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

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an air cushion arrangement (5), in particular for a massage function, of a seat (4), in particular a vehicle seat, the air cushion arrangement having a plurality of backrest air cushions (1, 2, 3), in particular three backrest air cushions, each of which is arranged in a backrest (7) of the seat (4) and is assigned to a lower back region of the backrest (7), wherein the air cushions (1, 2, 3) are arranged one on top of the other along a longitudinal central axis (9) of the backrest (7), and wherein, in each massage step, air is supplied to selected air cushions (1, 2, 3) of the air cushions (1, 2, 3) and / or the air cushions are deflated in order to carry out the massage function. According to the invention, air is supplied to the selected, in particular adjacent, air cushions (1, 2, 3) in order to obtain defined target air pressures, different target air pressures being defined for the selected air cushions (1, 2, 3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating an air cushion arrangement, computer program product, 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 three, backrest air cushions, each of which is arranged in a backrest of the seat and in particular is assigned to a lower back region of the backrest, wherein the air cushions are arranged one above the other along a longitudinal center axis of the backrest, and wherein selected air cushions of the said air cushions are pressurized with air and / or emptied in a respective massage step to carry out the massage function.

[0004] The invention further relates to a computer program product that implements the above-mentioned method when the computer program product is executed on a computer device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer device specifically designed to implement the computer program product or the above-mentioned method, a seat having such a computer device, and a motor vehicle having such a 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] For example, from the published patent application DE 102011 106 360 A1, a seat system for a vehicle is known, comprising at least one hollow body for modifying a seat contour of the seat system, wherein the volume of the seat system can be modified by introducing a medium into the at least one hollow body, wherein a volume flow of the medium flowing into the at least one hollow body can be modified. Staggered filling of different hollow bodies is intended to result in a sudden application of pressure to different areas of the seat occupant's body, for example in the manner of a tapping massage. Rapidly filling several hollow bodies in staggered sequence is intended to simulate a stroking motion in which a pressure point is quickly moved across a body part - such as the back - of the seat occupant. During stroking, the pressure point therefore moves across the body part in a wave-like motion.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved method which ensures advantageous 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, the selected, particularly adjacent, air cushions are pressurized with air to achieve predetermined target air pressures, with different target air pressures being specified for the selected air cushions. This ensures particularly advantageous mobilization of the spine of a user of the air cushion arrangement.The invention is based on the finding that, for example, wave movements or tapping movements perceptible by a user, as described above, can be generated particularly effectively in terms of stimulating movement if the target air pressures of the stacked air cushions are not identical, but rather if they differ from one another, in particular continuously increasing in a predetermined direction, for example, from bottom to top, with respect to the backrest and thus the user's spine. Through appropriate massage steps, the lordosis of the spine in the lumbar region is alternately automatically reinforced and relieved, preferably step by step, in order to relieve the muscles and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region, in particular, for more comfortable sitting.The air cushions, which are particularly designed as pneumatic bladders, are preferably pressurized from bottom to top with different target air pressures, in particular with different holding or loading times. For example, shape memory valves (particularly shape memory alloy valves or SMA valves) are assigned to the air cushions, which ensure a low-noise control and a weight-saving solution compared to solenoid valves. In particular, the air cushions are identical in shape and size.

[0009] According to a preferred development of the invention, the respective air cushions are filled to a predetermined first level in one of the massage steps, in particular using a shape memory valve, and are emptied to a predetermined second level in the same or a subsequent massage step. Accordingly, the second level is lower than the first level. This results in the advantage of achieving particularly pronounced mobilization of the spine.

[0010] It is particularly preferred that the air cushions be filled to different initial fill levels to create pressure differences. This provides a particularly advantageous and simple way of creating the pressure differences, for example, if the air cushions are identical in shape and size.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pressure difference between two adjacent air cushions is a maximum of 50 hPa, in particular in a range from 10 hPa to 40 hPa. With such pressure differences, the advantages of the method according to the invention are particularly pronounced.

