Vehicle seat padding assembly and method for making a padding assembly

Abstract

A padding assembly (100) for a vehicle seat (1) comprising: a padding (50) having a fiber entanglement (10), the fiber entanglement (10) comprising fibers, the fibers being of thermoplastic material, forming loops and welded to one another, the fiber entanglement (10) having a passage (15), a retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) having a first portion (22), a second portion (24) and a connecting portion (26), the first portion (22) comprising an attachment portion (21), the second portion (24) cooperating with the underside (14), the connecting portion (26) extending into the passage (15), the retaining element (20) being fixed to the fiber entanglement (10) by fusion. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat padding assembly and method for producing a padding assembly. Scope of disclosure

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle seat padding assembly and a method for making a vehicle seat padding assembly. State of the art

[0002] Seat cushions were for a time largely made of urethane polymer foam (or polyurethane, abbreviated as PU), particularly polyurethane foam obtained by chemical reaction between polyol and diisocyanate. More specifically, a polyether / polyol type polyol was used, resulting in cross-linked polyurethane (PUR) cushioning. Such foam allows for relatively easy shaping in a mold and also makes it easy to integrate elements, such as retainers, into the cushioning by placing them in the mold.

[0003] While polyurethane foam mattresses are certainly satisfactory, they also have drawbacks, such as their tendency to retain moisture and their undesirable environmental effects. This tendency to retain moisture can cause discomfort for the user. Furthermore, the chemical reaction used to produce polyurethane foam emits carbon dioxide, thus contributing to global warming. In addition, polyurethane cannot be recycled by reusing it to form new mattresses.

[0004] Document EP 4 331 824 A1 describes a vehicle seat padding assembly comprising padding. The padding consists of an interlocking fiber structure. The fiber structure comprises fibers made of thermoplastic material, forming loops and welded to one another. The fiber structure has a bearing surface and a reverse surface. The bearing surface is intended to face a user, and the reverse surface is opposite the bearing surface. The fiber structure has a passage extending between the bearing surface and the reverse surface. The padding assembly further comprises a fastening device formed by densifying the fiber structure.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to propose an alternative solution that is robust, easy to implement, and inexpensive. Statement of Disclosure

[0006] According to the disclosure, the padding assembly further includes a retaining element, the retaining element has a first portion, a second portion and a connecting portion, the first portion includes a hooking portion intended to retain a cap covering the bearing face, the second portion cooperates with the reverse face to hold the retaining element on the fiber entanglement, the connecting portion extends into the passage and connects the first portion to the second portion, and the retaining element is fixed to the fiber entanglement by fusion of material.

[0007] Thus, the padding can offer the necessary flexibility for user comfort and the retaining element can exhibit high robustness.

[0008] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, the retaining element is preferably fixed to the fiber entanglement by ultrasonic vibration fusion.

[0009] Ultrasonic vibration fusion allows the elements to be fused only locally, at the level where they are in contact in order to join them together while avoiding deformation, in particular at the point of attachment.

[0010] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, the retaining element is preferably one piece.

[0011] Thus, the retaining element is simpler and more robust.

[0012] According to another feature consistent with the disclosure, the retaining element is in solid material.

[0013] Thus, the robustness of the retaining element is increased. The retaining element does not need to offer as much flexibility as the padding since it is not intended to come into contact with the user.

[0014] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, the retaining element is preferably obtained by additive manufacturing.

[0015] Thus, the retaining element can have complex shapes.

[0016] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the second portion has a stop surface which is abutted against the reverse face of the fiber entanglement and the stop surface is fixed to the fiber entanglement by melting the fiber entanglement.

[0017] Thus, the positioning and retention of the retaining element relative to the fiber entanglement are improved.

[0018] According to a supplementary feature in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the passage has an oblong section and the connecting portion of the retaining element has a complementary section.

[0019] Thus, the connecting portion is prevented from rotating in the passage.

[0020] According to an alternative feature according to the invention, preferably the first portion has a retaining surface which is abutted against the face the support of the fiber entanglement and the second portion is crushed by fusion and presents a stopping surface which is abutted against the reverse face of the fiber entanglement.

