WO2015086976A1

WO2015086976A1 - Vehicle seat backrest and seat having such a backrest

Info

Publication number: WO2015086976A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/053221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathieu BOQUET; Matthieu DEBRAY
Original assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile; Renault S.A.S.
Priority date: 2013-12-09
Filing date: 2014-12-08
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: FR3014379A1; FR3014379B1

Abstract

Backrest comprising a framework (4), a front structure (16) carried by the framework and able to support the back of a user, this front structure being able to move between a normal use position and a safety position, a protection system (17) including first and second portions (18, 19), one of which is connected to the front structure and the other of which is connected to the framework, the first portion being able to move with respect to the second portion between a first position corresponding to the normal use position and a second position corresponding to the safety position, the first portion (18) being held in the first position as long as the front structure is not subjected to a rearward force greater than a predetermined value, the first portion being held in the first position by mutual interlocking with the second portion (19).

Description

Vehicle seat back and seat with such a seat

folder

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to motor vehicle seat backs, to vehicle seats comprising such folders, and more particularly to cervical anti-trauma systems, also called anti-whiplash protection systems, in particular in the event of a rear impact sustained by the vehicle.

Context of the invention

More particularly, the invention relates to a backrest for a vehicle seat comprising a backrest frame, a front structure carried by the backrest frame and defining a front face adapted to support the back of a user, the front structure being movable between a normal position of use and a safety position, and at least one protection system including first and second portions, connected one to the front structure and the other to the backrest frame (the first portion can therefore be fixed either to the part of the front structure or to the backrest frame), the first portion being movable relative to the second portion between a first position corresponding to the normal position of use of the front structure and a second position corresponding to the safety position,

the first portion being held in the first position as long as the front structure does not experience a backward force greater than a predetermined value.

There are known vehicle seats including folders, reclining or not, of this type. However, the protection systems included in these seats have relatively complex structures and therefore quite expensive. The present invention is intended to overcome these disadvantages.

Presentation of the invention

For this purpose, according to the invention, a folder of the kind in question is characterized in that the first portion is held in the first position by interlocking with said second portion.

Thus, thanks to these provisions, the protection system included in the file is simple, thereby contributing to reduce the cost and simplify the manufacturing process.

In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used:

The second portion forms a housing delimited at least partially by a restriction adapted to move apart in front of the first portion when said first portion passes from the first position to the second position;

said first portion is slidably mounted with friction, with respect to said second portion, between the first position and the second position;

said second portion comprises a channel and said first portion comprises a tenon slidably mounted in said channel;

- At least a portion of said channel is deformable to let the first portion to the second position;

- The front structure is flexible, the first portion has a spheroidal shape and the channel forms a housing at least partially delimited by a restriction adapted to deviate from the first portion when said first portion passes from the first position in the second position, said housing having a shape substantially complementary to the first portion: thus, thanks to these provisions, the comfort of the user can be improved (including the front structure of the folder can be flexible compared to the backrest frame in normal use position);

the first portion is connected to the backrest frame and the second portion is connected to the front structure;

the backrest comprises two protection systems and the backrest frame comprises a metal frame having two lateral flanges, and two plastic backrest reinforcements each comprising the first portion of one of the protection systems;

- The lower part of the front structure is connected to the backrest frame by a suitable connection to allow movement of the front structure relative to the backrest frame.

Furthermore, the invention further relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat and a backrest as defined above mounted on the seat.

Of course the various features, variations and / or embodiments of the present invention may be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Brief description of the figures

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading the following detailed description comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which can be used to complete the understanding of this invention and the statement of its realization and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle seat equipped with a backrest according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the back of the invention equipped with a whiplash protection system,

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the back of FIG.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial exploded views of the file of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the back of FIG. 2, in the normal position of use,

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the backrest of FIG. 6,

- Figure 8 is a partial side view of the folder of Figure 2, in the safety position.

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.

For the sake of clarity, only the elements useful for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and will be detailed.

Detailed description of the invention

In the description which follows, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms 'forward', 'backward', 'up', 'down', 'left', 'right', etc., or relative, such as the terms 'above', 'below', 'above', 'below', etc., or with qualifiers for orientation, reference is made to a seat in a normal position of use thereof in the direction of ordinary progression of the vehicle.

Thus, Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a seat 1 of a motor vehicle, for example a front seat, according to the present invention comprising a backrest 2 and a seat 3 on which can, for example, be mounted the backrest 2. L seat 3 is attached to the floor P of the chassis of the motor vehicle through one or more rails G, for example two side rails.

