EP1753638A1

EP1753638A1 - Vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: EP1753638A1
Application number: EP05747491A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Otto Zapf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-09
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2007-02-21
Also published as: WO2005120885A1; DE102004027900A1; DE102004027900B4; US20070252421A1; US7445288B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, comprising an upholstered seat surface (1) and an upholstered backrest (2), whereby the backrest (2) may be folded forwards about a first horizontal pivoting axis (13). According to the invention, the seating comfort may be improved with a simple construction, whereby a backrest element (4) is integrated close to the front side (3) of the upholstered backrest (2), which may be pivoted in the backrest (2) about a second horizontal pivoting axis (8), which, in side view, is higher than the first horizontal pivoting axis (13). The backrest element (4) is curved in the region of the second horizontal pivoting axis (8), such that an upper backrest piece (6) is formed above the second horizontal pivoting axis (8) and a lower backrest piece (7) is formed below the second horizontal pivoting axis (8), which are inclined towards each other in the direction of the front side (3) of the backrest. A mid upper region of the upper backrest piece (6) lying in the lateral direction of the backrest and a mid lower region of the lower backrest piece (7) lying in the lateral direction of the backrest, have a greater elasticity than the rest of the backrest element (4), or both said regions may be arched backwards.

Description

description

vehicle seat

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a padded seat and a padded backrest according to the preamble of claim 1.

A vehicle seat is understood to mean one that can be used either in a passenger car, in a truck, bus, train or airplane.

The state of the art already includes an aircraft seat with a padded seat and a padded backrest which has a headrest, a crease line being formed between the headrest and a back part of the backrest, around which the headrest is firmly inclined towards the lower backrest part ( GB 1 056 648). The aircraft seat comprises a lower, stationary seat frame and an upper frame which can be displaced in the horizontal direction on rollers, both of which have arms which are angled upwards. The two arms are connected to each other via additional frame elements in the backrest. More specifically, a rear frame member is pivotally connected to the upstanding arms of the lower frame and another rear frame member is pivotally connected to the upstanding arms of the upper seat frame via telescopically slidable members. The telescoping elements allow longitudinal movement of the upper seat frame with respect to the lower seat frame, being pivoted relative to the rear frame elements. A pivot point or a pivot axis on the upstanding arms of the upper seat frame can therefore be moved horizontally together with the seat and the upper seat frame and onto the A lumbar region of a passenger sitting on the seat has a supporting effect, the rear region of the backrest maintaining its position. If necessary, however, the entire backrest can also be folded forward about the pivot points or pivot axes, which are essentially at the same height on the upstanding arms of the upper seat frame and the lower seat frame. - This aircraft seat thus comprises a multi-part, complex frame construction. Nevertheless, the lumbar region of the passenger is not optimally supported, in particular undifferentiated across the entire width of the backrest.

The object of the present invention is to increase the seating comfort with an uncomplicated seat construction.

To achieve the object, use is made of a principle that is known in seating furniture according to DE 3826290 C2 and US 5 01 8 791 and on a vehicle seat with a padded seat and a padded backrest, which can be folded forward, in particular with respect to the seat is transferred in an adapted manner.

For this purpose, the vehicle seat has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. - Thus, the comfort-increasing features are realized in a backrest element, which is built into the upholstery of the vehicle seat, ie is integrated. This backrest element is completely covered by the outer cover of the padded backrest, so that the entire vehicle seat is also aesthetically pleasing. The comfort-increasing features of the backrest element are that it is bent in a side view in the region of a second horizontal pivot axis, about which the backrest element in the backrest can be pivoted at a vertical distance above the seat surface, whereby an upper backrest part and below the second horizontal pivot axis the second horizontal pivot axis defines a lower backrest part, which are inclined to one another when viewed from the front. At the transition point of the upper backrest part to the lower backrest part, the backrest element is curved or bent or kinked. The second horizontal pivot axis lies at the level of an armrest of the vehicle seat, which is also fictitious. A middle upper region of the upper backrest part and a middle lower region of the lower backrest part have a greater elasticity than the rest of the backrest element. Instead, these two areas can be arched to the rear. The greater elasticity of the middle upper region of the upper backrest part and the middle lower region of the lower backrest part can be achieved in particular by means of elastic bands which are attached to the rest of the rigid backrest element. If a person sits on the vehicle seat, the elastic areas bulge backwards. If, on the other hand, the special elasticity of the areas mentioned is dispensed with, the curvature otherwise achieved in the elastic areas to the rear can also be achieved by arching the central upper area of the upper backrest part and the central lower area of the lower backrest part in a total rigid backrest element are formed. Both alternatives have in common that these areas support the back of a person in a sitting position in a very pleasant way. The uniform support effect of these areas is further promoted by the pivotability of the backrest element about the first horizontal pivot axis. - The said backrest element is essentially a rigid, deformed plate. Because it is installed near the front of the padded backrest, the comfort-enhancing properties of the backrest element have a practically complete effect on the person in the sitting position.

In addition, the backrest element according to claim 4 can have a comfort-enhancing pad made of cushioning material, for example foam.

