FR3071448B1 - HEADREST MOUNTING SYSTEM, ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A MOUNTING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

Mounting system (10) configured to receive at least one rod (7) of a headrest (5), the rod (7) being movable between a high position and a low position in a direction of adjustment (Z1) relative to the mounting system (10), the mounting system (10) comprising a head restraint fixing device (11) configured to be controlled between a blocking state and an unlocking state, the mounting system ( 10) comprising at least one retaining element (60) configured to limit the displacement of the rod (7) when the rod (7) is in the low position.

Description

HEADREST MOUNTING SYSTEM, ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A MOUNTING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING A

TEL TOGETHER

The present invention relates to systems for mounting a headrest, assemblies comprising such a mounting system and a headrest, and vehicle seats comprising such an assembly.

More particularly, the invention relates to a mounting system configured to be attached to a seatback frame and to accommodate at least one rod of a headrest, the rod being movable between a high position and a position. low in a direction of adjustment relative to the mounting system, the mounting system comprising a headrest fixing device configured to be controlled between: - a blocking state, wherein the headrest fixing device immobilizes the rod relative to the backrest, and - an unlocking state, in which the headrest fixing device leaves the rod free to move relative to the backrest.

The document FR 3035625 describes an example of a mounting system on a seat that allows the retraction of the headrest. The headrest fixing device can be controlled when the backrest is folded down or when the seat base is tilted, for example to allow access to the rear seats of the vehicle. The headrest is then no longer retained by the mounting system in the unlocked state. The headrest can thus be retracted into the low position under the effect of gravity.

Such a system makes it possible to prevent the headrest from remaining in a raised position and to come into collision with the front seat or the roof of the motor vehicle when the backrest is folded down or when the seat is tilted.

However, if the seat back is folded too violently for example, the headrest, including the headrest rod, can be ejected from the mounting system, so that the headrest becomes totally disconnected from the seat back.

The present invention is intended to overcome such a disadvantage. For this purpose, according to the invention, the mounting system comprises at least one retaining element configured to limit the displacement of the rod when the rod is in the low position.

According to one embodiment, the retaining element limits the displacement of the rod only when the headrest fixing device is in the unlocking state.

According to another embodiment, the headrest fixing device comprises: a housing adapted to surround the rod with a radial clearance, a movable carriage movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and minus one jaw movable between an immobilization position and a release position, the jaw being driven by the movable carriage to be in the immobilization position when the movable carriage is in the locking position and in the release position when the movable carriage is in the unlocking position, the jaw being configured to apply, when in the immobilized position, a clamping force to the rod so that the rod is placed in abutment on the housing.

According to another embodiment, the retaining element is a wire comprising a first portion connected to the jaw and a second portion configured to cooperate with the rod when the headrest fixing device is in the unlocking state.

In another embodiment, the second portion of the retaining member is housed in a notch of the rod when the jaw is in the release position.

According to another embodiment, the housing comprises a housing, the second portion of the retaining element being configured to move in the housing between a first position and a second position when the headrest fixing device passes respectively from the blocking state in the unlocked state.

In another embodiment, the second portion is configured to cooperate with the rod when the rod is in the low position. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a headrest comprising at least one rod extending in a direction of adjustment, and a mounting system of the rod according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, the rod comprises at least one notch configured to cooperate with the retaining element when the rod is in the low position. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat, a backrest mounted on the seat and an assembly according to the invention mounted on the backrest.

According to one embodiment, the folding of the backrest relative to the seat or tilting of the seat controls the passage of the headrest fixing device from the blocking state to the unlocking state. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic side view of a vehicle seat under normal use, FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic side view of the seat of FIG. 1 in which the backrest is folded over the seat, FIG. 1C is a diagrammatic side view of a vehicle seat with the seat tilted forward; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an upper part of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1; , illustrating a headrest mounted on a seat back via a mounting system, - Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting system of Figure 2 and two headrest rods. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the housing of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 and 3; FIG. 5A is a front view of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 and 3 when the rod is in a position ba 5B is a front view of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 and 3 when the rod is in a raised position; FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial representations of the mounting system of FIG. and from behind, and - Figures 7A and 7B are partial representations of the mounting system of Figure 5B respectively front and back.

