JPH03178839A - Switch group for remote controlling regulatable vehicle seat through operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To maintain the comprehensive operation of a general switch group even in time of expansion by additional control functions by having a bearing surface of the switch group angled so as to hold two switching elements in positions relative to one another which corresponds to the use position of the seat. CONSTITUTION: The operation of a switch group 1 symbolizing the whole vehicle seat becomes clarified. This is by reason that a waist supporting switching element 8 and a head restraining part switching element 9 are positioned to configuration in the group corresponding to a mounting position the vehicle seat. Next, an operating motion is carried out from the upside, and a thumb and a forefinger of the operating hand are widened so as to grasp both sides of elements 5, 6, 8 and 9, and since each end face of all the elements 5, 6, 8 and 9 is in a common vertical, longitudinal plane, grasping these elements is easy enough. Therefore the operating motion can be associated with the group 1 without seeing it as there is a free space for sufficient operations at both sides adjacent to the group 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to a switch group for the remote control of a vehicle seat adjustable through an actuation device of the type defined in the preamble of the main claim.

[Prior Art] This type of switch group, which is manufactured by imitating the outer shape of a vehicle seat, also taking into account its relative arrangement, is already known, for example, from West German Utility Model No. 85 1 6069.

Here, this switch group has two cubic switch elements representing the seat cushion and backrest of a vehicle, which are rotatably connected to one another via a support shaft. This switch element unit is mounted on horizontally extending side guides parallel to each other so as to be able to move longitudinally on the support shaft, so that the relative movement of the switch element corresponding to the movement of the vehicle seat is movement is given. These switch elements are held in their resting position, a stable central position, and can be moved starting from this central position in opposite directions to activate the adjustment function of the vehicle seat. Easy adjustment operations are possible via this switch group.

However, in addition to the inclination adjustment of the backrest, modern vehicle seats are also equipped with adjustable seat parts, for example head restraints, which are now mandatory, or lumbar supports integrated in the lower part of the backrest. ing. In order to increase driver comfort, it is necessary to enable these as yet unmet adjustment functions via switch-controllable servo motors. At the same time, it is desirable that added functions be controlled via a switch group related to the vehicle seat in order to have an easy-to-understand relationship.

However, if a relatively easy-to-understand operation of the additional adjustable seat section is required, the already known switch groups are of little use for carrying out further control functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a general type of switch group in such a way that it is more suitable for expansion by adding control functions, and even when expanded, easy-to-understand operation of the switch group can be maintained. be.

The solution according to the invention to this object follows from the features of the main claim. Therein, the angulation of the support surfaces of the switch group is used to hold the two switch elements in correspondence with each other in the seat's use position. The switch group can be grasped by the operating hand, and the outline of the side of the switch group can be felt when the switch group is grasped, so it is possible to operate the switching elements without making mistakes even without looking. .

Advantageous illustrations of the invention can be obtained from the dependent claims. The support surface is preferably formed by a shoulder of the stepped upholstery, which is arranged laterally adjacent the vehicle seat. Such a shoulder can, for example, delimit the bottom of a recess in a door panel. In contrast, in the case of motor vehicles with a transmission tunnel, it is more advantageous to use a shoulder in the cover plate of the center console for the arrangement of the switch group. Two switch groups are mounted on the cover plate mirror-symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, so that for example one switch group is associated with the driver's seat and the other switch group is associated with the passenger's seat. It is related to the sheet. If conveniently positioned, both switch groups can be accessed from the driver's seat, thus allowing him to also make adjustments to the seats of his fellow passengers.

The switching element symbolizing the backrest is arranged separately from the switching element symbolizing the seat cushion, so that the former can be mounted in a desired position above the latter switching element.

