Device for adjusting a vehicle seat and associated vehicle seat

Abstract

Device for adjusting a vehicle seat and associated vehicle seat The invention relates to a device for adjusting a vehicle seat, comprising: a side flange (22) for the seat base (14); an adjustment element (30), articulated on the flange, said adjustment element comprising a toothed sector (44); a pinion (32), rotatable relative to the flange along a pinion axis (52), said pinion engaging the toothed sector (44); and a clamping flange (34), fixed to the flange and articulated to the pinion along the pinion axis (52), the toothed sector being arranged between the flange and the clamping flange. The clamping flange (34) comprises: a substantially planar base (54); and a rib (58), projecting relative to the base, the projection of said rib being oriented towards the toothed sector (44). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for adjusting a vehicle seat and associated vehicle seat

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for adjusting a vehicle seat, of the type comprising: a seat base side flange; an adjustment element, articulated on the flange, said adjustment element comprising a toothed sector; a pinion, movable in rotation relative to the flange along a pinion axis, said pinion meshing with the toothed sector; and a clamping flange, fixed to the flange and articulated to the pinion along the pinion axis, the toothed sector being arranged between the flange and the clamping flange.

[0002] The invention applies particularly to motor vehicle seats.

[0003] It is known to implement such an adjustment device to adjust the height of the seat base relative to a vehicle floor. A similar device is described in particular in document FR2901751.

[0004] In the event of a collision suffered by the vehicle, an untimely movement of the toothed sector may lead to a breakage of said toothed sector and / or the pinion.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention aims to provide an adjustment device having better resistance to breakage in the event of a collision suffered by the vehicle. To this end, the first aspect of the invention relates to an adjustment device of the aforementioned type, in which the clamping flange comprises: a substantially flat base; and a rib, projecting relative to the base, said rib being away from the pinion, the projection of said rib being oriented towards the toothed sector.

[0006] According to other advantageous aspects of the first aspect of the invention, the adjustment device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0007] - the adjustment element comprises a slot; the device comprises a rod of fastener connecting the flange and the clamping flange, said fixing rod passing through the slot of the adjustment element; and the rib of the clamping flange is spaced from the fixing rod and substantially disposed between the pinion and said fixing rod;

[0008] - a distance along the pinion axis between the rib of the clamping flange and the toothed sector is less than or equal to 2 mm and preferably of the order of 1 mm.

[0009] The first aspect of the invention further relates to a vehicle seat comprising an adjustment device as described above, the seat comprising a seat, the side flange being incorporated into said seat.

[0010] According to further advantageous aspects of the first aspect of the invention, the vehicle seat comprises one or more of the following features, taken in isolation: or following all technically possible combinations:

[0011] - the seat further comprises a backrest, said backrest comprising at least one side upright, said side upright comprising a side portion and a back portion forming an L-shaped section, the side portion comprising a plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves, substantially perpendicular to the back portion;

[0012] - each of the lateral reinforcing grooves extends between two edges delimiting the side portion;

[0013] - the lateral portion comprises a first and a second distal rib, limiting said lateral portion; and the lateral reinforcing grooves come into contact with each of said first and second distal ribs;

[0014] - the plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves is arranged in the lower part of the side amount;

[0015] - the seat further comprises a backrest, said backrest comprising: two uprights laterals extending substantially vertically, each lateral upright comprising a dorsal portion; and a lower transverse element, extending substantially horizontally, said lower transverse element comprising: a main portion, disposed between the two lateral uprights; and two end portions, each end portion forming a projection above the main portion and being in contact with one of the lateral uprights; the dorsal portion of at least one of the lateral uprights comprising a dorsal groove extending substantially vertically; a lower end of said dorsal groove being located above the main portion of the lower transverse element;

[0016] - the lower end of the dorsal groove is in contact with an end portion of the lower cross member.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a backrest, said backrest comprising: at least one lateral upright, said lateral upright comprising a lateral portion and a dorsal portion forming an L-shaped section, the lateral portion comprising a plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves, substantially perpendicular to the dorsal portion.

[0018] According to other advantageous aspects of the second aspect of the invention, the vehicle seat comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0019] - each of the lateral reinforcing grooves extends between two edges delimiting the side portion;

[0020] - the lateral portion comprises a first and a second distal rib, limiting said lateral portion; and the lateral reinforcing grooves come into contact with each of said first and second distal ribs;

[0021] - the plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves is arranged in the lower part of the side amount.

