DE102020116142B4 - Vehicle seating system and vehicle with a vehicle seating system - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle seat system (2) with a backrest (3) and with a seat area (4), wherein the seat area (4) is connected to at least one seat rail (6) with an underside (5) facing away from a seat surface (9) and is longitudinally displaceable with the backrest (3) along a further seat rail (7) that can be fixed on the vehicle side, wherein an adjustment unit (10) is provided which is designed to change an angle (γ) between the backrest (3) and the seat surface (9) of the seat area (4) as well as angles of inclination (α, β) between the backrest (3) and the seat rail (6) and between the seat surface (9) of the seat area (4) and the seat rail (6), wherein a footrest unit (13) with a support area (14) is provided which is designed to support the feet (15) of a vehicle occupant (16) from below, wherein the footrest unit (13) together with the seat area (4) is designed to be longitudinally displaceable, wherein the support area (14) is designed to be movable between a non-use position of the footrest unit (13), in which the footrest unit (13) is arranged in the vehicle vertical direction (z) under the seat area (4), and a support position in which the support area (14) is arranged in the vertical direction (z) below the seat surface (9) and in the longitudinal direction (x) of the seat rail (6) in front of the seat area (4) and feet (15) can be placed on the support area (14), wherein the adjustment unit (10) is designed to automatically transfer the support area (14) from the non-use position to the support position during an adjustment of the seat area (4) and the backrest (3) in the direction of a reclining position area, and wherein the support area (14) is connected in an articulated manner to the seat rail (6) via a holding element (17) and is movable between the non-use position and the support position within a defined range of a pivot angle between a longitudinal axis of the holding element (17) and the seat rail (6).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle seat system and a vehicle with a vehicle seat system according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of patent claims 1 and 11 respectively.

From the JP 2017-94856 A a vehicle seat system with a seat area and a backrest is known. The backrest is designed to be movable between a so-called sitting position area and a so-called lying position area. Within the so-called sitting position area, the backrest and a seat rail enclose such an angle of inclination that a vehicle occupant sitting on the seat area assumes a substantially upright sitting position. If the backrest is arranged in its lying position area, the backrest is pivoted backwards in the vehicle's longitudinal direction relative to the seat position area. In both the sitting position area and the lying position area of the backrest, the inclination of the seat surface of the seat area in relation to the seat rail is essentially unchanged.

In this case, the seat area is divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and comprises a front section and a rear section. The front section is adjustable relative to the rear section. The front section pivots relative to the rear section of the seat area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when a vehicle occupant exerts an actuating force directed diagonally forwards on the front section of the seat area. In its pivoted position, the front section of the seat area is intended as a storage space for the feet and lower legs of a vehicle occupant. This function of the front section of the seat area should be available in particular in the reclining position area of the backrest.

A tension spring is provided, which is connected at one end to the front section and at the other end to a seat console below the seat area. The front section can be guided from its pivoted position towards the rear section by means of the spring.

The disadvantage, however, is that the front section of the seat area does not provide a comfortable support function when in the pivoted position.

Furthermore, vehicle occupants are not adequately secured by conventional vehicle restraint systems, such as three-point seat belts, during a frontal impact of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle seating system if the backrest is adjusted to the reclining position. This is the case because the seat surface is aligned almost horizontally even in the reclining position of the backrest.

For this reason, the seat surface of a vehicle seat has been set at a corresponding angle to the vehicle floor when the backrest is adjusted to the reclining position. Such a vehicle seat system is known from the EN 10 2018 204 461 A1 known.

However, this vehicle system does not provide support for the lower legs or feet of a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. This means that in the reclining position of the backrest and the seat area, a high pressure is exerted on the seat area in the area where a vehicle occupant's thigh rests due to gravity, which is perceived as very uncomfortable, particularly on longer journeys.

