Seat depth adjustment device with deformable seat foam element and elastic side cover elements, vehicle seat and motor vehicle comprising a seat depth adjustment device of this type

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat depth adjustment device (10) for a vehicle seat (50) comprising a seat foam element (12), a seat surface cover (14) covering the seat foam element (12) and forming a seat surface (SF) towards an upper side, and comprising at least two side cover elements which are each arranged laterally on the seat foam element (12) in a front region. According to the invention, the device has an adjusting element (16) which is in sliding contact with the seat foam element (12) and can be moved relative to same in the seat depth direction (TR), wherein the seat surface cover (14) is arranged around the seat foam element (12) that is in sliding contact with the adjusting element (16) and is connected to an end section (16e) of the adjusting element (16) in a position facing away from the seat surface (SF) in such a way that the seat surface cover (14) can be moved together with the adjusting element (16). The invention also relates to a vehicle seat and a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] Seat depth adjustment device with deformable seat foam element and elastic side cover elements, vehicle seat and motor vehicle with such a seat depth adjustment device

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a seat depth adjustment device for a vehicle seat, comprising a seat foam element; a seat cover covering the seat foam element and forming a seat surface toward an upper side; and at least two side cover elements, each of which is arranged laterally on the seat foam element in a front region.

[0004] A seat depth adjustment device is used to adjust the length of the seat surface available to a seated person. In particular, a seat depth adjustment device can be used to increase the length of the seat surface from a basic position, so that, for example, more support surface can be provided for the person's extremities, especially their thighs.

[0005] A seat depth adjustment device of the type described is known, for example, from WO 2015 / 113633 A1. Reference is also made to DE 10 2005 002 438 A1 and DE 41 147 35 A1.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is seen in specifying a seat depth adjustment device in which no gaps or spaces occur in the seat surface, in particular in the seat cover, even in an adjusted, in particular extended, state.

[0007] This object is achieved by a seat depth adjustment device and a vehicle seat having the features of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0008] The invention therefore proposes a seat depth adjustment device for a vehicle seat, comprising a seat foam element; a seat cover covering the seat foam element and forming a seat surface toward an upper side; and at least two side cover elements, each arranged laterally on the seat foam element in a front region. Provision is made for the seat depth adjustment device to have an adjusting element that is in sliding contact with the seat foam element and is movable relative thereto in the seat depth direction, said adjusting element having a front section that is bent at least in sections. The seat cover is arranged around the seat foam element that is in sliding contact with the adjusting element and is connected, in a position facing away from the seat surface, to an end section of the adjusting element such that the seat cover is movable together with the adjusting element.

[0009] With such a seat depth adjustment device, the seat foam element is sandwiched between the seat cover and the adjustment element and is subject to different forces acting between the seat cover and the adjustment element depending on the adjustment position of the adjustment element. Due to the relative adjustability of the adjustment element to the seat foam element, the seat foam can be moved or reshaped within a space defined by the seat cover and the adjustment element to enable the desired extension or shortening of the seat depth.

[0010] In the seat depth adjustment device, the adjustment element can have a front section that is at least partially curved and which, depending on an adjustment position of the adjustment element, is completely or partially or not covered by the seat foam element.

[0011] In the seat depth adjustment device, the adjustment element can have a substantially flat upper section that transitions into the partially curved front section. The upper section serves, particularly in the extended state of the adjustment element, as a support surface for the seat cushion element, so that the extended seat surface can be formed.

[0012] In the seat depth adjustment device, the side cover elements can be made of an elastic material, particularly a stretch material. This prevents the deformation of the seat foam element that occurs when adjusting the seat depth from being visible, because the elastic material can adapt to any deformation of the seat foam element. Such side cover elements make it possible to dispense with complex, particularly movable, panel elements, thereby reducing structural complexity and saving weight.

[0013] With the seat depth adjustment device, the adjustment element can be coupled or connected to a drive for continuous adjustment of the position of the adjustment element along the seat depth. This makes it possible to adjust the seat depth to suit the individual.

