Tiltable seat frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat frame comprising: a seat back frame; a seat base frame; and means for assembling the seat back frame on the seat base frame. According to the invention, these assembly means comprise, on either side of the seat frame, two fastening systems, a first of which (32) is suitable for forming a hinge, while the other fastening system (33) comprises a screw (330) which, in its fully tightened state, prevents rotation of the seat back frame relative to the seat base frame around the hinge and is fusible.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of seats.

[0002] The present invention more particularly relates to - a seat back frame; - a seat base frame; - A means for assembling the seat back frame with the seat base frame, the means for assembling the seat back frame comprising two fastening systems such as bolts on both sides of the seat frame; The present invention relates to a seat frame comprising:

[0003] The invention also relates to a seat comprising such a frame and to a vehicle comprising such a seat. [Background technology]

[0004] Currently, driver seats installed in motor vehicles allow the driver to adjust their driving position. Passenger seats in these vehicles may also be equipped with means to allow passengers to adjust their position.

[0005] These seats are of two types: manual and power type seats.

[0006] Typically, known seats comprise a seat base frame and a seat back frame articulated to one another by two "gusset plates" located on either side of the seat. Each gusset plate is a metal piece fastened to the seat base frame and has an opening that allows the seat back to articulate so that it can tilt forward or backward.

[0007] These frames are designed to prevent excessive deformation in the event of an accident.

[0008] However, in the event of a collision, the vehicle chassis or seat frame may deform anyway, making it difficult to free the occupant from the vehicle.

[0009] In this case, the solution currently adopted consists of cutting the pillars of the vehicle in order to remove the roof and allow easier access to the victim.

[0010] Unfortunately, this solution requires the use of powerful cutting tools that emergency responders must be equipped with, and even if such tools were available, the procedure would be lengthy and time-consuming, with potentially serious consequences for the victim. Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is in this context that the applicant sought a new solution to facilitate the release of the victim.

[0012] One idea is to tilt the seat back horizontally backwards, so that the victim can be carried out through the luggage compartment.

[0013] To achieve this purpose, the aforementioned tilting mobility of the seat back relative to the seat base can be utilized.

[0014] However, whether the seat is manual or powered, the tilting mobility of the seat back may be impeded by deformation of the seat frame or chassis of the vehicle, or by a power outage.

[0015] Therefore, this solution is not satisfactory.

[0016] The present invention therefore proposes that the seat back can be tilted using means other than this articulation.

[0017] More particularly, the invention proposes a seat frame as defined in the introduction, on both sides of which a first system for fastening the seat back frame to the seat base frame is suitable for forming a hinge, while another system comprises a screw which, in its fully tightened state, prevents rotation of the seat back frame relative to the seat base frame about said hinge and is "fusible" (i.e. suitable for allowing the seat back frame to tilt relative to the seat base frame about said hinge without having to completely unscrew it). In particular, a screw is described as fusible by partially unscrewing it or destroying it (for example by removing the screw head by explosion without unscrewing it).

[0018] Preferably, gusset plates are provided on both sides of the seat and fastened to the seat base frame (or to the seat back frame, respectively) to form an articulation for the seat back frame (or to the seat base frame, respectively).The present invention then proposes to use means for fastening these gusset plates to the seat base frame (or to the seat back frame, respectively) so that the seat back can be tilted backward in an emergency.

[0019] The present invention therefore allows for the release of some of the fastening points between the gusset plate and the seat base frame (or each of the seat back frames) so that the seat back can tilt rearward. It will be appreciated that if the gusset plate is fastened to the seat base frame by two bolts, by removing the front bolt, the other bolt can be used as a hinge to tilt the gusset plate and, consequently, the seat back.

[0020] Allowing this tilt without completely removing the screws used makes it easier to work to free the victim. If the fastening screws had to be completely removed, a lot of space would be needed on either side of the seat, especially, but not necessarily, when the vehicle chassis has become distorted.

