FR3078037A1 - GARMENT COMPONENT COMPRISING A DEFORMABLE EXTERNAL SURFACE FORMED BY AN ESTATE OF LAMELLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lining element (1) comprising a body (2) defining the outer surface (6) of the lining element, said body (2) comprising a deformable guide surface (22) extending in a first direction, the guide surface (22) being formed by a succession of lamellae, deformable relative to the remainder of the body (2), adjacent to each other in the first direction, the packing element further comprising at least one actuating element (4) comprising an actuating section extending non-rectilinear in the first direction, said actuating section cooperating with the guide surface (22) in an actuating zone (34) comprising at least two lamellae, the guide surface (22) adopting the shape of the actuating section (26) in said operating zone (34), the actuating section being movable relative to the body (2) according to the first directi so that the actuation zone (34) is movable in the first direction, characterized in that at least one of the lamellae comprises at least one removal of material passing through said lamella.

Description

Packing element comprising a deformable external surface formed by a succession of lamellae

The present invention relates to a packing element, of the type comprising a body defining the external surface of the packing element, said body comprising a deformable guide surface extending in a first direction, the guide surface being formed by a succession lamellae, deformable relative to the rest of the body, adjacent to each other in the first direction, the packing element further comprising at least one actuating element comprising an actuating section extending non-rectilinearly according to the first direction, said actuation section cooperating with the guide surface in an actuation zone comprising at least two lamellae, the guide surface adopting the shape of the actuation section in said actuation area, the section of actuation being movable relative to the body in the first direction so that the actuation area is movable in the first direction. Packing elements whose external surface is deformable are known. Such trim elements allow for example to modify the position of a support surface, such as an armrest, projecting from the external surface or to modify the appearance of the external surface according to particular uses. of the vehicle.

Such a modification of the shape of the external surface can be obtained by placing the inflatable elements under the external surface and by controlling the inflation of these elements to create a raised area facing an inflated element.

However, such a pneumatic system is not satisfactory for several reasons.

It is indeed difficult to obtain the desired rigidity of the external surface facing an inflated element, which makes the system unsuitable for forming a support surface. In addition, the feel of the external surface is not satisfactory because it is not uniform over the entire external surface, the latter being rigid in the uninflated areas and less rigid opposite an inflated element.

In addition, while a pneumatic system is suitable for forming raised areas projecting from the outer surface, it is less practical for forming hollow areas.

One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a packing element whose external surface can be modified according to the desired shape and without modifying the rigidity thereof.

To this end, the invention relates to a packing element of the aforementioned type, in which at least one of the strips comprises at least one removal of material passing through said strip.

The use of an actuating element which can be moved relative to the body to modify its shape makes it possible to have an identical rigidity of the entire external surface, namely inside and outside the actuating zone. In addition, by adapting the shape of the actuating section, it is possible to create the desired shape in the external surface, both projecting and recessed. By forming the guide surface by a succession of lamellae, the guide surface can be produced in one piece with the rest of the body, which makes it possible to have a uniform feel over the entire external surface of the packing element. , while the removal of material makes it possible to make these strips deformable so that they adapt to the shape of the actuating section.

According to other optional characteristics of the lining element according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

- Each strip extends between a first end secured to the rest of the body and a second free end, at least one strip comprising at least one removal of material formed by a cutout extending in the vicinity of the first end;

- The cutout is arranged to reduce the dimension of a part of the strip adjacent to the first end in the first direction so as to increase the deformability of the strip in the vicinity of said first end;

- the cutouts of two adjacent strips define substantially the shape of a drop therebetween;

- at least one strip comprises at least one removal of material formed by a slot passing through the strip, said slot extending in the direction from the first end to the second end;

- two adjacent strips are separated from each other by a slot, at least one bridge of material extending across said slot connecting said adjacent strips;

