FR2886594A1 - Safety device for retaining e.g. toy in motor vehicle, has flap that automatically takes retaining position during defined braking/acceleration phase or high declivity of ground, immobilized by lock, and rotates around axle of counterweight - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a flap (30) mounted on a base (15) of a front seat and forming a wall of a space comprising movable objects. The flap rotates around an axle (40) of a counterweight (50) and retains the objects, and a lock immobilizes the flap. The flap extends horizontally and parallel to the wall in its rest position and projects from the wall in its retaining position. The flap automatically takes the retaining position during a defined braking/acceleration phase or high declivity of the ground.

Description

21396EN 1

Description

  The present invention generally relates to safety devices in automotive systems and more particularly to safety devices of the interior passenger compartment.

  In motor vehicles, the interior space is a living space for the driver and front and rear passengers, who can carry with them many different objects of all kinds, such as objects of relaxation, toys, books, beverages, bottles and cans, likely to be placed or fall on the floor of the vehicle. During phases of acceleration or braking, or when the terrain is steep, these objects on the ground may move, roll and be thrown forward on the floor of the vehicle, and may in particular be lodged under the the driver's pedals and thereby impede the proper functioning of the crankset. These mobile objects thus raise safety problems since they can hinder or even block the operation of the pedals, which can lead in certain situations to accidents.

  In addition, moving and heavy objects, constantly rolling, such as water bottles under a passenger seat, can sometimes damage a structure of power supply lines between different electrical elements of the vehicle, for example control units of the vehicle. doors, seat control units, usually located and well integrated under the floor of vehicles, which can also pose security problems.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a safety device that retains moving objects during acceleration / braking phases, particularly when the acceleration is negative, and / or steep slope of the terrain to improve safety. automobile.

  With these objectives in view, the invention aims to provide a safety device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one retaining means mounted on a vehicle element forming a wall of a space likely to comprise moving objects and able to take two positions, said rest position and retaining position, said at least one retaining means extending substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to said wall in said rest position, and protruding from said wall in said retaining position, characterized in that and said at least one retaining means is capable of automatically taking said retaining position during defined braking phases and / or steepness of the road.

  The invention therefore proposes a safety device that incorporates a retaining means capable of retaining mobile objects on the ground likely to roll or to be projected forward under the effect of the acceleration / braking forces, the acceleration being considered generally as positive or negative and more particularly negative, and / or gravitational forces in declining phases of the road. Mobile objects, held by said retaining means, can not be accommodated under the pedals of the pedal and / or block the proper operation of the pedal, which improves the safety of the car. On substantially flat terrain and / or during driving phases at a substantially constant speed, the retaining means can take the rest position; in the defined acceleration / braking phases and / or strong gradient of the terrain, the retaining means can automatically take the position of restraint, without calling on human intervention, the automatic character reinforcing the safety, since neither the driver nor passengers can not forget to put the restraint in the restraint position, concentrating on the road or driving only.

  By providing a means of retention preferably of solid material, it can be ensured that any object, whatever its characteristics in terms of size and shape can be retained; for the same purpose, said at least one retaining means can occupy a maximum width under a seat for example.

  Similarly, there can be provided a safety device comprising several retaining means in succession, in series or in parallel, the additional retaining means for blocking objects that would not have been retained by the first retaining means in the space in which moving objects are likely to roll or be projected forward, and / or in any situation in which the first holding means takes its holding position with a delay in relation to the movement of the moving objects.

  In a preferred embodiment, said at least one retaining means extends substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to said wall in said rest position, and protrudes by being inclined from said wall in said retaining position.

  21396EN 3 In defined braking / acceleration and / or steepest phases of the road, the restraining means may be in the retaining position, tilting with respect to the wall, which defines a space in which objects mobiles are likely to roll, and can thus stop moving objects. The retaining means, when in the rest position, may be in a substantially horizontal position, placed substantially parallel to the wall, in an upper part or in a lower part of the space in which moving objects are likely to to roll, and when in the retaining position, may protrude inclined upwards if it is placed in a lower part or inclined downwards if it is placed in an upper part of the space in which objects are likely to roll. In the driving phases on substantially flat ground and / or during movement of the substantially uniform vehicle, the retaining means in the rest position, substantially parallel and horizontal with respect to the wall, can be integrated in a discrete manner and requiring only little space in the motor vehicle.

