Vehicle seat assembly and associated assembly method
The vehicle seat assembly simplifies assembly and reduces weight by using grooves for air circulation, addressing the complexity and heaviness issues in existing seat designs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021005169
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle seat assemblies are cumbersome and tedious to assemble due to numerous components, and they become heavy with additional mounting elements, complicating the integration of ventilation systems.
The vehicle seat assembly features grooves on the support and padding elements that define an internal volume for air circulation, eliminating the need for additional mounting elements and enhancing air circulation through direct fluid communication with the ventilation duct.
Facilitates assembly by integrating ventilation without extra components, ensuring efficient air circulation and reducing weight, while maintaining comfort and functionality.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle seat assembly and associated assembly method
[0001] The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a vehicle seat assembly comprising:
[0002] - a support element comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, opposite the outer surface, the support member defining a through opening from the inner surface to the outer surface,
[0003] - a padding element comprising an inner surface, said surface interior being fixed at least in part on the interior surface of the support element,
[0004] - a ventilation system assembled on the support element, the system of ventilation comprising at least one ventilation duct and being adapted to blow and / or suck a volume of air through said ventilation duct, the ventilation duct being in fluid communication with the through opening of the support element.
[0005] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of mounting such an assembly.
[0006] Finally, the invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a vehicle seat comprising at least one such assembly.
[0007] The vehicle seat assembly is, for example, a vehicle seat base or backrest intended to accommodate a vehicle passenger.
[0008] The ventilation system ensures passenger comfort by blowing or sucking in a volume of air, for example heated or cooled.
[0009] The assembly of this type of assembly is generally long and tedious because numerous assembly elements are necessary in order to make the different elements of the assembly cooperate. In addition, these assembly elements make the vehicle seat assembly heavier.
[0010] An objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a vehicle seat assembly that facilitates its assembly while allowing good ventilation of the padding element.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly of the aforementioned type in which the inner surface of the support element and / or the inner surface of the padding element define at least one groove,
[0012] an inner surface of the groove, the inner surface of the support member and the inner surface of the cushioning member defining therebetween an internal volume in fluid communication with the through opening.
[0013] Thus, the assembly of the assembly is facilitated since it is the inner surfaces of the support and padding elements that define the internal volume in which the volume of air blown or sucked by the ventilation system circulates. It is no longer necessary to provide additional mounting elements to ensure this function. In addition, the fact that the inner surface of the padding element is directly fluidically in contact with the internal volume and the ventilation duct of the ventilation system improves the circulation of air from the internal volume to the interior of the padding element and vice versa.
[0014] According to different embodiments, the assembly further comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:
[0015] - the internal volume is completely defined by the inner surface of the groove, the inner surface of the support element and the inner surface of the padding element, the volume of air blown and / or sucked by the ventilation system circulating in the internal volume;
[0016] - the assembly further comprises an intermediate fixing ring received in the through opening, the ventilation system cooperating with the intermediate fixing ring;
[0017] - the intermediate fixing ring comprises part of a fixing system by bayonet suitable for fixing the ventilation system on the intermediate fixing ring;
[0018] - the intermediate fixing ring covers an internal wall of the opening crossing;
[0019] - the inner surface of the support element extends in a first direction extension, said inner surface having a dimension along said first direction of extension, the groove extending along a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction of extension and having a dimension along the second direction of extension at least equal to 50% of the dimension of the inner surface;
[0020] - the inner surface of the support element defines at least two grooves arranged on either side of the through opening;
[0021] - the support element comprises at least one deflection element arranged at inside the groove, the deflecting element being intended to deflect an air flow in the internal volume and to form a support element for the cushioning element bearing against the inner surface of said cushioning element.
[0022] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a method of mounting a vehicle seat assembly as described above, the method comprising the following steps:
[0023] - assembly of the ventilation system on the support element, the duct ventilation being in fluid communication with the through opening of the support element, and
[0024] - fixing the inner surface of the padding element on at least one part of the inner surface of the support element,
[0025] the inner surface of the groove, the inner surface of the support element and the inner surface of the cushioning element defining between them an internal volume in fluid communication with the through opening.
[0026] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises a step of inserting an intermediate fixing ring into the through opening, the ventilation system cooperating with the intermediate fixing ring.
[0027] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising at least one assembly as described above.
