Belt fastening system for a movable seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat, particularly for an aircraft, comprising: - at least one seating structure (22), and - a lower structure (11) comprising at least one guide element (39) including a guide groove (43), - said guide groove (43) comprising a first portion and a second portion, referred to as the inclined portion, - said seat (10) further comprising at least one seat belt attachment (48) and at least one attachment support (50), - said seat belt attachment (48) being rotatably mounted relative to the attachment support (50) by means of an attachment pin, - said attachment support (50) being rotatably mounted relative to the seating structure (22) by means of a support pin, - the head of the attachment pin (55) being disposed inside the inclined portion of the guide groove (43) when the seat (10) is in an upright position. Figure 2b

Description

Title of the invention: BELT FIXING SYSTEM FOR A SEAT WITH A MOVING SEAT

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt fastening system for a seat with a movable seat cushion. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with economy class aircraft seats.

[0002] As is known per se, an economy class seat generally comprises several seats, each consisting of a seat and a reclining backrest. Some premium economy class seats are designed to allow forward translational movement of the seat relative to the seat structure. This movement can be motorized by means of a linear actuator having a motor body fixed to the seat structure and a rod fixed to the seat structure.

[0003] To preserve passenger comfort, the seat belt attachment is located directly on the seat to prevent the passenger's pelvis from being compressed when moving forward on the seat. With this configuration, the force path observed during a certification test passes directly through the seat and therefore through the actuator motor body. This could lead to uncontrolled movement of the motor body, posing safety problems.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a seat, particularly for an aircraft, comprising:

[0005] - at least one seating structure, and

[0006] - a low structure,

[0007] characterized in that the lower structure comprises at least one guide element extending along a general longitudinal extension direction and comprising a guide groove,

[0008] - said guide groove comprising a first portion and a second portion, said inclined portion, forming a non-zero angle with respect to the general direction of longitudinal extension,

[0009] - said seat further comprising at least one belt attachment and at least one attachment bracket,

[0010] - said belt attachment being mounted rotatably relative to the attachment support by via an attachment axis provided with a head cooperating with the guide groove,

[0011] - said attachment support being mounted rotatably relative to the seat structure by via a support shaft equipped with a head that cooperates with the guide groove,

[0012] - the head of the attachment pin being disposed inside the inclined portion of the guide groove when the seat is in a raised position.

[0013] The invention thus allows the seat belt attachment to follow the kinematics of the moving seat in order to guarantee passenger comfort. Furthermore, since the axis of the seat belt attachment is in constant contact with the lower structure, the force passing through the seat belt attachment during a certification test is absorbed primarily by the lower structure of the seat. The invention therefore prevents uncontrolled movement of the motor body of a motorized actuator.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, a measured distance between the attachment axis and the support axis is less than the length of the inclined portion of the guide groove. This ensures clearance between the attachment axis and the end of the guide groove so that the raised and comfort positions of the kinematics are electrically controlled by the actuator without risk of mechanical interference. This clearance is achieved by adding, at the end of the guide groove, an overtravel of a few millimeters relative to the maximum variation in the position of the seat structure when the seat is in the raised position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat includes a motorized actuator so as to allow automatic movement of said seat from the raised position to a rest position.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motorized actuator comprises a motor body fixed on one of the elements among: the seat structure and the lower structure and a guide rod having one end fixed on the other of the elements among: the seat structure and the lower structure.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat includes a slide adapted to ensure guidance of a front part of the seating structure.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the slide comprises a rail fixed on the seat structure capable of sliding along a guide mounted rotatably relative to a front end of the guide element.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the slide is configured in such a way that the seating structure forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the seat is in a comfortable position.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower structure comprises two brackets arranged on either side of the seating structure, the guide element being fixed on a corresponding bracket.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat further comprises a backrest structure mounted to rotate relative to the seat structure.

[0022] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one seat as previously defined.

