Vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (2) comprising: - a seat (4), - a slide (8) comprising a first element (26) and a second element (28) configured to slide relative to the first element along a longitudinal direction, - a front connecting rod (44) rotatably mounted on the second element of the slide and on the seat (4), - a rear connecting rod (46) rotatably mounted on the seat and on the second element of the slide, the rear connecting rod (46) having a rear upper end (46a) and a rear lower end, - a drive device for tilting the seat around the front upper pivot axis, the drive device being directly coupled to the rear connecting rod to rotate the rear connecting rod around the rear lower pivot axis and bring the rear upper end of the rear connecting rod closer to the front lower pivot axis. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat. State of the art

[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, a vehicle seat is known that is configured to provide both a user-friendly configuration and a configuration that facilitates access to the seats located behind the seat (in English, "easy-entry position"; hereafter referred to as the "easy entry position"). Such a seat is generally implemented in a vehicle with fewer pairs of doors than rows of seats, to allow access to the last row of seats in the vehicle, that is, the row of seats arranged longitudinally furthest to the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] In the easy entry configuration, the seat is tilted forward and generally into a forward position. Typically, the seat is mounted on rails. In this case, the easy entry position can advantageously also correspond to the seat being positioned as far forward as possible along the rails.

[0004] Such a seat is notably disclosed in document FR 3 116 771 AL Although this vehicle seat provides satisfaction, the present disclosure aims to avoid implementing additional means such as springs to facilitate tilting the seat to the "easy entry" position.

[0005] Presentation of the invention A first objective of the present invention is to allow the seat to be tilted into the easy entry position without using additional means such as springs to exert additional torque on the seat.

[0006] A second object of the present invention is to use a less powerful, less expensive and less bulky motor while obtaining a satisfactory tipping speed. Disclosure Summary

[0007] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising:

[0008] - a seat having a front edge and a rear edge, - at least one slide comprising a first element and a second element, the first element being intended to be fixed to a vehicle floor and the second element being configured to slide relative to the first element along a longitudinal direction between an extreme front position and an extreme rear position, in a forward or rearward direction opposite to the forward direction, - at least one front connecting rod mounted to rotate, on one side, on the second element of the slide, around a lower front pivot axis, and on the other side, on the seat, around an upper front pivot axis, - at least one rear connecting rod mounted rotatably, on the one hand, on the seat, around a front upper articulation axis and, on the other hand, on the second slide element, around a rear lower articulation axis, the at least one rear connecting rod, having at least one rear upper end and one rear lower end, - at least one drive device suitable for tilting the seat around the front upper articulation axis, characterized in that the drive device is coupled directly to the at least one rear connecting rod to drive the rear connecting rod in rotation around the rear lower articulation axis and bring the rear upper end of the rear connecting rod closer to the front lower articulation axis.

[0009] Advantageously, the torque exerted on the rear connecting rod is low and relatively constant over the entire pivoting stroke of the seat.

[0010] Advantageously, the torque exerted on the seat has a value that varies little throughout the tilting stroke of the seat.

[0011] Advantageously, the seat tilting time is short.

[0012] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other: - The drive device includes a motor having an output shaft and a coupling device coupled directly to at least one rear connecting rod and to the motor output shaft. The coupling device comprises a pinion mounted for rotation about a pivot point on the second element of the slide, the pinion being driven in rotation by the motor output shaft, and a toothed sector having one portion fixed to the rear connecting rod and a toothed portion meshing with the pinion, the pinion being adapted to drive the toothed sector in rotation, the toothed sector being adapted to drive at least one rear connecting rod in rotation about the lower rear pivot point. Advantageously, the seat tilting time is relatively short. - The toothed sector part is fixed to the lower rear end of the rear connecting rod. - The motor is designed to drive only the tilting of the seat. - The seat has two rear connecting rods and a linking rod connecting the two rear connecting rods. Advantageously, the rotational movement of the rear connecting rod which is fixed to the toothed sector is transmitted to the rear connecting rod which is located on the other side of the seat by the connecting rod. - The seat further comprising an actuator specifically designed to drive only the movement of the second element of the slide relative to the first element of the slide, in the longitudinal direction. - The seat further includes a locking mechanism having an active state and an inactive state; and wherein in a seat use configuration, the locking mechanism is in the active state and holds the seat relative to the second element of the slide; and in a tilting configuration, the locking mechanism is in the inactive state and does not hold the seat relative to the second element of the slide. Brief description of the figures

[0013] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a seat in a usage configuration;

