Vehicle equipped with a vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (F) equipped with a vehicle seat (1) including a seat back (1.1) and a seat cushion (1.2) forming a seat surface, an air cushion (2) having a gas-fillable and gas-dischargeable air chamber (2.1) for forming an armrest (A) is arranged in a side region of the seat back (1.1), the air chamber (2.1) has at least one additional air chamber section which is separated in normal operation, is not charged with gas and is fluidly connected to a gas generator, and / or another air chamber (2.2) for charging in the event of a collision of the vehicle (F), which is fluidly connected to the gas generator and is separated from the air chamber (2.1) in normal operation, the air chamber section and / or the other air chamber (2.2) are at least partially deployed between an occupant on the vehicle seat (1) and a trim part of the vehicle (F) and / or between the occupant and another occupant by charging the gas of the gas generator.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle seat including a seat back and a seat cushion forming a seating surface. [Background technology]

[0002] German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 029 339 A1 discloses a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, which includes at least one padding area with at least one adjustment element that allows the volume of this area to be changed. This adjustment element, which is provided to allow the seat occupant to change the seat contour during normal operation, can automatically assume a protective configuration before or during a vehicle collision.

[0003] German Patent Application Publication No. 19950702 describes a car seat having a padded seat part whose seating surface is formed by an upper surface of a central part and two side parts that protrude slightly upward relative to the central part, and a padded backrest whose resting surface is formed by a front surface of the central part and two side parts that protrude slightly forward relative to the central part. It is intended that in the event of a side collision, at least one of the side parts of the seat part and / or the backrest can be inflated to increase the protrusion of the respective central part in order to better restrain a vehicle occupant seated in the car seat and to better protect them from injuries caused by intruding objects.

[0004] A vehicle with at least one vehicle seat, in particular a driver's seat, is disclosed in DE 10 2014 016 351 A1. The vehicle seat has an armrest that is at least partially rotatably supported about a vertical axis of the vehicle and configured as an occupant protection means. The armrest and / or at least one component of the armrest is controllable so that the armrest and / or the at least one component can be positioned from an initial position to an active position relative to an occupant on the vehicle seat for occupant protection.

[0005] Furthermore, German Patent Application Publication No. 102018124649 discloses a seat with one seat backrest, two armrest sections, and two airbags. Each armrest section is connected to the seat back so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis from a stowed position extending forward to an extended position extending in front of the seat backrest. Each airbag is fixed to one of the armrest sections and can be inflated to an inflated position in which one airbag is positioned in front of the other airbag relative to the seat backrest.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0184061 discloses a side airbag device that protects an occupant by deploying an airbag between the occupant and the side wall of the vehicle during a side collision. The side airbag device includes a first airbag and a second airbag. The first airbag is tubular, with one end attached to the seatback of the vehicle seat and the other end attached to a location on the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The second airbag is tubular, with one end attached to the seatback of the vehicle and the other end attached to the seat cushion. In this side airbag device, the end of the second airbag is positioned higher than the end of the first airbag.

[0007] Furthermore, German Patent Application Publication No. 102017010794 discloses a vehicle seat with an occupant protection device which can be positioned from an initial position to an operative position and which has at least one airbag which deploys from an armrest, the armrest being arranged on a side part of the seat back in the parking position, the airbag deploying between the occupant on the vehicle seat and the vehicle part when the vehicle seat is facing forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the armrest being automatically positionable so that the airbag outlet opening in the armrest can be directed towards the occupant on the vehicle seat in accordance with predetermined conditions when the vehicle seat is in a position folded down from the side part when facing in a direction other than forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0008] From DE 103 45 677 A1, a swivel bearing for pivotably supporting an armrest on a seat in a vehicle is known, which is designed in such a way that, at least when the armrest is in a predefined pivoted position, a further pivoting movement of the armrest is possible at least in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane under the action of the force of an inflating airbag on the armrest side.

