DE102021127519A1 - Seat device for a motor vehicle and method for operating a motor vehicle with a seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat device for a motor vehicle (1), the motor vehicle (1) with the seat device (2) and a method for operating the motor vehicle (1) with the seat device (2). The seat device (2) has a vehicle seat (12) and at least two plates (18) which are arranged adjacent to one another and are tiltably mounted on a respective support element (21). Each of the plates (18) is movably coupled to the at least one adjacent plate (18) at a coupling side (19). The vehicle seat (12) is at least indirectly coupled to the respective plate (18) on a side (22) of the plate (18) facing away from the respective support element (21). When a force (29) from the vehicle seat (12) acts on one of the panels (18), this can be brought into a first tilted position and the at least one adjacent panel (18) can be brought into a second tilted position, with the second tilted position being a mirror image of the first tilted position on the Coupling side (19) is.

Description

The invention relates to a seat device for a motor vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a seat device and a method for operating such a motor vehicle, ie a method for operating a motor vehicle with such a seat device.

At least one seat device is typically arranged in a motor vehicle. For example, a driver's seat and a passenger seat can be arranged in a front area of an interior of the motor vehicle and a plurality of rear seats can be arranged in a rear area of the interior. At least the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat often have a seat adjustment option, so that, for example, a seat height can be adjusted relative to a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle and/or a relative arrangement of a seat surface and a backrest of the respective seat to one another.

The U.S. 8,942,892 B2 FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seating system that includes a vehicle seat and a seat control motor coupled to the seat. The seat control motor is configured to move the vehicle seat to a desired position and generate vibration within the vehicle seat.

The CN 109334519B shows an adjustable vehicle seat, by means of which, for example, a height and a rotation angle of the vehicle seat about a vertical axis of the vehicle seat can be adjusted.

It is the object of the invention to provide a solution by means of which a robust seat device for a motor vehicle can be provided.

The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a seat device for a motor vehicle. The seat device has a vehicle seat and at least two panels. The two plates are arranged adjacent to each other and are tiltably mounted on a respective support element. The seat device preferably has exactly two plates which are arranged adjacent to one another and are tiltably mounted on the respective support element. The respective panel is characterized in that a length and a width of the panel are greater than a height or depth of the panel. The length is preferably arranged in a transverse direction, the width in a depth direction and the height in a vertical direction of the seat device and in particular of the vehicle seat. Each of the panels is movably coupled to the at least one adjacent panel at a coupling side. This coupling is preferably achieved in that the two plates are interlocked with one another. Alternatively, the coupling can be realized by means of a spring element connecting the two plates. A portion of the toothing is formed, for example, on the coupling side of the respective plate. The coupling sides of the plates coupled to one another are preferably formed parallel to one another and are preferably opposite one another, in particular touching one another. For example, a first plate has a recess on the coupling side and an adjacent second plate has a protruding element on the coupling side adjacent to the coupling side of the first plate, which can engage in the recess of the first plate. The two adjacent plates coupled to one another are movable relative to one another at least in a vertical direction of the seat device, which is preferably parallel to the plane of the coupling side. The coupling side is preferably arranged perpendicular to the side of the plate facing away from the respective support element. The coupling side can alternatively be referred to as the tangling side, since it represents the area of the plates where the two plates prefer to touch.

The vehicle seat is at least indirectly coupled to the respective panel on a side of the panel facing away from the respective support element. Viewed in the vertical direction, the seat device thus has the vehicle seat, the at least two panels coupled to one another adjacent thereto and then the respective support elements on which one of the panels is tiltably mounted. In other words, the respective support element is arranged on a side of the plate that is opposite the side facing away from the respective support element and thus faces away from the vehicle seat.

When a force from the vehicle seat acts on one of the panels, this panel can be brought into a first tilted position and the at least one adjacent panel can be brought into a second tilted position. When force is applied to one of the panels from the direction of the vehicle seat, the seat device is designed to bring this panel, i.e. the panel which has been subjected to the force, into the first tilted position and the at least one adjacent panel into the second tilted position, that is to say to move or in other words to tilt or rotate. The effect of the force is locally different, that is, the case is assumed in which, for example, a plate arranged on the right in the transverse direction experiences the effect of the force and is then brought into the first tilted position. The left panel coupled to the right panel is also moved due to the force on the right-hand panel, specifically into the second tilted position. The second tilted position is a mirror image of the first tilted position on the coupling side. The coupling side thus represents a mirror plane at which the position into which the right-hand panel was tilted, for example, is ultimately mirrored. The mirrored position corresponds to the position of the left panel in the second tilt position. Ultimately, due to the coupling, both plates always behave mirrored to each other. In this case, there is no point reflection at a specific point of the seat device, but rather a reflection on the mirror plane, the mirror plane being given by the coupling side or at least being arranged parallel to the coupling side. Ultimately, the mirror plane is provided by the coupling side.

In other words, when the force from the vehicle seat acts on one of the panels, this panel can be tilted and the at least one adjacent panel can be tilted with a tilting movement that is mirrored in comparison to the tilting effected on the coupling side. For example, if the applied force causes the right-hand panel to be pressed down in the vertical direction of the seat device, the left-hand panel is also moved in this direction, since the tilting movement of the right-hand panel is mirrored by the left-hand panel. This results in that also the part of the vehicle seat which is coupled to the left panel, for example, is moved according to the remaining part of the vehicle seat. Together with the respective support element, the plates form at least two rockers or one-sided and/or two-sided levers. A point of contact between the respective support element and the respective plate forms a pivot point about which the tilting movement takes place under the action of force. Ultimately, despite a purely local weight distribution of a person sitting on the vehicle seat, for example, it can be achieved that the vehicle seat is not tilted, for example, relative to a plane of a vehicle floor on which the seat device is positioned, for example, but always parallel is arranged to the vehicle floor. This presupposes that the seat device is arranged in a preferred installation position in the motor vehicle, in which the two adjacent panels are preferably arranged parallel to the driving floor of the motor vehicle within the seat device.

It can also be assumed that when the force is applied, a force is exerted on the at least one plate that is greater than a minimum force, so that the plate tilts. In the case of forces that are less than or equal to the minimum force, it is possible that no movement into a first and second tilted position that deviates from an initial position of the plates is possible because the force acting on the plate is too small.

Ultimately, the coupling between the plates achieves a compensating counter-movement of the plate, which does not experience the force at all directly, so that overall the vehicle seat, in particular a seat surface of the vehicle seat, can remain parallel to the vehicle floor or parallel to the vehicle floor. In the case of a seat device not installed in a motor vehicle, local force from the vehicle seat can cause the vehicle seat to move only parallel to the seat surface and the seat surface not to tilt relative to an initial position of the seat surface without the application of force.

