Vehicle seat backrest equipped with a safety airbag device and method for assembling such a backrest

Abstract

Vehicle seat backrest (16) (10) comprising a backrest frame (17) with a post (17a, 17b), a safety airbag device (36) and a side airbag, the safety airbag device (36) comprising at least one safety airbag (44) and a safety airbag bracket (50) for attaching the safety airbag (44) to the backrest frame (17), and the side airbag comprising a side airbag trim (19) and at least one side airbag trim bracket (40) for attaching the side airbag to the backrest frame (17), wherein the trim bracket (40) and the safety airbag bracket (50) comprise at least one mounting point (41, 42) for attaching them to the post (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat backrest equipped with a safety airbag device and method for assembling such a backrest technical field

[0001] This description relates to a vehicle seat backrest, particularly for a motor vehicle. A method for assembling such a backrest and a vehicle seat comprising such a backrest are also described. Previous technique

[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, it is known to equip a seat back with a side airbag device – hereinafter referred to as a side airbag device. Such a device is conventionally attached to a pillar of the seat back frame. Such a side airbag device can aim to limit the risk of the seat occupant impacting the door, or even the central pillar of the vehicle's passenger compartment, or it can aim to limit the risk of head-to-head collisions between the occupants of two seats arranged transversely side by side in the vehicle when located on the most central pillar of the vehicle, or on the other pillar, on the inner side.

[0003] However, manufacturing such a seat, including placing the device inside a cover before attaching it to the frame, complicates the assembly of the airbag system. Under these conditions, the side airbag system is often attached in a dedicated assembly step to the seat back frame.

[0004] It has become apparent that, due to this dedicated assembly step, the assembly of the various elements that make up the seat back is particularly complex and time-consuming.

[0005] In addition, such an airbag device conditions the profile of the seat, which requires the seat to be designed according to the size of the airbag device. Summary

[0006] The present description improves the situation.

[0007] To this end, a vehicle seat back is described comprising a backrest frame with a post, a safety airbag device and a side airbag, the safety airbag device comprising at least one safety airbag and a safety airbag bracket for attaching the safety airbag to the backrest frame, and the side airbag comprising a side airbag cover and at least one side airbag cover bracket for attaching the side airbag to the backrest frame, wherein the bracket of The trim and the airbag support include at least one assembly point for their attachment to the backrest frame upright.

[0008] The assembly point may be common to the trim support and the airbag support for their common attachment to the backrest frame upright.

[0009] Thus, advantageously, the assembly of the set formed by the trim support and the airbag support, and therefore more generally by the side cushion, including the side cushion trim and the airbag device, is facilitated by the presence of at least one common assembly point.

[0010] According to preferred embodiments, the folder according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination: - the trim support, at least at the assembly point, is arranged between the backrest frame upright and the airbag support, - The upholstery support and the airbag support are attached to the backrest frame, at the assembly point, by common fastening means, - the trim support and the airbag support include, for their attachment to the backrest frame upright, two common assembly points: a first point for an upper attachment to the upright and a second point for a lower attachment to the upright, the upper attachment being arranged higher than the lower attachment in a vertical direction, - the file may further include a deflector fixed to the upright, the deflector including the two common assembly points for the trim support and the airbag support, - The side cushion lining includes an escape route for the deployment of the safety airbag - the deflector further includes a border, the border being arranged along the escape line and extending away from the escape line to allow for the deployment of the safety airbag between the border and the escape line, - The trim support includes a guide wall configured to direct the deployment of the safety airbag towards the escape line, - the trim support and the airbag support comprise different materials, preferably the trim support being made of plastic material and the airbag support being made of metallic material.

[0011] According to another aspect, a method for assembling a folder is also described vehicle seat including a backrest frame, a safety airbag system including at least one safety airbag and a airbag support for securing the airbag, and a side airbag comprising a side airbag cover and at least one side airbag cover support (40) for its attachment to the backrest frame, the method comprising: - Pre-assemble the airbag support bracket of the airbag device with the side airbag trim bracket, - fix the assembly formed, on the one hand, by the side cushion including the side cushion lining and the lining support, and on the other hand the safety airbag device on the backrest frame, by at least one assembly point for fixing the lining support and the safety airbag support on the post of the backrest frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the assembly point may be common to the trim support and the airbag support, and the method may include: - Pre-assemble the safety airbag support of the safety airbag device with the side airbag trim support, includes matching the common assembly point between the trim support and the safety airbag support.

