to the second drive element position. This means that the aforementioned deformation of the spring and / or damper element occurs, for example, at least predominantly, in the first length section.This allows the stiffness of the cushion to be particularly increased in the first length section, i.e., for example, in a front area of ​​the cushion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thereby significantly increasing safety against submarining.

[0024] Preferably, the second length section has at least one connection point, particularly one facing away from the first length section, at which the second length section is connected to the drive element, particularly indirectly or directly, without the need for a coupling element. In other words, the second length section and the drive element are preferably mounted to each other at the connection point. Thus, for example, the spring and / or damper element is mounted on the drive element at its rearward-facing side, which points towards the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and in particular directly, making the drive element rotatable relative to the spring and / or damper element.

[0025] To further enhance the safety of the vehicle, particularly its resistance to submarining, the coupling element is designed to be flexible. In other words, the coupling element is designed as an unstable component, specifically one that is deformable or not dimensionally stable. For example, the coupling element can be designed as a band or a cable element. This allows the drive element to be coupled to the spring and / or damper element particularly advantageously, for example, with greater safety and / or minimal effort, so that movement of the drive element causes a change in the shape of the spring and / or damper element.

[0026] Also revealed is the arrangement of the seating in the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0027] Another aspect concerns a method for operating a seating system, particularly according to the invention, for a motor vehicle. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the further aspect, and vice versa. The seating system comprises at least one cushion, which has a seating surface designed for one person. Furthermore, the seating system comprises at least one spring and / or damper element, in particular designed separately from the cushion, which is covered by the cushion at least from above in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0028] In order to significantly increase the safety of the motor vehicle, particularly its safety against submarining, it is provided that the spring and / or damper element is coupled via a coupling element designed separately from the spring and / or damper element to a drive element that is movable or moved for adjusting a seat position of the seat system, whereby when the drive element is moved, in particular to adjust the seat position, the spring and / or damper element is moved from a first position to a second position, in particular a position different from the first position, for example relative to the cushion, by means of at least one change in the shape of the spring and / or damper element via the coupling element.Thus, it is specifically intended that by moving the drive element, the spring and / or damper element is deformed, in particular elastically, thereby moving the spring and / or damper element from the first position to the second position.

[0029] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic partial sectional view of a seating system according to the invention with a spring and / or damper element in a first position; and Fig. 2 a schematic partial sectional view of a seating system according to the invention with a spring and / or damper element in a second position.

[0031] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic partial sectional view of a seating arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, in particular for an interior 2 of the motor vehicle. Thus, the seating arrangement 1 can be arranged, or is arranged, in the interior 2. The seating arrangement 1 is intended for seating at least one person, who can be referred to as a vehicle occupant. The seating arrangement 1 has, for example, a cushion 3, which has a seat surface 4 designed or intended for the person to sit on. In other words, the cushion 3 forms the seat surface 4. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the seat surface 4 points upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction 5. The cushion 3 is made, for example, of foam, which can be described as seat foam.

[0033] For example, the seating system 1 has a seat section 6, which includes the cushion 3. Thus, the cushion 3 forms, for example, at least part of the seat section 6. In particular, this seat section 6 includes the seat surface 4. For example, the seating system 1 has a backrest section 7, which may be formed separately from the seat section 6. Alternatively, the seat section 6 and the backrest section 7 may be formed as a single piece. The backrest section 7 is designed, for example, as a backrest, particularly for the person sitting on the seating system 1. Thus, the person can, for example, support their back, particularly directly, against the backrest while sitting on the seating system 1, specifically on the seat surface 4.

[0034] Furthermore, the seat assembly 1 has at least one spring and / or damper element 8, which is at least partially, for example at least predominantly or completely, covered by the cushion 3 from above, at least in the vehicle's vertical direction 5. For example, the spring and / or damper element 8 is, in particular as shown in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that the spring and / or damper element 8 is arranged within the pad 3, whereby, for example, the spring and / or damper element 8 is covered by the pad 3 from above and below in the vehicle's vertical direction 5, and, for example, from the front and / or rear in the vehicle's longitudinal direction 9. Alternatively, it is possible that the spring and / or damper element 8 is arranged outside the pad 3 in the vehicle's vertical direction 5, beneath the pad 3, whereby, for example, the spring and / or damper element 8 is covered by the pad 3 only from above with respect to the vehicle's vertical direction 5, and not from below. The spring and / or damper element 8 is, for example, made of metal.

