Seat longitudinal position measurement module

Abstract

The invention relates to a measurement module (10) suitable for measuring a longitudinal position of a vehicle seat (200), the measurement module (10) comprising: - a bar (20) intended to be attached to the fixed profile member (101), the bar (20) comprising a reading track (21) extending in a first direction (D1), - an induction sensor (30) mounted on the reading track (21) with the ability to slide in the first direction (D1), - a drive member (40) intended to be attached to the movable profile member (102), the drive member (40) being suitable for causing the sensor (30) to move by induction along the reading track (21) in the first direction (D1).

Description

Description Title: SEAT LONGITUDINAL POSITION MEASUREMENT MODULE technical field

[0001] This description relates to a measuring module adapted for measuring the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat, particularly a car seat. This description also relates to a seat slide comprising such a measuring module and a method for assembling such a slide. This description also relates to a vehicle seat comprising such a slide. Previous technique

[0002] It is common practice to mount a vehicle seat on rails to adjust its longitudinal position within the passenger compartment. A vehicle seat longitudinal position adjustment mechanism may be powered by an electric motor. Alternatively, a vehicle seat longitudinal position adjustment mechanism may not have an electric motor. In this case, the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat can be adjusted manually by the user by pulling or pushing the seat forward or backward in the vehicle.

[0003] A vehicle seat slide typically features a fixed profile and a movable profile, mounted to slide relative to the fixed profile along the longitudinal direction of the slide.

[0004] If the seat has a memory function, it may be desirable to know and store its longitudinal position to allow the seat to automatically return to that position. In other cases, for safety reasons, knowing the longitudinal position may also be necessary. For example, some vehicles are equipped with airbags whose deployment stroke varies during inflation to provide appropriate restraint for the occupant, and this requires knowing the seat's longitudinal position.

[0005] To this end, each seat slide can include a position sensor configured to determine the position of the moving profile relative to the fixed profile. However, the sensor used for this purpose is generally a Hall effect magnetic field sensor. This type of sensor requires the use of a magnet, which increases the sensor's cost. Furthermore, it does not allow for a precise measurement of the seat's longitudinal position. Finally, this type of sensor has the disadvantage of being sensitive to surrounding magnetic fields, which is problematic in a vehicle environment where numerous magnetic fields are present. One solution is to shield the sensor from surrounding magnetic fields, but this further increases the sensor's cost. Summary

[0006] A suitable measuring module is proposed for measuring the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one slide with a fixed profile and a movable profile, the movable profile being mounted to slide along the fixed profile in a longitudinal direction, the measuring module comprising: - a strip intended to be fixed to the fixed profile, the strip comprising a reading track extending in a first direction intended to coincide with the longitudinal direction, - an induction sensor mounted to slide along the reading track in the first direction, - a drive element intended to be fixed to the moving profile, the drive element being adapted to drive a movement of the sensor by induction along the reading track in the first direction.

[0007] The sensor may include an inductive transmission element arranged opposite, preferably at a distance from, the reading track in a second direction, the inductive transmission element being adapted to produce a magnetic field, for example alternating, which extends in a limited area and passes wholly or partially through the reading track.

[0008] The drive unit may include a front wall and a rear wall separated from each other in the first direction, the sensor being interposed in the first direction between the front wall and the rear wall.

[0009] The front wall and the rear wall may each include a boss, the sensor being clamped in the first direction between the boss of the front wall and the boss of the rear wall so as to cancel any play in the first direction between the sensor and each of the front and rear walls.

[0010] The drive unit may include a side wall extending in the first direction between the front wall and the rear wall, the side wall covering, preferably at a distance, all or part of the sensor 30.

[0011] The bar may include one or more fixing tabs, each adapted to be elastically fitted onto the fixed profile.

[0012] At least one of said one or more fixing lugs may include a lug intended to be inserted into a corresponding hole through the fixed profile.

[0013] The drive element may include a central wall through which the drive element is intended to be fixed to the moving profile.

[0014] The drive unit may have a U-shaped form.

[0015] The sensor and the read track can cooperate by complementary shape to allow the sensor to slide along the strip in the first direction.

[0016] The cooperation through complementary shapes between the sensor and the reading track can be of the dovetail type.

[0017] The measuring module may include a connector suitable for supplying power to the sensor, the connector preferably being fixed to the drive element.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a tooling adapted for injection molding of the bar is proposed, in particular of the support and the fixing tabs.

[0019] In another design, a vehicle seat slide is proposed, comprising a fixed profile and a movable profile. The movable profile is mounted to slide along the fixed profile in a longitudinal direction. The slide also includes the measuring module as described above. The bar can be fixed to the fixed profile with its first direction coinciding with the longitudinal direction, and the drive element is fixed to the movable profile.

