WO2012143631A1

WO2012143631A1 - Securing device with rotation-proofing means for securing to a floor of a vehicle a seat backrest suited to the securing of a removable device

Info

Publication number: WO2012143631A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/050591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Fevrier; Guy Noel VERCAYGNE-BAT
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2011-04-21
Filing date: 2012-03-21
Publication date: 2012-10-26
Also published as: EP2699449A1; FR2974336B1; FR2974336A1

Abstract

A device (D) is intended to allow the securing to a floor (PL) of a vehicle of a seat (SI) which comprises a back rest (DS) fitted with a lower structural element (ES) to which is secured at least one anchoring means (MA) for securing a removable device (SE). This device (D) comprises at least i) an articulation component (PA), fixably secured to the lower structural element (ES), ii) a securing piece (PF) rotatably secured to this articulation piece (PA) and able to be secured to the floor (PL), and iii) blocking means (MB) designed to limit the extent to which the lower structural element (ES) and/or the articulation piece (PA) is made to turn with respect to the securing piece (PF) in the event of the vehicle being involved in a collision, so as to limit the extent to which the removable device (SE) moves longitudinally with respect to the seat (SI).

Description

FIXING DEVICE WITH ANTI-ROTATION BLOCKING MEANS FOR ATTACHING A VEHICLE FLOOR TO A SEAT BACK FITTED TO THE ATTACHMENT OF A REMOVABLE DEVICE

The invention relates to vehicle seats, possibly of automotive type, on which removable devices can be fixed, such as for example and not limited to child seats.

Some vehicle seats comprise a backrest provided with a lower structural element (for example a bar) on which are fixed, on the one hand, at least one fastening device making it possible to contribute to their attachment to a floor of the vehicle, and on the other hand, anchoring means for allowing secure attachment of a removable device, such as a child seat (also called child restraint (or DRE)). These anchoring means, which are for example of the ISOFIX type (ISO 13216 standard), generally comprise a plate, secured to the lower structural element, and a cable (or wire), generally made of steel, secured to the plate and or the lower structural member and accessible at the interface between the lower part of the backrest and the rear portion of the seat to allow the anchoring of a lower fastener of a DRE.

In case of impact, these anchoring means undergo a pulling force that results from the inertia of the assembly consisting of the removable device and the child or object supported by the latter. In order to be approved in certain countries or regions, these anchoring means must support at least a minimum traction force defined by a national or international safety standard. They then have a resistance which is certainly essential, but which can cause damage to the fastener and the lower structural member.

Indeed, when the fixing device comprises a hinge part fixedly secured to the lower structural member, and a fixing piece, secured to rotation to this hinge piece and secured fixed to the floor, and that a removable device (supporting a child or an object) is anchored on at least one anchoring means which is situated in the vicinity of this fixing device, and that in addition this means of anchoring is undergoing a significant longitudinal tensile force (at about plus or minus 10 °), the fastener tends to straighten vertically by tearing the floor locally, the hinge piece is rotated relative to the next fastener the transverse direction and the lower structural member is twisted. This results in a significant longitudinal movement of the removable device relative to the backrest (in particular), which can be dangerous for a child.

The invention aims to allow a limitation of the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement of a removable device installed on a vehicle seat, in the event of impact, so that this amplitude is below a threshold defined by a safety standard. national or international, as for example and not limited to the norm defined in the European regulation ECE-14-06.

It proposes in particular for this purpose a device, intended to allow the attachment to a vehicle floor of a seat comprising a backrest provided with a lower structural element on which is fixed at least one anchoring means for fixing a removable device, and comprising at least one hinge part fixedly secured to the lower structural member, and a fastener, rotatably secured to the hinge piece and adapted to be secured to the floor.

This fastening device is characterized in that it further comprises blocking means arranged, when the vehicle is impacted, to limit the rotational drive of the lower structural member and / or its articulation piece. relative to its attachment piece so as to limit the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement of the removable device relative to the seat.

