Method for operating an air cushion arrangement, computer program product, data carrier, computer device, seat, motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an air cushion arrangement (23), in particular for a massage function, of a seat (22), in particular a vehicle seat, with a plurality of, in particular five, pairs (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10), which are arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and are assigned to a back region of the backrest (20), wherein the air cushions (1-10) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis (24) of the backrest (20), and wherein, in each massage step of the method, max. one of the air cushions (1-10) of each pair (14-18) is applied with air and deflated. According to the invention, when at least two air cushions (1-10) of different pairs (14-18) are used simultaneously in the same massage step, the air cushions (1- 10) of the respective pairs (14-18) arranged on the same side in relation to the longitudinal central axis (24) of the backrest (20) are constantly applied with air and deflated in order to cause the pelvis of a user of the seat (22) to move on one side.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating an air cushion arrangement, computer program product, data carrier, computer device, seat, motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating an air cushion arrangement, in particular for a massage function, of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, having a plurality of, in particular five, pairs of backrest air cushions which are arranged in a backrest of the seat and are assigned to a back region of the backrest, wherein the air cushions are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis of the backrest, and wherein in each massage step of the method, at most one of the air cushions of each pair is pressurized with air and emptied.

[0004] The invention further relates to a computer program product that performs the above-mentioned method when the computer program product is executed on a computer device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a data carrier comprising such a computer program product, a computer device specifically designed to execute the computer program product or the above-mentioned method, a vehicle seat comprising such a computer device, and a motor vehicle comprising such a vehicle seat.

[0005] Pneumatic lumbar supports are known from the state of the art, for example, for vehicle seats. These allow adjustment of the lumbar support (lordosis) for a user-specific, natural spinal contour in the lumbar region (S-shaped spine contour) by inflating air cushions or air bladders in air cushion assemblies. The air supply is typically provided by pumps with a pump motor. Inflation, deflation, and maintenance of the air pressure are controlled by control devices and valve assemblies.

[0006] Patent EP 2 007 339 B1 discloses a method for operating a seat with adjustment elements. The adjustment elements are arranged in different areas of a backrest and a seat cushion, with at least one adjustment element being arranged in a right and a left half of the backrest and the seat cushion. The adjustment elements are controlled in such a way that a rotational movement is applied to the user's back, comparable to the rotational movement of the back and pelvis when walking. In this process, diagonally opposite adjustment elements are always activated alternately.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved method which ensures advantageous, fatigue-counteracting, movement stimulation for a user of the air cushion arrangement.

