WO2008031374A1 - Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a central part (2), at least one side cheek (3a, 3b), which laterally delimits the central part (2) and is arranged moveably in relation thereto, an adjustment element (5) which is arranged moveably in the central part (2) and is designed such that it interacts with the side cheek (3a, 3b) in such a manner that the side cheek (3a, 3b) can be aligned relative to the central part (2) by movement of the adjustment element (5), and with at least two actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) via which the adjustment element (5) can be moved in order to align the side cheek (3a, 3b). In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle seat with side cheeks which have fillable elements for setting the shape of the side cheek and/or for aligning the side cheek. A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat with adaptation means which permit the side cheek to be adapted to or aligned with the body contours of a vehicle occupant and stiffen the side cheek in the event of an accident.

Description

 Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle

description

The invention relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, a vehicle seat according to the preamble of claim 19 and a vehicle seat according to the preamble of claim 28.

Various systems for vehicle seats are known from the prior art, which should prevent lateral slipping out of a vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat in the event of an accident. For example, particularly trained belt restraint systems are common, which are intended to hold the vehicle occupant in the seat by means of a belt tensioner cooperating with a safety belt. Although this restraint of the vehicle occupant by means of a belt is effective for frontal accidents, it is insecure in the event of side accidents since the vehicle occupant can also slip sideways out of a taut belt.

In addition to belt restraint systems, there are sports seats which have a special lateral contouring or lateral strap structures which, in the event of a lateral collision, should laterally stabilize the vehicle occupants. However, such contours limit the Sitting comfort of the vehicle occupant and pose a risk of injury for him due to possible punctual force effects in the contours. Are the side contours designed as a solid, inflexible side cheeks high rigidity, the seating comfort of the vehicle occupant is significantly limited because such side car not the body contour adjust the vehicle occupant.

For an effective protection system, however, it is incessant to keep the vehicle occupant safe from slipping sideways out of the vehicle seat in the event of an accident. If this is not achieved, the vehicle occupant will laterally move out of the vehicle seat and onto the impact location of the accident in the event of a lateral collision, resulting in the deceleration path (crumple zone) available for braking the vehicle occupant from an impact on the lateral vehicle body , reduced.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat which prevents lateral slipping of a vehicle occupant out of a vehicle seat while providing a high level of seating comfort.

This problem is solved by a vehicle seat according to claim 1, a vehicle seat according to claim 19 and a vehicle seat according to 28. Particularly advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Thereafter, a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is provided with - a middle part,

- At least one side cheek, which limits the middle part laterally and is arranged movable relative to this,

- An adjusting member movably arranged in the middle part, which is designed to cooperate with the side cheek, that the side cheek is aligned relative to the central part by moving the adjusting element, and

- At least two actuators over which the adjusting element for aligning the side cheek is movable.

The vehicle seat according to the invention has, with the adjusting element which can be moved by means of at least two actuators, a special mechanism with which the side cheek of the vehicle seat can be set in a variety of ways and adapted to an individual body contour of a vehicle occupant. Of course, the invention also includes vehicle seats having a plurality of side cheeks. The adjustment of several side cheeks also takes place according to the invention by moving the adjusting element (eg arranged in or on the middle part of the vehicle seat). The fact that several (eg opposite) side cheeks can be moved simultaneously via the adjustment at the same time, a particularly fast adjustment of a plurality of side cheeks is possible simultaneously.

Usually, the middle part is bounded on its two sides by (opposite) side cheeks, which are e.g. extend along the complete lateral line of the middle section. But they can also be arranged only in sections on him; approximately only along a backrest area or along a seat surface area of the vehicle seat. In principle, also asymmetric arrangements of side cheeks are possible. It should be noted that the "center part" of the vehicle seat describes a middle section of the vehicle seat and can represent both a middle section of the seat surface of the vehicle seat and / or a central section of a backrest of the vehicle seat. limited laterally, means that the side cheeks in the installed state of the seat in a vehicle to the (pointing parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis) sides of the vehicle have.

The adjusting element (and thus the side cheek or a plurality of side cheeks) can be adjusted by utilizing a pre-crash sensor immediately before an accident so that the side cheek occupies a position that slips out of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat to the point of action Accident prevented. Here is also an adjustment (in the presence of several side walls) possible by means of which the vehicle occupant can be clamped in the vehicle seat (for example, by folding opposite side cheeks on the vehicle occupants).

Regardless of the safety aspect of the vehicle seat according to the invention also allows to adjust side cheeks for reasons of comfort. For this purpose, the adjustment (and thus the side walls) z. Example, be controlled manually or automatically in response to certain seat-mounted sensors that register body characteristics of the vehicle occupant (such as weight or size).

Furthermore, the middle part preferably has a (immovable) structure arranged immovably in it, with which the side cheek is pivotally coupled (eg, via a housing). steering). This immovable structure extends, for example, in a region of the middle part facing away from the seat side (front side) of the vehicle seat (ie the vehicle occupant). In particular, a portion of the backrest portion and / or a portion of the underside of the seat surface of the vehicle seat may constitute the immovable structure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the two actuators allow the movement of the adjusting element parallel and perpendicular to the immovable structure and a rotation of the adjusting element relative to the immovable structure. In a particularly advantageous manner, at least two actuators are arranged, which are assigned to mutually spaced sections of the adjusting element (eg, are also connected to the associated portion of the adjusting element with this). About the at least two actuators, a distance between the actuator each associated portion of the adjustment and the immovable structure of the central part is independently adjustable. The distances are adjustable in such a way that by means of the actuators, the adjusting element can be both moved perpendicular to the stationary structure and rotated relative to the immovable structure.

