FR2768243A1 - Manual control knob for adjusting motor vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The seat adjuster control knob (72) is hollow and is elastically deformable. The inside face (70) carries a solid disc (70B) that attaches (70A) to the end of the shaft (82) operating the adjustment mechanism. The control knob is of a generally domed shape, with a peripheral groove (68) near the inner face to allow the knob to be easily gripped. Deformation assists the user in gripping the control knob. A preferred implementation is from a translucent plastic material.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for manually controlling a mechanism.

 It applies in particular to the control of a motor vehicle seat mechanism.

 Conventionally, a device for manual control of a mechanism comprises a member for operating a rigid control member.

 The actuators of the mechanisms fitted to the seats of a motor vehicle are usually made of a rigid material such as steel or plastic.

 In the event of an impact to the vehicle, the rigid operating members are dangerous vis-à-vis the occupants liable to accidentally strike them.

 Furthermore, the conventional operating mechanisms for seat mechanisms do not always have an aesthetic appearance and satisfactory operating comfort.

 The object of the invention is in particular to improve the aesthetics and the operating comfort of the operating members of motor vehicle seat mechanisms, this by reducing their aggressiveness with regard to the occupants in the event of an impact to the vehicle.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for manual control of a mechanism, of the type comprising an operating member of a rigid control member, characterized in that the operating member is hollow and elastically deformable under the pressure of the fingers so as to facilitate its gripping by marrying the shape of the hand.

According to the characteristics of different embodiments of the invention
- the operating member is made of plastic material chosen in particular from silicones, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride
- the operating member is translucent
the control member is rotary and the operating member has a generally hollow shape of revolution around the axis of rotation of the control member
- the operating member has internal radial ribs extending between a closed gripping end of the operating member and an open end connecting the operating member with the control member
- The open end of the operating member is hung on a circular plate of the control member by tightening the peripheral edge of this attachment plate between the radial ribs of the operating member and an elastically deformable peripheral lip , extending over the inner contour of the open end of the operating member, this operating member comprising projections for fastening in rotation with the attachment plate formed on the internal contour of the open end of this member and on the ends of the radial ribs in contact with the attachment plate, the projections being fitted into complementary recesses in the corresponding central and peripheral parts of the attachment plate
- the control member is a control shaft for a seat back articulation
the control member is a control member for adjusting the height of an upper part of the seat back, called the dorsal, relative to a lower part of the seat, called the lumbar
- the control member is a lever articulated on a support and the operating member is fixed relative to this support
- The control member is a lever forming a lifter for controlling slideways for longitudinal adjustment of a seat;
- the control member is a control lever for a seat back articulation
- The operating member is attached to a cap of the seat or a frame of this seat.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:
- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a motor vehicle seat, three quarters front and rear respectively, comprising at least one manual control device according to the invention;
- Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the seat shown in the preceding figures;
- Figure 4 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of means for adjusting the height of a back part of the backrest controlled by a device according to the invention;
- Figure 5 is an axial sectional view of the control device of the adjustment means shown in Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a view along arrow 6 of Figure 5 of the operating member of the control device;
- Figure 7 is a view along arrow 6 of Figure 5 of the attachment plate of the control device;
- Figure 8 is a sectional view along line 8 - 8 of Figure 1;
- Figure 9 is a view along arrow 9 of Figure 8 showing a side wing of the seat;
- Figure 10 is a view along arrow 10 of Figure 8 showing a linkage connecting a movable support of the side wing to a tilt control lever of this wing;
- Figure 11 is a view according to arrow 11 in Figure 9 showing a link connecting a movable frame of the side wing to a fixed frame of the seat;
- Figure 12 is a schematic view of the seat shown in Figures 1 and 2 and electrical tilt control means of the side wing shown in Figures 9 and 11;
- Figure 13 is a schematic view of a central electronic unit for managing and controlling the tilting of the side wing shown in Figures 9 and 11;
- Figure 14 is a schematic sectional view of a cover of the seat shown in the preceding figures.

 FIGS. 1 to 3 show a seat 20 for a motor vehicle comprising a seat 22 and a backrest 24 surmounted by a headrest 26.

