Transparent car seat back

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat back (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a metal frame (100) defining a central recessed area (101); characterized in that it also comprises: - a support frame (200) fixedly fitted onto the front portion of said frame and defining a central recessed area (201) overlapping at least partially with that of said frame; - a rear shell (500) fixed to said support frame by enveloping at least the rear portion of said frame not covered by said support frame, said rear shell having a central recessed area (501) overlapping at least partially with those of said frames; and - a front support cap (600) intended to receive the back of an occupant, said cap being fixedly attached to the front face of said support frame and comprising a central perforated portion covering the recessed area of ​​this support frame. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Seat back for a motor vehicle with a transparent effect Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle seats, particularly of the automobile type.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a back of such a seat with a transparency effect. Prior art

[0003] The back of a motor vehicle seat generally comprises a rigid metal frame, the front part of which supports flexible padding intended to provide uniform and comfortable support for the occupant's back.

[0004] The backrest frame comprises a rigid frame formed by two lateral flanges arranged symmetrically opposite each other and between which extend two upper and lower crosspieces. Such a frame further comprises, in a conventional manner, an elastic support sheet supported by the lateral flanges of the backrest frame and comprising several crenellated metal wires extending transversely between these flanges and arranged at regular intervals over the height of this frame.

[0005] Intended to ensure the dynamic comfort of the passenger, the padding is most often made up of a block of polyurethane foam generally molded according to the final shape desired for the seat element.

[0006] The frame and the padding are covered externally with a cover made of textile, leather or imitation leather depending on the desired result.

[0007] Also known, for example from document FR 2 793 455 A1, are seat backs for motor vehicles whose rear face is made up of a shell, generally made of plastic, covered externally with fabric.

[0008] The presence of such a rear shell thus makes it possible to better match the backrest to the style and decoration of the passenger compartment, so as to provide a better overall aesthetic rendering inside this passenger compartment.

[0009] Document KR 101764770 B1 discloses a vehicle seat back comprising a back frame made of plastic and having a hollow central area.

[0010] The seat back also comprises a plurality of parallel elastic polymer cords extending transversely on either side of the recessed area at the front face of this back, so as to constitute an elastic support mesh for the back of a passenger.

[0011] Such a conformation of the file thus allows it to be crossed by rays luminous which generates a particularly aesthetic transparency effect while improving the brightness in the passenger compartment so as to limit the feeling of compartmentalization that passengers can sometimes feel inside vehicles.

[0012] Unfortunately, the development costs of such a seat back are particularly high, in particular because of its completely different frame which must meet regulatory safety requirements concerning in particular its impact resistance and the attachment of a safety airbag. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a seat back for a motor vehicle comprising a metal frame defining a hollow central zone; characterized in that it also includes: - a support frame fixedly fitted onto the front portion of said reinforcement frame and defining a hollow central zone overlapping at least partially with that of this reinforcement frame; - a rear shell fixed to said support frame by wrapping at least the rear portion of said reinforcement frame not covered by said support frame, said rear shell having a hollow central zone overlapping at least partially with those of said frames; and - a front support cover intended to receive the back of an occupant, said cover being fixedly attached against the front face of said support frame and comprising an openwork central portion covering the hollowed-out area of ​​this support frame.

[0015] Such a conformation of the backrest according to the invention thus allows it to be crossed by light rays which generates a particularly aesthetic transparency effect while improving the brightness in the passenger compartment so as to limit the feeling of compartmentalization that passengers can sometimes feel inside vehicles.

[0016] The file according to the invention also has the advantage of not requiring high development costs due to the reuse of a standard reinforcement frame meeting the regulatory safety requirements concerning in particular its impact resistance and the attachment of a safety airbag.

[0017] According to a first preferred embodiment of said seat back according to the invention, said front support cover is molded by a process of injecting a thermoplastic polymer optionally loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0018] According to this first embodiment, said backrest may further comprise a headrest integrated into said front cover and surmounting said frame, said support frame and said rear shell.

[0019] According to a second preferred embodiment of said seat back according to the invention, said front support cover is made of an openwork textile fabric.

[0020] According to this second embodiment, said backrest may further comprise a headrest mounted on said frame.

[0021] According to other preferred characteristics of the file according to the invention: - said rear shell is obtained by a thermoforming process from a sheet of thermoplastic polymer; - said rear shell is covered with a decorative carpet-type covering; - said support frame is molded by an injection process of a thermoplastic polymer possibly loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers; and / or - said backrest comprises a safety airbag fixed to said frame and enveloped by said rear shell.