[0009] Furthermore, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0075254 discloses a side airbag device that includes multiple airbags that are folded and positioned on one side of a vehicle occupant and that deploy between the occupant and the inner surface of the vehicle side surface by gas generated by an inflator during a side collision of the vehicle, with each airbag having a different internal pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102008029339 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 19950702 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102014016351 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018124649 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0184061 [Patent Document 6] German Patent Application Publication No. 102017010794 [Patent Document 7] German Patent Application Publication No. 10345677 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0075254 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle with a vehicle seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the invention, the above problem is solved by a vehicle comprising a vehicle seat having the features set forth in claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0014] The vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion forming a seating surface. According to the present invention, at least one gas-fillable and gas-evacuable air cushion having at least one air chamber for forming an armrest is arranged in at least one side region of the seat back. The at least one air chamber has at least one additional air chamber section that is separated and not loaded with gas in normal operation and fluidly coupled to at least one gas generator. Alternatively or additionally, the air cushion has at least one other air chamber that is fluidly coupled to the at least one gas generator and separated from the air chamber at least in normal operation for loading with gas in the event of a vehicle collision. The air chamber section and / or the other air chamber are at least partially deployed between an occupant on the vehicle seat and a trim portion of the vehicle and / or between the occupant and another occupant by loading gas from the at least one gas generator.

[0015] The vehicle seat thus formed combines a comfort function with an armrest formed by an air cushion with a safety function based on an additional air chamber section and / or at least one further air chamber that can be loaded in the event of a collision.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the additional air chamber section is separated from the at least one air chamber by a tear seam formed fluid-tight during normal operation of the air cushion, which tear seam is ruptured when the at least one air chamber is further filled and / or when an air chamber section is filled in the event of a vehicle collision, so that the additional filling of the air chamber section allows the air cushion to expand and thereby provide protection for the vehicle seat occupant and possibly another occupant in an adjacent vehicle seat.

[0017] In another possible embodiment, several retaining straps are arranged on the at least one air chamber for giving the air cushion a shape in the loaded state, so that the at least one air chamber has the shape of an armrest in the loaded state, on which the occupant's arms can be comfortably placed, and the at least one air chamber has a substantially constant pressure level in the loaded state, so that the occupant can use the armrest without pressure loss even during relatively long vehicle journeys.

[0018] In one development, the air chamber, the additional air chamber section and / or the further air chamber each have at least one pressure-dependently, time-dependently and / or actively controllable outlet opening. The outlet opening or openings allow the pressure in the air chamber, the additional air chamber section and / or the further air chamber to be reduced in an appropriate manner, for example in order to absorb the impact energy in the event of a collision. This makes it possible to protect the occupant as much as possible and to reduce the impact loads resulting from the collision.

[0019] One embodiment contemplates that at least one air chamber of the air cushion is fluidly coupled to a gas supply unit having an adjustable and predetermined gas volume. In particular, the at least one air chamber of the air cushion can be reversibly filled by the gas supply unit, thereby allowing the at least one air chamber to be filled with gas from the gas supply unit to form an armrest. For example, if gas is intentionally released by an occupant, it can be supplied again to the at least one gas supply unit, and therefore the at least one air chamber and the gas supply unit form a closed system.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the gas supply unit is coupled to an operating element arranged in the vehicle interior. When the occupant wants to lower their arms, they can operate the operating element, which activates the gas supply unit. When activated again, the corresponding outlet opening can be controlled, causing air to escape from the at least one air chamber. Alternatively, the gas supply unit can be activated, which sucks gas out of the at least one air chamber, thereby emptying it.

[0021] In another possible embodiment, the air cushion comprises multiple air chambers for forming the armrest, which in the loaded state are filled differently depending on the seat back and / or seat cushion setting, in particular the individual air chambers have different filling levels, so that the armrest can function as an armrest for the occupant in both a setting suitable for the seated position and a setting suitable for the reclined position of the seat back and / or seat cushion.

[0022] For this purpose, in one development, the air cushion extends at least partially along the seat back and seat cushion of the vehicle, and the air cushion may be attached to the seat back and / or seat cushion for its stability to form an armrest.