The backrest 2 comprises a backrest frame 4, preferably rigidly, on which is mounted a backrest lining 5. The lining 5 may consist, for example, of a layer of synthetic foam or the like covered towards the front of the seat by a covering cap in textile, leather or other.

The seat 3 comprises a seat frame 3a, preferably rigid, on which is mounted a seat pad 3b. The backrest frame 4 is mounted on the seat frame 3a by means of a hinge mechanism allowing the backrest 2 to be rotated relative to the seat around a transverse axis, so that the seat can be adjusted. inclination of the backrest 2 relative to the seat 3.

The seat 1 also comprises, for example, a headrest 6 disposed towards the top of the backrest 2, opposite the seat 3, relative to the backrest 2.

The backrest frame 4 comprises a left lateral flange 7 and a right lateral flange 8.

The left lateral flange 7 and the right lateral flange 8 respectively extend along a vertical axis Z, substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis, from a first end 9 to a second end 10. More specifically, as shown in FIG. figure 2, the first end 9 is disposed at the bottom of the backrest 2 and the second end 10 is disposed at the top of the backrest 2.

The left side flange 7 and the right side flange 8 are interconnected by a lower cross member 11 and a top cross member 12, extending along the transverse axis, and respectively arranged at the first ends 9 and at the second ends. 10 of the left side flange 7 and the right side flange 8. The high cross member 12 carries the headrest 6, for example by means of support sleeves (not shown).

The left lateral flange 7, respectively the right lateral flange 8, as well as the lower cross member 11, respectively the upper cross member 12, may be typically metallic. Alternatively, they can also be a plastic part with high mechanical characteristics, or a part based on fiberglass or carbon fiber.

The backrest frame 4 further comprises at least one backrest reinforcement 13, and in the embodiment shown two backrest reinforcements 13. The two backrest reinforcements 13 are preferably made of plastic and are respectively housed in the lateral flange left 7 and the right side flange 8 of the backrest frame 4.

Each of the backrest reinforcements 13 comprises a first portion 13a, extending between a first end 13c and a second end 13d, and a second portion 13b extending between a first end coinciding with the second end 13d of the first portion 13a. and a second end 13th. The first portion 13a may, for example, pivot relative to the second portion 13b about a pivot axis Y1, parallel to the transverse axis (Figures 2 and 3). Thus, the shell 16 pivots on the seat 3 around the axis of pivoting Yl to improve the comfort of a seat occupant 1.

In addition, each of the backrest reinforcements 13 is secured to the backrest frame 4 by means of at least one threaded screw 15a inserting into a through hole (not shown) present on each of the lateral flanges 7 and 8 of the backrest frame 4 and in a tapped hole 15b present on each of said backrest reinforcements 13.

The file 2 further comprises a front structure

16, consisting for example of a flexible shell 16 of plastic or other material, optionally reinforced by metal inserts or the like. The shell 16 may comprise for example a bottom parallel to the average plane of the backrest 2 and two lateral edges extending substantially along the vertical axis Z, forming the two sides of the backrest 2.

The shell 16 further defines a front face 16a, adapted to support the back of the seat occupant 1, and a rear face 16b.

The shell 16 is connected to the backrest frame 4. More specifically, the shell 16 is connected to the backrest reinforcements 13 of the backrest frame 4. In the example shown here, the upper part of the shell 16 is linked to the backrest reinforcements 13 by a protection system 17 anti whiplash disposed near the first end 13c of the first portion 13a of each of the backrest reinforcements 13. The lower part of the shell 16 is connected to the backrest reinforcements 13 by a low link 14, for example a hinge, arranged near the second end 13e of the second part 13b of each of the backrest reinforcements 13.

The anti-whiplash protection system 17 allows movement of said shell 16 between a position normal use, visible in Figures 6 and 7, wherein the head of the seat occupant 1 is located remotely forward of the headrest 6, and a safety position, where at least the part high of the structure before 16 move backward (Figure 8), allowing the head of the seat occupant 1 to be closer to the headrest 6.

Whatever its embodiment, the link (14) low is adapted to allow the displacement of the shell 16 between the normal position of use and the safety position.

As can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 4 to 8, the anti-whiplash protection system 17 may, for example, comprise:

a first portion 18,

a second portion 19 linked to the first portion 18, and

- at least one restriction 24.

The first and second portions 18 and 19 are connected one to the shell 16 and the other to the backrest frame 4. In the embodiment shown, the first portion 18 is connected to the backrest reinforcement 13 and the second portion 19 is connected to the upper part of the shell 16. The second portion 19 extends opposite the first portion 18, radially to said first portion 18.

