VEHICLE SEAT WITH AN ON-BOARD SAFETY SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat equipped with an on-board safety system.

[0002] To simplify the wording, it is always assumed that the airbag will only deploy in the event of an accidental collision of the vehicle with an external obstacle, such as another vehicle. Therefore, it will not be systematically specified that the airbag will only deploy after a collision.

[0003] In order to understand the positioning of the different parts involved in a seat according to the invention, the description is made assuming that the seat is placed in a vehicle and referring to a direct orthonormal XYZ frame linked to said vehicle and in which X is a front-to-back longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.

[0004] Currently, the front airbag placed in the dashboard just in front of the passenger seat is very restrictive because it occupies a significant amount of space within the dashboard.

[0005] One solution to this space problem is to transfer the airbag directly and completely into the passenger seat. However, such a transfer requires that the new airbag placed in said seat: presents protective characteristics at least equivalent to those of the old passenger airbag placed in the dashboard, or mounted precisely and rigorously in the passenger seat so that it can deploy smoothly in the desired configuration, without any element already present in said seat hindering or preventing the deployment of this new airbag.

[0006] Some existing seats already feature simple airbags positioned on either side of the seat, in addition to the one located in the dashboard, thus providing supplementary protection. However, these airbags require a predetermined seat position relative to the dashboard, which poses a constraint in autonomous vehicles, where passenger seats are expected to move or swivel over a wide range of motion.

[0007] A seat according to the invention includes a high-performance airbag capable of effectively protecting an individual who would be seated on said seat, and whose specific mounting within said seat allows for a smooth and efficient deployment of said airbag.

[0008] Document EP 3 868 613 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a backrest structure, a seat structure and an airbag having two components placed on the sides of said seat on either side of an individual who would be seated on it, in that each component of the airbag comprises an inflatable bag and at least one strap sewn onto said bag, said component being capable of deploying towards the front of the seat in the event of a vehicle impact, so that said components are made to completely surround the individual, said at least one strap of each component has a high attachment point to an upper area of ​​the backrest structure and a low attachment point to the seat structure, and said at least one strap of each component passes along one side of the backrest structure and along one side of the seat structure.

[0009] The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a backrest structure, a seat structure having an anti-submarining hump, and an airbag having two components placed on the sides of said seat on either side of an individual who would be sitting on it.

[0010] According to the invention: Each airbag component comprises an inflatable bag and at least one strap sewn onto said bag, said component being capable of deploying forwards towards the seat in the event of a vehicle impact, so that said components are made to completely surround the individual, said at least one strap of each component having a high attachment point to an upper area of ​​the backrest structure and a low attachment point to the anti-submarining hump of the seat structure, and said at least one strap of each component passes along one side of the backrest structure and along one side of the seat structure, the seat structure having on each of its sides an inner casing and an outer casing providing a passage between them, said at least one strap of each airbag component being inserted into said passage,said two casings constituting guide tracks to allow said at least one strap and the airbag to deploy onto the seat in the event of a vehicle impact.

[0011] The airbag implemented in a seat according to the invention comprises two components arranged on either side of an individual seated in said seat. These two components are designed to deploy forward in the event of a vehicle impact, completely surrounding the individual. The distinctive feature of this airbag is that each component comprises an inflatable bag and at least one strap sewn to this bag. This at least one strap allows for: to anchor the airbag component in the seat with a high attachment point in an upper area of ​​the backrest and with a low attachment point in an anti-submarining bump of the seat, guide the deployment of the airbag on the seat so that it ensures good protection of the individual who would be sitting on said seat.

[0012] However, such an airbag must be carefully mounted in the seat to ensure effective deployment around an individual seated in said seat. Integrating this airbag into a seat according to the invention involves creating a passage on both sides of the seat structure using two housings, into which at least one strap from each airbag component would be positioned. The implementation of these two housings allows: to secure the strap to the seat structure in an isolated space that does not interfere with any other element of said seat structure, and to create a forward-facing deployment track for the airbag component. Indeed, when the bag begins to deploy, at least one strap will emerge from the opening created between the inner and outer casings.

