Seat for vehicle and method of using seat

Abstract

A seat (1) for a vehicle, comprising a back cushion (10), a slide (20), a front connecting rod (30), a rear connecting rod (40), a connecting rod (50), a latch (60) and an elastic element (70), in which: the slide (20) comprises a first element (22) and a second element (24), the front connecting rod (30) is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slide (24) about a lower front hinge axis (31), the rear connecting rod (40) is rotatably mounted on the first element (22) about a movable lower rear hinge axis (41), and the latch (60) is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slide (24) about the lower rear hinge axis (41). The connecting rod (50) is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod (30) and the rear connecting rod (40), the elastic element (70) urges the lower rear hinge shaft (41) to move, and the seat (1) is configured to move to a retracted configuration by moving the lower front hinge shaft (31) closer to the lower rear hinge shaft (41).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat for a vehicle and a method of using the seat. Background Art

[0002] In particular in the automotive field, a vehicle seat is known which is configured to be able to have a use position and a position facilitating access to the space behind the seat (hereinafter referred to as the "easy access position"). Such a seat is usually implemented in a vehicle comprising a plurality of pairs of doors, the number of which is less than the number of rows of seats, in order to allow access to the last row of seats in the vehicle, that is, to the row of seats arranged longitudinally furthest to the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] In the easy entry configuration, the seat is tilted forward, usually in a forward position. The seat is usually mounted on a slide. In this case, the easy entry position can also advantageously correspond to a position where the seat is as far forward as possible along the slide.

[0004] Such a seat is notably disclosed in document FR 3 116 771 A1. Although the seat of this vehicle is satisfactory, the present disclosure aims to provide a different solution that is strong, simple and inexpensive. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a vehicle seat is provided, comprising:

[0006] - a cushion having a front edge and a rear edge,

[0007] a slideway comprising a first element for fixing to a vehicle floor and a second element configured to slide relative to the first element in a longitudinal direction between a front end position and a rear end position, in a forward direction or in a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction,

[0008] - a front connecting rod having a lower front end and an upper front end,

[0009] - a rear connecting rod having a lower rear end and an upper rear end,

[0010] - a connecting rod having an intermediate front end and an intermediate rear end,

[0011] a latch having an active state and an inactive state, wherein in the use configuration of the seat, when the latch is in the active state, the latch retains the cushion relative to the second element of the slide at least in the longitudinal direction, and when the latch is in the inactive state, the latch does not retain the cushion relative to the second element of the slide,

[0012] - elastic elements,

[0013] in:

[0014] Near the lower front end, the front connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slideway around the lower front hinge axis.

[0015] Near the upper front end, the cushion is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod about the upper front hinge axis.

[0016] The rear connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the first element about a lower rear hinge shaft near the lower rear end, and the lower rear hinge shaft is movable in the longitudinal direction,

[0017] Near the upper rear end, the cushion is rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod about the upper rear hinge axis.

[0018] Near the middle front end, the connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod around the middle front hinge axis.

[0019] Near the middle rear end, the connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod around the middle rear hinge axis.

[0020] The lower front hinge axis, the upper front hinge axis, the lower rear hinge axis, the upper rear hinge axis, the middle front hinge axis and the middle rear hinge axis extend in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,

[0021] The elastic element pushes the lower rear hinge shaft to move forward in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] The seat is configured to switch from a use configuration to a retracted configuration after switching from an active state of the latch to an inactive state by a retraction movement of the rear edge of the seat, so that the lower front hinge axis is closer to the lower rear hinge axis over the retraction distance, and the retraction movement includes a forward component in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] According to another feature of the present invention, preferably, the retraction movement includes a rear seat entry movement, and the seat is configured to perform the rear seat entry movement by sliding the second element relative to the first element in a rearward direction from a front end position a retraction distance while keeping the lower rear hinge axis along the longitudinal direction.

[0024] Thus, in the retracted configuration, the slide is not in the most forward position, which increases the robustness of the slide.

[0025] According to another feature of the present invention, the seat preferably also includes a single actuator, which is configured to: in the use configuration, by moving the second element in the longitudinal direction, so that the cushion is translated in the forward direction and in the rearward direction opposite to the forward direction, and when the latch is in an inactive state, by moving the second element in the rearward direction to retract the rear edge of the cushion.

[0026] In this way, a single actuator may be used to set both the use configuration and the retraction movement.