The EN 10 2013 000 632 A1 describes a vehicle with four different seating arrangements. All seating arrangements have a vehicle seating system with a backrest and a seating area in the first row of seats. The seating area has an underside that faces away from a seat surface. The seating area is connected to at least one seat rail and can be moved lengthways with the backrest along a further seat rail that can be fixed on the vehicle side.

From the EN 10 2015 212 516 A1 A decentralized seat control system for one seat or for several seats with several seat elements that can be moved linearly or angularly relative to one another and which can be adjusted by intelligent devices such as electromotive, pneumatic or hydraulic drives as well as a lumbar drive is known.

Furthermore, the FR 2 880 597 A1 a vehicle seat and a footrest, both of which are designed to be movable along rails.

A vehicle with a seat and a deformable footrest is known from US 2018 / 0 312 093 A1. A backrest and a seating area are adjustable relative to each other and also relative to a rail and can be moved between a sitting position and a lying position.

The US 9 714 095 B2 describes a vehicle seating system with a seating area, a backrest and a leg rest, which are spaced apart from each other and from a surface The leg rest can be designed with a footrest.

US 2018 / 0 339 632 A1 shows a vehicle seat with a backrest and a seating area. The seating area is connected to a seat rail and can be moved lengthways with the backrest along another seat rail that can be fixed on the vehicle side. A footrest unit and an adjustment unit for the footrest unit are also provided. The footrest unit can be moved between a non-use position and a support position.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a vehicle seat system and a vehicle with a vehicle seat system which, on the one hand, ensure good vehicle occupant protection and, on the other hand, provide a high level of driving and operating comfort.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a vehicle seat system and with a vehicle with a vehicle seat system having the features of patent claims 1 and 11, respectively.

The vehicle seat system according to the invention comprises a backrest and a seat area. The seat area is connected to at least one seat rail with an underside facing away from a seat surface. In addition, the seat area can be moved longitudinally with the backrest along a further seat rail that can be fixed on the vehicle side. An adjustment unit is provided that is designed to change an angle between the backrest and the seat surface of the seat area as well as the angle of inclination between the backrest and the seat rail and between the seat surface of the seat area and the seat rail. In addition, a footrest unit with a support area is provided that is designed to support the feet of a vehicle occupant from below. The support unit is designed to be longitudinally displaceable together with the seat area. This means that the coordination effort for a vehicle occupant is low and the operating comfort is high in order to be able to fully use the support function of the support unit.

In addition, the support area is designed to be movable between a non-use position and a support position in which the support area is arranged vertically of the vehicle seat system below the seat surface and longitudinally of the seat rail in front of the seat area and feet can be placed on the support area. This ensures that a vehicle occupant's entry and exit into or out of the vehicle is not hindered by the footrest unit.

In addition, the adjustment unit is designed to automatically transfer the support area from the non-use position to the support position during an adjustment of the seat area and the backrest in the direction of a reclining position area. As a result, the support function of the footrest unit is automatically activated or made available during the transition of the seat area and the backrest into the reclining position area, without a corresponding request being generated by a vehicle occupant.

The adjustment unit can provide the actuator drive electromotorically and/or mechanically via spring accumulators and detents.

In addition, the support area is connected to the seat rail in a structurally simple manner via a holding element and can be pivoted between the non-use position and the support position within a defined pivoting angle range.

When the footrest unit is not in use, the support area is arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat system under the seat area. The vehicle seat system is then structurally simple to implement and the support function of the footrest unit can be made available in a simple manner.

The seat surface can have an inclination angle of between 16° and 24° in a seating position range with the seat rail in order to ensure the highest possible driving comfort.

If the backrest in the seating position area forms an angle of between 90° and 120° with the seat surface, a desired comfortable seating position can be set for vehicle occupants or drivers of a vehicle with different physical dimensions, which also ensures a high level of driving safety.

Furthermore, it is possible for the seat surface to have an inclination angle of between 16° and 24° with the seat rail in a reclining position in order to provide the most comfortable reclining position possible for a vehicle occupant.

