The invention relates to a lining element for a backrest of a vehicle seat, in particular for at least one rear face of a vehicle seat.
Lining elements for a backrest of a vehicle seat are known in the prior art, said lining elements being formed in one piece from plastics material.
It is the object of the present invention to specify an improved lining element for at least one backrest of a vehicle seat.
The object is achieved according to the invention by a lining element having the features cited in claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments of the lining element according to the invention form the subject matter of the subclaims.
A lining element is provided for a backrest of a vehicle seat, in particular for a rear face of the backrest. According to the invention, a number of soft, in particular resiliently flexible, lining parts is provided, said soft lining parts being arranged on the front face, i.e. in particular facing the seat, and a plurality of solid lining parts is provided, said solid lining parts being connected thereto on the rear face, i.e. in particular facing away from the seat.
In this case, the degree of deformability of the lining element toward the rear is preferably greater than the degree of deformability thereof toward the front, whereby additional protection for an occupant is achievable.
Since the lining element is at least partially flexible it may be adapted to a changing shape of a backrest, for example when the shape is changed as a result of a seat adjuster or when a relatively heavy occupant is seated on a seat and deforms the backrest toward the rear. The lining element according to the invention is flexible, in particular bendable in a defined manner, such that it adapts in a simple manner to a shape of the seat. In this case the flexible portions of the lining element act in the manner of a hinge, wherein the soft lining parts form a hinge and the solid lining parts form a hinge member; in this case the soft lining parts are resiliently flexible in the manner of a textile or in the manner of an elastomer and the solid lining parts are barely stretchable and barely bendable.
Thus a flexibility of the lining element which is structurable in a defined manner is advantageous. The invention permits novel options for designing a rear face of the seat by configuring soft and solid regions which may be formed by the number of soft lining parts and the plurality of solid lining parts connected thereto.
By means of the structurable and thus definable flexibility of the lining element according to the invention the seating comfort of a person seated on the seat is further improved. The lining element according to the invention is bendable toward the rear such that it increasingly deforms in a convex manner on the rear face. An at least partial deformation of the lining element toward the rear is thus possible. As a result, the person who is seated on the seat is able to sink into the backrest, whereby for example in the event of a collision with the relevant vehicle, the risk of injury to a person, in particular relating to a whiplash injury, is at least reduced.
In this case, depending on the design, an at least partial deformation of the lining element toward the front, for example by an item of luggage striking against the backrest from the rear in the event of an accident or by a knee of a rear passenger, may also be hindered or prevented. This is effected by each of the solid lining parts against which the respective item of luggage or the respective knee strikes. In this case, the plurality of solid lining parts is fastened to the plurality of soft lining parts such that the lining element is not deformable or at least barely deformable toward the front. This is made possible by the cooperation of the solid lining parts with the soft lining parts and optionally by a stop element in the backrest and/or optionally by an integrated fixing element.
Preferably, by means of the invention a separate supporting spring system, which in the prior art is arranged spaced apart from conventional lining elements in order to avoid noise or detachment, is not necessary. Thus in addition to saving constructional space it is also possible to substitute a separate supporting spring system.
An embodiment of the lining element provides that the number of soft lining parts is formed form silicone, from a woven fabric, from thermoplastic elastomer, from polyurethane (TPU) or from a combination thereof. As a result, the lining element is able to be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner, is long-lasting and thus useable over a long period of time.
A further embodiment of the lining element provides that the plurality of solid lining parts is formed from a hard material, for example from thermoplastic material. As a result, the lining element is able to be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner, is highly durable on the rear face, is long-lasting and thus useable over a long period of time.
A further embodiment of the invention provides that the lining element is a two-component part. As a result, the lining element is particularly highly durable.
