Seat for a vehicle as well as vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle seat with a seat base 18 with a movable barrier 24 spaced longitudinally from a back rest 16 and able to protrude vertically from a seating surface 20 to prevent items rolling off (e.g. during braking). An actuator (hydraulic / pneumatic / electric) and control device (36, fig 2) can move a barrier element 22 between a seating and barrier position. In the seating position the barrier element 22 sits flush with the seating surface 20, in the barrier position a seat cover 32 is flexible and forms part of the barrier 24. Thus a driver is less distracted.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a seat for a vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one such seat. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] US 10 730 407 B2 shows a motor vehicle seating system comprising two or more seats. Furthermore, US 9 889 769 B2 shows a vehicle including only two vehicle seats. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat for a vehicle and a vehicle such that a particularly advantageous usability of the seats may be realized.

[0004] This object is solved by a seat having the features of patent claim and a vehicle having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a seat for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle. The seat comprises a backrest against which a seat occupant of the seat may lean their back. Furthermore, the seat comprises a seat base having a seating surface on which said seat occupant may sit. In particular, the seat occupant may rest their buttocks on the seating surface while seating on the seating surface and thus the seat.

[0006] According to the present invention, the seat base comprises at least one barrier element which, for example, may be configured as a panel. The barrier element is, in particular, at least translationally, movable between a seating position and one barrier position, in particular in relation to the backrest. In the seating position, said seat occupant may sit particularly comfortably on the seating surface. In said barrier position, the barrier element forms a barrier protruding in a vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards from at least a portion of the seating surface. Moreover, in the barrier position the barrier, in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is arranged at a distance from the backrest such that at least said portion of the seating surface is arranged between the barrier and the backrest in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle extends perpendicularly to the vertical direction of the vehicle and a transverse direction of the vehicle. In the barrier position of the barrier element, a person such as, for example, a driver of the vehicle may use said portion of the seating surface for arranging goods and items on the portion of the seating surface in order to transport said goods or items on the portion of the seating surface. In the barrier position, the barrier prevents said goods or items arranged on said portion of the seating surface from sliding off the seat base in particular during braking maneuvers. The invention is particularly based on the following realization: Persons such as, for example, drivers of vehicles usually put items on a seat such as the passenger seat of the vehicle when said seat is not occupied. In particular, items are arranged on said seating surface. The invention helps avoid items sliding off the seating surface towards the front of the vehicle due to braking maneuvers since the barrier element, in the barrier position, forms the physical barrier. In the barrier position, said barrier prevents or stops items arranged on the portion of the seating surface from sliding off the seating surface in particular during a braking maneuver of the vehicle. In the barrier position of the barrier element and during a braking maneuver of the vehicle an item, such as a water bottle arranged on the portion of the seating surface may move towards the front of the vehicle. However, said item arranged on the portion of the seating surface may be supported on the barrier thereby preventing the item from sliding off the seating surface. First, braking maneuvers do not lead to items arranged on the portion of the seating surface sliding off the seating surface such that, for example, a distraction of the driver of the vehicle may avoided. Thereby, a particularly advantageous usability of the seat may be realized.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the barrier, in the seating position of the barrier element, sits flush with at least the portion of the seating surface with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle, or, in the seating position of the barrier element, the barrier is set back in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards in relation to at least a portion of the seating surface. Thus, a person such as passenger may sit with their buttocks particularly comfortably on the seating surface when the barrier element is in the seating position. Thereby, a particularly advantageous usability of the seat may be realized.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the seating surface is formed by a seat cover covering a seat cushion of the seat. Preferably, the seat cover is flexible. For example, the seat cover may be made of cloths, artificial leather or natural leather.

