SUSPENSION MAT FOR A SUPPORT ELEMENT OF A VEHICLE SEAT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension system for a vehicle seat support element.

[0002] The invention also relates to a seat support element comprising such a suspension mat.

[0003] It is known to provide a suspension web within a vehicle seat support element, such as the seat back, against which the padding of the support element is applied to improve the comfort of a seat occupant. Such a suspension web is generally formed from a plurality of metal rods tensioned within the frame of the seat back. US patent 2,119,023 describes a suspension web conforming to the preamble of claim 1. DE patent 1,092,322 also describes a suspension web for a seat support element.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known to incorporate multiple electrical circuits within the support element to implement various functions within or on the support element. For example, the support element might include a heating or vibrating element to enhance occupant comfort, a control device for a safety airbag, various sensors and indicator lights, and so on. EP 2 829 434 and US 2020 / 039399 documents describe the integration of an electrical circuit into a suspension system.

[0005] However, assembling such a support element is complex, requiring the assembly of the various constituent elements of the support element one after the other.

[0006] To simplify assembly, it is known to overmold certain components with the padding, but this process remains complex and is not suitable for all seat components. Furthermore, the suspension system must always be assembled onto the frame independently of the rest of the support element.

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a simplified structural support mat that can integrate other functions of a vehicle seat support element.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a suspension web of a vehicle seat support element, comprising a web of plastic material extending between a first face and a second face and comprising at least a first layer of plastic material, comprising an outer face forming the first face and an inner face opposite the outer face, and a second layer of plastic material comprising an outer face forming the second face and an inner face opposite the outer face, the inner faces of the first layer and the second layer being applied against each other, at least one electrical circuit, comprising at least one electrical component and a power supply track for said component, extending between a portion of the inner faces of the first layer and the second layer.

[0009] Thus, the suspension cable, instead of being formed from a plurality of independent rods, is formed from layers of assembled plastic material, which allows the suspension cable to be mounted as a single piece on the frame and electrical components to be integrated into the suspension cable in order to further simplify the assembly of the support element in which the suspension cable is intended.

[0010] The suspension system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, considered individually or in any technically feasible combination: The electrical circuit is printed on the inner face of the first layer; the first layer and the electrical circuit form a flexible printed circuit board; the electrical circuit is made of a conductive metallic material; the electrical circuit includes at least one connection terminal electrically connected to the power supply track, said connection terminal opening outside the plastic material web; the plastic material web extends between at least two rigid mounting elements attached to opposite edges of the plastic material web, said web being stretched between said mounting elements when the suspension web is mounted in a seat support element; the mounting elements each include at least one element for attaching the suspension web to a frame of a seat support element;A plurality of electrical circuits extend between a portion of the inner faces of the first layer and the second layer, each electrical circuit comprising at least one electrical component and at least one supply track for said component; the electrical component is selected from a heating element, a light source, a vibrating element, a sensor, a control device for an inflatable safety cushion, or a connecting element for an external electrical component.

[0011] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle seat support element comprising a frame defining a structure, a suspension web as described above fixed to the frame and extending into it, and padding extending over the frame and the suspension web, said padding being applied against said suspension web.

[0012] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] - there Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of part of a seat support element, comprising a suspension plate according to the invention, [ Fig 2 ] - there Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of a suspension sheet according to the invention, [ Fig 3 ] - there Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective representation of a portion of the suspension layer of the Fig. 2 , And [ Fig 4 ] - there Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective representation of a detail of the suspension layer of the Fig. 2 .

[0013] With reference to the Fig. 1 A vehicle seat support element 1 is described, comprising a frame 2, a suspension web 4 attached to and extending into the frame 2, and padding (not shown) extending over the frame 2 and the suspension web 4 and applied against the suspension web 4. Such a support element 1 forms, for example, a vehicle seat back. It is understood, however, that the support element may form another part of the seat, such as the seat cushion or the headrest. Note that, in the Fig. 1 The backrest has been shown in a folded position to improve the visibility of the fixing between the frame 2 and the suspension cable 4. It is understood that in normal use, the backrest is in an upright position, in which a seat occupant can lean against the backrest.

[0014] In the case of a file, in a classic way, the frame 2 forms a frame delimited by a lower crossbar 6, an upper crossbar 8 and two uprights 10 connecting the lower crossbar 6 and upper crossbar 8.

[0015] The suspension strap 4 extends within the frame formed by the reinforcement 2 and is fixed to the lower cross member 6 on one side and to the upper cross member 8 on the other. It is understood that, alternatively or in addition, the suspension strap 4 may be fixed to the two uprights 10. As shown in the Fig. 1 The suspension webbing 4 occupies most, or even all, of the space within the frame, providing a large support surface for the padding and, in the case of a seat back, for the occupant's back. The suspension webbing 4 possesses mechanical characteristics that enable it to fulfill its suspension function, offering both support and cushioning when a user leans on the padding. Thus, the suspension webbing 4 exhibits similar characteristics, in terms of rigidity and elasticity, to those obtained when multiple metal rods are tensioned within the backrest frame. Therefore, the suspension webbing 4 is flexible and elastically deformable to a certain extent. For this purpose, the suspension webbing 4 is, for example, substantially taut between the lower crossbars 6 and upper crossbars 8 and / or the uprights 10.

