FR2845649A1 - Folding seat for motor vehicle has forward-tilting base and back that lifts and moves forward in upright position on parallel levers - Google Patents

Abstract

The seat, hinged to the floor (4) of a motor vehicle so it can be moved between normal and stowed positions, consists of a base (2) that can be tilted forward on front hinges (19) so it assumes a near vertical position behind a seat in front, and a back (3) that lifts and moves forward in an upright position on pairs of levers (12, 13) pivoted to the lower end of the back and a floor support (17). The pivot points (Y1 - Y4) of the levers lie at the four corners of a parallelogram, with the levers forming the opposite sides. The levers are connected to the seat back by L-shaped plates (9) with a locking mechanism.

Description

Motor vehicle seat The present invention relates to seats

of

motor vehicles.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a seat intended to be articulated on a motor vehicle body, and movable in a tilting direction, between a position of use and a storage position, this seat comprising: - a seat extending, in the use position, substantially horizontally between a front end and a rear end, - a backrest extending, in the use position and in the storage position, substantially vertically between an upper end, remote from the seat, and a low end, close to the rear end of the seat, - a pair of connecting rods in which each connecting rod has a first end hinged on the backrest, near its low end, respectively around a 20 first and second separate axes, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction. Document DE 199 58 676 Cl describes an example of such a seat. In this seat of the prior art, the first end of each connecting rod is articulated on the backrest, while their second end is pivotally connected to the seat. In this type of seat, the seat is fixed

on the vehicle floor.

  This type of seat of the prior art limits the possibilities of loading bulky objects, in the

  measure that the seat remains protruding on the floor.

  An object of the present invention is in particular to

overcome this drawback.

  To this end, according to the invention, a seat of the kind in

  question is characterized by the fact that each connecting rod further comprises a second end adapted to mount the connecting rods in a pivoting manner, on the body, around 5 respectively a third and a fourth distinct axes, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction tilting and the fact that the seat is foldable from the substantially horizontal position from the position of use to a substantially vertical position in the storage position.

  Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to fold the seat forward and advance the backrest behind the folded seat, thereby gaining storage volume. In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is also possible to have recourse to one and / or the other of the following arrangements: the first, second, third and fourth axes are each located substantially at the 'one of the 20 vertices of a parallelogram, two opposite sides of which are materialized by the two connecting rods; the seat comprises a bracket comprising a first and a second branch extending, when the seat is in the use position, respectively substantially horizontally and vertically, and perpendicular to the first and second axes, the first ends of each connecting rod being mounted pivoting along the first branch, and the second branch being fixed on the backrest near its lower end; - the bracket includes a key pivoting between a locking position and an unlocking position, adapted to secure the seat to the backrest in the locking position and to separate the seat from the backrest in the unlocking position; the bracket has fixing means suitable for removably fixing the file on the body and 5 which cooperate with the key to release the file from the box, when the key pivots from its locked position to its unlocked position; the seat has an articulation adapted to control the rotation of the backrest with respect to the bracket, around a sixth substantially horizontal axis and perpendicular to the tilting direction, between a substantially vertical upright position, when the seat is in position of use, and a substantially horizontal folded position; the seat is fixed near its front end, on the body, by means of a link pivotally mounted on the body, around a sixth axis, and on the seat, around a seventh axis; the seat and the back are adapted to pivot, relative to the body, independently of one another; and the seat comprises elastic return means adapted to exert on the connecting rods a return force tending to make them pivot, respectively around the third and fourth axes, from a position which they occupy in the position of use of the seat, to a position corresponding to the storage position of this seat. Other aspects, aims and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the description of one of its 30 embodiments.

  The invention will also be better understood using the drawings, in which: - Figures J to 7 schematically represent, seen from the side, an embodiment of the seat according to the invention, Figure 1 corresponding to its position of use, Figures 2 to 5 corresponding to intermediate positions, Figure 6 corresponding to its storage position and Figure 5 corresponding to a folded position for loading long objects; - Figures 8 to 10 schematically show means for locking and unlocking the tilting of the seat shown in Figures 1 to 7, Figure 8 10 corresponding to a locked configuration of these locking means, Figure 9 corresponding to a partially unlocked configuration of these locking means and FIG. 10 corresponding to a completely unlocked configuration of these locking means; and - Figure 11 shows schematically, according to a

  view similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 7, a variant of the embodiment illustrated by these FIGS. 1 to 7, the seat according to the invention being shown, without trim, in the position of use.

  In the different figures, the same references

  denote identical or similar elements.

  For example, an embodiment of the seat

  according to the present invention is described in detail below.