[0028] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, among which:
[0029] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is an exploded perspective representation of a set according to the invention,
[0030] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the support element of the assembly of the [Fig.l],
[0031] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cross-section of the whole of [Fig.l],
[0032] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective representation of the intermediate ring of fixing of the whole [Fig.l],
[0033] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective representation of the intermediate ring of fixing and ventilation system of the whole [Fig.l], and
[0034] - [Fig.6] [Fig.7] [Fig.8] Figures 6 to 8 are schematic representations of the steps of assembling the ventilation system on the support element of the assembly [Fig.l].
[0035] [Fig.l] is an exploded perspective representation of a vehicle seat assembly 10 according to the invention.
[0036] In the example described, the assembly 10 is a vehicle seat base.
[0037] Alternatively, the assembly 10 is a vehicle seat back.
[0038] The assembly 10 according to the invention comprises a support element 12 comprising an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16, opposite the inner surface 14. The assembly 10 further comprises a padding element 18 comprising an inner surface 20 fixed at least in part on the inner surface 14 of the support element 12. The assembly 10 further comprises a ventilation system 22. Preferably, the assembly 10 further comprises an intermediate fixing ring 24.
[0039] In the case of a seat base, the outer surface 16 of the support element 12 is intended to be oriented towards a floor of the vehicle (not shown).
[0040] The support element 12 is for example made of a polymer material, for example polyethylene. Preferably, the support element 12 is obtained by molding.
[0041] The inner surface 14 of the support element 12 extends in a first direction of extension PL. The inner surface 14 has a dimension di in the direction of extension PL.
[0042] The support element 12 defines a through opening 26 from the inner surface 14 to the outer surface 16. Preferably, the through opening 26 defines a substantially cylindrical inner wall 28 with a circular base of axis R substantially perpendicular locally to the inner surface 14 of the support element 12. By locally, it is meant that the axis R is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 14 at least at the location of the inner surface where the through opening 26 is made.
[0043] The inner surface 14 of the support element further defines at least one groove 30 visible in particular in Figures 1 and 2. In the example shown, the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 defines two grooves 30 arranged on either side of the through opening 26. Each groove 30 extends mainly in a direction of extension P2 from a first end 32 to a second end 34. The second ends 34 of the two grooves 30 are connected to each other. The grooves 30 form between them a recess 36 in the support element 12 connected to the through opening 26. By connected to the through opening 26, it is meant that the through opening 26 opens into the recess 36 on the side of the inner surface 14.
[0044] The direction of extension P2 of each of the grooves 30 is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the inner surface 14 of the support element 12. Each groove 30 has a dimension d2 along the direction of extension P2 at least equal to 50% of the dimension di of the inner surface 14, preferably between 50% and 90% of the dimension did of the inner surface 14, advantageously between 70% and 90% of the dimension di of the inner surface 14. Thus, the groove 30 extends over a significant portion of the inner surface 14 of the support element 12, which makes it possible to ensure ventilation over a significant region of the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18.
[0045] An inner surface 38 of each of the grooves 30, the inner surface 14 of the support member 12 around the grooves 30 and the inner surface 20 of the cushioning member 18 define between them an internal volume 40 in fluid communication with the through opening 26. The internal volume 40 is completely defined by the inner surface 38 of the groove 30, the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 and the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18, the volume of air blown and / or sucked by the ventilation system 22 circulating in the internal volume 40, that is to say that additional elements are not necessary to delimit the internal volume 40. In other words, the internal volume 40 is only defined by the inner surface 38 of the groove 30, the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 and the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18. This facilitates the manufacture and assembly of the assembly 10.
[0046] Preferably, at least one groove 30 comprises at least one deflection element 42 arranged inside the groove 30. The deflection element 42 is intended to ensure the maintenance of the padding element 18 and to prevent said element 18 from collapsing, thus reducing the internal volume 40. Such a deflection element 42 is for example formed by a wall extending in projection from the inner surface 38 of the groove into a part of this groove.
[0047] The inner surface 20 of the padding element 18 is for example fixed by mechanical fasteners and / or by gluing (not shown) on at least a part of the inner surface 14 of the support element 12.
[0048] The padding element 18 ([Fig. 3]) comprises for example an inner layer 44 of material surrounded, at least at the level of an outer surface 46 of the padding element 18, by a layer of filling 48. The outer surface 46 is intended to receive the passenger, that is to say that the passenger is supported on at least a part of the outer surface 46 when he is seated in the seat comprising the assembly according to the invention.
