Upholstery element with improved thermal properties for motor vehicle seats

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat upholstery element for a motor vehicle, said element comprising a sheet formed from at least one wire component (1) having infrared reflectivity, characterized in that said infrared reflectivity wire component comprises at least two twisted filaments (1a, 1b), at least one of which (1a) is coated with an infrared reflectivity material. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Upholstery element with improved thermal properties for motor vehicle seats

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of thermal comfort in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with the integration, in the seats of these vehicles, of a padding element with improved thermal properties.

[0002] In electric vehicles, the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment can strongly influence vehicle efficiency in several ways. For example, during convergence phases, the heating or air conditioning (HVAC) system is activated to reach the set temperature and can lead to excessive consumption of electrical energy from the battery, thus reducing the vehicle's range.

[0003] Furthermore, during temperature regulation phases, insufficient insulation of the passenger compartment can lead to leaks of hot or cold air, forcing the air conditioning or heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable interior atmosphere. This situation can also impact the overall efficiency of the vehicle, as more energy will be required to maintain the desired temperature.

[0004] The same applies when using so-called proximity comfort equipment, such as the heated seats of interest to the invention, which produce heat by Joule effect using electrical resistors. These resistors are embedded in layers that are mounted in the seat upholstery and, generally, at the seat cushion level.

[0005] US patent 10875428B2 and ES patent 292572 describe motor vehicle seats whose backrest includes a layer of a thermally radiant material or material with infrared reflective properties based, in particular, on Mylar (registered trademark).

[0006] However, this solution is not satisfactory because the reflective material is only integrated into the backrest on the rear face of the seat. In this configuration, the reflective material is therefore not in direct contact with the occupant, which does not allow for optimal thermal comfort.

[0007] In addition, this padding is not reversible and therefore does not allow for adaptation of the thermal comfort of the seat occupant according to the season (summer or winter).

[0008] In this problematic context, the invention proposes a technical solution consisting of integrating, in at least a part of the seat upholstery, an element having a reflective power of the infrared radiation emitted by the human body, which allows for the local suppression of electrical components with a thermal effect.

[0009] This goal is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a trim element for a motor vehicle seat, said element comprising a sheet formed from at least one wire component having an infrared radiation reflecting power, characterized in that said wire component with infrared reflecting power comprises at least two twisted filaments, at least one of which is covered with a material with infrared reflecting power.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the filling element of the invention, the material with infrared reflecting power is based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0011] According to a first embodiment of the filling element of the invention, the tablecloth comprises a braiding of the wire components in warp and weft yarns.

[0012] According to a second embodiment of the filling element of the invention, the tablecloth comprises a weaving of the wire components in warp and weft yarns.

[0013] According to a specific characteristic common to the two variants of the filling element, the warp yarns are made up of the wire components with infrared reflectivity while the weft yarns are made up of natural or synthetic fibers.

[0014] According to another feature of the filling element of the invention, the tablecloth is reversible and has two faces having, respectively, differentiated infrared reflectivity.

[0015] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle seat provided with a trim element as defined above.

[0016] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, this seat includes a removable fixing system for the upholstery element on its outer cover.

[0017] Preferably, the upholstery element is mounted centrally on the seat and / or backrest of the seat in areas intended to be in contact with an occupant.

[0018] Yet another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with seats having the characteristics defined above.

[0019] The upholstery element of the invention makes it possible to optimally manage the thermal comfort of passengers while eliminating, or at least limiting in the seats, the implantation of costly electrical and / or electronic components.

[0020] Thus, the invention makes it possible to reduce the electrical energy consumption of the vehicle, to jointly lighten the mass of the equipment on board in the passenger compartment and to increase, as a result, the autonomy of the vehicle.

[0021] The mat incorporating the infrared-reflective filament components is lightweight, compact, and easily transportable. This mat acts as a barrier against heat loss by radiation, similar to emergency blankets. Indeed, the twisted, woven, or braided filaments within this mat are capable of reflecting up to 90% of the infrared radiation, and therefore the emitted body heat, back towards the seat occupant.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, for which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of a component wire entering into the structure of the filling element of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a front view of a first method of making the element of filling of the invention.

[0025] [Fig. 3 is a front view of a second method of making the trim element of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with the trimming element of the invention.

[0027] Naturally, the embodiment of the trim element of the invention described below and illustrated in the figures is given only by way of non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided for within the scope of the invention that different embodiments can be proposed and combined to propose others.