[0021] It should be noted that the present solution of placing a kind of "fusible" element in the fastening between the gusset plates and the seat base frame (or seat back frame) is counterintuitive, since the aim has always been to fasten these gusset plates particularly rigidly to the seat base frame (or seat back frame), thereby preventing the seat back from tilting backward in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0022] Further advantageous, non-limiting features of the seat frame according to the invention, which may be taken individually or in any technically possible combination, are: The assembly means comprises a gusset plate, which is fastened to the seat base frame or the seat back frame, respectively, by said fastening system and is articulated on the seat back frame or the seat base frame, respectively, so as to tilt about a geometric axis different from the geometric rotation axis of said hinge. The gusset plate and the seat base frame (or the seat back frame, respectively) each have a first opening for the passage of the first fastening system and a second opening for the passage of said screw. The second opening made in the gusset plate or the second opening made in the seat base frame (or the seat back frame, respectively) has an edge whose contour opens outwardly by a passage whose width is greater than the diameter of at least a portion of the screw. - the screw has a body, a head, and a shoulder located between the head and the body, the shoulder having a diameter between the maximum diameter of the head and the width of the passage, excluding the end point. - said screw comprises a fusible element (which allows the head of the screw to be automatically separated from the body); - the first fastening system comprises another screw having a head diameter strictly smaller than the diameter of the head of the said screw; - The seat base frame is located in front of the seat back frame, and the first fastening system is located behind the screws.

[0023] The present invention also proposes a seat as described above, the seat base frame and the seat back frame of which are upholstered.

[0024] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising a chassis, body structural elements defining a passenger compartment, and a seat as described above fastened to the passenger compartment.

[0025] It will be understood that the various features, variations and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various combinations, unless they are inconsistent or mutually exclusive.

[0026] The following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, will clearly show the constitution of the invention and how it can be carried out. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a seat for a motor vehicle according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the frame of the seat of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3A-3C are schematic side views of a portion of the frame of the seat of FIG. 2, the frame being shown in two different positions; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA in FIG. 3 of a portion of the frame of the seat shown in said two different positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Motor vehicles (cars, buses, trucks, boats, airplanes, etc.) generally include a chassis and body structural elements that define a passenger compartment.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a seat 1 intended to be installed in the passenger compartment of such a motor vehicle and intended to be fastened to the floor of this motor vehicle.

[0030] In the remainder of this specification, the terms "forward" and "rearward" are used with respect to a motor vehicle, where the forward portion of an element means the portion of that element that is disposed toward the hood of the vehicle, and the rearward portion means the portion of that element that is disposed toward the opposite end.

[0031] The terms "lower" (or "bottom") and "upper" (or "top") are used interchangeably, with the lower portion of an element referring to the portion of the element that is positioned toward the floor of the vehicle, and the upper portion referring to the portion of the element that is positioned toward the roof of the vehicle.

[0032] The adjective "longitudinal" refers to a direction or axis directed 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.

[0033] The adjective "lateral" refers to a direction or axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and oriented horizontally when the vehicle is on a level road.

[0034] The adjectives "inner" or "outer" are used with respect to sheet 1, e.g., an outer surface faces outward from the sheet, while an inner surface faces toward the geometric center of the sheet.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a seat 1 conventionally comprises a seat base 20A, a seat back 10A, and a headrest 30A, each of which comprises a frame and an interior lining attached to the frame.

[0036] The frame of the seat is therefore made in particular of these three frames, each of which is formed, for example, from metal parts fastened together.

[0037] Here, as partially shown in Figure 2, the seat back frame 10 and the seat base frame 20 are considered to each comprise two metal side walls 11, 21 rigidly connected to each other by metal connecting elements. The two side walls 11, 21 of each frame extend in parallel vertical planes. Of course, in a variant, these frames may be different and may, for example, be in the form of shells made of plastic material.

[0038] The seat base frame can be rigidly fastened to the floor of the vehicle, but is instead typically intended to be mounted so that it can translate onto the floor. To this end, as shown in Figure 1, the seat base frame includes two longitudinal sliders 40A formed respectively by a movable rail fastened to the seat base frame 10A and a fixed rail fastened to the floor on which the movable rail slides.