[0027] According to a supplementary feature of the present disclosure, the seat is preferably configured so that by moving the lower rear hinge axis forward in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the second element relative to the first element, the latch is switched from an active state to an inactive state, allowing emergency movement of the rear edge of the cushion.

[0028] In this way, the seat can be placed in the retracted configuration even in the event of an actuator failure.

[0029] According to another feature of the present invention, preferably, the slide has a sliding stroke between the front end position and the rear end position, and the actuator is configured to limit the movement of the second element relative to the first element between the rear end position and the front end setting position in the use configuration, and the front end setting position is between the front end position and the rear end position and is spaced apart from the front end position by a retraction distance.

[0030] In this way, no matter what setting the user sets in the use configuration, the seat can be placed in the retracted configuration even if the actuator fails.

[0031] In various embodiments of the seat according to the present disclosure, any of the following arrangements may also be adopted:

[0032] - the elastic element has a front load-bearing end and a rear load-bearing end, the front load-bearing end is connected to the lower front hinge axis, and the rear load-bearing end is connected to the lower rear hinge axis;

[0033] - in the active state, the latch holds the cushion relative to the second element near the rear edge;

[0034] - the seat further comprises a backrest and a hinge, the backrest being connected to the back cushion by a hinge, the hinge having a hinge axis and being rotationally lockable, the hinge axis extending in a transverse direction near the rear edge;

[0035] - the retraction movement also includes moving the rear edge of the cushion away from the slideway in an elevation direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction;

[0036] - the first element has a groove extending in the longitudinal direction, the sliding member is slidably mounted in the groove, and the rear connecting rod is mounted on the first element via the sliding member;

[0037] - the groove (28) has a front end (28a) forming a stop, and

[0038] - in the operating configuration, in the forwardmost position, the slide abuts against the forward end of the slot;

[0039] -The front upper hinge axis is close to the front edge of the seat, and the rear upper hinge axis is close to the rear edge of the seat.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a method for using the above-mentioned seat, the method starting from the use configuration comprises the following operations:

[0041] a) Switch from the active state of the latch to the inactive state, and then

[0042] b) Move the lower front hinge axis closer to the lower rear hinge axis by a retracted distance.

[0043] According to a feature of the present disclosure, operation b) is preferably performed after operation b1) by moving the lower front hinge shaft in a rearward direction, and the lower rear hinge shaft is fixed.

[0044] According to another feature of the present invention, the method preferably further comprises an operation c) of moving the second element of the slideway forwardly to a front end position in the longitudinal direction relative to the first element.

[0045] According to additional features of the present disclosure, operation c) is preferably performed before operation b).

[0046] According to another feature of the invention, operation b) is preferably performed after operation b2) by moving the lower rear hinge axis in the forward direction, the lower front hinge axis being fixed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will appear from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] [ Figure 1 ] shows a perspective view of the seat in the in-use configuration and rearmost position,

[0049] [ Figure 2 ] shows a side view of the seat in the in-use configuration and rearmost position,

[0050] [ Figure 3 ] shows a side view of the seat in the forward position,

[0051] [ Figure 4 ] shows a side view of the seat in an intermediate configuration,

[0052] [ Figure 5 ] shows a side view of the seat in an intermediate configuration,

[0053] [ Figure 6 ] shows a side view of the seat in an emergency configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figures 1 to 6A seat 1 is shown. The seat 1 is a seat of a vehicle 100, in particular a car seat. The seat 1 is located in a passenger compartment 4 of the vehicle 100. The seat 1 mainly includes a cushion 10, a backrest 15, a hinge 19, a pair of slides 20 and an actuator 80. The seat 1 also includes a front connecting rod 30, a rear connecting rod 40, a connecting rod 50, a latch 60 and an elastic element 70 between each slide 20 and the cushion 10.

[0055] The back cushion 10 extends in a longitudinal direction X between a front edge 12 and a rear edge 14. In the embodiment shown, the back cushion 10 comprises a back cushion frame 13. The back cushion frame 13 mainly comprises two longitudinal members 13a, 13b connected by a front crossbeam 13c and a rear crossbeam 13d. The longitudinal members are arranged on both sides of the seat in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal members 13a, 13b mainly extend in the longitudinal direction X. The front crossbeam 13c and the rear crossbeam 13d mainly extend in the transverse direction Y.

[0056] The backrest 15 extends between an upper end 16 and a lower end 18 in a vertical direction Z. The vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The lower edge 18 of the backrest 15 is adjacent to the rear edge 14 of the cushion 10 .

