Vehicle seats

Abstract

In a vehicle seat (1) including a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3), the seat includes: a seat back frame (20) including left and right side members (24) extending vertically; a side airbag unit (30) attached to one of the side members; an elastic seat back cushion (21) provided with a cushion side slit (44) that allows the airbag to be deployed opposite to the side airbag unit; a skin member (22) having a skin side slit (51) in a portion thereof opposite to the cushion side slit; and a retaining sheet (60) connecting a portion of the back side of the seat back cushion opposite to the side member and the side member to firmly fix the position of the seat back cushion relative to the side member.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of the Chinese invention application with application number 201780089075.3, application date September 28, 2017, and name “Vehicle Seat”, and its contents are incorporated into this case by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle seat to be mounted on a vehicle. Background Art

[0003] In known vehicle seats, a side airbag unit is incorporated in a seat back (e.g., Patent Document 1). The vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a seat back frame including a pair of side members extending vertically along both sides of the seat, a side airbag unit fastened to an outer surface of one of the pair of side members, a seat back pad covering the pair of side members and the side airbag unit, and a skin member covering the seat back pad. An opening passes through the seat back pad and the skin member to allow a side airbag deployed from the side airbag unit to pass through the opening. The opening in the skin member is usually closed by sewing, and the sewing line is configured to be broken when the side airbag is deployed to allow the side airbag to pass through the opening.

[0004] Prior art documents

[0005] Patent documents:

[0006] Patent document 1: JP2016-78463A Summary of the invention

[0007] The task to be accomplished by the present invention

[0008] In the seat disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the slit formed in the seat back pad impairs the shape-retaining property of the seat back pad. As a result, when an occupant comes into contact with the seat back when entering or exiting the vehicle, the seat back pad may be displaced relative to the seat back frame within the skin member and caught by the seat back frame in a permanently displaced state. As a result of the permanent displaced state of the seat back pad relative to the seat back frame, the seat back itself may be permanently deformed.

[0009] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat having a slit that allows a side airbag to pass therethrough, in which a seat back pad is prevented from being displaced from a seat back frame position.

[0010] Means of accomplishing the task

[0011] To achieve such an object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3), the seat comprising: a seat back frame (20) comprising left and right side members (24) extending vertically; a side airbag unit (30) attached to one of the side members; an elastic seat back pad (21) supported by the seat back frame and covering the side members and the side airbag unit, the seat back pad being provided with a pad side slit (44) which is provided at a thickness of A skin member (22) that passes through a portion of the seat back pad opposite to the side airbag unit in a 3.3-degree direction and extends substantially in parallel with the side member to allow an airbag deployed from the side airbag unit to pass therethrough; a skin member (22) that covers an outer surface of the seat back pad and has a skin side slit (51) in a portion thereof corresponding to the pad side slit; and a retaining sheet (60) that connects a portion of the back surface of the seat back pad opposite to the side member and the side member to firmly fix the position of the seat back pad relative to the side member.

[0012] According to this arrangement, since the retaining piece firmly fixes the back surface of the seat back pad to the side member, the position displacement of the seat back pad relative to the side member can be restricted. As a result, even when the seat back pad is temporarily deformed due to application of an external force to the seat back, causing the pad side slit to open, the seat back pad can restore its original shape, and once the external force is removed, the pad side slit is allowed to return to the original closed state.

[0013] In the above invention, preferably, a backing (45) is attached to the back surface of the seat back pad, and the retaining sheet is sewn to the backing.

[0014] According to this arrangement, the retaining sheet can be firmly attached to the seat back pad.

[0015] In the above invention, preferably, the side airbag unit is provided on an outer side surface of the side member facing laterally outward, and the pad side slit is provided in a portion of the seat back pad located laterally outward of the side member.

[0016] According to this arrangement, the side airbag can be deployed from the side of the seat to the outside.

[0017] In the above invention, preferably, the pad-side slit opens at a laterally outer side surface of the seat back pad.

