DE102021130483A1 - Anatomically formable support, especially lumbar support - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anatomically formable support, in particular a lumbar support, and a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, according to the respective preambles of patent claims 1 and 8, which has a base body for supporting a lower back area of a user of the lumbar support, at least one adjustment device which is set up for this purpose and is intended to change the shape of an outer surface and/or to change an orientation of the base body relative to the lordosis area of the user, at least one device for measuring pressure and/or humidity, which is set up and provided for this purpose, the pressure and /or to measure moisture on the outer surface of the base body, the pressure and/or the moisture arising from the at least indirect contact with the lordosis area of the user.

Description

The present invention relates to an anatomically formable support, in particular a lumbar support, and a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, according to the respective preambles of patent claims 1 and 8.

In previous vehicle seats, which included lumbar supports, these lumbar supports are not adjusted automatically and not even fully automatically. If a new user sits on the vehicle, the users themselves, depending on the adjustment requests, move a lumbar support of a backrest of a seat backwards or forwards and sometimes even change its shape, so that a lower back, i.e. a lordosis area of the Back, is properly supported, at least in the driver's view.

However, the prior art lacks such a lumbar support adjustment, which automatically or fully automatically, in particular on the basis of predetermined criteria, such as limit values of load and pressure on the backrest and/or sensors attached to the lumbar support, controls the lordosis in the back itself and stays there. Also missing is such a lumbar support, which adjusts the lumbar support according to the driving style and/or the driving speed and/or the weight of the driver using an adjustment device, which is described in more detail below. So it is conceivable that at high speeds the driver, instead of pressing himself into the backrest, assumes a sitting position leaning forward, in particular in the style of a racing driver. As a result, the lower lordosis area bends forward from a push-through posture, i.e. a hollow back posture, and becomes somewhat straighter, for example so straight that instead of a convex, a concave curvature of the lordosis area arises. All of this can be stored by the present invention on the basis of the adjustment device described below in a computer chip of the adjustment device, so that the shape and/or position of the lumbar support relative to the lumbar area of the back area changes depending on the speed and/or the driving style of the user adjusts.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Further deformations can be found in the further claims.

According to the invention, the anatomically formable support, in particular a lumbar support for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, comprises a base body for supporting a lower back area of a user of the lumbar support, at least one adjustment device which is set up and provided for changing the shape of an outer surface and/or to change an orientation of the base body relative to the lordosis area of the user and at least one device for measuring pressure and/or moisture, which is set up and provided for measuring the pressure and/or moisture on the outer surface of the base body, the pressure and/or or the moisture is caused by the at least indirect contact with the lordosis area of the user, which is characterized in that the device for measuring pressure and/or moisture has at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes which, in particular in a horizontal direction along one and are arranged relative to one another on an, in particular flexible, carrier material, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes, with at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer on a side facing away from the carrier material of at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer is arranged, with the at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer being arranged in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer, so that a capacitance changes at least partially as a result of the liquid at least partially impinging on the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up for this purpose and is intended to measure and/or store this change, resulting in a capacitive humidity sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the carrier material is an outer surface of the base body, and in particular an upholstery material.

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor is glued onto the cover material or is fastened to the base body, in particular to the carrier material, with some other mechanical fastening means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the adjusting device has at least one evaluation and control unit which, based on the measured values measured by the sensor, changes the shape of an outer surface and/or changes an orientation of the main body relative to the lordosis area of the user until the Sensor readings are within a comfortable range.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the comfort zone includes at least one previously set limit value, which must be exceeded or fallen below in order to get into the comfort zone.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment device has mechanical, pneumatic and/or electrically operable adjustment elements for adjustment, which are arranged inside or outside the support, in particular on a frame of a seat, in particular on a frame of a vehicle seat.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment elements have mechanical displacement elements, which are displaced along a displacement path by means of a servomotor.

According to the invention, the seat, in particular the vehicle seat, comprises a seat part for seating a user of the vehicle seat, at least one seat base for mounting the vehicle seat on a vehicle floor, and a connecting frame, in particular a height-adjustable one, which mechanically connects the seat part to the seat base, in particular so that the seat part is movable in the height direction relative to the seat base and at least one backrest which is mechanically connected to the seat part, which is characterized in that on a side of the backrest facing a user of the seat in a lordosis area of the backrest and/or at least partially within the Backrest the support is arranged.