 The seat 22 is provided with a central part 22C and two lateral wings 22L left and right of the lateral restraint of an occupant of the seat. The left and right orientations correspond to the usual orientations of an occupant seated in seat 20.

 The central part 22C has a fixed frame 28, in the general shape of a shell. The lateral wings 22L each have a movable frame 30, also in the general shape of a shell, articulated around a substantially longitudinal axis L1 of inclination adjustment with respect to the central part 22C.

 The wings 22L can be moved around their axis L1, for example between the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 8 and the position approaching the vertical relative to the previous one shown in phantom in this FIG. 8.

 The seat 22 is connected to a floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle by means of a pair of runners 32 for longitudinal adjustment of the seat. These slides 32 are controlled by a common rigid lever forming a lifter 34 articulated on the fixed seat frame 28.

 A drawer 36 is pivotally mounted on the fixed seat frame 28 between two lateral sides thereof. Preferably, the drawer 36 is made of elastically deformable plastic material so as to dampen the vibrations transmitted to the seat by the floor of the vehicle. The plastic material is chosen in particular from silicones, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.

 The seat 22 comprises a cushion 38 (see FIG. 3) comprising a central part 38C, hung on the fixed frame 28, and two lateral parts 38L, hooked on the movable frames 30 of the wings. The central 38C and lateral 38L parts have respective separate padding 40C, 40L connected together by a common cap 42. Note in FIG. 3 the portions 42A of the cap 42 which connect the different pads 40C, 40L of the cushion 38 and which have dimensions adapted to allow relative movements between the different padding 40C, 40L.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the cap 42 is made of a composite material comprising at least one thermoregulatory layer containing a phase change material CP, for example a paraffinic hydrocarbon, interposed between a support S, for example of foam synthetic, internal to cushion 38, and a covering
R, for example in fabric, external to this cushion 38. A composite material of this type is produced, for example, by the company GATEWAY TECHNOLOGIES (USA) under the brand "OUTLAST".

 WO 93/24241, incorporated in this description by reference, describes a composite material of the aforementioned type in which the phase change material stabilizes the temperature of the composite material.

 In this type of composite material, the phase change material is incorporated into microspheres dispersed in the thermoregulatory layer.

 The thermoregulatory layer makes it possible to automatically stabilize the temperature of the seat cushion 38, so as, on the one hand, to limit the rise in temperature of the cushion 38 in the event of heating of the passenger compartment in which the seat is arranged, and on the other hand, to restore heat in the event of the cooling of this passenger compartment.

 The layer of phase change material makes it possible to automatically regulate the temperature of the seat cushion 38, so as, on the one hand, to limit the rise in temperature of the cushion 38 in the event of heating of the passenger compartment in which the seat is arranged, and on the other hand, to restore heat in the event of the cooling of this passenger compartment.

 It will be noted that the continuity of the cover 42, in particular between the central 38C and lateral 38L parts of the seat cushion optimizes the thermoregulatory effect of the cover 42 by allowing heat to be distributed throughout this cover.

 The lifter 34 is maneuvered by means of a hollow member 44 which is elastically deformable, in the general shape of a shell. This operating member 44 is fixed relative to the central part of the seat 22 and is connected to the cover 42 of the seat cushion 38 in a manner known per se, for example by sewing, gluing or welding.

 The actuator 44 masks the lifter 34, while cooperating with the latter to maneuver it, and is deformed under the pressure of the fingers so as to facilitate its gripping by conforming to the shape of the hand.

 The actuator 44 is preferably made of plastic chosen in particular from silicones, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.

 The backrest 24 is provided with a lower part called the lumbar 24B and an upper part called the back 24D.

 The dorsal part 24D is greater in height than the lumbar part 24B. Preferably the height dimension of the back portion 24D is equal to about 2/3 of the height dimension of the backrest 24, and the height dimension of the lumbar portion 24B is equal to approximately 1/3 of the height dimension of the file 24.