[0020] According to another aspect, a method for assembling the slide as described above is proposed, the method comprising: - the supply of the fixed profile and the sliding movable profile mounted on the fixed profile along a longitudinal direction, - the supply of the measurement module, - fixing the bar onto the fixed profile by aligning the first direction with the longitudinal direction, - the fixing of the drive element on the moving profile so that a longitudinal displacement of the drive element causes a longitudinal displacement of the sensor.

[0021] According to another aspect, a vehicle seat is proposed comprising a seat and one or more slides such as the slide described above, the seat comprising a seat frame fixed to the movable profile of the slide. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a measurement module according to the present description.

[0024] Figure 2 is another partial schematic perspective view of the measurement module of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a sensor and readout track of the measurement module of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a bar of the measuring module of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the measuring module of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 6 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the measuring module of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle slide including the measuring module of Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective and partially exploded view of the slide in Figure 7.

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective and cross-sectional view of a vehicle slide comprising the measuring module of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment.

[0032] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle slide comprising the measuring module of Figure 1 according to another embodiment.

[0033] Figure 11 is a schematic front view of the variant of Figure 10 which represents a backlash suppression system between the sensor and a drive element.

[0034] Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat including a slide as shown in Figures 7 to 11. Description of the implementation methods

[0035] Firstly, with reference to figures 1 to 6, a measurement module adapted for measuring the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat is described, which includes at least one slide comprising a fixed profile and a movable profile, the movable profile being mounted to slide on the fixed profile in a longitudinal direction.

[0036] As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the measuring module 10 includes a bar 20 intended to be fixed to the fixed profile 101, the bar 20 comprising a reading track 21 extending along a first direction D1 intended to coincide with the longitudinal direction X. The bar 20 can extend along the first direction A1.

[0037] The measuring module 10 also includes an inductive sensor 30 mounted to slide along the reading track 21 in the first direction D1. More specifically, the sensor 30 can be mounted to slide freely along the strip.

[0038] The measuring module also includes a drive element 40 intended to be fixed to the movable profile 102, the drive element 40 being adapted to drive a movement of the sensor 30 by induction along the reading track 21 in the first direction D1. The drive element 40 can in particular be adapted to move the sensor 30 along the strip by a pushing action.

[0039] Such a module is advantageously compatible with a vehicle seat 200 whose longitudinal position adjustment, via the slide 100, is motorized or manual.

[0040] The inductive sensor 30 is magnet-free. This makes the measuring module 10 more economical and lighter. Furthermore, the measuring module 10 is less sensitive, or even insensitive, to surrounding magnetic fields.

[0041] The sensor 30 can emit a unique signal associated with each of its positions along the readout track 21 in the first direction D1. The measurement of the position of the sensor 30 along the readout track 21 in the first direction D1 can therefore be instantaneous and unique, and does not require measurement of a reference position. In this sense, the measuring module 10 enables absolute position measurement. Finally, such a measuring module 10 allows for a more precise measurement of the position of the sensor 30 along the readout track 21.

[0042] It is understood that the drive element 40 is adapted to drive a movement of the sensor 30 in one direction and in the other of the longitudinal direction X.

[0043] With reference to Figure 3, the sensor 30 may include an inductive transmission element 31 arranged opposite, preferably at a distance from, the reading track 21 along a second direction D2. The second direction D2 may be perpendicular to the first direction D1. A third direction D3 may also be defined, preferably perpendicular to the first direction D1 and / or the second direction D2. The inductive transmission element 31 may be adapted to produce a magnetic field, for example, alternating, which extends over a limited area and passes completely or partially through the reading track 21. For this purpose, the inductive transmission element 31 may include a winding, i.e., a coil, carrying an alternating current. The measuring module 10 thus enables non-contact measurement of the position of the sensor 30 along the reading track 21, thereby eliminating defects and wear resulting from mechanical friction.

[0044] Also visible in Figure 3, the read track 21 may include a plurality of metallic targets 23 distributed along the first direction D1. More specifically, the read track 21 may include a support 22 extending along the first direction D1 and on / in which the plurality of metallic targets 23 are fixed. The plurality of metallic targets 23 may comprise a plurality of series of metallic targets 23, the metallic targets 23 of each series being aligned one after the other along the first direction D1. The metallic targets 23 of one series among the plurality of series may have characteristics, for example dimensional, different from the metallic targets 23 of another series among the plurality of series.