[0021] Thus, the positioning and retention of the retaining element relative to the fiber entanglement are also improved.

[0022] According to a complementary feature according to the invention, the retaining element is preferably deformed by swaging.

[0023] According to a complementary or alternative feature in accordance with the disclosure, the second portion preferably has an annular (hemitoric) ridge shape.

[0024] Thus, this creates a reinforcement at the connection between the retaining element and the fiber entanglement.

[0025] According to a further feature in accordance with the disclosure, the fiber entanglement is preferably densified around the passage.

[0026] Thus, the strength of the fiber entanglement is increased near its attachment to the retaining element.

[0027] According to another complementary feature in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the fiber entanglement is in a first material and the retaining element is in a second material, the first material and the second material have similar physico-chemical properties.

[0028] Thus, not only is the retaining element retained by obstacle with respect to the fiber entanglement, but in addition the retaining element is welded to the fiber entanglement.

[0029] In various embodiments of the mattress assembly as disclosed, one and / or the other of the following provisions may also be used:

[0030] - the first material and the second material are each a polymer thermoplastic having a main chain repeating pattern comprising an ester or ether function;

[0031] the first material and the second material have the same chemical composition;

[0032] the first material and the second material comprise at least 90% of poly(ethylene terephthalate),

[0033] the attachment portion is elastically deformable.

[0034] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, the padding assembly further includes a cap and a hook pin linked to the cap, the cap covers the bearing face of the fiber entanglement and the hook pin cooperates with the hook portion to retain the cap on the fiber entanglement.

[0035] This disclosure further relates to a method for producing a vehicle seat cushion assembly. The method comprises the following steps:

[0036] a) providing padding comprising an entanglement of fibers and a retention element, the entanglement of fibers comprising fibers of thermoplastic material, forming loops and being welded to each other, the entanglement of fibers having a bearing face and a reverse face, the bearing face being intended to face a user, the reverse face being opposite the bearing face, the entanglement of fibers having a passage extending between the bearing face and the reverse face, the retention element comprising a first portion, a second portion and a connecting portion, the first portion comprising a hooking portion intended to retain a cap covering the bearing face, the connecting portion connecting the first portion to the second portion,

[0037] b) introduce the linking portion into the passage,

[0038] c) make the second portion cooperate with the reverse face and fix the retaining element to the fiber entanglement by melting material.

[0039] In various embodiments of the process according to the disclosure, one or both of the following provisions may also be used:

[0040] during operation c) a sonotrode generating ultrasonic vibrations is used;

[0041] during operation b), the first portion is introduced into the passage, then the a connecting portion is introduced into the passage until a stopping surface of the second portion is brought against the reverse face of the fiber entanglement;

[0042] during operation c), the second portion is held on a support, the sonotrode is applied against the bearing face of the fiber entanglement and the sonotrode is brought closer to the support;

[0043] during operation c), the bearing face of the fiber entanglement is applied against a support, the second portion is held on the sonotrode and the sonotrode is brought closer to the support;

[0044] during operation b), the second portion is introduced into the passage, then the connecting portion is introduced into the passage until a first retaining surface of the first portion is brought against the bearing face of the fiber entanglement;

[0045] during operation c), the first portion is applied against a support, the second portion is held on the sonotrode, by ultrasonic energy the sonotrode melts the second portion, then the sonotrode is brought closer to the support to crush the second portion against the reverse face of the fiber entanglement;

[0046] the sonotrode has a head with a hemitoric-shaped hollow;

[0047] Operation a) includes the production of the retaining element by additive manufacturing. Brief description of the figures

[0048] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] [Fig-1] represents a seat comprising a set of padding,

[0050] [Fig.2] represents a padding according to a first process operation for to create a set of quilting according to a first example of its creation,

[0051] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along the line marked III-III in [Fig.2],

[0052] [Fig.4] illustrates a second process operation according to the first example of realization,

[0053] [Fig.5] illustrates a third process operation according to the first example of realization,

[0054] [Fig.6] illustrates the first operation of the process according to a second example of realization,

