Vehicle seat back

Abstract

A backrest (16) of a vehicle seat (10) comprises a backrest frame (17) and a backrest upholstery fixed to the backrest frame (17). The backrest upholstery comprises a first modular upholstery assembly (36), central, extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, and a second modular upholstery assembly (38; 381, 382), in a "U" shape, with a transverse branch (42) defining an upper end of the backrest (16) of the vehicle seat (10) and two lateral branches (40) extending from the transverse branch (42). The first modular upholstery assembly (36) extends at least partly between the two lateral branches (40) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38; 381, 382), up to contact with the transverse branch (42) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38; 381, 382). Abstract figure: [Fig. 4]

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat back Technical field

[0001] The present description relates to a vehicle seat back, in particular a motor vehicle seat. A vehicle seat comprising such a back is also described. Prior art

[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, it is known to produce a vehicle seat back by covering a back frame with padding, in particular foam. The whole is then covered with a cover.

[0003] The seat backrest can integrate numerous comfort and / or safety functions. To do this, it is known to fix a support to the backrest frame, to mount the various elements necessary for achieving the comfort and / or safety functions on the support or on the backrest frame, then to cover the assembly thus obtained with padding. A cover then covers the assembly.

[0004] Thus, depending on the number and complexity of the functions to be integrated into the back of a seat, the assembly of a back can be very different on an assembly line.

[0005] Also known, in particular from application EP-A-4 011 695 in the name of the Applicant, is a vehicle seat back comprising a back frame, at least one central trim module and two lateral trim modules each arranged on a respective side of the central trim module. Each of the at least three trim modules can be fixed to the back frame independently of the other two trim modules.

[0006] A backrest as described in application EP-A-4 011 695 can be easily and quickly assembled. Such a backrest can also be easily adapted to different configurations, including different safety and / or comfort functions.

[0007] However, the configuration of the backrest described in application EP-A-4 011 695 appears more particularly suited to a seat backrest design comprising a central medallion, extending over substantially the entire height of the backrest, and two lateral bolsters for supporting the occupant. The backrest described in application EP-A-4 011 695, on the other hand, appears less well suited to different designs of the vehicle seat backrest.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a modular seat backrest more suited to a design different from that of the file of application EP-A-4 011 695. Summary

[0009] To this end, a vehicle seat back is described comprising a back frame and a back upholstery fixed to the back frame, the back upholstery comprising, preferably consisting of, a first modular upholstery assembly, central, extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, and a second modular upholstery assembly, in a "U" shape, with a transverse branch defining an upper end of the vehicle seat back and two lateral branches extending from the transverse branch, the first modular upholstery assembly extending at least partly between the two lateral branches of the second modular upholstery assembly, up to contact with the transverse branch of the second modular upholstery assembly, the first and second modular upholstery assemblies preferably being adapted to be fixed to the back frame, independently of each other.

[0010] According to preferred embodiments, the seat back comprises one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination: - the first modular assembly consists of a first trim module; - the first upholstery module comprises at least one support and a secure mattress fixed on the at least one support; - the first upholstery module comprises two supports and a secure mattress, preferably a single one, fixed on the two supports; - the first upholstery module comprises at least one spring wire fixed to each of the two supports, on the one hand, and, preferably, to the backrest frame on the other hand, in particular to an upper crosspiece of the backrest frame; - one of the two supports is fixed to the backrest frame, in particular to a lower crosspiece of the backrest frame; - the first modular assembly consists of at least two trim modules; - the second modular assembly consists of a single second trim module; - the second upholstery module comprises a “U”-shaped support fixed to the backrest frame, in particular by elastic fitting, and padding, fixed to the “U”-shaped support; and - the second modular assembly consists of at least two second trim modules, in particular two second trim modules which are substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the vehicle seat back. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other features and advantages will become apparent during the following description. of one of its embodiments, given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:

[0012] [Fig.l] schematically represents a side view of an example of a vehicle seat.

[0013] [Fig.2] schematically represents in perspective a first example of a file of seat that can be implemented in the vehicle seat of [Fig.l].

[0014] [Fig.3] schematically represents in perspective the two modules implemented in the file of [Fig.2].

[0015] [Fig.4] schematically represents an exploded view of the two modules of [Fig.3].

[0016] [Fig.5] schematically represents in perspective the supports of the two modules of [Fig.3].

[0017] [Fig.6] schematically represents a front view of a first variant of the vehicle seat back of [Fig.2], implementable in the vehicle seat of [Fig.l].

[0018] [Fig.7] schematically represents a front view of a second example of vehicle seat backrest implementable in the vehicle seat of [Fig.l]. Description of the embodiments

[0019] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements which are useful for understanding the embodiment described are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

[0020] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of a vehicle seat in its normal position of use.

