EP3434146A1 - Device for controlling the exchange of fluid between at least two chambers of a cushion and seat cushion and chair with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a device (2) for controlling the fluid exchange between at least two cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a cushion (1), wherein in each case at least one hose line (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) is provided for all cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d). 44) for connection to the respective cushion chamber (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d), and wherein a passage chamber (50) is provided in which the hose lines (44) are brought together. The cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) can thus be brought into fluid communication with one another via the passage chamber (50). A support (12) for the passage chamber (50) and a pressure body (16) which rests on the passage chamber (50) are provided, wherein the pressure body (16) relative to the support (12) is displaceable such that the passage chamber ( 50) is variable compressible.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for controlling the Fluidaustauschchs between at least two cushion chambers of a pillow and a seat cushion, as it can be placed on an office, work or leisure chair, wherein under a seat cushion in the present case, such a cushion is understood, which is the weight of a to carry him standing person is able. The invention also relates to a chair with a seat cushion.

The invention belongs to the larger field of phoronomic pillows. These are those pillows that, when used, that is, when a person sits or sits on them, provide a subtle movement on the part of the person, allowing for small movements by a normal person sitting or standing on the cushion are not consciously felt. This is particularly advantageous for training effects.

State of the art

Taumelfähige seat pads are known for example by the present applicant iii Solutions GmbH, Rebmattli 9a, 6340 Baar, Switzerland. especially the WO 2016/067217 A1 The present applicant describes an office, work and leisure chair comprising a cushion having a plurality of deformable (or deformable) air chambers (eg four air chambers). The plurality of deformable air chambers is connected to each other and rests on an elastically deformable (or deformable) hollow body. Every time you sit down on the Chair, or if a person puts on the chair, this hollow body serves as a pump for inflating the air chamber. Each time the chair exits, the hollow body fills with air again as a result of its elastic expansion. When shifting the person on the chair, the seat cushion wobbles imperceptibly, the person makes a counter-movement, the seat support staggers back, etc. From the WO 2016/067217 A1 It is also known to detect by means of sensors in a smartphone, which is inserted into a receptacle in the chair, the wobbling movement of the seat cushion.

A disadvantage of the prior art is that the extent of the tumble is difficult to set properly and only with complex technology. In addition, the entirety of deformable air chambers and the underlying hollow body is very high building.

Brief summary of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a way to make a seat cushion more compact, which is wobble, and in which the extent of the tumble is adjustable.

The object is achieved by a device for controlling the fluid exchange between at least two cushion chambers of a pillow according to claim 1, by a seat cushion having the features according to claim 13 and a chair having the features according to claim 16.

The device according to the invention comprises, for all those cushion chambers between which the fluid exchange is to take place, in each case at least one hose line for connection to the respective cushion chamber. It further comprises a passage chamber in which the hose lines are brought together, so that the cushion chambers via the passage chamber can be brought into fluid communication with each other. The device further comprises a pad for the passage chamber and a pressure body which is seated on the passage chamber and relative to the pad so is displaceable, that the passage chamber is variable compressible.

Characterized in that the at least two cushion chambers are in fluid communication with each other, one can compress the one pillow chamber by shifting the weight on the cushion, wherein the fluid passes into another cushion chamber from which the weight has been wegverlagert. Thus, the cushion chambers themselves can be made elastic, and no separate means is necessary to provide for a return to the original shape. If the passage chamber strongly compressed, the pillow chambers react rather rigid, so are subject to only minor changes in shape when weight shift. If the passage chamber of the pressure body little or not compressed, the cushion chambers are perceived as rather soft.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a bottom element below the base and a cover element above the pressure body are rotatable with each other and coupled to the pressure body and / or the base such that upon rotation of bottom element and cover element the extent is changed, with the passage chamber is compressed. In this way, by two outer elements (the bottom element and lid member) on internal elements (on the pressure body and the pad with the passage chamber in between) act. The mechanism is therefore at least protectable from above and below, ie on the sides on which act the forces of the person sitting on the cushion or standing.