  According to this embodiment shown in the

  Figures 1 to 10, the seat 1 according to the invention is a rear seat, located behind a front seat 100. It comprises a seat 2 and a backrest 3. This seat 1 is mounted on a body 4 of a motor vehicle.

  In connection with FIGS. 1 to 7, the seat 1 is articulated on the body 4 so as to be able to pass, by a movement in a tilting direction X, between a position of use (FIG. 1) and a storage position ( Figure 6) or a position to further increase the loading capacity of the vehicle on which the seat is mounted according to the invention, for example to load long loads (Figure 7). As shown in FIG. 1, in the position of use, the seat 2 extends substantially horizontally between a front end 5 and a rear end 6. Still in the position of use, the backrest 3 10 extends substantially vertically between a high end 7, distant from the seat 2, and a low end 8, close

seat 2.

  The seat 1 is provided on each side, relative to

  the tilting direction X, of a flange 9.

  Each flange 9 has the shape of a shaped plate

  square with two branches 10 and 11.

  A first branch 10 extends, when the seat is in the use position, substantially horizontally and parallel to the tilting direction X. A second branch 11 extends, when the seat is in

  position of use, substantially vertically.

  A first 12 and a second 13 connecting rods are pivotally mounted on the flange 9. The first 12 and second 13 connecting rods respectively consist of a flattened bar, straight and extending between a first

and a second end.

  A first end 14 of the first connecting rod 12 is fixed to the flange 9, at the level of the central part of the bracket, situated substantially between the first 10 and second 11 branches. This first end 14 is pivotally mounted around a first axis Yl substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. A first end 15 of the second connecting rod 13 is fixed to the flange 9, at the free end of the first branch 10. This first end 15 is pivotally mounted around a second axis Y2 which is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction

X.

  A second end 16 of the first connecting rod 12 is pivotally mounted on the body 4, by means of a support 17, around a third axis Y3 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction 10 X. A second end 18 of the second connecting rod 13 is also pivotally mounted on the body 4, via the same support 17, around a fourth axis Y4 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X.

  The support 17 is rigidly fixed to the body 4.

  The first Yl, second Y2, third Y3 and fourth Y4 axes are distinct from each other. They are arranged so that the two connecting rods 12, 13 of each pair of connecting rods do not cross. The first Yl, second Y2, third Y3 and fourth Y4 axes are respectively substantially located at the top of a parallelogram, two of the opposite sides of which are

  materialized by the first 12 and second 13 connecting rods.

  The backrest 3 is pivotally mounted between the two second branches 11 of the flanges 9, around a fifth substantially horizontal axis and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. The rotation of the backrest 3 around this fifth axis Y5 is controlled by at least a joint (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 10), between a substantially vertical upright position, when the seat 1 is in the use position, and a position

folded down substantially horizontal.

  The seat 2 is pivotally mounted on the support 17

  by means of links 19. Each link 19 is pivotally mounted on the support 17 around a sixth axis Y6 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. Each link 19 is also pivotally mounted on the seat 2 around a seventh axis Y7, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. Each link 19 has a stop 20 intended to limit its rotation, around the seventh axis Y7 (clockwise 10 in the figures ).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the seat 1 comprises locking means 21. These locking means 21 essentially comprise a key 22 and

a cam 23.

  The key 22 includes an operating branch 24, a

  control branch 25 and a locking branch 26.

  These branches 24, 25, 26 extend substantially radially to 1200 from each other from an eighth axis Y8 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. The operating branch 24 comprises, at its free end, a handle 27 extending on the key 22 in a substantially horizontal direction and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. This handle 27 is adapted to be moved in a first slot 28 formed in the flange 9. This first slot 28 s extends in an arc centered on the eighth axis Y8. Each of the longitudinal ends of this first slot 28 limits the stroke of the handle 27 and thus defines the locking (Figure 8) and unlocking (Figure 10) positions.

key 22.

  The control branch 25 comprises, near its free end, a rod 29 extending longitudinally substantially horizontally and

  perpendicular to the tilting direction X, between the two keys 22 located on either side of the seat 1. The displacement of the rod 29 is guided by a second slot 5 30 extending in an arc centered on the eighth Y8 axis. The longitudinal ends of this second slot 30 are adapted so that the rod 29 is in abutment against these ends when the handle 27 is itself in abutment on the longitudinal ends of the first slot 10 28.

  The rod 29 is also adapted to cooperate with fixing means 31 adapted to fix so

  removable backrest 3 on box 4.

  The locking branch 26 has a notch 32 intended to cooperate with a pin 33 integral

  of the seat 2. The locking branch 26 also includes, near its free end, a stop 34, projecting from the key 22, extending substantially horizontally perpendicular to the tilt axis X 20 and intended to cooperate with cam 23.