- each strip is elastically deformable relative to the rest of the body;

the actuating section comprises at least a first part extending rectilinearly in the first direction and a second part extending rectilinearly in the first direction, the first part and the second part being offset one by relative to the other in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, at least one lamella cooperating with the first part and at least one other lamella cooperating with the second part in the actuation zone;

- The actuating section comprises at least a third part extending between the first and the second parts, said third part being inclined between the first and second parts, at least one other lamella cooperating with the third part in the area of actuation; and

- The guide surface, respectively the actuation section, has the shape of a rail, the actuation section, respectively the guide surface, being introduced into said rail in the actuation area and extending out of the rail in outside the actuation area.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a packing element according to the invention, the external surface having a first shape,

- Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of the packing element of FIG. 1, the external surface has a second shape,

- Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a part of the body of the packing element,

- Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the top of the body of the lining element, corresponding to zone IV of FIG. 3

- Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation in section along the axis V-V of FIG.

1, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation in section along the axis V-V of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a packing element 1 is described, comprising a body 2 and at least one actuating element 4.

We define an elevation direction Z, for example, in the usual direction in a vehicle, that is to say the direction perpendicular to the running surface of the vehicle in which the trim element is intended to be installed. We define the terms "high" and "low" in the direction of elevation in the usual sense.

Longitudinal L and transverse directions T are also defined perpendicular to the direction of elevation Z in the usual direction in a vehicle. The expressions “front” and “rear”, “left” and “right” will be used in the following with respect to the normal direction of movement of the vehicle.

In the following description, the first direction will be considered to be the transverse direction T and the second direction to be the elevation direction Z. It is understood, however, that the first and second directions could be other directions of the vehicle .

The body 2 defines the external surface 6 of the lining element 1, that is to say the visible surface of the lining element 1, for example from the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which the lining element 1 is installed. By "defining the external surface" is meant that the external surface 6 follows the shape of a surface of the body 2. In other words, the external surface 6 can be formed by the body 2 or by a decorative layer 7 extending over the body 2 and adopting the shape of a surface of the body 2, as shown partially in FIG. 4. The body 2 is for example a vehicle dashboard body or a door panel or the like.

At least one zone 8 of the body 2 is deformable under the effect of an actuation, as will be described later, so that the shape of the surface of the body defining that of the external surface 6 can be modified in the deformable zone 8.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the deformable zone 8 is obtained by a succession of strips 10 formed in the body 2. The strips 10 are adjacent to each other in a first direction, for example the transverse direction T substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and form a part of the surface of the body 2 defining the external surface 6 of the lining element 1. Thus the strips 10 can be parallel to each other. According to one embodiment, each strip 10 extends in the longitudinal direction L.

Each strip 10 is for example cut from the body 2 and comprises a first end 12 secured to the rest of the body 2 and a second free end 14, forming part of a transverse edge of the body 2. Because of its shape, each strip 10 is deformable with respect to the rest of the body in a second direction, for example the elevation direction Z substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal L and transverse directions T, for example by rotation around a transverse axis passing in the vicinity of the first end 12 Thus, by exerting pressure on the second free end 14, it is possible to move the strip 10 relative to the rest of the body 2, so that the strip 10 extends in a plane different from the rest of the surface. of the body 2 when it is deformed. The shape and material of the strips 10 are such that the deformation of the strips 10 is elastic. The strips 10 are for example obtained by cutting the body 2 or by molding in one piece with the body 2, which is for example made of a substantially rigid material by injection of a plastic material. The number of lamellae is particularly adapted according to the dimensions of the area to be deformed and the width of the lamellae.

The cutting or molding of the lamellae in the body is for example arranged so that a slot 11 extends between two adjacent lamellae 10, the slot 11 extending parallel to the lamellae and defines a space separating two adjacent lamellae 10.

In order to improve the deformability of the lamellae 10, at least one of the lamellae, preferably each of the lamellae 10, comprises at least one removal of material 13 passing through the lamella 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The material removal 13 is for example formed by a cutout 15 extending in the vicinity of the first end 12. The cutout 15 forms a cavity in the strip so as to reduce the dimension of the strip 10 in the first opposite direction of the cutout 15. The cavity formed by the cutout 15 is turned towards an adjacent strip 10 and opens into the slot 11 separating these two strips 10.