As a result, another switching element can be arranged below the switching element arranged at a higher level. Another switching element symbolizes the lumbar support, for example. Furthermore, another switching element symbolizing the head restraint can be mounted on the elevated switching element. The side profile of the switching element attached to the angled surface portion is simplified and can be seen as it should have the same gripping width. Furthermore, the grip width should at least substantially correspond to that of the switching element symbolizing the seat cushion. In order to improve the tactile correlation of switching elements stacked one on top of the other, it is even more convenient if each switching element is arranged at a distance from adjacent switching elements. If the switch element symbolizing the seat cushion is mounted in an elevated position on a recessed base, the appearance of the switch group will more closely resemble that of a vehicle seat. If each of the switching elements tapers in a wedge-like manner towards one side edge extending in the direction of the width of the switch group, a mounting advantageous in terms of space is achieved. If the switching element is configured as a switching key together with the switch base, the desired operation is further facilitated by the model if the axis of rotation of the switching element extends along the tapered side edge of the model. A sliding key for the longitudinal adjustment of the seat can be integrated with the base in order that the switching element symbolizing the seat cushion also serves as a switching key for the vertical adjustment of the seat. One possible useful extension of the switch group is to provide a transfer switch on the support plate adjacent to said group.

Using this changeover switch, it is possible to alternately control the driver's seat or the passenger's seat from one switch group. Furthermore, this changeover switch can also be used to select two different control programs for the same vehicle seat.

To make the operation even simpler, the adjustment of the vehicle seat can be carried out automatically using a method known per se, several adjusters that can be recalled from the seat position memory.

The operational and display elements of this storage device can be conveniently located adjacent to the sheet-like symbolizing switch group.

[Examples] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. This figure shows a schematic representation of switch group 1, which is located in the center console of a motor vehicle (not shown) laterally adjacent to the upper driver's seat and which It is used to adjust the driver's seat via a servo motor. In relation to its driver seat, the switch group 1 is mounted on the left-hand side of the cover plate 3 of the center console 2. In the longitudinal region accessible to the driver from all foreseeable seating positions, the cover plate 3 has a stepped shoulder 4 in which the rear horizontal surface of the cover plate 3 is initially aligned with a downwardly directed oblique surface. The angle here meets at 45°, which then joins a vertically offset horizontal plane located in front of this oblique plane.

A part of the width of the slope and an adjacent width part of the lower horizontal surface are used here as support surfaces for the switch group l, which in its overall arrangement has the outline of a miniature sheet. The main elements of this switch group l are two rectangular switch elements 5 and 6 of identical width, which are intended to symbolize the seat cushion and backrest of a vehicle seat. Also, its surface proportions therefore approximately correspond to the actual proportions of the sheet. The switching element 5, symbolizing the seat cushion, is supported at a distance in front of the slope of the shoulder 4 in order to ensure that the switching elements 5 and 6 are held in a position relative to each other that corresponds to the position of use of the seat. The switching element 6, which is arranged on the horizontal surface of the surface and symbolizes the backrest, is arranged on the switching element 5 on the inclined surface of the support surface. Since the switching elements 5 and 6 are each held with their back side resting on their front side, the pitch angle of the switching element 6 with respect to the switching element 5 is determined by the tilt angle between the horizontal and inclined surface parts of the support surface. Determined primarily. In order to achieve an appearance more resembling a seat despite this obtuse angle of approximately 135@, the switching element 5 is arranged raised above the base 7, which base is placed on the side of the switching element 5. It is recessed relative to the edges, thus giving the impression of a seat with a frame at the bottom. Furthermore, the switching elements 5 and 6 are tapered in the model over their entire longitudinal extension, with the switching element 5 tapering from the front to the rear and the switching element 6 tapering from the top to the bottom. It is tapered towards. The angle of inclination between the upward facing surface of switching element 5 and the forward facing surface of switching element 6 is therefore significantly steeper than the angle of inclination predetermined by the support surface. Switching elements 5 and 6 are mounted separately from each other so that switching element 6 is vertically offset above switching element 5 to such an extent that another switching element 8 can be placed between them on the inclined surface. will be placed. This switching element 8 symbolizes a lumbar support and is thus parallel to the width of the switching element 6 and its lower edge, so as to imitate its real extension on the vehicle seat. It has an elongated narrow rod-like element. Viewed from its constant cross-section, the switching element 8, whose length corresponds to the width of the switching element 6, also has a model and is mounted independently of and between the switching elements 5 and 6. There is. On the inclined surface part of the support surface, above the switching element 6 and also separated from the latter, another narrow switching element 9 is arranged, which has a length that corresponds to the width of the switching element 6 and It extends along the upper edge of the latter. When viewed from a certain cross section, the switching element 9 also has a model,
The switching element 9 tapers from its bottom to its top. Since the switching element 9 is intended to symbolize the head restraint of the vehicle seat,
This vertical height is adjusted to be approximately proportional to the vertical height of the head restraint. The operation of the switch group 1, which symbolizes the entire vehicle seat, is thus clear, since the switching element 8 for the lumbar support and the switching element 9 for the head restraint are connected to their mounting on the vehicle seat. Since it is located within the arrangement within switch group 1 that corresponds to the position. The operating movement is carried out from above and the thumb and forefinger of the operating hand must be spread wide enough to grip each side of the switching elements 5.6.8 and 9. Since the end faces of all switching elements 5.6.8 and 9 lie in a common vertical longitudinal plane on both sides, gripping them takes place without any problems. The actuation movement therefore presupposes that there is sufficient free space for actuation on both sides adjacent to the switch group 1. The association can be made without looking at switch group 1.