[0012] Absolute pressures in the sense of target air pressures are in particular in a range of several hundred hPa, for example in a range of 100 to 300 hPa.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the air cushion positioned higher in relation to the longitudinal center axis and the intended orientation of the backrest has a higher target air pressure than the air cushion positioned below it, so that the target air pressure increases from bottom to top. The deliberate increase in the target air pressure from bottom to top advantageously ensures that a user of the air cushion arrangement is mobilized to a more upright sitting posture, and that their lower back muscles are also specifically subjected to increased strain and relief.

[0014] According to a preferred development of the invention, a predetermined holding time is provided between a filling process and a deflation process for at least one, in particular each, of the air cushions, during which the respective target air pressure is kept constant. Such a holding time offers the advantage of specifically adapting the effect of the corresponding massage step to the user. Thus, during the holding time, the air cushion is kept in its fully inflated state.

[0015] It is particularly preferred that a holding time is provided for each of the air cushions, and that the air cushion arranged higher with respect to the longitudinal center axis and a proper alignment of the backrest has a holding time that is at least as long, in particular longer, than the air cushion arranged below it, so that the holding time increases from bottom to top. The deliberately shorter holding time of the air cushions arranged lower down reliably prevents discomfort for a user in the pelvic area due to excessively prolonged pressure on the iliac crest. In particular, the holding time in a lower air cushion is shorter than in a middle and upper air cushion.Alternatively, a holding time is provided for each of the air cushions, wherein the air cushion arranged further down in relation to the longitudinal center axis and a proper alignment of the backrest has a holding time that is at least as long as, and in particular longer than, the air cushion arranged above it, so that the holding time increases from top to bottom in order to force a targeted excitation in the lower area.

[0016] According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the air cushion arrangement has at least a first (lower), second (middle) and third (upper) backrest air cushion, that in a first massage step only the first backrest air cushion is filled with air to a first target air pressure, that in a subsequent second massage step only the second backrest air cushion is filled with air to a second target air pressure which is higher than the first target air pressure and the first backrest air cushion is emptied, that in a subsequent third massage step only the third backrest air cushion is filled with air to a third target air pressure which is higher than the second target air pressure and the second backrest air cushion is emptied, and that in a subsequent fourth massage step the third backrest air cushion is emptied.This type of massage program creates a particularly beneficial wave massage in the user's lumbar region. It creates a standing wave in the displacement of a curved log, with a transition between the air cushions similar to a mechanical lordosis.

[0017] It is particularly preferred that the air cushion arrangement has at least a first (lower), second (middle), and third (upper) backrest air cushion, that in a first massage step only the first backrest air cushion is filled with air to a first target air pressure and emptied with air, that in a subsequent second massage step only the second backrest air cushion is filled with air to a second target air pressure that is higher than the first target air pressure, and that in a subsequent third massage step only the third backrest air cushion is filled with air to a third target air pressure that is higher than the second target air pressure, and emptied with air. Such a massage program creates a particularly advantageous tapping massage in the lumbar region of a user. In this respect, different areas of the spine are alternately stimulated.According to a preferred development of the invention, at least two consecutive massage steps are performed either immediately following one another or with a predetermined time delay between them. Implementing the steps without delay advantageously ensures that mobilization occurs continuously. A time delay creates a particularly advantageous opportunity to make corresponding sections of the method perceptible to the user. For example, a corresponding time delay is provided after each run of the method, in particular after the three or four massage steps described above.

[0018] Particularly preferably, it is provided that the delay between the massage steps, at least one of the fill levels, the target air pressures, and / or a 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 and / or an intermediate holding time, is changed continuously or in stages depending on a procedure duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system. This advantageously ensures that even longer-lasting mobilization remains fatigue-free and / or a user preference is taken into account. For example, an intensity dependent on a user input and / or the procedure duration is set continuously or in stages, in particular by corresponding target air pressures and / or holding times.For example, a plurality, in particular at least three, selectable intensities are specified, each with increasing target air pressures and / or holding times.

[0019] The computer program product according to the invention for execution on a computer device with the features of claim 12 is characterized in that, when used as intended, it executes the method according to the invention. This results in the aforementioned advantages. In particular, a data carrier is provided which is characterized by the computer program product stored thereon.

