Method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats

Abstract

Method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats. This method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats, which have a number of airbags (LK) arranged in specified locations within the seat, includes a calculation model (BM) that is parameterized for a specific seat type. The duration of the control instructions (Bef, Ent) for inflating and deflating an airbag (LK) is adapted for each step so that a specified degree of inflation (FG) is achieved. The total time length of a step can vary in order to either achieve continuous compressor operation (Komp) or to respect pauses of a defined minimum duration during compressor activation (Komp). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats

[0001] In means of transport, refillable elastic cushions are increasingly used for the purpose of molding seat contours. These allow seats to be individually adapted to the occupant. For this purpose, the elastic cushions are generally filled with air. However, any other fluid or gas is also possible. Originally available in expensive means of transport, this equipment is now found in the mid-range and lower price segments.

[0002] In the presence of such air cushions, which can be filled using compressors via controllable valves, it is also possible to control alternating filling and venting processes to implement massage functions. Pneumatic massage functions generally use a plurality of pneumatic air cushions in the seat back, which are cyclically filled and emptied to impart a dynamic force effect similar to a manual massage. The aim here is to obtain predefined pressure sequences in the individual air cushions. Currently, purely time-based control is generally used, i.e., without feedback from a pressure sensor.If a new massage sequence is created, if an existing massage sequence is intended to be transferred to a different seat, or if the components used are changed (e.g., a compressor with a different power rating or valves with a different cross-section), the control times must be newly determined experimentally in each case.

[0003] DE 10 2010 063 136 B4 describes a pneumatic system in which the pressure of the container is determined using a mathematical model.

[0004] DE 10 2011 122 392 Al describes a pressure model based on characteristic curves. The effect of all the components of a filling, holding, and purging system is represented in a single characteristic curve in each case. Therefore, assignment to individual components is not possible, nor is partial parameterization when changes are made to a part of the system.

[0005] DE 10 2018 209 386 B3 also describes a pressure model, which uses a simplified calculation of the physical behavior of pneumatic components.

[0006] DE 20 2020 105 243 U1 describes a massage system in which the sequence command is executed on a central computer in the vehicle and can also receive updates from an external server.

[0007] One drawback of this latter massage system is that the timing sequence of the massage command instructions must be precisely adapted to the type of seat installed in the vehicle in each case. Otherwise, different pneumatic components (compressor, valves, flexible hoses, air cushions, etc.) and also seat properties (e.g., padding, cover, seams) would result in a different massage effect and, in some circumstances, also overload the components.

[0008] In the future, it can also be expected that massage sequences will be able to be booked, for example, as a service, or created by end customers themselves and exchanged with other end customers. All of this increases the number of available massage sequences and consequently the (generally experimental) effort required to adapt each individual massage sequence to each possible type of seat.

[0009] The invention therefore aims to provide a simplified method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats.

[0010] The objective is achieved by a process as defined below. Other advantageous developments and embodiments are also described below.

[0011] The objective is achieved by a method of adapting massage sequences to different types of seats, which have a number of airbags arranged at specified locations in the seat, each airbag being connected, via a controllable valve assigned to it, to a controllable compressor for the purpose of filling with a fluid and to the environment for the purpose of emptying, each valve being connected to a control unit, which is designed to control the valve using control signals such that an assigned airbag is in fluidic communication via the valve with the compressor for the purpose of filling or with the environment for the purpose of emptying, comprising a parametric calculation model, which can determine the properties of the airbags, at least with regard to the time during which a specified degree of filling is reached,at least depending on their location in the vehicle seat, the compressor power and their size, in order to determine from these the degree of filling of an airbag, the calculation model being linked to the control unit in order to provide a signal representing the degree of filling of an airbag to the control unit, and the control unit providing the calculation model with control signals calculated from it for the valves and the controllable compressor as input variables, the control unit, determining the control signals for a valve as a function of the signal for the degree of filling, determined by the calculation model, of the affected cushion and as a function of a control signal for the compressor, the control unit being connected to the controllable compressor, and at least the following steps being executed:

[0012] The calculation model is parameterized for a specific type of seat,

[0013] The duration of the control instructions for filling and purging a cushion is adapted for each step so that a specified degree of filling is achieved, the total time length of a step being able to vary in order either to achieve continuous operation of the compressor or to respect pauses of a defined minimum duration when the compressor is activated.

