Seat securing device, and associated seat assembly
The seat securing device addresses the issue of unsafe seat movement during impacts by using a base and movable parts with transverse pins and stops, ensuring safe seat positioning through controlled adjustment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024006764
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Vehicle seats can move beyond adjusted positions during an impact, potentially leading to dangerous configurations, such as a headrest positioned forward relative to the passenger's buttocks.
A vehicle seat securing device with a base and a movable part featuring transverse pins and openings, limited by upper stops to prevent excessive movement during collisions, using a pivot joint and actuator for controlled adjustment.
The device effectively limits seat movement during impacts, maintaining safe seating positions by restricting excessive swiveling and providing redundant safety mechanisms.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Seat securing device, and associated seat assembly
[0001] The present invention relates to a seat securing device, and an associated seat assembly.
[0002] In a vehicle, the seat is generally attached, for example on rails, and offers several adjustment possibilities in relation to the passenger compartment, such as the height of the seat, or the distance of the seat from the steering wheel.
[0003] These settings are, for example, controlled by the user and driven by mechanical systems.
[0004] However, in the event of an impact, there is a risk that the seat will move beyond the ranges defined by the adjustment. This could lead to dangerous positions for the person seated. For example, excessive swiveling of the seat could cause the headrest to be positioned forward relative to the person's buttocks, which is dangerous.
[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a device for securing a vehicle seat, particularly in the event of an impact.
[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle seat securing device, comprising a base and a part adapted to be attached to the seat, the part being movable relative to the base, one part of the part and the base being provided with at least one transverse pin, the other part of the base and the part delimiting at least one opening, the or each transverse pin being able to move in the corresponding opening between a low position and a high position, the or each opening having an upper stop such that, in the event of a collision, the upper stop is adapted to limit the movement of the transverse pin by contact between the transverse pin and the upper stop.
[0007] The upper stop limits the movement of the part, and thus of the seat, relative to the base, including in the event of a collision, and thus prevents a dangerous position by going too far beyond the planned settings.
[0008] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:
[0009] - the one or each opening has an arc-shaped form;
[0010] - the base and the part are further connected to each other by a pivot joint;
[0011] - the securing device comprises at least one rail, the base being integral with at least one rail, in particular the base being capable of moving in translation along at least one rail;
[0012] - the upper position is arranged between the lower position and the upper stop;
[0013] - the relative movement of the piece and the base, and thus of at least one pawn transverse in at least one opening between the low position and the high position, is driven by an actuator, for example a linear actuator;
[0014] - the part is connected to the actuator by a pivot drive link;
[0015] - the base and the part are made of metal;
[0016] - the safety device comprises two rails spaced in a direction lateral, the base being fixed to the two rails, the piece being provided with at least one transverse pin or at least one opening on each side of the piece in the lateral direction, the base being provided with one opening per transverse pin or one transverse pin per opening, so that each transverse pin cooperates with a corresponding opening.
[0017] The invention also relates to a seat assembly comprising a seat and a securing device as defined above, the part being integral with the seat, for example by means of a pivot joint. The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:
[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a partial side view of a seating assembly according to a example of an embodiment of the invention, with the seat in a low position,
[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view of the seat assembly of [Fig.1], the seat being in a high position,
[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlarged view of an area of the headquarters complex of the [Fig.2], and
[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a three-quarter rear view of a seat assembly according to the previous embodiment.
[0022] An example of a seat assembly 10, more particularly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention is partially shown in [Fig.1].
[0023] The seat assembly 10 includes a seat 12 and a securing device 14.
[0024] The invention also relates to the security device 14.
[0025] The securing device 14 comprises a base 16 and a part 18, the part 18 being adapted to be integral with the seat 12.
[0026] For the remainder, the lateral direction Y corresponds to the usual direction for a seat, that is to say the direction intended to be perpendicular to the sagittal plane of a user usually seated on the seat.
[0027] The securing device 14 further includes here at least one rail 20.
[0028] More particularly here, the securing device 14 comprises two rails spaced along the lateral direction Y.
[0029] The or each rail 20 extends here along a principal direction, called the translation direction X.
[0030] The base 16 is fixed to at least one rail 20, more particularly here to both rails 20.
[0031] The base 16 is, for example, capable of moving in translation along the direction of translation X, more particularly along at least one rail 20, the at least one rail 20 guiding the base 16 in the direction of translation X.
[0032] The base 16 thus forms a carriage for moving the seat, via the part 18, along the translation direction X.