[0014] [Fig.2] is a view along a vertical section of a part of the seat illustrated on the [Fig.1] in a usage configuration;

[0015] [Fig.3] is a side view of the seat illustrated in [Fig.1] in a configuration of use;

[0016] [Fig.4] is a view similar to the view of [Fig.2] in a configuration intermediate ;

[0017] [Fig.5] is a view similar to the view of [Fig.3] in a configuration intermediate ;

[0018] [Fig.6] is a view similar to the view in [Fig.2] in a configuration of tilting the seat forward;

[0019] [Fig.7] is a view similar to the view in [Fig.3] in a configuration of tilting the seat forward;

[0020] [Fig.8] is a view similar to the view of [Fig.3] in an input configuration easy. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] With reference to [Fig. 1], seat 2 according to this disclosure is a vehicle seat, in particular an automobile seat. The seat is intended to be placed in a vehicle passenger compartment. The seat 2 essentially comprises a seat 4, a backrest 6 articulated to the seat, a pair of slides 8 supporting the seat and a linkage system 10 connecting the pair of slides 8 to the seat 4.

[0022] The seat 4 extends along a longitudinal direction X between a front edge 12 and a rear edge 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat comprises a frame Seat frame 16. The seat frame 16 essentially comprises two side members 16a, 16b connected by a front cross member 16c and a rear cross member 16d. The side members are arranged on each side of the seat along a transverse direction Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The side members 16a, 16b extend mainly along the longitudinal direction X. The front cross member 16c and the rear cross member 16d extend mainly along the transverse direction Y.

[0023] The backrest 6 extends along an elevation direction Z between an upper edge 18 and a lower edge 20. The elevation direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and to the transverse direction Y. The lower edge 20 of the backrest 6 is located near the rear edge 14 of the seat 4.

[0024] The backrest 6 comprises a backrest frame 22. The backrest frame 22 is connected to each of the side rails 16a, 16b by a joint 24. The joints 24 are spaced apart along the transverse direction Y and connected to each other to synchronize the movements on each side of the seat along the transverse direction Y. Each joint 24 has a pivot axis extending along the transverse direction Y. The backrest frame 22 can thus be pivoted about the pivot axis relative to the seat frame 16 via the joints 24.

[0025] Each slide 8 comprises a first element 26 and a second element 28.

[0026] The first element 26 of the slide essentially comprises a first rail 34 which extends along the longitudinal direction X. The first rail 34 is intended to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle.

[0027] The second element 28 of the slide comprises a second rail 36 and a support 38. The second rail 36, visible in [Fig. 8], extends along the longitudinal direction X and cooperates with the first rail 34. The support 38 is rigidly fixed to the second rail 36. The support 38 comprises two plates 40 and a rear cross member 42 connecting the two plates. Each plate 40 is fixed to a second rail 26. The plates 40 are bent at a right angle, so that in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, they have an "L" shape. Each plate 40 has a vertical face and a substantially horizontal face by which the plates are rigidly fixed to a second rail 36. The plates 40 extend along the longitudinal direction for a distance corresponding to approximately half the length of the seat along the longitudinal direction X.

[0028] The second element 28 of the slide is configured to slide along a longitudinal direction X between an extreme forward position (shown in [Fig. 7]) and an extreme rearward position (shown in Figures 1 and 2), in a forward direction 30 or in a rearward direction 32. The seat further includes an actuator 43 carried by and fixed to the rear cross member 42. The actuator 43 comprises an electric motor and a transmission system. The sliding of the second element 28 of the slide relative to the first element 26 of the slide is implemented by the actuator 43.

[0029] A connecting rod system 10 is mounted between the slides 8 and the longitudinal members 16a, 16b.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the connecting rod system 10 comprises two front connecting rods 44, two rear connecting rods 46 and a connecting rod 54 linking the two rear connecting rods.

[0031] The front connecting rods 44 each have a front lower end 44a and a front upper end 44b, visible in [Fig.2]. In the vicinity of the lower front end 44a, the front connecting rods 44 are mounted rotatably around a lower front pivot axis Al on a front part of each second element of the slide 28.

[0032] In the vicinity of the front upper end 44b, the front connecting rods 44 are mounted rotating around a superior articulation axis before A2 on the seat 4 and, in particular, on a front part of the longitudinal members 16a, 16b.

[0033] The connecting rod 54 can be fixed substantially midway between the rear upper end 46a and the rear lower end 46b or closer to the rear upper end.

