FR3081793A1 - CONNECTION DEVICE FOR ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection device (21) for connecting a first angular adjustment mechanism (6) and a second angular adjustment mechanism (7), the connection device (21) extending along an axis of articulation (Y) and comprising ( 21): - a first end (22a) intended to be connected to the first angular adjustment mechanism (6), - a second end (22b) intended to be connected to the second angular adjustment mechanism (7), each of the first and second ends (22a, 22b) comprising a holding part (24), the holding parts (24) having an extra thickness (e2) and being intended to come into contact respectively with the first and second angular adjustment mechanisms (6, 7) .

Description

Connecting device for angular adjustment mechanisms

The present invention relates to the angular adjustment mechanisms of a vehicle seat.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a connecting device for connecting first and second angular adjustment mechanisms to one another, in particular a vehicle seat backrest.

A vehicle seat is generally provided with a joint allowing the backrest to be pivoted relative to the seat, with an angular adjustment mechanism on each of its sides, that is to say an angular adjustment mechanism on the side. right and an angular adjustment mechanism on the left side of the seat. These two angular adjustment mechanisms can be controlled simultaneously by a single handle, suitable for use by an occupant wishing to unlock the joint to, for example, modify the inclination of the backrest relative to the seat.

The two angular adjustment mechanisms are interconnected by assembly with a connecting device. It is thus known to use a connecting device extending along a transverse axis and intended to be connected at each of its ends respectively to the first angular adjustment mechanism and to the second angular adjustment mechanism.

However, such a connecting device has drawbacks.

Indeed, there may be a game, or a space between the connecting device and the angular adjustment mechanisms to which its ends are connected. This results in a friction noise which may be unpleasant for the occupant of the seat.

In addition, in order to connect the connection device in a fixed manner to the angular adjustment mechanisms along the transverse axis, it is necessary to add retaining elements, such as washers or rivets, to the ends of the connection device. However, this requires an assembly step and additional elements, which can be long and costly.

The present invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks.

The invention aims in particular to ensure locking / unlocking of the simple and effective angular adjustment mechanisms by means of the connection device, while limiting any friction noise which could prove to be unpleasant for an occupant of the vehicle.

According to the invention, each end of the connection device comprises a holding part, the holding parts having an extra thickness and being intended to come into contact with the first and second angular adjustment mechanisms respectively.

Because of these provisions, there is no play between the angular adjustment mechanisms and the holding parts at the ends of the connection device, thereby reducing the friction noises likely to be perceived by the occupant. In addition, the retaining parts allow satisfactory joining along the transverse axis between the connecting device and the angular adjustment mechanisms.

In various embodiments of the invention, one can optionally have recourse to one and / or the other of the following provisions:

- The connecting device is symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of articulation, so that the first end and the second end are identical to each other;

- The connecting device is made in one piece, in particular by molding;

- The connecting device comprises an intermediate part connecting the first end and the second end to each other, the intermediate part having a thickness less than the thickness of the holding parts;

- The intermediate part has a profile along the axis of articulation of constant section; and

- The holding parts have a convex profile along the axis of articulation, in particular a curved profile.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a connection device as described above with a first angular adjustment mechanism and a second angular adjustment mechanism, comprising the step of:

- The first end and the second end are simultaneously inserted by force into the first angular adjustment mechanism and into the second angular adjustment mechanism, respectively.

The invention also relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat, a backrest, first and second mechanisms for angular adjustment of the backrest relative to the seat, and a connection device as described above.

In various embodiments of the invention, one can optionally have recourse to one and / or the other of the following provisions:

- The first angular adjustment mechanism and the second angular adjustment mechanism comprise recesses in which the first end and the second end of the connecting device are forcibly inserted, the retaining parts being arranged in the recesses; and

- The holding parts have a shape complementary to the shape of the recesses of the first angular adjustment mechanism and of the second angular adjustment mechanism.

Other aspects, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example. The invention will also be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general side view of a vehicle seat equipped with a connection device according to the invention connecting two mechanisms for angular adjustment of a joint,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the back frame, of the articulation and of the seat connection device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the frame of the seat in FIG. 1 along the section plane III-III,

FIG. 4 represents an example of an angular adjustment mechanism, enlarged and partially cut away,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connection device according to the invention,

FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged partial views of the first and second ends of the connection device in FIG. 5, and

- Figures 7 and 8 are views in partial section of the seat respectively along the section planes VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Figure 6B.

In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Linking device

FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle seat 1 comprising a backrest 2 which is pivotally mounted on a seat 3 around a transverse pivot axis Y, hereinafter called the articulation axis, the seat 3 being mounted on the floor 4 of the vehicle, for example by means of slides 5.