The first portion 18 is movable relative to the second portion 19 between a first position (FIGS. 6 and 7), corresponding to the normal position of use of the front structure 16, and a second position, corresponding to the safety position of the front structure 16. The first portion 18 is held in the first position by interlocking with the second portion 19. Optionically, the first portion 18 is slidably mounted with friction relative to the second portion 19, between the first position and the second position.

When the first portion 18 is in the first position, the first and second portions 18 and 19 are integral in translation relative to each other. When the first portion 18 is in second position, the first and second portions 18 and 19 slide with friction relative to each other.

Alternatively, the first portion 18 is bistable, with respect to said second portion 19, between the first position and the second position.

The first and second portions 18 and 19 are chosen, for example, from a female portion and a male portion. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 8, the first portion 18 is the maie portion and the second portion 19 is the female portion.

The first portion 18 then has, for example, a quasi-spherical shape and the second portion 19 creates a housing 22 having a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the first portion 18. Thus, the first portion 18 pivots on the second portion 19 around a pivot axis Y2, parallel to the transverse axis and parallel to the pivot axis Y1, in order to improve the comfort of an occupant of the seat 1.

When the first portion 18 is in first position, the first portion 18 is held by interlocking in the housing 22 of the second portion 19 and the first portion 18 is integral in translation with the second portion 19.

Alternatively, the first portion 18 and the housing 22 of the second portion 19 may have non-spherical complementary shapes. When the first portion 18 is in first position, the first portion 18 is then integral in rotation and in translation of the second portion 19.

Alternatively, the first and second portions 18 and 19 comprise a holding device (not shown), such as for example a guide groove present on one of the first and second portions 18 and 19, and adapted to receive a rib, a tenon or a blade on the other of the first and second portions 18 and 19. Said holding device is adapted to maintain the first portion 18 in the first position.

The first portion 18, for example, protrudes from the first end 13c of the first portion 13a of the backrest reinforcement 13 and extends opposite the second portion 19, radially to said second portion 19. When the backrest 2 comprises two anti-whiplash protection systems 17, the first portions 18 of each of the two anti-whiplash protection systems 17, for example, protrude from one another.

The second portion 19 protrudes, in the embodiment shown, from the rear face 16b of the shell 16 and extends in the front-rear direction, substantially corresponding to the direction from the backrest 2 of the seat 1 to the occupant regardless of the orientation of the seat 1 in the vehicle. The second portion 19 comprises, for example, the restriction 24, adapted to deviate in front of the first portion 18 when said first portion 18 passes from the first position to the second position, and a channel 25.

The channel 25 extends in the front-back direction between a closed first end, for example merged with the rear face 16b of the shell 16, and a second end alternately open or closed. The channel has a shape adapted to receive the first portion 18 in first position and second position.

Alternatively, at least a portion of said channel 25 is deformable to allow movement of said first portion 18 relative to the second portion 19 in the back-to-front direction when the first portion 18 passes from the first position to the second position. This movement in the back-to-front direction allows that the movement of the head of the seat occupant 1 keeps a substantially straight trajectory in case of rear impact.

Alternatively, the channel 25 is deformed to allow sliding, for example with friction, of the first portion 18 relative to the second portion 19 in the back-to-front direction between the first position and the second position. This sliding in the back-to-front direction allows that the movement of the head of the occupant seat 1 keeps a substantially straight trajectory in case of rear impact.

Preferably, the first portion 18 comprises a pin 23, extending facing the second portion 19. The post 23 is slidably mounted in the back-to-front direction in the channel 25, for example with friction, when the channel 25 deforms to let the first portion 18 of the first position in the second position.

Alternatively, the channel 25 may comprise at least one retention element such as for example a pin or a blade extending radially inward of said channel 25 (not shown). Said at least one retention element is adapted to deform to slide frictionally the first portion 18 to the second position. Alternatively, a portion of the channel 25 forms the housing 22, defined at least partially by the restriction 24 and the second end of the channel 25.

Other nesting variants between the first and second portions 18, 19, are possible.

Additionally, the second portion 19 is, in the embodiment shown, connected to the shell 16 at the second closed end of the channel 25.

The restriction 24 comprises at least one element selected from a narrowing (Figures 4 to 7), a nipple, a tongue, a tab, a tenon or a blade (not shown).

The restriction 24 is adapted to deviate in front of the first portion 18 when said first portion 18 passes from the first position to the second position.

Preferably, the restriction 24 comprises at least one deformable zone 27 and, in the embodiment shown, two deformable zones 27 extending opposite one another.