[0020] 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. Preferably, the computer device is a control device assigned to a motor vehicle, in particular arranged in the motor vehicle. The seat with the features of claim 14 has an air cushion arrangement with a plurality of, in particular three, backrest air cushions, each arranged in a backrest of the seat and in particular assigned to a lower back region of the backrest, wherein the air cushions are arranged one above the other along a 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 transportation, in particular aircraft, as well as when the air cushion arrangement according to the invention is used in seats not installed in vehicles, 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] Figure 3 shows a first advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement, and

[0026] Figure 4 shows a second advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a front view of a seat 4, designed in particular as a vehicle seat, with an air cushion arrangement 5 in a schematic, highly simplified representation. Figure 2 shows a side view of the seat 4 from the viewing plane AA shown in Figure 1. The seat 4 has a seat part 6, a backrest 7 arranged at one end thereto, and a headrest 8 arranged thereon. The air cushion arrangement 5 is designed in particular to provide a massage function, for example as part of an adjustable lumbar support. The air cushion arrangement 5 has a first backrest air cushion 1, a second backrest air cushion 2, and a third backrest air cushion 3. The backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 are each arranged in the backrest 7 of the seat 4 and, in this case, are assigned to a lower back region of the backrest 7.

[0028] The backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 are arranged one above the other along a longitudinal central axis 9 of the backrest 7, in particular also mirror-symmetrically thereto. In this case, the backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 are also identical in shape and size and are equally spaced from one another, thus being evenly distributed.

[0029] With respect to the longitudinal central axis 9 and a proper alignment of the backrest 7, or, in other words, from the seat part 6 in the direction of the headrest 8, in the vertical direction, first the first backrest air cushion 1 is arranged as the lower air cushion, then the second backrest air cushion 2 is arranged as the middle air cushion, and finally the third backrest air cushion 3 is arranged as the upper air cushion.

[0030] As can be seen in Figure 2, each of the backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 is assigned a separate pneumatic valve 10, preferably designed as a shape memory valve. The respective valves 10 are designed to inflate and deflate the respective backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 to achieve predetermined target air pressures, as indicated by an exemplary double arrow, in order to perform corresponding massage steps.

[0031] The seat part 6 has a seat cushion pad 12 enclosed by a seat cushion cover 11. Similarly, the backrest 7 has a backrest pad 14 enclosed by a backrest cover 13. The seat cushion pad 12 and / or the backrest pad 14 comprise, in particular, a foam material. The backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 are each arranged on a side of the backrest pad 14 facing away from the seat part 6 (and thus a user), in particular below the backrest cover 13.

[0032] Finally, the seat 4 is assigned a computer device 15, which is designed to control a pneumatic pump arrangement 16, which is connectable or connected to the valves 10 of the respective backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 via lines and which in particular has a pump motor, in order to provide compressed air for the massage function. Figures 3 and 4 each show a first and second advantageous method for operating the air cushion arrangement 5, which is carried out in particular with the aid of the computer device 15, the pump arrangement 16 and / or the valves 10. In Figures 3 and 4, individual method or massage steps are shown as schematic representations of the respectively controlled backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3, analogous to Figures 1 and 2. In the methods, selected backrest air cushions 1, 2, 3 are used in order to achieve advantageous mobilization of a user's spine in the lumbar region.

[0033] In each of the massage steps of the method, exactly one or two adjacent air cushions 1, 2, 3 are selected in order to fill them to a respective predetermined first fill level and / or to empty them to a respective predetermined second fill level. The selected air cushions 1, 2, 3 are each pressurized with air to achieve predetermined target air pressures, with different target air pressures being specified for the selected air cushions, and with the air cushions 1, 2, 3, in particular, being filled to different first fill levels to create pressure differences.

[0034] The pressure difference between two adjacent air cushions 1, 2, 3 is a maximum of 50 hPa. In this case, the air cushion 1, 2, 3 arranged further up with respect to the longitudinal center axis 9 and a proper orientation of the backrest 7 has a higher target air pressure than the air cushion arranged below it, so that the air pressure increases from bottom to top.