[0018] According to this arrangement, since the laterally outer side portion of the seat back pad is less likely to be deformed by the load of the seated occupant, the pad side slit is prevented from inadvertently opening.

[0019] In the above invention, preferably, the pad side slit is provided in a portion of the seat back pad that is located forward of the side member.

[0020] According to this arrangement, since the pad side slit is formed in the portion of the seat back pad relatively far from the side member and can be deformed relatively easily, when the side airbag is deployed, the slit can be easily opened and allows the side airbag to be deployed in a smooth manner.

[0021] In the above invention, preferably, the retaining piece is connected to a portion of the seat back pad that is located forward of a front edge of the side member.

[0022] According to this arrangement, the holding piece is enabled to firmly fix the position of the front portion of the seat back pad relative to the side frame.

[0023] In the above invention, preferably, the holding piece has a larger vertical width in a portion thereof connected to the seat back pad than in a portion thereof connected to the side member.

[0024] According to this arrangement, the retaining sheet can be attached to the seat back pad over a wide range of the area extending vertically, so that the seat back pad can be supported over a wide area.

[0025] In the above invention, preferably, the holding piece is provided with a gripping portion (63) extending rearward from between the side member and the side airbag unit.

[0026] According to this arrangement, during the process of attaching the retaining sheet to the side member, a worker can grasp the gripping portion to correctly position the retaining sheet, so that the assembly process of the seat back is facilitated.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the foregoing arrangement, in the vehicle seat having the slit for allowing the side airbag to pass therethrough, the seat back pad is prevented from being displaced from the seat back frame position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left front;

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame of a vehicle seat viewed from the right front;

[0031] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the seat back taken along line III-III;

[0032] Figure 4is a side view showing a retaining sheet;

[0033] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the seat back with the side air bag deployed; and

[0034] Figure 6 is a sectional view of a seat back according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the vehicle seat according to the present invention is embodied as a driver's seat of an automobile. In the following description, various directions will be based on the perspective of an occupant sitting on the seat.

[0036] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3 rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 2, a headrest 4 connected to the upper end of the seat back 3, a pair of slide rails 5 provided on both sides of the seat cushion 2 in the lower portion of the seat cushion 2, and legs 6 connecting the slide rails 5 to the floor of the vehicle. The lower side portions of the seat cushion 2 are covered by a covering member 7.

[0037] The seat cushion 2 includes a seat cushion frame 11 serving as a skeleton, a seat cushion pad 12 supported by the seat cushion frame 11, and a skin member 13 covering the outer surface of the seat cushion pad 12. The seat cushion frame 11 includes a pair of cushion side members 15 extending in the front-rear direction, a front member 16 extending transversely and connected to the front ends of the cushion side members 15, and a rear member 17 extending transversely and connected to the rear ends of the cushion side members 15.

[0038] Each slide rail 5 includes an upper rail 5A connected to the cushion side member 15 and a lower rail 5B supporting the upper rail 5A so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The lower rail 5B is connected to the floor via a leg 6. A rail locking device 5C is provided between the lower rail 5B and the upper rail 5A for selectively fixing the position of the upper rail 5A relative to the lower rail 5B.

[0039] The seat back 3 includes a seat back frame 20 serving as a skeleton, a seat back cushion 21 supported by the seat back frame 20, and a skin member 22 covering the outer surface of the seat back cushion 21. The seat back frame 20 includes a pair of back side members 24 extending vertically along both sides of the seat back 3, an upper member 25 extending transversely and connected to the upper ends of the back side members 24, and a lower member 26 extending transversely and connected to the lower ends of the back side members 24. The lower ends of the back side members 24 are rotatably connected to the rear ends of the respective cushion side members 15 via a reclining mechanism 28. The reclining mechanism 28 can selectively fix the back side members 24 at a desired angular position relative to the cushion side members 15.

