IP Library Granted Patent US 12,728,779
Granted Patent B2
US 12,728,779 · App. 18/378,280 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Function-adapted three-dimensional foam structure

Inventors: Rainer Seitner (Vienna, AT); Ulrich Aschenbrenner (Vienna, AT); Max Pieper (Erfurt, DE); Volker Sieber (Karlsbad, DE); Carsten Frank (Stuttgart, DE)
Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
B60N2/7035B60N2/0284B60N2/16B60N2/7017B60N2/809B60N2/838B33Y80/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,728,779
App. No.
18/378,280
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A function-adapted three-dimensional foam structure ( 2 ) for a vehicle seat ( 4 ) has first foam structure planes ( 6 ) to ensure a constant compressive strength of the foam structure ( 2 ) in two spatial directions x, y, second foam structure planes ( 8 ) to ensure a length variance of the foam structure ( 2 ) in a spatial direction z, that is perpendicular to the spatial directions x and y. The first foam structure planes ( 6 ) and the second foam structure planes ( 8 ) are formed and distributed within the foam structure ( 2 ) such that the compressive strength of the foam structure ( 2 ) is constant in the spatial directions x, y independent of the length-wise expansion of the foam structure ( 2 ) in the spatial direction z.

Claims (29)

1 . A function-adapted three-dimensional foam structure for a vehicle seat comprising:

plural planar first foam structures configured to ensure a constant compressive strength of the foam structure in a spatial direction x and a constant compressive strength of the foam structure in a spatial direction y; and

plural planar second foam structures configured to ensure a length variance of the foam structure in a spatial direction z, wherein

the spatial direction z is perpendicular to the spatial directions x and y, and the plural planar first foam structures and the plural planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure is constant in the spatial directions x, y independent of a length-wise expansion of the foam structure in the spatial direction z.

2 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 1 , wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a length variance of the foam structure in the spatial direction z is at least 3 times a length variance of the foam structure in the spatial directions x or y.

3 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 1 , wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure in the spatial directions x and y is at least 3 times the compressive strength of the foam structure in the spatial direction z.

4 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 1 , wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure perpendicular to the spatial direction z varies by less than 3%.

5 . A vehicle seat with a seat structure comprising:

a seat middle web;

left and right side wings arranged respectively on left and right sides of the seat middle web; and

a headrest arranged above the seat middle web, wherein

the vehicle seat includes the three-dimensional foam structure of claim 1 .

6 . The vehicle seat of claim 5 , wherein the seat structure comprises an extended adjustment region configured to provide length adjustability of the seat middle web and/or a height adjustability of the headrest and/or a tilt adjustability of the headrest.

7 . The vehicle seat of claim 5 , wherein the seat structure has a height adjustability of at least 5 cm and/or a backrest reclinability of at least 5°.

8 . A method for producing the three-dimensional foam structure of claim 1 for a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired compressive strength and length variance of the foam structure along the spatial directions x, y, z,

simulating a construction and composition of the foam structure from a plurality of first foam structure planes to ensure a constant compressive strength of

the foam structure in two spatial directions x, y and a plurality of second foam structure planes to ensure a length variance of the foam structure in a spatial direction Z,

producing the foam structure based on the simulation.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the production of the foam structure is carried out via 3D printing.

10 . A function-adapted three-dimensional foam structure for a vehicle seat comprising:

plural planar first foam structures configured to ensure a constant compressive strength of the foam structure in a spatial direction x and a constant compressive strength of the foam structure in a spatial direction y; and

plural planar second foam structures configured to ensure a length variance of the foam structure in a spatial direction z,

wherein the spatial direction z is perpendicular to the spatial directions x and y, and the plural planar first foam structures and the plural planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure is constant in the spatial directions x, y independent of a length-wise expansion of the foam structure in the spatial direction z,

wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are present in the foam structure in equal numbers, and

wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are arranged to alternate with one another in the foam structure.

11 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 10 , the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a length variance of the foam structure in the spatial direction z is at least 3 times a length variance of the foam structure in the spatial directions x or y.

12 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 11 , wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure in the spatial directions x and y is at least 3 times a compressive strength of the foam structure in the spatial direction z.

13 . The three-dimensional foam structure of claim 12 , wherein the planar first foam structures and the planar second foam structures are formed and distributed within the foam structure such that a compressive strength of the foam structure perpendicular to the spatial direction z varies by less than 3%.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: SEITNER, RAINER; ASCHENBRENNER, ULRICH; PIEPER, MAX; SIEBER, VOLKER; FRANK, CARSTEN
To: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 065541/0233 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 126 734.2 · Oct 13, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240123884A1 · Apr 18, 2024
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