[0055] [Fig.7] illustrates the second operation of the process according to the second example of realization,

[0056] [Fig.8] illustrates the third operation of the process according to the second example of realization,

[0057] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective view along the arrow marked IX in [Fig.6],

[0058] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective view along the arrow marked X in [Fig.8],

[0059] [Fig. 11] illustrates the first operation of the process according to a third embodiment,

[0060] [Fig. 13] illustrates the second operation of the process according to the third embodiment example,

[0061] [Fig. 13] illustrates the third operation of the process according to the third embodiment,

[0062] [Fig. 14] illustrates the first operation of the process according to a variant of the third embodiment,

[0063] [Fig. 15] illustrates the second operation of the process according to the variant of the third embodiment, Detailed description of the disclosure

[0064] The drawings and description below contain, essentially, elements of a definite nature. They may therefore not only serve to better understand this disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0065] Also, as illustrated in [Fig.1], the present disclosure relates to a seat 1 comprising a seat 2 and a backrest 4.

[0066] The seat 2 comprises a seat structure 82 connected to a vehicle floor by means of slides 80. The backrest 4 comprises a backrest structure 84 articulated relative to the seat structure 82. The seat 2 and the backrest each comprise a set of padding 10. As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the seat 2 comprises in addition a seating interface 92 disposed between the seating structure 82 and the corresponding padding assembly 10 and the backrest part 4 includes a backrest interface 94 disposed between the backrest structure 84 and the corresponding padding assembly 10.

[0067] The padding assembly 10 includes a padding 50 and a cover 60. The padding 50 comprises an interlocking layer of fibers 10. In the illustrated embodiments, the padding 50 comprises only the interlocking layer of fibers 10. Alternatively, the interlocking layer of fibers 10 could constitute only a part of the padding 50; the padding could, for example, also include a foam component. The thickness of the padding 50 can range from 23 mm to 50 mm. The interlocking layer of fibers 10 has a bearing surface 12 and a reverse surface 14. The bearing surface 12 is intended to face a user, and the reverse surface 14 is opposite the bearing surface 12. The cover over the bearing surface 12 is covered by the cover 60, so that the cover 60 is intended to be interposed between the user and the bearing surface 12.

[0068] The fiber entanglement 10 comprises fibers. The fibers are made of thermoplastic material, form loops, and are bonded together. Thus, the fiber entanglement 10 has voids between the fibers, allowing air to pass through the fiber entanglement 10. This results in a highly breathable padding 50, due to the numerous voids between the fibers which promote air circulation.

[0069] The fibers can be hollow and / or solid. The fibers can have a diameter between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. The fibers are much longer than their diameter, and due to the process described below, typically by a ratio of at least 100, or even 500, or even 1000. Often, and particularly as can be understood from the manufacturing process, the fibers extend from a first end on a first edge of the 3D entanglement to a second end on a second edge of the entanglement, opposite the first edge.

[0070] The fibers may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, the fiber composition preferably comprising at least 95% polyester by weight. For example, the fiber composition, or even the padding composition, may include:

[0071] - 95% to 99% by weight of a first polymer from the polyester family such as PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate), and

[0072] - 1% to 5% by weight of a second polymer from the polyester family such as PTT (Trimethylene terephthalate) or another polymer from the polyester family. The sum of PBT and PTT (or other) can make up 100% by weight of the fibers, or even of the padding.

[0073] The entanglement of fibers 10 can have an apparent density of between 20 kg / m3 and 70 kg / m3, or even between 45 kg / m3 and 65 kg / m3.

[0074] A first example of a manufacturing process for the fiber entanglement 10 will now be described. The manufacturing process is a continuous manufacturing process comprising successively the operations a) extrusion of the fibers, b) welding of the fibers, c) solidification of the fibers, and then d) lamination of the fiber entanglement.

[0075] The extrusion operation (a) comprises extruding a thermoplastic polymer through an extrusion die comprising extrusion nozzles, generally arranged in a series of rows. Continuous fibers are thus generated. They form a kind of vertical curtain, with the molten thermoplastic material flowing down by gravity. The temperature of the fibers at the outlet of the extrusion die is preferably between 240°C and 260°C. The extrusion die can be fed with thermoplastic polymer granules.

