Adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle, and motorcycle

An adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle includes a seat pan having a base shell, an adjustable shell, and an adjustment mechanism between the base shell and the adjustable shell. The base shell has a fastening portion for non-adjustable fastening of the base shell on the motorcycle. The adjustable shell is placed on the base shell and are connected via the adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the height and/or inclination of the adjustable shell in relation to the base shell. A motorcycle having the adjustable seat assembly is also provided.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle, and to a motorcycle.

Motorcycles with a height-adjustable seat bench are known in different variants. In order to adjust the height of the seat bench, an adjusting apparatus is typically provided below the seat bench, which adjusting apparatus is actuated mechanically or electrically and is configured to adjust the height of the seat bench.

In the case of motorcycles, the seat bench usually adjoins the tank of the motorcycle. Therefore, in the case of an adjustment of the height of the seat bench, a gap which is situated between the tank and the seat bench changes. In addition, in the case of the adjustment of the height, a gap also changes between the seat bench and the body of the motorcycle, for example between the seat bench and a side trim panel. If said gaps become too large, rainwater can penetrate into one of the gaps and can pass to components of the motorcycle which are situated below the seat bench. Moreover, excessively large gaps can give the customer the impression of low value.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle with an adjustable seat assembly, in the case of which motorcycle the disadvantages from the prior art are eliminated.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by way of an adjustable seat assembly for a motorcycle, with a seat pan which has a base shell and an adjusting shell, and with an adjusting device, the base shell having a fastening section for the fixed and non-adjustable fastening of the base shell to the motorcycle. The adjusting shell is placed onto the base shell, and the base shell and the adjusting shell are connected to one another via the adjusting device. The adjusting device is configured to adjust a height and/or an inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell.

A seat face for a rider and possibly for a pillion passenger is provided here on a seat cushion which is attached to the adjusting shell of the seat pan. Therefore, that part of the seat pan which is assigned to the actual seat face can thus be adjusted by means of the adjusting device.

In contrast, the base section of the seat pan which is accordingly not assigned any seat face is connected fixedly and non-adjustably to a component of the motorcycle, in particular to a frame part of the motorcycle.

The seat pan is to be understood to mean all the frame parts of the seat assembly, that is to say not, for example, seat cushions of the seat assembly which are attached to the seat pan.

It is a core concept of the invention for, in addition to the base shell of the seat pan, a further shell, namely the adjusting shell to be provided. The base shell and the adjusting shell form together as it were a seat pan with a double bottom, the two shells fulfilling tasks which are different than one another. The base shell is connected fixedly and non-adjustably to the motorcycle, as a result of which a gap is ensured between the base shell and the motorcycle, which gap remains constant in the case of a height and/or inclination adjustment of the adjusting shell (and therefore in the case of an adjustment of the seat face). The result is therefore an unchanged gap pattern between the seat assembly and the body of the motorcycle even in the case of the height and/or inclination adjustment of the adjusting shell. Here, the size of the gap can be selected in such a way that the penetration of rainwater below the adjustable seat assembly is prevented. Therefore, reliable weather protection of components of the motorcycle which lie below the seat assembly with at the same time a height and/or inclination adjusting capability of the seat face is achieved by way of the seat assembly according to the invention.

One aspect of the invention provides that the adjusting device comprises at least one adjusting element which is arranged between the base shell and the adjusting shell and is configured to adjust the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell. The adjusting element defines a spacing between a contact point of the adjusting element with respect to the base shell and a contact point of the adjusting element with respect to the adjusting shell, as a result of which the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell are/is also defined.

The at least one adjusting element is preferably configured as a toggle lever, which is arranged between the base shell and the adjusting shell and is connected to them in a force-transmitting manner, or as a cam, the at least one adjusting element being arranged, in particular, on a shaft which is connected to the base shell. As described above in general for the adjusting element, the toggle lever or the cam has in each case at least one contact point with respect to the base shell and with respect to the adjusting shell, and defines a spacing between said two contact points, as a result of which the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell can also be defined.

The toggle lever or the cam is preferably arranged on the shaft which is connected rotatably to the base shell. By way of rotation of the shaft, the adjusting element is actuated, and the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell are/is changed accordingly.

For example, the adjusting device comprises a locking device which is configured to release and/or to lock the height and/or inclination adjustment of the adjusting shell. In particular, the shaft can be secured against rotation by means of the locking device. The locking device reliably prevents the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell being changed unintentionally.