[0057] The backrest 15 comprises a backrest frame 17. The backrest frame 17 is connected to each longitudinal member 13a, 13b by a hinge 19. The hinges 19 are spaced apart in the transverse direction Y and connected to each other so as to synchronize the movement of the two sides of the seat in the transverse direction Y. Each hinge 19 has a hinge axis 11 extending in the transverse direction Y. Therefore, the backrest frame 17 can be pivoted about the hinge axis 11 relative to the cushion frame 13 between a folded position and a tilted position via the hinge 19. In the folded position, the backrest 15 extends above the cushion 10 substantially parallel to the cushion 10, while in the tilted position, the backrest 15 extends substantially in line with the cushion 10.

[0058] The hinge 19 can be continuous or discontinuous. A continuous hinge allows the backrest frame 17 to be adjusted in its inclination relative to the cushion frame 13 in any position between the folded position and the tilted position. The setting is almost irreversible, so the setting position is locked. A so-called discontinuous hinge has two states, one that allows the backrest frame 17 to be released relative to the cushion and the other that locks the inclination of the backrest frame 17 relative to the cushion frame in a limited number of positions between the folded position and the tilted position.

[0059] The cushion 10 is supported by a pair of slides 20. The slides 20 include a first element 22 and a second element 24. The first element 22 is attached to the floor 2 of the vehicle 100. The second element 24 is configured to be located at a front end position (eg, Figure 3 shown) and rear position ( Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown), slide in the forward direction 21 or the rearward direction 23.

[0060] Each slide 20 may also include a latching mechanism known per se to hold the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 in the longitudinal direction X in the rear position, the front position or a plurality of positions therebetween.

[0061] The first element 22 comprises a first rail 25 and a metal plate 29. The first rail 25, also called a first profile, extends in the longitudinal direction X. The metal plate 29 is attached to the second rail 26. The metal plate 29 is bent at a right angle so that its cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X is "L"-shaped. The metal plate 29 has a substantially horizontal face, through which the metal plate 29 is rigidly attached to the first rail 25, and a vertical face, on which a groove 28 is formed. The groove 28 extends in the longitudinal direction between a front end 28a and a rear end 28b. The second element 24 mainly comprises a second rail 26, to which other elements, such as a support 27, can be attached. The second rail 26, also called a second profile, extends in the longitudinal direction X and cooperates with the first rail 25. The support 27 is rigidly attached to the second rail 26.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding movement of the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 is controlled by an actuator 80 comprising a motor and a transmission system. The transmission system is preferably non-reversible (eg, a worm gear), so the latching mechanism is optional.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 1 comprises a pair of slides 20 spaced apart in a transverse direction Y, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The slides 20 are substantially identical or symmetrical to each other with respect to a mid-plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Y. Alternatively, the seat 1 may comprise a single slide 20 arranged in the transverse direction Y substantially in the middle of the seat 1 .

[0064] Each slide 20 is connected to one of the longitudinal members 13 a , 13 b via a front connecting rod 30 , a rear connecting rod 40 , a link 50 , a latch 60 and an elastic element 70 .

[0065] Each front connecting rod 30 has a lower front end 32 and an upper front end 34. Near the lower front end 32, each front connecting rod 30 is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slideway 24, more precisely, on the support 27, around a lower front hinge axis 31. Alternatively, each front connecting rod 30 may be rotatably mounted on the second track 26 around the lower front hinge axis 31. Near the front edge 12 of the cushion 10 and the upper front end 34 of the front connecting rod 30, the cushion 10 is rotatably mounted on each front connecting rod 20 around an upper front hinge axis 33. The lower front hinge axis 31 and the upper front hinge axis 33 extend in the transverse direction Y.