For this purpose, the backrest in the reclining position can be provided with an inclination angle of between 120° and 180° with the seat rail.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle seat system according to the invention, the adjustment unit is designed to adjust the angle of inclination between the seat surface and the seat rail in the reclining position area while a vehicle is moving in a range between 36° and 44° and the angle between the seat and the backrest between 85° and 95°. This then provides a vehicle occupant with the desired comfortable reclining position. In addition, this minimizes the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant during a frontal collision. The seat area then acts as a type of abutment and prevents what is known as submarining.

In this case, the term submarining refers to the slipping of a vehicle occupant under a vehicle occupant restraint system, such as a so-called three-point seat belt.

If the holding element is designed to vary the distance between the seat rail and the support area, the support function can be adapted to vehicle occupants of different sizes with little effort. In addition, the position of the lower legs in relation to the thighs of a vehicle occupant can also be varied with little effort, which in turn increases driving comfort, especially during longer journeys.

Furthermore, the adjustment unit can be designed to move the support area from the support position to the non-use position during adjustment of the seat area and the backrest in the direction of the seat position area. This in turn ensures a high level of operating comfort and avoids the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant when exiting a vehicle or getting into the vehicle due to the extended footrest unit.

The adjustment unit can comprise a control device that is designed to receive a control signal from a request means and to move the support area from the non-use position to the support position or from the support position to the non-use position. This in turn makes it possible to easily activate or deactivate the support function of the footrest unit independently of the position of the backrest and the seat area.

To avoid injuries, the control unit of the adjustment unit can be designed to determine an adjustment movement of the support area and an adjustment force applied to the support area. In addition, the control unit can stop the adjustment of the support area if the control unit detects an adjustment force that exceeds a limit value and/or if the control unit detects an adjustment speed that is less than a limit value. This provides a simple way of providing pinch protection that avoids injuries to vehicle occupants or prevents damage to objects in the vehicle that are arranged in the swivel range of the support unit.

An impact damping element can be provided between the seat area and the seat rail. The impact damping element can be designed to dampen shock loads acting on the spine of a vehicle occupant during a frontal impact of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle seat system. This allows the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant to be reduced in a structurally simple manner.

In addition, a vehicle with a vehicle seating system as described above is proposed, wherein the seating area and the backrest form a vehicle front seat or a vehicle rear seat.

Further advantages and advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims and the embodiment described in principle with reference to the drawing.

• 1 eine vereinfachte Darstellung eines Fahrzeuges;
• 2 eine schematisierte zweidimensionale Seitenansicht eines Fahrzeugsitzsystems mit einem Sitzbereich und mit einer Rückenlehne, die sich in einem Sitzstellungsbereich befinden; und
• 3 eine 2 entsprechende Darstellung des Fahrzeugsitzsystems, wobei der Sitzbereich und die Rückenlehne jeweils in einen Liegestellungsbereich verstellt sind.

It shows:

• 1 a simplified representation of a vehicle;
• 2 a schematic two-dimensional side view of a vehicle seating system with a seating area and a backrest located in a seating position area; and
• 3 one 2 Corresponding representation of the vehicle seating system, with the seat area and the backrest each adjusted to a reclining position.

1 shows a vehicle 1 which is designed with vehicle seat systems 2 in the area of a vehicle interior 2A. The vehicle seat systems 2 can be designed as vehicle front seats or as vehicle rear seats.

Such a vehicle seat system 2 is in 2 shown in a highly simplified side view. The vehicle seat system 2 comprises a backrest 3 and a seat area 4 operatively connected thereto. The seat area 4 is connected to a bottom side 5 with two seat rails 6 spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction y. The seat rails 6 are designed to be displaceable along further seat rails 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. The further seat rails 7 are vehicle firmly connected to a vehicle floor 8 on one side. The underside 5 of the seating area 4 faces away from a seating surface 9 of the seating area 4.