[0014] In the seat depth adjustment device, the seat foam element can have a bottom side that slides against the adjustment element and a top side that is connected to the seat cover such that the seat foam element is moved, in particular reshaped and / or compressed, between the adjustment element and the seat cover when the adjustment element is adjusted. If the adjustment element is moved forward, for example, to increase the seat depth or lengthen the seat surface, at least part of the seat foam element slides along the adjustment element and is pushed by it towards the seat surface. Due to the joint movement of the adjustment element and seat cover, the space available for the seat foam element is specifically changed in order to achieve the desired seat surface changes.With the seat depth adjustment device, the seat cover can form a continuous seat surface in any adjustment position of the adjustment element, visually perceived as uninterrupted. The seat cover can be made, for example, of laminated leather, a woven textile, or the like.

[0015] With the seat depth adjustment device, the seat foam element can be designed as a single piece, particularly in one piece. This eliminates the need for multiple parts in the seat cushion area despite the seat depth adjustability, simplifying the seat assembly.

[0016] Furthermore, a vehicle seat is proposed with a seat pan element and a seat depth adjustment device as described above, supported on the seat pan element.

[0017] In such a vehicle seat, the adjustment element and an associated adjustment drive can be arranged in front of the seat pan element relative to the seat depth. This allows for space savings in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat, which is particularly advantageous for electrically powered vehicles in which battery storage units are housed beneath the vehicle seats.

[0018] A motor vehicle, in particular an electrically powered motor vehicle, can be equipped with at least one vehicle seat with a seat depth adjustment device as described above.

[0019] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0020] Fig. 1, in sub-figures A) and B), each shows a simplified sectional view of a seat depth adjustment device in different adjustment positions; Fig. 2, in sub-figures A) and B), several side views corresponding to Fig. 1 A) and 1 B) with a respective side reference element;

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a simplified and schematic view of a vehicle seat with a seat depth adjustment device and a motor vehicle.

[0022] Fig. 1A shows a simplified and schematic sectional view of a seat depth adjustment device 10 for a vehicle seat. The seat depth adjustment device 10 comprises a seat foam element 12, shown only partially here, and a seat cover 14 covering the seat foam element 12. The seat cover 14 forms a seat surface SF toward an upper side.

[0023] The seat depth adjustment device 10 has an adjustment element 16 that is in sliding contact with the seat foam element 12 and movable relative thereto in the seat depth direction TR (double arrow). The adjustment element comprises a front section 16v that is curved at least in sections and is completely, partially, or not covered by the seat foam element 12 depending on an adjustment position of the adjustment element 16.

[0024] The seat cover 14 is arranged around the seat foam element 12 covering the adjustment element 16. Furthermore, the seat cover 14 is connected to an end portion 16e of the adjustment element 16 at a position facing away from the seat surface SF, such that the seat cover 14 is movable together with the adjustment element 16.

[0025] The seat depth adjustment device 10 is part of a vehicle seat 50, shown in simplified form in Fig. 3. The vehicle seat 50 comprises a seat pan 52 and a backrest 54, shown in simplified form. The seat pan 52 of the vehicle seat 50 is shown schematically and in simplified form in Fig. 1A. Such a seat pan 52 usually forms the substructure for receiving seat cushion elements such as the seat foam element 12. In the seat depth adjustment device 10, the adjustment element 16 has a substantially flat upper section 16a, which merges into the partially curved front section 16v.

[0026] The surface 16f of the adjustment element 16 in contact with the seat foam element 12 has a low coefficient of friction, so that the adjustment element 16 can be moved relative to the seat foam element 12, wherein the seat foam element 14 and the adjustment element 16 slide along each other.

[0027] The surface 16f of the adjusting element 16 can be formed, for example, by a coating or by gluing a film or the like.

