Patent Publication Number: US-11390196-B2

Title: Vehicle seat with inclinable seat cushion for facilitating access to the rear place

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. FR1909359, filed Aug. 22, 2019, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat, a vehicle seat assembly, and a method for implementing such a vehicle seat. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, a vehicle seat is described comprising a seat back with a seat back frame, a seat cushion with a seat cushion frame and at least one first and second links 
     In illustrative embodiments, the first link is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around a first transverse axis, in the area of one front end of the seat cushion frame. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the first link is further intended to be mounted pivoting relative to a seat support around a second transverse axis. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the second link is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around a third transverse axis. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the second link is further intended to be mounted pivoting relative to said seat support around a fourth transverse axis. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the at least first and second links are configured in order to allow lifting a rear part of the seat cushion frame relative to the seat support. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows, in longitudinal section, an automotive vehicle seat assembly, where the automotive vehicle seat is in a position described as nominal, suited for receiving an occupant in seated position; 
         FIG. 2  schematically shows in perspective a detail of the vehicle seat shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows in longitudinal section the seat assembly from  FIG. 1 , where the automotive vehicle seat is in an easy entry position, allowing access to seats disposed behind the seat shown; 
         FIG. 4  schematically shows, in longitudinal section, the seat assembly from  FIG. 1 , where the vehicle seat is in a position described as comfort, suited for receiving an occupant; and 
         FIG. 5  schematically shows, in longitudinal section, the seat assembly from  FIG. 1 , where the seat is in a folded down position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar items. 
     In the description which follows, the indications for spatial positioning such as top, bottom, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, etc. are given for clarity of the exposition, according to the usual position of use of the seat, but are not limiting. More specifically, the orientations relative to the front and rear of the seat are relative to the usual position of use of the seat. 
     Longitudinal direction is understood as any direction extending between the front and rear of the vehicle seat. Transverse direction is understood as any direction extending from one side of the vehicle seat towards the other side of the vehicle seat. Preferably, the longitudinal and transverse directions are substantially horizontal. The longitudinal and transverse directions are perpendicular. Vertical direction is understood as any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle seat assembly  10  comprises a seat  12  and a seat support  14 . The seat  12  is fixed on the seat support  14 . Here the seat support  14  is a slider. The slider  14  is itself attached to the floor  16  of the compartment of an automotive vehicle. Alternatively, the support  14  is formed by the floor  16  of the vehicle. 
     The seat  12  comprises first a seat back  18  with a seat back frame  20 . The seat  12  also comprises a seat cushion  22 , with a seat cushion frame  24 . The seat  12  can for example be a front seat of a three-door automotive vehicle. In another variant, the seat  12  may be a seat from the second row of seats in a five-door vehicle comprising three rows of seats. 
     The seat back frame  20  and the seat cushion frame  24  are pivoting relative to each other around a fifth transverse axis A 1 . In the case at hand, the seat back and cushion frame  20 ,  24  are connected by means of a hinge  26 . In the case at hand, the hinge  26  is continuous, at least over a range of rotation angle values of the seat back frame  20  relative to the seat cushion  24 . Because of the hinge  26 , the angular position of the seat back frame  20  relative to the seat cushion frame  24  can be adjusted according to the preferences of the occupant of the seat  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The seat  12  is connected to the slider  14  near the seat cushion  22 . The slider  14  comprises at least one rail  36  mobile relative to the at least one fixed profile  38 , where the number of mobile rails  36  is equal to the number of fixed profiles  38 . In the case at hand, the slider  14  comprises two fixed profiles  38  placed near the opposite lateral sides of the seat cushion  22 , where each fixed profile  38  is associated with a mobile rail  36 . The mobile rails  36  are designed so as to be able to slide along the fixed profiles  38 . 
     Thus, a translational movement of the seat  12  in a longitudinal direction, parallel to the direction of extension of the slider  14 , is possible. This way the position of the seat  12  can be adapted, in particular relative to the steering wheel and/or the pedals, according to the preferences and/or physical parameters of the occupant of the seat  12 . A device for locking the mobile rail into position relative to the fixed profile serves to keep the seat in a longitudinal position selected by the occupant. 
     As is particularly visible in  FIG. 2 , here the connection between the seat cushion frame  24  and the slider  14  is made here by means of two first links  28  and two second links  30 . The first links  28  are disposed each on one respective side of the seat  12 . The second links  30  are disposed each on one respective side of the seat  12 . The first and second links  28 ,  30  are placed in the area of a front end of the seat cushion frame  24 . The first links  28  are placed longitudinally in front of the second links  30 . Here, the first links  28  are shorter than the second links  30 . 
     Each first link  28  is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame  24  around a first transverse axis A 2 . Similarly, each first link  28  is mounted pivoting relative to the slider  14  around a second transverse axis A 3 . 