The pivoting of the backrest 2 is controlled by two angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 which can be actuated synchronously by a handle 8 or any other actuating member, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1.

As illustrated more particularly in FIG. 2, the backrest 2 comprises a frame 2a having a rectangular shape, comprising for example a top frame 11a, a bottom frame 11b. The top and bottom frames 11a, 11b are interconnected by side frames 10a, 10b.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 are arranged respectively on both sides of the seat 1, and more particularly on both sides of the backrest frame 2a.

Each of the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 comprises a first flange 9a, 9b and a second flange 10a, 10b, fixed respectively to the frame of the seat 3 and to the frame 2a of the backrest 2, visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. The second flanges 10a, 10b of the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 can advantageously correspond to the lateral frames 10a, 10b of the backrest frame 2a.

The angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 can be adapted to normally block a pivoting of the backrest 2 relative to the seat 3, and to unlock during an action on the handle 8, as described for example in the document FR 2740406 .

In this example shown in FIG. 4 and described in a purely illustrative and nonlimiting manner, the first flange 9a, 9b and the second flange 10a, 10b of an angular adjustment mechanism 6, 7 can have substantially circular shapes.

The angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 delimit an inner box which contains a locking device comprising one or more locking elements 12 each provided with an external toothing 13.

Each locking element 12 can be moved radially in guides 14 belonging to the first flange 9, between a locked position where the toothing 13 of the locking element 12 engages with an internal toothing 15 belonging to the second flange 10 and an unlocked position where the locking element 12 is moved radially inwards so that its teeth 13 do not cooperate with the internal teeth 15 of the second flange 10.

The movement of the locking element 12 between its locked position and its unlocked position is controlled by a cam 16 pivotally mounted about the hinge axis Y. This cam 16 is resiliently biased by one or more springs 17 towards a position locking where it moves the locking element 12 radially outward in the locked position. The cam 16 can be moved in rotation by actuation of the handle 8 into an unlocked position where the cam 16 allows the locking element 12 to move radially inward to the unlocked position.

The displacement of the locking element 12 radially inward is forced by a control plate 18 pierced with at least one recess 19 in which is engaged a pin 20 belonging to the locking element 12, the outer edge of the recess 19 cooperating with the pin 20 to move the locking element 12 radially inward when the cam 16 is in the unlocked position.

In order to be able to be controlled simultaneously by the handle 8, the cams 16 of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and of the second angular adjustment mechanism 7 are connected together by a connecting device 21.

The connecting device 21 comprises a first end 22a, a second end 22b, and an intermediate part 23 connecting the first and the second end 22a, 22b between them.

The connecting device 21 extends, advantageously rectilinearly along the axis of articulation Y.

The connecting device 21 is symmetrical with respect to a plane P perpendicular to the axis of articulation Y, visible in FIG. 2. The first end 22a and the second end 22b are therefore identical to each other.

The connecting device 21 is rigid, so that the pivoting of the first end 22a directly causes, and in particular without angular offset, the pivoting of the second end 22b.

The connecting device 21 is in particular produced by molding, in particular in plastic.

Advantageously, the connecting device 21 is made in one piece. However, this embodiment is not limiting and provision could be made for the connecting device 21 to be produced in several separate parts, in particular nestable with each other.

The intermediate part 23 advantageously has a profile of constant section over its entire length. The section profile of the intermediate part 23 can in particular be square as visible in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. The section profile of the intermediate part 23 may however have any other shape.

The intermediate part has a thickness el in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis Y. The thickness el of the intermediate part 23 is thus advantageously constant. By "thickness" is meant the distance between two opposite faces of the intermediate part 23 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of articulation Y.

The first end 22a and the second end 22b each have a holding part 24. The section profile of the holding part 24 can in particular be square as shown in FIG. 7. The section profile of a holding part 24 can however have any other form.

A holding part 24 advantageously has a section profile of variable thickness along the axis of articulation Y. A holding part 24 thus locally has an extra thickness. By “extra thickness” is understood in particular a thickness e2 relatively greater than the thickness of the rest of the connecting device 21, as visible in FIG. 8. The thickness el of the intermediate part 23 is then less than the thickness e2 a holding part 24.

More particularly, a holding part 24 has a convex profile along the axis of articulation, visible in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The profile of a holding part 24 is thus advantageously curved. However, other forms are possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the first and second ends 22a, 22b of the connection device 21 can be force-fitted, or else fitted, into a recess 25 formed in the cam 16 respectively of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and / or the second angular adjustment mechanism 7.

