Patent Application
20090099490
The invention relates to an adjustable seat, and method for controlling same, having a backrest and a seat cushion. A plurality of adjusting elements are arranged in the backrest inside the contact surface of the backrest facing a user. The adjusting elements can carry out a lifting movement directed approximately perpendicularly to the contact surface.
A seat having a backrest is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,398, which seat has a plurality of lifting elements arranged, in pairs, symmetrically with respect to a vertical axis of the backrest.
Furthermore, International patent document WO 2004/026623 A1 describes a seat having a plurality of elements in the backrest and seat cushion, which elements can be acted upon by pressure and by which the seat contour can be influenced for achieving various massaging effects.
It is an object of the invention to further develop a seat of the type known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,398 in the sense of an improved mobilization, particularly of the seat user's back.
This object is achieved by a seat according to the invention having a backrest and a seat cushion. A plurality of adjusting elements are arranged in the backrest inside the contact surface of the backrest facing a user. The adjusting elements can carry out a lifting movement directed approximately perpendicularly to the contact surface. A control is provided, by which the adjusting elements, in a mutually time-coordinated sequence, are activated such that a rotational movement is applied to the user's back, which rotational movement is comparable to the rotational movement during walking.
According to the invention, adjusting elements in the backrest of the seat are arranged and designed such that they can carry out a lifting motion in a direction approximately perpendicular with respect to the seat user's contact surface. The adjusting elements are provided on certain regions of the seat back in order to achieve active motion of the back there by a targeted adjustment onto the seat user. The adjusting elements are arranged on the right and the left of the seat user's spinal column, preferably symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the backrest. In each case, two adjusting elements are provided in the upper region of the backrest, thus in the region which is situated opposite the seat user's shoulder. These two adjusting element in the shoulder region are supplemented by two central adjusting elements in the seat user's chest region and/or by two adjusting elements in the lower region of the backrest, which is situated opposite a seat user's lumbar region. As a result of the arrangement of the adjusting elements in the described regions of the backrest according to the invention, which regions correspond to certain regions of the seat user's back, by means of the lifting motion of the adjusting elements, a targeted active movement of the back (as well as individual spinal column sections or vertebrae segments of the back) can be achieved, as described in detail in the following.
As a result of the control method according to the invention, the adjusting elements are activated such that the seat user's back is rotatorily mobilized. This active rotatory mobilization causes a movement of the person's back that corresponds to the movement of the spinal column while walking. This thus simulates a natural motion sequence which, as a result of the person's static posture, cannot be actively carried out by a seat user himself. By means of the rotating movement exercised upon the back by the adjusting elements, the phenomena of fatigue and tension can be counteracted extremely effectively.
If there is a sufficient lifting path, the adjusting elements cause a mobilization of individual vertebrae with respect to one another or a mobilization of vertebra segments. The acted-upon vertebrae or the acted-upon vertebrae segment experiences a micro movement with respect to the adjacent vertebra or vertebra segment. This micro movement is known from the “manual therapy” of the spinal column in medicine and is successfully used for mobilizing vertebrae and vertebra segments in order improve movement, which becomes noticeable as an improvement of comfort.
The rotatory mobilization is preferably achieved by four or six adjusting elements in the backrest, which rotate the seat user's back. As described above, the adjusting elements in the shoulder region together with the adjusting elements in the thoracic and/or lumbar region are appropriately controlled.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjusting elements are arranged in the lateral edge regions of the backrest such that they can actively move the seat user's back in a region situated as far as possible to the outside, in order to achieve a lever effect as large as possible. Naturally, the adjusting elements are to be placed such that they can also still operate effectively in the case of smaller and narrower seat users.
In an advantageous further development of the invention, the adjusting elements in the backrest are supplemented by adjusting elements in the seat cushion, as known per se from German patent document DE 197 26 409 A1. This document describes a seat cushion with two adjusting elements which carry out a lifting movement in a direction approximately perpendicular to the surface of the seat cushion. The adjusting elements are moved in an alternating fashion and thereby generate a tilting movement of the seat user's pelvis similar to the movement of the pelvis while walking.
As a result of this combination of adjusting elements in the backrest and the seat cushion, in connection with a corresponding control, a three-dimensional rotational movement of the back and the pelvis is achieved. The adjusting elements in the backrest together with the adjusting elements in the seat cushion carry out an adjusting movement in opposite directions. This supplementation of the rotational movement of the back by the tilting movement of the pelvis is particularly advantageous for a mobilization of the seat user's spinal column as a whole. This rotatory mobilization is a simulation of the rotational movement which the back and the pelvis carry out when a person is walking.
In the described embodiment of the invention, four or six adjusting elements are therefore provided in the backrest of the seat and at least two additional adjusting elements are provided in the seat cushion. Naturally, a number of adjusting elements deviating therefrom may also be constructed in the seat.
Adjusting elements of a different size, a different mechanical construction, and/or of a different geometry may be used.