[0014] A massage sequence in this regard consists of steps, which in turn contain at least one duration and one intensity (for example, the pressure to be applied to a cushion). Holding phases and pauses may also be specified. Optionally, a specification of the area or position of a cushion in a seat may also be included for each step.

[0015] All seats of a particular type use the same components, such as cushions, compressors, valves, fluid lines, etc., for all components involved in the massage.

[0016] The calculation model is parameterized for the specific type of seat. This model estimates the degree of infill of the individual massage air chambers or cushions based on the control conditions and possibly environmental and usage conditions, which are provided to the model by the control unit and / or by sensors. The calculation model is configured to provide sufficiently accurate values ​​even under a wide variety of seat loads (e.g., body sizes).

[0017] The target values ​​of each step of the massage sequence are read in the control unit, and the control instructions are provided as output to the valves for the purpose of filling and emptying a cushion according to the degree of filling estimated by the calculation model, so that the target values ​​are reached as precisely as possible.

[0018] The calculation is performed in advance, when no massage sequence is executed. According to the invention, the duration of the control instructions for filling and purging a cushion is adapted for each step so that a specified degree of filling is achieved, the total time length of a step being able to vary.

[0019] In one embodiment of the method, in the case where fewer cushions are present in a type of seat than those provided for in a massage sequence, massage steps can be applied to the next nearest cushions.

[0020] In one embodiment of the process, the compressor power is adjusted by the control unit so that the specified duration of either each individual step or a plurality of steps is respected as exactly as possible.

[0021] In this regard, the control unit calculates in advance the required activation times and start times, and possibly the required power, or the power to be adjusted, of the compressor, based on the degree of filling determined by the calculation model. This can be performed successively in cycles until an optimal characteristic has been determined, which is then implemented during operation by means of the determined control signals.

[0022] In another embodiment of the method, the target values ​​of each step of a massage sequence are read into the control unit, the target values ​​of a step comprising at least the duration of a control instruction and the desired degree of filling of a cushion; if the compressor power needs to be changed, the control unit uses the parameters of the seat type, and the input target values ​​for the degree of filling of a cushion and the duration of a control instruction, to determine the compressor power required to meet the specified duration;If the compressor power is not to be changed during a massage sequence, the control unit uses the parameters of a seat type, the target input values ​​for the degree of infill of a cushion, and a fixed compressor power, to determine the duration of a control instruction required to reach the specified degree of infill, the start of infilling must begin earlier if the earlier start occurs during a pause, if the determined duration is longer than the specified duration; and the determined values ​​for the start and duration of a infilling process and the compressor power required for a step are stored in the control unit and are used during operation for control signals to the compressor and valves.

[0023] In another development of the method, the duration of a command instruction for filling a cushion is shortened, if necessary, relative to the target value, for each step of a massage sequence, so as not to exceed a specified degree of filling.

[0024] This can be considered as a fallback level and can possibly be adapted also during operation.

[0025] In another embodiment of the method, if uniform operation of the compressor is to be implemented, the compressor power is increased or decreased throughout the massage sequence, so that the total duration of the sequence again corresponds to the specified value.

[0026] In this case, for uniform operation of the compressor, the rotation speed of the compressor can advantageously be kept constant.

[0027] In another development of the process, the calculation model estimates the degree of filling of the individual cushions also as a function of environmental and usage conditions.

[0028] The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of examples of embodiments and with reference to figures, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic illustration of a (vehicle) seat featuring the components necessary for a massage function,

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a simple massage sequence according to specified target durations and target degrees of filling,

[0031] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] illustrates a simple massage sequence with filling and emptying times adapted to a different seat type using a calculation model and

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates an application for transmitting massage sequences to different types of seats.

