DE102017208601A1 - Adjustable seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable seat (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising a seat surface (2) and two mutually aligned seat rail arrangements (4, 5) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2), of which a first seat rail arrangement (4). at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b) for tilt adjustment of the seat (2) about a first horizontal axis (X) and a second seat rail assembly (5) at least one curved seat rail (5a, 5b) for tilt adjustment of the seat (2) to a second horizontal axis (Y), wherein the first horizontal axis (X) and the second horizontal axis (Y) are oblique to each other.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an adjustable seat with a seat whose inclination is adjustable by means of curved seat rails. The invention is also directed to a vehicle with at least one adjustable seat of this type and to a method for operating such a vehicle.

Technical background

It is widely used to shift the position of the front car seats forward and backward on seat rails to allow inmates of various body sizes, among other things, good control of the pedals for throttle, brake and possibly clutch. Very often, the inclination of the backrest can be adjusted. The adjustment is typically carried out with different locking pawls, side hand wheels, levers with pumping movement, hand cranks or switches with electrical or electro-hydraulic support.

Furthermore, curved seat rails for seat tilt adjustment in the direction of travel are known in the vehicle longitudinal direction. For example, in DE 26 42 941 a seat assembly presented, in which on the underside of a seat shell attached sliding hook-like manner in the vehicle longitudinal direction arcuately curved rails on the seat base embrace.

Furthermore, it is for slope compensation for agricultural vehicles such as farm tractors, for example EP 0 111 165 A2 known to provide in an otherwise rectilinear seat frame transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis extending arcuate rails so that when driving along a slope of the seat can always assume a horizontal position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable seat, in particular for a vehicle, which can ensure a relation to the known solutions improved functionality for seat tilt adjustment.

Disclosure of the invention

This object is achieved by an adjustable seat according to claim 1 and a vehicle and a method for its operation according to the independent claims. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. All further features and effects mentioned in the claims and the description for the adjustable seat also apply with respect to the vehicle or its operating method, and vice versa.

According to a first aspect, an adjustable seat, in particular for a vehicle, is provided, which comprises a seat surface and two seat rail arrangements (especially elongated, extending in two crossed directions) aligned with each other to adjust a seat surface inclination. Of the two seat rail assemblies while a first seat rail assembly has at least one curved seat rail for tilt adjustment of the seat about a first horizontal axis, while the second seat rail assembly has at least one curved seat rail for tilt adjustment of the seat about a second horizontal axis, wherein the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis obliquely to each other. (The term "horizontal" as used herein may be understood to mean, for example, an arrangement of the adjustable seat in a vehicle or a room as the spatial direction thereof.)

An idea of the invention is thus the integration of two crossed curved elongated seat rails or seat rail pairs in a seat for tilt adjustment of its seat. In addition, the adjustable seat can in particular comprise a backrest which is rigidly or movably connected to the seat surface in a manner known to the person skilled in the art.

Through the combination of two entangled curved adjustable seat rails, a seat surface inclination can be adjusted by two different horizontal axes. Overall, this may make it possible to set the seat tilt in the room largely free. In other words, it can be made possible by a suitable choice of relevant rail parameters of the curved seat rails - such as their curvature, length, adjustable distance, a basically any, depending on the situation and needs suitable seat tilt in three-dimensional space.

The first and the second seat rail arrangements or their curved seat rails can be manually and / or electrically actuated / adjusted and locked in various discretely or continuously adjustable seat rail positions. In particular, an at least partially automated adjustment and / or locking may be possible. The two seat rail arrangements can be designed, for example, as independently of one another, but if necessary in particular also simultaneously adjustable. Some examples of the adjustment of the two seat rail assemblies are mentioned below.

• - eine optimale Einstiegs- und Ausstiegshilfe, besonders für körperlich beeinträchtigte Personen;
• - eine optimale Kurvenunterstützung beim Befahren einer Kurve;
• - eine optimale Abbrems- oder Beschleunigungsunterstützung; und/oder
• - eine entgegenwirkende Sitzflächenneigung bei einer von einer waagerechten Fahrzeugausrichtung abweichenden Fahrzeugausrichtung (aufgrund einer Steigung, eines Gefälles, einer Böschung und/oder einer sonstigen Ursache).

With an adjustable seat of the type set forth herein, an increase in comfort and increased seat functionality - especially in a vehicle - can be achieved by the possibility of a situation-dependent flexible tilt adjustment of the seat in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction of the seat or the vehicle. Examples of this increased functionality include:

• - an optimal entry and exit aid, especially for physically impaired persons;
• - optimal curve support when driving on a curve;
• - optimal braking or acceleration assistance; and or
• a counteracting seat inclination in the case of a vehicle orientation deviating from a horizontal vehicle orientation (due to an incline, a slope, a slope and / or another cause).

