Vehicle equipment and associated vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle Equipment and Associated Vehicle The invention relates to vehicle equipment (10) comprising: - a seat back frame (12), including an end surface (22); - a rotating shaft (14), integral with the frame; and - a connecting piece (16) for connection to a vehicle chassis. The rotating shaft (14) comprises: a main body extending along a principal axis, projecting from the end surface of the frame; and a radial lug (28), disposed at a non-zero axial distance from said end surface. The connecting piece (16) includes an opening (40) through which the rotating shaft passes, said shaft being able to pivot in said opening about the principal axis; and the connecting piece is disposed, along the principal axis, between the end surface and the radial lug. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle equipment and associated vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipment comprising: a seat back frame, including a first end surface; a rotation shaft, integral with the frame; and a connecting piece, intended to be connected to a vehicle chassis.

[0002] Such vehicle equipment is intended to be assembled to the chassis of a vehicle for the purpose of creating a vehicle seat.

[0003] The vehicle equipment is intended to allow the rotation of the seat back frame relative to said chassis, in order to provide a comfortable seat back for the vehicle passengers.

[0004] In a conventional manner, an auxiliary connecting piece allows, by means of a weld, the backrest frame and the vehicle chassis to be assembled in rotation.

[0005] However, such a solution is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, it requires a technical and costly welding step. Welding therefore complicates the manufacturing process of such equipment and does not allow for reversibility of the process.

[0006] In addition, the vehicle equipment components are intended to be regularly driven in rotation and therefore undergo friction which reduces the service life of the vehicle equipment.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer vehicle equipment with a simplified manufacturing process and a long service life.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle equipment of the aforementioned type, in which: the rotation shaft comprises a main body extending along a main axis, projecting from the first end surface of the frame; and a radial lug, disposed at a non-zero axial distance from the first end surface of the frame; the connecting piece comprises an orifice through which the rotation shaft passes, said shaft being able to pivot in said orifice around the main axis; and the connecting piece is disposed, along the main axis, between the first end surface of the frame and the radial lug of the rotation shaft.

[0009] The vehicle equipment according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0010] - the main body and the radial lug of the rotation shaft are formed from a single piece in a first metallic material;

[0011] - the radial lug of the rotation shaft comprises: two flanks, extending substantially parallel to the main axis; a support surface, arranged between the two sides, said bearing surface being substantially perpendicular to the main axis and oriented towards the first end surface of the reinforcement; and two edges, each edge joining the bearing surface to one of the two flanks;

[0012] - each of the two edges of the radial lug is chamfered or rounded;

[0013] - the opening of the connecting piece has a contour configured such that The armature and the connecting piece define: a first angular position, in which the radial lug can translate through the orifice along the main axis; and a second angular position, in which the radial lug is blocked in translation along the main axis relative to the connecting piece;

[0014] - the contour of the orifice forms a notch, the first angular position being such that said notch and the radial lug of the rotation shaft are angularly aligned;

[0015] - the connecting piece comprises: a peripheral portion, made in a second metallic material; and a central portion, fixed to the peripheral portion and outlining the contour of the orifice, said central portion being made of a plastic material;

[0016] - the vehicle equipment further includes a flange intended to be attached to a vehicle floor, the rotation shaft being able to pivot relative to said flange around the main axis;

[0017] - the rotation shaft is disposed in an opening in the flange, said flange being axially arranged between the first end surface of the reinforcement and the connecting piece;

[0018] - the connecting piece is formed by one end of the flange.

[0019] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising: a chassis; and vehicle equipment as described above, assembled to said chassis.

[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a partial, perspective view of vehicle equipment according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detailed, exploded view of the vehicle equipment of the [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view of an element of the vehicle equipment of Figures 1 and 2;

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a vehicle equipment according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a detailed view of the vehicle equipment of [Fig. 4]; and

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the vehicle equipment of the figures 4 and 5.