 The backrest 24 also comprises two lateral wings 24L left and right of lateral retention of an occupant of the seat articulated on the dorsal part 24D around substantially vertical axes of adjustment of inclination with respect to this dorsal part 24D.

 The headrest 26 is articulated on the top of the back portion 24D about an axis, substantially transverse to the seat, for adjusting the inclination relative to the back portion 24D.

 The lumbar part 24B is mounted articulated on a pair of lateral flanges 46 extending the fixed frame 28 of the seat around an articulation axis X, substantially horizontal and transverse to the seat, fixed with respect to the lumbar part 2413.

 The lumbar 24B and dorsal 24D parts each have a frame 48, 50 in the general shape of the shell. The lateral wings 24L each comprise a movable frame 52, also in the general shape of a shell, articulated on the back frame 50 around their tilt adjustment axis.

The lumbar frame 48 is articulated around the axis
X by means in particular of a joint 54 connecting this frame 48 and a first flange 46. This joint 54 is of the discontinuous type, for example of the type described in FR
A-2 722 150 (FR-94 08 297).

 The articulation 54 is controlled by a rigid shaft 56 which, when turned in one direction, allows the inclination of the backrest 24 relative to the seat 22, and when it is turned in an opposite direction in the previous one, allows the temporary folding of the backrest 24 towards the seat 22.

 The maneuvering means of the control shaft 56 will be described later.

 The backrest 24 and the headrest 26 comprise a common cushion 58 comprising a lumbar part 58B hung on the lumbar frame 48, a dorsal part 58D hung on the dorsal frame 50, lateral parts 58L hung on the lateral frames 52 , and a head portion 58T hooked onto a movable frame 60 (generally in the form of a shell) of the headrest. The lumbar parts 58B, dorsal 58D, lateral 58L and head 58T have respective separate pads 62B, 62D, 62L, 62T joined together by a common cover 64. Note in FIG. 3 the connecting portions 64A of the cover 64 which connect the different padding 62B, 62D, 62L, 62T of the cushion 58 and which have da ensilons adapted to allow relative movements between the different padding 62B, 62D, 62L, 62T.

 The cap 64 of the backrest is preferably made of the same composite material as that of the cap 42 of the seat. The caps 42 and 64 thus ensure passive air conditioning of the seat.

 Optionally, an airbag device 65 is arranged in one of the wings 24L of the backrest (see FIG. 3).

 The seat 20 includes means 66 for adjusting the height of the back portion 24D of the backrest relative to the lumbar portion 24B of this backrest. These adjustment means 66, shown in particular in FIG. 4, are housed in the lumbar part 24B and controlled by a device 68 shown in detail in FIG. 5.

 The control device 68 comprises a rigid control member 70 rotatably mounted around the axis X connected to an operating member 72 which is shown separately in FIG. 6.

 The adjustment means 66 comprise two slides 74, integral with the back portion 24D, mounted movable in translation in the lumbar portion 24B, substantially perpendicular to the axis X. In the example described, each slide 74 is tubular and is mounted telescopically in a corresponding tubular guide 76 fixed to the frame 48 of the lumbar part. The two slides 74 are connected together by a stirrup 78 provided with a core fixed on the back frame 50 and two nested branches and fixed in the slides 74.

 The adjustment means 66 further comprise a movement transmission member 80 mounted movable in translation in the lumbar part 24B substantially parallel to the axis X. This transmission member 80 comprises a rod 82, of axis X, provided with a self-locking thread with a large pitch, and two plates 84, of generally triangular shape, each cooperating by ramp effect with a corresponding slide 74.

 Each slider 74 has a core 85, for example made of plastic, hooked inside this slider 74 by two lower diametric pins 86 and upper 88 respectively.

 Each plate 84 can be moved through slots F1 to F4 formed in the corresponding slide 74 and guide 76 and includes a light 90 forming a ramp cooperating with the lower pin 88, passing through this light 90, of the corresponding slide.

 It will be noted that each core 85 has a slot F5 through which the corresponding plate 84 moves.

Preferably, each plate 84 has an edge 94 forming a ramp cooperating with an end of oblique complementary shape of the slot F5 of the corresponding core.