In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the side cheek has at least one carrier element that is movable relative to the middle part and mechanically coupled to the adjusting element in such a manner that moving the adjusting element effects an alignment of the carrier element and thus of the side cheek. The support member constitutes a solid core of the side cheek having increased rigidity over its environment (e.g., padding). The support member may in principle have any shape (e.g., rail or plate shape); It is crucial that it allows an alignment of the side wall.

In particular, the adjusting element and the immovable structure (in planar formation) can be arranged parallel to one another in an initial position. By means of the actuators, the distance between the adjusting element and the immovable structure can be adjusted with synchronous adjustment of the actuators. If the actuators are set differently, the adjusting element is rotated relative to the immovable structure. By means of each of the actuators, therefore, the distance between the portion of the adjusting element assigned to an actuator and a portion of the immovable structure (which is closest to, for example, the portion opposite the portion) of the adjusting structure is determined O

e.g. may be formed by a portion of the back of the back of the vehicle seat) is set.

To obtain the greatest possible rotational effect by the actuators, it makes sense to arrange them with the greatest possible distance - viewed in a direction transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis (based on the installed state of the vehicle seat) - to each other. It is particularly advantageous here to arrange at least one further actuator for displacing the adjusting element also parallel to the immovable structure.

The actuators can z. B. be designed as a linear Zugaktuatoren. Of course, the invention is not limited to this particular type of actuator, but various types of actuators (eg, also in combination) may be used. However, such actuators are known per se; it is only important that with the actuators both a fast linear movement of the adjusting element and a rotation of the adjusting element is possible. In particular, electric actuators and pyrotechnic actuators come into question, since they allow a pulse-like movement of the adjusting element, wherein the electric actuators allow a reversible, abrupt setting. The pyrotechnic actuators produce an irreversible adjustment and are especially suitable for use with a pre-crash system.

It should be noted that the adjusting element and the carrier element can each represent planar elements (but need not), which extend along the (vertically aligned) back surface or the (horizontally oriented) seat surface of the vehicle seat. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of adjusting elements (which are each connected to a carrier element) which are arranged one above the other in the backrest of the vehicle seat or in the seat surface of the vehicle seat; The adjustment mechanism for the side cheek can therefore be formed from one unit (i.e., a continuous adjustment element and a continuous support element) or else from a plurality of units (with a plurality of adjustment and support elements arranged in a row).

As mentioned above, a carrier element, for example, constitutes a substantially rigid, dimensionally stable part which, surrounded by a padding, can be adapted to the body contour of the vehicle occupant, whereby the padding optimally adjusts the shape of the side cheek to the body of the vehicle occupant. Usually, such a padding is provided with a seat cover, the padding to the outside closes and is formed sufficiently stretchable so as not to hinder the movement of the side cheek or by the movement of the side cheek (or arranged on or in the side cheeks support element) can not be damaged.

A particularly advantageous variant of the invention comprises opposing side cheeks each having a carrier element, the carrier elements being connected to a section on a side section of the adjusting element facing the respective side cheek. In particular, in each case a further section of the carrier elements can be connected to the (in the middle part) immovable structure movable (pivotable). In this variant, therefore, a carrier element is connected on the one hand to the (movable) adjusting element and on the other hand to the immovable structure (which is not movable in the central part, eg rigidly embodied).

In a particular embodiment, the support elements of the opposite side cheeks each pivotally connected to each other arms, wherein one of the arms is in turn pivotally connected to the adjusting element and another arm pivotally connected to the immovable structure. The connection of the arms of the carrier elements with each other and to the adjusting element or to the immovable structure is advantageously carried out via joints. The support element may, for. B. have two arms which are connected to each other via a hinge, wherein the said joint each opposite ends of the arms are then connected to the adjusting element or with the immovable structure.

Another development of the invention provides that the adjusting element extends along at least a portion of the (a vehicle occupant seat facing the vehicle seat side) of the vehicle seat and can be covered with a padding and a suitable reference to the outside.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat having a center portion laterally delimited by at least one side wall, wherein the side panel houses a medium fillable member for adjusting the shape of the side wall and / or aligning the side wall with respect to the center portion , The fillable element is designed such (expandable) that its volume increases during filling with the medium and reduced during emptying. In addition, the vehicle seat has integrated filling means for filling the fillable element with the medium. With this vehicle seat, it is possible over the filling of the fillable element, a side cheek of the seat so in their form or orientation to suit a vehicle occupant that this can not slide laterally beyond the side wall out of the vehicle seat in an accident. For this purpose, z. For example, suitable pre-crash sensors may be connected to the filling means which, in the run-up to an accident, send a signal to the filling means and initiate filling or emptying of one or more fillable elements in response to this signal. Between the sensors and the filling means, a controller may be provided, which receives a signal from a sensor, processed and passed on to the Befüllmittel.

A particularly preferred embodiment is to equip a vehicle seat with opposite side cheeks, each having a fillable element (or more fillable elements). The medium for filling the fillable elements can, for. B. be a liquid or a gas; especially water or air.

