FR2910392A1 - Adjusting mechanism e.g. seat track, for motor vehicle, has mechanical sound characterizing system emitting audible sound in given relative position of sliding elements, while relative displacement is authorized by locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism e.g. seat track (6), has a movable sliding element (8) displaced with respect to a fixed sliding element (7) i.e. U-shaped cut and folded sheet section, along a degree of freedom. A permanent locking system prohibits and authorizes a relative displacement of the elements. A control unit i.e. cross-bar, is actuated by a user to displace the locking system from its active state to an inactive state. A mechanical sound characterizing system (101) emits an audible sound in a given relative position of the elements, while the relative displacement is authorized by the locking system. An independent claim is also included for a system comprising an adjusting mechanism.

Description

1 ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND SYSTEM COMPRISING A

  This invention relates to control mechanisms for a motor vehicle, and to systems comprising such mechanisms. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustment mechanism for a motor vehicle comprising: a first element, a second element, said to be mobile, displaceable relative to the first element according to at least a first degree of freedom, a first element; locking mechanism adapted to alternatively prohibit a relative displacement of the first and second members according to the first degree of freedom, and to allow said relative movement, - a first actuator operable by a user to move the first locking mechanism at least its active state to its inactive state. Such adjustment mechanisms for motor vehicle seats are generally known. The adjustment mechanism is for example a slide as described in FR 2 778 613 in which a movable section is slidably mounted on a fixed profile provided with a memory pad. A first locking system alternately locks or unlocks the movable section of the fixed profile for longitudinal adjustment of the seat position in the vehicle. The movable profile can also be moved forward to allow access to the space at the rear of the seat. By bringing the seat backwards, in a predefined position by a memory pad, the slide is re-locked. The predefined position is adjustable by moving the memory pad relative to the fixed profile, the latter being locked together by a second locking system. Such a seat adjustment mechanism is for example a motor vehicle seat joint as described in FR 2 792 583. In such a mechanism, a movable flange is connected to a seat back frame, and a fixed flange to the seat. seat frame. A locking system alternately locks or unlocks the movable flange of the fixed flange for a tilt adjustment of the backrest relative to the seat.

  Such a seat adjustment mechanism is for example a commonly called raising mechanism, namely adjustment of the vertical position of the seat relative to the floor of the vehicle seat, as described in FR 2 806 675.  In such a mechanism, a seat frame is movable relative to a base, usually attached to a motor vehicle seat slide, or directly on the floor of the vehicle.  A locking system alternately locks or unlocks the seat frame relative to the base for adjustment of the vertical position of the seat relative to the floor.  Such a seat adjustment mechanism can still be a mechanism for adjusting the position and / or orientation of the headrest relative to the motor vehicle seatback, as described in FR 2 583 361.  In such a mechanism, at least one pin moves in a sheath fixed in the backrest to adjust the longitudinal position or the orientation of the headrest.  A locking system alternately locks or unlocks the headrest pin relative to the sleeve.  Although these mechanisms are generally satisfactory, a problem arises when it is desired to customize a given adjustment position, among the plurality of possible adjustment positions, for example because this adjustment position is identified by the occupying as the one best suited to its use of the seat.  This position may also be one in which the safety of the occupant is best assured.  The present invention is intended to help solve this problem.  For this purpose, according to the invention, a control mechanism of the kind in question is characterized by a sound characterization system 10 adapted to emit an audible sound in at least one given relative position of the first and second elements, while said relative displacement is allowed by the first locking mechanism.  Thanks to these arrangements, an audible sound is emitted when the adjustment mechanism is in the predefined position.  This one is easily recoverable by the user.  In addition, this position is identifiable without using an additional mechanism, and therefore by means of very simple implementation.  By locking mechanism is meant here as well a so-called discontinuous mechanism having two distinct states, one in which the first and the second elements are disengaged from one another, a continuous mechanism in which the first and second elements are always connected to each other.  In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used: the sound characterization system comprises a marker element integral with said first element; a reading member secured to said second member and adapted to cooperate with said registration element to emit an audible sound at said given relative position of the first and second members; The sound characterization system is adapted to emit an audible sound over a wide range of positions comprising at least said given relative position; the mechanism further comprises a third said fixed element, the first locking mechanism comprising a first and a second independent locking system, the first locking system being adapted to take an active state alternately, in which it prohibits a relative displacement of second and third elements, and an inactive state in which it authorizes said relative movement, the second locking system being adapted to take alternately an active state, in which it prohibits a relative displacement of the first element, said memory and the third element, and an inactive state in which it allows said relative movement, said first controller being operable by a user to move the first latch at least from its active state to its inactive state, the adjustment mechanism further comprising a second member commandable by a user to move the second latch at least from its active state to its inactive state; the sound characterization system is a mechanical system comprising at least a first relief formed on one of the first and second elements, and a second relief complementary to the first relief, adapted to cooperate with the first relief to emit said sound in said first given relative position, and formed on the other element selected from the first and second elements; The mechanism comprises a plurality of said first reliefs, spaced apart from each other according to said degree of freedom, and each adapted to cooperate with the second relief to emit a sound each in a respective given relative position, the first reliefs 5 being distinct two by two so that the cooperation of the second relief with the first reliefs generates distinct sounds in pairs; the sound characterization