VEHICLE FLOOR, ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A CHILD SEAT SUPPORT LEG

Abstract

A floor (PL) fitted to a vehicle comprises: - a lower face (FI) and an upper face (FS) having at least one first zone (Z1), in which one end of a support leg of an added child seat is designed to bear, and having a projecting boss (BP) defining a convex recess (LC), and - a reinforcing piece (PR) having a central part (PC) fixedly installed in this convex recess (LC) and extended, on at least two opposite sides, by external wings (AE1-AE2) positioned opposite the lower face (FI). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE FLOOR, ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A STRUT OF A SEAT FOR CHILD Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicle floors on which seats are intended to be installed that can receive at least one attached child seat. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure comprising a floor on which is installed at least one seat (possibly of the bench type) on which can be installed at least one attached child seat (or car seat) comprising a height-adjustable support leg (or a support foot). This type of child seat comprises an isofix type fixing system which may comprise two fixing elements intended to cooperate with two anchoring points located in a first zone of the vehicle seat, and the support leg whose free end is suitable for bearing on a second zone of the upper face of the floor of a vehicle, located upstream of this vehicle seat.

[0003] In the following and the preceding, the notions of "upstream" and "downstream" are understood in relation to the front end of the floor (and therefore of the vehicle). Consequently, a first element located upstream of a second element is closer to the front end of the floor than is the second element. Conversely, a first element located downstream of a second element is closer to the rear end of the floor (and therefore of the vehicle) than is the second element.

[0004] When the wall defining the floor is relatively thin (typically less than 1 mm), it frequently happens that a marked support of the strut on the second zone of the floor locally causes an irreversible deformation of the wall (because beyond the elastic limit of the latter). This deformation is all the more significant as the intensity of the pressure exerted by the strut on the second zone is significant. It will be noted that this pressure can result from sudden movements of the child or from the reaction of the child seat during intense braking or an impact suffered by the vehicle.

[0005] Once the second area of ​​the floor is deformed, it is impossible to restore it to its original state. Consequently, it is no longer possible to use the child seat because the support of its support leg can no longer be correct, let alone regulatory.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a floor suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a lower face and an upper face comprising at least a first zone on which one end of a strut of an attached child seat is suitable for resting.

[0008] This floor is characterized by the fact that it also includes:

[0009] - in the (each) first zone, a boss projecting from the side of the upper face and defining a convex housing, and

[0010] - a reinforcing piece comprising a central part fixedly installed in this convex housing and extended, on at least two opposite sides, by external wings placed opposite the lower face.

[0011] Thus, the resistance to sinking of the first zone is locally reinforced, which makes it possible to limit (or even prevent) the irreversible deformation of the wall constituting the floor in the presence of significant pressure resulting from marked support from a strut of a child seat.

[0012] The floor according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - the central part of the reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to its in face lower, in the convex housing, by welding;

[0014] - it may comprise a first crosspiece fixedly secured on its lower face downstream of the first zone. In this case, a first external wing of the reinforcement piece may extend from a transverse side of the central part, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to the first cross member and may be fixedly secured to the latter, by welding;

[0015] - it may comprise a second crosspiece fixedly secured to its upper face upstream of the first zone. In this case, a second external wing of the reinforcement part may extend from a transverse side of the central part, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to below this second cross member and may be fixedly secured, by welding, to a second zone of its lower face located under this second cross member;

[0016] - in the presence of one of the last two options, its reinforcement part can have a section along the longitudinal direction in the general shape of a U;

[0017] - its reinforcement piece can have a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm;

[0018] - its reinforcement part can be made of steel.

[0019] The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a seat suitable for receiving an attached child seat and comprising a support leg, and a floor of the type presented above and on the su- upper part of which this seat is permanently installed. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, a part of an example of a motor vehicle structure comprising an example of an embodiment of a floor according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above with the floor materialized in transparency, a part of the structure of [Fig.l] in a sub-part comprising a support zone for a strut of a child seat,

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below with the floor materialized in transparency, a part of the structure of [Fig.l] in the sub-part comprising the support zone for the strut of a child seat, and

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane and partially in perspective, a part of the floor of figures 1 to 3 in the sub-part comprising the support zone for the strut of a child seat. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] The invention aims in particular to propose a PL floor intended to form part of an SV structure of a vehicle and adapted to support a strut of a child seat.

