FR2778878A1 - Motor vehicle safety seat with chest impact protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The seat has a rigid shell (2) of circular section and is equipped with a chest impact protector in two curved halves (3) which are deployed in front of the driver or passenger in the event of a collision. The two halves of the protector slide into place from the sides of the seat, preferably driven by a motor and reduction gear unit with a rack, or a pneumatic cylinder, and a return spring. Each half has an elastic and preferably inflatable membrane (7) on its inner surface. After use the safety system is released by an easily-accessible push button to prevent the person in the seat being trapped.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle security device;

  unlike the systems generally used today, it has rigid parts which are integral with the seat, thus ensuring the firm hold of the driver or passenger, whatever the deformation of the bodywork. We also avoid with the proposed system the shoulder strap - seat belt hung on the back on the door jamb -. Finally, the motorist's release is controlled by action on an easily accessible push button: no more contortion to find the point of release of the seat belt,

  simplification of extrication in the event of an accident.

  The enveloping shape of the plastron also protects the motorist from side impacts.

  Adding a specific module to perform the height adjustment and tilting functions, turning it over (children) or removing it improves the ergonomics of the vehicle. A shock absorbing element between the seat shell and the chassis absorbs shock in the event of an accident. The invention will be better understood by referring to the figures which limitively illustrate the embodiments of the invention: FIG. I is an elevation view of a seat of the shell type equipped with a first embodiment

  Figure 2 shows a section of this seat according to A.A.

  Figure 3 is an elevational view of an embodiment on a more conventional seat.

  Figure 4 is a plan view of this 2nd embodiment.

  Figure 5 is an elevational view of an embodiment.

  Figure 6 is an elevational view of an embodiment.

  FIG. 7 represents the pneumatic control diagram according to the 2c embodiment.

  - We first refer to Figures 1 and 2.

  The safety device (1) is an integral part of a rigid shell seat of circular shape (2) 2 curved half-faceplates (3) slide laterally on the outer sides of the seat, closing the front face of the seat in the "work" position "its inner face

  has an inflatable elastic membrane (7) which holds the conductor in the event of an impact.

  The movement of the faceplate is preferably carried out by a geared motor (5) meshing on

  a rack; a return spring brings the half-faceplate back to the "rest" position.

  The angular and height adjustment of the seat is achieved by a mechanical support composed of a threaded axis (8) comprising a yoke (9a) mounted on a bearing (9b). An element

  shock absorber (10) absorbs shocks in the event of an accident.

  - Reference is then made to FIGS. 3 and 4 The safety device then comprises 2 arms (4) pivoting on either side of the axis of the seat on which the 2 half-faceplates (3) are rigidly fixed; 2 linear pneumatic cylinders (5) with return spring controlling the rotation of the two arms (angle of approximately); lateral armrests (6) are fixed on the outside of the faceplate; the latter leads to

  inside an elastic membrane, preferably inflatable.

  - We then refer to Figure 5 The safety device is simpler. The two half-faceplates (3) pivot around a vertical axis (14) placed on either side of the seat; as in the previous case, they carry outside the armrests (6) and inside a flexible membrane, inflatable or not (7). The rotation is carried out by means of a gear motor or a pneumatic cylinder

  rotary controlled by push button or a presence detector (15) placed on the seat (2).

  - We now refer to Figure 6. A programmable motorized universal joint (16) according to French patent 8802860 of March 7, 88 equips the 2 articulated arms (4) supporting the faceplates (3). The trajectory for bringing the faceplates into the working position (17 b) or the rest position (17 a) is carried out by means of the control program in the position of the universal joint.

  - We now refer to Figure (7).

  It presents the automation diagram of the 2L embodiment. A motor compressor (11) feeds an accumulator (12), the 2 cylinders (5) and the two membranes (7) through a pressure reducer. push buttons (13 a) and (13 b)

  control the supply or evacuation of these pneumatic equipment.

Claims (5)

Claims   I. Safety device for a motor vehicle or other keeping the driver and passengers firmly on their seat in the event of an impact, characterized in that this device, composed of two articulated half-faceplates and rigidly fixed to the frame of a seat preferably adapted to this function and their   displacement in "work" or "rest" position controlled automatically.   2. A vehicle safety device according to claim I characterized in that the internal parts of the half-faceplates are covered with elastic membranes, preferably inflatable so as to adjust the interface between   driver's chest and chest.   3. Vehicle safety device according to claims 1 and 2   - characterized in that the mechanism controlling the movement of the half-faceplates - pneumatic or rotary actuator, geared motor - includes a return spring for   return to the rest position; the mechanism used can be programmable.   4. Safety device for vehicle according to claim 3 characterized in that the closure control of the faceplates can be actuated   by push button or by presence sensor on the seat.   5. Vehicle security device according to claim I characterized in that a damping element between seat and chassis floor can   be usefully inserted to absorb the shock in the event of an accident.