SEAT ELEMENT AND MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat element integrating a vibrating device into a seat, in particular of a motor vehicle. State of the prior art

[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, it is known to integrate a vibrating device (also called a "vibrator" or " excite ", by Anglicism). Such a vibrating device can in particular be implemented to alert the occupant of the vehicle seat of a danger. Such a seat is therefore more particularly intended for the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0003] Such a vibrating device can in particular be placed in the back of a vehicle seat.

[0004] A difficulty inherent in integrating such a vibrating device into a motor vehicle seat back is reconciling occupant comfort with the occupant's perception of the alert when the vibrating device is activated.

[0005] Thus, fixing such a vibrating device to the seat back frame tends to cause vibrations of this frame, in reaction to the implementation of the vibrating device. The comfort of the seat occupant is then too deteriorated for this solution to be retained in practice.

[0006] Document FR 3 105 120 A1 shows for example a seat element with a support plate having at least one hole and at least one vibrating device arranged at least partly in the hole, the vibrating device comprising at least one vibrating element movable in a direction perpendicular to the support plate.

[0007] There therefore remains a need for a motor vehicle seat back incorporating a vibrating device, and not having at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks. Presentation of the invention

[0008] A first aim of the invention is to remedy this drawback.

[0009] A second aim of the invention is to decouple the vibration frequency of the vibrating device from the natural vibration frequency of the support plate.

[0010] A third aim of the invention is to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the vibrating devices to the seat back so that the sensation of vibration is localized. Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to a seat element comprising a support plate having at least one hole and at least one vibrating device arranged at least partly in the hole, the vibrating device comprising at least one vibrating element movable in a direction perpendicular to the support plate. The support plate comprises a support portion and at least one blocking portion shaped to block the transmission of vibrations from the at least one vibrating device, said blocking portion surrounds at least a portion of an edge of the hole in the support plate, said blocking portion comprising a smaller amount of material per unit area than the support portion so as to reduce the stiffness of the plate.

[0012] Advantageously, vibrations of the chassis of the vibrating device having a frequency in the frequency range of the vibrating device are transmitted less to the support part and are therefore transmitted less to the backrest or seat of the seat. Advantageously, the transfer function between the resonance of the vibrating device and the acceleration of the support plate is reduced.

[0013] Advantageously, in a seat element according to the invention the vibrations are significantly more localized. The sensation for the occupant of the seat is considerably improved.

[0014] The features set out in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other: The blocking portion comprises at least one through-light.

[0015] The at least one through light is a cutout in the form of a substantially rectilinear strip.

[0016] The strip-shaped cutout has a width between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

[0017] The blocking part has several strip-shaped cutouts running parallel to each other.

[0018] The support plate comprises a plate portion located between two strip-shaped cutouts having a width of between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters, said two strip-shaped cutouts being adjacent.

[0019] The at least one through-light is a cutout in the shape of a circular section. The circular section of a cutout has a width between 2.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0020] The locking portion comprises a plurality of circular section-shaped cutouts, said circular section-shaped cutouts being concentric.

[0021] At least two circular section cutouts have the same radius of curvature.

[0022] At least two circular section cutouts have different radii of curvature.

[0023] A portion of support plate located between two circular section-shaped cutouts has a width of between 2.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters, said two circular section-shaped cutouts being adjacent.

[0024] The blocking portion of the support plate has a median thickness less than a median thickness of the support portion of the support plate. The thickness of the blocking portion is between 30% and 60% of the thickness of the support portion, and preferably, the thickness of the blocking portion is substantially equal to 45% of the thickness of the support portion.

[0025] The support plate is made of a plastic material, in particular of a polymer material from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a mixture of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycaprolactam and isotactic polypropylene, polyamide, polycaprolactam and isotactic polypropylene.