The first portion 18 is held in the first position as long as the shell 16 does not undergo a backward force F greater than a predetermined value F1 (the value F1 is, for example, between 800 and 1500 Newtons). .

In the embodiment shown, the first portion 18 is more particularly maintained in the first position by the restriction 24 as the shell 16 does not undergo the backward force F greater than the predetermined value Fl.

The first portion 18 moves relative to the second portion 19 to the second position when the value of the bearing force F undergone by the shell 16 is greater than said predetermined value F1. For this, the first portion 18 slides with friction from the first position in the second position. This displacement of the first portion 18 causes the displacement of at least the upper part of the shell 16 towards the rear in the direction of the arrow 21 (FIG. 8), from the normal position of use of the shell 16 to the safety position of the hull 16.

The support force F is the force exerted backwards on the hull 16 by the back of the seat occupant 1.

The restriction 24 comprises, in the embodiment shown, the deformable narrowing between a rest position (FIG. 6), in which the first portion 18 is held in the first position, and a position of separation (FIG. which the restriction 24 deviates in front of the first portion 18 when said first portion 18 passes from the first position to the second position.

The restriction 24, and more particularly the at least one zone 27 of the restriction 24, deviates towards the position of separation when said force F is greater than said predetermined value F1, which absorbs a part of the energy of the shock. . The at least one zone 27 is kept in the rest position as long as the support force F does not exceed the predetermined value F1.

Alternatively, the restriction 24 could, in alternative embodiments, be deformable or non-deformable and coupled to the first portion 18 deformable under the effect of the force F.

The device that has just been described operates as follows.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, when the vehicle in which the seat 1 is installed suffers a sufficiently large rear impact, the occupant of the seat 1 exerts a large bearing force directed towards the rear on the backrest 2, so that the rearward force experienced by the shell 16 of the backrest 2, at the anti-whiplash protection systems 17, exceeds said predetermined value F1.

In this case, the upper part of the shell 16 translates backward in the direction of the arrow 21, while the restriction 24 of the second portion 19 is deformed by moving away in front of the first portion when said first position moves from the first position in the second position, thus absorbing some of the shock energy.

The head of the seat occupant 1 is thus found in the immediate vicinity, or even in contact with the headrest 6 from the beginning of the rear impact, which avoids or limits possible injuries suffered by the occupying seat 1 at its spine, because of the "whiplash". In addition, because of the sliding in the back-front direction of the first portion 18 on the channel 25 of the second portion 19, the movement of the head of the seat occupant 1 keeps a substantially straight trajectory in the event of a rear impact. .

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

1. Backrest for a vehicle seat comprising:

a backrest frame (4),

- A front structure (16) carried by the backrest frame and defining a front face (16a) adapted to support the back of a user, the front structure being movable between a normal position of use and a safety position,

at least one protection system (17) including first and second portions (18, 19), one connected to the front structure (16) and the other to the back frame (4), the first portion being movable relative to the second portion between a first position corresponding to the normal position of use of the front structure (16) and a second position corresponding to the safety position,

the first portion (18) being held in the first position by interlocking with said second portion (19) and as long as the front structure does not undergo a backward force (F) greater than a predetermined value,

characterized in that said second portion (19) comprises a channel (25) and in that at least a portion of said channel (25) is deformable to pass the first portion (18) to the second position.

2. Backrest according to claim 1, wherein the second portion (19) forms a housing (22) defined at least partially by a restriction (24) adapted to move apart in front of the first portion (18) when said first portion passes from the first position in the second position.

3. File according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion (18) is slidably mounted with respect to said second portion (19) between the first position and the second position.

4. Backrest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion (18) comprises a pin (23) slidably mounted in said channel (25).

5. Backrest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front structure (16) is flexible, the first portion (18) has a spheroidal shape and the channel (25) forms a housing (22) defined at least partially by a restriction (24) adapted to deviate in front of the first portion (18) when said first portion passes from the first position to the second position, said housing having a shape substantially complementary to the first portion (18).

6. Backrest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (18) is connected to the backrest frame (4) and the second portion (19) is connected to the front structure (16).

7. File according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two protection systems (17) and wherein the backrest frame (4) comprises:

a metal frame having two lateral flanges (7,8),

and two plastic backrest reinforcements (13) each comprising the first portion (18) of one of the protection systems.

8. Folder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part of the front structure (16) is connected to the frame of the backrest (4) by a link (14) adapted to allow a moving the front structure (16) relative to the back frame (4).

9. Vehicle seat comprising a seat (3) and a backrest (2) according to any one of the preceding claims mounted on the seat.