vehicle seat

Abstract

Vehicle seat (100), comprising: a seat base (102), a backrest (104) which is hinged to the seat base (102) in a tilt-adjustable manner, in particular by means of a fitting (106) which is pivotable about a backrest pivot axis (L) on the seat base (102), and a footrest device (140), in particular articulated to the backrest (104), comprising a footrest element (150) with a support surface (152) for supporting a foot (F) of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat (100), wherein the footrest element (150) is transferable between a stow position (S1) and at least one support position (S2) suitable for supporting the foot (F), characterized by the fact that the footrest device (140) for transferring the footrest element (150) between the stow position (S1) and the at least one support position (S2) has a rocker arm (160) which is pivotable about a first axis of rotation (D1) relative to the backrest (104), and the footrest element (150) is pivotably connected to the rocker arm (160) about a second axis of rotation (D2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat, comprising a seat base, a backrest which is articulated to the seat base in an inclination-adjustable manner, in particular by means of a fitting pivotable about a backrest pivot axis, and a footrest device, in particular articulated to the backrest, comprising a footrest element with a support surface for supporting a foot of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat, wherein the footrest element can be transferred between a stowed position and at least one support position suitable for supporting the foot. State of the art

[0002] DE 10 2011 109 630 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a seat element having a seating surface for a seat occupant and held on a frame of the vehicle seat, and a backrest element adjoining the seat element and having a backrest surface for the seat occupant, which backrest element is held on the frame. A footrest element is provided on the backrest element and is held indirectly on the frame, with a support surface for the feet of a rear passenger. The backrest element is held on the frame so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis relative to the fitting and thus relative to the seat element, wherein the pivot axis runs in the transverse direction of the vehicle and thus in the transverse direction of the vehicle seat. This pivotability allows different backrest positions of the backrest element to be set relative to the seat element in order to find a comfortable seating position for the driver.The footrest element is pivotally mounted on the fitting about a further pivot axis relative to the fitting and thus relative to the frame. The further pivot axis runs parallel to the first pivot axis. This pivotability about the further pivot axis allows the footrest element to be adjusted between a stowed position and a first support position and at least one second support position. The footrest element can be locked in the different positions relative to the fitting. Task

[0003] The invention is based on the object of improving a vehicle seat with a footrest element having a support surface for the feet of a rear passenger of the type mentioned above, in particular by providing a support position that cannot be achieved by merely pivoting the footrest element. In particular, the footrest element should be transferable between a stowed position and a support position, either mechanically or optionally by means of an actuator. Solution

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle seat, comprising a seat base, a backrest which is articulated to the seat base in an inclination-adjustable manner, in particular by means of a fitting pivotably connected to the seat base about a backrest pivot axis, and a footrest device, which is articulated in particular to the backrest and has a footrest element with a support surface for supporting a foot of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat, wherein the footrest element can be transferred between a stowed position and at least one support position suitable for supporting the foot, wherein the footrest device has a rocker for transferring the footrest element between the stowed position and the at least one support position, which rocker can be pivoted about a first axis of rotation relative to the backrest, and the footrest element is articulated to the rocker so as to be pivotable about a second axis of rotation.

[0005] Because the footrest device has a rocker for transferring the footrest element between the stowed position and the at least one support position, which rocker is pivotable about a first axis of rotation relative to the backrest, and the footrest element is pivotably connected to the rocker about a second axis of rotation, the footrest element and its support surface rotate about a movable (second) pivot point during the transfer between the stowed position and the at least one support position.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] The first axis of rotation can be spaced apart from a backrest pivot axis. The second axis of rotation can be spaced apart from a backrest pivot axis. In the stowed position, the first axis of rotation can be arranged below the second axis of rotation. In the stowed position, the swing arm can be arranged largely parallel to a vertical direction. In the supported position, the second axis of rotation can be arranged behind the first axis of rotation. In the supported position, the swing arm can run predominantly parallel to a longitudinal direction. In the supported position, the swing arm can form an angle of less than 30 degrees with the longitudinal direction x. In the stowed position, the swing arm can form an angle of greater than 60 degrees with the longitudinal direction.

