WO2010035044A1

WO2010035044A1 - Vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2010035044A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/051258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven McManus; Nicholas Stapleton; Paul Sharman; Andrew Downie
Original assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Current assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-25
Filing date: 2009-09-25
Publication date: 2010-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-25
Also published as: GB0817549D0

Abstract

A vehicle seat having at least two relatively moveable components (6, 7), and a stop (8, 9, 11). The stop may comprise two engageable formations and is arranged to limit relative movement of the two relatively movable components of the seat, or of at least one movable component relative to a vehicle in which the sat is mounted, in a direction other than one in which the relatively moveable components are arranged to allow movement in normal operation. Such movement might arise in vehicle impact conditions. The stop may comprise an anchor plate (8) and hook (11) arranged to limit separation of sliding and fixed rails which enable for and aft adjustment of a vehicle seat in a vehicle.

Description

VEHICLE SEAT

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and particularly but not exclusively to an automotive vehicle seat.

Automotive vehicle seats typically provide for a whole range of adjustments aimed at enhancing occupant comfort and safety. These adjustments typically include forwards and backwards movement to enable the position of the seat on the longitudinal axis of a vehicle to be adjusted, upward and downward movement to enable the position of the seat on the vertical axis of a vehicle to be adjusted and pivotal movement of a seat squab part relative to the cushion part to enable rake of the squab relative to the seat to be adjusted.

The mechanisms inherent to the provision of these adjustments impart a degree of play or compliance to a seat giving rise to movement or relative movement of seat components in directions in which adjustment is intended and in other directions. This presents a problem under vehicle impact conditions in that movement of a seat relative to a vehicle as a result of compliance in its adjustment mechanisms will contribute to movement of an occupant of the seat relative to the vehicle during impact conditions. This movement generally counters the intended effects of safety devices such as seat belts and airbags intended to restrain and control movement of a vehicle occupant during an impact and can therefore increase the risk of an occupant incurring an injury. As automotive vehicle seats have become more complex so their mass has increased and this exacerbates the problem since the increased mass results in increased forces being generated by the seat when a vehicle is involved in an impact. The problem is further exacerbated where a vehicle seat is provided with an integrated seat belt mounted on the seat rather than directly to the vehicle. With this arrangement force applied to the seat belt by an occupant during a vehicle impact is transmitted to the vehicle seat rather than directly to the vehicle. This further increases the load upon the seat and generates further movement of the seat relative to the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in consideration of these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat comprising at least two relatively movable components and a stop arranged to limit relative movement of two relatively movement components relative to each other, or of at least one moveable component relative to a vehicle in which the seat is mounted, in a direction other than one in which the relatively movable components are arranged to allow movement in normal operation.

Thus, the stop limits movement of seat components in directions in which movement is not normally intended arising through compliance in the seat structure in a vehicle impact situation.

In one arrangement the stop comprises two engageable components, one mounted to a seat component and the other to another seat component or directly or indirectly to a vehicle in which the seat is mounted. The two engageable components are preferably spaced apart during normal operation of the seat, but arranged such that unintended relative movement of seat components with respect to each other, or a vehicle in which the seat is mounted, in a direction other than that provided for during normal operation of the seat causes the two engageable components to engage, thus limiting further relative movement in that direction. When the two engageable components are engaged they may also prevent movement in a direction in which movement is permitted during normal operation of the seat.

In one embodiment the vehicle seat comprises a moveable slide which is slidably mounted to a fixed slide which is, in use, mounted to a vehicle floor. The slides may be moved relative to one another along an axis to allow fore and aft adjustment of the seat relative to the vehicle. The stop is arranged to limit relative movement of the moveable and fixed slides in a direction which is not parallel to the axis, and which may be substantially perpendicular to that axis. The stop may comprise two engageable components, one mounted directly or indirectly to the movable slide and the other mounted directly or indirectly to the fixed slide. In normal conditions the two engageable components are spaced apart, allowing relative movement of the slides along the axis. The two engageable components may be arranged to restrict or prevent relative movement of the slides along the axis when they are engaged.

One engageable component may comprise a tooth or teeth and the other one or more formations, for example apertures, for receiving the tooth or teeth. One engageable component may comprise a hook depending from the seat frame and the other an anchor plate mounted to the vehicle. The anchor plate may be mounted to the vehicle together with the fixed slide. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an automotive vehicle seat according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the outside, rear mounting of the seat in a normal state;

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the outside rail of the seat of Figure 1 in a normal state; Figure 4 shows a corresponding view to Figure 2 in a post impact state;

Figure 5 shows a corresponding view to Figure 3 in a post impact state; and

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the elongate hook of the seat of Figures 1 to 5.

In the drawings like reference numerals are used to identify like components throughout. Figures 2 to 6 show various views in the region of the seat of Figure 1 surrounded by a broken line.

Referring to the figures, an automotive seat comprises a cushion 1 and a squab 2, each comprising metal frames supporting upholstery 3.

The cushion 1 and squab 2 are pivotally connected together by a pivot 4 enabling the rake of the squab 2 relative to the cushion to be adjusted by way of an adjustment mechanism (not shown). The cushion 1 is mounted by way of a height adjustment mechanism, generally indicated at 5, to a moveable slide 6. The moveable slide 6 is slidably mounted on a fixed slide 7 which is in turn mounted to the vehicle floor. The moveable and fixed slide allow fore and aft movement of the seat relative to the vehicle. The height adjustment mechanism provides for heightwise movement of the seat relative to the vehicle floor.

