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), in a "U" shape, with a transverse branch (42) defining a lower 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), up to the contact of the transverse branch (42) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38). Abstract figure: [Fig. 5]

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 a lower 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.

[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 trim module has two supports; - the first upholstery module also comprises at least one spring wire fixed to the two supports, on the one hand, and, preferably, to the backrest frame, on the other hand; - a first support is fixed to the backrest frame, in particular to a high crosspiece of the backrest frame; - the second modular assembly consists of a single second trim module; - the second upholstery module comprises at least, preferably consists of, a generally “U” shaped support and at least one foam block fixed to the support, the support being fixed to the backrest frame; - the backrest frame comprises two uprights, an upper crosspiece and a lower crosspiece, the support of the second upholstery module being fixed, preferably only, to the uprights and / or the lower crosspiece of the backrest frame; - the second trim module comprises a plurality of spring wires extending between two branches of the support of the second trim module, the spring wires being in contact with a secure mattress of the first modular trim assembly; and - a second support of the first upholstery module is fixed to at least one of the support of the second upholstery module, in particular to a transverse branch of the support of the second upholstery module and a lower crosspiece of the backrest frame. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages will appear during the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of 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 which 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 the supports of the two modules of [Fig.3];

[0016] [Fig.5] schematically represents in perspective an exploded view of the modules put implemented in a second example of the seat back of [Fig.l];

[0017] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates in perspective, a detail of the assembly of the modules of [Fig.5] on the backrest frame of the motor vehicle seat backrest;

[0018] [Fig.7] schematically represents a sectional view of the detail of [Fig.6], once the two modules have been assembled together and fixed to the backrest frame of the motor vehicle seat backrest. 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 a lower end of the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10, opposite 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 the transverse branch 42 of the second module 38, forming a medallion.

[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. In the vicinity of the upper end, the first trim module 36 is here wider, in the transverse direction Y, than in the vicinity of the transverse branch 42.

[0031] [Fig.3] illustrates the two unassembled modules 36, 38, [Fig.4] illustrating the supports implemented in these two modules 36, 38.

[0032] 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, a spring wire 48 for suspending the second support 46, and a spring mattress 50 supported by the two supports 44, 46. The spring wire 48, for example made of metal, is in particular elastically deformable allowing the second support 46 to be moved relative to the first support 44, substantially without deformation of the two supports 44, 46. The spring wire 48 extends for example in a “U” shape between two free ends fixed to the first support 44 defining the upper end of the first module 36. The spring wire 48 defines two parallel longitudinal branches, fixed to the second support 46, connected together by a transverse branch 50 in the vicinity of the lower end of the first module 36. The supports 44, 46 here take the form of a plate, in particular made of plastic.Alternatively, the second support 46 may consist of suspension wires, extending for example mainly in a transverse direction, 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” or “ZZ” suspension sheet).

[0033] The first support 44 extends substantially in the shape of a “C”, the cavity of the “C” being oriented towards the lower end of the backrest 16. The first support 44 may in particular correspond to the area of ​​the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10 intended to be in contact with the shoulders of an occupant of the vehicle seat 10.

[0034] Here, the first support 44 does not support any device or member intended to ensure a comfort and / or safety function of the vehicle seat 10. The first support 44 can in particular be fixed to a high (or upper) crosspiece of the backrest frame 17, in order to fix the first module 36.

[0035] The second support 46 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction oriented in a vertical direction. The second support 46 thus has, according to the illustrated example, a substantially rectangular shape, here with two notches intended to receive the ends of the first support 44, in a “C”.

[0036] Here, the second support 46 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 second support 46 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 can be fixed to the second support 46.

[0037] Furthermore, here, the second support 46 has longitudinal slots 54. These slots 54 arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the second support 46 allow elastic deformation of the lower portion of the second support 46, intended to receive the lower back of an occupant of the vehicle seat 10. This improves the comfort of the occupant of the vehicle seat 10.

[0038] The padding 47, here a block of foam, is fixed on the first and second supports 44, 46. The padding 47 is wider in the vicinity of its upper end than in the vicinity of its lower end. In particular, the padding 47 has a general mushroom shape, with a base of substantially constant reduced width, and a wider upper end.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The support 56 of the second trim module 38 is thus formed of two longitudinal members 60 connected together by a crosspiece 62. Each longitudinal member 60 has, at a free end, a means 64 for fixing to a respective upright 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.

[0041] The crosspiece 62 of the support 56 can be fixed to a low (or lower) crosspiece of the backrest frame 17, for example by means of elastic fitting reliefs adapted to cooperate with complementary elastic fitting reliefs of a low crosspiece of the backrest frame 17. Also, the spring wire 48 for suspension of the second support 46 of the first module 36 can be fixed to this crosspiece 62 or, preferably, on the backrest frame 17, in particular a low crosspiece of the backrest frame 17.