[0016] The suspension mat 4 comprises a plastic material web 12 extending between at least two mounting elements 14 fixed to opposite edges of the web 12. The web 12 gives the suspension mat 4 its mechanical characteristics described above and the mounting elements 14 allow the suspension mat 4 to be fixed to the frame 2. The web 12 has almost the same dimensions as the suspension mat 4 and therefore occupies most of the space in the frame.

[0017] The canvas 12 extends between a first face and a second face, one of which is turned towards the padding and the other towards the back of the support element. As is particularly visible on the Fig. 3 The plastic material web 12 comprises a first layer of plastic material 16 and a second layer of plastic material 18 applied together to form the web 12. The first layer of plastic material 16 and the second layer of plastic material 18 are, for example, formed from sheets of plastic material. The first and second layers 16, 18 have substantially the same dimensions, which are also the dimensions of the web 12. The mechanical properties of the web 12 are chosen so that the web 12 can perform the function of a suspension layer for a seat support element. Such properties can be obtained by choosing the plastic material used to make the first and second layers 16, 18, and / or by providing a suitable thickness for the web 12.

[0018] The first layer of plastic material 16 extends between an outer face, forming the first face of the fabric 12, and an inner face 20, opposite the outer face and facing the second layer of plastic material 18. At least one electrical circuit 22 extends over a part of the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material 16. The electrical circuit 22 includes at least one electrical component 24, performing a particular function, and at least one power supply track 26 for supplying an electrical current and / or control signals to the electrical component 24.

[0019] The electrical component 24 can be of any type suitable for performing a function in, on, or around the support element 1. For example, the electrical component 24 may be selected from a heating element, a light source, a vibrating element, a sensor, a control device for an inflatable safety cushion, a connection element for an external electrical component, or something similar. It should be noted that in the case of a connection element, this connection is made, for example, through the first layer of plastic material 16 or the second layer of plastic material 18, for example, by providing an opening in this layer opposite the connection element, since the electrical component 24 extends inside the fabric 12. Alternatively, the electrical component 24 may include a part, such as a connection interface, opening to the outside of the fabric 12, for example, at the periphery of the fabric 12.It is understood that this list is not exhaustive and that other electrical components 24 may be considered.

[0020] The power supply track 26 extends from the electrical component 24 to a connection terminal 28, allowing the electrical circuit 22 to be connected to a power source and / or a control device for the electrical circuit 22. The connection terminal 28 opens outside the fabric 12, for example, at its periphery between the first layer 16 and the second layer 18. In one embodiment, the connection terminal 18 is fixed to one of the mounting elements 14. An example of connection terminals 28 is shown in the figure. Fig. 4 , these connection terminals 28 can be connected to different types of external electrical components, such as a communication bus or a power supply, in order to connect the electrical circuit 22 to the vehicle's electrical system for example.

[0021] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electrical circuit 22 is printed on the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material 16, which makes it possible to produce the web 12 in a particularly simple way, by printing the electrical circuit 22 on the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material 16 and then assembling, for example by gluing the first layer of plastic material 16 and the second layer of plastic material 18 by applying the inner face of the second layer of plastic material 18 to the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material 16. The printing of the electrical circuit 22 is done, for example, by using a conductive metallic ink to create tracks on the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material 16.

[0022] As depicted on the Figs. 2 And 3The web 22 may include several electrical circuits 22 to enable the web 22 to perform various functions, including those described previously, by integrating a plurality of electrical components 24 into the web 12. All the electrical circuits 22 extend over the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material and are, for example, produced simultaneously by printing. It is also understood that an electrical circuit 22 may include several electrical components 24 connected to each other by power supply tracks 26. On the Fig. 2 The various external connections of the electrical circuits 22 around the web 12 are schematically represented. It is understood, however, that advantageously, the connection terminals 28 of all or part of the electrical circuits are combined in a single location on the suspension web 4, for example on one of the mounting elements 14, in order to simplify the operations of connecting the electrical circuits 22 to the vehicle's electrical system, as shown in the diagram. Fig. 4 .

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least the first layer of plastic material 16 and the electrical circuit(s) 22 provided thereon are made using a flexible circuit board (FCB). In one embodiment, the FCB also incorporates the second layer of plastic material 18, or this second layer of plastic material 18 is itself made in the form of an FCB. Thus, the second layer of plastic material may also include at least one electrical circuit extending over its face opposite the inner face 20 of the first layer of plastic material.

