Modular seat cushion and seat assembly comprising such seat cushion

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a modular seat cushion (CM) configured to be attached to a seat structure (2) having a cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges (20) spaced apart by a front transverse tube (23) and a rear transverse tube (22), said modular seat cushion comprising, in an assembled state:-a support,-a cushion placed on an upper surface of the support, and wherein the mechanical interface system comprises:-a rear mechanical interface (16) located on the rear portion of the base (10), comprising a first open housing (LG1) configured to receive the rear tube (22) in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system (22),-a front mechanical interface (17) located on the front portion of the support, comprising a second open housing (LG2) configured to receive the rear tube (22) in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system (22), the front pipe (23) can be contained in the front pipe (23) in a pivotal mode around the front pipe (23).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a modular seat cushion configured to be attached to a seat structure having a seat cushion structure, and a seat assembly including a seat cushion and such a modular seat cushion according to the present disclosure, wherein the seat cushion structure has two lateral flanges separated by a front transverse tube and a rear transverse tube.

[0002] The present disclosure also relates to a method of obtaining a seat cushion according to the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle seats. Background Art

[0004] In the state of the art of vehicle seats, a seat design is known which requires the various components of the seat to be assembled on site, usually according to a just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing process.

[0005] The structure of the seat includes a seat structure, which is usually made of metal and generally includes a seat cushion structure and a backrest structure.

[0006] The seat structure may include:

[0007] - two left and right slides, each slide comprising a generally concave lower profile fixed relative to the floor and a generally convex upper profile mounted slidably relative to the lower profile along a direction X, which may be the direction of travel of the vehicle,

[0008] - a seat cushion structure, which generally comprises two left and right flanges separated by a tube, in particular a front tube separating the flanges on the front of the seat cushion structure and a rear tube separating the flanges on the rear of the seat cushion structure, the front tube and the rear tube extending parallel in the transverse direction,

[0009] - A metal nose connected to the front end of the flange and shaped to form a support surface for supporting the seat cushion.

[0010] The height of the seat cushion structure, i.e., the assembly including the flange and the nose piece, can generally be adjusted by a lifting system, which can include a pair of front right and left connecting rods connecting the front tube and the upper profiles of the left and right slides, and rear right and left connecting rod gaps connecting the rear tube and the upper profiles of the left and right slides.

[0011] The seat cushion of such a chair also includes a suspension system, typically with spring wires, connecting the nose piece to the rear portion of the seat cushion structure, and a seat cushion pad, typically expanded polyurethane foam, and a cover covering the foam pad.

[0012] Depending on the options that the end user may choose, various comfort devices may be provided, such as, in particular, a resistive heating pad, a massage system or a ventilation system, or even a sliding mechanism attached above the nose piece to enable adjustment of the forward movement of the front of the cushion relative to the fixed rear portion of the cushion.

[0013] The design of the seat requires manual assembly of a large number of parts at the final assembly site of the vehicle, which may not be the best option economically when labor costs at the assembly site are high.

[0014] Modern seats, especially those in motor vehicles with premium finishes, can be equipped with additional features such as heating, massage or ventilation.

[0015] During the seat manufacturing process, these equipment items are integrated in the factory, and then a cushion with padding and covering is placed on top. The assembled seat is then attached to the floor of the vehicle.

[0016] In motor vehicles equipped with such seats, when the seats are not equipped with such comfort equipment from the outset, the seat designs known from the prior art do not allow the seat to be disassembled inside the vehicle itself, that is to say to be improved by adding additional heating, ventilation or massage functions without removing the seat from the vehicle floor. In fact, the addition of such equipment requires the dismantling of the vehicle seat in order to remove the covering and padding, which is necessary to add such equipment.

[0017] However, other seat manufacturing, such as that known from document US 9796310 B1, which comprises pre-assembly of modules, in particular modular seat cushions, is usually carried out at a location different from the final assembly location of the vehicle. Such a modular cushion comprises a base, a padding and a cover in the assembled state. It can usually be transported to the final assembly location in order to be assembled to the structure.

[0018] It is noteworthy that in document US 9796310 B1, a composite nose of the base is articulated to the base about the transverse axis of the seat, the nose comprising a set of hooks connected to the front tube. The nose and the base body are two integral parts, usually injection-molded, requiring two injection molds. The base body supports the spring wire suspension. According to US 9796310, in the event of a frontal collision, the possible rotation between the nose and the base contributes to the dissipation of energy during the collision and advantageously supports the hips to avoid deep sinking.

