FR2973304A1 - Device for controlling rotary drive of rod connecting e.g. single seat with front carriage of car, has locking unit placed in one position in which unit allows rotation of member and rod for seat retraction when unit is arranged at opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (D) has a locking device (MV1) comprising a locking unit i.e. parallelepiped protrusion (MB1), that passes through an opening (OV) of a guide (G1). The unit is placed in a position in which the unit prevents the rotation of a rotary control member (O1) and a connecting rod (BF1) for biasing a retractable seat (SI) in an extending position when the unit is retained in the guide, or placed in another position in which the unit allows the rotation of the rotary member and the rod for the retraction of the seat when the locking unit is arranged at the opening.

Description

The invention relates to retractable seats which are intended to be slidably mounted on slideways secured to a support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to retractable seats which are designed to be slidably mounted on slides secured to a support. It will be noted that the invention relates to any type of support on which seat rails can be secured. Therefore, the invention Zo not only terrestrial vehicles (and particularly those of automobile type), maritime (or fluvial), and air, but also buildings. The term "retractable seat" herein refers to equipment comprising a seat and a folding backrest, possibly mounted on a support, such as for example a tub, and which can be retracted into a defined housing in a floor. As known to those skilled in the art, some systems, including some motor vehicles, have a surface (usually a floor) on which is slidably installed, via slides, at least one retractable seat. Sliding can be done in a direction that is either longitudinal or transverse, depending on the positions of the rails relative to the surface and relative to the seat cushion. The seat is usually a piece of extra equipment that, when retracted, significantly increases the space in which it is installed. The retractable and sliding seats, which are mounted on connecting rods, generally comprise, at their seat or their seat, locking means which are arranged in such a way as to control the rotational drive of at least one of their connecting rods, at their upper part. More specifically, and as described in patent document FR 2896459, these locking means generally comprise a first gear sector, axially displaceable by means of a control member, and capable of meshing with a second tooth sector defined in the upper part of a rod. When the first gear sector no longer meshes with the second toothed sector, the connecting rod can be freely rotated to allow the seat to be retracted. The locking means described above comprise a relatively large number of parts, in particular at their control member, and therefore their mounting on a seat is relatively complex and relatively expensive. In addition, they are relatively bulky and can age to induce noises when actuated? due to a phenomenon of wear.

The invention therefore aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. It proposes in particular for this purpose a device, intended to control the rotational drive of a connecting rod coupling a retractable seat to a carriage, adapted to slide in a slide intended to be secured to a support, and comprising: - an organ rotary device adapted to follow the movements of the seat, and - locking means comprising a first locking means adapted to pass through an opening of the slide, and adapted to follow the movements of the seat and to be placed in a first position prohibiting the rotational drive of the member and the connecting rod to constrain the seat to remain in a désescamotée position when the first locking means is retained in the slide, or in a second position allowing the rotational drive of the organ and the connecting rod for retraction of the seat, when the first locking means is located at the opening. The device according to the invention may comprise other characteristics that can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: its locking means can be secured to the member; it may comprise a support adapted to be secured to the carriage and on which the member is rotatably mounted; the member may be arranged in the form of a plate which is rotatably mounted on the support and which is provided on a first side with a first protuberance which defines the first locking means; its locking means may comprise a second locking means capable of preventing the rotation of the connecting rod at least when the first locking means is retained in the slideway; the second locking means can be arranged in the form of a second protuberance, defined on a second side of the member, substantially perpendicular to the first side, and adapted to be housed either in a first notch defined in a first location of the connecting rod, or in a second notch defined in a second location of the connecting rod, offset angularly relative to the first place; - he can understand the cart; - The trolley can be adapted to be secured to a bucket, on which is mounted the seat; - he can understand the slide.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automotive type, and comprising a support which is secured to a slide on which is slidably mounted a seat via a carriage equipped with a control device of the type shown above. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained in CAD / DAO, hence the apparently discontinuous character of certain lines), in which: 1 schematically illustrates, in a side view, a seat secured to carriages, one of which is equipped with an embodiment of a control device according to the invention in a locked position and which are mounted to sliding on slides fixed on a floor, - Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a portion of the front slide of Figure 1 which is rotatably mounted on the front carriage which is equipped with the control device in a locked position, - Figure 3 schematically illustrates, in a side view, the seat, trolleys, slides and floor of Figure 1, but with the folded back, Figure 4 illustrates schematic in a perspective view, a part of the front slide of FIG. 3 on which is rotatably mounted the front carriage which is equipped with the control device in an unlocked position, before driving in rotation of the seat rods, and - Figure 5 schematically illustrates, in a second perspective view, a portion of the front slide of Figure 3 and the control device in a locked SEMI position, after driving in rotation of the seat rods to retract the latter in a housing. The attached drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if any. The aim of the invention is to provide a control device (D) for controlling the rotational drive of a connecting rod (BF1) coupling a retractable seat (SI) to a carriage (CH1) suitable for slide in a slide (G1) intended to be secured to a support (PL).