[0021] In particular, the longitudinal direction X means the longitudinal direction of the seat. The longitudinal direction of the seat is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle in which the seat is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction X is horizontal. The transverse direction Y of the seat thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction of the motor vehicle. This transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The transverse direction Y is horizontal. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction of the seat, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0022] [Fig.l] schematically represents a motor vehicle seat 10 mounted on a 12 slide mechanism.

[0023] The seat 10 comprises a seat 14, with a seat frame 15, on which a backrest 16, with a backrest frame 17, is mounted. The backrest frame 17 is here pivotable about an axis 18 transverse to the seat frame 15. To do this, an articulation mechanism 20 is arranged between the seat frame 15 and the backrest frame 17.

[0024] The seat 14 is mounted on movable profiles 22, also called slides or male profiles, by means of feet 24, 26. Each movable profile 22 is part of a slide 12 and is associated with a fixed profile 28. The fixed profile 28 is also called a rail or female profile. The fixed profile 28 is fixed to the floor 30 of a motor vehicle.

[0025] The seat 10 comprises in this example a manual control element 32, called a lever, for controlling the sliding of the slides 12. This manual control element 32 makes it possible in particular to block and unlock systems for stopping the sliding of the movable profiles 22 relative to the respective fixed profiles 28. Once the stop systems are unlocked, the manual control element 32 can also be used to slide the movable profiles 22 relative to their respective fixed profiles 28 of the slide 12 in the longitudinal direction X of the slides 12. The fixed profiles 28 and movable profiles 22 of the slides 12 are generally metallic.

[0026] Alternatively, the movement of the movable profiles 22 relative to the fixed profiles 28 is controlled by means of an actuator.

[0027] According to the illustrated example, the seat 10 may also comprise a headrest 34, with a headrest frame, which may include in particular rods fixed to the backrest frame 17.

[0028] In the following, the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10 is described in more detail.

[0029] As can be seen in [Fig. 2] in particular, the trim of the backrest 16, in particular the trim of the front face of the backrest 16 intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat 10, as illustrated, essentially comprises - here consists of - a first trim module 36, central, and a second trim module 38, in a “U”, with two lateral branches 40, each extending mainly in a substantially vertical direction, and a transverse branch 42, connecting together the two lateral branches 40, extending in the transverse direction Y and defining an upper end of the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10, in the vicinity of the headrest 34. The central trim module 36 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction corresponding substantially to the vertical direction Z.The two lateral branches 40 of the second trim module 38 form lateral bolsters projecting towards a . occupant of the vehicle seat 10, relative to the portion of the first module 36 arranged in the vicinity of a lower end of the backrest 16, opposite the transverse branch 42 of the second module 38.

[0030] At least a portion of the first trim module 36 extends between the two lateral branches 40 of the second trim module 38, up to the transverse branch 42. Here, the first trim module 36 extends entirely between the two lateral branches 40 of the second trim module 38. The first trim module 36 may, as illustrated, have a width, measured in the transverse direction Y, substantially constant over its entire length, measured in a substantially vertical direction Z.

[0031] The transverse branch 42 may in particular have two openings 35 intended to be crossed by sockets, integral with the backrest frame 17, for receiving rods of the headrest frame. The sockets can then contribute to the fixing of the second trim module 38 on the backrest frame 17, in particular on an upper crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. Alternatively, the openings 35 are intended to be crossed by the rods of the headrest frame directly.

[0032] [Fig.3] illustrates the two modules 36, 38 unassembled, [Fig.4] illustrating an exploded view of the two modules 36, 38. [Fig.5] illustrates the supports implemented in the two modules 36, 38.

[0033] The first module 36 here comprises a first support 44, in the vicinity of an upper end of the first module 36, a second support 46 defining the lower end of the first module 36 and of the backrest 16, at least one spring wire 48 for suspending the first support 44, and a mattress 50 supported by the two supports 44, 46. The at least one spring wire 48, for example made of metal, in particular steel, is in particular elastically deformable allowing the first support 44 to be moved relative to the second support 46, substantially without deformation of the two supports 44, 46. A single spring wire 48 can be understood as a “U” between two free ends in the vicinity of the upper end of the first module 36. The single spring wire 48 then defines two parallel longitudinal branches, each fixed to the first support 44, and connected together by a transverse branch fixed to the second support 46.Alternatively, two separate spring wires 48 may extend in parallel between a free upper end and a lower end fixed to the second support 46. The supports 44, 46 here take the form of a plate. Alternatively, the first support 44 may consist of suspension wires, extending for example mainly in a transverse direction Y, forming a suspension sheet, extending between the two branches of the spring wire 48. The suspension wires may extend rectilinearly or, preferably, in a serpentine fashion or forming crenellations (“zigzag suspension sheet” or “ZZ”).

