Motorized vehicle seat adjustment system

Abstract

There is provided a motorized adjustment system (202) for moving a motor vehicle seat connected to the motorized adjustment system (202), the system comprising:- a cross member (205), the cross member (205) comprising an interior space (207) accessible through an open side (206) of the cross member (205);- a first rail (203) attached to a first end (211) of the cross member (205);- a second rail (204) attached to a second end (212) of the cross member (205), opposite the first end (211); and- a drive motor (208) housed in the interior space (207) of the cross member (205), wherein the open side (206) of the cross member (205) faces the first and second rails (203, 204). Abstract Figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Motorized vehicle seat adjustment system Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of adjustment systems for a motor vehicle seat.

[0002] More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a motorized adjustment system for a motor vehicle seat as well as to a method of assembling such a system. Prior art

[0003] Motorized car seats allow a user, for example by the use of an adjustment knob, to change the angle and position of certain parts of the seat, as well as to move the seat forward (i.e. towards the car's engine) or backward (i.e. towards the car's trunk).

[0004] An adjustment system for moving the seat forward or backward may include a pair of rails and a cross member connecting the rails. The movement mechanism (e.g., rack and pinion mechanism) is housed in the rails, and the motor is installed in the cross member.

[0005] The crossbar is often installed at the front of the seat and has an elongated shape and an open side allowing the insertion of mechanical and electronic components into the crossbar, the open side being oriented upwards, i.e. towards the seat of the seat on which the user can sit.

[0006] In a first embodiment according to the prior art, the crosspiece is made of metal, and because of said open side, the motor of the adjustment system is visible and directly accessible by the user. Thus, there is a risk that the user inadvertently touches sensitive parts such as the motor in the crosspiece, which can cause injuries to the user and damage to sensitive parts housed in the crosspiece.

[0007] In a second embodiment according to the prior art, the open side can be covered by a hood, thus remedying the drawbacks of the aforementioned first embodiment.

[0008] However, an important objective of automobile manufacturers and their suppliers is to design and manufacture lightweight automobile components, as well as to minimize the number of individual components assembled in the car, in particular to reduce the overall weight of the car and thus fuel consumption.

[0009] There is therefore a need to create an adjustment system for a motor vehicle seat minimizing the number of components used for its assembly, while maximizing user safety. Summary

[0010] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0011] There is provided a motorized adjustment system intended to move a motor vehicle seat connected to the motorized adjustment system, the system comprising: - a sleeper, the sleeper comprising an interior space accessible through an open side of the sleeper; - a first rail fixed to a first end of the sleeper; - a second rail fixed to a second end of the sleeper, opposite the first end; and - a drive motor housed in the interior space of the sleeper, in which the open side of the sleeper faces the first and second rails.

[0012] The adjustment system allows an object such as a motor vehicle seat installed on the rails and fixed to the rails to be moved.

[0013] The first and second rails may be slides or other guide means.

[0014] The sleeper may be an elongated object having a first end attached to the first rail and a second end attached to the second rail. The sleeper may be made from one or more walls enclosing an interior space, thereby creating a confined area. The interior space may be accessible from the open side.

[0015] When the adjustment system is fixed to a support such as the floor of a vehicle, the open side of the cross member is oriented towards the support.

[0016] The proposed system aims to address the drawbacks mentioned above and to propose a new implementation of a motorized adjustment system. The system is innovative in the construction of the sleeper, particularly in the orientation of the open side of the sleeper relative to the rails.

[0017] The number of individual components used for assembling the adjustment system as well as the weight of the adjustment system is reduced compared to prior art systems, while ensuring the safety of a user of the adjustment system. By orienting the open side of the sleeper toward the rails, the user is not at risk of inadvertently touching the drive motor or other fragile components in the sleeper.

[0018] In one embodiment, the crossmember includes a first wall at its first end and a second wall at its second end. The first and second walls each include an opening. The drive motor includes a first transmission rod that extends through the opening of the first wall and which is connected to a movement mechanism of the first rail, and a second transmission rod which extends through the opening of the second wall and which is connected to a movement mechanism of the second rail.

[0019] An "end" of the sleeper may correspond to an end of the sleeper or to a portion of the sleeper close to one of its ends. Any portion of the sleeper that is closer to an end of the sleeper than to a center point of the sleeper may be considered an end.

[0020] The first and second walls may be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crossmember. The longitudinal axis of the crossmember may correspond to the axis connecting the first end of the crossmember to the second end of the crossmember.

[0021] The openings of the first and second walls may be a hole having a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the transmission rods.