[0023] The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, including embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the attached figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0024] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a perspective view of an aircraft seat according to the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.2a][Fig.2b] Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views illustrating the position of the seating structure of the aircraft seat according to the invention respectively when the seat is in an upright position and in a comfort position;

[0026] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a detailed perspective view of a seat belt attachment and attachment support of an aircraft seat according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.4a][Fig.4b] Figures 4a and 4b are views illustrating a positioning of the belt attachment and the attachment support respectively when the seat is in an upright position and in a comfort position;

[0028] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of the connection between the belt attachment and the attachment support of the aircraft seat according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is an exploded perspective view of the connection between the attachment support and the seating structure of the aircraft seat according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a detailed perspective view of a slide disposed between a guide element and the seating structure of the aircraft seat according to the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is an exploded perspective view of the connection between a support and a guide of a seat slide according to the present invention.

[0032] Identical, similar or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another. Furthermore, orientation terms such as "front", "back", "horizontal", or "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a user sitting in a seat according to the invention installed inside an aircraft cabin would give them.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a premium economy seat 10 comprising a low structure 11 intended to be fixed to rails in an aircraft cabin. For this purpose, the low structure 11 has legs 12 fixed to an upper beam 14 and a lower beam 15. The legs 12 are provided with fasteners 16 for cooperating with rails mounted on the floor of the aircraft cabin.

[0034] The seat 10 comprises at least one seat 17 and at least one backrest 19 mounted to rotate relative to the seat 17. The seat 10 may comprise several seats 17 and several backrests 19 so as to define several places. The seat 10 is capable of assuming, in particular, a raised position known as the TTL position (for "Taxi-Take Off-Landing" in (English) which is used during the parking, takeoff, and landing phases of the aircraft. The seat 10 is also capable of assuming a comfortable position in which the seat cushion 17 is forward of the lower structure 11 and inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane parallel to the aircraft floor, and the backrest is inclined at an angle to a vertical plane. In one embodiment, the angle of inclination of the seat cushion 17 is between 10 and 20 degrees; while the angle of inclination of the backrest is between 30 and 60 degrees and is preferably around 45 degrees.

[0035] A motorized actuator 20 allows the seat 10 to move automatically from one extreme position to another. The seat 10 can occupy intermediate positions between the raised position and the comfort position.

[0036] More specifically, the seat 17 comprises a seat structure 22 including two longitudinal members 23 and two end cross members 24 providing a mechanical connection between the longitudinal members 23, as shown in [Fig. 2a]. The seat structure 22 may be covered with a sheet of metal on which a seat cushion (not shown) is placed. The seat cushion is removably attached to the seat structure 22, for example, by means of a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro (registered trademark).

[0037] The backrest 19 comprises a backrest structure 26 covered with a sheet of metal 27 on which a backrest cushion (not shown) is placed. The backrest structure 26 is mounted hinged to the seat structure 22 by means of a horizontal pivot joint 29.

[0038] Two brackets 31 are arranged on either side of the seat structure 22. Each elongated S-shaped bracket 31 has a mounting interface 32 with an armrest (not shown). The armrest may be fixed or movable between a raised and a lowered position.

[0039] These brackets 31 are mechanically connected to the upper beam 14. To this end, as can be seen in Figures 2a and 2b, each bracket 31 has an opening 35 for receiving the beam 14. A fastener 36, such as a screw or a pin, extends radially along a diameter of the beam 14 to secure the assembly. In addition, the brackets 31 are mechanically connected to the lower beam 15.

[0040] Furthermore, two elongated guide elements 39 are each fixed to a corresponding bracket 31. In this case, one guide element 39 is fixed to studs 40 integral with a bracket 31. To this end, each stud 40 has an end inserted into a recess 41 provided in the guide element 39. A pin 42 visible in [Fig. 7] can be used to hold the assembly in position.

[0041] A guide element 39 extends along a general longitudinal extension direction Dl. The guide element 39 has a guide groove 43 formed in an inner face turned towards the seat structure 22. As can be seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the guide groove 43 has a first portion 45, which is shown to be straight in the figures and extends along the general longitudinal extension direction Dl. However, for other seat designs, the first portion 45 could have a non-straight shape, in particular a curved shape. The guide groove 43 also has a second portion, called the inclined portion 46, which is shorter than the first portion 45. The inclined portion 46 forms a non-zero angle Al, shown in [Fig. 4b], with respect to the general longitudinal extension direction Dl. The angle Al is preferably between 40° and 90°.In other words, the guide element 39 comprises a first part extending longitudinally along the longitudinal extension direction Dl in which the first portion 45 of the groove is made, which may be straight or not depending on the configuration of the seat, and a second part in which the inclined portion 46 of the groove is made, forming a non-zero angle between 40° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal extension direction DL.

