Vehicle seat slide element

Abstract

Vehicle seat slide element The invention relates to a vehicle seat slide element (1) comprising a body (2), extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one first fixing element (4) for a vehicle seat, intended to allow the fixing of a vehicle seat on the slide element, said first fixing element (4) being fixed to the body (2) in the vicinity of a longitudinal end of said body (2) by at least one weld bead (14), the slide element further comprising at least one additional element (6) fixed on the body (2). The additional element (6) is fixed to the body (2) by at least one weld point (18), having a longitudinal dimension measured in the longitudinal direction less than a longitudinal dimension of the weld bead (14). Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat slide element

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat slide element, of the type comprising a body, extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one first vehicle seat fixing element, intended to allow the fixing of a vehicle seat on the slide element, said first fixing element being fixed to the body in the vicinity of a longitudinal end of said body by at least one weld bead, the slide element further comprising at least one additional element fixed on the body.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of producing such a slide element.

[0003] The invention applies more particularly to a slide element comprising at least one additional element, such as an element for locking the position of the seat or a sensor support, in addition to the elements for fixing the seat to the slide element.

[0004] In the case of a seat position locking element, the attachment of this element to the body must be sufficiently robust so that the locking element remains integral with the body during repeated contact with the vehicle seat. For this purpose, the additional element is fixed by riveting to the body. When producing such a slide element, it is generally provided to fix the fixing elements to the body of the slide element, to paint this assembly, then to attach the additional element, which is painted during another painting step, to the body of the slide element and to fix the additional element, for example by riveting, to the body of the slide element.Thus, the body of the slide element and the additional element, particularly when the latter is a seat position locking element, are painted separately before being assembled together, which requires two lines of paint and complicates the production of the slide element.

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a slide element which can be produced in a simplified manner.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a slide element of the aforementioned type, in which the additional element is fixed to the body by at least one weld point, having a longitudinal dimension measured in the longitudinal direction less than a longitudinal dimension of the weld bead.

[0007] Thus, in the slide element according to the invention, the additional element is fixed to the body of the slide element by at least one spot weld, which makes it possible to fix the additional element in a sufficiently robust manner so that the assembly formed by the body, the fixing element and the additional element can circulate in a painting line without separating from each other, which allows the entire slide element to be painted in a single painting operation in a single painting line. At the end of the painting line, the attachment of the additional element can be reinforced by riveting the additional element to the body of the slide element, which allows the additional element to reliably perform its function.

[0008] The slide element according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0009] - the additional element is fixed to the body by at least two welding points, preferably at least three welding points, more preferably exactly three welding points;

[0010] - the additional element is an element for locking the position of the seat on the vehicle floor;

[0011] - the additional element is further fixed to the body by riveting;

[0012] - the longitudinal dimension of the welding point is substantially between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm;

[0013] - the slide element comprises a second fixing element for fixing the vehicle seat on the slide element, said second fixing element being fixed to the body by at least one weld bead in the vicinity of another longitudinal end of said body, opposite the longitudinal end in the vicinity of which the first fixing element is fixed to the body, the additional element being fixed to the body between the first fixing element and the second fixing element.

[0014] - the slide element further comprises a sensor support element fixed to the body by at least one welding point; and

[0015] - the body has a U-shaped section and comprises a support wall and two branches extending on either side of the support wall, the first fixing element and the additional element being fixed to the support wall.

[0016] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing a slide element as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0017] - fixing at least one first fixing element in the vicinity of a long end tudinal of the body by at least one weld bead,

[0018] - fixing at least one additional element to the body by at least one welding point having a longitudinal dimension less than a longitudinal dimension of the weld bead,

[0019] - paint together the body, the first fixing element and the additional element in a line of paint.

[0020] The production method according to the invention may further comprise the characteristic according to which the additional element is further fixed to the body by riveting. after the painting stage of the body, the first fixing element and the additional element.

[0021] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of an element of slide according to the invention, and

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.3] - Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective representations of details of [Fig.l].

[0024] With reference to [Fig.l], a slide element 1 is described comprising a body 2, at least one first fixing element 4 and at least one additional element 6.

