Motor vehicle comprising a removable seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (100) comprising a chassis (110), a motor vehicle seat (120) removably mounted on the chassis and comprising a sensor and a first electrical connection cable connected to the sensor and having a first connector at a free end, an electrical connection box (130) fixed to the chassis, under the seat when the latter is mounted on the chassis, and comprising a main body and a cover configured to allow access to the interior of the main body, and a second electrical connection cable connected to an electronic circuit of the vehicle and having, at a free end, a second connector adapted to be connected to the first connector in the connection box. According to the invention, the free end of the first cable is free with respect to the seat and the main body allows the insertion of two fingers to manually connect or disconnect the first connector and the second connector.Figure for abstract: Fig.1.

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a removable seat Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the electrical connection of a removable seat to a motor vehicle electrical network.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a motor vehicle comprising: - a chassis, - a car seat which is removably mounted on the chassis and which comprises a sensor and a first electrical connection cable, said first electrical connection cable being connected to the sensor and having, at a free end, a first connector, - an electrical connection box which is fixed to the chassis, under the automobile seat when the latter is mounted on the chassis, and which comprises a main body and a cover configured to allow access to the interior of the main body, and - a second electrical connection cable which is connected to an electrical circuit of the motor vehicle and which has, at a free end, a second connector adapted to be connected to the first connector in the electrical connection box.

[0003] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the connection of a system for detecting the locking of seat belts for removable seats of a utility vehicle. State of the art

[0004] Within a motor vehicle, it is known to equip the front seats with a seat belt detection system (or "SBR" for "Seat Belt Reminder" in English). These detection systems allow a processing unit of the vehicle to detect whether or not a passenger seated on a seat concerned has fastened his seat belt, and to emit, if necessary, a visual and / or audible signal to the driver.

[0005] These detection systems are therefore connected to the processing unit by electrical connection cables.

[0006] We then wish to equip the rear seats with the same type of systems.

[0007] Professional vehicles, such as utility vehicles, but also certain private vehicles, are equipped with removable seats in order to promote either the passenger capacity or the loading capacity of the trunk. In order to equip these removable seats with an SBR detection system, it is then necessary to ensure that these seats can be connected or disconnected from the circuit vehicle electrical system.

[0008] One solution then consists of equipping the removable seats with connectors fixed under the seats and designed to automatically engage with complementary connectors present on the floor of the vehicle when the seat is installed in the vehicle. This solution, although effective, is subject to risks of contamination, such as dust and liquids, which can damage or obstruct the connectors. It is therefore not a reliable solution for utility vehicles. In addition, this solution is heavy and expensive. Presentation of the invention

[0009] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes to establish the electrical connection between the seat and the vehicle manually, in a box making it possible to protect the connectors.

[0010] More particularly, the invention provides a motor vehicle as defined in the introduction, in which it is provided that the free end of the first electrical connection cable is free relative to the automobile seat and in which the electrical connection box allows the insertion of two fingers inside the main body, to allow the first connector and the second connector to be manually connected or disconnected.

[0011] The space in the box that allows the insertion of two fingers is here provided on each side of the connectors, and it is open on the top. Thus, the user can come and pinch these connectors with two fingers in order to connect them together or disconnect them.

[0012] Here, the first electrical connection cable being free, it is possible to move it while the seat remains in its position. It is therefore possible to connect or disconnect it independently of the position of the seat. The electrical connection between the first cable and the second cable can be made manually, it therefore constitutes a significant weight and cost saving compared to an automatic connection.

[0013] In addition, since the connection takes place in a box, the connectors are always well protected. Indeed, the connectors are then protected from handling, falling objects, but also from external contamination such as liquids or dust. The use of a closed and solid cover also makes it possible to protect the connectors from liquid, such as in the case of water on the floor of the vehicle.