The device according to the invention for measuring pressure and/or humidity comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, the sensor comprising at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes which, in particular in a horizontal direction, along and on a in particular flexible carrier material are arranged relative to one another, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

The horizontal direction is preferably a main extension direction of the flexible carrier material.

In this context, "flexible" means that the carrier material is at least partially flexible and therefore elastic.

In particular, the carrier material can be a woven fabric or some other clothing fabric such as a polyester.

The dielectric layer thus spaces the two electrodes in a horizontal direction and/or in a transverse direction perpendicular thereto.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer is arranged at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material, at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer, the at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer thus being in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged such that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid at least partially impinging on the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and provided for measuring and/or storing this change, resulting in a capacitive moisture sensor.

In principle, a capacitive humidity sensor is a capacitor whose dielectric preferably consists of a hygroscopic polymer layer that absorbs (absorbs) or releases (desorbs) moisture according to the humidity of the ambient air until a state of equilibrium (diffusion gradient = 0) is reached. The dielectric constant of the polymer material changes as a function of the moisture content.

The task of the processing unit is, among other things, to determine the relative humidity as precisely as possible, preferably also from a measured ambient temperature and the humidity-dependent capacitance value of the sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the device for measuring pressure and/or humidity comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, the sensor comprising at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which in particular are arranged in a horizontal direction along and on a in particular flexible carrier material are arranged relative to one another, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer is arranged at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material, at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing layer (=moisture layer), the at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer thus being located in the transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged so that a capacity through the on the dielectric ric layer at least partially impinging liquid, is at least partially changed, with a processing unit being set up and provided for measuring and/or storing this change, so that a capacitive moisture sensor is created.

The moisture layer can be formed with a dielectric material. The material of the moisture layer can be different from the material of the water-impermeable layer.

The sensor and/or the processing unit can be supplied with electrical energy by means of a battery or a landline power supply.

As an alternative or in addition, it is possible to generate electrical energy to supply the sensor and/or processing unit by means of what is known as “energy harvesting”.

Energy harvesting is the term used to describe the extraction of small amounts of electrical energy from sources such as ambient temperature, vibration or air currents for low-power mobile devices. The structures used for this are also referred to as nanogenerators. Energy Harvesting eliminates the limitations of wired power supplies or batteries in wireless technologies.

• • Piezoelektrische Kristalle erzeugen bei Krafteinwirkung, beispielsweise durch Druck oder Vibration, elektrische Spannungen. Diese Kristalle können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Thermoelektrische Generatoren und pyroelektrische Kristalle gewinnen aus Temperaturunterschieden elektrische Energie. Diese Generatoren können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Über Antennen kann die Energie von Radiowellen, eine Form von elektromagnetischer Strahlung, aufgefangen und energetisch verwendet werden. Ein Beispiel dafür sind die passiven RFIDs. Diese Antennen können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Photovoltaik, elektrische Energie aus der Umgebungsbeleuchtung.
• • Osmose.

Possibilities of energy harvesting:

• • Piezoelectric crystals generate electrical voltages when force is applied, for example through pressure or vibration. These crystals can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • Thermoelectric generators and pyroelectric crystals generate electrical energy from temperature differences. These generators can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • The energy of radio waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation, can be captured via antennas and used for energy. Passive RFIDs are an example of this. These antennas can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • Photovoltaics, electrical energy from ambient lighting.
• • Osmosis.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the sensor is also a capacitive pressure sensor, with the processing unit also being set up and provided for measuring and/or storing a change in capacitance of the capacitor caused by external pressure.

Basically, a capacitive sensor is a sensor that works on the basis of the change in the electrical capacitance of an individual capacitor or a capacitor system. The capacitance can be influenced by the variable to be detected in various ways, which is primarily determined by the intended use.