An important embodiment of the lining element provides that on a surface on the rear face of the lining element in each case the solid lining parts have a small spacing from the respectively adjacent solid lining part, relative to a size of a solid lining part. In other words, a gap between the solid lining parts on the surface on the rear face is significantly smaller than a size of the solid lining part, for example less than 15% or 10% or 7.5% or 5% or 2% of the size of the solid lining part. In this case a gap may run substantially horizontally, between two solid lining parts which are arranged so as to be superimposed, or vertically, i.e. between two solid lining parts which are arranged adjacent to one another.
Alternatively, on the surface on the rear face the size of a gap between two adjacent solid lining parts, at least on the surface on the rear face, may also be zero, i.e. two adjacent solid lining parts may also come into contact with one another at least on the surface on the rear face. As a result, a mobility of the aforementioned hinge is definable, i.e. at least limitable in a defined manner in a hinge pivoting direction.
A further embodiment of the lining element provides that the solid lining parts taper toward the front, i.e. in the direction of the backrest. As a result, a hinge action between adjacent solid lining parts is definable in a particularly effective manner.
A further embodiment of the lining element provides that a number of soft intermediate elements is arranged between respectively adjacent solid lining parts. As a result, a hinge action between adjacent solid lining parts is also definable in a particularly effective manner.
A further embodiment of the lining element provides that two respectively adjacent solid lining parts are in contact with one another or at least partially overlap. As a result, not only is a hinge action between adjacent solid lining parts definable in a particularly effective manner but a rear view of the lining element may be designed in a manner which is aesthetically very attractive.
A further important embodiment of the lining element provides an additional device which counteracts a deformation toward the front and which comprises a number of traction elements which are arranged on the front face and which, for example, run substantially vertically, for example wires, wherein a traction element is fastened in each case by means of fixing elements on the front face, i.e. facing the seat, to the solid lining parts. As a result, it is also possible to counteract a deformation toward the front in a very effective manner. In this case the additional device acts as a reinforcement which, however, is activated only with a partial deformation toward the front, but with a partial deformation toward the rear it flexes, i.e. it is deactivated. In the case of the action of a force from the rear toward the front against the lining element, therefore, the traction elements tighten or harden so that a deformation toward the front is additionally counteracted. As the additional device is arranged on the front face, it is not visible when the lining element is mounted.
It is also possible that a mat which is formed from wires is provided as an additional device, a protection of the soft lining parts and/or a limit to a deformation of the lining element against a deformation oriented toward the front being possible thereby.
A further embodiment of the lining element provides at least one flexible side region in which a number of solid lining parts is arranged on a side remote from the seat of a soft lining part facing the seat. By means of the flexible side region the function of side airbags in the backrest is permitted and/or simplified. A flexible side region may be folded away when a side airbag of the backrest is deployed, wherein a region, for example a strip, of the soft lining part functions as a hinge. As the lining element, in particular the lining element with the number of flexible side regions, is at least partially flexible it may be adapted to a changing shape of a backrest, for example when the shape changes as a result of a seat adjuster which, for example, comprises adjustable side cushions of the backrest.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:
Parts which correspond to one another are provided in all of the figures with the same reference numerals.
This lining element 2 is shown separately in
A solid lining part 2.2, and spaced apart therefrom a side lining part S, are arranged adjacent to one another on at least the left-hand side, wherein a strip of the soft lining part 2.1 is configured between this solid lining part 2.2 and the side lining part S. As a result, when a side airbag arranged in the backrest 1 is deployed, the solid lining part 2.2 shown to the left may be folded away to the side so that the airbag may be deployed without the risk of a component of the lining element 2 splintering. In this case, the strip of the soft lining part 2.1 which is configured between the two solid lining parts 2.2 functions as a hinge. The possibility of folding away to the side is shown by an arrow.
According to a first alternative, the side lining part S is also a solid lining part 2.2, i.e. a component of the lining element 2. According to a second alternative, the side lining part S is a component of a fixed frame part of the seat, i.e. is not a component of the lining element 2.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2017 209 361.7 | Jun 2017 | DE | national |
10 2017 218 540.6 | Oct 2017 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/064348 | 5/31/2018 | WO | 00 |