WO2003045730A1

WO2003045730A1 - Child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle or an aircraft

Info

Publication number: WO2003045730A1
Application number: PCT/DE2002/004187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Hausmann
Original assignee: Thomas Hausmann
Priority date: 2001-11-17
Filing date: 2002-11-12
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: DE10156621C1; AU2002351667A1; DE10233450A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle or an aircraft. Said child seat comprises a seat frame, a seat shell or the like and at least one inflatable upholstery element, which is supported by said seat frame and has an envelope made from an air- and watertight material. Said child seat is characterized in that the upholstery element (3a, 3aa, 3b, 3c, 3cc, 3d, 3dd) contains an open-porous, air permeable foamed material inside said envelope (1). Said foamed material is preferably joined, in particular by glueing or vulcanization, to the inner side of the envelope (1) containing said material.

Description

Child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle

or an aircraft

The invention relates to a child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle or an aircraft, with an inflatable cushion element according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The new poster element is characterized by improved seating and adjustment comfort as well as good damping properties when crash-related impact energy is reduced.

From DE 200 16 932 Ul an inflatable child car seat with a connection valve for a compressor is known, which consists of a system of several chambers and, if necessary, is also suitable as a baby seat.

The company Storchenmühle GmbH and Co. KG, Guttenbergstrasse 14, D-95352 Marktleugast-Mannsflur, offers in its brochure "Collection 2000/2001" a child seat called "AirSeat" which can be adjusted to the width and width by means of an inflatable cushion and the side parts The size of children weighing 9 to 36 kg can be adjusted. For this purpose, the individual chambers are adapted to the respective conditions by adding or discharging air.

A comparable child seat is known from DE 197 05 500 A1. Accordingly, the inflatable side supports of the seat are combined into one unit and releasably connected to the supporting seat part. Although these child seats with inflatable chambers allow the seat contour to be adapted to different body dimensions, these air-filled chambers also have the properties typical of air mattresses, which are rather undesirable for a child seat. For example, it can be seen that with fully inflated chambers - as is necessary for the lowest weight class - the seat looks very hard and does not offer the child optimal seating comfort. The pronounced spring action has a negative effect on the reduction of crash-related impacts, since the child is thrown in the opposite direction with a comparatively large force after the impact. For children of the highest approved weight class, the inflatable chambers have the lowest air filling, so that there is a floating and undefined seating position. In addition, the damping effect is only slight in the event of a crash; there is even a risk that parts of the child's body will hit the seat shell from the air cushion as far as possible.

You also need a pump to adjust these child seats with inflatable cushions. If the pump is not at hand, there is a risk that the necessary adjustment procedure will be dispensed with, which can lead to serious injuries in the event of an accident. The same applies to an incorrectly adjusted child seat.

From DE 44 12 849 Cl a vehicle seat with an adjustable cushion part is known, the adjustability being achieved by an inflatable space formed by two foils, which is arranged between the cushion part and a dimensionally stable cover. This seat also has the resilient properties typical of air mattresses. With increasing compression of the closed air cushion, one builds up accordingly increasing counterforce, which triggers an accelerated opposite movement of the seat user.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing an inflatable child seat which can be easily and safely adjusted to the desired child size and which combines good seating comfort with a high safety standard. In principle, it should also be possible to adjust the inflatable child seat without a pump.

Furthermore, the invention is based on the problem of providing an inflatable child seat which can guarantee a high safety standard even without adapting the height of the seat to the respective size of the child.

According to the invention the problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims represent preferred variants of the invention.

Accordingly, the shell includes at least one cushion element inside an open-pore, air-permeable foam that completely fills the shell. Preferably, the inside of the shell with the surface of the foam, e.g. B. firmly connected by gluing or vulcanizing. In addition, the foam should have the highest possible dimensional stability against short-term forces due to impact loads, such as those that regularly occur in the event of a crash.

Ideally, the inflatable envelope is completely filled with foam. This can even be somewhat compressed, so that it too is slightly under tension in the fully expanded state. This reduces the reset time of the cushion elements set for a comparatively large child if they are to be adapted for a comparatively smaller child. The natural resilience of the foam therefore allows the cushion elements to be individually adjusted without having to use a pump or the like. For the purpose of adjustment, it is sufficient to open the valve in the sleeve of the poster element until either enough air has flowed in due to the automatic expansion ability of the foam (whereby the cushion element must remain unloaded) or until the required amount of air from the Upholstery element was pushed out. Finally, the condition of the cushion element is fixed by closing the valve.

