Vehicle upholstery element and seat

Abstract

Upholstery element (2i) for a vehicle seat (1), comprising a network (10) composed of several nodes (3) and several connecting rods (4), adjacent nodes (3) being connected to each other respectively by means of a connecting rod (4), such that an intermediate space (5) is formed between the connecting rods (4), characterized in that the upholstery element (2i) exhibits, in at least one defined stress direction (R), a compressive hardness (Si) in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa. Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Trim element and vehicle seat

[0001] The invention relates to a trim element for a vehicle seat according to the invention and a vehicle seat comprising such a trim element.

[0002] Upholstery elements for vehicle seats are generally sold in a single size, i.e. upholstery elements with the same properties, particularly with regard to compression hardness, are provided regardless of the occupant. This may, however, be unfavorable in terms of ergonomics for some occupants.

[0003] US20180070736 A1 describes the production of packing elements by means of a additive manufacturing process, i.e. by means of a 3D printing process. In this case, a porous body consisting of a network of nodes that are connected to each other by connecting rods is provided. Due to the intermediate space thus created, compressive hardnesses (40% compression, DIN EN ISO 3386-1:2010-09) of > 10 to < 100 kPa can be achieved in at least one spatial direction, i.e. relatively hard packing elements.

[0004] The invention aims to provide a trim element and a vehicle seat which are comfortable and can be easily adapted to individual comfort.

[0005] This objective is achieved by means of a trim element and a vehicle seat according to the invention. The various embodiments describe preferred improvements.

[0006] According to the invention, it is therefore provided that the packing element existing in the form of a network of nodes and connecting rods has, in at least one defined loading direction, a compressive hardness (40% compression, DIN EN ISO 3386-1:2010-09) in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa. A relatively soft packing body is thus provided, since a high porosity or permeability is produced by the mechanical structure of the network. A good ventilation capacity is thus achieved as a further advantageous effect, i.e. the packing element can transmit or dissipate temperatures and / or humidity well when the packing element is combined, for example, with a corresponding ventilation system. This is advantageous in the case of using the upholstery element as a central upholstery element of a seat part or a backrest on which the occupant rests directly.Comfort can thus be further improved.

[0007] If the trim element is for example produced by means of an additive manufacturing process (3D printing), for example by means of a fused deposition process or a sintering process, properties suitable for the occupants in terms of of compressive hardness can be adjusted very easily. In a vehicle seat according to the invention, at least two upholstery elements can thus be provided simply and flexibly (as a component of the seat part alone or of the backrest alone or as a component of both), which upholstery elements have, in at least one defined direction of loading, a compressive hardness in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa, and in which the respective compressive hardnesses are different from each other, i.e. either within the seat part or within the backrest or in between.

[0008] During the production of the vehicle seat, individually different compression hardnesses can therefore be defined and adjusted in different regions of the vehicle seat, for example softer compression hardnesses for central upholstery elements and harder compression hardnesses in lateral upholstery elements or different compression hardnesses for the seat part and the backrest or the headrest. This can be achieved depending on the type and extent of the load, by the fact that, during the production of the respective upholstery element, the mechanical structure of the network is modified accordingly or is adapted to the requirements of the occupant. This can thus achieve an individual increase in comfort, in particular ergonomics and / or well-being.

[0009] Since several different trim elements are provided, which are preferably produced using an additive manufacturing process, easy and flexible interchangeability is achieved, for example when the vehicle owner or the type of use of the vehicle changes (sporty, normal) and therefore other requirements for the vehicle seat are present. In an additive manufacturing process, environmentally friendly materials can also be used, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a resin-based elastomer, for example an elastomeric polyurethane (EPU), these preferably having a Shore hardness of between 40A and 95A. Furthermore, such a production process can be easily integrated into existing productions, for example JIT ("Just In Time" productions), so that the production process is not made more difficult.

[0010] The mechanical structure of the network can, for example, be such that the connecting rods have a diameter of between 1 mm and 2 mm and / or a distance between adjacent nodes of the network, which are connected to each other by means of a connecting rod, is between 3 and 25 mm. The compressive hardnesses according to the invention for the respective packing element can thus be adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting rods are inclined relative to the defined direction of loading at a determined angle comprised by example between 30° and 60° or between -30° and -60°. Thus, for the respective direction of loading, the compressive hardness according to the invention can be achieved in this direction, the indicated angle being able to be inclined in at least one arbitrary spatial direction around the angle.

[0011] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. In the drawings:

[0012] [Fig-1] illustrates a vehicle seat in a side view;

[0013] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat comprising different filling elements;

[0014] [Fig.3] illustrates the porous structure of a packing element in a view detailed; and

[0015] [Fig.4] illustrates the porous structure of a packing element in a detailed view.

