Vehicle seat and method of using the seat
The vehicle seat design addresses the limitations of existing easy-entry seats by incorporating a slide mechanism with a lock and elastic element for robust, cost-effective transitions, ensuring reliable operation and user convenience, including emergency functionality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023009035
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-08-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle seats with easy-entry configurations are not robust, complex, and expensive, lacking a reliable mechanism for transitioning between usage and retracted positions.
A vehicle seat design featuring a slide mechanism with a lock, connecting rods, and an elastic element that allows for a retracting movement from an active to an inactive state, enabling smooth transitions between configurations using a single actuator, ensuring robustness and simplicity.
The design ensures reliable and cost-effective transitions between usage and retracted positions, enhancing seat robustness and user convenience, with a fail-safe mechanism for emergency scenarios.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle seat and method of using the seat Disclosure area
[0001] The present description relates to a vehicle seat and a method of using the seat. State of the art
[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, a vehicle seat is known which is configured to be able to have a usage configuration and a configuration facilitating access to the seats located behind the seat (in English "easy-entry position"; hereinafter referred to as "easy entry" position). Such a seat is generally implemented in a vehicle comprising a number of pairs of doors which is lower than the number of rows of seats, to allow access to the last row of seats in the vehicle, i.e. the row of seats arranged longitudinally furthest to the rear of the vehicle.
[0003] In the easy entry configuration, the seat is tilted forward and generally into a forward position. Generally, the seat is mounted on slides. In this case, the easy entry position may advantageously also correspond to a position of the seat as far forward as possible, along the slides.
[0004] Such a seat is disclosed in particular in document FR 3 116 771 A1. Although this vehicle seat provides satisfaction, the present disclosure aims to propose a different solution which is robust, simple and inexpensive. Disclosure Statement
[0005] According to the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle seat comprising:
[0006] - a seat having a front edge and a rear edge,
[0007] - a slide comprising a first element and a second element, the first element being intended to be fixed on a vehicle floor and the second element being configured to slide relative to the first element in a longitudinal direction between an extreme front position and an extreme rear position, in a forward direction or in a rear direction, opposite to the front direction,
[0008] - a front connecting rod having a front lower end and a top end superior before,
[0009] - a rear connecting rod having a rear lower end and a top end rear exterior,
[0010] - a connecting rod having a front intermediate end and a front end rear intermediate,
[0011] - a lock having an active state and an inactive state, in a configuration of use of the seat the lock is in the active state and maintains the seat relative to the second element of the slide, at least in the longitudinal direction, in the inactive state the lock does not maintain the seat relative to the second element of the slide,
[0012] - an elastic element,
[0013] in which:
[0014] in the vicinity of the lower front end, the front connecting rod is rotatably mounted around a lower front articulation axis on the second element of the slide,
[0015] in the vicinity of the front upper end, the seat is rotatably mounted around a front upper articulation axis on the front connecting rod,
[0016] in the vicinity of the rear lower end, the rear connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the first element around a rear lower articulation axis and the rear lower articulation axis is movable in the longitudinal direction,
[0017] in the vicinity of the rear upper end, the seat is rotatably mounted around a rear upper articulation axis on the rear connecting rod,
[0018] in the vicinity of the front intermediate end, the connecting rod is rotatably mounted about a front intermediate articulation axis on the front connecting rod,
[0019] in the vicinity of the rear intermediate end, the connecting rod is rotatably mounted about a rear intermediate articulation axis on the rear connecting rod,
[0020] the front lower hinge axis, the front upper hinge axis, the rear lower hinge axis, the rear upper hinge axis, the front intermediate hinge axis and the rear intermediate hinge axis extend in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
[0021] the elastic element urges the movement of the rear lower articulation axis in the longitudinal direction in the forward direction,
[0022] the seat is configured to pass from the use configuration to a retracted configuration after passing from the active state to the inactive state of the lock, by a retracting movement of the rear edge of the seat, by bringing the front lower articulation axis closer to the rear lower articulation axis over a retracting distance, the retracting movement comprising a component in the forward direction along the longitudinal direction.
[0023] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the retracting movement comprises a rear seat access movement, the seat is configured to carry out the rear seat access movement by sliding the second element from the extreme front position over the retracting distance in the rear direction relative to the first element, while maintaining the axis lower rear articulation in the longitudinal direction.
[0024] Thus, the slide is not in the extreme forward position in the retracted configuration, which improves the robustness of the slide.