     Each second link  30  is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame  24  around a third transverse axis A 4 . Similarly, each second link  30  is mounted pivoting relative to the slider  14 , around a fourth transverse axis A 5 . 
     In the longitudinal section plane from  FIG. 1 , where the seat  12  is in the nominal position thereof suited to receiving an occupant in seated position, the transverse axes A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5  are points, disposed such that the straight line d 1  connecting the first and second transverse axes A 2 , A 3  and the straight line d 2  connecting the third and fourth transverse axes A 4 , A 5  intersect in a single point. In the case at hand, the straight lines d 1  and d 2  intersect in a point P located longitudinally forward of the first, second, third and fourth transverse axes A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , in the longitudinal section plane from  FIG. 1 . Thus, the straight lines d 1  and d 2  of extension of the first and second links  28 ,  30  are not parallel in the nominal position of the seat  12 . Here, direction of extension of a link is understood to mean the straight line extending in the plane of the link and connecting the two axes of rotation of the considered link. 
     Further, in the nominal position of the seat  12 , the straight line d 1  corresponding to the first link  28 , disposed longitudinally the farthest forward in the seat  12 , forms, with the horizontal H, an angle a 1  larger than the angle a 2  formed by the straight line d 2  corresponding to the second link  30  disposed longitudinally farther rearward in the seat  12  than the first link  28 , with the horizontal H. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first two links  28  are connected to each other by a first crosspiece  32 . Here the first crosspiece  32  has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis corresponding to the first transverse axis A 2 . The first two links  28  are for example mounted pivoting relative to the first crosspiece  32 , which can thus be rigidly fixed to the seat cushion frame  24 . Alternatively, the first two links  28  are rigidly fixed to the first crosspiece  32  which is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . It is also possible to mount the first two links  28  pivoting relative to the first crosspiece  32 , where the crosspiece  32  is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . The first links  28  are thus secured by the first crosspiece  32 . 
     Similarly the second two links  30  are connected to each other by a second crosspiece  34 . Here, the second crosspiece  34  has a substantially cylindrical shape extending transversely between the second two links  30 . The second two links  30  are for example rigidly fixed to the second crosspiece  34 . In that way, the second links are thus secured by the second crosspiece  34 . 
       FIG. 2  further shows that a hinge  26  is provided for each lateral side of the seat  12  between the seat back frame  20  and the seat cushion frame  24 . 
     As can be particularly seen in  FIG. 2 , preferably, there are no other links connecting the seat cushion frame  24  to the support  14  than the first and second links  28 ,  30 . Also, there is no preference for a link directly connecting the seat back frame  20  to the support  14 . 
     For example, the number of first links  28  and the number of second links  30  are equal to the number of mobile rails  36  of the slider  14 . A first link  28  and a second link  30  can thus be associated respectively with one mobile rail  36 . In the example shown, two first links  28  and two second links  30  are used, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The slider  14  here comprises a pair of mobile rails  36 , where each mobile rail  36  is received in a fixed profile  38 . Bearings or other rolling elements can be interposed between a mobile rail  36  and the fixed profile  38  in which it slides. This further reduces the rubbing during sliding of the mobile rail  36  in the fixed profile  38 . A mobile rail  36  and fixed profile  38  assembly is disposed on each side of the seat  12 . A first link  28  and a second link  30  are fixed pivoting on each of the mobile rails  36 . The range of the mobile rail  36  in the fixed profile  38  is for example greater than or equal to 150 mm and/or less than or equal to 250 mm. Here, the range of the mobile rail  36  is limited to 150 mm. This limits the dimension of the seat assembly  10 . 
     A locking device, not shown in the figures and well-known in itself to the person skilled in the art, serves to immobilize at least one mobile rail  36  in the associated fixed profile  38 , preferably each mobile rail  36  in the associated fixed profile  38 . 
     Finally, a bolt  40  is used here for fixing the rear of the seat cushion frame  24  to the mobile rails  36  of the slider  14 . The bolt  40  is disposed near a rear end of the seat cushion frame  22 . The bolt  40  in particular prevents an unexpected lifting of the rear part of the seat cushion frame  24  relative to the front part of the seat cushion frame  24 , for example in case of impact. When the rear of the seat cushion frame  24  is fixed to the slider  14 , the first and second links  28 ,  30 , disposed on each side of the seat  12 , are oriented from the bottom and front of the seat  12  towards the top and rear of the seat  12 , where the first link  30  is more inclined towards the rear than the second link  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the seat  12  can be tilted forward, in an easy entry position facilitating access to the places located behind the seat  12 . 