[0016] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a vehicle seat 1 comprising a seat part 1a, a backrest 1b and a headrest 1c, the seat part 1a, the backrest 1b and also the headrest 1c being composed or constituted respectively of one or more trim elements 2i (i = 1, 2, ...), as shown by way of example in [Fig. 2]. Therefore, lateral trim elements 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged on both the seat part 1a and the backrest 1b, so that a seated occupant can lean on both sides. Furthermore, both the seat part 1a, the backrest 1b and the headrest 1c have a central trim element 25, 26, 27 respectively.

[0017] While an occupant only leans lightly or temporarily on the lateral trim elements 21, 22, 23, 24 and the central trim element 27 of the head restraint 1e, an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 1 generally permanently loads the central trim elements 25, 26 of the seat part 1a and the backrest 1b. Consequently, the lateral trim elements 21, 22, 23, 24 and the central trim element of the head restraint 1e are loaded differently from the central trim elements 25, 26 of the seat part 1a and the backrest 1b, it being also possible for different loading directions R to occur, along which directions the loading acts on the respective trim element 2i.

[0018] From this, the individual packing elements 2i, as shown in [Fig. 3], are produced as grid-like or porous bodies which have, at least in their loading directions R, respectively individually defined compressive hardnesses Si (i=1, 2, ...), which are in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa according to the invention. Packing elements 2i are therefore provided which have a rather low hardness. The compressive hardnesses Si refer in this case to compression tests according to DIN EN ISO 3386-1:2010-09 at 40% compression in the respective loading direction R.

[0019] In order to obtain the compression hardnesses Si mentioned, the packing elements 2i are implemented as a network 10 of nodes 3 which are connected to each other by means of connecting rods 4 with an (inner) diameter D4 which is for example between 1 mm (softer part, right) and 2 mm (harder part, left), so that individual intermediate spaces 5 are created between them. This network 10 is produced in this case using an additive manufacturing process or a 3D printing process, i.e. the material used in each case is applied layer by layer, in order to create the three-dimensional network 10. As an additive manufacturing process, for example, a fused deposition process or a sintering process or the like can be used.As the material, an elastomer or a synthetic material with a Shore hardness of between 40A and 95A is used, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a resin-based elastomer, for example an elastomer polyurethane (EPU).

[0020] The compressive hardness Si of the respective packing element 2i therefore results, for the respective direction of loading R, from the mechanical structure of the network 10, i.e. from the orientation of the respective connecting rods 4 in space (X, Y, Z) as well as from their (inner) diameter D4, from the arrangement of the nodes 3 as well as from a distance A3 between adjacent nodes 3, for example between 3 mm and 25 mm, as well as from a number Z of connecting rods 4 per node 3, for example Z = 4 (as shown). In the case of larger distances A3, in particular around 25 mm, it is possible, for example, also to provide a number Z of connecting rods 4 of only Z = 2, in order to set a desired compressive hardness Si.

[0021] In this case, the nodes 3 can be distributed regularly or irregularly within the respective packing element 2i and / or the connecting rods 4 can all be made identically or with, for example, a diameter D4 varying on the respective packing element 2i, in order to adjust the compression hardness Si correspondingly for the respective stress direction R.

[0022] In order to achieve a rather low compressive hardness Si of >1 kPa and <10 kPa in the respective stress direction R, a mechanical structure is selected in which a certain porosity (permeability) of the respective packing element 2i is present, which is determined by the size of the intermediate spaces 5. For this purpose, the mechanical structure of the porous body can, for example, be selected in such a way that the volume V2i of the respective porous packing element 2i, in comparison with the volume V100 of an element of the same size made of a solid material, represents a certain defined percentage of, for example, between 5% and 10% or that a ratio V2i / V100 of between 0.05 and 0.1 is present. In conjunction with the respective selection of the material and the structure of the network 10, the compressive hardness Si of >1 kPa and <10 kPa in the stress direction R respective can thus be obtained.

[0023] In particular, it is provided in this case that the connecting rods 4 are inclined relative to the loading direction R at an angle a of between 30° and 60° (or between -30° and -60°), an angle a of approximately 38° or -38° relative to the loading direction R being used as an example in [Fig. 4]. Depending on the number Z of connecting rods 4 per node 3, this angle a can also vary accordingly. The orientation of the connecting rods 4 can in this case be selected in any spatial manner, i.e. they can be oriented in only one of the three spatial directions X, Y, Z or in two different spatial directions XY, XZ, YZ (in the respective plane) or in all three spatial directions XYZ, in order to set a determined directional dependence.

[0024] By means of this described mechanical structure of the porous body, compressive hardnesses S1, S2, S3, S4 can be set in the stress direction R for the lateral packing elements 21, 22, 23, 24 according to one embodiment, which hardnesses are approximately identical for each lateral packing element 21, 22, 23, 24 and are for example between >6 kPa and <10 kPa. For the central packing elements 25, 26, 27, compressive hardnesses S5, S6, S7 which are identical for each central packing element 25, 26, 27 and which are for example between >4.5 kPa and <10 kPa can also be used.