[0022] In another variant, the opening of the second wall may be a hole, and the opening of the first wall may be a recess, e.g., U-shaped. This recess may face the first and second rails and thus have the same orientation as the open side of the sleeper.

[0023] The transmission rods may extend through the opening in the corresponding wall to the outside of the sleeper, and thus transmit the force from the drive motor to the rail movement mechanism.

[0024] The transmission rods are held and stabilized in a predefined position by the opening in the corresponding wall.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first and / or second transmission rod are fixed in the interior space of the cross member by at least one snap-fastening element.

[0026] Securing the transmission rods by at least one snap-fit element allows the transmission rods of the drive motor to be held and stabilized in the crossmember, and prevents parts of the drive motor from disengaging (and falling out of the crossmember through the open side under the effect of gravity).

[0027] In one embodiment, the first rail is attached to the first end of the sleeper and the second rail to the second end of the sleeper by a snap-fastening mechanism, in particular by the use of a clipping part integrated into the sleeper.

[0028] Thus, once the second rail is connected to the sleeper, the drive motor is stabilized between the first and second rail and can no longer be disassembled without dismantling the second rail.

[0029] In one embodiment, the crosspiece is made of a plastic material.

[0030] The use of a plastic material for the manufacture of the sleeper makes it possible to minimize the weight of the sleeper, and at the same time to ensure sufficient mechanical stability.

[0031] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising the aforementioned motorized adjustment system.

[0032] The adjustment system being attached to a motor vehicle seat, the seat can be moved by the adjustment system.

[0033] The open side of the crosspiece is oriented substantially downwards, i.e. it is turned away from the seat base.

[0034] When the seat is installed in a motor vehicle, the seat can be moved forward (i.e. towards the vehicle's engine) or backward (i.e. towards the vehicle's trunk).

[0035] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a motorized adjustment system intended to move a motor vehicle seat connected to the motorized adjustment system, the system comprising: - a sleeper, the sleeper comprising an interior space accessible through an open side of the sleeper; - a first rail fixed to a first end of the sleeper; - a second rail fixed to a second end of the sleeper, opposite the first end; and - a drive motor housed in the interior space of the crossmember, in which the open side of the crossmember is intended to face a floor of the vehicle.

[0036] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of assembling the motorized adjustment system, the method comprising: - a step of fixing the first rail to the first end of the sleeper; - a step of inserting the drive motor into the interior space of the crosspiece; and - a step of fixing the second rail to the second end of the sleeper; the first and second rails being secured to the sleeper such that the open side of the sleeper faces the first and second rails.

[0037] The method makes it possible to assemble the aforementioned adjustment system.

[0038] The method is innovative in the way in which the sleeper is arranged in relation to the rails, in particular in the orientation of the open side of the sleeper “downwards”.

[0039] The method is not necessarily performed in the order indicated. For example, the first rail may be attached to the sleeper both before and after the drive motor is inserted into the sleeper.

[0040] In one embodiment, the step of inserting the drive motor into the interior space of the crossmember comprises inserting the first transmission rod from the open side into the opening of the first wall, the first transmission rod being in an inclined position relative to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember during insertion.

[0041] The longitudinal axis of the crosspiece may correspond to the axis connecting the first end of the crosspiece to the second end of the crosspiece.

[0042] The crossmember may comprise certain bulky elements in its interior space, such as fixing elements for the drive motor. Therefore, the first transmission rod cannot be inserted into the opening laterally, i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember. The transmission rod is therefore inserted into the opening of the first wall in an inclined position of the transmission rod relative to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember, and then fixed in a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember.

[0043] In one embodiment, the step of inserting the drive motor into the interior space of the crossmember comprises laterally inserting the second transmission rod into the interior space through the opening in the second wall and abutting the second transmission rod against the drive motor.

[0044] The second transmission rod can be inserted into the sleeper through the opening in the second wall only before the second rail is fixed to the second end of the sleeper.

[0045] Thus, once the second rail is connected to the sleeper, the drive motor is stabilized between the first and second rails and can no longer be disassembled without first disassembling one or both rails.

[0046] In one embodiment, the second rail is attached to the second end of the sleeper after the first rail is attached to the first end of the sleeper.

[0047] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of assembling the aforementioned motorized adjustment system and a motor vehicle seat, comprising the aforementioned method and a step of fixing the motorized adjustment system to the motor vehicle seat.

