TRANSPARTMENT FOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A PARTITION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles, in particular utility vehicles, and more particularly to utility vehicles equipped with a transverse partition, also called a load-stop partition, for separating the driver's cab of a motor vehicle from a rear loading area intended for transporting bulky objects. The invention also relates to a transverse partition for separating the cab of a vehicle from the rear loading area, as well as to a vehicle comprising such a transverse partition and a seat leaning against the transverse partition.

[0002] Document FR3063697 A1 forms the basis of the preamble of claim 1 and discloses an example of a transverse partition of the prior art.

[0003] Load-stop partitions ensure the safety of vehicle passengers occupying the driver's cab, which is equipped with driver and passenger seats. In particular, they prevent loads stored in the loading area from hitting passengers when the vehicle is moving and must therefore be fixed. They also provide sound and thermal insulation with the loading space.

[0004] The problem is that these are generally placed in such a way as either to maximize the loading, which is achieved at the expense of the comfort of the seat, thus preventing its movement in the rearward tilting position of the seat back, or by a limited tilt of the fixed wall, they allow a low and unsatisfactory tilt of the seat always at the expense of the loading capacity.

[0005] The present invention provides a solution to this problem.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a transverse partition comprising the technical characteristics defined in claim 1.

[0007] The transverse partition according to the invention has the advantage of being modular and adapted to comfort and loading requirements. It can be deployed by the vehicle occupants according to their needs in terms of seat reclining comfort, while promoting maximum use of the loading area. In the case of a place in the loading area, it allows the occupant of the seat close to the partition, when the movable panel is placed in the deployed position, that is to say pivoted along an axis arranged parallel to the lower edge of the opening and in contact with the lower edge, to clear a comfort space allowing the seat to be adjusted to a so-called comfort position, in which the backrest is inclined towards the rear of the vehicle and the seat possibly moved back.Positioning the axis along the lower edge has the effect of deploying the comfort space in a high position, close to the top of the backrest of the occupant's seat, advantageously allowing the top of the backrest to be positioned in this space.

[0008] In preferred embodiments of the invention, one and / or the other of the following features are further used, taken alone or in combination: the pivot axis is separate from the lower edge and in contact with the latter by means of connecting loops, the pivot axis passing through the connecting loops. the outer edge is provided with a handle. the movable panel is formed by a tubular structure. the movable panel comprises a rear central panel connected laterally to the fixed panel by means of a plurality of folding rigid flaps. the plurality of folding rigid flaps connecting the rear central panel to the fixed panel are folded when the movable panel is in the position for closing the opening and are unfolded when the movable panel is in its position for clearing the opening. the plurality of folding rigid flaps is formed of flexible material.

[0009] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a transverse partition according to any one of the preceding claims and a seat whose backrest has a movement within a comfort space released by the movable panel in its deployed position.

[0010] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig.1 ] represents a partially cut-away perspective view of the vehicle according to the invention when the movable partition panel is deployed and the seat is in the comfort position [ Fig.2 ] schematically represents a side view of a vehicle according to the invention equipped with a partition wall according to the invention [ Fig.3 ] is a perspective representation of the partition according to the invention when the movable panel is in the closed position, [ Fig.4 ] schematically represents a side view of a vehicle according to the invention equipped with a partition wall according to the invention when the storage area is retracted,

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "lower", "upper", are understood with reference to a reference frame of motor vehicles comprising a first longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the rear to the front, that is to say from the trunk to the hood, a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z directed from the bottom to the top, that is to say from the floor to the roof of the vehicle, with a seat arranged in the vehicle, the back of the seat being in the position of use facing the road.

[0012] Furthermore, in the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0013] On the [ Fig.1 ], a partially cut-out perspective view of a utility vehicle 1 is shown, comprising a driver's cab 2 in which a steering wheel and at least one seat are installed for accommodating the driver and possibly one or more passengers. The view is taken from the rear loading space. The driver's cab 2 is separated from a rear loading area 4 by a transverse partition 1. The wall of the transverse partition is arranged in a conventional but non-limiting manner against the rear of the front seats. This configuration makes it possible to maximize the size of the loading area.

[0014] The transverse wall 1 is attached to the vehicle structure. It is, for example, attached to the vehicle floor as well as to the roof, for example, to a structural cross member of the roof, as well as to the side walls of the vehicle.