[0045] During movement along the first direction D1, the sensor 30 can be adapted to detect voltage and / or phase changes induced in the magnetic field by the metallic targets 23. In this sense, the unique signal emitted by the sensor 30 and associated with the position of the sensor 30 can be determined based on the voltage and / or phase changes induced in the magnetic field by the metallic targets 23.

[0046] The drive element 40 may comprise a front wall 42 and a rear wall 43 separated from each other along the first direction D1, with the sensor 30 interposed along the first direction D1 between the front wall 42 and the rear wall 43. Thus, a displacement of the drive element 40 in either direction of the first direction D1 results in a corresponding displacement of the sensor 30, that is, in the same direction as the first direction D1. The drive element is particularly visible in Figures 7 to 11, described in more detail later. The front wall 42 and / or the rear wall 43 may each comprise a boss 45 against which the sensor 30 bears.The sensor 30 can be tightened along the first direction D1 between the boss 45 of the front wall 42 and the boss 45 of the rear wall 43, so as to eliminate play along the first direction D1 between the sensor 30 and the front wall 42 and to eliminate play along the first direction D1 between the sensor 30 and the rear wall 43. This ensures a more precise measurement of the position of the sensor 30 along the first direction D1.

[0047] The drive member 40 may also include a central wall 41 by which the drive member 40 is intended to be fixed to the movable profile 102. The drive member 40 may have a U-shape.

[0048] The drive element 40 may include a side wall 44 extending along the first direction D1 between the front wall 42 and the rear wall 43. The side wall 44 may cover, preferably at a distance, all or part of the sensor 30. This provides better protection for the sensor 30. The sensor 30 may be arranged between the reading track 21 and the side wall 44 along the second direction D2. The sensor 30 may be arranged between the central wall 41 and the side wall 44 along the third direction D3.

[0049] The bar 20, visible in isolation in figure 4, may include one or more fixing tabs 24, each adapted to be elastically fitted onto the fixed profile 101.

[0050] In other words, each fixing bracket 24 can be adapted to be clipped onto the fixed profile 101. Thus, the bar 20 can be adapted to be fixed to the fixed profile 101 by elastic interlocking, i.e. by clipping.

[0051] At least one of said one or more fixing lugs 24 may include a lug 25 intended to be inserted into a corresponding hole through the fixed profile 101.

[0052] Each mounting tab 24 can extend from one side of the strip 20, opposite to the position of the sensor 30 relative to the read track 21, and preferably along the second direction D2. Each mounting tab 24 can have a shape adapted to partially surround the fixed profile 101 so as to prevent the strip 20 from translating relative to the fixed profile 101 along the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3.

[0053] The one or more fixing lugs 24 may comprise a first row of fixing lugs 24 and a second row of fixing lugs 24 arranged respectively on either side of the bar 20 along the third direction D3. In other words, the first row of fixing lugs 24 and the second row of fixing lugs 24 may be opposite along the third direction D3.

[0054] The strip 20 can be a single piece. In other words, the read track 21 and the mounting tabs 24 can be a single unit. More specifically, the bracket 22 and the mounting tabs 24 can be a single unit. The strip 20 can be manufactured by plastic injection molding. In particular, the bracket 22 and the mounting tabs 24 can be manufactured by plastic injection molding.

[0055] According to another aspect of the invention, tooling is proposed that is adapted for injection molding the bar 20, in particular the support 22 and the mounting tabs 24. The tooling may comprise a first mold adapted for manufacturing the support 22 and a second mold adapted for manufacturing the mounting tabs 24. The first and second molds may be attached to one another. In this sense, the first and second molds may be structurally distinct. Thus, the first mold may be a generic mold and the second mold may be a mold specific to the slide 100 to which the measuring module 10 is intended to be attached. The support 22 and the mounting tabs 24 may be molded simultaneously or successively.

[0056] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the sensor 30 and the reading track 21 can cooperate by complementary shape to allow the sensor 30 to slide along the strip 20 in the first direction D1.

[0057] In other words, the sensor 30 and the reading track 21 may include complementary shape features adapted to allow the sensor 30 to slide along the bar 20 in the first direction D1. The sensor 30 may have a single degree of freedom in translation along the first direction D1 relative to the reading track. The complementary shape interaction between the sensor 30 and the reading track may have a sliding joint function 100 in the first direction D1.

[0058] The cooperation between the sensor 30 and the reading track, based on complementary shapes, can be of the dovetail type. The sensor 30 may include a dovetail groove 32. The reading track may include a dovetail shape inserted into the groove 32 of the sensor 30.

[0059] The measuring module 10 may include a connector 50 suitable for supplying power to the sensor 30. The connector 50 can be fixed to the drive element 40.