In the following, by way of nonlimiting example, the support (PL) is considered to be a part of a floor of a vehicle of automobile type, in which a housing (or bowl) (CU) has been defined. . But, the invention is not limited to this type of support. Indeed, it relates to any support on which can be secured slide rails. Therefore, the invention relates not only to land vehicles, maritime (or fluvial), and air, but also buildings. Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the retractable seat (SI) is of the single-seater type and therefore it can accommodate only one person. But, the invention is not limited to this type of seat. Indeed, it concerns any type of seat that can accommodate at least one person, including the seats. In addition, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the slide (G1) and therefore the retractable seat (SI) associated, is intended to be installed in a rear portion of the floor (PL) of a motor vehicle, located in an area that can be used for storing objects and in which is defined a housing or a bowl (CU) adapted to receive the seat (SI). But, the invention is not limited to this type of installation. In the figures, the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (and therefore of the seat S1), which is substantially parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle (and therefore of the seat S1), which is substantially perpendicular to the lateral sides having the side doors, and the direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is substantially perpendicular to the floor PL. Schematically and functionally represented in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a (retractable) seat SI fixedly secured to a support equipment BA, such as a tub, which is itself secured, via front connecting rods BF1 and rear BF2 (here shaped L) rotatably mounted via brackets (not shown), to a front carriage CH1 and a rear carriage CH2 which are respectively slidably mounted on the front slides G1 and rear G2, themselves fixedly attached to a structure PL (here a vehicle floor) in the vicinity of the CU bowl.

The SI seat includes a foldable DS backrest, here rotatably mounted on the BA tub, and an AS seat secured to the BA tub, here fixedly. This embodiment is intended to allow the retraction of the SI seat with its ba bucket, once the folder DS folded down, in the bowl CU which is defined in the floor PL.

Note that in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the front carriages CH1 and rear CH2 are secured indirectly and respectively to front and rear portions of the seat SI, substantially in the transverse direction Y, and the front slides G1 and G2 rear are secured to the floor PL along the same transverse direction Y. Therefore, the seat SI can be moved in the transverse direction Y. But, we could consider moving the seat SI in the longitudinal direction X, for example in positioning the front carriages CH1 and rear CH2 and the front slides G1 and rear G2 in the longitudinal direction X.

In what follows, it is considered that the control device D according to the invention is installed in the vicinity of the front carriage CH1 and the front slide G1 which are located in front of the seat SI. But in an alternative embodiment, it (D) could be installed in the vicinity of the rear carriage CH2 and the rear slide G2 which are located at the rear of the seat SI. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, a control device D according to the invention comprises a rotary member 01 (control) and locking means MV1.

The rotary member (or locking member) O is arranged to follow the movements of the seat SI. Note that in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the member 01 is rotatably mounted on a support PSI which (in the end) is itself secured to the carriage (front) CH1. This support is for example in the form of a bracket (L) or a U-shaped tab. It is for example a shaped metal plate and on which is mounted an axis of rotation (not shown) which is secured (fixed or rotational) the member 01. But, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the member 01 could be rotatably mounted on the BA tub or on the structure of the seat AS. The locking means MV1 comprise a first blocking means MB1 which is adapted to pass through an opening OV of the slide (here before) G1 which is associated with a retracted position of the seat S1.

The OV opening is defined in a selected location of an upper portion of the slide G1 in order to be easily visible by the person who wants to retract the SI seat. This opening OV may, for example, result from a cut made in the upper part of the slide G1. Furthermore, the locking means MV1 are adapted to follow the movements of the seat SI and to be placed in a first or second position. More precisely, in the first position (illustrated in FIG. 2), the locking means MV1 prohibit the rotational drive of the member 01 and the connecting rod BF1, in order to force the seat S 1 to remain in a désescamotée position ( illustrated in Figure 1) when the first blocking means MB1 is retained in the slide G1 (and more precisely blocked in the vertical direction Z by the upper portion of the slide G1).