[0023] In addition, another possible embodiment provides that the outlet opening of at least one air chamber for forming the armrest is configured to open when the vehicle door is opened in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle seat. In particular, the outlet opening of the at least one air chamber opens, thereby emptying this air chamber and thereby facilitating getting out of and into the vehicle. Thus, the occupant can leave or sit in the vehicle seat without hindrance.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle and a vehicle seat with air cushions for forming armrests integrated into the side regions of the seat back and seat cushion, respectively; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle seat with armrests formed by air cushions; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat with armrests formed by air cushions; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat in a reclined position with armrests formed by air cushions; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat with a formed armrest and a separate filled air chamber. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment with pyrotechnically loaded air cushions and a separate air chamber; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat with a pyrotechnically loaded air cushion and a separate air chamber; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat in a reclined position with a pyrotechnically loaded air cushion and a separate air chamber; FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an air cushion for forming an armrest. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Corresponding parts are labeled with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0027] 1 shows a side view, in a highly simplified representation, of a vehicle F and a vehicle seat 1 with a seat back 1.1 and an air cushion 2 integrated into the side region of a seat cushion 1.2 forming the seating surface of the vehicle seat 1. A headrest 1.3 is further arranged on the seat back 1.1.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle seat 1 shown in FIG.

[0029] In particular, in a vehicle F equipped with an automated driving assistance system, the adjustable capability of the vehicle seat 1 provides a comfortable seating position, where the seat back 1.1 can be positioned relatively upright, for example for working, or the seat back 1.1 can be positioned at an angle, for example for relaxation.

[0030] In addition to the positioning of the seat back 1.1, the armrest A, shown in detail in Figures 3 to 9, represents a comfort aspect of the vehicle seat 1. If the vehicle seat 1 has an armrest A, this may increase the risk of injury from the armrest A, especially in the event of a side collision of the vehicle F.

[0031] In order to provide an occupant on the vehicle seat 1 with the possibility of using an armrest A without substantially increasing the risk of injury to the occupant on the vehicle seat 1 in the event of a side collision of the vehicle F, the vehicle seat 1 is configured as described below.

[0032] To this end, the vehicle seat 1 comprises armrests A formed as air cushions 2 which, when activated, are relatively shape-stable and reversibly usable and are able to provide a protective function for an occupant on the vehicle seat 1 in the event of a collision of the vehicle F. These air cushions 2 may have additional functions beyond their normal function as armrests A and / or of lateral stabilization of an occupant on the vehicle seat 1.

[0033] According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, one air cushion 2 each is arranged in each side region of the seat back 1.1 and the seat cushion 1.2.

[0034] Each air cushion 2 comprises several air chambers 2.1, which are shown exemplarily and in a greatly simplified manner in Figures 4 to 6 and 8 to 10, and which are shown empty, i.e. unfilled, in Figures 1 and 2. In particular, the air cushions 2 are not filled when the ignition of the vehicle F is switched off, in order to allow unhindered entry and exit of the vehicle F.

[0035] 3 to 6 show the air cushion 2 in the filled state, the armrest A being formed by the air cushion 2 which is filled, for example, with a gas or a gas mixture, in particular with air.

[0036] Each air cushion 2, i.e. each air chamber 2.1, has a predetermined geometric shape and is fluidly connected to a gas supply unit, not shown in detail, for charging, e.g., a gas supply unit is connected to the air cushion 2. It is also possible to provide a plurality of gas supply units, whereby, e.g., one gas supply unit is fluidly connected to each air cushion 2.

[0037] In order to charge the air cushion 2 to form the armrest A on the vehicle seat 1, one or more gas supply units are coupled to operating elements arranged in the vehicle interior for their respective actuation.

[0038] When an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat 1 requires an armrest A, the occupant operates an operating element, which activates one or more gas supply units, thereby filling in particular the air cushions 2 with air. An operating element, e.g., as a switch surface of a touch-sensitive display unit, is assigned to each air cushion 2, and the occupant can select which air cushion 2 to fill with air by operating the assigned operating element, thereby forming the armrest A and possibly increasing the lateral support of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 1.