[0025] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the seat further comprises a single actuator, configured to, in the configuration of use, translate the seat in the forward direction and in the rearward direction, opposite to the forward direction, by moving the second element in the longitudinal direction, and cause the retracting movement of the rear edge of the seat by moving the second element in the rearward direction, when the lock is in the inactive state.
[0026] Thus, a single actuator allows the adjustment of the usage configuration and the retraction movement.
[0027] According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the seat is configured so that the transition from the active state to the inactive state of the lock allows emergency movement of the rear edge of the seat, by movement of the rear lower articulation axis in the forward direction along the longitudinal direction while maintaining the second element relative to the first element.
[0028] Thus, even in the event of actuator failure, the seat can be placed in the retracted configuration.
[0029] According to a further additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the slide has a sliding travel between the extreme front position and the extreme rear position, and the actuator is configured to limit the movement of the second element relative to the first element, in the configuration of use, between the extreme rear position and an extreme front adjustment position, the extreme front adjustment position being between the extreme front position and the extreme rear position and distant from the extreme front position by the retraction distance.
[0030] Thus, regardless of the adjustment made by the user in the use configuration, the seat can be placed in the retracted configuration, even in the event of failure of the actuator.
[0031] In various embodiments of the seat according to the disclosure, one and / or the other of the following arrangements may optionally be used in addition:
[0032] - the elastic element has a front stress end and a rear stress end rear biasing, the front biasing end is connected to the front lower hinge pin and the rear biasing end is connected to the rear lower hinge pin;
[0033] - in the active state the lock maintains the seat in the vicinity of the rear edge, relative to to the second element;
[0034] - the seat further comprises a backrest and a joint, the backrest is connected to the seat by the articulation, the articulation has an axis of articulation and is ver- rustable in rotation, the hinge axis extends in the transverse direction, in the vicinity of the rear edge;
[0035] - the retraction movement further comprises a moving away of the rear edge of the seat relative to the slide, following a direction of elevation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction;
[0036] - the first element has a slot extending in the longitudinal direction, a slider is slidably mounted in the slot, and the rear connecting rod is mounted on the first element by means of the slider;
[0037] - the slot (28) has a front end (28a) forming a stop, and
[0038] - in the configuration of use, in the extreme front position, the slider is in abutment against the front end of the slot;
[0039] - the upper front articulation axis is in the vicinity of the front edge of the seat, and the upper rear hinge axis is near the rear edge of the seat.
[0040] The present disclosure also relates to a method of using the aforementioned seat, said method comprising, from the configuration of use, the following operations:
[0041] a) transition from the active state to the inactive state of the lock, then
[0042] b) bringing the front lower hinge axis closer to the rear lower hinge axis by the retraction distance.
[0043] According to a characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably operation b) is carried out according to an operation b1) by moving the front lower articulation axis in the rear direction, the rear lower articulation axis being fixed.
[0044] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the method further comprises an operation c), of moving the second element of the slide relative to the first element in the longitudinal direction in the forward direction to the extreme forward position.
[0045] According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, operation c) is preferably prior to operation b).
[0046] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably operation b) is carried out according to an operation b2) by moving the rear lower articulation axis in the forward direction, the front lower articulation axis being fixed. Brief description of the figures
[0047] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0048] [Fig-1] represents, in perspective, a seat in a configuration of use and in an extreme rear position,
[0049] [Fig.2] shows, in side view, the seat in the configuration of use and in the extreme rear position,
[0050] [Fig.3] shows, in side view, the seat in an extreme forward position,
[0051] [Fig.4] represents, in side view, the seat in an intermediate configuration,
[0052] [Fig.5] shows, in side view, the seat in an easy entry configuration,
[0053] [Fig.6] shows, in side view, the seat in an emergency configuration. Detailed Description of Disclosure
[0054] Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a seat 1. The seat 1 is a vehicle seat 100, in particular an automobile seat. The seat 1 is placed in a passenger compartment 4 of the vehicle 100. The seat 1 essentially comprises a seat 10, a backrest 15, a joint 19, a pair of slides 20 and an actuator 80. The seat 1 further comprises, between each slide 20 and the seat 10, a front connecting rod 30, a rear connecting rod 40, a connecting rod 50, a lock 60 and an elastic element 70.
[0055] The seat 10 extends in a longitudinal direction X between a front edge 12 and a rear edge 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 10 comprises a seat frame 13. The seat frame 13 essentially comprises two side members 13a, 13b connected by a front cross member 13c and a rear cross member 13d. The side members are arranged on each side of the seat in a transverse direction Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The side members 13a, 13b extend mainly in the longitudinal direction X. The front cross member 13c and the rear cross member 13d extend mainly in the transverse direction Y.