     This easy entry position is in particular useful in cars with a number of pairs of doors less than the number of rows of seats, in order to facilitate entry and exit of passengers seated in rows of seats which do not have doors. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the easy access position can be reached without having to pivot the seat back frame  20  about the seat cushion frame  24 . Thus, the hinge  26  is not used for moving from a nominal position of the seat to the easy entry position. In particular a baby seat installed on the seat  12  can be left in position this way when accessing the rear positions located behind the seat  12 . This way, the comfort adjustment of the incline of the seat back frame  20  relative to the seat cushion frame  24 , chosen by the occupant of the seat, can be retained even after passing into easy entry position. 
     Here, this easy entry position is reached by unlocking the bolt  40  in order to tilt the seat cushion frame  24  forward. Pivoting of the seat cushion frame  24  is guided by the first and second links  28 ,  30  which pivot around the second and fourth transverse axis A 3 , A 5 . With this tilting of the seat cushion frame  24 , a rear part of the seat cushion frame  22  can be raised relative to the seat support  14  and, preferably, to a front part of the seat cushion frame  24 , so that the space under the seat cushion frame  24 , at the rear of the seat  12 , can be cleared. In that way the space for the passage of the feet of the passengers wanting to access the places behind the seat  12  is increased, facilitating access to these places. 
     For further increasing the space for the feet of the occupants wanting to access the places behind the seat  12 , the easy entry position can correspond to the case where the seat cushion frame  24  is moved the farthest forward possible by means of the slider  14 . In other words, in the easy entry position, the mobile rails  36  are the farthest forward possible compared to the fixed profiles  38 . 
     In order to coordinate the forward movement and the forward tilting of the seat cushion frame  24 , in order to move from the nominal position of the seat  12  from  FIG. 1  to the easy entry position in  FIG. 3 , automatic unlocking of the locking device, which locks the mobile rails  36  in the fixed profiles  38 , can be provided when the seat cushion frame  24  is tilted forward. For example, the first or second links  28 ,  30  have a projecting relief which, when the links  28 ,  30  pivot, command the unlocking of the locking device. This unlocking of the mobile rails  36  relative to the fixed profiles  38  can allow a greater range of the mobile rails  36  compared to the authorized range of the mobile rails  36  in connection with a comfort adjustment. For example, the range of a mobile rail  36  for comfort adjustment can be limited to 150 mm whereas the range of a mobile rail  36  for reaching the entry position can be 250 mm. 
     However, it should be noted here that the range of the mobile rails  36  in the fixed profiles  38  can be limited, in particular of the order of 150 mm. In fact, the tilting of the seat cushion frame  24  is used to get a passage to the places behind the seat  12 , substantially equivalent of the passage obtained by pivoting the seat frame as is done in the prior art. 
       FIG. 5  shows a folded down position of the seat  12 . This position can be reached by means of the presence of the hinge  26  or hinges  26 . This folded down position can be reached in particular in a disengaged configuration of the hinge  26  or hinges  26 , meaning in a position of the seat back frame  20  which is not blocked by the hinge  26  or the hinges  26 . For example, the hinge  26  or hinges  26  serve to block the frame of the seat back  20  in position relative to the seat cushion frame  24  over an angular range. Beyond this angular range, the hinge  26  or hinges  26  are disengaged, such that the seat back frame  20  can freely pivot around the transverse axis A 1 , relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . 
     The folded down position of the seat  12  corresponds to particularly compact configuration of the seat  12  which allows for example increasing the storage volume of the vehicle, in particular when the seat  12  is a rear seat. Alternatively, in this folded down position, the seat back  18  of the seat can be used as a table. 
     In the folded down position, the seat back  18  is substantially horizontal and parallel to the seat cushion  22 . 
     The folded down position can for example be maintained with a stop, not shown, which keeps the seat back  18  in a substantially horizontal position. 
     In an embodiment, an easy entry position can be reached by lifting the rear part of the seat cushion frame  24 , even when the seat  12  is placed in folded down position. 
     It can be noted that all the transverse axes A 1 -A 5  are distinct in the example shown. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the example described above with reference to the figures. The present disclosure encompasses in contrast all the variants and combinations which could be considered by the person skilled in the art in connection with the protection sought. 
     For example, the seat might not have any continuous hinge  26 . In the place, the seat back frame can be mounted pivoting relative to the support  14  around the fifth transverse axis, freely or elastically constrained. The seat  12  can then comprise an un-lockable device for holding an angular position of the seat back frame  26  relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . The device for holding the seat back frame  26  in angular position relative to the seat cushion frame  24  can allow selectively locking or unlocking the rotation of the seat back frame  20  relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . It should be noted that the angular position holding device of the seat back frame  26  relative to the seat cushion frame  24  can be adapted to keeping the seat back frame  20  in any angular position relative to the seat cushion frame  24  in a finite number of angular positions, or even in a singular angular position of the seat back frame  20  relative to the seat cushion frame  24 . In this last case, the seat  12  and the seat back  18  have a single comfort position suited to receiving an occupant in seated position. 