According to one embodiment, each strip 10 comprises two cutouts 15 extending on either side of the strip 10 in the vicinity of the first end 12 so that the strip 10 has a base 17 of reduced size in the first direction and forming the first end 12, as more particularly visible in FIG. 4. Such a base 17 makes it possible to weaken the strip 10 in the vicinity of its first end 12 connected to the body 2 so that the strip 10 is able to deform in the vicinity of the first end 12 as described above.

According to this embodiment, two adjacent strips 10 comprise cutouts 15 extending opposite one another and facing one another on either side of the slot 11 separating the two strips 10 The two cutouts 15 define together, seen from above, a shape of an ovoid drop closed by the part of the body 2 extending between the first two ends 12 of the strips 10 and open towards the slot separating the strips 10, as shown in the Fig. 4. Thus, the deformable zone 8 comprises a succession of drops separating the lamellae 10 at their base 17, which makes it possible to ensure good deformability of this deformable zone 8 so that it can adopt the desired shape.

As a variant or in addition, at least one strip 10 comprises a material removal 13 formed by a slot 19 extending through the strip 10 and extending in the direction from the first end 12 to the second end 14, that is to say the longitudinal direction L in the embodiment shown in the figures. The slot 19 extends for example from the base 17 and extends towards the second end 14 while being closed before reaching the second end 14 so that the strip 10 comprises a solid part in the vicinity of the second end 14. The slot 19 makes it possible to weaken the strip 10 in its center so as to allow the strip to bend about an axis extending in the direction of the strip 10, that is to say in the direction longitudinal L in the embodiment shown in the figures, without the strip 10 breaking. Such bending allows the strip 10 to adopt an inclined position relative to the external surface 6 of the packing element, that is to say a position in which the plane in which the strip 10 extends forms an angle with the plane in which the external surface 6 extends at the level of the deformable zone 8. Thus, in addition to being able to deform in the second direction, each strip 10 is capable of undergoing a twist along its axis .

As a variant or in addition, two adjacent strips 10 are connected to each other by at least one material bridge 21 located extending across the slot 11 separating the two adjacent strips 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The material bridge 21 extends in the first direction and connects two adjacent strips 10, for example facing the removal of material 13 formed by a slot 19 extending in these strips 10. The material bridges 21 ensure that each strip 10 is not completely deformable independently of the others, that is to say that the deformation of a strip 10 causes a deformation to a lesser extent of one or two strips 10 adjacent to this strip 10. This ensures continuity of the deformable zone 8 while avoiding a “staircase” effect, in which a strip 10 could be strongly deformed in the second direction, while the adjacent strip (s) 10 would not be deformed, which would cause an unfavorable discontinuous appearance in the deformable zone 8.

In section in a plane comprising the first direction and the second direction, each lamella has a section of shape adapted to the requirements in terms of deformability of the lamella 10. According to different examples, this section is of substantially parallelepiped, ovoid or circular shape.

The strips 10 have been described above as being all identical, that is to say with the same material removals 13. It is however understood that the strips 10 could have different arrangements depending on the desired deformation of the deformable zone 8. Thus, the material removals 13 could be placed at different locations on certain lamellae 10 and / or certain lamellae 10 may not include material removal 13.

According to one embodiment, each strip 10 comprises, in the vicinity of its second free end 14, a recess 18 extending projecting from the face of the strip 10 opposite the face facing the external surface 6 of the element of lining 1. The recess 18 comprises a tongue 20 extending substantially parallel to the strip 10. The succession of tongues 20 in the transverse direction forms a guide surface 22 whose function will be described later. According to one embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the tongues 20 are intended to cooperate with a rail 24, which will be described later. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. It should be noted that the guide surface 22 could be formed directly by the second free end 14 of the strips 10. However the provision of the guide surface 22 at the end of a tongue 20, as described above, makes it possible to 'Improving the appearance of the packing element by facilitating the masking of the actuating element 4, as will be described later.