[0008] The swing arm can be pivotally mounted on the backrest about the first axis of rotation. Alternatively, the swing arm can be pivotally mounted on the seat base, an interior component, or a vehicle body.

[0009] The footrest device can have an actuator, in particular precisely one actuator, for transferring the footrest element between the stowed position and the at least one support position. The actuator can be an electric actuator. The actuator can be a hydraulic actuator. The actuator can be a pneumatic actuator. The actuator can be a manual actuator, for example, having a stepping gear.

[0010] The actuator can be designed as a linear drive. The actuator can be designed as an electrically driven linear drive. The actuator can have a spindle drive. The actuator can have an electric motor and a spindle drive. The actuator can comprise a rack and pinion drive. The actuator can comprise one or more gears.

[0011] The footrest element can be pivotable about a third axis of rotation. The footrest element can be pivotably connected to the actuator about a third axis of rotation. In the stowed position, the third axis of rotation can be arranged above the second axis of rotation. In the support position, the third axis of rotation can be arranged below the second axis of rotation.

[0012] The actuator can be pivotably mounted on the backrest about a fourth axis of rotation. Alternatively, the actuator (like the rocker arm) can be pivotably mounted on the seat base or on a vehicle body about the fourth axis of rotation. The fourth axis of rotation can be arranged above the second axis of rotation. The fourth axis of rotation can be arranged above the first axis of rotation. The fourth axis of rotation can be arranged above the third axis of rotation.

[0013] A distance between the third rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis can be adjustable by means of the actuator. A gear housing of the actuator can be pivotable about the fourth rotation axis. A gear housing of the actuator can be pivotably connected to the backrest about the fourth rotation axis. A spindle end of the actuator can be pivotably connected to the footrest element about the third rotation axis.

[0014] The footrest device can have a stop element for limiting a pivot angle of the rocker arm about the first axis of rotation. The stop element can become active during the transfer of the footrest element from the stowed position into the at least one support position. The stop element can be formed on an arm of the rocker arm. The arm can protrude from the rocker arm. The arm can protrude rearward from the rocker arm in a region between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation. The stop element can interact with a counter-stop element. The counter-stop element can be formed on or attached to a backrest structure of the seat base.

[0015] The footrest device can be designed as a coupling mechanism that has a degree of freedom of exactly two at the beginning of the transfer of the footrest device from the stowed position to a support position. The stop element can come into contact with the counter-stop element during the transfer of the footrest device from the stowed position to a support position, so that the pivot angle of the rocker arm about the first axis of rotation is limited, for example, when the footrest element is approximately 60% extended. As the transfer continues, the coupling mechanism of the footrest device thus has a degree of freedom of exactly one. This degree of freedom can also be reduced by one by locally guiding a gear element or a pivot joint.

[0016] The footrest device can have a stop means for limiting a pivot angle of the footrest element about the second axis of rotation. The stop means can interact with a counter-stop means. The stop means can interact with the counter-stop means in the at least one support position of the footrest device. The stop means can come into contact with the counter-stop means when the support position is reached during a transfer of the footrest device from the stowed position to a support position. The stop means can be formed or fastened to the footrest element. The counter-stop means can be formed or fastened to the rocker arm. The support position can be defined by the interaction of the stop means and the counter-stop means.

[0017] The vehicle seat can be transferred from a use position suitable for passenger transport to a non-use position unsuitable for passenger transport. The footrest element can be transferred between the stowed position and the at least one support position, in particular only when the vehicle seat is in the non-use position. The non-use position can be a chauffeur position, in which the backrest of the vehicle seat (for example, designed as a passenger seat) is tilted forward about a backrest pivot axis beyond a vertical direction. Furthermore, longitudinal and height adjustment of the vehicle seat in the chauffeur position creates more legroom for the rear passenger.

[0018] The transfer of the footrest element between the stowed position and the at least one support position can be software-controlled.