system comprises a first electric circuit portion carried by the first element, a second electric circuit portion carried by the second element, the first and second electric circuit portions being adapted to be in contact in said relative position. , the sound characterization system further comprising a first connection terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical generator adapted to deliver an electric current, and a second connection terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an electric buzzer, the first and second terminals 20 being respectively electrically connected to one and the other of said first and second connection portions so that, upon contact between said first and second electrical portions, an electric current generated by the electrical generator flows. in the horn soundingly adapted to cause it to sound; a system comprises such an adjustment mechanism, an electrical generator electrically connected to said first connection terminal and a buzzer electrically connected to said second connection terminal; the sound characterization system comprises at least one identification label carried by the first element, and a non-contact reader carried by the second element, and adapted to read without contact said label in said given relative position, said reader comprising 2910392 6 an electrical connection member to an electric buzzer, said electric buzzer being adapted to emit said sound when said reader reads said label; The first element carries a plurality of labels, spaced apart from one another according to said degree of freedom, said reader being adapted to read each of said labels, said reader comprising a connecting member to a buzzer adapted to emit no sound when said reader reads at least one of said labels; the first element carries a plurality of labels, spaced apart from each other according to said degree of freedom, said reader being adapted to read each of said labels, said system further comprising a central unit electrically connected to said reader, and to a buzzer said central unit being adapted to cause said sound horn to emit distinct sounds when said reader reads said labels; said central unit comprises a memory comprising correspondence information between said labels and a plurality of distinct sounds to be transmitted; the system further comprises an information input device adapted to allocate in said memory of said central unit said correspondence information between said labels and said plurality of distinct sounds; said labels are distinct two by two; Said system further comprises a sound transmitter electrically connected to said connection member; said adjusting mechanism is a motor vehicle seat slide adapted to be fastened on the one hand to a floor of a motor vehicle and on the other hand to a motor vehicle seat element, and to adjust the longitudinal position the seat member with respect to said floor; - The adjustment mechanism is a seat slide comprising.  A first section, said fixed, forming the third element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, a second section, said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle seat element, complementary to the first section and cooperating therewith to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat member in the vehicle, and - a memory member, forming said first member; The adjustment mechanism is a seat slide comprising a first section, said fixed, forming the first element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, and a second section, said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat member 20, said second section being complementary to and cooperating with the first section to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat member in the vehicle; said adjustment mechanism is a motor vehicle seat hinge adapted to be fixed on the one hand to a first motor vehicle seat element and on the other hand to a second motor vehicle seat element, and to adjust relative orientation of the first and second seat elements; The adjustment mechanism is a seat hinge comprising a first flange, said fixed, forming the first element, adapted to be fixed to a first vehicle seat element, and a second flange, said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be attached to a second vehicle seat member, the second flange 2910392 8 being complementary to and cooperating with the first flange to adjust the relative orientation of the first and second seat members; said adjustment mechanism is a motor vehicle seat extension adapted to be fastened on the one hand to a base and on the other hand to a motor vehicle seat element, and to adjust the vertical position of the motor vehicle seat element; seat relative to the base; said adjusting mechanism comprises a sleeve attached to a motor vehicle seat back, and forming the first element, and a headrest pin forming the second element, and fixed to a headrest frame, said pin being complementary to the sleeve and cooperating therewith to adjust the position of the armature relative to the backrest; the system further comprises a second locking mechanism comprising: a locking member mounted on the movable element, movable between a rest position in which it does not cooperate with the first element, and a locking position in which it cooperates with the first element, to prohibit a relative movement of the first and second elements, - an electric actuator mounted on the movable element, and adapted to move the locking member to its locking position, said sound characterization system being further adapted to control said actuator.  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of six of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.  On the drawings.  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustment mechanism for the seat of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 2 at an opposite angle; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary permanent lock for the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a representative diagram showing a central unit for the first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism; FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 in the locking position of the locking element; FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, FIGS. 9a, 9b and FIG. 9c are three schematic views illustrating the return seat, from its position all before, to its nominal position.  FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 for a second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 for a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. in section along line XII-XII in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic sectional view along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 14 of a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 is a partial diagrammatic sectional view along line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13 of the fourth embodiment; Fig. 15 is a schematic partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 16 is a schematic side view partially in section of a sixth embodiment of the invention.  In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.  Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle seat 1 which comprises a backrest 2 carried by a seat 3 itself slidably mounted on the floor 4 of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction X.  