DE102018219787A1 - Operating device for adjusting a seat part and a backrest of a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with at least one vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (20) for adjusting a seat part (14) and a backrest (16) of a vehicle seat (12) of a motor vehicle (10) and a motor vehicle (10) with at least one vehicle seat (12) and such an operating device (20 ). The control device (20) has a plurality of control elements (22), each of which is designed as a respective touch-sensitive control panel, each of which is designed to detect and touch a longer than a predetermined minimum duration of the respective control panel as the control of the respective control element (22) to provide a control signal corresponding to the detected touch for a respective adjustment device of the vehicle seat (12). In addition, the respective control elements (22) are arranged in respective recesses. The operating device (20) has a protruding central structural element 24 with operating elements (22h, 22i, 22j, 22k, 22I) arranged in respective recesses, around which further structural elements 24 'are arranged, the respective operating elements (22a, 22b, 22c, 22c ', 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g).

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for adjusting a seat part and a backrest of a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with at least one vehicle seat with such an operating device.

Nowadays, motor vehicles frequently have vehicle seats, each of which can be adjusted in six or eight ways using mechanically operated adjustment switches. In addition, such a vehicle seat can have lumbar adjustment switches with which a lumbar support element in a backrest of the vehicle seat can be adjusted in two or four ways. Corresponding adjustment switches for the seat adjustment and the adjustment of the lumbar support element are usually arranged in side panels on the seat part of the corresponding vehicle seat. In addition, vehicle seats can have a massage function, when activated, a person sitting on the vehicle seat is massaged.

In the DE 10 2015 200 006 A1 A device and a method for supporting a user before operating a switch for electromotive adjustment of a part of a vehicle seat are described. In this case, an approach of the user to the switch is first recognized and then an indication of a function assigned to this switch is displayed on a display device. This can be used, for example, to adjust the seat. The electrical switch, which is arranged, for example, on the side of the vehicle seat, can be covered, for example, with a capacitive film, so that the capacitive sensor system of this capacitive film can be used to detect an approach, touch and swipe gesture.

In the DE 199 22 409 A1 An operating element for seat adjustment in motor vehicles is described. This allows multiple seat components such as the seat and backrest to be adjusted for multiple adjustment directions. The control element also includes several memory buttons for calling up or generating individually adjusted seating positions or seating parameters. The memory buttons are arranged directly around a seat adjustment switch on the control element.

In the DE 199 26 519 A1 A control element for the electrical seat adjustment of motor vehicle seats is described, the control element consisting of individual switches which correspond in their entirety to the seat contour in miniaturized form.

In the DE 199 26 520 A1 describes a seat adjuster in the form of a miniaturized vehicle seat, wherein several elements of the seat adjustment switch for adjusting individual vehicle seat parts can be actuated individually. In addition, the seat adjuster includes an adjustment switch for lumbar support adjustment, which is arranged on a backrest adjustment switch of the seat adjustment switch, so that a lumbar adjustment switch is integrated in the seat adjuster in a functionally and haptically accessible manner.

It is the object of the invention to provide an operating device which has a particularly simple structure and by means of which a particularly large number of adjustment options for a vehicle seat are made possible.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description and the figures.

According to the invention, an operating device for adjusting a seat part of a backrest of a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle is provided, the operating device having a plurality of operating elements, each of which is designed to detect a respective operation of a user of the motor vehicle and a respective control signal corresponding to the respective operation for a respective adjusting device to provide the vehicle seat, the respective adjusting device being designed to adjust the seat part or the backrest depending on the control signal provided. With the operating device according to the invention it is thus possible, for example, to set a backrest angle between the seat part and the backrest, a seat part position within the motor vehicle and / or a seat part height, a change in the seat part position and the seat part height each being accompanied by a corresponding movement of the backrest. Such adjustment processes of the seat part or the backrest are triggered by, for example, the driver of the motor vehicle actuating a corresponding operating device which is integrated, for example, in the side seat panel of the driver's seat of the motor vehicle. Depending on the detected operation of the driver of the motor vehicle, a corresponding control signal, the so-called control signal, is transmitted, by means of which, for example, an electromotive adjustment device of the vehicle seat moves the seat part and / or the backrest and thus changes its setting.

The respective operating elements are designed as respective touch-sensitive operating fields, which are each designed to last longer than a predetermined minimum to detect continuous touching of the respective control panel as operating the respective control element and to provide a control signal corresponding to the detected touch for the respective adjusting device. The control elements can be designed, for example, as touch fields or as touch sliders, preferably as capacitive touch fields or capacitive touch sliders. This means that the control panels react to a touch, for example with the hand of the driver of the motor vehicle. The control panels are activated, for example, whenever a proximity sensor, which is arranged in the area of the control device, detects that, for example, the hand of the user of the motor vehicle approaches at least one of the touch-sensitive control panels. Alternatively, it is possible that the respective touch-sensitive control panels are always energized and are therefore always active. As soon as the user of the motor vehicle touches one of the control panels for a certain predetermined period of time, for example for a period of one and a half to two seconds, this touch is registered as operation of the respective control element and a control signal corresponding to the detected touch is provided for adjusting the seat part or the backrest . The control device can, for example, effect such a touch-sensitive control panel for moving the vehicle seat from a current position in the direction of the dashboard, that is to say a change in the position of the seat part to the front inside the motor vehicle. The corresponding function, i.e. the movement of the sitting position forward, is triggered by touching the control panel at certain points. The movement continues until the selective touching of the control panel is ended, that is to say, for example, until the user of the motor vehicle moves his hand away from the control element.