• - Eine Platte wird durch den zumessenden Effekt verschoben und/oder verformt, wodurch sich der Plattenabstand und damit die elektrische messbare Kapazität ändern.
• - Die Platten sind starr und die Kapazität an Sich ändert sich dadurch, dass ein elektrisch leitendes Material oder ein Dielektrikum in unmittelbare Nähe gebracht wird.
• - Die wirksame Plattenfläche ändert sich, indem die Platten wie bei einem Drehkondensator gegeneinander verschoben werden.

A capacitive sensor is based, among other things, on the fact that two electrodes, one of which can be the surface to be measured, form the “plates” of an electrical capacitor whose capacitance or change in capacitance is measured, which can be influenced as follows:

• - A plate is displaced and/or deformed by the measuring effect, which changes the distance between the plates and thus the electrical capacitance that can be measured.
• - The plates are rigid and the capacitance itself changes by bringing an electrically conductive material or dielectric in close proximity.
• - The effective plate area changes by shifting the plates against each other like in a variable capacitor.

In order to be able to detect even small changes better, the actual measuring electrode can often be surrounded by a shielding electrode, which shields the inhomogeneous edge area of the electric field from the measuring electrode. This results in an approximately parallel electric field between measuring electrodes and the counter electrode, which is usually grounded, with the known characteristics of an ideal one plate capacitor.

A capacitive pressure sensor is in particular one in which the change in capacitance as a result of the deflection of a membrane and the resulting change in the distance between the plates is evaluated as a sensor effect. For example, the membrane is the above-mentioned dielectric or the individual capacitor electrodes, which can be designed in particular in the form of a plate. In other words, in such an embodiment, a capacitive humidity sensor is combined with a capacitive pressure sensor in a novel way, but without these components forming separate elements or two separate sensors, rather the present embodiment is a “two in one “ concept in which the same sensor acts as both a humidity sensor and a pressure sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the carrier material is a woven fabric, in particular into which electrical conductor tracks for electrical contacting of the sensor and the processing unit are woven.

For the purposes of the invention, a woven fabric is therefore a fabric that has been woven manually or by machine on the basis of individual threads.

The electrical conductor tracks can therefore also be integrated in a fabric in addition to the usual fibers and fabric strands, or they can replace individual fabric strands that form the fabric network.

Depending on the distance and properties of the individual threads (twisted, bulky, etc.), very loose fabrics such as bandage fabrics or dense fabrics such as brocade fabric can be created. Fabrics are longitudinally elastic due to rubber threads used as warp threads (more tapes are used) or crimped and bulky yarns. They become tense, processed and contract when at rest. Bulky yarns consist of textured, i.e. crimped, synthetic fibers. The crimp changes the properties of the synthetic fibers. The yarns spun on it are very elastic and voluminous and have good thermal insulation.

For example, the carrier material can be part of a cover material for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat or an office chair. In this respect, the sensor, but preferably the entire device, can be applied to the cover material of such a seat or integrated into one.

For example, the processing unit is set up and intended to record the individual humidity and pressure values and to determine at least one respective characteristic value from a combination of the individual humidity and pressure values, from which it can be derived which individual (with weight and/or size ) just occupied the vehicle seat.

For example, a weight of the respective person can be derived and determined from the pressure measurement by the processing unit. The respective humidity which the respective person releases to the sensor can also be measured, with the respective characteristic value being, for example, a product of the relative humidity value times the load weight determined by the processing unit.

If such a characteristic value exceeds a corresponding limit value, the processing unit can issue a warning, in particular by means of a connection to the electronics of the vehicle. This warning may be that the seat is overcrowded or that the driver is perspiring excessively. However, this warning can also be replaced by a corresponding display as to which type of occupancy is using the seat. An occupancy type can be a weight classification of a respective user, or whether the user is an animal, a human being or an object. The processing unit can therefore preferably be integrated into display electronics of the vehicle, but at least can be connected to such.

For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit connects to a receiving unit of the vehicle, for example via Bluetooth or another wireless connection, and the respective characteristic or limit value and/or the respective warning and/or the respective identification of the user is reproduced on a display of the vehicle become.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that these individual values and/or identifications can also be called up and/or displayed externally. For example, the car can be monitored for overcrowding by an external controller.

