Seat slide neutralization device

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat slide locking device (100) comprising a fixed rail (41), a movable rail (42), means for locking the movable rail relative to the fixed rail, and an unlocking means adapted to release the movable rail relative to the fixed rail. According to the invention, the locking device is separate from the locking and unlocking means and includes first means for attaching it (110) to the fixed rail and second means for attaching it (120) to the movable rail. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Device for neutralizing a seat slide. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the habitability of motor vehicles.

[0002] It relates more specifically to a neutralization device adapted to be installed in a motor vehicle seat rail, which comprises: - a fixed rail equipped with means of fixing to a floor (for example, of a motor vehicle), - a movable rail mounted to slide within the fixed rail, - means of locking the moving rail relative to the fixed rail, and - a means of unlocking suitable for releasing the mobility of the moving rail relative to the fixed rail.

[0003] In practice, the neutralization device is designed to neutralize the mobility of the moving rail relative to the fixed rail, so as to render the unlocking means inoperative.

[0004] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in motor vehicle seats. State of the art

[0005] In the automotive field, the front seats are generally mounted on the floor so that they can be moved forward or backward, according to the user's preference.

[0006] Such a seat has for this purpose two slides placed under the seat, each of them comprising a fixed rail (fixed to the floor) and a movable rail (fixed under the seat and mounted to slide in the fixed rail).

[0007] Locking means such as notches are then provided to prevent the relative sliding of these rails. In addition, an unlocking means such as a lever is arranged so that the seat user can, by manually operating it, deactivate the locking means and thus free the sliding movement of the rails to adjust the position of their seat.

[0008] The passenger or driver of a vehicle can thus position themselves more or less close to the dashboard of that vehicle, in order, for example, to have more room to stretch their legs.

[0009] But it turns out that South Korean legislation requires, when the passenger seat is without an airbag, the use of a longitudinally fixed seat (which therefore cannot slide forward or backward in the vehicle).

[0010] The solution therefore consists of providing seats with a floor fixing system without slides.

[0011] It is therefore necessary today to systematically provide, at the cost of doubling the references and therefore to the detriment of manufacturing and storage costs, seats of two different types. Presentation of the invention

[0012] In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the prior art, the present invention proposes a simple component enabling the sliding mobility of the slides to be neutralized and thus allowing the use of a seat equipped with slides where legislation requires seats to have a fixed longitudinal position.

[0013] More particularly, the invention proposes a neutralization device which is distinct from the means of locking and unlocking the seat and which includes first means of fixing to the fixed rail and second means of fixing to the moving rail.

[0014] By fixing the fixed rail to the moving rail in this way, the neutralizing device makes it easy to block the sliding mobility of the slide.

[0015] Since it is distinct from the seat locking means which take up the forces in the event of an accident, this neutralization device does not have to be dimensioned to take up such forces.

[0016] Such a neutralization device then presents a reduced cost. This cost is further reduced if the device can be manufactured as a single piece, for example by molding a plastic material.

[0017] It can be mounted after the vehicle has been assembled, when the seat is already fixed to the vehicle floor. In this way, it does not obstruct the vehicle assembly operations, which may require the seat to be moved back completely and then forward completely, particularly to allow access for tools used to screw the fixed rail to the floor.

[0018] This neutralization device can also be easily destroyed when the sliding mobility of the slide needs to be released, for example when vehicle maintenance operations require moving the seat or when the vehicle is resold in a country where legislation allows adjustment of the longitudinal position of the seat.

[0019] The position of this neutralizing device is such that it is barely visible. Thus, the user will not be able to easily detect its presence and will not be required to remove it in countries where such removal would be prohibited.

[0020] It should be noted here that this neutralization device will provide a solution to the aforementioned problem related to South Korean legislation, but it may also be Used to address other issues. Typically, in some commercial vehicles, the passenger seat backrest needs to be able to fold flat so that it extends into the trunk floor, making it easier to load bulky items. This folding mechanism is tricky because it first requires finding a suitable longitudinal position for the seat in which the backrest can fold (specifically, one where the headrest won't hit the dashboard). This locking device will therefore allow the seat to be locked longitudinally in this position, if the user wants to facilitate this folding, even if it means foregoing the passenger seat's longitudinal adjustment.