This is made possible in that the switching elements 5.8.6 and 9 each exhibit a space in the vertical direction, thus making it possible to easily distinguish the switching elements 5.8.6 and 9 from each other.

Switch operation is easy to understand due to switching elements 5.8.
This is further enhanced by the fact that 6 and 9 are each movable in the same direction of movement as the relevant part of the vehicle seat in order to perform its adjustment function. For this purpose switching elements 5.8.6 and 9 are connected to switch group 1
associated switch bases 5a, 8a, 6a and 9 along their tapered side edges extending widthwise.
a and are each held in a stable central position. From this central position they can optionally be pushed away from the support surface or rotated upwards and moved in the opposite direction.

Together with their respective switch bases 5a, 8a, 6a and 9a they thus form a switching key of known design. A sliding key switch with a stable central position, via which the adjustment of the seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is controlled, is additionally provided between the switch base 5a and the base 7. The switch group 5 can thus be operated by moving longitudinally relative to the base 7 for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat and by rotating up or down for vertical or slope adjustment of the vehicle seat. used.

By rotating the switching element 8 forward from its central position, the lumbar support can be moved outwardly.

Also, by rotating it later, the latter can be set back again or its height can be adjusted steplessly.

When the switching element 6 is rotated upwardly, the inclination of the seat back becomes steeper, and when it is rotated downwardly, the inclination of the seatback becomes shallower. Finally, rotating the switching element 9 up and down achieves movement of the head restraint in the same direction.

A changeover switch 10 is integrated with the horizontal surface of the support surface at a sufficient distance to the right of the base 7 in order to make available additional adjustment functions of the vehicle seat via the switching element l. The changeover switch 10 is a general-purpose slide-guided design changeover switch through which two different functional programs can be selected.

In switch position 1, the so-called standard program is selected. It includes all the adjustment features previously described except for the lumbar support here.

By switching the changeover switch 10, a special orthopedic program is selected.

Only then does it actuate switching element 8, so that the regulating function of switching elements 5 and 6 is then replaced by another regulating function. Instead of adjusting the seat in the longitudinal direction, the height of the seat cushion is now adjusted during the sliding movement of the switching element 5, so that instead of the inclination of the back, the height of the extendable shoulder support or backrest is adjusted. The entry and exit of the lateral sleeves arranged on the sides is now regulated via the switching element 6. Other adjustment possibilities can also be envisaged for switching element 5 and switching element 9.

A sensor control device 11 is likewise arranged on the inclined surface of the support surface adjacent to the switching element 8 at a distance to the right of the switch group 1. By pressing the sensor control a so-called memory record is made of the current seat position, so that upon recalling it the vehicle Sea-1 can be automatically moved to the memorized positions. The sensor control device 11 is supplemented by a monitor display 12 arranged above it. It displays the selected memory location numerically.