[0040] Each of the backrest side members 24 is formed of a sheet metal member having a side wall portion 24A extending vertically and having a main plane facing the lateral direction, a front edge wall portion 24B extending laterally inwardly (laterally toward the middle of the seat 1) from a front edge of the side wall portion 24A, and a rear edge wall portion 24C extending laterally inwardly from a rear edge of the side wall portion 24A. Thus, each backrest side member 24 forms a channel member having an open side facing the lateral inwardly (laterally toward the center of the seat 1) direction.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the side airbag unit 30 is provided on the outer surface (the surface facing laterally outward) of the side wall portion 24A of the right side backrest side member 24. Figure 3 As shown in , the side airbag unit 30 includes a side airbag 31 composed of a fabric bag, an inflator 32 connected to the side airbag 31, and a retainer 33 supporting the inflator 32 and the side airbag 31. The inflator 32 is a device for generating gas to be supplied to the side airbag 31, and has a cylindrical shell 32A. The retainer 33 is formed as a plate member and is connected to the side surface of the shell 32A. The side airbag 31 is folded in an initial state and is placed on one side of the inflator 32 and the retainer 33. The outer shape of the side airbag unit 30 including the inflator 32, the side airbag 31 and the retainer 33 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the retainer 33 defines one of its outer side surfaces.

[0042] The fastening shaft 35 is provided on the surface of the retainer 33 facing away from the inflator 32. A fastening hole 26 penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the side wall portion 24A of the backrest side member 24 on the right side. The fastening shaft 35 is inserted into the fastening hole 36 and fastened so that the side airbag unit 30 is attached to the outer surface of the side wall portion 24A of the backrest side member 24. In the present embodiment, the fastening shaft 35 is a stud bolt, and is fastened to the periphery of the fastening hole 36 by screwing a nut 37 onto the end of the fastening shaft 35 passing through the fastening hole 36. In another embodiment, the fastening shaft 35 may be provided with an expansion claw at its end so as to be locked to the periphery of the fastening hole 36 at the claw. The side airbag unit 30 is attached to the backrest side member 24 so that the longitudinal direction of the side airbag unit 30 and the inflator 32 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the backrest side member 24.

[0043] The inflator 32 is connected to an ECU (not shown in the drawing) of the vehicle to generate gas to deploy the side airbag 31 upon receiving a signal from the ECU.

[0044] The seat back pad 21 is formed of a resilient cushioning material such as polyurethane foam. The seat back pad 21 includes a middle portion 41 located between the left and right back side members 24, and a pair of side portions 42 connected to the left and right sides of the middle portion 41 and surrounding the corresponding back side members 24. The middle portion 41 is opposite to the upper back of the torso of the seat occupant, and the left and right side portions 42 are opposite to the respective upper sides of the torso of the seat occupant. Each side portion 42 includes a side front portion 42A that protrudes laterally outward and forward from the corresponding side edge of the middle portion 41, a side end portion 42B that extends backward along the lateral outer side of the back side member 24 and the side airbag unit 30 from the outer edge of the side front portion 42A, and a side rear portion 42C that extends laterally inward from the rear edge of the side end portion 42B to the portion located behind the back side member 24. A groove 43 is formed at the junction between the middle portion 41 and each of the left and right side portions 42. At the bottom of the groove 43, a tightening wire (not shown in the drawings) for tightening the skin member 22 is provided.

[0045] The pad side slit 44 is provided in the outer end portion of the back side member 24 on the right side of the seat back pad 21 so as to penetrate the seat back pad 21 in the thickness direction and extend substantially parallel to (perpendicularly to) the back side member 24. The pad side slit 44 is provided to be opposed to the side air bag unit 30. In the present embodiment, the pad side slit 44 is provided in the transversely outer side and front side portion of the back side member 24 on the right side and is located at the junction between the side front portion 42A and the side end portion 42B of the seat back pad 21. The pad side slit 44 is normally maintained in a closed state due to the elastic force (shape retaining force) of the seat back pad 21.