[0033] Possible embodiments of the invention are described below. When reference is made here to the degree of filling of an air cushion, this also means the pressure or the volume, the mass of the air in the air cushion or the geometric stroke of the air cushion.

[0034] When the term "adjustment rate" is used here, it means, for example, a pressure gradient, a compressor rotation speed, a compressor voltage or compressor power, a volumetric or mass flow rate, and also an adjustable inlet pressure.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a vehicle seat with a Komp compressor, which can, by means of valves V, pump air into the air cushions LK assigned to said valves. Where air is mentioned here, it is also possible to use or understand by this term a gas or other fluid. The valves V are controlled by a control unit SE using control instructions Bef, Ent, by means of which one valve among possibly a plurality of valves V can receive a fill instruction Bef, for the purpose of connecting an air cushion LK, which is assigned to said valve, to the Komp compressor via the valve V, or a discharge instruction Ent, for the purpose of connecting an air cushion LK to the environment via the assigned valve V.The command instructions are commands that can actually be executed, but in the method proposed here, they can be used for the pre-calculation of ideal command instructions and can be calculated successively.

[0036] The vehicle seat has a calculation model BM of the degree of filling FG of usually several airbags LK, which calculation model can estimate The degree of filling (FG) is determined at least from the valve actuation times, seat parameters (P), and compressor power (KOMP). The valve actuation times are determined from the control instructions (Bef, Ent). A set of parameters (P) is predetermined for each seat type. This set of parameters can then be used for all seats of the same type and is fed into the calculation model (BM). The calculation model (BM) can also be part of the control unit (SE) and, in particular, be implemented by a program running on a processor. A neural network or artificial intelligence can also be used.

[0037] The target values ​​ZW of the pressure in the cushion and / or the filling and emptying times can be specified to the SE control unit, so that the Bef, Ent control instructions can also be executed accordingly depending on the degree of filling FG determined by the calculation model BM.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a short massage sequence with 4 steps, A target duration and degree of infill are defined for each stage. Pauses can also be incorporated. Different values ​​can be specified for each stage and each LK air cushion, depending on the typical or expected behavior of the seat, the LK air cushion, the V-valves, and the air supply (KOMP compressor), and depending on the desired massage effect.

[0039] The individual steps are as follows:

[0040] • Step A: at time (1), the air cushion X must begin to fill.

[0041] • Step B: as soon as the air cushion X has reached the target degree of filling (instant 2) The purging of said air cushion (up to time 3) begins based on the command by the SE control unit. At the same time, the air cushion Y begins to fill, so that the KOMP compressor can operate without interruption.

[0042] • Pause: as soon as the air cushion Y has reached the target degree of filling (instant 4), the purging of said air cushion begins on the basis of the command by the SE control unit. A pause is introduced until the next step, a pause during which, for example, the KOMP compressor is at rest (moments 4 to 5).

[0043] • Step C: the air cushion Z is filled to a lower target filling level specified (times 5 to 6).

[0044] • Step D: refilling of the air cushion Y begins immediately after (time 6). At this time, the air cushion has not yet been completely purged. The time period (6 to 8) is therefore specified to be shorter than in step B (times 2 to 4).

[0045] Figure 3 now illustrates an example describing, for another type of seat and therefore for other values ​​(parameters) for the cross-sections of the valves and the air ducts, compressor power, etc., how the estimated fill levels via a BM calculation model affect the control instructions derived from them by the SE control unit:

[0046] • Step A: Air cushion X is filled more rapidly than specified. This advances the end of the filling process from time (2) to time (2a).

[0047] • Step B: in order to avoid a pause that is far too short (from time 2a to time 2) for The KOMP compressor, the start of step B is also advanced to time (2a). The air cushion Y also fills faster than specified (up to time 4a).

[0048] • Pause: the pause is extended (from time 4a to time 5) in order to be synchronized with the specified instant again at instant (5).

[0049] • Step C: The air cushion Z fills more slowly than specified. This delays the end of the filling process from time (6) to time (6a).

[0050] • Step D: therefore, the air cushion Y can only be refilled at starting from time (6a). The BM calculation model takes into account that the air cushion Y has already been completely purged at this stage. The time at which the target filling level is reached is therefore shifted (despite faster filling) from time (8) to time (8a).