For example, the processing unit can be connected to a triggering unit of an airbag by means of a data connection, so that the processing unit can also control and/or regulate the triggering unit, in particular with regard to a triggering time of the airbag. Additionally and/or alternatively, it is possible for the processing unit to supply a controller unit of the airbag with data, for example with regard to an occupancy type, position and/or weight of a user of the vehicle seat.

This data can lead to the deployment time and the deployment sequence of the airbag being adapted to the user, so that personal injury to the user is avoided.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer is printed on the carrier material or on a particularly water-impermeable layer arranged on the carrier material or applied by means of a thin-layer process.

This means that at least one element, preferably both the electrode and the dielectric layer, is printed on the carrier material or on a preferably electrically non-conductive, more preferably water-impermeable layer applied between the sensor and the carrier material using a printing process.

The printing process can be an inkjet process, for example.

For example, the processing unit is applied to the substrate in the same way as the sensor. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit, but at least one, in particular conductive, layer of the processing unit is printed onto the carrier material, for example. The data communication between the processing unit and the sensor can then occur via the conductor tracks mentioned above. These conductor tracks can be at least partially, but preferably completely, woven into the woven fabric or even form individual fibers of the woven fabric itself.

For example, at least one electrode is designed to be flat. This means that the thickness of the electrode is negligible compared to its surface area. Such an electrode can therefore be produced in particular by means of a printing process.

As an alternative to this, a thickness of at least one electrode can be at most 5 mm. For this purpose, the printing process can be used several times, so that at least two, but preferably more, individual printed layers are stacked one on top of the other.

Furthermore, the electrode can also be arranged on the carrier material by means of a 3D printing process.

1. The FDM process (Fused Deposition Modeling)

Alternative designations: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused Layer Modeling (FLM)

The process refers to the layer-by-layer application (extrusion) of a material through a hot nozzle. The consumable is in the form of a long wire (so-called filament) on a roll and is pushed by the conveyor unit into a print head, where it is melted and applied to a print bed. The print head and/or print bed can be moved in three directions. In this way, layers of plastic can be applied one on top of the other step by step.

2. The SLS process (Selective Laser Sintering)

In contrast to the sintering process, in which substances in powder form are bonded together under the influence of heat, this is done selectively in the SLS process using a laser (alternatively also an electron beam or infrared beam). So only a certain part of the powder is fused together.

A thin layer of powder is always applied to the print bed by the coating unit. The laser (or other energy source) is now aligned with pinpoint accuracy to individual areas of the powder layer in order to form the first layer of the print data. Here, the powder is melted or melted and then solidifies again through slight cooling. The unmelted powder remains around the sintered areas and serves as a support material. After a layer has solidified, the print bed lowers by a fraction of a millimeter. The coating unit now moves over the print bed and applies the next layer of powder. The second layer of print data is then sintered by the laser (or other energy source). This creates a three-dimensional object layer by layer.

3. Three Dimensional Printing (3DP)

The 3DP process works very similarly to selective laser sintering, but instead of using a directed energy source, a printhead moves over the powder. This releases tiny droplets of binder onto the underlying layers of powder, which are thus bonded together. Otherwise, this procedure is the same as the SLS procedure.

4. Stereolithography (SLA)

Instead of a plastic wire or printing material in powder form, liquid resins, so-called photopolymers, are used in the stereolithography process. They are hardened in layers by UV radiation and thus create three-dimensional objects. For this purpose, the construction platform in the Harz basin is gradually lowered. There are also variants (the so-called Polyjet process) without a whole tank of liquid resin. For this purpose, an epoxy resin is applied drop by drop from a nozzle and immediately cured by a UV laser.

5. Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Alternative designation: Layer Laminated Manufacturing (LLM)

The procedure is based neither on chemical reactions nor on a thermal process. It is cut along the contour with a separating tool (e.g. a knife or carbon dioxide laser), a foil or a plate (e.g. paper) and glued to one another in layers. By lowering the construction platform, a layered object is created from glued, superimposed foils.

One or more water-impermeable layers and/or also the moisture layer can be applied in the same type and/or thickness as the electrode.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the moisture layer covers the capacitor completely.