In the second position (illustrated in FIG. 4), the locking means MV1 authorize the rotational drive of the member 01 and the connecting rod BF1 for the purpose of retracting the seat S1, when the first locking means MB1 is located at the opening OV and therefore can cross the upper part of the slide G1 to find itself slightly above it. Note that in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the member 01 is arranged in the form of a plate which is rotatably mounted on the support SPI and which is provided on a first side (here oriented to the slide G1 and therefore transversal) a protrusion which defines the first blocking means MB1. As illustrated in Figure 4 and as mentioned above, this protrusion MB1 is adapted to pass through the opening OV to allow unlocking or locking the connecting rod BF1.

In this nonlimiting example, the protuberance MB1 has substantially a parallelepipedal shape and is placed substantially in the longitudinal direction X. It is therefore substantially defined perpendicularly to the first transverse side of the plate 01. As illustrated in non-limiting manner in FIGS. 5, in order to reinforce the control of the locking of the connecting rod BF1, it is advantageous that the locking means MV1 comprise a second locking means MB2. The latter (MB2) is more specifically intended to prohibit the rotational drive of the rod BF1 at least when the first blocking means MB1 is retained in the slide G1 (and more precisely under the upper part of the slide G1 - see figure 2). As illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, this second blocking means MB2 may be arranged in the form of a second protuberance which is defined on a second side of the member 01, substantially perpendicular to the first side (and therefore here substantially longitudinal). This second protrusion MB2 is adapted to be housed either in a first notch El which is defined in a first location of the connecting rod BF1, or in a second notch E2 which is defined in a second location of this same connecting rod BF1, angularly offset relative to in the first place. It will be understood that the angular offset between the first and second locations (and thus the first E1 and second E2 notches) depends on the respective positions to be taken by the connecting rod BF1 when it is placed in the uncoupling position (FIGS. 1 and 2) or the retracted position (Figure 5). Note that the first E1 and second E2 notches are defined at a first end of a connecting rod BF1 which is opposite a second end of the latter (BF1), which is rotatably mounted on the tub BA.

It will be understood that when the seat SI is in the désescamotée position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2), and that a person wants to retract it into the bowl CU, it must first move the seat SI (with its tub BA), by sliding via the front carriages CH1 and rear CH2, until the first blocking means MB1 is placed at the opening 0V.

We will come back later on the modalities of this displacement of the SI headquarters. The first blocking means MB1 can now pass through the opening OV, the member 01 is unlocked and can be rotated (by pressing up and down on its rear portion (opposite MB1 and MB2) ), which releases the second blocking means MB2 of the first slot El and thus unlocks the rod BF1 which can then be rotated to its retracted position (illustrated in Figure 5). Once the seat IF and its tub BA are retracted in the bowl CU, the member 01 can be rotated in the other direction so that its second blocking means MB2 comes to be housed in the second slot E2 and therefore unlocks the connecting rod BF1 in its retracted position (illustrated in FIG. 5). When the seat SI is in the retracted position (very partially illustrated in FIG. 5), and a person wishes to retract it out of the bowl CU, it must start by driving the member 01 in rotation (by a high pressure in bottom on its rear part), which releases the second blocking means MB2 of the second notch E2 and thus unlocks the connecting rod BF1 which can then be rotated towards its uncoupling position (illustrated in Figures 2 and 4). Once the seat IF and its tub BA are found unconscored out of the bowl CU, the member 01 can be rotated in the other direction so that its second blocking means MB2 comes to be housed in the first notch El and thus unlocks the connecting rod BF1 in its position of désescamotage (illustrated in Figure 2). The seat SI can then be moved to a chosen position (possibly predefined), by sliding via the front carriages CH1 and rear CH2. It will be noted that the member 01 may optionally be rotatably mounted under an elastic restoring force which tends to spontaneously drive its front part, which comprises the first MB1 and second MB2 locking means, in downward rotation. For example, the member 01 may be made of a strong metal material. But in a variant, it could be made by molding in a plastic or synthetic material rigid and resistant.

It will also be noted that the front carriage CH1, as well as possibly the front slide G1 may be part of the control device D. It will also be noted that the displacement of the seat S1 by sliding can be possibly conditioned to the prior placement of the DS backrest in a folded position (against the seat AS), illustrated in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the seat SI can be associated with another rotary member 02 and with other locking means MV2, as shown in FIG. 1 and 3. In this example, the other rotary member 02 and the other locking means MV2 are installed in the vicinity of the rear carriage CH2 and the rear slide G2. But, in an alternative embodiment, they could be installed in the vicinity of the front carriage CH1 and the front slide G1. Here, the rotary member 02 follows the movements of the seat SI and is provided with a blocking means MB3 which is adapted to be housed in the housing L of the rear slide G2 which are associated with different positions of the seat SI. For example, the member 02 is rotatably mounted on a support lug which is secured to the rear carriage CH2. Furthermore, this member 02 is for example arranged in the form of a plate which is provided on one side (here facing the rear slide G2) of a longitudinal protuberance PR. The latter (PR) has an end which is provided with a stud (or lug) constituting the blocking means MB3 and adapted to be introduced into one of the slots L to immobilize the seat SI in the associated position.