The seat 3 is connected to the floor 4 by a longitudinal adjustment mechanism 5 adapted to adjust the relative position of the seat relative to the floor according to a degree of freedom of translation along the axis X.  The seat 3 is also adjustable in height relative to the floor (particularly with respect to the longitudinal adjustment mechanism) by a mechanism 205 said raising.  The backrest 2 is rotatably mounted relative to the seat 3 by a mechanism 105 for adjusting the inclination around the transverse axis Y.  The vertical adjustment of the head restraint 30 relative to the top of the backrest is provided by a setting mechanism 305.  A control lever 90 is adapted to control the unlocking of the slide, and the backrest on the seat, to bring the seat forward, the folder folded forward.  The longitudinal adjustment mechanism 5 is formed by a set of slides comprising two parallel slides 6, clearly visible in Figure 2, and the unlocking is controlled for example by a spreader 5a.  Each of these slides 6 has first and second slide members 7, 8, which slide one in the other in the X direction.  The first slide member 7 can be attached to the floor 4 of the vehicle.  The second slide element 8 can be movable and carry the seat 3, for example by means of a raising mechanism 205 (cf. for example FIG.  15) for adjusting the height of the seat 3 in the direction Za.  As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the stationary slide member 7 may be, for example, in the form of a substantially U-shaped folded and cut sheet metal profile, which comprises: - a horizontal base 9 intended to be fixed to the floor 4 of the vehicle, - two vertical lateral wings 10 which extend substantially perpendicularly to the base, and two reentrant troughs 11 which extend the lateral wings 10 towards the inside of the slideway and towards the base 9.  The movable slide member 8, meanwhile, may comprise: - a support 12 made of sheet metal comprising a substantially vertical core 13 which carries the seat 3 (in the example 20 considered here, the core 13 carries the seat 3 by means of the raising mechanism 205 mentioned above, more particularly raising rods 211 belonging to this raising mechanism can be pivotally mounted in holes 13a, 13b formed in the core 13), 25 - and a profile 14 in folded and cut sheet, substantially inverted U-shaped, which comprises (see Figures 3 to 5) a horizontal base 15 substantially perpendicular to the core 13 (or more generally forming a non-zero angle with the core), this base 15 extending in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the X direction, between two lateral parts in sliding connection with the fixed slide element 7.  In the example considered here, the two lateral parts in question comprise two wings 16 substantially perpendicular to the base 15, which extend towards the base 9.  These wings 16 are themselves extended, 2910392 12 outwardly and opposite the base 9, by two flaps 17 which penetrate into the space between the side wings 10 and the reentrant troughs 11 of the element fixed slide 7.  Balls (not shown) or other rolling elements are generally interposed between the flaps 17 and the side wings 10 on the one hand, and between the flaps 17 and the reentrant troughs 11 on the other hand.  In general, the shapes of the two slide elements 10 may be similar for example to those described in document FR-A-2,872,103.  The core 13 of the support 12 comprises two abutment portions 18, 20 which extend in two vertical planes parallel to the direction X.  These abutment portions 18, 20 each have a horizontal lower edge, respectively 19, 21, which is abutted on the upper face of the base 15 of the section 14 and which is butt welded to this base, for example by welding laser.  In the example of Figure 3, the lower edge 21 of the abutment portion 20 is interrupted locally by a cutout 22 for the passage of a lug 29 fixed to the base 15 of the movable section 14, this tab 29 belonging to an ear 28 for fastening a seatbelt fastener (not shown).  In the case of the slide located to the right in Figure 2, the abutment portion 20 does not include the cutout 22, so that the lower edge 21 is not interrupted and can thus be welded over its entire length on the base 15.  Of course, the lower edges 19, 21 could possibly be welded only in places on the base 15, rather than being welded over their entire length.  In addition to the abutment portions 18, 20, the web 13 of the support 12 further comprises a remote portion 23, which is connected by folds 24, 25 respectively to the abutment portions 18, 20, and which is offset Laterally with respect to said abutment portions.  This offset portion 23 extends for example in a plane parallel to the X and Z axes, and is extended downwardly by one or more tabs 26, 27, extending for example in the same plane as said remote portion 23.  As can be seen in FIG. 3, the tabs 26, 27 are contiguous to one of the lateral wings 16 of the profile 14 and are welded laterally to this wing, for example by laser welding (in particular by so-called transparent laser welding). .  As can be seen in FIG. 2, each slideway also comprises an actuating element 71 for unlocking the movable section 14 with respect to the fixed profile 7.  This actuating member 71 is controlled by the lifter 5a.  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the mechanical permanent locking system 79 comprises a steel plate 78 integral with the lower end of a control rod 80 which also has an upper end intended to pass through an opening 81 made in the base 15 of each mobile section 14 to cooperate with the control member 81.  This control rod 80 is slidably mounted in the vertical direction within a through opening 82a of a metal guide 82 itself fixedly attached to the base 15 of the movable section 7.  This metal guide 82 supports elastic return means 83 such as a coil spring surrounding the control rod 80 and urging the plate 78 to a high position in which the plate 78 is close to the metal guide 82.  For this purpose, the spring 83 can be interposed between the metal guide 82 and a collar 84 made on the control rod 80.  As can be seen in this Figure 4, the plate 78 extends substantially parallel to the base 15 of the movable section and comprises at each of its lateral edges a series of teeth 79a.  In the mounted state of the slide, the series of teeth 79a of the plate 78 extend transversely beyond the vertical flanges 16 of the movable section 14, passing through cutouts 85 of complementary shape formed in the lower parts. of the two vertical wings 16 of the mobile section 14.  Furthermore, the series of teeth 79a of the plate 78 as they pass through the cuts 85, respectively engage in series 10 of notches 86a delimited by notches 86 formed on the ends of the troughs 11 of the fixed profile 7 forming the other part of the permanent locking mechanism.  These notches 86 made on the end portions of the troughs 11 are regularly distributed in the longitudinal direction L thus forming a series of notches with constant pitch.  