VEHICLE SEAT BASE AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH A SEAT BASE

Abstract

A vehicle seat base (13) comprises a seat frame (14) and a seat cushion (15) attached to the seat frame (14). The seat cushion (15) comprises a support (26) and padding resting on an upper surface (26s) of the support (26), intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat base (13). A light source (36) is attached to one of the seat frame (14) and the modular seat cushion (15), the light source being adapted to emit a light beam (FL) towards the other of the seat frame (14) and the modular seat cushion (15). Abstract Figure: [Fig. 4]

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE SEAT BASE AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH A SEAT BASE Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat base, in particular a motor vehicle seat base, and to a vehicle seat base, in particular a motor vehicle seat base, comprising such a seat base. Prior art

[0002] The seat of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, conventionally comprises a seat frame, a suspension sheet, fixed to the seat frame, and padding fixed to the suspension sheet. A covering, in particular a cover, may cover the assembly thus formed and contribute to maintaining the padding in position on the suspension sheet.

[0003] This classic configuration presents an imposing rendering, perceived as massive by users.

[0004] Furthermore, patent US-B-9,796,310 discloses a modular configuration of the seat of a vehicle seat. In this document, a modular seat cushion is fixed to the seat frame. The modular seat cushion comprises a base, padding and a covering, such as a cover.

[0005] The rendering of the seat described in US-B-9,796,310 is however very close to that of a conventional vehicle seat. Summary

[0006] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0007] There is provided a vehicle seat base comprising a seat frame and a seat cushion fixed to the seat frame, the seat cushion comprising: - a support, - padding resting on an upper surface of the support, intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat, wherein at least one light source is fixed to one of the seat frame and the modular seat cushion, the at least one light source being adapted to emit a light beam towards the other of the seat frame and the modular seat cushion.

[0008] Thus, advantageously, the distance between the modular seat cushion and the seat frame is emphasized, and the modular seat cushion and the seat frame are visually separated even more clearly. The seat then appears to comprise a modular seat cushion which floats above the seat frame.

[0009] According to preferred embodiments, the vehicle seat base may comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination: - the seat cushion is modular, the support comprising a mechanical interface for fixing the seat cushion to the seat frame; - the at least one light source is fixed to the seat cushion, the at least one light source being adapted to emit a light beam towards the seat frame, in particular onto a covering of the seat frame; - at least one light source is overmolded onto the seat cushion support; - the seat cushion comprises a cover covering the padding, the cover being adapted so as not to prevent the light beam, emitted by the at least one light source, from reaching the seat frame; - the support comprises a central portion, preferably substantially flat, and a rim forming a corner with the central portion, the at least one light source being fixed on the central portion, preferably in the vicinity of the corner; - the at least one light source is adapted to emit a light beam onto a surface of the seat frame or a covering of the seat frame, arranged at least partially under the support, preferably under the edge of the support where appropriate, said one surface being distant from the seat cushion, in particular from the support of the seat cushion in the direction of propagation of the light beam emitted by the at least one light source; and - said one surface is oriented towards the front of the vehicle seat, said one surface preferably being visible to a user positioned in front of the vehicle seat and / or to a user positioned next to the vehicle seat.

[0010] According to another aspect, there is described a vehicle seat assembly, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising a vehicle seat base as described above in all its combinations.

[0011] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a seat cushion for a vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a support, the support preferably comprising a mechanical interface for fixing the seat cushion to the seat frame, - padding resting on an upper surface of the support, intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat base, - at least one light source, preferably fixed to the support, more preferably on a lower surface of the support, opposite the upper surface, the at least one light source being adapted to emit a light beam towards the seat frame, in particular on a covering of the seat frame. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0013] [Fig-1] schematically represents in perspective a vehicle seat assembly.

[0014] [Fig.2] schematically represents in perspective, an exploded view of the seat of the vehicle seat of [Fig.l].

[0015] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the assembly of a modular seat cushion on the seat frame of the vehicle seat of [Fig.l].

[0016] [Fig.4] schematically represents a longitudinal sectional view of a first example of the vehicle seat base of [Fig.l]. Description of the embodiments

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] [Fig.l] schematically represents a motor vehicle seat assembly 10, comprising a vehicle seat 11 and a slide mechanism 12, the seat 11 being mounted on the slide mechanism 12.

[0021] The seat 11 comprises a seat 13, with a seat frame 14 and a modular seat cushion 15, on which a backrest 16, with a backrest frame 17 and a backrest upholstery 18, is mounted. The backrest frame 17 can be pivoted about a transverse axis, relative to the seat frame 14. To do this, a mechanism articulation can be arranged between the seat frame 14 and the backrest frame 17, on each side of the backrest 17.

