FR2873632A1 - Motor vehicle seat system, has adjusting system including adjustment circuit applying output voltage to electric motor and central and front plates acting on adjusting circuit for adjusting output voltage in two non zero levels of same sign - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has an adjusting system comprising an adjustment circuit (16) applying an output voltage to an electric motor (11). The adjusting system has central and front plates (BP1, BP2) that act on the circuit (16) for adjusting the output voltage in two non zero levels of same sign. The levels correspond to the actuation of the respective plates. The motor rotates at low and high speeds, during the activation of the plates respectively. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting a seat base and a backrest of a motor vehicle.

Description

System comprising a first, a second seat element

  The present invention relates to systems comprising a first, a second motor vehicle seat element and a control system, and methods for adjusting such a system. systems.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a first motor vehicle seat member, a second motor vehicle seat member movable relative to said first seat member and a control system adapted to adjust the relative position of said first and second seats. seat elements comprising: - an electric motor adapted to generate a relative movement of the first and second seat elements, - an adjustment circuit comprising a supply supplying a supply voltage, said control circuit being adapted to apply to said electric motor a output voltage based on said supply voltage.

  To adjust the relative position of the first and second seat elements of a motor vehicle, such as for example the inclination of the backrest relative to the seat, or the longitudinal position of the movable section of a rail relative to the fixed section, or other, one can use an electric motor. The establishment of a voltage at the terminals of the electric motor from a supply voltage delivered by a power supply makes it possible to define the speed of the operation of the motor and therefore the speed of relative movement of the two seat elements. Precise adjustment of the relative position of the two elements needs to be done at a low operating speed of the engine allowing a high accuracy of adjustment. Nevertheless, it may also be useful to have a mode for quickly moving the seat elements relative to each other on a large stroke, for example to quickly lower a folder forward in the folded position or backward in the berth position. If the engine only operates at the low operating speed, a long time is required to perform a great race, and it results in inconvenience to the user. On the other hand, if the speed of operation of the engine is chosen fast, precise adjustment becomes difficult. Finally, a compromise between these two alternative speeds is generally unsatisfactory, being both too slow for quick movement, and too fast for precise adjustment.

  Document DE 36 33 347 describes an example of a control circuit in which a high operating speed is reached only after a certain time after a phase where the speed increases gradually. This results in two disadvantages for the user: if he wishes to fine-tune at low speed, he is obliged to do it several times because the engine speed increases gradually under the action of the user; if he wishes to make a long run, he is however subjected to a latency time before obtaining the high speed. The system is not intuitive.

  The present invention is intended to overcome these disadvantages.

  For this purpose, according to the invention, a system of the kind in question is essentially characterized in that the adjustment system further comprises first and second controls adapted to act on the control circuit for adjusting the output voltage, to from said supply voltage, respectively at least at a first non-zero level upon actuation of the first control and at a second non-zero level, different from the first level and with the same sign, when actuating the second order.

  Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to intuitively obtain for the user two modes of operation of the motor, for example according to whether it is desired to carry out a fine or fast adjustment of the relative positions of the seat elements.

  In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following arrangements may also be used: said adjusting circuit comprises a circuit element adapted to vary, depending on whether said first and second drives are actuated or not, a power dissipated in the control circuit; said control circuit comprises a dissipative element mounted in parallel on said circuit element; said circuit element comprises a contact having an open state and a closed state, said adjustment circuit being adapted so that, according to the actuation of the first and second controls, said contact is in its open state or its closed state respectively; said dissipative element is a resistor whose resistive value increases with its temperature; - The control circuit comprises at least one control element adapted to selectively establish or not an electrical connection between said power supply and said motor, said first and second controls being each adapted for their actuation controls said control element; the system further comprises a third control adapted, when the third control is actuated, to act on the control circuit to adjust the output voltage to a third non-zero level, of sign opposite to the first and second levels; ; - The system further comprises a fourth control adapted for, upon actuation of the fourth control, act on the control circuit to adjust the output voltage to a fourth non-zero level, different from the third level, and opposite sign at the first and second levels; said first and third levels are opposite, and said second and fourth levels are opposite.

  According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the relative position of a first motor vehicle seat element and a second movable motor vehicle seat element relative to said first seat element under action. an electric motor adapted to generate a relative movement of the first and second seat elements, wherein: - using a first and a second control, it acts on a control circuit to adjust an applied output voltage to said electric motor from a supply supplying a supply voltage, respectively at least at a first non-zero level upon actuation of the first control and at a second, non-zero level, different from the first level and likewise sign, when operating the second command.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle seat, and - Figure 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of an electric circuit used in the context of the invention.

  In the various figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements.