[0066] Each rear connecting rod 40 has a lower front end 32 and an upper front end 34. Near the rear edge 14 of the seat 30 and the upper rear end 44 of the rear connecting rod 40, the cushion 10 is rotatably mounted on each rear connecting rod 30 around an upper rear hinge axis 43. Near the lower rear end 42, each rear connecting rod 40 is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slideway 24 around a lower rear hinge axis 41, which is movable in the longitudinal direction X. The slider 46 can translate between the front end 28a and the rear end 28b in the slot 28 along the longitudinal direction X. In the embodiment shown, the slider 46 is rotationally symmetrical about the lower rear hinge axis 31, so that the slider 46 can freely rotate relative to the slot 28 around the lower rear hinge axis 31. Alternatively, the slider 46 can be prevented from rotating around the lower rear hinge axis 31, and the rear connecting rod 40 is pivotably mounted on the slider 46 around the lower rear hinge axis 31. The lower rear hinge axis 41 and the upper rear hinge axis 43 extend in the transverse direction Y. More precisely, in the vicinity of the lower rear end 42, the rear connecting rod 40 is mounted on the first element 22 by means of a slide 46. The slide 46 can translate in the slot 28 along the longitudinal direction X between the front end 28a and the rear end 28b. In the embodiment shown, the slide 46 is rotationally symmetrical about the lower rear hinge axis 31, so that the slide 46 can freely rotate relative to the slot 28 about the lower rear hinge axis 31. Alternatively, the slide 46 can be prevented from rotating about the lower rear hinge axis 31, about which the rear connecting rod 40 is pivotably mounted on the slide 46.

[0067] Each link 50 has a middle front end 42 and a middle rear end 54. Near the middle front end 52, each link 50 is rotatably mounted on the front link 30 around a middle front hinge axis 51. Near the middle rear end 54, each link 50 is rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod 40 around a middle rear hinge axis 53. The middle front hinge axis 51 and the middle rear hinge axis 53 extend in the transverse direction Y.

[0068] In the embodiment shown, the elastic element 70 is a tension spring. The elastic element 70 has a front load end 72 and a rear load end 74, the front load end 71 is connected to the lower front hinge shaft 31, and the rear load end 74 is connected to the lower rear hinge shaft 41. In this way, the elastic element 70 forces the slider 46 in the slot 28 and thus forces the lower rear hinge shaft 41 to move forward 21 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0069] Each latch 60 is arranged between one of the longitudinal members 13a, 13b and one of the second elements 24. Each latch 60 includes a bolt 62 and a retainer 64. The bolt 62 is rotatably mounted on the cushion frame 13 around a bolt axis 61. The retainer 64 is attached to the second element 24. The latch 60 has an active state and an inactive state. In the active state, the bolt 62 is in a latched position, at least partially accommodated in the retainer 64, to fix the cushion frame 13 near the rear edge 14 and fix the second element 24. Here, a single control member 66 is used to synchronously unlock the two latches 60. For example, the bolt 62 is elastically biased toward the latched position, and the control member 66 is used to control the bolt 62 to rotate around the bolt axis 61 toward an unlocked position corresponding to the inactive state of the bolt 60, wherein the bolt 62 is released from the retainer 64. Alternatively, the bolt 62 may be resiliently biased toward the unlocked position, the control member 66 may retain the bolt 62 in the latched position by preventing the bolt 62 from pivoting about the bolt pin 61 , and the control member 66 may be retracted to allow the bolt 62 to pivot toward the unlocked position.

[0070] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated operational configuration, the latch 60 is active and the cushion 10 is connected to the second element 24 via the latch 60, the front link 30, the rear link 40 and the link 50. Unless otherwise specified below, the second element 24 can be translated 21 forward (relative to the first element 22) in the longitudinal direction X by the actuator 80, from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The rear end position shown is translated to Figure 3 When the second element 24 is in the rear position, the slide 46 is located at the rear end 28b of the slot 28. When the second element 24 is in the front position, the slide 46 is located at the front end 28a of the slot 28. Conversely, the actuator 80 can translate the second element 24 backward 23 (relative to the first element 22) in the longitudinal direction X, from Figure 3 The front end position shown is translated to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Of course, according to the seat user's command, the second element 24 can stop in the forward direction 21 before reaching the front position and in the rearward direction 23 before reaching the rear position. In particular, the user can use the comfort control button to move the second element 24 forward 21 or backward 23 and stop the movement at its desired position.

[0071] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated operational configuration, the latch 60 is active and the cushion 10 is attached to the second element 24 via the latch 60, the front connecting rod 30, the rear connecting rod 40 and the connecting rod 50. Unless otherwise specified below, the second element 24 can be translated forward 21 (relative to the first element 22) in the longitudinal direction X by the actuator 80, from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The rear end position shown is translated to Figure 3 When the second element 24 is in the rear position, the slide 46 is located at the rear end 28b of the slot 28. When the second element 24 is in the front position, the slide 46 is located at the front end 28a of the slot 28. Conversely, the actuator 80 can translate the second element 24 rearward 23 (relative to the first element 22) along the longitudinal direction X, from Figure 3 The front end position shown is translated to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Of course, according to the seat user's instruction, the second element 24 can stop in the forward direction 21 before reaching the front position and in the rearward direction 23 before reaching the rear position. In particular, the user can use the comfort control button to move the second element 24 forward 21 or backward 23 and stop the movement at its desired position.

