FR2732279A1 - Vehicle seat runner, esp. for front seats - Google Patents

Abstract

The runner comprises a first section (1) fixed to the vehicle floor and a second section (2) supporting the seat which slides along the fixed section. A locking mechanism which immobilises the sliding section comprises a longitudinal set of notches (5) in the fixed section and a bolt (6) pivoting on the sliding section. The bolts has a tooth (7) which engages in the notches. The lock is operated by a control lever (8), easily accessible by the person sitting on the seat, and a spring (9) constantly returning the control lever to the locking position. There are two rigid spans (17,16) comprised by the sliding section and the bolt, close to its toothed portion (7,10,11), which abut longitudinally against each other during a collision at the vehicle front which would tend to displace the sliding section forwards.

Description

Vehicle seat slide.

 The invention relates to the slides of vehicle seats, in particular of front seats of motor vehicles, slides intended to support said seats slidingly forward and backward in a so-called longitudinal direction, in order to allow adjustments. "longitudinal" in advance and backward of said seats, said slides being generally grouped by sets of two parallel slides for each supported seat.

It targets more particularly, among these slides, those which include
a first so-called fixed section intended to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle,
a second so-called movable profile intended to support the seat and mounted to slide along the fixed profile with in particular the interposition of balls and / or longitudinal rods,
a locking mechanism for immobilizing the movable profile relative to the fixed profile, this mechanism comprising a longitudinal series of notches carried by the fixed profile and a lock pivotally mounted on the movable profile and having at least one clean tooth to cooperate with the notches above,
- And control means of the locking mechanism, comprising a control member easily accessible to the person seated on the seat and a spring to constantly return this member to its position corresponding to the locking of the mechanism.

 In known runners of the genre in question, the pivoting mounting of the lock on the movable profile is achieved by cooperation of a pin secured to the bolt, pin in particular constituted by an annular collar semi-cut in said lock, with the edge of a circular hole hollowed out in a vertical wing of the movable profile, edge forming a bearing for said pin.

 During the application of a shock to the front of the vehicle, the assembly constituted by the seat and its occupant is urged forward, which tends to move the movable section of each slide towards the front.

 It is obviously essential that this stress from each forward movable section is correctly transmitted to the corresponding fixed section, to prevent the seat and its occupant from being thrown towards the dashboard and the vehicle windshield.

 However, the transfer of said stress is carried out successively, from the movable profile to the latch by application of the journal against its receiving bearing, then from the latch to the fixed profile by application of the teeth of said latch against the notches of said fixed profile.

 The object of the invention is, above all, to relieve the various transfer elements and in particular the trunnion and its bearing, during impacts, without any provision being made for oversizing or expensive and delicate local reinforcements of these elements.

 To this end, the slides of the kind in question according to the invention are essentially characterized in that they comprise two rigid bearing surfaces respectively comprised by the movable profile and by the latch in the immediate vicinity of its toothed portion, carried so as to abut longitudinally l 'one against the other during heavy loads exerted longitudinally forward on the movable profile.

In advantageous embodiments, use is also made of one and / or the other of the following arrangements.
- The slide also has two rigid bearing surfaces respectively included by the movable profile and by the latch in the immediate vicinity of its toothed portion, carried so as to be applied longitudinally one against the other during high stresses exerted longitudinally rearward. on the mobile profile,
- In a slide according to the preceding paragraph, the two bearing surfaces included by the movable profile protrude on a wing, of this profile, which is adjacent to the toothed portion of the lock in its working position, so as to longitudinally frame this portion , and the two bearing surfaces included by the lock are two transverse sections delimiting the longitudinal ends of its said toothed portion,
- In a slide according to the paragraph preceding the previous one, the two spans included by the movable profile are the two vertical edges or substantially like a recess in a vertical wing of this movable profile, and the two spans included by the lock are the two edges of a tab extending transversely the toothed portion of said lock.

 - In a slide according to the preceding paragraph, the housing of the bolt journal included by the movable profile is hollowed out rearward so as to ensure normal rotation of this journal while making possible a slight displacement of this housing towards the front, with deformation thereof, relative to the journal, when applying a strong forward bias on the seat, and the rear vertical edge of the light has a recess forming a staircase arranged and dimensioned in such a way that the slight forward movement mentioned above of the movable profile has the effect of presenting said step vertically opposite the rear edge of the tab so as to prevent subsequent movements of this tab corresponding to a clearance of the toothed portion of the lock outside the notches of the fixed section.

 The invention includes, apart from these main provisions, certain other provisions which are preferably used at the same time and which will be more explicitly discussed below.

 In the following, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in a manner which is of course not limiting.

 Figure 1 of these drawings shows a schematic side view of a seat slide according to the invention.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show on a larger scale a first embodiment of such a slide, respectively in half cross-section along
II-II, FIG. 3, in partial top view and in partial lateral view, portions cut away according to IV-IV, FIG. 3.

 Figure 5 is a partial side view, portions cut away along V-V, Figure 3, an improvement of the previous slide also according to the invention, shown in its normal state.

 Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but shown after application of an impact on the front of the vehicle equipped with the slide concerned.

 Figure 7 similarly shows in Figure 3 a second embodiment of the slide also according to the invention.

In each embodiment, the slide comprises
a first so-called fixed section 1 intended to be fixed to the floor P of the vehicle,
a second profile 2, said to be mobile, intended to support the seat 3 and mounted to slide along the fixed profile 1 with the interposition of balls 4 (FIG. 2),
a locking mechanism for immobilizing the movable profile relative to the fixed profile, a mechanism comprising a longitudinal series of notches 5 carried by the fixed profile and a lock 6 pivotally mounted on the movable profile around a transverse horizontal axis X linked to this movable profile, lock having at least one tooth 7 capable of cooperating with the notches 5,
- And means for controlling the locking mechanism, comprising a control member 8 and a return spring shown diagrammatically by the arrow 9.

In the embodiments here illustrated
the "tooth" 7 of the lock is materialized by the four bridges which frame two by two three windows 10 (FIG. 3) hollowed out in a horizontal plate 11, and which together form a "comb",
- the notches 5 are oriented downwards,
the return spring 9 urges the comb 7, 10, 11 upwards to engage it with some of the notches 5,
- the pivoting mounting of the lock 6 around the axis
X linked to the movable profile 2 is produced by cooperation of an annular flange 12 (FIG. 3) semi-cut in the lock with the edge of a circular hole 13 hollowed out in an external vertical wall 14 of the movable profile 2,
- And the control member 8 is a horizontal hoop whose end of a foot is secured to the latch 6 and whose front crossbar is disposed under the front end of the seat of the seat 3 so as to be able be easily operated by the occupant of this seat.

 We still see in Figures 1 to 4 an opening 15 which has been hollowed out in the outer vertical wall 14 of the movable profile 2 so as to allow passage to the bolt 6, or more precisely to its "comb" 7, 10, 11, seen that the main body of the latch 6 is outside the slide while the notches 5 of the fixed section are here arranged inside the movable section.

 F is represented in FIG. 1 the lifting force which is applied by the user of the seat to the front bar constituting the control member 8 to unlock the slide against the return force of the spring 9: this effort F has the effect of disengaging the comb 7, 10, 11 from the notches 5 downwards, thus making it possible to adjust the seat lengthwise by sliding the movable profile 2 along the profile 1. The simple consecutive release of the member 8 results in the reverse displacements of the preceding ones, under the return force of the spring 9, which ensures a new locking in the new adjusted position, after possibly a small additional sliding necessary to place the windows opposite and notches that must come into mutual engagement.

 As said above, during the application of a shock to the front of the vehicle equipped with the slide considered, the movable profile 2 is suddenly urged forward in the direction of arrow A (Figures 1 and 3) and it is absolutely necessary to transmit this stress without break to the fixed profile 1.

 This requirement is comparable, although less frequent and less important, during the application of shocks to the rear of the vehicle, the sudden stress to be transmitted in full to the fixed profile then being exerted on the movable profile towards the rear.

 In the known embodiments, the transmission to the fixed profile of sudden longitudinal stresses exerted on the movable profile takes place only by means of the lock 6, on the one hand, at the level of the flange 12 and its bearing 13 and, on the other hand, at the teeth 7 and notches 5.

 There is a risk that these various elements do not correctly ensure the desired transmissions, due to deformations, dislocations and / or even breaks.

 The invention eliminates this risk in a particularly efficient and economical manner.

 To this end, provision is made respectively on the movable section 2 and on the latch 6 for additional bearing surfaces which abut longitudinally against one another during the shocks to be checked.

In the embodiment of Figures 2 to 6, the ranges in question are materialized by respectively
a transverse tab 16 horizontally extending the central portion of the plate 11,
- And a rectangular light 17 with vertical and horizontal edges hollowed out in a vertical wing 18 of the movable profile and longitudinally framing the tab 16 at least for the working position of the lock 6.

 Under these conditions, the transfer of the longitudinal forces or shocks from the movable section 2 to the latch 6 takes place not only at the level of the flange 12 and its bearing 13, but also between the tab 16 and its light 17.

 The anchoring which results from this patellum cooperation is particularly robust, especially since the width - and therefore the section to be sheared - of the tab can be much greater than that of each tooth 7, being for example of the order of 3 to 5 times higher.

 This anchoring relieves the collar 13 all the more, which can therefore be very simply formed by semi-stamping in a plate constituting the lock, without it being necessary to have recourse to an added ring: likewise, it is unnecessary to reinforce the edge of the hole 13 constituting bearing for said flange 12, this hole being able to be simply hollowed out in the wall 14 constituting the movable profile.

 An improvement which has been illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 also makes it possible to automatically prohibit any unlocking of the slide upon the occurrence of a front impact on the vehicle.