Both the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 are in 2 arranged in so-called seat position areas, which are characterized by defined angle ranges of inclination angles α and β with respect to the seat rails 6 and 7. The inclination angle α corresponds to a position of the seat surface 9 of the seat area 4 with respect to the essentially horizontally running seat rails 6. At the same time, the inclination angle β corresponds to the angle between a longitudinal axis 6A of the seat rail 6 and a longitudinal axis 3A of the backrest 3.

The seating position range of the seating area 4 or the seating surface 9 is defined by angle values of the inclination angle α between 16° and 24°. The seating position range of the backrest 3 includes angle values of the inclination angle β between 90° and 120°.

The adjustment of the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 is carried out via an adjustment unit 10, which is connected to the seat area 4, the backrest 3 and also to the seat rails 6 and 7.

Depending on the particular application, it is possible for the angle of inclination α of the seat area 4 and the angle of inclination β of the backrest 3 relative to the seat rails 6 to be changed simultaneously and independently of one another via the adjustment unit 10.

In addition, there is also the possibility that the adjustment unit 10 is only intended for adjusting the angle of inclination α of the seat area 4, while a further adjustment unit is provided for changing the angle of inclination β of the backrest 3. The further adjustment unit can be arranged, for example, in the form of an electric drive in the connection area between the seat area 4 and the backrest 3.

In addition, it can also be provided that the adjusting unit 10 is provided for adjusting a distance in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat system 2 or in the vehicle vertical direction z between the seat area 4 and the vehicle floor 8 and between the backrest 3 and the vehicle floor 8. Furthermore, the adjusting unit 10 can also be designed to move the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x in the direction of a vehicle front 11 or in the direction of a vehicle rear 12.

In addition, it is also possible for the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 to be adjustable in the vehicle transverse direction y via the adjustment unit 10. This is advantageous, for example, during a side impact, as it increases the distance between a vehicle occupant 16 and the respective closer side of the vehicle and minimizes the risk of injury.

In addition, a footrest unit 13 with a support area 14 is provided, which is designed to support feet 15 of a vehicle occupant 16. The footrest unit 13 is designed to be longitudinally displaceable together with the seat area 4 and is connected to the seat rails 6 so as to be pivotable within a defined range of a pivot angle ε.

The footrest unit 13 is in 2 in its non-use position, in which the footrest unit 13 is arranged in the vehicle vertical direction z under the seat area 4 or between the underside 5 of the seat area 4 and the seat rail 6. Furthermore, the footrest unit 13 is moved by the adjustment unit 10 from the non-use position into a 3 shown support position. In the support position, the support area 14 of the footrest unit 13 is arranged in the vehicle vertical direction z below the seat surface 9 and in the vehicle longitudinal direction x in front of the seat area 4. In addition, both the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 are in 3 in so-called reclining position areas, in which a comfortable reclining position is available for a vehicle occupant 16, which additionally also ensures the desired high level of driving safety.

The angle of inclination α of the seat surface 9 of the seating area 4 then has angle values between 36° and 44° in order to prevent so-called submarining. In addition, the angle of inclination β of the backrest 3 then has angle values such that the seat surface 9 and the backrest 3 enclose an angle γ in an angle range of 85° to 95°.

The latter angular ranges of the inclination angles α, β and the angle γ ensure in a simple manner that a hip angle δ between an upper body 16A and a thigh 16B of a vehicle occupant 16 corresponds at least approximately to a right angle. This prevents submarining or slipping of the vehicle occupant 16 under a vehicle restraint system, such as a three-point seat belt, during a frontal impact in a simple manner.