[0019] This solution therefore relies on the possibility of sliding between the base body and the seat cushion structure in the event of a crash, thereby generating a relative rotation between the nose and the base body, ie the forces absorbed in the event of a crash are reflected only on the front tube of the seat cushion structure.

[0020] According to the inventors' findings, this modular pad solution, although an improvement in the case of a frontal impact, is an expensive solution, particularly since it requires three separate components (i.e. the nose, the base body, which is hinged to the nose, and the metal suspension) to form the base. Summary of the invention

[0021] The present disclosure improves all or part of the situation.

[0022] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a modular seat cushion configured to be attached to a seat structure having a seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges spaced apart by a front transverse tube and a rear transverse tube,

[0023] The modular chair cushion comprises, in an assembled state:

[0024] - a support forming a base comprising a mechanical interface system for attachment to a seat cushion structure,

[0025] - a pad placed on the upper surface of the support, and optionally

[0026] - a covering to cover the padding,

[0027] And wherein the mechanical interface system comprises:

[0028] a rear mechanical interface, located on the rear part of the support, comprising a first open housing configured to receive the rear tube, in particular the rear mechanical interface and / or the exterior of the rear mechanical interface, or even the exterior of the modular seat cushion, in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system,

[0029] - a front mechanical interface, located on the front part of the support, comprising a second open housing configured to receive the front tube pivotably around said front tube,

[0030] And wherein the mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps:

[0031] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface opposite the front tube and insert the front tube into the second shell, and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support around the front tube installed in the second shell of the front mechanical interface until the rear tube is inserted into the first shell of the rear mechanical interface and mechanically locks the rear tube in the first shell via the locking system.

[0032] The features disclosed in the following paragraphs can optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0033] - the first shell and / or the second shell is a U-shaped shell;

[0034] - the second front shell is open towards the front of the decorative support, while the first shell is open towards the underside of the decorative support;

[0035] the first housing comprises a first insertion direction D1 for the rear tube and the second housing comprises a second insertion direction D2 for the front tube, the first insertion direction D1 and the second insertion direction D2 being inclined to each other at an angle between 25° and 135°, for example between 45° and 90°;

[0036] - said locking system of the rear mechanical interface is elastically deformable and is configured to allow elastic locking so that at the end of the travel during the pivoting performed by the modular pad around the front tube in step / B / , locking of the rear tube in the first housing is obtained by elastic deformation of the locking system of the rear mechanical interface, preferably said first housing comprising a groove entrance with dimensions smaller than the section of the rear tube and a central portion housing the rear tube in a locking position adjusted to the section of the rear tube;

[0037] the support is a plastic element obtained by injection molding, and wherein, preferably, the front mechanical interface and the rear mechanical interface are usually obtained via material from the support during the molding of the support, and wherein the one-piece plastic element:

[0038] - extending from the front crossbar to the rear crossbar of the plastic element along the longitudinal direction X of the seat cushion, and

[0039] -- Extending from the first longitudinal member to the second longitudinal member along the transverse direction Y of the seat cushion;

[0040] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure also relates to a seat assembly comprising a modular seat cushion and a seat cushion structure according to the present disclosure, the seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges supported by a rear tube and a front tube, wherein:

[0041] The modular chair cushion comprises, in an assembled state:

[0042] - the support,

[0043] - a pad placed on the upper surface of the support,

[0044] - a covering to cover the padding,

[0045] And wherein the mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps:

[0046] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface opposite the front tube and insert the front tube into the second shell, and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support around the front tube installed in the second shell of the front mechanical interface until the rear tube is inserted into the first shell of the rear mechanical interface and mechanically locks the rear tube in the first shell via the locking system.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, in addition to a seat cushion comprising a seat cushion structure and a modular seat cushion, the component also comprises a backrest, which comprises a backrest structure and a backrest element, in particular a modular backrest cushion, which is detachable from the backrest structure, and wherein the locking system comprises the backrest, in particular the backrest element and / or the backrest structure, the locking of the rear tube in the first shell is obtained by placing the backrest, in particular the backrest element and / or the backrest structure, in particular the modular backrest cushion on the backrest structure, the backrest structure and / or the backrest element fixed to the backrest structure forming a stopper, which prevents the rear tube from leaving the first shell by preventing the modular seat cushion from pivoting around the front tube.