  FIG. 1 represents a vehicle seat 1 of known type comprising a seat 2 and a backrest 3. Conventionally, the backrest 3 can be connected to the seat 2 by a connecting member which can be for example a hinge 4 allowing a mounting rotating backrest 3 relative to the seat 2, possibly to a bunk position where the backrest is substantially horizontal. Alternatively, a similar connection could exist between the seat and the floor of the vehicle, or between the backrest and the floor in the case of a rear seat. The seat 1 may also include a headrest 5 connected to the backrest 3, for example by pins 6 able to slide in sheaths (not shown) mounted permanently in the backrest 3.

  Also, the seat 2 can be mounted on the floor P of the vehicle by a slide 7 comprising an upper rail 8 permanently mounted on the seat 2 and a lower rail 9 relative to which the upper rail 8 can slide and mounted permanently in the floor P of the vehicle.

  The relative movement of translation of the seat 2 relative to the lower rail 9 of the slide 7, or rotation of the backrest 3 relative to the seat 2 via the hinge 4, or any other relative movement of two seat elements can be controlled by an electric motor (Figure 2). The actuation of this electric motor is controlled by the user, for example when it presses an input member such as a button 10, for example a button at several positions located at the seat, or elsewhere in the seat, for example in the dashboard of the vehicle, or other.

  In the embodiment shown, a five-way button is provided: fast forward, slow forward, stop, slow back, fast reverse. However, one could for example use two buttons, for example in the form of a front / back button and a slow / fast button.

  Generally, the electric motor is a brush motor, excited by permanent magnets, direct current, or other, connected to a power supply such as a generator (Figure 2) of direct current by the action of the user on the button 10, so that a constant voltage is established at its terminals. The speed of the motor being defined by the voltage applied to its terminals, to be able to use the motor in two different operating ranges, namely a fast range allowing a fast relative movement of the two seat elements, and a slow range allowing a fine adjustment from the relative position of the two seat elements, it must be possible to apply two different voltages to the motor terminals.

  For this purpose, an adjustment system such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided.

  The button 10 comprises three pallets, of which a central pallet BPI is framed by a front pallet BP2 and a rear pallet BP3. In Figure 2, the knob 10 is shown in its Off position. From this position, the central pallet BPI can be operated forward or backward.

  The button 10 has six contactors C1 to C6. The contactor C2 is connected to the + pole of a power supply. The contactors are arranged so that, when the button BPI is pressed forwards, C2 and C3 are connected, and that, when actuating BP2, C1 and C2 are connected. In a symmetrical manner, C5 is also connected to the + pole of the power supply, possibly via C2, and the contacts C4, C5 and C6 are arranged so that, when actuating BPI towards the rear, C4 and C5 are connected and that, when actuating BP3, C5 and C6 are connected.

  The contactors C1 to C6 are used to control a control circuit 16 of the voltage delivered to the terminals of the motor 11.

  The contact C3 is connected to the first terminal of the coil RB1 of a relay controlling the contact RCl. The second terminal of the coil RB1 is connected to ground. The contact RC1 acts as a switch connecting the motor 11 to the + 12 terminal of the power supply when a current flows in the coil RB1.

  The motor 11 is connected in series with a dissipative element RP, such as a power resistor, which is connected in parallel to a circuit element that can control a variation of the energy dissipated in the circuit. In the example considered, the circuit element is the contact RC3 of a relay also comprising the coil RB3, the operation of which is described below. Depending on the current flow or not in the coil RB3, the contact RC3 can take an open state, in which the dissipative element RP is connected in series with the motor 11, or a closed state in which the dissipative element is short-circuited. circuited.

  Alternatively, any other suitable means for varying the power dissipated in the circuit may be provided.

  The contact C1 is also connected to the first terminal 13a of the coil RB1. In addition, the contact C1 is connected to the first terminal 14a of the coil RB3, whose second terminal is connected to ground.

  Furthermore, the contacts C4 and C6 are connected to the first terminal 15a of the coil RB2 of a relay whose contact RC2 can also connect the motor 11 to the + terminal of the power supply 12 during the passage of a current in the RB2 coil. The contact RC2 is symmetrically arranged at the contact RC1 with respect to the motor so that actuation of the pallet BPI rearwards or BP3 causes the rotation of the motor 11 in the opposite direction, by applying to the terminals of the motor 11 a opposite voltage. The contact C6 is also connected to the terminal 14a of the previously described coil RB3.

  Diodes can also be provided so that only the coils concerned for a given operating mode are powered. For example, diodes D1 to D6 are connected respectively between the contact C1 and the terminal 14a of the coil RB3, between the contact C1 and the terminal 13a of the coil RB1, between the contact C3 and the terminal 13a, between the contact C4. and the terminal 15a of the coil RB2, between the contact C5 and the terminal 15a, and between the contact C6 and the terminal 14a.

  The circuit works as follows. In the idle state of the circuit, the contact RC3 is for example open, so that the dissipative element RP is connected in series with the motor 11. When the user controls the pallet BP1 forwardly , the current flows in the coil RB1 which serves as a control element to cause the closing of the contact RC1. The voltage delivered by the power supply is distributed between the motor 11 on the one hand and the dissipative element RP on the other hand. The motor 11 is thus supplied with a voltage of a first level which is relatively lower in absolute value than the supply voltage.