  In a preferred embodiment, said at least one retaining means comprises a valve located under a seat. Advantageously, it is possible to position discreetly under a seat at the level of the ventilation space a valve as a means of restraint, to make it possible to protect the space of the pedalboard against moving objects capable of rolling and / or being projected towards the 'before under the effect of braking / acceleration forces or strong slope of the ground. Preferably, the safety device may be located under the front seat of the driver of a motor vehicle, and for example, the valve may be made of solid or partially solid material, occupying the width between the slides under the front seat, so as to it can hold objects that can roll. When the valve is in the rest position, it is substantially horizontal and parallel to the seat cushion. Braking or acceleration and / or steepness of the ground act on the valve which takes a position inclined relative to the seat cushion, in the ventilation space under the driver's seat in which moving objects are likely to roll.

  In a preferred embodiment, said at least one retaining means extends substantially to an opposite wall in the retaining position, in particular touching the floor of the vehicle. During defined phases of braking / acceleration and / or steepness of the road, the retaining means can take the retaining position, protruding from the wall at which it is substantially parallel, in an upwardly inclined manner. it is placed in a lower part or inclined downwards if it is placed in an upper part of the space in which objects are likely to roll, respectively. In particular, it can touch the floor of the vehicle, which ensures that any object, regardless of its size, can be retained when rolling or is projected forward.

  Advantageously, the safety device may also comprise a counterweight, connected to the retaining means and with which it can form a substantially straight angle. During a substantially uniform movement of the vehicle and / or during a driving phase on substantially flat ground, the axis of the counterweight, according to the gravity, can align in a substantially vertical position and substantially perpendicular to the wall, the retaining means, in the rest position, thus being in substantially horizontal position and parallel to the wall, which can be in particular the seat cushion. During the braking / acceleration phase, the forces put into play on the counterweight tilt it and, by a driving effect, the counterweight and the retaining means being connected to one another, the counterweight drives the means for retaining the position of the counterweight. rest at the restraint position. When the acceleration is substantially zero, the forces that apply on the counterweight are reduced to gravity, the axis of the counterweight therefore takes a substantially vertical position and perpendicular to the wall. In a similar way, during a steep slope of the ground, the axis of the counterweight, according to the laws of gravity, inclines with respect to the wall which defines the space in which objects are likely to roll or to be projected forward, and thus causes the retaining means to tilt in the retaining position. The counterweight may therefore make it possible to maintain the retaining means in a substantially horizontal position and substantially parallel to the wall in the rest position, while facilitating the passage of the retaining means from its rest position to the retaining position and vice versa, and this in a faster way. Similarly, the sensitivity and speed of reaction of the device can be adjusted according to the weight and weight of the counterweight.

  Providing that the counterweight has a substantially zero extent to an extent substantially equal to the width of the retaining means, of different size and shape, at the flat limit, one can optimize both the operation of the safety device and the discretion of the security device. In order to optimize the space and the space required to allow rotation of the restraint means from the rest position to the retaining position and vice versa, the shape and size of the counterweight can be adjusted. For example, it is possible to envisage a counterweight which is substantially the same width as the retaining means, or a counterweight having a smaller width and at the flattened shape limit, positioned at one end of the retention and safety device. , for a gain of space and in a concern of discretion and aesthetics. In any case, the material and the mass of the counterweight make it possible to modify the inertia and the speed of reaction with which the counterweight can pivot and to drive the means for retaining the rest position at the retaining position and vice versa, i.e., the reaction speed of the safety device.

  In one embodiment, the safety device also comprises preloading / biasing means, in particular a spring. The biasing / biasing means, being connected to the retaining means, allows it to be held in the rest position as long as the acceleration / braking forces and / or the gravitational forces during strong inclination of the ground are less than the forces of recall of the prestressing / biasing means, in particular a spring. When the acceleration / braking forces and / or the gravitational forces are greater than the biasing forces of the biasing means, the retaining means moves to the retaining position, and remains there until the return forces return to higher. By comparing the forces acting on the retaining means, it is possible to choose a prestressing means such as a spring whose stiffness makes it possible to define the inertia and / or gravity forces from which the retaining means passes into the rest position. / restraint, respectively.