[0027] Figures 1 to 3 show vehicle equipment 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figures 4 to 6 show vehicle equipment 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Equipment 10 and 110 will be described simultaneously below, with common elements being designated by the same reference numbers.

[0029] The equipment 10, 110 is intended to be installed inside a vehicle (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle. The equipment 10, 110 is advantageously intended to be located at the rear of the vehicle and is in particular intended to be incorporated into a rear seat of the vehicle.

[0030] The equipment 10, 110 comprises: a backrest frame 12, 112; a first rotation shaft 14, 114; and a connecting piece 16, 116. In the embodiment shown, the equipment 10, 110 further comprises: a first flange 18, 118; and a second rotation shaft 19, 119.

[0031] The frame 12, 112 is intended to be rotated relative to a chassis (not shown) of the vehicle, along a principal axis 20, preferably horizontal. The frame 12, 112 has a front face 21, substantially parallel to the principal axis 20 and intended to be positioned vertically or inclined relative to the horizontal. The principal axis 20 is located in the lower part of said front face 21.

[0032] The frame 12, 112 is intended to support a padding element (not shown) arranged on the front face 21, so as to form a seat back.

[0033] The reinforcement 12, 112 comprises a first 22, 122 and a second 24, 124 end surfaces, forming opposite ends of the reinforcement 12, 112 along the main axis 20. The main axis 20 passes through each of the first 22, 122 and second 24, 124 end surfaces. Preferably, the first 22, 122 and second 24, 124 end surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the main axis 20 and oriented oppositely to each other.

[0034] The first rotation shaft 14, 114 is integral with the armature 12, 112. Said first rotation shaft 14, 114 comprises a main body 26, 126 and a radial lug 28. Preferably, the main body 26, 126 and the radial lug 28 are formed from a single piece of a first metallic material.

[0035] The main body 26, 126 extends along the main axis 20 between an internal end 30 and an external end 32. The main body 26, 126 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape of revolution.

[0036] The inner end 30 of the main body 26, 126 is fixed to the reinforcement 12, 112. The outer end 32 of said main body 26, 126 projects from the first end surface 22, 122 along the main axis 20. More precisely, the first end surface 22, 122 of the reinforcement 12, 112 is disposed between the inner end 30 and outer end 32 of the main body 26, 126 of the first rotation shaft, along the main axis 20.

[0037] The radial lug 28 forms a projection perpendicular to the main axis 20, relative to the external end 32 of the main body 26, 126. The radial lug 28 includes in particular a bearing surface 34, substantially perpendicular to the main axis 20 and oriented towards the first end surface 22, 122 of the reinforcement 12, 112. The bearing surface 34 is disposed at a first non-zero axial distance DI ([Fig.6]) from said first end surface 22, 122.

[0038] Preferably, the radial lug 28 further comprises: two flanks 36, extending substantially parallel to the main axis 20; and two edges 38, each edge joining the bearing surface 34 to one of the two flanks 36.

[0039] More preferably, each of the two edges 38 is chamfered or rounded, so that the bearing surface 34 is not bordered by sharp edges.

[0040] The connecting piece 16, 116 is intended to be connected to the vehicle chassis, as will be detailed below.

[0041] The connecting piece 16, 116 includes an orifice 40 through which the first rotating shaft 14, 114 passes. Said first shaft 14, 114 is able to pivot in said orifice 40 about the main axis 20.

[0042] Along the main axis 20, the connecting piece 16, 116 is placed between the first end surface 22, 122 of the frame 12, 112 and the bearing surface 34 of the radial lug 28 of the first rotation shaft 14, 114.

[0043] The orifice 40 of the connecting piece 16, 116 has a contour 42 ([Fig.2]) configured so that the armature 12, 112 and the connecting piece 16, 116 define: a first angular position, in which the radial lug 28 can translate through the orifice 40 along the main axis 20; and a second angular position, in which the radial lug 28 is blocked in translation along the main axis 20 relative to the connecting piece 16, 116. The second angular position is visible in Figures 1-2 and 4-5.