[0025] Furthermore, it is provided in this case that the compression hardnesses S1, S2, S3, S4 of the lateral trim elements 21, 22, 23, 24 are different from the compression hardnesses S5, S6, S7 of the central trim elements 25, 26, 27, in order to achieve the different types of stress. Generally, for reasons of comfort, the central trim elements 25, 26, 27 are in fact softer than the lateral trim elements 21, 22, 23, 24, which can also be individually adapted depending on the weight of the occupant. However, it can also already be provided that the central upholstery element 25 of the seat part 1a has, for example, a lower compressive hardness Si than the central upholstery element 26 of the backrest 1b, since different stresses also already occur between these two upholstery elements 25, 26. This can also be adapted accordingly to the requirements of the occupant.The same applies to the head restraint 1c which, due to the other stress on the occupant's head, may have a different compression hardness S7 than the other central trim elements 25, 26.

[0026] The porous structure of the respective packing element 2i in this case not only has the advantage that individually low compression hardnesses Si can be set, but also that a very porous packing element 2i results, so that good ventilation properties are produced. Thus, the body porous (V2Î / V100 between 0.05 and 0.1) can at the same time be used for increased comfort when, by means of a corresponding ventilation system, a gas with a determined temperature and / or humidity is transmitted through the intermediate spaces 5 of the filling element 2i. List of reference signs

[0027] 1 vehicle seat

[0028] the seat part

[0029] 1b file

[0030] the headrest

[0031] 2i trim element

[0032] 21, 22 side trim elements on the backrest 1b

[0033] 23, 24 side trim elements on the seat part la

[0034] 25 central trim element on the backrest 1b

[0035] 26 central trim element on the seat part

[0036] 27 central trim element on the headrest

[0037] 3 knot

[0038] 4 connecting rod

[0039] 5 intermediate space

[0040] 10 network

[0041] the angle of the connecting rods 4

[0042] A3 distance between adjacent nodes 3

[0043] D4 diameter (inner) of the connecting rods

[0044] R direction of stress

[0045] If compression hardness of the ith packing element 2i

[0046] V2i volume V2i of the ith packing element 2i

[0047] V100 volume of a solid material element

[0048] Z number of connecting rods 4 per node 3

Claims

Claims

1. Upholstery element (2i) for a vehicle seat (1), comprising a network (10) consisting of a plurality of nodes (3) and a plurality of connecting rods (4), adjacent nodes (3) being connected to each other by means of a connecting rod (4) in each case, such that an intermediate space (5) is formed between the connecting rods (4), characterized in that the upholstery element (2i) has, in at least one defined loading direction (R), a compressive hardness (Si) in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa.

2. A packing element (2i) according to claim 1, characterized in that the packing element (2i) is produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, for example by means of a fused deposition process or a sintering process.

3. Packing element (2i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting rods (4) have a diameter (D4) of between 1 mm and 2 mm.

4. Packing element (2i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network (10) composed of nodes (3) and connecting rods (4) is manufactured from an elastomer.

5. Filling element (2i) according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastomer has a Shore hardness of between 40A and 95A.

6. A packing element (2i) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the elastomer is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a resin-based elastomer, for example an elastomer polyurethane (EPU).

7. Packing element (2i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting rods (4) are inclined relative to the defined stress direction (R) at an angle (a) of between 30° and 60° or between -30° and -60°.

8. A packing element (2i) according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting rods (4) are inclined at the angle (a) in at least one spatial direction (X, Y, Z).

9. Packing element (2i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (A3) between adjacent nodes (3) of the network (10), which are connected to each other by means of a connecting rod (4), is between 3 mm and 25 mm.

10. Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (1a), a backrest (lb) and at least two upholstery elements (2i), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, the at least two upholstery elements (2i) being part of the seat part (la) and / or the backrest (lb) and being respectively designed as a network (10) consisting of several nodes (3) and several connecting rods (4), adjacent nodes (3) being connected to each other by means of a connecting rod (4) in each case, so that an intermediate space (5) is formed between the connecting rods (4), characterized in that the at least two upholstery elements (2i) have, in at least one defined loading direction (R), each a compressive hardness (Si) in the range of >1 kPa to <10 kPa, the respective compressive hardnesses (Si) of the at least two upholstery elements (2i) being different from each other.

11. Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that lateral trim elements (21, 22, 23, 24) of the vehicle seat (1) have compressive hardnesses (S1, S2, S3, S4) in the range of >6 kPa to <10 kPa and / or central trim elements (25, 26) of the vehicle seat (1) have compressive hardnesses (S5, S6) in the range of >4.5 kPa to <10 kPa and the compressive hardnesses (S1, S2, S3, S4) of the lateral trim elements (21, 22, 23, 24) are different from the compressive hardnesses (S5, S6) of the central trim elements (25, 26).

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