The respective control elements are also arranged in respective recesses. The surface of the operating device thus has depressions which are arranged, for example, in a recessed manner relative to a surface plane of the operating device. This enables particularly easy blind operation of the respective operating elements, since the respective areas with such depressions can be easily felt and recognized on the basis of their respective contours. The individual control panels can have different sizes, for example one, two or more fingers wide. When the user of the motor vehicle, for example the driver of the motor vehicle, glides over the surface of the operating device with his hand, for example, he feels the positions at which the touch-sensitive control panels are arranged, if only because the surface plane is not closed at these positions , but has depressions in which the respective touch-sensitive control panels are arranged. However, a quick swipe of one of the control elements, for example while searching for a specific control element of the control device, does not trigger adjustment of the seat part and / or the backrest, because this requires a lingering on the respective control element for the specified minimum duration. An actuation of the control panel can also be made clear using, for example, haptic feedback such as a vibration or an acoustic signal. Trip confirmations are therefore conceivable in order to make it clear to the user of the motor vehicle that he is now changing the settings of the vehicle seat.

Depending on the equipment variant of possible seat adjustments, either only individual touch-sensitive control panels can be provided for the corresponding seat adjustments or more touch-sensitive control panels can be provided than seat adjustment functions, so that individual control panels are not occupied, for example. In the simplest embodiment, the control device according to the invention thus comprises only a part, namely the surface of the control device, into which the respective control elements are integrated as respective touch-sensitive control panels in the respective recesses. Such an operating device is thus less susceptible to mechanical errors, since it can be made from a particularly small number of individual parts. As a result, it is particularly cost-effective to produce compared to conventional operating devices and has a particularly simple structure, although the operating device enables a particularly large number of adjustment options for the vehicle seat. In addition, by appropriately selecting the positions of the individual operating elements, it can be achieved that such an operating device is particularly easy to operate by touching the depressions with one hand of the user of the motor vehicle, so that, among other things, blind operation is made possible.

The invention also includes embodiments which result in additional advantages.

In the following it is assumed that the operating device is arranged in an intended installation position, specifically in the respective side seat panel of the seat part of the vehicle seat facing the outer wall of the vehicle.

Information such as above, below, right or left refer to a front view of the operating device in this intended installation position.

Furthermore, it is always assumed below that, by operating one of the operating elements of the operating device, a corresponding control signal is provided to the corresponding adjusting device for carrying out the corresponding adjustment of the vehicle seat. For example, a capacitive signal that is generated by touching the corresponding control panel when operating the control element is transmitted to a control unit of the control device, which then outputs a corresponding control signal for the corresponding adjustment device, which is, for example, an electric motor Adjusting the backrest is communicated. Expressed in simple terms, the respective control element of the control device is thus designed to adjust the vehicle seat, by means of respective adjustment movements carried out by the respective adjustment devices, which are controlled when the respective control elements are operated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the operating device has a projecting structural element, wherein a structural element surface plane is arranged parallel to a surface plane of the operating device. The structural element protrudes from the surface level of the operating device, ie the structural element surface level is increased relative to the surface level of the operating device. If a user of the motor vehicle feels the control device with one hand, he will be able to intuitively feel an edge of this protruding structural element and thereby be supported in his orientation on the control device. The projecting structural element has four operating elements arranged in respective depressions relative to the structural element surface plane. For example, if the user of the motor vehicle has felt the outer edge of the protruding structural element with his hand, he can, for example, feel further with one of his fingers on the edge of the protruding structural element and reach one or more control elements arranged in corresponding troughs on this protruding structural element to operate one of the four different controls, for example.

The projecting structural element is preferably designed in the form of a cylinder, with a circular cylinder surface plane of the structural element being arranged parallel to the surface plane of the operating device. The structural element surface plane is therefore circular in this embodiment. The operating elements arranged in the respective depressions relative to the structural element surface level are each designed to set an arrangement of a lumbar support element in the backrest of the vehicle seat. The lumbar support element is designed to design the backrest in such a way that it has a pronounced ergonomic shape. The forward curvature of the human spine is generally referred to as lordosis. The lumbar support element in the backrest is intended to support the normal lordosis of the lumbar spine of the user sitting on the vehicle seat. The muscles of the user can collapse due to fatigue, especially on long car journeys. Therefore, manufacturers of motor vehicles often offer adjustable lumbar support elements in the backrests of vehicle seats, which are intended to ensure a relaxed posture and to relieve the backbone of the user. Such a lumbar support element is often designed as a pressure plate embedded in the vehicle seat made of a flexible material, an air-filled plastic cushion or a soft foam wedge. The lumbar support element can be arranged in the backrest by changing its position upwards and downwards relative to the longitudinal extension of the backrest. In addition, the lumbar support element can be moved further out of the surface plane of the backrests and further set back relative to this. The lumbar support element can thus follow four possible alternative adjustment movements, namely forwards, backwards, upwards and / or downwards. The corresponding operating elements are preferably arranged on the cylindrical structural element. The corresponding actuating elements for moving the lumbar support element forwards and backwards or for moving it up and down are arranged, for example, in such a way that the corresponding directions of movement of the lumbar support element in the backrest correspond to corresponding arrangement positions on the circular cylinder surface. By means of the control element on the left on the structural element, the lumbar support element is thus moved forward, by means of the control element on the right analogously to the rear and by means of the control element at the top, the lordosis support element is likewise moved upwards and analogously by means of the control element downwards. The control elements for arranging the lumbar support element are thus particularly light and can be used intuitively by a user of the motor vehicle without a direct view of the control device.