[0044] Preferably, the contour 42 of the orifice 40 forms a notch 44 ([Fig.2]), the first angular position being such that said notch 40 and the radial lug 28 of the rotation shaft 14, 114 are angularly aligned.

[0045] Preferably, the connecting piece 16, 116 comprises: a peripheral portion 46; and a central portion 48, integral with the peripheral portion 46 and materializing the contour 42 of the orifice 40.

[0046] Preferably, the peripheral portion 46 is made of a second metallic material.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the central portion 48 is formed as a single piece with the peripheral portion 46, in the second metallic material. Alternatively, the central portion 48 is made of a first plastic material, for example overmolded on the peripheral portion 46.

[0048] The first flange 18, 118 comprises: a foot 50; an upright 52; and a hinge end 54, 154. The foot 50 is intended to be fixed to a vehicle floor. The upright 52, intended to be arranged substantially vertically, extends between the foot 50 and the hinge end 54, 154. As will be detailed below, the first rotation shaft 14, 114 is capable of pivoting relative to said hinge end 54, 154 of the first flange 18, 118.

[0049] Preferably, the articulation end 54, 154 of the first flange 18, 118 comprises a central surface 56 and a peripheral surface 58, substantially perpendicular to the main axis 20. More precisely, the central surface 56 is part of a cavity 60 formed in the articulation end 54, 154 and surrounded by the peripheral surface 57.

[0050] The second rotation shaft 19, 119 is integral with the frame 12, 112 and forms a projection relative to the second end surface 24, 124 along the main axis 20.

[0051] According to a first embodiment, the second rotational shaft 19, 119 has a shape similar to the first shaft 14, 114, with a radial lug 28. According to a second embodiment, the second rotational shaft 19, 119 has a shape different from the first shaft 14, 114.

[0052] The vehicle equipment 10 according to the first embodiment will now be described in more detail.

[0053] In the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the frame 12 is made up of several assembled elements. For example, the front surface 21 and the first 22 and second 24 end surfaces are formed by different elements.

[0054] Preferably, the first end surface 22 is formed by a metallic fin 62, assembled to one end of the front face 21 of the frame 12 along the main axis 20. Said first end surface 22 has a first opening 64.

[0055] The first rotating shaft 14, shown alone in [Fig. 3], comprises a ring 66, integral with the main body 26 and preferably formed as a single piece with said main body. The ring 66 is disposed between the inner end 30 and the outer end 32.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the first rotation shaft 14 further comprises a stop 68, disposed between the ring 66 and the radial lug 28 and oriented towards the bearing surface 34. The stop 68 and the bearing surface 34 are separated by a second non-zero axial distance D2 along the main axis 20. The second axial distance D2 is strictly less than the first axial distance DI previously described.

[0057] The articulation end 54 of the first flange 18 includes a second opening 70, with a rounded contour. The first 64 and second 70 openings are aligned along the main axis 20.

[0058] In an assembled configuration of the vehicle equipment 10, visible in [Fig. 1], the inner end 30 of the first rotating shaft 14 is inserted into the first opening 64 of the first end surface 22. Furthermore, said inner end 30 is fixed to the fin 62, for example by welding. Thus, the first rotating shaft 14 is integral with the frame 12.

[0059] Furthermore, the inner end 30 of the first shaft 14 is disposed in the second opening 70, the articulation end 54 of the first flange 18 being disposed between the first end surface 22 of the armature 12 and the ring 66 of the first rotating shaft 14. The assembly formed by the armature 12 and the first shaft 14 is thus fixed in translation and free in rotation relative to the first flange 18, about the main axis 20.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connecting piece 16 is a gusset fixed to a support 72. As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the support 72 is substantially intended to be arranged coplanarly with the front face 21 of the frame 12, to form a row of seat backs. The support 72 is intended to be fixed relative to the vehicle chassis, or to be rotatable relative to said chassis about the main axis 20.