[0026] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated non-limitingly and partially in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It in fact concerns any vehicle comprising a structure comprising a floor on which is installed at least one seat (possibly of the bench type) capable of receiving at least one attached child seat (or car seat) comprising a height-adjustable strut (or support leg).

[0027] In Figures 1 to 4, the X direction is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

[0028] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates part of an example of an SV structure. vehicle (here automobile) comprising a PL floor according to the invention.

[0029] As illustrated, this structure SV comprises in particular right and left side members LS, extending in the longitudinal direction X, and a floor PL extending in the longitudinal directions X and transverse Y and secured in particular to the side members LS.It will be noted that the PL floor also comprises, here, a first cross member T1 (see figures 2 to 4), installed under its lower face FI upstream of the area where at least one seat must be installed (here rear and possibly of the bench type) capable of receiving at least one attached child seat (or car seat), and a second cross member T2 (see figures 1 to 4), installed on its upper face FS in the area where at least one seat must be installed (here front) and upstream of the first cross member TL. Preferably, these first T1 and second T2 cross members are fixedly secured to the two side members LS and to the PL floor (respectively to its lower FI and upper FS faces), for example by welding and possibly by bolting.

[0030] It is recalled that here the notions of “upstream” and “downstream” are understood in relation to the front end of the floor PL. Consequently, a first element located upstream of a second element is closer to the front end of the floor PL than is the second element. Conversely, a first element located downstream of a second element is closer to the rear end of the floor PL than is the second element.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the upper face FS of the floor PL comprises at least one first zone ZI on which one end of a strut of an attached child seat, for example a rear bench seat (not illustrated), is suitable for resting. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l] the floor PL comprises only one first zone ZI (here located in its right rear sub-part between its first T1 and second T2 crosspieces). But it could comprise two first zones ZI in its right and left rear sub-parts.

[0032] Also as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the floor PL comprises in its (each) first zone ZI a boss BP projecting from the side of its upper face FS and defining a convex housing LC. It will be understood that here the boss BP projects upwards and that it delimits a convex housing LC which is open on a face oriented towards the ground (or the bottom). For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 4, the boss BP may have a general shape of a flattened parallelepiped (along the vertical direction Z).

[0033] In addition, the floor PL comprises a reinforcing piece PR comprising a central part PC which is extended, on at least two opposite sides, by external wings AEj (j = 1 or 2). As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the central part PC is fixedly installed in the convex housing LC while the external wings AEj are placed opposite the lower face FI of the floor PL.

[0034] The definition of a BP boss in which a reinforcement piece is fixedly installed PR, which extends under the lower face FI of the PL floor on either side of the boss BP, makes it possible to locally reinforce the resistance to sinking of the first zone Zl. This makes it possible to limit (or even prevent) the irreversible deformation of the wall constituting the PL floor in the presence of significant pressure resulting from marked support from a child seat strut. Consequently, the probability of not being able to use a child seat with a strut permanently is very low, or even zero.

[0035] It will be noted that the wall defining the floor PL may, for example, have a thickness of between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. As an illustrative example, its thickness may be equal to 0.7 mm. But other thicknesses may be used.

[0036] It will also be noted that the central part PC of the reinforcement piece PR can be fixedly secured to the lower face FI of the floor PL, in the convex housing LC, by welding. This welding can be done by point(s) or by bead(s).

[0037] It will also be noted, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, that when the floor PL comprises the first cross member T1 (fixedly secured to the lower face FI downstream of the first zone Z1), a first external wing AE1 (j = 1) of the reinforcement piece PR can extend from a transverse side of the central part PC, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, to this first cross member T1 and can be fixedly secured to the latter (T1), by welding. This first external wing AE1 can therefore be called “rear longitudinal” since it extends towards the rear in the longitudinal direction X.

[0038] This makes it possible to reinforce not only the attachment of the reinforcement piece PR to the floor PL, but also the capacity of the first zone Zl not to deform beyond its elastic limit. This welding can be done by point(s) or by bead(s).