[0051] The filling and purging sequences of the air cushions X, Y, Z, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], which are based on control instructions for the valves V assigned to the air cushions X, Y, Z, illustrate a possible feature of the process in online operation. In this case, it is possible to react retrospectively to deviations in the seat type from the specified target values—after the calculation of the filling degree FG by the calculation model BM—for example, due to the timing being off. The process is, however, also suitable for offline calculation, in which a change in compressor power can also be taken into account. It is possible here to determine and fix or store in advance the ideal compressor power for each step, in order to achieve the specified filling degree and the specified duration as precisely as possible.

[0052] It would therefore be possible to reduce the compressor power for the air cushion X in order to meet the desired duration for step A. Similarly, it would also be possible to increase the compressor power in step C.

[0053] Since the slower filling of the air cushion Z is identified in the offline calculation, the command instruction for filling at time (5) can instead be advanced to time (4) in order to reach the target degree of filling again, as specified, at time (6) without needing to change the compressor power.

[0054] If uniform operation of the compressor (for example a constant rotational speed) is desired, it is also possible for the compressor power to be increased or decreased throughout the sequence, so that the total duration of the sequence again corresponds to the specified value; here, however, individual steps may be longer or shorter than specified.

[0055] Using the aforementioned method, massage programs can be freely exchanged between seats that have the same number of air cushions and a similar arrangement thereof.

[0056] By means of an optional zone or position specification (for example, via uniform coordinates within the seat) for each step, massage programs can also be executed on seats with a different number or arrangement of air cushions. Here, all steps are assigned to the air cushions that are located closest in terms of position. It is also possible to skip steps for positions that are not present.

[0057] For example, a wave massage sequence (i.e., air cushions are successively filled in the vertical direction) can therefore be adapted to the actual number of air cushions present. If 6 air cushions (numbers 1 to 6) are specified in such a massage sequence, but the seat only has 4 air cushions, the following assignment can, for example, be implemented:

[0058] • Specification of air cushion 1 -> air cushion 1 in the seat

[0059] • Air cushion 2 specification -> Air cushion 2 in the seat

[0060] • Air cushion specification 3 -> jump

[0061] • Specification of air cushion 4 -> air cushion 3 in the seat

[0062] • Air cushion specification 5 -> jump

[0063] • Air cushion specification 6 -> air cushion 4 in the seat

[0064] It is possible to choose to keep the (average) duration of each step or the total duration of the sequence.

[0065] Thus, during offline operation, combinations of optimization criteria are also possible, for example because necessary changes in the adjustment rate, step lengths and pauses or deviations from the target values ​​of these are weighted by respective factors and optimized collectively.

[0066] Figure 4 illustrates an example of possible applications of the method for different usage situations. An external memory (or server) S in the form of a database is connected to a plurality of vehicles, in which seats of different types U, V, W are installed. Universally applicable massage programs are stored in the database.

[0067] For each seat or vehicle, there is a program memory (PS) for storing one or more universally applicable massage programs. In addition, each vehicle has a calculation model (MU, MV, MW), which is parameterized for the specific seat type (U, V, W). Finally, a controller (ST) executes the resulting control instructions on the specific seat.

[0068] Figure 4 illustrates a given application by way of example. Various use cases are conceivable here; some of them will be described below.

[0069] • The user N of the vehicle with seat type U creates or edits his / her own massage program in its PS program memory and uploads it upstream to the S server. On its own seat, the massage program is adapted to the U seat type by the MU calculation model and is executed by the ST controller.

[0070] • The user of the vehicle with seat type V downloads programs The massage program is stored from the server S in its program memory PS (for example, including the one created by user N). On its own seat, the massage program is adapted to the seat type V by the calculation model MV and is executed by the controller ST.

[0071] • The user of the vehicle with seat type W downloads programs massage from server S and uploads them upstream to server S. On its own seat, the massage program is adapted to the seat type W by the calculation model MW and is executed by the controller ST.