This can mean that the moisture layer outwards, that is to say in the transverse direction, delimits and closes off the sensor so that the sensor is arranged between the moisture layer and the carrier material.

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor has at least one additional capacitor, which is arranged in the transverse direction below or above the capacitor and spaced apart from the capacitor by an additional water-impermeable layer on or under this additional water-impermeable layer, so that a capacitor stack is formed.

The further capacitor can be constructed in the same way as the capacitor and also can be arranged on the further waterproof layer in a same way as the capacitor.

Using such a capacitor stack, the sensor system can be refined in a particularly simple manner, namely insofar as it is conceivable that with two sensors forming the capacitor stack, both sensors perform the same tasks, but the respective measured values are determined by the individual sensors, which together conclude an average value permit. For example, the (relative) humidity of the environment is measured by each of the two sensors, and the average humidity value is then determined from these two measured values. The same can be done accordingly with the pressure measurement, so that the accuracy of the entire measurement, in particular a combination of the measurements of (relative) humidity and the respective pressure, can be configured particularly precisely.

According to at least one embodiment, the water-impermeable layer and/or the further water-impermeable layer at least partially forms the dielectric layer itself.

This may mean that instead of positioning a dielectric layer separately next to the water-impermeable layer and/or next to the further water-impermeable layer, this dielectric layer itself is formed by the water-impermeable layer and/or the further water-impermeable layer.

Such a production of the dielectric layer through the water-impermeable layer(s) therefore forms a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing method for a cost-effective device.

Apart from that, the electrodes, the dielectric layer and the water-impermeable layer(s) can in principle be arranged in relation to one another in such a way that an electrical short circuit is prevented in any case.

According to at least one embodiment, a maximum thickness of the moisture layer is at least 30% and at most 80% of the maximum thickness of the water-impermeable layer and/or the maximum thickness of the further water-impermeable layer.

This not only ensures a particularly flat sensor, but also ensures a particularly fast reaction time to changes in humidity. The moisture acting on the moisture layer from the outside therefore does not have to travel long distances to the dielectric.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for measuring pressure and/or humidity, it being noted in particular that all features disclosed for the device described above are also disclosed for the method described here and vice versa.

According to at least one embodiment, the method for measuring pressure and/or humidity initially comprises a first step by means of which at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity is provided, the sensor having at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes which, in particular in a horizontal direction along and on a, in particular flexible, carrier material zuei are arranged next to each other, wherein at least one dielectric layer is arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer is arranged at least in places on a side of at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer facing away from the carrier material, with the at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer thus being arranged in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged such that a capacitance changes at least partially as a result of the liquid at least partially impinging on the dielectric layer, with a processing unit measuring and/or storing this change, resulting in a capacitive moisture sensor.

The method described above has the same advantages and advantageous configurations as the device described above.

The invention described here is described in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments and the associated figures.

• In der 1 ist eine anatomisch formbare Stütze, insbesondere Lordosenstütze für einen Sitz, insbesondere einen Fahrzeugsitz gezeigt.
• In der 2 ist in einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Messung von Druck und/oder Feuchtigkeit gezeigt.
• In der 3 ist einer schematisch perspektivischen Ansicht eine in Bezug auf die Schichtenordnung dargestellte Explosionszeichnung dargestellt.
• In der 4 ist ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer hier beschriebenen Vorrichtung gezeigt.

Components that are the same or have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols.

• In the 1 an anatomically formable support, in particular a lumbar support for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, is shown.
• In the 2 a device according to the invention for measuring pressure and/or humidity is shown in a first exemplary embodiment.
• In the 3 an exploded drawing shown in relation to the layer arrangement is shown in a schematic perspective view.
• In the 4 a further exemplary embodiment of a device described here is shown.