[0048] Since the adjustment system is fixed to the motor vehicle seat, the seat can be moved by the adjustment system. Brief description of the drawings

[0049] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0050] [Fig.l] shows a motor vehicle seat attached to a motorized adjustment system. Fig. 2

[0051] [Fig.2] shows a bottom view of the motorized adjustment system according to [Fig.l]. Fig. 3

[0052] [Fig.3] shows an oblique view of the motorized adjustment system according to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4

[0053] [Fig.4] shows a flowchart of a method of assembling the motorized adjustment system according to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Description of the embodiments

[0054] [Fig.l] shows an assembly of a motor vehicle seat 201 and a motorized adjustment system 202. The seat 201 may be connected to the motorized adjustment system 202, for example by a screwing or snap-fastening mechanism.

[0055] In another variant, the seat 201 can be built directly on the motorized adjustment system 202.

[0056] The motorized adjustment system 202 may comprise a pair of rails 203, 204 and a cross member 205 connecting the rails.

[0057] A user of the seat 201 can, for example by using an adjustment button, modify the position of the seat 201.

[0058] Thus, the motor vehicle seat 201 can be moved by the motorized adjustment system 202, and perform a translational movement of several cm or tens of cm in one direction of the rails.

[0059] The motorized adjustment system 202 can be fixed on a support. More precisely, the rails can be fixed to the support, for example by a screwing mechanism.

[0060] When the motorized adjustment system 202 is installed in a motor vehicle such as a car, the motorized adjustment system 202 can be fixed to the floor of the vehicle. The seat 201 can be moved forward (i.e. towards the engine of the car) or backward (i.e. towards the trunk of the car).

[0061] The user may be, for example, the driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

[0062] The seat 201 may be attached to a rail movement mechanism (e.g., rack and pinion mechanism). When using the adjustment system, the seat 201 may "slide" on the rails 203, 204.

[0063] The crossmember 205 can be installed at the front of the seat 201, i.e. at the part of the seat 201 facing the engine 208 of the car when the seat 201 is installed in a car.

[0064] [Fig.2] shows a bottom view of the motorized adjustment system 202. [Fig.3] shows an oblique view of the motorized adjustment system 202.

[0065] The motorized adjustment system 202 is provided for moving a motor vehicle seat 201 connected to the motorized adjustment system 202, as explained in the description of [Fig.l]. The motorized adjustment system 202 may comprise a first rail 203, a second rail 204 and a cross member 205.

[0066] The first and second rails 203, 204 may be slides or other means of guidance.

[0067] Each of the rails may comprise a movement mechanism, e.g., a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0068] The crossmember 205 may consist of one or more exterior walls enclosing an interior space 207, thereby creating a confined area. The interior space 207 may be accessible through an open side 206. The open side allows mechanical or electronic components to be inserted into the crossmember 205.

[0069] The crosspiece 205 may have an elongated shape, a first end 211 and a second end 212 opposite the first end 211.

[0070] The first and second rails 203, 204 may be attached to the cross member 205 such that the open side 206 of the cross member 205 faces the first and second rails 203, 204. Thus, the open side 206 is oriented toward the plane of the rails 203, 204.

[0071] When a motor vehicle seat 201 is fixed to the rails, the open side 206 of the crosspiece 205 is oriented “downwards”, i.e. away from a seat base.

[0072] When the motorized adjustment system 202 is fixed on a support such as the floor of a vehicle, the open side 206 of the cross member 205 is oriented substantially towards the support.

[0073] Since the open side 206 of the crossmember is oriented "downward", there is no risk of a user of the adjustment mechanism inadvertently touching sensitive parts in the crossmember.

[0074] The first rail 203 may be fixed to the first end 211 of the sleeper 205 and the second rail 204 to the second end 212 of the sleeper 205. An intermediate part called “HDM” may be located at the interface between each rail 203, 204 and the sleeper 205. In other words, there is one “HDM” part per rail. Each “HDM” part may receive one of the rods 209, 210 of the motor 208, and is capable of making a torque change of the driving force of the motor 208, i.e. the force of the motor 208 is transmitted to the movement mechanisms of the rails 203, 204 via the “HDM” part.

[0075] The ends 211, 212 of the crosspiece 205 may have a complementary geometric shape relative to the part of the rails to which the ends of the crosspiece are connected, thus facilitating fixing.

[0076] The ends 211, 212 of the crosspiece 205 can be connected to the rails by a snap-in mechanism.

[0077] In a variant, the crosspiece 205 can be connected to the rails 203, 204 by a clipping part.

[0078] The clipping part can be connected directly to the “HDM” part, i.e. snapped onto the “HDM” part.

[0079] The clipping part can be integrated and in one piece with respect to the crosspiece 205.