In addition, the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 are adjusted to each other by the adjustment unit 10 which is adjustable so that the angle of inclination β in the reclining position area of the backrest 3 has angle values between 120° and 180°. At the same time, the angle of inclination α of the seat surface 9 can be adjusted as required in an angle range between 16° and 44°, whereby the risk of injury increases as the angle values of the angle of inclination α decrease. The larger adjustment ranges of the angles of inclination α or β of the seat area 4 or the backrest 3 offer the possibility that a vehicle occupant 16 can assume a reclining position with an obtuse hip angle δ or that bulky objects can be transported in the vehicle 1.

The support area 14 of the footrest unit 13 is in this case pivotably connected to at least one of the seat rails 6 via a rod-like holding element 17. It is possible for the support area 14 to be designed as a cylindrical rod, as a flat square profile or the like, which preferably extends in the vehicle transverse direction y over the entire width of the seat area 4 and is pivotably connected to one of the vehicle rails 6 in the region of its ends by a holding element 17.

An axial length of the holding element 17 between the seat rails 6 and the support area 14 is variable. For this purpose, the holding element 17 can be designed to be telescopic, for example. In addition, the pivot angle ε between a longitudinal axis 18 of the holding element 17 and the seat rail 6 can also be varied by the adjusting unit 10 in order to be able to provide different support positions for the footrest unit 13.

The vehicle seat system 2 comprises a control unit 19. The control unit 19 is designed to receive a control signal from a request means 20 and to transfer the support region 14 from the non-use position to the support position or from the support position to the non-use position when a corresponding request is present.

The request means 20 can be actuated by a vehicle occupant 16 and can be designed, for example, as a push button, adjusting lever, slide switch or the like.

Furthermore, the adjustment unit 10 is designed to move the footrest unit 13 from the 2 shown non-use position into the position shown in 3 shown support position if there is a corresponding requirement according to which both the seat area 4 and the backrest 3 are to be moved to the position shown in 3 shown lying positions. This means that the footrest unit 13 is automatically moved into the support position by the adjustment unit 10 when the angle of inclination α of the seat area 4 is pivoted from the angle range between 16° and 24° to the angle range between 36° and 44°. At the same time, the backrest 3 is also adjusted so that the angle γ between the seat surface 9 and the backrest 3 has angle values between 85° and 95°.

In order to avoid a risk of injury for vehicle occupants 16 due to the adjustment of the footrest unit 13, a pinch guard is provided. For this purpose, the control unit 19 of the adjustment unit 10 is designed to determine an adjustment movement of the support area 14 and an adjustment force applied to the support area 14. The adjustment of the support area 14 is terminated when the control unit 19 determines an adjustment force that exceeds a limit value. In addition, it is also checked whether an adjustment speed of the support area 14 is less than a limit value. This makes it possible to only interrupt the adjustment of the support area 14 when the adjustment speed is less than the limit value, regardless of the level of the adjustment force determined. This makes it possible to check the plausibility of the values of the adjustment force and the adjustment speed determined during monitoring.

The vehicle seating system 2 offers the possibility of providing the most comfortable and safe lying position possible while driving a vehicle 1, while at the same time requiring as little space as possible in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x. The footrest unit 13 is located on the seat substructure of the vehicle seating system 2 and, if necessary, extends automatically electrically, mechanically or via another suitable drive during the transition from the sitting position to the lying position. The lower legs 21 of the vehicle occupant 16 are supported in the lying position by the possibility of being able to place the feet 15 on the support area 14 of the footrest unit 13. The support is provided in such a way that only a small amount of space is required in the vehicle 1 between a front edge 23 of the seating area 4 and a dashboard 22 when a vehicle occupant 16 uses the lying position of the vehicle seating system 2.