[0056] The backrest 15 extends in an elevation direction Z between an upper edge 16 and a lower edge 18. The elevation direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and to the transverse direction Y. The lower edge 18 of the backrest 15 is arranged close to the rear edge 14 of the seat 10.
[0057] The backrest 15 comprises a backrest frame 17. The backrest frame 17 is connected to each of the side members 13a, 13b by a joint 19. The joints 19 are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y and connected to each other to synchronize the movements of each side of the seat in the transverse direction Y. Each joint 19 has a hinge axis 11 extending in the transverse direction Y. The backrest frame 17 can thus be pivoted about the hinge axis 11 relative to the seat frame 13 by means of the joints 19 between a folded position and a reclining position. In the folded position, the backrest 15 extends substantially parallel to the seat 10, above the seat 10, while in the reclining position the backrest 15 extends substantially in line with the seat 10.
[0058] The joints 19 can be of the so-called continuous or discontinuous type. The so-called continuous type makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the backrest frame 17 relative to the seat frame 13, in any position between the folded position and the reclining position. The adjustment is almost irreversible, so that the set position is locked. The so-called discontinuous type has two states, one allowing the backrest frame 17 to be released relative to the seat and the other to lock the inclination of the backrest frame 17 relative to the seat frame in a finite number of positions, between the folded position and the reclining position.
[0059] The seat 10 is supported by the pair of slides 20. Each slide 20 comprises a first element 22 and a second element 24. The first element 22 is fixed to a floor 2 of the vehicle 100. The second element 24 is configured to slide in a longitudinal direction X between an extreme front position (shown in [Fig. 3]) and an extreme rear position (shown in Figures 1 and 2), in a front direction 21 or in a rear direction 23.
[0060] Each slide 20 may further comprise a locking mechanism, well known per se, making it possible to hold the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 in the longitudinal direction X in the extreme rear position, in the extreme front position or in multiple positions between the extreme rear position and the extreme front position.
[0061] The first element 22 comprises a first rail 25 and a sheet 29. The first rail 25, also called the first profile, extends in the longitudinal direction X. The sheet 29 is fixed to the second rail 26. The sheet 29 is bent at a right angle, so that it has an "L" shape in section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The sheet 29 has a substantially horizontal section by which the sheet is rigidly fixed to the first rail 25 and a vertical section in which a slot 28 is formed. The slot 28 extends in the longitudinal direction between a front end 28a and a rear end 28b. The second element 24 essentially comprises a second rail 26 to which other elements such as a support 27 can be secured. The second rail 26, also called the second profile, extends in the longitudinal direction X and cooperates with the first rail 25. The support 27 is rigidly fixed to the second rail 26.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding of the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 is controlled by an actuator 80 comprising an electric motor and a transmission system. The transmission system is preferably irreversible (such as wheel and worm), so that the locking mechanism is optional.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 1 comprises a pair of slides 20 spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The slides 20 are substantially identical or symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Y. As a variant, the seat 1 could comprise a single slide 20 arranged substantially in the middle of seat 1 in the transverse direction Y.
[0064] Each of the slides 20 is connected to one of the side members 13a, 13b by the front connecting rod 30, the rear connecting rod 40, the connecting rod 50, the lock 60 and the elastic element 70.
[0065] Each front connecting rod 30 has a front lower end 32 and a front upper end 34. In the vicinity of the front lower end 32, each front connecting rod 30 is rotatably mounted about a front lower articulation axis 31 on the second element of the slide 24, more precisely on the support 27. Alternatively, each front connecting rod 30 could be rotatably mounted about the front lower articulation axis 31 on the second rail 26. In the vicinity of the front edge 12 of the seat 10 and the front upper end 34 of the front connecting rod 30, the seat 10 is rotatably mounted about a front upper articulation axis 33 on each front connecting rod 30. The front lower articulation axis 31 and the front upper articulation axis 33 extend in the transverse direction Y.