In addition to the advantages already mentioned, the switch group offers the advantage that, in particular, if it is arranged on the cover plate of the center console 2, the connection via cables to the electrical system of the vehicle is simplified. The extra cable length required when placed over the door can be significantly reduced. The switching elements of switch group 1 can each be connected through associated openings in cover plate 3. The openings are then covered by the switching elements themselves after their installation. Furthermore, during repairs, only the problematic switching element of the switch group needs to be replaced. the result,
Its repair can be carried out at a favorable cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figure is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 1... Switch group, 2... Central console,
3... Cover plate, 4... Switching element representing seat cushion, 6... Switching element representing backrest, 7... Base, 8... Switching element representing lumbar support part, 9... - Switching element representing the head restraint section, 10... Program changeover switch, 11... Sensor control device, 12... Monitor display

Claims (14)

[Claims] (1) A supporting surface on which two switch elements symbolizing the seat cushion and backrest of a vehicle seat are held in a relative position corresponding to the position of use of the seat and which is accessible to the user of the seat. The switch elements symbolizing the seat cushion are mounted on the horizontal surface of the support surface, and on each side adjacent to the switch group there are markings for gripping the switch elements. In a switch group for the remote control of a vehicle seat adjustable via an actuating device, the supporting surface of the switching group (1) symbolizes the seat cushion. The switch element (6), which merges with the upwardly angled surface part behind the switch element (5) symbolizing the backrest, has a support surface separate from the associated switch element (5). is mounted on an angled surface portion of the vehicle, the supporting surface further comprising a stepped shoulder extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and consisting of a cladding (cover plate 3) arranged laterally adjacent to the vehicle seat. Switch group for remote control of a vehicle seat adjustable via an actuating device, characterized in that it is formed by (4). 2. Switch group according to claim 1, characterized in that the exterior material is a cover plate (3) of a central console of a vehicle. (3) the upwardly angled surface portion of the support surface is significantly higher than the switch element (6) symbolizing the backrest and has at least one further switch element (8);
, 9) are mounted in the vertical extension direction of the switch element (6). (4) Switch element symbolizing the backrest (6
) is placed vertically offset from the switch element (5) symbolizing the seat cushion, and the narrow switch element (8) symbolizing the lumbar support of the vehicle seat is placed vertically offset from the switch element (6) symbolizing the lumbar support of the vehicle seat. 4. A switch group as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it is mounted on an angled surface below the (). (5) Note that the narrow switch element (9) symbolizing the head restraint of the vehicle seat is mounted on an angled surface above the switch element (6) symbolizing the backrest. The switch group according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: (6) switch group (8) of switch group (1) mounted on the angled surface portion of the support surface;
, 6, 9) at least substantially correspond to the width of the switch element (5) symbolizing the seat cushion. (7) All switch elements (8, 6, 9) mounted on the angled surface portion of the support surface are mounted vertically spaced apart from each other. switch group. (8) A claim characterized in that the switch element (5) symbolizing a seat cushion is placed on a base (7) that is recessed with respect to the side edge of the switch element (5). The switch group described in 1. (9) All switch elements (5, 8, 6, 9) symbolizing the seat part taper in a wedge-like manner towards one of their side edges extending in the width direction of the switch group (1). Switch group according to at least one of the claims, characterized in that: (10) The switch elements (5, 8, 6, 9) are pivoted along their tapered side edges to the associated switch base (5a, 8a, 6a, 9a) and are stable The switch bases (5a, 6a, 8
Claim 9, characterized in that the switch elements (5, 6, 8, 9), which together with a, 9a) are designed as switching keys, are rotatable in opposite directions from their central position.
Switch group listed. 11. Switch group according to claim 8, characterized in that a sliding key switch with a stable central position is integrated in the base (7). (12) Switch group according to at least one preceding claim, characterized in that the changeover switch (10) is integrated in a lateral support surface adjacent to the switch arrangement symbolizing the vehicle seat. (13) The switch group according to claim 12, wherein the changeover switch (10) is a switch for selecting programs for two different functions of the vehicle seat. (14) Seat position memory button (sensor control 1
Switch group according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: 1) and/or the monitor display (12) are set on a lateral support surface adjacent to a switch arrangement symbolizing a vehicle seat.