The high safety standard of this child seat is also illustrated by the fact that there is no danger for the child in question even if the person responsible for setting the seat parameters forgets to close a valve in the cover of the cushion element after the setting process, or if it does Child should be able to open the closed valve. In such a case, the cushion element in question (with the exception of the cushion element of the seating area) would expand due to the resilience of the foam to its maximum possible extent or until its outer surface lies against the child's body. But this represents the ideal state and does not lead to any hazards. Should a crash occur under these circumstances, the high dimensional stability of the foam (supported by the high hydraulic flow resistance for the air trapped in the pores) will ensure good shock absorption. At this point it should be pointed out that the adjustment process of the cushion element according to the invention can also be carried out using a pump for filling and evacuating, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The upholstery element described is characterized by good seating comfort, which is characterized in particular by a defined and stable seating position regardless of the degree of air filling. This is achieved primarily by connecting the foam to the inflatable envelope. At the same time, the cushion element according to the invention has a very good degree of damping against impact loads, without having the disadvantageous properties of the resilient air mattress effect. This provides the best conditions for excellent injury protection.

Both the damping properties and the resetting speed of the foam largely depend on the pore diameter, the pore structure and the structure of the duct system for air distribution. Since the damping properties, i.e. the deformation resistance of the foam, are mainly determined by the internal hydraulic resistance of the pore structure due to the very short duration of impact, and the return speed depends on the performance of the duct system, both requirements can be easily coordinated. An air distribution system is advantageous which has at least one main duct, one end of which lies in the area of a closable air inlet / outlet valve of the shell of the cushion element, and the other end of which extends away with respect to the valve Extends the area of the cushion element. Secondary channels of smaller diameter branch off from the main channel.

In order to enable the child seat to be optimally adapted to the different parts of the body, several cushion elements with separate covers are provided. Ideally, this affects the seating area, the back, head and side area. Of course, you can also get by with a reduced number of cushion elements, e.g. B. with a first cushion element for the seat area and a second cushion element together for the back, head and side area, or with a first cushion element for the seat area, a second cushion element for the back and copy area and a third cushion element for the side area.

The inflatable cushion elements can be connected individually or in the form of a coherent unit with their outer side of the shell facing the seat frame to the seat frame or to a base attached thereto, e.g. B. by means of Velcro elements.

Depending on the construction and the basic structure of the child seat, it can also be advantageous to make an upholstery element (in particular the headrest) adjustable along the upholstery element representing the backrest for the purpose of adaptation to the body dimensions of the child.

The most vulnerable areas of a child in a crash are the head and neck. The most serious and often fatal injuries occur here. In comparison, even serious injuries other areas, e.g. B. the pelvis, can be corrected without permanent damage. Therefore, according to the invention, for a minimalized variant of a child seat with at least one cushion element arranged in an airtight shell with an open-pore, air-permeable foam, it is proposed to arrange this cushion element in the head area, the height of the cushion element and its arrangement being such that the different head positions are suitable for a child seat approved child sizes are covered.

The cushion element according to the invention extends along the two sides of the head and in the area of the back of the head. The cushion element is preferably made in one piece, so that its shell only has to have an air inlet / outlet valve or the like. This air inlet / outlet valve should be arranged in the upper area of the cushion element.

In principle, there is also the possibility of designing the cushion element according to the invention as a retrofit part in the form of a separate element which can be connected to the supporting structure of the child seat by means of fastening means.

The foam, which is preferably connected to the inside of the shell, has the highest possible dimensional stability against short-term forces due to impact loads, such as those which regularly occur in the event of a crash, and prevents the child's head from being thrown back after the crash. Ideally, the inflatable envelope is completely filled with foam. This can even be somewhat compressed so that it is somewhat pretensioned even in the fully expanded state. This reduces the reset time of the cushion element set for a comparatively large child if it is to be adapted for a comparatively smaller child. The natural resilience of the foam thus allows the cushion element to be individually adjusted without having to use a pump or the like. For the purpose of adjustment, it is sufficient to open the valve in the sleeve of the poster element until either enough air has flowed in due to the automatic expansion ability of the foam (whereby the cushion element must remain unloaded) or until the required amount of air from the Upholstery element was pushed out. Finally, the condition of the cushion element is fixed by closing the valve.

