Frame for a seat in a motor vehicle, and associated vehicle seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frame for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat structure (5) and a back structure (8), wherein the back structure comprises at least one gusset plate (50) designed to secure the back structure to a rear part of the seat structure, the gusset plate comprising a first opening (53) at a rear edge thereof. According to the present invention, the gusset plate further comprises at least one second opening (54) adjacent to the first opening, the first opening and the second opening being elongated in substantially parallel first and second directions (A1 and A2), respectively.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to seat frames, and more particularly to seat frames for motor vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a seat frame for an automotive vehicle comprising a seat structure and a backrest structure, the backrest structure comprising at least one gusset plate designed to secure the backrest structure to a rear part of the seat structure, the gusset plate comprising a first opening on its rear edge side.

[0003] The invention is particularly applicable to motor vehicle seats having manual adjustment mechanisms.

[0004] The invention also relates to a seat comprising such a seat frame. [Background technology]

[0005] Automotive manufacturers are now developing and producing flexible seat frames designed to withstand high speed rear-end impacts (crash tests conducted to speeds of 50km / h and 90km / h) without breaking or fracturing.

[0006] In particular, from US Patent No. 10266087, a seat frame is known in which the backrest structure is provided with an elongated opening in the bottom rear portion, which opening allows rearward deformation of both vertical sides of the backrest structure in the event of a rear-end impact on the vehicle.

[0007] However, this type of seat frame is not flexible enough at low speeds (crash tests carried out for speeds of 16km / h and 24km / h) to absorb the energy transmitted by the impact without transferring it to the seat occupant, who may then experience recoil in his body with the risk of various injuries, particularly to the neck (i.e. "whiplash"). Summary of the Invention

[0008] The invention proposes to improve the seat frame so as to make it possible to absorb the energy transmitted by a low speed rear-end impact without transmitting it to the seat occupant.

[0009] More specifically, the present invention proposes a seat frame as specified in the introduction, in which the gusset plate further comprises at least one second opening adjacent to the first opening, said first opening and said second opening respectively having an elongated shape in substantially parallel first and second directions.

[0010] That is, the presence of two adjacent openings in the gusset plate, particularly due to their shape and arrangement, ensures a desired deformation of the seat frame during a rear-end impact, and the presence of a second opening weakens the structure of the seat frame more significantly in the event of such an impact, allowing the frame to deform under the effect of the energy transmitted by the impact, instead of undergoing elastic deformation (and retransmitting the energy transmitted by the impact to the seat occupant with the associated risk of injury).

[0011] This gusset structure according to the invention is further advantageous since it further enables a reliable and desirable deformation in the event of other types of impacts, still avoiding any risk of injury to the seat occupant.

[0012] Other advantageous and non-limiting features of the seat frame according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination, are: - the gusset plate is formed by a plate having at least one surface folded along a trailing edge, the folded surface forming an edge for the first opening and the second opening; - the folded surface has a flat configuration along an edge of the second opening and a curved configuration along an edge of the first opening; - the bent portion formed by the bent surface along the edge portion of the first opening has an angle (α) of 140 to 160 degrees, - the edge of the first opening extends over a length of 5 to 10 millimeters; - the second opening has a generally triangular shape; the first opening has a locally narrowed width at an end opposite the trailing edge, - the distance between the first opening and the second opening is between 6 and 10 millimeters; and The backrest structure comprises a second gusset plate having two openings, the openings of the gusset plate and the openings of the second gusset plate being symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry of both gusset plates.

[0013] The invention also proposes a vehicle seat comprising a seat frame as presented above and an upholstery attached to the frame.

[0014] Obviously, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, unless they are mutually inconsistent or exclusive.

[0015] The following description, with reference to the attached drawings given as non-limiting examples, provides a better understanding of what the invention consists of and how it can be put into practice. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a seat frame according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of region II in FIG. 1 showing a gusset plate provided on the seat frame in an undeformed state. [Diagram 3] 13 is another detailed view of the gusset plate provided on the seat frame in a deformed state. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an opening provided in a gusset plate of a seat frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a frame 1 of a seat designed to be placed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (car, coach, truck, etc.) and fixed to the floor of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In this case, it is to be assumed that the motor vehicle is a car with at least one driver's seat occupying a position towards the steering wheel and a passenger seat occupying a position alongside the driver's seat.

[0019] In this case, the two seats are substantially identical, so only the driver's seat will be described, which is assumed to be located on the left side of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0020] The seating described here takes the form of an armchair designed to seat only one person.