[0008] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. According to the invention, when at least two air cushions from different pairs are used simultaneously in the same massage step, the air cushions of the respective pairs arranged on the same side with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the backrest are always pressurized and emptied with air in order to stimulate a pelvis of a user of the seat to make a unilateral movement. This ensures advantageous mobilization of the pelvis and thus in particular also of the user's back. The invention is based on the finding that the corresponding mobilization has a particularly lasting effect if, when at least two air cushions are used, only air cushions on the same side are activated.This ensures that, in contrast to the use of air cushions on different sides, the effect of the corresponding control of the air cushions is not at least partially canceled out. In particular, air cushions on different sides are controlled alternately in such a way that a beneficial rotating stimulation of the user's back is achieved during one run of the method, which consists of a plurality of massage steps. If two air cushions of different pairs assigned to the same side are controlled during a massage step, then in a subsequent massage step, at least one air cushion assigned to the other side is used instead. In particular, a massage step is provided as a massage step for performing the massage function.The method according to the invention achieves a defined, multi-dimensional pelvic movement and thus a multi-dimensional movement of the user's spine in the lumbar region. This advantageously relieves increased strain on the intervertebral discs and counteracts the risk of fatigue. In particular, a deliberately unusual movement not only physically but also psychologically activates the user, thus further counteracting the risk of fatigue. In particular, an alternating, one-sided movement stimulation in the backrest in a shoulder area and / or a pelvic area is combined with an alternating, one-sided pelvic lift in the seat section. This is intended to achieve a deliberately unusual movement stimulation in order to achieve increased activation of the user and further counteract the risk of fatigue.In particular, a run through the process comprises individual repeating loops alternating with non-repeating sequences in order to deliberately make the process difficult for the user to remember. This advantageously prevents the process from becoming tiring for the user due to a quickly repeating and easily memorized sequence. Preferably, an alternating one-sided movement stimulation in the shoulder area is combined with a tilting movement of the pelvis around an axis lying in the mirror plane of the pelvis. The movement stimulation in the shoulder area occurs in particular both on the same side as the stimulation in the seat part and diagonally to it, but always on one side. Alternatively, various backrest air cushions combine an alternating movement stimulation in the shoulder area and in the iliac crest area with a further tilting movement of the pelvis around an axis lying in the playing plane of the pelvis.The movement stimulation in the backrest occurs in particular both on the same side as the stimulation in the seat section and diagonally to it, but always on one side. In particular, an additional rotation of the spine and pelvis around a vertical axis is achieved in the lumbar region as well as in the shoulder area. By controlling the seat section air cushions, in particular alternately, the user's pelvis experiences a lateral tilting movement around a first axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry of the pelvis, i.e. to the left and right. This movement is combined in particular with a tilting movement around a second axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, i.e. forwards and backwards, with the backrest air cushions exerting corresponding pressure on the iliac crest in the lumbar area.A pair of air cushions preferably comprises exactly two air cushions, wherein one of the air cushions is arranged on a first side, in particular on the left, with respect to the longitudinal center axis, and the other of the air cushions is arranged, in particular at the same height, with respect to the longitudinal center axis on a second side facing away from the first side, in particular on the right.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective air cushions are filled to a predetermined first level and then emptied to a predetermined second level. Accordingly, the second level is lower than the first level. This results in the advantage of achieving particularly pronounced mobilization of the pelvis.

[0010] Particularly preferably, in each massage step, no more than one of the air cushions from two or three of the pairs is inflated and deflated. This advantageously ensures that efficient, spatially limited mobilization of the pelvis is achieved.

[0011] According to a preferred development of the invention, the air cushion arrangement comprises at least one pair of seat-part air cushions arranged in a seat part of the seat and associated with a pelvic region of the seat part. The air cushions are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal center axis of the seat part. In each massage step of the method, at most, in particular precisely, one of the pair of seat-part air cushions is filled with air and emptied. This achieves a particularly advantageous tilting of the pelvis about a rotation axis lying in the symmetry plane of the pelvis.

[0012] Particularly preferred is that in each of three consecutive massage steps, exactly one of the air cushions of the pair of seat part air cushions is inflated and deflated, and in three subsequent, consecutive massage steps, the other of the air cushions is inflated and deflated, so that the side is changed after each three massage steps. This has the advantage that the mobilization of the pelvis around the rotation axis occurs equally.

[0013] According to a preferred development of the invention, in a first section of a process run, only those air cushions of the pairs of backrest air cushions and seat part air cushions assigned to the same side are inflated and deflated, and in a second section of the process run, only those air cushions of the pairs of backrest air cushions and seat part air cushions assigned to different sides are inflated and deflated. This ensures fatigue-free mobilization of the pelvis. In particular, the sections comprise the same number of massage steps, so that the first section corresponds to a first half and the second section to a second half of a process.

[0014] It is particularly preferred that at least one of the massage steps is repeated immediately, that at least two consecutive massage steps are carried out one after the other without delay, and / or that at least two consecutive massage steps are carried out with a predetermined time delay in between. The immediate repetition advantageously intensifies the mobilization. The delay-free implementation advantageously ensures that the mobilization of the pelvis takes place continuously. The delay creates a particularly advantageous opportunity to make corresponding sections of the method noticeable for the user. For example, a corresponding time delay is provided after each run through the method and / or a predetermined number of method steps.

[0015] According to a preferred development of the invention, the delay between massage steps is continuously or gradually changed depending on the duration of the procedure and / or the setting of a vehicle assistance system. This advantageously ensures that even prolonged mobilization of the pelvis remains fatigue-free and / or that a user's preference is taken into account.