In the event of a locally different force acting on the vehicle seat, a relatively simple mechanism can be used to ensure that the seat surface of the vehicle seat does not tilt undesirably, but that the vehicle seat always remains parallel to the transverse and longitudinal direction of the seat device in the vertical direction of the seat device, despite or is moved due to the force. The mechanism described for this is particularly easy to implement and also economical. It is also robust because it is based solely on the coupled plates. A particularly advantageous seat device for a motor vehicle can therefore be realized with simple technical possibilities.

An advantageous exemplary embodiment provides that the seat device has a counterweight element. The counterweight element is preferably arranged centrally in the seat device in the transverse direction. A position of the counterweight element within the seat device is dependent on an arrangement of the support elements in a transverse direction of the seat device. The counterweight element is arranged above or below the plate depending on the arrangement of the support elements in the vertical direction of the seat device. If, for example, the support elements are located on the outer edges of the respective plate, ie on a respective side of the plate which is opposite to the coupling side, the counterweight element is arranged above the plates in the vertical direction. It is preferably coupled to the plates, for example, via a spring element, so that, for example, after the two plates have been removed from the counterweight element due to a corresponding force being applied, they can be brought back into an initial position by means of the spring element and the counterweight element when the force is lessening or ending.

If the support elements are arranged, for example, centrally below the respective plate or, for example, near a central axis of the seat device below the vehicle seat, i.e. spatially close to the coupling sides, the counterweight element should be arranged below the plates. The reason for this is that, with this arrangement, the force exerted by the vehicle seat on one or both panels presses down, for example, from outer areas in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the individual panels, so that these are in a central area of the seat device, i.e. preferably on the central axis. in the opposite direction, i.e. against the direction of force application, and to move the plates back into the starting position, the counterweight element, which is preferably connected to the plates by means of a spring element, should pull them downwards in the direction of the force application and thus in the vertical direction. The central axis of the seat device is preferably arranged centrally in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the seat device, parallel to the vertical direction of the seat device.

In addition to the counterweight element, the seat device preferably has a connecting rod and/or a spring element which connects the counterweight element to at least one of the at least two plates. The counterweight element is preferably connected to both plates by means of the connecting rod and/or the spring element. In a simple case, the seat device has a connection that connects the counterweight element to the at least two panels that are coupled to one another. The result of this is that the vehicle seat is always moved back to its starting position automatically and without, for example, manual assistance from a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seat device. This return movement mechanism is also particularly robust, since it is based on a purely mechanical arrangement within the seat device, i.e. the counterweight element.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the seat device has a seat pedestal arranged between the vehicle seat and the panels. The seat pedestal has a seat pedestal top and an opposite seat pedestal bottom. The top side of the seat pedestal and the bottom side of the seat pedestal are arranged parallel to the transverse direction and to the longitudinal direction of the seat device and are thus arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction of the seat device. The vehicle seat is at least indirectly connected to the seat pedestal top of the seat pedestal. The seat pedestal has at least two protruding connecting elements on the underside of the seat pedestal opposite the upper side of the seat pedestal. Each connecting element is coupled to the side of the respective plate facing away from the respective support element. If the seat device comprises, for example, exactly two adjacent panels, it has two connecting elements, one for the panel arranged, for example, on the right and one for the panel arranged, for example, on the left. The power transmission from the vehicle seat to the respective plate takes place at the connecting element. The connecting element thus represents the coupling between the vehicle seat and the respective panel.

The connecting element is designed, for example, as a support point at which the vehicle seat rests on the respective panel. The protruding connecting element is, for example, conical, cuboid and/or hemispherical. The vehicle seat is therefore preferably not coupled to the two panels over a large area, but rather only at fixed locations that are fixed, for example, by positioning the at least two connecting elements within the seat device. There is therefore a locally limited and defined point of application of force for the application of force to the respective plate. By appropriately arranging the support element and the connecting element to the plate, it can be specified where the counterweight element should be arranged in order to be able to bring about the above-described return movement into the starting position of the plates.

Provision can be made, for example, for a position of the respective connecting element and/or the respective support element to be manually selectable, for example by actuating an actuating element on the seat device by a person sitting on the seat device. Depending on their size, weight and/or personal preferences, they can adjust the components of the seat device, i.e. preferably the connecting elements and/or the support elements, in such a way that they feel comfortable when sitting on the vehicle seat. The comfortable seat is preferably characterized in that there is no undesired tilting of the vehicle seat in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the seat device, for example caused by weight shifting on the vehicle seat.

Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment provides that the seat device has a height adjustment device. The height adjustment device is designed to move at least the vehicle seat in a vertical direction of the seat device between a low position and a high position of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat can preferably assume several intermediate positions between the low position and the high position. The intermediate positions can be fixed or be chosen arbitrarily between the low position and the high position.

The height adjustment device is preferably arranged centrally in the longitudinal and transverse direction and in the vertical direction below the compensating plates, preferably below the coupling sides running parallel to the vertical direction. Half of the height adjustment device is arranged under the right-hand panel and the other half under the left-hand panel, in the case of two adjacent panels. The height adjustment device is preferably arranged on a side of the plates facing the support elements.

The height adjustment device is characterized in that it causes a pure height adjustment. Therefore, for example, it does not cause the seat device to be displaced in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the seat device. In other words, the vehicle seat and in particular the seat surface and the backrest of the vehicle seat are moved together in the vertical direction. This means that there is no relative movement between the seat cushion and the backrest. Further, the vehicle seat is not moved from an initial position in the longitudinal and lateral directions before the height adjustment of the vehicle seat when it is moved in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the height adjustment device has, for example, a spring element, for example a gas pressure spring. The height adjustment device can be moved back and forth between the lowered position and the raised position, for example by actuating an actuating element for adjusting the height. Ultimately, a stable height adjustment can be realized that does not include any unwanted movements in directions other than the vertical direction. A pure height adjustment is therefore provided.

In addition, an exemplary embodiment provides that the seat device has a rotation device. The rotation device is designed to rotate the vehicle seat relative to the plates about a rotation axis, which is arranged parallel to a vertical direction of the seat device. The axis of rotation preferably corresponds to the central axis or is at least arranged parallel to it. The rotation device has, for example, an electric motor, by means of which the rotation movement can be driven.

For example, in a motor vehicle designed for fully autonomous driving, a seat device that can be rotated by at least 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees or 360 degrees can be useful. The vehicle seat can preferably assume any rotational position between its initial position (ie 0 degrees) and 360 degrees. A complete rotation about the axis of rotation is therefore preferably possible. This enables a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seat device to turn their seat by 180 degrees, for example while driving in a fully autonomous driving mode of the motor vehicle, in order to, for example, have a pleasant conversation with a person sitting on one of the rear seats of the motor vehicle, that is, to turn towards it during the conversation.