[0039] The seat back frame 10A may be rigidly fastened to the seat base frame 20A so that the seat back tilt is not adjustable, but instead is typically intended to be tiltably mounted on the seat base frame.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the zones providing the connection between the side walls 11, 21 of these two frames. It should be noted here that the connection is provided identically on both sides of the seat, and therefore only one of the connection parts shown in Figure 2 and the following figures will be described below.

[0041] Here, this connection is first provided by an assembly means 30 comprising a metal wall called a gusset plate 31, which here is made by stamping a sheet metal part.

[0042] This gusset plate 31 is designed to connect the seat back frame 10 to the seat base frame 20, more specifically to connect one of the side walls 11 of the seat back frame 10 to one of the side walls 21 of the seat base frame 20.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the gusset plate 31 is rigidly fastened to the seat base frame 20, and the seat back frame 10 is mounted on the gusset plate 31 so as to be tiltable about the main axis A2. Naturally, the reverse is also conceivable.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the gusset plate 31 is disposed on the outer side of the seat base frame 20 and the seat back frame 10, but as a variant, the gusset plate 31 may be disposed on the inner side.

[0045] The gusset plate 31 is generally triangular with rounded apexes and has three openings located near the apexes, two of which are lower than the third opening.

[0046] A third opening 313 (FIG. 3), located at the highest point of the gusset plate 31, is designed to allow the seat back to tilt about the main axis A2. To this end, the opening 313 receives an articulation pin 13 mounted on the seat back frame 10, as shown in FIG. 2. The mounting is such that the seat back can tilt freely relative to the seat base. However, locking means are provided to prevent this mobility. These locking means can, of course, be deactivated when the occupant wants to adjust the tilt of the seat back, for example by means of a lever. This mounting is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in more detail here.

[0047] The first openings 311 (FIG. 3) located at the bottom and rear of the gusset plate 31 are preferably circular and face corresponding first openings (not shown) in the side walls 21 of the seat base frame 20. These first openings 311 preferably have similar shapes and dimensions.

[0048] The assembly means 30 then comprise a first fastening system 32, here in the form of a bolt comprising a screw 320 and a nut (not shown) engaged through these two first openings 311. Here, the head of the screw 320 is located on the outside of the seat. The head of the screw 320 therefore bears against the outer surface of the gusset plate 31. The nut bears against the inner surface of the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. Preferably, this nut is fastened to the side wall 21, for example by welding. As a variant, the head of the screw could bear against the inner surface of the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20 and the nut could bear against the outer surface of the gusset plate 31.

[0049] In any case, this bolt holds the gusset plate 31 in pressure contact with the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. This bolt is typically a bolt with a diameter of M8. The threads of the screw may be coated with a thread locking adhesive. The tightening torque used is preferably such that, when the gusset plate 31 is fastened to the seat base frame 20 by this bolt alone (on both sides of the seat), it is possible to manually force the seat back to tilt backward about the axis of this bolt, hereinafter referred to as safety axis A1. This bolt can therefore function as a hinge.

[0050] Second openings 312 (FIG. 3) located at the bottom and front of the gusset plate 31 face corresponding second openings provided in the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. The assembly means 30 then comprises a second fastening system 33, here in the form of a bolt comprising a so-called safety screw 330 and a bolt 339 (FIG. 4). The safety screw 330 is engaged through the two second openings. The safety screw 330 is very preferably oriented so that its head 331 is located on the outside of the seat, thereby making it very accessible. This head 331 then presses against the outer surface of the gusset plate 31, while the nut 339 presses against the inner surface of the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. This nut is preferably fastened to the side wall 21, for example by welding.

[0051] This bolt holds the gusset plate 31 against the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. This bolt may typically be a bolt having a diameter of M10.

[0052] The second opening 312 and / or the safety screw 330 may be - in the tightened state, the safety screw 330 prevents the gusset plate 31 from rotating about the safety axis A1 relative to the seat base frame 20; A safety screw 330 is arranged so that this rotation can be released without having to completely unscrew it.

[0053] In the first embodiment shown, the combined shape of the second opening 312 and the safety screw 330 provides this function.