  In one embodiment, the safety device comprises an axis fixed on either side of the frame of a seat, said at least one retaining means pivoting around all or part of said axis. The use of an axis can facilitate the assembly and installation of the safety device in the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle, and in particular for an adjustment of the position of the retaining means with respect to a wall defining the space in which objects can roll or be projected forward under the effect of inertial or gravitational forces. The axle can indeed be easily fixed between the shafts under the frame of a seat, for example the driver's seat before, under which objects are likely to roll, and the retaining means can move from the rest position to the retaining position by a pivot about the axis. In addition, the operation of the safety device can be improved effectively by optimizing the rotation or pivoting of the retaining means about the entire axis or part of the axis. In order to optimize the space and space required to allow rotation of the safety device, the shape and size of the counterweight can be adjusted. One can for example consider a counterweight which is substantially the same width as the retaining means, or a counterweight of lower width and the flat shape limit, positioned at any level of the axis or at the end of the axis around which it pivots to save space. In any case, the material and the mass of the counterweight make it possible to modify the inertia and the speed of reaction with which the counterweight can pivot and to drive the means for retaining the rest position at the retaining position and vice versa, i.e., the reaction speed of the safety device.

  Advantageously, the safety device comprises a lock allowing immobilization of said at least one retaining means. By providing a locking system for immobilizing the retaining means, it is possible to propose a deactivation of the security device, in a mandatory manner or not, which makes it possible to completely release a space, for various reasons and situations, which may be no only aesthetic, but also practical, as for additional ventilation, or in case of need of additional space. The locking system can use for example a latching device or hook, well known in the automotive field.

  A presently preferred embodiment provides a safety device with a retaining means capable of taking two positions, preferably located under a vehicle seat, but such a device can also be envisaged in other places of the vehicle, for example in chest.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will be further eluded from the detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment. Said description is made only by way of non-limiting example and refers to appended drawings among which: FIG. 1 represents a diagram of a vehicle element incorporating a security device in a presently preferred embodiment, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the safety device, respectively in the rest position and in the retaining position, according to a presently preferred embodiment, FIG. 3 represents the safety device according to an alternative embodiment, - Figure 4 shows a lock according to an embodiment according to the present invention.

  In Figure 1 is illustrated a vehicle element, in this case a front seat of a motor vehicle, on which is mounted a safety device according to the present invention. The safety device is fixed under the seat 15, which forms a wall of a space in which moving objects can roll or be projected forward in case of braking / acceleration or steep slope of the ground. In the presently preferred embodiment illustrated, the device comprises an axis 40 fixed by fastening means 22 on the stretcher of the armature 20 of the seat, so that the retaining means 30 is in the upper position of the space in which moving objects are likely to evolve, the retaining means 30 can protrude and tilt down during braking / acceleration and / or a steep terrain. The retaining means 30 is a valve, occupying the width between the slide under the front seat and formed of a solid material, comprising a counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, and free to pivot about an axis 40.

  Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the security device according to a presently preferred embodiment.

  In FIG. 2A, the safety device is illustrated during conventional driving phases on flat ground. The safety device is fixed under the seat 15, which forms a wall delimiting a space in which moving objects can roll or be projected forward in case of braking / acceleration or steep slope of the ground, and in the case illustrated, in the upper part of said space. The safety device comprises a retaining means 30, in this case a valve, of solid material, integral with a counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, connected to an axis 40 around which they can pivot freely, l 40 axis being connected by fastening means 22 on the shafts of the frame 20 of the vehicle. In the illustrated rest position, the counterweight 50, essentially subjected to gravitational forces, is oriented along a vertical axis, and the valve 30 which is integral with the counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, is in a horizontal position. and substantially parallel to the seat 15 of the seat of the motor vehicle.

