MULTIFUNCTIONAL SEAT SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

A support device (SD) comprises a cross member (CT) coupled to the floor (PL) of a land vehicle and including at least front (PV), rear (PR), longitudinal, and upper (PS) walls delimiting an acoustic cavity (AC) housing at least partially at least one loudspeaker (HP) suitable for emitting sound within the vehicle. The upper wall (PS) serves as a mounting area for at least one seat (SV), and at least one of the walls (PV, PR, PS) is arranged to withstand stress during an impact to the vehicle on a longitudinal side. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MULTIFUNCTIONAL SEAT SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising a floor and at least one seat to be fitted to this floor, and more specifically to support devices intended to be installed on such floors to support at least one seat. State of the art

[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a floor on which are generally installed, in a transverse direction, at least one pair of seat crossmembers supporting one or two seats in the first or second row (or even higher). It should be noted that in some automobiles, two right-hand seat crossmembers may be installed on the floor in a right-hand front section to support a first-row passenger (or driver) seat, and two left-hand seat crossmembers may be installed on the floor in a left-hand front section to support a driver (or passenger) seat.

[0003] One drawback of a pair of seat crossmembers is that their structural strength depends on the cross-section of each crossmember, which is detrimental in the event of a lateral impact of the so-called "pole" type between the two crossmembers of a pair. Consequently, if one wants to increase the structural strength of a pair, one is forced to increase the wall thickness of its two crossmembers, which leads to a significant increase in the mass of the land vehicle and therefore in its cost and its engine power consumption.

[0004] Furthermore, many land vehicles such as those described above also include an audio system comprising several speakers designed to broadcast sound within the passenger compartment. These speakers can be installed in numerous locations depending on the needs and, above all, the available space. Thus, they can be installed in the front bulkhead (separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment) and / or in a side door and / or in a seat cushion and / or in a seat back and / or in a front or rear center console and / or in a folding center armrest and / or in a rear shelf and / or in a rear trunk, for example.

[0005] It is also possible to house a loudspeaker in an audio enclosure which is then fixedly attached to the two seat crossbars under the seat cushion supported by these crossbars. Such an audio enclosure is bulky, increases the mass of the land vehicle, and prevents the passenger's feet from being positioned behind the seat. associated with the vehicle, and its manufacture requires a specific and expensive injection mold. Furthermore, such an audio unit has no structural function; in particular, it contributes neither to the rigidity of the vehicle's structure nor to energy absorption in the event of a side impact. Moreover, in a significant side impact, such an audio unit can detach from its pair of seat crossmembers and / or break, creating debris that could become potentially dangerous sharp objects inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a support device intended to support at least one seat of a land vehicle and comprising a floor.

[0008] This support device is characterized in that it includes a cross member suitable for being coupled to the floor and comprising at least front, rear, longitudinal and lower walls delimiting an acoustic cavity housing at least partially at least one loudspeaker suitable for diffusing sounds in the land vehicle, this upper wall being suitable for serving as a fixing area for the seat, and at least one of these five walls being arranged so as to participate in resisting stress during an impact suffered by the land vehicle on a longitudinal side.

[0009] Thus, a single seat crossmember provides support for at least one seat and contributes at least to the rigidity of the vehicle structure and to the diffusion of sound in the vehicle's passenger compartment, which makes it possible to reduce the bulk in the vehicle while increasing the passive safety of the passengers.

[0010] The support device, according to the invention, may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - at least one of the front, rear and upper walls may comprise at least one first through hole suitable for housing a loudspeaker;

[0012] - at least one of the front, rear and upper walls may comprise at least one second through hole adapted to a chosen acoustic tuning;

[0013] - the front wall may have a first height, and the rear wall may have, at least in a central part, a second height strictly lower than this first height, so as to define between the upper wall and the seat a space suitable for allowing partial foot space for a passenger seated behind this seat;

[0014] - the upper wall may include, in at least a part, cavities (or concave areas (possibly obtained by stamping) which are likely to contribute to an increase in the rigidity of the cross member;

[0015] - in the presence of the last option, the cavities (or concave areas) can extend parallel to a main direction of extension of the cross member which is likely to be parallel to a transverse direction of the land vehicle, or perpendicular to this main direction of extension of the cross member;

[0016] - also in the presence of the last option, the cavities (or concave areas) may have identical heights or at least two different heights;

[0017] - also in the presence of the last option, the cavities (or concave areas) may have at least two different widths along a direction which is intended to be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the land vehicle, or identical widths.

[0018] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, a floor and at least one seat, and, on the other hand, at least one support device of the type presented above, installed on this floor and to which this seat is coupled. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-sectional view in a median longitudinal and vertical plane, an example of a seat supported by a first example of an embodiment of a support device, according to the invention, installed on a floor of a land vehicle,

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-sectional view in a median longitudinal and vertical plane, an example of a seat supported by a second example of an embodiment of a support device, according to the invention, installed on a land vehicle floor,

[0022] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a side view, the support device and seat base of the [Fig.2],

[0023] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-sectional view in a median longitudinal and vertical plane, an example of a seat supported by a third example of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention installed on a land vehicle floor,

[0024] [Fig.5] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a top view, the support device of the [Fig.4], and

[0025] [Fig.6] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a side view, a Example of a seat supported by a fourth example of an embodiment of a support device, according to the invention, installed on a land vehicle floor. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to provide a multifunctional DS support device intended to support at least one SV seat of a land vehicle and to be installed on the PL floor of the latter.