In a further, preferred development, the filling means have a reservoir filled with the medium and are designed to fill a fillable element with a certain amount of the medium from the reservoir, while at the same time filling this element of the medium from another fillable element Reservoir is emptied. With this design of the filling can be adjusted in particular between opposite side cheeks a symmetry or asymmetry of the shape of the side cheeks to z. B. to respond to a special side impact as a result of an accident. In addition, it is also possible regardless of an accident to make the shape of opposite side cheeks asymmetric to z. B. adaptation of the side cheeks to a specific body contour or sitting position of the vehicle occupant (eg when cornering) to achieve.

The filling means advantageously also have two chambers connected to fillable elements which are separated from one another by a movable wall element. In this case, the wall element is designed to be movable and arranged such that when moving the wall element in the direction of one of the chambers, a quantity of the medium is conveyed from the chamber into the filler element connected to it, while at the same time a quantity of the medium from the other fillable element in the other chamber connected to this fillable element is derived. In this case, the system of fillable elements and the chambers can remain a closed system in which the total amount of medium in the system remains constant. In particular, the chambers in a hollow cylinder and the wall element can be formed by a piston displaceable in the hollow cylinder along its longitudinal axis. This is a particularly simple and cost-effective variant of the filling means, according to which the symmetry between two (eg opposite) side cheeks can be changed by pushing the piston back and forth (with both a symmetrical and an asymmetrical arrangement of the side cheeks being adjustable). Of course, the invention also covers arrangements of chambers, which are not arranged in a hollow cylinder, but in a hollow body of other form talt; It is crucial that by moving a wall element (which can also be formed by a membrane, for example), it is possible to move the medium back and forth, in particular between opposing fillable elements (which in turn are arranged in opposite side cheeks).

It is particularly advantageous if the wall element and / or the medium are formed so that they move in a pulse-like lateral vehicle movement against the vehicle direction. For example, the mass of the piston and the mass of the medium may be selected so that the piston and the medium due to the inertia in a lateral action on the vehicle or the vehicle seat to move to the point of action and consequently one of the action point fill facing sidewall and thereby enlarge and stiffen.

In another development of the invention, the filling means provide an additional source different from the chambers for providing an additional amount of the medium in order to be able to pre-fill at least one fillable element. The pre-filling serves to specify a specific initial volume in at least one fillable element. As a result, in particular in the case of opposite side cheeks, an asymmetrical arrangement can already be predetermined, in order, for. B. for reasons of comfort to increase a side cheek one side of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the additional source may also serve to assist in filling a fillable element in the event of an accident. Since a liquid or a gas can serve as the medium, the adjustment (also the default setting) of the fillable chambers takes place via the liquid quantity or the gas pressure in the fillable chamber.

The additional source may, for. B. are in flow communication directly with the fillable chamber; but it can also be in flow connection via a chamber of the filling with a fillable element. The Befülmitttel according to the second aspect of the invention can be considered similar to the first aspect of the invention as adjusting means for adjusting the side walls and allow in particular the simultaneous (coupled together) setting at least two side cheeks.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat with

a middle part,

- At least one side wall, which limits the middle part laterally, and - integrated in the side wall adjustment means, on the one hand in normal driving allow adjustment or alignment of the side cheek to the body contours of a vehicle occupant and stiffen the other in the event of an accident, the side cheek.

For this purpose, the adaptation means in an advantageous embodiment, at least one arranged in the side cheek protection element, which is formed of a material or has, which stiffened at impulsive change in shape (abruptly). Such a material may be, for example, a visco-elastic material, e.g. a viscous liqueur. In particular, the viscoeleastic fluid may comprise polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) (known in this form as "Silly Putty") .This is a material that has some fluidity, but not with pulsatile actions (eg, blows with a hammer) yields, but has a high rigidity.

In addition, comes for such protective elements a gel-like material with electro-Theological properties into consideration. Electro-rheological materials can change their elasticity or rigidity by electrical means (i.e., by applying a voltage). For example, an accident sensor system could be used to control and stiffen such elements in the event of an accident or immediately before an accident. In this case, the side wall facing the point of action of the accident is usually reinforced; At the same time, in addition, the opposite side wall (facing away from the accident) can be flexibly adjusted in order to provide the vehicle occupant an exit possibility away from the point of action of the accident.

The protective element can have a planar design and extend along almost the entire backrest and / or the seat surface of the vehicle seat. However, they may also be designed as smaller units, which each make up only a portion of a side cheek of the vehicle seat. The protective elements are preferably with a Surround padding and designed so flexible that the side cheeks adjust without much effort to the body contour of a vehicle occupant and thus rest well on the body of the vehicle occupant. It is also possible that a protective element does not extend exclusively in a side cheek, but in part protrudes into the central part of the vehicle seat.

In a further preferred development of the invention according to the third aspect, the adjustment means comprise at least one arranged in a side cheek portion which is filled with a plurality of mutually movable particles and connected to a vacuum generating device. About the vacuum generating device of the section in an accident or immediately before an accident can be evacuated impulsively. In this variant, the stiffening of a side cheek or of the middle part (or only of a portion of the middle part or of a side cheek) is produced by abrupt evacuation of particle-filled (gas-tight) sections. In particular, the vacuum generating means preferably comprises an evacuatable member (e.g., a hollow body) which can be evacuated via a vacuum pump and connected to the particle-filled portion. Between the evacuatable element (e.g., integrated into the vehicle seat) and the particulate section is e.g. B. a valve is provided, which is opened for the sudden evacuation of this section.