1 shows an anatomically formable support 80, 90, in particular a lumbar support, for a seat 6, in particular a vehicle seat, comprising a base body 40 for supporting a lower back area of a user of the lumbar support, at least one adjustment device 60 which is set up and provided for this purpose, an outer surface to change its shape and/or to change an orientation of the base body 40 relative to the lordosis area of the user, at least one device 100 for measuring pressure and/or moisture, which is set up and provided for the pressure and/or moisture on the outer surface of the base body, with the pressure and/or the moisture being produced by the at least indirect contact with the lordosis area of the user, characterized in that the device 100 for measuring pressure and/or moisture has at least one capacitor 20 with at least two electrodes 10, 11, which are arranged relative to each other, in particular in a horizontal direction along and on an, in particular flexible, carrier material 13, with at least one dielectric layer 4 being arranged between the electrodes 10, 11, with at least one dielectric layer 4 being arranged on a side facing away from the carrier material 13 At least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer 3 is arranged at least in places on the electrode 10, 11 and/or the dielectric layer 4, the at least one electrode 10, 11 and/or the dielectric layer 4 thus being located between the carrier material in a transverse direction Q1 13 and the moisture layer 3 are arranged so that a capacitance changes at least partially as a result of the liquid at least partially impinging on the dielectric layer 4, with a processing unit 5 being set up and provided for measuring and/or storing this change, so that a capacitive humidity sensor is created.

1 It can also be seen that the carrier material 13 is an outer surface of the base body 40, and in particular an upholstery material.

1 FIG. 1 also shows that the sensor 1 is glued onto the cover material or is fastened to the base body 40, in particular to the carrier material 13, with some other mechanical fastening means.

1 it can also be seen that the comfort zone includes at least one previously set limit value, which must be exceeded or fallen below in order to reach the comfort zone, and that the adjustment device 60 has mechanical, pneumatic and/or electrically operable adjustment elements, which are arranged inside or outside the support, in particular on a frame 9 of a seat 6, in particular on a frame 9 of a vehicle seat.

1 it can be seen that the adjustment elements have mechanical displacement elements, which are displaced along a displacement path by a servomotor.

Also can 1 a seat 6, in particular a vehicle seat, can be removed, comprising a seat part 7 for seating a user of the vehicle seat 6, at least one seat base 8 for mounting the vehicle seat 6 on a vehicle floor, and a connecting frame 9, in particular a height-adjustable one, which mechanically connects the seat part 7 to the seat base 8, in particular so that the seat part 7 is vertical relative to the seat base 8 is movable, at least one backrest 70, which is mechanically connected to the seat part 7, characterized in that on a side of the backrest 70 facing a user of the seat 6 in a lordosis area of the backrest 70 and/or at least partially within the backrest 70 the support is placed.

How now that 2 can be removed, there is shown a device 100 for measuring pressure and/or humidity.

A sensor 1 is shown there by way of example, the sensor 1 showing a capacitor stack with a capacitor 20 and a capacitor 30, the individual electrodes 10, 11 of the capacitors 20, 30 being arranged one above the other in the horizontal direction H1, although alternatively of course, an arrangement of the individual electrodes 10, 11 of an individual capacitor 20, 30 in the transverse direction Q1 which runs perpendicular to the horizontal direction H1 and thus also perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the sensor 1 shown there or can be arranged.

The individual electrodes 10 , 11 are arranged on a carrier material 13 . The carrier material 13 can in particular be a woven fabric, in particular a flexible woven fabric.

A water-impermeable layer 4 is arranged on the carrier material 13, the two electrodes 10, 11 of the capacitor 20 being printed on this water-impermeable layer 4 in the horizontal direction H1.

The electrodes 10, 11 of the capacitor 20 are completely surrounded by a further layer 14 which is impermeable to water. The further capacitor 30 with corresponding electrodes 10, 11 is printed on this water-impermeable layer 14 in the same way. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, exposed outer surfaces of the individual electrodes 10, 11 of the further capacitor 30 are preferably completely surrounded by a water-permeable and/or water-absorbing moisture layer 3.

Via this moisture layer 3, water can impinge on a dielectric layer 4, which in the present case is arranged in the horizontal direction H1 between the respective electrodes 10, 11 of a capacitor 20, 30.

In the present embodiment 2 and 3 the waterproof layer 4 itself forms a dielectric layer 4 of the capacitor 20 . The same applies to the further water-impermeable layer 14 in relation to the further capacitor 30.