[0076] Operation b) of fiber welding consists of passing the fibers between two counter-rotating guide members to generate a layer of entangled fibers. The rotational speed of the guide members is lower than the speed of the fibers after extrusion. The space between the guide members is small enough to press the fibers against each other and cause them to adhere by welding, and large enough to leave gaps between the fibers.

[0077] Operation c) of solidification consists of cooling the layer of bonded fibers using a coolant, such as water, preferably by immersing the fibers in the coolant. Operation c) follows operation b). The guide elements may be partially immersed.

[0078] The rolling operation d) consists of passing the layer of entangled fibers between two rollers heated preferably to a temperature between 140 and 160 degrees.

[0079] The layer of entangled fibers is produced continuously and is then guided out of the coolant to be dried, generally by shaking / vibrating.

[0080] The layer of entangled fibers is cut by cross-sectional cuts as it is produced to form sections of entangled fibers. These sections of entangled fibers are then pre-cut and thermoformed. If the padding includes a foam component in addition to the fiber entanglement, the foam component is preferably produced after the fiber section has been thermoformed. A trimming operation is then carried out to obtain the padding 50. For further explanations concerning the production of the padding, reference may be made in particular to document EP 4 331 824 AL

[0081] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the padding 50 comprises the fiber entanglement 10. The fiber entanglement 10 comprises the thermoplastic material fibers forming loops and welded to each other, which can be produced according to the process indicated above, by way of example.

[0082] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the fiber entanglement 10 has grooves 16 and passages 15. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the grooves 16 are preferably formed simultaneously with the passages 15 during the thermoforming operation. The passages 15 extend between the bearing surface 12 and the reverse face 14; in other words, the passages 15 traverse the fiber entanglement 10. The grooves 16 are formed by heating and compressing the bearing surface 12 at the location of the grooves 16.

[0083] According to the embodiment of the fastening assembly illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, after the padding 50 illustrated in [Fig. 10] has been formed, a retaining element 20 is placed in each passage 15. More specifically, each retaining element 20 comprises a first portion 22, a second portion 24, and a connecting portion 26. The first portion 22 comprises a support plate 29 and an attachment portion 21. The support plate 29 has a first retaining surface 23. The attachment portion 21 is elastically deformable and projects from the support plate 29 opposite the retaining surface 23. The second portion 24 has a recess 27, so that the second portion 24 is substantially tubular. The connecting portion 26 links the second portion 24 to the first portion 22, more precisely to the first retaining plate 29.

[0084] The retaining element 20 is made of solid material. Unlike the fiber entanglement 10, the retaining element 20 is not compressible and does not contain air. Furthermore, the retaining element 20 is a single piece, the first portion 22, the second portion 24, and the intermediate portion 26 being formed from a single piece of material. The retaining element 10 can be obtained, in particular, by molding, preferably by injection molding, or by additive manufacturing.

[0085] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the second portion 24 and the connecting portion 26 of the retaining element are successively introduced into the passage 15 from the bearing surface 12, until the retaining surface 23 of the support plate 29 comes abutting against the bearing face 12 of the fiber entanglement 10. The connecting portion 26 then extends into the passage 15 and the second portion 24 protrudes from the reverse face 14 of the fiber entanglement 10.

[0086] An ultrasonic vibration fusion device is then used to fix the retaining element 20 to the fiber tangle 10. As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 4], the fusion device comprises a sonotrode 72 and a support 74. The support 74 cooperates with the first portion 22, in order to hold it immobile by with respect to the fiber entanglement 10. The sonotrode 72 comprises a head having a central pin 73 and a hemitoric hollow 71 extending around the central pin 73, in other words the hollow 71 has in axial section (corresponding to the plane of [Fig.4]) a semi-circular hollow on each side of the central pin 73 and exhibits rotational symmetry around the central pin 73. The central pin 73 is inserted into the recess 27 of the second portion 24, so that the sonotrode 72 cooperates with the second portion 24.