[0026] The invention also relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat element shaped according to the characteristics mentioned below. Brief description of the figures

[0027] [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic side view of an example vehicle seat; [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic and perspective view of a part of a support plate according to a first embodiment of the invention, the support plate being intended to be fixed to a backrest frame as illustrated in the figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] is an enlarged view of a portion of the support plate shown in the figure 2 , [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic front view of a locking portion of a support plate according to a second embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic section of a support plate according to a third embodiment of the invention, the section plane is illustrated in the figure 6 , [ Fig. 6 ] is a schematic front view of a support plate according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 7 ] is a schematic front view of a support plate of a seat nose module according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic front view of a support plate of a seat nose module according to another embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements which are useful for understanding the embodiment described are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

[0029] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of a vehicle seat in its normal position of use.

[0030] In particular, the longitudinal direction X means the longitudinal direction of the seat. The longitudinal direction of the seat is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle in which the seat is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction X is horizontal. The transverse direction Y of the seat thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction of the motor vehicle. This transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The transverse direction Y is horizontal. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction of the seat, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0031] In reference to the figure 1, a motor vehicle seat 10 comprises a seat 13, with a seat frame 14 and a seat upholstery 15, on which a backrest 16, with a backrest frame 17 and a backrest upholstery 18, is mounted. The backrest frame 17 is here pivotable about a transverse axis A, relative to the seat frame 14. The backrest frame essentially comprises two vertical uprights secured to a lower crosspiece and an upper crosspiece. The backrest frame 17 thus has the shape of a frame and delimits a hollow space in its center.

[0032] According to the illustrated example, the seat 10 may also include a headrest 34.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 1, the seat 10 and in particular the seat upholstery 15, comprises a seat nose module 36 mounted to move relative to the seat frame 14. Here, the seat nose module 36 is mounted to move in translation along the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle seat 10, relative to the seat frame 14. The seat nose module 36 can be manually moved relative to the seat frame 14. Alternatively, an actuator is provided to move the seat nose module 36 relative to the seat frame 14. The movement of the seat nose module 36 can for example be guided by two rails 38 fixed to the seat frame 14.

[0034] In particular, the seat nose module 36 comprises a frame 40, movable relative to the seat frame 14. The frame 40 is for example formed by a first plate, substantially flat. The frame 40 is for example mounted free in translation relative to the seat frame 14 in the longitudinal direction X of the seat 10. For example, the frame 40, in particular the plate of which the frame 40 is formed here, forms or is integral with complementary reliefs of the rails 38, allowing the guiding of the movable plate in translation in the longitudinal direction X of the seat 10. The frame 40 is for example made of metal or plastic.

[0035] On the chassis 40 is fixed here a support plate 42 generally called a trim plate (from the English " trim plate") of the seat nose module 36. The support plate 42 is for example screwed, riveted or elastically fitted ("clipped") onto the chassis 40. The support plate 42 has two holes 3 shown in the figures 7 And 8 .

[0036] The holes are intended to receive vibrating devices 6, as explained later.

[0037] In the present disclosure, the seat 13, the backrest 16 and the seat nose module 36 are defined as seat elements.

[0038] The seat 10 further comprises a support plate 2 mounted on the backrest frame 17 using a wire 4. The figure 2illustrates a part of the support plate, and in particular a face opposite the face intended to be oriented towards the occupant of the vehicle seat. The wire 4 forms a spring (or spring wire), here folded, is stretched between the upper crosspiece and the base crosspiece. The support plate 2 is elastically fitted onto the wire 4, for example using elastic fitting reliefs, adapted to cooperate with the wire. The wire 4 is fixed at each of its ends to the upper crosspiece and, substantially in its middle, to the lower crosspiece. Alternatively, two separate wires can be stretched between the upper crosspiece and the lower crosspiece. The wire 4 is for example metallic to ensure a certain rigidity while retaining a capacity for elastic deformation. The wire 4 preferably extends undulating in a plane. In the embodiment shown in the figures 2 to 5, the entire support plate 2 may be made of a plastic material such as a polymer. Advantageously, the support plate is made of a polymer material from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene generally designated by the acronym “ABS”, a mixture of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene generally designated by the acronym “ABS-PC”, polyamide (commonly called Nylon) designated by the acronym “PA6”, polyamide designated by the acronym “PA66” or its biodegradable variant and polycaprolactam generally designated by the acronym “PCL” and isotactic polypropylene generally designated by the acronym “PP”.