[0072] • The vehicle manufacturer E (or a fleet operator or a service provider of services) creates additional universal massage programs and stores them on the S server so that users of different vehicles can download them into their PS program memory.

[0073] The aforementioned embodiments have the advantage of providing improved interchangeability of massage programs between seats of different types, new configuration options being made possible for end users, for their vehicles, through individually selected massage programs.

[0074] It is no longer necessary to adjust the massage programs to the types of seats used (or to the vehicle / seat manufacturer). This significantly reduces the development effort for new massage programs.

[0075] This protects the pneumatic components against overload in the case of user-defined massage programs or those created by third parties.

Claims

1. Demands A method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats, which have a number of airbags (LK) arranged at specified locations in the seat, each airbag (LK) being connected, via an assigned controllable valve (V), to a controllable compressor (Komp) for filling with a fluid and to the environment for emptying, each valve (V) being connected to a control unit (SE), which is designed to control the valve (V) using control signals (Bef, Ent) such that an assigned airbag (LK) is fluidically connected via the valve (V) to the compressor (Komp) for filling or to the environment for emptying, comprising a parametric calculation model (BM) which can determine the properties of the airbags (LK), at least with respect to the time during which a specified degree of filling (FG) is reached,at least according to their location in the vehicle seat, the power of the compressor (Komp) and their size, in order to determine from these the degree of filling (FG) of an airbag (LK), the calculation model (BM) being connected to the control unit (SE) in order to provide a signal representing the degree of filling of an airbag (LK) to the control unit (SE), and the control unit (SE) providing the calculation model (BM) with control signals (Bef, Ent) calculated from it for the valves (V) and the controllable compressor (Komp) as input variables, the control unit (SE) determining the control signals for a valve (V) according to the signal for the degree of filling (FG), determined by the calculation model, of the affected airbag (LK) and according to a control signal for the compressor (Komp), the control unit (SE) being connected to the controllable compressor (Komp), and at least the following steps being executed:, The calculation model (BM) is parameterized for a specific seat type. The duration of the command instructions (Bef, Ent) for filling and purging a cushion (LK) is adapted for each step so that a specified degree of filling (FG) is achieved, the total time length of a step being able to vary in order either to achieve continuous operation of the compressor (Komp) or to respect pauses of a defined minimum duration when the compressor is activated (Komp).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the power of the compressor (Komp) is adapted by the control unit (SE) in such a way that the specified duration of either each individual step or a plurality of steps is observed as exactly as possible.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target values ​​(ZW) of each step in a massage sequence are read into the control unit (SE), the target values ​​(ZW) of a step comprising at least the duration of a command instruction (Bef, Ent) and the desired degree of infill (FG) of a cushion (LK), if the compressor power is to be changed, the control unit (SE) uses the seat type parameters, and the input target values ​​(ZW) for the degree of infill (FG) of a cushion (LK) and the duration of a command instruction (Bef, Ent), to determine the compressor power required to meet the specified duration, if the compressor power is not to be changed during a massage sequence, the control unit (SE) uses the seat type parameters, the input target values ​​(ZW) for the degree of infill (FG) of a cushion (LK), and a fixed compressor power,to determine the duration of a control instruction (Bef, Ent) required to reach the specified degree of filling (FG), the start of filling must begin earlier if the earlier start occurs during a pause, if the determined duration is longer than the specified duration, the values ​​determined for the start and duration of a filling process and the compressor power required for a step are stored in the control unit (SE) and are used during operation for control signals to the compressor (Komp) and the valves (V).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duration of a control instruction (Bef, Ent) for the filling of a cushion (LK) is shortened if necessary relative to the target value (ZW), for each step of a massage sequence, so that a specified degree of filling (FG) is not exceeded.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if uniform compressor operation is to be implemented, the compressor power is increased or decreased throughout the massage sequence, so that the total duration of the sequence again corresponds to the specified value.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein, for uniform operation of the compressor, the rotational speed of the compressor is kept constant.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculation model (BM) estimates the degree of filling (FG) of the individual cushions (LK) also as a function of environmental and usage conditions.

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