Passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a passenger compartment

Abstract

Motor vehicle passenger compartment and motor vehicle comprising such a passenger compartment. The invention relates to a motor vehicle passenger compartment, comprising:- at least two seats (13), each comprising a seat comprising a frame (19) intended to support a trim,- a central console (23), extending so as to separate the seats of said seats,- an anti-submarining device (27), comprising an anti-submarining tube (29).According to the invention, the anti-submarining tube (29) is telescopic and is capable of passing from a retracted position in which it is enclosed in said central console (23) to a deployed position in which it extends inside at least one of the frames of said seats, the passage from said retracted position to said deployed position being effected by the actuation of a pyrotechnic gas generator adapted to be triggered during an impact of said motor vehicle.The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a passenger compartment. Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a passenger compartment Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of passive safety of motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a motor vehicle interior and a motor vehicle comprising such a interior. Prior art

[0003] The passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a set of seats, each comprising a base formed from a frame supporting a trim.

[0004] The passenger compartment also includes a set of seat belts intended to keep the occupants of the vehicle seats in position, particularly in the event of an impact to the motor vehicle.

[0005] In the locked position, the lap portion of the seat belt is positioned over the occupant's iliac crests, defined by the upper portion of the occupant's pelvis.

[0006] In order for the seat belt to remain stable on the upper part of the occupant's pelvis, the lower part of the pelvis must not sink under the lap part of the seat belt.

[0007] However, during an impact, the occupant tends to slide under the seat belt. The lap portion of the seat belt then tends to slide upwards on the occupant, which has the effect of releasing the iliac crests and causing a phenomenon known as submarining, resulting in pressure exerted by the seat belt on the occupant's abdomen.

[0008] This can cause serious or fatal injuries, such as ruptured vessels or cardio-respiratory trauma.

[0009] In order to limit the risk of anti-submarining, the frame of a seat is equipped in a known manner with an anti-submarining device adapted to retain the lower part of the basin.

[0010] Such an anti-submarining device comprises, according to an embodiment known from the prior art, anti-submarining tubes, as is the case in particular with the prior art document FR2933648A3 which discloses a motor vehicle seat frame formed of two longitudinal lateral flanges fixed to the floor of the passenger compartment and connected to each other by transverse tubes or bars.

[0011] For aesthetic purposes and in order to gain living space within the passenger compartment, it may be considered to suspend the seats relative to the passenger compartment floor.

[0012] In such a configuration, the seat base is fixed laterally to the body structure but no longitudinal lateral flange is fixed to the floor.

[0013] The absence of longitudinal side plates fixed to the floor prevents the transverse tube from being mounted in the seat base. Indeed, a tube mounted transversely in the seat frame without being fixed to the longitudinal side plates would not be sufficiently rigid and would not allow the pelvis of an occupant to be retained in the event of an impact suffered by the motor vehicle.

[0014] Thus, when the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle is equipped with such suspended seats, the installation of the anti-submarining device can no longer be carried out, which causes significant safety problems for the occupants.

[0015] The addition of longitudinal side plates fixed to the floor would allow such an anti-submarining device to be fixed but would harm the visual appearance and affect the gain in habitability obtained by the presence of suspended seats. Statement of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle interior, comprising: - at least two seats, each comprising a seat comprising a frame intended to support a pad, - a central console, extending into said passenger compartment so as to separate the seats of said at least two seats, - an anti-submarining device, comprising at least one anti-submarining tube, remarkable in that said at least one anti-submarining tube is telescopic and is capable of passing from a retracted position in which said at least one anti-submarining tube is enclosed in said central console to a deployed position in which said at least one anti-submarining tube extends inside at least one of the frames of said at least two seats, the passage from said retracted position to said deployed position being operated by the actuation of a pyrotechnic gas generator adapted to be triggered upon impact of said motor vehicle.

[0017] Thus, by integrating the anti-submarining device into the central console and by providing for the anti-submarining tube to be mounted telescopically so as to deploy into the seat frame when an impact is detected, the anti-submarining device can now be integrated into a passenger compartment having no longitudinal lateral flange supporting the seat frame.

[0018] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the anti-submarining device can be integrated into a passenger compartment where the seats are suspended relative to the floor, while avoiding harming the visual appearance and affecting the gain in habitability obtained by the presence of suspended seats.

