ADJUSTABLE SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle and to a motorcycle.

[0002] Motorcycles with height-adjustable seats are available in various versions. To adjust the height of the seat, an adjustment device is typically provided underneath the seat. This adjustment device is operated mechanically or electrically and is designed to adjust the height of the seat.

[0003] On motorcycles, the seat is usually adjacent to the fuel tank. Therefore, adjusting the seat height changes the gap between the tank and the seat. If the gap is too large, rainwater can penetrate the gap and reach the motorcycle components located beneath the seat. Furthermore, a gap that is too large can give customers a low-quality impression.

[0004] EP 2 298 632 A1 discloses a seat assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The generic WO 2013 124 829 A1 discloses a seat assembly for a motorcycle with a seat pan that can be covered with a seat cushion. The seat pan has a hollow compartment into which various inserts can be inserted through a closable opening from below to support the seat cushion. The features of the preamble of claim 1 are disclosed.

[0006] US 5 975 629 A1 discloses a seat assembly in which the shape of a seat cushion can be changed by means of inflatable chambers arranged under the seat cushion.

[0007] DE 20 2014 001 509 U1 discloses a children's balance bike with a saddle that is adjustable in height and inclination at the seat point.

[0008] US 4,462,634 A1 discloses a seat assembly with a base shell and an adjustment shell, wherein the base shell and the adjustment shell are connected to each other at their front ends by means of a hinge. The angle between the base shell and the adjustment shell is adjustable by means of a forcing screw.

[0009] EP 1 437 293 A2 discloses a seat assembly for a motorcycle in which a storage space is formed below the seat assembly.

[0010] CN 1 746 067 A discloses a seat assembly for a scooter in which the height of a seat cushion can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw.

[0011] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a motorcycle with an adjustable seat assembly in which the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by an adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle according to claim 1.

[0013] A seat for a driver and, if applicable, a passenger is provided on a seat cushion attached to the second section of the seat pan. The seat pan refers to all frame components of the seat assembly, not, for example, the seat cushions of the seat assembly that are attached to the seat pan.

[0014] The adjustment device therefore adjusts the part of the seat pan that corresponds to the actual seat surface. The first section of the seat pan, which accordingly has no seat surface, is fixedly and non-adjustably connected to a component of the motorcycle, in particular to a frame part of the motorcycle, with the first section being arranged in front of the second section with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle.

[0015] This ensures a consistent gap between the first section and the motorcycle component, regardless of the height and / or inclination of the second section, and thus the seat surface. The size of the gap can be selected to prevent rainwater from penetrating beneath the adjustable seat assembly. The seat assembly according to the invention therefore provides reliable weather protection for the motorcycle components located beneath the seat assembly.

[0016] The adjustment device comprises a support element on which the second section rests and which can be attached to the motorcycle. The support element determines the height and / or inclination of the second section relative to the first section. If the seat pan is attached to the motorcycle, the support element forms a spacer that, at least in sections, determines the distance of the second section of the seat pan from the body of the motorcycle and thus the height and / or inclination of the second section relative to the first section.

[0017] The support element is interchangeable. This means that the support element can be replaced with a differently designed support element, particularly where the different support elements each define a different height and / or inclination of the second section relative to the first section. To adjust the height and / or inclination of the seat, simply replace the support element with another one.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the support element itself can be adjustable between at least two positions, wherein the two positions define different heights and / or inclinations of the second section relative to the first section.

[0019] The adjustment device can be electrically and / or mechanically actuated. Accordingly, the adjustment device comprises an electric motor and / or a mechanical mechanism by means of which the inclination and / or height of the second section can be adjusted above the first section. The height and / or inclination adjustment can be performed at least partially automatically and / or manually.

[0020] Preferably, the adjustment device can be operated without having to remove parts such as the seat cushion from the seat assembly. For this purpose, the adjustment device can have an actuating element accessible from outside the motorcycle, such as a dial for actuating the mechanical mechanism and / or an actuating switch for the electric motor.

[0021] In particular, the support element described above can be adjusted between the at least two positions by means of the electric motor and / or by means of the mechanical mechanism.

[0022] In principle, however, the adjustment device can comprise any adjustment mechanism known from the prior art which is suitable for changing the height and / or inclination of the second section relative to the first section.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment device is designed to adjust the second section of the seat pan such that a seat surface associated with the second section is displaced substantially parallel to the seat surface. "Parallel displacement" in the context of this disclosure means that the seat surface undergoes a parallel displacement. In other words, this is a pure height adjustment of the seat bench. The inclination of the seat surface does not change.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, the first and second sections of the seat pan are connected to each other via at least part of the adjustment device. The first and second sections of the seat pan, together with the part of the adjustment device, form a prefabricated unit that can be installed as a whole on the motorcycle. This facilitates the installation of the seat assembly on the motorcycle, as the relative positioning of the two sections of the seat pan no longer requires attention.

[0025] Alternatively, the first and second sections of the seat pan can also be formed separately from one another, in particular not directly connected to one another. Preferably, the adjustment device is then connected only to the second section, in particular not to the first section.