The projecting structural element is preferably arranged centrally on the operating device, so that further operating elements can be arranged around the projecting structural element. The projecting structural element thus supports the user of the motor vehicle in his Find your way around on the operating device as soon as you feel the structural element.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the structural element has an operating element which is arranged centrally in a recess relative to the structural element surface plane, in particular to the cylinder surface plane, and is designed to activate a massage function of the vehicle seat. The control element for activating the massage function can therefore be surrounded, for example, by the four control elements for adjusting the arrangement of the lumbar support element. A total of five operating elements can thus be arranged on the protruding structural element, each of which is arranged in depressions relative to the structural element surface of the protruding structural element. Because the control element for activating the massage function can be integrated in the control device, no additional control device has to be provided for this additional function of the vehicle seat. As a result, the operating device is designed to be particularly space-saving but nevertheless intuitive to operate, since the massage function affects at least the entire backrest and is therefore arranged in the vicinity of the operating elements for adjusting the arrangement of the lumbar support element. The arrangement of the corresponding control element in the center of the structural element is therefore particularly useful and easy for the user to understand and remember.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the operating device has rib elements. These rib elements can be, for example, feeler ribs, support ribs or separating ribs, that is to say, for example, corresponding structures on the surface of the structural element, which are arranged elevated relative to the surface plane of the control elements arranged in depressions on the structural element and which provide support for orientation in one Blind operation of the operating device can act. Here, the various protruding rib elements preferably end on a plane which is arranged parallel to the surface plane of the operating device. Ultimately, three different surface levels of the operating device can thus be distinguished, namely the surface level of the operating device, above this level the level in which the operating elements for setting the arrangement of the lumbar support element and for activating the massage function are arranged, and above that the structural element surface level, which preferably the Surface plane of the rib elements defined.

Straight rib elements can be provided as rib elements, each delimiting the four operating elements for arranging the lumbar support element in the backrest, which are arranged on the protruding structural element. These straight rib elements are thus located between the four individual control elements for arranging the lumbar support element. In addition or alternatively, straight rib elements can be provided which delimit the control element by activating the massage function from the respective four adjacent control elements for arranging the lumbar support element in the backrest. Corresponding separating ribs are thus located between all control elements arranged in corresponding recesses on the cylindrical part of the structural element. This makes it particularly intuitive and easy for the user to find the desired control element on the structural element, since these separating ribs can also act as feeler ribs or support ribs for supporting individual fingers of the user's hand. With the aid of the described rib elements, the individual operating elements can thus be found particularly quickly by palpation, which supports orientation on the operating device.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the structural element has a rotatable outer ring which is designed as a rotatable operating part. The structural element, which is preferably designed in the form of a cylinder and thus has a circular surface plane, can thus be designed such that at least one edge region of the structural element can be rotated relative to the surface of the operating device and relative to operating elements arranged on the structural element. The rotatable operating part of the structural element is designed to detect a rotation of the outer ring by a predetermined angle of rotation as the operation of this mechanical operating part and to provide a control signal corresponding to the detected rotation for one of the adjusting devices. A further adjusting device of the vehicle seat can thus be controlled by rotating the outer ring of the structural element. This adjustment device is preferably an adjustment device which is designed to rotate the vehicle seat about an axis running in the vertical direction of the vehicle. By actuating the outer ring on the structural element, a user of the motor vehicle can, for example in a motor vehicle that is designed for autonomous driving, cause his vehicle seat to be rotated, for example, by up to 180 degrees.

As an alternative to this, by means of the rotatable outer ring of the structural element, for example, control of the massage function of the vehicle seat can be strengthened or reduced when rotating in the opposite direction. In Which direction the vehicle seat is rotated or whether the massage function is increased or decreased can be initiated by a rotary movement in an intuitively obvious direction. For example, a clockwise rotation will cause the vehicle seat to rotate clockwise, whereas a clockwise rotation would, for example, enhance the massage function. Since the rotatable outer ring is arranged on the edge of the projecting structural element, the user of the motor vehicle can find it particularly quickly by palpation, so that an adjustment device associated with the outer ring can be operated particularly quickly and intuitively.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the operating device comprises at least one of the following pairs of operating elements. The control elements are therefore preferably arranged in pairs, for example in a single common depression. Such a pair of operating elements comprises operating elements for setting a backrest angle between the backrest and the seat part, wherein one of the operating elements is designed for reducing the size and the other of the operating elements for increasing the backrest angle. Strictly speaking, when the backrest is adjusted in this way, the backrest is rotated about the axis of rotation of the backrest running in the transverse direction of the vehicle, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Another pair of controls is designed to adjust a longitudinal position of the vehicle seat. Here, one of the control elements for moving the vehicle seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction is designed to be forward and the other of the control elements for moving the vehicle seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear. With these controls it is therefore provided to set a seat part position relative to a predetermined point on a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle. With these operating elements, the vehicle seat as a whole, that is to say as a seat part with the backrest arranged thereon, can thus be moved forward or backward, at least indirectly, on the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle, for example relative to a dashboard of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, a pair of control elements is provided for setting a seat height of the vehicle seat, wherein one of the control elements is designed to enlarge and the other of the control elements to reduce the current seat height of the vehicle seat. With these controls, it is thus possible for a seat part height to be set perpendicular to the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle. With these two control elements, the seat part with the backrest arranged thereon can thus be adjusted upwards or downwards from a current position in a direction which is arranged approximately parallel to the backrest. The seat height thus describes the distance between the seat part and the backrest of the vehicle seat connected thereto and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle.