[0019] According to optional characteristics of the passenger compartment according to the invention: - the passenger compartment comprises a floor belonging to an underbody assembly of said motor vehicle, and said at least two seats are suspended relative to said floor; - the passenger compartment comprises a front row and a rear row, and said at least two seats belong to said rear row; - said at least one anti-submarining tube extends substantially transversely relative to the frames of said seats; - said at least one anti-submarining tube has a circular section; - as a variant, said at least one anti-submarining tube has a concave section; - the passenger compartment comprises a flush-mounted box fixed to a body structure of said motor vehicle and adapted to receive the end of said at least one anti-submarining tube when said at least one anti-submarining tube occupies said deployed position; - in one embodiment, the cabin includes two anti-submarining tubes

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, remarkable in that said passenger compartment is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] partially shows a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, in perspective from the front of the motor vehicle.

[0023] [Fig.2] shows the passenger compartment in side view, centered on the rear row and receiving a occupant.

[0024] [Fig.3] shows the passenger compartment in cross-section centered on the left side of the rear row, with the anti-submarining device shown in the retracted position.

[0025] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], the anti-submarining device being re presented in the deployed position.

[0026] [Fig.5] shows a first step in the kinematics of deployment of the device anti-submarining.

[0027] [Fig.6] shows a second stage of the deployment kinematics of the device anti-submarining.

[0028] [Fig.7] shows a third stage of the kinematics of deployment of the anti-submarining device.

[0029] [Fig.8] illustrates an alternative embodiment of the anti-submarining device.

[0030] [Fig.9] shows a first example of the embodiment of the anti-submarining tube of the anti-submarining device.

[0031] [Fig.10] shows a second example of the anti-submarining tube of the anti-submarining device.

[0032] [Fig. 11] illustrates another variant embodiment of the anti-submarining device. Description of the embodiments

[0033] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0034] By convention, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted, without limitation, indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0035] In the following, the terms “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0036] Similarly, the terms “front” and “rear” are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0037] Reference is made to [Fig.l] partially showing a passenger compartment 1 of a motor vehicle 3 according to the invention, in perspective from the front of the motor vehicle 3.

[0038] The motor vehicle 3 comprises a body structure 5 comprising a set of sheet metal structural elements conferring stiffness to the motor vehicle 3, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle 3. In the lower part of the body structure 5, the motor vehicle 3 comprises a floor 7 belonging to an underbody assembly 9 of the motor vehicle.

[0039] The passenger compartment 1 comprises a front row (not shown) and a rear row 11 intended to accommodate one or more occupants.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rear row 11 comprises two seats 13. Each seat 13 comprises a seat 15 and a backrest 17. The seat 15 comprises a frame 19 (visible in [Fig.4]), for example metallic, supporting a trim 21.

[0041] The passenger compartment 1 further comprises a central console 23 extending substantially longitudinally in the passenger compartment 1, that is to say substantially longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 3. The central console 23 extends to the floor 7 of the motor vehicle 3, so that it separates the seats 15 from the seats 13.

[0042] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing the passenger compartment 1 in side view, centered on the rear row 11 receiving an occupant 25 seated on the seat 13.

[0043] The seats 13 are suspended relative to the floor 7, that is to say that the seats are only fixed to the body structure 5 by the sides. In other words, the seats 13 do not rest on the floor 7. Thus, the seats 15 of the seats 13 are connected laterally to the body structure 5 but the frame 19 (visible in [Fig.4]) does not have any longitudinal lateral flange fixed to the floor 7.

[0044] For aesthetic purposes and in order to gain living space within the passenger compartment, it may be considered to suspend the seats relative to the floor of the passenger compartment.

[0045] In such a configuration, the seat base is fixed laterally to the body structure but no longitudinal lateral flange is fixed to the floor.

[0046] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing the passenger compartment 1 in cross-section centered on the left side of the rear row 11.

[0047] The passenger compartment 1 comprises an anti-submarining device 27 adapted to retain the lower part of the pelvis of an occupant during an impact suffered by the motor vehicle.

[0048] According to the invention, the anti-submarining device 27 comprises a telescopic anti-submarining tube 29 capable of passing from a retracted position shown in [Fig. 3] in which the anti-submarining tube 29 is enclosed inside the central console 23, to a deployed position shown in [Fig. 4] in which the anti-submarining tube 29 extends inside the frame 19 of the seat 13.

[0049] The transition from the retracted position to the deployed position is carried out by the actuation of a pyrotechnic gas generator adapted to be triggered when an impact suffered by the motor vehicle 3 is detected. The impact detection is carried out in a known manner by means of a centralized box comprising in particular accelerometers and pressure sensors and communicating with the electronic control unit of the motor vehicle configured to identify, on the basis of the data transmitted by the centralized box, the presence of an impact.