[0033] The translation direction X is here perpendicular to the lateral direction Y.
[0034] The base 16 comprises at least one wall 22 extending in a direction elevation Z.
[0035] The elevation direction Z here corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the rolling plane of the vehicle considered.
[0036] The wall or each wall 22 extends, for example, in projection above at least one rail, more particularly the corresponding rail, in the elevation direction Z.
[0037] Here, the base 16 comprises two walls 22.
[0038] Each wall 22 extends here above the corresponding rail.
[0039] The walls 22 extend, for example, on either side of the part 18 in the lateral direction Y.
[0040] The two walls 22 are, for example, connected by a lateral element.
[0041] The walls 22 are, for example, arranged symmetrically with respect to each other according to an orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane, more particularly a so-called central plane. The plane is here perpendicular to the lateral direction Y.
[0042] The walls 22 are, more particularly, identical by orthogonal symmetry with respect to the central plane.
[0043] The wall or each wall 22 here presents an internal surface and an opposite external surface.
[0044] The internal surface is the surface configured to extend in relation to the space under the seat.
[0045] The external surface is the surface accessible from one side of the seat along the lateral direction Y.
[0046] The base 16, more particularly here at least one wall 22, delimits at least one opening 24, more particularly a through opening.
[0047] More specifically here, each wall 22 delimits an opening 24.
[0048] The opening 24 passes through the wall 22 in a transverse direction, corresponding here to the lateral direction Y.
[0049] Alternatively, the transverse direction forms an angle of less than 10° with the lateral direction Y.
[0050] The opening or each opening 24 extends, for example, along the elevation direction Z under a rear half of the seat 12, the rear half of the seat 12 being considered with respect to a normal seating direction in the seat 12.
[0051] The or each opening 24 has a high stop 26.
[0052] The upper stop 26 is, for example, formed by one end of the opening 24.
[0053] More specifically, the opening 24 extends between a lower end 28 and a upper end, the upper end forming the upper stop 26.
[0054] The upper end is arranged higher than the lower end along the elevation direction Z.
[0055] The opening 24 has, for example, a circular arc shape.
[0056] The arc of a circle is here centered around a pivot point.
[0057] In the case of the presence of several openings, then the openings 24 have, for example, a circular arc shape centered around pivot points, the pivot points being aligned along the lateral direction Y.
[0058] In the case of several openings on the same wall, then the openings then present, for example, a shape in the form of an arc of a circle centered around the same pivot point.
[0059] The opening 24 here has an oblong arched shape.
[0060] The base 16, more particularly here the or each wall 22, further delimits an orifice 30, more particularly a through orifice, arranged at the pivot point.
[0061] The orifice 30 has, for example, a circular shape.
[0062] The orifice 30 is here through, for example here along the lateral direction Y.
[0063] Part 18 is here fixed to seat 12, for example by means of a pivot joint, also called pivot joint connection 32.
[0064] The pivot connection link 32 is, for example, arranged on the seat 12 at the interface between a seat and a backrest of the seat 12.
[0065] The pivot connection link 32 is, for example, arranged on the seat 12 in a rear half of the seat.
[0066] Part 18 cooperates with base 16.
[0067] Here, part 18 extends in relation to the internal surface of the wall or walls 22.
[0068] Part 18 extends here between the two walls 22.
[0069] Part 18 here comprises two flanks 34, each flank extending opposite a internal surface of a corresponding wall 22.
[0070] The flanks 34 extend on either side of the part 18 in the lateral direction Y.
[0071] Part 18, more particularly each side 34, is provided with at least one transverse pin 36.
[0072] More particularly, part 18 is provided with at least one transverse pin 36 on each lateral side of part 18.
[0073] The piece 18 is here provided with as many transverse pawn(s) 34 as the base 16 has opening(s) 24.
[0074] The or each transverse pawn 34 cooperates with a corresponding opening 24, as will be described below.
[0075] The or each transverse pin 34 extends in projection along the transverse direction, corresponding, for example, here to the lateral direction Y.
[0076] More particularly, the or each transverse pawl 34 extends in projection along the direction of the corresponding opening 24.
[0077] The or each transverse pin 36 has a distal end opposite the rest of the part 18, here the flank 34.
[0078] The distal end is, for example, here provided with a stopping surface 38.
[0079] The stopping surface 38 extends, for example, perpendicularly to the projection direction of the transverse pin, here the transverse direction.