[0087] Then, the ultrasonic vibration fusion device is put into operation, the sonotrode 72 presents ultrasonic vibrations causing heating of the second portion 24 which is stressed by the ultrasonic vibrations of the sonotrode 72.

[0088] As the temperature rises and the second portion 24 softens, the sonotrode 72 is moved towards the support 74, in other words towards the reverse face 24.

[0089] The second portion 24 is then crushed against the underside 14 of the fiber entanglement 10. The second portion 24 is thus deformed by a technique corresponding to crimping. As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the second portion 24 forms an annular bead (of hemitoric shape) and includes the flat stop surface 28 which abuts against the underside 14 of the fiber entanglement 10. The retaining element 20 is thus held on the fiber entanglement 10 by the holding surface 23 bearing against the bearing surface 12, the stop surface 28 bearing against the underside 14, and the connecting portion 26 extending into the passage 15.

[0090] After removing the padding assembly 100 from the fusion device, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 5], the bearing surface 12 of the fiber entanglement 10 is covered with the cap 60. The first portion 22 of the retaining element 20 is entirely contained within the groove 16, so that a user sitting on the seat 1 will not feel the presence of the retaining elements 10. Hooking pins 62 linked to the cap 60 are inserted into the first hooking portion 21, in order to cooperate with the retaining elements 20 and retain the cap 60 on the fiber entanglement 10.

[0091] The fiber entanglement 10 is in a first material and the first retaining element 20 is in a second material. Optionally, the first material and the second material may be the same material, or different materials but having similar physicochemical properties, in particular the same chemical composition. For example, the first material and the second material may each be a thermoplastic polymer, in particular a thermoplastic polymer whose main chain repeating motif includes the The ester function and possibly the ether function, particularly a thermoplastic elastomer whose main chain repeating pattern includes the ester function and possibly the ether function. Thus, when the sonotrode 72 melts the second portion 24 of the retaining element 20, the second portion 24 superficially melts the fiber tangle 10 at the point of contact with the second portion 24. The first and second materials then weld together; in particular, the second portion 24 at the stop surface 28 is welded to the fiber tangle at the reverse surface 14. It may no longer be possible to precisely distinguish the boundary between the fiber tangle 10 and the first retaining element 20 on the padding assembly 100.

[0092] The fiber tangle 10 and the retaining elements 20 can then no longer be separated. However, the padding assembly 100 can be recycled. To do this, the cap 60 and the hook pins 62 are separated from the first retaining elements 20 and the fiber tangle 10. Then, the fiber tangle 10 and the first retaining elements 20 are ground to produce granules. The granules thus obtained can then be reused to extrude the fibers into a new fiber tangle or new retaining elements.

[0093] Thus, the fiber tangle 10 and the first retaining elements 20 can be recycled simultaneously without having to separate them.

[0094] According to the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, the padding assembly 100 differs from the padding assembly according to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 in that the fiber entanglement 10 has a recess 17 made on the reverse surface 14 by compression of the fiber entanglement 10. This creates a compressed portion 18 substantially free of voids in which the passage 15 is made. Preferably, the recess 17 is made at the same time as the groove 16, during thermoforming.

[0095] Furthermore, and independently, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.9], the padding assembly 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the padding assembly of the first embodiment, in that the passage 15 has an oblong section and the connecting portion 26 has a complementary section.

[0096] Finally, the padding assembly 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the padding assembly of the first embodiment, in that the second portion 24 is devoid of a recess.

[0097] As illustrated in particular in [Fig.6], the second portion 24 and the connecting portion 26 of the retaining element 20 are introduced successively into the passage 15 from the bearing surface 12, until the retaining surface 23 of the retaining element 20 comes abutting against the bearing face 12 of the fiber entanglement 10. The connecting portion 26 then extends into the passage 15 and the second portion 24 protrudes from the reverse face 14 of the fiber entanglement 10.