[0048] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure also relates to a method for obtaining a seat assembly according to the present disclosure, comprising the following steps during assembly:

[0049] - providing a seat structure which, in the assembled state, comprises a seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges spaced apart by a front transverse tube and a rear transverse tube,

[0050] - providing a modular chair cushion, which in an assembled state includes at least one support member, the support member including a mechanical interface system for attaching a pad placed on an upper surface of the support member and a cover covering the pad to the chair cushion structure, the mechanical interface system including a rear mechanical interface located at a rear portion of the support member, the rear mechanical interface including a first shell configured to receive the rear tube around the rear tube in a lockable manner, and a front mechanical interface at a front portion of the support member, which is configured to receive the front tube in a lockable manner in a second shell,

[0051] -Assemble the modular pad to the seat structure by performing the following steps:

[0052] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface opposite the front tube and insert the front tube into the second shell, and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support around the front tube installed in the second shell of the front mechanical interface until the rear tube is inserted into the first shell of the rear mechanical interface and mechanically locks the rear tube in the first shell via the locking system.

[0053] According to one embodiment, in addition to the cushion structure, the component also includes a backrest, and wherein the locking system includes the backrest, and wherein the locking of the rear tube in the first shell is obtained by fastening the backrest to the cushion structure in the assembled state, in particular fastening the backrest structure to the cushion structure and / or fastening a backrest element such as a modular backrest pad to the backrest structure previously fastened to the cushion structure, the backrest, in particular the backrest structure and / or the backrest element, in particular the modular backrest pad forming a stop, which prevents the rear tube from leaving the first shell by preventing the modular cushion from pivoting around the front tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and analysis of the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0055] Figure 1

[0056] [ Figure 1 ] Views of the modular chair cushion, disassembled on the left and assembled on the right, including decorative supports, padding and covering.

[0057] Figure 2

[0058] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 Kinematic view of the assembly of the modular pad, the kinematics including placing the front mechanical interface opposite the front tube and pivoting the trim support around the front tube, then installing the front tube into the second shell of the front mechanical interface until the rear tube is inserted into the first shell of the front mechanical interface, and the rear tube is mechanically locked in the first shell by the locking system.

[0059] Figure 3

[0060] [ Figure 3 ] is a schematic top view of a seat cushion structure, which is usually made of metal or a composite material, and includes two lateral flanges extending along the longitudinal direction X, and a front tube and a rear transverse tube respectively connecting the two lateral flanges, the front tube being located at the front of the seat cushion structure and the rear tube being located at the rear of the seat cushion structure.

[0061] Figure 4

[0062] [ Figure 4 ] shows an embodiment of a decorative support forming the base of a modular seat cushion, the support being obtained from a single-piece plastic element, typically injection molded, and having a notable feature of having a depending flexible portion at the rear of the support.

[0063] Figure 5

[0064] [ Figure 5 ] is a view of an embodiment of a locking system which involves installing a backrest element, particularly a modular backrest cushion, and attaching it to a seat cushion structure after the rear tube is inserted into a first shell, the backrest element then forming a stop for the rear of the modular seat cushion, preventing the modular seat cushion from pivoting in the opposite direction (opposite to the assembly direction) about the front tube housed in a second shell, thereby preventing the rear tube from coming out of the first shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Generally speaking, the present disclosure relates to a modular seat cushion CM configured to be attached to a seat structure 2 having a seat cushion structure including two lateral flanges 20 spaced apart by a front transverse tube 23 and a rear transverse tube 22. The seat cushion structure is typically made of metal or a composite material.

[0066] The modular chair cushion consists of:

[0067] - a support S, also called a trim support, forming a base comprising a mechanical interface system for fastening to the seat cushion structure,

[0068] - a pad MA placed on the upper surface of the support, which may be present but is not essential,

[0069] - a cover CF covering the pad,

[0070] The cushion MA provides comfortable seating. The cushion can be based on polyurethane foam, usually obtained by molding, or on another material, such as a three-dimensional structure of continuous fibers, forming rings welded together, obtained by extruding thermoplastic fibers and calendering the fibers with two partially immersed members (rollers).

[0071] It is worth noting that the mechanical interface system includes:

[0072] a rear mechanical interface 16, located on the rear part of the support S, comprising a first open housing LG1, configured to receive the rear tube 22 in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system, in particular the interior of the rear mechanical interface, i.e. the modular cushion and / or the exterior of the rear mechanical interface, even the exterior of the modular seat cushion, for example by mounting a backrest,

[0073] a front mechanical interface 17 , located on the front part of the support, comprising a second open housing LG2 configured to accommodate the front tube 23 pivotably around said front tube 23 ,

[0074] The mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps, such as Figure 2 As shown in the non-limiting example:

[0075] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface 17 opposite the front tube 23 and insert the front tube into the second housing LG2, and

[0076] / B2 / Pivot the trim support about the front tube 23 mounted in the second housing LG2 of the front mechanical interface 17 until the rear tube 22 is inserted into the first housing LG1 of the rear mechanical interface 16 and mechanically locks the rear tube 22 to the first housing LG1 via the locking system.