  The cam 23 essentially consists of an arm

  articulated around a ninth axis Y9 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction X. The arm 35 comprises a ramp 36 intended to cooperate with the pin 33.

  When a user wishes to move the seat 1 from its position of use (FIG. 1) to its storage position (FIG. 6) or to its position allowing the loading of long objects (FIG. 7), he actuates the handle 30 27 by moving it upwards and forwards (i.e. in the tilting direction) so as to rotate it around the eighth axis Y8 in the opposite direction

watch hands.

  As shown in FIG. 9, by this operation, it releases the pin 33 from the notch 32 and brings

  the stop 34 to cooperate with the ramp 36.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the handle 27 comes to a stop, in the unlocked position, in the first slot E28, - the ramp 36 has pushed the pin 33 forward, and

  - the rod 29 has raised the hook 37.

  The fixing means 31 advantageously consist of a set of latches as described in documents FR-A-2 735 174, FR-A-2 793 199 or FR-A-2 798 628. These locking means comprise a bolt 37 secured to a hook 38. The hook 38 is movable between a locked position (Figure 8) and an unlocked position (Figure 10). In the unlocked position, the hook 38 actuates the bolt 37 so as to release it from a

  anchoring hole 39 made in the body 4.

  When the seat 2 is released from the back 3, as shown in FIG. 10, the use can on the one hand lift the back 3 with respect to the body 4, as shown in FIG. 2, and on the other hand , tilt the seat around the sixth Y6 and seventh Y7 axes, as

shown in figure 3.

  As is clear from FIGS. 2 to 25 6, the movement of the backrest 3, from the position of use to its storage position, is effected by pivoting around the first 12 and second 13 connecting rods, with only one degree

of freedom.

  In the storage position, the fastening means 31 30 cooperate with a second anchoring orifice 40 formed on the body 4. Thus, when the handle 27 is released, the key 22 pivots, clockwise on the figures, around the eighth axis Y8 under the effort of return means not shown. The bolt 37 can then be

  reconnect with the second anchoring hole 40.

  The reverse movement, from the so-called storage position to the use position, is carried out in an equivalent manner to the maneuver described above. It is sufficient to unlock the fixing means 31 by manipulating the handle 27 in order to be able to tilt around the first 11 and second 12 connecting rods clockwise towards the position of use of the seat 1, in which the 10 means 21 can again be locked. When the user wishes to board long loads on board the vehicle, he can unlock the articulation which controls the rotation of the backrest 3 around the fifth axis Y5. When this articulation is unlocked, the backrest 3 can tilt further forward (in the tilting direction X), if the front seat 100 and / or

  his file have been advanced and / or switched.

  The reverse maneuver from the loading position of 20 long loads to the storage position is performed by unlocking the articulation controlling the rotation of the backrest 3 around the fifth axis Y5, so as to straighten the backrest 3. The possible return to the position

  of use is carried out as described above.

  A variant of the embodiment of the seat according to the invention is shown in FIG. 11. On this

  Figure 11, the seat 1 is shown without its padding.

  According to this variant, the seat 1 comprises elastic return means adapted to exert on the connecting rods 30 12, 13, a return force tending to rotate them, respectively around the third Y3 and fourth Y4 axes, of the configuration they occupy in seat use position 1, towards configuration

  corresponding to the storage position of this seat 1.

  These elastic return means consist of torsion bars 41, 42. Each torsion bar 41, 42 essentially consists of a transverse rod (not visible in FIG. 11) and hooks 43, 44. The transverse rods s extend longitudinally substantially perpendicular to the direction X and to the plane of the bars making up the connecting rods 12, 13. The transverse rods are fixed on the support 17. They can pivot 10 freely around their longitudinal axis during the rotation of the hooks 43, 44 on a first angular sector, but are blocked in this rotation of the hooks 43, 44 on a second angular sector. In the position of use, the torsion bars 41, 42 are prestressed due to the forced rotation of the hooks 43, 44 on the second angular sector. The torsion bars 41, 42 facilitate the release of the means of

  fixing 31 on the first anchoring hole 39.

  The hooks 43, 44 are formed at the ends of the cross bars. The hooks 41, 42 have a hairpin shape, the two branches of which pass on either side of the pins 45, 46 projecting respectively from

  the first 12 and second 13 connecting rods.

  The handle 27 of the embodiment described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6 is replaced by a lever 47 acting on locking means (not shown

  in Figure 11) similar to those already described.

  According to this variant again, two springs 48

  connect, at the front of the seat 2, a rod forming a stop 20 30 to a rod connecting the pins 46 of the second connecting rods 13.