[0034] The first support 44 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction oriented in a vertical direction. The first support 44 thus has, according to the illustrated example, a substantially rectangular shape.

[0035] Here, the first support 44 is adapted to receive at least one device or member intended to ensure a comfort and / or safety function of the vehicle seat. In particular, according to the illustrated example, the first support 44 has an opening 52 for receiving a fan (not illustrated), intended to blow a flow of air towards an occupant of the vehicle seat 10. Other devices and / or members intended to ensure a comfort and / or safety function of the vehicle seat may be fixed to the first support 44.

[0036] Furthermore, here, the first support 44 has longitudinal slots 54. These slots 54 arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the first support 44 allow elastic deformation of the lower portion of the first support 44, intended to receive the lower back of an occupant of the vehicle seat 10. This improves the comfort of the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10.

[0037] The second support 46 here extends mainly along the transverse direction Y of the vehicle seat 10. The second support 46 defines the lower end of the first module 36 and allows it to be fixed to the backrest frame 17, in particular to a lower (or bottom) crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. The second support 46 comprises means for fixing to the lower crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. The fixing means may in particular take the form of one or more elastic fitting reliefs intended to cooperate with complementary elastic fitting reliefs on the lower crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. Other fixing means are accessible to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, one or more screws, one or more bolts and / or one or more rivets.

[0038] Here, the second support 46 does not support any device or member intended to ensure a comfort and / or safety function of the vehicle seat 10.

[0039] The padding 50, here a block of foam, is fixed to the first and second supports 44, 46. The padding 50 is of substantially constant width over its entire length.

[0040] The second trim module 38 comprises - preferably consists of - a support 56 on which padding 58 is fixed. Here, the support 56 and the padding 58 of the second trim module 38 both have a general “U” shape.

[0041] The support 56 of the second trim module 38 is thus formed of two longitudinal members 60 connected together by a crosspiece 62. The crosspiece 62 of the support 56 comprises two openings 63 intended to be crossed by the sockets, integral with the backrest frame 17, for receiving the rods of the headrest frame. Thus, the reception of these sockets ensures the positioning of the support 56 on the frame of backrest 17. Alternatively or additionally, the crosspiece 62 of the support 56 can be fixed to the backrest frame 17, in particular to a high (or upper) crosspiece of the backrest frame 17, by any means accessible to those skilled in the art, including in particular screws, bolts, rivets and elastic fitting reliefs.

[0042] The at least one spring wire 48 of the first support 44 of the first module 36 can also be fixed to the crosspiece 62 of the support 56 of the second module 38. Alternatively, the at least one wire 48 is fixed to the upper crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. This latter solution is preferred, which allows fixing of the second upholstery module 38 independently of the first upholstery module 36.

[0043] Furthermore, each side member 60 has, in the vicinity of a free end, a means 64 for fixing to a respective upright of the backrest frame 17, here in the vicinity of a lower end of the backrest frame 17. Here, the fixing means 64 takes the form of a hole for fixing by means of a screw, a bolt or a rivet, for example. Alternatively, the fixing means 64 may take other forms, accessible to those skilled in the art, in particular that of an elastic fitting relief, intended to cooperate with a complementary elastic fitting relief of the respective upright of the backrest frame 17.

[0044] In the example illustrated, the support 56 of the second trim module 38 does not support any device or member intended to provide a comfort and / or safety function for the seat. Alternatively, a side airbag device (or side airbag), in particular, may be fixed to one and / or the other of the two side members 60 of the support 56 of the second module 38.

[0045] In the case of the backrest 16 according to this first example, the second module 38 can be fixed first on the backrest frame 17, then the first module 36. In this case, the fixing of the first module 36 can comprise a first sub-step of inserting the free, upper end of the at least one spring wire 48 into receiving holes formed on the crosspiece 62 of the support 56 of the second module 38 or, preferably, in an upper crosspiece of the backrest frame 17, then by fixing the second support 46 of the first module 36 on a lower crosspiece of the backrest frame 17, in particular by elastic fitting of complementary elastic fitting reliefs.

[0046] [Fig. 6] illustrates a second example of a backrest 16 of a vehicle seat 10. Here, the upholstery of the backrest 16, in particular the upholstery of the front face of the backrest 16, comprises - in particular consists of - three modules 36, 38i, 382. The first module 36 is substantially identical to the first module 36 of the first example. The two modules 38i, 382 form a modular assembly whose shape is substantially identical to the shape of the second module 38 according to the first example. In other words, in this second example, the second module 38 of the first example is divided into two modules 38i, 382 which are here symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the backrest 16 extending in a plane (XZ). Each module 38i, 382 has its own support independent of the other module, and its own padding independent of the other module. Each module 38i, 382 is thus easier to produce than the second module 38 of the first example. In addition, each module 38i, 382 of this second example can be fixed to the backrest frame 17 independently of the other. This can also facilitate the assembly of the backrest 16 according to this second example. The two modules 38i, 382 thus form a modular assembly, here consisting of two upholstery modules 38i, 382.