Furthermore, an adjustable seat with two mutually aligned aligned seat rail assemblies for adjusting the seat tilt can be designed so space-saving and / or simple in construction that it can be produced at low production costs and / or can be integrated into basically any known vehicle frame conditions. The curved seat rails can be made of any suitable material, for example metal or hardened plastic.

In particular, the at least one curved seat rail of the first seat rail arrangement and / or the at least one curved seat rail of the second seat rail arrangement each have a vertex and from this in the direction of a Sitzflächenoberseite out - ie upward or in the direction of a Sitzflächennormalen - be curved (a Example is in 1 shown). But it is also possible that the curved seat rails compared to 1 in the opposite sense - ie downwards - are curved or that the at least one curved seat rail of the first seat rail assembly is curved in an opposite direction than the at least one curved seat rail of the second seat rail assembly.

It can be provided that the at least one curved seat rail of the first seat rail arrangement and / or the at least one curved seat rail of the second seat rail arrangement is / are at least partially circular-arc-shaped. A circular arc-shaped configuration of the curved seat rails can in particular be particularly simple in the manufacture and / or the actuation of the seat rail arrangements.

According to one embodiment, the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis are substantially perpendicular to one another, whereby, for example, the inclination adjustment by means of the first seat rail arrangement and the inclination adjustment by means of the second seat rail arrangement can be independent / decoupled from each other. (Here and below, "substantially" means in particular a production or construction-related possible deviation of up to about 10% of respective dimensions.) In particular, the first seat rail assembly for tilt adjustment of the seat about a longitudinal axis of the seat and the second seat rail assembly for tilt adjustment of Sitting surface to be formed about a transverse axis of the seat, or vice versa.

• - zumindest teilweise unterhalb der Sitzfläche angeordnet ist/sind und/oder
• - zumindest teilweise an einer Unterseite der Sitzfläche befestigt ist/sind.

In particular, it may be provided in the adjustable seat of the type set forth herein that the first seat track assembly and / or the second seat track assembly

• - Is at least partially disposed below the seat / are and / or
• - Is at least partially attached to an underside of the seat is / are.

This can for example result in a particularly compact, space-saving and / or in the case of a vehicle seat for the occupants least noticeable seat rail design.

It can be provided, for example, that the first seat rail assembly is at least partially disposed below the seat and secured to the underside and the second seat rail assembly is at least partially disposed below the first seat rail assembly and secured thereto.

In a specific embodiment, the at least one curved seat rail of the first seat rail arrangement may comprise two curved seat rails arranged at a predetermined horizontal distance from each other and extending substantially parallel to each other. This can in particular lead to a particularly robust and stable mounting of the seat surface on the first seat rail arrangement and to a particularly uniform distribution of the bearing forces acting between the first seat rail arrangement and the seat, which in turn can reduce wear. Alternatively or additionally, the same applies mutatis mutandis to the at least one curved seat rail of the second seat rail assembly (an example is in 1 shown).

For guiding and adjusting the first seat rail arrangement and / or the second seat rail arrangement, at least one of the curved seat rails can in particular have an engagement device extending along the curved seat rail, for example a groove, for engagement with a seat base-side seat rail guide device. Alternatively, at least one of the curved seat rails of the first seat rail arrangement and / or the second seat rail arrangement may in particular also be formed from two intermeshing seat rail profile parts which can be displaced along one another.

In order to adjust the seat surface inclination by means of the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement, the adjustable seat may further comprise in particular a seat rail actuating device for adjusting the associated curved seat rails. The seat rail actuator may, for example, comprise one or more actuators such as detents, side hand wheels, pump-action levers, winches, seat track links, and switches with electrical or electro-hydraulic assistance. A seat tilt adjustment can be imaged in particular by adjustable seat track handlebars or levers and accomplished by their adjustment. It may be, for example, front handlebars of the entire seat or seat track arms, which are attached to an attached shell.

Alternatively or additionally, the adjustable seat may in particular comprise a seat rail locking device for locking the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement in at least one predetermined seat rail position of the associated at least one curved seat rail. The possible lockable seat rail positions can vary discretely or continuously with each other.