[0039] The armrest A formed by the air cushion 2 is correspondingly shaped to have a defined armrest contour.

[0040] The armrest A can be used both in the upright position of the seat back 1.1, as shown in Figure 4, and in the case of a more inclined seat back 1.1, as shown in Figure 5. The air cushion 2, in particular its air chamber 2.1, can be filled with air to form the armrest A, independently of the setting of the seat back 1.1 and the seat cushion 1.2. In addition, the occupant on the vehicle seat 1 can set the desired filling degree for the respective air cushion 2, for example by operating a respective operating element.

[0041] Thus, different heights of the armrest A can be set depending on the configuration of the air chamber 2.1 of each air cushion 2 and the different filling levels of the air chamber 2.1.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, each air cushion 2, or a certain number of air chambers 2.1 of each air cushion 2, has at least one outflow opening S that is pressure-dependently controlled, time-dependently controlled and / or actively controllable.

[0043] These outlet openings S allow air to be released when a lateral occupant load acts upon the vehicle F during a collision and / or when an occupant on the vehicle seat 1 moves laterally from the air cushion 2 due to the collision, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the corresponding air cushion 2, thereby absorbing the collision energy and reducing the resulting occupant load.

[0044] In order to increase the protection against injury to the occupant seated in the vehicle seat 1, in particular for automatically positioning the arms resting on the armrest A in the event of a collision of the vehicle F, the air cushion 2 arranged at least on the seat back 1.1 comprises a further air chamber 2.2 which is shown in a filled state in Figures 6 to 9.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a side view of the vehicle seat 1 with a filled air cushion 2 and a separate air chamber 2.2 that is filled with pyrotechnics (explosives), while Figure 7 shows a front view, where the air chamber 2.1 can also be filled with pyrotechnics (explosives), as will be explained later. Figure 8 shows a side view of the vehicle seat 1 with the seat back 1.1 upright, and Figure 9 shows a side view with the seat back 1.1 tilted more.

[0046] This further air chamber 2.2 is not charged with air when the armrest A is formed, i.e. when the comfort function is activated, and is therefore folded into a substantially invisible initial position.

[0047] The further air chamber 2.2 is fluidically connected to a pyrotechnically (explosive) activated gas generator (not shown in detail) which is signal-technically connected to the collision sensor system of the vehicle F, in particular to the airbag control unit.

[0048] If a collision of the vehicle F is detected based on the detected signals and a predefined threshold is exceeded, the air cushion 2 provided to form the armrest A is filled with air, i.e. the comfort function is activated, in which case the gas generator is ignited. The gas generator releases gas which fills the further air chamber 2.2, so that the protective function of this further air chamber 2.2 for the occupant of the vehicle seat 1, in particular for positioning the arms, can be achieved.

[0049] In particular, the further air chamber 2.2 is loaded when the vehicle F is involved in a side collision or a frontal collision with a small overlap.

[0050] Instead of or in addition to the separate air chamber 2.2, each air cushion 2 can have an additional air chamber section that is separated in normal operation, not loaded with gas, and fluidly connected to at least one gas generator. In particular, this air chamber section is separated from the respective adjacent air chamber 2.1 by a tear seam. In the event of a collision, the additional air chamber section fills and assumes its active position. The tear seam then ruptures, thereby fluidly connecting the air chamber section to the respective adjacent air chamber 2.1 and allowing the internal pressure to be reduced via the respective outlet opening S for energy absorption.

[0051] In another embodiment, if no comfort function is activated for armrest A, armrest A can be configured to be filled with pyrotechnics (explosives) in the event of a collision as well.

[0052] In a defined, e.g. pressure-dependent and / or time-dependent state of the air cushion 2, the outlet opening S is controlled so that gas can escape at least from the air chamber 2.1 in a targeted manner, thereby absorbing the impact energy and thereby protecting the occupant from injury and reducing the occupant load.

