Activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device

• US 9,174,604 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2012
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wellhoefer, Matthias Marcus, Nitschke, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Freedman, Laura
• Application Number:
  US14/342,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20140284908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 180/274, 180/282, 280734-736, 280/742, 280/806, 297/216.1, 701/45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0296 Central command actuator to selectively switch on or engage one of several special purpose circuits or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42736 of the whole seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42745 of the back-rest B60N2/433 takes precedence; higher part of the back-rest moving together with the headrest B60N2/888
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42754 of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/263 using a variable source, e.g. plural stage or controlled output hybrid inflators B60R21/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence

Abstract

An activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device, including a first control device; a gas pressure accumulator having a gas pressure accumulator valve situated on it; a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator; and a connecting device situated between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, the actuators being activatable as a function of an accident characteristic which is ascertainable with the aid of the first control device and which is transmittable to the pressure distribution device.

Claims

1. An activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device, comprising:

a first control device configured to control the actuators;

a gas pressure accumulator having a gas pressure accumulator valve situated on the gas pressure accumulator;

a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator; and

a connecting device situated between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, the actuators being activatable as a function of an accident characteristic which is ascertained by the first control device and which is transmitted to the pressure distribution device;

wherein the pressure distribution device includes at least two gas outlet valves and a second control device configured to control the at least two gas outlet valves according to the accident characteristic.

2. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the connecting device includes an electronic data line.

3. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure accumulator valve is controllable with the aid of the second control device.

4. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure accumulator valve has a pressure sensor.

5. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the actuators are at least one of directly activatable and indirectly activatable with the aid of gas pressure of the gas pressure accumulator.

6. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the at least two gas outlet valves are variably controllable as a function of time with the aid of the pressure distribution device.

7. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure accumulator is directly connectable to the pressure distribution device.

8. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure accumulator includes a cold-gas pressure accumulator.

9. The activation system of claim 1, wherein a portion of a frame of the vehicle seat device is designed as a sole or at least an additional gas pressure accumulator.

10. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the system is at least partially situated in a seat pan of the vehicle seat device.

11. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the system is at least partially situated in a backrest of the vehicle seat device.

12. A method for activating actuators of a vehicle seat device, comprising:

ascertaining an accident characteristic by a first control device configured to control the actuators;

transmitting the accident characteristic from the first control device to a pressure distribution device having at least two gas outlet valves and a second control device, wherein the actuators are activatable as a function of the accident characteristic ascertained by the first control device and transmitted to the pressure distribution device;

controlling the at least two gas outlet valves of the pressure distribution device by the second control device as a function of the accident characteristic; and

controlling, by the second control device, opening of a gas pressure accumulator valve of a gas pressure accumulator connected functionally to the pressure distribution device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the gas pressure accumulator valve is controlled in a time-variable manner.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least two gas outlet valves of the pressure distribution device are controlled in a time-variable manner.