For example, the seat pedestal on which the vehicle seat is arranged can be rotated about the axis of rotation by means of the rotation device. The at least two plates are preferably not rotated. This means that the two support elements, which are arranged on the side of the two plates facing away from the vehicle seat, are also not rotated. The possible rotation of the vehicle seat is also independent of the height adjustment by means of the height adjustment device, so that the vehicle seat can be rotated, for example, in any position between the low position and the high position. As a result, a particularly comfortable and versatile vehicle seat is provided by means of the seat device.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the seat device has an actuator. The actuator is movably arranged, for example, between the vehicle seat and the panels in a transverse direction of the seat device. The actuator is designed to dampen or generate a vibration of the vehicle seat. A vibration of the vehicle seat can therefore be damped or generated by means of the actuator.

The actuator can be a spring, which can be arranged centrally between the two plates and the vehicle seat for cushioning the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the actuator is an electromechanical converter. The actuator is preferably an electric motor that can cause the vehicle seat, in particular the seat surface, to oscillate at a frequency specified by the actuator. Depending on where the actuator is moved on a side that is arranged parallel to a plate, due to the coupling of the plates, the same vibration movement can be triggered for both plates, which is passed on to the vehicle seat via the connecting elements, for example.

The actuator can be adjusted by means of a control device of the seat device, for example, so that, for example, depending on a current vibration of a motor vehicle in which the seat device is arranged, a damping Function of the current vibration can be adjusted by means of the actuator for the vehicle seat. This can cause the vehicle seat, for example, to vibrate less than it would without the damping. This can be perceived as particularly pleasant and comfortable by a person sitting on the vehicle seat of the seat device.

If the seat device has the height adjustment device, the actuator is preferably arranged between the height adjustment device and the plates.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a seat device as described above. The seat device has a base plate element on which the support elements are fastened and which is at least indirectly fastened to a floor of the motor vehicle. The support elements are thus arranged on the base plate element, and they are preferably firmly connected to the base plate element. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a vehicle floor on which the base plate element is, for example, firmly screwed, so that the base plate element is connected to the floor of the motor vehicle. The seat device can be installed in a motor vehicle particularly easily and quickly with the aid of the base plate element. Furthermore, it offers stabilization for the support elements, so that they cannot, for example, be unintentionally displaced in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction relative to the at least two plates.

The motor vehicle according to the invention can be designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, as a passenger bus or as a motorcycle. The seat device can therefore be a motorcycle seat, for example.

An additional aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, as has been described. The method is therefore suitable for operating the motor vehicle with the seat device.

The advantageous exemplary embodiments described in connection with the seat device according to the invention and their advantages as well as combinations of exemplary embodiments are, insofar as applicable, to be regarded as exemplary embodiments for the motor vehicle according to the invention and for the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: detecting movement information that describes a motor vehicle-related movement. The movement information is, for example, vehicle vibration information that describes a vibration of the motor vehicle. The movement information is recorded by means of a recording device of the motor vehicle. In the case of the vehicle vibration information as movement information, it can be detected, for example, by means of a vibration detection device of the motor vehicle.

A further method step is, in particular, determining a control command for the actuator of the seat device, taking into account the detected movement information. When the actuator is activated according to the activation command, a vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the motor vehicle-related movement is damped or amplified at least by a damping value. In this example, when determining the control command, the vibration of the motor vehicle, which is present in the form of the vehicle vibration information, for example as a current value, is taken into account. When activating the actuator, for example, if this takes place according to the determined activation command, a vibration of the vehicle seat, which is to be expected due to the vibration of the motor vehicle, can be damped by the damping value.

In a further method step, the actuator is controlled in accordance with the determined control command. The previously only determined control command is thus actually implemented in the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the actuator of the seat device is controlled, for example, by means of the control device.

Alternatively, for example to provide a warning function to a person sitting in the vehicle seat, the vibration that the vehicle seat would already experience due to the vibration of the motor vehicle can be further amplified by the damping value. This can lead, for example, or at least contribute to the person sitting on the vehicle seat being warned of an obstacle in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. This haptically perceptible warning preferably occurs in addition to an acoustic and/or visual warning in the motor vehicle. The haptically perceptible warning, ie a haptically perceptible warning, is thus provided by the increased vibration of the vehicle seat.

The control command is preferably determined by means of the control device of the seat device. For this purpose, an evaluation algorithm is stored in the control device, that is to say is stored, by means of which the control command can be determined, taking into account the detected movement information. The evaluation algorithm thus includes a rule and/or additional data, which are used to determine the control command can. The amplification by the damping value is proposed, for example, as a warning, whereas damping by the damping value is understood as an additional comfort measure that is intended to provide particularly comfortable driving and sitting on the vehicle seat despite, for example, an uneven driving surface on which the motor vehicle is currently driving.

An advantageous exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the movement information has one of the following items of information: vehicle vibration information, vehicle seat vibration information, acceleration information and/or driving surface information.

The vehicle vibration information describes a vibration of the motor vehicle and is preferably detected by means of a vibration detection device of the motor vehicle. The vehicle seat vibration information describes a vibration of the vehicle seat arranged in the motor vehicle and is preferably determined by means of a vibration detection device of the seat device. The acceleration information describes an acceleration of the motor vehicle and is preferably detected by means of an acceleration sensor of the motor vehicle.

The driving surface information describes a driving surface of the motor vehicle, in particular a degree of unevenness of the driving surface. The driving surface information is recorded by means of an environment detection device of the motor vehicle. The degree of unevenness of the driving surface describes, for example, a number and/or depth of potholes or other unevenness in the ground, such as bollards, per area of the driving surface. The degree of unevenness can alternatively or additionally relate to a road surface. The degree of unevenness can be specified in relation to a smooth driving surface and can be, for example, between 0 for a smooth, tarred driving surface and 1 for a gravel road or a road with a high density of potholes. The environment detection device is, for example, a front camera, a side camera, a rear camera and/or a radar device. Surroundings data recorded by the surroundings detection device are evaluated, for example, by means of the control device using image processing methods in order to determine the driving surface information.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the driving surface information can be transmitted by other road users and/or an external computing device. For example, the driving surface information can be transmitted to the motor vehicle by means of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication link. The corresponding driving surface information is then dependent, for example, on a current position of the motor vehicle, and a map of the surroundings of the motor vehicle can be stored in the external computing device, which map includes the driving surface information, for example. The external computing device can transmit the route information to the motor vehicle, for example in response to a request from the motor vehicle or on its own initiative, for example depending on a current position and/or an activated route of a navigation system of the motor vehicle. The other road user can be another motor vehicle, for example, which uses its own environment detection device to determine the driving surface information and transmits it to the motor vehicle. For this purpose, a preferably wireless communication connection is set up between a communication interface of the motor vehicle and a communication interface of the other road user and/or the external computing device. The communication connection can be established, for example, via a wireless local area network (WLAN for Wireless Local Area Network), a Bluetooth connection and/or a mobile data network, for example based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A ) or Fifth Generation (5G).