[0013] The opening between the inner and outer casings is precisely sized to ensure the strap is inserted with minimal play. To better understand the orientation of the openings created on each side of the seat structure, and assuming the seat is mounted in the vehicle, here are the inner and outer casings: are substantially parallel and each extend along a longitudinal and vertical plane XZ of the vehicle, define between them a passage extending along a longitudinal and vertical plane XZ of the vehicle, are mounted on each of the two parallel edges of the seat extending along a longitudinal axis X and horizontal of the vehicle.

[0014] Each outer casing closely follows the shape of the inner casing so as to create a passage of small and constant width between them.

[0015] According to one possible feature of the invention, each airbag component comprises two straps which, when said component is mounted in said seat, are superimposed. In this way, when each airbag component is stressed during a vehicle impact, the two straps emerge from the passage located between the inner and outer casings before separating from each other to allow controlled forward deployment of the airbag, said deployment being guided by the two straps of the component concerned.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, the two overlapping straps of each airbag component are folded at approximately 90° as they pass between the backrest structure and the seat structure. This preliminary folding is doubly necessary because: The chosen deployment direction for the airbag in the seat will cancel this crease so that the straps, once deployed, are smooth; it allows the two overlapping straps to rigorously follow the path of the backrest and seat, which are generally oriented at more than 90° to each other.

[0017] In other words, if this 90° fold were not created, the airbag deployment would generate a crease that could be harmful to the individual being protected. The term "approximately 90°" means "90° plus or minus 10°".

[0018] According to one possible feature of the invention, the internal casing on one side of the seat structure has a recess in which a specific housing is placed to accommodate a loop of a seat belt. The presence of the airbag must not eliminate existing seat functions, particularly that of a seat belt. The internal casing has been designed to take into account the presence of this seat belt. The airbag straps pass outside the loop and therefore do not interfere with said loop and thus do not risk compromising the operation of the seat belt.

[0019] According to one possible feature of the invention, the inner casing on the other side of the seat structure has a recess in which a second, specific housing is placed to accommodate a seat belt anchor. The inner casing has been designed to take into account the presence of this seat belt. The airbag straps pass outside the seat belt anchor and do not interfere with said anchor, and therefore do not risk compromising the operation of the seat belt.

[0020] According to one possible feature of the invention, the backrest is adjustable in tilt by means of a mechanism. A front area of ​​the outer casing on one side of the seat structure includes a control handle connected to said mechanism by means of a wire and intended to operate said mechanism. Since the straps of an airbag component come into contact with the backrest tilt mechanism, it is no longer possible to adjust the backrest tilt directly by manipulating this mechanism. To make this backrest tilt adjustment still possible, the control handle for this mechanism had to be relocated to a front area of ​​the outer casing so that a person seated in the seat could easily operate said handle.

[0021] According to one possible feature of the invention, the backrest is mounted to pivot around an axis of rotation, with the double strap of each airbag component aligned with this axis of rotation. In this way, by passing along this axis of rotation, the two straps of an airbag component will not prevent the backrest from being reclined.

[0022] According to one possible feature of the invention, the external housing containing the backrest tilt control handle includes a control button for electrically activating a mechanism to raise the seat structure. Since the straps of an airbag component interact with the seat raising mechanism, said mechanism has been electrified to facilitate seat height adjustment using a simple control button.

[0023] According to one possible feature of the invention, the inner and outer casings on each side of the seat structure are made of plastic. These casings will not significantly increase the seat's weight, while still allowing for effective airbag deployment. Since these casings have no particular function during normal vehicle operation, there is no need to reinforce them unnecessarily.

[0024] According to one possible feature of the invention, a rigid angled guide wire is placed on the seat structure at the exit of the inner and outer casings. The double strap forms a bend around this rigid wire so as to have an optimized trajectory upstream of said wire between the inner and outer casings. This rigid wire allows for the ideal positioning of the two overlapping straps of an airbag component between the inner and outer casings on one side of the seat, so that said straps extend parallel to the opening between said inner and outer casings.

[0025] A vehicle seat according to the invention offers the advantage of having a wraparound airbag designed to effectively replace a passenger airbag housed in the dashboard, without requiring extensive redesign. Indeed, a clever mounting of the airbag on the seat using a limited number of parts and a simple design is sufficient to make the seat particularly effective in terms of safety. As a result, a seat according to the invention can be directly and easily created from an existing seat, without requiring excessive assembly time or extensive modifications to the existing seat. Furthermore, a seat according to the invention has the advantage of retaining all its adjustments, such as seat height and backrest angle, despite the presence of a high-performance airbag, as well as safety components, such as a seat belt.