[0035] Between a filling process and a deflation process of each of the air cushions 1, 2, 3, a jointly or separately predetermined holding time is provided, during which the respective target air pressure is kept constant. In particular, the air cushion 1, 2, 3 arranged further up with respect to the longitudinal center axis 9 and the intended orientation of the backrest 7 has a holding time that is at least as long as, and in particular longer than, the air cushion 1, 2, 3 arranged below it, so that the holding time increases from bottom to top.

[0036] Preferably, at least two consecutive massage steps are performed one after the other without delay or with a predetermined time delay between them. Particularly preferably, the delay between the massage steps, at least one of the fill levels, the target air pressures, and / or a 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 and / or an intermediate holding time, is changed continuously or incrementally depending on a process duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system.

[0037] For example, for each massage program, three selectable intensities are specified, each with different first, second and third target air pressures, which have pressure differences of a maximum of 50 hPa within the same intensity, and / or with different holding times for the air cushions 1, 2, 3 in total or together.

[0038] In particular, at least one of the air cushions 1, 2, 3 has a holding time that is one, in particular an integer, multiple higher than one of the other air cushions 1, 2, 3. Preferably, the holding times are in the range of fractions of a second to a few seconds, in particular in a range of 100 ms to 5 s, preferably in a range of 250 ms to 2.5 s.

[0039] The process illustrated in Figure 3 produces a beneficial wave massage. In the additional nomenclature provided, the reference symbols assigned to the air cushions 1, 2, and 3 are followed by letters representing their respective statuses, where z stands for increase, i.e., an inflation process; h for hold, i.e., maintaining the air pressure constant for a specified holding time; and r for release, i.e., an emptying process.

[0040] In a first massage step S1, only the first backrest air cushion 1 is filled with air to a first target air pressure (1z).

[0041] In a subsequent second massage step S2, the air pressure in the first backrest air cushion 1 is first kept constant for a predetermined first holding time (1h), the second backrest air cushion 2 is filled with air to a second target air pressure which is higher than the first target air pressure (2z) and finally the first backrest air cushion 1 is emptied (1r).

[0042] In a subsequent third massage step S3, the air pressure in the second backrest air cushion 2 is initially kept constant for a predetermined second holding time (2h), the third backrest air cushion 3 is filled with air to a third target air pressure that is higher than the second target air pressure (3z), and finally the second backrest air cushion 2 is deflated (2r). In a subsequent fourth massage step S4, the air pressure in the third backrest air cushion 3 is initially kept constant for a predetermined third holding time (3h), and finally the third backrest air cushion 3 is deflated (3r). The method is now ended or repeated starting with the massage step S1.

[0043] The process illustrated in Figure 4 produces a beneficial tapping massage. In the additional nomenclature, analogous to Figure 3, the reference symbols assigned to the air cushions 1, 2, and 3 are followed by letters representing their respective statuses, where z stands for increase, i.e., a filling process, and r for retraction, i.e., a deflating process.

[0044] In contrast, a dedicated holding time between the massage steps is not provided; however, in particular, the respective target air pressure is kept constant for a predetermined holding time within the same massage step. This holding time is preferably identical for each of the steps. In particular, the steps are performed with an intervening time delay or waiting time, wherein the waiting time is in particular equal to the holding time, in particular less than 1 s in each case.

[0045] In a first massage step S1, only the first backrest air cushion 1 is filled with air to a first target air pressure (1z) and, in particular after a predetermined holding time, emptied (1r).

[0046] In a subsequent second massage step S2, only the second backrest air cushion 2 is filled with air to a second target air pressure, which is higher than the first target air pressure (2z) and, in particular after a predetermined holding time, emptied (2r).