[0014] Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the motor vehicle according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following: - the electrical connection box comprises a first slot on a first side of the main body, the first slot is configured to penetrate the first electrical connection cable into said electrical connection box, the box electrical connection includes a second slot on a second side opposite the first side of the main body and configured to penetrate the second electrical connection cable into the electrical connection box; - the cover of the electrical connection box comprises, on a face opposite the main body, grooves extending parallel to the first side and second side; - the main body of the electrical connection box comprises a bottom and at least one opening made in the bottom; - the second electrical connection cable is fixed in the electrical connection box; - the automobile seat comprises a means for temporarily fixing the free end of the first electrical connection cable; - the electrical connection box is fixed to the chassis using fixing means located outside a housing delimited by the main body of the electrical connection box; - the main body of the electrical connection box comprises a bottom and the second connector is positioned at a non-zero distance from the bottom and when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the first connector is positioned in continuity with the second connector, at a non-zero distance from the bottom of the box; - a mat is provided comprising a window configured to allow access to the electrical connection box, the periphery of which is sandwiched between the cover and the main body of the electrical connection box; and - the cover has means for snapping onto the main body.

[0015] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0017] In the attached drawings:

[0018] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to the invention, on which appears a seat connected to an electrical connection box;

[0019] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the interior of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l];

[0020] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the main body of the connection box electrical of [Fig.l], wherein a first electrical connection cable and a second electrical connection cable are connected;

[0021] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connection box of [Fig.l], with the cover closed;

[0022] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connection box of [Fig.l], with the cover open; and

[0023] [Fig.6] is a schematic sectional view of the electrical connection box of [Fig.l], with the cover closed, positioned on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0024] A motor vehicle 100 is shown in [Fig.l]. This motor vehicle 100 comprises a chassis 110 and seats fixed on the chassis 110. The motor vehicle 100 is here a utility vehicle.

[0025] This motor vehicle 100 comprises front seats (a driver's seat and a passenger seat) and at least one rear seat. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, it comprises five rear seats arranged in two rows.

[0026] In order to be able to transport equipment or people, it is planned that these rear seats be removable.

[0027] When all the removable seats 120 are fixed on the chassis 110, the motor vehicle 100 can then transport up to 7 passengers (including a driver and a front passenger). When all the removable seats 120 are detached from the chassis 110, the motor vehicle 100 has a large volume capacity for transporting material.

[0028] In [Fig. 2], a rear part of the interior of the motor vehicle 100 is shown when the removable seats 120 have been detached from the chassis 110. Five electrical connection boxes 130 can be seen, one placed under each removable seat location 120.

[0029] The removable seats 120 (and the associated electrical connection boxes 130) being all identical, only one of them will be described here in more detail.

[0030] This removable seat 120 conventionally comprises a backrest and a seat. The backrest can be folded onto the seat, the removable seat 120 is then in the folded position. Front and rear fasteners are provided to allow the rear of the seat to be detached independently of the front fastener which remains attached. Thus, the backrest and the seat can be folded forward, into the retracted position. In this position, it is possible to detach the front in order to remove the removable seat 120 from the passenger compartment.

[0031] The removable seat 120 is equipped with a sensor (not visible in the figures). This sensor makes it possible, for example, to detect the presence of a user seated on the removable seat 120. The sensor here is a pressure detection sheet integrated into the upholstery of the seat of the removable seat 120.

[0032] The removable seat 120 also includes a seat belt buckle, for receiving and locking a seat belt strap lock. This buckle is electronized to detect the presence of the lock in the buckle.

[0033] The motor vehicle 100 then comprises an electronic processing unit and / or computer programmed to receive signals from the sensor and the seat belt buckle, and to emit an alarm signal (haptic, audible or visual) to alert the driver if a user is detected on the removable seat 120 and the seat belt is not fastened.

[0034] In order to allow the processing unit to receive these signals, the pressure detection sheet as well as the electronic belt buckle are here adapted to be connected to the electrical circuit of the car in a wired manner. To guarantee the removability of the removable seat 120, it is provided that the electrical connection of the removable seat 120 with the motor vehicle 100 can be physically cut.