[0049] The inner layer 44 of material is for example a layer of flexible synthetic foam to ensure the comfort of the passenger.
[0050] The filling layer 48 is for example made of fabric, leather, such as perforated natural or synthetic leather, or any other air-permeable material.
[0051] The ventilation system 22 is assembled on the support element 12.
[0052] The ventilation system 22 is adapted to blow and / or suck a volume of air into / from the internal volume 40. The ventilation system 22 comprises for example a housing 50 and a rotor (not shown) adapted to rotate a plurality of blades to circulate the air inside the housing 50.
[0053] The ventilation system 22 comprises at least one ventilation duct in fluid communication with the through opening 26 of the support element.
[0054] The ventilation duct is preferably substantially cylindrical in revolution. The ventilation duct 52 projects from one face of the housing 50 towards the through opening 26. Preferably, the ventilation duct 52 is received inside the through opening 26, without however passing through the through opening 26, that is to say that it does not extend projecting inside the internal volume 40.
[0055] Preferably, the intermediate fixing ring 24 is received in the through opening 26. The intermediate fixing ring 24 cooperates with the ventilation system 22, and more particularly with the ventilation duct 52. The intermediate fixing ring 24 facilitates the fixing of the ventilation system 22 on the support element 12.
[0056] The intermediate fixing ring 24 has a substantially tubular shape. The intermediate fixing ring 24 comprises a side wall 54 covering the internal wall 28 of the through opening 26.
[0057] The intermediate fixing ring 24 further comprises an inner end 56 connected to the side wall 54 and received inside the internal volume 40 bearing on the inner surface 14 of the support element 12, on a periphery of the through opening 26. The inner end 56 comprises for example a bearing collar 58 ([Fig.4]) arranged on a periphery of the intermediate fixing ring 24 and extending radially towards the periphery of the through opening 26. The bearing collar 58 bears on the inner surface 14 of the support element 12, around the through opening 26.
[0058] Alternatively, the inner end 56 comprises a plurality of support members (not shown) extending radially towards the periphery of the through opening 26.
[0059] The ventilation duct 52 cooperates mechanically with the intermediate fixing ring 24.
[0060] To do this, the intermediate fixing ring 24 comprises for example a part 60 of a bayonet fixing system 62 adapted to fix the ventilation system 22 on the intermediate fixing ring 24. The side wall 54 of the ventilation duct 52 comprises a complementary part 63 of the bayonet fixing system 62 adapted to fix the ventilation system 22 on the intermediate fixing ring 24.
[0061] For example, as illustrated in more detail in [Fig. 5], an inner surface 64 of the intermediate fixing ring 24 comprises at least two lugs 66 received in two corresponding housings 68 defined by the side wall 54 of the ventilation duct 52.
[0062] In an embodiment in which the ventilation system 22 is adapted to suck a volume of air into the internal volume 40, the housing 50 further comprises at least one air outlet in fluid communication with the ambient air. The air is thus expelled from the internal volume 50 via the air outlet.
[0063] In an embodiment in which the ventilation system 22 is adapted to blow a volume of air into the internal volume 40, the housing 50 further comprises at least one air inlet in fluid communication with the ambient air, that is to say with the air present in the passenger compartment. The air is thus sucked in by the air inlet inside the housing 50 of the ventilation system 22 then blown into the internal volume 40 via the ventilation duct 52.
[0064] In addition, the ventilation system 22 may comprise a heating and / or cooling device (not shown) adapted to respectively heat and / or cool the air before being blown into the internal volume 40.
[0065] A method of mounting an assembly 10 for a vehicle seat will now be described in particular with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0066] The method firstly comprises assembling the ventilation system 22 on the support element 12.
[0067] To do this, preferably, the intermediate fixing ring 24 is inserted into the through opening 26 from the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 so that the intermediate fixing ring 24 covers the inner wall 28 of the through opening 26. The support collar 58 of the intermediate fixing ring 24 is positioned in abutment on the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 on the periphery of the through opening 26.
[0068] The ventilation system 22 is then inserted inside the through opening 26, and more particularly inside the intermediate fixing ring 24 by a translational movement along the axis R of the through opening 26.
[0069] The part 60 of the bayonet fixing system 62 of the intermediate fixing ring 24 then cooperates with the complementary part 63 of the bayonet fixing system 62 of the ventilation system 22. In particular, the lugs 66 of the intermediate fixing ring 24 are received in the housings 68 of the ventilation system 22. A rotational movement around the axis R allows each of the lugs 66 to be locked in the respective housings 68.