[0009] In order to realize a particularly advantageous usability of the seat, in a further embodiment of the invention, the portion of the seating surface arranged, in the barrier position, between the barrier and the backrest in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is a first portion of the seating surface. A first portion of the seat cover forms the first portion of the seating surface. Furthermore, a second portion of the seat cover forms a second portion of the seating surface, the second portion of the seat cover abutting the first portion of the seat cover, in particular in such a way that, in the seating position of the barrier element, the second portion of the seat cover abuts the first portion of the seat cover in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. Moreover, the second portion of the seating surface abuts the first portion of the seating surface, in particular in such a way that, in the seating position of the barrier element, the second portion of the seating surface abuts the first portion of the seating surface in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. In order to realize a particularly advantageous usability of the seat in a particularly advantageous way, the second portions, in the barrier position of the barrier element, are parts of the barrier such that, in the barrier position of the barrier element, the second portions protrude, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards from the first portions.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the seating position, the second portion of the seating surface sits flush with the first portion of the seating surface with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle. Thus, a person may sit with their buttocks particularly comfortably on the seating surface, in particular on both on the first and second portions of the seating surface.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the barrier element is covered by the seat cover and moveable, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, between the seating position and the barrier position in relation to the seat cover. By moving the barrier element from the seating position to the barrier position, the second portions are moved or moveable, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards in relation to the first portions. Moreover, by moving the barrier element from the barrier position to the second portion, the second portions are retractable, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, downwards in relation to the first portions. Thus, the seat may be used by a person in the seating position of the barrier element such that the person may sit with their buttocks particularly comfortably on the first and second portions of the seating surface. In order to transport at least one item on the first portion of the seating surface, without said item sliding off the first portion of the seating surface during a braking maneuver of the vehicle, the barrier element is moved upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle thereby moving the barrier element from its seating position to its barrier position. Thereby, the barrier element forms the barrier preventing said item from sliding off the first portion of the seating surface during a braking maneuver of the vehicle. Thus, a particularly advantageous usability of the seat may be realized.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seat comprises an actuator configured to move the barrier element between the seating position and the barrier position. Thus, the barrier element may be moved between the seating position and the barrier position in a particularly comfortable way such that a particularly good usability of the seat can be realized.

[0013] Preferably, the actuator is a hydraulically and / or pneumatically and / or electrically operable actuator such that the barrier element may be moved between the barrier position and the seating position in a particularly advantageous way. Furthermore, the barrier element may be particularly stable in the barrier position such that the barrier element may also prevent heavy items from sliding off the first portion of the seating surface during braking maneuvers of the vehicle when the barrier element is in its barrier position.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention a control device operable by a person is provided. By operating the control device, a movement of the barrier element from the barrier position to the seating position and from the seating position to the barrier position can be effected. Thus, the barrier element may be moved between the barrier position and the seating position in a particularly comfortable way such that a particularly good usability of the seat may be realized.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one seat according to the first aspect of the present invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa. Preferably, the vehicle is a passenger vehicle. Preferably, the seat is arranged in an interior of the vehicle. Said interior is also referred to as a passenger compartment which may be bounded by the body of the vehicle. Preferably, the body is configured as a self-supporting body which is also referred to as a self-supporting work.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0018] Fig. 1 is part of a schematic perspective view of an interior of a vehicle configured as a passenger vehicle, wherein in the interior seats of the vehicle are arranged.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a control device operable by a person.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of one of said seats arranged in the interior.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a further schematic side view of the seat shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating the seat shown in Fig. 3 and 4.

[0023] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0025] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0026] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0027] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows in a schematic view a part of an interior 10 of a vehicle configured as a passenger vehicle. The vehicle comprises a body work which may be configured as a self-supporting body, when the body work limits the interior 10. In the interior 10 a first seat 12 and a second seat 14 of the vehicle are arranged. The seat 12 is a passenger seat, and the seat 14 is as driver’s seat of the vehicle. The seat 12 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in a respective and schematic side view. As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the seat 12 comprises a backrest 16 against which a seat occupant of the seat 12 may lean their back. Furthermore, the seat 12 comprises a seat base 18 on which the seat occupant may sit with their buttocks. Preferably, the backrest 16 may be pivotable around a rotation axis in relation to the seat base 18. The seat base 18 comprises a seating surface 20 on which said seat occupant may sit with their buttocks. Particularly, the seat occupant may support their buttocks on the seating surface 20 in a vertical direction of the vehicle downwards.

[0029] In order to realize particularly advantageous usability of the seat 12, the seat base 18 comprises at least one barrier element 22 which is movable, in particular in the vertical direction of the vehicle, between a seating position shown in Fig. 3 and at least one barrier position shown in Fig. 4. In the seating position, the seat occupant can comfortably sit on the seating surface 20. In the barrier position, the barrier element 22 form a barrier 24 protruding, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards from a first portion P1 of the seating surface 20. The vertical direction of the vehicle is illustrated by a double arrow 26. Moreover, in the barrier position, the barrier 24 is arranged at a distance from the backrest 16 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle is illustrated by double arrow 26 and extends perpendicularly to the vertical direction of the vehicle. Thereby, the first portion P1 of the seating surface 20 is arranged between the barrier 24 and the backrest 16 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the barrier element 22 is in the barrier position and thus forms the barrier 24. Thus, a person such as, for example, the driver sitting on the seat 14 may put at least one item on the first portion P1 of the seating surface 20. Said item arranged on the first portion P1 may be supported on the backrest 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle backwards and on the barrier 24 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle such that the barrier 24 prevents the item arranged on the first portion P1 from sliding off the seating surface 20 towards the front of the vehicle during a braking maneuver of the vehicle. Thereby, the item can be transported in a particularly safe way.