[0054] In fact, here it is the second opening 312 made in the plate 31 that has a particular shape, since the nut 339 is fastened to the side wall 21 of the seat base frame 20. Naturally, if the nut had been fastened to the plate, it would have been the second opening made in the side wall 21 that had this particular shape.

[0055] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the second opening 312 in the plate 31 has an edge that is contoured to open onto the edge of the gusset plate 31. In other words, the second opening 312 forms a concave notch in the edge of the gusset plate 31.

[0056] This second opening 312 has an arcuate end and a straight portion opening outward to connect the end of the opening with the outside of the gusset plate 31. This straight portion defines a passageway having a constant width L1. Alternatively, this passageway can have a variable width, in which case the width L1 would correspond to the smallest gap between the two edges of the straight portion of the opening.

[0057] The arcuate end of this second opening 312 may extend over an angular sector that is less than strictly 180 degrees, but in this case, it will be appreciated that in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, forces applied to the seat back 10A will tend to tilt the seat back frame 10 and gusset plate 31 rearward about the safety axis A1 and disengage the second opening 312 from the safety screw 330.

[0058] To avoid this, preferably the arcuate end of the second opening 312 extends over an angular sector strictly greater than 180 degrees, here approximately 270 degrees.

[0059] The two parallel edges of the straight portion of the second opening 312 extend along an axis that is orthogonal to the axis passing through the centers of the first and second openings within a few degrees of each other, so that when the gusset plate 31 pivots forward about the safety axis A1, the second opening 312 can latch onto the safety screw 330.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the safety screw 330 comprises a head 331 and a threaded body 332 connected by an intermediate section forming a shoulder 333 .

[0061] The head 331 has a circular bearing portion 331B here, and a recess 331A on the outer surface for driving the screw. Here, the recess is male. Therefore, the recess extends protruding from the bearing portion, which makes it easier to use.

[0062] The bearing portion 331B has a diameter greater than the diameter of the arcuate end of the second opening 312. The bearing portion 331B can therefore rest on the rim of this opening.

[0063] The shoulder 333 is intended to be located at the arcuate end of the second opening 312. Thus, here the shoulder 333 has a circular shape with a diameter equal to the diameter of the arcuate end of the second opening 312 within assembly tolerances. The shoulder 333 emerges from the inner surface of the bearing portion 331B of the head of the safety screw 330.

[0064] Finally, a threaded body 332 extends from the inner surface of this shoulder, parallel to the safety axis A1, and has a diameter smaller than the width L1 of the passage provided by the second opening 312. Here, only a portion of its length is threaded.

[0065] 3 (in solid lines) and shown on the left side of FIG. 4, safety screw 330, by its shape, holds gusset plate 31 in place when threaded into the nut. Its shoulder 333 is received within the arcuate end of second opening 312, so that the gusset plate cannot pivot about safety axis A1.

[0066] Conversely, as shown (in dashed lines) in Figure 3 and on the right side of Figure 4, when the body 332 of the safety screw 330 is unscrewed over a portion of its entire length, here a length equal to the thickness of the gusset plate 31, the shoulder 333 moves completely out of the arcuate end of the second opening 312, releasing the pivotal movement of the gusset plate 31 about the safety axis A1.

[0067] Thus, in the event of an accident, if emergency personnel wish to remove an occupant from the seat through the vehicle's trunk, they can remove the safety screw 330 over a small portion of its length and then tilt the seat back 10A about the safety axis A1. The assembly means 30 described above then allows the seat back to be tilted horizontally rearward (optionally, removing the vehicle's rear seats). Note that while the mobility of the seat back about the main axis A2 allows the seat back to be tilted rearward, this mobility may be rendered unavailable by damage caused to the vehicle during an accident, and is not designed to allow the seat back to be tilted over a full range to a horizontal position. Furthermore, the location of the safety axis A1 below the main axis A2 ensures that the seat back can be tilted to a more optimal position for removing the victim.

[0068] The present invention is in no way limited to the illustrated embodiments, and those skilled in the art will be able to add any variants according to the present invention.

[0069] Typically, the second opening (312) and the fastening screw (330) can have shapes different from those shown in the figures. As an example, the end of the second opening can be non-circular (typically hexagonal).