[0025] The body 2 has a shape adapted to cooperate with a complementary slide element (not shown) in a sliding manner in a longitudinal direction in order to allow the adjustment of the position of the seat secured to the slide element 1 in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the body 2 extends mainly in the longitudinal direction and comprises at least one cooperation element 8 with the complementary slide element which is intended to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle. The body 2 is for example formed by a profile, having for example a U-shaped section, comprising a support wall 10 and two branches 12 extending on either side and from the support wall 10. A cooperation element 8, for example in the form of a groove, extends at the free end of each branch 12, opposite the support wall 10.The cooperation elements 8 are intended to be mounted mobile in translation in the complementary slide element, which has for example the shape of a rail. Such a body 2 is known per se and the shape described above is conventional.

[0026] The first fixing element 4 is arranged to allow the seat to be fixed to the slide element. The first fixing element 4 extends for example in the vicinity of one of the longitudinal ends of the body 2 and is fixed thereto by welding. More particularly, the first fixing element 4 is fixed to the body 2 by at least one weld bead 14. Such a weld bead 14 has an elongated shape at least in the longitudinal direction and has a length, in this direction, sufficient to ensure robust fixing of the first fixing element 14 to the body 2. According to an embodiment more particularly visible in [Fig.2], the weld bead 14 extends along a path in which the weld bead 14 comprises at least one portion extending in the longitudinal direction and at least one portion extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction, for example a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. More particularly, the weld bead 14 has for example a . U-shaped, with the two branches of the U extending in the longitudinal direction, as shown in [Fig. 2]. According to one embodiment, the first fixing element 4 is fixed to the body 2 by several weld beads 14, for example two weld beads 14, each having at least one portion extending in the longitudinal direction. Thus, as shown in [Fig. 2], one of the weld beads 14 has a U shape and the other has an L shape. It is understood that the shape of the weld bead(s) 14 may vary, in particular depending on the configuration of the first fixing element 4, for example the presence of fixing holes or the like. It will be understood that the longer the weld bead(s) 14 have, the more robust the fixing between the first fixing element 4 and the body 2.Thus, the weld bead(s) 14 are for example arranged so that the first fastening element 4 withstands a force substantially between 15 KN and 20 KN without becoming detached from the body 2, which allows the fastening between the first fastening element 4 and the body 2 of the slide element to meet the expected safety requirements. In other words, the weld bead(s) 14 are “definitive” fastening means between the body 2 and the first fastening element 4 and there is no need for additional fastening means between the first fastening element 4 and the body 2. The first fastening element 4 is for example fastened to the support wall 10 of the body 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The first fastening element 4 is more particularly fastened to the support wall 10 of the body 2.

[0027] According to a conventional embodiment, the slide element 1 further comprises a second fixing element 16 fixed in the vicinity of the other longitudinal end of the body 2, as shown in [Fig. 1]. The second fixing element 16 also allows the seat to be fixed to the slide element. The second fixing element 16 is for example fixed in the same way as the first fixing element 4 to the body 2, i.e. by one or more weld beads. This or these weld beads also ensure the definitive fixing of the second fixing element 16 to the body 2 and allow a fixing that is as robust between the second fixing element 16 and the body 2 as between the first fixing element 4 and the body 2.

[0028] The additional element 6 is fixed to the body 2, for example in a central zone thereof, that is to say between the first fixing element 4 and the second fixing element 16 in the longitudinal direction. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the additional element 6 is an element for locking the position of the seat on the floor of the vehicle. Such a locking element is generally used in three-door motor vehicles and allows the seat to return to its position in the longitudinal direction on the floor after this seat has been moved from temporarily to allow easier access to the rear space of the vehicle, for example to the rear seat. The operation of such a locking element is known per se and will not be described in further detail here.

[0029] The assembly of the fixing element(s) 4, 16 and the additional element 6 on the body is carried out before the slide element 1 is painted in a paint line. To do this, the additional element 6 is fixed on the body 2 by at least one weld point 18, which makes it possible to fix the additional element 6 temporarily so that it remains integral with the body 2 while the slide element 1 circulates in the paint line. The weld point 18 has a longitudinal dimension in the longitudinal direction smaller than that of the weld bead 14 or of each weld bead of the first fixing element 4, and, where appropriate, of the second fixing element 16. Thus, the weld point 18 has, for example, a longitudinal dimension substantially between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm.According to one embodiment, the welding point 18 has a dimension measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the same order as the longitudinal dimension. According to one embodiment, the welding point 18 has a substantially circular shape. According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], the additional element 6 is fixed to the body 2 by several welding points 18, for example three welding points, which are distributed over the surface of the additional element 6 to ensure fixing of the entire surface of the additional element 6 on the body 2. More particularly, the fixing is done between a flank 20 of the additional element 6 and the support wall 10 of the body 2, the flank being applied flat against the support wall 10 and extending over a certain length of the support wall 10 measured in the longitudinal direction.The welding points 18 are distributed along the length of the sidewall 20 to ensure that the entire sidewall 20 is fixed to the support wall 10.