[0077] The first housing LG1 and / or the second housing LG2 may generally be a U-shaped housing. The U-shaped housing may be continuous in the transverse direction Y, or may be formed by a plurality of discontinuous parts.

[0078] like Figure 1 As shown, the second housing LG2 , which is usually located near the front crossbar 10 , opens towards the front of the trim support 1 , ie along the longitudinal direction X from the rear crossbar 11 of the support to the front crossbar 10 of said support.

[0079] In particular, the frontally open second shell LG2 ensures effective retention of the modular cushion in the event of a frontal impact: in the event of a frontal impact, the impact forces the front tube 23 towards the rear of the second shell LG2.

[0080] The first shell LG1 is open toward the underside of the support, generally in the vertical direction Z. In the event of a crash, the first shell LG1 helps retain the modular seat cushion by bearing between the side walls of the first shell LG1 and the rear tube 22 .

[0081] In the event of a crash, the restraint of the modular seat cushion (and a passenger having weight thereon) relative to the seat cushion structure is distributed between the front tube 23 and the rear tube 22 of the seat cushion structure. This increases crash resistance.

[0082] Generally speaking, the first shell LG1 includes a first insertion direction D1 for the rear tube 22, and the second shell LG2 includes a second insertion direction D2 for the front tube 23, and the first insertion direction D1 and the second insertion direction D2 are inclined to each other at an angle between 25° and 135°, for example, between 45° and 90°.

[0083] In general, the locking system of the rear mechanical interface 16 may be elastically deformable, configured to allow elastic locking, so that at the end of the travel during the pivoting performed by the modular pad around the front tube in step / B / , the locking of the rear tube 22 in the first housing LG1 is obtained by elastic deformation of the locking system of the rear mechanical interface 16. To this end, the first housing LG1 may be elastically deformable and include a groove entrance having a size smaller than the cross section of the rear tube 22, and a central portion that accommodates the rear tube in a locked position adjusted to the cross section of the rear tube 22.

[0084] The locking system may also include specific retaining members, such as lugs, which are subsequently tightened by the operator. In particular, it may be a locking system comprising one or more screws. The locking system may also include a latch.

[0085] As another locking option (which can be combined with elastic locking), the rear tube 22 is locked in the first housing LG1 by positioning the backrest, in particular the modular backrest cushion, on the backrest structure and / or the backrest structure on the seat cushion structure. Once the backrest element (or backrest structure) is attached to the backrest structure, the backrest element (or backrest structure) forms an upper stop that cooperates with the rear part of the modular cushion to prevent the rear tube 22 from leaving the first housing LG1 by pivoting about the front tube 23.

[0086] Thus, the locking system may be located inside the modular chair cushion, may be located outside the cushion, or may include a portion inside the modular cushion and a portion outside the modular cushion.

[0087] The decorative support S may be a plastic element 1, typically obtained by injection molding. The front mechanical interface 16 and the rear mechanical interface 17 are preferably obtained from the material of the lining support, typically obtained during the molding of said decorative support 1. In other words, the front and rear mechanical interfaces, including the first shell LG1 and the second shell LG2, are integral plastic elements with the body of the decorative support S.

[0088] Generally speaking, the one-piece plastic element 1 can:

[0089] - extending in the longitudinal direction X of the seat cushion from the front crossbar 10 to the rear crossbar 11 of the plastic element, and

[0090] - extending from the first longitudinal member 12 to the second longitudinal member 13 along the transverse direction Y of the seat cushion;

[0091] Thus, the seat trim support S comprises (or generally consists of) a one-piece plastic element 1 which:

[0092] - extending from the front crossbar 10 to the rear crossbar 11 of the plastic element along the longitudinal direction X of the seat cushion,

[0093] - extends from the first longitudinal member 12 to the second longitudinal member 13 along the transverse direction Y of the seat cushion.

[0094] The front crossbar 10 and the rear crossbar 11 are substantially parallel in the transverse direction Y, and the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 are substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction X.

[0095] The front and rear crossbars 10, 11 and the first and second longitudinal members 12, 13 extend end to end around the periphery of the plastic element 1, forming a supporting frame.

[0096] The support frame can optionally be configured to be supported on a seat cushion structure 2 of a vehicle seat, typically (but not necessarily) by supporting the longitudinal members 12, 13 of the plastic element on flanges 20 of the seat cushion structure, and by supporting the front crossbar 10 and the rear crossbar 11 on front tubes 23 and rear tubes 22 respectively extending parallel to each other and connecting the two flanges 20.