[0019] In summary, and in other words, the invention provides a mechanism for, for example, a foot / heel rest in a motor vehicle, wherein a footrest surface is rotatable about a movable pivot point. The mechanism for the foot / heel rest in a motor vehicle comprises, for example, a drive (actuator), a holder (in particular a rocker arm), a footrest (supporting surface), and optionally at least one end stop (stop means, stop element). The holder can be rotatably mounted on the vehicle seat system via a pivot point. The footrest can be rotatably mounted on the holder via a pivot point / rotation axis. The drive can be rotatably mounted on the footrest. The drive can move a lever of the footrest (footrest element). The bearing enables the footrest to be moved in rotation.Since the pivot point (second axis of rotation) of the footrest is attached to the holder, the holder simultaneously rotates around its pivot point (first axis of rotation). End stops can optionally limit the pivot range of the holder. This results in a superimposed movement of the foot / heel rest in two-dimensional space. The foot / heel rest can be positioned to save space when not in use, but can achieve different positions or angles of the footrest surface through a clever choice of lever ratios. Figures and embodiments of the invention

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below using an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic side view of the vehicle seat according to the invention, Fig. 2: a side view of the vehicle seat from Fig. 1 in the area of ​​a footrest device, wherein the vehicle seat is in a non-use position, in particular chauffeur position, and the footrest device is in a stowed position, Fig. 3: a Fig. 2 corresponding side view during a transfer of the footrest device from the stowed position to a support position, with a footrest element being extended to approximately 20%, Fig. 4 a Fig. 2 corresponding side view during the transfer of the footrest device into the support position, with the footrest element extended to approximately 45%, Fig. 5 a Fig. 2 corresponding side view during the transfer of the footrest device into the support position, wherein the footrest element is extended to approximately 60% and a stop element of a swing arm prevents further pivoting of the swing arm, Fig. 6: a Fig. 2 corresponding side view during the transfer of the footrest device into the support position, with the footrest element extended to approximately 80% and the stop element of the swing arm still in the stop position, Fig. 7 a Fig. 2 corresponding side view, wherein the footrest device is in the support position, i.e. the footrest element is 100% extended and a stop means of the footrest element prevents further pivoting of the footrest element, and Fig. 8: a highly schematic representation of a modification of the embodiment.

[0021] The Fig. 1 to 7 show a vehicle seat 100 according to the invention according to an embodiment, wherein the vehicle seat 100 is in particular Fig. 1 is shown very schematically.

[0022] The vehicle seat 100 is described below using three spatial directions running perpendicular to one another. A longitudinal direction x, when a vehicle seat 100 is installed in the vehicle, runs largely horizontally and preferably parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction that corresponds to the vehicle's usual direction of travel. A transverse direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x is also oriented horizontally in the vehicle and runs parallel to a vehicle transverse direction. A vertical direction z runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicular to the transverse direction. When a vehicle seat 100 is installed in the vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis.

[0023] The position and direction specifications used, such as left, right, front, rear, top, bottom, and transverse, refer to a viewing direction of an occupant sitting on a seat surface of a seat base 102 (seat part) of the vehicle seat 100 in a usual sitting position, wherein the vehicle seat 100 is installed in the vehicle in a position of use suitable for passenger transport and is oriented in the direction of travel as usual. However, the vehicle seat 100 can also be installed in a different orientation, for example, transversely to the direction of travel. Unless otherwise described below, the vehicle seat 100 is constructed mirror-symmetrically to a plane running perpendicular to the transverse direction.

[0024] A backrest 104 is connected on both sides by means of a fitting 106 to the seat base 102 in such a way that its inclination can be adjusted about a backrest pivot axis L.

[0025] The backrest 104 has a backrest structure 108 as a supporting structure. The backrest structure 108 is at least partially covered by a backrest cushion, which includes a backrest surface for a seat occupant.

[0026] The seat substructure 102 has a base 110, a seat frame 120, and an adjustment mechanism 130 acting between the base 110 and the seat frame 120. The seat frame 120 is at least partially covered by a seat cushion that comprises the seating surface for the seat occupant.

[0027] In this case, the base 110 comprises a rail on each side for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 100. Each of the two rails has a seat rail 112 and a floor rail 114 that can be connected to a vehicle floor and on which the seat rail 112 is slidably guided. The distance between the base 110 and the seat frame 120 can be adjusted using the adjustment kinematics 130.