[0022] The seat 13, in particular the seat frame 14, is mounted on movable profiles, also called slides or male profiles, by means of feet 19, 20. Each movable profile is associated with a fixed profile 21 to form a slide 22. The fixed profile 21 is also called a rail or female profile. The fixed profile 21 is fixed to the floor of a motor vehicle. The fixed 21 and movable profiles of the slides 22 may be metallic.

[0023] In this example, the seat 11 comprises buttons B for controlling the slides 22 and other members for adjusting the position of the seat 11. One of the buttons B is thus configured to control the unlocking of the sliding of the movable profiles relative to the respective fixed profiles 21, and an actuator for moving the movable profiles relative to the fixed profiles 21.

[0024] The seat 11 also comprises, according to the illustrated example, a headrest 23. The headrest 23 comprises a headrest frame and a headrest upholstery 24. The headrest frame may be connected to the backrest frame 17. For example, the headrest frame may be integral with the backrest frame 17. In particular, the headrest frame may be monolithic with the backrest frame 17 or fixed, in particular rigidly fixed, to the backrest frame 17. Alternatively, the headrest frame may be to the backrest frame 17 by means of at least one headrest fixing rod, preferably two headrest fixing rods. The headrest fixing rod(s) may be of variable length to allow height adjustment of the position of the headrest 23.Alternatively or additionally, the headrest frame may be movable relative to the headrest attachment rod(s) 23 to allow this height adjustment of the position of the headrest 23. The headrest trim 23 and / or the backrest trim 18 may cover all or part of the headrest attachment rod(s), for example to improve the appearance of the vehicle seat 11.

[0025] In the following, a first example of a vehicle seat base 13 that can be implemented in the vehicle seat 11 of [Fig. 1] is described in more detail, with reference to [Fig. 2] to [Fig. 4].

[0026] As already mentioned, the seat 13 comprises a modular seat cushion 15, configured to be fixed to the seat frame 14. The seat frame 14 comprises two side members 141, 142, braced by a front cross member 143 and a rear cross member 144. Each side member 141, 142 may for example take the form of a flange. Each cross member 143, 144 may for example take the form of a tube. Each side member 141, 142 may form the feet 19, 20 or be rigidly fixed to the feet 19, 20.

[0027] The seat frame 14 may in particular be made of metal or of a composite material, in particular filled with glass and / or carbon fibers. The seat frame 14 may be monolithic or made up of elements added and rigidly fixed together. The seat frame 14 may comprise a covering, for example made of plastic, in particular in the form of a plastic shell, rigidly fixed on at least one of the two side members 141, 142, and the two cross members 143, 144.

[0028] The modular seat cushion 15 comprises, in the assembled state, as illustrated in [Fig.2]: - a support 26, also called a trim support, forming a base comprising a mechanical interface system for fixing to the seat frame 14, - padding 28 resting on an upper surface of the support 26, intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat 11; and, here - a covering 30 covering the padding 38.

[0029] The padding 26 provides the comfort of the seat 13. The padding 26 may be based on polyurethane foam, typically obtained by molding, or another material such as a structure of fibers forming loops welded together, obtained by extrusion of thermoplastic fibers, and calendering of the fibers by two members (rollers), partially immersed.

[0030] The mechanical interface system may for example comprise at least one of, preferably each of the two of: - a rear mechanical interface, on a rear portion of the support 26, comprising a first housing, open, configured to house the rear cross member 144 in a mechanically lockable manner by a locking system, in particular of the rear mechanical interface. The locking system may be internal to the modular cushion 15, in particular to the mechanical interface, and / or be external to the rear mechanical interface, or even external to the modular seat cushion 15; - a front mechanical interface, on a front part of the support 26, comprising a second housing, open, configured to house the front cross member 143 in a pivotable manner around the cross member 143.

[0031] Thus, the mechanical interface system can be configured to allow the attachment of the modular seat cushion 15 by implementing the following steps, illustrated in [Fig.3]: i) aligning the front mechanical interface with the front cross member 143 and inserting the front cross member into the second housing; ii) pivoting the support 26 around the crosspiece 143 then fitted into the second housing of the front mechanical interface until the rear crosspiece 144 is inserted into the first housing of the rear mechanical interface; and iii) mechanical locking of the rear cross member 144 in the first housing, by implementation of the locking system.

[0032] The first housing and / or the second housing may typically be "U"-shaped housings. The "U"-shaped housings may be continuous along the transverse direction Y, or result from several discontinuous sections, along this transverse direction Y.

[0033] For example, the second housing opens towards the front of the support 26, namely in the direction following the longitudinal direction X, from the rear cross member 144 of the seat frame 14, towards the front cross member 143 of the seat frame 14. The second housing, opening towards the front, ensures in particular effective retention of the modular seat cushion 15, in the event of a frontal crash. In this case in fact, the force of the crash forces the front cross member 143 of the seat frame 14 to the bottom of the second housing.