It will be understood that, thanks to the presence of the fixing device, the seat is advantageously capable of withstanding minimum constraints defined by a national or international safety standard when its vehicle is shocked. The anchoring device according to the invention may comprise other features that can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

in a first embodiment, its locking means can be arranged in the form of an element which is attached to the lower structural element and / or of an element which is attached to the articulation piece;

its locking means can be arranged in the form of a rigid and resistant cable which is fixedly secured to the lower structural element and which comprises an intermediate portion partially housed in at least one notch defined in a longitudinal lower edge of the piece of fixing, in the vicinity of an upper end thereof which is secured to rotation at a front end of the hinge part;

in a first variant, its locking means can be arranged in the form of a rigid axial element which is fixedly secured to its articulation piece, substantially parallel to its direction of rotation relative to its fastener, and which is clean in the event of impact coming to be pressed against a lower longitudinal edge of its fastener;

in a second variant, its locking means may be arranged in the form of a rigid axial element which is fixedly secured to a transverse face of its fastener, substantially parallel to its direction of rotation relative to its articulation part and which is clean in case of shock to constitute an anti-rotation stop for a longitudinal lower edge of its articulation piece and / or the lower structural member;

in a second embodiment, its locking means may be arranged in the form of a shaped part of its articulation piece and / or of a shaped part of its fastener, which has a substantially parallel transverse component the direction of rotation of its articulation piece relative to its fixing piece;

its locking means can be arranged in the form of a part shaped which extends transversely its hinge piece at a longitudinal lower edge and which is clean in case of shock coming to be pressed against a longitudinal lower edge of its fastener;

in a first variant, its blocking means can be arranged in the form of a shaped part which extends transversely its attachment piece at a longitudinal lower edge, in an area which is situated in the vicinity of an upper end which it comprises and rotatably fastened to a front end of its articulation piece, and which is clean in case of shock to constitute an anti-rotation stop for a longitudinal lower edge of its articulation piece and / or the lower structural element;

in a second variant, its locking means may be arranged in the form of a shaped portion of a transverse face of its fastener which defines a clean transverse bulge in case of impact to constitute an anti-rotation stop for an edge longitudinal lower part of its articulation piece and / or the lower structural element.

The invention also proposes a backrest, intended to equip a vehicle seat, and comprising, on the one hand, a lower structural element on which is fixed at least one anchoring means for fixing a removable device and at least a hinge piece secured to rotation to a fastener adapted to be secured to the floor, and, secondly, at least one fastening device of the type shown above.

The invention also proposes a seat intended to equip a vehicle, and comprising a file of the type of that presented above.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising at least one seat of the type of that presented 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 nature of certain lines and the mesh size of the surfaces of the elements), on which: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view on the front side, an example of a vehicle seat backrest equipped with a fastening device according to the invention and two pairs of ISOFIX-type fastening means,

FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate, respectively in a front-side perspective view, a side view and a front-side front view, a first exemplary embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in a side view, the damage caused by a shock in the lower part of a backrest, when the latter is equipped with the fixing device illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C,

FIGS. 4A to 4C schematically illustrate, respectively in a front-side perspective view, a side view and a front-side front view, a second exemplary embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention,

FIGS. 5A to 5C schematically illustrate, respectively in a front-side perspective view, a side view and a front-side front view, a third embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention, and

- Figures 6A to 6C schematically illustrate, respectively in a front perspective view, a side view and a front side front view, a fourth embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention.

The attached drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if any.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a fastening device (D) intended to allow the partial fixing on a vehicle floor (PL) of a seat (SI) comprising a backrest (DS), provided with a structural element lower part (ES) on which is fixed at least one anchoring means (MA) for fixing a removable device (SE), as well as possibly at least one headrest.

In the following, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle is of automobile type. This is for example a car. But, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any type of vehicle comprising at least one floor equipped with at least one seat (single seat or multiplaces) on which can be installed in a regulatory manner at least one removable device (SE) having at least one lower fastening element ( MA), as well as possibly an upper fastening element. Therefore, the invention relates to land vehicles, maritime (or fluvial) and air.

Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the removable device (SE) is a child seat (or DRE) comprising in particular two lower fixing elements of ISOFIX type. But, the invention is not limited to this type of removable device. It may indeed also be a device for immobilizing at least one object with respect to a vehicle seat.

In addition, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the seat (SI), which is adapted to receive at least one child seat (SE), is a seat of the second row of a car to two rows. But, the invention is not limited to this type of seat. It concerns indeed any type of seat, regardless of the rank (including the rank one (or before)). Therefore, the invention also relates to single-seat seats.