According to one embodiment, the second free end 14 of the strips 10 can be folded back on itself to form a hook-shaped return so that the rail is formed by the hook.

The guide surface 22 extending in the first direction is deformable because each strip 10 is deformable relative to the rest of the body 2, as described above. Such an embodiment makes it possible to produce a body of substantially rigid material while comprising an elastically deformable zone.

The tongues 20 form, with the part of the strip 10 opposite, a rail 24, as will be described later.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide surface 22 is deformable in the direction of elevation Z, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, as described above. Thus, by deforming the guide surface 22, it is possible to form recesses and protrusions in the deformable zone 8 on the external surface 6 of the packing element 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The actuating element 4 cooperates with the guide surface 22 in order to deform the latter and create the desired shapes in the external surface 6 of the lining element 1, as will now be described.

The actuating element 4 is a substantially rigid part extending opposite a part of the deformable zone 8 of the body 2. The actuating element 4 extends for example under the external surface 6 of the trim element 1 so as to be masked by the latter from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The actuating element 4 comprises an actuating section 26 arranged to cooperate with the guide surface 20. For this purpose, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the actuating section 26 forms the rail 24, into which the tongues 20 can be inserted and guided. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the actuating section 26 is introduced into the rail 24 formed by the tongues 20 and the strips 10 or by the hook formed by the second free end 14 of the strips 10 when they are folded back on themselves. When the guide surface 22 is formed directly by the second free end 14 of the strips 10, the actuating section 26 forms a rail in which the second free ends 14 of the strips 10 can be introduced and guided.

The actuating section 26 extends non-rectilinearly in the first direction (the transverse direction T according to the embodiment shown in the figures), that is to say that the actuating section 26 undergoes at least a change of plan according to the direction first direction. This change of plane takes place in the direction of deformation of the guide surface 20, that is to say in the direction of elevation Z in the embodiments described above. Thus, the actuating section 26 comprises at least a first part 28 extending in a rectilinear fashion in the transverse direction T and at least a second part 30 extending in a rectilinear fashion in the transverse direction T and offset in the direction d elevation Z with respect to the first part 28, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Between the first 28 and second 30 parts, the actuating section 26 comprises for example a third part 32 inclined in the transverse direction T and joining the first part 28 to the second part 30.

Each part 28, 30, 32 of the actuating section 26 is arranged to cooperate with at least one strip 10 forming the guide surface 22. That is to say that each part 28, 30, 32 receives at least one tongue 20 or is received in the rail 24 defined by at least one tongue 20. The part of the guide surface 22 thus cooperating with the actuation section 26 is called actuation zone 34. The actuation zone 34 extends therefore on at least two successive strips 10 in the transverse direction T.

Insofar as the parts of the actuating section 26 extend in different planes, it is understood that the tongues 20 of the blades 10 cooperating with these parts of the actuating section are deformed to extend in the same plane as the part with which they cooperate and that the actuation zone 34 is deformed so that it adopts the shape of the actuation section 26. This causes a deformation of the external surface 6 of the packing element 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted that the capacity of each strip 10 to undergo a twist around its axis allows it to adopt the shape of the third inclined part 32 without risk of breaking the strip 10.