Various information can therefore be taken into account in order to be able to determine the control command. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the vehicle vibration information and the vehicle seat vibration information are taken into account in order to be able to reduce the vibration of the vehicle seat using the control command. It is therefore desirable to dampen the vibration. The actuator is then selected according to the determined corresponding control command, in the determination of which the vehicle vibration information and the vehicle seat vibration information are taken into account. As a result, the vibration of the vehicle seat caused by the motor vehicle itself as a result of its current journey can be damped, particularly advantageously for the person sitting on the vehicle seat.

Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that occupant information is recorded by means of an interior detection device of the motor vehicle. The interior detection device is an interior camera, for example, which detects the person sitting on the vehicle seat and thus provides camera data describing the person. Particularly the interior space detection device is preferably a distance-measuring camera, such as a time-of-flight camera. The camera is therefore designed to record the running time so that, for example, a movement of the person sitting on the vehicle seat can be recorded. It can thus be detected, for example, when the person holds a mug with a drink, such as coffee or tea, in one hand and brings this mug to his mouth, for example.

Occupant action information is determined by applying an occupant action detection criterion to the captured occupant information. This describes a recognized occupant action of the occupant of the motor vehicle. The occupant action detection criterion has an algorithm and/or a rule that can be used to identify an action actually performed by the occupant, i.e. the person sitting on the vehicle seat, from the camera data of the time-of-flight camera, for example. For example, in the case of the occupant currently raising the cup to their mouth, the occupant action "drinking" is recognized. Linked to this occupant action may be, for example, that any vibrations and unexpected movements can lead to spillage of the drink and should therefore be avoided as far as possible. This link can be stored in the control device. For example, a list of known occupant actions that can be detected by means of the interior space detection device can be stored in the control device with corresponding links for vibration damping and/or vibration amplification.

In particular, the occupant action information describing the recognized occupant action is then taken into account when determining the activation command. The occupant action information is, for example, data obtained when the occupant action detection criterion is applied. When the actuator is activated according to the determined activation command, the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the motor vehicle-related movement is damped or amplified in such a way that the occupant is assisted in the detected occupant action. In the case of the drinking occupant, for example, a particularly strong damping is selected, ie the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat due to the movement of the motor vehicle is damped by a relatively large damping value by driving the actuator according to the determined driving command.

Alternatively, it may be the case that the occupant is inattentive, that is, for example, does not look at the road but, in particular frequently and/or for a long time, looks out of a side window of the motor vehicle at the surroundings of the motor vehicle. In such a case, for example, this lack of attention by the occupant can be recognized as a corresponding occupant action, so that the occupant is informed, for example by amplifying the vibration of the vehicle seat, that he should turn his attention back to what is happening on the road in one direction of travel of the motor vehicle. In this example, the vibration of the motor vehicle can therefore be amplified by means of the determined control command.

Alternatively, for example, a search movement of the occupant's hand can be detected, for example if the occupant is looking for a mobile phone on the front passenger seat and/or a key in the footwell and/or tries to grab a bag on a back seat of the motor vehicle. The vibration experienced by the vehicle seat can then be amplified by means of the determined control command in such a way that the occupant is assisted in his search for the object he is missing, that is, for example, for the mobile phone, the key or the bag, since, for example, whenever when his hand approaches the object he is looking for, the vibration increases or decreases. On the other hand, the vibration can be dampened or amplified as the distance between the hand and the object increases and/or increases.

The vehicle seat preferably does not initially vibrate during the search, that is to say the vibration of the motor vehicle experienced, for example, due to the current driving movement, is initially damped only for the comfort of the occupant. If the occupant deviates from the direction of the object when, for example, blindly looking for the object with his hand, for example by moving away from it again, an amplification of the vibration can be activated. In this way, the occupant can be actively supported by the vibration system of the vehicle seat when searching for the object.

Provision can also be made for the motor vehicle to have a plurality of sensors in the vehicle floor and/or one or more weight sensors in the front passenger seat and/or in the rear seats. The object which the occupant is looking for based on his/her recorded action can be localized in the motor vehicle by means of the sensors. For example, several sensors can be installed in the vehicle floor, which are designed, for example, as at least three microphones that use a structure-borne noise of the object based on correspondingly changed Sound waves in the vehicle floor can localize the object lying on the vehicle floor.

Alternatively or additionally, the sleeping of a small child in a child seat can be detected as an occupant action, so that by appropriately controlling the vibration, for example by first repeating increasing and then decreasing damping cycles, a movement of the vehicle seat can be carried out that puts the small child to sleep.

The determination of the occupant information, ie the detection and possibly recognition of the occupant action, is particularly preferably carried out taking into account the vehicle vibration information, the vehicle seat vibration information, the acceleration information and/or the driving surface information. The actuator of the seat device and thus an active seat mechanism can be controlled by evaluating all of this different movement information and the occupant action information. In addition, a corresponding acoustic indication, such as a voice output, is preferably activated, so that the occupant is provided with concrete, understandable information in addition to the purely haptically perceptible vibrations about what the seat device would like to point out to him or her by damping or strengthening the vibration. The overall result is that an intelligent operating assistant is provided for the vehicle seat in the motor vehicle.

The invention also includes the control device for the seat device. The control device has a processor device which is set up to carry out an exemplary embodiment or a combination of exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and/or at least one microcontroller. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code which, when executed by the processor device, is set up to carry out the exemplary embodiment or a combination of the exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device.

The invention includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments.

Information within the meaning of the invention preferably includes data, in particular at least one data element.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit mehreren Sitzvorrichtungen;
• 2 eine Frontansicht einer Sitzvorrichtung;
• 3 eine Perspektivdarstellung der Sitzvorrichtung;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kippmechanismus eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der Sitzvorrichtung;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Sitzvorrichtung mit einem Aktuator;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kippmechanismus des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Sitzvorrichtung;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels der Sitzvorrichtung;
• 8 in schematischer Darstellung einen Signalflussgraphen eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einer Sitzvorrichtung; und
• 9 in schematischer Darstellung einen Signalflussgraphen eines Verfahrens zum Berücksichtigen einer Insassenhandlung bei der Ansteuerung eines Fahrzeugsitzes.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with multiple seat devices;
• 2 a front view of a seat device;
• 3 a perspective view of the seat device;
• 4 a schematic representation of a tilting mechanism of a first embodiment of the seat device;
• 5 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the seat device with an actuator;
• 6 a schematic representation of a tilting mechanism of the second embodiment of the seat device;
• 7 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the seat device;
• 8th a schematic representation of a signal flow graph of a method for operating a motor vehicle with a seat device; and
• 9 a schematic representation of a signal flow graph of a method for taking into account an occupant action when controlling a vehicle seat.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore also to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments described can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

Elements with the same function are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In 1 a motor vehicle 1 is outlined. The motor vehicle 1 has several seat devices 2 . One of the seat devices 2 is a driver's seat, another seat device 2 is a front passenger seat and other seat devices 2 are rear seats on a back seat of the motor vehicle 1. The driver's seat and the front passenger seat are in the x-direction shown at the top and thus at the front of the motor vehicle 1 and the rear seats in the x-direction at the bottom and thus at the back of the motor vehicle 1. The x-direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the Motor vehicle 1. The x-direction also corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the seat device 2.