In FIGS. 1 to 6, the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (and thus 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, which is substantially perpendicular at the lateral sides having the side doors, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is substantially perpendicular to the floor PL of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows schematically an example of a seat (for adult) SI intended to be installed on the floor PL of a car (see FIG. 2A). This SI seat conventionally comprises a backrest DS comprising a structural part secured to rotation on the floor PL, via at least one fixing device D according to the invention (here in central position) and also (here) via two lateral legs PIL, and a seat (no shown), also secured to the floor PL.

It will be noted that the structural part of the backrest DS comprises a lower structural element ES, which is here (for example) in the form of a rigid tube, and to which the fixing device D and the two lateral legs are secured. PIL. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two pairs of ISOFIX anchoring means MA are secured to the lower structural element ES, on either side of the fixing device D, in order to allow the possible anchoring of two SE child seats. But, there could be only one pair of anchoring means MA.

Each anchoring means MA of a pair conventionally comprises a plate PAF secured to the lower structural member ES, for example by welding or screwing, and a cable (or wire) FI rigid and resistant, passing under and behind the lower structural member ES and secured to a rear portion of the PAF plate and / or the lower structural member. This rigid wire (or wire) FI is generally made of solid steel. It has for example a section of about 6 mm.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2A, a fixing device D according to the invention comprises at least one articulation piece PA, a fixing piece PF and locking means MB.

The articulation piece PA comprises a rear end EXR fixedly secured to the lower structural member ES, for example by screwing or welding, and a front end EXV.

Note that the concepts of front and rear are here respectively considered with respect to the front and rear parts of the vehicle. Therefore, the rear end EXR is the one that is closest to the rear part of the vehicle while the front end EXV is the one that is closest to the front part of the vehicle.

The fixing piece PF comprises an upper end EXS, rotationally secured (in the transverse direction Y) to the front end EXV of the lower structural member ES, for example via an axis of rotation or a bolt, and a lower end EXI intended to be secured to the floor PL, preferably by means of bolts (but this can also be done by welding, gluing, riveting or any other means of joining).

It will be noted that the notions of lower and upper are here considered respectively with respect to the floor PL of the vehicle. Consequently, the upper end EXS is the one that is furthest from the floor PL of the vehicle while the lower end EXI is the one that is closest to the floor PL of the vehicle.

For example, and as illustrated, this lower end EXI may comprise two substantially transverse wings, directed in opposite directions and adapted to the fastening on the floor PL.

Note that the fixing piece PF may optionally consist of two parts placed against each other and preferably secured to one another, for example by screwing or welding.

The MB blocking means are intended to act when the vehicle is shocked and when, here, at least one SE child seat supporting a child (or an object) is installed on the SI seat and anchored on one of the two pairs of seats. anchoring means MA. More specifically, these locking means MB are arranged to limit the rotational drive of the lower structural member ES and / or the articulation piece PA relative to the fixing piece PF so as to limit the amplitude of the longitudinal movement of the SE child seat relative to the seat (adult) SI.

This limitation of the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement is intended to allow the SI seat to withstand minimal constraints which are defined by a national or international safety standard relating to the ISOFIX anchorage (or equivalent), such as for example and without limitation the standard defined in European regulation ECE-14-06, when its vehicle is shocked. It will be noted that the invention advantageously makes it possible to dimension the blocking means MB according to the standards in force and therefore the minimum constraints to be supported.

At least two families of embodiments of the blocking means MB can be envisaged.

A first family concerns fastening devices D whose locking means MB are arranged in the form of an element which is attached to the lower structural element ES and / or of an element which is reported on the articulation piece PA.

FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a fastening device D belonging to the first family.

In this first exemplary embodiment, the blocking means MB are arranged in the form of a rigid (and resistant) axial element which is fixedly attached to a transverse face FT of the fixing piece PF, substantially parallel to its direction of rotation. relative to the articulation piece PA (that is to say the transverse direction Y). By "transverse face" is meant here a face whose main normal is substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y.

