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, comprising at least one pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) arranged in a seat part (19) of the seat (22) and assigned in particular to a pelvic region of the seat part (19), and comprising at least one pair (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and assigned in particular to a lower back region of the backrest (20), wherein the air cushions (1-12) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal central axis (24) of the backrest (20) and / or of the seat part (19), and wherein selected air cushions (1-12) of said air cushions (1-12) are applied with air and deflated in order to perform the massage function in a respective massage step. According to the invention, in each massage step, exactly one air cushion (1-12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) and both air cushions of the pair (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) are selected in order to tilt the pelvis of a user of the seat (22) about a first axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry of the pelvis and simultaneously about a second axis of rotation aligned perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

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, with at least one pair of seat part air cushions arranged in a seat part of the seat and in particular assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part, and with at least one pair of backrest air cushions arranged in a backrest of the seat and in particular assigned to a lower 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 and the seat part, and wherein selected air cushions of said air cushions are pressurized with air and emptied in a respective massage step to carry out the massage function.

[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, for example, for vehicle seats of motor vehicles, are known from the prior art. These allow adjustment of the lumbar support (lordosis) for a user-specific, natural spinal contour in the lumbar region (S-shaped spine contour) by filling air cushions or air bubbles of air cushion arrangements. The air supply is usually provided by pumps with a pump motor. Control devices and valve arrangements control inflation, deflation, and maintaining the air pressure. Patent specification DE 10 2008 032 541 B4 discloses a method for operating a generic air cushion arrangement, wherein a force and, subsequently, a movement are exerted on the back and buttocks of a seat occupant. This results in rotation of the back and tilting of the pelvis to the left or right, thereby achieving mobilization of the spine.

[0006] From the published patent application DE 102010 055 955 A1, a seat system and a method for operating the seat system are known, in which the pelvis is tilted not only to the left or right, but also forwards and backwards, i.e., about an axis of rotation lying in the pelvic plane of symmetry and additionally about an axis of rotation running perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. For this purpose, a first lifting device is provided below a first support area of ​​a seat cushion of the seat system intended for the left buttocks of a seat occupant, a second lifting device is provided below a second support area intended for the right buttocks of a seat occupant, and an additional third lifting device is provided below a third support area intended for the coccyx region of the seat occupant.

[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, it is provided that, for each massage step, exactly one air cushion from the pair of seat part air cushions and both air cushions from the pair of backrest air cushions are selected in order to tilt a pelvis of a seat user about a first axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry of the pelvis and, simultaneously, about a second axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. This ensures an advantageous tilting of the pelvis about two orthogonal axes of rotation, as described above and known from the prior art, which does not require additional lifting devices in the seat part but rather comprises a clever, pairwise control of the backrest air cushions.By controlling the seat part air cushions, in particular alternately, the user's pelvis experiences a lateral tilting movement around the first axis of rotation, i.e., to the left and right. According to the invention, this movement is combined with a tilting movement around the second axis of rotation, i.e., forwards and backwards, by the backrest air cushions exerting corresponding pressure on the iliac crest in the lumbar region. The invention is based on the finding that the desired mobilization of the pelvis can be achieved by appropriately controlling the backrest air cushions as an alternative to the solution with the additional lifting device mentioned above. 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 unfamiliar movement not only physically but also psychologically activates the user, thus further counteracting the risk of fatigue. A pair of air cushions preferably comprises exactly two air cushions, one of which is arranged on a first side, in particular on the left, with respect to the longitudinal center axis, and the other of which is arranged, in particular at the same height, on a second side facing away from the first side, in particular on the right, with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

[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, the air cushion arrangement comprises at least a first, second, and third pair of backrest air cushions, and in a first massage step, one of the air cushions of the pair of seat part air cushions and both air cushions of the first pair of backrest air cushions are selected; in a subsequent second massage step, the same air cushion of the pair of seat part air cushions and both air cushions of the second pair of backrest air cushions are selected; and in a subsequent third massage step, the same air cushion of the pair of seat part air cushions and both air cushions of the third pair of backrest air cushions are selected. This advantageously ensures that a temporally extended, uniform mobilization of the pelvis is achieved.

[0011] According to a preferred development of the invention, the method, in particular the three massage steps, is / are performed alternately for one and the other of the air cushions of the pair of seat-part air cushions. This results in the advantage that the mobilization of the pelvis occurs equally around both axes of rotation. Particularly preferably, at least two consecutive massage steps are performed one after the other without delay. This advantageously ensures that the mobilization of the pelvis occurs continuously.

[0012] According to a preferred development of the invention, at least two consecutive massage steps are performed with a predetermined time delay between them. This provides a particularly advantageous way of making corresponding sections of the method perceptible to the user. For example, a corresponding time delay is provided after each run of the method and / or the three method steps described above.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the delay between massage steps is changed continuously or incrementally 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.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, 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 continuously or gradually adjusted.

[0015] Particularly preferably, 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.

[0016] The computer program product according to the invention for execution on a computer device with the features of claim 10 is characterized in that, when used as intended, it executes the method according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned.

[0017] The data carrier according to the invention with the features of claim 11 is characterized by the computer program product according to the invention stored thereon.

[0018] The computer device with the features of claim 12 is characterized in that the computer device is specifically configured 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. Preferably, the computer device is a control device associated with a motor vehicle, in particular arranged in the motor vehicle.