It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms "approximately", "substantially", "about", "of the order of", etc. mean that a slight variation from the nominal value considered is possible, especially a low percentage, in particular within 10%.

Figure IA is a schematic view of a vehicle seat 1 mounted on a floor P extending in a horizontal plane XY.

The seat 1 comprises a seat 2 and a backrest 3. The backrest comprises a backrest frame (not shown) surrounded by a trim. In normal use condition as shown in Figure IA, the seat 2 extends in a longitudinal direction X of the horizontal plane XY and the backrest 3 extends in a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the horizontal plane XY. Also defined here is a transverse direction Y of the horizontal plane XY, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

The seat 1 is, for example, a vehicle seat whose seat 2 is mounted on the floor P by means of slides 4 configured to slide in the longitudinal direction X so as to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat 2 by relation to the floor P.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure IB, the backrest 3 can be mounted on the seat 2 by means of a hinge about a transverse axis Y1 so as to be folded, partially or totally, relative to the sitting 2.

In particular, the backrest 3 can be mounted movable relative to the seat 2 between a folded position in which the backrest 3 extends inclined towards the front, preferably substantially substantially horizontally, with respect to the seat 2 as shown in FIG. 1B, and a position of use, in particular under the condition of normal use of the seat 1, in which the backrest 3 preferably extends substantially vertically in the vertical direction Z as shown in FIG.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the assembly of the seat 1 comprising the seat 2 and the backrest 3 can be mounted on the floor P by means of a hinge about a transverse axis Y2 so as to to be tilted forward.

In particular, the seat 1 can be mounted movably between a tilted position in which the seat 1 is pivoted relative to the floor P of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1C, and the position of use, in particular under the normal use condition of the seat 1, wherein the seat 2 preferably extends substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction X and the backrest 3 preferably extends substantially vertically in the vertical direction Z as shown in Figure IA.

Such a configuration makes it possible in particular to facilitate the access of a passenger behind the seat 1 and / or to provide a loading surface behind the seat 1.

The movements of the seat 2 and / or the backrest 3 described are not limiting or exclusive of each other, and can be combined during a displacement of the seat 1.

As illustrated in Figures IA, IB, IC and 2, the seat 1 also comprises a headrest 5 mounted on an upper part of the backrest 3, opposite the seat 2, via a mounting system 10 The headrest 5 comprises, for example, a gasket 6 and a metal insert 8 supporting the gasket 6. In the embodiment shown, the metal insert 8 has substantially an inverted U shape. comprising a horizontal portion and two rods 7 connected by the horizontal portion and extending in a Zl direction of adjustment. As shown in transparency of the gasket 6 in FIG. 2, the horizontal part and a part of the rods 7 are arranged in the gasket 6.

The mounting system 10 makes it possible to adjust the height of the headrest 5, and in particular the rods 7, with respect to an upper end 3a of the backrest 3 between two extreme positions, a low position and a high position, such as represented respectively in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In the low position, the metal insert 8 is disposed as close as possible to the backrest 3. In particular, in this low position, the horizontal part of the metal insert 8 is brought closer to the end 3a of the backrest 3.

In other embodiments, the headrest 5 may comprise a rod 7 or more of two rods 7. The adjustment direction Z1 is advantageously substantially identical to the vertical direction Z. In a variant, the adjustment direction Z1 may be inclined relative to the vertical direction Z. In general, at least one rod 7 is such that it allows to fix the headrest 5 to the backrest 3 of the seat 1.

In the remainder of the description, the terms "front", "back", "front", "back" and their synonyms are understood to refer to the front and back of the seat 1 along the longitudinal direction X when the seat is used normally. The terms "up", "down", "upper" and "lower" and their synonyms refer to the vertical direction Z and / or the adjustment direction Z1 again when the seat is used normally. The headrest 5 and the seat 1 generally have a symmetry with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry XZ located in the middle of the transverse extension of said seat and headrest. The terms "inner" and "outer" should be understood as referring to the distance to this plane of symmetry in the transverse direction Y. Thus, the "inner side of an object" should be understood as the side of that object the closest to the plane of symmetry in the transverse direction Y and the "outer side of an object" shall be understood to be the side of that object farthest from the plane of symmetry in the transverse direction Y.