[0080] In a variant, the clipping part may be an independent and separate part. of the crossing 205.

[0081] The crosspiece 205 may further comprise a first wall 213 at its first end 211 and a second wall 214 at its second end 212.

[0082] The first and second walls 213, 214 may each comprise an opening 215, 216. The openings 215, 216 of the first and second walls 213, 214 may be a hole.

[0083] In a variant, the opening 216 of the second wall 214 may be a hole, and the opening 215 of the first wall 213 may be a recess, e.g., in the shape of a "U". The recess may have the same orientation as the open side of the crosspiece 205.

[0084] The first and second walls 213, 214 may be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 205. The longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 205 may correspond to the axis connecting the first end 211 of the crosspiece 205 to the second end 212 of the crosspiece 205.

[0085] The cross member 205 may further comprise a drive motor 208 housed in the interior space 207 of the cross member 205.

[0086] The drive motor 208 may include a first transmission rod 209 that extends through the opening 215 of the first wall 213. Thus, the first transmission rod may be connected to a first rail movement mechanism 203 and transmit force from the drive motor 208 to the first rail movement mechanism 203.

[0087] The drive motor 208 may include a second transmission rod 210 that extends through the opening 216 of the second wall 214. Thus, the second transmission rod may be connected to a movement mechanism of the second rail 204 and transmit force from the drive motor 208 to the movement mechanism of the second rail 204.

[0088] The connection of the transmission rods 209, 210 to the movement mechanisms of the rails 203, 204 can be made by means of the “HDM” part.

[0089] Thus, the transmission rods 209, 210 can be stabilized in a predefined position by the openings 215, 216 in the first and second walls 213, 214.

[0090] The opening 215 of the first wall and the opening 216 of the second wall 214 may have a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the transmission rods 209, 210.

[0091] The cross member 205 may comprise an additional wall 218 located in the interior space 207 between the second wall and a space for installing the drive motor. This additional wall 218 may comprise an opening. The second transmission rod may extend through this opening of the additional wall 218. Thus, the second transmission rod 210 may be held and stabilized. through the opening of the additional wall 218 in the crosspiece 205.

[0092] The first and / or second transmission rod 205 may be fixed in the interior space 207 of the cross member 205 by at least one latching element 217. This latching element 217 may be, for example, a flexible U-shaped element, which spreads apart upon insertion of a transmission rod 209, 210 and which tightens after insertion. The fixing of the transmission rods 209, 210 by at least one latching element 217 makes it possible to stabilize the transmission rods 209, 210 of the drive motor 208 in the cross member 205, and thus to prevent parts of the drive motor 208 from disengaging and falling out of the cross member 205 through the open side 206 under the effect of gravity.

[0093] The crosspiece 205 may be made entirely or partly of a plastic material. However, any other material having a low weight (compared to a metal) and sufficient mechanical stability may be used.

[0094] [Fig.4] shows a flowchart of a method of assembling the motorized adjustment system 202 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

[0095] In a first step 101 of the method, the first rail 203 can be fixed to the first end 211 of the sleeper 205.

[0096] In a second step 102 of the method, the drive motor 208 can be inserted into the interior space 207 of the cross member 205.

[0097] The second step 102 may comprise the insertion 102' of the first transmission rod 209 through the open side 206 into the opening 215 of the first wall 213.

[0098] The cross member 205 may include bulky elements in its interior space 207, such as fixing elements for the drive motor 208.

[0099] When the opening 215 is a hole, the first transmission rod 209 cannot be inserted into the opening 215 of the first wall "from the side", i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 205. The first transmission rod 209 must therefore be inserted into the opening 215 of the first wall 213 in an inclined position of the first transmission rod 209 relative to the longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 205, then, the first transmission rod 209 being inserted into the opening 215 of the first wall, be fixed in a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 205.

[0100] In the variant where the opening 215 is a recess, it is not necessary for the insertion 102' of the first transmission rod 209 through the open side 206 into the opening 215 of the first wall 213 to be made in an inclined position of the first rod 203.

[0101] The second step 102 may further comprise the lateral insertion 102” of the second transmission rod 210 into the interior space 207 through the opening 216 of the second wall 214 and a stop of the second transmission rod 210 against the 208 drive motor.

[0102] The second rod can be connected to the motor by a pressing force exerted by the rails 203, 204 when the rails are connected to the sleeper. The drive motor 208, the first transmission rod 209 and the second transmission rod 210 can be clamped by the rails 203, 204. The fixing of the second rail thus makes it possible to fix and stabilize the drive motor in the sleeper.