[0050] Thus, by integrating the anti-submarining device into the central console and by providing for telescopic mounting of the anti-submarining tube so as to deploy into the seat frame when an impact is detected, the anti-submarining device can now be integrated into a passenger compartment having no longitudinal lateral flange supporting the seat frame.

[0051] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the anti-submarining device can be integrated into a passenger compartment where the seats are suspended relative to the floor, while avoiding harming the visual appearance and affecting the gain in habitability obtained by the presence of suspended seats.

[0052] Figures 3 and 4 show the deployment of the anti-submarining tube 29 in the frame 19 of the left seat 13 of the rear row 11. The anti-submarining device 27 also comprises an anti-submarining tube 31 which is adapted to be deployed in the same way in the frame 19 of the right seat 13 of the rear row 11.

[0053] Reference is made to Figures 5 to 7 showing the deployment kinematics of the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 of the anti-submarining device 27.

[0054] As long as no shock is detected, the anti-submarining device 27 occupies the position shown in [Fig. 5] in which the anti-submarining bars 29, 31 do not extend into the frame 19 of the seat 13.

[0055] When a shock is detected (step A visible in [Fig.5]), the pyrotechnic charge of the generator is ignited.

[0056] The pressure pushes the first stage of the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 (stage B visible in [Fig.6]).

[0057] The pressure increases inside the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31, until it results in the deployment of the second and third stages of the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 (step C visible in [Fig.7]).

[0058] Thus, after actuation of the pyrotechnic gas generator, the anti-submarining device 27 reaches the position shown in [Fig.7] in which the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 extend substantially over the entire width of the frames 19 of the seats 13.

[0059] The anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 extend transversely relative to the frames 19 of the seats 13, that is to say substantially transversely relative to the passenger compartment 1.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 are substantially coaxial with each other.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig.8], the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 are longitudinally offset relative to each other.

[0062] This makes it possible to reduce the number of tube stages compared to the embodiment where the tubes are substantially coaxial.

[0063] In this case, the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 are managed independently of one another. Two pyrotechnic gas generators adapted to be triggered when an impact suffered by the motor vehicle is detected are then to be provided to independently actuate each anti-submarining tube.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.9], the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 may have a circular section (only the anti-submarining tube 31 being visible in [Fig.9]).

[0065] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 10], the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 may have a concave section (only the anti-submarining tube 31 being visible in [Fig. 10]). This makes it possible to provide a programmed deformation in the event of very severe impacts. Thus, the concave-shaped geometry not only makes it possible to act against submarining but also to limit the acceleration of the pelvis of an occupant during an impact by the motor vehicle.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 11], the passenger compartment 1 may comprise a flush-mounted box 33 fixed to the body structure 5 opposite the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31. The flush-mounted box 33 is adapted to receive the end of the anti-submarining tubes 29, 31 when they occupy their deployed position (only the anti-submarining tube 29 being visible in [Fig. 11]).

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the seats 13 are part of the rear row 11. However, the invention also applies when the seats 13 are positioned at the level of the front row.

[0068] Also, the invention also applies when the front or rear rows have more seats, for example three seats separated by two central consoles.

[0069] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle interior and of this motor vehicle comprising such a interior, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Passenger compartment (1) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising: - at least two seats (13), each comprising a seat (15) comprising a frame (19) intended to support a trim (21), - a central console (23), extending into said passenger compartment (1) so as to separate the seats (15) of said at least two seats (13), - an anti-submarining device (27), comprising at least one anti-submarining tube (29), characterized in that said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) is telescopic and is capable of passing from a retracted position in which said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) is enclosed in said central console (23) to a deployed position in which said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) extends inside at least one of the frames (19) of said at least two seats (13),the transition from said retracted position to said deployed position being carried out by the actuation of a pyrotechnic gas generator adapted to be triggered during an impact of said motor vehicle (3).,

2. Passenger compartment (1) according to claim 1, comprising a floor (7) belonging to an underbody assembly of said motor vehicle (3), characterized in that said at least two seats (13) are suspended relative to said floor (7).

3. Passenger compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a front row and a rear row (11), characterized in that said at least two seats (13) belong to said rear row (11).

4. Passenger compartment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) extends substantially transversely relative to the frames (19) of said seats (13).

5. Cabin (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) has a circular section.

6. Cabin (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) has a concave section.

7. Passenger compartment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a flush-mounted box (33) fixed on a body structure (5) of said motor vehicle (3) and adapted to receive the end of said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) when said at least one anti-submarining tube (29) occupies said deployed position.

8. Cabin (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises two anti-submarining tubes (29, 31).

9. Motor vehicle (3) comprising a passenger compartment (1), characterized in that said passenger compartment (1) is according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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