By evacuating the particle-filled portions of the distance between the particles is reduced to each other, so that are no longer movable by the frictional forces between the approximated particles, resulting in a stiffening of the section and thus the side cheek or the middle part. As a pump for evacuating the evacuatable element of the vacuum generating device can, for. B. serve the vacuum pump of a brake booster, which is connected to the evacuatable element.

In a further embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the adaptation means allow pivoting of the side cheek with respect to the central part and block (impulsive) in the event of an accident, the pivoting of the side cheek. For this purpose, the adjustment means may comprise a damping device connected to the side cheek, which dampens impulse-like pivoting movements of the side cheek. Nevertheless, the damping device allows slow pivoting movements of the sidewalls. Hereby, the side cheek (or even several eg opposite side cheek) while the vehicle occupant to be adjusted (such as by panning outward when putting it in the seat), at the same time, however, the vehicle occupant is held in this position in an accident.

In a particularly preferred manner, the side cheek of this variant on a Trägerele- ment, which is pivotally connected to the middle part. Preferred is an arm of the

Carrier element pivotally connected via a first joint with the central part and a second joint with a shock absorber as a damping element of the damping device. In this embodiment, the side cheek on the support member while slowly (relative to the central part) is pivotable; However, a fast pivoting movement (as a result of an accident) is prevented by the shock absorber.

It should be noted that all variants of the invention according to the third aspect can of course be combined. Thus, a vehicle seat (the middle part, the side wall) can have both protective elements and particle-filled sections, wherein in addition the side cheek can also be made pivotable relative to the central part. In addition, the features of the three aspects of the invention can be combined. Thus, a vehicle seat can both have an adjusting element and at the same time have fillable elements for adjusting the side cheek. In addition, in addition also adjustment means may be provided which additionally stiffen the side cheek in case of an accident. In particular, the carrier elements may be provided according to the first aspect of the invention with damping elements.

The invention is explained below with reference to embodiments with reference to the figures in detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the backrest of a vehicle seat according to a first aspect of the invention;

2 a - 2 c are sectional views of various settings of the vehicle seat of Figure 1;

3 shows a sectional view of a seating area of a vehicle seat according to a second aspect of the invention;

4 shows a development of the variant of FIG. 3; 5a and 5b are sectional views of a backrest of a vehicle seat according to a third aspect of the invention;

6 is a sectional view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a vehicle seat according to another

Embodiment of the third aspect of the invention;

8 shows a modification of the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a backrest 1 of a vehicle seat (not completely shown), wherein the sectional plane runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the backrest. The backrest 1 has a middle part 2, which is bounded laterally by opposing side cheeks 3a, 3b, wherein the side cheeks 3a, 3b are each pivotally connected to a lateral, outer portion of the central part 2. At its front side (that is, toward the vehicle occupant), the middle part 2 has an adjusting element movably arranged in the middle part 2 in the form of a backrest structure 5, which is provided with a padding 21 towards the front of the backrest 1.

The side cheeks 3a, 3b each have opposite the central part 2 movable support members 31a, 31b, which in turn are surrounded by a nearly completely surrounding padding 32. The support elements 31a, 31b each have two arms 34a, 34a ', 34b, 34b' connected via a joint 33. The respective arms 34a, 34b of the (opposing) support elements 31a, 31b, which are respectively arranged towards the back of the backrest 1, are pivotably connected to a back structure 4 (immovable structure) of the backrest 1 which is immovably arranged in the region of the backrest back, whereby the back side structure 4 extends approximately parallel to the backrest structure 5. The arms 34a ', 34b', which are arranged towards the back of the backrest, are connected on opposite side sections to the (flat) backrest structure 5 of the central part 2.

The rear side structure 4 is fixed in the middle part 2 so as not to be movable in the middle part 2 (ie, in the vehicle seat). The backrest structure 5, however, can be moved vertically as well as parallel to the rear side structure 4 and also rotated against her. By virtue of the fact that the sides of the rear side structure 4 facing the side cheeks 3a, 3b are articulated by means of joints 36a, 36b with the arm 34a, 34b of the support elements 31a, 31b (in the seat towards the rear) and at the same time the outer sides of the backrest structure 5 with the second arm 34a ', 34b' of the support members 31a, 31b are pivotally connected, a movement of the backrest structure 5 on the support elements 31a, 31b and thus on the side walls 3a, 3b transmitted. The movement of the backrest structure 5 takes place via actuators 6a to 6c arranged on it. Two actuators 6a, 6c are arranged at a distance from one another in each case in a side section 51a, 51c of the backrest structure 5 facing the side cheeks 3a, 3b. The actuators 6a, 6b are designed so that they can move independently of one another the backrest structure 5 in a direction perpendicular to the rear side structure 4. On the one hand, this makes it possible to adjust the backrest structure 5 via the actuators 6a, 6c such that their side sections 51a, 51c each have the same spacing d1, d2 relative to a respective section of the rear side structure 4 facing them. In this setting, the backrest structure 5 is aligned parallel to the rear side structure 4 and is moved perpendicular to this.