Further preferably, it is provided that the bottom element between each two hose lines has at least one coupling pin which engages with one end in a receptacle of the cover element (or vice versa or additionally has a receptacle for a coupling pin of the cover element). Preferably, at least one coupling pin, a projection and on the cover element an associated projection formed and at least one clip engages in each case at two associated projections to the To connect floor element with the cover element. (Alternatively, the projections can also be arranged elsewhere than in the coupling pin of the bottom element.) In this preferred embodiment, a plug connection between the bottom element and cover element is thus provided, which is then further preferably stabilized by one or more brackets. For example, the number of projection pairs and brackets acting thereon may be equal to the number of hose lines and be arranged centrally with a rotation position defined with respect to the rotation between two adjacent hose lines. The basic position, for example, be such a position in which the passage chamber is not compressed at all.

In a preferred embodiment of the device is further provided that the pressure body has at least one pin which engages in a corresponding guidance of the pad. Preferably, the guide is rectilinear, thus allowing a rectilinear movement of the pin in it, and more preferably in the direction of the pressure on the passage chamber. In other words, the pressure body itself is held and guided in the base by means of the at least one pin and can preferably move vertically up and down therein. Preferably, it is also provided here that in each case a pin is provided in the region between each two adjacent hose lines, but slightly above it. The number of pins on the pressure body is therefore preferably equal to the number of hose lines.

In a further preferred embodiment, the embodiment with the bottom element and the cover element on the one hand and with the pin on the pressure body and the guide in the pad on the other hand realized in one, wherein it is preferably provided that the cover element and / or the bottom element has at least one slotted guide, engages in each case a pin of the pressure hull, and which runs so that when a rotation of the lid member and bottom element relative to the base and the pressure body of the distance between the pad and the pressure body changes. In this combined embodiment, not only the outer elements, the cover element and the bottom element, the inner elements, so the pad and the pressure body protect, but by the external rotation is provided for the translational movement in the interior.

Still further preferably, this is provided that there is a pin on the pressure body and an associated slotted guide for each hose.

Further, the pad may include an arm to each tubing to stably support the tubing, particularly in the area that is close to the passage chamber.

In the embodiment with base element and cover element in all preferred variants, a control cushion may moreover be provided which has a control cushion chamber which rests directly on the pressure element or is seated on a control cushion support arranged on the pressure element. The Regelkissenkammer opens into a Regelkissenschlauch, via which air can be sucked into it. This tube is preferably not or not directly coupled to the cushion chambers and may use additional air as the control fluid in the case of incomplete recovery of the shape of the cushion chambers by the fluid exchange. When the control cushion is inflated, it pushes more strongly on the passage chamber and thus may weaken the cushion chambers of the seat cushion compensate.

Further preferably, in this case the control pad by means of a cover plate which is fixed to the base, held on the unit of pressure body and pad.

Regardless of the previously mentioned preferred embodiments can be provided in all cases that the pressure body with a plate-like part presses on the passage chamber. In this way it is avoided that the wall material of the passage chamber is squeezed by a rotation, such as by the above-mentioned rotation of the bottom element and lid member together. In particular, in cooperation with the use of the slide guides perfectly the rotational movement is converted into a translational movement perpendicular to the plane of the plate-like part and so applied to the passage chamber surface from the top with force. In the embodiment with the pins, these are preferably formed horizontally away from the plate-like part, but farther away from the passage chamber than the plate-like part. Between the plate-like part and the pin there are thus webs or connecting rods, which lead away upwards and laterally, and on which the pins are arranged horizontally wegstehend.

The number of hose lines is preferably four, since then a tumbling forwards and backwards and in each case to the side is possible. However, all embodiments with two, three and five or more hose lines and preferably the same number of cushion chambers are possible.

The seat cushion according to the invention has a plurality of ring-segment-shaped cushion chambers, wherein a device for controlling the fluid exchange between these cushion chambers according to the above-mentioned inventive type is arranged centrally between the cushion chambers, wherein the hose lines of the device are each coupled to a cushion chamber, preferably in each case with a other pillow chamber are connected, so there are exactly as many hose lines as pillow chambers.

In the embodiment with cover element, are provided in the sliding guides, this can be coupled with a wire or cable, over which the lid member is rotatable. For this purpose, from the outside a train (Bowden cable or the like) force the lid member together with the bottom element a rotational movement and thereby squeeze the passage chamber or these can relax.