 The plates 84 being integral with the threaded rod 82, the slots F1 to F5 participate in the immobilization in rotation of the rod 82 and in guiding in translation parallel to the axis X of the transmission member 80. A guide wall 92, integral with the lumbar reinforcement 48 also participates in the axial guidance of the transmission member 80 by cooperating with one of the plates 84.

 As a variant, the adjustment means 66 may have only one slide 74.

 The control member 70 comprises two elements forming, one, a nut 70A cooperating by screwing with the threaded rod 82, and the other, a plate 70B of circular outline carrying the operating member 72. The plate 70B is shown separately in Figure 7. These two elements 70A, 70B are fixed together, for example by screwing. Alternatively, the two elements 70A, 70B may form only one element.

 The nut 70A is immobilized axially in a socket 96, forming a pivot, carried by the second flange 46 and the lumbar reinforcement 48.

 The operating member 72 has a generally hollow shape of revolution around the axis X evoking that of a mushroom.

 Like the member 44 for operating the lifter 34, the member 72 for operating the adjustment means 66 is elastically deformable under the pressure of the fingers and is preferably made of a plastic material chosen in particular from silicones, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. .

 The operating member 72 comprises radial internal reinforcement ribs 98 extending between a closed end 72A for gripping this operating member and an open end 72B for connecting this operating member with the control member 70.

 The open end 72B of the operating member is hooked onto the plate 70B by clamping the peripheral edge of this plate between the ribs 98 and a peripheral lip 100, elastically deformable, extending over the internal contour of this open end 72B.

 Preferably, the lip 100 cooperates with a chamfer 102 formed on the periphery of the plate 70B.

 The operating member 72 comprises projections 104 for securing in rotation with the plate 70B formed on the internal contour of its open end 72B and on the ends of the ribs 98 in contact with the plate 70B.

 The projections 104 are fitted into complementary recesses 106 in households in corresponding central and peripheral parts of the plate 70B.

 The adjustment means 66 are relatively compact which avoids oversizing the lumbar part 24B which contains them compared to what is sufficient to ensure the lumbar support of an occupant of the seat.

 The adjustment means 66 operate in the following manner.

 The user rotates the operating member 72 around the axis X in one direction or the other depending on whether he wants to raise or lower the back part 24D of the backrest relative to the lumbar part 24B of this backrest.

 The operation of the deformable member 72 is pleasant and effective because this member 72 provides excellent grip by adapting to the morphology of the hand.

 The rotation of the operating member 72 causes, through the plate 70B, the rotation of the nut 70A. The latter in turn drives in translation substantially parallel to the axis X the transmission member 80 by cooperation with the threaded rod 82.

 It will be noted that the threaded rod 82 can move through the nut 70A and into the hollow operating member 72.

 The horizontal translational movement of the transmission member 80 is transformed into vertical movement of the slides 74 by the ramp effect of the plates 84, which has the effect of raising or lowering the back part 24D of the backrest.

 When the user releases the operating member 72, the back part 24D of the backrest is kept in the chosen position thanks to the self-locking effect of the thread of the rod 82.

 The height adjustment of the dorsal part of the backrest with respect to the lumbar part of this backrest makes it possible to adapt the seat to various morphologies of occupant while guaranteeing in all cases good support of the scapular region of the occupant the back part of the backrest and a good positioning of the occupant's head relative to the headrest.

 The control shaft 56 of the articulation 54 is maneuvered by a member 108, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, similar to the operating member 72 and coaxial with the latter. The actuator 108 is fixed to a hooking plate (not shown) similar to the plate 70B but adapted in this case to be secured in rotation with the control shaft 56 instead of the nut 70A described above.

 The operating members 72, 108, arranged symmetrically on either side of the lumbar part 24B, are easy to access and contribute pleasantly to the aesthetics of the seat.

Conventionally, the control shaft 56 of the articulation 54 can also be actuated in its direction of temporary folding of the backrest 24 towards the seat 22 by means of a rigid control lever 110 mounted articulated on the frame 50 of the back part 24D (see Figure 3). The folding lever 110 is connected in a manner known per se to the control shaft 56 by means of a cable 112 of the type
BOWDEN.