In addition, a pair of control elements is designed for setting a seat inclination angle between the seat part and the vehicle floor, wherein one of the control elements is designed to enlarge and the other of the control elements to reduce the current seat inclination angle. Here, the seat part is rotated about an axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

The various pairs of operating elements are preferably arranged at a predetermined distance around the projecting structural element. If the operating device does not have a protruding structural element in the middle, the respective pairs of operating elements can be arranged, for example, in an edge region of the operating device. Here, for example, an approximately circular arrangement of the pairs of operating elements is suitable. A total of eight adjustment functions of the vehicle seat can thus be carried out with the respective control elements of the pairs of control elements mentioned, namely an adjustment of the vehicle seat upwards and downwards, forwards and backwards, an adjustment of the seat inclination angle upwards and downwards, and an adjustment of the Backrest forwards and backwards relative to a usual installation position of the vehicle seat in the motor vehicle.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the operating device has at least one projecting structural element with a structural element surface in the form of a ring segment or a rectangle. Such protruding structural elements can, for example, be arranged around the protruding structural element already described, which is preferably arranged in the shape of a cylinder and in the center of the operating device. The two operating elements of one of the pairs of operating elements are arranged in respective recesses of the at least one projecting structural element. For example, the two operating elements for setting the backrest angle can be arranged in a protruding structural element with a structural element surface in the form of a ring segment. This structural element therefore has an arcuate contour in order to reflect the desired shape of the movement of the backrest of the vehicle seat. Because when adjusting the Backrest angle is a movement of the backrest around the axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle, so that ultimately the backrest performs an arcuate movement. If the user of the motor vehicle, for example, feels this structural element in the form of a ring segment, which is preferably arranged above the central cylindrical structural element, the user knows intuitively that by touching the respective control elements, which are arranged in the respective recesses of this structural element, he follows the backrest of the vehicle seat can adjust front or back. In this case, the control device for increasing the backrest angle on the right and the control device for reducing the backrest angle on the left are preferably arranged on the ring segment-shaped structural element.

Analogously to this, the operating elements for setting the seat inclination angle are likewise arranged on a protruding structural element whose structural element surface has the shape of a ring segment. This projecting structural element is preferably arranged to the left of the central cylindrical structural element, the control element arranged at the top being designed, for example, to reduce the seat inclination angle and the control element arranged below, for example, to increase the seat inclination angle.

The control elements for adjusting a longitudinal position of the vehicle seat and for adjusting a seat height of the vehicle seat are preferably arranged on the projecting structural elements with respective structural element surfaces in the form of a rectangle. Because the corresponding movements of the vehicle seat correspond to linear movements and not, as in the case of the adjustment of the backrest angle and the adjustment of the seat inclination angle, arcuate movements of the backrest or of the seat part. The structural element with the control elements for adjusting the seat height is preferably arranged to the right of the central cylindrical structure element, the upper control element being designed to increase the distance from the vehicle seat to the vehicle floor and the control element arranged below it to reduce the distance between the vehicle seat and the vehicle floor. The corresponding structural element with the control elements for adjusting the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat is preferably arranged below the central cylindrical structural element, the left control element being designed to move the vehicle seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the front and the right control element to move the vehicle seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear. The corresponding seat movement caused by touching the respective control elements thus corresponds, for example, to the arrangement of the respective element of the control device relative to a central axis of the control element. This central axis preferably runs centrally through the structural element with the controls for adjusting the backrest angle, the protruding cylindrical structural element and the structural element with the controls for adjusting the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat. Through the appropriate choice of the protruding structural elements, which have respective recesses, in each of which a pair of operating elements is arranged, the desired adjustment movement of the corresponding vehicle seat components is thus made intuitively tangible for the user by means of the structural element surface shape. On the other hand, the arrangement of the individual structural elements with the respective control elements can be used to make the setting of the vehicle seat particularly intuitive for the user, since the user can intuitively feel the structural element with his hand, from whose arrangement he can conclude that this means that desired vehicle seat adjustment is feasible.

It is furthermore provided in an embodiment of the invention that a separating element is arranged between the respective operating elements of the respective pair of operating elements arranged in respective recesses of the at least one structural element. The two respective control elements of a pair are therefore not arranged directly next to one another or one above the other on the respective structural element, but spatially separated from one another by an intermediate element, the so-called separating element. A separating element surface level is arranged at a predetermined height between a control panel surface level of the respective two control panels of the respective control elements and the structure element surface level. This height can be chosen, for example, such that the separating element surface level ends with the structural element surface level. If the user of the motor vehicle feels such a protruding structural element with his hand, he would, for example, feel a surface in the middle of this structural element, which ends with the edges of the protruding structural element. In the respective recesses to the side of this area of the structural element referred to as the middle separating element, he can feel the two operating elements of the corresponding pair of operating elements particularly intuitively and quickly.