The departure of the from the WO 2016/067217 A1 known measure to provide an elastic hollow body below the cushion chambers, is particularly easy to perform when the cushion chambers are filled with a material which strives to restore the original shape after squeezing the cushion chambers and thereby sucks air through the associated hose lines. Such a material is known for example from the field of camping mats under the brand name "ThermaRest®". The material is similar to a sponge, which is easily compressible, but always returns to its original state. In particular, a cushion chamber is airtight fillable with this filler to perform the seat cushion in a particularly compact design embodiment.

The invention further relates to a chair with a seat cushion of the inventive type.

Brief description of the drawing

• Fig. 1a ein Sitzkissen mit 4 Kissenkammern in perspektivischer Ansicht zeigt;
• Fig. 1b das Kissen aus Fig. 1a in Draufsicht zeigt;
• Fig. 1c den Schnitt A-A aus Fig. 1b zeigt;
• Fig. 1d eine Seitenansicht des Kissens aus Fig. 1b zeigt;
• Fig. 2 eine Explosionsansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Fluidaustauschs zwischen zwei Kissenkammern eines Kissens zeigt;
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2 im zusammengesetzten Zustand zeigt;
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 2 im zusammengesetzten Zustand zeigt, in welcher Wandungen einzelner Einheiten durchsichtig dargestellt sind, um das Innere darzustellen;
• Fig. 5 die perspektivische Draufsicht aus Fig. 4 mit nicht durchsichtigen Wandungen zeigt;
• Fig. 6 eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 5 zeigt;
• Fig. 7 eine gemäss dem Schnitt B-B aus Fig. 6 halbgeschnittene Ansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 5 zeigt.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which

• Fig. 1a shows a seat cushion with 4 cushion chambers in perspective view;
• Fig. 1b the pillow off Fig. 1a in plan view;
• Fig. 1c the cut AA Fig. 1b shows;
• Fig. 1d a side view of the pillow Fig. 1b shows;
• Fig. 2 an exploded view of an inventive device for controlling the fluid exchange between two cushion chambers of a pad shows;
• Fig. 3 a side view of the device Fig. 2 in the assembled state;
• Fig. 4 a perspective top view of the device according to Fig. 2 in the assembled state shows in which walls of individual units are shown transparent to represent the interior;
• Fig. 5 the perspective top view Fig. 4 with non-transparent walls;
• Fig. 6 a plan view of the device Fig. 5 shows;
• Fig. 7 one according to the section BB Fig. 6 half-cut view of the device Fig. 5 shows.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

A generally designated 1 seat cushion is composed of four ring-segment-shaped cushion chambers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d, which are separated by chamber walls 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d from each other. As in Fig. 1b Each cushion chamber 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d includes a respective outlet 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d, for example, with a valve that provides compression upon compression of the respective cushion chamber 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, respectively in the cushion chamber befindliches fluid, typically air, can escape. Here out Fig. 1c As can be seen, the cushion chambers 100a, etc. are filled with a solid material which is compressible in the manner of a sponge, wherein air escapes. Such a material is known, for example, under the brand name ThermaRest®.

The inventive device is used for air exchange between the individual cushion chambers 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d and is in the circular recess in the middle, as shown in the Fig. 1a and 1c shown, can be used. The device as a whole designated 2 is exploded in Fig. 2 shown. It comprises a bottom element 10, a base 12, on which a hose system 14 rests. In the middle of the hose system 14 presses a pressure body 16. On this sits a plate 18, to serve as a pad for a control pad 20. It follows in the construction one Cover plate 22 for the Regelkissen 20 and a cover member 24. As further explained below, brackets 26 are there to connect the bottom member 10 and the cover member 24 together.

Namely, the bottom element 10 comprises a plate-shaped main body 28, from which four coupling pins 30 project vertically (perpendicular to the plane of the plate-shaped main body 28), wherein a base body 32 of the pin 30 opens into a latching nose 34. The four locking lugs 34 can be used in four corresponding receptacles 38 on the lid member 24 and latched there. On the main body 32 of the coupling pin 30, a projection 36 is formed, which corresponds to a corresponding projection 40 on the outer wall of the lid member 24. The projections 36 and 40 (not shown in the figure with a reference numeral) grooves, which are each outwardly (at the bottom element 10 downwards, the cover member 24 upwards) aligned and in which the brackets 26 can engage, to tighten the lid member 24 to the floor member 10. This is off Fig. 3 can be seen, which illustrates the device 2 in the assembled state.