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment also comprises a storage system in the form of a temporary locking mechanism 100 comprising an actuator 31 mounted in an opening arranged at this effect of the base 15 of the movable section and comprising an electrical connection member 32 connected to a control system which will be described in more detail later in connection with Figure 6, and a power supply member 25 33 connected to an electric generator.  The temporary locking mechanism also comprises a locking member 34 mounted on the movable section 14, rotatable relative to the profile movable about an axis 35 between a rest position, shown in FIG. 5, and a locking position shown in FIG. in Figure 7.  The actuator 31 also comprises a spring 36 urging the locking member 34 towards its rest position.  The temporary locking mechanism also comprises a notched bar 37 fixed to the horizontal base 9 of the fixed profile and having a plurality of notches 38, spaced, for example regularly, along the longitudinal adjustment direction.  The locking member 34 has a tooth 39 which cooperates with one of the notches 38 of the notched bar in the locking position of the locking member.  The locking member 34 is also mounted via a slot 40 on a pin 41 fixed through the movable section and limiting the stroke of the locking member 34 relative to the movable section.  The locking member 34 is mounted facing the actuator 31, and cooperates with it so that when the actuator 31 is controlled via its electrical connection member 32, the actuator 31 moves , against the biasing of the spring 36, the locking member 34 from its rest position (FIG.  5) at its locking position (Fig.  7 and FIG.  8).  As shown in FIG.  3, the temporary locking system shown in FIGS.  5, 7 and 8 is coupled with a sound characterization system, which will be described in more detail below according to a first embodiment.  Thus, the sound characterization system 101 comprises one or more locating elements 42 arranged, for example regularly spaced, on one of the reentrant troughs 11 of the fixed profile.  The sound characterization system may also further include a reading member 43 complementary to the locating elements 42, and fixedly secured to the movable section, for example on the core 13 in the example shown.  The reading member 43 may for example comprise an electrical connection member 44 for its power supply, so that, the reading member 43 being electrically powered, the latter is able to detect the tracking element. 42 placed directly opposite.  In this first embodiment, the reading member 43 is connected to a central unit 45 which will be described below, in more detail in relation with FIG. 6.  The central unit 45 may for example comprise a processor 46 able to detect the read signal supplied by the reading unit 43 and to compare the reading result with personalization data present in a memory 47 of the unit. Central 45. For example, the registration elements 42 are distinct two by two, and the memory 47 has, next to each of these registration elements 42, data indicating whether, in this position, the temporary locking system 100 must be locked.  The central unit 45 is thus connected to the actuator 31 by means of its electrical connection member 32 through the core 13 so that, the result of the comparison made by the central unit 46 being positive, the processor 46 triggers the flow of an electric current to the actuator 31.  The central unit 45 may also be connected to a buzzer 48 adapted to emit an audible sound if the result of the comparison performed by the processor 46 is positive.  No sound is emitted if the result of the comparison is negative.  Where appropriate, the CPU 45 is coupled with a sound database 49 having a set of individual sound samples 50 corresponding, for example, each to a possible occupant of the seat in question.  Where appropriate, a single sound database 49 is distributed across all seats even if some occupants are not likely to use some of the seats.  The CPU 45 may also be coupled to an information input interface system 51 adapted to define the data stored in the memory 47.  The input interface 51 comprises, for example, backwards 52, forward 53 and valid 54 buttons as well as a display screen 55.  With such an input interface 51, it is possible first of all, using the buttons 52 and 53 to scroll all the sound data 50 contained in the sound database 49 to identify the sound 50 that it is desired to associate in the memory 47 at a position.  The latter is validated by pressing the confirm button 54.  The buttons 52 and 53 are then used to navigate among the various possible position identification positions, each corresponding to a registration element 42 disposed on the stationary section.  By pressing, for the desired position, the enable button 54, the previously selected tone data 50 is assigned to one of the registration elements 42 in the memory 47.  The CPU 45, the memory 47 and the interface 51 thus form a system for adjusting the predetermined sound emission position.  The system just described works as follows.  when the occupant wishes to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat along the axis X, he unlocks the permanent mechanical locking system by actuating the spreader bar 5a.  During the relative movement, along the X direction, of the movable section with respect to the fixed profile, the reading member 43 reads, as it passes, a plurality of locating elements 42.  For each of these, the read signal transmitted by the reading device 43 is compared with the personalization data included in the memory 47.  If this comparison is positive, the processor 46 can control the sound output by the horn 48.  If necessary, this sound corresponds to a personalized sound data included in the sound database 49.  The occupant can thus hear whether or not it is his position and, as the case may be, release the rudder bar to relock the permanent locking system immediately, or keep the rudder bar 5a engaged and continue to scroll the movable section. in search of his personalized position.  It is also possible that the lifter is also connected to the central unit 45 so as to deactivate the actuation of the temporary locking system in this setting mode.  If necessary, the result of the comparison reveals that the movable section is in a position included in a range in which re-locking of the slideway is prohibited, and an audible signal is emitted as long as it is not detected that the movable section is out of said range.  If necessary, the memory 47 contains information relating to the occupant of the seat.  This information is for example obtained when the occupant of the seat has used a personalized contact key to open the vehicle.  The central unit 45 is thus able to discriminate, among the various locating elements 42 which return a read signal corresponding to a potential occupant of the seat, the single locating element which corresponds to the current occupant of the seat.  Thus, if necessary, the re-locked position is assigned in memory 47 as the new predetermined sound-emitting position when the rudder is released by the occupant.  Thus, for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat, the spring 36 holds the temporary locking system in the rest position.  According to another use of the seat, the backrest was tilted forwards, and the seat was driven forward to facilitate access to the rear seat space, for example to a three-door vehicle, as shown in Figure 9a.  In this arrangement, a holding mechanism keeps the backrest in its folded position forward.  