  In FIG. 2B, the safety device is illustrated in the retaining position during braking phases. The safety device is fixed under the seat 15, which forms a wall delimiting a space in which moving objects can roll or be projected forward in case of braking / acceleration or steep slope of the ground, and in the case illustrated, in the upper part of said space. The safety device comprises a retaining means 30, in this case a valve, of solid material, integral with a counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, bearing on an axis 40 around which they can pivot freely, the axis 40 being connected by fastening means 22 to the frame of the vehicle. In the illustrated retaining position, the counterweight 50, subject to its weight and to the braking forces, is oriented along an axis inclined in the direction of the forces applied to the counterweight in the terrestrial reference, and the valve 30 which is integral with the counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, follows the movement to be in the retaining position, that is to say, inclined relative to the seat 15 of the seat, and in particular touching the floor 12 of the vehicle under headquarters.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a safety device comprising a retaining means 30, in this case a valve, and a preloading means 60, which is a spring, and located under a seat vehicle element, in this case a seat 15 under the front seat, which forms a wall of a space in which moving objects can roll, be projected forward. The valve 30 and the spring 60 are integral with each other. When the speed is substantially constant, the acceleration / braking forces are substantially zero, and the restoring force of the spring 60 makes it possible to retain the valve 30. In braking phases, when the acceleration-braking forces are greater than the return force of the spring 60, the valve 30 tilts vertically and takes the retaining position.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a lock 70 making it possible to immobilize the retaining means 30. The security device comprises a retaining means 30, in this case a valve, made of solid material, integral with a counterweight 50 with which it forms a substantially straight angle, connected to an axis 40 around which they can rotate freely, the axis 40 being connected by fastening means 22 on the shafts of the frame 20 of the vehicle. At the free end of the retaining means 9 is fixed a hook 72 which snaps in a complementary manner on the latch 70 on the shafts of the frame 20 of the vehicle.

  In sum, it remains to be seen that the invention provides a safety device for a motor vehicle, which incorporates a retaining means capable of retaining mobile objects on the ground may roll or be projected forward under the effect acceleration / braking forces and / or gravitational forces in declining phases of the road. The moving objects, held by said retaining means, can not go to be lodged under the pedals of the pedal and / or block the proper operation of the pedal, which 1 o improve car safety. In addition, said at least one retaining means can automatically take the position of restraint, without calling for human intervention, the automatic nature of this device thus ensuring increased security. Furthermore, this safety device may have the additional advantage of also protecting a structure of the power supply lines between different electrical elements of the vehicle, for example door control units, seat control units, which can it is usually located under the floor of vehicles, and moving and heavy objects, constantly rolling, such as water bottles under a passenger seat, sometimes end up damaging.

  Although the invention has been described in the case of a fixed seat, and therefore of a ventilation space, in which moving objects are likely to roll or to be projected forward, of fixed size, it can of course also be applied to motor vehicle components equipped with risers, the riser to vary the height of the ventilation space, for the comfort and safety of passengers. In this case, the retaining means may have a length corresponding to the length of the retaining means when the aeration space has a maximum height.

21396 10

Claims (9)

claims   1. Safety device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one retaining means (30) mounted on a vehicle element (15) forming a wall of a space capable of comprising moving objects and adapted to take two positions, said position of rest and holding position, said at least one retaining means (30) extending substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to said wall Io in said rest position, and projecting from said wall (15) into said retaining position, characterized in that said at least one retaining means (30) is capable of automatically taking said holding position during defined braking phases and / or steep slope of the terrain.   2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one retaining means (30) extends substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to said wall (15) in said rest position, and is inclined in said holding position.   3. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said at least one retaining means (30) comprises a valve located under a seat.   4. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one retaining means (30) extends substantially to an opposite wall in the retaining position, in particular affecting the floor of the vehicle.   5. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it also comprises a counterweight (50).   6. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that said counterweight can be extended between a substantially zero value and substantially the width of said retaining means. s   7. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it also comprises a prestressing / biasing means (60), in particular a spring.   8. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an axis (40) fixed on either side on the frame of a seat, said at least one means of retainer (30) pivoting about all or part of said axis (40).   9. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a latch (70) for immobilizing said at least one retaining means (30). 21396FR