[0016] Particularly preferably, at least one of the fill levels is continuously or gradually changed depending on the duration of the procedure and / or the setting of a vehicle assistance system. This advantageously ensures that even prolonged mobilization of the pelvis remains fatigue-free and / or a user preference is taken into account. For example, an intensity dependent on a user input and / or the duration of the procedure is adjusted continuously or gradually.

[0017] According to a preferred development of the invention, at least one duration of one of the massage steps, in particular the duration of at least one filling and / or emptying process of the air cushions, is continuously or gradually varied depending on the duration of the procedure and / or the setting of a vehicle assistance system. This advantageously ensures that even prolonged mobilization of the pelvis remains fatigue-free and / or a user preference is taken into account. For example, an intensity dependent on a user input and / or the duration of the procedure is continuously or gradually adjusted.

[0018] The computer program product according to the invention for execution on a computer device with the features of claim 11 is characterized in that, when used as intended, it executes the method according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned.

[0019] The data carrier according to the invention with the features of claim 12 is characterized by the computer program product according to the invention stored thereon. The computer device with the features of claim 13 is characterized in that the computer device is specifically designed to carry out the method according to the invention or to execute the computer program product according to the invention. This also results in the advantages already mentioned above. The computer device is preferably a control device assigned to a motor vehicle, in particular arranged in the motor vehicle.

[0020] The seat with the features of claim 14 has a plurality of, in particular five, pairs of backrest air cushions arranged in a backrest of the seat and assigned to a back region of the backrest, wherein the air cushions are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal center axis of the backrest. It is characterized by the computer device according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned. The seat is designed in particular as a vehicle seat. The same advantages arise when the seat is used in other means of transport, in particular aircraft, and when the air cushion arrangement according to the invention is used in seats not installed in means of transport, for example massage seats.

[0021] The motor vehicle with the features of claim 15 is characterized by the seat according to the invention, designed as a vehicle seat. This also results in the aforementioned advantages. In particular, the motor vehicle has the vehicle seat as a driver's seat.

[0022] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and from the claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a front view of a seat with an air cushion arrangement,

[0024] Figure 2 a side view of the seat,

[0025] Figures 3A and 3B show a first advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement, and

[0026] Figures 4A and 4B show a second advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement. Figure 1 shows a front view of a seat 22, in particular designed as a vehicle seat, with an air cushion arrangement 23. Figure 2 shows a side view of the seat 22 from the viewing plane AA shown in Figure 1. The air cushion arrangement 23 is designed in particular to provide a massage function, for example as part of an adjustable lumbar support. The air cushion arrangement 23 has a pair 13 of a first seat part air cushion 11 and a second seat part air cushion 12. The pair 13 of seat part air cushions 11, 12 is arranged in a seat part 19 of the seat 22 and, in this case, is assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part 19.

[0027] Furthermore, the air cushion arrangement 23 has a first pair 14 of a first backrest air cushion 1 and a tenth backrest air cushion 10, a second pair 15 of a second backrest air cushion 2 and a ninth backrest air cushion 9, a third pair 16 of a third backrest air cushion 3 and an eighth backrest air cushion 8, a fourth pair 17 of a fourth backrest air cushion 4 and a seventh backrest air cushion 7, and a fifth pair 18 of a fifth backrest air cushion 5 and a sixth backrest air cushion 6.

[0028] The air cushion arrangement 23 thus has a total of five pairs 14-18 of backrest air cushions 1-10, each arranged in a backrest 20 of the seat 22 and associated with a back region of the backrest 20. All air cushions 1-12 are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal center axis 24 of the backrest 20 and the seat part 19.

[0029] When used as intended and installed in the backrest 20, the pairs 14-18 of backrest air cushions 1-10 are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to a longitudinal center axis 24 of the seat 22 from bottom to top, i.e. from the seat part 19 to a headrest 21 of the seat 22, as follows: at the bottom the first pair 14, then the second pair 15, the third pair 16, the fourth pair 17 and at the top the fifth pair 18.