List of reference symbols

1

vehicle

2

Vehicle seating system

2A

Vehicle interior

3

backrest

3A

Longitudinal axis of the backrest 3

4

sitting area

5

bottom

6

Seat rail

6A

Longitudinal axis of rail 6

7

additional seat rail

8th

Vehicle floor

9

Seat

10

Adjustment unit

11

Front of vehicle

12

Rear of vehicle

13

Footrest unit

14

Support area

15

Feet

16

Vehicle occupant

16A

upper body

16B

Thigh

17

Holding element

18

Longitudinal axis of the holding element

19

Control unit

20

Requisition means

21

Lower leg

22

dashboard

23

Front edge seating area

α

Angle of inclination between the seat surface and the seat rail

β

Angle of inclination between the seat rail and the backrest

γ

Angle between the seat and the backrest

δ

Hip angle of the vehicle occupant

ε

Swivel angle between the longitudinal axis of the holding element and the seat rail 6

Claims (11)

Vehicle seat system (2) with a backrest (3) and with a seat area (4), wherein the seat area (4) is connected to at least one seat rail (6) with a lower side (5) facing away from a seat surface (9) and is longitudinally displaceable with the backrest (3) along a further seat rail (7) that can be fixed on the vehicle side, wherein an adjustment unit (10) is provided that is designed to change an angle (γ) between the backrest (3) and the seat surface (9) of the seat area (4) as well as angles of inclination (α, β) between the backrest (3) and the seat rail (6) and between the seat surface (9) of the seat area (4) and the seat rail (6), wherein a footrest unit (13) with a support area (14) is provided that is designed to support the feet (15) of a vehicle occupant (16) from below, wherein the footrest unit (13) is arranged together with the seat area (4) is designed to be longitudinally displaceable, wherein the support area (14) is designed to be movable between a non-use position of the footrest unit (13), in which the footrest unit (13) is arranged in the vehicle vertical direction (z) under the seat area (4), and a support position in which the support area (14) is arranged in the vertical direction (z) below the seat surface (9) and in the longitudinal direction (x) of the seat rail (6) in front of the seat area (4) and feet (15) can be placed on the support area (14), wherein the adjustment unit (10) is designed to automatically transfer the support area (14) from the non-use position to the support position during an adjustment of the seat area (4) and the backrest (3) in the direction of a reclining position area, and wherein the support area (14) is connected in an articulated manner to the seat rail (6) via a holding element (17) and can be moved between the non-use position and the support position within a defined range of a pivot angle between a longitudinal axis of the holding element (17) and the seat rail (6). Vehicle seating system (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the seat surface (9) encloses an angle of inclination (α) of between 16° and 24° with the seat rail (6) in a seating position area. Vehicle seating system (2) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the backrest (3) in the sitting position area encloses an angle (γ) between 90° and 120° with the seat surface (9). Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the seat surface (9) in a lying position area encloses an angle of inclination (α) between 16° and 44° with the seat rail (6). Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the backrest (3) in the lying position area encloses an angle of inclination (β) between 120° and 180° with the seat rail (6). Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the adjustment unit (10) is designed to adjust the angle of inclination (α) between the seat surface (9) and the seat rail (6) in the reclining position area during the travel of a vehicle (1) in a Range between 36° and 44° and the angle (γ) between the seat (9) and the backrest (3) in a range between 85° and 95°. Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the holding element (17) is designed to vary a distance between the seat rail (6) and the support region (14). Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the adjustment unit (10) comprises a control device (19) which is designed to receive a control signal from a request means (20) and to transfer the support region (14) from the non-use position to the support position or from the support position to the non-use position. Vehicle seating system (2) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the control device (19) of the adjustment unit (10) is designed to determine an adjusting movement of the support area (14) and an adjusting force applied to the support area (14) and to terminate the adjustment of the support area (14) when the adjusting force exceeds a limit value and/or when an adjusting speed smaller than a limit value is determined. Vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that an impact damping element is provided between the seat area (4) and the seat rail (6), which is designed to dampen shock loads acting on a spine of a vehicle occupant (16) during a frontal impact of a vehicle (1) equipped with the vehicle seat system (2). Vehicle (1) with a vehicle seat system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the seating area (4) and the backrest (3) form a vehicle front seat or a rear seat.

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