This is for example a simple spring, 5 or it keeps locked the hinge mechanism of the backrest in the folded position forward.  Furthermore, the holding mechanism keeps unlocked the slide permanent locking mechanism.  Such holding mechanisms are conventionally used in such seats, and do not require additional description.  It will be possible, in a purely illustrative way, to refer to FR 2 882 537.  If the occupant wishes to return the seat to the rear, the reading member emits, when traveling towards the rear of the mobile section, whenever it is opposite a locating element 42, a read signal which is compared by the processor 46, with information contained in the memory 47.  When the result of this comparison is positive, the processor 46 causes the buzzer 48 to emit a sound that may for example be a personalized sound obtained from the sound database 49.  If necessary, the occupant can then straighten the seat, so as to disable the holding system.  The permanent locking system will re-lock the slide in this position.  If necessary, the memory 47 will also include identification data of the current occupant of the seat, and control the actuation of the actuator 31 when the identification element 42 identified 30 corresponds to this occupant.  As shown in FIG. 7, this actuation will cause rotation of the locking member 34 until the tooth 39 engages with one of the notches 38 of the toothed bar 37.  The corresponding position is illustrated in Figure 9b.  This actuation by the actuator 31 is only temporary, and, for example, lasts for a maximum of five seconds, the time for providing that the holding device releases the tilting lock mechanism and that the user then rectifies the backrest from its folded position to its nominal position of use, shown in Figure 9c.  The rotation of the backrest into its nominal position, in a manner known per se, triggers the relocking of the permanent slide locking mechanism and the hinge locking mechanism 10 in the nominal position of the backrest.  The actuator 31 can then stop being powered electrically, so that the locking member 34 returns to its rest position.  According to a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the registration element 42 is made in the form of a housing 55 of insulating material, for example plastic, carried by the vertical wing of the fixed section.  The insulating housing 55 carries a first electrical element 56 electrically connected via an electrical connection terminal 57 to an electrical generator.  The reading member 43 is made for example integral with the movable section comprising an insulating housing 58 which carries a second electrical element 59 adapted to cooperate with the first electrical element 56 in a given relative position of the fixed and movable slider profiles for allow the circulation of an electric current, from the terminal 57 to a buzzer 48 electrically connected to the second electrical element 59.  It will be noted in particular that the registration element 42 may in particular, in the present embodiment, be mounted so that it can be moved relative to the fixed profile so as to adjust the predetermined position in which the sound is emitted.  In particular, the registration element 42 may be embodied as a portion of a storage pad 65 alternately lockable or unlockable from the fixed section via a second locking system (not shown).  Such storage pad systems 5 are well known to those skilled in the art, and are in particular described for example in FR 2 778 613.  As shown in Figures 11 and 12, according to a third embodiment, the sound characterization system may for example be a fully mechanical system 10 an example of which will be described in more detail below.  In this exemplary embodiment, the registration element 42 is in the form of a comb having a plurality of flexible tongues 60 of varying length along the transverse Y-axis slide.  The registration elements 42 are for example made in the form of bosses 61 of variable size and / or shape along the longitudinal direction, on the reentrant trough 11 facing the reading element, so that their cooperation with it produces distinct sounds in pairs.  As will be described hereinafter, the invention is not limited to application in the context of motor vehicle seat rails, but may find application in any type of motor vehicle seat adjustment mechanism.  As shown in Figures 13 and 14, in a fourth embodiment, the rigid frame 102 of the backrest is connected to the rigid frame of the seat by a hinge mechanism 105 controlled by a handle pivotally mounted around transverse horizontal axis Y, or the backrest frame is connected to the seat by two identical or similar hinge mechanisms 105 controlled by said handle.  For example, a hinge (or tilt adjustment) mechanism 2910392 22 as described in FR 2 792 583 is used.  Actuation of the handle in the angular direction A shown in FIG.  14 locks the hinge mechanism 105, so that the user of the seat can adjust the inclination of the backrest 2 by acting directly on the backrest, said backrest being generally urged forward by at least one spring (not shown)  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the articulation mechanism 105 comprises: a fixed metal flange 107, which extends perpendicular to the Y axis and which can be secured for example to the rigid reinforcement of the seat, - a metal flange 108, which also extends perpendicularly to the Y axis and which can be secured for example with the backrest frame, the flange 108 having an outer ring 108a which is surrounded by an outer ring 107a belonging to the flange 107, 20 - a metal ring 109, which is crimped on the periphery of the fixed and movable flanges by delimiting therewith a closed circular casing, and fixed to the fixed flange, and a grain locking device 110, 25 which is contained in said housing and which is adapted to immobilize the movable flange 108 relative to the corresponding fixed flange 107 as the handle is in its rest position.  The locking device 110 comprises: - two locking metal grains 111, which are arranged at 120 from each other with respect to the Y axis and which each have an external toothing 112 adapted to engage a internal circular toothing 113 formed in the movable flange 108, each of these grains 35 being mounted sliding radially in a guide 114 which 2310392 23 is integral with the fixed flange 107 (the guide 114 may be laterally delimited for example by two semi-cuts or stampings 114a formed in the fixed flange), so that the grains are movable between, on the one hand, an engagement position where the toothing 112 of these grains is engaged with the toothing 113 of the corresponding mobile flange to lock the mechanism 105, and on the other hand, an erased position where the grains 111 do not cooperate with the toothing 113 of the mobile flange, each grain further comprising a pin 115 which makes axially towards the movable flange 108, a metal cam 116 which is secured to the handle, this cam having three bearing edges 116a projecting radially outwards and arranged at 120 degrees from each other with respect to the X-axis, two of these bearing edges being adapted to cooperate respectively with the rear ends 111a of the locking grains 111 to push the grains into engagement position, two springs 117 which are mounted on the fixed flange 107 and which urge the cam 116 to a rest position where its bearing edges place the grains 111 in their engagement position, said cam being pivotable in the angular direction A under the action of the handle 25 allowing the grains 111 to slide to their erased position thus unlocking the hinge mechanism 105, and a rigid metal plate 118 which is rigidly connected to the cam 116 and which extends radially in said cam and the movable flange 108 partially covering the grains 111, this plate having three cutouts 119 in which are engaged the pins 115 grains, each of these pins cooperating with a ramp-shaped edge 120 which defines the cut 119 35 corresponding radially outwardly and which is 2910392 24 shaped to move the grain 111 corresponding radially inwardly when the cam rotates in the angular direction A.  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the present embodiment, the sound characterization system 101 includes an organ