If, however, different distances d1, d2 are set on the actuators 6a, 6c, for example the one side section 51a of the backrest structure 5 of the rear side structure 4 can be approached while the opposite section 51c of the backrest structure 5 is removed from the rear side structure 4, which causes a rotational movement of the backrest structure Lehnenstruktur 5 opposite the rear side structure 4 represents. By means of the actuators 6a, 6c, both a movement of the backrest structure 5 perpendicular to the backrest structure 4 and also a rotation with respect to the backside structure 4 are possible. In addition, between the actuators 6a, 6c, a further linear Zugaktuator 6b is arranged, via which the backrest structure 5 can be moved in a direction parallel to the rear side structure 4.

Although the figure 1 relates to the backrest portion of a vehicle seat, the mechanism described can of course (alternatively or additionally) also be used in the seating area of a vehicle seat. In addition, z. B. also support elements may be provided in the side walls, each having more than two arms. It is understood that the padding of the side cheeks surrounding the carrier elements has to be correspondingly flexible or extensible, so that an adjustment of the carrier elements integrated in the side cheeks does not lead to destruction of the upholstery or the upholstery cover. Figures 2a to 2c show the back of Figure 1 for different settings of the backrest structure 5 and thus the side cheeks 3a, 3b. In Figure 2a, the backrest structure 5 is aligned parallel to the rear side structure 4 and completely brought to this, so that the side cheeks 3a, 3b as far as possible in the direction of the front side of the seat (toward the vehicle occupant) are folded. The adjustment could be used to "cling" to the vehicle occupants in an accident in the vehicle seat, By moving the backrest structure 5 away from the backside structure 4, the "stapling" would be released again. In addition, the backrest structure 5 in the lateral direction (ie, parallel to the middle part 2) arranged symmetrically, so that a symmetrical adjustment of the side walls 3a, 3b results.

Figure 2b shows another situation. Here, the one side 51a of the backrest structure δ is almost completely brought to the rear side structure 4 of the middle part 2, while the opposite side 51c (via the actuator 6c) is spaced from the back side structure 4 (ie d1 <d2), so that the backrest structure 5 opposite to the Rear side structure 4 is twisted. This adjustment of the backrest structure 5 leads to an asymmetrical alignment of the side cheeks 3a, 3b, wherein the (in Figure 2b left) side cheek 3a to the middle part 2 (to the vehicle occupant) out and the opposite side cheek 3b is turned away from the vehicle occupant. In addition, due to the retraction of the side flap 3a facing the side 51a of the backrest structure 5, a depression is formed, in which the passenger is kept stable. This setting can z. B. in the run-up to an accident to keep the vehicle occupant in a lateral impact in the direction of the arrow A in the seat and to prevent slipping out of the vehicle occupant to Impactstelle out. For this purpose, in the vehicle z. B. a pre-crash sensor system be present, which detects an imminent accident or an accident already taking place and the backrest structure 5 and thus brings the side cheeks 3a, 3b of the seat abruptly in the position shown in Figure 2b.

FIG. 2c shows an adjustment of the side cheeks 3a, 3b, in which a large (and identical between the side regions 51a, 51c of the backrest structure 5 and the rear side structure 4) distance d1, d2 has been set. As a result, the side cheeks 3a, 3b are in a rear position, ie away from the vehicle occupant. At the same time, the backrest structure 5 is displaced laterally in the direction of the side cheek 3a (on the left in FIG. 2c), so that on the one hand the left side cheek 3a is rotated away from the vehicle occupant and removed, and on the other hand the right side cheek 3b the vehicle occupant to, is rotated forward. Here- by the vehicle occupant on the one hand in one direction laterally (in Fig. 2c to the right) held in the seat, but in the opposite direction (arrow B) has the ability to leave the seat.

It should be noted that Figures 1 and 2a-2c show only some of the possible settings of the backrest structure and the side cheeks. In addition, the mechanism according to the invention allows a large number of settings which can also be approached according to the specific requirements (for example, the design of the seat, the type and direction of the accident).

FIG. 3 shows a variant of a vehicle seat according to the second aspect of the invention. Shown is a sectional view of a seating area 7 of a vehicle seat in a plane perpendicular to the seating area. The seating area 7 has a central part 2, which is bounded laterally by opposing side walls 3a, 3b. The side cheeks 3a, 3b are movable relative to the middle part 2 and also variable in their shape. For their adjustment, the side cheeks 3a, 3b each have fillable elements in the form of reversibly fillable, expandable chambers 35a, 35b. The chambers 35a, 35b are filled with a liquid 300, wherein the left-hand chamber 3a in FIG. 3 has a larger quantity of liquid and thus a larger volume than the chamber 35b arranged in the opposite side cheek 3b.

In order to be able to vary the amount of fluid in the chambers 35a, 35b, there is a hollow cylinder 301 (reservoir) arranged in the middle part 2 between the two chambers 35a, 35b, which is in fluid communication with the chambers 35a, 35b via liquid lines 302 and supplies them with liquid or liquid can derive from you. The hollow cylinder 301 has two chambers 303 a, 303 b, which are separated by a displaceable wall element in the form of a piston 304. The piston is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder (along the double arrow C) movable in the hollow cylinder 301.

