GB2405580A - Vehicle seat with adjustable support means - Google Patents
Vehicle seat with adjustable support means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2405580A GB2405580A GB0320949A GB0320949A GB2405580A GB 2405580 A GB2405580 A GB 2405580A GB 0320949 A GB0320949 A GB 0320949A GB 0320949 A GB0320949 A GB 0320949A GB 2405580 A GB2405580 A GB 2405580A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- straps
- seat
- tension
- control unit
- electronic control
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 208000000112 Myalgia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000036626 alertness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002427 irreversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004705 lumbosacral region Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000006386 memory function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/70—Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
- B60N2/7094—Upholstery springs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/0224—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
- B60N2/0244—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits
- B60N2/0248—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits with memory of positions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/36—Supports for the head or the back
- A47C7/40—Supports for the head or the back for the back
- A47C7/46—Supports for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
- A47C7/462—Supports for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs adjustable by mechanical means
- A47C7/465—Supports for the head or the back for the back with special, e.g. adjustable, lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs adjustable by mechanical means by pulling an elastic cable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/0224—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
- B60N2/0244—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits
- B60N2/026—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits varying hardness or support of upholstery, e.g. for tuning seat comfort when driving curved roads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/0224—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
- B60N2/0244—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits
- B60N2/0273—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A seat, in particular for motor vehicles, has a seat back 1 comprising a rigid frame having flexible straps 3, 4 arranged to support a zone of a user's body. The straps 3, 4 have means 14,15 provided to adjust the tension manually and/or automatically during use in order to maintain the support tension desired by the user. The seat may make use of tension sensors on each strap and a vibration facility may be used to avoid driver fatigue.
Description
SEATING
The present invention relates to a seat particularly but not exclusively for motor vehicles.
Conventionally, a motor vehicle seat comprises a seat back and a seat base which, for the driver's seat, may be adjustable in rake, height and lumbar support. The occupant may adjust his seat when entering a vehicle. However, the occupant has little more opportunity to alter the seat form to fully support the body.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seat in particular for a motor vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a seat, in particular for motor vehicles, having two components, respectively a seat back and a seat base, wherein at least one of the said components has a rigid frame and flexible straps arranged within the frame to support a zone of a user's body, the straps having adjustment means provided to adjust the tension during use in order to maintain the support tension wished by the user.
The adjustment means may include a mechanical drive means to move the straps, the drive means being controlled by an electronic control unit, and a tension sensor connected to the straps providing a signal to the electronic control unit, said signal being dependent upon the tension the straps.
In one embodiment the straps are arranged such that a first and a second set of the straps intersect each other inside the frame. Each set of straps may be associated with a movable shaft, which may be rotatable or slidable relative to the frame, controlled by the electronic control unit to tension the straps. - 2
In another embodiment each strap of each set of straps is associated has its own mechanical drive means and its own tension sensor, each drive means and each tension sensor being arranged at a respective end of the strap.
The frame may be trimmed with additional foam, cloth and/or leather.
Preferably a manually operable switch is also connected to the electronic control unit in order to provide tension control of the straps.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having a seat, the seat being in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
In one embodiment the electronic control unit is associated with a drowsy driver detection system.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig.1 is a schematic view of a seat back of a first embodiment of a vehicle seat in accordance with the present invention; and Fig.2 is a schematic view of a seat back for a second embodiment of the invention.
Referring to figure 1, a vehicle seat has, in a conventional manner, a seat back 1 supported on a seat base (not shown) particularly by means of a hinged device allowing the user to modify the rake of the seat back at will.
The seat back 1 comprises a rigid frame 2 formed from metal tubing 2 having the shape of a rectangle, inside which a first set of flexible and broad straps 3 is arranged horizontally and a second set of flexible and broad straps 4 is arranged vertically. The sets of straps intersect each other, thus forming a flexible web 5 to support the back of the user. - 3
In the first set of straps 3, one end of each strap is fixed to one side of the frame 2 and the opposite end is wound around a shaft 6 arranged parallel to the side where the straps are fixed. In the same manner, the second set of straps 4 has the end of each strap fixed to the rear side of the frame 2 and the opposite end is wound around a winding shaft 7 arranged parallel to the said rear side where the straps are fixed.