The mounting system 10 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a headrest fixing device 11. The headrest fixing device 11 is fixed to the backrest 3 and configured to receive at least one rod 7 of the support head 5.

The headrest attachment device 11 is configured to be controlled between a blocking state and an unlocking state.

In the blocking state, the headrest fixing device 11 immobilizes the rod 7 of the headrest 5 relative to the backrest frame 3. The headrest 5 is then immobilized with respect to the In this blocking state, it is however conceivable for a user to forcefully move the headrest 5 so as to slide it, by friction, with respect to the mounting system 10.

In the unblocking state, the headrest fixing device 20 leaves the rod 7 of the headrest 5 free to move relative to the backrest frame 3.

Such an embodiment of a headrest fixing device 11 is for example described in document FR 3,035,625.

According to this example, the headrest fixing device 11 comprises a housing 20. The housing 20 consists of a body 21 of generally rectangular shape and which extends in the thickness of the backrest 3 between an upper face 21a and a lower face 21b. The housing 20 also extends in the longitudinal direction X between a front face 21c and a rear face 21d.

The housing 20 also comprises two sheaths 22, 23, which extend inside the upholstery of the backrest 3 and in the adjustment direction Z1 from the upper face 21a of the body 21 to the upper end 3a of the backrest. 3.

The sheaths 22, 23 are of tubular form and each have an inner surface delimiting a housing 22a, 23a open towards the outside. The housings 22a, 23a are of suitable dimensions to accommodate the rods 7 of the headrest 5, the rods 7 being inserted into the housing 20 in the Zl direction of adjustment.

Once the rods 7 inserted in the housing 20, there is a radial clearance between the rods 7 and the housing 20. This radial clearance allows the rods 7 to slide without effort into the housing 20.

The housing 20 also comprises two lateral uprights 24, 25 each connecting the upper face 21a and the lower face 21b of the housing 20. The lateral uprights 24, 25 extend on the outside of the rods 7.

Referring to Figure 3, the housing 20 further comprises two jaws 26, 27 configured to be placed in contact with the rods 7.

The jaws 26, 27 may for example be formed in the same room as the body 21 of the housing 20. The jaws 26, 27 and the body 21 may be made of plastic, for example POM (polyoxymethylene). According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5A and 5B, the jaws 26, 27 are connected to the body 21 only by means of flexible hinges 28, 29, for example consisting of a thin strip of the material of the case 20.

The jaws 26, 27 can thus pivot in the plane YZ by means of the flexible hinges 28, 29 to pass from an immobilization position, visible in FIGS. 5B, 7A and 7B, where they are in contact with the rods 7, a release position, visible in Figures 5A, 6A and 6B where they are not in contact with the rods 7.

In the immobilization position, the jaws 26, 27 exert on the rods 7 a force directed in the transverse direction Y and facing outwards. The rods 7 are thus each pushed towards, and in particular in contact with, the lateral uprights 24, 25 of the housing 20.

When the jaws 26, 27 are in the immobilization position, the rods 7 are thus each maintained by contact with the lateral uprights 24, 25 of the housing 20 and the jaws 26, 27, which ensures their immobilization along the horizontal plane XY .

The headrest fixing device 11 further comprises a movable carriage 30 which is housed in an opening 31 of the body 21. The movable carriage 30 is configured to move in the adjustment direction Z1 of a visible locking position in FIG. 5B at a release position visible in FIG. 5A. The movable carriage 30 is more particularly moved down to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.

The movable carriage 30 comprises driving grooves 32, 33 inclined relative to the adjustment direction Z1, in particular further away from a rod 7 at an upper end than at a lower end.

The jaws 26, 27 furthermore comprise studs 26a, 27a which are housed in the driving grooves 32, 33 of the mobile carriage 30, for example cylindrical studs.

Due to the inclination of the driving grooves 32, 33 with respect to the adjustment axis Z1, the movement of the movable carriage 30 in the direction of adjustment Z1 causes the pins 26a, 27a to bear against the inner flanks or external driving grooves 32, 33 as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

Thus, when the movable carriage 30 moves from the locking position to the unlocking position, the driving grooves 32, 33 come to exert a force against the pins 26a, 27a having the effect of pushing them inwards. The jaws 26, 27 then pivot inwardly of the housing and move away from the rods 7.