[0013] In addition, the backrest may include a deflector, the method further comprising: - pre-assembling the deflector onto the assembly formed on the one hand by the side cushion including the side cushion lining and the lining support and, on the other hand, the safety airbag device, - fix the assembly formed by the side cushion, the safety airbag device and the deflector on the backrest frame by said at least one common assembly point of the trim support and the safety airbag support for their attachment to the upright of the backrest frame.

[0014] According to another aspect, a motor vehicle seat is also described, comprising a seat with a seat frame and a backrest as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Other features and advantages will become apparent during the following description of one embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0016] [Fig.1] schematically represents a side view of an example of a vehicle seat;

[0017] [Fig.2] schematically represents a side view of an example of a part vehicle seat side;

[0018] [Fig.3] schematically represents in perspective an example of a backrest frame equipped with an example of a side airbag device, which can be implemented in the vehicle seat of the [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.4] schematically represents a cross-sectional view along axis AA of the example vehicle seat of the [Fig.2]. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements that are useful for understanding the described embodiment are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

[0021] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of a vehicle seat in its normal position of use.

[0022] In particular, the longitudinal direction X refers to the longitudinal direction of the seat. The longitudinal direction of the seat is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle in which the seat is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction X is horizontal. The transverse direction Y of the seat thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction of the motor vehicle. This transverse direction is perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The transverse direction Y is horizontal. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction of the seat, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0023] Fig. 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle seat 10 mounted on a sliding mechanism 12.

[0024] The seat 10 comprises a seat 13, with a seat frame 14 and a seat cushion 15, on which a backrest 16, with a backrest frame 17 and a backrest cushion 18, is mounted. The backrest frame 17 is pivotable about a transverse axis A, relative to the seat frame 14. To achieve this, a hinge mechanism 20 is arranged between the seat frame 14 and the backrest frame 17.

[0025] The backrest padding 18 may further consist of a central cushion comprising a central padding (not shown), and two side cushions, each comprising two side cushion paddings 19. Each side cushion is arranged laterally on the backrest frame 17, on either side of the central cushion. The padding (of the central cushion or the side cushions) typically forms a firm mattress, for example, expanded foam, providing softness. and the comfort of the seat.

[0026] The seat 13 is mounted on movable profiles 22, also called slides or male profiles, by means of feet 24, 26. Each movable profile 22 is part of a slide 12 and is associated with a fixed profile 28. The fixed profile 28 is also called a rail or female profile. The fixed profile 28 is fixed to the floor 30 of a motor vehicle.

[0027] According to the illustrated example, the seat 10 may also include a headrest 34. The headrest 34 may also include a headrest frame and a headrest trim.

[0028] In the following, examples of files 16 that can be implemented in seat 10 of [Fig.1] are described in more detail, with regard to figures 2 to 4.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the backrest frame 17 essentially comprises a first upright 17a, a second upright 17b, a first crossbar 17c, hereinafter referred to as the "lower crossbar 17c," and a second crossbar 17d, hereinafter referred to as the "upper crossbar 17d." The uprights 17a, 17b, and the crossbars 17c, 17d form a frame-like backrest frame 17. To achieve this, the uprights 17a, 17b, and the crossbars 17c, 17d can be fastened together, in particular by welding them together. Alternatively, the backrest frame 17 is a single piece, for example, being molded.

[0030] The first upright 17a is intended to be positioned as centrally as possible in the motor vehicle, while the second upright 17b is intended to be positioned closest to a lateral side of the vehicle. The lower cross member 17c is intended to be the cross member closest to the articulation device 20, the articulation device even being able to be fixed to the lower cross member 17c. The upper cross member 17d is intended to be the cross member closest to the headrest 34.