[0097] The support may have a peripheral skirt JP protruding downwardly from the support.

[0098] In other words, the support frame can be supported on the front crossbar 10 and the rear crossbar 11 of the structure alone, or on the front crossbar 10, the rear crossbar 11 and the flange 20 of the structure at the same time.

[0099] The plastic element 1 may comprise a middle portion 14 extending in the transverse direction Y, connecting the first longitudinal member 12 to the second longitudinal member 13 , the middle portion 14 being arranged in the longitudinal direction X in an intermediate position between the front crossbar 10 and the rear crossbar 11 .

[0100] The middle position usually starts at a distance L14 from the front crossbar 10 on the half 1 of the first support member in the longitudinal direction X, in particular at a distance L14 between 1 / 6 and 1 / 3 of the front edge of the front crossbar 10 , for example about 1 / 4 of the distance from the front crossbar 10 .

[0101] According to one embodiment, the plastic element comprises a flexible suspension portion 15 extending continuously in the longitudinal direction X from the middle portion 14 to the rear crossbar 11 of the plastic component, connecting the middle portion 14 to the rear crossbar 11 .

[0102] The suspension portion preferably extends discontinuously in the transverse direction Y between the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13, said suspension portion 15 being separated on the one hand by a first lateral opening O1 arranged between the first longitudinal element 12 and said suspension portion 15 and on the other hand by a second lateral opening O2 arranged between the suspension portion 15 and the second longitudinal member 13.

[0103] The first lateral opening O1 and the second lateral opening O2 separate the suspension portion 15 from the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 along the length L15 of the suspension portion 15, preferably continuously along the entire length L15 (the example shown) or possibly discontinuously along the length L15 (according to an example not shown) due to local interruptions of the first opening O1 and the second opening O2 along the length.

[0104] The suspension portion forms a flexible plastic blade extending over a length L15 in the longitudinal direction X between the openings O1 , O2 and over a width l15 in the transverse direction Y from the first opening O1 to the second opening O2 .

[0105] The function of the suspension portion 15 is to accommodate the hips of the seat occupant, allowing the suspension portion to flex under loads in the vertical direction Z.

[0106] The maximum flexibility in the Z direction is about 30 mm, typically between 0.5 cm and 3 cm, for example between 1 cm and 3 cm for an average 75 kg dummy.

[0107] According to this embodiment, the decorative support 1 can advantageously be free of metal suspensions, and the suspension is obtained integrally only from said plastic element 1 .

[0108] The width l15 of the suspension portion 15 defined between the first opening O1 and the second opening O2 in the transverse direction Y may be less than 60% of the width l1 of the plastic element between the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 in the transverse direction, for example between 25% and 50% of the width l1 of the plastic element. The suspension portion 15 generally extends over the middle part of the support in the transverse direction Y and only partially over the width of the decorative support. This increases the flexibility of the suspension portion 15 under vertical stress. The suspension portion extends above the rear part of the support relative to the front crossbar 10, close to the rear crossbar 11.

[0109] The function of the first opening O1 and the second opening O2 is therefore to give greater flexibility to the suspension portion 15 and also contribute to the overall goal of reducing the material and therefore the weight of the plastic trim support.

[0110] The flexible blade of the suspension portion may extend over a length L15, for example between 25% and 50% of the dimension of the support S in the longitudinal direction.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the flexible blade has all or some of the following features:

[0112] - the length L15 is between 200 cm and 300 cm, for example 270 cm,

[0113] - the width l15 is between 180 cm and 250 cm, for example 220 cm,

[0114] - The thickness e15 is between 1 mm and 4 mm, for example 2.5 mm.

[0115] Generally speaking, if Figure 4 As shown, the decorative support S may have some or all of the following features:

[0116] - the upper surface of the suspension part may be grooved along the longitudinal direction X,

[0117] The suspension portion 15 can be arranged on the trim support, below the front part of the support 1 , comprising the front crossbar 10 and the intermediate portion 14 .

[0118] The trim support profile may rise from the rear crossbar 11 to the front of the trim support in the longitudinal direction X. This type of support profile prevents the seat occupant from sinking into the seat belt in the event of a frontal collision.

[0119] The suspension portion 15 may extend below the level of the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 .

[0120] In general, and as shown in the example in the figures, the suspension portion 15 may include recesses 150 (blind or through-going) along the thickness of the suspension portion. The recesses 150 are distributed along the length direction of the suspension portion 15, i.e. along the longitudinal direction X, in particular over its entire length L15 or longer, and / or along the transverse direction Y of the suspension portion 15, in particular over its entire width l15. The surface porosity of the suspension portion 15 is between 10% and 80%, in particular in the presence of recesses, for example greater than 20%, or even greater than 30%, or even greater than 40%, or even greater than 50%.