     In particular, a vehicle seat configured for being able to present a position facilitating access to the places located behind the seat (hereinafter the position is described as “easy entry”). Such a seat may be implemented in a vehicle comprising a number of pairs of doors less than the number of rows of seats, in order to allow access to the last row of seats in the vehicle, meaning the row of seats arranged longitudinally the farthest back in the vehicle. 
     In one example, a comparative easy entry position corresponds to a configuration of the seat where a seat back is inclined towards a seat cushion of the seat. The seat may be mounted on sliders. In this comparative case, the easy entry position may also correspond to the farthest forward possible position of the seat along the slider. Such a comparative configuration however has the disadvantage of limiting the space for passage of the feet of a person wanting to access the rear seats. Access to the rear seats thus remains relatively difficult. The present disclosure aims to improve the situation. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a vehicle seat is described comprising a seat back with a seat back frame, a seat cushion with a seat cushion frame and at least one first and second links, where: 
     the first link is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around a first transverse axis, in the area of one front end of the seat cushion frame; 
     the first link is further intended to be mounted pivoting relative to a seat support around a second transverse axis; 
     the second link is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around a third transverse axis; 
     the second link is further intended to be mounted pivoting relative to the seat support around a fourth transverse axis; 
     the at least first and second links are configured in order to allow lifting a rear part of the seat cushion frame relative to the seat support. 
     Thus, by lifting the rear of the seat cushion frame of the seat, a space is cleared for the feet of a person wanting to access other seats arranged behind the seat. This facilitates access to these other seats. 
     In another example, the vehicle seat comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination: 
     the vehicle seat comprises a bolt for locking the seat cushion frame in position relative to the seat support; 
     the seat back frame is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around a fifth transverse axis; 
     the seat back frame is mounted pivoting relative to the seat cushion frame around the fifth transverse axis, at least between a first position in which the seat back frame is substantially parallel to the seat cushion frame and at least one second position for receiving an occupant of the seat; 
     the vehicle seat comprises a hinge for adjusting the angular position of the seat back frame relative to the seat cushion frame around the fifth transverse axis; 
     the vehicle seat comprises an un-lockable device for holding an angular position of the seat back frame relative to the seat cushion frame around the fifth transverse axis; 
     in a nominal position of the seat suited for receiving an occupant of the seat in seated position, in a longitudinal plane of the seat, a first straight line connects the first and second transverse axes, a second straight line connects the third and fourth transverse axes, and the first and second straight lines intersect at a single point, preferably in a point located longitudinally forward of the first, second, third and fourth transverse axes; 
     the first straight-line forms a first angle with the horizontal, the second straight-line forms a second angle with the horizontal, and the first angle is greater than the second angle; and 
     the first link is shorter than the second link. 
     According to another aspect, a vehicle seat assembly is described comprising a vehicle seat such as described above in all combinations thereof and the seat support. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, the seat assembly comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination: 
     the support comprises at least one slider, in particular a mobile rail of a slider; 
     the at least one slider has a range greater than or equal to 150 mm and/or less than or equal to 250 mm, preferably substantially equal to 150 mm; 
     the at least one slider comprises a mobile rail, which is mobile relative to a fixed profile, where the seat assembly further comprises a device for locking the mobile rail in position relative to the fixed profile; and 
     the locking device is configured for being unlocked in case of raising a rear part of the seat cushion frame relative to the slider. 
     According to another example, a method is described for passage from one position of the seat of a seat assembly such as described above in all combinations thereof, and suited for receiving an occupant, into an easy entry position, where the method comprises the steps: 
     unlocking the bolt configured for locking the seat cushion frame in position relative to the support, as necessary; 
     raising a rear part of the seat cushion frame of the seat relative to the support; and 
     advancing the mobile rail of the at least one slider in the fixed profile of the at least one slider, as necessary. 
     According to another example, a method is described for passage from one position of the seat of a seat assembly such as described above in all combinations thereof, and suited for receiving an occupant, into an easy entry position, where the method comprises the steps consisting of: 
     unlocking the bolt configured for locking the seat cushion frame in position relative to the support, as necessary; 
     raising a rear part of the seat cushion frame of the seat relative to the support; and 
     advancing the mobile rail of the at least one slider in the fixed profile of the at least one slider, as necessary. 
     A vehicle is also described, in particular an automotive vehicle comprising a chassis and a body defining a passenger compartment with a floor, and at least one seat assembly such as described above in all combinations thereof, where the seat support is fixed to the floor or formed by the floor of the compartment. 
     The vehicle can in particular comprise at least one door arranged longitudinally near the seat of the seat assembly, and at least one other seat disposed longitudinally behind the seat of the seat assembly. The vehicle may not have a door arranged longitudinally near the other seat.