[0034] The first housing can open towards the underside of the support 26, typically in the vertical direction Z. In the event of a crash, the first housing then participates in retaining the modular seat cushion 15 by pressing a wall delimiting the first housing, against the rear cross member 144.

[0035] In the event of a crash, advantageously, the retention of the modular seat cushion 15 and of the occupant weighing on the latter, relative to the seat frame 14 is essentially distributed between the front 143 and rear 144 cross members of the seat frame 14.

[0036] The direction of insertion of the rear crosspiece 144 into the first housing and the direction of insertion of the front crosspiece 143 into the second housing may be inclined relative to each other, for example by an angle of between 25° and 135°, in particular between 45° and 90°.

[0037] The locking system of the rear mechanical interface may be elastically deformable, configured to allow elastic locking so that the locking of the rear cross member 144 in the first housing is obtained, at the end of the pivoting stroke of the modular cushion around the front cross member 143, by elastic deformation of the locking system of the rear mechanical interface. For this purpose, the first housing may be elastically deformable and comprise an entry groove, of a dimension smaller than the section of the rear cross member 144, and a central portion housing the rear cross member 144 in the locking position, adjusted to the section of the rear cross member 144.

[0038] The locking system may further comprise a specific retaining member, such as a tab. The retaining member may then be fixed, in a second step, by an operator. It may in particular be a locking system comprising one or more screws. The locking system may further comprise a lock.

[0039] According to yet another locking possibility - possibly combinable with the elastic locking - the locking of the rear cross member 144 in the first housing, is obtained by placing the backrest 16 or an element of the backrest 16, such as a modular backrest cushion on a backrest frame and / or by placing the backrest frame 17 on the seat frame 14. Once the backrest element is fixed to the backrest frame 16, the backrest element forms an upper stop, cooperating with a rear portion of the modular seat cushion 15, preventing the rear crosspiece 144 from exiting the first housing, by pivoting the support 26 around the front crosspiece 143.

[0040] The locking system can therefore be internal to the modular seat cushion 15, or external to the modular seat cushion 15, or even comprise a part internal to the modular seat cushion 15 and a part external to it.

[0041] The support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15 may be a plastic element, for example obtained by injection molding. The front and rear mechanical interfaces are preferably formed by the support 26, for example during the molding of the support 26.

[0042] The support 26 may form a frame. The frame may be configured to bear on the seat frame 14, for example by bearing on at least one, preferably on at least two opposite ones of, more preferably on each of, the side members 141, 142 and the cross members 143, 144 of the seat frame 14. For example, the frame formed by the support 26 may bear only on the front cross member 143 and on the rear cross member 144 of the seat frame 14, only on the side members 141, 142, or bear simultaneously on the front 143 and rear 144 cross members and on the side members 141, 142.

[0043] The support 26 may comprise a substantially flat central portion 32, in the form of a plate here perforated, from which at least one rim 34 extends, at the front end of the support 26. The rim 34 may be continuous over the entire contour of the support 26 and, thus, form a skirt.

[0044] The central portion 32 of the support 26 may form a flexible suspension part, in particular more flexible than the peripheral frame of the support 26. The suspension part takes for example the form of a flexible, openwork blade. The suspension part may for example comprise recesses, blind or through, in the thickness of the central portion 32 of the support 26. The recesses are for example regularly distributed according to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions of the vehicle seat 11. The surface void rate of the suspension part is for example between 10% and 80%, in particular in the presence of through recesses, and for example greater than 20%, or even greater than 30%, or even greater than 40%, or even greater than 50%. The recesses contribute to giving flexibility to the suspension part in the vertical direction Z. The recesses also contribute to reducing the mass of the support 26.

[0045] The support 26 as illustrated is advantageously devoid of metal suspension, the suspension being obtained solely by the central portion 32, perforated, of the support 26. According to another embodiment, however, the support 26 may comprise a suspension, typically metal, with spring wires, received in a recess of a plastic part, for example forming a support frame on the seat frame 14.

[0046] [Fig. 4] illustrates a detail of the seat 13. As illustrated in this [Fig. 4], a light source 36, in particular a lamp, more particularly at least one light-emitting diode, for example a strip of light-emitting diodes, is fixed on the lower face 26i of the support 26, opposite the upper face 26s in contact with the padding of the modular seat cushion 15. The light source 36 is for example overmolded by the support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15.

[0047] Here, the light source 36 is fixed in a corner formed by the rim 34 of the support 26 and the central portion 32 of the support 26. Thus, the rim 34 can limit the visibility of the light source 36 for a user of the vehicle seat 11.

[0048] The light source 36 is adapted to emit a light beam FL towards the seat frame 14, in particular towards a covering 145 of the seat frame 14. The covering 145 of the seat frame 14 takes for example the form of a plastic shell, possibly composed of several pieces fixed together.