[0030] As can be seen in Fig. 3, in the seating position the barrier element 22 sits flush with the first portion P1 of the seating surface 20 with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle or the barrier element 22 is set back in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards in relation to the portion P1 of the seating surface 20. Thereby, in the seating position the seating surface 20 extends at least substantially in a plane such that the seat occupant can sit on the seating surface 20 particularly comfortably.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows an area A of the seat base 18 and, in particular, the seating surface 20. In the barrier position of the barrier element 22, the barrier 24 is formed in the area A. As can be seen from Figs. 1,3 and 4, the seat base 18 comprises at least one seat cushion 30 and a seat cover 32 which is flexible. The seat cover 32 forms the seating surface 20 and thus the first portion P1 of the seating surface 20. Furthermore, a second portion P2 of the seating surface 20 is formed by the seat cover 32. The second portion P2 abuts the first portion P1. At least in the barrier position of the barrier element 22, the second portion P2 follows the first portion P1 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. Preferably, the portions P1 and P2 are formed in one piece. In other words, preferably, the portions P1 and P2 are integrally formed, i.e. are formed from a single piece. The seat cover 32 forms both the portion P1 and P2. In other words, a first portion PO1 of the seat cover 32 form the portion P1, and a second portion PO2 of the seat cover 32 forms the second portion P2 of the seating surface 20. Preferably, the portion PE2 abuts the portion PE1, wherein, for example, at least in the seating position of the barrier element 22 the portion PO2 follows the portion PO1 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. Preferably, the portions PO1 and PO2 are formed in one piece, i.e. are formed from a single piece. In the barrier position, the second portions PO2 and P2 are parts of the barrier 24, i.e. form the barrier 24 together with the barrier element 22. Thus, in the barrier position of the barrier element 22, the second portions PO2 and P2 protrude, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards from the first portions PO1 and P1. Moreover, in the seating position, the second portion P2 of the seating surface 20 sits flush with the first portion P1 of the seating surface 20 with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle. Thus, the seat occupant may sit on the seating surface 20 in a particularly comfortable way. As can be seen from Figs. 1,3 and 4, the barrier element 22 is covered by the seat cover 32. Furthermore, the barrier element 22 is movable, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, between the seating position and the barrier position in relation to the seat cover 32. By moving the barrier element 22 from the seating position to the barrier position, i.e. by moving the barrier element 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle upwards in relation to the seat cover 32, the second portions P2 and PO2 are moved, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, upwards in relation to the first portions P1 and PO1. By moving the barrier element 22 from the barrier position to the seating position, i.e. by moving the barrier element 22 downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle in relation to the seat cover 32, the second portions P2 and PO2 are retracted in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards in relation to the first portions P1 and PO1.

[0032] Preferably, an actuator 32 is provided, the actuator 32 being configured to move the barrier element 22 between the seating position and the barrier position. For example, the actuator 34 is a hydraulically and / or pneumatically and / or electrically operable actuator.

[0033] Furthermore, a control device 36 is provided, the control device 36 being shown in Fig. 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the control device 36 comprises at least one control element 38. The control element 38 may be configured as a button. In particular, a push button. The control element 38 and thus the control device 36 is operable by a person such as the driver of the vehicle. By operating, in particular by pushing, the control element 38 an activation of the actuator 32 is effectable, wherein by activating the actuator 32 the barrier element 22 can be moved between the seating position and the barrier position by the actuator 32. When a person operates the control element 38, when the barrier element 22 is in its seating position, the actuator 34 as a consequence of operating the control element 38, moves the barrier element 22 from the seating position to the barrier position. When the barrier element 22 is in its barrier position and when a person operates the control element 38, the actuator 34 moves the barrier element 22 from the barrier position to the seating position.