This rigid axial element MB, which may be, for example, a welded or screwed stud or a bolt, is intended, in the event of impact, to constitute an anti-rotation stop for the longitudinal lower edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the lower structural element ES. It will be understood, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal traction force (at approximately +/- 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a straightening in the vertical direction Z of the fastener PF accompanied by a slight local tearing and / or deformation of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but, the rotational drive of the articulation piece PA by relative to the fastener PF in the transverse direction Y (because of this rectification) is limited by the presence of the rigid axial element MB on which abuts the lower longitudinal edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the lower structural element ES, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal movement of the SE child seat is limited to meet the standard.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, instead of reporting the rigid axial element MB on a transverse face FT of the fixing piece PF, it can be attached to a transverse face of the articulation piece PA, and extend substantially parallel to the direction of rotation relative to the fixing piece PF (that is to say the transverse direction Y). This rigid axial element MB can be, also and by for example, a welded or screwed stud or a bolt. In this variant, when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal traction force (at approximately +/- 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a rectification in the vertical direction Z of the part fixing PF accompanied by a slight local tearing and / or a slight local deformation of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but the rotational drive of the articulation piece PA relative to the fastener PF in the transverse direction Y (because of this rectification) is limited by the presence of the rigid axial element MB which abuts against the edge of the fixing piece PF, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement of the child seat SE is limited to meet the standard.

FIGS. 4A to 4C schematically illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a fixing device D belonging to the first family.

In this second embodiment, the blocking means MB are arranged in the form of a rigid and resistant cable which is fixedly secured to the lower structural element ES, for example by welding or screwing. This rigid MB cable (or wire) may be similar to that used to define a rigid wire (or wire) FI of an anchoring means MA. Therefore, it can be made of solid steel and have a section of about 6 mm, for example.

This rigid cable (or wire) MB comprises a transverse intermediate portion before PAI which may be partially housed in at least one notch EN defined in a longitudinal lower edge of the fixing piece PF, in the vicinity of its upper end EXS.

In this second example, when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal traction force (at approximately +/- 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a rectification in the vertical direction Z of the part fastening PF accompanied by a slight local tearing of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but, the rotational drive of the articulation piece PA relative to the fixing piece PF in the transverse direction Y ( because of this straightening) is limited by the presence of the transverse intermediate portion before PAI of the cable (or wire) MB which is housed in the notch EN defined in the longitudinal lower edge of the fixing piece PF, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement the SE child seat is limited to comply with the relevant standard.

A second family concerns fastening devices D whose locking means MB are arranged in the form of a shaped part of the articulation piece PA and / or of a shaped part of the fixing piece PF, which has a transverse component (along Y), and therefore substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the articulation piece PA relative to the fixing piece PF.

Note that this shaped part MB can be obtained by any means known to those skilled in the art, including stamping or striking or molding, for example and not limited to.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show schematically a first exemplary embodiment of a fixing device D belonging to the second family.

In this first exemplary embodiment, the blocking means MB are arranged in the form of a shaped part which extends transversely (following Y) the fastening piece PF at its longitudinal lower edge and which is clean in the event of impact undergone. by the vehicle to form an anti-rotation stop for the lower longitudinal edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the lower structural member ES.

It will be understood that, when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal traction force (at approximately +/- 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a rectification in the vertical direction Z of the fixing piece PF accompanied by a slight local tearing and / or a slight local deformation of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but, the rotational drive of the articulation piece PA with respect to the fixing piece PF in the transverse direction Y (because of this rectification) is limited by the presence of the transverse shaped portion MB of the fixing piece PF on which abuts the lower longitudinal edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the element lower structural ES, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal movement of the SE child seat is limited to meet the standard.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the locking means MB are arranged in the form of a shaped part which extends transversely (along Y) the articulation piece PA at its longitudinal lower edge and which is clean in case of shock suffered by the vehicle to be pressed against the lower longitudinal edge of the fastener PF. In this variant, when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal traction force (at approximately +/- 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a rectification in the vertical direction Z of the part fixing PF accompanied by a slight local tearing and / or a slight local deformation of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but the rotation of the articulation piece PA relative to the workpiece fixing PF in the transverse direction Y (because of this rectification) is limited by the presence of its transverse shaped portion MB which abuts against the longitudinal lower edge of the fixing piece PF, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement of the SE child seat is limited in order to comply with the relevant standard.

FIGS. 6A to 6C schematically illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a fixing device D belonging to the second family.