[0021] Other advantageous and non-limiting features of the neutralization device according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows: - It is provided with means of release adapted to allow the first means of fixing to be fixed in only one position on the fixed rail; - the first means of fastening include first means of snapping; - the fixed rail has a base and two wings which border the base and whose edges are turned towards each other and towards the base and each have a series of notches; - the first means of fixing include two edges adapted to rest on the wings of the fixed rail and the first means of snapping are adapted to clip onto the notches; - the first snap-on means include at least two snap-on tabs adapted to clip respectively into notches on the two wings; - the first snap-on means have six snap-on tabs; - the second means of fastening include second means of snapping; - the mobile rail comprises a front wall and two wings which border the front wall and whose edges are turned in opposite directions; - the second means of snapping are adapted to engage between the wings of the mobile rail and to clip into openings provided opposite each other in the two wings; - the neutralization device comprises a body which carries the first means of fixing, the second means of fixing, and at least one elastically deformable tab which rests against a bottom of the fixed rail.

[0022] The invention also proposes a seat comprising: - a file, - a seat, - two slides, each comprising a fixed rail equipped with means for fixing to the floor of a motor vehicle, a movable rail mounted to slide within the fixed rail, means for locking the movable rail relative to the fixed rail, and an unlocking means adapted to release the mobility of the movable rail relative to the fixed rail, - at least one neutralization device as above, the first means of fixing of which are fixed to the fixed rail and the second means of fixing of which are fixed to the moving rail.

[0023] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The following description with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0025] On the attached drawings:

[0026] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of a seat equipped with a device neutralization in accordance with the invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of part of the seat frame of the [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a rear end of a slide of the seat of the [Fig.1], on which the neutralization device appears;

[0029] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of [Fig.3];

[0030] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view along plane BB of [Fig.3];

[0031] [Fig.6] is a detail view of area III of [Fig.3], shown at an angle different.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a seat designed to be installed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (car, bus, truck, boat, airplane, etc.) and to be fixed to the floor of that motor vehicle. Here, it will be considered a car.

[0033] In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used in relation to the motor vehicle, the front part of an element designating the part of that element which is located on the side of the hood of the vehicle and the rear part designating the part of that element which is located on the opposite side.

[0034] The terms "lower" (or "bottom") and "upper" (or "top") shall be used in the same way, the lower part of an element designating the part of that element which is located on the floor side of the vehicle and the upper part designating the part of that element which is located on the roof side of the vehicle.

[0035] The adjective "longitudinal" shall apply to a direction or axis or plane oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle when the steering wheel is in the neutral position.

[0036] The adjective "transverse" shall apply to a direction or axis or plane oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axes.

[0037] As shown in [Fig.1], the seat 1 classically comprises a seat 10 and a backrest 20 surmounted by a headrest 30.

[0038] The seat 10 and the backrest 20 each comprise a frame (for example metal), a padding (for example foam) attached to the frame, and a cover (or "cap") slipped over the padding.

[0039] As shown in [Fig. 2], the frame 11 of the seat 10 is designed to be mounted movably in translation on the floor 2 of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, it is mounted on two identical longitudinal slides 40, only one of which will be described below.

[0040] The frame 11 of the seat 10 could be fixedly mounted on the slides 40. However, here it is mounted vertically by means of four connecting rods. Two connecting rods are thus articulated, on one side, on each slide 40, and, on the other, on the frame 11. The frame 11 thus benefits from a rotational translational mobility, thanks to the parallelograms formed by the four connecting rods.

[0041] Each slide 40 comprises an upper movable rail 42 coupled to the frame 11 of the seat 10 (here via connecting rods), and a lower fixed rail 41 which is mounted to slide relative to the movable rail 42 and which is equipped with fastening means 490 for attaching to the vehicle floor. As shown in [Fig. 5], the fastening means 490 are in the form of screws engaged through openings provided in the fixed rail 41 and adapted to screw into the vehicle floor.