[0026] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a seat according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a seat according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] represents a perspective view of a seat airbag according to the invention, in a configuration deployed on the seat, [ Fig. 3 ] represents a perspective view of the structure of the headquarters of the figure 1 , [ Fig. 4 ] represents a partial perspective view of a seat structure according to the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] represents an exploded perspective view of an internal and external casing of a seat structure according to the invention, [ Fig. 6 ] represents a partial perspective view from another angle of the foundation structure of the figure 4 , [ Fig. 7 ] represents a partial perspective view of a seat structure according to the invention, showing a right-angle guide wire for an airbag strap, [ Fig. 8 ] represents a side view of a seat structure according to the invention, comprising a handle for controlling the tilt of the backrest, [ Fig. 9 ] represents an exploded perspective view of a seat back according to the invention, [ Fig. 10 ] represents a perspective view of the assembled file of the figure 9 , [ Fig. 11 [ ] represents a perspective view of a side area of ​​a seat back according to the invention,

[0027] By referring to the figure 1 , a seat 1 according to the invention is preferably a passenger seat classically comprising a seat 2 having a structure and a backrest 3 also having a structure.

[0028] By referring to the figure 2 The particularity of such a seat 1 is that it integrates an airbag 4, intended to replace the passenger airbag usually housed in a dashboard of the vehicle, just in front of the passenger seat. Schematically, this airbag 4 comprises two separate components 5, 6, each containing an inflatable bag 7 and two straps 8, 9 sewn to this inflatable bag 7. The two components 5, 6 of this airbag 4 are stored in the seat 1, on either side 10, 11 thereof, so that they are positioned on either side of an individual who would be seated in said seat 1. In other words, these two components 5, 6 frame an individual who would be seated in said seat 1 and are aligned along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle in which said seat 1 would be mounted. As these two components 5, 6 are substantially identical, we will describe only one of these components 5, 6 for the remainder of this description.

[0029] By referring to the figure 3 When a component 5, 6 of the airbag 4 is stowed in the seat 1, the two straps 8, 9 are overlapped and include an upper attachment point to an upper 12 and central area of ​​the backrest structure 3, and a lower attachment point to a central area 13 of an anti-submarining hump 14 of the seat 2. The airbag 7 is inserted into one side of the backrest 3, so as not to be visible from outside said seat 1. The two overlapped straps 8, 9 extend between their upper attachment point and their lower attachment point, passing over the sides of the backrest 3 and over the sides of the seat 2 without ever being visible from outside said seat 1.

[0030] By referring to the figure 2 In the event of an accidental collision of the vehicle with an external obstacle, which may be another vehicle, the two components 5, 6 of the airbag 4 deploy simultaneously forward as indicated by the two arrows 15, 16 to completely encircle an individual who would be sitting in seat 1. Indeed, during this deployment the two inflated bags 7 of the two components 5, 6 come into continuity with each other to form a continuous protective cushion around the individual. The deployment of each component 5, 6 of the airbag 4 is caused by the inflation of the inflatable bag 7 and is guided by the two straps 8, 9 which are sewn to said bag 7 and which are attached to both the backrest structure 6 and the seat structure 2. When a component 5, 6 of the airbag 4 deploys the upper attachment point and the lower attachment point of the two straps 8, 9 remain unchanged, and continue to retain said two straps 8, 9.Once the individual has been completely surrounded by the two airbags 7 of the two components 5, 6 of the airbag 4, he will be perfectly protected in all directions of space.

[0031] In order for the two components 5 and 6 of airbag 4 to perform their protective function effectively, it is important to integrate them properly into seat 1 so that they can deploy smoothly and efficiently in the desired direction, without interfering with other seat components. Specifically, the integration of the two components 5 and 6 of airbag 4 into seat 1 must not, for example, prevent the operation of a seat belt, nor should any elements of seat 1 impede the deployment of said components 5 and 6.

[0032] A seat 1 according to the invention has a seat 2 specially configured to integrate the two components 5, 6 of the airbag 4. The seat structure 2 is schematically delimited by two parallel longitudinal edges extending along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, and by two parallel transverse edges extending along a transverse axis Y of said vehicle.