The second horizontal pivot axis of the backrest element is concealed within the padded backrest according to claim 2. In a robust and comfort-increasing manner, the second horizontal pivot axis can preferably be formed according to claim 3 by at least one elastomer part, against which a back of the backrest element rests. The elastomer part can be connected on the one hand to the backrest element and can preferably be displaceably guided within the padded backrest, as will be explained further below.

Nevertheless, the vehicle seat as a whole can be folded forward, which can be particularly desirable for motor vehicles, in that the padded backrest, together with the integrated backrest element, can be pivoted forward about the first horizontal pivot axis, which is lower than the second horizontal pivot axis. The forward-folding embodiment of the vehicle seat is unproblematic in connection with the comfort-increasing backrest element if the padded backrest is arranged at a distance above the seat surface such that the lower part of the backrest does not touch the seat surface even when it is folded down.

In a further development of the vehicle seat with the comfort-enhancing backrest element, this can also be integrated into the upholstered backrest if, as in particular in passenger cars, it is arranged close to the upholstered seat surface and can be pressed into the upholstered seat surface when folded forward. In this case, the foldability should not be impaired by the backrest element integrated into the padded backrest. The seat and the padded backrest must not be damaged over a long period of time if the backrest is folded down frequently. To achieve this, in a first development of the vehicle seat according to claim 5, the second horizontal pivot axis together with the backrest element is essentially upward, ie essentially parallel to the back of the backrest, which can be displaced therein. For this purpose, the second horizontal pivot axis can be guided with the backrest element on a supporting part in the backrest. This means that when you fold the padded Backrest forward, with only slight pressure on the underside of the backrest on the seat, retract the backrest element upwards.

The displaceability of the backrest element in the upholstered backrest is made possible or promoted by a free space in the upholstered backrest above the backrest element, into which an upper section of the backrest element is inserted when the backrest is folded forward and the backrest element is supported on the seat. The seat is also understood to mean its extension to the rear under the backrest area.

The covers of the upholstered seat and the upholstered backrest are further protected in the area in which an underside of the backrest slides forward over the seat surface when folded down in that, according to claim 7, a lower section of the backrest element is bent backwards. This reduces the specific surface pressure of the part of the backrest element which rests on the seat when the backrest is folded down.

The measure according to claim 8 also serves to protect the covers, in that the lower section of the backrest element also has greater elasticity outside the central region of the lower backrest part than the rest of the backrest element. This elasticity can be promoted by slots in the lower section according to claim 9.

The cover fabric of the padded backrest is preferably highly elastic in the region of the displaceable backrest element, expediently at the ends of the backrest element by an insert in the cover material. As a result, the backrest element is held securely in the padded backrest despite being easy to move, and the aesthetic appearance of the backrest remains unaffected. If the upholstered backrest is further developed with the backrest element as defined above, the first pivot axis, about which the backrest can be folded forward, can be arranged on the back of the backrest below without any adverse effects on the operability of the backrest and the wear-freeness of the cover material be, as is preferred in many cases.

The invention is described below with reference to a drawing with three figures. Show it

1 shows a vehicle seat in a side view, partially in section, with a backrest in the sitting position and at the same time with this backrest in the state folded forward, FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of the backrest element and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of a car seat that can be folded forward.

In Figure 1, 1 is a padded seat and 2 is a padded backrest of the vehicle seat. The backrest can be folded forward if necessary. The backrest also shown folded down in FIG. 1 is designated by 2 '. (In an analogous manner, further reference numbers are varied.) It is folded forward about a first horizontal pivot axis 13, which is arranged in the area of the rear 14 of the backrest on the seat 1. In the upholstered backrest 2 or 2 'a backrest element 4 or 4' is installed near the front 3 thereof.

The backrest element 4 comprises a load-bearing rigid plate which is curved along a horizontal line which is perpendicular to the drawing plane in FIG. 1, with an upper backrest part 6 above the line and a lower backrest part 7 below the line from the front side 3 seen inclined to each other. This horizontal line, not designated, is so close to a second horizontal pivot axis 8 that it practically coincides with the latter. - The upper backrest part 6 and the lower backrest part 7- sen each have a middle upper area or middle lower area much greater elasticity than the rest of the backrest element. The areas of different elasticity can be realized by the rigid plate, in that it represents a supporting part of the backrest element essentially outside the middle upper area and the middle lower area. These regions of the upper backrest part 6 and the lower backrest part 7 which differ in terms of elasticity / rigidity are shown in FIG. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, unlike in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the second horizontal pivot axis 8a is also shifted into the backrest element. In another embodiment, the backrest element can consist consistently of a rigid plate if this is arched to the rear in the middle upper region of the upper backrest part and in the middle lower region of the lower backrest part.

Only in FIG. 1 is it shown how the backrest element 4 or 4 'has a comfort-enhancing support 5 or 5' made of upholstery material on its front.