[0042] The two slides 40 are located in parallel and therefore offer the seat 10 a longitudinal sliding mobility, in translation.

[0043] As can be seen in [Fig. 4], the fixed rail 10 is profiled and has a generally U-shaped cross-section. It thus has a flat bottom wall 410 bordered by two flanges 411. The upper edges of these flanges 411 are folded towards each other to form two side rails 412 and then downwards to form two returns 413. These returns 413 are notched. They have a plurality of notches 415 recessed into the lower edge of the returns 413, which are regularly distributed along the fixed rail 4L

[0044] It can be seen in [Fig. 6] that the movable rail 42 is also profiled and has a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section. It thus has an upper front wall 420 which is flat and bordered by two wings 421. The lower edges of these wings (not visible in the figures) are folded upwards in opposite directions to form two returns.

[0045] To facilitate the sliding of the movable rail 42 in the fixed rail 41, bearings (for example balls) are provided which are interposed between these two rails.

[0046] The sliding mobility of the movable rail 42 on the fixed rail 41 thus allows the seat 10 of the seat 1 to be moved forward and backward at will relative to the floor of the vehicle.

[0047] In practice, this mobility must always be blocked, except when the seat user wishes to adjust the position of their seat 1.

[0048] For this purpose, this seat is equipped with locking means not visible in the figures.

[0049] These locking means could take different forms.

[0050] They may typically include a lock mounted on the movable rail 42 such that it can move between an activated position in which it cooperates with certain notches 415 of the fixed rail 41 to lock the sliding of the fixed rail 41 relative to the movable rail 42, and a deactivated position in which it releases this sliding. These locking means further include an elastic return mechanism for the lock in the activated position, ensuring that the slide remains locked except when the lock is actuated.

[0051] To operate it, a manual unlocking means is provided. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this is a "lever 43". This lever 43 is in the form of a U-shaped folded rod, with a crossbar accessible to the user (under their seat, at the front thereof), and two arms engaged between the wings 421 of the movable rails 42 of the two slides 40. Each arm is articulated on the corresponding movable rail 42 such that, when the crossbar of the lever 43 is pulled upwards by the occupant of the seat 1, the ends of the arms lower and actuate the lock, which releases the sliding of the movable rails 42 in the fixed rails 41.

[0052] The invention then proposes a system to prevent the movable rail 42 from sliding relative to the fixed rail 41, even if the user attempted to operate the rocker arm 43.

[0053] To ensure this task, a neutralization device 100 is more specifically provided which cooperates not with the lock or the rocker arm 43, but rather with the rails 41, 42 themselves in order to block them against each other so as to neutralize the rocker arm.

[0054] A neutralization device 100 could be provided for each slide 40, or a single neutralization device 100 for both slides 40. In this event, this neutralization device 100 would then be placed in the slide 40 located on the side of the access door to seat 1, in order to facilitate its placement by the operator.

[0055] The neutralization device 100 is illustrated in figures 3 to 6, once installed in the slide 40.

[0056] It comprises a body 101, first means of fixing 110 to the fixed rail 41 and second means of fixing 120 to the mobile rail 42.

[0057] In practice, as shown in [Fig. 3], the body 101 has a cradle shape with a rectangular bottom wall 102 bordered on two opposite sides by two longitudinal side walls 103 that rise upwards, parallel to each other. Of course, alternatively, it could have a different shape.

[0058] Here, the opposite faces of its two side walls 103 are separated from each other by a distance equal, within play, to the distance separating the two returns 413 of the fixed rail 41. Thus the body 101 can be installed effortlessly between the returns 413 of the fixed rail 41.

[0059] Preferably, the first fixing means 110, which are used to securely fix the body 101 to the fixed rail 41, comprise, on the one hand, two rims 111 adapted to rest on the top of the sidewalks 412 of the fixed rail 41, and, on the other hand, first snap-on means 112 adapted to snap into the notches 415 of the fixed rail 41, to lock the two rims 111 in contact with the sidewalks 412.