[0061] In the assembled configuration of the vehicle equipment 10, the outer end 32 of the first rotation shaft 14 is disposed in the orifice 40 of the connecting piece 16, the central portion 48 of said connecting piece being disposed between the stop 68 and the bearing surface 34 of the radial lug 28. Preferably, an axial clearance is thus provided to the connecting piece 16 by the second axial distance D2.

[0062] The vehicle equipment 10 according to the first embodiment further comprises a second flange 74, similar in shape to the first flange 18 and intended to be fixed to the vehicle floor. The second rotation shaft 19 is articulated to the second flange 74, forming the main axis 20 of rotation of the frame 12 relative to the vehicle chassis.

[0063] The vehicle equipment 110 according to the second embodiment will now be described in more detail.

[0064] In the second embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, the frame 112 is formed in one piece and is preferably made by molding from a second plastic material. The frame 112 includes, for example, a honeycomb structure at the front face 21, as seen in [Fig. 4].

[0065] More preferably, in the second embodiment, the frame 112 is overmolded onto the first 114 and second 119 rotation shafts. More precisely, the inner end 30 of the first rotation shaft 114 is embedded in the second plastic material of the frame 112; and the outer end 32 of said first shaft 114 preferably comprises a surface layer 175 ([Fig.6]), formed of the second plastic material and covering the radial lug 28.

[0066] In the embodiment of figures 4 to 6, the connecting piece 116 is formed by the articulation end 154 of the first flange 118. More specifically, the orifice 40 of the connecting piece 116, described above, is provided on the central surface 56 of the articulation end 154, described above.

[0067] In the assembled configuration of the vehicle equipment 110, visible in Figures 4 to 6, the outer end 32 of the first rotating shaft 114 is disposed in the orifice 40 of the connecting piece 116, the central portion 48 of said connecting piece being disposed between the first end surface 122 of the reinforcement 112 and the bearing surface 34 of the radial lug 28. The existence of axial play for the reinforcement 112 with respect to the first flange 118 depends on the first axial distance DI between the bearing surface 34 and the first end surface 122. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 6], the thickness of the central portion 48 of the connecting piece 116 makes such axial play practically zero.

[0068] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, the second rotation shaft 119 is intended to be assembled to an external (not shown) post of the vehicle chassis, located, for example, near a door. The main axis 20 of rotation of the frame 112 relative to the vehicle chassis is thus defined. In an alternative (not shown), the equipment 110 includes a second flange, similar to the second flange 74 of the equipment 10 in Figures 1 to 3, and intended to be articulated to the second rotation shaft 119.

[0069] An assembly step of the equipment 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 will now be described.

[0070] The frame 12, the first rotating shaft 14, and the first flange 18 are made independently of each other. Then, the inner end 30 of the first shaft 14 is inserted into the second opening 70 of the hinge end 54 of the first flange 18 and into the first opening 64 of the first end surface 22. The inner end 30 is then welded to the fin 62, the first flange 18 thus being blocked against translation between the first end surface 22 of the frame 12 and the ring 66 of the first rotating shaft 14.

[0071] An assembly step for the equipment 10 and 110 described above will now be described. With regard to the equipment 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3, this assembly step is carried out after the mounting step described above.

[0072] The outer end 32 of the first rotation shaft 14, 114 is axially aligned with the orifice 40 of the connecting piece 16, 116, in the first angular configuration in which the radial lug 28 is opposite the notch 44 of the orifice 40. Then the first rotating shaft 14, 114 and the connecting piece 16, 116 are brought axially together, so that the outer end 32 of said first shaft passes through the orifice 40 of said connecting piece, until the central portion 48 of said connecting piece is disposed between the radial lug 28 and the inner end 30 of the first shaft 14, 114.

[0073] Then the first rotating shaft 14, 114 and the connecting piece 16, 116 are pivoted relative to each other around the main axis 20, up to the second angular configuration. The radial lug 28 then locks the connecting piece 16, 116 in translation relative to the first rotating shaft 14, 114.