A mechanical drive means 8, 9, such a electric motor working through an irreversible worm gear, is connected to each shaft 6, 7 providing the rotation of the shaft. The mechanical drive means 8, 9 is controlled by an electronic control unit 10.
Each set of straps 3, 4 is also connected to a tension sensor 11, 12 arranged at the opposite of the shaft 6, 7. This sensor 11, 12 provides a signal to the electronic control unit 10, which is dependent upon the tension of each set of straps 3 and 4.
A manually operable switch 13 is also connected to the electronic control unit 10 in order to provide tension control for the web 5 of the seat back as described in more detail below.
In use, when the user settles down in the seat, he can manually and in a conventional way adjust the rake of the seat back. Then, by the switch 13, the user also can adjust the flexibility of the web 5, i.e. the tension of each set of straps. Under these conditions the switch 13, by the way of the electronic control unit 10, operates the motor 9 in one direction in order to tension or slacken one or both of the sets of straps 3, 4. The electronic control unit 10 receives a feedback signal from the sensor 11, 12 associated with each set of straps 3, 4 to ensure that the tension reaches its set value. A memory function may be connected to the electronic control unit 10 in order to store the setting for several different people.
While driving, the electronic control unit 10 will continuously check the tension sensor 11, 12 associated with each set of straps 3, 4. If the tension of the web 5 varies by more - 4 than a fixed amount from that set by the driver, the amount of tension will be increased or decreased automatically, the motor 8, 9 operating accordingly to maintain the desired tension support. In this way the seating attitude of the user is automatically adjusted and provides the maximum level of comfort, particularly if the driver is making a long journey.
It will be noted that the rigid frame 2 would be trimmed with foam, cloth and/or leather to enhance its aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the motor 8, 9 might provide a linear displacement to tension or slacken the sets of straps 3, 4, e.g. by the use of two motor each driving a leadscrew. The leadscrews would be aligned parallel to the sides of the frame and drive a cross-beam or tensioner rod corresponding to the shaft.
Referring to Figure 2, the second embodiment of the invention uses the same arrangement as shown in Figure 1, but each strap of each set of straps 3, 4 has its own motor 14 and winding shaft (not shown) and a sensor 15 arranged at respective ends of the strap 3a, 4a. Each motor 14 and sensor 15 is connected to the electronic control unit 10.
Furthermore, the switch 16 is preferably formed by a touch sensitive control using, for instance, the display 17 of the satellite navigation system, to select on a schematic representation of the seat the different parts of the seat back, i.e. the upper part of the back 18, the lumbar support 19.
A touch sensitive switch 20, 21 in the form of selection '+' and '-' is also connected to the electronic control unit 10 and available on the display 17 in front of each part of the seat back 1 to adjust the tension of each strap. The result of this characteristic provides a selective selection of the adjustment of the seat back.
In this way the electronic control unit 10 will independently control each motor 14 and will check the sensor 15 associated with each strap as appropriate to adjust the tension when the user settles down in the seat but equally automatically during driving. Thus, the tension will be, for instance, adjusted on the side if the user has moved or slackened off on 5 his seat. In this way, the web 5 of the seat back always supports the body of the user limiting the muscular pains.
Additional sensors, such as a seating sensor (not shown) as well as a drowsy driver detection system such as motion sensors of the head may be associated with the electronic control unit. Thus, if the drowsy driver system detects a weird behaviour of the driver, the electronic control unit will rapidly vary the tension of each strap or set of straps, providing a vibration in the seat back, until it is switched off by the driver. This switch-off control could be done by the actuation of a switch or a confirmation of an instruction on the display of the navigation system. In this way the driver has to adjust his posture and alertness is restored.