[0060] More specifically, the upper edges of the side walls 103 of the body 101 are folded at right angles in opposite directions to form the two aforementioned rims 111. These rims 11 are thus provided to rest on the top of the fixed rail 41, so as to keep the bottom wall 102 of the body 101 away from the bottom 140 of the fixed rail 41.

[0061] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first snap-on means 112 comprise at least two snap-on tabs 112A, 112B adapted to snap respectively into some of the notches 415 of the two wings 411 of the fixed rail 41.

[0062] In practice, exactly six identical snap-on tabs 112A, 112B are provided, adapted to clip respectively into six notches 415 (three notches in each wing 411).

[0063] These snap-on tabs 112A, 112B are all identical. They are designed so that once clipped into the notches 415, they cannot be removed. Their number is chosen so that a single person cannot remove the neutralizing device 100 from the fixed rail 41 without breaking it.

[0064] Each snap-on lug 112A, 112B has a tab 113 which extends from the edge of the bottom wall 102 of the body 101 upwards into a notch provided for this purpose in the corresponding side wall 103 of the body 101.

[0065] This tab 113 has on its outer face a lug 114 designed to engage in one of the notches 415 of the fixed rail 41.

[0066] As clearly shown in [Fig. 4], this lug 114 has an inclined outer face. This inclination forces the tab 113 to flex inwards towards the body 101 when the neutralizing device 100 is placed on the fixed rail 41 and the lug 114 comes to rest against the fixed rail 41.

[0067] The lug 114 further has an upper edge designed to hook onto the upper edge of one of the notches 415 and which, for this purpose, has an identical shape, in negative. The normal to the contact area between the notch 415 and the lug 114 extends vertically. Consequently, if a tensile force is exerted vertically on the body 101, upwards, this force will not allow the lugs 114 to come out of the notches 415.

[0068] Since the notches 415 are regularly spaced along the wings 411 of the fixed rails 41, it could be envisaged that the neutralizing device 100 could be fixed in several positions on the fixed rail 41. However, in order to comply with any standards, it is preferable to equip the neutralizing device 100 with breaking means 130 ensuring that the first fixing means 110 can only be fixed in a single position on the fixed rail 41.

[0069] Here, these error-proofing means 130 take advantage of the presence of a metal partition (not visible in the figures) located at the end of the fixed rail 41, a short distance from the wings 411 of this fixed rail.

[0070] As shown in [Fig. 3], the keying means 130 are located at one end of the body 101. They comprise two plates, each extending between the outer face of one of the side walls 103 of the body 101 and the underside of the corresponding rim 111, in a transverse plane. These plates are designed to engage between the ends of the wings of the movable rail 41 and the metal partition. It is therefore understood that, by virtue of these plates, the locking device 100 can only be installed in a specific position on the fixed rail 41.

[0071] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second fastening means 120, which are used to fix the movable rail 42 to the neutralizing device 100 when the latter has been fixed to the fixed rail 41, are here in the form of second snap-on means 122.

[0072] Unlike the first locking means which are not removable without tools, these second locking means 122 are designed to be removable, so that an operator wishing to remove the seat 1 can release the sliding mobility of the movable rails 42 before unscrewing the fixed rails 41 from the floor of the vehicle.

[0073] As clearly shown in [Fig.6], these second snap-on means then comprise exactly two snap-on tabs 122.

[0074] These two snap-on tabs 122 each have a tongue 123 that extends upwards from the bottom wall 102 of the body 101 and is bent at a right angle forward. These two tabs 123 are spaced apart so that they can engage between the wings 421 of the movable rail 42. At their free ends, on their opposite faces, they have lugs 124 adapted to clip into openings 423 provided opposite each other in the two wings 421 of the movable rail 42.

[0075] Here, these openings 423 are made near the rear end of the movable rail 42, in the parts of the wings 421 that extend parallel to each other. They have square shapes but could of course have different shapes.

[0076] The lugs 124 here have an inclined external face so as to force the tabs 123 to bend towards each other when the movable rail 42 is brought back towards the neutralizing device 100 and its inclined faces come to rest against the end of the movable rail 42.