[0028] In the seat depth adjustment device 10, the adjustment element 16 is coupled to a drive 18, shown here in a simplified and schematic manner.

[0029] The drive 18 can, for example, comprise an electrically driven motor 18m and a gear arrangement 18g for adjusting the adjustment element 16 in the seat depth direction TR. In particular, the adjustment element 16 can be continuously adjusted to different positions along the seat depth direction TR, which will be described in more detail below.

[0030] The seat foam element 12 thus has a bottom side 12u that slides against the adjustment element 16. An upper side 12o of the seat foam element 12 is connected to the seat cover 14 such that, when the adjustment element 16 is adjusted, the seat foam element 12 is moved, in particular deformed and / or compressed, between the adjustment element 16 and the seat cover 14.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows, in sub-figures A) and B), a simplified and schematic representation of the operation of the seat depth adjustment device 10. Figs. 1A and 1B show different adjustment positions of the adjustment element 16 in order to enlarge the seat surface in the seat depth direction TR. Purely as an example, the change in the seat depth dST is represented by two dashed lines, with the right-hand line serving as a fixed reference line, which approximately represents the fixed position of the drive 18 or the electric motor 18m. The left-hand dashed line represents a transition area or an edge of the seat surface, in particular the area in which the seat surface transitions into a front edge of the seat cushion.

[0032] As can be seen from Figs. 1 A and 1 B, the change in seat depth dST increases when the adjustment element 16 is moved or positioned forward. As the adjustment element 16 moves forward, the seat foam element 12 slides along the contour or sliding surface 16f of the adjustment element 16. Since the seat cover 14 is connected to the adjustment element 16, the seat foam element 12 deforms within the space delimited by the seat cover 14 and the adjustment element 16 or is moved from the front upwards along the adjustment element 16.

[0033] The seat foam element 12 is moved or deformed forward and / or upward so that the seat depth is increased or the seat length becomes longer, so that more support surface for the extremities (thighs) of a person sitting in a vehicle seat can be provided.

[0034] Depending on the position of the adjustment element 16, the seat foam element 12 is deformed differently in the space between the adjustment element 16 and the seat cover 14. Due to the adjustment or displacement of the adjustment element 16 relative to the seat foam element 12, the latter is displaced or moved for the purpose of setting a desired seat depth in such a way that the seat surface SF can be enlarged, in particular lengthened, in the seat depth direction TR.

[0035] As can be seen from the combination of Fig. 1 A and 1 B, the seat depth adjustment device 10 is designed such that the seat cover 14 forms a continuous seat surface SF in each adjustment position of the adjustment element 16, which is visually perceived as being uninterrupted.

[0036] Furthermore, it is evident from Fig. 1 that the seat foam element 12 is designed to be continuous, in particular, a single piece. The single piece design of the seat foam element 12 applies particularly in the (front) area of ​​the seat depth adjustment device 10. However, the seat foam element 12 can also be designed to be continuous or a single piece up to a region of a backrest 54, which is also evident, for example, from Fig. 3.

[0037] With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, it should also be noted that the adjustment element 16 and the associated adjustment drive 18 can be arranged in front of the seat pan 52 with respect to the seat depth direction TR. This allows installation space to be saved in the vertical direction, which is particularly advantageous for the use of vehicle seats 50 in electric vehicles in which a battery storage unit is arranged below the vehicle seats.

[0038] With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B as well as Fig. 4, it should be noted that the seat depth adjustment device 10 has at least two side cover elements 30, which are each arranged laterally on the seat foam element 12 in a front region. The side cover elements 30 are each shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with cross-hatched lines. Even though the components covered by the side cover element 30, such as the adjustment element 16, drive 18, and the like, are still visible in Fig. 2 for the purpose of better understanding, it should be noted that the side cover element 30 is usually designed such that such components can no longer be perceived from the outside.