  These springs 48, located on each side of the seat 1, facilitate the return of the seat 2 from its storage position to the position of use, when the backrest

  3 is itself operated between these two positions.

  The springs. 48 also facilitate, when the seat 2 is folded down to the storage position, the

  pivoting of the backrest 3 forwards.

  By actuating the lever 21, a user can release the seat 2 of the backrest 3 and the fixing means 31 of the first anchoring orifice 39, in a manner similar to that indicated above. The prestressing of the torsion bars 41, 42 makes it possible to lift the backrest 3. The user can then tilt the seat 2 towards the storage position. By this operation, the springs 48 are tensioned. When the first 12 and second 13 connecting rods are in a substantially vertical position, the stress on the torsion bars 41, 42 is released. The user then only has to push the file 3 forward so that it gains its storage position. In this movement, the user is helped by the restoring force exerted by the springs 48. The seat 1 is then in the

  configuration shown in Figure 6.

  To embark long loads on board the vehicle, the user can unlock the articulation 49 using the handle 50. The backrest 3 can then pivot around the fifth axis Y5, if the front seat and / or its

  folder have been advanced and / or switched.

  The reverse maneuvers from the loading position of long loads to the storage position and from this storage position to the position of use, are carried out in an equivalent manner to the maneuvers already described.

Claims (10)

  1. Seat intended to be articulated on a body (4) of a motor vehicle, and movable in a tilting direction (X), between a position of use and a storage position, this seat (1) comprising : - a seat (2) extending, in the use position, substantially horizontally between a front end (5) and a rear end (6), - a backrest (3) extending, in the use position and in the storage position, substantially vertically between a high end (7), distant from the seat (2), and a low end (8), close to the rear end (6) of the seat (2) , - a pair of connecting rods (12,13) in which each connecting rod (12,13) has a first end (14,15) articulated on the backrest (3), near its lower end (8), respectively around d 'a first (Yl) and a second (Y2) distinct axes, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction ( X), and characterized in that each connecting rod (12,13) further comprises a second end (16,18) adapted to mount the connecting rods (12,13) pivotally, on the body (4), around respectively a third (Y3) and a fourth (Y4) distinct axes, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the tilting direction, and by the fact that the seat (2) is foldable from the substantially horizontal position 30 of use towards a substantially vertical position in storage position.   2. Seat according to claim 1, wherein the first (Yl), second (Y2), third (Y3) and fourth (Y4) axes are each located substantially at one of the vertices of a parallelogram, two sides of which   opposite are materialized by the two connecting rods (12,13).   3. Seat according to one of the preceding claims, 5 comprises a bracket (9) comprising first and second branches (10,11) extending, when the seat (1) is in the use position, respectively substantially horizontally and vertically, and perpendicular to the first (Yl) and second (Y2) axes, the first ends 10 (14,15) of each connecting rod (12,13) being pivotally mounted on   along the first branch (10), and the second branch (11) being fixed on the backrest (3) near its low end (8).   4. Seat according to claim 3, wherein the bracket (9) comprises a key (22) pivoting between a locking position and an unlocking position, adapted to secure the seat (2) to the backrest (3) in locking position and to separate the seat (2)   of the backrest (3) in the unlocked position.   5. Seat according to claim 4, wherein   the bracket (9) comprises fixing means (31) adapted to removably fix the file (3) on the body (4) and which cooperate with the key (22) to release the file (3) from the body (4), when the key (22) pivots from its locked position to its unlocked position.   6. Seat according to one of claims 3 to 5,   comprising an articulation adapted to control the rotation of the backrest (3) relative to the bracket (9), around a fifth axis (Y5) substantially horizontal and 30 perpendicular to the tilting direction (X), between a raised position substantially vertical, when the seat (1) is in the use position, and a folded position substantially horizontal.   7. Seat according to one of the preceding claims,   in which the seat (2) is fixed, near its front end (5), on the body (4), by means of a link (19) pivotally mounted on the body (4), 5 around of a sixth axis (Y6), and on the seat, around a seventh axis (Y7).   8. Seat according to one of the preceding claims,   wherein the seat (2) and the backrest (3) are adapted to pivot, relative to the body (4), independently of each other.   9. Seat according to one of the preceding claims   wherein each connecting rod (12,13) is, in the position of use, concealed by the seat (2) and the backrest (3).   10. Seat according to one of claims   previous, comprising elastic return means adapted to exert on the connecting rods (12,13) a return force tending to rotate them, respectively around the third (Y3) and fourth (Y4) axes, from a position 20 that they occupy in the position of use of the seat (1), towards a position corresponding to the position of storage of this seat (1).