Vehicle seat comprising an area that is deformable in the event of an impact

Abstract

A vehicle seat for a passenger, comprising a backrest having a front face directed towards the passenger and a rear face opposite the front face, and a seat part having an upper face directed towards the passenger and a lower face opposite the upper face, wherein the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part comprise(s) at least one area that is deformable in the event of an impact, towards the front face of the backrest and/or towards the upper face of the seat part respectively, and in that the front face and rear face of the backrest, and/or the upper face and lower face of the seat part are located at a distance from each other, at least at said at least one deformable area, so as to define a clearance space, said at least one deformable area of the rear face of the backrest and/or of the lower face of the seat part being configured so as to deform into the clearance space in the event of an impact on the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part, without transmitting the impact to the front face of the backrest and/or the upper face of the seat part respectively.

Claims

1. Vehicle seat for a passenger, comprising: a fixed structure defining a backrest and a seat part, the backrest having a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, and the seat part having an upper face and a lower face opposite the upper face; at least one of the rear face of the backrest and the lower face of the seat part comprising at least one area that is deformable in the event of an impact, respectively towards the front face of the backrest or towards the upper face of the seat part; at least one of the front and rear faces of the backrest, and the upper and lower faces of the seat part, being located at a distance from one another, at least at said at least one deformable area, so as to define a clearance space; and said at least one area that is deformable of the rear face of the backrest of the lower face of the seat part being configured so as to deform, in the event of an impact sustained on the rear face of the backrest and the lower face of the seat part, in the clearance space without transmitting the impact, respectively in the front face of the backrest and the upper face of the seat part, wherein the rear face of the backrest and the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable comprises at least one of a uniformly braided, woven, knitted fabric, said at least one area that is deformable being obtained through a geometrical configuration that is different from the fixed structure of the seat in relation to the geometrical configuration of the deformable area before it is fastened onto the fixed structure.

2. Seat according to claim 1, wherein said at least one area that is deformable is configured in order to be deformed, in the event of an impact sustained on the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part, in the clearance space without entering into contact respectively of the front face of the backrest and/or the upper face of the seat part.

3. Seat according to claim 1 wherein the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable comprises at least one of a braided, woven, knitted fabric having at least two areas-that have different penetration resistances.

4. Seat according to claim 1, wherein said at least one area that is deformable extends over at least one recess made in a shell of the fixed structure of the seat, with the thickness of the fixed structure-defining the clearance space, the shell of the fixed structure being made of a rigid material which is at least one of a composite and/or plastic and/or of metal.

5. Seat according to claim 1, wherein the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable is fastened to the fixed structure of the seat by means of at least one reversible hook chosen from a press-button, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a screwing and/or a bolting.

6. Seat according to claim 1, wherein the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable is fastened to the fixed structure of the seat by means of at least one irreversible hook chosen from gluing, welding, sewing and/or riveting.

7. Seat according to claim 1, wherein the clearance space is empty.

8. Seat according claim 1, wherein the clearance space is filled with an elastically deformable material.

9. Set of at least two adjacent vehicle seats, each of which comprises: a fixed structure defining a backrest and a seat part, the backrest having a front face and a rear face-opposite the front face, and the seat part having an upper face and a lower face opposite the upper face; at least one of the rear face of the backrest and the lower face of the seat part comprising at least one area that is deformable in the event of an impact, respectively towards the front face of the backrest or towards the upper face of the seat part; and at least one of the front and rear faces of the backrest and the upper and lower faces of the seat part being located at a distance from one another, at least at said at least one deformable area so as to define a clearance space, said at least one area that is deformable of the rear face of the backrest and of the lower face of the seat part being configured so as to deform, in the event of an impact sustained on the rear face of the backrest or the lower face of the seat part, in the clearance space without transmitting the impact, respectively in the front face of the backrest and/or the upper face of the seat part, wherein the rear face of the backrest or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable comprises at least one of a uniformly braided, woven, or knitted fabric, said at least one area that is deformable being obtained through a geometrical configuration that is different from the fixed structure of the seat in relation to the geometrical configuration of the deformable area before it is fastened onto the fixed structure, and wherein at least one same deformable area is common to said at least two seats, extending on the rear faces of the backrests of the at least two seats or on the lower faces of the seat parts of said at least two seats.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the rear face of the backrest and/or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable is fastened to a fixed structure of at least one seat.

11. Vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the rear face of the backrest or the lower face of the seat part comprising said at least one area that is deformable is fastened to a fixed structure of a compartment of the vehicle.

12. Method for manufacturing a vehicle seat according claim 1, comprising the steps of: cutting a braided and/or woven and/or knitted fabric in the shape of a trapeze, in such a way that the narrow portion gives a particularly stretched fabric, while the wide portion corresponds to a more easily deformable surface; folding the trapeze on itself to form a new narrow portion, a new wide portion and a slanted side; sewing the slanted side, and possibly sewing the new wide portion in such a way as to create a sock; and stretching the new narrow portion to create an aperture large enough to engage the rigid structure into this aperture, and slide it over the rigid structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be better understood when reading the following detailed description, of examples of unrestricted implementations of the latter, as well when examining the figures, diagrammatical and partial, of the annexed drawing, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views, respectively exploded and assembled, of a seat in accordance with the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the front and rear faces of the backrest of a seat in accordance with the invention, before an impact sustained on the rear face of the backrest,

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the front and rear faces of the backrest of FIG. 2, during the impact sustained on the rear face of the backrest,

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of a backrest of a seat in accordance with the invention having a rear face with a fabric structure with different penetration resistance areas, and

(6) FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show a manner of carrying out the backrest of the seat in accordance with the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the seat in accordance with the invention,

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B show a first method of fastening the fabric forming the backrest of the seat in accordance with the invention, and

(9) FIG. 8 shows a second method of fastening the fabric forming the backrest of the seat in accordance with the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a set of adjacent seats.

(11) FIG. 10 shows the deformable area fastened to a fixed structure of a compartment of a vehicle.

(12) In all of these figures, identical references can designate identical or similar elements.

(13) In addition, the various portions shown in the figures are not necessarily shown according to a uniform scale, in order to make the figures more legible.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

(14) In reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, example embodiments of the invention shall be described hereinafter.

(15) FIGS. 1A and 1B show, in perspective, respectively as an exploded and as an assembled view, an example of adjacent vehicle seat 1 for passengers according to the invention.

(16) The vehicle seat 1 comprises a backrest 2 having a front face 2a directed towards the passenger seated on the seat 1 and a rear face 2b opposite the front face 2a, as well as a seat part 3 having an upper face 3a directed towards the passenger seated on the seat 1 and a lower face 3b opposite the upper face 3a.

(17) In accordance with the invention, the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 of the seat 1 comprises a deformable area 4 in the event of an impact towards the front face 2a of the backrest 2. Such an impact can for example correspond to blows of the knees given by a passenger seated on the seat behind the seat 1 under consideration.

(18) More specifically, a deformable area 4 extends over the rear face 2b of the backrest 2.

(19) In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to absorb the impact or impacts sustained on the backrest 3 and in order to not affect the comfort of the passengers seated on the seat 1, the deformable area 4 is advantageously configured to be deformed in the clearance spaces E, with each clearance space E being defined by the distance separating the deformable area 4 on the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 and the front face 2a of the backrest 2. In the case of a set of several adjacent seats, there are as many clearance spaces E, namely one for each vehicle seat 1. Each clearance space E is defined or delimited by the fixed structure 12 of each seat 1, and by the front face 2a of the backrest 2 of the seat 1 and the seat 4 that is deformable.