In principle, the adjusting elements are symmetrically arranged in the right and left half of the seat. However, deviating therefrom, an asymmetrical distribution of the adjusting elements at least in sections is also contemplated, depending on the further development of the seat.
The adjusting elements are preferably arranged between the basic springs, i.e., the force-absorbing structure of the seat, and the cushioning of the seat, as a rule, a foam material. As a result of this placement of the adjusting elements between the frame and the seat foam, the adjusting elements are prevented from acting in a comfort-reducing spot-type manner upon the seat user's back and, possibly, also upon his posterior. To the contrary, as a result of the described arrangement, a pressure distribution is achieved over a larger surface while the adjusting elements do not act upon the seat user's body in an excessively punctiform manner. However, the described arrangement of the adjusting elements simultaneously ensures a sufficiently precise localized force effect upon the seat user's back and possibly his posterior.
Supplementary to the adjusting elements, another embodiment of the invention provides a plurality of massaging elements arranged above one another in the backrest, as known per se from German patent document DE 38 30 235 C2 or DE 201 08 345 U1. In the case of DE 38 30 235 C2, the massage elements are controlled such that, as a result of a progressive action upon adjacent massaging elements, a roller-type wave motion is created that runs through along the vertical dimension of the backrest.
The wave motion applied to the seat user's back provides a massage of the muscular system along the spinal column, predominantly of the muscles next to the spinal column. As a result of this direct mechanical effect on the muscular system, the blood circulation of the muscular system of the back is increased with the result of a regeneration and a subsequent relaxation of the muscle system, including the surrounding body structures (cartilage, ligaments, tendons). In addition, the spinal column is slightly moved, in the sense of a periodic straightening of the back, as a result of the applied wave motion. This movement of the spinal column increases the positive effects of the rotatory mobilization in that, here also, changing pressures are generated upon the intervertebral disks, with the result of an improved supply to the intervertebral disk cartilage.
The seat according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in motor vehicles because here the user, in many cases, remains statically seated for extended periods of time. And, because of the circumstances existing in a vehicle, in the case of the driver, an active movement by the driver is not possible as a result of the traffic situation. As a result of the rotatory mobilization, the spinal column is moved in a manner corresponding to the natural course of movement when walking. This movement has the result that changing pressures are created upon the intervertebral disks, which promote the supply of nutrients to the intervertebral disk cartilage by way of a diffusion process. This changing load upon the intervertebral disks therefore promotes their regeneration. The rotatory mobilization also acts upon the muscular system, so that muscular tenseness is successfully avoided or at least reduced.
The lifting movements of the adjusting elements should be restricted in order to preclude such movements from being inadvertently transmitted to the steering wheel by way of the driver's arms, which would negatively influence driving activities. In addition to this direct introduction of movements by way of the driver's arms, it should also be observed when proportioning the lifting movements that the movement receptors in the driver's arms are not addressed, so that no distraction is caused during driving.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
According to the invention, six adjusting elements A-F are provided in the backrest 2. The adjusting elements A, C and E are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the adjusting elements B, D and F. The right and left sides of the seat 1 each have a series of adjusting elements A, C, E and B, D, F, respectively, which are arranged above one another. The adjusting elements A to F may be controlled individually.
The adjusting elements A and B are arranged in the shoulder regions of the backrest 2, are situated relatively far on the outside (laterally outward) and, relative to the vertical height dimension of the shoulder section 9, are situated approximately in the center in the shoulder section 9. The adjusting elements C and E, as well as D and F, respectively, are arranged in the transition region between the central contact surfaces 5 and the cheeks 7 of the backrest 2. In this case, the adjusting elements C and D are situated approximately in the center of the vertical dimension of the backrest 2, thus, in the chest region of an assigned user of the seat 1. The adjusting elements E and F are arranged in the lower section of the backrest 2 and are thereby assigned to a user's lumbar region.
The seat cushion 4 has two adjusting elements G and H, which are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane 10. The adjusting elements G and H are arranged in that region of the seat cushion 4 that is opposite a seat user's seat bone protuberances.
The adjusting elements A to H are arranged in a covered manner below the seat user's contact surface with the seat 1. They are preferably situated between the basic spring frame and the upholstery of the seat. The adjusting elements A to H are constructed as lifting elements and carry out a movement approximately perpendicular to the occupant's contact surface at the seat 1. As a result, a force and consequently a movement is exercised on a seat user's back or posterior. By means of the lifting movement of the adjusting elements A to H, a massaging effect is only intended and achieved to a minor degree. The mobilization of the spinal column is the main objective.
In the case of the backrest 2 according to
An analogous situation exists according to
In the case of adjusting pattern a), the adjusting elements A and D, as well as B and C, are activated in an alternating manner, so that an adjusting movement onto the seat user's back in each case takes place in a diagonally opposite, and therefore vertically staggered, manner in the right and the left half of the backrest 2. As a result, a “single rotation” of the back is achieved. This rotational motion of the back generated by two diagonally opposite adjusting elements is relatively pronounced.