The pad 12 has four arms 42 for supporting sections of tubing 44 associated with the tubing system 14. In each arm 42, a hole 46 is provided to fasten tubing 44 optionally. In the central part of the base 12 is a substantially flat plate-shaped and circular portion 48, on which a passage chamber 50 of the hose system 14 can be placed. The passage chamber 50 connects all four tubing 44 together when not fully compressed. There is thus a fluid connection via the passage chamber 50 between two hose lines 44. When the hose lines 44 are connected to the in Fig. 1b Thus, the outlets 300a, 300b, 300c and 300d of the individual cushion chambers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d shown, the individual cushion chambers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d via the passage chamber 50 can be brought into fluid communication with each other. In each case between two arms 42 of the base 12 are wall portions 52 in which a first longitudinal groove 54 and a second Receiving 56 are formed. The pressure body 16 is formed from a plate-shaped part 58, of which four webs 60 project obliquely upward, on which horizontally projecting pins 62 are formed. The pins 62 fit exactly in the longitudinal groove 54, such as out Fig. 7 seen. They protrude outwardly from the longitudinal groove 54 and, in the assembled state of the device, can slide in a guide slot 64 of the cover element 24 which is formed in the inner wall of the cover element 24. In a total of four pins 62, to each hose 44 a, there are also four slide guides 64 in the cover member 24. When assembled, a pin 62 is inserted through an opening 66 in the guide slot 64.

On the webs 60 sits the plate 18, which is provided with corresponding recesses 68. The plate 18 serves as a support for the control pad 20 and is selectively spaced from the plate-shaped part 58 of the pressure body 16. The control pad 20 includes a control pad chamber 70 from which protrudes a hose 72 through which air (under the action of a valve, not shown) can be drawn into the control pad chamber 70.

The cover plate 22 comprises a plate-shaped base body 74 with a central recess 76 for the tube 72. Furthermore, it comprises four locking lugs 78, which can each engage in the recesses 56. If one thus sets the hose body 14 on the base 12, then the pressure body 16 thereon and the plate 18, the control pad 20 and finally the cover plate 22, so by the insertion of the locking lugs 78 in the recess 56 a self-contained area provided. This is movable only as a whole, namely against the unit of bottom element 10 and cover member 24, as they are connected to each other via the brackets 26. The bottom member 10 and the lid member 24 protect the inner members. They can be rotated relative to these as a whole. For example, a Bowden cable or other cable or wire pull, not shown in the drawing, can engage the cover element 24 (or also the base element 10) in order to rotate upon actuation of an operating lever (not shown) cause. Upon such rotation, the pins 62 slide downwardly in the guide slot 64, moving in the longitudinal groove 54, squeezing the passage chamber 50 together, and increasingly inhibiting fluid exchange through the tubing 44, ie between the pad chambers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d. By turning back the situation relaxes again, and it is again an increased fluid exchange possible. The control pad 20 serves as a redundant element, should the individual cushion chambers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d not be sufficiently elastic.

In the cover element is the in Fig. 4 shown plurality of openings 80 are provided, which could attack, for example, a Bowden cable. The central opening 82 serves for the passage of the tube 72. The effect context is in particular also made Fig. 7 can be seen: bottom element and cover element are coupled together via the brackets 26, and the inner mechanism is protected.

The device 2 has been disclosed for use with the four cushioning elements 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d of the seat cushion 1 Fig. 1a to 1d described. The device is rotationally symmetrical about 90 °: upon rotation of the individual components by 90 ° in each case, the same device is again obtained (with the exception, if appropriate, of the tube 72). For cushions, in particular seat cushions, with a different number of cushion chambers, corresponding arrangements are possible which are invariant to rotations of 360 ° / n, matching a number n (n is a natural number ≥ 2). In particular, the number of coupling pin 30, the arms 42 and the intermediate wall elements 52, the hose lines 44 and the webs 60 and pin 62, the detents 78 and finally the scenes 64 and the projections 40 is preferably the same for all variants.