[0042] Furthermore, a belt attachment 48 and an attachment support 50, clearly visible in [Fig. 3], 4a, and 4b, are provided on each side of the seat 10. The belt attachment 48 includes a fastening device 51 for attaching to a belt. This fastening device 51 has two wings 52 spaced apart and a rod 53 for inserting into a belt buckle to secure it to the attachment 48.

[0043] As shown in [Fig. 5], the seat belt buckle 48 is rotatably mounted relative to the buckle support 50 by means of a buckle pin 55 having a head that cooperates with the guide groove 43. For this purpose, as can be seen in [Fig. 5], the cylindrical buckle pin 55 passes through an opening 56 in the seat belt buckle 48 and an opening 57 in the buckle support 50. A bearing 58 may be interposed between the opening 56 of the buckle 48 and the buckle pin 55 to limit friction during rotation of the buckle 48 about the buckle pin 55. A bearing 59 may also cover the head of the buckle pin 55 to limit friction with the guide groove 43.

[0044] A recess 60 can be provided at the level of the portion of the attachment support 50 in which the opening 57 for the passage of the attachment pin 55 is made in order to limit the thickness of the assembled "belt attachment 48-attachment support 50".

[0045] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], the attachment support 50 is rotatably mounted relative to the seat structure 22 by means of a support shaft 61 having a head that cooperates with the guide groove 43. For this purpose, the support shaft 61 is shaped A cylindrical shaft passes through an opening 63 made in the attachment support 50 and an opening 64 made in a longitudinal member 23 of the seat structure 22. A fixing screw 67 is screwed into a threaded opening made in the support axis 61 in order to secure the support axis 61 to the longitudinal member 23 and allow rotation of the attachment support 50 around the support axis 61. The fixing screw 67 may be used with a washer 68.

[0046] A bearing 70 may be interposed between the opening 63 of the attachment support 50 and the support shaft 61 in order to limit friction during rotation of the attachment support 50 around the support shaft 61. A bearing 71 may also cover the head of the support shaft 61 in order to limit friction with the guide groove 43.

[0047] The head of the support shaft 61 thus ensures guidance of the rear part of the seat structure 22 along the guide groove 43 when the seat 10 moves from the raised position (or TTL position) to the comfort position, and vice versa.

[0048] Advantageously, as can be seen in [Fig. 4a], when the seat 10 is in the raised position, the head of the attachment pin 55 cooperates with the inclined portion 46 of the guide groove 43. During a certification test, the force applied by the dummy on the belt attachment 48 is directed at an angle close to 90 degrees with respect to the guide groove 43. This force can be absorbed mainly by the lower structure 11.

[0049] Preferably, a gap L1 (see [Fig. 4a]) measured between the attachment axis 55 and the support axis 61 is less than a length L2 of the inclined portion 46 of the guide groove 43 (see [Fig. 4b]). This ensures clearance between the attachment axis 55 and the end of the guide groove 43 so that the raised and comfort positions of the kinematics are electrically controlled by the actuator without risk of mechanical interference. This clearance is obtained by adding, at the end of the guide groove 43, an overtravel of a few millimeters relative to the maximum variation in the position of the seat structure when the seat 10 is in the raised position.

[0050] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, a slide 72 is adapted to guide a front portion of the seat structure 22. For this purpose, the slide 72 comprises a rail 73 fixed to the seat structure 22, which is adapted to slide along a guide 74. The guide 74 is rotatably mounted relative to a front end of the guide element 39. To this end, the guide 74 is fixed to a guide support 75 by means of fasteners 76, such as screws. The guide support 75 is provided with a cylindrical shaft 77 cooperating with an opening 78 formed in the guide element 39 by means of a bearing 79. In order to ensure axial retention of the cylindrical shaft 77, a circlip 80 can cooperate with a circular groove formed in an outer periphery of the shaft 77.