The seat device 2 has a vibration detection device 3 . This is only marked here for the driver's seat as an example. However, each of the seat devices 2 may have the vibration detector 3 . The vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2 is designed to detect a vibration of the seat device 2 arranged in the motor vehicle 1 .

The motor vehicle 1 also has the vibration detection device 3 which is designed to detect a vibration of the motor vehicle 1 . The motor vehicle 1 also has an acceleration sensor 4 for detecting an acceleration of the motor vehicle 1 , an environment detection device 5 for detecting an environment of the motor vehicle 1 and an interior detection device 6 for detecting an interior of the motor vehicle 1 . The environment detection device 5 is embodied here as a front camera, for example. The interior detection device 6 is, for example, an interior camera of the motor vehicle 1.

The motor vehicle 1 also has a communication interface 7 . The communication interface 7 is designed to set up a preferably wireless communication link 8 to an external computing device 9 and/or another road user 10 . For this purpose, the external computing device 9 and/or the other road user 10, for example another motor vehicle 1, also has the communication interface 7.

The seat device 2 also has a control device 11 . Evaluation steps and/or activation of the seat device 2, in particular individual components of the seat device 2, can be carried out by means of the control device 11, for example. Each seat device 2 preferably has the control device 11 . As an alternative or in addition to this, the control device 11 can be arranged spatially separately from the rest of the seat device 2 . The control device 11 of the seat device 2 can be outsourced, ie integrated, into a control unit of the motor vehicle 1, for example a central computer and/or zone computer of the motor vehicle 1.

2 shows the seat device 2 for the motor vehicle 1 in a frontal view. The seat device 2 has a vehicle seat 12 . The vehicle seat 12 can have two seat legs 13 . Furthermore, the seat device 2 has a seat pedestal 14 . The seat pedestal 14 has a seat pedestal top 15 and a seat pedestal underside 16 . The top side 15 of the seat pedestal is opposite the bottom side 16 of the seat pedestal. The vehicle seat 12 is at least indirectly connected to the seat pedestal top 15 of the seat pedestal 14 . Here it is connected to the latter via the two seat legs 13 . Two protruding connecting elements 17 are arranged on the underside 16 of the seat pedestal. These are cone-shaped here. As an alternative or in addition to this, the connecting elements 17 can be cuboid, hemispherical or of another type. The connecting elements 17 connect the seat pedestal 14 to the vehicle seat 12 at two defined positions here with other components of the seat device 2 which are arranged below the seat pedestal 14 in a vertical direction of the seat device 2 (z-direction).

The seat device 2 has two plates 18 in this example. The seat pedestal 14 is arranged between the two panels 18 and the vehicle seat 12 . Each of the connectors 17 is coupled to an adjacent side 22 of the respective panel 18 . Each of the two plates 18 is movably coupled to the adjacent plate 18 at a coupling side 19 . In this example, the two plates 18 are interlocked on the coupling side 19 , this being illustrated here with a toothing 20 . The two plates 18 are coupled to one another by the teeth 20 in such a way that a joint movement of the plates 18 is possible at least in the z-direction, ie in the vertical direction of the seat device 2 . In a transverse direction, ie in a y-direction, and in the longitudinal direction (x-direction), the two plates 18 can preferably not move away from each other due to the coupling.

The z-direction, i.e. the vertical direction of the seat device 2, preferably corresponds to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle 1 and the y-direction, i.e. the transverse direction of the seat device 2, corresponds to a transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1.

Each of the two plates 18 is tiltably mounted on a respective support element 21 . Here the two support elements 21 are arranged on respective outer edges of the respective plates 18 in the transverse direction. Ultimately, the two support elements 21 are located here on an edge side of the respective plate 18 opposite the coupling side 19. The two plates 18 are arranged adjacent to one another. Ultimately, each of the plates 18 forms a lever mounted on one side on the support element 21 . A force can act on the respective plate 18 from the vehicle seat 12 , that is to say in the negative z-direction, only via the respective connecting element 17 .

Each of the plates 18 has a side 22 which faces the respective connecting element 17 is walled. Furthermore, each plate 18 has a side 23 which faces the respective support element 21 . The side 22 can alternatively be referred to as the side 22 of the plate 18 facing away from the respective support element 21 . The vehicle seat 12 is coupled to the respective plate 18 indirectly on the side 22 facing away from the respective support element 21 . Here he is coupled with this, for example, via the seat legs 13, the seat pedestal 14 and the connecting element 17.

The seat device 2 has a base plate element 24 . The support elements 21 are attached to the base plate element 24 . In addition, the seat device 2 can be fastened to a floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 by means of the base plate element 24 . For this purpose, the base plate element 24 can, for example, be screwed to the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 or otherwise firmly connected. A height adjustment device 26 can also be attached to the base plate element 24 .

The seat device 2 also has the height adjustment device 26 . This is designed to move the vehicle seat 12 in the vertical direction of the seat device 2, ie in the z-direction, between a low position and a high position of the vehicle seat 12. Preferably, not only the vehicle seat 12 but also the seat pedestal 14 and the two plates 18 are moved in the vertical direction between the lowered position and the raised position of the vehicle seat 12 . The base plate element 24 is preferably moved with the height adjustment device 26 relative to the floor 25 in the z-direction, so that the plates 18 are moved with the support elements 21 and the connecting elements 17 during the height adjustment and are not moved relative to one another. For this purpose, the height adjustment device 26 preferably has a spring, for example a gas pressure spring. In order to be able to carry out the height adjustment manually or electrically, either an operating lever and/or operating button on the seat device 2 and/or an electronic controller, for example by means of the control device 11 of the seat device 2, which can be controlled for example by means of a touch-sensitive operating device in the motor vehicle 1 be provided. Alternatively or additionally, a button, switch and/or rotary/push switch can be provided in the motor vehicle 1 in order to be able to adjust the height of the vehicle seat 12 by means of the height adjustment device 26 .

