Contour-adjustable seat and modular support unit

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 ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 c ) 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.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A contour-adjustable seat, particularly a vehicle or aircraft seat, having a backrest ( 2 ) and gas or air-inflatable cushions ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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 ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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 ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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 ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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 ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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 ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ) 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.