(20) The deformation of the deformable area 4, in the event of an impact, is done without transmitting the impact towards the front faces 2a of the backrest 2. More particularly, the deformable area 4 is configured to be deformed, during the impact, in the clearance spaces E without entering into contact with the front faces 2a of the backrests 2.

(21) In this way, the invention can make it possible to have a deformable area 4 on the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 which is sufficiently deformable (sufficiently flexible) to attenuate the impact and allow for the comfort of the passenger located behind the seat 1 under consideration, for example to allow for comfort on the knees, but also provided to prevent the transmission of the impact towards the front face 2a of the backrest 2 and as such preserve the comfort of the passenger seated on the seat 1. The deformable area 4 can as such be both sufficiently flexible for the attenuation of the impact and sufficiently rigid so as not to be deformed in the clearance space E until entering into contact with the front face 2a of the backrest 2.

(22) The clearance space E can be empty, i.e. no element is inserted between the rear face 2b and the front face 2a of the backrest 2. Alternatively, the clearance space E can be filled with an elastically deformable material, for example a foam.

(23) The rear face 2b of the backrest 2, and in particular the deformable area 4, can be fastened to the fixed structure 12 of the seat 1. Alternatively, the rear faces 2b of the backrest 2, and in particular the deformable area 4, can be fastened to the compartment of the vehicle 15 comprising a set of several adjacent seats 1.

(24) The fastening can be carried out for example by means of a reversible hook, for example a press-button, a zipper, a Velcro fastener, a screwing, a bolting, among others. Alternatively, the fastening can be carried out by means of an irreversible hook, for example by gluing, by welding, by sewing, by riveting, among others.

(25) FIGS. 2 and 3 show respectively, in perspective and partially, a backrest 2 of seat 1 before an impact sustained on the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 and during an impact sustained on the rear face 2b of the backrest 2.

(26) The impact can for example correspond to a punch given by the wrist P of a passenger located behind the backrest 2.

(27) The fixed structure 12 of the seat 1, more particularly of the backrest 2, can for example comprise a recess, as shown by the space formed between the risers of the fixed structure 12, which defines the clearance space E for the deformable area 4, which extends, in this example, over the entire rear face 2b of the backrest 2 shown.

(28) The fixed structure 12 can be made of a rigid material, for example of plastic and/or composite and/or of metal.

(29) Before the impact, as shown in FIG. 2, the deformable area 4 of the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 is at a distance from the front face 2a of the backrest 2, with this distance forming the clearance space E. The function of the deformable area 4 is to absorb the impact exerted on the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 via elastic deformation, without transmitting it to the front face 2a of the backrest 2 and to the passenger seated on the seat 1.

(30) As such, during the impact, as shown in FIG. 3, the deformable area 4 is deformed under the impact inside the clearance area E in order to occupy the space of the clearance area E, without however entering into contact with the front face 2a of the backrest 2 guaranteeing the non-transmission of the impact towards the passenger seated on the seat 1.

(31) In the case of the presence of an elastically deformable material in the clearance space E, for example a foam, the latter is also deformed under the impact, and attenuates the force sustained in return by the wrist at the origin of the impact.

(32) FIG. 4 shows the rear face of a seat 1 according to the invention carried out by a first step of manufacturing of the seat 1.

(33) In this example, a braided and/or woven and/or knitted fabric 11 is assembled, which forms the rear face 2b of the backrest, on the fixed structure 12 of the seat 1. The fabric structure 11 advantageously has two areas 13a and 13b which have different penetration resistances. More particularly, the area 13a has a penetration resistance that is higher than that of the area 13b.

(34) This difference in penetration resistance can make it possible to define a deformable area 4. In particular, the area 13a with the highest density can correspond to the deformable area 4, being in this way sufficiently flexible to attenuate an impact but also sufficiently rigid to prevent the transmission of the impact towards the front face 2a of the backrest.