[0026] In particular, the adjustment device comprises at least one joint element that pivotably connects the first and second sections relative to one another. In this embodiment of the invention, the inclination and / or height adjustment of the second section is achieved by pivoting the second section relative to the first section, guided by at least one joint element. Multiple joint elements can also be provided that pivotably connect the first and second sections relative to one another.

[0027] A clearance can be provided between the first section and the second section in order to compensate for changes in distance between the first section and the second section that occur during the pivoting movement.

[0028] A further aspect of the invention provides that the seat assembly comprises a first seat cushion and a second seat cushion, wherein the first and second seat cushions are arranged, in particular fastened, to the first and second sections of the seat pan, respectively. The seating surface for the driver and, if applicable, for the front passenger is provided on the second seat cushion, while the first seat cushion can essentially be a decorative component.

[0029] Preferably, both seat cushions are covered with a common seat cushion cover. This reliably prevents rainwater and / or dirt from penetrating the gaps between the seat cushions.

[0030] The object is also achieved according to the invention by a motorcycle with a seat assembly described above and the features of claim 8, wherein the first section of the seat pan is fixedly and non-adjustably connected to a component, in particular a body component and / or a frame component, of the motorcycle. As already explained above, only the second section of the seat pan, to which the seat surface for the driver and optionally for the passenger is assigned, is adjustable in inclination and / or height relative to the motorcycle. The first section, on the other hand, is non-adjustable, whereby a constant gap is achieved between the first section and the component, in particular the body component, of the motorcycle when the second section is adjusted. With regard to the further advantages, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0031] The adjustment device comprises a support element arranged between the second section of the seat pan and the component, in particular wherein the support element rests on the component and / or is firmly attached to the component. The support element thus forms a spacer that, at least in sections, determines the distance of the second section of the seat pan from the body of the motorcycle and thus the height and / or inclination of the second section relative to the first section.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first section of the seat pan adjoins a tank of the motorcycle, in particular, the first section of the seat pan being firmly connected to the tank. The seat assembly according to the invention thus achieves a consistent joint between the seat assembly and the tank, thus providing optimal weather protection.

[0033] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In these drawings: Figure 1 in a side view a motorcycle according to the invention; Figure 2 in an oblique view a seat pan of a seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 3 the seat pan of Figure 2 in a view from below; and Figure 4 in an oblique view a support element of the seat assembly according to the invention of Figure 2 .

[0034] In Figure 1 A motorcycle 10 is shown, designed as a motorbike. The motorcycle has a body 12, a tank 14, and an adjustable seat assembly 16.

[0035] The seat assembly 16 comprises a Figures 2 and 3shown seat pan 18, which has a first section 20 and a second section 22. The seat assembly 16 further has a first seat cushion 24 and a second seat cushion 26, which are covered with a common seat cushion cover 28. The first seat cushion 24 is attached to the first section 20 and the second seat cushion 26 to the second section 22. The two seat cushions 24, 26 are in the Figures 2 and 3 not shown for illustration purposes.

[0036] A seating surface for a driver and, if applicable, a passenger is provided on the second seat cushion 26. The first seat cushion 24, on the other hand, can essentially be a decorative component.

[0037] Furthermore, the seat assembly 16 has an adjustment device 30 with two joint elements 32 and a support element 34. The adjustment device 30 is designed to adjust a height and / or an inclination of the second section 22 relative to the first section 20.

[0038] The first section 20 of the seat pan 18 has a fastening section 36, via which the first section 20 is firmly and immovably attached to the motorcycle 10, more precisely to the tank 14. In particular, the fastening section 36 is fastened to the tank 14 by means of suitable fastening means, for example by means of screws and / or bolts.

[0039] The first section 20 and the second section 22 are pivotally connected to one another by the two joint elements 32 of the adjusting device 30, wherein the pivot axis of the pivoting movement runs substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle 10.

[0040] As in the Figures 2 and 3 As can be seen, the two joint elements 32, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle 10, are each attached to a lateral, front end of the second section 22 and each to a lateral, rear end of the first section 20.

[0041] Alternatively, the two sections 20, 22 could also be connected to each other via only one joint element 32 or via more than two joint elements 32.

[0042] In contrast to the first section 20, the second section 22 is not directly and firmly connected to the motorcycle 10, so that the second section 22 can be pivoted relative to the first section 20 and thus relative to the motorcycle 10 for inclination and / or height adjustment.

[0043] A clearance 38 is provided between the first section 20 and the second section 22 in order to compensate for any change in distance between the first section 20 and the second section 22 that may occur during a pivoting movement of the second section 22.

[0044] In particular, the pivoting movement occurs such that the seat surface associated with the second section 22 is displaced substantially parallel to the seat surface, i.e., the seat surface undergoes a parallel displacement. In other words, the inclination of the seat surface does not change.

[0045] The support element 34 of the adjusting device 30 is arranged between the second section 22 and the body 12, in particular wherein the support element 34 is fixedly attached to the body 12 and / or to a frame component of the motorcycle 10, for example by means of suitable fastening means such as screws and / or bolts.