• - einer Sitzschienenbetätigungseinrichtung der oben genannten Art zum Verstellen der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sitzschienenanordnung mindestens eines der verstellbaren Sitze und/oder
• - einer Sitzschienenarretiereinrichtung der oben genannten Art zum Arretieren der mindestens einen gekrümmten Sitzschiene der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sitzschienenanordnung mindestens eines der verstellbaren Sitze in mindestens einer vorbestimmten Sitzschienenstellung

ausgebildet oder eingerichtet ist.In another aspect, a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is provided that includes at least one adjustable seat of the type set forth herein. In particular, the vehicle may further comprise a seat track control unit for driving

• a seat rail actuating device of the abovementioned type for adjusting the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement of at least one of the adjustable seats and / or
• a Sitzschienenarretiereinrichtung of the above type for locking the at least one curved seat rail of the first and / or the second seat rail assembly of at least one of the adjustable seats in at least one predetermined seat rail position

is trained or furnished.

• - Bereitstellen mindestens eines für einen Fahrzustand und/oder für eine Fahrzeugausrichtung charakteristischen Fahrzeugzustandsparameters und
• - Ausgeben eines Anforderungssignals für die Sitzschienensteuerungseinheit zum Ansteuern der Sitzschienenbetätigungseinrichtung und/oder der Sitzschienenarretiereinrichtung abhängig von dem bereitgestellten mindestens einen Fahrzeugzustandsparameter.

Another aspect is a method of operating such a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• Providing at least one vehicle condition parameter characteristic for a driving condition and / or for a vehicle alignment and
• Outputting a request signal for the seat rail control unit for actuating the seat rail actuating device and / or the seat rail locking device depending on the provided at least one vehicle state parameter.

• - eine Angabe über einen momentanen Lenkwinkel des Lenkrads oder über dessen Änderung;
• - eine Angabe über eine momentan befahrene oder vorausliegende Kurve, insbesondere über deren Schärfe, Länge, zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit oder auch eine bloße Feststellung eines momentanen oder bevorstehenden Befahrens oder Nichtbefahrens einer Kurve;
• - eine Angabe über eine momentane Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit;
• - eine Angabe über eine Steigung oder ein Gefälle auf einem momentan befahrenen oder einem vorausliegenden Streckenabschnitt;
• - eine Angabe über eine seitliche Neigung des Fahrzeugs oder eines Fahrzeuguntergrunds;
• - eine Angabe über einen Fahrzeugantriebszustand;
• - eine Angabe über einen momentanen oder bevorstehenden Abbrems- oder Beschleunigungsvorgang.

In this case, the at least one vehicle state parameter may in particular comprise one or more of the following details:

• an indication of a current steering angle of the steering wheel or of its change;
• an indication of a currently traveled or anticipated curve, in particular its sharpness, length, permissible maximum speed or even a mere statement of a current or imminent driving or non-driving of a curve;
• an indication of a current vehicle speed;
• an indication of an uphill or downhill gradient on a currently traveled or preceding section of the route;
• an indication of a lateral inclination of the vehicle or of a vehicle surface;
• an indication of a vehicle driving condition;
• - an indication of a current or imminent deceleration or acceleration process.

Such information can be provided for example by means of suitable vehicle sensors (for example speed, acceleration, inclination or traffic sign recognition sensors) and / or provided on the basis of digital route data (for example from navigation systems).

list of figures

• 1 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines verstellbaren Sitzes der hierin dargelegten Art.

Embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the example shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawing is purely schematic, in particular it is not to be read as true to scale. It shows:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of an adjustable seat of the type set forth herein.

Description of embodiments

1 shows in a highly simplified schematic perspective view of an adjustable seat 1 of the kind set forth herein, which may in particular symbolically represent a front vehicle seat. The adjustable seat 1 has a seat 2 and one with the seat 2 rigid or movably connected backrest 3 on.

For tilt adjustment of the seat 2 are two seat rail assemblies aligned with each other 4 and 5 intended. In this example, the first seat rail arrangement comprises 4 two curved seat rails 4a and 4b that are substantially parallel to each other below the seat surface 2 along both transverse sides of the seat 2 extend. Similarly, here also purely by way of example includes the second seat rail assembly 5 two curved seat rails 5a and 5b that are substantially parallel to each other below the first seat track assembly 4 below and along both sides of the seat 2 extend.

By way of example only, the curved seat rails 4a . 4b . 5a and 5b here circular arc-shaped and each have a vertex 6 from which they go upwards - ie in the direction of a seating surface top 7 out or in the direction of a seat normal Z - are curved.

In 1 serves the first seat rail assembly 4 the tilt adjustment of the seat 2 about a first horizontal axis X, which may be in particular parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis. The second seat rail arrangement 5 here serves the tilt adjustment of the seat 2 about a second horizontal axis Y, which is perpendicular to the first horizontal axis X and in particular may be parallel to a vehicle transverse axis. Overall, this results in a free adjustability of the seat tilt in the room, which may be limited solely by suitably selected seat rail parameters such as length, curvature, Verschiebbarkeitsstrecke, locking devices (not shown), etc.