[0042] In the example illustrated, the support 46 of the second trim module 38 does not support any device or member intended to provide a comfort and / or seat safety. Alternatively, a side airbag device (or side airbag), in particular, can be fixed to one and / or the other of the two uprights 60 of the support 56 of the second module 38.

[0043] [Fig. 5] and the following illustrate a second example of a backrest upholstery 16 of a vehicle seat 10.

[0044] According to this second example, the first module 36 comprises a first support 44, here substantially identical to the first support 44 of the first module 36 of the first example of backrest 16. Here, however, the second support 46 has a “U” shape, with the base of the “U” oriented upwards. The second support 46 extends over a length less than a quarter, preferably a fifth, of the length of the padding 50. Thus, the first module 36 does not comprise any support for the padding 50 over a portion corresponding to at least a third, preferably at least half of the length of the padding. The second support 46 allows the first upholstery module 36 to be fixed to the crosspiece 62 of the support 56 of the second module 38, in particular by means of at least one of elastic fitting reliefs, screws, bolts, rivets and other fixing means accessible to those skilled in the art.

[0045] Here, springs 66 extend between the two longitudinal members 60 of the support 56 of the second module 38 in order to ensure the suspension of the padding 50 of the first module 36. The springs 66 can in particular extend in a serpentine fashion or by forming crenellations, between the two longitudinal members 60. The springs 66 can be overmolded by the support 56 of the second module 38. Alternatively or in addition, the springs 66 can form hooks at their free ends, to improve the attachment of the springs 66 to the longitudinal members 60 of the support 56 of the second trim module 38, as can be seen in [Fig. 6] and [Fig. 7]. The springs 66 can be more or less wide or thick and take the form of spring wires, sheets or deformable blades.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], the padding blocks 50, 58 of the first and second modules 36, 38 may have chamfers 68, 70 so that the padding block 58 of the second module 38 keeps the padding block 50 of the first module 36 in contact with the spring wires 66. In this case in particular, the padding block 50 of the first module 36 may be inserted into the space defined between the chamfers 70 of the padding block 58 of the second module and the springs 66, by an upper end of this space, then by pulling this padding block 50 in a substantially vertical direction F1, towards the lower end of the backrest 16.

[0047] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], each module 36, 38 here comprises a respective cover 72, 74, covering the padding block 50, 56 of the module 36, 38. Alternatively, however, the backrest 16 of the vehicle seat 10 may comprise a single cover, covering the padding blocks 50, 56 of the two modules 36, 38 assembled together.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Thus, each trim module 36, 38, described above can be replaced by a modular trim assembly consisting of several trim modules.

[0050] Each modular upholstery assembly may comprise a respective cover, covering the padding of all the upholstery modules forming the modular upholstery assembly in question. Alternatively, each upholstery module of a modular assembly 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.

[0051] In the examples described, the upholstery modules 36, 38 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.

[0052] 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 on 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), in a "U" shape, with a transverse branch (42) defining a lower 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), up to the contact of the transverse branch (42) of the second modular upholstery assembly (38).

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 trim module (36) comprises two supports (44; 46).

4. Vehicle seat backrest according to claim 3, wherein the first upholstery module (36) further comprises at least one spring wire (48) fixed to the two supports (44; 46), on the one hand, and, preferably, to the backrest frame (17), on the other hand.

5. Vehicle seat backrest according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a first support (44) is attached to the backrest frame (17), in particular to an upper crosspiece of the backrest frame (17).

6. A vehicle seat back according to any preceding claim, wherein the second modular assembly consists of a single second trim module (38).

7. A vehicle seat backrest according to claim 6, wherein the second upholstery module (38) comprises at least, preferably consists of, one generally "U"-shaped support (56) and at least one foam block (58) fixed to the support (56), the support (56) being fixed to the backrest frame (17).

8. A vehicle seat backrest according to claim 7, wherein the backrest frame (17) comprises two uprights, an upper cross member and a lower cross member, the support (56) of the second trim module (38) being fixed, preferably only, on the uprights and / or the lower crosspiece of the backrest frame (17).

9. A vehicle seat back according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second upholstery module (38) comprises a plurality of spring wires (66) extending between two branches (60) of the support (56) of the second upholstery module (38), the spring wires (66) being in contact with padding (50) of the first modular upholstery assembly (36).

10. A vehicle seat backrest according to claims 3, 5 and 9, wherein a second support (46) of the first trim module (36) is attached to at least one of the support (56) of the second trim module (38), in particular to a transverse branch (62) of the support (56) of the second trim module (38), and a lower cross member of the backrest frame (17).

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