Moreover, here, the locking means MV2 follow the movements of the seat SI and are coupled to the DS folder in order to be placed in a first or second position depending on whether the DS folder is placed in its upright or folded position. More precisely, when the backrest DS is placed in its upright position (illustrated in FIG. 1), the locking means MV1 are placed in a first position which prevents the rotation of the member 02 to constrain its locking means. MB3 to remain housed in one of the housing L. However, when the DS folder is placed in its folded position (illustrated in Figure 3), the locking means MV2 are placed in a second position which allows the training in rotation of the member 02 to dislodge its blocking means MB3 of one of the housing L and thus allow the displacement of the seat SI. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the locking means MV2 are secured to the rear carriage CH2. They include, for example, an axis comprising, on the one hand, a first end, coupled (directly or indirectly) to the movements of the DS folder (here via a cable CB which slides in a sheath maintained by a sheath stop and whose one of the ends is secured to the first end of the axis, while the other end is secured to a tab PA which is adapted to be rotated by the folder DS), and secondly, a second end, adapted to prohibit or allow the rotational drive of the member 02 according to the axis is placed in its first or second position. The axis of the locking means MV2 is for example slidably mounted on a support SP2 which is secured to the rear carriage CH2.

It will be understood that when one pushes on the axis of the MV2 locking means by straightening the DS folder, its second end is placed under the lower face of the member 02, which prohibits its drive in rotation downwards and therefore locks the seat IF in the position which is associated with the housing L in which the locking means MB3 is housed. On the other hand, when this axis is pulled by folding the backrest DS, its second end is placed in front of the member 02, which allows it to be rotated downwards and thus makes it possible to release the locking means MB3 of its housing L to place the seat IF in another position associated with another housing L or the désescamotage. The invention offers several advantages, among which: a very small number of small parts that are easy to assemble and to secure to a trolley, a great simplicity of use, an ease of access to the rotary member, a security of use. The invention is not limited to the control device and vehicle embodiments described above, only by way of example, but encompasses all the variants that can be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention. claims below.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (D) for controlling the driving in rotation of a connecting rod (BF1) coupling a retractable seat (SI) to a carriage (CH1) capable of sliding in a slideway (G1) intended to be firmly fixed to a support ( PL), characterized in that it comprises i) a rotatable member (01) adapted to follow the movements of said seat (SI), and ii) locking means (MV1) comprising a first blocking means (MB1), adapted to pass through an opening (OV) of said slide (G1), and adapted to follow the movements of said seat (SI) and to be placed either in a first position prohibiting the rotational drive of said member (01) and said connecting rod (BF1) for constraining said seat (SI) to remain in a deseshanted position when said first locking means (MB1) is retained in said slideway (G1), or in a second position permitting the rotational drive of said member (01 ) and said connecting rod (BF1) with a view to the esc pressing said seat (S1) when said first locking means (MB1) is located at said opening (OV). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MV1) are secured to said member (01). 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a support (SPI) adapted to be secured to said carriage (CH1) and on which is rotatably mounted said member (01). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said member (01) is arranged in the form of a plate rotatably mounted on said support (SPI) and provided on a first side with a first protuberance defining said first means. blocking (MB1). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said locking means (MV1) comprise a second locking means (MB2) adapted to prohibit the rotational drive of said rod (BF1) at least when said first blocking means (MB1) is retained in said slideway (G1). 6. Device according to the combination of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said second blocking means (MB2) is arranged in the form of a second protrusion, defined on a second side of said member (01), substantially perpendicular to said first side, and adapted to be housed either in a first notch (E1) defined in a first location of said rod (BF1), or in a second notch (E2) defined in a second location of said rod (BF1), angularly offset by report to that first place. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises said carriage (CH1). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said carriage (CH1) is adapted to be secured to a tub (BA), on which is mounted said seat (SI). 9. Device according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises said slide (G1). 10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a support (PL) which is fixedly secured a slide (G1) on which is mounted to slide a retractable seat (SI) via a carriage (CH1) equipped with a control device (D) according to one of the preceding claims. 11. Vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that it is automotive type.