Motor vehicle seat with an inflatable cushion having a foam padding

p0001The present invention relates to a motor vehicle seat with at least one ventilated and / or inflatable, and / or evacuated cushion, the pad having an air-tight envelope, which encloses a chamber in which is disposed a filling.

p0002different vehicle seats are known from the prior art are known that are provided with cushions, the cushions have an inflatable or evacuated envelope. The pads which are in the comfort and safety of the vehicle occupants are arranged for example on the seat part, the backrest or the headrest of the vehicle seat.

p0003From the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE29924138U1"><text>DE 299 24 138 U1</text></patcit> is a motor vehicle seat is known, the seat part has a cushion layer, on the vehicle occupant can sit and below which a cavity is provided. In the cavity, in turn, an inflatable cushion is arranged, which comprises an airtight envelope. The airtight envelope enclosing a chamber, in which air can be introduced. In the chamber no filling is provided otherwise.

p0004Another motor vehicle seat with multiple pillow is made of <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE19806535C2"><text>DE 198 06 535 C2</text></patcit> known. The cushions are arranged within the upholstery of the backrest and the seat portion of the automobile seat, and in turn each comprise a casing which is filled with a fluid. For this purpose, the sheath is connected to a fluid pressure setting system can be adjusted with the aid of which the pressure within the enclosed chamber of the shell. Again, there is only the fluid within the chamber, a further filling is not provided.

p0005The <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="WO0113767A1"><text>WO 01/13767 A1</text></patcit> describes another motor vehicle seat. The known motor vehicle seat comprises a seat part and a backrest, which are provided with a plurality of inflatable cushion or air cells. The inflatable air cells are disposed respectively at the vehicle occupant-facing surface of the seat part, the backrest and the headrest. In the chambers, which are enclosed by the air cells, is depending on the filling degree of more or less air. The concomitant with inflation or evacuation of the air cell volume change is used to adapt the seat to the respective vehicle occupant. For example, the reduction or enlargement causes a first group of air cells have a height adjustment of a second group of air cells, which is located at the front of the headrest. An increase in the second group of air bubbles in turn causes an expansion of this group of air bubbles in the seat direction. Thus, an adjustment of the headrest is possible indirectly, although the rigid headrest of the seat does not move. In the air cells, in turn, is only air, but no more filling.

p0006This is different in the motor vehicle seat according to the <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="DE19910427A1"><text>DE 199 10 427 A1</text></patcit>, The known motor vehicle seat comprises a vacuum pad, which consists of several segments, wherein in the individual segments pourable bulk material is introduced. The vacuum cushion has in this case a layer of air-impermeable material, so that the vacuum pads may be evacuated. By evacuating the vacuum pad, the outer shell is contracted and solidified and fixed the free-flowing bulk material. The solidification and fixation is reversible, which can be effected by re-aeration of the vacuum pad. The known vacuum pads can support the vehicle occupant in a particularly uniform, but has the disadvantage that the free-flowing bulk materials only cumbersome adapts to the respective load. Furthermore, can the free-flowing bulk materials difficult to bring back to the initial configuration, before a new vehicle occupant can adjust and fix the most comfortable for him form by appropriate stress. The handling of the known motor vehicle seat is therefore difficult. Furthermore, the known motor vehicle seat guaranteed though is adapted to the vehicle occupants, but also less comfortable support.

p0007The <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US6092249A"><text>US 6,092,249</text></patcit>, Which is regarded as the closest prior art, describes a cushion system with several cushions, each having an air-tight flexible bag, and a bag disposed in the foam block. The airtight bags can be applied individually or in groups via corresponding lines and valves with pressure. In contrast to the bulk material after the<patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="DE19910427A1"><text>DE 199 10 427 A1</text></patcit> can the filling forming foam block more easily be converted into the original arrangement before a new vehicle occupant can be adjusted by appropriate stress the most comfortable for him the form, however, the adjustment to the respective vehicle occupant is still difficult.

p0008It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle seat with at least one ventilated and / or inflatable, and / or evacuated cushion, wherein the cushion comprises a filling, wherein the adjustment of the pad on the respective vehicle occupant to simplify and increase the sitting comfort to be should.