As an alternative, the at least one adjusting element can be configured as a pneumatically and/or hydraulically actuable fluid cushion. The fluid cushion is preferably attached to the base shell, and has at least one contact point with respect to the adjusting shell. The fluid cushion extends, starting from the base shell, over a defined height, depending on how much air and/or liquid are/is situated in the fluid cushion. Accordingly, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell can be adjusted by virtue of the fact that air and/or liquid are/is pumped into the fluid cushion or are/is discharged from the fluid cushion. Here, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell are/is greater, the more air and/or liquid are/is situated in the fluid cushion. In this way, in particular, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell can be adjusted in an infinitely variable manner.

In accordance with one refinement of the invention, the adjusting device comprises a pump which is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid cushion and is configured to pump a fluid into the fluid cushion and/or to pump the fluid out of the fluid cushion. Accordingly, in order to adjust the adjusting shell, the pump is actuated manually or automatically, for example by means of an electric motor. The fluid can be air or a liquid.

If the fluid is air, one-way operation of the pump is also conceivable, with the result that the pump is configured merely to pump air into the fluid cushion. In order to discharge the air again, a discharge valve can be provided on the fluid cushion.

A further aspect of the invention provides that at least one further adjusting element is provided which is arranged between the base shell and the adjusting shell and is configured to adjust the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell, the two adjusting elements being arranged offset with respect to one another in a longitudinal direction of the seat assembly. Here, the two adjusting elements have in each case at least one contact point with respect to the base shell and at least one contact point with respect to the adjusting shell and, as described above, define in each case a spacing between said two contact points. By virtue of the fact that the adjusting elements are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly, both the height and the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell can be changed in a simple way by way of actuation of the two adjusting elements.

Here, the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly is to be understood to mean that direction which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle after the assembly of the seat assembly on the motorcycle.

In particular, the two adjusting elements are in each case a toggle lever, a cam or a fluid cushion, as described above.

The two adjusting elements can preferably be actuated independently of one another. Accordingly, both the height and the inclination of the adjusting shell with respect to the base shell can be set individually. In particular, merely the height of the adjusting shell is changed if the two adjusting elements are actuated at the same time in the same direction. If, in contrast, merely one of the two adjusting elements is actuated or if the two adjusting elements are actuated at the same time in different directions, the inclination of the adjusting shell is changed.

In particular, the adjusting device can be actuated mechanically and/or electrically. Accordingly, the adjusting device comprises an electric motor and/or a mechanical mechanism, by means of which the at least one adjusting element can be actuated. The actuation of the at least one adjusting element can take place at least partially automatically and/or manually.

The at least one adjusting element can preferably be actuated here, without it being necessary for parts such as, for example, seat cushions to be removed from the seat assembly. For this purpose, the adjusting device can have an actuating element which is accessible from outside the motorcycle, such as, for example, an adjusting wheel for actuating the mechanical mechanism and/or an actuating switch for the electric motor.

According to a further refinement of the invention, the base shell has at least one guide element, onto which the adjusting shell is placed, the guide element engaging, in particular, into an opening in the adjusting shell. In particular, the opening in the adjusting shell is configured as a through opening, the guide element penetrating through the through opening. Here, the guide element preferably bears on its lateral sections (as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly) against an inner wall of the through opening. The at least one guide element therefore prevents the adjusting shell moving, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly, laterally with respect to the base shell, the height and/or inclination adjusting capability being maintained at the same time.

The guide element preferably runs predominantly vertically, the guide element being inclined, in particular, in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly and enclosing an angle with the vertical of at most 45°, preferably at most 30°, further preferably at most 20°.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the object is achieved by way of a motorcycle with a seat assembly according to one of the preceding claims, the base shell being attached fixedly and non-adjustably to the motorcycle. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the above comments.

The motorcycle can comprise a control unit which is configured to actuate the adjusting device automatically in a manner which is based on operating parameters of the motorcycle, in particular in a manner which is based on a speed of the motorcycle. For example, the control unit actuates the adjusting device in such a way that the adjusting shell has a smaller inclination and/or a smaller height at low speeds, in particular when starting, than at higher speeds.

The height of the seat face is preferably reduced at low speeds, in particular when the motorcycle is stopping, with the result that the rider can reach the ground with his/her legs more easily.