In this example, the first seat track assembly 4 at a bottom 8th the seat 2 be attached while the second seat rail assembly 5 below the first seat track assembly 4 arranged and attached to this. From below, the second seat rail assembly 5 on a seat substructure 9 be fixed, which in turn may be arranged or fixed to a room or vehicle floor (not shown).

For guiding and adjusting the first seat rail assembly 4 and the second seat track assembly 5 for tilt adjustment of the seat 2 have the curved seat rails 4a . 4b . 5a and 5b one each along the curved seat rail 4a . 4b . 5a and 5b extending engagement device 10 , in this case in the form of a groove, for engagement with a Sitzunterbauseitigen seat track guide device (not shown).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

adjustable seat

2

seat

3

backrest

4

first seat track assembly

5

second seat rail assembly

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b

curved seat rails

6

Vertex of the respective curved seat rail

7

Seat top

8th

Bottom of the seat

9

seat substructure

10

engagement means

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2642941 [0003]
• EP 0111165 A2 [0004]

Claims (14)

Adjustable seat (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising - A seat (2) and two mutually aligned aligned seat rail assemblies (4, 5) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2), of which - A first seat rail assembly (4) at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2) about a first horizontal axis (X) and has - A second seat rail assembly (5) at least one curved seat rail (5a, 5b) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2) about a second horizontal axis (Y), wherein the first horizontal axis (X) and the second horizontal axis (Y) are oblique to each other. Adjustable seat (1) to Claim 1 in which the at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b) of the first seat rail arrangement (4) and / or the at least one curved seat rail (5a, 5b) of the second seat rail arrangement (5) project from the vertex (6) in the direction (Z) a seat top (7) is curved out / are. Adjustable seat (1) to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b) of the first seat rail assembly (4) and / or the at least one curved seat rail (5a, 5b) of the second seat rail assembly (5) is / are at least partially circular arc-shaped. An adjustable seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first horizontal axis (X) and the second horizontal axis (Y) are substantially perpendicular to each other. Adjustable seat (1) to Claim 4 wherein the first seat track assembly (4) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2) about a longitudinal axis of the seat surface (2) and the second seat rail assembly (5) for tilt adjustment of the seat surface (2) about a transverse axis of the seat surface (2) are formed, or vice versa , Adjustable seat (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first seat rail arrangement (4) and / or the second seat rail arrangement (5) - Is at least partially below the seat (2) is / are arranged and / or - Is at least partially attached to a bottom (8) of the seat (2) is / are. Adjustable seat (1) to Claim 6 wherein the first seat track assembly (4) is disposed at least partially below the seat surface (2) and secured to the underside (8) thereof, and the second seat track assembly (5) is disposed at least partially below and secured to the first seat track assembly (4). An adjustable seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b) of the first seat track assembly (4) and / or the at least one curved seat track (5a, 5b) of the second seat track assembly (5) each comprise two in comprises / comprise a predetermined horizontal distance from one another, mutually substantially parallel curved seat rails. An adjustable seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the curved seat rails (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) of the first seat track assembly (4) and / or the second seat track assembly (5) - An engaging means (10) extending along the curved seat rail (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) for engagement with a Sitzunterbauseitigen seat rail guide means comprises or - Is formed from two interlocking, mutually along sliding seat rail profile parts. An adjustable seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further a seat rail actuating device for adjusting the seat surface inclination by actuating the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement (4, 5) and / or - A Sitzschienenarretiereinrichtung for locking the first and / or the second seat rail assembly (4, 5) in at least one predetermined seat rail position of the associated at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b). Vehicle comprising at least one adjustable seat (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle after Claim 11 seat rail control unit for actuating a seat rail actuating device for actuating the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement (4, 5) of at least one of the adjustable seats (1) and / or a seat rail locking device for locking the at least one curved seat rail (4a, 4b , 5a, 5b) of the first and / or the second seat rail arrangement (4, 5) comprises at least one of the adjustable seats (1) in at least one predetermined seat rail position. Method for operating a vehicle after Claim 12 comprising the steps of: providing at least one vehicle condition parameter characteristic for a driving condition and / or for a vehicle alignment, and Issuing a request signal for the seat track control unit to drive the seat track actuator and / or the seat track retainer depending on the provided at least one vehicle state parameter. Method according to Claim 13 wherein the at least one vehicle condition parameter comprises one or more of: an indication of a current steering angle or its change; an indication of a currently traveled or ahead curve; an indication of a current vehicle speed; an indication of an uphill or downhill gradient on a section of road currently being traveled or a section of track ahead; an indication of a lateral inclination of the vehicle or of a vehicle surface; an indication of a vehicle driving condition; - an indication of a current or imminent deceleration or acceleration process.

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