[0047] [Fig.7] illustrates a third example of backrest trim 16, in particular of trim for the front face of a backrest 16.

[0048] According to this third example, the second module 38, in particular the lateral branches of this second module 38, extend over only a portion of the height of the backrest 16.

[0049] Furthermore, the first module 36 extends only partially between the lateral branches of the second module 38. Here, in fact, the first module 36 comprises a base, in the vicinity of the lower end of the backrest 16, wider than the portion of the first module 36 extending between the two lateral branches of the second module 38. The base of the first module 36 may in particular be as wide as the second module 38 and / or form the entire width of the backrest 16 on a lower part thereof. This may be achieved by forming supports 44, 46 and padding 50 of corresponding shape. In particular, the first support 44 of the first module 36 may then have a “T” shape.

[0050] In the case of the backrest 16 according to the third example, a side airbag device (or side airbag) can be fixed to an upright of the backrest frame and / or to a side member 60 of the support 56 of the second module 38 so that the side airbag can be deployed between the two paddings 50, 58. In this case, it is not necessary to provide an initiation of rupture in one of the paddings 50, 58, nor in their respective covers, when two separate covers cover the two paddings 50, 58.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. On the contrary, the invention is susceptible to numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Thus, as mentioned with regard to [Fig.6], in particular, each trim module 36, 38, 38i, 382, ​​described previously can be replaced by a modular trim assembly consisting of several trim modules.

[0053] Each modular upholstery assembly may comprise a respective cover, covering the padding of all the upholstery modules forming a considered modular upholstery assembly. Alternatively, each upholstery module has a respective cover. According to yet another alternative, a single cover is implemented to cover all of the padding present on the front face of the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10, or even the entire backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10.

[0054] In the examples described, the upholstery modules 36, 38, 38i, 382, ​​are fixed to a rigid, non-deformable backrest frame 17. Alternatively, however, the backrest frame 17 may comprise a part movable relative to a base part, in particular a frame of a high backrest support device, movable relative to a base of the backrest frame, relative to a transverse axis.

[0055] Also, the backrest frame 17 is a priori made of metal. The supports of the upholstery modules are a priori made of plastic. The padding is a priori made of polyurethane foam or a flexible plastic material, in particular more flexible than the plastic material from which the corresponding supports are made. However, the person skilled in the art may provide for these elements to be made of different materials.

Claims

Claims

1. Backrest (16) of a vehicle seat (10) comprising a backrest frame (17) and a backrest upholstery fixed to the backrest frame (17), the backrest upholstery comprising, preferably consisting of, a first modular upholstery assembly (36), central, extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, and a second modular upholstery assembly (38; 38i, 382), in a “U” shape, with a transverse branch (42) defining an upper end of the backrest (16) of the vehicle seat (10) and two lateral branches (40) extending from the transverse branch (42), the first modular upholstery assembly (36) extending at least partly between the two lateral branches (40) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38; 38b 382), up to contact with the transverse branch (42) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38; 381, 382), the first and second modular upholstery assemblies trims (36; 38;38b 382) being preferably adapted to be fixed on the backrest frame (17), independently of each other.;

2. A vehicle seat back according to claim 1, wherein the first modular assembly consists of a first trim module (36).

3. A vehicle seat back according to claim 2, wherein the first upholstery module (36) comprises at least one support (44; 46) and padding (50) fixed to the at least one support (44; 46).

4. Vehicle seat back according to claim 3, in which the first upholstery module (36) comprises two supports (44; 46) and a padding (50), preferably single, fixed on the two supports (44; 46).

5. Vehicle seat backrest according to claim 4, wherein the first upholstery module (36) comprises at least one spring wire (48) fixed to each of the two supports (44, 46), on the one hand, and, preferably, to the backrest frame (17) on the other hand, in particular to an upper crosspiece of the backrest frame (17).

6. Vehicle seat backrest according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one (46) of the two supports (44, 46) is fixed to the backrest frame (17), in particular to a lower crosspiece of the backrest frame (17).

7. A vehicle seat back according to claim 1, wherein the first modular assembly (36) consists of at least two modules of trim.

8. A vehicle seat backrest according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second modular assembly (38; 38 b 382) consists of a single second trim module (38).

9. Vehicle seat backrest according to claim 8, in which the second upholstery module (38) comprises a “U” shaped support (56) fixed to the backrest frame (17), in particular by elastic fitting, and padding (58), fixed to the “U” shaped support (56).

10. Vehicle seat backrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second modular assembly (38i, 382) consists of at least two second trim modules (38b 382), in particular two second trim modules (38i, 382) substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the vehicle seat backrest (16) (10).

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