[0022] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a backrest, said backrest comprising: two side posts extending substantially vertically, each side post comprising a dorsal portion; and a lower transverse element, extending substantially horizontally, said lower transverse element comprising: a main part, arranged between the two side posts; and two end parts, each end part forming a projection above the main part and being in contact with one of the side posts; the dorsal part of at least one of the side posts comprising a dorsal groove extending substantially vertically; a lower end of said dorsal groove being located above the main part of the lower transverse element.

[0023] Advantageously, the lower end of the dorsal groove is in contact with an end portion of the lower transverse element.

[0024] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a mode of embodiment of the invention, comprising an adjustment device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detailed view of the adjustment device of [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the adjustment device of Figures 1 and 2; and

[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a detail view of the vehicle seat of [Fig.l].

[0029] [Fig.l] shows a vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The seat 10 is in particular intended to equip a motor vehicle (not shown).

[0030] Only the structure of the seat 10 is visible in [Fig.l], the upholstery not being shown.

[0031] The seat 10 comprises: rails 12; a seat 14; and a backrest 16. The seat 10 further comprises an adjustment device 20.

[0032] The rails 12 are substantially rectilinear and intended to be fixed to a floor (not shown) of a vehicle. In the remainder of the description, an orthonormal reference frame (X, Y, Z) associated with the rails 12 is considered, each rail 12 being substantially parallel to the X direction. The Z direction is considered to represent the vertical.

[0033] In the remainder of the description, the terms “front” and “rear” refer to the X direction.

[0034] The seat 14 comprises in particular: a first 22 and a second 24 lateral flanges; a front transverse element 26; and a rear transverse tube 28.

[0035] Each lateral flange 22, 24 extends substantially in a plane (X, Z) and has an elongated shape in the direction X.

[0036] The front transverse element 26 extends in the Y direction and is fixed to the front ends of the first 22 and second 24 side plates. The rear transverse tube 28 extends in the Y direction and is connected to the rear ends of the first 22 and second 24 side plates.

[0037] In a known manner, the seat 14 is connected to the rails 12 so as to be able to slide along said rails in the direction X.

[0038] The adjustment device 20 is intended to adjust the height of the seat 14 relative to the rails 12.

[0039] The device 20, visible in [Fig. 2], comprises the first lateral flange 22 of the seat 14. In the remainder of the description, the first lateral flange 22 is designated by the term “flange 22”.

[0040] The device 20 further comprises an adjustment element 30, a pinion 32 and a clamping flange 34. In the embodiment shown, the device 20 further comprises a fixing rod 36.

[0041] The adjustment element 30 extends substantially in a plane (X, Z) parallel to the flange 22. The adjustment element 30 comprises an articulation portion 40, a connecting bar 42 and a toothed sector 44, formed in one piece.

[0042] The articulation portion 40 is mounted on the rear transverse tube 28, which materializes an axis 46 of rotation of the adjustment element 30 relative to the flange 22. The axis 46 of rotation is parallel to Y.

[0043] The connecting bar 42 extends from the articulation portion 40, obliquely relative to the direction X. Opposite the articulation portion 40, the connecting bar 42 is connected in an articulated manner to a rail 12.

[0044] The toothed sector 44 comprises: teeth 48; and a slot 50 in an arc of a circle, extending around the axis 46 of rotation. The slot 50 is arranged radially between the axis 46 of rotation and the teeth 48.

[0045] The pinion 32 is rotatable relative to the flange 22 along a pinion axis 52, parallel to Y. The pinion meshes with the teeth 48 of the toothed sector 44 of the adjustment element 30.

[0046] The clamping flange 34 is fixed to the flange 22 and comprises: a base 54; a fixing tab 56; and a holding rib 58.

[0047] The base 54 extends substantially in a plane (X, Z), parallel to the flange 22 and to the adjustment element 30. In the direction Y, the toothed sector 44 of the adjustment element 30 is arranged between the flange 22 and the base 54 of the clamping flange 34.

[0048] The fixing rod 36 extends parallel to Y between two ends, fixed respectively to the flange 22 and to a rear end of the base 54. Furthermore, the rod 36 fixing element passes through the slot 50 of the toothed sector 44 of the adjustment element 30.