[0072] For example, seat 1 may be a front seat of a motor vehicle with three doors. The door may be arranged longitudinally at seat 1. The motor vehicle may not have doors arranged longitudinally on the rear seats. According to another variant, seat 1 may be a seat in the second row of seats, in particular in a vehicle with five doors, which comprises three rows of seats. Figures 1 to 3 In the operating configuration shown, the seat 1 prevents rear seat passengers located longitudinally behind the seat 1 from leaving the vehicle.

[0073] When a user wishes to convert a seat from an in-use configuration to a retracted configuration, particularly an easy entry configuration, they perform an easy entry command.

[0074] Then, the seat performs operation c), wherein the actuator 80 moves the second element 24 to the front end position forward 21 relative to the first element 22 along the longitudinal direction X. Then, the slide 46 moves through the slot 28 to the front end 28a, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The lower front hinge shaft 31 is spaced apart from the lower rear hinge shaft 41 in the longitudinal direction X by a first distance D1.

[0075] Then, in operation a), the latch 60 is changed from the active state to the inactive state.

[0076] Then, the elastic element 70 pushes the lower rear hinge shaft 41 to move in the forward direction 21. However, the front end 28a of the groove 28 acts as a stopper to prevent the sliding member 46 from moving, thereby preventing the lower rear hinge shaft 41 from moving. Then, operation b) is performed according to operation b1), so that the lower front hinge shaft 31 is closer to the lower rear hinge shaft 41. During operation b1), the actuator moves the second element 24 a retraction distance D in the rearward direction 23 relative to the first element 22. At this time, the lower front hinge shaft 31 is separated from the lower rear hinge shaft 41 by a second distance D2 along the longitudinal direction X. The first distance D1 is equal to the sum of the second distance D1 and the retraction distance D. As shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, under the action of the elastic element 70, the lower rear hinge shaft 41 is kept against the front end 28a of the groove 28, and the lower front hinge shaft 31 approaches the lower rear hinge shaft 41 by moving in the rearward direction 22. Figure 5 , the second element 24 is in the most forward position relative to the first element 22.

[0077] The seat 1 is then moved into the retracted configuration, more precisely, into the easy-entry configuration, by a retracting movement of the rear edge 14 of the cushion 10 , which retracting movement comprises a component in the forward direction 31 along the longitudinal direction X and a component in the vertical direction Z consisting of the movement of the rear edge 14 of the cushion 10 away from the second element 24 .

[0078] Alternatively, operation a) may not be after operation c), and operation a) may even be before operation c). In this case, when the slider 46 abuts against the front end 28a of the groove 28, operation c) may be completed.

[0079] The user can also execute an emergency command. The emergency command is intended to be triggered by the user in the event of a malfunction of the actuator 80 or an emergency, instead of simply inputting a command. In the case of an emergency command, operation c) is not executed, operation a) is first executed, and then operation b) is executed according to operation b2) to bring the lower front hinge shaft 31 closer to the lower rear hinge shaft 41. Figure 6 As shown, after operation a), the latch is inactive because operation c) has not yet been performed, the slider 46 is away from the front end position, and as the elastic element 70 pushes the lower rear hinge axis 41 closer to the lower front hinge axis 31 in the longitudinal direction X, the lower rear hinge axis 41 moves forward 21. Then, the seat 1 is changed to the retracted configuration, more precisely, to the emergency configuration, by the retracting movement of the rear edge 14 of the cushion 10, which also includes a forward component 31 in the longitudinal direction X (less than the case of changing to the easy entry configuration) and a component in the vertical direction Z (the same as the case of changing to the easy entry configuration), which is composed of the movement of the rear edge 14 of the cushion 10 away from the second element 24.