[0030] One or more such welding points 18 make it possible to ensure a sufficiently robust attachment between the additional element 6 and the body 2 so that the additional element 6 remains secured to the body 2 when the slide element 1 is transported and painted in a paint line. Thus, the welding point(s) 18 are for example arranged so that the additional element 6 withstands a force substantially between 0.5 KN and 3 KN without becoming detached from the body 2, which is sufficient to maintain the attachment when the slide element 1 is transported in a paint line.

[0031] After the step of painting the slide element 1, the additional element 6 is for example permanently fixed to the body 2 by riveting, which makes it possible to ensure a robust fixing of the additional element 6 on the body 2. By robust fixing, we mean a fixing of the same order as that provided between the body 2 and the first and second fixing elements 4, 16.

[0032] Alternatively, the additional element is a sensor support, for example a position sensor of the movable slide element relative to the fixed slide element. As a further alternative, the slide element comprises several additional elements, for example a locking element and a sensor support element.

[0033] It should be noted that such a sensor support element is generally fixed by a weld bead to the body 2. Such a weld bead is however likely to cause deformation of the support element, this deformation being likely to cause malfunction of the slide element. Indeed, the sensor is then likely to extend into the path of movement of the movable slide element relative to the fixed slide element. By using a spot weld attachment, the sensor support element is not deformed. According to one embodiment, the sensor support element is fixed to the body 2 by several spot welds, for example between four and nine spot welds, preferably six spot welds, distributed over the path usually provided for the spot weld(s).

[0034] As indicated previously, the method for producing the slide element comprises a step of fixing the first fixing element 4, and where appropriate the second fixing element 16, by one or more weld beads 14 and the additional element(s) 6 on the body 2 by one or more weld points 18. The additional elements 6 concerned are those which must be painted.

[0035] The assembly is then painted in a paint line. At the end of this line, the additional element(s) 6 to be permanently fixed are fixed by riveting.

[0036] The production method according to the invention thus makes it possible to paint the slide element in a single step and to avoid having to paint parts separately from one another.

Claims

Claims

1. A vehicle seat slide element (1) comprising a body (2), extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one first fixing element (4) for a vehicle seat, intended to allow the fixing of a vehicle seat on the slide element, said first fixing element (4) being fixed to the body (2) in the vicinity of a longitudinal end of said body (2) by at least one weld bead (14), the slide element further comprising at least one additional element (6) fixed to the body (2), characterized in that the additional element (6) is fixed to the body (2) by at least one weld point (18), having a longitudinal dimension measured in the longitudinal direction less than a longitudinal dimension of the weld bead (14).

2. Slide element according to claim 1, wherein the additional element (6) is fixed to the body by at least two weld points (18), preferably at least three weld points, more preferably exactly three weld points.

3. Slide element according to claim 1 or 2, in which the additional element (6) is an element for locking the position of the seat on the vehicle floor.

4. A slide element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional element (6) is further fixed to the body (2) by riveting.

5. A slide element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the weld point (18) is substantially between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm.

6. A slide element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a second fixing element (16) for fixing the vehicle seat to the slide element, said second fixing element (16) being fixed to the body (2) by at least one weld bead in the vicinity of another longitudinal end of said body (2), opposite the longitudinal end in the vicinity of which the first fixing element (4) is fixed to the body (2), the additional element (6) being fixed to the body (2) between the first fixing element (4) and the second fixing element (16).

7. A slide member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least one sensor support member attached to the body (2) by at least one welding point.

8. A slide element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body (2) has a U-shaped section and comprises a support wall (10) and two branches (12) extending on either side of the support wall (10), the first fixing element (4) and the additional element (6) being fixed to the support wall (10).

9. Method for producing a slide element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: - fixing at least one first fixing element (4) in the vicinity of a longitudinal end of the body (2) by at least one weld bead (14), - fixing at least one additional element (6) to the body (2) by at least one weld point (18) having a longitudinal dimension less than a longitudinal dimension of the weld bead (14), - painting together the body (2), the first fixing element (4) and the additional element (6) in a paint line.

10. Production method according to claim 9, in which the additional element (6) is further fixed to the body (2) by riveting after the step of painting the body (2), the first fixing element (4) and the additional element (6).

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