[0049] To do this, the cover 38 covering the padding of the modular seat cushion 15 and fixed to the support 26, does not cover the light source 36. Alternatively, the cover 38 may comprise parts made of translucent or transparent materials, in particular translucent or transparent plastic, covering the light source 36. In all cases, the cover 38 is adapted to allow the light beam emitted by the light source 36 to pass through.

[0050] Here, the light beam FL emitted by the light source 36 illuminates a surface 40 of the seat frame 14. The surface 40 is arranged at least partially under the support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15. In particular, here, the surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL extends partly under the rim 34 of the support 26. The surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL is distant from the modular seat cushion 15, in particular from the support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15, in particular in the vertical direction Z. The surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL is preferably concave. The surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL is here oriented towards the front of the vehicle seat 11. Thus, the surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL is preferably visible from the front of the vehicle seat 11.The surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL can furthermore be visible from at least one side of the vehicle seat 11, preferably from both lateral sides of the vehicle seat 11. To do this, the covering 145 of the seat frame 14 can be devoid of lateral portions extending vertically above the surface 40. illuminated by the FL light beam.

[0051] The surface 40 thus illuminated by the light beam FL thus makes it possible to give an effect of lightness to the seat 13, in particular the modular seat cushion 15, compared to a conventional seat, as described previously. The illuminated surface 40 in fact makes it possible to better visually separate the modular seat cushion 15 from the seat frame 14, the modular seat cushion 15 being able to appear as if levitating above the seat frame 14.

[0052] Furthermore, the surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL may be different depending on the inclination of the seat 40. Thus, this surface 40 illuminated by the light beam FL may allow a user to better visually understand the inclination of the seat 13, and thus facilitates the adjustment of this inclination of the seat 13.

[0053] The invention is not limited to the examples described above. On the contrary, numerous variants are accessible to those skilled in the art.

[0054] In particular, according to a variant, the light source 36 is fixed to the seat frame 14 and is adapted to emit a light beam towards the modular seat cushion 15, in particular towards the support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15, and even more particularly on the lower face 26i of the support 26 of the modular seat cushion 15.

Claims

Claims

1. A vehicle seat base (13) comprising a seat frame (14) and a seat cushion (15) attached to the seat frame (14), the seat cushion (15) comprising: - a support (26), - padding resting on an upper surface (26s) of the support (26), intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat base (13), wherein at least one light source (36) is attached to one of the seat frame (14) and the modular seat cushion (15), the at least one light source being adapted to emit a light beam (FL) towards the other of the seat frame (14) and the modular seat cushion (15).

2. A vehicle seat base (13) according to claim 1, wherein the seat cushion is modular, the support (26) comprising a mechanical interface for fixing the seat cushion (15) to the seat frame (14).

3. Vehicle seat base (13) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one light source (36) is fixed to the seat cushion (15), the at least one light source (36) being adapted to emit a light beam (FL) towards the seat frame (14), in particular onto a covering (145) of the seat frame (14).

4. Vehicle seat base (13) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one light source (36) is overmolded onto the support (26) of the seat cushion (15).

5. Vehicle seat base (13) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the seat cushion (15) comprises a cover (38) covering the padding, the cover (38) being adapted not to prevent the light beam (FL), emitted by the at least one light source (36), from reaching the seat frame (14).

6. Vehicle seat base (13) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the support (26) comprises a central portion (32), preferably substantially planar, and a rim (34) forming a corner with the central portion (32), the at least one light source (36) being fixed on the central portion (32), preferably in the vicinity of the corner.

7. A vehicle seat base (13) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the at least one light source (36) is adapted to emit a light beam (FL) onto a surface (40) of the seat frame (14) or of a covering of the seat frame (14), arranged at least partially under the support (26), preferably under the rim (34) of the support (26) where appropriate, said one surface (40) being distant from the seat cushion (15), in particular from the support (26) of the seat cushion (15) in the direction of propagation of the light beam (FL) emitted by the at least one light source (36).

8. A vehicle seat base (13) according to claim 7, wherein said one surface (40) is oriented towards the front of the vehicle seat (11), said one surface preferably being visible to a user arranged in front of the vehicle seat (11) and / or to a user arranged next to the vehicle seat.

9. Seat cushion (15), in particular modular seat cushion (15), for a vehicle seat (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising - a support (26), the support (26) preferably comprising a mechanical interface for fixing the seat cushion (15) to the seat frame (14), - padding resting on an upper surface (26i) of the support (26), intended to be oriented towards an occupant of the vehicle seat (13), - at least one light source (36), preferably fixed on the support (26), more preferably on a lower surface (26i) of the support (26), opposite the upper surface (26), the at least one light source (36) being adapted to emit a light beam (FL) towards the seat frame (14), in particular on a covering (145) of the seat frame (14).

10. Vehicle seat assembly (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a vehicle seat base (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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