Device and method for adapting the contour of a back element to the posture of a person

Abstract

A device and a method for adapting a contour of a back element to a posture of a person. The device includes a seat element and aback element connected to the seat element in a tiltable way, for accommodating a person, and a control unit. A bearing pressure sensor is configured for measuring an actual bearing pressure distribution exerted by the person. The back element includes a first actuating element for changing the contour of the back element. The control unit selects a predetermined posture and a characteristic target posture parameter matching the predetermined posture, calculates an actual posture parameter from the actual bearing pressure distribution and compares the actual posture parameter with the target posture parameter, and when the actual posture parameter and the target posture parameter match, actuates the first actuating element to adapt the contour of the back element to the posture of the person.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A device comprising:
 a seat element and a back element connected to the seat element in a tiltable way, for accommodating a sitting or lying person and for adapting a contour of the back element to a posture of the person, and a control unit,   wherein the seat element includes at least one bearing pressure sensor connected to the control unit for measuring an actual bearing pressure distribution exerted by the person,   wherein the back element includes at least one first actuating element connected to the control unit for changing the contour of the back element, and   wherein the control unit is programmed:
 to select a predetermined posture and at least one characteristic target posture parameter matching the predetermined posture, 
 to calculate an actual posture parameter from the actual bearing pressure distribution measured by the bearing pressure sensor and to compare the actual posture parameter with the target posture parameter, and 
 if the actual posture parameter matches the target posture parameter, to actuate the first actuating element in such a way as to adapt the contour of the back element to the posture of the person. 
   
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one target posture parameter is a pelvic rotation angle about the transverse, sagittal and/or longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the control unit is further programmed to issue instructions for the person to adopt the predetermined posture. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a seat angle sensor connected to the control unit, wherein the seat angle sensor is configured for measuring the seat angle between the seat element and the back element and wherein the control unit is further programmed to select the predetermined posture depending on the seat angle. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the seat element includes a second actuating element connected to the control unit for changing the contour of the seat element. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one bearing pressure sensor is a surface sensor, with at least one bearing pressure sensor being arranged in the area of the seating surface of the seat element. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the control unit is programmed to run an iterative algorithm that maps a Mandelbrot set in order to limit the measuring range for the actual bearing pressure distribution on the bearing pressure sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein the first and/or second actuating element has one or several air chambers with associated valves, the air chambers being connected to at least one pump and the control unit being programmed to open and close the valves. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the control unit is programmed to fill or, respectively, vacuum-seal the air chambers independently of each other by actuating the valves and the pump. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the air chambers comprise a loose, particulate filling material, which is freely displaceable in the filled state of the air chambers and is fixed in its position in the vacuum-sealed state of the air chambers. 
     
     
         29 . A method of adapting a contour of a back element to the posture of a person, wherein a person is accommodated in a posture on a seat element connected to the back element, especially in a tiltable way, comprising the following steps:
 a) selecting a predetermined posture and at least one characteristic target posture parameter allocated to the predetermined posture,   b) measuring the actual bearing pressure distribution,   c) determining an actual posture parameter from the actual bearing pressure distribution,   d) comparing the actual posture parameter with the selected target posture parameter,   e) repeating steps b)-d) until a match of the actual posture parameter with the target posture parameter is determined, and   f) if the actual posture parameter matches the target posture parameter: adapting the contour of the back element to the posture of the person.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the seat angle between the seat element and the back element is determined prior to step a), and that the predetermined posture and the characteristic target posture parameter are selected in step a) depending on the seat angle. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein, between steps a) and b), instructions are issued for the person to adopt the predetermined posture and/or to correct the posture of the person. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein, in step e), one or several air chamber(s) that are independent of each other and can be shut off by one or several valve(s) are pre-filled with a selected air pressure by opening the valve(s) and are subsequently fixed by closing the valve(s) in order to adapt the contour of the back element, with the selected air pressure corresponding to a degree of hardness of the air chambers. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the contour of the back element is changed and/or modulated at predetermined time intervals after the contour of the back element has been adapted to the posture of the person. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the method is performed using a device comprising:
 a seat element and a back element connected to the seat element in a tiltable way, for accommodating a sitting or lying person and for adapting a contour of the back element to a posture of the person, and a control unit,   wherein the seat element includes at least one bearing pressure sensor connected to the control unit for measuring an actual bearing pressure distribution exerted by the person,   wherein the back element includes at least one first actuating element connected to the control unit for changing the contour of the back element,   wherein the control unit is programmed:
 to select a predetermined posture and at least one characteristic target posture parameter matching the predetermined posture, 
 to calculate an actual posture parameter from the actual bearing pressure distribution measured by the bearing pressure sensor and to compare the actual posture parameter with the target posture parameter, and 
 if the actual posture parameter matches the target posture parameter, to actuate the first actuating element in such a way as to adapt the contour of the back element to the posture of the person. 
   
     
     
         35 . A piece of seating furniture with a seating surface and a backrest, comprising a device according to  claim 19 , with the seat element being integrated into the seating surface and the back element being integrated into the backrest. 
     
     
         36 . A seat cover for being placed on a piece of seating furniture, comprising a device according to  claim 19 .