Alternatively, the separating element can be arranged offset at any height relative to the structural element surface plane, so that the hand of the user initially, for example, is one felt the middle depression, on the sides of which the respective control elements are arranged in even deeper depressions.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the pairs of control elements is designed as a respective individual control element. Thus, only one control element can be provided in each case, for example, to adjust the backrest angle, the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat, the seat height of the vehicle seat and the seat inclination angle. The respective setting of the vehicle seat is not carried out as described above by touching the control panel of the respective operating device, the adjustment of the corresponding part or of the entire vehicle seat taking place as long as the contact on the respective control element continues. This is because the at least one individual control element is designed to detect a movement of the detected touch of the control panel, adjust the vehicle seat depending on a direction of the detected movement on the control panel, and when the detected movement stops on the control panel until the detected touch is ended the control panel also to provide the corresponding adjustment device with the control signal associated with the detected movement.

The individual control elements can, for example, be designed to adjust the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. With this control element, the vehicle seat as a whole, that is to say the seat part with the backrest arranged thereon, can thus be moved forward and backward, at least indirectly, on the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle, for example relative to a dashboard of the motor vehicle. The corresponding touch-sensitive control panel is now designed to detect a movement of the detected touch of the control panel and, depending on a direction of the detected movement on the control panel, to move the vehicle seat to the predetermined point or to move it away from it. The touch-sensitive control panel for adjusting the longitudinal position is therefore a control element often referred to as a touch slider. With this control element, the operation of this control element is therefore not only triggered by a selective touch of the control panel, but sliding contact is necessary over at least a portion of the touch-sensitive control panel, so that a corresponding movement of the vehicle seat is triggered by the respective adjustment device. This control element for adjusting the longitudinal position can, for example, be arranged below the projecting structural element with a preferably circular surface, which is arranged in the middle of the control device. This control element symbolizes the seat part of the vehicle seat, so that when the hand of the user of the motor vehicle is moved on this control element to the left, that is to say in the direction of a front edge of the seat part, the vehicle seat is moved forward, whereas when the hand is moved to the right in the direction of the Backrest of the vehicle seat is moved backwards. In the case of this control element, it can alternatively be provided that any movement detected on the control panel is detected as operation of the control element and a corresponding control signal is provided for the corresponding adjustment device. When operating this control element, it may therefore not be necessary for the touch to last longer than the predetermined minimum duration. This operating possibility of the control element for adjusting the seating position thus makes it possible, for example, to move the vehicle seat forward and backward particularly intuitively.

When the detected movement on the control panel is stopped, the control device associated with the detected touch is provided to the corresponding adjusting device until the touch on the control panel is ended. For example, if the user of the motor vehicle touches the control element for adjusting the longitudinal position and moves a finger of his hand to the left in the direction of the front edge of the vehicle seat in order to thereby adjust the vehicle seat in the direction of the dashboard, the longitudinal expansion of the control element may be too short is for the desired longitudinal position adjustment, which means that he has already reached the front end of this control element with his finger, for example, while the vehicle seat has not yet been moved as far forward as is desired. However, if the user remains with his hand on the front end of the control element that has been reached, that is to say continues to touch the control element there, this control is interpreted as a continued movement forwards, that is to say to the left, on the control element. The vehicle seat is therefore moved forward until the user lifts his finger off the control element and thereby signals that he no longer wishes the seat part to be moved forward. The seat adjustment via this control element can thus be initiated, for example, by beginning sliding contact and can only be completed when the contact between the finger of the hand of the user and the control panel is separated or a stop point of the adjustment device in the vehicle seat has been reached. The sliding direction on the control element, that is to say the direction of contact, preferably corresponds to the desired direction of adjustment of the vehicle seat. The seat position adjustment is therefore particularly intuitive possible because the user specifies with his hand the movement on a predetermined scale that the vehicle seat should perform. Analogously to such an operating element for adjusting the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat, the respective operating element for adjusting the backrest angle, the seat height and / or the seat inclination angle can alternatively or additionally be designed as such individual operating elements.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle with at least one vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest and an operating device as described above is also provided for adjusting the vehicle seat. The preferred embodiments presented in connection with the operating device according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly, insofar as applicable, to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

The invention also comprises a control device for the operating device, by means of which the control signal corresponding to this detected touch is provided for the respective adjusting device based on the touch detected by the respective control panel of the respective operating element.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Fahrzeugsitz, der eine Bedienvorrichtung umfasst; und
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Bedienvorrichtung zum Einstellen eines Sitzteils und einer Rückenlehne eines Fahrzeugsitzes eines Kraftfahrzeugs.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. This shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a vehicle seat, which comprises an operating device; and
• 2nd is a schematic representation of an operating device for adjusting a seat part and a backrest of a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle.

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

In the figures, elements with the same function are each provided with the same reference symbols.