  43 fixed reading, for example welded to the backrest frame 102, and a registration element 42, for example unique, for example fitted on the metal ring 109, or fixed in any other manner adapted to the fixed flange 107 so to be able to cooperate with the reading member 43 in a given relative angular position of the fixed flange and the mobile flange. The sound characterization system is made in any suitable manner and, in the example here described similarly to the second embodiment, shown previously in FIG. 10. Thus, the registration element 42 comprises a first electrical element 56 electrically connected to an electric generator, and the reader 43 includes a second electrical element 59 connected to a buzzer, and brought into contact with the first electrical element in the predetermined angular position so that an electric current flows through the buzzer sound in this position. If desired, the registration element 42 can be moved along the crown 109 to set the personalized identification position. As shown in FIG. 15, according to a fifth embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is a raising mechanism 205 mounted on the movable sections 8 of the two longitudinal rails. According to the purely illustrative example presented, the raising mechanism 205 comprises two handles (a front handle and a rear handle) which are each movable about a transverse horizontal axis 210 and which control the pivoting of metal rods 211 of which 2910392 25 the lower end 220 is pivotally mounted on the core 13 of the corresponding slide (Figure 3) and whose upper end 221 is connected directly or not to the rigid arms 219, side of the seat frame, 5 as shown in FIG. 13. The connecting rods 211 are generally four in number and are divided into two pairs of connecting rods, located respectively at the rear of the seat and at the front of this seat, forming a front raising mechanism 205a and 10a. rear raising mechanism 205b which together make up the raising mechanism 205. It will be noted that the front and rear raising mechanisms are different from each other in the example shown in the drawings, but could where appropriate be identical. Optionally, it is possible that only one of the front and rear raising mechanisms, for example the rear mechanism, is positively controlled by a member actuated by the user: in this case, the other mechanism raises, for example the front raising mechanism, would be only equipped with two rods 211 or other mechanical device allowing the front of the seat to follow the vertical movement of the rear seat. It will also be appreciated that the rear raise mechanism 205b and the front raise mechanism 205a could optionally be swapped. The two links 211 of each of the pairs are joined together by a transverse connecting tube 212 which is metallic, generally made of steel, and 30 which extends along a transverse horizontal axis, respectively Y1, Y2. The front raising mechanism 205a further comprises a further metal connecting tube 213 which extends along a transverse horizontal axis Y3 and whose ends are pivotally mounted on the side flanges 219 of the seat. One end of the connecting tube 213 is further secured to a rack 216 belonging to a control mechanism 215 which is actuated by the corresponding handle. The rack 216 is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the connecting rod 211 corresponding to a pivot 240, while the upper end 221 of the other connecting rod 211 is pivotally mounted on an additional connecting rod 214 around a pivot 214a, this additional rod being itself secured to the end of the tube 213 which is disposed opposite the control mechanism 215. The raising mechanism here presented operates by interaction of the rack 216 with a pinion (not visible) 15), and may for example be of the type described in FR 2 806 675. When turning the corresponding handle, the rotation of the pinion causes a pivoting of the rack 216 about the axis Y3, which also pivoting the two connecting rods 11 of the front raising mechanism 205a by raising or lowering the front part of the seat cushion in the direction of the arrow Za (FIG. 1). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, the transverse tube 212 of the rear lift mechanism 205b is secured to the upper ends of the rear connecting rods 211 and is pivotally mounted on the lateral flanges 219 of the seat around the axis. Y2. This rear raising mechanism comprises, on one side of the seat, a control device 217 which is driven by the axis 210 of the corresponding handle and which comprises a rack 218. As previously, the control mechanism 217 has a pinion rotated by the transverse axis 210 of the corresponding handle and pivotably mounted so that when the rear handle is actuated, the rack 218 pivots about the axis Y2 and the back of the seat moves. vertically in the direction Za of FIG. 1. In this fifth embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, the rear adjustment mechanism comprises a sound characterization system 101. It will be noted that, in a variant and in addition, the mechanism of front adjustment could include such a sound characterization system. For purely illustrative purposes, this system is made according to the teachings described in connection with FIG. 10 in the context of the second embodiment of the invention. Thus, a reading member 43 is electrically connected to a buzzer 48 and comprises a second electric element 59 adapted to cooperate with a complementary first electrical element 56 electrically connected to an electric generator, not shown, and carried by a ring 222 insulating material formed on the rear connecting tube 212 interconnecting the two rear connecting rods 211. When adjusting the height of the seat structure relative to the base formed by the sliding rail section, in a relative position Given the data of the seat frame arm 219 and the rear linkage tube 212, the first and second electrical members 56, 59 come into contact so that an electric current flows to sound the buzzer 48. If desired, the ring 222 is tightly mounted on the connecting tube 212 and can be rotated about the rear linkage tube 212 in to set the relative position at which horn 30 is actuated. According to a sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a headrest 30 comprises a rigid internal structure 302 on which is mounted a cushion 303 formed of a flexible padding, such as for example a polyurethane foam, or other.