When the movable carriage 30 moves from the unlocking position to the locking position, the driving grooves 32, 33 exert a force opposite to the previous case against the pins 26a, 27a having the effect of pushing them outwards . The jaws 26, 27 then pivot outwardly to be in contact with the rods 7.

Thus, when the mobile carriage 30 is in its locking position, it applies a force to the jaws 26, 27 to place them in contact with the rods 7, this force being transmitted to the rods 7 via the jaws 26, 27.

The headrest fixing device 11 further comprises a return spring 40 consisting of a wire wound around a stud formed in the housing 20 and fixed at one end to the housing 20 and at another end to movable carriage 30. The spring 40 is wound so that it applies a force to the movable carriage 30, for example an upwardly directed force, so as to bring the carriage 30 back into its locking position and thus to constrain the jaws 26, 27 in their fixed asset positions.

Thus in this embodiment, the locking state of the headrest fixing device 11 corresponds to a state of the device in which the carriage 30 is in its locking position and the jaws 26, 27 are in the position of immobilization. Thus, in this state the jaws 26, 27 exert on the rods 7 a force and the rods 7 are each pushed towards the lateral uprights 24, 25 of the housing 20.

In this embodiment, the unblocking state of the headrest fixing device 11 corresponds, in turn, to a state of the device in which the carriage 30 is in its unlocking position and the jaws 26, 27 are in the release position. Thus, in this state, the jaws 26, 27 are not in contact with the rods 7 and the rods 7 are free to move relative to the headrest fixing device 11. The rods 7 may in particular freely slide relative to to the headrest fixing device 11 in the adjustment direction Z1. Other embodiments of the headrest fixing device 11 are conceivable, since the headrest attachment device 10 is configured to be controlled between a blocking state and an unlocking state.

A pulling wire 50 can penetrate the headrest fixing device 11 and be connected to the movable carriage 30 at one of its ends 51 to allow it to be controlled from the locking position to the unlocking position, to release the jaws 26, 27. The other end (not shown) of the pull wire 50 can be accessible at different locations of the vehicle and the seat 1 to allow the retraction of the headrest 5 remotely by the driver or by a user handling the seat 1.

In particular, the folding of the backrest 3 and / or the tilting of the seat 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C can cause a force on the pulling wire 50. This then causes a control of the support fastening device. head 11, which goes from the blocking state to the unlocking state.

When the carriage 30 is in the unblocking position, the rods 7 can slide without effort into the headrest fixing device, in particular thanks to the radial clearance existing between the rods 7 and the casing 20. This allows in particular that the headrest 5 is retracted into the lower position, in particular by sliding downwards in the vertical direction Z under the effect of gravity.

However, there is a risk that the rods 7 may also slide upwards in the unlocking state in the adjustment direction Z1, and in particular be able to leave the mounting system 10, thus causing the headrest 5 to separate from the the backrest 3 of the seat 1. For this purpose, according to the invention, the mounting system 10 also comprises at least one retaining element 60 configured to limit the displacement of a rod 7 when the headrest fixing device 11 is in the unlock state. In particular, the retaining element 60 is an additional element with respect to the headrest fixing device 11. The retaining element 60 limits the displacement of a rod 7 only when the support fixing device head 11 is in the unlock state. The retaining element 60 is configured not to limit the displacement of the rod 7 when the headrest fixing device 11 is in the blocking state.

According to the embodiment more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the retaining element 60 is a metal wire. The retaining element 60 comprises a first end 61 and a second end 62. The first end 61 is connected to a jaw 26, 27. The first end 61 is more particularly fixed to an opening made in the jaw 26.

The second end 62 is connected to the headrest fixing device 11. The second end 62 is more particularly fixed in a housing 63 formed in a lateral upright 24 of the housing 20. As illustrated more particularly in FIG. 63 is located on the rear face 21d of the housing 20.

The second end 62 of the retaining element 60 is movable in the housing 63 between a first position and a second position. The retaining element further comprises a first portion 64 and a second portion 65, advantageously forming an angle between them.

When the mobile carriage 30 is in the locking position, the jaws 26, 27 are in the immobilization position, so that the second end 62 of the retaining element 60 is in the first position in the housing 63 visible on Figure 7B. The first position is remote from the rod 7, so that the retaining element 60, in particular the second portion 65, does not cooperate with the rod 7.