 The folding lever 110 is maneuvered by means of a hollow member 114 which is elastically deformable, in the general shape of a shell. This operating member 114 is hooked in a manner known per se on the frame 50 of the back part 24D (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

 The operating member 114 masks the folding lever 110, while cooperating with the latter to operate it, and deforms under the pressure of the fingers so as to facilitate its gripping by conforming to the shape of the hand.

 The actuator 114 is made of a material similar to that of the actuators 44, 72, 108 described above.

 Preferably the operating members 44, 72, 108, 114 are translucent so as to be able to form indicator lights. Thus, the operating members can be switched on under certain conditions of use of the seat. In particular, the opening of a seat access door can control the ignition of the folding lever operating member 114 in order to highlight this operating member 114 and indicate to the user that he must activate the latter to temporarily fold down the backrest and access a place located at the rear of the seat.

 The means of articulation of the left lateral wing 22L of the seat which is closest to the access door to the seat will be described below, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8 to 11.

 As previously specified, the movable frame 30 of the wing 22L is articulated around a substantially longitudinal axis L1 of tilt adjustment.

 Unlike the right wing 22L, the left wing 22L is also articulated around another axis L2, substantially longitudinal, of tilting of this left wing 22L between the normal position (raised) shown in solid lines in the figure. 8 and a substantially horizontal tilted (lowered) position shown in phantom in this figure 8.

 In the normal position, the left wing 22L retains the user seated in the seat. In the tilted position, the left wing 22L helps the user access the seat or get out of this seat.

 It will be noted that when the left wing 22L is in the tilted position, it defines, with the central part 22C of the seat, substantially coplanar seat surfaces.

 The frame 30 of the left wing 22L is articulated around the adjustment axis L1 on at least one mobile support, preferably two curved mobile supports 116, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. A conventional mechanism 118 for indexing the angular position of the wing 22L connects the armature 30 to one of the mobile supports 116.

 The mobile supports 116 are articulated around the tilting axis L2 on a double yoke 120 secured to the fixed frame 28.

 The fixed frame 28 of the seat carries at least one adjustable fixed stop 122 for the end of travel of the mobile supports 116 cooperating with one of these supports 116 to define the normal position of the wing 22L.

 The movable frame 30 of the left wing 22L is connected to the fixed frame 28 by at least one substantially vertical link, preferably two links 124 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. Each link 124 has an upper end 124A articulated on the movable frame 30 and a lower end 124B articulated in a sliding manner in a corresponding guide 126 substantially vertical and integral with the fixed frame 28.

 The guide 126 has two upper 126A and lower 156B end-of-travel ends of the lower end 124B of the corresponding link. The upper end-of-travel end 126A cooperates with the lower end 124B of the rod 124A to define the tilted position of the left wing 22L, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 11. Thus, the tilted position of the left wing 22L is independent of the adjustment of the inclination around the axis L1 of this left wing.

 The tilting of the left wing 22L is controlled by a lever 128 mounted articulated in the seat 22. This lever 128 has an operating end 128A, on which is formed a toothed sector 128D, and a connecting end 128B connected to the two mobile supports 116 by a linkage 130 forming a lifter.

 The toothed sector 128D is coupled to an electric motor 132 housed in the seat 22. This motor 132 controls the tilting of the left wing 22L by means of conventional gear means of which a toothed pinion has been shown in FIG. 8 134 meshing with the 128D toothed sector.

 The seat 20 is arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle so as to control the tilting of the left lateral wing 22L as a function of the opening and closing of the access door to this seat.

 To this end, a door position sensor 136 is arranged in the seat 20, as shown in FIG. 12, or else elsewhere in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This sensor 136 is connected to a central electronic unit 138 for managing and controlling the tilting of the left wing 22L.

 A sensor 140 for the presence of a person seated on the left wing 22L is arranged in the latter and connected to the central unit 138.

