DE2441705A1 - Variable geometry car seat - with periodic variation to prevent stiffness and backache on long journeys - Google Patents

Abstract

The car seat is fitted with an array of hollow pockets inside the padding, with the pockets connected to a control manifold and to a pressure supply. A pump provides sufficient pressure to power and manifold which distributes the pressure flow to the pockets in cyclic, or other patterns. The seat occupant is strapped to the seat by shoulder straps (1) which hold his back flat against the seat back (3). The straps are padded and their anchorages can be fitted with periodically tightening springs. The system provideds a periodic 'massage' treatment for the seat occupant so that the spine does not remain in one setting on a long journey, which would result in stiffness and backache.

Description

Seat for fatigue-free sitting (addendum to patent application P 23 39 069.4) The invention relates to a seat for fatigue-free sitting, adjustable in volume in the seat and / or in the backrest area Has variable time intervals hollow body, the forcible change the sitting position of the on the seat with the help of a holding device held User serves, according to patent ........... (patent application P 23 39 069.4), a non-exhaustive Seat of this type, e.g. for motor vehicles, is based on the knowledge that with longer constant sitting position practically without any changes in posture Spinal problems occur which are caused by the overworking of the individual Movement segments of the spine and in the supply disorder of the intervertebral discs to have. Therefore, orthopedically designed seats can also cause this spinal complaint only prevent it for a short time, because when sitting, even with correct orthopedic support of the upper body, the strain on the individual movement segments continues as before. Because of the unchanged sitting position and therefore the constant position the spine can have a pumping effect in the intervertebral spaces containing the intervertebral discs do not take place, so that accordingly the intervertebral discs are not supplied accordingly can be. To avoid such spinal complaints is therefore appropriate the main patent mentioned and explained seat for fatigue-free sitting has been created in which, through its design, the sitter does not have to do anything himself automatically the curvatures of the spine are changeable, as in certain Time intervals recurring and caused by the hollow body movements of the Seat and backrest surface on the body organs impaired by the sitting posture and counteract any fatigue. This success is there has essentially been achieved in that, for example, the backrest surface in the hip and chest area of the seated person and thus also the corresponding area the spine is arched forward. At the same time it is made up of two suspender-like Existing shoulder straps. Holding device by means of a retrieval of the shoulders one through a flow medium acted upon hollow body or on effected mechanically. This can be done by the preferably pneumatically operated Hollow body for tensioning the belts only through the arching of the backrest surface in the area of the chest. Furthermore, the seat can also go through other hollow bodies are deformed, the seat surface movement by lifting up affects the thighs of the sitter.

All these deformation movements caused by the corresponding hollow body of the seat and backrest can be adjusted automatically at adjustable time intervals be carried out, but the hollow bodies can be designed differently.

In contrast, the present invention is intended to solve the problem to create a seat of the type mentioned at the beginning that and has a retractable holding device.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that.

the holding device as. Shoulder strap is formed.

It is conceivable to use a single shoulder strap that the User reaches over in the area of both shoulders and holds him. It is also possible to use two or more separate brackets. The brackets hold the user securely on the seat. They offer the advantage over a belt system that they can be put on and taken off quickly.

The use of the invention appears to be particularly advantageous Shoulder bar for seats that are set up in a stationary position.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the bracket in the backrest is arranged adjustable in height are. Due to the simple movement of the bracket inside the backrest, one can extremely the holding device can be put on and taken off quickly, even automatically if necessary will.

In a favorable embodiment of the invention it is provided that the Bracket with its side facing the shoulder with sensors to control the change in volume the hollow body are equipped. The sensors contribute to the fact that the hollow body Change the sitting position only to the desired extent.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are based on a Drawing described. 1 shows a side view of a device by means of devices deformable seat with a shoulder return belt, Fig. 2 is the top view of the Seat according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a deformed one Seat with a pneumatic system to deform the thoracic spine area with simultaneous shoulder retraction, FIG. 4 a corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 3 Side view of a deformed seat with a mechanically acting belt retraction, Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the programming of the time interval for the continuous and alternating movement of those used to deform the seat Devices, Fig. 6 is indicated in dash-dotted lines View of the backrest surface of a seat with a built-in control device with a pressure medium source cooperating and serving as a device hollow bodies of a second exemplary embodiment, FIG. 7 a graphic representation of the deformation sequence the hollow body shown in Fig. 6 with simultaneous shoulder retraction, Fig. 8 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 7 with a changed amplitude and Frequency of the deformation movements of the hollow body, Fig. 9 is the front view of the Belt system for retrieving the shoulders of another embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a front view of a seat equipped with a shoulder strap, the shoulder straps are currently in their raised position, Fig. 11 is a front view of a seat equipped with shoulder straps, in which the straps are in their holding position 12 is a side view of the seat shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a view of the backrest surface of a seat indicated in dash-dotted lines with built-in, interacting via a control device with a pressure medium source, hollow bodies provided with sensors, and 14 is a side view a shoulder strap provided with sensors.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, in the figures 1, 3 and 4 show a person sitting on a seat according to the invention. To the Avoiding symptoms of fatigue when sitting still for a long time is the Seat 6 and the backrest surface 3 by means of devices designed as hollow bodies 1> 2.5 and 7 deformed.