[0049] A front end of the base 54 comprises an opening 60, crossed by the pinion 32. Said pinion 32 is movable in rotation in the opening 60 along the pinion axis 52.

[0050] The fixing lug 56 extends from the front end of the base 54 and is fixed to the flange 22. In the direction X, the pinion 32 is arranged between the fixing rod 36 and the fixing lug 56.

[0051] The holding rib 58 forms a projection along Y relative to the base 54. In the embodiment shown, the holding rib 58 is formed by a boss provided in the base 54. Along the X direction, the holding rib 58 is arranged between the fixing rod 36 and the pinion axis 52.

[0052] The projection along Y formed by the holding rib 58 is oriented towards the clamping element 30.

[0053] Preferably, the rib of the clamping flange is spaced from the fixing rod 36 and the opening 60.

[0054] More precisely, a distance 62 along Y between the holding rib 58 and the toothed sector 44 of the adjustment element 30 is less than a distance between the base 54 and said toothed sector 44, close to the fixing rod 36 and / or the opening 60.

[0055] The distance 62 between the holding rib 58 and the toothed sector 44 is preferably less than or equal to 2 mm and more preferably of the order of 1 mm.

[0056] A method of operating the adjustment device 20 will now be described. The pinion 32 is rotated about the pinion axis 52. The meshing of said pinion with the teeth 48 causes the adjustment element 30 to pivot relative to the flange 22 about the rotation axis 46. Under the action of the connecting bar 42 articulated to the rail 12, the height of the flange 22 along the Z axis is thus modified.

[0057] During the pivoting of the adjustment element 30 relative to the flange 22, the fixing rod 36 moves in the slot 50 of the toothed sector 44.

[0058] In the event of a collision suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat 10, the rear transverse tube 28 may be deformed or displaced relative to the flange 22, which leads to friction or impacts between the pinion 32 and the teeth 48 of the adjustment element 30. The proximity along Y of the rib 58 with the toothed sector 44 protects said toothed sector from untimely displacement relative to the pinion 32. Said pinion and the teeth 48 are thus protected from the risk of breakage.

[0059] The backrest 16 of the seat 10 will now be described.

[0060] The backrest 16 extends from a rear end of the seat 14 and comprises: two side uprights 70; a lower transverse element 72; and an upper transverse element 74.

[0061] In the remainder of the description, it is considered that the lateral uprights 70 extend substantially vertically. In practice, the seat 10 preferably comprises a tilting device 76, arranged at a lower end of the lateral uprights 70. Said tilting device 76 makes it possible to tilt the backrest 16 relative to the seat 14.

[0062] The lower transverse element 72 extends substantially along Y and is fixed to the lower ends of the lateral uprights 70. The upper transverse element 74 extends substantially along Y and is fixed to the upper ends of the lateral uprights 70.

[0063] Each lateral upright 70 has a substantially L-shaped section along a horizontal plane. More precisely, each lateral upright 70 comprises a lateral portion 80 and a dorsal portion 82.

[0064] In the remainder of the description, it is considered that the lateral uprights 70 are substantially identical. A single lateral upright 70 will therefore be described.

[0065] The lateral portion 80 of the lateral upright 70 extends substantially in a plane (X, Z). The dorsal portion 82 is substantially perpendicular to said lateral portion 80.

[0066] The lateral portion 80 comprises a plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves 84, 86, substantially perpendicular to the dorsal portion. In the embodiment shown, the lateral reinforcing grooves 84, 86 extend substantially along X.

[0067] Preferably, the lateral portion 80 comprises: a lower part 88, close to the lower transverse element 72; and an upper part 89, close to the upper transverse element 74. The lower part 88 is longer along X than the upper part 89.

[0068] The lateral reinforcing grooves 84, 86 extend over the lower part 88 of the lateral portion 80. Said lower part is thus stiffened, so as to resist deformations in the event of a collision suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat 10.

[0069] Preferably, each of the lateral reinforcing grooves 84, 86 extends between two edges delimiting the lateral portion 80. In the embodiment shown, the lateral portion 80 comprises a first 100 and a second 102 distal ribs, delimiting said lateral portion 80 along X; and the lateral reinforcing grooves 84, 86 come into contact with each of said first 100 and second 102 distal ribs. Such an arrangement contributes to better stiffening the lateral portion 80.