[0034] In the embodiment shown by way of example, the two rear connecting rods 46 and the connecting rod 54 are structurally formed by a first rod 48 having a general "U" shape and two second rods 50 fixed as a unit to the first rod so as to extend in the continuation of the end branches. The rear tie rods 46 include rear upper ends 46a and rear lower ends 46b. Here, the upper rear ends 46a are arranged on the terminal branches. The lower rear ends 46b are arranged on the second stems. In the vicinity of the upper rear ends 46a, the rear links 46 are mounted movable in rotation, around an upper rear articulation axis A4, on the seat and, in particular, on an intermediate part of the longitudinal members 16a, 16b. In the vicinity of the lower rear ends 46b, the rear connecting rods 46 are mounted to rotate freely around a lower rear pivot axis A3 on a rear part of a second element of a slide 28.

[0035] With reference to [Fig.2], seat 2 further comprises a drive device 58 suitable for tilting seat 2 forwards.

[0036] The drive device 58 is directly coupled to at least one rear connecting rod 46 to drive the rear connecting rod 46 in rotation, in particular around the lower rear articulation axis A3, and to bring the upper rear end 46a of the rear connecting rod closer to the lower front articulation axis AL

[0037] In other words, the drive device 58 directly exerts a torque on the rear link in the vicinity of the lower rear articulation axis A3.

[0038] Alternatively, the drive device 58 exerts a torque on the rear connecting rod in the vicinity of the upper rear articulation axis A4. In this case, the drive device 58 can be arranged in the seat frame 16.

[0039] The drive device 58 comprises an electric motor 60 having an output shaft, and a coupling device 56 coupled directly to a rear connecting rod located on one side of the seat, and to the output shaft of the motor.

[0040] The coupling device 56 includes a pinion 62 driven in rotation by the output shaft of the electric motor, and a toothed sector 64 driven in rotation by the pinion 62.

[0041] The electric motor 60 is supported by the folded sheet metal 40 of one of the second elements of the slide. This electric motor 60 is designed solely to drive the forward tilting of the seat. The actuator 43 is designed solely to drive the movement of the seat along the longitudinal direction X.

[0042] The pinion 62 is rotatably mounted on one of the second elements 28 of a slide about a pivot axis A5. The toothed sector 64 comprises a portion 66 fixed to the lower rear end 46b of the rear connecting rod 46, and a toothed portion 68 meshing with the pinion. The portion 66 is adjacent to the center of the circular portion formed by the toothed sector.

[0043] The toothed sector 64 is suitable for driving the rear connecting rod 46 in rotation around the lower rear articulation axis A3.

[0044] The seat 2 may further include a locking mechanism 70 visible in [Fig. 1]. This locking mechanism is well known per se. This locking mechanism makes it possible to hold the second element 28 of the slide relative to the first element of the slide 26 along the longitudinal direction X in the extreme rear position, in the extreme front position, or in multiple positions between the extreme rear and extreme front positions.

[0045] The locking mechanism 70 has an active state and an inactive state. In a seat use configuration, the locking mechanism 70 is in the active state and holds the seat 4 relative to the second element 28 of the slide. In a seat tilt configuration, the locking mechanism 70 is in the inactive state and does not hold the seat 4 relative to the second element 28 of the slide.

[0046] According to an alternative not shown, the two rear connecting rods 46 are not connected to each other by a connecting rod 54. Each rear connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the seat 4 and on a second element 28 of a slide. Only one of the two rear connecting rods is driven in rotation.

[0047] According to another variant not shown, the two rear connecting rods are not linked together by a connecting rod and the seat comprises two motors, two pinions and two toothed sectors. This variant is more expensive and therefore less advantageous.

[0048] Alternatively, the connecting rod system includes a single front connecting rod.

[0049] Alternatively, the connecting rod system includes a single rear connecting rod.

[0050] Figures 3 to 8 illustrate an example of a method for implementing the seat allowing the seat to pass from a usage configuration, often called the nominal position N illustrated in [Fig.3] to a so-called "easy entry" configuration EF illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0051] In the embodiment shown, in the seat N operating configuration, the seat 4 is positioned at its maximum rearward position. The second slide elements 28 are positioned as far rearward as possible from the first elements 26. It should be noted that the nominal starting configuration may vary. Indeed, the longitudinal position of the seat 2 may be different. Thus, the longitudinal position of the second elements 28 can, in principle, vary over the entire range of the first slide elements 26. In this configuration, the locking mechanism 70 is in the active state and holds the seat 4 relative to the second slide element 28.

[0052] When a request to switch to the easy entry configuration is made by a passenger or prospective passenger, for example by pressing a control button. The request is transmitted to a controller. The controller can be a programmable device that uses software, a specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or part of an engine control unit (ECU).