The deformation device 2 moves the lumbar region forward arched. The device 5 causes the arching of the thoracic spine while a Another device at the same time in direction 4 a retrieval of the belt 1 and rounds the shoulders. A deformation of the seat 6 is caused by reaches a device 7 which acts on the thighs and the pelvis.

Fig. 2 shows how the device 5 between the at 8 on the backrest attached shoulder straps acts on the thoracic spine and a shoulder curve is achieved.

Another embodiment of one on the shoulder straps 10 and at the same time The device 11 acting on the Bruat spine in the direction of arrow 12 is shown in FIG Fig. 3. By this device, the deformation of the backrest surface and the Tension of the belts 10 causes.

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of a retraction of the shoulder straps by means of a mechanically acting device 13. This device 13 includes a Shaft around which the shoulder strap can be wound. In Fig. 4 are still Hollow bodies 14 and 15 are shown, which are comparable with the hollow bodies 5 and 2 of FIG. 1 are An example of the programming of the various deformation movements of the seat designed according to the invention at certain time intervals is shown in FIG. 5 shown in a pie chart. Here is the sequence of the devices chosen as follows: deformation in the lumbar and chest areas with simultaneous retrieval of the shoulders during a time period 16 of 15 seconds duration. Decrease in these deformations during a subsequent time range 17 of 15 seconds duration. Retrieval of the pool with simultaneous lifting of the thighs in a time interval 18 of 30 - 45 sec. Duration. In the following interval 19 the previous deformations canceled again, whereupon a new movement game begins.

In a further embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 9 one seat designed according to the invention is only to illustrate the invention the outline of the backrest surface 20 shown in dash-dotted lines. Of the The seat can be used as a simple chair or with an upholstered seat and backrest be designed as such seats, for example, in motor vehicles or airplanes are common. About the signs of fatigue that arise after long periods of immobile sitting is to be avoided in this embodiment by special both in the ~ seat surface as well as devices arranged in the backrest surface brought about a change in the sitting position.

According to the invention, the built-in in the backrest surface Devices of elastically stretchable hollow bodies 21, 22 and 23 are formed. Here is for each shoulder area its size ent speaking hollow body 21, further syemetrically to the longitudinal center of the backrest surface a long shaped, extending in the longitudinal direction over the back extending hollow body 22 and below this another, Hollow bodies 23 covering the lumbar or pelvic area are provided, each Hollow body eea has a shape and size corresponding to the assigned area.

In approximately the same way, the seat can also act as a sin the thighs and possibly on the pelvis of the seated person are formed.

In order to bring about a change in the seat position, one can simple execution, the hollow body to a pressure medium source of constant or connected by variable pressure by pipe or hose lines.

With variable pressure, this is set according to a specific time program controlled. When the pressure rises, the backs are supported Hollow body arched to the front in an elastically flexible manner. When the pressure drops and, if necessary, by controlled outflow of the flow medium, the Hollow bodies automatically return to theirs due to their elastically stretchable material Starting position back.

An already existing hydraulic or pneumatic Pressure medium source 24 used to act on the hollow body 21, 22 and 23, like one for example in motor vehicles or airplanes is already provided. However, such a pressure medium source predominantly has one constant pressure. The flow medium is in this case used for distribution electrically controllable valve unit 25 of a control device by pipeline.en or hoses 26 are fed to the hollow bodies 21, 22 and 23. To regulate the pressure the Iiohlkörper are also still on another electrically controllable valve unit 27 connected to the control device, essentially consisting of expansion valves consists.

Finally, the control device also has a programmable one electrical pulse generator 28, which by means of electrical lines 29 to the two valve units 25 and 27 corresponding to those of an inserted program table 30 tapped pulses acts. The programming of the program table 30 can here all deformation movements of the two hollow shoulder bodies 21 of the hollow back body 22 and the hollow lumbar body 23 as well as the sequence of the individual deformation movements as well as this control with regard to their frequency and amplitude. The whole Sequence of a play of movement of the hollow body can thus vary according to the type of setting the program sequences by scanning a program board through a time switchgear of a electrically controlled washing machine. However, it can also be used in the pulse generator 28 an externally operable control element 31 for the frequency for all hollow bodies and a further regulating element 32 can be provided for the amplitude.

so d & ß frequency and amplitude of a movement game for all Hollow body is the same. On the other hand, it is also possible for every hollow body set the frequency and amplitude for themselves by means of a special regulating device. The training can also be carried out in such a way that the deformation movement of Seat and backrest can be adjusted separately from each other.

Furthermore, the outflow side of the is essentially made of electrical controllable voltage valves existing valve unit 27 through a pipe or Hose line 33 connected to the suction side of the pressure jellyfish 24.

Such a connection is only possible if a hydraulic one is used Flow medium provided. However, if compressed air is used as the flow medium, it escapes these to reduce the pressure in the hollow bodies from the expansion valves into the open air.