[0039] The support plate 2 further comprises four holes 3 and four vibrating devices 6 housed at least partly in the holes 3 and fixed to the support plate 2.

[0040] Each vibrating element 6 is here of substantially cylindrical shape with a circular section. Each vibrating element 6 comprises a central axis A1. In the example illustrated, each vibrating device comprises a frame 8, a vibrating element 12 and a device (not shown) for setting the vibrating element into vibration.

[0041] The holes 3 are each delimited by an edge 5 of the support plate. The holes 3 have a dimension greater than the dimension of the frame 8 so that a clearance J is provided between the frame 8 of the vibrating device and the edge 5 of the support plate surrounding the holes. This clearance J makes it possible to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the vibrating devices 6 directly to the support plate.

[0042] The frame 8 comprises a cylindrical portion housing the vibrating element 12 and three attachment lugs 22. The attachment lugs 22 are here regularly distributed around the axis A1 of the vibrating device 6. Each attachment lug extends mainly in a radial direction, relative to the axis A1 of the vibrating device. A longitudinal end of each lug is secured to the cylindrical portion of the frame 8. In the vicinity of the opposite end, hereinafter called the free end, each attachment lug 22 has a through hole. A threaded rod of a screw 24 extends through the through hole of the attachment lug and is screwed into a tapped hole in the support plate. The attachment lugs 22 extend through the clearance J.

[0043] The vibrating element 12 comprises, for example, a moving magnet and a spring arranged laterally between the moving magnet and the chassis 8.

[0044] Alternatively, the vibrating element 12 comprises a piezoelectric element.

[0045] The device for vibrating the vibrating element is accessible to those skilled in the art. This device may in particular comprise a coil fixed in the chassis.

[0046] The vibrations of each vibrating device 6 are advantageously directed essentially in a direction of the axis A1 of the vibrating device considered, here substantially perpendicular to the support plate 2.

[0047] Each vibrating device 6 is devoid of any vibrating membrane. Each vibrating device is thus to be distinguished from a loudspeaker in that each vibrating device aims primarily to transmit vibrations (or solid-borne noise) to the occupant of the vehicle seat, rather than sound (or airborne noise). The vibrations of each vibrating device may in particular be in a frequency range that is not audible. The frequencies of the vibrations of the vibrating devices may in particular be outside the range 20 Hz to 100 Hz. Alternatively or in addition, the vibrating element may have a shape such that these three dimensions are substantially of the same order of magnitude.

[0048] Here, the vibrating devices 6 are implemented to vibrate in harmony with music played by a HI-FI device of the motor vehicle and / or to massage a specific area of ​​an occupant of the vehicle seat and / or to alert the occupant of the seat of a danger.

[0049] Advantageously, the support plate 2 comprises a support portion 26 and locking portions 28 located around the edges 5 of the holes 3 of the support plate. The locking portions are shaped to block the transmission of vibrations from the vibrating devices 6.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in the figure 2 and in no way limiting, the support portion 26 is located in the center of the support plate. It extends vertically. This support portion is rigid and solid. To ensure satisfactory rigidity, the support portion 26 here has honeycomb reliefs.

[0051] The locking portions 28 extend over an area of ​​the support plate 2 less than or equal to twice the radius of the vibrating element 12 of the vibrating device. In the embodiment shown in the figure 2and in no way limiting, the support plate 2 comprises two locking parts 28. Each locking part 28 surrounds two vertically aligned vibrating devices. Alternatively, the support plate 2 comprises a number of locking parts equal to the number of vibrating devices 6 mounted on the support plate. The locking parts 28 surround the holes 3 of the support plate. Alternatively, the locking parts 28 surround only a portion of the holes of the support plate.