The seat comprises an integrated seat belt comprising a webbing strap 8. The seat belt is shown in a fastened state in Figure 1, although no occupant is shown in the seat. The webbing strap is stored on a conventional inertia-type reel housed in the seat squab 2, and pays out of an opening 9 towards the top of the seat squab 2 and can be drawn in a diagonal fashion across an occupant of the seat so that a fitting 10 slidably mounted on the webbing 11 can be engaged with a latch mounted to an anchor point on the seat or vehicle in a conventional fashion.

Mounted to the vehicle floor, towards the rear of and under the outside fixed slide 7, is an anchor plate 8. The anchor plate 8 comprises a lip 9 which extends away from the slides 6,7 towards the underside of the cushion 1. The lip includes a series of substantially evenly spaced apertures 10. The anchor plate 8 and its lip 9 extends along the slides 6,7 by a distance substantially equivalent to, or slightly exceeding, the amount of fore and aft adjustment of the seat provided by the fixed 6 and moveable 7 slides.

Mounted to the cushion frame and hence indirectly to the moveabie slide 6 is an elongate hook 11. The hook 11 depends from the cushion frame and extends around, under and upwardly towards the underside of the Hp 9 of the anchor plate 8. The hook 11 terminates in a free edge having a plurality of spaced apart teeth 12. The teeth 12 are sized and spaced so they can engage with the apertures 10 in the Hp 9 of the anchor plate 8.

In normal conditions the seat is arranged such that there is a clearance 13 between the teeth 12 of the hook 11 and the underside of the lip of the anchor plate 8, allowing fore and aft movement of the seat resulting in fore and aft movement of the hook 11 relative to the anchor plate 8.

In the event of a vehicle impact resulting in rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle, in particular a frontal impact, the mass of seat and also its occupant if the occupant is wearing the seat belt 8 results in a substantial force being exerted between the seat and the vehicle. This can result in movement of the seat relative to the vehicle as a result of compliance in the seat structure, in particular in mechanisms affording adjustment of the seat. One area where movement can occur is between the sliding 6 and fixed 7 slides, both relative sliding movement which the slides are designed to allow and other displacement of the slides relative to each other caused by the rear of the seat moving upwards under deceleration of the vehicle.

The effect of upwards movement is shown in Figures 4 and 5 where force acting to raise the rear of the seat has caused the moving 6 and fixed 7 slides to separate and partially deform. Such upward movement also results in the hook 11 approaching and contacting the lip of the anchor plate 8 such that the teeth 12 on the hook 11 extend into the apertures 10 of the Hp 9. Contact between the hook and lip arrests further upward movement of the seat relative to the anchor plate and therefore floor of the vehicle. By virtue of engagement of the teeth in the apertures 10 it also arrests and prevents any relative sliding movement between the sliding 6 and fixed 7 slides.

Limiting movement of the seat relative to the vehicle in an impact situation also limits movement of a seat occupant wearing a seatbelt relative to the vehicle, reducing the risk of injury and increasing the effect of other safety equipment such as the seat belt and air bags.

The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising at least two relatively movable components and a stop arranged to limit relative movement of two relatively movement components relative to each other, or of at least one moveable component relative to a vehicle in which the seat is mounted, in a direction other than one in which the relatively movable components are arranged to allow movement in normal operation.

2. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop comprises two engageable components.

3. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein one engageable component is mounted to a seat component.

4. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other engageable component is mounted to another seat component and/or directly or indirectly to a vehicle on which the seat is mounted.

5. A vehicle seat as claimed in any of claim 2 to 4, wherein the two engageable components are arranged to be spaced apart during normal operation of the seat, and arranged such that intended relative movement of seat components with respect to each other, or a vehicle in which the seat is mounted, in a direction other than that provided for during normal operation of the seat causes the two engageable components to engage, thus limiting further relative movement in that direction.

6. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the engageable components are arranged such that, when engaged, they also prevent movement in a direction in which movement is permitted during normal operation of the seat.

7. A vehicle seat as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6 comprising a moveable slide which is slidably mounted to a fixed slide which is, in use, mounted to a vehicle floor, the slides being movable relative to one another along an axis to allow fore and aft adjustment of the seat relative to the vehicle and wherein the stop is arranged to limit relative movement of the moveable and fixed slides in a direction which is not parallel to the axis.

8. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stop is arranged to limit movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis.

9. A vehicle seat as claimed in either claim 7 or 8, wherein one engageable component is mounted directly or indirectly to the movable slide and the other engageable component is mounted directly or indirectly to the fixed slide.

10. A vehicle seat as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the two engageable components are arranged to restrict or prevent relative movement of the slides along the axis when the engageable components are engaged.

1 1. A vehicle seat as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 wherein one engageable component comprises a tooth or teeth and the other one or more formations for receiving the tooth or teeth.

12. A vehicle seat as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 wherein one engageable component comprises a hook depending from the seat frame and the other an anchor plate mounted to the vehicle.