In any case, the backrest element 4 or 4 'can be pivoted about the second horizontal pivot axis 8 arranged in the upholstered backrest 2 or 2'. In Figure 1, the pivot axis 8 is realized in an elastomer part 9, which is displaceable on a supporting part 10 of the backrest, see arrow 11, when the backrest is folded forward. The elastomer part 9 is carried along by the backrest element 4 to which it is connected. So that the displacement of the backrest element ^{^} can take place easily, a free space 1 2 is provided from the upholstered backrest 2 under its cover fabric near the front, which is not filled by the backrest element 4 in the sitting position of the upholstered backrest 2.

When the backrest 2 is folded forward, a lower section 15 of the backrest element 4 'presses against the padded seat surface 1 from above, which is shown exaggeratedly in FIG. 1 at positions 2' and 15 '. The Backrest element 4 'is pushed by the pressure upwards in the direction of arrow 11'. An upper section 1 6 'of the backrest element 4' can fill the free space 1 2 '.

FIG. 1 also shows how the lower section 15 and 15 'of the backrest element 4' is bent backwards in order to rest over a relatively large area on the upholstered seat surface 1 and the displacement of the backrest element 4 'is reliable and without damaging the upholstery of the upholstered back surface and the upholstered backrest. The lower section 1 5 or 1 5 'is characterized by increased elasticity, which is promoted by slots 1 7-20 - see Figure 2. For the upholstered backrest, a particularly elastic covering material is selected at least in the area of the backrest element 4 or 4 'and the free space 1 2 or 1 2'. It may be sufficient if only one insert 17 in the cover of the backrest is made of elastic cover material, see FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 the second horizontal pivot axis 22 is shown highlighted. The inclination of the upper backrest part and the lower backrest part, which are not shown in FIG. 3, is indicated by an angle 22. The first horizontal swivel axis connects centrally to a handwheel 23 for folding the backrest.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the comfort-increasing back element can be integrated particularly harmoniously into a backrest, since it is inconspicuously integrated when it is equipped with lateral support cushion parts 24, 25 and a headrest 26. Comfort and safety are optimized in this car seat.

An insert made of a particularly elastic reference material is designated 27.

The construction shown does not impair the comfort-enhancing properties of the upholstered backrest combined with the backrest element on the one hand and its foldability on the other. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 padded seat Figure 1

2 padded backrests

3 front

4 backrest element

5 pad made of upholstery material

6 upper backrest part

7 lower backrest section

8, 8a 2nd horizontal swivel axis

9 elastomer part

10 load-bearing part

1 1 arrow

1 2 free space

13 1. horizontal swivel axis

14 back

1 5 lower section

1 6 upper section

1 7 slot figure 2

1 8 slot

1 9 slot

20 slot

21 2nd horizontal pivot axis Figure 3

22 angles

23 handwheel

24 side cushion

25 side cushion 6 headrest 7 insert elastic cover material

Claims

Expectations

1. Vehicle seat with an upholstered seat (1) and an upholstered backrest (2), the vehicle seat being foldable forward about a first horizontal pivot axis (13), so that it is padded Backrest (2) near the front (3) of which a backrest element (4) is integrated, which in a side view around a second horizontal pivot axis (8, 8a), which is higher than the first horizontal pivot axis (13), in the backrest (2) can be swiveled over the seat surface such that the backrest element (4) is bent in the region of the second horizontal swivel axis (8, 8a), whereby an upper backrest part (6) and below the second one above the second horizontal swivel axis (8, 8a) horizontal pivot axis (8, 8a) a lower backrest part (7) are formed, which are inclined to each other seen from the front (3), and that a middle upper region of the upper backrest part (6) and a middle lower area of the lower backrest part (7) has greater elasticity than the rest of the backrest element (4) or that these two areas are arched to the rear.

2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1, d ad u rc h g e ke n nzei c h n et that the second horizontal pivot axis (8, 8a) is arranged within the padded backrest (2).

3. Vehicle seat according to claim 1 d ad u rc hge ke nn ze ic hn et that the second horizontal pivot axis (8) is formed by at least one elastomer part (9) against which a back of the backrest element rests.

4. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1-3, dad u rch g e characterizes that the backrest element (4) on its front has a support (5) made of cushioning material.

5. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1-4, d ad u rc hge ke nn zei ch net that the second horizontal pivot axis (8, 8a) together with the backrest element (4) in the backrest (2) essentially is slidably mounted upwards.

6. Vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized by a free space (12) in the padded backrest (2) above the backrest element (4) in the folded position, into which the backrest element (4) when folding the backrest (2) after front and supporting the backrest element on the seat (1) is displaceable.

7. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 5 and 6, d a d u rc h g e ke n n ze ic h n et that a lower portion (15) of the backrest element (2) is bent backwards.

8. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 5-7, d ad u rc hge ke n nzeic hn et that the lower portion (15) of the backrest element (2) also has a greater elasticity outside the central region of the lower backrest part (7) than the rest of the backrest element.

9. Vehicle seat according to claim 8, d ad u rc hge ke nn ze ic hn et that the lower portion (15) is slotted.

10. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 4 - 9, ad u rc h g e ken n zei c h n et that a cover fabric of the padded backrest in the region of the displaceable backrest element (4) is highly elastic.

11. Vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 4 - 10, so that the first pivot axis (13) is arranged at the bottom on the rear (14) of the backrest (2).