[0031] In the following description, the invention is arbitrarily described with reference to the first amount 17a. However, the invention can alternatively or additionally be implemented on the second amount 17b.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the first upright 17a comprises an upper fastener 26 and a lower fastener 27. The upper and lower fasteners 26, 27 are through holes provided for receiving fasteners 60, as described later. Along the vertical direction Z, the upper fastener 26 is provided in the upper part of the first upright 17a and the lower fastener 27 is provided in the lower part of the first upright 17a, the upper fastener 26 being positioned higher than the lower fastener 27, with respect to the vertical direction Z.

[0033] As illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in more detail in [Fig. 3], a side cushion is arranged on the first upright 17a. In [Fig. 2], it can be seen that the side cushion trim 19 comprises, along the longitudinal direction X, an outer edge 19a and an inner edge 19b. The inner edge 19b is designed to be arranged in contact, or at in the immediate vicinity of the rear of a vehicle seat, such as a rear seat shell. The inner edge 19b is preferably a trim profile that is fixed to the trim support 40, in particular onto which the backrest foam is overmolded. The inner edge 19b is also preferably aligned with the first pillar 17a.

[0034] Furthermore, advantageously, the inner edge 19b of the side cushion lining 19 can constitute an escape route for a side airbag device 36 (detailed later). Alternatively, the escape route (inner edge 19b) can be supplemented by a guide wall – or inclined wall 19c. The guide wall 19c, visible in the cross-sectional view of [Fig. 4], along the axis AA illustrated in [Fig. 2], directs the deployment of a safety airbag from the side airbag device 36 towards the escape route. This wall 19c is formed by a trim profile of the backrest side cushion, which preferably belongs to a trim support 40. The wall 19c thus separates the airbag area from the rear face of the foam and the backrest side cushion lining, thereby ensuring deployment of the airbag towards the escape route without tearing the foam.

[0035] In addition, the side cushion comprises, besides the side cushion cover 19, a cover support 40 for attaching the side cushion cover 19 to the first upright 17a. Figure 3 illustrates the cover support 40 without the side cushion cover 19. The cover support is preferably made of plastic. The cover support 40 is attached to the first upright 17a via two mounting points 41 and 42. More specifically, the cover support 40 is attached to the first upright 17a via a first point 41 and a second point 42. The first point 41 is designed to cooperate with the upper fastener 26 arranged on the first upright 17a, and the second point 42 is designed to cooperate with the lower fastener 27 arranged on the first upright 17a. The first and second points 41, 42 cooperate respectively with the upper fixings 26 and lower fixings 27 via the fixing means 60.The fastening means 60 are, for example, bolt-nut assemblies or rivets. The fastening means 60 thus allow the trim support 40 (and therefore the side cushion trim 19) to be securely fixed to the first upright 17a.

[0036] Therefore, according to the present invention, the fixing of the side cushion trim 19 on a frame upright 17 requires only two fixing points.

[0037] Figure 3 further illustrates a side safety airbag device – hereinafter referred to as the side airbag device – 36, arranged on the first pillar 17a. Alternatively, the side airbag device 36 can be arranged on the second pillar 17b.

[0038] Here, the side airbag device 36 includes a safety airbag 44 (or airbag) and an inflation cartridge 46 for the safety airbag 44. The safety airbag 44 and the cartridge 46 are arranged in a pocket 38, or sock. The pocket 38 is made of non-woven textile material. The cartridge 46 is in fluid communication with the safety airbag 44. The pocket 38 is shaped to open in the event of deployment of the safety airbag 44.

[0039] The side airbag device 36 further includes an airbag safety cushion support – hereinafter referred to as the airbag support – 50, for its arrangement on the first pillar 17a. The cartridge 46 is, for example, attached to the airbag support 50, on a plate 51.

[0040] The airbag support 50 extends longitudinally in the vertical direction Z, between an upper end of an airbag support 53 and a lower end of an airbag support 52. The airbag support is preferably made of a metallic material, such as steel. The airbag support 50 is attached to the first pillar 17a via two mounting points 41 and 42, which are also provided for attaching the trim support 40 to the first pillar 17a. The first point 41 may be located towards the upper end of the airbag support 53, and the second point 42 may be located towards the lower end of the airbag support 52. The trim support 40 and the airbag support 50 thus have two common mounting points for their attachment to the first pillar 17a. In other words, the airbag support 50 and the trim support 40 are both fixed together on the pillar, by common assembly points.