[0070] In another variation, the bolt engaged in the first opening (311) of the gusset plate can be replaced with a shoulder pin with a retaining ring.

[0071] In a second embodiment, the second opening (312) made in the gusset plate and the corresponding opening made in the side wall of the seat base frame can have a closed contour, for example a circular contour. In this second embodiment, the safety screw has a fusible element (e.g., using a pyrotechnic charge) that can remove the screw head from the threaded body to release the rotational mobility of the gusset plate about the safety axis (A1). The fusible element is preferably manually controllable by emergency services, for example, via an external power source. Explosive screws can be used, such as those used on fighter jets to separate the canopy from the rest of the fuselage in the event of a pilot's emergency ejection.

[0072] In a third embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a seat where the seat back does not have a means for adjusting its inclination. In this embodiment, the seat back frame is fastened directly to the seat back frame without using a gusset plate. This fastening can be achieved using two fastening screws on each side of the seat, which are engaged through openings in the two frames. As in the illustrated embodiment, one of these openings can be a notch with an arcuate end and an outward-facing passage whose width is smaller than the diameter of the end.

[0073] In a fourth embodiment, which is very similar to the illustrated embodiment, the gusset plate can be located inside the side wall of the seat base frame. The orientation of the safety screw is then reversed relative to the illustrated embodiment, with its head located inside the seat. This embodiment is preferred over the illustrated embodiment for the following reasons: Seats are traditionally designed to withstand lateral compression in the event of a side collision with the vehicle in order to maintain a survival space for the occupant. This survival space is achieved, in particular, by using a rigid tube connecting the two side walls of the seat base frame. Consequently, by locating the screw head inside the seat, access to the screw head is ensured even if the chassis is deformed.

Claims

1. a seat back frame (10), a seat base frame (20), - means (30) for assembling said seat back frame (10) on said seat base frame (20), said means comprising two fastening systems (32, 33) such as bolts on either side of the seat frame; A seat frame comprising: On both sides of the seat frame, a first fastening system (32) of the fastening systems is suitable for forming a hinge, while the other fastening system (33) comprises a screw (330) which, in a fully tightened state, is suitable for preventing rotation of the seat back frame (10) relative to the seat base frame (20) about the hinge and for allowing the seat back frame (10) to tilt relative to the seat base frame (20) about the hinge without the need to fully unscrew it.

2. 2. The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the assembly means (30) comprises a gusset plate (31), which is fastened to the seat base frame (20) or the seat back frame (10) by the fastening system (32, 33) and is articulated on the seat back frame (10) or the seat base frame (20), respectively, so as to tilt about a geometric axis (A2) different from the geometric rotation axis (A1) of the hinge.

3. 3. The seat frame of claim 2, wherein each of the gusset plate (31) and the seat base frame (20) or the seat back frame (10) has a first opening for the first fastening system (32) to pass through and a second opening (312) for the screw (330) to pass through.

4. 4. The seat frame according to claim 3, wherein the second opening (312) formed in the gusset plate (31) or the second opening formed in the seat base frame (20) or the seat back frame (10) each has an edge, and the contour of the edge opens outwardly by a passage having a width (L1) greater than the diameter of at least a portion of the screw (330).

5. 5. The seat frame of claim 4, wherein the screw (330) has a body (332), a head (331), and a shoulder (333) located between the head (331) and the body (332), the shoulder (333) having a diameter between the maximum diameter of the head (331) and the width (L1) of the passage, excluding an end point.

6. The seat frame of claim 3 , wherein the screw comprises a fusible component.

7. 7. The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening system (32) comprises another screw having a head diameter strictly smaller than the diameter of the head (331) of the screw (330).

8. 8. The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat base frame (20) is disposed in front of the seat back frame (10), and the first fastening system (32) is located behind the screw (330).

9. A seat (1) comprising a frame according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seat base frame (20) and the seat back frame (10) are upholstered.

10. A motor vehicle comprising a chassis and a body structural element defining a passenger compartment, characterized in that it further comprises a seat (1) according to claim 9 fastened to said passenger compartment.

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