[0021] In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" are used with respect to the motor vehicle, and a front portion of an element means the portion of the element that is located on the bonnet side of the motor vehicle, and a rear portion means the portion of the element that is located on the opposite side.

[0022] The terms "lower" and "upper" are used interchangeably, with the lower portion of an element meaning the portion of the element that is located toward the floor of the motor vehicle, and the upper portion meaning the portion of the element that is located toward the roof of the motor vehicle.

[0023] The terms "right" and "left" are defined relative to the seat reference direction of the motor vehicle.

[0024] The adjective "longitudinal" applies to an object, direction, or axis oriented from the front to the rear of the motor vehicle and parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle when the steering wheel is in the neutral position. In Figure 1, the arrow with reference letter X indicates the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The seat frame 1 mainly comprises a support structure, a seat structure 5 and a back structure 8. That is to say, conventionally, a seat comprises a seat and a back, each with a seat structure 5 and a back structure 8, respectively, and an upholstery (not shown) applied to the seat frame 1. This upholstery takes the form, for example, of a sheet of upholstery stretched to the desired shape and covered by a cover. In this case, the seat frame 1 is made of metal.

[0026] In this case, the support structure is designed to be fixed to two cross members of the vehicle floor, which are shown here in the form of four bridging plates 2 arranged at the four corners of a rectangle.

[0027] 1 shows, the support structure comprises two runners 30 aligned with the longitudinal direction X and provided with fastening means (here by screwing) for fastening to the floor of the vehicle. The seat structure 5 further comprises rails 34, 35 engaging with the runners 30, thereby enabling the seat to slide longitudinally in the longitudinal direction X relative to the floor of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The seat structure 5 is mounted on the support structure, here using four link rods. As a variant, the seat structure can be mounted directly on the slide (without link rods), in which case vertical upward movement is not possible.

[0029] The seating structure 5 is designed to be fixed generally horizontally to the floor of a motor vehicle. The seating structure thus extends between a front end 10 and a rear end 12.

[0030] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat structure 5 notably comprises two lateral flanges 20 , 21 which are secured together by means of a rear tubular element 26 and a front cross member element 27 .

[0031] Each flange 20, 21 takes the form of a pressed metal wall, extending lengthwise in a longitudinal direction X and widthwise in a vertical direction Z. In practice, each flange 20, 21 comprises holes 40, 42 designed to receive fastening means making it possible, for example, to fasten the backrest structure 8 to the seat structure 5.

[0032] 1, the back structure 8 extends itself generally in a vertical direction Z between a lower end 16 and an upper end 18. The back structure includes two laterally extended sleeves, referred to as left flange 19A and right flange 19B, which are connected together at their respective ends by lower cross member 19C and upper cross member 19D elements.

[0033] In practice, this backrest structure 8 is hinged by its lower end 16 to the rear end 12 of the seat structure 5, thereby enabling the backrest structure to vary its inclination relative to the vertical direction Z. This inclination is adjusted, for example, by means of a manual mechanical mechanism (not described here).

[0034] The focus here is more particularly on the back structure 8 and even more specifically on the elements connecting the back structure 8 with the seat structure 5.

[0035] 1 to 3, the backrest structure 8 in this case comprises at least one gusset plate 50, 60 designed to fix the backrest structure 8 to the rear part of the seat structure 5. Here, the backrest structure comprises two gusset plates, a left gusset plate 50 and a right gusset plate 60, which make it possible to fix the left and right ends of the backrest structure 8 to the seat structure 5, respectively.

[0036] Each gusset plate 50, 60 takes the form of a drawn metal plate.

[0037] Each gusset plate 50, 60 forms an integral part of the backrest structure 8 by being mechanically welded to an articulation mechanism 17 of the backrest structure 8, the articulation mechanism 17 being pivotally mounted to the right and left flanges 19A, 19B thereby enabling the backrest to rotate.

[0038] The connection to the seat structure 5 is made at the lower portion of the gusset plates 50, 60, for example by screwing through holes 40, 42 in the flanges 20, 21 of the seat structure 5. Here, two screws are used to secure each gusset plate 50, 60 to the corresponding flanges 20, 21 of the seat structure 5.

[0039] As FIG. 1 shows, in this case the seat frame 1 comprises two gusset plates 50, 60, namely a left gusset plate 50 and a right gusset plate 60, which respectively enable the left and right ends of the backrest structure 8 to be fixed to the seat structure 5.

[0040] The two gusset plates 50, 60 are symmetrical in form and arrangement with respect to a plane of symmetry P (FIG. 1) passing through the centre of the cross member element. Henceforth, the features of only one gusset plate 50, 60 will be described hereinafter without distinguishing the gusset plates 50, 60 individually from each other (their unique arrangements can be derived by the symmetry with respect to the plane of symmetry P).