Further preferably, the inclination of the seat face is increased as the speed increases and/or in the case of pronounced acceleration, that is to say if the acceleration exceeds a predefined limit value, with the result that the rider requires less force, in order to hold onto the motorcycle firmly counter to the increasing wind resistance.

Further advantages and properties of the invention result from the following description and the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1shows a motorcycle10which is configured as a motorbike. The motorcycle has a body12, a tank14and an adjustable seat assembly16which is attached to the motorcycle10behind the tank14in relation to a longitudinal direction of the motorcycle10.

As an alternative to this, however, the tank14can also be provided at another location of the motorcycle10, for example in the region of the rear of the motorcycle10or below the seat assembly16.

FIG.2shows a seat assembly16in a side view. The seat assembly16has a seat pan18, to which a seat cushion20is attached which is covered with a seat cushion cover22. Here, the seat cushion20forms a seat face for a rider of the motorcycle10and possibly for a pillion passenger.

FIG.3shows the seat assembly16in a side view with a removed seat cushion20. The seat pan18has a base shell24which is attached via a fastening section25fixedly and non-displaceably to the body12and/or to a frame part of the motorcycle10. Furthermore, the seat pan18has an adjusting shell26which is placed onto the base shell24.

The seat assembly16has an adjusting device28which connects the base shell24and the adjusting shell26and is configured to adjust a height and/or an inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24.

The base shell24has three guide elements30which extend in each case through one of two through openings32which are provided in the adjusting shell26. Any desired other number of guide elements30can also be provided, however. Here, the guide elements30bear on their lateral sections (as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16) in each case against an inner wall of the corresponding through opening32. Here, the two guide elements30prevent a lateral movement (as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle10) of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24.

The guide elements30further preferably run, starting from the base shell24, in each case predominantly vertically, the guide elements30being inclined, in particular, toward the rear in each case in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16and enclosing an angle with the vertical of at most 45°, preferably at most 30°, further preferably at most 20°.

As an alternative, the guide elements30can also be configured as hinges and/or as pivot pins which are attached in each case to the base shell24and the adjusting shell26, with the result that the base shell24and the adjusting shell26are connected to one another such that they can be moved relative to one another.

FIG.4ashows the base shell24with an adjusting device28in accordance with a first embodiment in a plan view, the adjusting shell26being shown merely in part for illustration reasons. The adjusting shell26extends, however, substantially over the entire base shell24.

The adjusting device28has a first shaft34and a second shaft36which are attached to the base shell24such that they are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16and cannot be displaced in each case with respect to the base shell24, but can be rotated with respect to the base shell24.

A first adjusting element38is attached fixedly to the first shaft34so as to rotate with it. In an analogous manner with respect to this, a second adjusting element40is attached fixedly to the second shaft36so as to rotate with it. In the embodiment which is shown, the two adjusting elements38,40are configured in each case as toggle levers.

FIG.4bshows the adjusting shell26in a view from below, the base shell24not being shown for illustration reasons, but the two shafts34,36with the two adjusting elements38,40being shown.

The first adjusting element38has a first contact point42with respect to the adjusting shell26, whereas the second adjusting element40has a second contact point44with respect to the adjusting shell26.

As illustrated diagrammatically inFIG.5a, the first adjusting element38defines a spacing between the first shaft34and the first contact point42here, and therefore defines a local spacing between the base shell24and the adjusting shell26. If the first shaft34is rotated, said spacing changes.

In an analogous manner with respect to this, the second adjusting element40defines a spacing between the second shaft36and the second contact point44, and therefore defines a local spacing between the base shell24and the adjusting shell26. If the second shaft36is rotated, said spacing changes.

Since the two shafts34,36are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24can be set by way of rotation of the two shafts34,36.

The two shafts34,36can preferably be rotated independently of one another, with the result that both the height and the inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24can be set individually.

In particular, merely the height of the adjusting shell26is changed if the two adjusting elements38,40are actuated at the same time in the same direction. If, in contrast, merely one of the two adjusting elements38,40is actuated or if the two adjusting elements38,40are actuated at the same time in different directions, the inclination of the adjusting shell26is changed.

In particular, the adjusting device28can be actuated mechanically and/or electrically. Accordingly, the adjusting device28comprises at least one electric motor43and/or a mechanical mechanism, by means of which at least one shaft, preferably the two shafts34,36, can be rotated.

The adjusting device preferably comprises two electric motors43which are connected in each case in a torque-transmitting manner to one of the shafts34,36and are configured to rotate the respective associated shaft34,36.