[0070] The dorsal portion 82 includes a dorsal reinforcing groove 90, extending between the lower transverse element 72 and the upper transverse element 74 as described below. The dorsal reinforcing groove 90 includes a lower end 92.

[0071] The side uprights 70 and the lower transverse element 72 are formed from separate pieces. The lower transverse element 72 comprises: a main part 94; and two end parts 96, arranged on either side of the main part 94 according to Y.

[0072] The main portion 94 comprises a substantially horizontal upper edge 98. Each end portion 96 forms a projection above said upper edge 98. Furthermore, each end portion 96 is in contact with the dorsal portion 82 of one of the lateral uprights 70 and fixed to said dorsal portion 82.

[0073] In the remainder of the description, it is considered that the end portions 96 are substantially identical. Only one end portion 96 will therefore be described.

[0074] The end portion 96 is fixed to the dorsal portion 82 of the corresponding lateral upright 70, so that the lower end 92 of the dorsal reinforcing groove 90 is disposed above the upper edge 98 of the main portion 94.

[0075] Preferably, the lower end 92 of the dorsal groove 82 is in contact with the end portion 96. More precisely, said end portion 96 covers the lower end 92.

[0076] Such positioning of the lower end 92 of the dorsal groove 90 allows better energy dissipation between the lateral uprights 70 and the lower transverse element 72. The backrest 16 is thus better able to resist breakage in the event of a collision suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat 10.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (20) for adjusting a vehicle seat (10), comprising: a side flange (22) for the seat base (14); an adjustment element (30), articulated on the flange, said adjustment element comprising a toothed sector (44); a pinion (32), rotatable relative to the flange along a pinion axis (52), said pinion engaging the toothed sector (44); and a clamping flange (34), fixed to the flange and articulated to the pinion along the pinion axis (52), the toothed sector being arranged between the flange and the clamping flange; the device being characterized in that the clamping flange (34) comprises: a substantially flat base (54); and a rib (58), projecting relative to the base, said rib being away from the pinion (32), the projection of said rib being oriented towards the toothed sector (44).

2. An adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein: the adjustment element (30) comprises a slot (50); the device comprises a fixing rod (36) connecting the flange (22) and the clamping flange (34), said fixing rod passing through the slot of the adjustment element; and the rib (58) of the clamping flange is spaced from the fixing rod (36) and substantially disposed between the pinion (52) and said fixing rod.

3. Adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, in which a distance (62) along the pinion axis (52) between the rib (58) of the clamping flange and the toothed sector (44) is less than or equal to 2 mm and preferably of the order of 1 mm.

4. Vehicle seat (10), comprising an adjustment device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, the seat comprising a seat (14), the lateral flange (22) being incorporated into said seat.

5. A seat (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a backrest (16), said backrest comprising at least one lateral upright (70), said lateral upright comprising a lateral portion (80) and a dorsal portion (82) forming an L-shaped section, the lateral portion comprising a plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves (84, 86), substantially perpendicular to the dorsal portion.

6. Seat (10) according to claim 5, in which each of the lateral reinforcing grooves (84, 86) extends between two edges delimiting the lateral portion (80).

7. A seat (10) according to claim 6, wherein: the side portion (80) comprises first (100) and second (102) distal ribs, de- limiting said lateral portion; and the lateral reinforcing grooves (84, 86) come into contact with each of said first and second distal ribs.

8. Seat (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, in which the plurality of lateral reinforcing grooves (84, 86) is arranged in the lower part (88) of the lateral upright.

9. A seat (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a backrest (16), said backrest comprising: two side posts (70) extending substantially vertically, each side post comprising a back portion (82); and a lower transverse element (72), extending substantially horizontally, said lower transverse element comprising: a main portion (94), disposed between the two side posts; and two end portions (96), each end portion forming a projection above the main portion (94) and being in contact with one of the side posts (70); the back portion (82) of at least one of the side posts comprising a back groove (90) extending substantially vertically; a lower end (92) of said back groove being located above the main portion (94) of the lower transverse element.

10. A seat (10) according to claim 9, wherein the lower end (92) of the dorsal groove is in contact with an end portion (96) of the lower transverse element (72).

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