p0009This object is achieved by the features specified in patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

p0010The motor vehicle seat according to the invention comprises at least an aerated and / or inflatable, and / or evacuable cushion. The pad comprises an airtight envelope, which is accordingly ventilated, inflatable and / or evacuated. Under aerated must be understood here is that the possibility of air inserted into the cushion or to discharge, for example by means of a valve. The airtight envelope enclosing a chamber, in which - in addition to the existing air charge - a further filling is arranged. This further panel is designed as a compressible foam filling. Thus, the airtight envelope of a change in shape of the foam filling safely follows the foam filling is all glued with the airtight envelope.

p0011In contrast to that of the <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="DE19910427A1"><text>DE 199 10 427 A1</text></patcit> known bulk material is much easier to restore them to original shape before another passenger takes on the motor vehicle seat in order to adjust it in accordance with a foam filling. In the known bulk material, the frictional forces between the individual particles of rapid adjustment counteract. A foam may further be configured in such a dimensionally stable, that it automatically returns already in the absence of exposure to the airtight envelope or a vehicle occupant to its original form. In addition, the foam filling ensures a more comfortable sitting as a bulk filling which consists for example of polystyrene balls and is designed to be very hard after fixing the polystyrene balls.

p0012In order to simplify the manufacture of the pad and to ensure a substantially constant initial shape of the cushion, the foam filling as a coherent foamed material body is formed in one piece in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention.

p0013In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention the cushion is configured such that it can be increased by venting. The increase in volume is carried out accordingly automatically when the cushion is ventilated. It must be added no further energy, but rather the information stored in the compressed foam filling energy is sufficient. Through the ventilation air can flow into the chamber of the pillow so that no vacuum is created, which could prevent an increase.

p0014In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention, the pad is designed such that it can be reduced by aeration and compressing under compression the foam filling. Thus the ventilated pad would have to be loaded to compress the foam filling, and thus the cushion solely by the weight of the vehicle occupant. By venting the existing within the chamber air to escape and does not act contrary to the reduction or adjustment.

p0015In an advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention a pump for inflating and / or evacuating the airtight envelope is provided. Thanks to the pump, the adjustment of the pad or of the motor vehicle seat can be accelerated at the respective vehicle occupants.

p0016According to a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention, the pad can be reduced by evacuating the airtight envelope under compression of the foam filling enlarged by inflating the air-tight envelope and / or. So an inflation causes an enlargement of the chamber to which the foam filling can adjust accordingly, whereas an evacuation causes a reduction of the chamber, so that the foam filling is compressed by the puckering shell.

p0017In a particularly preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention the foam body has an output form in which the foam body has its maximum volume, wherein the foam body is formed such that the foam body in the unloaded state always returns in ventilated pad in the original shape. This elastic deformation of the foam body thus causes an automatic reset of the cushion to its original form when the unloaded cushion is ventilated or inflated.

p0018In a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention a closable opening for ventilating and / or blowing and / or evacuation of the cushion is provided in the airtight envelope at least. In the opening can be arranged for example a controllable valve.

p0019According to a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention a change in volume of the cushion is prevented during opening is closed. Thus, the reduction would counteract an overpressure and the magnification, a negative pressure inside the cushion and the air-tight envelope.

p0020In a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention is a controllable valve, preferably a manually controllable valve is provided for opening and closing the opening. A manually controllable valve could be provided for example in the handle area of ​​the vehicle occupant.

p0021In a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention of the motor vehicle seat comprises a plurality of pads with the structure described above.

p0022In order to reach to each other during assembly of the motor vehicle seat accurate positioning of the pillow and at the same time to simplify the assembly, the pads are connected in a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention to form a auflegbaren mat together. Among these can also be understood mat, which is already formed seat-shaped.

p0023Basically, the more pillows can be vented, evacuated or blown together by there is a flow connection between the chambers. However, in order to enable a particularly individual adjustment of the vehicle seat to the respective vehicle occupant, the cushion of the mat in a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention ventilated independently of each other, are inflated and / or evacuated.

p0024According to a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention, the motor vehicle seat on a sitting-shaped, rigid support structure on which are supported and / or secured to the pad or mat.

p0025In a further advantageous embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention, the support structure has a back support section and a movable arranged on the back support section head support section. The adjustment of the head support can thus be even for example, both by way of the pad, which is located in front of the head support section, and with the aid of the head support section. The head support section of the support structure can be adjusted, for example, in the height or the inclination.

p0026In a further preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention the head support section of the support structure is pivotally arranged on the back support section of the support structure. Preferably the head support section can be presented about an axis transverse to the seat direction. In this manner, the inclination of the entire headrest, comprising at least one pillow and the head support section of the support structure, be changed.