[0035] The pressure detection sheet and the electronic belt outlet are then electrically connected to a first electrical connection cable 122 comprising a first connector 123 at its free end ([Fig.3]).

[0036] The first connector 123 can be connected to the electrical circuit of the motor vehicle 100 (and therefore to the processing unit) via a second connector 141. This second connector 141 is therefore connected via a second electrical connection cable 140 to the electrical circuit of the motor vehicle 100. The first connector 123 and the second connector 141 can be connected or disconnected manually.

[0037] Preferably, they are connected when the removable seat 120 is installed on the chassis 110 of the motor vehicle 100 and disconnected when the removable seat 120 is to be removed from the vehicle.

[0038] When the two connectors 132, 141 are disconnected, the free end of the first electrical connection cable 122 comprising the first connector 123 is free relative to the removable seat 120. This means that the first connection cable 122 is not mechanically constrained other than by its connection with the sensor of the removable seat 120. The first connection cable 122 can then be moved manually independently of the seat. In other words, the first connector 123 can be moved without this movement causing movement of the rest of the removable seat (within a certain limit corresponding to the maximum length of the first electrical connection cable 122). Conversely, it is possible to tilt the removable seat 120 from its use position to its folded or retracted position without this movement disconnecting the two connectors 132, 141.

[0039] So that the first electrical connection cable 122 does not rest on the chassis over a length (and users get their feet caught in it), this cable has, at rest, a spirally wound shape (see [Fig.4]).

[0040] For the same purpose, the removable seat 120 may comprise a temporary fixing means (not shown) making it possible to temporarily fix the free end of the first electrical connection cable 122 to the seat when the first connector 123 is disconnected. For example, the temporary fixing means may be a clip attachment to hold the connection cable when it has been inserted.

[0041] In [Fig. 3], the first electrical connection cable 122 and the second electrical connection cable 140 are shown in the connected position.

[0042] Here, the first connector 123 (seat side) is a female connector, and the second connector 141 is a male connector, but the reverse would be possible.

[0043] These connectors could be of any type, as long as they can be connected and disconnected manually.

[0044] Mechanical means are further provided for locking these connectors in the connected state.

[0045] Here, the first connector 123 comprises a notch and the second connector 141 comprises a push button of identical shapes, in negative. The push button is movable relative to the second connector 141 between a released position in which it can fit into the notch and a depressed position in which it does not form an obstacle to the connection and disconnection of the two connectors. In practice, the user is required to press the push button to facilitate the connection of the two connectors. When the connectors are connected, the push button automatically fits into the notch, which makes it possible to secure the connection and prevent the connectors from being disconnected with vibrations or movements of the motor vehicle 100.

[0046] In order to protect the second connector 141 and the second electrical connection cable 140, the junction between this connector and the cable is covered with a protection 142. Preferably, the protection 142 is made of flexible plastic.

[0047] In order to protect the connectors, the connection between the first connector 123 and the second connector 141 is made in the electrical connection box 130 which is fixed to the chassis 110.

[0048] The electrical connection box 130 is located under the removable seat 120 when the latter is mounted on the chassis 110 and is in the use position. The connection box 130 comprises a main body 131 and a cover 132 configured to allow access to the interior of the main body 131.

[0049] [Fig. 3] represents the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130 seen from above.

[0050] The main body 131 is preferably of hollow parallelepiped shape and comprises a rectangular bottom from the edges of which four sides rise. It thus delimits a connection space open on one side (here on the top).

[0051] Preferably, the electrical connection box 130 is made of electrically non-conductive material, here made of plastic.

[0052] The electrical connection box 130 comprises a first slot on a first side of the main body 131, allowing the free end of the first electrical connection cable 122 in the connection space.

[0053] In addition, the electrical connection box 130 comprises a second slot on a second side opposite the first side of the main body 131, allowing the second electrical connection cable 140 to penetrate into the connection space.