[0039] When the first external wing AE1 is secured to a rear transverse wing of the first cross member T1, which is pressed against (or even welded to) the lower face FI of the floor PL and extends from right to left in the transverse direction Y, the welding of the first external wing AE1 to this rear transverse wing can also, possibly, allow the welding of the first external wing AE1 to the lower face FI of the floor PL. This makes it possible to further reinforce the securing of the reinforcement piece PR to the floor PL and the capacity of the first zone Z1 not to deform beyond its elastic limit.

[0040] It will also be noted, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, that when the floor PL comprises the second crosspiece T2 (fixedly secured to the upper face FS upstream of the first zone Z1), a second external wing AE2 (j = 2) of the reinforcement piece PR can extend from a transverse side of the central part PC, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, to below this second crosspiece T2 and can be fixedly secured, by welding, to a second zone Z2 of the face in lower FI, which is located under the second crosspiece T2 (see figures 3 and 4). This second external wing AE2 can therefore be called “front longitudinal” since it extends forward in the longitudinal direction X.

[0041] This makes it possible to reinforce not only the connection of the reinforcement piece PR to the floor PL, but also the capacity of the first zone ZI not to deform beyond its elastic limit. This welding can be done by point(s) or by bead(s).

[0042] When the second cross member T2 comprises a front transverse wing which is pressed against (or even welded to) the upper face FS of the floor PL in the second zone Z2 and extends from right to left in the transverse direction Y, the welding of the second external wing AE2 to the lower face FS of the floor PL can also, possibly, allow the welding of the second external wing AE2 to this front transverse wing. This makes it possible to further reinforce the attachment of the reinforcement piece PR to the floor PL and the capacity of the first zone ZI not to deform beyond its elastic limit.

[0043] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, that when the reinforcement piece PR has two front and rear longitudinal external wings AEj, it can have a section along the longitudinal direction X (and the vertical direction Z) in the general shape of a U.

[0044] Although this is not the case in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, as a variant or in addition the central part PC of the reinforcement piece PR could be extended, on two longitudinal sides, opposite and perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, by two external wings, called “right and left transverse” since they extend respectively to the right and left along the transverse direction Y. In this case, when the reinforcement piece PR has two right and left transverse external wings, it can have a section along the transverse direction Y (and the vertical direction Z) in the general shape of a U.

[0045] It will also be noted that the reinforcement piece PR may, for example, have a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm. As an illustrative example, its thickness may be equal to 1.5 mm. But other thicknesses may be used depending on the reinforcement requirements of the wall defining the floor PL.

[0046] It will also be noted that the PR reinforcement part can be made of steel. But other metallic materials can be used.

Claims

Claims

1. Floor (PL) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a lower face (FI) and an upper face (FS) comprising at least a first zone (Zl) on which one end of a strut of an attached child seat is suitable for resting, characterized in that it further comprises i) in said first zone (Zl) a boss (BP) projecting from the side of said upper face (FS) and defining a convex housing (LC), and ii) a reinforcing piece (PR) comprising a central part (PC) fixedly installed in said convex housing (LC) and extended, on at least two opposite sides, by external wings (AEj) placed opposite said lower face (FI).

2. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that said central part (PC) of the reinforcement piece (PR) is fixedly secured to said lower face (FI), in said convex housing (LC), by welding.

3. Floor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a first cross member (Tl) fixedly secured to said lower face (FI) downstream of said first zone (Zl), and in that a first external wing (AE1) of said reinforcing piece (PR) extends from a transverse side of said central part (PC), perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle, to said first cross member (Tl) and is fixedly secured to the latter (Tl), by welding.

4. Floor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a second cross member (T2) fixedly secured to said upper face (FS) upstream of said first zone (Z 1), and in that a second external wing (AE2) of said reinforcing piece (PR) extends from a transverse side of said central part (PC), perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle, to below said second cross member (T2) and is fixedly secured, by welding, to a second zone (Z2) of said lower face (FI) located under said second cross member (T2).

5. Floor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said reinforcing piece (PR) has a section along said longitudinal direction in the general shape of a U.

6. Floor according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said reinforcing piece (PR) has a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm.

7. Floor according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said reinforcement part (PR) is made of steel.

8. Vehicle comprising a seat suitable for receiving an attached child seat and comprising a support leg, characterized in that it comprises a floor (PL) according to one of the preceding claims, on the upper face (FS) of which said seat is fixedly installed.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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