[0034] The control device 36 further comprises a light source 40 which may be configured as an LED. When the barrier element 22 is in its barrier position, the light source 40 emits light which may be red or have a different color. For example, when the barrier element 22 is in its seating position, the light source 40 does not emit any light. As shown in Fig. 2, the control element 38 is arranged next to further control elements 42 being seat control elements by which actuators for electrically moving the seat 12 or at least parts of the seat 12 may be controlled. For example, the barrier element 22 is an additional panel arranged at a front of the seat base 18. In the barrier position, the barrier 24 prevents items arranged on the portion P1 from sliding off the seat base 18 in particular during braking maneuvers of the vehicle. When the barrier element 22 is in its barrier position, the seat 12 is in a container mode in which the light source 40 is illuminated, i.e. provides said light. When the barrier element 22 is in its seating position, the seat 12 is in its seating mode, in which the light source 40 is not illuminated, i.e. does not provide any light. Thus, the light source 40 is an activation status light source.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram illustrating a method for operating the seat 12. At a block B1, an operation of the control element 38 is detected. As a consequence of detecting an operation of the control element 38, a, in particular electrical, signal is sent to a control unit for controlling, in particular activating, the actuator 34. Said signal is illustrated by an arrow A1. At a block B2, it is checked whether or not the seat 12 is in the container mode. If a result of the block B1 is that the seat 12 is in the container mode at a block B3, the container mode is deactivated. At block B3, the container mode is deactivated in such a way that the actuator 34 is controlled in such a way that the actuator 34 moves the barrier element 22 from the barrier position to the seating position. Thereby, the barrier 24 is retracted. After retracting the barrier 24, i.e. when the seat 12 reaches the seating mode, a block B4, the light source 40 is switched off. If a result of block B2 is that the seat 12 is not in its container mode but in its seating mode, at a block B5, the container mode is activated. At block B5, the container mode of the seat 12 is activated in such a way that the actuator 34 is controlled in such a way that the actuator 34 moves the barrier element 22 from the seating position to the barrier position. Thereby, the barrier 24 is established. As a consequence of activating the container mode, at a block B6, the light source 40 is switched on such that the light source 40 illuminates said light.

[0036] Since the barrier 24 may prevent items arranged on the portion P1 from sliding off the seat base 18, the driver of the vehicle does not get distracted by loose items sliding off the seat 12. Moreover, the driver does not get distracted by trying to prevent loose items from sliding off the seat 18. Reference signs 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 A A1 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 P1 P2 PO1 PO2 interior passenger’s seat driver’s seat backrest seat base seating surface barrier element barrier double arrow double arrow seat cushion seat cover actuator control device control element light source further control elements area arrow block block block block block block first portion second portion first portion second portion

Claims

1. A seat (12) for a vehicle, the seat (12) comprising a backrest (16) and seat base (18) having a seating surface (20) on which a seat occupant can sit, wherein the seat base (18) comprises at least one barrier element (22) movable between a seating position and at least one barrier position in which:- the barrier element (22) forms a barrier (24) protruding, in a vertical direction (26) of the vehicle, upwards from at least a portion (P1) of the seating surface (20); and- the barrier (24), in a longitudinal direction (28) of the vehicle, is arranged at a distance from the backrest (16) such that at least the portion (P1) of the seating surface (20) is arranged between the barrier (24) and the backrest (16).

2. The seat (12) according to claim 1, wherein in the seating position of the barrier element (22) the barrier (24):- sits flush with at least the portion (P1) of the seating surface (20) with respect to the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle; or- is set back in the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle downwards in relation to at least the portion (P1) of the seating surface (20).

3. The seat (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seating surface (20) is formed by a seat cover (32) covering a seat cushion (30) of the seat base (18).

4. The seat (12) according to claim 3, wherein:- the portion (P1) of the seating surface (20) arranged, in the barrier position, between the barrier (24) and the backrest (16) is a first portion (P1) of the seating surface (20);- a first portion (PO1) of the seat cover (32) forms the first portion (P1) of the seating surface (20);- a second portion (PO2) of the seat cover (32) forms a second portion (P2) of the seating surface (20), the second portion (PO2) of the seat cover (32) abutting the first portion (PO1) of the seat cover (32), and the second portion (P2) of the seating surface (20) abutting the first portion (P1) of the seating surface (20);- the second portions (P2, PO2), in the barrier position, are parts of the barrier (24) such that, in the barrier position, the second portions (P2, PO2) protrude, in the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle, upwards from the first portions (P1, PO1).

5. The seat (12) according to claim 4,wherein, in the seating position, the second portion (P2) of the seating surface (20) sits flush with the first portion (P1) of the seating surface (20) with respect to the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle.

6. The seat (12) according to claim 4 or 5,wherein:- the barrier element (22) is covered by the seat cover (32) and movable, in the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle, between the seating position and the barrier position in relation to the seat cover (32);- by moving the barrier element (22) from the seating position to the barrier position, the second portions (P2, PO2) are movable, in the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle, upwards in relation to the first portions (P1, PO1); and- by moving the barrier element (22) from the barrier position to the seating position, the second portions (P2, PO2) are retractable, in the vertical direction (26) of the vehicle, downwards in relation to the first portions (P1, PO1).

7. The seat (12) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the seat (12) comprises an actuator (34) configured to move the barrier element (22) between the seating position and the barrier position.

8. The seat (12) according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (34) is a hydraulically and / or pneumatically and / or electrically operable actuator.

9. The seat (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a control device (36) operable by a person is provided, wherein by operating the control device (36) a movement of the barrier element (22) from the barrier position to the seating position and from the seating position to the barrier position can be effected.

10. A vehicle comprising at least one seat (12) according to any one of the precedingclaims.15

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