[0015] The transverse partition 1 comprises an opening 20 connecting the driver's cab and the rear loading area. The opening 20 can be closed by a movable panel 30 pivotally mounted around a pivot axis Y1 secured to the fixed panel 10. On the [ Fig.1 ], the movable panel is in the position of release from the opening. The opening comprises an upper edge 21 and a lower edge 22 which are substantially rectilinear. As seen in the [ Fig.1 ], the opening 20 is in a rectangular shape and the pivot axis Y1 is arranged parallel to the lower edge 22 of the opening and in contact with the latter. The deployment of the movable panel 30 generates a comfort space 40 in the cabin, in particular at the rear of the driver's seat. This comfort space 40 allows the seat to move inside it. By movement, we mean the possibility of adjusting the driver's seat to the comfort position, that is to say allowing the top of the seat back to move rearward, and in particular inside the comfort space 40 released by the deployment of the movable panel 30.Due to the positioning of the pivot axis Y1 near the lower edge of the opening, the comfort space 40 is more developed in the upper part than in the lower part near its pivot axis Y1, which allows the seat back to move in the upper part of the back, with in particular the possibility of having a rearward seat, allowing a more comfortable driving position. The comfort space 40 extends in the transverse direction, over the entire width of the movable panel 30 and more deeply longitudinally in the upper part.

[0016] As visible on the [ Fig.1 ], the movable panel 30 is in the released position. The movable panel 30 comprises a tubular frame 28, and has a rear central panel 35, a pivoting upper movable panel 27, in particular articulated on the rear central panel 35. According to certain embodiments, the rear central panel 35 can be concealing or glazed. The tubular frame 28 advantageously makes it possible to provide lightness to the movable panel 30. On the [ Fig.1 ], the pivot axis Y1 is produced by the lower tubular frame of the movable panel, pivoting inside connecting loops 23, 24, also having a tubular shape and integral with the lower edge 22 of the opening of the fixed panel. Each connecting loop has an opening crossed by the pivot axis Y1. In an alternative embodiment, the pivot axis Y1 could be merged with the lower edge 22.

[0017] As visible in [ Fig.1 ], the movable panel 30 is provided with holding means 27 to ensure that the movable panel 30 is held in the position of release from the opening 20. These holding means 27 advantageously allow the movable panel to be locked in the deployed position. In detail, these consist of a pivoting upper deployment panel 27 comprising an external edge 33, the upper edge 21 of the opening 20 comprising reception and locking elements 31, 32 in the position of the external edge 33 of the upper deployment panel 27. As can be seen in the [ Fig.1 ], these reception means are constituted by reception loops 31, 32, for the tubular external edge 33 of the upper deployment panel 27.

[0018] As visible on the [ Fig.1 ], the outer edge 33 is provided with a handle 25, in particular consisting of two oblique portions framing a straight portion of the outer edge of the upper panel. This is arranged between the two portions of the outer edge 33 of the upper deployment panel 27 intended to be received in the locking elements and advantageously makes it possible to control both the deployment of the upper panel 27 and the fixing of the outer edge portions of the upper panel inside the reception and locking elements 31, 32. The comfort space can be deployed while the vehicle is driving or when stationary, in order to allow the occupant of the seat to relax. The position of the handle 25 advantageously allows it to be easily handled from the cabin space.

[0019] There [ Fig.2 ] represents a side view of a vehicle according to the invention equipped with a partition wall according to the invention, in which the movable panel is in the deployed position. Several seat back positions are shown, materializing the movement within the comfort space generated by the deployment of the movable panel.

[0020] The direction of rotation of the upper deployment panel is indicated downward, for the purpose of moving from a deployed position to a stowed position.

[0021] As visible on the figures 1 et 2 , the movable panel has a rear portion 35 connected laterally to the fixed panel 10 by means of a plurality of rigid folding panels 26. These rigid folding panels 26 are folded when the movable panel 30 is in the position for closing the opening 20 and are unfolded when the movable panel 30 is in its position for clearing the opening. They are in the form of bellows, are made for example of flexible plastic material, of substantially triangular shape and having folding axes which advantageously allow for compact and reproducible storage when the movable panel is in the retracted position. In the deployed position, the rigid folding flaps 26 allow for thermal and sound insulation of the cabin relative to the rear storage area. They also have a safety function with respect to the occupants by allowing objects to be retained on either side of these flaps.They are arranged on each side laterally of the opening 20 and may, in a complementary embodiment, also be extended in the upper part forming a continuous shutter. Alternatively, the shutters may be rollable.