[0066] Each rear connecting rod 40 has a front lower end 32 and a front upper end 34. In the vicinity of the rear edge 14 of the seat 30 and the rear upper end 44 of the rear connecting rod 40, the seat 10 is rotatably mounted about a rear upper articulation axis 43 on each rear connecting rod 40. In the vicinity of the rear lower end 42, each rear connecting rod 40 is rotatably mounted about a rear lower articulation axis 41 on the second element of the slide 24 and the rear lower articulation axis 31 is movable in the longitudinal direction X. The rear lower articulation axis 41 and the rear upper articulation axis 43 extend in the transverse direction Y. More precisely, in the vicinity of the rear lower end 42, the rear connecting rod 40 is mounted on the first element 22 by means of a slide 46.The slider 46 can translate in the slot 28 along the longitudinal direction X between the front end 28a and the rear end 28b. In the illustrated embodiment, the slider 46 has a symmetry of revolution about the rear lower articulation axis 31, so that the slider 46 can freely rotate relative to the slot 28 about the rear lower articulation axis 31. Alternatively, the rotation of the slider 46 about the rear lower articulation axis 31 could be prevented, the rear connecting rod 40 then being pivotally mounted about the rear lower articulation axis 31 on the slider 46.
[0067] Each connecting rod 50 has a front intermediate end 42 and a rear intermediate end 54. In the vicinity of the front intermediate end 52, each connecting rod 50 is rotatably mounted about a front intermediate articulation axis 51 on the front connecting rod 30. In the vicinity of the rear intermediate end 54, each connecting rod 50 is rotatably mounted about a rear intermediate articulation axis 53 on the rear connecting rod 40. The front intermediate articulation axis 51 and the rear intermediate articulation axis 53 extend along the transverse direction Y.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic element 70 is a tension spring. The elastic element 70 has a front biasing end 72 and a rear biasing end 74, the front biasing end 72 is connected to the front lower hinge pin 31 and the rear biasing end 74 is connected to the rear lower hinge pin 41. Thus, the elastic element 70 biases the slider 46 to move in the slot 28 and therefore the rear lower hinge pin 41, along the longitudinal direction X in the front direction 21.
[0069] Each lock 60 is arranged between one of the side members 13a, 13b and one of the second elements 24. Each lock 60 comprises a bolt 62 and a striker 64. The bolt 62 is here rotatably mounted around a lock axis 61 on the seat frame 13. The striker 64 is fixed to the second element 24. The lock 60 has an active state and an inactive state. In the active state, the bolt 62 is in a locking position, at least partially received in the striker 64, to secure the seat frame 13, in the vicinity of the rear edge 14, and the second element 24. Here, a single control member 66 makes it possible to unlock the two locks 60 in a synchronized manner. For example, the bolt 62 is elastically constrained towards the locking position and the control member 66 makes it possible to control a rotation of the bolt 62 around the lock axis 61 towards an unlocking position corresponding to the inactive state of the lock 60, in which the bolt 62 is released from the striker 64.Alternatively, the bolt 62 can be elastically constrained towards the unlocking position, the control member 66 maintains the bolt 62 in the locking position by blocking the pivoting of the bolt 62 around the lock axis 61, the control member 66 being able to retract to allow the bolt 62 to pivot towards the unlocking position.
[0070] In the configuration of use illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the lock 60 is in the active state and the seat 10 is fixed to the second element 24 by the lock 60, the front connecting rod 30, the rear connecting rod 40 and the connecting rod 50. Unless otherwise indicated below, the second element 24 can be translated (relative to the first element 22) by the actuator 80 in the longitudinal direction X, in the forward direction 21, from the extreme rear position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 to the extreme front position illustrated in [Fig. 3]. When the second element 24 is in the extreme rear position, the slider 46 is at the rear end 28b of the slot 28. When the second element 24 is in the extreme front position, the slider 46 is at the front end 28a of the slot 28.Conversely, the second element 24 can be translated (relative to the first element 22) by the actuator 80 in the longitudinal direction X, in the rear direction 23, from the extreme front position illustrated in [Fig. 3] to the extreme rear position illustrated in figures 1 and 2. Of course, the second element 24 can be stopped in the front direction 21 before reaching the position. extreme forward and in the rearward direction 23 before reaching the extreme rear position, depending on the control of the seat user. The user may in particular have comfort control buttons to move the second element 24 in the forward direction 21 or in the rearward direction 23 and stop the movement in the position he approves.
[0071] The seat 1 may be, for example, a front seat of a three-door motor vehicle. A door may be arranged longitudinally at the seat 1. The motor vehicle may not have a door arranged longitudinally at the rear seat. The seat 1 may, according to another variant, be a second row seat, in particular in a five-door vehicle comprising three rows of seats. In the configuration of use illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seat 1 prevents an occupant of a rear seat, arranged longitudinally behind the seat 1, from leaving the vehicle.