[0098] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 7], the support 74 of the fusion device cooperates with the first portion 22 to hold it stationary relative to the fiber entanglement 10, while the sonotrode 72 cooperates with the second portion 24. When the fusion device is activated, the sonotrode 72 heats the second portion 24 through the ultrasonic vibrations it imparts. As the temperature rises and the second portion 24 softens, the sonotrode 72 is moved towards the support 74, i.e., towards the reverse face 24. The second portion 24 is thus deformed for the flat stopping surface 28, which abuts the reverse face 14 of the fiber entanglement 10. In the second embodiment, the second portion 24 has a substantially constant thickness. and forms an oblong plate, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.10].

[0099] Preferably, the second portion 24 superficially melts the fiber entanglement 10 at the level of the reverse surface 14, by contact and if the second portion 24 and the fiber entanglement 10 are in materials having similar physicochemical properties, the second portion 24 welds to the fiber entanglement 10 at the level of the reverse surface 14.

[0100] According to the third embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 13, the fiber entanglement 10 after thermoforming and before fixing the retaining elements differs from the entire padding of the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 10 in that the fiber entanglement 10 does not have a groove 16 on the bearing surface 12 (at least, not near the passage 15, in particular not around the passage 15), but only a recess 17 made on the reverse surface 14 by compression of the fiber entanglement 10. In addition, the first portion 22 of the retaining elements 20 is devoid of a retaining surface 23 coming into contact with the bearing surface 22, but the second portion includes a stop plate 25 having a stop surface 28.

[0101] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 11], the first portion 22 and the connecting portion 26 of the retaining element 20 are introduced successively into the passage 15, until the stopping surface 28 of the retaining element 20 comes to rest against the reverse face 14 of the fiber entanglement 10. The connecting portion 26 and the second portion 24 then extend into the passage 15.

[0102] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 12], the support 74 of the fusion device cooperates with the second portion 24, in order to keep it immobile relative to the fiber entanglement 10, while the sonotrode 72 rests on the bearing surface 12 of the fiber entanglement 10, around the passage 15. When the fusion device is activated, the sonotrode 72 causes heating of the support surface 12 of the fiber entanglement 10 around the passage 15, by ultrasonic vibrations. As the temperature rises and the fiber tangle 10 around the opening 15 softens, the sonotrode 72 is moved towards the support 74. The fiber tangle 10 is thus compressed to form a compressed portion 18 within the fiber tangle 10 around the opening 15, as well as a groove 16 opposite the recess 17. In other words, the compressed portion 18 extends between the groove 16 and the recess 17. The first portion 22 then protrudes from the compressed portion 18 and extends into the groove 16. Furthermore, the heating of the fiber tangle 10 and the movement of the sonotrode 72 towards the support 74 cause the stop plate 25 to heat up and the stop surface 28 to melt.The material of the fiber entanglement 10 and the material of the second portion 24 have similar physico-chemical properties, so that the arrest surface 28 of the second portion 24 welds to the compressed portion 18.

[0103] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 14], the variant of the third embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15 differs from the third embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13, in that the fiber entanglement 10 has a groove 16 on the bearing surface 12, but is devoid of a recess 17 made on the reverse surface 14.

[0104] The first portion 22 and the connecting portion 26 of the retaining element 20 are successively introduced into the passage 15, until the stopping surface 28 of the retaining element 20 comes to rest against the reverse face 14 of the fiber entanglement 10. The connecting portion 26 and the second portion 24 then extend into the passage 15.