When the mobile carriage 30 passes into the unlocking position, the jaws 26, 27 then pivot inward and away from the rods 7. The rods 7 being free to slide relative to the mounting system 10, the support head 5 moves in its low position relative to the upper end 3a of the backrest 3, in particular under the effect of gravity. Since the retaining element 60 is integral with the jaw 26 at its first end 61, the second end 62 is moved and moves from the first position to the second position in the housing 63 visible in FIG. 6B.

The second position 65 is close to the rod 7 relative to the first position. The retaining element 60, in particular the second portion 65, can then cooperate with the rod 7. For this purpose, the rod 7 comprises a notch 70 on its outer side. When the rod 7 is in the lower position relative to the upper end 3a of the backrest 3, the notch 70 is located opposite or at the same level as the second portion 65 of the retaining element 60. notch 70 may still be slightly lower than the second portion 65 of the retainer 60.

As illustrated in Figure 6A, the retaining element 60, in particular the second portion 65, can be housed in the notch 70 of the rod 7, especially if the rod 7 is ejected upwards. In this way, the rod 7 is retained by the mounting system 10 when the carriage 30 is in the unlocking position. The headrest 5, and in particular the rod 7, therefore does not risk being ejected upwards if the backrest 3 is folded down or if the seat 1 is tilted too violently.

Advantageously, the retaining element limits the displacement of the rod 7, only when the latter is in the low position, and not when the rod 7 is in another position.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art in the context of the present invention and in particular any combination of the different modes of operation described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (11)

A mounting system (10) configured to attach to a seat back frame (3) (1) and to accommodate at least one post (7) of a headrest (5), the post (7) movable between a high position and a low position in an adjustment direction (Zi) with respect to the mounting system (10), the mounting system (10) comprising a configured headrest attachment device (11) to be controlled between: - a blocking state, in which the headrest fixing device (11) immobilizes the rod (7) relative to the backrest (3), and - an unlocking state, in which the device for fixing the headrest (11) allows the rod (7) to move relative to the backrest (3), the mounting system (10) being characterized in that it comprises at least one retaining element ( 60) configured to limit the displacement of the rod (7) when the rod (7) is in the low position. The mounting system (10) of claim 1, wherein the retaining member (60) restricts movement of the shank (7) only when the head restraint (11) is in the unlock status. 3. mounting system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the headrest fixing device (11) comprises: - a housing (20) adapted to surround the rod (7) with a radial clearance, - a movable carriage (30) movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and - at least one jaw (26, 27) movable between a locking position and a release position, the jaw (26, 27) being driven by the movable carriage (30) to be in the immobilization position when the movable carriage (30) is in the locking position and in the release position when the carriage (30) is in the position releasing means, the jaw (26, 27) being configured to apply, when in the immobilization position, a clamping force to the shank (7) so that the shank (7) is seated on the case (20). The mounting system (10) of claim 3, wherein the retaining element (60) is a wire comprising a first portion (64) connected to the jaw (26) and a second portion (65) configured to be integral with the rod (7) when the headrest fixing device (11) is in the unlocking state. The mounting system (10) of claim 4, wherein the second portion (65) of the retainer (60) is received in a notch (70) of the shank (7) when the jaw (26) , 27) is in the release position. The mounting system (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the housing (20) comprises a housing (63), the second portion (65) of the retaining element (60) being configured to move within the housing (63) between a first position and a second position when the headrest fixing device (11) respectively moves from the blocking state to the unlocking state. The mounting system (10) of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the second portion (65) is configured to cooperate with the shank (7) when the shank (7) is in the down position. 8. An assembly comprising a headrest (5) comprising at least one rod (7) extending in a direction of adjustment (Z1), and a mounting system (10) of the rod (7) according to the any of the preceding claims. 9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the rod (7) comprises at least one notch (70) configured to cooperate with the retaining element (60) when the rod (7) is in the low position. 10. Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat (2), a backrest (3) mounted on the seat (2) and an assembly according to claim 8 or 9 mounted on the backrest (3). 11. A vehicle seat (1) according to claim 10, wherein the folding of the backrest (3) relative to the seat (2) or tilting of the seat (1) controls the passage of the support fastener- head (11) from the blocking state to the unlock state.