 In Figure 13 there are shown by arrows the information inputs into the central unit 138 coming from the sensors 136, 140 and the control output of this central unit 138 to the motor 132. Also shown in this figure 13 a power supply unit 142 of the central unit 138.

 The central unit 138 controls the left wing 22L in the following manner.

 When the seat access door 20 is open so as to reach or exceed a reference opening angle A1, the central unit 138 controls the motor 132 so as to lower the left wing 22L to its tilted position .

 When the seat access door 20 is closed so as to reach or exceed a closing angle A2 of reference, the central unit 138 controls the motor 132 so as to raise the left wing 22L to its normal position.

 Preferably, the reference closing angle A2 is greater than the reference opening angle A1.

 Also preferably, the central unit 138 imposes a tilting speed of the left wing 22L proportional to the speed of opening or closing of the seat access door. Thus, if the movement of the door is stopped, this movement of the left wing 22L is also.

 According to the information supplied by the presence sensor 140, the central unit prohibits the movement of the left wing 22L when an occupant is seated on the latter.

 Some points of the operation of the seat 20 will be briefly described below.

 Initially, the user opens the access door to the seat 20 so as to reach and exceed the reference opening angle A1. The central unit then commands the lowering of the left wing 22L of the seat up to 'in its tilted position defined by the cooperation of the lower articulated end 124B of the rods 124 with the upper end-of-travel end 126A of the guides 126 (see FIG. 11).

 The user can then sit on the left wing 22L as on a folding seat so as to facilitate its installation on the seat.

 The left wing 22L of the seat is immobilized in its tilted position by the central unit 138 informed, via the sensor 140, of the presence of a person seated on this wing 22L.

 When the user is correctly installed on the central part 22C of the seat, he closes the access door so as to reach and exceed the reference closing angle A2. The central unit 138 then commands the raising of the left wing 22L of the seat to its normal position.

 The user can then make various adjustments to the seat 20, for example the longitudinal adjustment of this seat by actuating

 The occupant gets out of the seat following reverse operations to those described above.

Claims (12)

 1. Manual control device for a mechanism, of the type comprising an operating member (47, 72, 108, 114) cooperating with a rigid control member (34, 56, 70, 110), characterized in that the operating member ( 44, 72, 108, 114) is hollow and elastically deformable under the pressure of the fingers so as to facilitate its gripping by conforming to the shape of the hand.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating member (44, 72, 108, 114) is made of plastic material chosen in particular from silicones, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating member (44, 72, 108, 114) is translucent.  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control member (56, 70) is rotatable and the operating member (72, 108) has a generally hollow shape of revolution around the axis (X) of rotation of the control member.  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the operating member (72, 108) comprises internal radial ribs (98) extending between a closed end (72A) for gripping the operating member and a open end (72B) connecting the operating member with the control member (56, 70).  6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the open end (72B) of the operating member (72, 108) is hung on a circular plate (70B) of the control member (56, 70) by clamping the peripheral edge of this attachment plate (70B) between the radial ribs (98) of the operating member (72, 108) and a peripheral lip (100) elastically deformable, extending over the internal contour of the open end (72B) of the operating member (72, 108), this operating member comprising projections (104) for securing in rotation with the attachment plate (70B) formed on the internal contour of the open end (72B) of this operating member (72, 108) and on the ends of the radial ribs (98) in contact with the attachment plate (70B), the projections (104) being nested in complementary recesses (106 ) arranged in the corresponding central and peripheral parts of the plate d 'hooking (70B).  7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control member is a control shaft (56) of an articulation (54) of the seat back (24).  8. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control member is a member (70) for adjusting the height of an upper part of the seat back, called the back (24D) , relative to a lower seat part, called lumbar (24B).  9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control member is a lever (34, 110) articulated on a support (28, 50) and the operating member (44, 114 ) is fixed relative to this support (28, 50).  10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the control member is a lever forming a lifter (34) for controlling slides (32) for longitudinal adjustment of a seat.  11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the control member is a lever (110) for controlling a joint (54) of the seat back (24).  12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the operating member (44, 114) is attached to a cap (42) of the seat or an armature (50) of this seat.