[0060] The connector 50 can in particular be fixed to the central wall 41 of the drive element 40. The measuring module 10 can include a power supply cable 51 between the connector 50 and the sensor 30. The cable 51 can have a length adapted to allow a positioning tolerance of the sensor 30 relative to the connector 50 along at least one direction perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0061] With reference to figures 7 to 11, a vehicle seat slide 100 200 is described, comprising a fixed profile 101 and a movable profile 102. The movable profile 102 is mounted to slide on the fixed profile 101 in a longitudinal direction X.

[0062] In the description that follows, when referring to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "inferior", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of the seat 200 in its normal position of use.

[0063] In the following, the longitudinal direction X refers to the longitudinal direction X of seat 200. The longitudinal direction X of seat 200 is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle in which seat 200 is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction X is preferably horizontal. The transverse direction Y is the transverse direction Y of seat 200. The transverse direction Y of seat 200 thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction Y of the motor vehicle. This transverse direction Y is perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The transverse direction Y is preferably horizontal. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction Z of seat 200, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions X.

[0064] The slide 100 further includes the measuring module 10 as described above. The bar 20 is fixed to the fixed profile 101 with the first direction D1 coinciding with the longitudinal direction X, and the drive element 40 is fixed to the movable profile 102.

[0065] The second direction D2 can coincide with the transverse direction Y. The third direction D3 can coincide with the vertical direction Z. In an alternative embodiment, the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 can each include a component along the transverse direction Y and along the vertical direction Z.

[0066] The movable profile 102 can be moved relative to the profile forwards and / or backwards along the longitudinal direction X. The movement of the movable profile 102 along the longitudinal direction X causes the movement of the drive element 40, and consequently that of the sensor 30. Measuring the position of the sensor 30 on the reading track 21 along the first direction D1 allows the longitudinal position of the movable profile 102, and therefore of the seat 200, to be deduced, since the sensor 30 is fixed to the movable profile 102 in translation along the longitudinal direction X.

[0067] The movable profile 102 and the fixed profile 101 can each extend along the longitudinal direction X. The movable profile 102 can be moved longitudinally along the fixed profile 101 manually or by means of a drive, in particular a motorized one.

[0068] The drive element 40 can be fixed to the movable profile 102 by any suitable means of fixing, for example by riveting, by bolting, or by welding.

[0069] The bar 20 can be fixed to the fixed profile 101 by elastic interlocking, in particular to lock the bar 20 in translation relative to the fixed profile 101 along the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3.

[0070] The lug 25 of said at least one of said one or more fixing tabs 24 can be inserted into the corresponding hole of the fixed profile 101 in order to lock the bar 20 in translation relative to the fixed profile 101 in the first direction D1.

[0071] The sensor 30 can cooperate in a floating manner with the drive element 40 along the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3. It is understood here that the sensor 30 is not constrained by the drive element 40 with respect to the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3. Thus, the sensor 30 can be arranged relative to the drive element 40 within a range of relative positioning along the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3 while maintaining the drive of the sensor 30 along the first direction D1 by the drive element 40. Such an arrangement allows the measuring module 10 to be adapted to a positioning dispersion of the moving profile 102 relative to the fixed profile 101 along the transverse direction Y and / or the vertical direction Z. Such a positioning dispersion may result from manufacturing tolerances.

[0072] The slide 100 may include a locking mechanism adapted to block the movable profile 102 in translation relative to the fixed profile 101 in the longitudinal direction X. The locking mechanism may be adapted to block the movable profile 102 in translation by relation to the fixed profile 101 in the longitudinal direction X according to an adjustment step, i.e. in predetermined positions of the slide 100 (slide 100 of the "step lock" type) or whatever the longitudinal position of the movable profile 102, i.e. without adjustment step (slide 100 of the "instant lock" or "stepless" type).

[0073] In another respect, a method for assembling slide 100, as described above, is proposed. The method may include: - the supply of the fixed profile 101 and the movable profile 102 mounted to slide on the fixed profile 101 along a longitudinal direction X, - the supply of measurement module 10, - fixing the bar 20 onto the fixed profile 101 by aligning the first direction D1 with the longitudinal direction X, - the fixing of the drive element 40 on the mobile profile 102 so that a longitudinal displacement of the drive element 40 causes a longitudinal displacement of the sensor 30.

[0074] The fixing of the bar 20 may include the elastic fitting of the bar 20 onto the fixed profile 101, in particular by means of said one or more fixing tabs 24. The fixing of the bar 20 may include the insertion of the lug 25 of said at least one of said one or more fixing tabs 24 into the corresponding hole of the fixed profile 101.