[0070] The method then comprises a step of fixing the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18 to at least a portion of the inner surface 14 of the support element 12. The inner surface 38 of the groove 30, the inner surface 14 of the support element 12 and the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18 then define between them the internal volume 40 in fluid communication with the through opening 26.
[0071] Thus, the vehicle seat assembly 10 according to the invention is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the assembly of the assembly 10 is facilitated since it is the inner surfaces 14, 20 of the support 12 and padding 18 elements which define the internal volume 40 in which the volume of air blown or sucked by the ventilation system 22 circulates, without additional elements being necessary. In addition, the fact that the inner surface 20 of the padding element 18 is fluidly in contact with the internal volume 40 and the ventilation duct 52 of the ventilation system 22 improves the circulation of air from the internal volume 40 to the interior of the padding element 18 and vice versa.
Claims
Claims
1. Assembly (10) for a vehicle seat comprising: - a support element (12) comprising an outer surface (16) and an inner surface (14), opposite the outer surface (16), the support element (12) defining a through opening (26) from the inner surface (14) to the outer surface (16), - a padding element (18) having an inner surface (20), said inner surface (20) being fixed at least in part to the inner surface (14) of the support element (12), - a ventilation system (22) assembled on the support element (12), the ventilation system (22) comprising at least one ventilation duct (52) and being adapted to blow and / or suck a volume of air through said ventilation duct (52), the ventilation duct (52) being in fluid communication with the through opening (26) of the support element (12),characterized in that the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) defines at least one groove (30), an inner surface (38) of the groove (30), the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) and the inner surface (20) of the padding element (18) defining between them an internal volume (40) in fluid communication with the through opening (26), the assembly (10) further comprising an intermediate fixing ring (24) received in the through opening (26), the ventilation system (22) cooperating with the intermediate fixing ring (24), the ventilation system (22) being inserted inside the intermediate fixing ring (24).,
2. An assembly (10) according to claim 1, the internal volume (40) is completely defined by the inner surface (38) of the groove (30), the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) and the inner surface (20) of the cushioning element (18), the volume of air blown and / or sucked by the ventilation system (22) circulating in the internal volume (40).
3. An assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate fixing ring (24) comprises a portion (60) of a bayonet fixing system (62) adapted to fix the ventilation system (22) to the intermediate fixing ring (24).
4. An assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate fixing ring (24) covers an internal wall (28) of the through opening (26).
5. Assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) extends in a first direction of extension (PI), said inner surface (14) having a dimension (dj) in said first direction of extension (PI), the groove (30) extending in a second direction (P2) substantially parallel to the first direction of extension (PI) and having a dimension (d2) in the second direction of extension (P2) at least equal to 50% of the dimension (dj) of the inner surface (14).
6. An assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) defines at least two grooves (30) disposed on either side of the through opening (26).
7. An assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support element (12) comprises at least one deflecting element (42) disposed inside the groove (30), the deflecting element (42) being intended to deflect an air flow in the internal volume (40) and to form a support element for the cushioning element (18) bearing against the inner surface (20) of said cushioning element (18).
8. A method of mounting an assembly (10) for a vehicle seat, the assembly (10) comprising: - a support element (12) having an outer surface (16) and an inner surface (14) opposite the outer surface (16), the support element (12) defining a through opening (26) from the inner surface (14) to the outer surface (16), - a padding element (18) having an inner surface (20), and - a ventilation system (22) comprising at least one ventilation duct (52), the ventilation system (22) being adapted to blow and / or suck a volume of air through said ventilation duct (52), the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) defining at least one groove (30), the method comprising the following steps:
9. - assembling the ventilation system (22) on the support element (12), the ventilation duct (52) being in fluid communication with the through opening (26) of the support element (12), and - fixing the inner surface (20) of the padding element (18) on at least a part of the inner surface (14) of the support element (12), the inner surface (38) of the groove (30), the inner surface (14) of the support element (12) and the inner surface (20) of the padding element (18) defining between them an internal volume (40) in fluid communication with the through opening (26), the method further comprising a step of inserting an intermediate fixing ring (24) into the through opening (26), the ventilation system (22) cooperating with the intermediate fixing ring (24), the ventilation system (22) being inserted inside the intermediate fixing ring (24). Vehicle seat comprising at least one assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.