[0051] As can be seen in Figures 2a and 2b, in order to ensure automatic movement of the seat 10 from one position to another, the motorized actuator 20 comprises a motor body 83 fixed to the seat structure 22 and a guide rod 84 having one end fixed to the lower structure 11. In this instance, the motor body 83 is fixed to an intermediate cross member 86 of the seat structure 22, while one end of the guide rod 84 is mounted on the beam 14 supporting the cross members 31. Alternatively, the configuration may be reversed, i.e., the motor body 83 may be fixed to the lower structure 11, while the end of the guide rod 84 may be fixed to the seat structure 22.

[0052] The operation of the seat 10 when the passenger wishes to move it from an upright (or TTL) position to a comfort position is described below. In the TTL position illustrated in [Fig. 2a], the seat 17 extends in a substantially horizontal plane while the backrest 19 extends substantially in a vertical plane. To move the seat 10 to the comfort position, the passenger activates a control button, which sets in motion the motorized actuator 20 that moves the seat structure 22 forward, as illustrated in [Fig. 2b]. The rear end of the seat structure 22 is guided along the guide groove 43 via the head of the support shaft 61 (see figures 4a and 4b) while the front part of the seat structure 22 is guided along the slide 72 so that the rail 73 fixed on a longitudinal member 23 of the seat structure 22 can slide along the guide 74.The slide 72 is configured such that the seat structure 22 forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the seat 10 is in the comfort position.

[0053] A forward movement of the seat structure 22 may cause a rearward movement of the backrest 19.

[0054] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one seat 10.

[0055] Of course, the different features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0056] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that a person skilled in the art may consider within the scope of the present invention, and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

Demands

1. A seat (10), particularly for an aircraft, comprising: - at least one seat (17) comprising at least one seat structure (22), and - a lower structure (11), - said seat structure (22) being movable relative to the lower structure (11), characterized in that the lower structure (11) comprises at least one guide element (39) extending along a general longitudinal extension direction (Dl) and comprising a guide groove (43), - said guide groove (43) comprising a first portion (45) extending along the general longitudinal extension direction (Dl) and a second portion, referred to as the inclined portion (46), forming a non-zero angle with respect to the general longitudinal extension direction (Dl), - said seat (10) further comprising at least one seat belt attachment (48) and at least one attachment support (50),- said belt attachment (48) being rotatably mounted relative to the attachment support (50) by means of an attachment pin (55) having a head cooperating with the guide groove (43), - said attachment support (50) being rotatably mounted relative to the seat structure (22) by means of a support pin (61) having a head cooperating with the guide groove (43), - the head of the attachment pin (55) being disposed inside the inclined portion (46) of the guide groove (43) when the seat (10) is in a raised position.

2. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap (L1) measured between the attachment axis (55) and the support axis (61) is less than a length (L2) of the inclined portion (46) of the guide groove (43).

3. Seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a motorized actuator (20) so as to allow automatic movement of said seat (10) from the raised position to a rest position.

4. Seat according to claim 3, characterized in that the motorized actuator (20) comprises a motor body (83) fixed on one of the following elements: the seat structure (22) and the base structure (11), thus that a guide rod (84) having one end fixed on the other of the elements among: the seat structure (22) and the base structure (11).

5. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a slide (72) suitable for guiding a front part of the seating structure (22).

6. Seat according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide (72) comprises a rail (73) fixed on the seat structure (22) capable of sliding along a guide (74) rotatably mounted relative to a front end of the guide element (39).

7. Seat according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the slide (72) is configured such that the seating structure (22) forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the seat (10) is in a comfortable position.

8. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower structure comprises two brackets (31) arranged on either side of the seating structure (22), the guide element (39) being fixed on a corresponding bracket (31).

9. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a backrest structure (26) mounted rotatably relative to the seat structure (22).

10. Aircraft comprising at least one seat (10) as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

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