[0027] In what follows, the land vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, it is a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising a floor on which at least one seat must be installed on a support device.

[0028] In figures 1 to 6, the X direction is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the (terrestrial) vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0029] In the preceding and following text, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the front end of the vehicle. Consequently, the front part of an element is intended to be located closer to the front end of the vehicle than the rear part of that same element.

[0030] Figure [1] schematically illustrates at least partially an example of an SV seat supported by a first example of an embodiment of a DS support device according to the invention, installed on a PV floor of a (land) vehicle.

[0031] The SV seat comprises an AS seat on which a DO backrest is mounted (preferably rotating).

[0032] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 6, a support device DS, according to the invention, comprises a single seat crossmember TS which is designed to be coupled to the floor PL, and preferably fixedly attached, for example by welding and / or screwing. This (seat) crossmember TS comprises at least front walls PV, rear walls PR, longitudinal walls PL' (right and left), and an upper wall PS delimiting an acoustic cavity CA. It should be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 4 and 6, that the crossmember TS may also comprise a lower wall PI intended to be coupled to the floor PL, for example by screwing and / or welding, and contributing to the definition of the acoustic cavity CA with the other walls (PV, PR, PS, and PL'). However, this is not mandatory, and in this case, the floor PL contributes to the definition of the acoustic cavity CA with the front walls PV, rear walls PR, longitudinal walls PL', and upper wall PS.

[0033] The acoustic cavity CA houses, at least partially, at least one loudspeaker HP which is suitable for diffusing sounds in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, the upper wall PS is suitable for use as a fixing area for the seat SV. It should be noted that the seat SV can be fixedly attached to the upper wall PS by screwing, or can be fixedly attached to a displacement device (at least in longitudinal translation) which is fixedly attached to the upper wall PS by screwing.

[0035] In addition, at least one of the front PV, rear PR, longitudinal PL' and upper PS walls is arranged so as to participate in resisting stress during an impact suffered by the vehicle on a longitudinal side (parallel to the longitudinal direction X).

[0036] This provides a TS seat crossmember that is multifunctional because it supports at least one SV seat, contributes to the rigidity of the vehicle structure, and helps to diffuse sound within the vehicle's passenger compartment. This reduces the vehicle's footprint while increasing the passive safety of its passengers.

[0037] Furthermore, since a single seat crossmember TS is now used to support at least one seat, its cross-section (here in an XZ plane) is much larger than before, and therefore its structural strength is far superior to that offered by a pair of prior art seat crossmembers, which is particularly advantageous, including in the case of a pole-type side impact. This avoids increasing the wall thickness (PV, PR, PS, PI, and PL') of the seat crossmember TS, and thus avoids significantly increasing the vehicle's mass, cost, and power consumption.

[0038] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially, in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, at least one of the front wall PV, rear wall PR, and upper wall PS may include at least one first through hole TT1 adapted to house the speaker HP. It should be noted that, in the example illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially, in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the first through hole TT1 is defined in the upper wall PS of the seat crossmember TS. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the first through hole TT1 may be defined in the front wall PV, or even in the rear wall PR.

[0039] It should also be noted that, in the example illustrated (non-limitingly) in [Fig. 5], the upper wall PS comprises only a single first through hole TT1 housing a single loudspeaker HP. However, a seat cross member TS may comprise several (at least two) first through holes TT1, each housing a loudspeaker HP and defined in the same wall or in at least two different walls.

[0040] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 5], at least one of the front wall PV, rear wall PR and upper wall PS may include at least one second through hole TT2 which is adapted to a chosen acoustic tuning, in order to optimize the acoustic quality of the sound cavity, and thus improve the Quality of the sounds diffused in the passenger compartment. Note that, in the example illustrated (but not limited to) in [Fig. 5], each second through hole TT2 is defined in the upper wall PS of the seat crossmember TS. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, each second through hole TT2 can be defined in the front wall PV or the rear wall PR.

[0041] It should also be noted that, in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 5], the upper wall PS includes two second through holes TT2. But a seat cross member TS may include a single second through hole TT2 or more than two second through holes TT2 defined in the same wall or in at least two different walls.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 4, the front wall PV may have a first height h1, and the rear wall PR may have, at least in a central part, a second height h2 which is strictly less than this first height hl (i.e., hl > h2). This makes it possible to define, between the upper wall PS and the seat cushion AS of the seat SV, a recess LC which is suitable for partially accommodating the feet CP of a passenger seated behind the seat SV (for example, in a second row, if the latter (SV) is installed in the first row). Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous, as it makes it possible to reduce the space under the seat cushion, at least in a central part (along the longitudinal direction X).