[0121] The recess contributes to the flexibility of the suspension portion in the vertical direction Z and to reducing the mass of the trim support 1 .

[0122] According to one embodiment, a zone Z of the decorative support defined on the one hand between the front crossbar 10 and the intermediate portion 14 along the longitudinal direction X and on the other hand between the first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 along the transverse direction Y can advantageously be hollowed out.

[0123] In another embodiment, in addition to the plastic element 1 forming the front and rear crossbars 10 and 11 and the first and second longitudinal members 12 and 13, the trim support may also comprise a housing on the rear of said plastic element which houses a metal suspension, typically with spring wires.

[0124] Again according to the second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a seat assembly comprising the modular seat cushion and a seat cushion structure 2, the seat cushion structure 2 comprising two lateral flanges 20 supported by a rear tube 22 and a front tube 2, wherein:

[0125] The modular seat cushion CM comprises in the assembled state:

[0126] - decorative support S,

[0127] - a pad MA placed on the upper surface of the decorative support,

[0128] - Cover CF covering the pad.

[0129] The seat cushion structure consists of a front rail, a rear rail and flanges and can be made of metal or composite materials.

[0130] The mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps:

[0131] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface 17 opposite the front tube 23 and insert the front tube into the second housing LG2, and

[0132] / B2 / Pivot the trim support about the front tube 23 mounted in the second housing LG2 of the front mechanical interface 17 until the rear tube 22 is inserted into the first housing LG1 of the rear mechanical interface 16 and mechanically locked in the first housing LG1 via the locking system.

[0133] Then, at a position where the front pipe 23 is received in the second housing LG2 and the rear pipe 22 is received in the first housing LG1, the support member S is fastened to the seat cushion structure 2 and locked in the first housing LG1 by the locking system.

[0134] The support S is then attached to the seat cushion structure 2 at the following locations:

[0135] - the front crossbar 10 and the rear crossbar 11 of the plastic element are supported on the front tube 23 and the rear tube 22 via the front mechanical interface 16 and the rear mechanical interface 17, preferably but not necessarily,

[0136] The first longitudinal member 12 and the second longitudinal member 13 of the plastic element are placed respectively on two lateral flanges 20 .

[0137] The seat cushion structure 2 can be anchored to the vehicle floor by a pair of slides, allowing the seat cushion structure to move forward or backward. Each slide usually includes a lower portion (usually concave) integral with the floor and a convex portion slidably mounted on the concave portion, the convex portion being integral with the seat cushion structure.

[0138] The present disclosure also relates to a method for obtaining a seat assembly, comprising the following steps in an assembled state:

[0139] - providing a seat structure 2 which, in the assembled state, comprises a seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges 20 spaced apart by a front transverse tube 23 and a rear transverse tube 22,

[0140] - providing a modular seat cushion CM, which in the assembled state comprises at least one support S, said support S comprising a mechanical interface system for attaching a pad MA placed on the upper surface of a base and a cover CF covering the pad to the seat cushion structure, said mechanical interface system comprising a rear mechanical interface 16 at the rear of the support S, said rear mechanical interface 16 comprising a first shell LG1, which is configured to accommodate a rear tube 22 around a rear tube 17 in a lockable manner, and a front mechanical interface at the front of the support, which is configured to accommodate a front tube 23 in a second shell LG2,

[0141] - Assemble the modular cushion to the seat structure by performing the following steps:

[0142] / A2 / Place the front mechanical interface 17 opposite the front tube 23 and insert the front tube into the second housing LG2, and

[0143] / B2 / Pivot the trim support about the front tube 23 mounted in the second housing LG2 of the front mechanical interface 17 until the rear tube 22 is inserted into the first housing LG1 of the rear mechanical interface 16 and mechanically locked in the first housing LG1 via the locking system.

[0144] According to the present disclosure, the modular chair cushion implemented in the method is generally as described above.

[0145] According to one embodiment of the method, in addition to the seat comprising a cushion structure and a modular cushion, the assembly may also comprise a backrest, in particular a backrest structure and / or a modular backrest cushion, the backrest being configured to be detachably attached to the cushion structure. According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking system thus comprises a backrest, in particular a backrest structure and / or a backrest element, such as the modular backrest cushion.