  The engine then runs at low speed. This control therefore allows a precise adjustment of the relative position of the seat elements.

  The actuation by the user of the pallet BP2 causes the passage of the current in the coil RB3 and thus the closure of the contact RC3. Simultaneously, the contact Cl being connected to the terminal 13a, the current also passes in the coil RB1 for, as previously, cause the closure of the contact RC1. The dissipative element being short-circuited by the contact RC3, the voltage across the motor is substantially equal to the voltage of the power supply 12. A voltage of a second level, relatively high, in absolute value, relative to the first level, is then available at the terminals of the motor 11. It then operates at high speed. A quick adjustment of the relative position of the seat elements can then be controlled by the user. Note also that simultaneous operation on the forward pallet BP1 has no significant consequences for the user.

  By symmetry, the actuation of the pallet BP1 to the rear causes the passage of current in the control element that is the coil RB2 which controls the closure of the contact RC2. Therefore the motor is subjected to a voltage opposite to that established at its terminals during the actuation of the pallet BP2 or the pallet BPI forwards. This results in a movement in the opposite direction to that obtained when the pallet BP2 or the pallet BP1 is actuated forwards. This movement is done at low speed since the dissipative element RP is then mounted in series with the motor 11.

  The actuation of the pallet BP3 bypasses the dissipative element RP and thus allows a high speed control of the motor in the opposite direction to that obtained during the actuation of the pallet BP2.

  Note that, in practice, the pallet BP3 can control the same relay as the pallet BP2, by an appropriate connection to the terminal 14a.

  This provides double-speed, two-way operation of the engine with simple, proven components intuitively for a user.

  The dissipative element may be a power resistance or a resistance whose resistive value increases with temperature, such as a bulb. In such a case, this makes it possible temporarily to obtain, when the dissipative element RP is connected, when the engine is started at a low speed, a strong current in the engine before the heated bulb reaches its value. resistive to obtain the low speed. In addition, when the motor comes into abutment and no longer has counter-electromotive force, the heated bulb is used to dissipate more quickly the current in the circuit, which is a safety for the engine.

Claims (10)

  A system comprising a first motor vehicle seat member (2; 8), a second motor vehicle seat member (3; 9) movable with respect to said first seat member, and a control system adapted to adjust the relative position. said first and second seat members comprising: - an electric motor (11) adapted to generate a relative movement of the first and second seat members, an adjusting circuit (16) comprising a supply supplying a supply voltage, said circuit adjusting device being adapted to apply to said electric motor an output voltage on the basis of said supply voltage, characterized in that the control system further comprises a first (BP1, C3) and a second (BP2, C1) adapted to act on the control circuit for adjusting the output voltage, from said supply voltage, respectively at least at a first level, it is zero when actuating the first command and a second level, non-zero, different from the first level and the same sign, when actuating the second command.   2. System according to claim 1 wherein said control circuit comprises a circuit element (RC3) adapted to vary, depending on the actuation or not of said first and second control, a power dissipated in the control circuit.   3. System according to claim 2, wherein said control circuit comprises a dissipative element (RP) connected in parallel with said circuit element (RC3). 35 4. System according to claim 3, wherein said circuit element comprises a contact (RC3) having an open state and a closed state, said adjustment circuit (16) being adapted so that, according to the actuation of the first and second controls said contact is in its open state or its closed state respectively.   5. System according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said dissipative element (RP) is a resistance whose resistive value increases with its temperature.   6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one control element (RB1, RCl) adapted to selectively establish or not an electrical connection between said power supply (12) and said motor (11). ), said first and second controls being each adapted for their operation to control said control element.   7. System according to any one of   preceding claims further comprising a   third control (BP1, C4) adapted for, upon actuation of the third control, act on the control circuit to adjust the output voltage to a third non-zero level, of opposite sign to the first and second levels.   8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a fourth control (BP3, C6) adapted for, upon actuation of the fourth control, act on the control circuit to adjust the output voltage to a fourth non-zero level, different from the third level, and opposite sign to the first and second levels.   The system of claim 8, wherein said first and third levels are opposite, and said second and fourth levels are opposite.   10.A method of adjusting the relative position of a first motor vehicle seat member and a second motor vehicle seat member movable relative to said first seat member under the action of an electric motor (11) adapted to generate a relative movement of the first and second seat elements, wherein: - using a first (BPI, C3) and a second (BP2, C1) commands, it acts on a control circuit (16 ) for setting an output voltage applied to said electric motor from a supply supplying a supply voltage, respectively at least to a first non-zero level upon actuation of the first control (BPI, C3) and to a second level, non-zero, different from the first level and the same sign, when actuating the second command (BP2, Cl).