[0054] In order to be able to connect or disconnect the connectors manually, the width of the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130 allows the insertion of a finger on each side of the connectors. For example, at least one centimeter may be provided on each side of the connectors (between the side wall of the box and each side of the connectors). The fingers can therefore be inserted through the opening of the connection space, and thus pinch the connectors.

[0055] To optimize the width of the main body 131, while allowing the insertion of fingers, the electrical connection box 130 is fixed to the chassis 110 by means of fixing means 133 located outside the connection space. For example, the fixing means 133 are here two studs welded to the chassis, which rise from the latter and which pass through openings provided on plates fixed to the main body, outside its four sides.

[0056] The second electrical connection cable 140 is preferably always present in the electrical connection box 130. For greater stability, and in order not to move when it is not connected, it is here fixed in the electrical connection box 130. The fixing is carried out here in particular by means of a fixing clip 143 on the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130.

[0057] The fixing clip 143 may, for example, be located outside the connection space, and close to the second slot. This fixing clip forms a clamp located on a plate fixed to the main body, outside its four sides. This clamp is open on the top so that it is possible to clip the second electrical connection cable 140 there.

[0058] Figures 4 and 5 show a schematic perspective representation of the electrical connection box 130.

[0059] The cover 132, shown transparently in the figures, makes it possible to protect the interior of the electrical connection box 130 from dust and other contamination of the motor vehicle 100.

[0060] It could be mounted movably on the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130, for example so as to be able to tilt onto it. But preferably, to facilitate access to the connection volume, it is removable. The cover 132 here then comprises snap-fastening means adapted to be attached to or detached from the main body 131, without tools.

[0061] Here, the cover 132 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. It has a main wall with dimensions greater than those of the connection volume, for completely close the latter, and four snap-in tabs distributed at its four corners. Each snap-in tab has a flexible tab which carries, at its end, a projecting tooth. The main body 131 has cavities of shapes complementary to the projections allowing them to be attached to it.

[0062] The electrical connection box 130 is shown with the cover 132 closed in [Fig.4], and with the cover 132 open in [Fig.5].

[0063] In order to protect the two connectors 123, 141 from contaminants such as liquids, the cover 132 of the electrical connection box 130 comprises, on a face facing the main body 131, grooves 135. These grooves 135 make it possible to route the contaminant away from the connection area of ​​the electrical connection cables. For example, a portion of the grooves 135 extend parallel to the first side and second side comprising the slots, so as to block the flow of contaminant towards the center of the box body. Here, other grooves extend orthogonally to the first side and second side.

[0064] Preferably, to protect the connectors in the event of contaminants entering the electrical connection box 130, the second connector 141 is positioned on a portion raised relative to the bottom of the electrical connection box 130 (and therefore relative to the chassis 110). This portion here has a means for fixing the connector, in the form of a tab into which the connector can be plugged.

[0065] The second connector 141 is then positioned at a non-zero distance from the bottom of the body 131 of the box 130. When the first connector 123 is connected to the second connector 141, the first connector 123 is then positioned in the continuity of the second connector 141, at a non-zero distance from the bottom of the electrical connection box 130. Thanks to this elevation, if water fell into the electrical connection box 130, then it would be brought towards the bottom of the electrical connection box 130 by gravity, far from the connection.

[0066] Furthermore, in order to avoid an accumulation of water in the bottom of the electrical connection box 130, the bottom of the main body 131 comprises at least one opening 134. The water can thus flow through the opening 134 towards the chassis 110 of the motor vehicle 100. Here, the bottom is perforated over more than half of its surface area.

[0067] In [Fig. 6], the electrical connection box 130 is shown in cross-section. The cover 132 of the box 130 is closed on the main body 131.

[0068] In order to provide a flat floor for optimal use of the motor vehicle 100 when the removable seat 120 is detached from the chassis 110, it is provided that the electrical connection box 130 is incorporated into the floor of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 100.