[0052] The locking parts 28 are perforated to reduce their stiffness. In particular, the locking parts comprise through-holes 30.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures 2 And 3, the through-lights are formed by substantially rectilinear strip-shaped cutouts 32. The strip-shaped cutouts 32 are parallel to each other. They extend in a vertical direction when the support plate 2 is mounted on the seat. Alternatively, they extend in a horizontal direction. For example, the strip-shaped cutouts 32 have a width L1 of between 3 millimeters and 10 millimeters and preferably between 5 and 8 millimeters. For example, the support plate portions 46 located between two adjacent strip-shaped cutouts 32 have a width L2 of between 3 millimeters and 10 millimeters and preferably between 5 and 8 millimeters.

[0054] In this embodiment, for a vibrating device with a diameter equal to D1, the locking portion 28 has a maximum diameter equal to twice D1. The diameter D1 is for example equal to 30 millimeters.

[0055] There figure 4 illustrates a portion of a support plate according to a second embodiment. The support plate 2 of this second embodiment is identical or similar to the support plate of the first embodiment except that the through-lights 30 of the blocking portion are cutouts in the shape of a circular section 48. In other words, the through-lights have a ring portion shape.

[0056] Advantageously, the locking part 28 comprises several cutouts in the shape of a circular section 48.

[0057] The cutouts 48 in the form of a circular section have a width L3 of between 2.5 millimeters and 6 millimeters and preferably between 3 and 5 millimeters.

[0058] Preferably, the circular section cutouts are concentric.

[0059] In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 4, three circular section-shaped cutouts 48 have a first radius of curvature R1. This radius of curvature R1 is identical for the three circular section-shaped cutouts. Other circular section-shaped cutouts 48 have a second radius of curvature R2 different from the first radius of curvature R1.

[0060] A portion 50 of a blocking part located between two adjacent cutouts 48 in the form of a circular section having two different radii of curvature, has a width L4 of between 2.5 millimeters and 8 millimeters and preferably between 3 and 5 millimeters.

[0061] Alternatively, all the cutouts 48 in circular cross-section shapes may have an identical radius of curvature. According to another variant, all the cutouts 48 in circular cross-section shapes may have different radii of curvature.

[0062] In this embodiment, for a vibrating device with a diameter equal to D1, the blocking portion 28 has a maximum diameter equal to three and a half times D1.

[0063] Alternatively, the blocking portions 28 each comprise a single through-light 30. This through-light may have a substantially rectilinear strip shape or a wavy or zigzag strip shape. This single through-light may also have a circular cross-section shape.

[0064] Alternatively, the dimension of the holes 3 corresponds to the dimension of the frame 8. There is no clearance J between the frame 8 of the vibrating devices and the locking parts.

[0065] THE figures 5 And 6 schematically illustrate a part of a support plate according to a third embodiment.

[0066] The locking portion 28 of the support plate has a median thickness E1 less than a median thickness E2 of the support portion 26 of the support plate.

[0067] In particular, the median thickness E1 of the blocking portion 28 is between 30% and 60% of the median thickness E2 of the support portion 26. Preferably, the median thickness E1 of the blocking portion 28 is substantially equal to 45% of the median thickness E2 of the support portion 26.

[0068] The term "median thickness" refers to an average of different plate thicknesses that takes into account the amount of surface area that has that thickness.

[0069] In the first, second and third embodiments, the locking portions 28 comprise a smaller quantity of plastic material per unit area than the support portion 26. This small quantity of material advantageously makes it possible to reduce the stiffness of the locking portions. As a result, the transmission of vibrations from the vibrating device 6 to the support plate 2 is reduced. As a result, the amplitude of the vibrations of the support plate is reduced by approximately 20% over the frequency ranges over which the transmissions were greatest compared to a support plate not comprising a locking portion.