[0022] THE figures 3 And 4 bear on the movable panel 30 in the folded position. The movable panel 20 in this folded position forms a continuity of the fixed partition 10. As visible in [ Fig.3 ] And 4 , the seat is therefore forced to have a substantially vertical and substantially forward position of its backrest. The upper deployment panel is pivoted along an axis arranged parallel to the upper edge of the movable panel. The handle is arranged along the opposite edge substantially in the center of the opening 20 of the partition.

[0023] The deployment of the movable panel 30 is carried out in the following manner: the occupant grasps the handle 25 present on the upper panel 27 and exerts pressure on the upper panel to release and deploy in the longitudinal direction the movable central panel 35 connected to the upper panel on the rear edge of the upper panel. A comfort space 40 is thus created within the loading space. In order to maintain this comfort space 40, he locks the external edge 33 inside the locking means 31, 32.

[0024] The folding is carried out as follows: pressure is exerted on the handle 25 in order to disengage the external edge portions 33 from the locking means 31, 32. The upper movable panel 27 is folded against the rear central panel 35, which then makes it possible for the occupant to pull the assembly in order to bring the rear central panel 35 into continuity with the fixed panel 10 of the partition. The return to position can also be carried out by means of springs.

[0025] The transverse partition according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to take advantage of the rear loading area, which in use is rarely completely occupied for its entire volume. It is remarkable in that it makes it possible to deploy, if necessary, a comfort space allowing the movement in the comfort position of the seat, while retaining the possibility of retracting the comfort space, by returning the movable panel to the closing position, when the comfort space is not necessary or when the loading area must be completely occupied. It thus advantageously allows the occupant to manage the compromise between the loading volume and his driving and / or relaxation comfort when the vehicle is stationary.Loading vehicles are used continuously by delivery professionals and the invention cleverly reduces driver fatigue by providing greater comfort in the cabin through the extended deployment possibilities of the seat. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but by the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0026] Likewise, the invention is not limited to a partition behind the driver's seat and could quite easily be applied to a partition behind a passenger seat.

Claims

1. Transverse partition (1) for separating a driver's cab (2) of a vehicle (3) and a rear cargo space (4), wherein said transverse partition (1) comprises a fixed panel (10) provided with an opening (20), said opening (20) comprising an upper border (21) and a lower border (22) that are substantially rectilinear and arranged on the fixed panel (10), and a movable panel (30) that is mounted so as to be able to pivot about a pivot pin (Y1) integral with the fixed panel (10) between a closing-off position in which said movable panel (30) fills the opening (20) and a position in which the opening (20) is unobstructed, and the pivot pin (Y1) is arranged parallel to the lower border (22) of the opening and in contact with the lower border (22), the transverse partition being provided with holding means (27) for holding the movable panel (30) in the position in which the opening is unobstructed, the transverse partition being characterized in that the holding means comprise a pivoting upper deployment panel (27), said upper deployment panel (27) comprising an outer edge (33), the upper border (21) of the opening (20) comprising elements (31, 32) for receiving and locking the outer edge (33) of the upper deployment panel (27) on the upper border (21) of the opening.

2. Transverse partition (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pivot pin (Y1) is distinct from the lower border (22) and in contact with the latter by means of connecting loops (23, 24), the pivot pin (Y1) passing through said connecting loops (23, 24).

3. Transverse partition (1) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the outer edge (33) is provided with a handle (25).

4. Transverse partition (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable panel (30) is formed by a tubular structure (28).

5. Transverse partition (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable panel comprises a rear central panel (35) laterally connected to the fixed panel (10) by means of a plurality of rigid foldable flaps (26).

6. Transverse partition (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of rigid foldable flaps (26) connecting the rear central panel (35) to the fixed panel (10) are folded when the movable panel (30) is in a position for closing off the opening (20) and are unfolded when the movable panel (30) is in its position in which the opening is unobstructed.

7. Transverse partition (1) according to either of Claims 5 and 6, wherein the plurality of rigid foldable flaps (26) are formed from flexible material.

8. Vehicle comprising a transverse partition (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a seat (50), the backrest of which has a clearance within a comfort space (40) that is unobstructed by the movable panel (30) in its deployed position.