[0041] Furthermore, the airbag support 50 is arranged on the trim support 40. It is therefore understood that, once the airbag support 50 and the trim support 40 are fixed to the pillar, the trim support 40 is arranged between the airbag support 50 and the pillar. In other words, the airbag support 50 is arranged on the trim support 40, which is itself arranged on the pillar. The airbag support 50 is thus superimposed on the trim support 40, which is superimposed on the pillar.

[0042] Alternatively, the side airbag device 36 may include an intermediate plate (not shown) to which the plate 51 supporting the cartridge 46 is attached. The intermediate plate may, for example, be made of metal, such as steel. The intermediate plate is attached to the airbag support 50. In other words, the cartridge 46 is attached to the first pillar 17a via the intermediate plate, which is itself attached to the airbag support 50. The intermediate plate may also be provided to have at least one mounting point 41 and / or 42 common to the airbag support 50.

[0043] It can thus be noted that the assembly of the trim support 40 and the airbag support 50 on a pillar is particularly easy, since the assembly requires only two assembly points, these points being common, i.e. identical to the trim support 40 and the airbag support 50. In other words, only the two assembly points 41, 42 allow the attachment of the trim support 40 and the airbag support 50 to a frame post 17.

[0044] Alternatively, a deflector 70 can be fixed to the first post 17a. In this case, as seen in [Fig.2], the deflector 70 is arranged over the side airbag device 36. In other words, the deflector 70 envelops the side airbag device 36.

[0045] The deflector 70 extends longitudinally in the vertical direction Z, between an upper end of the deflector 73 and a lower end of the deflector 72. The deflector 70 is attached to the first pillar 17a via two mounting points 41 and 42, which are also provided for attaching the trim support 40 and the airbag support 50 to the first pillar 17a. The first point 41 may be located towards the upper end of the deflector 73, and the second point 42 may be located towards the lower end of the deflector 72. The trim support 40, the airbag support 50, and the deflector 70 thus have two common mounting points for their attachment to the first pillar 17a.

[0046] The deflector 70 is configured to direct the deployment of the safety airbag 44. A border 71 – or trim profile – is arranged on the deflector 70. The border 71 is further arranged along the inner edge 19c of the side airbag 19. The border 71 may have a shape complementary to the inner edge 19b, and thus follow the shape of the side airbag trim 19. The safety airbag 44 deploys along the border 71. Preferably, the deflector 70 may be a support for a layer of polyurethane coating. The deflector 70 comprises a semi-rigid material, such as polyurethane. In the event of deployment of the safety airbag 44, the edge 71, due to the flexibility of the deflector 70, moves away from the creep line of the side airbag lining 19 to allow the safety airbag 44 to deploy.

[0047] A method for assembling the vehicle seat backrest 16 is now described. The method is described here with reference to the first upright 17a, but can also be implemented on the second upright 17b.

[0048] Generally, the method consists of attaching the side airbag, including the side airbag cover 19 and the cover support 40 on which the side airbag device 36 is pre-mounted (or pre-assembled), to the first pillar 17a. The assembly consisting of the side airbag and the side airbag device 36 is thus attached to the first pillar 17a in a single assembly step. The side airbag device 36 can therefore be mounted simultaneously with the attachment of the side airbag (including the side airbag cover 19 and the cover support 40) to the first pillar 17a. This results in a simplification and a time saving of the method. seat back assembly.

[0049] More specifically, the process comprises: - pre-assemble the side airbag device 36 with the trim support 40. In particular, the side airbag device 36 is placed on the trim support 40, so that the assembly points coincide, i.e. a single first assembly point 41 and a single second assembly point 42.

[0050] Next, the process comprises: - to fix the assembly formed, on the one hand, by the side cushion, including the trim support 40 and the side cushion trim 19, and on the other hand, the side airbag device 36, to the backrest frame 17. In particular, the first assembly point 41 and the second assembly point 42 of the assembly formed by the trim support 40 and the side airbag device 36 are aligned with, respectively, the upper fixing 26 and the lower fixing 27 of the first pillar 17a. The assembly formed by the trim support 40 and the side airbag device 36 is then fixed to the backrest frame 17, using the fixing means 60, designed to cooperate with the first and second assembly points 41, 42, at the level of the upper fixing 26 and the lower fixing 27.