Instead of the adjusting elements C and D, the adjusting elements E and F may also be activated with the same effect as described above, but with a larger distance between the adjusting elements A, B and E, F respectively now arranged in the shoulder region and in the lumbar region. Here, the adjusting pattern b) is obtained.
In the next stage c) of the mobilization, the adjusting elements A, D and E are activated alternately with adjusting elements B, C and F. In other words, a shoulder lifting element A and B respectively and a lumbar lifting element E and F respectively in the right and left half respectively of the backrest 2 are activated together with a thoracic lifting element D and C respectively in the left and right half of the backrest 2 respectively. As a result, in contrast to the above-described “single rotation”, a “segment rotation” is achieved. At least three adjusting elements always participate in the “segment rotation”, in which case, in contrast to the single rotation, the rotation of the back is reduced because the back only carries out a reduced rotational movement with respect to the central adjusting element C and D, respectively, in the thoracic region. As a result, the movement of the shoulder belt is considerably reduced, which is advantageous with respect to the transmission of the lifting movement into the arms of the driver of a motor vehicle.
By combining the four or six adjusting elements A to F in the backrest 2 with the two adjusting elements G and H in the seat cushion 4, a three-dimensional movement action can be achieved upon the seat user. For this purpose, the adjusting elements A, D and E in the backrest 2 are moved together with the adjusting element H in the seat cushion 4, so that a “zigzag line” of activated adjusting elements is obtained in the case of this adjusting pattern d). The actuating of the adjusting elements B, C, F and G alternates periodically.
Adjusting pattern d) simulates the physiological motion sequence of the spinal column and the pelvis, as occurs when a person walks.
According to adjusting pattern e), the activation of the adjusting elements A, D and E may also be combined with the activation of adjusting element G, alternating with an activation of the adjusting elements B, C, F and H.
By means of the above-described activation patterns, a movement is applied to the back, and possibly to the pelvis, of a seat user, which is predominantly determined by rotation and which is adapted to the natural movement when walking. As a result, an anatomically meaningful motion sequence is externally applied to the occupant, who is actually in a static sitting position. This motion sequence mobilizes the spinal column and the pelvis and counteracts muscular tenseness.
Additionally, two rows of massaging elements 11 to 16 are arranged in the center region 5 of the backrest, each at the same distance on the right and the left from the longitudinal center plane 10.
According to sequence i), a wave motion is generated, which passes through in the downward direction along a seat user's back and alternates with a wave motion which passes through in the upward direction.
As an alternative, according to sequence ii) and iii) respectively, the wave motion may also only take place in the upper or in the lower half of the backrest 2.
In sequence iv) according to
In sequence v) according to
The adjusting elements A, D, E, H reach their maximal lift within an activation time tA of 5 seconds. The holding time tH amounts to 10 seconds. This is followed by a deactivation time tD of again 5 seconds. The next cycle starts after a rest period tR of 150 seconds.
After the termination of the lifting cycle of the adjusting elements A, D, E, H and a waiting time tW of 5 seconds, the lifting cycle of the adjusting elements B, C, F, G starts, preferably with the same parameters tA, tH and tD.
The cycles of the adjusting elements A to H are followed by the massaging cycles of the massaging elements 1 to 6, with a waiting time TW of 5 seconds. The activating times TA, the holding times TH and the deactivating times TD each amount to 5 seconds. The deactivation of the massaging elements 1 is followed without a waiting time TW immediately by the activation of the massaging element 2 and so on. After the passage of the last massaging element 6, after a waiting time TW, the activation of the adjusting elements A, D, E, H begins again.
In the present example, the resting period tR between two lifting cycles of the adjusting elements A, D, E, H is correspondingly long because of the intermediately connected massaging cycles. In the case of a seat 1 without massaging elements 1 to 6 (or in the case of deactivated massaging elements 1 to 6), the resting period tR is made shorter in order to avoid any long-lasting inactivity period of the seat.
The times indicated as examples, depending on the type of control, may clearly deviate from the above-mentioned data. In contrast to the above-described embodiment, in which a massaging cycle lasts 15 seconds, the duration of a massaging cycle may, for example, be between 5 and 120 seconds. Naturally, deviating from the “symmetrical” design of the rotation cycles and the massaging cycles, these may also take place “asymmetrically”. Basically, all indicated times may be calculated individually. Waiting periods tW and TW may be eliminated or added.
The lift of the adjusting elements A to H amounts, for example, to 8 centimeters. However, this adjusting path should not be equated with the lifting path which is in effect on the seat user's back, because the basic springing and the cushioning of the seat 1 naturally consume a large portion of the effective lifting path.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2006 018 184.0 | Apr 2006 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2007/003281, filed Apr. 13, 2007, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2006 018 184.0, filed Apr. 19, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2007/003281 | Apr 2007 | US |
| Child | 12253615 | US |
