Seat

An adjustable seat having a seat cushion and a device for generating a tilting movement of the seat cushion about a horizontal axis, said device comprising:

• at least first and second fluidically actuatable adjusting elements disposed on opposite sides of said horizontal axis, each adjusting element being coupled to said seat and actuatable by fluid pressure to perform upward and downward adjustment movements of the seat cushion;
• a fluid line connected to guide a flow of fluid medium in a path between said first and second adjusting elements;
• and
• a pressure medium pump connected in said fluid line for pumping said fluid medium between said first and second adjusting elements via said path;
• wherein
• the pressure medium pump pumps the fluid medium alternatingly between said first and second adjusting elements according to a continuous predetermined cycle, thereby imparting a cyclic tilting motion to said seat cushion;
• and
• said predetermined cycle comprises:
• a pumping period in which fluid medium is pumped between said adjusting elements in a first direction until a center position is reached, in which both adjusting elements are at equal height;
• a center position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said center position;
• a further pumping period in which fluid medium is again pumped in the first direction until an ending position is reached, in which one of said adjusting elements is completely filled and the other is empty;
• an ending position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said ending position;
• and
• corresponding additional periods during which fluid medium is transferred between said adjusting elements in a direction opposite said first direction.

A method for operating an adjustable seat having a seat cushion and a device for generating a tilting movement of the seat cushion about a horizontal axis, said device having at least first and second fluidically actuatable adjusting elements disposed on opposite sides of said horizontal axis, each adjusting element being coupled to said seat and actuatable by fluid pressure to perform upward and downward adjustment movements of the seat cushion;

• a fluid line connected to guide a flow of fluid medium in a path between said first and second adjusting elements;
• and a pressure medium pump connected in said fluid line for pumping said fluid medium between said first and second adjusting elements via said path, said method comprising:
• said fluid pumping fluid medium back and forth between the first and second adjusting elements according to a continuous predetermined cycle, thereby imparting a cyclic tilting motion to said seat cushion;
• wherein said predetermined cycle comprises:
• a pumping period in which fluid medium is pumped between said adjusting elements in a first direction until a center position is reached, in which both adjusting elements are at equal height;
• a center position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said center position;
• a further pumping period in which fluid medium is again pumped in the first direction until an ending position is reached, in which one of said adjusting elements is completely filled and the other is empty;
• an ending position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said ending position;
• and
• corresponding additional periods during which fluid medium is transferred between said adjusting elements in a direction opposite said first direction.

A method of operating a vehicle seat having at least first and second fluidically actuated adjusting elements which are disposed approximately symmetrically about a tilting axis of said vehicle seat, for controlling tilting of a seat cushion of said vehicle seat, said method comprising:

• cyclically tilting said seat cushion during occupation of said vehicle seat by a passenger, by causing said adjusting elements to execute oppositely phased movements alternatingly between opposite ending positions, according to a predetermined cycle;
• wherein said predetermined cycle comprises:
• a pumping period in which fluid medium is pumped via a pressure medium pump between said adjusting elements in a first direction until a center position is reached, in which both adjusting elements are at equal height;
• a center position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said center position;
• a further pumping period in which fluid medium is again pumped in the first direction until an ending position is reached, in which one of said adjusting elements is completely filled and the other is empty;
• an ending position holding period in which said adjusting elements are maintained in said ending position;
• and
• corresponding additional periods during which fluid medium is transferred between said adjusting elements in a direction opposite said first direction.

A method for increasing the comfort of a passenger in a vehicle seat, comprising:

• during occupation of said vehicle seat by said passenger, cyclically tilting said vehicle seat about a substantially horizontal tilting axis thereof, back and forth alternatingly between opposite extreme tilted positions, according to a predetermined cycle;
• wherein said predetermined cycle comprises the following phases:
• starting from a first end position, in which the seat cushion is fully tilted in a first direction, adjusting said seat cushion in a second direction, opposite the first direction, until a center position is reached, in which the seat cushion is level;
• maintaining said seat cushion in the center position for a preset time period;
• adjusting said seat cushion farther in the second direction until a second end position is reached in which the seat cushion is fully tilted in the second direction;
• maintaining said second end position for a preset time period;
• and
• repeating the previous phases, with movement of the seat cushion in the first direction.