Pivoting base for a vehicle seat, in particular of a motor vehicle, and associated seat and motor vehicle

Abstract

The pivoting base (100), for a seat (20) of a motor vehicle (10), in particular a camper van, comprises a first plate (110) and a second plate (120), which are assembled to each other by means of a rotation device (126), in an assembled configuration of the pivoting base, wherein the plates provide an intermediate volume (V100) therebetween. The plates are respectively assembled to a floor of the vehicle and to the seat by first and second fastening screws (201, 202), which each comprise a threaded shank and a head. The thickness of the head of the at least one screw, referred to as a flat screw, from among the first and second screws (201, 202), is less than 45% of a diameter of the shank of said screw.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Swivel base for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle, associated seat and motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a pivoting base for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, a vehicle seat comprising such a pivoting base, and a motor vehicle comprising such a seat.

[0003] Some vehicles, particularly recreational vehicles such as motorhomes, also known as camper vans, are generally equipped with seats mounted on a swivel base, so that the seats can be rotated, at the user's discretion, depending on the circumstances. For example, the driver's seat faces the front of the vehicle during driving phases, while when the vehicle is stopped for camping, the driver's seat faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] A swivel base consists of two plates, which are made of metal sheets and are mounted to pivot relative to each other by means of a bearing. One of the plates is fixed to the seat, while the other plate is fixed to the floor of the vehicle. The plates are fixed to the corresponding element, seat or floor, by means of reversible fixing devices, generally screws or bolts. It is thus possible to equip a non-swivel seat with a swivel base, or to remove a defective base.

[0005] All elements of a vehicle, and in particular each swivel seat and the associated swivel base, must have sufficient mechanical strength, in order to comply with safety standards in the event of an accident. Thus, the elements of the base, in particular the plates and the plate fixing devices, have minimal dimensions, which means that the base has a certain bulk. However, swivel bases are often mounted on existing seats, so it is desirable to minimize the dimensions of the swivel bases, so as not to raise the vehicle seats too much. In particular, certain standards limit the seat raising to 25 mm.

[0006] JP-2004 / 008443-A, AU-2006 / 100928-A4 and JP-2002 / 307987-A each describe prior art swivel bases.

[0007] It is these problems that the invention aims to address more specifically by proposing a pivoting base for a vehicle seat which is both strong and has a reduced footprint.To this end, the invention relates to a pivoting base for a seat of a motor vehicle, in particular a camper van, the pivoting base comprising: a first plate, which extends along a first plane and which is configured to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle by means of first fixing screws, a second plate, which extends along a second plane and which is configured to be fixed to the seat by means of second fixing screws, in which: the second plate is assembled to the first plate by means of a rotation device, in an assembled configuration of the pivoting base, where the second plate is held at a distance from and facing the first plate, the first plane being parallel to the second plane, the second plate being guided in rotation relative to the first plate about a pivot axis orthogonal to the first plane, the first plate and the second plate providing an intermediate volume between them,.

[0008] - each of the first and second fixing screws comprises a threaded rod and a head, the rod of each screw extending along a rod axis and being configured to pass through the respective plate, while the associated head is received in the intermediate volume, the head of each screw comprises a bearing face, which is configured to bear against the respective opposite plate when the pivoting base is assembled to the seat or to the floor, and an external face, opposite the bearing face, the head of each screw has a thickness, which is equal to a maximum of a distance, measured parallel to the rod axis, between the bearing face and the external face.

[0009] According to the invention, the thickness of the head of at least one screw, called a flat screw, among the first and second screws, is less than 45% of a diameter of the rod.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, the fixing screws of the two plates have thin heads, which makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the pivoting base. The fixing screws have a small size, while being strong, in particular resistant to tearing or shearing: the pivoting base has a satisfactory level of safety in the event of an accident. The risks of interference between the heads of the flat screws, whether during the pivoting of the pivoting base or when the vehicle is moving and the base is subjected to dynamic forces, are reduced. According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a pivoting base may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics taken individually or in any technically admissible combination:

[0011] For each flat screw, the thickness is less than 38% of the shank diameter, preferably less than 31%.

[0012] For each flat screw, the diameter of the corresponding rod is greater than or equal to 8 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm.

[0013] For the head of each flat screw, the external face is parallel to the bearing face.

[0014] For each flat screw, the head has a cylindrical shape with a hexagonal section.

[0015] For each flat screw, the head thickness is less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3.5 mm, preferably less than 3.0 mm.

[0016] The intermediate volume has a height, measured parallel to the pivot axis, of less than 19 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, more preferably less than 13 mm.

[0017] The invention also relates to a seat for a motor vehicle, the seat comprising a seat and a pivoting base as described above, in which the seat is fixed to the second plate of the pivoting base.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a camper van, comprising the seat as described above, in which the first plate of the pivoting base is fixed to a floor of the motor vehicle.