The dielectric properties, in particular of the dielectric layer 2 of the further capacitor 30, are changed by the moisture impinging on and penetrating through the moisture layer 3.

In addition, a processing unit 5 can be seen, which has a data connection with the two capacitors 20, 30, this processing unit 5 being set up and provided for measuring a change in the relative humidity of the environment and/or the moisture layer 3.

Through the in the 2 illustrated "stackwise" arrangement and the fact that the further water-impermeable layer 14 prevents the capacitor 20 from coming into contact with moisture, it can therefore be provided that only the further capacitor 30 and its dielectric layer 4 is exposed to moisture. For this purpose, the processing unit 5 can then compare a change in the capacitance of the additional capacitor 30 with the stable capacitor capacitance of the capacitor 10, so that a particularly simple comparison can be made in the change in the relative humidity and/or the respective load pressure.

Through the in the 2 The arrow shown also shows a pressure direction in which pressure is applied to the sensor 1 . Both can preferably be measured, evaluated and stored by the sensor 1 and in particular by the device 100 . The processing unit 5 shown as essential in the invention is used in particular for this purpose, which can also measure and evaluate corresponding pressure values and the associated changes in the capacitance of the individual sensors 1, so that the processing unit 5 is also set up and provided for this purpose to measure and/or store the change in capacitance caused in the capacitor 20 and in particular also in the further capacitor 30 .

The moisture layer 3 can be flexible or non-flexible. It is also possible for the moisture layer 3 to be in the form of a woven fabric. In particular, it can be a woven fabric dles, which was mentioned as an example in the introductory part of the present application. In addition, however, it is also possible for the moisture layer 3 to be a substrate which is applied, for example glued, to the further capacitor 30, for example in the form of an epitaxy or an adhesive process.

The water-impermeable layer 14 and/or the water-impermeable layer 15 can also be flexible and non-flexible, in particular, can also be formed in the form of a woven fabric or a substrate in the same manner as the moisture layer 3 .

In addition, it is advantageously conceivable that the electrodes 10, 11 of the two capacitors 20, 30 were printed onto the water-impermeable layer 14 and the further water-impermeable layer 15 in the form of a printing process, for example an inkjet printing process.

In the 3 is shown an exploded drawing, in particular from the 3 the respective arrangement of the electrodes 10, 11 of the capacitors 20, 30 can be seen. The action of force on the sensor 1, represented by the direction of the arrow, as well as the moisture acting through the individual, schematically represented drops, can again be seen. In particular, it can again be seen that the moisture penetrates in particular between the electrodes 10, 11 and has, for example, a significant effect on the electrical properties of the respective water-permeable layer 14, so that the capacitance of at least the other capacitor 30, as in FIG 2 explained each changes.

In the 4 is shown in a further embodiment of the invention described here that the sensor 1 can consist of two electrodes 10 and one electrode 11 . The electrodes 10 have one polarity (preferably the same polarity), while the electrode 11 has a different polarity thereof, but in the right part of the 4 the exploded view of the left part of the 4 1 and it can be seen that three waterproof layers 4, 14, 15 are used. The electrodes 10 can also have different polarities and/or electrical potentials. The electrodes 10 can also be electrically connected to one another.

For example, the electrodes 10, 11 can also each have and/or generate a separate polarity and/or a separate electrical potential. The same can also apply in relation to the electrodes in the following figures.

For example, the bottom waterproof layer is again the waterproof layer 14, the subsequent waterproof layer 15 and the waterproof layer 16 arranged thereon in the transverse direction Q1 is a further waterproof layer, with one electrode each being applied, in particular printed, on a separate waterproof layer.

In this stacking of the individual waterproof layers 14, 15 and 16 is therefore by merging these layers in the left part of the 4 The capacitor 20 shown is produced, in which case the electrodes 10 are each arranged on different levels in the transverse direction Q1, as can be seen in the corresponding partial image.

Alternatively, the electrode 11 can also be applied together with at least one of the electrodes 10 in a common plane, i.e. on or in a common water-impermeable layer 4, 14, 15, so that, for example, only the second of the electrodes 10 is on a separate water-impermeable layer Layer 4, 14, 15 must be stacked.