[0077] The lugs 124, on the other hand, have rear edges adapted to grip the rear edges of the openings 423. The rear edges of both lugs are coplanar, like the rear edges of the openings 423. They all extend in transverse planes. Consequently, if a tensile force is exerted longitudinally and forward on the movable rail 42, this force will not cause the lugs 124 to be pulled out of the openings 423.

[0078] Due to their positioning, these openings 423 are accessible to an operator who could pinch the two tabs 124 together through them with two fingers to unclip the movable rail 42. This would allow the rail to regain its mobility, for example, during vehicle maintenance. However, as soon as the movable rail is pulled back, it will automatically clip onto the locking device 100, which will again lock the slides 40.

[0079] The openings 423 are positioned so that one of the lugs 124 is visible after the seat is placed in its final position in order to guarantee to the assembler that the seat is in its regulatory position.

[0080] To prevent the neutralizing device 100 from vibrating in the fixed rail 41, the body 101 carries at least one elastically deformable tab 109.

[0081] As shown in [Fig. 5], it here comprises exactly two elastically deformable tabs which are cut out of its bottom wall 102, which extend longitudinally and are curved downwards so as to bear against the bottom 410 of the fixed rail 4L

[0082] They extend more precisely into notches provided at both ends of the bottom wall 102 of the body 101 and each have a free edge turned away from the center of this bottom wall 102.

[0083] Their curvatures and lengths are such that in order to clip the neutralizing device 100 to the notches 415 of the fixed rail 41, it is necessary to elastically deform these elastically deformable tabs.

[0084] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, but a person skilled in the art will be able to make any variation therein in accordance with the invention. Typically, the snap-on means could be replaced by screw-on means.

Claims

Demands

1. A neutralization device (100) for a motor vehicle seat slide (40), said slide (40) comprising a fixed rail (41) equipped with means for fixing (490) to a floor of a motor vehicle, a movable rail (42) mounted to slide in the fixed rail (41), means for locking the movable rail (42) relative to the fixed rail (41), and an unlocking means (43) adapted to release the mobility of the movable rail (42) relative to the fixed rail (41), characterized in that the neutralization device (100) is separate from the locking and unlocking means, and comprises first means for fixing (110) to the fixed rail (41) and second means for fixing (120) to the movable rail (42).

2. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein there are provided release means (130) adapted to allow the first fixing means (110) to be fixed in only one position on the fixed rail (41).

3. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening means (110) comprise first snap-on means (112).

4. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the fixed rail (41) has a base (410) and two wings (411) which border the base (410) and whose edges are turned back towards each other and towards the base (410) and each has a series of notches (415), the first fastening means (110) have two rims (111) adapted to rest on the wings (411) of the fixed rail (41) and the first snap-on means (112) are adapted to clip onto the notches (415).

5. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first snap-on means (112) comprise at least two snap-on tabs (112A, 112B) adapted to snap respectively into notches (415) of the two wings (411).

6. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the first snap-on means (112) comprise six snap-on tabs (112A, 112B).

7. Neutralizing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second fastening means (120) comprise second snap-on means (122).

8. Neutralizing device (100) according to claim 7, wherein, the movable rail (42) comprising a front wall (420) and two wings (421) which border the front wall (420) and whose edges are turned in opposite directions, the second snap-on means (122) are adapted to engage between the wings (421) of the movable rail (42) and to clip into openings (423) provided opposite each other in the two wings (421).

9. Neutralizing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a body (101) which carries the first fastening means (110), the second fastening means (120), and at least one elastically deformable tab (109) which rests against a bottom (410) of the fixed rail (41).

10. Seat (1) comprising a backrest (20), a seat (10) and two slides (40) each comprising a fixed rail (41) equipped with means for fixing (490) to a floor of a motor vehicle, a movable rail (42) mounted to slide in the fixed rail (41), means for locking the movable rail (42) relative to the fixed rail (41), and an unlocking means (43) adapted to release the mobility of the movable rail (42) relative to the fixed rail (41), characterized in that it comprises a neutralization device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the first means of fixing (110) being fixed to the fixed rail (41) and the second means of fixing (120) being fixed to the movable rail (42).

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