[0019] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a pivoting base for a seat, a seat and a motor vehicle, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] - [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a motor vehicle in accordance with the invention, comprising a seat mounted on a pivoting base, also in accordance with the invention;

[0021] - [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the seat of Figure 1, observed along arrow II, and

[0022] - [Fig 3] Figure 3 represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a detail Ilia of the pivoting base of Figure 2 and a part of the pivoting base.

[0023] A motor vehicle 10 is shown in Figure 1. The motor vehicle 10 is here a camper van. The motor vehicle 10, also simply called "vehicle 10" in the context of the present description, comprises a body 12 which provides an internal volume V12 intended to accommodate people, driver or passengers of the vehicle 10. The body 12 rests on wheels 14, which rest on the ground 16. The ground 16 is assumed to be horizontal, the following description being made in relation to the orientation of the various elements of the vehicle 10 as shown in the figures, knowing that it may be otherwise in reality.

[0024] The body 12 comprises a floor 12A, which extends parallel to the ground 16. The floor 12A is therefore horizontal here. The vehicle 10 is configured to move in a preferred direction, defining a forward direction of the vehicle 10. The forward direction is here oriented towards the left of FIG. 1. The vehicle 10 provides a driving position, represented schematically by a steering wheel 18, which is located on a front side of the vehicle 10. The front side of the vehicle 10 is here located on the left of FIG. 1. A rear side of the vehicle 10 is a side opposite the front side. The rear side of the vehicle 10 is here located on the right of FIG. 1.

[0025] The vehicle 10 comprises a seat 20, which is received in the interior volume V12 and which is fixed to the body 12, the seat 20 being designed to accommodate a person in a seated position. The seat 20 is here a driver's seat, that is to say a seat arranged facing the steering wheel 18. In a variant not shown, the seat 20 is a passenger seat, for example a seat next to the driver, or even a seat located in a rear row relative to the driver's seat.

[0026] The seat 20 comprises a seat 22, on which the driver sits, and a backrest 24. The seat 20 also comprises a pivoting base 100. The seat 20 is fixed to the floor 12A by means of the pivoting base 100, in an assembled configuration of the seat 20. In the assembled configuration of the seat 20, the seat 22 extends substantially parallel to the floor 12A.

[0027] The pivoting base 100, also referred to simply as “base 100” hereinafter, is here fixed to the floor 12A by means of a base 102. The base 102 is here shown schematically and has a generally parallelepiped shape. The base 102 is here used to adjust the height of the seat 22 relative to the floor 12A. In a variant not shown, the base 102 is omitted, in which case the base 100 is fixed directly to the floor 12A.

[0028] With reference to Figure 2, the base 100 comprises a first plate 110 and a second plate 120. The first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are each formed in a metal plate, preferably a steel plate, and are for example manufactured by cutting and / or stamping. The plates 110 and 120 are chosen to be sufficiently thick to mechanically withstand dynamic forces, in particular in the event of an accident or crash test, while remaining as thin as possible, to avoid unnecessary weight. Thus, generally speaking, the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 each have a thickness of between 3 mm and 6 mm. In the example illustrated, the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 each have a thickness equal to 5 mm.

[0029] The first plate 110 has a substantially planar shape and extends along a first plane P110. The first plate 110 is configured to be fixed to the floor 12A of the vehicle 10 by means of first screws 201. In the example illustrated, the first plate 110 is fixed to the floor 12A via the base 102 by means of the first screws 201.

[0030] The first plate 110 here has a generally rectangular shape, with four angles 112, one of the first screws 201 being arranged in the vicinity of each of the angles 112 of the first plate 110. The shape of the first plate 110 is not limiting. Alternatively, the first plate 110 has a trapezoidal shape.

[0031] The first plate 110 provides a first orifice 114. The first orifice 114 is here located substantially at the barycenter of the four angles 112 and has a circular contour centered on a first axis A114, which is orthogonal to the first plane P110. Alternatively, the first orifice 114 is offset relative to the barycenter of the four angles 112, so as to benefit from the offset during and / or at the end of rotation of the seat 20.

[0032] The second plate 120 has a substantially planar shape and extends along a second plane P120. The second plate 120 is configured to be fixed to the seat 22 by means of second screws 202. In the illustrated example, the second plate 120 is fixed to the seat 22 by means of slides 23, which are optional. In a variant not illustrated, the slides 23 are omitted, and the second plate 120 is directly fixed to the seat 22 by means of the second screws 202. According to another variant not illustrated, the first plate 110 is fixed to the floor 12A by means of the slides 23, that is to say that the slides 23 are interposed between the pivoting base 100 and the floor 12A.