[0051] In addition, the method may include: - pre-assemble the deflector 70 onto the assembly formed by the trim support 40 and the side airbag device 36. In this case, the deflector 70 is mounted on the trim support 40, over the side airbag device 36. This results in a single first assembly point 41 and a single second assembly point 42. The assembly formed by the trim support 40, the side airbag device 36 and the deflector 70 is then fixed as detailed in the preceding paragraph.

[0052] The method described according to the present invention thus makes it possible to prepare, on the one hand, the elements to be fixed to a post of the backrest frame 17 before, on the other hand, fixing them to the post. It is therefore not necessary to supply the post at the beginning of the backrest assembly process, as the preparatory steps can be carried out remotely from the frame, before fixing the side trim and airbag elements to the frame post in one piece.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle seat back (16) (10) comprising a backrest frame (17) with a post (17a, 17b), a safety airbag device (36) and a side airbag, the safety airbag device (36) comprising at least one safety airbag (44) and a safety airbag bracket (50) for attaching the safety airbag (44) to the backrest frame (17), and the side airbag comprising a side airbag trim (19) and at least one side airbag trim bracket (40) for attaching the side airbag to the backrest frame (17), wherein the trim bracket (40) and the safety airbag bracket (50) comprise at least one mounting point (41, 42) for attaching them to the post (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17) wherein the mounting point (41,42) is common to the upholstery support (40) and the airbag support (50) for their common attachment to the upright (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17) wherein the upholstery support (40) and the airbag support (50) comprise, for their attachment to the upright (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17), two common assembly points: a first point (41) for an upper attachment (26) to the upright (17a, 17b) and a second point (42) for a lower attachment (27) to the upright (17a, 17b), the upper attachment (26) being arranged higher than the lower attachment (27) in a vertical direction (Z), and the backrest further comprising a deflector (70) attached to the upright (17a, 17b), the deflector (70) comprising the two assembly points (41, 42) common to the trim support (40) and the airbag support (50).

2. Backrest according to claim 1, wherein the trim support (40), at least at the assembly point (41, 42), is arranged between the upright (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17) and the airbag support (50).

3. Backrest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trim support (40) and the airbag support (50) are fixed to the backrest frame (17), at the assembly point (41, 42), by common fastening means (60).

4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side cushion lining (19) includes a creep line (19b) for the deployment of the safety airbag (44).

5. A package according to the preceding claim, wherein the deflector (70) comprises a rim (71), the rim (71) being arranged along the trailing line (19b) and departing from the trailing line (19b) for the deployment of the safety airbag (44) between the rim (71) and the trailing line (19b).

6. A package according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the trim support (40) includes a guide wall (19c) configured to direct the deployment of the safety airbag (44) towards the escape line (19b).

7. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trim support (40) and the airbag support (50) comprise different materials, preferably the trim support (40) being made of plastic material and the airbag support being made of metallic material.

8. A method for assembling a vehicle seat backrest (16) (10) comprising a backrest frame (17), a safety airbag device (36) comprising at least one safety airbag (44) and a safety airbag support (50) for attaching the safety airbag (44), and a side airbag comprising a side airbag trim (19) and at least one side airbag trim support (40) for attaching it to the backrest frame (17), wherein the assembly point (41, 42) is common to the trim support (40) and the safety airbag support (50), the backrest (16) further comprising a deflector (70), the method comprising: - pre-assembling the safety airbag support (50) of the safety airbag device (36) with the trim support (40) of the side airbag, comprising matching the assembly point (41,42) common between the trim support (40) and the safety airbag support (50), - pre-assemble the deflector (70) on the assembly formed on the one hand, by the side cushion including the side cushion trim (19) and the trim support (40) and, on the other hand, the safety airbag device (36), - fix the assembly formed by the side cushion, the safety airbag device (36) and the deflector (70) on the backrest frame (17) by said at least one common assembly point (41, 42) of the trim support (40) and the safety airbag support (50) for their attachment to the upright (17a, 17b) of the backrest frame (17).

9. Motor vehicle seat (10) comprising a seat (14) with a seat frame (15) and a backrest (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or obtained according to the assembly method of claim 8.

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