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DE-102024210855-A1 - Arrangement and method for filling an air cushion of an adjustment device of a vehicle seat and vehicle seat

DE102024210855A1DE 102024210855 A1DE102024210855 A1DE 102024210855A1DE-102024210855-A1

Abstract

An arrangement for filling an air cushion of an adjustment device of a vehicle seat comprises a compressed air source, a storage body which can be connected to the compressed air source via a first valve (V1), wherein the compressed air source can be connected to the air cushion (A1, A2) via a second valve (V2) and the storage body can be connected to the air cushion via a third valve (SV3), wherein the first, second and third valves are different from each other and the supply lines (L1, L2, L3) leading to the respective valves are also different from each other.

Inventors

  • Michael Beuschel
  • Stefan Bauer
  • Johann Steinberger
  • Maximilian Steinmann

Assignees

  • AUMOVIO GERMANY GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241112

Claims (10)

  1. Arrangement for filling an air cushion (A1, A2, Ai; FB) of an adjustment device (VV) of a vehicle seat (FZS) with: - a compressed air source (P); - a storage body (S) for compressed air supplied by the compressed air source (P), wherein the storage body (S) is connectable to the compressed air source (P) via a first supply line (L1) with a first valve (V1) to convey compressed air from the compressed air source (P) into the storage body (S); - a second supply line (L2) for compressed air to the air cushion (A1, A2; FB), which leads to a second valve (V2, V2', V21, V22; V21', V22') via which the compressed air source (P) is connectable to the air cushion (A1, A2; FB); and - a third supply line (L3) for compressed air to the air cushion (A1, A2; FB), which is different from the first (L1) and the second supply line (L2), and which leads to a third valve (SV3, SV3', SV3a, SV3b), which is different from the first (V1) and the second valve (V2, V2', V21, V22; V21', V22'), and through which the storage body (S) can be connected to the air cushion (A1, A2; FB), wherein the compressed air source (P) and the storage body (S) are fluidically separated or separable from each other during the filling of the air cushion (A1, A2; FB).
  2. order according Claim 1 , in which the third valve (SV3, SV3', SV3a, SV3b) between the storage body (S) and the air cushion (A1, A2; FB) allows a higher flow of compressed air than the second valve (V2, V2', V21, V22; V21', V22') between the compressed air source (P) and the air cushion (A1, A2; FB).
  3. order according Claim 1 or 2 , in which the third valve is designed as a servo valve (SV3, SV3', SV3a, SV3b) whose working air is discharged from the storage body (S).
  4. An arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a main valve (V) of the third valve (SV3a) can be supplied with working air from two sides, wherein a first side is directly connected to the third supply line (L3) and a second side is also connected to the third supply line (L3) via an auxiliary channel (HK) and a throttle, wherein the auxiliary channel (HK) is connected to an auxiliary valve (HV), wherein, when the auxiliary valve (HV) is not activated, a spring (F1) of the main valve (V) is able to hold it in a closed position, and wherein, when the auxiliary valve (HV) is activated, it connects the auxiliary channel (HK) to the environment and thus the working air is able to move the main valve (V) against the force of the spring (F1) into its open position.
  5. arrangement according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein a main valve (V) of the third valve (SV3b) and an inlet side of an auxiliary valve (HV) of the third valve (SV3b) are each connected to the third supply line (L3), wherein the main valve (V) is held in its closed position by the restoring force of a spring (F1) of the main valve (V), wherein the auxiliary valve (HV) is connected on its outlet side to an auxiliary channel (HK) leading to the main valve (V), wherein when the auxiliary valve (HV) is not activated the auxiliary channel (HK) is connected to the environment so that the spring (F1) acts against the ambient pressure, wherein when the auxiliary valve (HV) is activated the auxiliary channel (HK) connects the auxiliary channel (HK) to the third supply line (L3) and thus the working air is able to act against the spring (F1) and move the main valve (V) into its open position.
  6. order according Claim 4 or 5 , in which the auxiliary valve (HV) can be actuated by means of a shape memory element.
  7. An arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second valve is configured as a valve comprising: - a first valve chamber connectable to the compressed air source (P), - a second valve chamber separate from the first valve chamber and connectable to the air cushion, - a third valve chamber separate from the first and second valve chambers and connectable to the surroundings of the pneumatic valve (here, the second valve), - a fourth valve chamber separate from the first, second, and third valve chambers, which is fluidically connected to the first valve chamber via a first fluid passage, to the second valve chamber via a second fluid passage, and to the third valve chamber via a third fluid passage, and - an actuator unit comprising a shut-off element arranged in the fourth valve chamber and an actuator element arranged in the third valve chamber, wherein the actuator element is coupled to the shut-off element and configured to open the shut-off element between a first position in which the first fluid passage to move to a second position in which the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is open.
  8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims for filling multiple air cushions (A1, A2), wherein for each air cushion (A1, A2) a separate second valve (V2, V2', V21, V22; V21', V22') is provided for filling from the compressed air source (P) and/or a separate third valve (SV3, SV3', SV3a, SV3b) is provided for filling from the storage body (S).
  9. Method for filling an air cushion (A1, A2; FB) of an adjustment device (VV) of a vehicle seat (FZS), wherein compressed air from a compressed air source (P) is fed into a storage body (S) via a first valve (V1) and the storage body (S) is then fluidically separated from the compressed air source (P), and wherein the air cushion (A1, A2; FB) is optionally: a) filled directly from the compressed air source (P) via a second valve (V2, V2', V21, V22; V21', V22') or b) filled from the storage body (S) via a third valve (SV3, SV3', SV3a, SV3b) or optionally c) filled according to a) and b) simultaneously or successively.
  10. Vehicle seat with the arrangement according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 and a control device to effect the implementation of the procedure according to Claim 9 .