In 1 is a motor vehicle 10th outlines that a vehicle seat 12 having. The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat part 14 as well as a backrest 16 . Respective central axes 18th of the seat part 14 as well as the backrest 16 are sketched with a respective dashed line. The vehicle seat 12 also has an operating device 20th for adjusting the seat part 14 as well as the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 12 on. With this control device 20th are a total of eight possible adjustment directions for individual components and the entire vehicle seat 12 possible. Firstly, the backrest ( 16 ) can be adjusted by a backrest angle 30th is adjusted, i.e. the angle between the backrest 16 and the seat part 14 can be enlarged or reduced. In addition, a longitudinal position 32 the vehicle seat ( 12 ) can be set, that is, a vehicle seat position relative to a predetermined point 34 on a vehicle floor 35 of the motor vehicle 10th can be set. Here the seat part 14 together with that with the seat part 14 connected backrest 16 to the given point 34 moved towards or away from it. Furthermore, a seat height 36 be enlarged or reduced. Also, a seat recline angle 38 about an axis running in the vehicle transverse direction, that of a y-direction of a sketched coordinate system 40 corresponds to, enlarged or reduced. The seat angle 38 corresponds to an angle of inclination between the seat part 14 and the vehicle floor 35 . The backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 12 also includes a lumbar support element 17th that in the z-direction and x-direction of the coordinate system 40 is mobile.

The control device 20th is located on the side of the outer wall of the motor vehicle 10th directed in the seat part 14 of the vehicle seat 12 , It is therefore parallel to the longitudinal and vertical alignment of the motor vehicle 10th arranged. A vehicle longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle 10th corresponds to the x-axis of the coordinate system 40 , whereas the vehicle's transverse direction 10th the y-axis of the coordinate system 40 corresponds.

The control device 20th includes several controls 22 , each of which is designed to operate a user of the motor vehicle 10th to detect, for example, operation with one hand by the user of the motor vehicle 10th , and a respective control signal corresponding to the respective operation for a respective adjusting device of the vehicle seat 12 to provide. The respective adjustment devices that are not in 1 are sketched, are designed, depending on the control signal provided, the seat part 14 and the backrest 16 adjust. For settings such as changing the longitudinal position 32 and the seat height 36 is together with the seat part 14 also the backrest 16 moves, but without the backrest angle 30th , this means the angle between the backrest 16 and the seat part 14 , changed.

In 2nd is the operating device 20th with multiple controls 22 , a total of 13 controls 22 that as controls 22a , 22b , 22c , 22c ' , 22d , 22e , 22f , 22g , 22h , 22i , 22j , 22k and 221 can be distinguished, outlined. The respective controls 22a to 221 are each designed as touch-sensitive control panels, each of which is designed to hold the respective control panel for longer than a predetermined minimum duration as an operation of the respective control element 22a to 221 to detect and provide a control signal corresponding to the detected touch for the respective adjusting device. The respective controls 22a to 221 are arranged in respective depressions. These depressions are relative to a respective structural element surface plane 25th of highlighted structural elements 24th and 24 ' deeply arranged. The controls 22a to 221 each have control panels that are in the control panel surface level 23 lie, which are offset in the positive y direction to a surface plane 21st the operating device 20th is arranged. The controls mentioned 22a to 221 are all on the same predetermined control panel surface level 23 .

The control device 20th , which has a total surface area of 100 mm by 100 mm and a depth in the y direction of 20 mm, for example, has a projecting structural element in the center 24th with a structural element surface plane 25th this protruding structural element 24th parallel to a surface plane 21st the operating device 20th is arranged. In addition, the protruding structural element 24th in this example the shape of a cylinder, that is to say a circular cylinder surface plane of this structural element 24th is parallel to the surface plane 21st the operating device 20th arranged. The protruding structural element 24th has four in respective depressions relative to the structural element surface plane 25th arranged controls 22h to 22k on, which are each designed to arrange the lumbar support element 17th in the backrest 16 adjust. The controls 22h and 22i are designed to accommodate the lumbar support element 17th in the x direction forwards or backwards relative to the central axis 18th the backrest 16 to move, whereas the controls 22j and 22k are designed to arrange the lumbar support element 17th in the z direction up or down. The controls 22 h to 22k are arranged relative to each other in such a way that they each cause adjustments in directions that result from the relative positioning of these operating elements 22h to 22k to each other on the projecting structural element arranged in the center 24th surrender. Between the four controls 22h to 22k for arranging the lumbar support element 17th the backrest 16 are each rib elements 28e arranged, which delimit the individual controls from each other.

The structural element 24th also has a recess in the center relative to the structural element surface plane 25th on in which the control element 221 is arranged, which is designed to perform a massage function of the vehicle seat 12 to activate. This control 221 To activate the massage function is also using rib elements 28e of the four adjacent controls 22h to 22k for arranging the lumbar support element 17th in the backrest 16 delimited.

The central structural element 24th furthermore has a rotatable outer ring which acts as a rotatable operating part 50 is trained. This rotatable control panel 50 is designed to rotate the outer ring by a predetermined angle of rotation to operate the control panel 50 to detect and provide a control signal corresponding to the detected rotation for one of the adjustment devices. Using this control panel 50 For example, the vehicle seat is enabled 12 about the axis running in the vertical direction of the vehicle, that is, about the z-axis of the coordinate system 40 , is rotated. In parallel, the control panel 50 be designed for the massage function of the vehicle seat 12 to reinforce or weaken, depending on the direction of rotation of the outer ring of the structural element 24th , that is the control panel 50 , is rotated.