[0028] The invention relates to the general field of thermal comfort for occupants in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to the structure of specific seats S, such as the one shown in [Fig. 4], the upholstery of which incorporates a heating system.

[0029] More specifically, the invention consists of proposing a filling element comprising a sheet 2 shaped from at least one wire component 1 having an infrared radiation reflection power (hereafter referred to as "infrared reflection power"), one embodiment of which is shown in [Fig. 1].

[0030] According to the invention, this infrared reflective wire component 1 comprises at least two twisted filaments la, 1b, at least one of which (here filament la) is covered with a material reflecting infrared radiation.

[0031] Such materials are marketed, in particular, under the brands Mylar or Lumirror. Common uses of these materials exist in the form of yarn in the textile field for the manufacture of clothing items in "fleece" or "microfiber", the stuffing of plush toys, cushions, duvets, etc...

[0032] The other filament 1b, associated with filament la, is intended to reinforce the rigidity of the wire component 1 and can be made from natural or synthetic fibers, possibly composites.

[0033] To produce the filament 1a with infrared reflectivity, the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based material is applied to a support (a natural or synthetic fiber, possibly a composite, identical or different from the fiber forming filament 2) in the form of a thin layer of PET. The diameters of the two filaments 1a, 1b are preferably substantially identical.

[0034] The invention therefore consists of integrating, in at least a part of the seat upholstery, a layer 2 incorporating wire components 1 of which at least some have a thin thickness of a material reflecting infrared rays and thus acting as a barrier against heat loss by radiation.

[0035] In the case of using a survival blanket, it is sufficient to put the material with infrared reflectivity in contact with the body of the person covered to maximize the return of body heat to that person and avoid heat loss.

[0036] Similarly, by ensuring that the reflective part of the padding 2 of the invention is turned towards the inside of the seat S, the wire components 1 can then reflect up to 90% of the infrared radiation emitted by the occupant of the seat.

[0037] The layer 2 is preferably reversible and has two faces with, respectively, different infrared reflectivity. In this way, the layer 2 provides a thermal barrier effect and insulates the passenger from the cold or, conversely, from the heat.

[0038] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 2], the web 2 comprises a braid of wire components. These wire components are interlaced with each other diagonally, horizontally, or vertically to form specific patterns. In [Fig. 2], the white wire components 21 are made of a synthetic or natural material, and the wire components 1, incorporating filaments coated with PET (Mylaf), are darker in color. However, a reverse configuration is possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0039] In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 3], the fabric 2 comprises a weave of yarn components. The interlacing of these components, consisting of warp and weft yarns, forms a fabric. The warp yarns are made of components 1 with infrared reflectivity, coated with PET (Mylar), and aligned lengthwise along the fabric. The weft yarns 22 are made of conventional yarns of natural or synthetic fibers, interlaced perpendicularly to the warp yarns. Here too, however, a reverse configuration is possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0040] The seat S equipped with the upholstery element described above includes a fastening system (not shown), for example, self-gripping fabric strips, allowing it to be secured to the outer shell or cover of the seat structure and guaranteeing that the passenger will not slip in the event of a collision.

[0041] Preferably, the layer 2 of the upholstery element is in the form of a cushion mounted centrally on the seat A and / or the backrest D of the seat S in the areas intended to be in contact with an occupant, as illustrated by [Fig.4].

Claims

Demands

1. Upholstery element for motor vehicle seat, said element comprising a sheet (2) formed from at least one wire component (1) having infrared reflectivity, characterized in that said infrared reflectivity wire component comprises at least two twisted filaments (la, 1b) of which at least one (la) is covered with an infrared reflectivity material.

2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that said material with infrared reflecting power is based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

3. Element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said web (2) comprises a braiding of the wire components in warp and weft yarns.

4. Element according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said web (2) comprises a weaving of the wire components in warp yarns and weft yarns.

5. An element according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the warp yarns are made up of the infrared reflective wire components (1) while the weft yarns are made up of natural or synthetic fibers.

6. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mat (2) is reversible and has two faces having, respectively, differentiated infrared reflectance powers.

7. Motor vehicle seat provided with a trim element according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Seat according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a removable fixing system for said upholstery element on its outer cover.

9. Seat according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said upholstery element is mounted centrally on the seat (A) and / or the backrest (D) in the areas intended to be in contact with an occupant.

10. Motor vehicle equipped with seats according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

Images