[0028] The fitting 106 has a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are pivotable relative to one another about the backrest pivot axis L. The first fitting part can be fixedly connected to the seat frame 120. The first fitting part can be an integral part of the seat frame 120 and thus of the seat base 102. The second fitting part can be fixedly connected to the backrest structure 108. The second fitting part can be an integral part of the backrest structure 108 and thus of the backrest 104.

[0029] The fitting 106 is preferably designed as a locking fitting or as a geared fitting. A locking fitting is known, for example, from DE 10 2006 015 560 B3. A geared fitting is known, for example, from DE 10 2010 022 615 A1. In a fitting 106 designed as a geared fitting, a wobbling movement can be superimposed on the pivoting movement about the backrest pivot axis L between the first fitting part and the second fitting part. Such geared fittings are also referred to as wobbling fittings.

[0030] The vehicle seat 100 has a footrest device 140 hinged to the backrest 104. The footrest device 140 comprises a footrest element 150 with a support surface 152 for supporting a foot F, in particular a heel of the foot F, of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat 100.

[0031] The footrest element 150 can be transferred between a stowed position S1 and a support position S2 suitable for supporting the foot F. In the present exemplary embodiment, only one support position S2 is provided. However, the invention is not limited thereto; it is also possible to provide multiple support positions, for example, by means of switchable end stops.

[0032] The footrest device 140 has a rocker arm 160 that is pivotable about a first axis of rotation D1 relative to the backrest 104. The term "rocker arm" refers to a fixed coupling gear member that is rotatable about the first axis of rotation D1. A footrest element 150 is pivotally connected to the rocker arm 160 about a second axis of rotation D2. The footrest element 150 has a support surface 152 for supporting a foot F of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat 100. The rear passenger can then sit on another seat arranged behind the vehicle seat 100, for example, a rear seat of a second row of seats that is designed separately from the vehicle seat 100.

[0033] The footrest device 140 also has an actuator 170, which is designed as a conventional spindle drive with an electric motor 172, a gear 174 having a spindle nut, and a spindle 176. By energizing the electric motor 172, the spindle 176 is linearly displaceable relative to the gear 174. The spindle 176 is pivotally connected to the footrest element 150 about a third axis of rotation D3. The second axis of rotation D2 is arranged between the support surface 152 and the third axis of rotation D3. A gear housing of the gear 174 is pivotally connected to the backrest 104 about a fourth axis of rotation D4.

[0034] The backrest 104, the rocker arm 160, the footrest element 150, and the spindle drive of the actuator 170, together with the rotational axes D1, D2, D3, D4, form a coupling mechanism with a degree of freedom of two (during an adjustment of the spindle drive). When the spindle drive is not actuated, the degree of freedom is one. To enable the footrest element 150 to assume a defined support position S2, the vehicle seat 100 has a stop element 162, a counter-stop element 122, a stop means 154, and a counter-stop means 166. All rotational axes D1, D2, D3, D4 are parallel to, but spaced from, the backrest pivot axis L. All rotational axes D1, D2, D3, D4 are spaced from one another.

[0035] The stop element 162 and the counter-stop element 122 serve to limit a pivot angle of the rocker 160 about the first rotation axis D1. During the transfer of the footrest element 150 from the stowed position S1 to the support position S2, the stop element 162 comes into contact with the counter-stop element 122 (see Fig. 5). The stop element 162 is formed on an arm 164 of the swing arm 160. The arm 164 projects rearwardly from the swing arm 160. The stop element 162 is arranged in an end region of the arm 164 facing away from the second axis of rotation D2. The counter-stop element 122 is attached to the seat frame 120, in particular to a side part of the seat frame 120.

[0036] The stop means 154 serves to limit the pivot angle of the footrest element 150 about the second rotation axis D2. In the support position S2 of the footrest device 140, the stop means 154 interacts with the counter-stop means 166. The stop means 154 is formed or attached to the footrest element 150. The counter-stop means 166 is formed or attached to the rocker arm 160. The support position S2 is defined by the interaction of the stop means 154 and the counter-stop means 166.

