Motor vehicle seat cushion

Abstract

The invention concerns a cushion or cushioning comprising, a cover an outer covering layer, a middle foam layer and an inner mesh layer. The cushion also includes an electric circuit connected to an electric generator, the circuit being made from conductive ink deposited on a support layer. The circuit extends opposite the complex; a block of elastically compressible padding, the support layer being formed either by the inner layer, or by an additional mesh layer interposed between the inner layer and the block.

Claims

1. A cushion for a motor vehicle seat, comprising consecutively: a cover for lining a block of padding, the cover having a complex comprising, in sequence: an outer covering layer, a middle foam layer, an inner mesh layer, comprising a network of intertwined yarns of a yarn loop passing through another, an electric circuit intended to be connected to an electric generator, the electric circuit being made from conductive ink deposited on a support layer, the electric circuit extending opposite the complex, a block of elastically compressible padding, wherein the support layer is formed by the inner mesh layer, and wherein the inner mesh layer comprises 6-10 columns of yarns/cm, 5-10 rows of yarns/cm, a surface density of from 25 to 50 g/m.sup.2, and a weight of the yarns of from 40 to 120 dtex.

2. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the electric circuit is configured to form a heating resistance.

3. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the electric circuit comprises a coupler for coupling to a system for detecting the presence of an occupant of the cushion, to carry out the deployment of a safety device in case of an accident only when the cushion is occupied according to predefined criteria.

4. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion further comprises an additional layer on a surface of the inner mesh layer opposite the middle foam layer, wherein the additional layer comprises 11-16 columns of yarns/cm, 15-30 rows of yarns/cm, a surface density of from 175 to 250 g/m.sup.2, and a weight of the yarns of from 40 to 200 dtex.

5. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cover is fitted on the block of padding.

6. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cover is overmoulded, at least partially, by the block of padding, the block of padding being made from a moulded foam.

7. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the conductive ink comprises a polyurethane matrix in which conductive particles are dispersed.

8. The motor vehicle seat comprising a framework and a cushioning according to claim 1, the cushioning being mounted as a covering of the framework.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other particularities and advantages of the invention shall appear in the following description, given in reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a partial cross-section diagrammatical view of a cushioning or cushion according to a first embodiment,

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section diagrammatical view of a cushioning or cushion according to a second embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a mesh broken down into three images, the portions highlighted in black represent the head (figure on the left), the two wings or legs (central figure), and the two feet (figure on the right).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In reference to the figures, a cushioning or cushion 1 for a motor vehicle seat is described, the cushioning or cushion comprising consecutively: a cover 2 for lining the block, the cover being comprised of a plurality of formats associated with each other, in particular by sewing, at least one of the formats being in the form of a complex 4 comprising, associated with each other—in particular by heating with a flame—in sequence: an outer covering layer 5, for example made from textile or leather, a middle foam layer 6, an inner mesh layer 7, an electric circuit 8 intended to be connected to an electric generator, the circuit being made from conductive ink deposited—in particular via screen printing—on a support layer 9, the circuit extending opposite the complex, a block 10 of elastically compressible padding, the support layer being formed: either by the inner layer, as shown in FIG. 1, or by an additional mesh layer 11 interposed between the inner layer and the block, as shown in FIG. 2.

(6) According to an embodiment, the electric circuit 8 is conformed in such a way as to form a heating resistance.

(7) In this embodiment, when the ink is deposited on an additional layer 11, the ink is in particular deposited, as shown in FIG. 2, towards the inner layer 7, in such a way that the electric circuit 8 is as close as possible to an occupant of the cushioning or cushion 1 in order to optimise the heating thereof.

(8) In this embodiment, the thickness of the middle layer 6 is comprised in particular between 1.5 and 5 mm and the density thereof is comprised in particular between 0.025 and 0.045, in such a way as to form a minimised thermal barrier between the electric circuit 8 and an occupant of the cushioning or cushion 1 in order to optimise the heating thereof.

(9) In this embodiment, the electric circuit 8 can in particular be deposited in the central portion of the cover 2.

(10) According to another embodiment, the electric circuit 8 comprises means for coupling, not shown, to a system for detecting the presence of an occupant of the cushioning or cushion 1, in such a way as to carry out the deployment of means of a safety device for example in the form of airbags—in case of an accident only when the cushioning or cushion is occupied according to predefined criteria.

(11) For example, the system for detecting can be arranged to detect an increase in the resistance of the electric circuit 8 under the effect of the weight of a passenger occupying the cushioning or cushion 1, knowing that the ink distends in such a situation, with the effect of increasing the electrical resistance thereof, and then defining whether or not the means of safety have to be activated.

(12) In this embodiment, the thickness of the middle layer 6 is comprised in particular between 1.5 and 5 mm and the density thereof is comprised in particular between 0.025 and 0.045, in such a way as to not hinder the detection of an occupant of the cushioning or cushion 1.

(13) According to an embodiment, when the support layer 9 is formed by the inner layer 7: it comprises between 6 and 10 columns of yarns/cm and between 5 and 10 rows of yarns/cm, it has a surface density comprised between 25 and 50 g/m.sup.2, the weight of the yarns is comprised between 40 and 120 dtex.

(14) The support layer 9 then has a mesh that is sufficiently dense that makes it possible for the ink to not be substantially absorbed in the thickness thereof, which makes it possible to have a reliable electric circuit 8.

(15) According to an embodiment, when the support layer 9 is formed by an additional layer 11: it comprises between 11 and 16 columns of yarns 1 cm and between 15 and 30 rows of yarns/cm, it has a surface density comprised between 175 and 250 g/m.sup.2, the weight of the yarns is comprised between 40 and 200 dtex.

(16) The support layer 9 has here again a mesh that is sufficiently dense that makes it possible for the ink to not be substantially absorbed in the thickness thereof.

(17) The various values are in this case generally higher than in the preceding case due to the fact that the support layer 9 is not integral with the middle foam layer 6, the support layer then has to have improved mechanical characteristics.

(18) According to various embodiments, the support layer 9 is made from polyester or polyamide.

(19) According to an embodiment, the cover 2 is fitted on the block of padding 10.

(20) According to an embodiment, the cover 2 is overmoulded, at least partially, by the block of padding 10, the block being made from a moulded foam, in particular of polyurethane.

(21) According to an embodiment, the conductive ink comprises a polyurethane matrix in which conductive particles are dispersed, the particles being in particular provided with a thin layer of silver that allows for an optimised electrical contact.

(22) Finally, in a manner not shown, a motor vehicle seat is described comprising a framework and such a cushioning or cushion 1, the cushioning or cushion being mounted as a covering of the framework.