[0035] The present seating system 1 has at least one drive element 10, which is designed separately from the spring and / or damper element 8 and is movable for adjusting the seating position of the seating system 1. For example, the drive element 10 is rotatable about a pivot axis 11, i.e., it is mounted to rotate about the pivot axis 11. Thus, the aforementioned movement of the drive element 10 is, in particular, a rotation of the drive element 10 about the pivot axis 11. For example, the drive element 10 is designed as a shaft or as a tube. Adjusting the seating position of the seating system 1 is understood to mean, in particular, that a seat kinematic control can be actuated via the drive element 10, and thereby moved, in such a way that the current seating position of the seating system 1 can be adjusted.This adjustment of the seat position preferably involves at least an adjustment of the height of the seat surface 4 in the vehicle's vertical direction 5. Thus, when the height of the seat system 1, in particular the seat surface 4, is adjusted, for example, the drive element 10 is rotated about the axis of rotation 11.

[0036] In order to particularly increase the safety of the motor vehicle, the seating system 1 has at least one coupling element 12, which is designed separately from the spring and / or damper element 8 and separately from the drive element 10, via which the spring and / or damper element 8 can be coupled or connected to the drive element 10, in particular in a force-transmitting manner, whereby when the drive element 10 is moved, i.e. in particular when the drive element 10 is rotated about the axis of rotation 11, the spring and / or damper element 8 is moved from a first position 13 to a second position 14 by means of the coupling element 12 through at least one change in shape of the spring and / or damper element 8.In other words, it is intended that by moving the drive element 10, that is, in particular by rotating the drive element 10 about the axis of rotation 11, the spring and / or damper element 8 can be driven by the coupling element 12, and is driven by this movement, particularly accompanied by a change in the shape of the spring and / or damper element 8, allowing the spring and / or damper element 8 to be moved from the first position 13 to the second position 14. This change in shape, in particular by moving the spring and / or damper element 8 from the first position 13 to the second position 14, can, for example, increase the stiffness of the pad 3, at least locally, thereby significantly increasing its resistance to submarining.In the second position 14, the seat surface 4 is positioned, for example, further up in the vehicle's vertical direction 5, particularly in the interior space 2, than in the first position 13. This allows, for example, a particularly small person to be well protected from submarining if they adjust the seating system 1, particularly the seat surface 4, upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction, while simultaneously avoiding any impairment of comfort for a particularly tall person who adjusts the seating system 1, particularly the seat surface 4, further down in the vehicle's vertical direction 5.

[0037] In Fig. 1. The spring and / or damper element 8 is in the first position 13. In Fig. Figure 2 shows the seating arrangement 1 in a schematic partial sectional view, where in Fig. 2. The spring and / or damper element 8 is in the second position 14. Preferably, the change in shape is accompanied by a curvature 15 of the spring and / or damper element 8. Alternatively or additionally, the change in shape is preferably accompanied by a modification, in particular an increase, of the curvature 15 of the spring and / or damper element 8. Thus, for example, when the spring and / or damper element 8 is moved from the first position 13 to the second position 14, the curvature 15 can be created, or the existing curvature 15 can be increased.

[0038] For example, at least in the second position 14, at least a partial section 16 of the spring and / or damper element 8 extends at a first angle 17 to a plane 18 extending perpendicular to the vehicle's vertical direction 5, in particular an imaginary plane. Furthermore, for example, at least in the second position 14, the seat surface 4 extends at a second angle 19 to the plane 18. In the present case, the first angle 17 is greater than the second angle 19. In other words, for example, the first angle 17 between at least the partial section 16 of the spring and / or damper element 8, at least in the second position 14, and the plane 18 extending perpendicular to the vehicle's vertical direction 5 is greater than the second angle 19 between the seat surface 4 and the plane 18.This allows the spring and / or damper element 8, particularly at least in the second position 14, to create a ramp by means of which the cushion 3 can be acted upon, particularly in a ramp-like manner, thereby shaping, for example, the shape and / or local stiffness of the cushion 3, particularly to counteract submarining, i.e., in particular to counteract a person sliding under a seat belt in a car accident. Preferably, the first angle 17 is larger in the second position 14 than in the first position.

[0039] How particularly good in combination of Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen, for example in the second position 14, a front end 20 in the longitudinal direction 9 of the vehicle is arranged further up in the vertical direction 5 of the vehicle, particularly due to the curvature 15, than in the first position 13.

[0040] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen particularly well in Figure 2, the drive element 10 is covered by the padding 3 at least in the vehicle's vertical direction 5 from above. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the drive element 10 is arranged inside the cushion 3. However, it is alternatively possible for the drive element 10 to be arranged, for example, outside the cushion 3, in particular in the vehicle's upward direction 5 below the cushion 3.