[0105] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 15], the sonotrode 72 of the fusion device cooperates with the second portion 24, while the support 72 rests on the bearing surface 12 of the fiber entanglement 10, around the passage 15. When the fusion device is activated, the sonotrode 72 causes heating of the stop plate 25, the stop surface 28 and the reverse surface 14 around the passage 15 in contact with the stop surface 28, by ultrasonic vibrations. As the temperature rises and the fiber tangle 10 around the passage 15 softens, the sonotrode 72 is moved towards the support 74, the fiber tangle 10 is thus compressed to form a compressed portion 18 in the fiber tangle 10 around the passage 15, as well as a recess 17, opposite the groove 16.In other words, the material of the fiber entanglement 10 and the material of the second portion 24 have physico-chemical properties. similar, so that the stopping surface 28 of the second portion 24 welds to the compressed portion 18.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle seat (1) padding assembly (100) comprising: padding (50) having an interlocking fiber (10), the interlocking fiber (10) comprising fibers, the fibers being of thermoplastic material, forming loops and welded to one another, the interlocking fiber (10) having a bearing face (12) and a reverse face (14), the bearing face (12) being intended to face a user, the reverse face (14) being opposite the bearing face (12), the interlocking fiber (10) having a passage (15) extending between the bearing face (12) and the reverse face (14), a retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) having a first portion (22), a second portion (24) and a connecting portion (26), the first portion (22) comprising a portion attachment (21) intended to retain a cap (60) covering the support face (12),the second portion (24) cooperating with the underside (14) to maintain the retaining element (20) on the fiber entanglement (10), the connecting portion (26) extending into the passage (15) and linking the first portion (22) to the second portion (24), the retaining element (20) being fixed to the fiber entanglement (10) by fusion of material.

2. A padding assembly (100) according to claim 1 in which the retaining element (20) is fixed to the fiber entanglement (10) by ultrasonic vibration fusion.

3. A quilting assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fiber entanglement (10) is in a first material and the retaining element (20) is in a second material, the first material and the second material having similar physico-chemical properties.

4. Padding assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the padding assembly (100) further comprises a cap (60) and a hook pin (62) linked to the cap (60), the cap (60) covers the bearing face (12) of the fiber entanglement (10) and the hook pin (62) cooperates with the hook portion (21) to retain the cap (60) on the fiber entanglement (10).

5. A method for producing a vehicle seat padding assembly (100) comprising the following steps: a) providing padding (50) comprising a fiber entanglement (10) and a retaining element (20), the fiber entanglement (10) comprising thermoplastic fibers forming loops and welded to one another, the fiber entanglement (10) having a bearing face (12) and a reverse face (14), the bearing face (12) being intended to face a user, the reverse face (14) being opposite the bearing face (12), the fiber entanglement (10) having a passage (15) extending between the bearing face (12) and the reverse face (14), the retaining element (20) comprising a first portion (22), a second portion (24) and a connecting portion (26), the first portion (22) comprising a fastening portion (21) intended to retain a cap (60) covering the bearing face (12),the connecting portion (26) linking the first portion (22) to the second portion (24), b) introduce the connecting portion (26) into the passage (15), c) make the second portion (24) cooperate with the underside (14) and fix the retaining element (20) to the fiber entanglement (10) by fusion of material.

6. Method according to the preceding claim wherein during operation b), the first portion (22) is introduced into the passage (15), then the connecting portion (26) is introduced into the passage (15) until a stop surface (28) of the second portion (24) is brought against the underside face (14) of the fiber entanglement (10).

7. Method according to the preceding claim wherein during operation c), a sonotrode (72) generating ultrasonic vibrations is used and the second portion (24) is held on a support (74), the sonotrode (72) is applied against the bearing face (12) of the fiber entanglement (10) and the sonotrode (72) is brought closer to the support (74).

8. Method according to claim 6 wherein during operation c), a sonotrode (72) generating ultrasonic vibrations is used and the bearing face (12) of the fiber entanglement (10) is applied against a support (74), the second portion (24) is held on the sonotrode (72) and the sonotrode (72) is brought closer to the support (74).

9. A method according to claim 5 wherein during operation b), the second portion (24) is introduced into the passage (15), then the connecting portion (26) is introduced into the passage (15) until a retaining surface (23) of the first portion (22) is brought against the bearing face (12) of the fiber entanglement (10) and during operation c), a sonotrode (72) generating ultrasonic vibrations is used.

10. A method according to the preceding claim wherein during operation c), the first portion (22) is applied against a support (74), the second portion (24) is held on the sonotrode (72), by ultrasonic energy the sonotrode (72) melts the second portion (24), then the sonotrode (72) is brought closer to the support (74) to crush the second portion (24) against the underside (14) of the fiber entanglement (10).

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