[0033] The second plate 120 here has a generally rectangular shape, with four angles 122, one of the second screws 201 being arranged in the vicinity of each of the angles 122 of the second plate 120. The shape of the second plate 120 is not limiting. Alternatively, the second plate 120 has a trapezoidal shape. Preferably, the second plate 120 is similar to the first plate 110. More preferably, the second plate 120 is identical to the first plate 110. What is valid for the first plate 110 is transposable to the second plate 120. The second plate 120 provides a second orifice 124. The second orifice 124 here has a circular shape centered on a second axis A124, which is orthogonal to the second plane P120.

[0034] The second plate 120 is assembled to the first plate 110 by means of a rotation device 126, in an assembled configuration of the pivoting base 100, in which the second plate 120 is held at a distance from and facing the first plate 110, the first plane P110 being parallel to the second plane P120, the second plate 120 being guided in rotation relative to the first plate 110 according to a rotational movement F100 around a pivot axis A100 orthogonal to the first plane P1 10. The rotation device 126 is represented schematically in FIG. 2 by a dotted cylinder. The rotational movement F100 is represented, in FIGS. 1 and 2, by a circular double arrow centered on the pivot axis A100.

[0035] The rotation device 126, which belongs to the pivoting base 100, is for example a bearing, in particular a sliding bearing, which is received in the first and second orifices 114 and 124. The pivot axis A100 is thus merged with the first and second axes A114 and A124.

[0036] The pivoting base 100 generally comprises a locking device, which is controlled by a user and which serves to selectively lock an angular position of the first plate 110 relative to the second plate 120 around the pivot axis A100, so as to prevent untimely rotational movements F100 of the pivoting base. The locking device is not shown.

[0037] In the assembled configuration of the pivoting base 100, the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 provide between them an intermediate volume V100. The intermediate volume V100 has a height H100, which is measured parallel to the pivot axis A100. When the pivoting base 100 is inserted between the seat 20 and the floor 12A, this seat 20 is raised by a height substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second plates 110 and 120, and the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100. The maximum height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is notably chosen as a function of the thicknesses of the first and second plates 110 and 120, so as to comply with the various regulatory constraints, in particular so that the elevation of the seat 20 remains less than 25 mm.

[0038] When the thickness of the first and second plates 110 and 120 is equal to 3 mm, the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is chosen to be less than 19 mm. When the thickness of the first and second plates 110 and 120 is equal to 6 mm, the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is chosen to be less than 13 mm. In the example illustrated, the first and second plates 110 and 120 each have a thickness equal to 5 mm, thus the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is less than 15 mm. The height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is here equal to 12 mm. According to other examples, the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is equal to 13 mm. More generally, the height H100 of the intermediate volume V100 is less than 19 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, more preferably less than 13 mm. The pivoting base 100 is thus particularly compact.

[0039] Each of the first and second screws 201 and 202 comprises a rod 210 and a head 212. Each rod 210 is threaded, has a diameter D210 and extends along a rod axis A210.

[0040] In the assembled configuration of the pivoting base 100 to the seat 20, the rod 210 of each second screw 202 passes through the second plate 120, while the head 212 associated with this rod 210 is received in the intermediate volume V100. Similarly, in the assembled configuration of the pivoting base 100 to the floor 12A, the rod 210 of each first screw 201 passes through the first plate 110, while the head 212 associated with this rod 210 is received in the intermediate volume V100.

[0041] Each head 212 thus comprises a bearing face 214, which is oriented towards the side of the corresponding rod 210 and which is configured to bear against the opposite plate 110 or 120. Each head 212 also comprises an external face 216, which is oriented opposite the bearing face 214. Each head 212 has a thickness E212, which is equal to a maximum of a distance, measured parallel to the rod axis A210, between the bearing face 214 and the external face 216.

[0042] In the figures, the first and second plates 110 and 120 are shown in a so-called “front” orientation, which corresponds to the seat 20 facing the front of the vehicle 10. By extension, the pivoting base 100 is said to be in a front configuration. In this front configuration, the external face 216 of each first screw 201 is located opposite the external face 216 of a second screw 202. It is understood that during the rotational movements F100 of the base 100, in particular when the seat 20 is pivoted while a person is seated on this seat 20, the heads 212 of the first and second screws 201 and 202 risk coming closer together, or even colliding, which is not desirable.

[0043] For this purpose, the thickness E212 is less than 45% of the diameter D210 of the rod 210, preferably less than 38%, preferably less than 31%.

[0044] Thus the first screws 201 and second screws 202, which have a head 212 of small thickness compared to the diameter D210 of the rod 210, are also called “flat screws”.

[0045] The thickness of the first and second plates 110 and 120, as well as the diameters D210 of the rods 210, are notably chosen according to the type of seat 20 that the pivoting base 100 supports. Generally, the rods 210 have a diameter D210 of between 8 mm and 12 mm. Thus the diameter D210 of the rod 210 is greater than or equal to 8 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm.