[0030] The first pair 14, the second pair 15, and the third pair 16 are assigned or can be assigned to a lower back region of the backrest 20 and thus to a user, and the fourth pair 17 and the fifth pair 18 are assigned to an upper back region (or a shoulder region) of the backrest 20 and thus to the user. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pair 13 of seat part air cushions 11, 12 is arranged below a seat cushion pad 28 enclosed by a seat cushion cover 27, i.e., on a side of the seat cushion pad 28 facing away from the backrest 20 (and thus to a user). The pairs 14-18 of backrest air cushions 1-10 are each arranged between a backrest cover 29 and a backrest pad 30, i.e., on a side of the backrest pad 30 facing the seat part 19 (and thus to the user). The seat cushion pad 28 and / or the backrest pad 30 comprise, in particular, a foam.

[0031] Finally, a computer device 25 is assigned to the seat 22, which is designed to control a pneumatic pump arrangement 26, which can be connected or is connected to the air cushions 1-12 by means of a line and which in particular has a pump motor, in order to supply and / or empty selected air cushions 1-12 with air, in particular for carrying out a massage function in one massage step each.

[0032] Figures 3A and 3B as well as 4A and 4B show advantageous methods for operating the air cushion arrangement 23, which is carried out in particular with the aid of the computer device 25 and / or the pump device 26. In Figures 3A and 3B as well as 4A and 4B, individual method or massage steps are shown as schematic representations of the respectively controlled pairs 13-18 of air cushions 1-12, analogous to Figure 1. In the methods, selected air cushions 1-12 of the pairs 13-16 are used to achieve advantageous mobilization of a user's pelvis.

[0033] What both methods have in common is that at least one of the air cushions 1-12 is selected for each massage step. The correspondingly selected air cushion(s) 1-12 are each filled to a predetermined first level and then deflated to a predetermined second level, which is lower than the first level. In particular, the massage steps are repeated continuously, so that the last massage step is followed by the first massage step.

[0034] If at least two backrest air cushions 1-10 of different pairs 14-18 are selected and used in the same massage step, the backrest air cushions 1-10 of the respective pairs 14-18 arranged on the same side with respect to the longitudinal center axis 24 of the backrest 20 are always inflated and deflated to stimulate a pelvis of a user of the seat 22 to a unilateral movement. In each massage step, at most one of the backrest air cushions 1-10 of a maximum of three of the pairs 14-18 is inflated and deflated accordingly.

[0035] In addition, in each massage step, at most one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 is filled with air and emptied.

[0036] In particular, at least one of the massage steps is repeated immediately. Preferably, at least two, in particular all, consecutive massage steps are performed immediately after one another, or with a predetermined time delay in between. For example, a delay is provided every three massage steps.

[0037] The delay between the massage steps, at least one of the filling levels, and / or at least one duration of one of the massage steps, in particular the duration of at least one filling process and / or emptying process of the air cushions 1-12, is changed continuously or stepwise, in particular depending on a process duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system, in order to permanently optimize the movement stimulation for a user in a fatigue-free manner.

[0038] In the first method illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, in each massage step in which backrest air cushions 1-10 are used, exactly two backrest air cushions 1-10 from two adjacent pairs 14-18 are used. This always occurs in combination with exactly one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12. Thus, exactly one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 is always used in each massage step.

[0039] Between at least two consecutive massage steps, in each of which the same backrest air cushion 1-10 is used, this backrest air cushion 1-10 is in particular refilled and emptied or double filled, for example for a period of 1 second.

[0040] In each of three consecutive massage steps, exactly one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 is filled with air and then deflated, and in three subsequent, consecutive massage steps, the other of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 is filled with air and then deflated, so that the side is changed after each three massage steps. The side of the backrest air cushions 1-10 is also changed every three steps, so that a rotating stimulation of the user's spine is achieved. In a first section of a run of the method, in this case in method steps 1 to 12, only air cushions of the pairs of air cushions 1-12 assigned to the same side are filled with air and deflated, and in a second section of the run, in this case in method steps 13 to 24, only air cushions 1-12 assigned to different sides are filled with air.