In 3 the vehicle seat 12 is shown in a perspective view. It becomes clear that the vehicle seat 12 can have a rotation device 27 . This is designed to rotate the vehicle seat 12 relative to the plates 18 about an axis of rotation 28 . The axis of rotation 28 is arranged parallel to the vertical direction of the seat device 2, ie parallel to the z-direction. The rotation device 27 is preferably designed to rotate the seat pedestal 14 about the axis of rotation 28 . The axis of rotation 28 preferably corresponds to a central axis of the seat device 2. As an alternative or in addition to rotating the vehicle seat 12 relative to the plates 18, the base plate element 24 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 28 if it is rotatable about the axis of rotation 28 on the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1 be. In this case, the base plate element with all the components of the seat device 2 arranged thereon, that is to say including the vehicle seat 12, is rotated about the axis of rotation 28 by an angle that can preferably be specified manually.

In 4 a mode of operation of the seat device 2 is outlined. 4 shows a section of the seat device 2 2 and 3 , in which the two adjacent plates 18 and the two support elements 21 are shown. The case is now outlined in which a force 29 from the direction of the vehicle seat 12 acts on exactly one of the plates 18 in the negative z-direction. In this example, the force 29 acts on the right-hand plate 18 in the y-direction. Because of this force 29, this plate 18, that is to say the right-hand plate 18 here, is moved into a first tilted position. This is sketched here as the right-hand plate 18' using dashed lines. In the first tilted position, the right-hand plate 18 was tilted by a tilting angle 30 in the direction in which the force 29 also acts. Here the plate 18 is thus rotated in the negative z-direction by the tilting angle 30 into the position of the plate 18'. Although no direct force 29 acts in the negative z-direction on the other plate 18, ie the left plate 18 here, it is also tilted, specifically into a second tilted position. The second tilted position is a mirroring of the first tilted position on the coupling side 19. The reason for this mirrored behavior of the left plate 18 is the coupling between the two plates 18, this coupling being realized here by the toothing 20. The result of this is that whenever one of the plates 18 is tilted, a corresponding mirrored tilting movement is also carried out by the other plate 18, so that this too is moved into the corresponding position of the tilted plate 18'. A mirror plane 31, which is given by the coupling side 19 or preferably at least runs parallel to it, is emphasized here as a dashed line.

The seat device 2 has a counterweight element 32 . in the in 4 Sketched arrangement of the support elements 21 in the transverse direction, the counterweight element 32 is arranged in the vertical direction above the plates 18. The Counterweight element 32 is connected, for example, by means of a connecting rod and/or a spring to at least one of the two plates 18, preferably to both plates 18, for example in the area of the teeth 20. After the force 29 has been applied, the counterweight element 32 causes the two plates 18 to be brought back into their initial positions, which are outlined here with a solid line. Ultimately, therefore, when the force is applied 29, regardless of whether this force is applied only on one side to one of the plates 18 or, for example, equally to both plates 18, a state is always reached due to the coupling between the two plates 18 in which a seat surface of the Vehicle seat 12 is displaced parallel to the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 1. The reason for this is that sagging and/or tilting of one of the panels 18 always results in a mirrored sagging or tilting that occurs in the same direction and at the same tilt angle 30, so that the vehicle seat 12 does not tilt relative to the vertical direction. The vehicle seat 12 is therefore always moved uniformly, ie parallel to the base plate element 24 .

In 5 an alternative arrangement of the support elements 21 is outlined. These are arranged here close to the central axis in the y-direction and thus border on the height adjustment device 26, for example.

Out of 5 it becomes clear that the seat device 2 can have an actuator 33 . This can be designed, for example, as an electromechanical actuator 33, so that it can be supplied with electrical energy, for example, via a connecting cable 34. The actuator 33 is here ultimately between the vehicle seat 12, strictly speaking between the seat pedestal 14 and the plates 18 arranged. The actuator 33 is preferably arranged between the height adjustment device 26 and the two plates 18 .

The actuator 33 is arranged to be movable in the transverse direction, ie in the y-direction. It can thus be shifted in the y-direction, for example parallel to the left-hand plate 18 . Due to the coupling between the two plates 18, this one-sided displacement of the actuator 33 is sufficient for a vibration, for example predetermined by the actuator 33, to also be experienced by the adjacent plate 18. Alternatively or additionally, two actuators 33 can be provided, specifically one for the left plate 18 and one for the right plate 18, the two actuators 33 being arranged next to one another in the y-direction and being movable in the y-direction. In this case, for example, two weak but inexpensive actuators 33 can be used instead of a single but stronger and more expensive actuator 33. The actuator 33 can dampen or generate vibration of the vehicle seat 12. As an alternative to the configuration of the actuator 33 shown here as an electromechanical actuator 33 , a spring can be provided as the actuator 33 between the plates 18 and the vehicle seat 12 for damping the vehicle seat 12 .

In 6 is a mode of operation of the plates 18 according to the in 5 shown embodiment outlined in detail. Here, the respective initial position of the two plates 18 and the seat pedestal 14 with the connecting elements 17 is outlined with a solid line. The corresponding positions of these elements under the action of force 29 are outlined with dashed lines. The action of force 29 is now transmitted to the plate 18 on the right here via the connecting elements 17 arranged on the outer edge of the respective plate 18 . Due to the arrangement of the support element 21 relatively centrally in the transverse direction, there is now a tilting movement in the negative z-direction of the plate 18 to the sketched position of the plate 18'. Due to the coupling between the two plates 18, a movement correspondingly mirrored on the mirror plane 31 is also carried out by the plate 18 sketched here on the left, which also occupies a corresponding position of the plate 18'. Since the middle area of the plates 18 in the area of the coupling side 19 moves in the positive z-direction, the counterweight element 32 is integrated into the base plate element 24 here. This counterweight element 32 is also preferably coupled to the two plates 18 by means of a rigid rod and/or a spring, so that it can move the two plates 18 ′ back into the initial positions of the plates 18 after the force 29 has ended.

A change in height 35 of the vehicle seat 12, that is shown here in the form of a change in height 35 of the seat pedestal 14, due to the action of force 29 is indicated by means of a corresponding distance arrow.

In 7 another possible arrangement of the support elements 21 relative to the plates 18 and the connecting elements 17 is outlined. In this case, the support elements 21 are located, for example, centrally below the respective plate 18, whereas the connecting elements 17 are coupled to the respective outer edge of the respective plate 18. If the force 29 now acts centrally and/or laterally a local force 29, the counterweight element 32 should also be arranged in the vertical direction below the two plates 18 due to the arrangement of the support elements 21 for the respective plate 18 and the respective connecting element 17. In 7 is also one Spring component 36 outlines, which is coupled to the counterweight element 32, for example.

Various displacement directions 37 are also sketched. For example, a position of the connecting element 17 can be moved in the positive or negative transverse direction according to the displacement directions 37 that are shown. A local displacement of the actuator 33 can also occur, for example in the positive y-direction away from the central position or back to it.