[0033] By referring to figures 4 And 5Each longitudinal edge of the seat structure 2 is defined by an inner casing 17 and an outer casing 18. The inner casing 17 and the outer casing 18 are thin pieces lying in a substantially vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle. Along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, the two outer casings 18 represent the two outermost pieces of the seat 2, each inner casing 17 being inserted between an outer casing 18 and a central area of ​​the seat 2 on which a person is intended to sit. The outer casing 18 is elongated along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and has a hollow area 19, the inner casing 17 having a shorter length than the outer casing 18, the length being its dimension considered along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle. The inner casing 17 has a curvature and is intended to come into contact with the wall of the outer casing 18 delimiting the hollow area 19.

[0034] By referring to figures 4 And 6 The inner casing 17, once pressed against an inner surface of the outer casing 18, provides a passage with said outer casing 18 through which the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the corresponding airbag component 5, 6 pass. The inner casing 17 includes an opening 20 for receiving a specific housing 21 to accommodate either a seat belt buckle or an anchor point for said seat belt. In this way, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4, passing between the inner casing 17 and the outer casing 18, are external to said seat belt buckle and therefore do not risk interfering with the seat belt. Similarly, said seat belt will not prevent the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 from deploying in the event of a collision between the vehicle and an external obstacle.

[0035] By referring to figures 1 , 4 , 5 And 8 , the external casing 18 has an end segment 22 extending perpendicularly to a main body 23 of said casing, said end segment 22 being in continuity with the backrest 3 and being intended to conceal the two superimposed straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4, between said backrest 3 and the seat 2 of the seat 1.

[0036] As shown by figures 3 And 6Between the backrest 3 and the seat 2, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 have a fold 24 at approximately 90°, that is, at 90° plus or minus 10°. This preliminary 90° fold is necessary to prevent the formation of a potentially dangerous crease during the deployment of the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4. Indeed, the deployment conditions of the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 in seat 1 are such that the preliminary 90° fold will disappear, leaving smooth and uniform airbag straps 8, 9, and therefore without any crease, as illustrated in the figure 2 .

[0037] By referring to the figure 3 , like most existing vehicle seat backs, the backrest 3 of a seat 1 according to the invention is adjustable in tilt. It is mounted to rotate freely around a rotation axis 25 extending along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle and located in a lower area of ​​the backrest structure 3. As they pass over the sides of the backrest 3 and the sides of the seat 2, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of a component 5, 6 of the airbag 4 pass through this rotation axis 25. In other words, if said rotation axis 25 were artificially extended on each side, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 would pass through the artificial extensions of said rotation axis 25. In this way, by passing through the rotation axis 25 of the backrest 3, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 do not prevent the rotation of said backrest 3 around said axis 25 to adjust its inclination.On the other hand, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 cover a mechanism for rotating and positioning the backrest 3 which is usually placed in line with the rotation axis 25 of the backrest 3, preventing any manipulation of this mechanism.

[0038] By referring to figures 3, 4 And 8To overcome this obstacle, a control element 26 for this mechanism 27 was created and then placed in a front area of ​​one of the two external housings 18 of the seat 2 of the seat 1. This control element consists of a handle 26 extending by default along a longitudinal axis X and horizontal of the vehicle, said handle 26 connecting the mechanism 27 for rotating and positioning the backrest 3 by means of a wire 28. This wire 28 is hidden by the external housing 18, and manually rotating the control handle 26 exerts tension on the wire 28 which acts directly on the mechanism 27 in order to adjust the inclination of the backrest 3.

[0039] Similarly, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 cover a seat elevation mechanism 2 and prevent any height adjustment of said seat 2.

[0040] By referring to figures 1 , 3 et 4 , this problem of access to the seat raising mechanism 2 was solved by adding an electric motor to this mechanism and associating a control button 29 with this electric motor. This control button is a push button 29 which is fixed in the external casing 18 supporting the control handle 26, said push button 29 being placed behind said handle 26.

[0041] By referring to the figure 7 A rigid angled guide wire 30 is attached to the seat structure 2 inside an inner casing 17, so as to improve the positioning of the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 in the passage between the inner casing 17 and the outer casing 18. Indeed, the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 pass around this rigid wire 30, bearing against it to form a bend, the rigid wire 30 straightening the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag so that they fit optimally into the passage created between the inner casing 17 and the outer casing 18. In other words, this rigid wire 30 extends the straightness of the two overlapping straps 8, 9 of the airbag 4 in the passage between the inner casing 17 and the outer casing 18.