[0041] In a first massage step 1, the second seat part air cushion 12 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0042] In a second massage step 2, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 4 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0043] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 4 is then refilled and emptied or double filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0044] In a third massage step 3, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0045] In a fourth massage step 4, the first seat part air cushion 11 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0046] In a fifth massage step 5, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 7, 8 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0047] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 7 is then refilled and emptied or double-filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0048] In a sixth massage step 6, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0049] In a seventh massage step (7), the second seat part air cushion (12) is selected, filled, and deflated accordingly. In an eighth massage step (8), the second seat part air cushion (12) and the two backrest air cushions (4, 5) are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly.

[0050] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 4 is then refilled and emptied or double filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0051] In a ninth massage step 9, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 4 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0052] In a tenth massage step 10, the first seat part air cushion 11 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0053] In an eleventh massage step 11, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0054] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 7 is then refilled and emptied or double-filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0055] In a twelfth massage step 12, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 7, 8 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0056] The first twelve massage steps constitute a first section of the method, in which only air cushions 1-12 assigned to the same side are selected and used. In the following twelve massage steps, which constitute a second section of the method, seat part air cushions 11, 12 and backrest air cushions 1-10 assigned to different sides are selected and used.

[0057] In a thirteenth massage step 13, the second seat part air cushion 12 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0058] In a fourteenth massage step 14, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 7, 8 are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly. Preferably, the backrest air cushion 7 is then refilled and deflated, or double-filled, as described above, before continuing with the next massage step.

[0059] In a fifteenth massage step 15, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0060] In a sixteenth massage step 16, the first seat part air cushion 11 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0061] In a seventeenth massage step 17, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 4 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0062] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 4 is then refilled and emptied or double filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0063] In an eighteenth massage step 18, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0064] In a nineteenth massage step 19, the second seat part air cushion 12 is selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0065] In a twentieth massage step 20, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0066] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 7 is then refilled and emptied or double-filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0067] In a twenty-first massage step 21, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 7, 8 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0068] In a twenty-second massage step 22, the first seat part air cushion 11 is selected, filled, and deflated accordingly. In a twenty-third massage step 23, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly.

[0069] Preferably, the backrest air cushion 4 is then refilled and emptied or double filled as described above before continuing with the next massage step.

[0070] In a twenty-fourth massage step 24, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 4 are selected, filled, and emptied accordingly. This concludes the process. Specifically, it continues with the first massage step 1.

[0071] In the second method illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, which, unlike the first method, is designed so that a user does not perceive a clearly recognizable, repeating pattern (the steps thus have a randomized effect on the user), at least one, but at most three, of the backrest air cushions 1-10 are selected and used in each massage step. Seat part air cushions 11, 12 are not used in every massage step; if they are used, then only exactly one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 is used, as described above.

[0072] In a first massage step 1, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushion 1 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0073] In a second massage step 2, the second seat air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4, 5 are selected, filled, and emptied accordingly. In this case, this step is repeated immediately.

[0074] In a third massage step 3, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushion 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0075] In a fourth massage step 4, the first seat air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 6, 7, 10 are selected, filled, and emptied accordingly. In this case, this step is repeated immediately.

[0076] In a fifth massage step 5, the two backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly. In a sixth massage step 6, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4, 5 are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly.

[0077] In a seventh massage step 7, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0078] In an eighth massage step 8, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushion 1 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0079] In a ninth massage step 9, the backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0080] In a tenth massage step 10, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 6, 7, 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0081] In an eleventh massage step 11, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 7, 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0082] In a twelfth massage step 12, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushion 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0083] In a thirteenth massage step 13, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushion 1 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0084] In a fourteenth massage step 14, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 6, 7, 10 are selected, filled, and emptied accordingly. In this case, this step is immediately repeated and / or performed with the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 1, 6, 7.

[0085] In a fifteenth massage step 15, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushion 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly. Preferably, the backrest air cushion 10 and / or the seat part air cushion 11 are then refilled and emptied or double-filled, as described above, before continuing with the next massage step. In a sixteenth massage step 16, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly. In the present case, this step is repeated immediately and / or performed with the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4, 5 or 4, 5, 10.