[0103] In another variant, the first and second transmission rods 209, 210 may be connected to the motor by a screwing or snap-fastening mechanism or any other fastening mechanism.

[0104] The crosspiece 205 can be connected to the rails 203, 204 by a clipping piece.

[0105] The clipping part can be connected directly to the “HDM” part, i.e. snapped on on the “HDM” part.

[0106] The clipping part can be integrated and in one piece with respect to the crosspiece 205.

[0107] In a variant, the clipping part may be an independent part distinct from the crosspiece 205.

[0108] In a third step 103 of the method, the second rail 204 can be fixed to the second end 212 of the crosspiece 205.

[0109] The first and second rails 203, 204 may be attached to the cross member 205 such that the open side 206 of the cross member 205 faces the first and second rails 203, 204.

[0110] The method is not necessarily performed in the order shown in [Fig. 4]. For example, the first rail 203 may be attached to the sleeper 205 both before and after the drive motor 208 is inserted into the sleeper 205.

[0111] However, the second transmission rod 210 can be inserted laterally into the crosspiece 205 through the opening of the second wall 216 only before the second rail 204 is fixed to the second end 212 of the crosspiece 205.

[0112] The first rail 203 may be fixed to the crosspiece 205 before the second rail 204.

[0113] The method may further comprise a step 104 of fixing the system of motorized adjustment 202 to a motor vehicle seat 201. Attaching the motorized adjustment system 202 to the motor vehicle seat 201 then allows the motor vehicle seat 201 to be moved. The open side 206 of the cross member 205 is then turned away from the seat base 201.

[0114] The present disclosure is not limited to the examples of systems and methods described above, only by way of example, but it encompasses all the variants that the person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. A motorized adjustment system (202) for moving a motor vehicle seat (201) connected to the motorized adjustment system (202), the system comprising: - a cross member (205), the cross member (205) comprising an interior space (207) accessible through an open side (206) of the cross member (205); - a first rail (203) attached to a first end (211) of the cross member (205); - a second rail (204) attached to a second end (212) of the cross member (205), opposite the first end (211);and - a drive motor (208) housed in the interior space (207) of the sleeper (205), in which the open side (206) of the sleeper (205) faces the first and second rails (203, 204), characterized in that the first rail (203) is fixed to the first end (211) of the sleeper (205) and the second rail (204) to the second end (212) of the sleeper (205) by a snap-in mechanism, in particular by the use of a clipping part integrated into the sleeper.;

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeper (205) comprises a first wall (213) at its first end (211) and a second wall (214) at its second end (212), the first and second walls (213, 214) each comprising an opening (215, 216), and wherein the drive motor (208) comprises a first transmission rod (209) which extends through the opening (215) of the first wall (213) and which is connected to a movement mechanism of the first rail (203), and a second transmission rod (210) which extends through the opening (216) of the second wall (214) and which is connected to a movement mechanism of the second rail (204).

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the first and / or second transmission rod (209, 210) are fixed in the interior space (207) of the cross member (205) by at least one snap-fastening element (217).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the crosspiece (205) is made of plastic material.

5. A motor vehicle seat (201) comprising the motorized adjustment system (202) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Method of assembling the motorized adjustment system (202) according to one any of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising: - a step of fixing (101) the first rail (203) to the first end (211) of the sleeper (205); - a step of inserting (102) the drive motor (208) into the interior space (207) of the sleeper (205); and - a step of fixing (103) the second rail (204) to the second end (212) of the sleeper (205); the first and second rails (203, 204) being fixed to the sleeper (205) such that the open side (206) of the sleeper (205) faces the first and second rails (203, 204).

7. A method according to claim 6 in combination with any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the step of inserting (102) the drive motor (208) into the interior space (207) of the crossmember (205) comprises an insertion (102') of the first transmission rod (209) through the open side (206) into the opening (215) of the first wall (213), the first transmission rod (209) being in an inclined position relative to a longitudinal axis of the crossmember (205) during the insertion.

8. A method according to any one of claims 6 and 7 in combination with any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the step of inserting (102) the drive motor (208) into the interior space (207) of the cross member (205) comprises a lateral insertion (102”) of the second transmission rod (210) into the interior space (207) through the opening (216) of the second wall (214) and abutting the second transmission rod (210) against the drive motor (208).

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second rail (204) is attached to the second end (212) of the sleeper after the first rail (203) is attached to the first end (211) of the sleeper (205).

10. A method of assembling the motorized adjustment system (202) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a motor vehicle seat (201) comprising a method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 and a step of fixing the motorized adjustment system (202) to the motor vehicle seat (201).

Images