[0039] To enable the adjustability of the above-described seat depth adjustment device 10, in particular the displacement of the adjustment element 16 along the seat depth direction TR and the associated deformation of the seat cushion element 12, the side cover element 30 is made of an elastic material. In particular, the side cover element 30 can be made of a textile stretch material.

[0040] This makes it possible to reliably cover the components of the seat depth adjustment device 10 in every adjustment position, as explained above with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B and shown again in Figs. 2A and 2B. The side cover element 30 is stretched to a greater or lesser extent due to its material properties, which is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 2A and 2B by the different mesh sizes of the hatching. The side cover element 30 can be stretched both along the seat depth direction TR and at an angle or orthogonal thereto.

[0041] In Figs. 2A and 2B, the side cover element 30 is not shown in its final shape. However, the side cover element 30 is connected to the seat cover 14 in a suitable manner, in particular by stitching and / or gluing. The side cover element 30 and the seat foam element 12 are movable relative to one another. Thus, the movement or deformation of the seat foam element 12 and the associated stretching of the side cover element 30 do not interfere with each other.

[0042] As already mentioned and illustrated in Fig. 3, a vehicle seat 50 can have a seat depth adjustment device 10 as described above. Furthermore, it is clear from Fig. 3 that at least one such vehicle seat 50 can be arranged in a motor vehicle 100, illustrated here only as a dot-dash rectangle.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the deformation of the seat foam element 12 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 does not necessarily reflect real behavior. Rather, these illustrations merely serve to explain the principle of continuous seat depth adjustment by means of the deforming or moving seat cushion element 12, without the illustrated shape being understood as limiting or questioning the functional principle of the seat depth adjustment device 10 based on the graphic representation.

[0044] The seat depth adjustment device 10 presented here enables a structurally simple and continuous adjustment of the seat depth of a vehicle seat 50, wherein the seat surface SF is formed continuously and no gaps are formed, in particular opened or closed again, when the seat surface SF is extended or shortened in the seat depth direction TR.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Seat depth adjustment device (10) for a vehicle seat (50) with a seat foam element (12); a seat surface cover (14) covering the seat foam element (12) and forming a seat surface (SF) towards an upper side; at least two side cover elements (30), each arranged laterally on the seat foam element (12) in a front region, characterized in that it has an adjusting element (16) that is in sliding contact with the seat foam element (12) and is movable relative thereto in the seat depth direction (TR), wherein the seat surface cover (14) is arranged around the seat foam element (12) that is in sliding contact with the adjusting element (16) and is connected to an end section (16e) of the adjusting element (16) in a position facing away from the seat surface (SF) in such a way that the seat surface cover (14) is movable together with the adjusting element (16).

2. Seat depth adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (16) has a front section (16v) which is at least partially curved and which is completely or partially or not covered by the seat foam element depending on an adjustment position of the adjusting element (16).

3. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (16) has a substantially flat upper section (16a) which merges into the partially curved front section (16v).

4. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side cover elements (30) are made of an elastic material, in particular of a stretch material.

5. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (16) can be or is coupled to a drive (18) for continuously adjusting a position of the adjusting element (16) along the seat depth direction (TR).

6. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat foam element (12) has a bottom side (12u) which slides against the adjustment element (16) and a top side (12o) which is connected to the seat surface cover (14), such that the seat foam element (12) is moved, in particular deformed and / or compressed, between the adjustment element (16) and the seat surface cover (14) when the adjustment element (16) is adjusted.

7. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat surface cover (14) forms a continuous seat surface (SF) in each adjustment position of the adjustment element (16), which is visually perceived as uninterrupted.

8. Seat depth adjustment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat foam element (12) is continuous, in particular formed in one piece.

9. Vehicle seat (50) with a seat pan element (52) and a seat depth adjustment device (10) supported on the seat pan element (52) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle seat (50) according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjusting element (16) and an associated drive (18) are arranged in front of the seat pan element (52) with respect to the seat depth direction (TR).

11. Motor vehicle (100) with at least one vehicle seat (50) according to claim 9 or 10.

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