By moving the piston 304, the volume of one chamber (to which the piston is moved) is reduced while the volume of the other chamber is increased. As the volume of a chamber (for example, the left chamber 303a) decreases, it becomes liquid (via the tubular connection 302) into the side cheek chamber (e.g., left chamber 35a of FIG Side cheek 3a) is pressed, so that the volume (and thus the shape and / or orientation of the side cheek 35a changed.) Conversely , _e

I D

from the additionally filled side cheek chamber 35a opposite side cheek chamber 35b liquid emptied into the corresponding chamber 303b of the hollow cylinder 301, whereby the volume of the side cheek chamber 35b decreases. Thus, the shape and thus the retention properties are adjustable. Due to the enlarged left side cheek, a vehicle occupant (which is located on the vehicle seat under consideration) is prevented from slipping out of the vehicle seat in the direction of a vehicle side F.

FIG. 4 shows a further development of the embodiment of FIG. 3. Consistent with FIG. 3, the seating area 7 in the side cheeks 3a, 3b can be filled with chambers 35a, 35b which are in fluid communication with a hollow cylinder 301 via a fluid line 302. In addition, the seating area 7 has an additional source for the filling medium in the form of an integrated storage container 8, which holds an additional amount of the medium used for filling the chambers 35a, 35b (liquid, eg water). The storage container 8 communicates with a (in Fig. 4 left) chamber 303a of the hollow cylinder 301 in connection, so that the left chamber 35a can be pre-filled via the additional amount of liquid in the reservoir 8. This makes it possible to preset the shape of the left side cheek 3a in addition to the setting of the piston 304 in the hollow cylinder 301 and occupant to a vehicle or adjust its seating position in advance.

Although the illustration of Figure 4 shows a reservoir which communicates with the left chamber 3a of the left side cheek, it is understood that, of course, alternatively or additionally, a presetting reservoir may be provided for the right side cheek 3b.

Figures 5a, 5b show embodiments according to the third aspect of the invention, according to which a backrest 1 of a vehicle seat with side cheeks 3a, 3b is provided, each having adjustment means in the form of flat, flexible protective elements 9a, 9b. The protective elements 9a, 9b are arranged symmetrically to each other in the side walls 3a, 3b and each surrounded by a cushioning material 32 and formed so that they adapt to the body contour of an occupant 10 together with the cushioning material 32. This makes it possible for the side cheeks 3a, 3b to adapt to the body contour of both a narrow vehicle occupant (FIG. 5a) and to the body contour of a wider vehicle occupant (FIG. 5b), without requiring a great amount of force. The protective elements 9a, 9b are formed of a material that abruptly stiffened at a very rapid change in shape, so that in the event of an accident, the optimally adapted to the body contour of a vehicle occupant side cheeks 3a, 3b by stiffening the protective elements 9a, 9b upon application of force (by the vehicle occupants bouncing on them) are stabilized and ensure that the vehicle occupant is held in its seated position during the accident. As a material for such protective elements z. B. the known from the toy sector polymer with the trade name "SiIIy Putty" in question.

FIG. 6 shows a variant of the third aspect of the invention, according to which structures are also present in the vehicle seat as an adaptation means, which stiffen impulsively (in the event of an accident or imminent accident) and thus keep the vehicle occupant in his sitting position. According to this variant, the vehicle seat also has a central part 2, which is bounded laterally in the region of both the seat surface 7 and the backrest 1 by side cheeks 3a, 3b. The side cheeks 3a, 3b of a backrest section 11 of the central part 2 have bubble-like structures 500.

The bubble-like structures 500 are each sealed airtight to their environment by means of a shell 501 and have mutually displaceable particles 502. The bubble-like structures 500 are also connected in each case via lines 503 to a vacuum reservoir 600. By opening valves 504 in the lines 503, it is possible to pulse-like evacuate the bubble-like structures 500, with the result that the particles 502 abruptly move toward each other and then such friction forces occur between them that they virtually no longer against each other ver - are sliding. This results in a lightning-like stiffening of the bubble-like structures 500.

To provide a vacuum in the vacuum reservoir 600, this is connected to a pump 601, by means of which an evacuation of the vacuum reservoir 600 can be provided for a long time before an accident event (for example, immediately after starting the vehicle). The pump can z. B. be the existing vacuum pump of a brake booster of a vehicle, which takes over the evacuation of the vacuum accumulator as an additional function.

Figures 7 and 8 relate to a further variant of the third aspect of the invention. A vehicle seat 1000 has a middle part 2, which extends both in the region of a seat surface 7 and in the region of a backrest 1 of the vehicle seat 1000. The _{λ a}

18

Middle part 2 is laterally limited by side cheeks 3a, 3b as in the previous embodiments. The side cheeks 3a, 3b arranged in the region of the backrest 1 have movable carrier structures 31a, 31b, relative to the middle part 2, by means of which the side cheeks 3a, 3b can be pivoted toward the middle part 2 (that is to say to the vehicle occupant). For this purpose, arms 34a, 34b of the support members 31a, 31b pivotally connected via joints 36a, 36b with a fixed backrest structure 5 arranged in the rear region of the backrest 1 as a connecting structure. The carrier parts 31a, 31b or the solid backrest structure 5 are surrounded at least in sections with a soft foam as a padding 32.