The cushion element according to the invention has a very good degree of damping against impact loads, without having the disadvantageous properties of the resilient air mattress effect. This provides the best conditions for excellent injury protection.

The inflatable cushion element can be connected to the seat frame of the child seat in different ways. This can be done, for example, by integrating the inflatable cushion element into the cushion system of the child seat or by means of Velcro elements that can be connected to the facing side of the seat frame, or by means of a cover that can be pulled onto the free head end of the seat. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and the figures shown. Show it:

Figure la schematic representation of a cross section of the cushion element with air distribution system in the fully expanded state;

Figure lb, like Figure la, but in the compressed state;

Figure lc foam core of a cushion element with air distribution system after removal from the foaming mold;

FIG. 2 shows a child seat with several cushion elements carried by a seat shell;

Figure 3a is a schematic representation of a comparatively large child sitting in a child seat with largely compressed poster elements;

FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a comparatively small child sitting in a child seat with largely expanded cushion elements;

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a child seat with a comparatively large child and only slightly expanded inflatable cushion element in the head area; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a child seat with a comparatively small child and a highly expanded inflatable cushion element in the head area.

The exemplary embodiment of a cushion element shown in FIGS. 1 a to 1 c shows only one of many constructive implementation options of the invention. Accordingly, an air distribution system is integrated in the foam 2, which essentially consists of a main channel 21 and secondary channels 22 branching off from it. The free end of the main channel 21 opens into a connection for a valve 10, via which the air flow can be directed into or out of the casing 1. Via the comparatively large cross-section of the channels 21, 22 of the air distribution system, the much narrower pores 20 of the foam can be supplied with air relatively evenly in all areas of the cushion element, so that when the valve 10 is opened, the cushion element also expands accordingly and rapidly ,

A simple way of integrating the air distribution system into the foam is to foam the foam 2 of a cushion element in two parts in a mold, the contour of which channels 21, 22 depicts as raised webs or the like, half each. After the foam parts 2a and 2b have been folded together, the channels 21, 22 are closed, the channels 21a, 22a and 21b, 22b forming common cavities or being covered by the foam of the other part 2a, 2b. In any case, the two foam parts 2a, 2b should be integrated by means of form-fitting elements 25a, 25b are connected to each other to prevent slipping against each other.

The one-piece construction of the foam parts 2a, 2b connects them through a film hinge-like area above the recess 24. By folding the foam parts 2a, 2b about the axis 23, they are brought together to form the desired foam core.

Figure 2 shows an example of a child seat with a seat shell 4 as a carrier for the cushion elements 3a - 3dd, wherein at least the cushion element 3a serving as a seat cushion should be adjustable independently of the other cushion elements 3b - 3dd in order to adapt the child seat as ideally as possible to the different needs to be able to guarantee. The cushion elements 3b and 3c of the back area and the side area can be adjusted simultaneously via a common valve. Optionally, the upholstery elements 3d, 3dd can be designed statically for the head area by dispensing with an adjustability in the head area. A higher level of passive safety - especially in the event of a side crash - is achieved, however, if the padding elements 3dd for the lateral copying area are adjusted in such a way that there is as little distance as possible from the head in order to prevent the neck from overstretching in the event of an accident.

The schematic representations of FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment variant of the child seat according to the invention, in which the cushion element 3a, 3aa of the seat area and the cushion element 3c, 3cc, which serves for lateral support, including the head 51, can be adjusted separately. Because the upholstery element 3 c is not adjustable in height , an optimal setting of the seat level 31, 32 must be ensured, since otherwise the head 51 is located outside the assigned, specially shaped support area. The correct adjustment of the seat cushion 3a, 3aa is found when the neck coincides with the marked neck area 52. A corresponding marking can easily be attached to the cover material of the child seat. Thus, a more or less strongly compressed or expanded cushion element 3a, 3aa compensates for the different trunk lengths of children 5a, 5b of different sizes.

If the valves 10a, 10b of the cushion elements 3a, 3c are connected to a pump 11, which can be operated via the vehicle electrical system 12, the seat cushion 3a, 3aa can be adjusted in the expansive direction even under load. However, if a change is to be made from a smaller to a larger child, a vacuum pump can be helpful for adjusting the cushion elements 3c of the side area. However, it is possible in a simple manner to push out part of the air by manual loading after opening the valve 10b. Any unevenness in the surface of the upholstery elements will even out after a short time. If too much air has been pressed out, a correction can be made by opening the valve 10b air again, taking advantage of the automatic adjustment effect of the foam.