[0046] In the example illustrated, the diameter D210 of each rod 210 is equal to 8 mm.

[0047] Preferably, the thickness E212 of each head 212 is less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3.5 mm, preferably less than 3.0 mm. This avoids the risks of interference between the heads 212 of the first and second screws 201 and 202, for example during the rotational movements F100 of the pivoting base 100, or else, while the vehicle 10 is moving and the first and second screws 201 and 203 are facing each other, when the plates 110 and 120 flex under the effect of the transient forces and accelerations generated by the movement of the vehicle 10.

[0048] Preferably, the external face 216 is flat, and extends parallel to the bearing face 214. In other words, the head 212 has a constant thickness E212.

[0049] For each head 212, a diameter D212 of this head is defined as being a diameter of a circle C212 inscribed in a contour of this head 212. Each head 212 here has a cylindrical shape with a hexagonal section.

[0050] The bearing surface 214 is as large as possible, so as to distribute the forces between the bearing face 214 and the facing plate 110 or 120. Thus, for each head 212, the diameter D212 is greater than 160% of the diameter D210 of the rod associated with this head 212, preferably greater than 170%, more preferably greater than 180%. In the example illustrated, the diameter D210 of the rods 210 is equal to 8 mm, while the diameter D212 of the associated head 212 is equal to 162% of the diameter D210 of the rods 210. According to a variant not illustrated, the diameter D210 of the rods 210 is equal to 10 mm, while the diameter D212 of the associated head 212 is equal to 170% of the diameter D210 of the rods 210.

[0051] Advantageously, the first screws 201 and the second screws 202 are identical to each other.

[0052] In a variant not shown, a portion of the screws used to fix the first plate 110 to the floor 12A is of a different type from the first screws 201. Similarly, in a variant not shown, a portion of the screws used to fix the second plate 120 to the seat 20 is of a different type from the second screws 202.

[0053] More generally, the pivoting base 100 comprises at least one flat screw, that is to say at least one screw of the type of the first screws 201 or the second screws 202.

[0054] The embodiments and variations mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Swivel base (100) for a seat (20) of a motor vehicle (10), in particular a motorhome, the swivel base (100) comprising: a first plate (110), extending along a first plane (P110) and configured to be fixed to a floor (12A) of the vehicle (10) by means of first fixing screws (201), a second plate (120), extending along a second plane (P120) and configured to be fixed to the seat (20) by means of second fixing screws (202), wherein: the second plate (120) is assembled to the first plate (110) by means of a rotating device (126), in an assembled configuration of the swivel base, where the second plate (120) is held at a distance from and opposite the first plate (110), the first plane (P110) being parallel to the second shot (P120),The second plate (120) is guided in rotation relative to the first plate (110) about a pivot axis (A100) orthogonal to the foreground (P110). The first plate (110) and the second plate (120) have an intervening volume (V100) between them. Each of the first and second fixing screws (201, 202) comprises a threaded shank (210) and a head (212). The shank of each screw extends along a shank axis (A210) and is configured to pass through the respective plate (110, 120), while the associated head (212) is received in the intervening volume (V100). The head (212) of each screw comprises a bearing face (214), which is configured to bear against the respective facing plate (110, 120) when the pivoting base is assembled to the seat (20) or floor (12A), and an external face (216), opposite the bearing face, the head (212) of each screw has a thickness (E212), which is equal to a maximum of a distance,measured parallel to the axis of the rod (A210), between the bearing face (214) and the external face (216), characterized in that: the thickness (E212) of the head (212) of at least one screw, called a flat screw, among the first and second screws (201, 202), is less than 45% of a diameter (D210) of the rod (210).

2. Swivel base (100) according to claim 1, wherein, for each flat screw, the thickness (E212) is less than 38% of the diameter (D210) of the rod (210), preferably less than 31%.

3. Swivel base (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, for each flat screw, the diameter (D210) of the corresponding rod (210) is greater than or equal to 8 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm.

4. Swivel base (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, for the head (212) of each flat screw, the external face (216) is parallel to the bearing face (214).

5. Swivel base (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, for each flat screw, the head (212) has a cylindrical shape with a hexagonal cross-section.

6. Swivel base (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, for each flat screw, the thickness (E212) of the head (212) is less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3.5 mm, preferably less than 3.0 mm.

7. Swivel base (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the intercalated volume (V100) has a height (H100), measured parallel to the pivot axis (A100), of less than 19 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, preferably even less than 13 mm.

8. Seat (20) for a motor vehicle (10), the seat comprising a seat (22) and a swivel base (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (22) is fixed to the second plate (120) of the swivel base (100).

9. Motor vehicle (10), in particular a camper van, comprising a seat (20) according to the preceding claim, in which the first plate (110) of the swivel base (100) is fixed to a floor (12A) of the motor vehicle (10).

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