[0080] The stopping surface 38 has a shape and dimensions such that the distal end of the pin provided with the stopping surface 38 is not able to pass through the corresponding opening 24.
[0081] The stopping surface 38 has a shape such that it does not prevent the movement of the transverse pin in the corresponding opening between a high position and a low position, as will be described below.
[0082] The stopping surface 38 has, for example, a circular shape with at least one flat area.
[0083] At least one flat is provided to extend opposite the rail in the lower position of the transverse pin in the opening, as will be described below.
[0084] The or each transverse pin 36 is, for example, formed of a screw screwed into a tapped hole provided in the part 18, here in the corresponding flank 34, and through the opening 24, during the assembly of the rest of the part 18 and the base 16. The stop surface 38 has, for example, a recess for screwing.
[0085] Alternatively, the or each transverse pin is, for example, formed from a pin distinct from the rest of the part 18, assembled with the rest of the part 18, here in the corresponding flank 34, and through the opening 24, during the assembly of the rest of the part 18 and the base 16, for example by welding, gluing or riveting.
[0086] The part 18, more particularly here each side 34, is further provided with an axis 40 received in the orifice 30, so as to form a pivot joint.
[0087] The axis 40 extends, for example, here along the lateral direction Y.
[0088] The axis 40 is, for example, formed by a screw screwed into a tapped hole provided in the part 18, here in the corresponding flank 34, and through the orifice 30 during the assembly of the rest of the part 18 and the base 16.
[0089] Alternatively, the axis is, for example, formed of a pivot axis distinct from the rest of the part 18, assembled with the rest of the part 18, here in the corresponding flank 34, and through the opening 24, during the assembly of the rest of the part 18 and the base 16, for example by welding, gluing or riveting.
[0090] Part 18 is movable relative to base 16.
[0091] The or each transverse pin 36 is able to move in the corresponding opening 24 between a low position, visible in [Fig.1], and a high position, visible in Figures 2 and 3.
[0092] More particularly, the or each transverse pawn 36 is able to move in the corresponding opening 24 in the low position, the high position and at least one intermediate position.
[0093] The movement of the pawl in a direction from the low position to the high position results in a raising of the seat 12.
[0094] Thus, the high position of the transverse pin in the corresponding opening corresponds to a high position of the seat, and the low position of the transverse pin in the corresponding opening corresponds to a low position of the seat.
[0095] More particularly, the movement of the transverse pin 36 corresponds here to a rotation of the piece 18 with respect to the base 16, more particularly around the lateral axis passing through the pivot point(s) on which the arc(s) of a circle formed by the opening(s) 24 is / are centered.
[0096] The upper stop 26 is such that, in case of collision, the upper stop 26 is adapted to limit the movement of the transverse pin 36 by contact between the transverse pin 36 and the upper stop 26.
[0097] More particularly here, in the event of a collision, the movement of the transverse pin 36 is limited by contact with the upper end of the opening 24, which forms the upper stop 26.
[0098] In one embodiment, the upper position is arranged between the lower position and the upper stop 26, away from each of these positions. Thus, in normal operation, without collision, the transverse pin does not come into contact with the upper stop 26.
[0099] Alternatively, the upper position corresponds to the upper stop 26. Thus, in normal operation, without collision, the transverse pin is likely to come into contact with the upper stop 26, more particularly when the transverse pin is in the upper position.
[0100] In addition, here the base 16 and the part 18 are also connected to each other by the pivot joint formed by the axis 40 received in the orifice 30.
[0101] The movement of the part 18 relative to the base 16, and thus of the transverse pin 36 in the opening 24 between the low position and the high position, is driven by an actuator 42, for example a linear actuator.
[0102] The actuator 42 is, for example, controlled via a user interface, for example using one or more buttons or a screen, for example accessible to a person sitting on the seat.
[0103] The part 18 is connected to the actuator 42 by a pivot drive link 44, more particularly at the level of one of the flanks 34 of the part 18.
[0104] The pivot drive link 44 is, for example, arranged at the level of part 18 at the level of a lower portion of part 18 in the elevation direction Z.
[0105] The pivot drive link 44 is, for example, arranged at a height along the elevation direction Z lower than that of at least one transverse pin 36, and of the axis 40 where applicable.
[0106] The actuator 42 extends, for example, between two ends, a first end being connected to the part 18 by the drive pivot link 44.