[0072] When the user wishes to bring the seat from the use configuration into a retracted configuration, more precisely an easy entry configuration, he exercises an easy entry command.
[0073] The seat then performs an operation c) in which the actuator 80 moves the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 in the longitudinal direction X in the forward direction 21 to the extreme forward position. The slider 46 then moves in the slot 28 to the front end 28a, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The front lower articulation axis 31 is distant from the rear lower articulation axis 41 by a first distance DI in the longitudinal direction X.
[0074] Then, during an operation a), the lock 60 changes from the active state to the inactive state.
[0075] The elastic element 70 then urges the movement of the rear lower articulation axis 41 in the forward direction 21. However, the front end 28a of the slot 28 acts as a stop preventing the movement of the slider 46 and therefore of the rear lower articulation axis 4L. An operation b) of bringing the front lower articulation axis 31 closer to the rear lower articulation axis 41 is then carried out according to an operation b1). During operation b1), the actuator moves the second element 24 relative to the first element 22 in the rear direction 23 by a retraction distance D. The front lower articulation axis 31 is then distant from the rear lower articulation axis 41 by a second distance D2 in the longitudinal direction X. The first distance D1 is equal to the sum of the second distance D2 and the retraction distance D.As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, under the action of the elastic element 70, the rear lower hinge pin 41 remains in abutment against the front end 28a of the slot 28, while the front lower hinge pin 31 approaches the rear lower hinge pin 41 by moving in the rear direction 23. In [Fig.5], the second element 24 is in an extreme front adjustment position by . report to the first element 22.
[0076] The seat 1 then passes to a retracted configuration, more precisely to an easy entry configuration by a retracting movement of the rear edge 14 of the seat 10 comprising a component in the forward direction 31 along the longitudinal direction X and a component along the elevation direction Z consisting of a moving away of the rear edge 14 of the seat 10 relative to the second element 24.
[0077] Alternatively, operation a) could not be subsequent to operation c) and operation a) could even be prior to operation c). In this case, operation c) can be completed when the slider 46 is in abutment at the front end 28a of the slot 28.
[0078] The user can also perform an emergency command. The emergency command is intended to be triggered by the user instead of the easy input command, in the event of a failure of the actuator 80 or in an emergency. In the event of an emergency command, operation c) is not performed, operation a) is performed first, then operation b) of bringing the front lower hinge pin 31 closer to the rear lower hinge pin 41 is performed according to an operation b2). As illustrated in [Fig.6], following operation a), the lock is in the inactive state, as operation c) has not been carried out, the slider 46 is away from the extreme front position and as the elastic element 70 urges the rear lower articulation axis 41 to move closer to the front lower articulation axis 31 in the longitudinal direction X, the rear lower articulation axis 41 moves in the front direction 21.The seat 1 then passes to a retracted configuration, more precisely to an emergency configuration by a retracting movement of the rear edge 14 of the seat 10 also comprising a component (less than in the case of the passage to the easy entry configuration) in the forward direction 31 along the longitudinal direction X and a component (identical to the case of the passage to the easy entry configuration) along the elevation direction Z consisting of a movement away from the rear edge 14 of the seat 10 relative to the second element 24.
[0079] In order to ensure that in the case of emergency control, the retraction movement is not interrupted by the arrival of the slider 46 in abutment against the front end 28a of the slot 28, the actuator 80 is configured to limit the movement of the second element 24 in the forward direction 21 relative to the first element 22 to the extreme front adjustment position illustrated in [Fig.5], in the use configuration.