[0019] The seat with the features of claim 13 has at least one pair of seat-part air cushions arranged in a seat part of the seat and in particular assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part, and at least one pair of backrest air cushions arranged in a backrest of the seat and in particular assigned to a lower 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 and the seat part. 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, as well as when the air cushion arrangement according to the invention is used in seats not installed in means of transport, for example massage seats.

[0020] The motor vehicle with the features of claim 14 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Figure 1 is a front view of a seat with an air cushion arrangement, Figure 2 is a side view of the seat, and

[0023] Figure 3 shows an advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a front view of a seat 22, particularly 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 particularly designed 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] When the air cushion arrangement 23 is used and installed in the backrest 20 as intended, 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. The first pair 14, the second pair 15 and the third pair 16 are in this respect assignable or 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.

[0028] 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 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 the user). The seat cushion pad 28 and / or the backrest pad 30 comprise, in particular, a foam.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an advantageous method 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. Figure 3 shows individual method or massage steps as a schematic representation of the respectively controlled pairs 13-18 of air cushions 1-12, analogous to Figure 1. In the method, selected air cushions 1-12 of the pairs 13-16 are used to achieve advantageous mobilization of a user's pelvis.

[0031] During each massage step, exactly one of the seat part air cushions 11, 12 in combination with both backrest air cushions 1-10 of exactly one pair 14-18 is selected in order to tilt the pelvis of the seat user 22 about a first axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry of the pelvis and, at the same time, a second axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The correspondingly selected air cushions 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 a first massage step S1, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 1, 10 of the first pair 14 are selected, filled, and deflated accordingly.

[0032] In a second massage step S2, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 2, 9 of the second pair 15 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0033] In a third massage step S3, the second seat part air cushion 12 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 8 of the third pair 16 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0034] In a fourth massage step S4, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 1, 10 of the first pair 14 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0035] In a fifth massage step S5, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 2, 9 of the second pair 15 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0036] In a sixth massage step S6, the first seat part air cushion 11 and the two backrest air cushions 3, 8 of the third pair 16 are selected, filled and emptied accordingly.

[0037] Three massage steps are performed alternately for the first and second seat part air cushions 11, 12, with a different one of the pairs 14-16 of air cushions 1-3, 8-10 being additionally selected in each step. In particular, the massage steps are repeated continuously, with one run of the method consisting of the six described massage steps S1-S6, so that massage step S6 is followed by S1 again.

[0038] Preferably, at least two, in particular all, consecutive massage steps S1-S6 are carried out one after the other without delay, or with a predetermined time delay in between. For example, a delay is provided every three massage steps, in particular between the third and fourth and / or between the sixth and first massage steps. The delay between the massage steps S1-S6, at least one of the fill levels, and / or at least one duration of one of the massage steps S1-S6, in particular the duration of at least one filling process and / or emptying process of the air cushions 1-12, is changed continuously or in stages, 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.

[0039] List of reference symbols 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

[0040] 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

[0041] backrest

[0042] headrest

[0043] seat

[0044] Air cushion arrangement

[0045] Longitudinal center axis

[0046] Computer setup

[0047] Pump arrangement

[0048] seat cushion cover

[0049] seat cushion upholstery

[0050] Backrest cover backrest cushion

Claims

Patent claims 1. 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 at least one pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) arranged in a seat part (19) of the seat (22) and in particular assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part (19), and with at least one pair (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and in particular assigned to a lower back region of the backrest (20), - wherein the air cushions (1-12) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal central axis (24) of the backrest (20) and / or the seat part (19), and - wherein selected air cushions (1-12) of said air cushions (1-12) are each filled with air and deflated in a massage step to carry out the massage function, characterized in that in each massage step exactly one air cushion (1-12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) and both air cushions of the pair (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) are selected in order to tilt a pelvis of a user of the seat (22) about a first axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry of the pelvis and simultaneously about a second axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective air cushions (1-12) 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 the air cushion arrangement (23) has at least a first, second and third pair (14-16) of backrest air cushions (1-10), and that in a first massage step one of the air cushions (11, 12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) and both air cushions (1-10) of the first pair (14) of backrest air cushions (1-10), in a subsequent second massage step the same air cushion (11, 12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) and both air cushions (1-10) of the second pair (15) of backrest air cushions (1-10), and in a subsequent third massage step the same air cushion (11, 12) of the Pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) and both air cushions (1-10) of the third pair (16) of backrest air cushions (1-10) are selected.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method, in particular the three massage steps, is / are carried out alternately for one and the other of the air cushions (11, 12) of the pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two successive massage steps are carried out one after the other without delay.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two successive massage steps are carried out with a predetermined time delay therebetween.

7. The method according to claim 6, 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. A data carrier comprising a computer program product according to claim 10.

12. 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 10.

13. Seat (22), in particular a vehicle seat, with at least one pair (13) of seat part air cushions (11, 12) arranged in a seat part (19) of the seat (22) and in particular assigned to a pelvic region of the seat part (19), and with at least one pair (14-18) of backrest air cushions (1-10) arranged in a backrest (20) of the seat (22) and in particular assigned to a lower back region of the backrest (20), - wherein the air cushions (1-12) are designed and arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a respective longitudinal center axis of the backrest (20) and / or the seat part (19), characterized by a computer device (25) according to claim 12.

14. Motor vehicle, characterized by a seat (22) designed as a vehicle seat according to claim 13.

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