[0053] For example, it is possible to limit the pyrotechnic (explosive) charge to selected, particularly optimally positioned, air chambers 2.1 in terms of injury protection, but only if this is deemed sufficient in terms of the protective effect, i.e., only a partial area of ​​the air cushion 2, including the air chambers 2.1 and 2.2, is charged with gas upon impact activation.

[0054] In addition, it is possible for the crash-activated air chambers 2.1, 2.2 of each air cushion 2 to be pre-activated, i.e. pre-filled, pneumatically in a reversible or partially reversible manner, in particular by one or more gas supply units, as a so-called pre-safety measure, so that in the event of a subsequent collision of the vehicle F, corresponding occupant protection can be achieved by energy absorption through pressure- and / or time-dependent opening of the outlet openings S.

[0055] For example, an air cushion 2 on each side of the seat can be used to replace a side airbag with chest and pelvic protection areas.

[0056] In Figure 10, a cross-section of one of the air cushions 2 arranged in the seat back 1.1 is shown. The air chambers 2.1 and the shaping-arranged tethers 3 are shown in detail. In this case, the tethers 3 are attached at their ends to the corresponding air chambers 2.1, and the air cushion 2 has the contour of an armrest in the loaded state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 vehicle seat 1.1 Seat back 1.2 Seat cushion 1.3 Headrest 2 Air cushion 2.1 Air chamber 2.2 Separate air chamber 3 Jumpsuit A Armrest F vehicle S outflow opening

Claims

1. A vehicle (F) equipped with a vehicle seat (1) including a seat back (1.1) and a seat cushion (1.2) forming a seating surface, - at least one air cushion (2) which can be filled with gas and which has at least one air chamber (2.1) for forming an armrest (A) is arranged in at least one side area of ​​each of the seat back (1.1) and the seat cushion (1.2), - said at least one air chamber (2.1) has at least one additional air chamber section that is separated in normal operation, not loaded with gas and fluidly connected to at least one gas generator; and / or - the air cushion (2) comprises at least one further air chamber (2.2) fluidly connected to the at least one gas generator and separated from the air chamber (2.1) at least in the normal operation thereof, for loading with gas in the event of a collision of the vehicle (F); - the air chamber section and / or the further air chamber (2.2) are configured to be at least partially deployed between an occupant on the vehicle seat (1) and a trim part of the vehicle (F) and / or between the occupant and another occupant by being charged with gas from the at least one gas generator, the air chamber (2.1), the additional air chamber section and / or the further air chamber (2.2) each have at least one outlet opening (S) that is pressure-dependently controlled, time-dependently controlled and / or actively controllable, In the event of a collision of the vehicle (F), the air chamber section and / or the further air chamber (2.2) are charged with gas from the at least one gas generator and the outlet opening (S) of the air chamber (2.1) is opened. A vehicle (F).

2. The additional air chamber section is separated from the at least one air chamber (2.1) by a tear seam formed fluid-tight in the normal operation of the air cushion (2).

2. A vehicle (F) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

3. A number of retaining straps (3) are arranged in the at least one air chamber (2.1) to give shape to the air cushion (2) in a gas-filled state.

2. A vehicle (F) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

4. The at least one air chamber (2.1) of the air cushion (2) is fluidly connected to a gas supply unit having an adjustable and predetermined gas volume. A vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

5. The gas supply unit is coupled to an operating element arranged in the vehicle interior.

5. A vehicle (F) according to claim 4, characterized in that it is

6. The air cushion (2) comprises a number of air chambers (2.1) for forming armrests (A), each of which can be adjusted to different filling levels, and the seat back and / or the seat cushion can be set to a seated position and a reclined position, and the air chambers (2.1) are filled differently depending on the setting of the seat back and / or the seat cushion in a gas-filled state. A vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

7. The air cushion (2) extends at least partially along the seat back (1.1) and the seat cushion (1.2) of the vehicle (F). A vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

8. The outlet opening (S) of the at least one air chamber (2.1) for forming the armrest (A) is configured to open when a vehicle door is opened in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle seat (1). A vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

Images