[0041] 1-3, the metal plate of each gusset plate 50, 60 includes a generally flat central portion 51A that, among other things, includes holes complementary to the holes 40, 42 in the flanges 20, 21 that enable the backrest structure 8 to be secured to the seat structure 5. The central portion 51A further includes a central opening 52 adapted to receive a tilt mechanism (not described herein) of the backrest structure 8.

[0042] 2 and 3 show in more detail, the metal plate forming the gusset plate 50, 60 here has a surface 51D at its rear edge 51C that is bent towards the inside of the seat frame 1. In this case, the metal plate also has another surface (not shown explicitly in the figures) at its front edge 51B that is bent towards the inside of the seat frame 1. Each gusset plate 50, 60 thus has an overall U-shape, with the central portion 51A corresponding to the bottom of the U and the bent surfaces at the front and rear edges corresponding to the arms of the U.

[0043] Here, each gusset plate 50, 60 comprises a first opening 53 at its rear edge 51C, which has an elongated shape in a first direction A1, which in this case is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X (Figures 2 and 4). In this description, two directions are considered to be substantially parallel when the relationship between the axes defining them is inclined at a small angle, for example less than 20 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees.

[0044] In the event of a rear-end impact on a motor vehicle at low speed (e.g. less than 30 km / h), this first opening 53 weakens the seat frame 1 in the event of a low-speed rear-end impact, which in turn causes the seat frame 1 to deform, thereby acting as an element that dissipates the energy received from the impact (rather than transmitting that energy to the seat occupant).

[0045] However, during such an impact, there is a significant risk that a seat frame provided with a gusset having only the first opening will absorb the energy transmitted by the impact without plastically deforming or breaking, and will return to its original position once the impact has passed, thereby transmitting the stored energy to the seat occupant (and exposing him to various injuries).

[0046] To inhibit this elastic deformation of the seat frame 1 and the transmission of energy imparted to the seat occupant during a rear-end impact, advantageously each gusset plate 50, 60 further comprises at least one second opening 54 adjacent the first opening 53 (Figures 1, 2 and 4).

[0047] The first opening 53 and the second opening 54 are considered adjacent if they are located edge-to-edge and the distance between the opposing edges of the first opening 53 and the second opening 54 is small compared to a characteristic dimension of the gusset (e.g., the length of the trailing edge 51C), i.e., the first opening 53 and the second opening 54 are located in close proximity to each other.

[0048] In practice, the spacing e between the first opening 53 and the second opening 54 is in this case 6 to 10 millimeters (mm), and this spacing e is defined as the spacing between adjacent edges (i.e., facing edges) of the first opening 53 and the second opening 54 (FIG. 2).

[0049] 2 and 4, this second opening 54 also has an elongated shape, in this case in a second direction A2, also substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X. This second direction A2 is substantially parallel to the first direction A1 which forms the elongated shape of the first opening 53.

[0050] Here, the first opening 53 and the second opening 54 extend over a length of 10 to 15 mm.

[0051] The first opening 53 and the second opening 54 reach the folded surface 51D of the rear edge 51C of the gusset plate 50, 60. In other words, the first and second openings 53, 54 are defined at their rear ends by the folded surface 51D of the rear edge 51C of the gusset plate 50, 60. That is, the folded surface 51D forms an edge for the first opening 53 and the second opening 54.

[0052] The portion of the folded surface 51D that forms the rear edge of the second opening 54 has a flat configuration.

[0053] On the other hand, the part of the folded surface 51D that forms the rear edge of the first opening 53 has a bent form. As Fig. 4 shows, this bent part has two arms that form an angle α with each other of, for example, 140 to 160 degrees (in the undeformed state). That is, the angle α corresponds to the deformation (in this case forward) of the part of the folded surface 51D that forms the first opening 53. The edge of the first opening 53 in this case extends over a length of 5 to 10 mm (i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction Z).

[0054] In practice, the part of the folded surface 51D which forms the rear edge of the first opening 53 takes the form of a folded tongue, the width of which in this case is, for example, between 3 and 5 mm.

[0055] Advantageously, this bent configuration allows the first opening 53 to deform in the event of a rear-end impact of a motor vehicle at low speeds.

[0056] The second opening 54 has an overall isosceles triangular shape in this case. The part of the folded surface 51D that forms the rear edge of the second opening 54 forms the base of this isosceles triangle. This part extends over a length of 5 to 10 mm in this case.