So that the hollow bodies 21, 22 and 23 fully eirniirken on the seated person and can cause a change in the curvature of the vertebral acid is a belt system provided as a counter support, see Fig. 9. It consists of two harness straps trained shoulder straps j4 attached to the front of the torso from the shoulders run vertically or even slightly outwardly inclined downwards and thus neither breathing still constricts the female breast. To keep her in this position the shoulder straps are held at the level of the pelvis by a lap strap 35, to ensure the distance between the shoulder straps 34 at pelvic height in front between the shoulder strap is stiffened or designed as a transverse bracket 36. Possibly the buckle 37 can still be provided in the cross bar and the cross bar itself as a two- or four-point lock can be formed. Through the stiffened cross belt or crossbar 36 prevents the shoulder straps from striving together free function of the chest organs guaranteed. Incidentally, is also with the invention trained belt system a device acting on the shoulder straps is provided, during the course of the deformation movement a return and rounding of the Shoulders effects. The belt system can also be omitted when one more backwards inclined position is assumed, e.g. on TV couches.

The one that can be carried out with a fully programmed program table 30 and deformation movements caused by the control device explained the backrest area of a seat are in chronological order of the individual Hollow body movements in FIGS. 7 and 8 on a time line with an approximately the Duration of a motion game corresponding abscissa is shown as half waves, 10 minutes are selected for the duration of a movement game. the The height of the arrow of the half-waves is the amplitude of the respective hollow body movement. Here is the lumbar hollow body with L, the back hollow body with R, the hollow body (s) for the temporal tension of the shoulder straps with the reason the scaulter hollow bodies are has been designated with S. The sequence programmed in FIG. 7 takes place first the keratinization of the hollow lumbar body L, then one minute apart successively the deformation of the back hollow body R and the Schuler hollow body S when the shoulder straps are temporarily tensioned through the hollow belt body G to the Retrieval of the shoulders. With all deformation movements of the four hollow bodies are Frequency and amplitude the same. If the pulse generator is appropriately equipped with These can each have a regulator element for frequency and amplitude for the hollow bodies during a game of movement the hollow bodies may be different from one another, such as is indicated in Fig. 7 in dashed lines.

Fig. 8 shows a corresponding representation of a movement game of the four hollow bodies with a different sequence of deformations. the Frequency and amplitude are also equal to one another, but opposite different from the previous example. When the back hollow body is deformed R the belt body is also deformed at the same time. Of course you can also in this embodiment with a corresponding design and Programming of the pulse generator frequency and amplitude of the individual deformation movements can be set differently within a movement game A further embodiment of the invention is described through 12. The one shown The seat is mainly used stationary. Instead of the belt system, the seat shown here padded shoulder hangers 38 and 39 used. While the shoulder straps in Fig. 10 are in their raised position, in FIG. 11 they are in their lowered position Position shown where they fulfill their holding function. The shoulder straps can be in slightly turned to the side in the position shown in Fig. 10 or to any desired position Direction to be inclined. In Figure 12 the seat in question is from the side shown here. The arrow 41 indicates the direction in which the shoulder straps from her raised position can be moved into their lowered position. Furthermore, in FIG. 12 shows a lap belt 40 which is removed from its open position shown in FIG move in the direction of arrow 42 into a position that is close to the user can be. The lap belt can also be padded.

In Fig. 13 a similar seat is shown as in Fig. 6, with the a difference that the deformable hollow body 43, 44 and 45 with sensors 46 are equipped. The sensors are connected to the electrical via signal lines 47 Pulse generator 28 connected. The sensors are used to measure the pressure that either from the body of the user or from the hollow bodies. The sensors send corresponding signals back to the electrical pulse generator to avoid the occurring Regulate pressure. The sensors can be designed in a conventional manner. There are several types on the market.

As signal lines come, according to the design of the sensors, either electrical lines or fluid lines in question. The ones from the signal lines Delivered signals are converted to suitable impulses, which are then corresponding Cause pressure changes or pressure adjustments within the hollow body.

14 shows a shoulder bar 48 which is equipped with sensors 49 which operate in the same manner as the sensors shown in FIG 46. The sensors 49 are also connected to the electrical signal lines (not shown) Pulse generator connected.

Claims (5)

Patent claims Seat for fatigue-free sitting, which is in the seat and / or in the volume of the backrest area can be changed at adjustable time intervals Has hollow body, which is used to forcibly change the sitting position of the on the Seat is used to hold the user with the help of a holding device (according to patent, according to patent application P 23 39 069.4), thereby g e k e n nz e i c h n e t that the Holding device is designed as a shoulder strap (38,39,48). 2. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the g e k e n n z e i c n e t Brackets (38,39,48) are arranged adjustable in height in the backrest. 3. Seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the brackets (38,39,48) are padded on their side facing the shoulders are. 4. Seat according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized g e k It is noted that the brackets (38, 39, 48) face the shoulder Side equipped with sensors to control the volume change of the hollow bodies are. 5. Seat according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized g e k It is noted that the hollow bodies (43,44,45) have sensors (46) for controlling the volume change of the hollow body are equipped. L e r s e i t e