(35) As such, the fabric structure 11 can have a resistance to penetration or higher tension in the lower area of the rear face 2b of the backrest 2 than in the upper area of the rear face 2b of the backrest 2.

(36) Using different threads, threads made of different materials, of different braid or knit or weave forms different methods for obtaining different resistances to penetration for the fabric used.

(37) FIGS. 5A to 5C show details of an embodiment of a rear face of the backrest having a fabric surface 30 with variable tension. A deformable fabric portion 29 is cut in the shape of a trapeze, with the narrowest portion corresponding to that which in fine will be the most stretched. The cut is calculated in such a way that the narrow portion gives a particularly stretched fabric, while the wide portion corresponds to a more easily deformable surface. After folding the trapeze on itself, a seam 31 is made on the side at a slant of the trapeze formed as such. A second seam 32 can also be made on the top portion of the trapeze, in such a way as to create a sock that can slide over a rigid structure 12. The last step consists in exerting a force on the most interior corner of the trapeze in order to force the deformable area 4 to hug the shapes of the rigid structure 12. Doing this, a tension is induced on the bottom portion of the deformable area 4. This tension is retained as long as the rigid structure 12 is not deformed.

(38) FIG. 6 shows the details of an alternative mode of integrating the deformable surface within a rear face of the backrest. A metal, composite or plastic shell 41 makes it possible to form the rear face of the seat backrest. Within this rigid shell 41, a recess is made in order to insert a deformable area 4 therein. The shell 41 is attached to the seat structure 12: when the deformable area 4 sustains an impact, it can be deformed and transmit a marginal force, equal to the initial force less the force required for the deformation of the deformable area 4, to the shell 41 or directly to the seat structure 12.

(39) FIGS. 7A and 7B show details of a method for fastening the deformable area 4, here fabric, on a rigid shell. The rigid shell 41 has a groove 42 with a circular section of which the free angular opening is strictly less than 180°, ideally about 120°. The fabric forming the deformable area 4 is mounted around a rigid cylinder 43, for example made of plastic material, over the entire length of the groove 42 of the rigid shell 41. A seam 44 of the deformable area 4 on itself makes it possible to imprison the rigid cylinder 43. This rigid cylinder 43 is then inserted into the groove 42 with circular section of the rigid shell 41.

(40) This method of fastening can be transposed in the case of a deformable area alone: a rail is then fixed onto the rigid structure 42 of the backrest, and the insert sewn, glued or fastened on the deformable area is inserted therein.

(41) FIG. 8 shows the detail of method of fastening that uses rigid rings 50. These rings enclose the rigid structure 12 of the backrest, and make it possible to connect the rear face 26 of the backrest 2 and the front face 2a without a transfer of direct force. When one of the two faces is subjected to a tension, the resulting force is directly transmitted to the structure 12 of the backrest 2 by the ring 50, without influence on the other face. This construction allows for an excellent separation of the two faces. The rings must be arranged in order to prevent the rotation of the faces around the rigid structure 12 and therefore in the direction of the clearance space E that separates the rear face from the front face of the backrest. To do this an allowance 52 can be constructed on the ring 50 on the clearance space E. The front and rear faces must have slots that allow for the insertion of the ring 50. These slots must be large enough so that the ring 50 can be inserted, but small enough so that the fabric cannot slide on the allowance 52 of the ring 50. These slots are weak points of the front and rear faces and must consequently be reinforced, either by means of finishing stitches, or by adding a second component in order to rigidify the slot (another more rigid fabric material, composite, metal or plastic cut for example).

(42) Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments that have just been described. Various modifications can be made to them by those skilled in the art.

(43) In particular, the deformable area or areas 4 could also be located, and even solely, on the seat part or parts 3 of the seats 1 described hereinabove, more precisely on the lower face or faces 3b of the seat part or seat parts 3, in particular in order to prevent impacts sustained in the seat parts, for example kicks from passengers located to the rear.

(44) The expression “comprising a” must be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified otherwise.