It will be appreciated that the seat base might be arranged in a similar manner to that described above. Depending on the characteristics of the seat it might be sufficient to provide a web only in the lumbar region, or it might be sufficient to provide only one set of straps in one direction. - 6
Claims (11)
1. A seat, in particular for motor vehicles, having two components, respectively a seat back and a seat base, wherein at least one of the said components has a rigid frame and flexible straps arranged within the frame to support a zone of a user's body, the straps having adjustment means provided to adjust the tension during use in order to maintain the support tension wished by the user.
2. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the said adjustment means includes: - a mechanical drive means to move the straps, the drive means being controlled by an electronic control unit, and - a tension sensor connected to the straps providing a signal to the electronic control unit, said signal being dependent upon the tension of the straps.
3. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein the straps are arranged such that a first and a second set of the straps intersect each other inside the frame.
4. A seat according to claim 3 wherein each set of straps is associated with a movable shaft controlled by the electronic control unit to tension the straps.
5. A seat according to claim 4 in which the said shaft is rotatable.
6. A seat according to claim 4 in which the said shaft is slidable relative to the frame.
7. A seat according to claim 3 wherein each strap of each set of straps has its own mechanical drive means and its own tension sensor, each drive means and each tension sensor being arranged at a respective end of the strap.
8. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is trimmed with additional foam, cloth and/or leather. - 7
9. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein a manually operable switch is also connected to the electronic control unit in order to provide tension control of the straps.
10. A motor vehicle having a seat as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9.
11. A seat substantially as herein described with reference to Fig.1 or Fig.2 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A motor vehicle according to claim 9 in which the electronic control unit is associated with a drowsy driver detection system to rapidly vary.
12. A seat substantially as herein described with reference to Fig.1 or Fig.2 of the accompanying drawings.
Amendments to the claims have been fled as fellows: 1. A seat, in particular for motor vehicles, having two components, respectively a seat back and a seat base, at least one of the said components has a rigid frame and flexible straps arranged within the frame to support a zone of a user's body, the straps having adjustment means provided to adjust the tension during use in order to maintain the support tension wished by the user, wherein the said adjustment means includes: - a mechanical drive means to move the straps, the drive means being controlled by an electronic control unit, and - a tension sensor connected to the straps providing a signal to the electronic control unit, said signal being dependent upon the tension of the straps.
2. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the straps are arranged such that a first and a second set of the straps intersect each other inside the frame.
3. A seat according to claim 2 wherein each set of straps is associated with a movable shaft controlled by the electronic control unit to tension the straps.
4. A seat according to claim 3 in which the said shaft is rotatable.
5. A seat according to claim 3 in which the said shaft is slidable relative to the frame.
6. A seat according to claim 2 wherein each strap of each set of straps has its own mechanical drive means and its own tension sensor, each drive means and each tension sensor being arranged at a respective end of the strap.
7. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is trimmed with additional foam, cloth and/or leather. q
8. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein a manually operable switch is also connected to the electronic control unit in order to provide tension control of the straps.