The child seat according to Figures 4 and 5 has a conventional seat cushion 60 and a conventional side cushion 61, z. B. from a foam covered with a textile cover. In the head and neck area of the child 5, however, an inflatable cushion element 62a, 62b is provided, the height H of which is sufficiently large that the head 51 of the child is permitted in the sizes (weight classes) permitted for the child seat children of different sizes 5 can be adequately supported. It is advisable for smaller children 5 (see FIG. 5) to choose a larger degree of expansion of the inflatable cushion element 62a, 62b in order to reduce the support distance from the head 51. The air is supplied via the valve 70, the air automatically flowing into the shell of the cushion element 62a, 62b due to the expansion efforts of the compressed foam. The air flow is stopped by closing the valve 70. If necessary, the air can be pressed out of the shell of the cushion element 62a, 62b by opening the valve 70 again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Sheath 0 valve 0a valve 0b valve 1 pump 2 electrical line

Foam a foam part b foam part 0 air-conducting pores 1 main channel 1a main channel of a first part 1b main channel of a second part 2 secondary channel 2a secondary channel of a first part 2b secondary channel of a second part 3 axis 4 recess 5a positive locking element 5b positive locking element

a Upholstery element of the seating area aa Upholstery element of the seating area 3b Upholstery element of the back area

3c cushion element of the side area

3cc cushion element of the side area

3d cushion element of the back of the head

3dd cushion element of the side head area

30 Base area of the seat area of the seat shell

31 Seat level with compressed upholstery element

32 seat level with expanded upholstery element

4 seat frame, seat shell

5 child

5a big child

5b small child

50 thighs (indicated schematically)

51 head

52 neck area

60 seat pads

61 side pads

62a upholstery element

62b upholstery element

70 valve

H Inflatable cushion height

Claims

claims

1. child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle or an aircraft, with a seat frame, a seat shell or the like, and with at least one cushion element carried by the seat frame and inflatable via a valve, the shell of which is made of an air and water impermeable material,

characterized in that

the cushion element (3a, 3aa, 3b, 3c, 3cc, 3d, 3dd) has an open-pore, air-permeable foam (2) inside the cover (1) which completely fills the cover (1).

Child seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the inside of the cover (1) is connected to the surface of the foam (2), in particular by gluing or vulcanizing.

Child seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam (2) has a high dimensional stability against short-term forces due to impact loads.

Child seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer side of the shell (1) facing the seat frame (4) can be connected to the seat frame (4) or to a base attached thereto, e.g. B. by means of Velcro elements.

5. Child seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam (2) of channels (21, 21a, 21b, 22, 22a, 22b) is traversed for quick distribution of the air.

6. Child seat according to claim 5, characterized in that the channels (21, 21a, 21b, 22, 22a, 22b) form an air distribution system which has at least one main channel (21, 21a, 21b), the end of which is in the region of a closable air inlet - / Air outlet valve (10) of the shell (1) of the cushion element.

7. Child seat according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of cushion elements equipped with separate covers (3a, 3aa, 3b, 3c, 3cc, 3d, 3dd).

Child seat according to claim 7, characterized in that a cushion element is provided for the seat area and a cushion element for the back, head and side areas.

Child seat according to claim 7, characterized in that a cushion element for the seat area, a cushion element for the back and head area and a cushion element for the side area is provided.

10. Child seat according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one cushion element is adjustable with respect to another cushion element for the purpose of adaptation to the body dimensions of the child.

11. Child seat according to claim 7, characterized in that each cover has a separate air inlet / outlet valve (10a, 10b).

12. Child seat according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pump (11) is provided for pumping out the air, which can preferably be operated via the electrical system (12).

13. Child seat according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one cushion element (3a, 3b) is arranged in the head region and has such a vertical extent that a support of the head (5a) for both the smallest and the largest the children (5) approved for the child seat is guaranteed.

14. Child seat according to claim 13, characterized in that the cushion element (3a, 3b) extends on both sides of the head (5) and the back of the head.

15. Child seat according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the shell of the cushion element (3a, 3b) has an air inlet / outlet valve (4) or the like.

16. Child seat according to claim 15, characterized in that the air inlet / outlet valve (4) is arranged in the upper region of the cushion element (3 a, 3b).

17. Child seat according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cushion element (3a, 3b) is designed as a separate element which can be connected to the supporting structure of the child seat via fastening means.