[0057] In fact, the part of the folded surface 51D which forms the rear edge of the second opening 54 takes the form of a flat tongue, the width of which is, for example, in this case between 3 and 6 mm.

[0058] As can be seen in figure 2, the first opening 53 is locally narrowed in width in a portion opposite the rear edge. More specifically, the front end 53A of the first opening 53 has a width H. In the longitudinal direction X, the width of the first opening 53 locally decreases from this width H until it reaches a minimum width h. The width of the first opening 53 then increases again towards the rear edge.

[0059] Advantageously, this local narrowing creates a buttonhole configuration at the front end 53A of the first opening 53, which in turn makes it possible to increase the vulnerability of the gusset in the event of a low speed rear-end impact, thereby deforming the seat frame 1 to dissipate energy stored by the seat frame 1 upon impact.

[0060] When a motor vehicle undergoes a low-speed rear-end impact (e.g., at a speed of about 16 and 24 km / h), the impact energy is transferred to the seat frame 1. This energy causes a deformation in the first opening 53, when the upper end of the first opening is folded toward the outside of the seat frame 1 as a result of the energy transferred by the impact (FIG. 3). The deformation of the first opening 53 is caused by the presence of a bending tongue at the edge 51D of the first opening 53.

[0061] Since the energy transmitted by a low-speed rear-end impact is insufficient to directly damage the second opening 54, it is therefore the weakness caused by the presence of the first opening 53 that allows the gusset to be damaged and subsequently the seat frame 1 to be weakened (so that the deformation of the seat frame occurs by dissipating the energy transmitted by the low-speed rear-end impact and does not directly impact the seat occupant). Furthermore, since the two gussets 50, 60 of the seat frame 1 are symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P, the deformation takes place simultaneously and substantially identically on both sides of the seat frame 1, thus limiting the phenomenon of twisting of the seat frame 1.

[0062] When a motor vehicle undergoes a high-speed rear-end impact (e.g. at a speed of about 50 and 90 km / h), the impact energy is transferred to the seat frame 1. By being bent, the two openings 53 and 54 make the gusset deform and completely fail, as shown in Fig. 3. The existence of the second opening 54 allows the left and right gussets to fail simultaneously, thereby suppressing the twisting phenomenon of the seat frame 1.

[0063] Since the two gusset plates 50, 60 of the seat frame 1 are symmetrical with respect to the symmetry plane P, the deformation occurs simultaneously and substantially identically on both sides of the seat frame 1. Therefore, the damage is not uneven between both sides of the seat frame 1.

[0064] The applicant has determined that the solution proposed by the present invention for low speed rear impact situations does not degrade the performance of the motor vehicle when other situations are encountered (e.g. in the case of high speed impacts).

[0065] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, and those skilled in the art can make any modifications to the embodiments that are compatible with the present invention.

Claims

1. A frame (1) for a seat of a motor vehicle, comprising a seat structure (5) and a backrest structure (8), the backrest structure (8) comprising at least one gusset plate (50, 60) designed to fix the backrest structure (8) to a rear part of the seat structure (5), the gusset plate (50, 60) comprising a first opening (53) on a rear edge (51C) side of the gusset plate, the gusset plate (50, 60) further comprising at least one second opening (54) adjacent to the first opening (53), the first opening (53) and the second opening (54) respectively having an elongated shape in a first direction (A1) and a second direction (A2) which are substantially parallel, the gusset plate (50, 60) is formed by a plate having at least one surface (51D) bent along the trailing edge (51C), the bent surface (51D) forming an edge for the first opening (53) and the second opening (54); A frame (1), characterized in that the folded surface (51D) has a flat form along the edge portion of the second opening (54) and a curved form along the edge portion of the first opening (53).

2. The seat frame (1) of claim 1, wherein the bend formed by the folded surface (51D) along the edge of the first opening (53) has an angle (α) of 140 to 160 degrees.

3. The seat frame (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the edge of the first opening (53) extends over a length of 5 to 10 millimeters.

4. The seat frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second opening (54) has a generally triangular shape.

5. 5. The seat frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first opening (53) is locally narrowed at its end opposite the rear edge.

6. The seat frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the distance (e) between the first opening (53) and the second opening (54) is between 6 and 10 millimeters.

7. 7. The seat frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the backrest structure (8) comprises a second gusset plate (60) having two openings, the openings of the gusset plate (50) and the openings of the second gusset plate (60) being arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry (P) of the gusset plates (50, 60).

8. A seat for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an upholstery applied to said seat frame (1).

Images