Contour-adjustable seat and modular support unit

• US 20030230917A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hygrama AG
• Original Assignee: Hygrama AG
• Inventors: Russ, Bernhard, Dorfler, Erich
• Application Number:
  US10/461,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20030230917A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

A contour-adjustable seat, particularly a vehicle or aircraft seat, has a backrest (2) and possibly lateral support pieces (4) whereby there are gas or air-inflatable cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) provided on a common flexible modular support unit (M), possibly designed as a separate component, whereby the modular support unit (M) serves as a common support surface for the cushions, which are each connected to a source of compressed air or gas via a line provided with a controllable valve, whereby each valve communicates with a control unit for air or gas pressure via a control line, and whereby a pressure sensor is provided for each cushion. Additional components for the contour adjustment system are integrated in the modular support unit, such as. valves for cushions and/or for pressure sensors, to obtain a system that is simple in the assembly of the seat and is also well-suited for possible retrofitting, and subsequently requires less space and is lighter than conventional systems.

Claims

1. A contour-adjustable seat, particularly a vehicle or aircraft seat, having a backrest (2) and gas or air-inflatable cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) provided on a common flexible modular support unit (M), whereby said modular support unit (M) serves as a common support surface for said cushions, which are each connected to a source of compressed air or gas via a line provided with a controllable valve, whereby each valve communicates with a control unit for air or gas pressure via a control line and whereby a pressure sensor is provided for each cushion, wherein additional components for the contour adjustment system are integrated in the modular support unit (M) for said cushions and/or for said pressure sensors.

2. A contour-adjustable seat according to claim 1, wherein said backrest and said modular support unit are separate components.

3. A contour-adjustable seat according to claim 1, wherein said additional components are valves.

4. A contour-adjustable seat according to claim 1, including lateral support pieces.

5. A modular support unit for a contour-adjustable seat having a backrest section and air or gas-inflatable cushions on the modular support unit, wherein said cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) are provided on common flexible sheeting (8) which serves as a common support surface for the cushions.

6. A modular support unit according to claim 5, wherein said cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) are formed by air pockets between two pieces of sheeting bonded to one another.

7. A modular support unit according to claim 6, wherein lines (9) to said cushions are also formed by openings in the bond of the two pieces of sheeting (8).

8. A modular support unit according to claim 7, wherein the line (9) to said cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) starts at a common connection point (15) on the modular support unit (M).

9. A modular support unit according to claim 8, wherein valves (10) for said cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) are attached to the modular support unit (M).

10. A modular support unit according to claim 9, wherein said valves (10) are fusion-welded between said pieces of sheeting (8).

11. A modular support unit according to claim 10, wherein pressure sensors for said cushions (5a, 5b, 5c) are attached to said modular support unit (M).

12. A modular support unit according to claim 11, wherein said pressure sensors are fusion-welded between said pieces of sheeting (8).

13. A modular support unit according to claim 12, wherein said pressure sensors are integrated in said valves (10).

14. A modular support unit according to claim 13, wherein said valves (10) are piezo-valves.