In this second embodiment, the blocking means MB are arranged in the form of a shaped portion of a transverse face FT of the fastener PF, which defines a bulge or boss in the transverse direction Y proper in case of shock suffered by the vehicle to form an anti-rotation stop for the lower longitudinal edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the lower structural member ES. In this example, the bulge or transverse boss MB is defined between the upper ends EXS and lower EXI, close to the zone where the rotation proceeds in the transverse direction Y, but in a lower part including the lower longitudinal edge of the fixing piece PF.

It will be understood that when the vehicle is shocked, the substantially longitudinal tensile force (at about plus or minus 10 °), which is experienced by the anchoring means MA used, induces a rectification in the vertical direction Z of the fastener PF accompanied by a slight local tearing of the floor PL at the lower end EXI, but the rotational drive of the articulation piece PA relative to the fixing piece PF in the transverse direction Y (because of this rectification) is limited by the presence of the transverse bulge MB of the fixing piece PF on which abuts the lower longitudinal edge of the articulation piece PA and / or the lower structural member ES, and therefore the amplitude of the longitudinal displacement of the child seat SE is limited so to respect the standard in question.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments of attachment device, seat back, vehicle seat, and vehicle described above, only as an example, but encompasses all variants that may consider those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. Device (D) for fixing a vehicle floor (PL) of a seat (SI), comprising a backrest (DS) provided with a lower structural element (ES) to which at least one anchoring means is attached ( MA) for fixing a removable device (SE), said device (D) comprising at least one articulation piece (PA) fixedly secured to said lower structural element (ES), and a fixing piece (PF), secured to rotation to said articulation piece (PA) and adapted to be secured to said floor (PL), characterized in that it comprises locking means (MB) arranged, in the event of impact suffered by said vehicle, to limit the rotational drive of said lower structural member (ES) and / or of said articulation piece (PA) with respect to said fixing piece (PF) so as to limit the amplitude of a longitudinal displacement of said removable device ( SE) with respect to said seat (SI)

said blocking means (MB) are arranged as an insert on said lower structural member (ES) and / or as an insert on said hinge piece (PA) or arranged in the form of a shaped portion extending transversely said hinge piece (PA) at a longitudinal lower edge and clean in the event of impact coming to press against a lower longitudinal edge of said fastener (PF).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a rigid and resistant cable fixedly secured to said lower structural member (ES) and having an intermediate portion (PAI) housed partially in at least one notch (EN) defined in a longitudinal lower edge of said fastener (PF), in the vicinity of an upper end (EXS) of the latter (PF) which is rotationally secured to a front end (EXV ) of said articulation piece (PA).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a rigid axial element secured to said hinge piece (PA), substantially parallel to its direction of rotation relative to said fastener (PF), and clean in the event of impact to be pressed against a lower longitudinal edge of said fastener (PF).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a rigid axial element rigidly fixed to a transverse face of the fastener (PF), substantially parallel to its direction rotational relative to said articulation piece (PA), and clean in case of shock to constitute an anti-rotation stop for a longitudinal lower edge of said articulation piece (PA) and / or said lower structural member (ES).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a shaped portion of said hinge piece (PA) and / or a shaped portion of the piece of fastener (PF), having a transverse component substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of said hinge piece (PA) relative to said fastener (PF).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a shaped portion, extending transversely said fastener (PF) at a longitudinal lower edge, in a zone located in the vicinity of an upper end (EXS) that it comprises and rotatably secured to a front end (EXV) of said hinge piece (PA), and clean in case of shock to constitute an anti-rotation stop for a longitudinal lower edge of said articulation piece (PA) and / or said lower structural member (ES).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (MB) are arranged in the form of a shaped portion of a transverse face (FT) of said fastener (PF), defining a transverse bulge in the event of a shock, it can constitute an antirotation abutment for a longitudinal lower edge of said articulation part (PA) and / or said lower structural element (ES).

Vehicle seat (SI), comprising a backrest (DS) comprising a lower structural element (ES) to which at least one anchoring means (MA) is attached for fixing a removable device (SE) and to least one articulation piece (PA) secured to rotation to a fixing piece (PF) adapted to be secured to said floor (PL), characterized in that said backrest (DS) comprises at least one fixing device (D) according to the one of the preceding claims.