[0053] The controller activates the locking mechanism 70 so that it enters the inactive state and no longer holds the seat 4 relative to the second elements 28 of the slides. The controller activates the drive device 58 to tilt the seat forward.

[0054] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the electric motor 60 is switched on. The output shaft of the motor 60 drives the pinion 62 in rotation. The pinion 62 drives the toothed sector 64 in a clockwise direction. The rotation of the toothed sector 64 causes the rear connecting rods 46 to rotate clockwise around the lower rear pivot axis A3. The pivoting of the rear connecting rods causes the rear part of the seat to pivot around the lower rear pivot axis A3 and the front connecting rod 44 of the front part of the seat to pivot around the lower front pivot axis AL

[0055] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the toothed sector 64 is at the end of its travel. Similarly, the rear connecting rods 46 are at the end of their travel. The seat 2 is tilted forward. The seat is still in its maximum rearward position.

[0056] The controller controls the operation of the actuator 43. The actuator 43 moves the second elements 28 of the slide relative to the first elements 26 of the slide. The seat 2 moves forward to an extreme forward position illustrated in [Fig. 8].

[0057] This configuration in which the seat is tilted forward and in which the second elements 28 of the slide are positioned in an extreme forward position is the easy entry position EF.

[0058] According to an alternative use of the seat according to the invention, the actuator 43 is put into operation during the operation of the drive device 58.

[0059] In particular, the size of the toothed sector can be chosen to adapt the tilting speed of the seat to the speed of movement of the second element on the first element of the slide. Thus, the seat 2 can be tilted when the seat 2 has traveled a distance corresponding to 75% of the maximum travel of the second element 28 relative to the first element 26.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle seat (2) comprising: - a seat (4) having a front edge (12) and a rear edge (14), - at least one slide (8) comprising a first element (26) and a second element (28), the first element (26) being intended to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle and the second element (28) being configured to slide relative to the first element along a longitudinal direction (X) between an extreme front position and an extreme rear position, in a forward direction or in a rear direction opposite to the forward direction, - at least one front connecting rod (44) rotatably mounted, on the one hand, on the second element (28) of the slide, about a lower front pivot axis (A1), and on the other hand, on the seat (4), about an upper front pivot axis (A2), - at least one rear connecting rod (46) rotatably mounted, on the one hand, on the seat (4), about an upper front pivot axis (A4) and, on the other hand,on the second slide element (28), around a lower rear pivot axis (A3), at least one rear connecting rod (46), having at least one upper rear end (46a) and one lower rear end (46b), - at least one drive device (58) adapted to tilt the seat (2) around the upper front pivot axis (A2), characterized in that the drive device (58) is directly coupled to at least one rear connecting rod (46b) to drive the rear connecting rod (46) in rotation around the lower rear pivot axis (A3) and bring the upper rear end (46a) of the rear connecting rod closer to the lower front pivot axis (A1).

2. - Vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1, wherein the drive device (58) comprises a motor (60) having an output shaft and a coupling device (56) coupled directly to at least one rear link (46) and to the motor output shaft.

3. 3. - Vehicle seat (2) according to claim 2, wherein the coupling device (58) comprises: - a pinion (62) mounted to rotate about an articulation axis (A5) on the second element (28) of the slide, the pinion being driven in rotation by the output shaft of the motor, and - a toothed sector (64) having a part (66) fixed to the rear connecting rod, and a toothed part (68) in contact with the pinion (62), the pinion (62) being suitable for driving the toothed sector in rotation, the toothed sector (64) being suitable for driving at least one rear connecting rod (46) in rotation about the lower rear articulation axis (A3).

4. - Vehicle seat (2) according to claim 3, wherein part (66) of the toothed sector (64) is fixed to the rear lower end (46b) of the rear connecting rod.

5. - Vehicle seat (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the motor (60) is adapted to drive only the tilting of the seat.

6. 6. - Vehicle seat (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two rear tie rods (46) and a connecting rod (54) linking the two rear tie rods (46).

7. 7. - Vehicle seat (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an actuator (43) adapted to drive only the movement of the second element (28) of the slide relative to the first element (26) of the slide, in the longitudinal direction (X).

8. 8.- Vehicle seat (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a locking mechanism (70) having an active state and an inactive state; and wherein in a seat use configuration, the locking mechanism is in the active state and maintains the seat (4) relative to the second element (28) of the slide; and in a tilting configuration, the locking mechanism (70) is in the inactive state and does not maintain the seat (4) relative to the second element (28) of the slide.

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