[0080] To ensure that in the event of an emergency operation, the retraction movement is not interrupted by the abutment of the slider 46 against the front end 28a of the slot 28, the actuator 80 is configured to limit the forward movement 21 of the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 to within a certain range in the use configuration. Figure 5 Forward setting position shown.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (1), comprising: - a cushion (10) having a front edge (12) and a rear edge (14), - a slideway (20) comprising a first element (22) for fixing to a vehicle floor and a second element (24) configured to slide relative to the first element (22) in a longitudinal direction (X) between a front position and a rear position, in a forward direction (21) or in a rearward direction (23) opposite to the forward direction (21), - a front connecting rod (30) having a lower front end (32) and an upper front end (34), - a rear connecting rod (40) having a lower rear end (42) and an upper rear end (44), - a connecting rod (50) having a central front end (52) and a central rear end (54), a latch (60) having an active state and an inactive state, wherein, in the use configuration of the seat (1), when the latch (60) is in the active state, the latch (60) retains the cushion (10) relative to the second element of the slide (24) at least along the longitudinal direction (X), and when the latch (60) is in the inactive state, the latch (60) does not retain the cushion (10) relative to the second element (24) of the slide, - elastic element (70), in: Near the lower front end (32), the front connecting rod (30) is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slideway (24) around the lower front hinge axis (31), The back cushion (10) is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod (30) around the upper front hinge axis (33) near the upper front end (34). The rear connecting rod (40) is rotatably mounted on the first element (22) around the lower rear hinge axis (41) near the lower rear end (42), and the lower rear hinge axis (41) is movable in the longitudinal direction (X), The back cushion (10) is rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod (40) around an upper rear hinge axis (43) near the upper rear end (44). Near the middle front end (52), the connecting rod (50) is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod (30) around a middle front hinge axis (51), Near the intermediate rear end (54), the connecting rod (50) is rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod (40) around an intermediate rear hinge axis (53), The lower front hinge axis (31), the upper front hinge axis (33), the lower rear hinge axis (41), the upper rear hinge axis (43), the middle front hinge axis (51) and the middle rear hinge axis (53) extend in a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), The elastic element (70) pushes the lower rear hinge shaft (41) to move forward (21) along the longitudinal direction (X), After switching from the active state of the latch (60) to the inactive state by retracting the rear edge (14) of the cushion (10), the seat (1) is configured to switch from the use configuration to the retracted configuration so that the lower front hinge axis (31) is closer to the lower rear hinge axis (41) over a retracted distance (D), and the retracting movement includes a forward component along the longitudinal direction (X).

2. The seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retracting movement includes a rear seat entry movement, and the seat is configured to perform the rear seat entry movement by sliding the second element (24) relative to the first element (22) in the rearward direction (23) from a front end position a retracted distance (D) while maintaining the lower rear hinge axis (41) along the longitudinal direction (X).

3. A seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The seat also includes a single actuator (80) configured to: In the use configuration, the cushion (10) is translated in the forward direction (21) and in a rearward direction (23) opposite to the forward direction by moving the second element (24) in the longitudinal direction (X), and When the latch (60) is in an inactive state, the rear edge (14) of the cushion (10) is retracted by moving the second element (24) in the rearward direction (23).

4. A seat according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The seat (1) is configured so that by moving the lower rear hinge axis (41) forward (21) in the longitudinal direction (X) while maintaining the second element (24) relative to the first element (22), the latch (60) is switched from the active state to the inactive state, allowing emergency movement of the rear edge (14) of the cushion (10).

5. The seat according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that: The slideway (20) has a sliding stroke (C) between the front end position and the rear end position, and The actuator (80) is configured to limit movement of the second element (24) relative to the first element (22) between a rear end position and a front end setting position in a use configuration, wherein the front end setting position is between the front end position and the rear end position and is spaced apart from the front end position by a retracted distance (D).

6. A seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The elastic element (70) has a front load end (72) and a rear load end (74), the front load end is connected to the lower front hinge shaft (31), and the rear load end (74) is connected to the lower rear hinge shaft (41).

7. A seat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that: The first element (22) has a first groove (28) extending along the longitudinal direction (X), The slide (46) is slidably mounted in the slot (28), and The rear connecting rod (40) is mounted on the first element (22) via the sliding member (46).

8. A method of using a chair according to any one of the preceding claims, the method starting from a use configuration comprising the following operations: a) switching the latch (60) from an active state to an inactive state, and then b) moving the lower front hinge shaft (31) closer to the lower rear hinge shaft (41) by a retracted distance (D).

9. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that Operation b) is performed after operation b1) by moving the lower front hinge shaft (31) backward (23), said lower rear hinge shaft being fixed (41).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises a step c) of moving the second element (24) of the slideway forwards (21) in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the first element (22) to a front position.

11. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that Operation c) is performed before operation b).

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that Operation b) is performed according to operation b2) by moving the lower rear hinge shaft (41) forward (21), and the lower front hinge shaft (31) is fixed.

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