[0043] For this purpose, the upper wall PS may, for example and as illustrated without limitation in figures 2 and 4, comprise a substantially horizontal front sub-part (XY plane) and extended towards the rear of the vehicle, at least in a central part (along the longitudinal direction X), by a sloping rear sub-part which defines with the lower face of the seat the LC housing for the passenger's feet CP.

[0044] It should be noted, by comparing Figures 2 and 3 of the second embodiment of the DS support device, that the rear sub-section is defined in a central portion (along the longitudinal direction X), and not over the entire width (along the transverse direction Y) of each seat AS. Indeed, it can be observed in [Fig. 3] that the rear sub-section is horizontal (XY plane) near the left or right end of the seat cross member TS. However, this is not mandatory. In fact, the rear sub-section could be defined over the entire width of each seat AS.

[0045] It should be noted, however, as illustrated in the first embodiment example of [Fig.1], that the front and rear sub-parts of the upper wall PS can extend by being placed at the same vertical level (and therefore in the same horizontal plane).

[0046] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 4 to 6, the upper wall PS may include, in at least a part, cavities CD (or concave areas, possibly obtained by stamping) which are suitable for contributing to the increase in the rigidity (and therefore the strength) of the cross member TS.

[0047] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 to 6, when stiffening is desired, the cavities (or concave areas) CD may extend parallel to the main direction of extension of the seat crossmember TS, which is itself parallel to the transverse direction Y of the vehicle. But this is not mandatory.

[0048] It should be noted that certain other cavities CD (or concave zones) can allow the (programmed) deformation of the crossmember TS during a side impact, in order to contribute to the absorption of part of the energy of this side impact. In this case, these other cavities (or concave zones) CD can extend perpendicularly to the main direction of extension of the seat crossmember TS (and therefore parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle).

[0049] These cavities (or concave zones) CD therefore constitute "internal (or concave) folds" which either increase rigidity (or strength) to further improve passive passenger safety, or facilitate the deformation of the upper wall PS during a side impact, thus allowing the cross member TS to absorb energy by deforming, further improving passive passenger safety. The function performed (rigidification or (programmed) deformation) depends on the orientation of the cavities CD (or concave zones).

[0050] It will be noted that a single TS cross member can, for example, include at least one transverse CD cavity (for stiffening), preferably in a central area (under and between the seat anchorages), and at least one longitudinal CD cavity (for programmed deformation), preferably in at least one lateral area (located near the longitudinal side of the vehicle).

[0051] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 and 6, the cavities (or concave areas) CD may have at least two different heights. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, the cavities (or concave areas) CD could have identical heights.

[0052] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 and 6, the cavities (or concave areas) CD may have at least two different widths depending on the direction intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle (when they are transverse), or depending on the direction intended to be parallel to the transverse direction Y of the vehicle (when they are longitudinal). However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the cavities (or concave areas) CD could have identical widths.

[0053] It should also be noted that the TS cross member can also include in its internal zone (where the acoustic cavity CA is defined), internal ribs or partitions allowing to reinforce its rigidity and / or participating in the definition of the acoustic cavity CA.

Claims

Demands

1. Support device (DS) for at least one seat (SV) of a land vehicle and comprising a floor (PL), characterized in that it comprises a cross member (TS) adapted to be coupled to said floor (PL) and comprising at least front (PV), rear (PR), longitudinal (PL') and upper (PS) walls delimiting an acoustic cavity (CA) housing at least partially at least one loudspeaker (HP) adapted to diffuse sounds in said vehicle, said upper wall (PS) being adapted to serve as a fixing area for said seat (SV), and at least one of said walls (PV, PR, PS, PL') being arranged so as to participate in resisting stress during an impact suffered by said vehicle on a longitudinal side.

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said front (PV), rear (PR) and top (PS) walls includes at least one first through hole (TT1) adapted to the housing of said loudspeaker (HP).

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said front (PV), rear (PR) and top (PS) walls comprises at least one second through hole (TT2) adapted to a chosen acoustic tuning.

4. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said front wall (PV) has a first height, and said rear wall (PR) has, at least in a central part, a second height strictly lower than said first height, so as to define between said upper wall (PS) and said seat (SV) a housing (LC) suitable for allowing a partial foot housing (CP) of a passenger installed behind said seat (SV).

5. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upper wall (PS) comprises, in at least a part, cavities (CD) suitable for contributing to an increase in the rigidity of the cross member during said impact.

6. Support device according to claim 5, characterized in that said cavities (CD) extend parallel to a principal extension direction of said cross member (TS) which is parallel to a transverse direction of said vehicle.

7. Support device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said cavities (CD) have identical heights.

8. Support device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said cavities (CD) have at least two different heights.

9. Support device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said cavities (CD) have at least two different widths along a direction intended to be parallel to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle.

10. Land vehicle comprising a floor (PL) and at least one seat (SV), characterized in that it further comprises at least one support device (DS) according to any one of the preceding claims, installed on said floor (PL) and to which said seat (SV) is coupled.

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