By way of example, the recesses 25 of the cams 16 of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and of the second angular adjustment mechanism 7 may have a square internal profile, complementary to the shape of the first and second ends 22a, 22b, and in particular holding parts 24.

Each of the first and second ends 22a, 22b of the connecting device 21 is thus rigidly fixed to the cam 16 respectively of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and of the second angular adjustment mechanism 7. Each of the first and second ends 22a, 22b is in particular maintained along the axis of articulation Y by a force fitting, without play, in the recess 25 formed in the cam 16.

Assembly process

The connecting device 21 described above is assembled to the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 as follows.

The two angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 are advantageously inserted simultaneously on each side of the connection device 21. More particularly, the connection device is forcibly inserted into the recess 25 formed in the angle adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 , and in particular in their respective cams 16. Because the first and second ends 22a, 22b have an extra thickness e2, the connection device 21 is fixedly connected to the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7 without play between the connection device 21 and the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7. This thus makes it possible to minimize the friction noises when using the seat 1.

Then connecting the top frame 11a and the frame 12a of the backrest frame 2a, for example by welding, to the side frames 10a, 10b forming the second flanges of the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7. The frame file 2a, the connecting device 21 and the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7, as shown in Figure 2 are then assembled.

In particular, it is not necessary to add washers or rivets at the ends 22a, 22b of the connection device 21 to fix the connection device 21 fixedly along the axis of articulation Y with the mechanisms. angular adjustment 6, 7. In fact, the holding parts 24 are sufficient to keep the connecting device 21 fixed along the axis of articulation Y.

Operation

The connecting device 21 described above, once assembled to the angular adjustment mechanisms 6, 7, operates as follows.

When the occupant actuates the handle 8, the connecting device 21 pivots and drives the cams 16 of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and of the second angular adjustment mechanism 7. The cams 16 cause the elements of the locking 12, thereby releasing the rotation of the backrest 2 of the seat 1.

Thus, the two angular adjustment mechanisms 6,7 are unlocked simultaneously and the occupant can pivot the backrest 2.

When the occupant releases the handle 8, the connecting device 21 is returned to its initial position by the spring or springs 17 acting on the cams 16 of the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and of the second angular adjustment mechanism 7.

The locking elements 12 are then pushed radially outwards by the cams 16 to again lock the first angular adjustment mechanism 6 and the second angular adjustment mechanism 7.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided only by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants which a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the present invention and in particular any combination of the different operating modes described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (10)

1. Connection device (21) for connecting a first adjustment mechanism angular (6) and a second mechanism adjustment angular (7), the device link (21) extending according to a axis hinge (Y) and comprising (21): - a first end (22a) intended to be connected to the first angular adjustment mechanism (6), - a second end (22b) intended to be connected to the second angular adjustment mechanism (7), characterized in that each of the first and second ends (22a, 22b) comprises a holding part (24), the holding parts ( 24) having an extra thickness (e2) and being intended to come respectively into contact with the first and second angular adjustment mechanisms (6, 7). 2. Connection device (21) according to claim 1, being symmetrical with respect to a plane (P) perpendicular to the axis of articulation (Y), so that the first end (22a) and the second end (22b ) are identical to each other. 3. Connecting device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims, being made in one piece, in particular by molding. 4. Connecting device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an intermediate part (23) connecting the first end (22a) and the second end (22b) together, the intermediate part (23) having a thickness (el) less than the thickness (e2) of the holding parts (24). 5. Connecting device (21) according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate part (23) has a profile along the axis of articulation (Y) of constant section. 6. Connection device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding parts (24) have a convex profile along the axis of articulation (Y), in particular a curved profile. 7. Method for assembling a connection device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims with a first angular adjustment mechanism (6) and a second angular adjustment mechanism (7), comprising the step of: - The first end (22a) and the second end (22b) are simultaneously inserted by force, respectively into the first angular adjustment mechanism (6) and into the second angular adjustment mechanism (7). 8. Vehicle seat (1) comprising: - a file (2), - a seat (3), - first and second angular adjustment mechanisms (6, 7) of the backrest (2) relative to the seat (3), and - a connecting device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. Seat (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first angular adjustment mechanism (6) and the second angular adjustment mechanism (7) comprise recesses (25) in which the first end (22a) and the second end (22b) of the connecting device (21) are forcibly inserted, the holding parts (24) being arranged in the recesses (25). 10. Seat (1) according to claim 9, wherein the retaining parts (24) have a shape complementary to the shape of the recesses (25) of the first angular adjustment mechanism (6) and the second angular adjustment mechanism 5 ( 7).