[0037] At the beginning of the transfer of the footrest device 140 from the stowed position S1 to the support position S2, the coupling mechanism 104, 160, 150, 170, D1, D2, D3, D4 has a degree of freedom of exactly two. A defined transfer to the support position S2 can nevertheless occur, for example, by elastic pretensioning of individual pivot joints. The stop element 162 comes into contact with the counter-stop element 122 during the transfer to the support position S2, so that the pivot angle of the rocker arm 160 about the first rotational axis D1 is limited. As the transfer continues, the coupling mechanism 104, 160, 150, 170, D1, D2, D3, D4 therefore has a degree of freedom of exactly one. If, as the transfer continues, the stop means 154 comes into contact with the counter-stop means 166 ( Fig. 7), the support position S2 is reached by an end position of the coupling gear 104, 160, 150, 170, D1, D2, D3, D4.

[0038] The transfer of the footrest device 140 from the support position S2 back into the stowed position S1, in particular as a second end position of the coupling gear 104, 160, 150, 170, D1, D2, D3, D4, takes place essentially in the reverse order.

[0039] Fig. Figure 8 shows a highly schematic representation of a modification of the embodiment.

[0040] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the figures may be important both individually and in combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, as long as they remain within the scope of the claims. List of reference symbols 100 vehicle seats 102 Seat base 104 Backrest 106 Fittings 108 Backrest structure 110 Base 112 seat rail 114 floor rail 120 seat frames 122 Counter stop element 130 Adjustment kinematics 140 Footrest device 150 footrest element 152 support surface 154 lifting gear 160 swingarm 162 stop element 164 Arm 166 Counter-slinging equipment 170 Actuator 172 electric motor 174 gearboxes 176 spindle D1 first axis of rotation D2 second axis of rotation D3 third axis of rotation D4 fourth axis of rotation F Foot L Backrest swivel axis S1 stowage position S2 support position x longitudinal direction z Vertical direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2011 109 630 A1

[0002] DE 10 2006 015 560 B3

[0029] DE 10 2010 022 615 A1

[0029]

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (100), comprising: a seat base (102), a backrest (104) which is hinged to the seat base (102) in an inclination-adjustable manner, in particular by means of a fitting (106) pivotable about a backrest pivot axis (L), and a footrest device (140), in particular hinged to the backrest (104), comprising a footrest element (150) with a support surface (152) for supporting a foot (F) of a rear passenger arranged behind the vehicle seat (100), wherein the footrest element (150) can be transferred between a stowed position (S1) and at least one support position (S2) suitable for supporting the foot (F), characterized by , that the footrest device (140) for transferring the footrest element (150) between the stowed position (S1) and the at least one support position (S2) has a rocker (160) which is pivotable about a first axis of rotation (D1) relative to the backrest (104), and the footrest element (150) is pivotably connected to the rocker (160) about a second axis of rotation (D2). [2] Vehicle seat (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the rocker (160) is pivotally connected to the backrest (104) about the first axis of rotation (D1). [3] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that the footrest device (140) has an actuator (170), in particular exactly one actuator (170), for transferring the footrest element (150) between the stowed position (S1) and the at least one supporting position (S2). [4] Vehicle seat (100) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the actuator (170) is designed as a linear drive, in particular as a spindle drive. [5] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the footrest element (150) is pivotally connected to the actuator (170) about a third axis of rotation (D3), and the actuator (170) is pivotally connected to the backrest (104) about a fourth axis of rotation (D4). [6] Vehicle seat (100) according to claim 5, characterized by that a distance between the third axis of rotation (D3) and the fourth axis of rotation (D4) can be adjusted by means of the actuator (170). [7] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the footrest device (140) has a stop element (162) for limiting a pivoting angle of the rocker (160) about the first axis of rotation (D1). [8] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the footrest device (140) has a stop means (154) for limiting a pivoting angle of the footrest element (150) about the second axis of rotation (D2). [9] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the vehicle seat (100) can be transferred from a use position suitable for transporting people into a non-use position unsuitable for transporting people, in particular a chauffeur position, and the footrest element (150) can be transferred between the stowed position (S1) and the at least one support position (S2), in particular only when the vehicle seat (100) is in the non-use position. [10] Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the transfer of the footrest element (150) between the stowed position (S1) and the at least one support position (S2) is software-controlled.

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