The headrest 30 is supported by two parallel vertical pins 304 and 305, each sliding respectively mounted respectively in a sleeve or sleeve 306 and 307 of the backrest 2 of the vehicle seat 5 carrying the headrest. Thus, the pins 304 and 305 slide along a translation axis Zat (FIG. 1) here coinciding with the axis of the pins 304, 305. According to the embodiment presented, the upper end of the pin 304 is bent and carries an arm 310 facing the rear of the seat, then is bent transversely, that is to say according to the width of the seat, so as to constitute an arm 311 oriented along a first axis of rotation. Similarly, the upper end of the spindle 305 is bent firstly in an arm (hidden in FIG. 16) facing the front of the seat, then transversely, for example in the direction of the other spindle 304 for forming a second arm 312 extending substantially parallel to the arm 311 oriented along a second axis of rotation. The two arms 311 and 312 are thus offset relative to one another longitudinally (i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the seat) by a certain distance. In general, a transverse axis intersecting the first and second axes of rotation is not coincidental with the axis of translation of the headrest, and is for example orthogonal to it. A locking system, not shown, locks pins 304 and 305 and sleeves 306 and 307 in relative position. For example, a spring attached to the bushing cooperating with a notch in the spindle is used. The unlocking control of the headrest is thus performed directly by moving the visible portion of the headrest to pull the spring out of the notch. The rigid structure 302 of the head restraint is pivotally mounted on both this first arm 311 linked to the first pin 304 and the second arm 312 connected to the second pin 305. With such a mounting, the adjustment The height of the head restraint can be obtained by simultaneous vertical movement of the two pins 304 and 305. In addition, a tilting adjustment of the headrest relative to the backrest frame 102 can be obtained by means of differentiated vertical movements of these two pins, and in particular by the vertical movement of a single pin, once the locking system unlocked.

In this sixth embodiment, the mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the rigid structure 302 of the headrest relative to the backrest frame 102 may comprise a sound characterization system, made independently of the locking system. .

The sound characterization system 101 is carried, for example, by each of the bushing / spindle systems. According to the example shown, for example, there is used a sound characterization system substantially as described in the context of the third embodiment of the invention in relation to FIGS. 11 and 12. Thus, a plurality of distinct reliefs are formed as so many tracking elements 42 regularly spaced along the spindle, and having different shapes. A reading member 43 is carried by the corresponding sleeve and 25 comprises an elastic tongue 60 which cooperates with each of the reliefs 62 so as to emit a sound during this cooperation. It thus appears that according to the embodiments, the sound characterization system is not necessarily connected to a temporary locking system, even for the first and second embodiments presented.