Here, the electric motors43can be actuated, without it being necessary for parts such as, for example, the seat cushion20to be removed from the seat assembly16. For this purpose, the adjusting device28can have an actuating element which is accessible from outside the motorcycle10, such as, for example, an actuating switch for the electric motors43, which actuating switch can be arranged on a dashboard and/or on handlebars of the motorcycle10.

The adjusting device28can comprise a locking device which is configured to release and/or to lock the height and/or inclination adjustment of the adjusting shell26. In the above-described embodiment, the locking device can be formed, for example, by way of the electric motors43themselves which can be operated in a locking mode, in which they prevent the rotation of the two shafts34,36.

The motorcycle10can optionally have a control unit45(FIG.1) which is configured to actuate the adjusting device28automatically in a manner which is based on operating parameters of the motorcycle10, in particular in a manner which is based on a speed of the motorcycle10.

For example, the control unit actuates the adjusting device28in such a way that the adjusting shell26has a lower inclination and/or a lower height at low speeds, in particular when starting, than at higher speeds.

The height of the seat face is preferably reduced at low speeds, in particular when the motorcycle10is stopping, with the result that the rider can reach the ground with his/her legs more easily.

Further preferably, the inclination of the seat face is increased as the speed increases and/or in the case of pronounced acceleration, that is to say if the acceleration exceeds a predefined limit value, with the result that the rider requires less force, in order to hold onto the motorcycle10firmly counter to the increasing wind resistance.

In the following text, further embodiments of the seat assembly16will be described, largely functionally identical components bearing the same designations. Here, merely the differences with respect to the above-described embodiment will be described in the following text.

FIG.5bdiagrammatically shows a second embodiment of the adjusting device28, in the case of which the first adjusting element38is configured as a cam.

The fundamental method of operation is the same as described above, however. The first adjusting element38defines a spacing of the first shaft34with respect to the first contact point42, said spacing changing in the case of a rotation of the first shaft34on account of the non-round contour of the cam. In an analogous manner with respect to this, the second adjusting element40can also be configured as a cam.

FIGS.6and7show a third embodiment of the seat assembly16in an oblique view, in the case of which the two shafts34,36and the two adjusting elements38,40in accordance with the above-described embodiments are replaced by a first adjusting element38′ and a second adjusting element40′, the two adjusting elements38′,40′ being configured in each case as a pneumatically and/or hydraulically actuable fluid cushion.

The two adjusting elements38′,40′ are attached fixedly and non-displaceably to the base shell24in a manner which is offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16.

Here, the two adjusting elements38′,40′ are of substantially rectangular configuration and extend in each case transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the seat assembly16.

On their upper side, the first adjusting element38′ and the second adjusting element40′ have a first contact face46and a second contact face48, respectively, with respect to the adjusting shell26.

In addition, the adjusting device28comprises a first pump50and a second pump52which are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the first adjusting element38′ and the second adjusting element40′, respectively. The two pumps50,52are configured to pump a fluid into the respective adjusting element38′ and40′, respectively, and/or to pump the fluid out of the respective adjusting element38′ and40′, respectively.

The adjusting elements38′,40′ extend, starting from the base shell24, in each case over a defined height, depending on how much air and/or liquid are/is situated in the fluid cushions. Accordingly, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24can be adjusted by the fact that air and/or liquid are/is pumped into the adjusting elements38′,40′ or are/is discharged from the adjusting elements38′,40′. Here, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24is greater, the more air and/or liquid are/is situated in the fluid cushions.

If the fluid is air, one-way operation of the pumps50,52is also conceivable, with the result that the pumps50,52are configured merely to pump air into the fluid cushions. In order to discharge the air again, a discharge valve54can be provided in each case on the adjusting elements38′,40′.

For example, the adjusting device28comprises two electric motors which are assigned in each case to one of the pumps50,52and are configured to actuate the respective associated pump50,52.

The adjusting device28comprises a locking device which is configured to release and/or to lock the height and/or inclination adjustment of the adjusting shell26. For example, the locking device is formed by way of control valves56, the first pump50and the second pump52being assigned in each case one control valve56. The control valves56are configured to release and/or to lock a fluid flow into the two adjusting elements38′,40′ and/or out of the two adjusting elements38′,40′.

In all above-described embodiments, only one of the two adjusting elements38,40or38′,40′ can of course also be provided. Depending on the arrangement of said one adjusting element, the height and/or the inclination of the adjusting shell26with respect to the base shell24can then be adjusted.