In 8th a method for operating a motor vehicle 1 with the seat device 2 is described. In a method step S1, movement information 38 is recorded, for example. Movement information 38 describes a motor vehicle-related movement. in the in 8th In the example outlined, the movement information 38 includes vehicle vibration information 39 and vehicle seat vibration information 40. The vehicle vibration information 39 describes the vibration of the motor vehicle 1 and is detected by the vibration detection device 3 of the motor vehicle 1. The vehicle seat vibration information 40 describes the vibration of the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 arranged in the motor vehicle 1 and is detected by the vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2 .

In a further method step S2, in particular, a control command 41 for the actuator 33 of the seat device 2 is determined. This takes place taking into account the detected movement information 38, i.e., for example, taking into account the vehicle vibration information 39 and the vehicle seat vibration information 40. When controlling according to the control command 41 the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat 12 due to the motor vehicle-related movement is damped or amplified by at least one damping value. For this purpose, the control command 41 is determined, for example, by means of the control device 11 of the seat device 2 , which has a corresponding control command determination criterion for this purpose that is stored in the control device 11 . An algorithm and/or a specification is therefore stored in the control device 11, on the basis of which the actuation command 41 is determined based on the movement information 38 detected.

In a method step S3, the actuator 33 of the seat device 2 is preferably activated according to the activation command 41 determined. If, for example, due to a bumpy driving surface, a strong vibration of the motor vehicle 1 and of the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 compared to driving on a level roadway is expected and/or detected, this vibration can be at least partially damped by a corresponding activation of the actuator 33. As a result, comfort within the motor vehicle 1 for an occupant who is sitting, for example, on the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 can be improved.

In a method step S4, a warning signal 42 of a control device of the motor vehicle 1 can be taken into account when determining the actuation command 41 in method step S2. For example, an obstacle on the road ahead of motor vehicle 1 in the direction of travel can be detected by means of environment detection device 5 of motor vehicle 1 and, for example, a corresponding evaluation by the control device of motor vehicle 1 . Therefore, in addition to an acoustic and/or visual output of a warning in the motor vehicle 1, for example by means of a loudspeaker device or a microphone device of the motor vehicle 1, a tactile warning is carried out. This is done in that, for example, the control command 41 specifies an increase in the vibration of the vehicle seat 12 so that it vibrates more strongly than it would due to the motor vehicle-related movement. This additional vibration of the vehicle seat 12 allows the occupant to be warned about the detected obstacle, ie the warning signal 42 can be passed on to the occupant in the form of a haptic warning.

In 9 an alternative or additional procedure is outlined. In the method step S1 outlined here, further movement information 38 is recorded as an example. Here, the movement information 38 has acceleration information 43 that describes the acceleration of the motor vehicle 1 and is detected by means of the acceleration sensor 4 of the motor vehicle 1 . In addition, the movement information 38 has vehicle underground information 44 . The vehicle ground information 44 describes a driving ground of the motor vehicle 1. It describes in particular a degree of unevenness of the driving ground, ie for example a number and depth of potholes or other uneven ground, such as a bump. The vehicle underground information 44 can be detected by means of the surroundings detection device 5 of the motor vehicle 1 . Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided by the external computing device 9 and/or the other road user 10 . For this purpose, it is transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 via the communication link 8 .

In a method step S2′, the activation command 41 is preferably determined. For this purpose, the movement information 38 and an occupant action information 47 are taken into account. This is preferably initially determined via method steps S5 and S6. In method step S5 occupant information 45 is recorded by means of interior space detection device 6 . In method step S6, an occupant action recognition criterion 46 is applied to the detected occupant information 45 and occupant action information 47 is determined that describes a recognized occupant action of an occupant of the motor vehicle 1 . The occupant here is the person sitting on the vehicle seat 12 of the seat device 2 . This can, for example, take a drink from a cup at a current time, i.e. bring the cup to your mouth, look for an object on the front passenger seat, such as a mobile phone, search the floor 25 of motor vehicle 1 for the object, such as a key, and/or look for the object on the back seat of motor vehicle 1, such as feeling a handbag parked there and trying to grab it. This movement of the occupant can be detected and assigned to a predetermined action by means of the interior detection device 6, which is, for example, an interior camera, which is designed in particular as a time-of-flight camera. So here's the action "Drinking". Ultimately, therefore, the current occupant action is recognized and identified as such.

In method step S2′, the determined occupant action information 47 is now taken into account in addition to the acceleration information 43 . Then, in method step S3, the actuator 33 is activated according to the determined activation command 41, which in turn leads to a damping or amplification of the vibration of the vehicle seat 12, depending on the occupant action detected. An artificial, additional vibration is preferably generated, ie the amplification of the vibration, which the occupant can distinguish from road vibrations, ie vibrations which occur as a result of the current journey of the motor vehicle 1 . Ultimately, the occupant is assisted in the detected occupant action. In the case of the drinking occupant, for example, the vibration is dampened so that the occupant does not spill their drink.

When the occupant's search action is detected, the occupant's search for the object can be assisted, for example, by appropriately increasing the vibration. For example, when approaching the object, he can be alerted to the approaching of the object by increasing the vibration or alternatively by reducing the vibration. The position of the object on the vehicle floor, ie the floor 25, can preferably take place by means of a floor sensor system, which is formed, for example, from at least three microphones, which can localize its position based on the structure-borne noise of the object. In the case of the object on the back seat, corresponding weight sensors can be provided in these other seat devices 2 .

In addition to the activation of the actuator 33 according to the determined activation command 41, a voice output 48 can be provided, which can explain the function of the vibration. For example, in addition to the increased vibration when approaching the object being searched for, a corresponding voice output 48 can be output, which informs the occupant that he is approaching the object.

Alternatively or additionally, for example, a sleeping small child in a child seat that is attached to the seat device 2 can be recognized as an occupant action, so that a corresponding activation of the actuator 33 can be used to set a vibration of the vehicle seat 12 that the small child perceives to be lulling or promoting sleep.

Overall, the examples show a smart seat mechanism, a smart active seat mechanism and a smart operating assistant for the seat device 2. The active seat mechanism is provided as the seat device 2 described.

The active seat mechanism provides a vibration damping system that has a vibration sensor, the vibration detection device 3 of the motor vehicle 1, which detects the vibrations of a body of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, it has a signal processing block for vibration damping, a drive unit and the actuator 33 . A second vibration sensor, the vibration detection device 3 of the seat device 2, can detect the vibration of the vehicle seat 12 and thus make the system adaptive. Haptic system alerts are provided via vehicle seat 12 vibrations. For this purpose, a signal generator, a drive unit and the active seat mechanism can be provided by the actuator 33 together with the control device 11 .