p0027In order not to have to resort to an additional drive for adjusting the head support section of the support structure is at least one pad such to the support structure arranged in a further particularly preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the invention in that the head supporting portion is movable or pivotable by change in volume of the pad. Thus, this pillow for example, one hand, be supported on the head support section and the other hand to the backrest portion, for effecting a relative adjustment of the head supporting portion opposite the back portion in a volume change.

p0028The invention is explained below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an exploded perspective view of the automobile seat according to the invention in a first embodiment;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a sectional view of a single pad of the automobile seat of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> with the foam filling in the original form,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>the pillow of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 3</figref> with the foam filling in a partially compressed form,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a partial side view of the automobile seat of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> in an alternative embodiment, the head support section in a rearward position and</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>the motor vehicle seat from <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 4</figref> with the head support section in a forward position.</dd></dl>

p0029<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the automobile seat according to the invention 2. The motor vehicle seat 2 is composed of a sitting-shaped support structure 4 and a mat 6 together. The seat-shaped support structure 4 is rigid and cupped and can for example be made of plastic. The support structure 4 comprises a lower support section 8, an adjoining upright back support section 10 and a head support section 12, which follows up on the back support section 10 below. The mat 6 can be placed on the support structure 4, so that the latter is supported in the assembled motor vehicle seat 2 to the support structure 4, and preferably attached thereto.

p0030The mat 4 is composed of a seat part section 14, a back portion 16 and a headrest portion 18th In the assembled state of the motor vehicle seat 2, the seat member portion 14 on the lower support section 8, the back portion 16 at the back support section 10 and the headrest portion 18 is supported on the head support section 12 of the support structure. 4 Overall, the mat consists of several cushion 6 which are so peripherally joined together so that the mat 6 already forms a seat form which approximately corresponds to the predetermined seat 4 by the support structure shape.

p0031Thus the seat part portion 14 comprises two pads 20, 22, the one behind the other forming the seat surface, as well as two additional cushions 24, 26 which are so laterally, 22 connected to the two first-mentioned pad 20 that the pad 24, 26 project upwardly and prevent lateral slippage of the vehicle occupant. The latter is also supported by lateral, raised support portions 28, 30 on the lower support section 8 of the supporting structure. 4

p0032The backrest portion 16 includes, for a three successively arranged pad 32, 34, 36, which form the one surface on which the vehicle occupant can rest his back, and on the other two side cushions 38, 40, the thus-connected laterally to the pads 32, 34 are that the cushions 38, 40 are to the front and also prevent lateral slippage of the vehicle occupant. This will in turn supported by two lateral, raised supporting portions 42, 44 at the back support section 10 of the support structure 4. In addition, the lateral ends of the pad 36 are also tilted forward to support the vehicle occupant safely.

p0033The headrest portion 18 comprises a pad 46 which follows upwardly on the pad 36 of the backrest portion 16 and is connected thereto.

p0034Below is the basic structure of the cushion 32 of the backrest portion 16 is representative of all the above-mentioned pad 20, 22, 24, 34, 36, 38, 40 with reference to the <figref idrefs="f0001">Figs. 2 and 3</figref> described, which have the same structure.

p0035The pad 32 has an airtight envelope 48, which preferably consists of an elastic material. In the airtight envelope 48 a closable opening 50 is provided. In order to close the opening 50 and also can reopen, a controllable valve 52 is provided in the opening 50th If there is a manually controllable valve 52, it should be placed in the gripping area of ​​the vehicle occupants, so that a quick and easy access is guaranteed. The airtight envelope 48 enclosing a chamber 54. In the chamber 54 to an air enclosed and the other is a compressible foam filling 56 arranged. The foam filling 56 is integrally formed as a continuous foam body 58th The foam filling 56 is glued from the inside surface to the air-tight envelope 48th

p0036The foam body 58 has an initial shape, which in <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> is shown. In the initial form of the foam body 58 has assumed its maximum volume. The foam body 58 is further designed such that it always reassumes this output form, when the foam body 58 and the cushion 32 is not loaded and the airtight envelope is vented 48 via the opening 50 or inflated, as will be explained in more detail below.