[0070] Advantageously, with the support plate 2 according to the fourth embodiment and with its variant, for the same power of the supply signal of the vibrating device 6, the stroke of the vibrating element 12 is reduced. Consequently, advantageously, the electrical consumption of the vibrating elements can be reduced by using the support plate 2 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0071] THE figures 7 And 8 illustrate a support plate 42 of a seat nose module 36 as described in connection with the figure 1 .

[0072] The support plate 42 illustrated on the figure 7comprises a support part 26, two locking parts 28 and two vibrating devices 6. The support part 26, the locking parts 28 and the vibrating devices 6 are identical or similar to the support part, the locking parts and the vibrating devices as described in connection with the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures 2 And 3 .

[0073] The support plate 42 illustrated on the figure 8 comprises a support part 26, two locking parts 28 and two vibrating devices 6. The support part 26, the locking parts 28 and the vibrating devices 6 are identical or similar to the support part, the locking parts and the vibrating devices as described in connection with the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 4 .

[0074] Alternatively, the support plate 2, 42 comprises both one or more through-lights in the form of a substantially rectilinear strip 32 and one or more light(s) in the form of a circular section.

[0075] Alternatively, the support plate 2, 42 comprises both lights and parts having a smaller thickness.

[0076] According to a variant not shown, the seat 10 does not include a seat nose module 36. In this case the seat 16 may include a support plate according to one of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A seat element (13, 16, 36) including a support plate (2, 42) having at least one hole (3) and at least one vibrating device (6) arranged at least partly in the hole, the vibrating device (6) including at least one vibrating element (12) movable in a direction perpendicular to the support plate, characterized in that the support plate (2, 42) includes a support part (26) and at least one blocking part (28) shaped to block the transmission of vibrations of the at least one vibrating device, said blocking part (28) surrounds at least part of an edge (5) of the hole (3) of the support plate, said blocking part (28) including a lower quantity of material per unit area of the support plate (26) so as to reduce the stiffness of the plate.

2. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 1, wherein the blocking part (28) includes at least one through-hole (30, 32).

3. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one through-hole (30, 32) is a substantially rectilinear strip-shaped cutout (32).

4. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 3, wherein the strip-shaped cutout (32) has a width (L1) of between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

5. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the blocking part (28) includes several strip-shaped cutouts (32) parallel to one another.

6. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 5, wherein the support plate (2, 42) comprises a plate portion (46) located between two strip-shaped cutouts (32) having a width (L2) of between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters, said two strip-shaped cutouts (32) being adjacent.

7. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the at least one through-hole (30) is an arc-shaped cutout (48).

8. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 7, wherein the arc of a cutout (48) has a width (L3) of between 2.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

9. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the blocking part (28) includes several arc-shaped cutouts (48), said arc-shaped cutouts (48) being concentric.

10. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least two arc-shaped cutouts (48) have the same radius of curvature (R1).

11. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least two arc-shaped cutouts (48) have different radii of curvature (R1, R2).

12. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a support plate portion (50) located between two arc-shaped cutouts (48) has a width (L4) is between 2.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters, said two arc-shaped cutouts (48) being adjacent.

13. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the blocking part (28) of the support plate includes a median thickness (E1) smaller than a median thickness (E2) of the support part (26) of the support plate.

14. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to claim 13, wherein the thickness (E1) of the blocking part (28) is between 30% and 60% of the thickness (E2) of the support part (26), and preferably, the thickness (E1) of the blocking part (28) is substantially equal to 45% of the thickness (E2) of the support part (26).

15. The seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support plate (2) is made of a plastic material, in particular a polymer material chosen among acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a mixture of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycaprolactam and isotactic polypropylene, polyamide, polycaprolactam, and isotactic polypropylene.

16. A vehicle seat (10) including a seat element (13, 16, 36) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.