The vehicle seat 12 can be moved via a symmetrical lever system. The weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the seated person acts on the levers at two symmetrical positions, the connecting elements 17. The levers can rotate about two bearing points, the support elements 21, and are connected via a joint in the middle of the system, such as the toothing 21 , coupled. The Weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the seated person is balanced by its own weight, the counterweight element 32. In order to adapt the system to the actual weight of the person, the positions at which the weight acts on the levers, i.e. the connecting elements 17, can be outwards or shifted inwards in the y-direction.

The inertia of the weight of the vehicle seat 12 and the person is fully compensated and no relative movement between the base plate member 24 and the body when the motor vehicle 1 swings vertically (z-direction) is possible. Swinging might not be desirable in general. In order to increase the damping of the system, the inertia compensation must be imperfect and the spring component 36 must be provided as an actuator 33 . Instead of the spring component 36, an electromechanical converter can be provided as an actuator 33, which is arranged between the plates 18 and the seat pedestal 14. The force and the path that must be applied by the electromechanical converter can be adjusted by shifting the position of the pickup, ie the connecting element 17, in the y-direction and thus according to the principle of the lever. Due to the symmetrical structure, it is sufficient to move the pickup, i.e. the connecting element 17, only to one side (plus or minus y-direction) and thus only act on one of the two levers of the system, i.e. one of the plates 18 permit.

An evaluation unit, ie the control device 11, is able, together with the active seat mechanism, to recognize the situation, ie the occupant's actions, and to solve the problem. Example: The camera detects that the occupant is holding a full cup of coffee. The preferably multiple acceleration sensors 4, which are located next to a bumper of the motor vehicle 1, for example, detect a swinging of the body. The movement could also move the hand up and the hot coffee would spill over. But the active seating mechanism starts a counter-movement and the coffee stays in the cup. The time-of-flight camera as an interior detection device 6 gives feedback to the control device 11 in order to carry out a recalibration to release the counter-movement. Active sensors in the motor vehicle can collect and contribute data. Likewise, other road users 10 in the area (e.g. on the nature of the ground, potholes) or cloud data can be used, i.e. data from the external computing device 9.

Reference List

1

motor vehicle

2

seat device

3

vibration detection device

4

accelerometer

5

environment sensing device

6

Interior detection device

7

communication interface

8th

communication link

9

external computing device

10

road users

11

control device

12

vehicle seat

13

ischium

14

seat platform

15

seat pedestal top

16

Seat platform underside

17

fastener

18

plate

19

pairing page

20

gearing

21

support element

22, 23

Page

24

base plate element

25

Floor

26

height adjustment device

27

rotation device

28

axis of rotation

29

application of force

30

tilt angle

31

mirror plane

32

counterweight element

33

actuator

34

connection cable

35

elevation change

36

spring component

37

shift direction

38

movement information

39

vehicle vibration information

40

vehicle seat vibration information

41

control command

42

warning signal

43

acceleration information

44

vehicle underground information

45

occupant information

46

Occupant Action Detection Criterion

47

occupant action information

48

voice output

S1-S5

process step

S2'

process step

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US 8942892 B2 [0003]
• CN 109334519B [0004]

Claims (10)

Seat device (2) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the seat device (2) has a vehicle seat (12) and at least two panels (18) which are arranged adjacent to one another and are tiltably mounted on a respective support element (21), each of the panels (18 ) movable on a coupling side (19) with the at least one adjacent plate (18) and the vehicle seat (12) with the respective plate (18) at least indirectly on a side (22) of the plate (18) facing away from the respective support element (21) is coupled, whereby when a force (29) from the vehicle seat (12) acts on one of the panels (18), this can be brought into a first tilted position and the at least one adjacent panel (18) can be brought into a second tilted position, the second tilted position being a reflection of the first tilted position on the coupling side (19). Seat device (2) after claim 1 , wherein the seat device (2) has a counterweight element (32) which, depending on an arrangement of the support elements (21) in a transverse direction of the seat device (2) in a vertical direction of the seat device (2), above or below the plates (18) and in particular is centrally located in the transverse direction. Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a seat pedestal (14) arranged between the vehicle seat (12) and the panels (18), the vehicle seat (12) having a seat pedestal upper side (15) of the seat pedestal (14) is connected at least indirectly and the seat pedestal (14) has at least two protruding connecting elements (17) on a seat pedestal underside (16) opposite the top side (15) of the seat pedestal, with each connecting element (17) having the side facing away from the respective support element (21). (22) of the respective plate (18) is coupled. Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a height adjustment device (26) which is designed to move the vehicle seat (12) in a vertical direction of the seat device (2) between a low position and a high position of the vehicle seat ( 12) to move. Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a rotation device (27) which is designed to rotate the vehicle seat (12) relative to the plates (18) about an axis of rotation (28) which is parallel to a vertical direction of the seat device (2) is arranged to rotate. Seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has an actuator (33) which is arranged and configured to be movable between the vehicle seat (12) and the plates (18) in a transverse direction of the seat device (2). To dampen or generate a vibration of the vehicle seat (12). Motor vehicle (1) with a seat device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat device (2) has a base plate element (24) on which the support elements (21) are fastened and which is attached to a floor (25) of the motor vehicle (1 ) is attached at least indirectly. Method for operating a motor vehicle (1). claim 7 , comprising the following steps: - detection (S1) of movement information (38) which describes a motor vehicle-related movement; - Determining (S2) a control command (41) for the actuator (33) of the seat device (2) taking into account the detected movement information (38), wherein when controlling the actuator (33) according to the control command (41) from the vehicle seat (12) vibration experienced due to the motor vehicle-related movement is attenuated or amplified by at least an attenuation value; - Control (S3) of the actuator (33) according to the determined control command (41). procedure after claim 8 , wherein the movement information (38) has one of the following information: - vehicle vibration information (39) which describes a vibration of the motor vehicle (1); - Vehicle seat vibration information (40) which describes a vibration of the vehicle seat (12) of the seat device (2) arranged in the motor vehicle (1); - An item of acceleration information (43) which describes an acceleration of the motor vehicle (1); and/or - driving surface information (44) which describes a driving surface of the motor vehicle (1), in particular a degree of unevenness of the driving surface. Procedure according to one of Claims 8 or 9 , wherein occupant information (45) is recorded (S5) by means of an interior detection device (6) of the motor vehicle (1), by applying an occupant action recognition criterion (46) to the recorded occupant information (45), occupant action information (47) which indicates a recognized occupant action of an occupant of the motor vehicle (1), determined (S6) and the determined occupant action information (47) is taken into account when determining the control command (41) (S2'), wherein when activating the actuator (33) according to the determined activation command (41), the vibration experienced by the vehicle seat (12) due to the motor vehicle-related movement is damped or amplified in such a way that the occupant is assisted in the detected occupant action (S3).

Images