In principle, therefore, the individual electrodes 10, 11 can be arranged in different planes relative to one another in the Q1 direction. For example, there is a pairwise assignment between exactly one water-impermeable layer 4, 14, 15 and exactly one electrode 10, 11.

The invention is not limited by the description based on the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention includes every new feature and every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiments.

Reference List

1

sensor

3

moisture layer

4

dielectric layer/ waterproof layer

5

processing unit

6

Seat

7

seat part

8th

seat foot

9

connecting frame

10

electrode

11

electrode

12

electrode

13

carrier material

14

waterproof layer

15

waterproof layer

20

capacitor

30

capacitor

40

body

50

lumbar support

60

adjustment device

70

backrest

80

anatomically formable support

90

anatomically formable support

100

contraption

200

Proceedings

H1

horizontal direction

Q1

transverse direction

Claims (8)

Anatomically shapeable support (80, 90), in particular a lumbar support (50) for a seat (6), in particular a vehicle seat, comprising - a base body (40) for supporting a lower back area of a user of the lumbar support (50), - at least one adjusting device ( 60), which is set up and provided for changing the shape of an outer surface and/or changing an orientation of the base body (40) relative to the lordosis area of the user, - at least one device (100) for measuring pressure and/or Moisture, which is set up and provided for measuring the pressure and/or moisture on the outer surface of the base body (40), the pressure and/or moisture arising from at least indirect contact with the lordosis area of the user, - characterized in that that the device (100) for measuring pressure and/or humidity - has at least one capacitor (20) with at least two electrodes (10, 11) which, in particular in a horizontal direction (H1) along and on a, in particular flexible , carrier material (13) are arranged relative to one another, with at least one dielectric layer (4) being arranged between the electrodes (10, 11), with at least one electrode (10, 11) and/or the dielectric layer (4) at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer (3) is arranged at least in places, with the at least one electrode (10, 11) and/or the dielectric layer (4) thus in a transverse direction (Q1) between the carrier material (13) and the moisture layer (3), so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid at least partially impinging on the dielectric layer (4), a processing unit (5) being set up and provided for this purpose measure and/or store, resulting in a capacitive humidity sensor. Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular lumbar support (50), for a seat (6), characterized in that the carrier material (13) is an outer surface of the base body (40), and in particular an upholstery material . Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular lumbar support (50), for a seat (6), characterized in that the sensor (1) is glued to the cover material or to the base body (40) with some other mechanical fastening means, in particular to the carrier material (13) is attached. Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular lumbar support (50), for a seat (6), characterized in that the adjusting device (60) has at least one evaluation and control unit which, on the basis of the measured values measured by the sensor (1). the shape of an outer surface changes and/or the orientation of the base body (40) changes relative to the user's lordosis area until the measured values of the sensor (1) are within a comfortable range. Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular a lumbar support, for a seat, characterized in that the comfort zone includes at least one previously set limit value, which must be exceeded or not reached in order to reach the comfort zone. Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular lumbar support (50), for a seat (6), characterized in that for adjustment by the adjusting device (60), this has mechanical, pneumatic and/or electrically operable adjusting elements which are inside or outside of the support, in particular on a frame of a seat (6), in particular on a frame of a vehicle seat. Anatomically formable support (80, 90), in particular lumbar support, for a seat, characterized characterized in that the adjusting elements have mechanical displacement elements, which are displaced along a displacement path by a servomotor. Seat (6), in particular a vehicle seat, comprising a seat part (7) for seating a user of the vehicle seat, at least one seat base (8) for mounting the vehicle seat (6) on a vehicle floor, and a connecting frame (9), in particular a height-adjustable one, which mechanically connects the seat part (7) to the seat base (8), in particular so that the seat part (7) can be moved in the height direction relative to the seat base (8), at least one backrest (70) which is mechanically connected to the seat part (7 ) consists, characterized in that the support (80, 90) is arranged on a side of the backrest (70) facing a user of the seat (6) in a lordosis area of the backrest (70) and/or at least partially within the backrest (70). is.

Images