[0042] By referring to figures 9, 10 And 11The airbag 7 and a section of the overlapping straps 8, 9 sewn to said airbag 7 are stored in the backrest 3 of seat 1. The covers of the backrest 3 have been modified to allow the two overlapping straps 8, 9 and the airbag 7 to be released quickly in the desired direction: deployment must be as quickly as possible towards the front of seat 1, to encompass the passenger and avoid contact with the middle pillar area of ​​the vehicle body. To achieve this result, a rigid rear shell 31 covers one rear face of the backrest 3 as well as both sides of said backrest 3, maintaining a neat finish with foam 32 and fabric 33. The interface between the foam 32, the fabric 33, and the shell 31 is formed by a part of the structure 34 of the seat 1. This interface allows the release of the overlapping straps 8, 9 and the airbag 7, and allows the deployment of said airbag 7 and said straps 8, 9 to be concentrated forwards as indicated by the arrow 34 on the figures 10 And 11 to prevent their transverse deployment. The shell 31 moves apart under the effect of the pressure produced by the gases in the bag 7. The overlapping straps 8, 9 are sewn onto an outer side of the bag 7 and are therefore the first to be extracted from the backrest 3, even though they are attached to the bag 7.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (1) comprising a backrest structure (3), a seat bottom structure (2) having an anti-submarining boss (14), and an airbag (4) having two components (5, 6) placed on the sides (10, 11) of said seat (1) on either side of an individual who would be seated thereon, in which seat: - each component (5, 6) of the airbag (4) comprises an inflatable bag (7) and at least one strap (8, 9) sewn onto said bag (7), said component (5, 6) being able to deploy toward the front of the seat in the event of a vehicle impact, so that said components (5, 6) are caused to completely surround the individual, - said at least one strap (8, 9) of each component (5, 6) has a high attachment point to an upper zone (12) of the backrest structure (3) and a low attachment point to the anti-submarining boss (13, 14) of the seat bottom structure (2), and said at least one strap (8, 9) of each component (5, 6) passes along one side of the backrest structure (3) and along one side of the seat bottom structure (2), - the seat bottom structure (2) has, on each of its sides, an internal casing (17) and an external casing (18) providing a passage therebetween, said at least one strap (8, 9) of each component (5, 6) of the airbag (4) being inserted into said passage, said two casings (17, 18) constituting guide tracks to allow said at least one strap (8, 9) and the inflatable bag (7) to deploy on the seat (1) in the event of a vehicle impact.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that each component (5, 6) of the airbag (4) comprises two straps (8, 9) which, when said component (5, 6) is mounted in said seat (1), are superimposed.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the two superimposed straps (8, 9) of each component (5, 6) of the airbag (4) are bent at substantially 90°, during their passages between the backrest structure (3) and the seat bottom structure (2).

4. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the internal casing (17) on one side of the seat bottom structure (2) has a recess (20) in which is placed a specific first housing (21) to accommodate a buckle strand of a seat belt.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the internal casing (17) on the other side of the seat bottom structure (2) has a recess (20) in which is placed a specific second housing (21) to accommodate an anchor of the seat belt.

6. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the backrest (3) is adjustable in inclination by means of a mechanism (27), and in that a front zone of the external casing (18) on one side of the seat bottom structure (2) comprises a control handle (26) connected to said mechanism (27) by means of a wire (28) and intended to control said mechanism.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the backrest (3) is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (25), and in that the double strap (8, 9) of each component (5, 6) of the airbag (4) is placed in alignment with this axis of rotation (25).

8. The vehicle seat according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the external casing (18) comprising the control handle (26) for the inclination of the backrest (3) comprises a control button (29) intended to electrically activate a mechanism for raising the seat bottom structure (2).

9. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the internal casing (17) and the external casing (18) on each side of the seat bottom structure (2) are made of plastic material.

10. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a rigid angle transmission wire (30) is placed on the seat bottom structure (2) at the outlet of the internal casing (17) and the external casing (18), and in that the double strap (8, 9) forms a bend around this rigid wire (30) so as to have an optimized trajectory upstream of said wire (30) between the internal casing (17) and the external casing (18).