[0047] In a subsequent third massage step S3, only the third backrest air cushion 3 is filled with air to a third target air pressure, which is higher than the second target air pressure (3z) and, in particular after a predetermined holding time, emptied (3r). The method is then terminated or repeated starting with the massage step S1. List of reference symbols: first backrest air cushion second backrest air cushion third backrest air cushion

[0048] seat

[0049] Air cushion arrangement

[0050] Seat part

[0051] backrest

[0052] headrest

[0053] Longitudinal center axis

[0054] valve

[0055] seat cushion cover

[0056] seat cushion padding

[0057] Backrest cover

[0058] Backrest cushion

[0059] Computer setup

[0060] Pump arrangement

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating an air cushion arrangement (5), in particular for a massage function, of a seat (4), in particular a vehicle seat, with a plurality of, in particular three, backrest air cushions (1, 2, 3), each arranged in a backrest (7) of the seat (4) and in particular assigned to a lower back region of the backrest (7), - wherein the air cushions (1, 2, 3) are arranged one above the other along a longitudinal central axis (9) of the backrest (7), and - wherein selected air cushions (1, 2, 3) of said air cushions (1, 2, 3) are filled with air and / or emptied in one massage step each to carry out the massage function, characterized in that the selected, in particular adjacent, air cushions (1,2,3) are pressurized with air to achieve predetermined target air pressures, whereby different target air pressures are specified for the selected air cushions (1,2,3).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective air cushions (1, 2, 3) are filled to a predetermined first fill level in one of the massage steps, in particular with the aid of a shape memory valve, and are emptied to a predetermined second fill level in the same or a subsequent massage step.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the air cushions (1, 2, 3) are filled to different first filling levels to create pressure differences.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure difference between two adjacent air cushions (1, 2, 3) is a maximum of 50 hPa, in particular in a range from 10 hPa to 40 hPa.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air cushion (1, 2, 3) arranged further up with respect to the longitudinal center axis (9) and a proper orientation of the backrest (7) has a higher target air pressure than the air cushion arranged below it, so that the target air pressure increases from bottom to top.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between a filling process and an emptying process of at least one, in particular each, of the air cushions (1, 2, 3) a predetermined holding time is provided, in which the respective target air pressure is kept constant.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a holding time is provided for each of the air cushions (1, 2, 3), and in that the air cushion (1, 2, 3) arranged further up with respect to the longitudinal center axis (9) and a proper alignment of the backrest (7) has a holding time that is at least as long as, in particular longer than, the air cushion (1, 2, 3) arranged underneath, so that the holding time increases from bottom to top.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air cushion arrangement (5) has at least a first (lower), second (middle) and third (upper) backrest air cushion (1, 2, 3), that in a first massage step only the first backrest air cushion (1) is filled with air to a first target air pressure, that in a subsequent second massage step only the second backrest air cushion (2) is filled with air to a second target air pressure which is higher than the first target air pressure and the first backrest air cushion (1) is emptied, that in a subsequent third massage step only the third backrest air cushion (3) is filled with air to a third target air pressure which is higher than the second target air pressure and the second backrest air cushion (2) is emptied, and that in a subsequent fourth massage step the third backrest air cushion (3) is emptied.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air cushion arrangement (5) has at least a first (lower), second (middle) and third (upper) backrest air cushion (1, 2, 3), that in a first massage step only the first backrest air cushion (1) is filled with air to a first target air pressure and emptied, that in a subsequent second massage step only the second backrest air cushion (2) is filled with air to a second target air pressure which is higher than the first target air pressure, and that in a subsequent third massage step only the third backrest air cushion (3) is filled with air to a third target air pressure which is higher than the second target air pressure and emptied.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two successive massage steps are carried out without delay subsequently or with a predetermined time delay in between.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delay between the massage steps, at least one of the filling levels, the target air pressures, and / or a 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, 2, 3) and / or an intermediate holding time, is changed continuously or in stages depending on a method duration and / or a setting of a vehicle assistance system.

12. Computer program product for execution on a computer device (15), characterized in that the computer program product, when used as intended, executes a method according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Computer device (15), in particular control device for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the computer device (15) is specially designed to execute the computer program product according to claim 12.

14. Seat (4), in particular a vehicle seat, with an air cushion arrangement (5), with a plurality of, in particular three, backrest air cushions (1, 2, 3), each arranged in a backrest (7) of the seat (4) and in particular assigned to a lower back region of the backrest (7), wherein the air cushions (1, 2, 3) are arranged one above the other along a longitudinal central axis (9) of the backrest (7), characterized by a computer device (15) according to claim 13.

15. Motor vehicle, characterized by a seat (4) designed as a vehicle seat according to claim 14.

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