p0037As long as the valve 52 is closed, the pad 32 can not be enlarged or reduced, as in the chamber prevents 54 existing air compressing or enlarging the cushion 32nd If the valve 52 is opened and the cushion vented thereby, thus causing the weight of the vehicle occupant that the air escapes from the chamber 54 through the opening 50 and the foam body 58 is compressed, as shown in<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 3</figref> is shown. There is a depression 60 formed in the vehicle occupant-facing side of the pad 32 which has a negative form of the ajar body portion of the vehicle occupant. Now, a further reduction of the foam body 58 may be eliminated by the valve 52 is closed again. The adapted to the shape of the foam body vehicle occupant 58 remains thus obtained, since the air within the chamber 54 both prevents further change in volume of the pad 32nd

p0038To the pad in the following period to adapt to a new vehicle occupant 32 again is performed as described below. The foam body 58 is compressed, but has a shape stability, which causes the foam body 58 again in the<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> Output form shown returns when the pad 32 is unloaded and ventilated. no longer sits the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat and the valve 52 is opened to ventilate the cushion 32 further, so pushing the foam body 58 back to its original shape and causes an increase in volume of the pad 32. This takes place automatically as a result solely of in the compressed foam body 58 stored energy. There must be 32 ventilated only the pillow.

p0039The airtight case 48 of the pad 32 may still be additionally or solely by a pump (not shown) is evacuated and / or inflated using a respective air line (not shown) can be provided for this purpose, which leads to the valve 52nd Thus the pad 32 could increases in this alternative embodiment by pumping or evacuating the airtight envelope 48 or reduced, whereby the foam body 58 would be compressed during evacuation by the puckering shell 48th In this embodiment, the matched cushion shape by closing the valve 52 is maintained.

p0040In order to enable a particularly individual adaptation of the motor vehicle seat 2 at the respective vehicle occupant, the cushion can 20, 22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 46 of the mat 6 ventilated independently of each other, is inflated and / or evacuated , For this purpose, each of the pads 20, 22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 46 the construction described above with a corresponding opening 50.

p0041Hereinafter, with reference to the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> a modified embodiment described, where the only the differences to the embodiment of <figref idrefs="f0001">FIGS. 1-3</figref> is received and the above description otherwise applies correspondingly. The same reference numerals for the same or similar parts.

p0042In the modified embodiment of the back support section 10 of the support structure 4 and the head support section 12 of the support structure 4 are not rigidly connected together. Rather extends from the head support section 12 at least one rigid strut 62 to the back support section 10, the strut 62 is fixed to the head support section 12 and movable with the back support section 10 below. In the present example, the strut 62 can be pivoted about an axis 64 which extends transversely to the seat direction 66th The entire headrest consisting of the head support section 12 and supported thereon pad 46, can thus be pivoted about the axis 64 so that the angle of the headrest to the request of the vehicle occupant can be adjusted accordingly. However, no additional drive is provided for this purpose. Rather, a cushion 68 having the same construction as the previously described pads 20, 22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 46 has, provided that extends between the head support section 12 and the back support portion 10 and on both sides supported.

p0043Due to the previously described change in volume of the pad 68 by venting, pumping and / or evacuation, the head support section 12 can be pivoted. In the rear position of the head support section 12 (<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 4</figref>) Is compressed the cushion 68 and the foam bodies 58th If the pad 68 ventilated or inflated, so the cushion 68 increases and acts on the head support in such a section 12 that this about the axis 64 in the forward position (<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 5</figref>) Is pivoted, as indicated by the arrow 70th

p0044In the reverse direction, the pad may have to be 68 again ventilated and unloaded or evacuated. Should only be evacuated in return with a pump without a corresponding restoring force is exerted on the head support section 12, it is necessary that the pad 68 and the shell 48 is fixed to the head support section 12 and the back support section 10 below. The pad 68 may be fixed to the mat. 6

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

p0045<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>2</dt><dd>Motor vehicle seat</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>support structure</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>mat</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>lower support portion of the support structure</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>Back support section of the support structure</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>Head support section of the support structure</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>Seat section of the mat</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>Back portion of the mat</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>Headrest portion of the mat</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>supporting member</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>supporting member</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>supporting member</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>supporting member</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>airtight envelope</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>Valve</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>chamber</dd><dt>56</dt><dd>foam filling</dd><dt>58</dt><dd>continuous foam body</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>trough</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>strut</dd><dt>64</dt><dd>axis</dd><dt>66</dt><dd>seat direction</dd><dt>68</dt><dd>pillow</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>arrow</dd></dl>