[0041] For example, the spring and / or damper element has a first length section 21. For example, the first length section 21 has the aforementioned subsection 16. In other words, for example, the first length section 21 forms subsection 16. Furthermore, the spring and / or damper element 8 has, for example, a second length section 22, which is distinct from the first length section and extends rearward in the longitudinal direction 9 of the vehicle, particularly at least indirectly or directly, to the first length section 21. The length sections 21 and 22 can be formed separately from one another and, in particular, connected to one another. Alternatively, for example, the length sections 21 and 22 are formed integrally.

[0042] For example, the coupling element 12 is attached to the first length section 21, particularly directly, bypassing or avoiding the second length section 22. Thus, the coupling element 12 is coupled to the first length section 21, for example, particularly directly, so that when the drive element 10 is moved, i.e., in this case, when the drive element 10 is rotated about the axis of rotation 11, at least the first length section 21 is acted upon by the coupling element 12, and is thereby preferably deformed, in particular curved. Thus, the curvature 15 is generated, for example, with respect to the first and the second length sections 21, 22, at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the first length section 21.This allows the spring and / or damper element 8 to be shaped, for example, in a ramp-like or ramp-like manner, whereby the padding 3, particularly in a front area 9 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, becomes stiffer, i.e., harder, than in a rear area of ​​the padding 3 relative to the front area 9 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This can, for example, prevent the person from submarining under the seat belt, especially for very short people, thus significantly increasing safety against submarining. In the present case, the second length section 22 has a connection point 23, particularly one facing away from the first length section 21, in which the second length section 22 is connected, preferably directly and bypassing the coupling element 12, to the drive element 10, for example by means of a rotary bearing.Thus, for example, a coupling point 24, at which the coupling element 12 is coupled or connected, in particular directly, to the first length section 21, is arranged in the longitudinal direction 9 of the vehicle in front of the connection point 23.

[0043] For example, the coupling element 12 is designed to be flexible. Thus, the coupling element 12 is designed, for example, as a rope or strap, particularly one that is flexible. The strap is designed, for example, as a tension strap.

[0044] Overall, the examples show how an anti-submarining effect can be achieved using the seat system 1 by means of at least one tension band controlled by seat height adjustment, for example, by several such tension bands, in the form of the coupling element 12. The seat padding of the seat system 1 (spring / damper system) can, via seat kinematic adjustment, control the spring travel and / or damping of the padding 3, in particular in a targeted manner, so that in the second position 14, for example, in a test position provided for in a crash test, the seat system 1, in particular the padding, can provide the necessary spring and / or damping properties to prevent submarining. The test position can also be referred to as the "submarining test position". For example, the test position is the second position 14. Reference symbol list 1 seating system 2 Interior 3 cushions 4 seats 5 Vehicle uphill 6 Seat section 7 Backrest section 8 Spring and / or damper element 9 Vehicle longitudinal direction 10 Drive element 11 axis of rotation 12 coupling element 13 first position 14 second position 15 Curvature 16 sub-area 17 first angle Level 18 19 second angle 20 front end 21 first length range 22 second length range 23 liaison point 24 coupling point

Claims

[1] Seating system (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a cushion (3) which has a seat surface (4) designed for sitting by a person, and comprising a spring and / or damping element (8) which is covered from above by the cushion (3) at least in the vertical direction (5) of the vehicle, characterized by a coupling element (12) designed separately from the spring and / or damper element (8), via which the spring and / or damper element (8) can be coupled or connected to a drive element (10) movable for adjusting a seat position of the seat system (1), whereby when the drive element (10) is moved, the spring and / or damper element (8) is moved from a first position (13) to a second position (14) by means of the coupling element (12) through a change in shape of the spring and / or damper element (8). [2] Seating arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the change in shape is accompanied by a bulging (15) of the spring and / or damper element (8). [3] Seating arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the change in shape is accompanied by a change in the curvature (15) of the spring and / or damper element (8). [4] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a first angle (17) between at least a partial area (16) of the spring and / or damping element (8) in the second position (14) and a plane (18) extending perpendicular to the vehicle's vertical direction (5) is greater than a second angle (19) between the seat surface (4) and the plane (18). [5] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive element (10) is covered from above by the padding (3) at least in the vehicle upward direction (5). [6] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive element (10) is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis (11). [7] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that adjusting the seat position includes at least adjusting the height of the seat surface (4) in the vehicle direction (5). [8] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring and / or damper element (8) has a first length section (21) and a second length section (22) extending rearward in the longitudinal direction (9) of the vehicle, wherein the coupling element (12) is attached to the first length section (21), and preferably the second length section (22) has a connection point (23) at which the second length section (22) is connected to the drive element (10). [9] Seating arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the coupling element (12) is designed to be flexible.

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