[0022] The invention also aims, in a second aspect, at a motor vehicle seat comprising such a backrest. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a three-quarter front perspective view of a vehicle seat back according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle seat back of [Fig.l]; and - [Fig.3] is a simplified sectional view of the seat back of [Fig.l], taken along a horizontal section plane. Description of the embodiments

[0024] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of the backrest 1 of a motor vehicle seat intended to be mounted on the floor of this vehicle.

[0025] In the description which follows and by convention, when reference is made to qualifiers of absolute position (such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc.), of relative position (such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc.) or of orientation (such as the terms "longitudinal", "vertical", "transverse", etc.), reference will be made to a seat in a normal position of use thereof in the ordinary direction of progression of the vehicle.

[0026] Referring to the exploded view of [Fig.2], the backrest 1 comprises a metal reinforcement frame 100, a support frame 200, a safety airbag 300, a tilt adjustment crown 400, a rear shell 500 and a front support cap 600 intended to receive the back of an occupant.

[0027] Intended to be mounted articulated with pivoting along a transverse axis with respect to a seat frame not shown, the metal frame 100 has a conventional architecture.

[0028] Defining a hollow central zone 101, this metal reinforcement frame 100 thus comprises two lateral flanges 110, 120 arranged symmetrically opposite one another and between which extend two upper 130 and lower 140 crosspieces.

[0029] The side plates 110, 120 and crosspieces 130, 140 are each made in a single piece by stamping from a steel sheet, and assembled two by two by laser welding.

[0030] Attachment holes are advantageously provided in these side plates 110, 120 in order to allow the safety airbag 300 to be fixed against a portion of their outer face.

[0031] The armature frame 100 also conventionally comprises a transverse articulation rod 150 extending, at the level of the lower crosspiece 140, between the two lateral flanges 110, 120, and on one end of which an inclination adjustment crown 400 is mounted.

[0032] Fixedly attached to the reinforcement frame 100, the support frame 200 is advantageously molded in one piece by a process of injecting a thermoplastic polymer (preferably a polypropylene for its rigidity characteristics) possibly loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers (for example a PP-MD20, that is to say a polypropylene with a 20% mineral load).

[0033] Defining a hollow central zone 201 overlapping at least partially with that 101 of the reinforcement frame 100, this support frame 200 comprises two lateral uprights 210, 220 arranged symmetrically opposite one another and between which extend two upper 230 and lower 240 transverse arms.

[0034] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the two lateral uprights 210, 220 have a J- or U-shaped profile in section, the concavity of which is turned towards the rear. They thus each comprise two external lateral cheeks 212, 222 and internal 213, 223.

[0035] Each lateral upright 210, 220 is fitted by shape correspondence onto the front portion of a corresponding lateral flange 110, 120 of the reinforcement frame 100 which it covers.

[0036] Each external lateral cheek 212, 222 further comprises at least one cutout which is not visible and which allows it not to interfere with the airbag 300 attached to the external face of one of the lateral flanges 110, 120 of the frame. 100 reinforcement.

[0037] The fixing of the support frame 200 on the reinforcement frame 100 is preferably carried out by screwing and / or snapping.

[0038] In this case and as illustrated schematically in [Fig. 3], the external lateral cheeks 212, 222 of the lateral uprights 210, 220 are screwed onto the lateral flanges 110, 120 of this reinforcement frame 100 using a plurality of screws V distributed vertically over the height of the backrest 1.

[0039] Still with reference to this [Fig. 3], the internal lateral cheeks 213, 223 of these lateral uprights 210, 220 comprise clipping members 213A, 223A cooperating by snap-fastening with complementary means provided on the lateral flanges 110, 120 of the reinforcement frame 100.

[0040] Attached to the support frame 200 by wrapping at least the rear portion of the armature frame 100 not covered by this support frame 200 (the whole of this armature frame 100 thus being entirely covered), the rear shell 500 is advantageously obtained by a thermoforming process from a sheet of thermoplastic polymer such as, for example, polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). This rear shell 500 may further be optionally coated with a decorative covering, for example, a carpet-type textile.

[0041] Defining a hollow central zone 501 overlapping at least partially with those 101, 201 of the reinforcement frame 100 and the support frame 200, this rear shell 500 comprises two lateral uprights 510, 520 arranged symmetrically opposite one another and between which extend two upper 530 and lower 540 transverse arms.

[0042] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the two lateral uprights 510, 520 have a J- or U-shaped profile in section, the concavity of which is turned towards the front. Each lateral upright 510, 520 of the rear shell 500 envelops at least the rear portion, not covered by the support frame 200, of a corresponding lateral flange 110, 120 of the reinforcement frame 100.