By way of example, the first part 28 of the actuation section extends substantially in the same plane as the tongues 20 when they are not deformed and the second part 30 of the actuation section is offset from the first part so as to create a distance between the plane of the non-deformed tongues 20 and the second part 30. Thus, the actuation zone 34 is deformed so that the external surface 6 follows the transition between the first and second parts 28 , 30 and comprises a non-deformed zone opposite the first part 28, an inclined zone along the third part 32 and a rectilinear zone along the transverse direction along the second part 30, which creates a hollow zone in the external surface 6 of the packing element 1 when the second part 30 extends to a height, measured in the direction of elevation Z, less than the height of the first part 28 , as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. By providing a second part 30 extending at a height greater than the height of the first part 28, it will be understood that the actuation zone 34 creates a protruding zone in the external surface 6. Due to the deformation of the actuation zone 34, lamellae 10 adjacent to the lamellae 10 deformed in the actuation zone 34 are also deformed due to the material bridges 21 connecting the lamellae 10 to each other and due to the stress applied by the section actuator 26 on the guide surface 22, as is more particularly visible in FIG. 2. The strips 10 adjacent to the strips 10 which are not deformed in the actuation area 34 are not deformed. In other words, the strips 10 adjacent to the second part 30 of the actuation sections 26 are deformed, while the strips adjacent to the first part 28 of the actuation sections 26 are not deformed.

So that the deformation of the actuation zone 34 is progressive, it is advantageous for several adjacent strips to cooperate with each of the parts 28, 30, 32 of the actuation section 26.

It is understood that by providing more parts in the actuating section and by modifying the shape of this section, it is possible to choose the shape of the desired deformation in the external surface 6. Thus, it is possible to create deformations such as the external surface 6 comprise one or more hollow zones and one or more projecting zones.

Note that the deformed area of the outer surface 6 cooperating with the actuating sections 26 retains a certain rigidity because it is supported on the actuating element 4 which is rigid. Thus, the feel and the mechanical resistance of the external surface 6 is substantially the same over the entire surface, including in the deformed zone opposite the actuating elements 4.

It is planned to allow the displacement of the deformed zone in order to give the external surface 6 a modular and adjustable shape according to the wishes of the passengers of the vehicle and / or according to the operating modes of the vehicle, as will be described later.

To this end, the actuating element 4 is mounted movable relative to the body 2 in the transverse direction T so that the actuating section 26 can move along the guide surface 22 in the transverse direction T. This displacement causes a displacement of the actuation zone 34 and therefore a gradual change of the lamellae 10 which cooperate with the parts 28, 30, 32 of the actuation section 26. Thus, it is understood that the deformed zone of the external surface 6 moves with the movement of the actuating section 26, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, between which the actuating element 4 has been moved. During movement, the blades 10 cease to cooperate with the actuating section 26 and can return to their initial position if the stresses applied by the actuating section 26 allow it while others begin to cooperate with the section d actuation 26 and deform according to the part of the actuation section 26 with which they cooperate. Thus, the displacement of the deformation takes place continuously and aesthetically, giving the impression of a wave which moves on the external surface 6 of the lining element 1.

The movement of the actuating element 4 is for example controlled by the vehicle control electronics, which makes it possible to move the actuating element 4 synchronously with other elements of the vehicle, as will be described later.

The movement of the actuating element 4 can also be controlled by a pneumatic or manual system.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the packing element 1 comprises two actuating elements 4, each being movable relative to the body 2 in the transverse direction T and cooperating with the guide surface 22 in two distinct actuation zones 34.

According to this embodiment, which is given only by way of example, the actuating elements 4 are such that the second parts 30 of the actuating sections 26 extend opposite one another. so that they extend in continuity with one another when the actuating elements 4 are brought closer to each other, in a close position, in which the actuating zones 34 are adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the deformed zone of the external surface 6 thus has, between the actuation zones 34, a form of bowl, the bottom of which extends in the actuation zones 34 and having walls inclined according to the first facing direction of the third parts 32 of the actuating sections and a wall inclined in the longitudinal direction L in the direction of the actuating zones 34.

By moving the two actuating elements 4 in the same direction and in a coordinated manner so that they remain adjacent to each other, it is possible to move the bowl in the transverse direction T, for example by a first position to a second position.