The pivoting mechanism, with which the carrier parts 31a, 31b can be pivoted, is now designed so that they are blocked in the event of an accident or immediately before, so that a pivoting of the side cheeks 3a, 3b is no longer possible. In this way, the vehicle occupant can be kept in his sitting position even in the event of an accident.

As shown in FIG. 8, the blocking of the pivotable carrier elements 31a, 31b z, B. can be realized by the carrier elements 31a, 31b projecting beyond the respective joints 35a, 35b (towards the back of the back) extensions 39a, 39b of the arms 34a, 34b, wherein the ends of the extensions 39a, 39b are mechanically connected via further joints 37a, 37b each with a damping device 38. The damping devices each have a shock absorber 381, which is connected at one side via the joint 37a and 37b to the respective support member 31a, 31b and anchored on the opposite side to a common anchorage 382 in the backrest 1 of the vehicle seat. It is understood that the figure 8, although a symmetrical arrangement of the support elements and the damping devices shows that, however, a z. B. asymmetric configuration (eg, only one side of the vehicle seat) is within the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 backrest

2 middle part

21 padding

3a, 3b side wall

31a, 31b carrier element

32 Padding of the support element

33 joint

34a, 34a ', 34b, 34b' arm

35a, 35b fillable chamber

36a, 36b, 37a, 37 joint

38 damping device

39a, 39b extension

381 shock absorbers

382 anchorage

300 liquid

301 hollow cylinder

302 fluid line

303a, 303b Chamber of the hollow cylinder

304 pistons

4 back side structure

41a, 41b, 41c section of the adjusting element

5 backrest structure

6a, 6b, 6c actuator d1, d2 distance between adjusting and center part

7 seat

8 storage containers

9a, 9b flat element

10 vehicle occupants

500 bubble-like structure

501 case

502 particles

503 line

504 valve 600 vacuum stores

601 pump

610 Vacuum generating device

1000 vehicle seat

F vehicle side

A ₁ B Impact direction

Claims

claims 1. Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a middle part (2), at least one side cheek (3a, 3b), which laterally delimits the middle part (2) and is moveable relative thereto, - One in the middle part (2) movably arranged adjusting element (5) which is so cooperatively formed with the side cheek (3a, 3b) that the side cheek (3a, 3b) relative to the central part (2) by moving the adjusting element (5) - is correctable, and - At least two actuators (6a, 6b, 6c), via which the adjusting element (5) for aligning the side cheek (3a, 3b) is movable. 2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the side cheek (3a, 3b) with a in the central part (2) immovably arranged structure (4) is pivotally coupled. 3. Vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the immovable structure (4) extends in a side facing away from the seat side of the vehicle seat area of the central part (2). 4. Vehicle seat according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the immovable structure (4) by a portion of the back surface of the backrest (1) and / or the underside of the seat surface (7) of the vehicle seat is formed. 5. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the adjusting element (5) by means of the actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) can perform at least one of the following movements: parallel to the stationary structure (4), perpendicular to the immovable structure (4) and rotating relative to the stationary structure (4). 6. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by at least two mutually spaced actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) for moving the adjusting element (5) parallel and perpendicular to the stationary structure (4) and for rotating the adjusting element (5) relative to the immovable structure (4). 7. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least two actuators (6a, 6c) spaced apart sections (41a, ^ 41c) of the adjusting element (5) are assigned and independent of each other a distance (d1, d2) between the respective associated portion (41a, 41c) of the adjusting element (5) and the immovable structure (4) of the central part (2) is adjustable in that, by means of the two actuators (6a, 6c), the adjusting element (5) can both be displaced perpendicular to the immovable structure (4) and rotated relative to the immovable structure (4). 8. Vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized by at least one further actuator (6b) for displacing the adjusting element (5) parallel to the immovable structure (4). 9. Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side cheek (3a, 3b) at least one relative to the central part (2) movable and with the adjusting element (5) mechanically so coupled carrier element (31a, 31b) that a moving the adjusting element (5) aligning the carrier element (31a, 31b) and thus the side cheek (3a, 3b) causes. 10. Vehicle seat according to claim 9, characterized by opposing, each one support element (31a, 31b) having Seitenwangeπ (3a, 3b), wherein the support elements (31a, 31b) each with a portion (34a, 34a ', 34b, 34b' ) are connected to one of the respective side cheek (3a, 3b) facing side portion of the adjusting element (5) with this. 11. Vehicle seat according to claims 2 and 10, characterized in that in each case a further portion of the support elements (31a, 31b) is pivotally connected to the immovable structure (4) of the central part (2). 12. Vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that the carrier elements (31a, 31b) each with each other pivotally connected arms (34a, 34a ', 34b, 34b'), wherein in each case one of the arms (34a, 34b) pivotally connected to the adjusting element (5) and in each case another arm (34a ¹ , 34b ') is pivotally connected to the immovable structure (4). 13. Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked, that extends the adjusting element (5) along at least a portion of the seat side of the vehicle seat. _" 14. Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (5) on a side facing the seat side of the vehicle seat has a padding (21). 15. Vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that the immovable structure (4) and the carrier elements (31a, 31b) have a higher rigidity than their respective environment. 16. Vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that the immovable structure (4) and the carrier elements (31a, 31b) are plate-shaped. 17. Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) are electrical actuators and / or pyrotechnic Aktuato- ren. 18. Vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central part (2) represents a portion of a SitΣflächen- and / or a backrest portion (7, 1) of the vehicle seat. 19. Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a middle part (2), - At least one side wall (3a, 3b), which bounds the middle part (2) laterally, - At least one in the side cheek (3a, 3b) arranged with a medium (300) fillable element (35a, 35b) for adjusting the shape of the side cheek (3a, 3b) and / or for aligning the side cheek (3a, 3b) the middle part (2), wherein the fillable element (35a, 35b) is designed such that its volume increases during filling with the medium (300) and decreases during emptying, and - Integrated filling means for filling the fillable element (35a, 35b) with the medium (300). 20. Vehicle seat according to claim 19, characterized by opposing, each a fillable element (35 a, 35 b) having side cheeks (3 a, 3 b). 21. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the filling means having a with the medium (300) filled reservoir (301) ^ and adapted to fill from the reservoir (301) a fillable element (35a) with a certain amount of the medium (300), while at the same time from another fillable element (35b) this amount of the medium (300) in the reservoir (301 ) is emptied. 22. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the filling means comprise two chambers (303a, 303b) connected to respective different fillable elements (35a, 35b), which are separated from each other by a movable wall element (304) the wall element (304) is designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that when the wall element moves (304) in the direction of one of the chambers (303a) a quantity of the medium from the chamber (303a) is conveyed into the filler element (35a) connected to it, while at the same time a quantity of the medium (300) from the other fillable element (35b ) is discharged into the other chamber (303b) connected to this fillable element (35b). 23. Vehicle seat according to claim 22, characterized in that the chambers (303a, 303b) in a hollow cylinder (301) are formed and the wall element by a in the hollow cylinder (301) along its longitudinal axis displaceable KoI ben (304) is formed. 24. Vehicle seat according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the wall element (304) and / or the medium (300) are formed so that they move in a pulse-like lateral vehicle movement against this Fahrzeugbe- movement. 25. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the chambers (303a, 303b) and connected to the chambers (303a, 303b) fillable elements (35a, 35b) form a closed system. 26. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the filling means one of the chambers (303a, 303b) different additional source (8) for providing an additional amount of the medium (300) for pre-filling at least one fillable element (35a, 35b), wherein via the additional source (8) for at least one of the fillable elements (35a, 35b), a specific initial volume can be predetermined. 27. Vehicle seat according to claim 26, characterized in that the additional source (8) is in fluid communication with the at least one fillable element (35a), for which an initial volume can be predetermined, associated chamber (303a). 28. Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a middle part (2), - At least one side cheek (3a, 3b), which bounds the middle part (2) laterally, and - in the side wall (3a, 3b) integrated adjustment means (9a, 9b, 38, 500), on the one hand in normal driving an adjustment or alignment of the side cheek (3a, 3b) to the body contours of a vehicle occupant (10) allow and on the other stiffen the side cheeks (3a, 3b) in the event of an accident. 29. Vehicle seat according to claim 28, characterized in that the adjustment means (9a, 9b, 38, 500) at least one in the side cheek (3a, 3b) arranged Protective element (9a, 9b), which is formed of a material or has, which stiffened at pulse-like shape change. 30. Vehicle seat according to claim 29, characterized in that the material is a viscoeleastische liquid. 31. Vehicle seat according to claim 30, characterized in that the viscoeleastische liquid polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) has. 32. Vehicle seat according to claim 29, characterized in that the material is gel-like and has electro-rheological properties. 33. Vehicle seat according to claim 32, characterized by a voltage source for applying a voltage to the protective element (9 a, 9 b) in order to stiffen it in the event of an accident. 34. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 28 to 33, characterized in that the adjustment means have at least one in the side cheek (3a, 3b) arranged portion (500) filled with a plurality of mutually movable Parti- kel (502) and with a Vacuum generating device (610) is connected, via which the section (500) in an accident or immediately before an accident can be evacuated pulse. " 26 35. Vehicle seat according to claim 34, characterized in that the vacuum generating device (610) has an evacuatable element (600) which is connected to a vacuum pump (601) and to the section (500) filled with particles (502). 36. Vehicle seat according to claim 35, characterized in that the vacuum pump (601) is a vacuum pump of a brake booster of a motor vehicle. 37. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 28 to 36, characterized in that the adjustment means allow pivoting of the side cheek (3a, 3b) relative to the central part (2) and in the event of an accident, the pivoting of the side cheek (3a, 3b) block. 38. A vehicle seat according to claim 37, characterized in that the adjustment means for blocking the pivoting of the side cheek (3a, 3b) comprise a damping device (38) connected thereto, which damps impulsive pivoting movements of the side cheek (3a, 3b). 39. Vehicle seat according to claim 38, characterized in that the adjustment means in the side cheek (3a, 3b) arranged carrier element (31a, 31b), which is pivotally connected to a in the central part (2) connecting structure (5). 40. Vehicle seat according to claim 39, characterized in that an arm (34a, 34b) of the carrier element (31a, 31b) via a first joint (35a, 35b) with the connecting structure (5) and via a second joint (37a, 37b) with a shock absorber (381) is pivotally connected as part of the damping device (38). 41. Vehicle with a vehicle seat according to one of the preceding claims.