[0043] Still with reference to [Fig. 3], the fixing of the rear shell 500 on the support frame 200 is preferably carried out by means of plastic profiles 550 sewn along the inner and outer front edges of the lateral uprights 510, 520 and the transverse arms 530, 540 of this shell 500 and coming to hook onto attachment means provided on the corresponding lateral uprights 210, 220 and transverse arms 230, 240 of this support frame 200.

[0044] It will be noted that this rear shell 500 also envelops the safety airbag 300, a pre-cut that can be broken under a predetermined force being made in one of these lateral uprights 510, 520 opposite this airbag 300 in order to allow its deployment.

[0045] Fixedly attached against the front face of the support frame 200, for example by screwing, the front support cover 600 is advantageously molded by a process of injecting a thermoplastic polymer (preferably a polyethylene for its flexibility and appearance) possibly loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers (for example a PE-MD25, that is to say a polyethylene with a 15% mineral load).

[0046] The outer edge of this cover 600 is furthermore fixed to that of the rear shell 500, for example via lines of stitching or using plastic profiles sewn onto this cover 600 and hooked onto attachment means provided on this shell 500.

[0047] This front support cover 600 comprises an openwork central portion 601 covering the hollowed-out area 201 of the support frame 200.

[0048] As illustrated by figures 1 and 2, this central portion 601 of the cover 600 thus has in this case two openwork zones 602 arranged symmetrically to one another with respect to the median vertical plane of the backrest 2 and each consisting of a series of parallel rectilinear cutouts 602A.

[0049] Such a conformation of the backrest 1 according to the invention thus allows it to be crossed by light rays which generates a particularly aesthetic transparency effect while improving the brightness in the passenger compartment so as to limit the feeling of compartmentalization that passengers can sometimes feel inside vehicles.

[0050] Furthermore, the presence of these openwork zones 602 provides a certain flexibility to this central portion 601 of the cover 600 allowing it to better fit the shape of the back of an occupant and thus improve their comfort. It is understood that this flexibility of the central portion 601 can be adjusted by modifying the thickness of the cover 600 and / or the number and dimensioning of the cutouts 602A.

[0051] Finally, and so that the support cap 600 perfectly matches the curve of the front face of the support frame 200, the zone bordering the openwork central portion 601 is advantageously held against the inner peripheral portion of this front face of the support frame 200, for example via a plurality of fir-tree type pins P passing through this cap 600 and snapping into blind orifices provided in the support frame 200.

[0052] Referring again to figures 1 and 2, the front cover 600 advantageously incorporates a headrest 610 surmounting the frame 100, the support frame 200 and the rear shell 500.

[0053] According to embodiment variants not shown, the front support cover may be made of an openwork textile fabric, such as for example a Batyline® type fabric. In such a case, the headrest will not be integrated into the cover but mounted on the armature frame.

[0054] According to still other variant embodiments not shown, the rear shell 500 may be devoid of a frangible pre-cut facing the airbag 300, the attachment between the outer edge of the cover 600 and that of the rear shell 500 being configured to break under the force exerted by this airbag 300 when it is triggered.

[0055] It is also possible to envisage that the rear shell 500 has a window arranged opposite the airbag 300 and covered with a textile insert sewn using a fusible seam that tears under the force exerted by this airbag 300 when it is triggered.

Claims

Claims

1. Seat back (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a metal frame (100) defining a hollow central zone (101); characterized in that it also comprises: - a support frame (200) fixedly fitted onto the front portion of said frame (100) and defining a hollow central zone (201) overlapping at least partially with that (101) of this frame (100); - a rear shell (500) fixed to said support frame (200) by enveloping at least the rear portion of said frame (100) not covered by said support frame (100), said rear shell (500) having a hollow central zone (501) overlapping at least partially with those (101, 201) of said frames (100, 200);and - a front support cover (600) intended to receive the back of an occupant, said cover (600) being fixedly attached against the front face of said support frame (200) and comprising an openwork central portion covering the hollowed-out area (201) of this support frame (200).;

2. Seat back (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said front support cover (600) is molded by a process of injecting a thermoplastic polymer optionally loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

3. Seat back (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a headrest (610) integrated into said front cover (600) and surmounting said frame (100), said support frame (200) and said rear shell (500).

4. Seat back (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said front support cover (600) is made of an openwork textile fabric.

5. Seat back (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a headrest mounted on said frame (100).

6. Seat back (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said rear shell (500) is obtained by a thermoforming process from a sheet of thermoplastic polymer.

7. Seat back (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said rear shell (500) is covered with a decorative carpet-type covering.

8. Seat backrest (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said support frame (200) is molded by an injection process of a thermoplastic polymer possibly loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

9. Seat back (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a safety airbag (300) fixed to said frame (100) and enveloped by said rear shell (500).

10. Motor vehicle seat characterized in that it comprises a backrest (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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