Claims
Claims
1. Vehicle seat (1) comprising: - a seat (10) having a front edge (12) and a rear edge (14), - a slide (20) comprising a first element (22) and a second element (24), the first element (22) being intended to be fixed to a vehicle floor and the second element (24) being configured to slide relative to the first element (22) in a longitudinal direction (X) between an extreme front position and an extreme rear position, in a front direction (21) or in a rear direction (23), opposite to the front direction (21), - a front connecting rod (30) having a front lower end (32) and a front upper end (34), - a rear connecting rod (40) having a rear lower end (42) and a rear upper end (44), - a connecting rod (50) having a front intermediate end (52) and a rear intermediate end (54), - a lock (60) having an active state and an inactive state, in a configuration of use of the seat (1), the lock (60) is in the active state and maintains the seat (10) relative to the second element of the slide (24), at least in the longitudinal direction (X), in the inactive state the lock (60) does not maintain the seat (10) relative to the second element (24) of the slide, - an elastic element (70), in which: in the vicinity of the front lower end (32), the front connecting rod (30) is rotatably mounted around a front lower articulation axis (31) on the second element of the slide (24), in the vicinity of the front upper end (34), the seat (10) is rotatably mounted around a front upper articulation axis (33) on the front connecting rod (30), in the vicinity of the rear lower end (42), the rear connecting rod (40) is rotatably mounted on the first element (22) around a rear lower articulation axis (41) and the rear lower articulation axis (41) is movable in the longitudinal direction (X), in the vicinity of the rear upper end (44), the seat (10) is rotatably mounted around a rear upper articulation axis (43) on the rear connecting rod (40), in the vicinity of the front intermediate end (52), the connecting rod (50) is rotatably mounted around a front intermediate articulation axis (51) on the front connecting rod (30), in the vicinity of the rear intermediate end (54), the connecting rod (50) is rotatably mounted about a rear intermediate hinge pin (53) on the rear connecting rod (40), the front lower hinge pin (31), the front upper hinge pin (33), the rear lower hinge pin (41), the rear upper hinge pin (43), the front intermediate hinge pin (51) and the rear intermediate hinge pin (53) extend in a transverse direction (Y), perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), the elastic element (70) urges the movement of the rear lower hinge pin (41) in the longitudinal direction (X) in the forward direction (21), the seat (1) is configured to pass from the use configuration to a retracted configuration after passage from the active state to the inactive state of the lock (60), by a retracting movement of the rear edge (14) of the seat (10), by bringing the front lower articulation axis (31) closer to the rear lower articulation axis (41) over a retracting distance (D), the retracting movement comprising a component in the forward direction (31) along the longitudinal direction (X).
2. Seat according to claim 1 in which the retraction movement comprises a rear seat access movement, the seat is configured to carry out the rear seat access movement by sliding the second element (24) from the extreme front position over the retraction distance (D) in the rear direction (23) relative to the first element (22), while maintaining the rear lower articulation axis (41) in the longitudinal direction (X).
3. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein the seat further comprises a single actuator (80) configured to: in the configuration of use, translate the seat (10) in the forward direction (21) and in the rearward direction (23), opposite to the forward direction, by moving the second element (24) in the longitudinal direction (X), and cause the rear edge (14) of the seat to move backwards (10) by moving the second element (24) in the rear direction (23), when the lock (60) is in the inactive state.
4. Seat according to the preceding claim in which the seat (1) is configured so that the transition from the active state to the inactive state of the lock (60) allows emergency movement of the rear edge (14) of the seat (10), by movement of the rear lower articulation axis (41) in the forward direction (21) along the longitudinal direction (X) while maintaining the second element (24) relative to the first element (22).
5. Seat according to any one of claims 3 and 4 wherein: the slide (20) has a sliding travel (C) between the extreme front position and the extreme rear position, and the actuator (80) is configured to limit the movement of the second element (24) relative to the first element (22), in the configuration of use, between the extreme rear position and an extreme front adjustment position, the extreme front adjustment position being between the extreme front position and the extreme rear position and distant from the extreme front position by the retraction distance (D).
6. A seat according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient member (70) has a front biasing end (72) and a rear biasing end (74), the front biasing end (72) is connected to the front lower hinge pin (31) and the rear biasing end (74) is connected to the rear lower hinge pin (41).
7. A seat according to any preceding claim, wherein: the first element (22) has a slot (28) extending in the longitudinal direction (X), a slider (46) is slidably mounted in the slot (28), and the rear connecting rod (40) is mounted on the first element (22) via the slider (46).
8. Method of using the seat according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising, from the configuration of use, the following operations: a) switching the lock (60) from the active state to the inactive state, then b) bringing the front lower articulation axis (31) closer to the rear lower articulation axis (41) by the retraction distance (D).
9. Method according to the preceding claim in which operation b)
10.
11.
12. is carried out according to an operation bl) by moving the front lower articulation axis (31) in the rear direction (23), the rear lower articulation axis being fixed (41). Method according to any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein the method further comprises an operation c), of moving the second element of the slide (24) relative to the first element (22) in the longitudinal direction (X) in the forward direction (21) to the extreme forward position. Method according to the preceding claim in which operation c) is prior to operation b). Method according to claim 8 to 11 in which operation b) is carried out according to an operation b2) by moving the rear lower articulation axis (41) in the forward direction (21), the front lower articulation axis (31) being fixed.