Around the central structural element 24th there are four other structural elements around 24 ' arranged. These structural elements 24 ' each have a structural element surface 25 ' in the form of a ring segment or a rectangle. In the respective recesses of these structural elements 24 ' are two controls each 22 a pair of controls 22 arranged. These pairs of controls are controls 22 having an adjustment of the vehicle seat 12 initiate, in two respective adjustment directions. Above the central structural element 24th is on the structural element, for example 24 ' with structure element surface 25 ' in the form of a ring segment, a first pair of controls 22 , namely the controls 22a and 22b , arranged. These are designed to support the backrest angle 30th between backrest 16 and seat part 14 adjust, the control 22a to zoom out and the control 22b to enlarge the backrest angle 30th is designed. The arched outlines of this structural element 24 ' symbolize the rotary movement of the backrest 16 around the axis running in the y direction when adjusting the backrest angle 30th .

Between the two controls 22a and 22b is also a separator 52 arranged. A separator surface level 53 is at a predetermined height between the control panel surface level 23 of the respective two control panels of the respective control elements 22a and 22b and the structural element surface level 25th arranged. It is possible, for example, that the separating element surface plane 53 in the structural element surface plane 25th lies, that is, the separating element 52 with the surface of the structural element 24 ' at a height in the y direction of the coordinate system 40 lies.

Below the central structural element 24th is the pair of controls in this example 22c , 22c ' arranged to adjust the longitudinal position 32 of the vehicle seat 12 is designed. The left of the two controls 22c is for moving the vehicle seat 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the other of the controls 22c ' for moving the vehicle seat 12 designed in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear. The arrangement of these two controls 22c and 22c ' to each other on the control device 20th thus corresponds to that by operating the respective control element 22c or 22c ' initiated direction of movement of the vehicle seat 12 . This is when the control element is operated 22c for example, moved in the negative x direction, that is, for example, to a dashboard of the motor vehicle 10th towards, whereas when operating the control element 22c ' the vehicle seat 12 in the positive x direction and thus from the point 34 is moved away. Because such movement of the vehicle seat 12 The protruding structural element is linear 24 ' on which the controls 22c and 22c ' are arranged in the form of a rectangle. Between the two controls 22c and 22c ' can again the separating element 52 be provided.

Left of the central structural element 24th are the pair of controls 22 to adjust the seat angle 38 arranged, that is, the controls 22f and 22g . The control element 22f to increase the seat angle 38 is above the control element 22g to reduce the current seat angle 38 arranged. Because the adjustment of the seat angle 38 also with a rotating movement of the seat part 14 by one in the vehicle transverse direction, that is to say in the y direction of the coordinate system 40 aligned axis is the corresponding structural element 24 ' with the two controls 22f and 22g with a structural element surface 25 ' formed in the form of a ring segment. The position to the left of the central structural element 24th symbolizes here that when these controls are actuated 22f and 22g the seat part 14 relative to the backrest 16 is moved. In contrast are the controls 22d and 22e that are to the right of the central structural element 24th on the structural element 24 ' are arranged with a rectangular shape, designed to adjust the seat height linearly. The controls 22d and 22e are therefore used to adjust the seat height 36 of the vehicle seat 12 designed, the control element 22d to enlarge and the control element below 22e to reduce the current seat height 36 of the vehicle seat 12 is designed. The structural elements 24 ' with the controls 22f and 22g to adjust the seat angle 38 as well as with the controls 22d and 22e to adjust the seat height 36 also have respective separating elements 52 between the respective controls 22f and 22g respectively 22d and 22e on.

As an alternative to the described pairs of controls 22 can be at least one of the pairs of controls 22 as a respective individual control element 22 be formed, which is designed to detect a movement of the detected touch of the control panel and, depending on a direction of the detected movement on the control panel, the vehicle seat 12 adjust. When the detected movement on the control panel is stopped until the detected touch on the control panel is ended, the corresponding adjustment device is provided with the control signal associated with the detected movement.

The individual protruding structural elements 24th as well as the four protruding structural elements 24 ' are symmetrical to respective central axes in this exemplary embodiment 18th in the z and x direction of the coordinate system 40 on the control device 20th arranged.

Overall, the example shows that an operating device 20th , which comprises several touch-sensitive control panels, specially designed for seat adjustments and in a seat cover of the seat part 14 can be located. The design as well as the design of the control device 20th with the structural elements 24th , 24 ' and the rib elements positioned as described 28e therefore enables blind operation of the operating device 20th . Arrangement and design of the individual controls 22a to 221 for the respective adjustment functions are based on the shape of the vehicle seat 12 chosen. In addition, using a defined mode of operation with the controls 22a to 22g a particularly intuitive adjustment of the backrest 16 , the longitudinal position 32 of the vehicle seat 12 , the seat height 36 and the seat angle 38 enables. The triggering process of operating the controls 22a to 22g can do this alternatively by beginning to glide on these controls 22a to 22g triggered and not simply by touching the corresponding control panel. The determined activity is only completed after the sequence of touches has been released from the control panel or takes place as long as the end stop of the corresponding adjusting device is not yet effective. In addition, the exemplary operating device enables 20th a standardization of switches for seat adjustment, that is, for adjusting the vehicle seat 12 , with a lordosis switch, that is, a switch for arranging the lumbar support element 17th .