[0146] The backrest structure may usually be hinged to the rear of the seat cushion structure along a transverse axis. The backrest structure is usually made of metal or composite material. The backrest element, especially the modular cushion, usually includes padding, even support members, and possibly a covering or cover, like the modular seat cushion.

[0147] According to a first embodiment, before locking the modular seat cushion according to / B2 / , the backrest structure including the seat cushion structure and the seat cushion structure is in an assembled state. In this first embodiment, the locking of the backrest is achieved by placing the backrest element, in particular the modular backrest cushion CMD, on the backrest structure, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0148] In particular, the rear tube 22 is locked in the first shell LG1 by fixing a backrest element, in particular a modular backrest cushion, to the backrest structure, wherein the backrest element, in particular the modular backrest cushion, forms an upper stopper for the modular seat cushion, preventing the rear tube 22 from leaving the first shell LG1 by pivoting the modular seat cushion around the front tube 23.

[0149] In a second embodiment, only the cushion structure is assembled before locking the modular cushion according to / B2 / , i.e. the backrest structure is not assembled with the cushion structure before locking the modular cushion. In this second embodiment, locking of the backrest is achieved by assembling and fixing the backrest structure to the cushion structure or even to the backrest element.

[0150] The present disclosure also relates to a method for maintaining a seat, comprising removing a modular seat cushion CM from a seat structure, in particular without removing the seat structure from a vehicle floor, by performing the following steps:

[0151] / C / Unlock the locking system, release the rear tube 22 from the front mechanical interface 16, and rotate the modular seat cushion CM around the front tube 23 contained in the first shell LG2 until the rear tube 22 is removed from the second shell LG1, and then

[0152] / D / Remove the modular pad by taking out the front tube 23 from the second housing LG2 of the front mechanical interface 17 .

[0153] Generally speaking, the configuration of the first housing LG1 and the second housing LG2 prevents the front pipe 23 from coming out of the second housing LG2 by pivoting according to / C / until the rear pipe comes out of the first housing LG1.

[0154] Reference numerals list

[0155] -1.Plastic components

[0156] -10.Front crossbar

[0157] -11.Rear crossbar

[0158] -12. First longitudinal member

[0159] -13. Second longitudinal member

[0160] -14. Middle part

[0161] -140. Middle crossbar

[0162] -15.Suspension

[0163] -150. concave part

[0164] -O1. First opening (between the first longitudinal member and the suspension portion) -O2. Second opening (between the second longitudinal member and the suspension portion) -2. Seat cushion structure

[0165] -20. Lateral flange

[0166] -22. Rear pipe

[0167] -23. Front tube

[0168] -16. Rear mechanical interface

[0169] -LG1. First shell (for rear pipe 22)

[0170] -17.Front mechanical interface

[0171] -LG2. Second shell (for front pipe 23)

[0172] -CM. Modular chair cushion

[0173] -MA.Mat

[0174] -CF. Cover -D1,D2. First and second insertion directions -S.Support

Claims

1. A modular seat cushion (CM) configured to be attached to a seat structure (2) having a seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges (20) spaced apart by a front transverse tube (23) and a rear transverse tube (22), The modular chair cushion comprises, in an assembled state: - a support (S) forming a base comprising a mechanical interface system for attachment to the seat cushion structure, - a pad (MA) placed on the upper surface of said support, And wherein the mechanical interface system comprises: - a rear mechanical interface (16), located on the rear part of the support (S), comprising a first open housing (LG1) configured to receive the rear tube (22), in particular the rear mechanical interface and / or the exterior of the rear mechanical interface, or even the exterior of the modular seat cushion, in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system, - a front mechanical interface (17), located on the front part of the support, comprising a second open housing (LG2) configured to accommodate the front tube (23) pivotably around the front tube (23), And wherein the mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps: / A2 / Placing the front mechanical interface (17) opposite the front tube (23) and inserting the front tube into the second housing (LG2), and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support about the front tube (23) installed in the second shell (LG2) of the front mechanical interface (17) until the rear tube (22) is inserted into the first shell (LG1) of the rear mechanical interface (16), and mechanically lock the rear tube (22) in the first shell (LG1) via the locking system.

2. The modular chair cushion (CM) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first shell (LG1) and / or the second shell (LG2) is a U-shaped shell.

3. The modular chair cushion (CM) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second front (10) shell (LG2) opens toward the front of the decorative support (1), and the first shell (LG1) opens toward the lower side of the decorative support (1).

4. The modular chair cushion (CM) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first shell (LG1) includes a first insertion direction D1 for the rear tube (22), and the second shell (LG2) includes a second insertion direction D2 for the front tube (23), and the first insertion direction D1 and the second insertion direction D2 are inclined to each other at an angle between 25° and 135°, for example, between 45° and 90°.