[0024] It should be noted that the first layer of plastic material 16 comprising at least one electrical circuit 22 can extend from the inner side of the support element, i.e. the first face of the fabric 12 forms the inner face of the suspension web 4 turned towards the bearing surface of the support element on which a seat occupant rests, or from the outer side of the support element, i.e. the first face of the fabric 12 forms the outer face of the suspension web 4, opposite the inner face and turned towards the back of the support element.When the first face of the fabric 12 forms the inner face, then the outer face of the second layer of plastic material 18, defining the second face of the fabric 12, forms the outer face of the suspension web 4 and conversely, when the first face of the fabric 12 forms the outer face, then the outer face of the second layer of plastic material 18 forms the outer face of the suspension web 4.

[0025] The mounting elements 14 of the suspension sheet 4 extend, for example, along two opposite edges of the fabric 12 to allow the suspension sheet 4 to be attached to two opposite arms of the frame formed by the structure 2. According to the embodiment shown in the Fig. 1 As previously stated, the mounting elements 14 allow, for example, the suspension mat 4 to be attached to the lower cross member 6 and the upper cross member 8 of the frame 2. For this purpose, each mounting element 14 includes at least one fixing element 30 for the frame 2. Each mounting element 14 includes, for example, several fixing elements 30 distributed along the mounting element 14 and taking the form, for example, of hooks that attach around the cross members of the frame 2, as particularly visible on the Fig. 1 It is understood that additional mounting elements 14 may be provided, for example to fix the suspension sheet 4 to the uprights 10 of the frame 2.

[0026] The mounting elements 14 are fixed to the fabric 12, for example, by overmolding. The mounting elements 14 are rigid and prevent the fabric 12 from folding back on itself in the direction in which the mounting elements 14 extend. All or part of the connection terminals 28 of the electrical circuits are, for example, joined on the mounting element 14, allowing the suspension cable 4 to be fixed to the lower cross member 6 of the frame 2 in order to bring these terminals 28 closer to the vehicle floor, which facilitates the connection of the suspension cable to the vehicle's electrical system, which generally passes through the vehicle floor.

[0027] The suspension cable 4 described above facilitates and accelerates the production of a support element 1 and allows for the simple integration of numerous functionalities within the support element 1. This is because all the electrical components 24 can be combined in a single piece within the web 12 of the suspension cable 4, enabling their assembly in a single step within the support element 1. It is understood, however, that the support element 1 may include one or more additional electrical circuits not integrated into the suspension cable. Connecting the electrical components 24 to the vehicle's electrical system can also be simplified by grouping the connection terminals 28, for example, on one of the mounting elements 14.

Claims

1. Suspension membrane (4) of a vehicle seat support element (1), comprising a fabric (12) made of plastics material extending between a first face and a second face and comprising at least a first layer made of plastics material (16), comprising an outer face forming the first face and an inner face (20) opposite the outer face, and a second layer made of plastics material (18) comprising an outer face forming the second face and an inner face opposite the outer face, the inner faces (20) of the first layer (16) and of the second layer (18) being applied against one another, said suspension membrane (4) being characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical circuit (22), comprising at least one electrical component (24) and a power lead (26) for said component (24), extending between a part of the inner faces (20) of the first layer (16) and of the second layer (18).

2. Suspension membrane according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit (22) is printed on the inner face (20) of the first layer (16).

3. Suspension membrane according to claim 2, wherein the first layer (16) and the electrical circuit (22) form a flexible printed circuit board.

4. Suspension membrane according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrical circuit (22) is made of a conductive metal material.

5. Suspension membrane according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical circuit (22) comprises at least one connection terminal (28) electrically connected to the power lead (26), said connection terminal emerging outside the fabric (12) made of plastics material.

6. Suspension membrane according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fabric (12) made of plastics material extends between at least two rigid mounting elements (14) attached to opposite edges of the fabric (12) made of plastics material, said fabric (12) being taut between said mounting elements (14) when the suspension membrane (4) is mounted in a seat support element (1).

7. Suspension membrane according to claim 6, wherein the mounting elements (14) each comprise at least one element (30) for attaching the suspension membrane (4) to an armature (2) of a seat support element (1).

8. Suspension membrane according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of electrical circuits (22) extend between part of the inner faces (20) of the first layer (16) and of the second layer (18), each electrical circuit (22) comprising at least one electrical component (24) and at least one power lead (26) for said component (24).

9. Suspension membrane according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical component (24) is selected from a heating element, a light source, a vibrating element, a sensor, a device for controlling an airbag, an element for connecting an external electrical component.

10. Vehicle seat support element comprising an armature (2) defining a frame, a suspension membrane (4) according to any of claims 1 to 9 attached to and extending into the frame, and a padding extending over the armature (2) and the suspension membrane (4), said padding being applied against said suspension membrane (4).