[0075] The fixing of the drive member 40 may include positioning the drive member 40 to longitudinally interpose the sensor 30 between the front wall 42 and the rear wall 43 of the drive member 40.

[0076] With reference to Figure 12, a vehicle seat 200 is described, comprising a seat 201 and one or more slides 100 such as the slide described above. The seat 201 may include a seat frame 201 attached to the movable profile 102 of the slide 100. The seat 201 may be supported by said one or more slides 100. Said one or more slides 100 may comprise at least two slides 100 spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the seat 200 can include a seat 201, one or more first slides 100 such as the slide 100 described above and one or more second slides 100 comprising a fixed profile 101 and a movable profile 102, the movable profile 102 being mounted to slide on the fixed profile 101 in a longitudinal direction X. In other words, said one or more second slides 100 can be without a measuring module 10.

[0078] The seat 200 can include a backrest 202. The backrest 202 can be mounted pivoting relative to the seat 201, around a transverse axis.

Claims

Demands

1. A measuring module (10) adapted for measuring the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat (200) comprising at least one slide (100) having a fixed profile (101) and a movable profile (102), the movable profile (102) being mounted to slide on the fixed profile (101) in a longitudinal direction (X), the measuring module (10) comprising: - a strip (20) intended to be fixed to the fixed profile (101), the strip (20) comprising a reading track (21) extending along a first direction (D1) intended to coincide with the longitudinal direction (X), - an induction sensor (30) mounted sliding on the reading track (21) in the first direction (D1), - a drive member (40) intended to be fixed to the movable profile (102), the drive member (40) being adapted to drive a movement of the sensor (30) by induction along the reading track (21) in the first direction (D1).

2. Measurement module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sensor (30) comprises an inductive transmission element (31) arranged opposite, preferably at a distance, the reading track (21) in a second direction (D2), the inductive transmission element (31) being adapted to produce a magnetic field, for example alternating, which extends in a limited area and passes wholly or partially through the reading track (21).

3. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (40) comprises a front wall (42) and a rear wall (43) separated from each other along the first direction (D1), the sensor (30) being interposed along the first direction (D1) between the front wall (42) and the rear wall (43).

4. Measuring module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the front wall (42) and the rear wall (43) each comprise a boss (45), the sensor (30) being clamped in the first direction between the boss (45) of the front wall (42) and the boss (45) of the rear wall (43) so as to cancel a play in the first direction (D1) between the sensor (30) and each of the front wall (42) and the rear wall (43).

5. Measuring module (10) according to claim 3 or 4, in the drive member (40) comprises a side wall (44) extending along the first direction (D1) between the front wall (42) and the rear wall (43), the side wall (44) covering, preferably remotely, in whole or in part the sensor 30.

6. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bar (20) includes one or more fixing tabs (24) each adapted to be elastically fitted onto the fixed profile (101).

7. Measuring module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of said one or more fixing lugs (24) comprises a lug (25) intended to be inserted into a corresponding hole through the fixed profile (101).

8. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (40) comprises a central wall (41) by which the drive member (40) is intended to be fixed to the movable profile (102).

9. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (40) has a U-shaped form.

10. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (30) and the reading track (21) cooperate by complementary shape to allow the sensor (30) to slide along the strip (20) in the first direction (D1).

11. Measuring module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cooperation by form complementarity between the sensor (30) and the reading track is of the dovetail type.

12. Measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring module (10) includes a connector (50) adapted to supply power to the sensor (30), the connector (50) preferably being fixed to the drive member (40).

13. Vehicle seat (200) slide (100) comprising a fixed profile (101) and a movable profile (102), the movable profile (102) being mounted to slide on the fixed profile (101) in a longitudinal direction (X), the slide (100) further comprising the measuring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bar (20) is fixed to the fixed profile (101) with the first direction (D1) coinciding with the longitudinal direction (X) and the drive member (40) is fixed to the movable profile (102).

14. According to another aspect, a method for assembling the slide (100) according to claim 13 is proposed, the method comprising: - the supply of the fixed profile (101) and the movable profile (102) mounted to slide on the fixed profile (101) in a longitudinal direction (X), - the supply of the measurement module (10), - fixing the bar (20) onto the fixed profile (101) by aligning the first direction (D1) with the longitudinal direction (X), - the fixing of the drive element (40) on the movable profile (102) so that a longitudinal displacement of the drive element (40) causes a longitudinal displacement of the sensor (30).

15. Vehicle seat (200) comprising a seat (201) and one or more slides (100) according to claim 13, the seat (201) comprising a seat frame (201) fixed to the movable profile (102) of the slide (100).

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