5. A modular seat cushion (CM) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The locking system of the rear mechanical interface (16) is elastically deformable and is configured to allow elastic locking, so that at the end of the stroke during the pivoting of the modular seat cushion around the front tube (23) in step / B / , the rear tube (22) is locked in the first shell (LG1) by elastic deformation of the locking system of the rear mechanical interface (16). Preferably, the first shell (LG1) includes a groove entrance having a size smaller than the cross-section of the rear tube (22), and a central portion for accommodating the rear tube in a locking position, and the locking position is adjusted to the cross-section of the rear tube (22).

6. The modular chair cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The support (S) is a plastic element (1) obtained by injection molding, and wherein, preferably, the front mechanical interface (16) and the rear mechanical interface (17) are usually obtained from material from the support (S) during the molding process of the support (S), and wherein the one-piece plastic element (1): - extending from a front crossbar (10) to a rear crossbar (11) of the plastic element along the longitudinal direction X of the seat cushion, and - extends from a first longitudinal member (12) to a second longitudinal member (13) along a transverse direction Y of the seat cushion.

7. A seat assembly comprising a modular seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a seat cushion structure (2), the seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges (20) spaced apart by a rear tube (22) and a front tube (23), and wherein: The modular seat cushion (CM) comprises, in an assembled state: - said support (S), - a pad (MA) placed on the upper surface of said support (S), - a cover (CF) covering the cushion, And wherein the mechanical interface system is configured to allow the modular seat cushion to be attached by the following steps: / A2 / Placing the front mechanical interface (17) opposite the front tube (23) and inserting the front tube into the second housing (LG2), and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support around the front tube (23) installed in the second shell (LG2) of the front mechanical interface (17) until the rear tube (22) is inserted into the first shell (LG1) of the rear mechanical interface (16), and mechanically lock the rear tube (22) in the first shell (LG1) via the locking system.

8. The seat assembly according to claim 7, further comprising, in addition to the seat cushion comprising the seat cushion structure and the modular seat cushion, a backrest comprising a backrest structure (3) and a backrest element, in particular a modular backrest cushion (CMD), and wherein The locking system comprises the backrest, in particular the backrest element and / or the backrest structure, the locking of the rear tube (22) in the first shell (LG1) being achieved by placing the backrest, in particular the backrest element and / or the backrest structure, in particular a modular backrest cushion on the backrest structure, the backrest structure and / or the backrest element fixed to the backrest structure forming a stopper, preventing the rear tube (22) from leaving the first shell (LG1) by preventing the modular seat cushion (CM) from pivoting around the front tube (23).

9. A method for obtaining a seat assembly according to claim 7 or 8, comprising the following steps during assembly: - providing a seat structure (2) which, in the assembled state, comprises a seat cushion structure comprising two lateral flanges (20) spaced apart by a front transverse tube (23) and a rear transverse tube (22), - A modular seat cushion (CM) is provided, which in an assembled state comprises at least one support member (S), the support member comprising a mechanical interface system for attaching a pad (MA) placed on the upper surface of a base and a cover (CF) covering the pad to the seat cushion structure, the mechanical interface system comprising a rear mechanical interface (16) located at the rear of the support member (S), the rear mechanical interface (16) comprising a first shell (LG1) configured to accommodate the rear tube (22) around the rear tube (17) in a lockable manner, and a front mechanical interface at the front of the support member, configured to accommodate the front tube (23) in a second shell (LG2), - Assembling the modular seat cushion to the seat structure by performing the following steps: / A2 / Placing the front mechanical interface (17) opposite the front tube (23) and inserting the front tube into the second housing (LG2), and / B2 / Pivot the decorative support around the front tube (23) installed in the second shell (LG2) of the front mechanical interface (17) until the rear tube (22) is inserted into the first shell (LG1) of the rear mechanical interface (16), and mechanically lock the rear tube (22) in the first shell (LG1) via a locking system.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that In addition to the cushion structure, the component also includes a backrest, and wherein the locking system includes the backrest, and wherein the locking of the rear tube (22) in the first shell (LG1) is achieved by fastening the backrest to the cushion structure in the assembled state, in particular fastening the backrest structure to the cushion structure and / or fastening a backrest element such as a modular backrest cushion (CMD) to a backrest structure previously fastened to the cushion structure, the backrest, in particular the backrest structure and / or the backrest element, in particular the modular backrest cushion (CMD) forming a stopper, preventing the rear tube (22) from leaving the first shell (LG1) by preventing the modular cushion (CM) from pivoting around the front tube (23).

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