Claims (23)

  An adjusting mechanism for a motor vehicle seat comprising: a first element (7; 65; 107; 212; 306); a second element (8; 102; 103; 304), said to be movable, displaceable relative to the first element according to at least a first degree of freedom, - a first locking mechanism (79; 110; 216) adapted to alternatively prohibit a relative displacement of the first and second elements according to the first degree of freedom, and to allow said relative movement, - a first actuator (5a; 116; 210; 30) operable by a user to move the first latching mechanism at least from its active state to its inactive state, characterized by a sound characterization system (101) adapted to emit a sound audible in at least a given relative position of the first and second elements, while said relative movement is enabled by the first locking mechanism.   2. Adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the sound characterization system (101) comprises a registration element (42) integral with said first element, a reading member (43) integral with said second element and adapted to cooperate with said element for locating an audible sound at said given relative position of the first and second elements.   An adjustment mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sound characterization system (101) is adapted to emit an audible sound over a wide range of positions including at least said given relative position.   4. Adjustment mechanism according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a third element (7) said fixed, the first locking mechanism comprising a first and a second independent locking system 5, the first locking system (79). ) being adapted to take alternately an active state, in which it prohibits a relative movement of the second and third elements, and an inactive state in which it allows said relative movement, the second locking system being adapted to take alternately an active state, in which it prohibits a relative movement of the first element (65), said memory and the third element, and an inactive state 15 in which it allows said relative movement, said first control member (5a) being operable by a user to move the first locking system at least from its active state to its inactive state, the mechanism adjusting means further comprising a second user operable control member (90) for moving the second locking system at least from its active state to its inactive state. 25   5. Adjustment mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sound characterization system is a mechanical system comprising at least a first relief (42) formed on one of the first and second elements, and a second relief (43). ) Complementary to the first relief, adapted to cooperate with the first relief to emit said sound in said given relative position, and formed on the other element selected from the first and second elements.   An adjusting mechanism according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of said first reliefs (42), 2910392 32 spaced from one another by said degree of freedom, and each adapted to cooperate with the second relief (43) to emit a sound each in a respective given relative position, the first reliefs being distinct two by two so that the cooperation of the second relief with the first reliefs generates distinct sounds in pairs.   An adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sound characterization system comprises a first electrical circuit portion (56) carried by the first element, a second electrical circuit portion (59) carried by the second element, the first and second electrical circuit portions being adapted to be in contact in said relative position, the sound characterization system further comprising a first connection terminal (57) adapted to be electrically connected to a suitable electrical generator for delivering an electric current, and a second connecting terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an electric horn (48), the first and second terminals being electrically connected respectively to one and the other of said first and second parts of connection so that when contact between said first 25 t second electrical portions, an electric current generated by the electric generator circulates in the buzzer appropriately to make it emit said sound.   8. A system comprising an adjustment mechanism according to claim 7, an electrical generator electrically connected to said first connection terminal, and a buzzer (48) electrically connected to said second connection terminal.   An adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sound characterization system comprises at least one identification label (42) carried by the first element, and a non-contact reader (43). carried by the second element, and adapted to read without contact said label in said given relative position, said reader (43) comprising an electrical connection member to an electric buzzer (48), said electric buzzer being adapted to emit said sound when said reader reads said label. 10. The adjustment mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the first element carries a plurality of labels (42), spaced apart from each other according to said degree of freedom, said reader (43) being adapted to read each of said labels, said reader comprising a member 15 for connecting to a buzzer (48) adapted to emit no sound when said reader reads at least one of said labels. A system comprising an adjustment mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the first member carries a plurality of labels (42) spaced apart from each other by said degree of freedom, said reader being adapted to reading each of said labels, said system further comprising a central unit (45) electrically connected to said reader (47), and to a buzzer (48), said central unit being adapted to cause said buzzer to emit distinct sounds when said reader reads those labels. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said central unit includes a memory (47) having matching information between said labels and a plurality of distinct sounds to be transmitted. 13. The system of claim 12 further comprising an information input device (51) adapted to assign in said memory of said central unit 2910392 34 said correspondence information between said labels and said plurality of distinct sounds. 14. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to claim 10, or system according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said labels (42) are distinct two by two. 15. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to claim 9 or claim 10, or system according to one of claims 11 to 14, said system further comprising a buzzer (48) electrically connected to said connecting member. 16. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein said adjusting mechanism is a seat slide (6) motor vehicle adapted to be fixed on the one hand to a motor vehicle floor and on the other hand to a motor vehicle seat element (3), and to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat element in relation to said floor. 17.Adjustment mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a seat slide comprising: - a first section (7), said fixed, forming the third element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, a second section (14), said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle seat element complementary to the first section and cooperating therewith to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat element; in the vehicle, and - a memory member (65) forming said first element. 18. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system 2910392 according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein the adjustment mechanism is a seat slide (6) comprising a first section (7), said fixed, forming the first element, adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, and a second section (14), said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat element (3), said second section being complementary to the first section and cooperating therewith to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat element in the vehicle. 19. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein said adjustment mechanism is a seat joint (105) motor vehicle adapted to be attached firstly to a first motor vehicle seat element (103) and secondly to a second motor vehicle seat element (102), and to adjust the relative orientation of the first motor vehicle seat element (103). and second seat elements. 20.System comprising an adjustment mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein the adjustment mechanism is an articulation of 25 seat comprising a first flange (107), said fixed, forming the first element, adapted to be fixed to a first element (103) of vehicle seat, and a second flange (108), said mobile, forming said second element, adapted to be attached to a second vehicle seat member (102), said second flange being complementary to and cooperating with the first flange to adjust the relative orientation of the first and second seat members. 21. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein said adjusting mechanism is an extension (205b) motor vehicle seat assembly adapted to be attached firstly to a base (13) and secondly to a motor vehicle seat element (103), and to adjust the vertical position of the seat element by report to the base. 22. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 9 to 10 or system according to any of claims 8 or 11 to 15 wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises a sleeve (306, 307) attached to a motor vehicle seat back, and forming the first member, and a headrest pin (304, 305) forming the second member, and attached to a headrest frame, said pin being complementary the sheath and cooperating with it to adjust the position of the frame relative to the folder. 23. A system comprising an adjusting mechanism according to one of claims 7, 9 to 10 or system according to any one of claims 8 or 11 to 15, further comprising a second locking mechanism comprising: - a locking member ( 34) mounted on the movable element, movable between a rest position in which it does not cooperate with the first element (7), and a locking position in which it cooperates with the first element, to prevent a relative movement of first and second members, an electric actuator (31) mounted on the movable member, and adapted to move the locking member to its locking position, said sound characterization system (101) being further adapted to control said actuator .