This improvement includes the following two provisions
- On the one hand, the bearing 13 of the collar 12 is slightly enlarged towards the rear of said collar by reserving between them a space 19 in the form of a crescent (FIG. 5): this enlargement does not prevent a precise rotary guide of the flange in its housing for all normal maneuvers, but it also makes it possible, during an impact, a slight horizontal displacement of the bearing forwards, relative to the flange, with a slight deformation of the one and / or the other of these two elements,
- on the other hand, the rear edge of the light 17 includes a recess 20 forming a sort of stair step just below the level occupied by the underside of the tab 16 in its normal locking position: this recess is drawn in such a way that, during the aforementioned slight relative movement towards the front of the movable profile 2 relative to the latch 6, movement made possible by the above-described offset between the flange 12 and its bearing 13, said recess 20 comes to be placed just below the rear edge of the tab 16 (FIG. 6), then prohibiting any subsequent lowering of this tab, that is to say any disengagement of the comb 7, 10, 11 out of the notches 5 and therefore any unlocking of the mechanism.

 The second embodiment which has been shown in FIG. 7 differs only from the first in that the longitudinal abutment means produced between the latch 6 and the movable profile 12, instead of being constituted by a lug of the first cooperating with a light of the second, here consist of two stops 21 projecting transversely on the wing 18 above and adapted to longitudinally frame the two sections T of the comb 7, 10, 11.

 The two abutments 21 in question are in particular produced by portions of sheet metal punctured or semi-stamped in the wing 18.

 It is understood that the longitudinal applications of the stops 21 against the edges T of the comb play a role quite comparable to that played by the tab 16 and the light 17 in the previous embodiment, as regards the transmission of shocks or forces of the movable profile 2 to the latch 6.

 Following which, and whatever the embodiment adopted, there is finally a slide whose constitution and operation result sufficiently from the above.

 This slide has compared to those previously known the advantage of offering greater resistance to impacts exerted longitudinally on the seat, that is to say on the movable profile, due to the additional anchoring provided between the latter and the lock.

This additional anchoring relieves the pivot of the lock on the movable profile all the more, which pivot can therefore consist of economical parts and, since said additional anchoring is produced in the immediate vicinity of the notching zone of the lock on the fixed profile, it is not necessary to give great mechanical resistance to the major part of the lock, only its aforementioned notching zone being used for the transfer of high longitudinal stresses from the mobile profile to the fixed profile.

 As goes without saying, and as it already follows from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more especially envisaged; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants, in particular those where only two stops would be provided respectively on the movable profile 2 and on the latch 6, to strengthen the slide vis-à-vis only front shocks, which would for example to move the front edge of the slot 17 away from the tab 16 in FIG. 5 or to remove the front borer 21 in FIG. 7.

Claims (5)

 1. Vehicle seat slide, comprising a first so-called fixed profile (1) intended to be fixed to the vehicle floor, a second said mobile profile (2) intended to support the seat (3) and mounted sliding along the profile fixed, a locking mechanism for immobilizing the movable profile relative to the fixed profile, this mechanism comprising a longitudinal series of notches (5) carried by the fixed profile and a latch (6) pivotally mounted on the movable profile and having at least one tooth (7) suitable for cooperating with the above notches, and means for controlling the locking mechanism, comprising a control member (8) easily accessible to the person seated on the seat and a spring (9) for constantly recalling this member towards its position corresponding to the locking of the mechanism, characterized in that it has two rigid bearing surfaces comprised respectively by the movable profile (2) and by the bolt (6) in the immediate vicinity diate of its toothed portion (7, 10, 11), able to abut longitudinally one against the other during heavy stresses exerted longitudinally forward on the movable profile.  2. Slide according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises two rigid bearing surfaces respectively included by the movable profile (2) and by the latch (6) in the immediate vicinity of its toothed portion (7, 10, 11) , worn clean to be applied longitudinally against each other during high stresses exerted longitudinally rearward on the movable profile.  3. Slide according to claim 2, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces (21) included by the movable profile protrude on a wing (18), of this profile, which is adjacent to the toothed portion (7, 10, 11) of the lock (6) in its working position, so as to frame this portion longitudinally, and in that the two bearing surfaces comprised by the lock are two transverse sections (T) delimiting the longitudinal ends of its said toothed portion.  4. Slide according to claim 2, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces included by the movable profile are the two vertical edges or substantially like a lumen (17) hollowed out in a vertical wing (18) of this movable profile, and in that the two bearing surfaces included by the latch are the two edges of a lug (16) transversely extending the toothed portion (7, 10, 11) of said latch.  5. Slide according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (13) of the pin (12) of the bolt included by the movable profile is hollowed out towards the rear (at 19) so as to ensure normal rotation of this pin while by making possible a slight displacement of this housing forward, with deformation thereof, relative to the journal, when applying a strong forward bias on the seat, and in that the edge vertical rear of the light (17) has a recess forming a stair step (20) arranged and dimensioned so that the slight forward movement mentioned above of the movable profile has the effect of presenting said step vertically in look at the rear edge of the tab (16) so as to prevent subsequent movements of this tab corresponding to a clearance of the toothed portion of the latch outside the notches of the fixed section.