[0107] In the case of the presence of a single transverse pin and a single opening, the transverse pin is, for example, arranged on the side not having the pivot drive link 44, and the single opening on the wall opposite said side.
[0108] Thus, the upper stop provides a stop on an opposite side of the actuator, in case of collision.
[0109] The actuator 42 is, for example, connected at its second end to the seat, more particularly to a seat base, or to a front connecting rod connected to the seat via a pivot joint.
[0110] The movement between the low position and the high position is limited by the actuator 42, that is to say that in normal operation, the actuator 42 does not go beyond the movement causing the displacement of the transverse pin between the low position and the high position.
[0111] The upper stop 26 corresponds, for example, to a position of the transverse pin in the opening beyond the movement controlled by the actuator in normal operation.
[0112] In one embodiment, the actuator 42 also has a maximum stop, limiting its movement beyond normal operation.
[0113] The maximum stop of the actuator corresponds to a configuration of the actuator in which the transverse pin is beyond the upper position, for example to the configuration of the actuator in which the transverse pin is in the upper stop.
[0114] The maximum stop of the actuator is, for example, such that the upper stop 26 comes into contact before or after the maximum stop of the actuator, in particular in the event of failure of the first of said stops.
[0115] Thus, the maximum stop and the upper stop offer redundancy in safety, and, in addition, a distribution of the forces related to the collision in different locations.
[0116] Base 16 and part 18 are made of metal.
[0117] In one embodiment, the securing device comprises two rails, and a base per rail, each base defining a wall as defined above, the two walls being connected by two tubes.
[0118] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the part 18 delimits at least one opening 24 and the base 16 is provided with at least one transverse pawl 36.
[0119] This embodiment is, moreover, identical, with at least one opening and at least one transverse pin being exchanged between the piece and the base.
[0120] In this embodiment, at least one opening 24 has, for example, a shape similar to that described opposite the embodiment shown.
[0121] The upper stop is then, for example, formed by a lower end of at least one opening.
[0122] Indeed, when the seat is moved from bottom to top, at least one transverse pawl remains stationary relative to the rail, except when the base moves along the rail, the seat with the piece is lifted relative to the rail.
[0123] Thus, in this embodiment, when the seat is moved from bottom to top, at least one opening moves, so that at least one cross pawn moves down from at least one opening.
[0124] The safety device according to the invention therefore allows, during the movement of the seat from bottom to top, adjustment of the seat, here by rotation of the part relative to the base, while limiting the associated movement in the event of a collision
[0125] Moreover, the presence of a high stop offers a simple and rigid construction solution.
Claims
Demands
1. A vehicle seat (12) securing device (14), comprising a base (16) and a part (18) adapted to be integral with the seat (12), the part (18) being movable relative to the base (16), one of the part (18) and the base (16) being provided with at least one transverse pin (36), the other of the base (16) and the part (18) defining at least one opening (24), the transverse pin or each of the transverse pin (36) being able to move in the corresponding opening (24) between a low position and a high position, the opening or each of the opening (24) having an upper stop (26) such that, in the event of a collision, the upper stop (26) is adapted to limit the movement of the transverse pin (36) by contact between the transverse pin (36) and the upper stop (26).
2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein the opening or each opening (24) has an arc-shaped form.
3. A security device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (16) and the part (18) are further connected to each other by a pivot joint.
4. A securing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one rail (20), the base (16) being integral with at least one rail (20), in particular the base (16) being capable of moving in translation along at least one rail (20).
5. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper position is arranged between the lower position and the upper stop (26).
6. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relative movement of the part (18) and the base (16), and thus of at least one transverse pin (36) in at least one opening (24) between the lower position and the upper position, is driven by an actuator (42), for example a linear actuator.
7. A safety device according to claim 6, wherein the part (18) is connected to the actuator (42) by a pivot drive link (44).
8. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base (16) and the part (18) are made of metal.
9. A securing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two rails (20) spaced in a laterally direction (Y), the base (16) being fixed to the two rails (20), the part (18) being provided with at least one transverse pin (36) or at least one opening on each side of the part (18) along the lateral direction (Y), the base (16) being provided with one opening (24) per transverse pin (36) or one transverse pin per opening, so that each transverse pin (36) cooperates with a corresponding opening (24).
10. Seat assembly (10) comprising a seat (12) and a securing device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the part (18) being integral with the seat (12), for example via a pivot connecting link (32).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Seat adjuster for motor vehicle
FR2749053A1
Automobile seat with improved height adjustment
FR2749549A1