However, it is equally possible to provide a first number for the inner elements 12, 14, 16 and 22 and a second number for the outer elements 10 and 24, only that the number of the link 64 then has to correspond to the number of the inner elements , For example, an arrangement would be conceivable are provided at the eight coupling pin 30, but only four arms 42, wall elements 52, hose lines 44, pins 62 and detents 78 and only four scenes 64. It would then eight projections 40 may be provided.

All components except for the brackets 26 are in the embodiment fully or partially made of plastic: the hose system made of soft plastic, the other hard plastic. The brackets 26 comprise metal, e.g. Stole.

The seat cushion 1 together with the device 2 can be used as a chair support or firmly integrated into a chair.

Claims (16)

Device (2) for controlling the fluid exchange between at least two cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a cushion (1), with at least one hose line (44) for connection to all cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) the respective cushion chamber (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d), and having a passage chamber (50) in which the hose lines (44) are brought together, so that the cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) via the passage chamber (50) with each other be brought into fluid communication, and with a base (12) for the passage chamber (50) and a pressure body (16) which sits on the passage chamber (50) and relative to the base (12) is displaceable such that the passage chamber (50) is variable compressible. Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein a bottom element (10) below the base (12) and the lid member (24) above the pressure body (16) coupled together and are rotatable together and with the pressure body (16) and / or the Pad (12) are coupled such that upon rotation of bottom element (10) and cover element (24) the extent is changed, with which the passage chamber (50) is compressed. Device (2) according to claim 2, in which the bottom element (10) between at least two hose lines (44) has at least one coupling pin (30) which engages with one end (34) in a receptacle (38) of the cover element (24). wherein a projection (36) is preferably formed on at least one coupling pin (30) and an associated projection (40) is formed on the cover element (24), for which purpose at least one clip (26) acts on two associated projections (36, 40) to connect the bottom element (10) with the cover element (24). Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure body (16) has a pin (62) which engages in a guide (54) of the base, which preferably a rectilinear movement of the pin (62) in the guide (54) in the direction of applying pressure to the passage chamber (50). Device (2) according to claim 4 in its reference back to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cover element (24) and / or the bottom element (10) has at least one slotted guide (64), in each of which a pin (62) of the pressure hull ( 16) engages, and which runs so that with a rotation of cover element (24) and bottom element (10) relative to the base (12) and the pressure body (16), the distance between the base (12) and the pressure body (16) changes. Apparatus (2) according to claim 5, wherein there is a pin (62) on the pressure body (16) and an associated slotted guide (64) for each hose line (44). A device (2) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pad (12) comprises an arm (42) for each hose (44). Device (2) according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 5 to 7, comprising a control pad (20) having a control pad chamber (70) directly on the pressure body (16) or on a on the pressure body (16) arranged Regelkammerunterlage (18) is seated, via a control chamber hose (72) air in the control chamber (70) is sucked. Device (2) according to claim 8, wherein the control pad (20) is held by means of a cover plate (22) fixed to the base (12) on which the unit of pressure body (16) and base (12) is held. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pressure body (16) presses with a plate-like part (58) onto the passage chamber (50). The device (2) of claim 10 in the direct or indirect back cover of claim 4, wherein the pins (62) extend horizontally away from the plate-like member (58), the pins (62) being farther from the passage chamber (50) than the plate-like part (58). Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, with four hose lines (44). Seat cushion (1) having a plurality of ring-segment-shaped cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) and having a device according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged centrally between the cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) and their hose lines (44 ) are each connected to a cushion chamber (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d), preferably each with a different cushion chamber (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) are connected. Seat cushion (1) according to claim 13, having a device according to claim 5 or one of claims 6 to 12 in the back reference to claim 5, wherein the cover element (24) to each hose (44) has a slotted guide (64) and with a Wire or cable is coupled, via which the lid member (24) is rotatable. Seat cushion (1) according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) are filled with a material which, after crushing the cushion chambers (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d), restore the original shape aspires and thereby sucks in air via the associated hose lines (44). Chair with a seat cushion according to one of claims 13 to 15.

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