[0069] The latter therefore has a cavity in which the main body 131 is housed, depth equal to the height of the latter.

[0070] Thus, the floor can possibly be covered with a carpet 150 placed on the upper end of the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130.

[0071] The chassis 110 is here made of sheet metal.

[0072] The carpet 150 conventionally comprises a soundproofing layer.

[0073] The mat 150 includes a window configured to allow access to the connection volume delimited by the electrical connection box 130. In order to obtain a flat floor, the periphery of the window is sandwiched between the cover 132 and the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130.

[0074] Conventionally, the mat 150 is installed in the motor vehicle 100 after the installation of the electrical connection box 130. The cover 132 is clipped to the main body 131 of the electrical connection box 130 and covers the mat 150.

[0075] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the removable seat 120 connected to the electronic circuit of the motor vehicle 100 can be extracted (i.e. detached from the chassis 110) thanks to the following steps: - Folding the backrest of the removable seat 120 into the folded position, - Disengaging the rear attachment of the removable seat 120, - Tilting the removable seat 120 onto its front attachments into the retracted position, - Opening of the cover 132 of the electrical connection box 130, - Disconnection of the first connector 123 from the second connector 141, - Extraction of the first electrical connection cable 122 from the electrical connection box 130, - Closing the cover 132 of the electrical connection box 130, - Holding the end of the free cable of the first electrical connection cable 122 by means of the temporary fixing means, - Disengagement of the front fixings of the removable seat 120, and - Extraction of the removable seat 120 from the chassis 110.

[0076] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide any variant in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A motor vehicle (100) comprising: a chassis (110), a motor vehicle seat (120) which is removably mounted on the chassis (110) and which comprises a sensor and a first electrical connection cable (122), said first electrical connection cable (122) being connected to the sensor and having, at a free end, a first connector (123), an electrical connection box (130) which is fixed to the chassis (110), under the motor vehicle seat (120) when the latter is mounted on the chassis (110), and which comprises a main body (131) and a cover (132) configured to allow access to the interior of the main body (131), and a second electrical connection cable (140) which is connected to an electrical circuit of the motor vehicle (100) and which has, at a free end, a second connector (141) adapted to be connected to the first connector (123) in the electrical connection box (130),characterized in that the free end of the first electrical connection cable (122) is free relative to the automobile seat (120) and in that the electrical connection box (130) allows the insertion of two fingers into the main body (131) to manually connect or disconnect the first connector (123) and the second connector (141).,

2. A motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection box (130) comprises a first slot on a first side of the main body (131), the first slot being configured to penetrate the first electrical connection cable (122) into said electrical connection box (130), the electrical connection box (130) comprises a second slot on a second side opposite the first side of the main body (131) and configured to penetrate the second electrical connection cable (140) into the electrical connection box (130).

3. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cover (132) of the electrical connection box (130) comprises, on a face facing the main body (131), grooves (135) extending parallel to the first side and second side.

4. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in wherein the main body (131) of the electrical connection box (130) comprises a bottom and at least one opening (134) made in the bottom.

5. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second electrical connection cable (140) is fixed in the electrical connection box (130).

6. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the motor vehicle seat (120) comprises a means for temporarily fixing the free end of the first electrical connection cable (122).

7. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the electrical connection box (130) is fixed to the chassis (110) by means of fixing means (133) located outside a housing delimited by the main body (131) of the electrical connection box (130).

8. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main body (131) of the electrical connection box (130) comprises a bottom and wherein the second connector (141) is positioned at a non-zero distance from the bottom and when the first connector (123) is connected to the second connector (141), the first connector (123) is positioned in continuity with the second connector (141), at a non-zero distance from the bottom of the box (130).

9. A motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there is provided a mat (150) comprising a window configured to allow access to the electrical connection box (130), the periphery of which is sandwiched between the cover (132) and the main body (131) of the electrical connection box (130).

10. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 9, wherein the cover (132) comprises means for snapping onto the main body (131).

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