It is also possible to enlarge the dimensions of the bottom of the bowl by moving the actuating elements 4 independently of one another so as to separate them from one another as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the packing element 1 according to the invention offers great modularity in the aspect that can be imparted to the external surface, while retaining uniform stiffness and feel properties over the entire external surface.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is particularly advantageous when used with a trim element forming a vehicle dashboard. The recessed deformation can indeed be placed opposite a vehicle display device, such as a screen. In a position where the bowl is of reduced size, it can be placed facing the driver in order to create a limited visibility area on the screen so that the driver can concentrate on information relating to the driving of the vehicle displayed. on an area of the screen next to the bowl. By enlarging the bowl and moving it substantially in the center of the trim element in the transverse direction, it is possible to enlarge the visibility area in order to allow passengers to see a larger part of the screen, for example when the vehicle is in an autonomous driving configuration, in which the driver does not intervene in driving the vehicle.

It is understood, however, that the invention can be used in other contexts, for example to move a projecting area projecting from the external surface in order to form a support surface for a member of a passenger of the vehicle positionable at the desired location depending on the position of the passenger seat and / or the passenger's body shape. Such a support surface is for example an armrest or a footrest or the like.

In all cases, the movement of the actuating element or elements 4 can be advantageously coordinated with the displacement of other elements of the vehicle, such as the display device or the seat described above.

Claims (10)

1, - trim element (1) of a vehicle comprising a body (2) defining the external surface (6) of the trim element, said body (2) comprising a deformable guide surface (22) extending in a first direction, the guide surface (22) being formed by a succession of lamellae (10), deformable relative to the rest of the body (2), adjacent to each other in the first direction, the packing element further comprising at least one actuating element (4) comprising an actuating section (26) extending non-rectilinearly in the first direction, said actuating section (26) cooperating with the guide surface (22) in a actuation zone (34) comprising at least two lamellae (10), the guide surface (22) adopting the shape of the actuation section (26) in said actuation area (34), the actuation section ( 26) being movable relative to the body (2) according to p first direction so that the actuation zone (34) is movable in the first direction, characterized in that at least one of the strips (10) comprises at least one removal of material (13) passing through said strip (10). 2, - packing element according to claim 1, wherein each strip (10) extends between a first end (12) integral with the rest of the body (2) and a second end (14) free, at least one strip ( 10) comprising at least one material removal (13) formed by a cutout (15) extending in the vicinity of the first end (12). 3. - packing element according to claim 2, wherein the cutout (15) is arranged to reduce the dimension of a portion of the strip (10) adjacent to the first end (12) in the first direction so as to increase the deformability of the strip (10) in the vicinity of said first end (12). 4, - Packing element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cutouts (15) of two adjacent strips (10) define therebetween substantially the shape of a drop. 5. - packing element according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which at least one strip (10) comprises at least one material removal (13) formed by a slot (19) passing through the strip (10), said slot (19) extending in the direction from the first end (12) to the second end (14). 6. - packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein two adjacent strips (10) are separated from each other by a slot (11), at least one bridge of material (21) extending across said slot (11) connecting said adjacent lamellae (10). 7. - packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each strip (10) is elastically deformable relative to the rest of the body (2). 8. - packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating section (26) comprises at least a first part (28) extending in a rectilinear fashion in the first direction and a second part (30) extending rectilinearly in the first direction, the first part (28) and the second part (30) being offset relative to each other in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, at at least one strip (10) cooperating with the first part (28) and at least one other strip (10) cooperating with the second part (30) in the actuation zone (34). 9. - packing element according to claim 8, wherein the actuating section (26) comprises at least a third part (32) extending between the first (28) and the second (30) parts, said third part (32) being inclined between the first (28) and second (30) parts, at least one other strip (10) cooperating with the third part (32) in the actuation zone (34). 10. - packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the guide surface (22), respectively the actuating section (26), has a shape of rail (24), the section of actuation (26), respectively the guide surface (22), being introduced into said rail (24) in the actuation zone (34) and extending out of the rail (24) outside the actuation zone ( 34).