[0086] In a seventeenth massage step 17, the backrest air cushions 6, 7 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0087] In an eighteenth massage step 18, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 6, 7, 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0088] In a nineteenth massage step 19, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushions 7, 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0089] In a twentieth massage step 20, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the backrest air cushion 10 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0090] In a twenty-first massage step 21, the backrest air cushions 4, 5 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0091] In a twenty-second massage step 22, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4, 5 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0092] In a twenty-third massage step 23, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushions 1, 4 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0093] In a twenty-fourth massage step 24, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the backrest air cushion 1 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly. Preferably, the backrest air cushion 1 or the seat part air cushion 11 is then filled and emptied again, or double-filled, as described above. This concludes the method. In particular, it continues with the first massage step 1. Reference numeral list: first backrest air cushion second backrest air cushion third backrest air cushion fourth backrest air cushion fifth backrest air cushion sixth backrest air cushion seventh backrest air cushion eighth backrest air cushion ninth backrest air cushion tenth backrest air cushion first seat part air cushion second seat part air cushion

[0094] Pair of seat part air cushions First pair of backrest air cushions Second pair of backrest air cushions Third pair of backrest air cushions Fourth pair of backrest air cushions Fifth pair of backrest air cushions Seat part

[0095] backrest

[0096] headrest

[0097] seat

[0098] Air cushion arrangement

[0099] Longitudinal center axis

[0100] Computer setup Pump arrangement Seat cushion cover

[0101] seat cushion padding

[0102] Backrest cover backrest cushion

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating an air cushion arrangement (23), in particular for a massage function, of a seat (22), in particular a vehicle seat, with a plurality of, in particular five, pairs (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) which are arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and are assigned to a back region of the backrest (20), - wherein the air cushions (1-10) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis (24) of the backrest (20), and - wherein in each massage step of the method, at most one of the air cushions (1-10) of each pair (14-18) is pressurized and emptied with air, characterized in that when at least two air cushions (1-10) of different pairs (14-18) are used simultaneously in the same massage step, the air cushions (1-10) of the respective pairs (14-18) arranged on the same side with respect to the longitudinal center axis (24) of the backrest (20) are always pressurized and emptied with air in order to stimulate a pelvis of a user of the seat (22) to a unilateral movement.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective air cushions (1-10) are filled to a predetermined first fill level and then emptied to a predetermined second fill level.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each massage step at most one of the air cushions (1-10) of two or three of the pairs (14-18) is filled with air and emptied.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air cushion arrangement (23) has at least one pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) which are arranged in a seat part (19) of the seat (22) and are assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part (19), that the air cushions (11, 12) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis (24) of the seat part (19), and that in each massage step of the method at most, in particular exactly, one of the air cushions (11, 12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) is charged with air and emptied.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that in each case in three successive massage steps exactly one of the air cushions (11, 12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) is pressurized with air and emptied, and in three subsequent, successive massage steps the other of the air cushions (11, 12) is pressurized with air and emptied, so that the side is changed after each three massage steps.

6. Method according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that in a first section of a run of the method only air cushions of the pairs (13-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) and seat part air cushions (11, 12) which are always assigned to the same side are pressurized and emptied, and that in a second section of the run only air cushions of the pairs (13-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) and seat part air cushions (11, 12) which are always assigned to different sides are pressurized and emptied.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the massage steps is repeated immediately, that at least two successive massage steps are carried out one after the other without delay, and / or that at least two successive massage steps are carried out with a predetermined time delay in between.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the delay between the massage steps is changed continuously or stepwise depending on a method duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the fill levels is changed continuously or stepwise depending on a method duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one duration of one of the massage steps, in particular the duration of at least one filling process and / or emptying process of the air cushions (1-12), is changed continuously or stepwise depending on a duration of the method and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system.

11. A computer program product for execution on a computer device, characterized in that the computer program product, when used as intended, executes a method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. A data carrier with a computer program product according to claim 11.

13. Computer device (25), in particular control device for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the computer device (25) is specially designed to execute the computer program product according to claim 11.

14. Seat, in particular a vehicle seat, with a plurality of, in particular five, pairs (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and associated with a back region of the backrest (20), - wherein the air cushions (1-10) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal center axis (24) of the backrest (20), characterized by a computer device (25) according to claim 13.

15. Motor vehicle, characterized by a seat (22) designed as a vehicle seat according to claim 14.

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