Reference symbol list

10th

Motor vehicle

12

Vehicle seat

14

Seat part

16

backrest

17th

Lumbar support element

18th

Central axis

20th

Operating device

21st

Surface level

22

Control element

22a-I

Control element

23

Panel surface level

24th

Structural element

24 '

Structural element

25th

Structure element surface level

25 '

Structure element surface

28e

Rib element

30th

Backrest angle

32

Longitudinal position

34

Point

35

Vehicle floor

36

Seating position

38

Seat angle

40

Coordinate system

50

Control panel

52

Separating element

53

Partition surface level

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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

• DE 102015200006 A1 [0003]
• DE 19922409 A1 [0004]
• DE 19926519 A1 [0005]
• DE 19926520 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Operating device (20) for adjusting a seat part (14) and a backrest (16) of a vehicle seat (12) of a motor vehicle (10), the operating device (20) having a plurality of operating elements (22), each of which is designed to perform a respective operation to detect a user of the motor vehicle (10) and to provide a respective control signal corresponding to the respective operation for a respective adjustment device of the vehicle seat (12), the respective adjustment device being designed to, depending on the control signal provided, the seat part (14) or the backrest ( 16), characterized in that - the respective control elements (22) are designed as respective touch-sensitive control panels, each of which are designed to detect a touch of the respective control panel that lasts longer than a predetermined minimum duration as an operation of the respective control element (22) and one of the sensed touch to provide a corresponding control signal for the respective adjustment device; - The respective control elements (22) are arranged in respective recesses. Operating device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the operating device (20) has a projecting structural element (24), a structural element surface plane (25) being arranged parallel to a surface plane (21) of the operating device (20) and four in each case Has depressions arranged relative to the structural element surface plane (25) control elements (22h, 22i, 22j, 22k), which are each designed to set an arrangement of a lumbar support element (17) in the backrest (16), the projecting structural element (24) in particular in Form a cylinder and a circular cylinder surface plane of the structural element (24) is arranged parallel to the surface plane (21) of the operating device (20). Operating device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the structural element (24) has in the center an operating element (221) arranged in a recess relative to the structural element surface plane (25), in particular to the cylinder surface plane (25), which is designed to have a Activate the massage function of the vehicle seat (12). Operating device (20) according to one of the Claims 2 or 3rd , characterized in that the control device (20) - rib elements (28e) which delimit the four control elements (22h, 22i, 22j, 22k) for arranging the lumbar support element (17) in the backrest (16), and / or - Rib elements (28e) which delimit the control element (221) for activating the massage function from the respective four adjacent control elements (22h, 22i, 22j, 22k) for arranging the lumbar support element (17) in the backrest (16). Operating device (20) according to one of the Claims 2 to 4th , characterized in that the structural element (24) has a rotatable outer ring which is designed as a rotatable operating part (50) which is designed to detect a rotation of the outer ring by a predetermined angle of rotation as operating the operating part (50) and one of the Provide detected rotation corresponding control signal for one of the adjustment devices, wherein the adjustment device is in particular designed to rotate the vehicle seat (12) about an axis running in the vehicle vertical direction. Operating device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating device (20) comprises at least one of the following pairs of operating elements (22): - Operating elements (22a, 22b) for adjusting a backrest angle (30) between the backrest (16) and seat part (14), wherein one of the control elements (22a) is designed to reduce the size and the other of the control elements (22b) is designed to enlarge the backrest angle (30); - Control elements (22c, 22c ') for adjusting a longitudinal position (32) of the vehicle seat (12), one of the control elements (22c) for moving the vehicle seat (12) in the vehicle longitudinal direction forward and the other of the control elements (22c') for Moving the vehicle seat (12) in the vehicle longitudinal direction is designed to the rear; - Control elements (22d, 22e) for setting a seat height (36) of the vehicle seat (12), one of the control elements (22d) for increasing and the other of the control elements (22e) for reducing the current seat height (36) of the vehicle seat (12 ) is designed; - Control elements (22f, 22g) for setting a seat inclination angle (38) between the seat part (14) and the vehicle floor (35), one of the control elements (22f) for increasing and the other of the control elements (22g) for reducing the current seat inclination angle (38) is designed. Operating device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the operating device (20) has at least one projecting structural element (24 ') with a structural element surface (25') in the form of a ring segment or a rectangle, in respective recesses of the at least one structural element (24 '), the two control elements (22) of one of the pairs of control elements (22) are arranged. Operating device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a separating element (52) is arranged between the respective operating elements (22) of the respective pair of operating elements (22) arranged in respective recesses of the at least one structural element (24 '), one Separating element surface level (53) is arranged at a predetermined height between a control panel surface level (23) of the respective two control panels of the respective control elements (22) and the structural element surface level (25). Control device (20) after Claim 5 , characterized in that at least one of the pairs of control elements (22) is designed as a respective individual control element (22) which is designed to detect a movement of the detected touch of the control panel and depending on a direction of the detected movement on the control panel adjust the vehicle seat (12) and continue to provide the corresponding adjustment device with the control signal associated with the detected movement when the detected movement on the control panel stops until the detected touch on the control panel is ended. Motor vehicle (10) with at least one vehicle seat (12) with a seat part (14) and a backrest (16) and an operating device (20) according to one of the preceding claims for adjusting the vehicle seat (12).

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