9. A motor vehicle having a seat as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.
10. A motor vehicle according to claim 8 in which the electronic control unit is associated with a drowsy driver detection system to rapidly vary.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0320949A GB2405580B (en) | 2003-09-06 | 2003-09-06 | Seat with adjustable support means |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0320949A GB2405580B (en) | 2003-09-06 | 2003-09-06 | Seat with adjustable support means |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0320949D0 GB0320949D0 (en) | 2003-10-08 |
| GB2405580A true GB2405580A (en) | 2005-03-09 |
| GB2405580B GB2405580B (en) | 2006-04-26 |
Family
ID=29226655
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0320949A Expired - Fee Related GB2405580B (en) | 2003-09-06 | 2003-09-06 | Seat with adjustable support means |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2405580B (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2912965A1 (en) * | 2007-02-26 | 2008-08-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Supporting armature for seat of motor vehicle, has two metallic threads diagonally extended in backrest, and third metallic thread connecting former threads at right of successive transversal parts of former threads |
| DE102007058271A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-10 | Audi Ag | Motor vehicle seat, has frame with belts running in horizontal and/or vertical directions in such that belts form bearing surface for back of person using seat, where supporting fabric is arranged over belts |
| GB2569289A (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2019-06-19 | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Seats |
| WO2019158329A1 (en) * | 2018-02-16 | 2019-08-22 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle equipped therewith and method for adjusting a cover tension of the motor vehicle seat |
| WO2020051626A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2020-03-19 | Kumar Rajaratnam | A seat back support |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107074136B (en) | 2014-10-21 | 2019-10-25 | 奥迪股份公司 | Seat system for a motor vehicle and method of operation of the seat system for a motor vehicle |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2421851A (en) * | 1943-05-17 | 1947-06-10 | Ford Motor Co | Vehicle seat |
| US3258259A (en) * | 1964-07-14 | 1966-06-28 | Volvo Ab | Seat backrest with tensioning means |
| US3924613A (en) * | 1973-08-01 | 1975-12-09 | Armin Beck | Seat, particularly for motor vehicles |
| US4462635A (en) * | 1980-02-29 | 1984-07-31 | Lance Mark A | Seat with adjustable back support |
| US4630865A (en) * | 1982-11-24 | 1986-12-23 | Erress | Backrest adjusting device |
-
2003
- 2003-09-06 GB GB0320949A patent/GB2405580B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2421851A (en) * | 1943-05-17 | 1947-06-10 | Ford Motor Co | Vehicle seat |
| US3258259A (en) * | 1964-07-14 | 1966-06-28 | Volvo Ab | Seat backrest with tensioning means |
| US3924613A (en) * | 1973-08-01 | 1975-12-09 | Armin Beck | Seat, particularly for motor vehicles |
| US4462635A (en) * | 1980-02-29 | 1984-07-31 | Lance Mark A | Seat with adjustable back support |
| US4630865A (en) * | 1982-11-24 | 1986-12-23 | Erress | Backrest adjusting device |
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2912965A1 (en) * | 2007-02-26 | 2008-08-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Supporting armature for seat of motor vehicle, has two metallic threads diagonally extended in backrest, and third metallic thread connecting former threads at right of successive transversal parts of former threads |
| DE102007058271A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-10 | Audi Ag | Motor vehicle seat, has frame with belts running in horizontal and/or vertical directions in such that belts form bearing surface for back of person using seat, where supporting fabric is arranged over belts |
| DE102007058271B4 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2016-04-21 | Audi Ag | vehicle seat |
| GB2569289A (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2019-06-19 | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Seats |
| WO2019158329A1 (en) * | 2018-02-16 | 2019-08-22 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle equipped therewith and method for adjusting a cover tension of the motor vehicle seat |
| CN111417539A (en) * | 2018-02-16 | 2020-07-14 | 宝马股份公司 | Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle equipped with the same, and method for adjusting seat cover tension of a motor vehicle seat |
| US11208017B2 (en) | 2018-02-16 | 2021-12-28 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle equipped therewith and method for adjusting a cover tension of the motor vehicle seat |
| CN111417539B (en) * | 2018-02-16 | 2022-07-19 | 宝马股份公司 | Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle equipped with such a motor vehicle seat and method for adjusting the tension of a seat cover of a motor vehicle seat |
| WO2020051626A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2020-03-19 | Kumar Rajaratnam | A seat back support |
| EP3849383A4 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2022-06-15 | Kumar Rajaratnam | SEAT BACK SUPPORT |
| US11723471B2 (en) | 2018-09-11 | 2023-08-15 | Kumar Rajaratnam | Seat back support |
| AU2019340236B2 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2025-10-02 | Kumar Rajaratnam | A seat back support |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0320949D0 (en) | 2003-10-08 |
| GB2405580B (en) | 2006-04-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) |
Effective date: 20090513 |
|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210906 |