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for filling an air cushion of an adjustment device of a vehicle seat. This is a pneumatic adjustment device for adjusting, for example, the seat cushion or seat back (collectively referred to as the seat surface) of a vehicle seat. The adjustment device typically has one or more air cushions (also referred to as fluid chambers or fluid bladders) in a specific area of the seat surface, which can be filled with a fluid, in this case, in particular, compressed air. Filling a given air cushion with compressed air increases its volume, thereby altering the properties of the seat surface and allowing its contour to be adjusted. To fill the air cushions, the compressed air is first generated by a compressed air source such as a compressor and then fed to the air cushion via one or more pneumatic valves. The air cushions allow for individual adjustment of the seats to the occupant's body shape. An additional function can provide dynamic support for the occupant in the area of the seat back and/or seat cushion, depending on the driving situation, such as when cornering or experiencing lateral acceleration, which is used in the DE 35 05 088 C1 As described, functions to increase the well-being of vehicle occupants may require a high degree of dynamic contour adjustment. The elastic air cushions are controlled based on driving situation-dependent signals such as steering angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, or a combination of these signals. According to predetermined criteria, it is checked whether lateral support of the occupant is required, and if the check is positive, an air cushion with a volume of between 0.2 and 1 liter is inflated on the outer side of the seat or backrest when cornering. This is achieved by connecting a pressure supply or pressure reservoir to the air cushion via an associated control unit. For the support to be effective, a very short adjustment time of only 1-2 seconds is required. The compressor must then provide more than 20 liters per minute at operating pressure, which is associated with a large installation space requirement, noise emissions, and increased costs. Alternatively, a less powerful pressure supply can be provided if an additional storage volume of approximately 0.2-1 l is provided in a storage body in the vehicle or seat. Thus reveals the DE 10 2005 016 184 A1 A seat-integrated storage volume is positioned directly between the pressure supply and the valves. A disadvantage of this design is that the pressure supply must always work against the pressure in the storage body, and also that this acts as a parasitic volume during normal filling. This reduces the flow rate and/or the efficiency of the pressure supply. The DE 10 2012 218 685 A1 The design reveals a separate storage unit that can be connected to the pressure supply line via a switching valve. A disadvantage of this design is that when filling the air cushions from the storage volume, the air must flow through two valves. The purpose of the invention is to provide for the optionally rapid filling of an air cushion without the need for the construction of excessively large units. The problem is solved by an arrangement for filling an air cushion of an adjustment device of a vehicle seat with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are found in the dependent claims. The problem is also solved by a method for filling an air cushion of an adjustment device of a vehicle seat with the features of claim 9, as well as by a vehicle seat according to claim 10. According to the invention, the arrangement comprises a compressed air source and a storage body for compressed air supplied by the compressed air source. The storage body is connected to the compressed air source via a first supply line and a first valve to convey compressed air from the compressed air source to the storage body. Furthermore, there is a second supply line for compressed air to the air cushion, leading to a second valve through which the compressed air source can be connected to the air cushion. A third supply line for compressed air to the air cushion, distinct from the first and second supply lines, leads to a third valve, also distinct from the first and second valves, through which the storage body can be connected to the air cushion. The compressed air source and the storage body are fluidically separated or separable from one another during the filling of the air cushion (i.e., they are not, and need not be, in fluid contact). The invention therefore proposes a third supply line, which, unlike in the case of, for example, the DE 10 2012 218 685 A1 is different from the first supply line. Furthermore, a third valve is provided, so that, unlike the arrangement from the DE 10 2012 218 685 A1 The compressed air drawn from the storage body does not need to be routed through the first and second valves, as this cumbersome process increases the adjustment time. A key insight underlying th