[0074] The equipment 10, 110 is then assembled to the chassis of a vehicle. Preferably, the assembly is configured so that the first rotating shaft 14, 114 and the connecting piece 16, 116 can pivot relative to each other, but without returning to the first angular configuration. An unexpected separation of said first shaft 14, 114 and said connecting piece 16, 116 is thus avoided.

[0075] In the case where the central portion 48 of the connecting piece 16, 116 is formed of a plastic material, contact between the radial lug 28 of the first shaft 14, 114 with another metallic material is thus avoided.

[0076] A shock experienced by the vehicle in motion can cause axial misalignment between the first rotational shaft 14, 114 and the connecting piece 16, 116. The radial lug 28 can then apply a high mechanical force on the central portion 48 of the connecting piece 16, 116, defining the orifice 40. In this case, the chamfered or rounded shape of the edges 38 of said radial lug 28 makes it possible to prevent a breakage of said central portion 48, by preserving said central portion 48 from contact with sharp metal edges.

[0077] Such a feature is particularly advantageous in the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, in which the axial play between the first rotation shaft 14 and the connecting piece 16 increases the lever arm of the radial lug 28 on the central portion 48 of the connecting piece 16 in the event of a shock.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle equipment (10, 110) comprising: - a seat back frame (12, 112), including a first end surface (22, 122); - a rotating shaft (14, 114), integral with the frame (12, 112); and - a connecting piece (16, 116) intended to be connected to a vehicle chassis; the equipment (10, 110) being characterized in that: - the rotating shaft (14, 114) comprises: a main body (26, 126) extending along a main axis (20), projecting from the first end surface (22, 122) of the frame; and a radial lug (28), disposed at a non-zero axial distance (Dl) from said first end surface (22, 122); - the connecting piece (16, 116) includes an orifice (40) through which the rotation shaft (14, 114) passes, said shaft being able to pivot in said orifice around the main axis;and - the connecting piece is arranged, along the main axis (20), between the first end surface (22, 122) of the frame and the radial lug (28) of the rotation shaft (14, 114).

2. Vehicle equipment according to claim 1, wherein the main body (26, 126) and the radial lug (28) of the rotation shaft (14, 114) are formed from a single piece in a first metallic material.

3. Vehicle equipment according to claim 2, wherein: the radial lug (28) of the rotation shaft (14, 114) comprises: two flanks (36), extending substantially parallel to the main axis (20); a bearing surface (34), disposed between the two flanks, said bearing surface being substantially perpendicular to the main axis and oriented towards the first end surface (22, 122) of the frame; and two edges (38), each edge joining the bearing surface to one of the two flanks.

4. Vehicle equipment according to claim 3, wherein each of the two edges (38) of the radial lug (28) is chamfered or rounded.

5. Vehicle equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orifice (40) of the connecting piece (16, 116) has a contour (42) configured such that the frame (12, 112) and the connecting piece define: a first angular position, in which the radial lug (28) can translate through the orifice (40) along the main axis (20); and a second angular position, in which the radial lug (28) is blocked in translation along the main axis relative to the connecting piece (16, 116).

6. Vehicle equipment according to claim 5, wherein the contour (42) of the orifice (40) forms a notch (44), the first angular position being such that said notch (40) and the radial lug (28) of the rotation shaft (14, 114) are angularly aligned.

7. Vehicle equipment according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connecting piece (16, 116) comprises: a peripheral portion (46), made of a second metallic material; and a central portion (48), fixed to the peripheral portion and forming the contour (42) of the orifice (40), said central portion being made of a plastic material.

8. Vehicle equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flange (18, 118) intended to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle, the rotation shaft (14, 114) being able to pivot relative to said flange around the main axis.

9. Vehicle equipment (10) according to claim 8, wherein the rotation shaft (14) is disposed in an opening (70) of the flange (18), said flange being axially disposed between the first end surface (22) of the frame and the connecting piece (16).

10. Vehicle equipment (110) according to claim 8, wherein the connecting piece (116) is formed by an end (154) of the flange.

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