[0046] As in Figure 4 As shown, the support element 34 may have a fastening element 40 by means of which the support element 34 can be attached to the body 12 and / or the frame component, in particular by means of suitable fastening means such as screws and / or bolts.

[0047] The second section 22 rests at least partially on the support element 34, whereby the support element 34 at least partially determines a distance of the second section 22 from the body 12 and thus a height and / or an inclination of the second section 22 relative to the body 12. The support element 34 thus forms a type of spacer between the body 12 and the second section 22.

[0048] Preferably, the support element 34 is replaceable. The support element 34 can thus be replaced with a differently designed, additional support element, in particular wherein the additional support element defines a different height and / or inclination of the second section 22 relative to the first section 20 than the support element 34. To adjust the height and / or inclination of the seat surface, the support element simply needs to be replaced with another support element.

[0049] In the Figures 2 to 4In the embodiment of the seat assembly 16 shown, the height and / or inclination adjustability of the second section 22 is achieved by pivoting the second section 22 relative to the first section 20. The determination of a specific height and / or a specific inclination of the second section 22 relative to the first section 20 and thus relative to the motorcycle 10 is achieved by the above-described, separate support element 34, which serves as a spacer between the second section 22 and the body 12.

[0050] The inclination and / or height of the seat surface can therefore be adjusted, for example, by means of the following steps: First, the second section 22 is pivoted upward and the support element 34 is removed from the body 12. Subsequently, another support element 34 is attached to the body 12 and the second section 22 is pivoted downward again, so that the second section 22 now has a different height and / or inclination compared to the first section 20.

[0051] Of course, other designs of the adjustment device 30 are also possible. The only decisive factor is that the first section 20 is firmly and immovably connected to the motorcycle 10, in particular to the tank 14, while the second section 22 is adjustable relative to the first section 20, i.e., is not permanently attached to the body 12 and / or to a frame component of the motorcycle 10.

[0052] The adjustment device 30 may comprise an electric motor and / or a mechanism by which the inclination and / or height of the second section 22 can be adjusted relative to the first section 20. The height and / or inclination adjustment can be carried out at least partially automatically and / or manually.

[0053] The adjustment device 30 can be actuated without having to remove the seat cushions 24, 26 and / or other components from the seat assembly 16. For this purpose, the adjustment device 30 can have an externally accessible actuating element, such as a dial for actuating the mechanical mechanism and / or an actuating switch for the electric motor.

[0054] In addition, the support element 34 itself can be adjustable between at least two positions, wherein the two positions define different heights and / or inclinations of the second section 22 relative to the first section 20.

[0055] In particular, the above-described support element 34 can be adjusted between the at least two positions by means of the electric motor and / or by means of the mechanical mechanism.

Claims

1. Adjustable seat assembly (16) for a motorcycle (10), comprising a seat pan (18) which has a first portion (20) and a second portion (22), and an adjusting device (30), wherein the first portion (20) of the seat pan (18) has a fastening portion (36) for the fixed and non-adjustable fastening of the first portion (20) to the motorcycle (10), and wherein the adjusting device (30) is connected to the second portion (22) of the seat pan (18) and is designed to adjust a height and / or an inclination of the second portion (22) of the seat pan (18) relative to the first portion (20), wherein the first portion (20) is arranged in front of the second portion (22) in relation to the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle (10), characterized in that the adjusting device (30) comprises a support element (34), on which the second portion (22) rests and which can be attached to the motorcycle (10), wherein the support element (34) defines the height and / or the inclination of the second portion (22) relative to the first portion (20), wherein the support element (34) is interchangeable.

2. Seat assembly (16) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device (30) can be actuated electrically and / or mechanically.

3. Seat assembly (16) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (30) is designed to adjust the second portion (22) of the seat pan (18) in such a way that a seat surface associated with the second portion (22) is moved substantially parallel to the seat surface.

4. Seat assembly (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion (20) and the second portion (22) of the seat pan (18) are connected to each other at least via a part of the adjusting device (30).

5. Seat assembly (16) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting device (30) comprises at least one articulated element (32) which connects the first portion (20) and the second portion (22) pivotably relative to each other.

6. Seat assembly (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat assembly (16) has a first seat cushion (24) and a second seat cushion (26), wherein the first seat cushion (24) and the second seat cushion (18) are arranged on, in particular fastened to, the first portion (20) and the second portion (22), respectively, of the seat pan (26).

7. Seat assembly (16) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the two seat cushions (24, 26) are covered with a common seat cushion cover (28).

8. Motorcycle (10) with a seat assembly (16) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (20) of the seat pan (18) is connected fixedly and non-adjustably to a component, in particular a body component, of the motorcycle (10), and the support element (34) is arranged between the second portion (22) and a body (12) of the motorcycle (10).

9. Motorcycle (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the first portion (20) of the seat pan (18) adjoins a tank (14) of the motorcycle (10), in particular wherein the first portion (20) of the seat pan (18) is connected fixedly to the tank (14).

10. Motorcycle (10) according to either of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the adjusting device (30) has a support element (34) which is arranged between the second portion (22) of the seat pan (18) and the component, in particular wherein the support element (34) rests on the component and / or is attached fixedly to the component.