[0046] The backing 45 is attached to the back surface of the seat back pad 21. The backing 45 may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric. For example, when the seat back pad 21 is foam molded, the backing 45 may be connected to the seat back pad 21. If necessary, the backing 45 may also be provided on the wall surface of the seat back pad 21 defining the pad side slit 44, and may extend to the periphery of the pad side slit 44 on the surface of the seat back pad 21.

[0047] The skin member 22 is made of synthetic leather, cloth or the like. The skin member 22 is placed on the seat back cushion 21 and is fixed to the surface of the seat back cushion 21 by being tied to the hanging wire via the groove 43. In addition, a hook 46 is provided along the edge of the skin member 22 and is hooked on a wire 47 consisting of a metal rod provided on the back side member 24 on the right side. A rear cover 49 is provided on the back side of the seat back 3 to cover the opening formed by the edge of the skin member 22. The rear cover 49 is formed of the same material as the skin member 22 and is attached to the edge of the skin member 22 by using conventional fasteners or surface fasteners.

[0048] The portion of the skin member 22 corresponding to the cushion side slit 44 is formed with a skin side slit 51 that passes through the skin member 22. The skin side slit 51 extends along the cushion side slit 44 at a position deviated from the cushion side slit 44 by a predetermined distance in the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, the skin side slit 51 deviates from the cushion side slit 44 by a predetermined distance in the lateral inward direction. The edge of the skin member 22 on the skin side slit 51 is folded back and sewn to form a hem. The edges of the skin member 22 that define the skin side slit 51 are sewn together by the line 53, so that the opening of the skin side slit 51 is thereby closed. When the seat back cushion 21 is covered by the skin member 22, the skin side slit 51 is arranged in a vertically elongated linear shape.

[0049] A retaining sheet 60 for connecting the seat back pad 21 to the back side member 24 is provided on the rear side of the seat back 3. The retaining sheet 60 is a sheet member formed of a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, or a resin sheet. Figure 3 and 4As shown in , the retaining sheet 60 has a cushion connection portion 61 located at its front edge and sewn to the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21, a frame connection portion 62 extending in the front-to-rear direction and connected to the back side member 24 with its main plane facing the lateral direction, and a grip portion 63 extending to the rear of the back side member 24. The retaining sheet 60 gradually increases in its vertical width from the frame connection portion 62 to the cushion connection portion 61, so that the vertical width of the cushion connection portion 61 is substantially larger than the vertical width of the frame connection portion 62. The frame connection portion 62 is formed with a sheet hole 64 penetrating in the thickness direction of the retaining sheet 60. The frame connection portion 62 is formed in a substantially circular shape with the sheet hole 64 as the center.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown in , the cushion connection portion 61 of the retaining piece 60 is connected to a portion of the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21 corresponding to the front end of the back side member 24 on the right side. More specifically, the cushion connection portion 61 of the retaining piece 60 is connected to a portion of the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21 adjacent to the front edge wall portion 24B of the back side member 24 on the right side. Preferably, the cushion connection portion 61 of the retaining piece 60 is connected to a portion of the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21 opposite to the front edge wall portion 24B of the back side member 24 on the right side or to a portion of the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21 slightly laterally offset from the front edge wall portion 24B of the back side member 24 on the right side.

[0051] The cushion connection portion 61 of the retaining sheet 60 is sewn to the backing 45 of the seat back cushion 21. In another embodiment, the cushion connection portion 61 of the retaining sheet 60 is attached to the backing 45 by bonding or other possibilities such as using buttons. The sewn portion or seam between the cushion connection portion 61 and the backing 45 extends vertically. The cushion connection portion 61 is provided to have a greater vertical width than the frame connection portion 62, so that the retaining sheet 60 can be attached to the backing 45 with a seam having a relatively large length.

[0052] The frame connection portion 62 of the retaining sheet 60 is provided between the outer surface of the side wall portion 24A of the back side member 24 and the retainer 33 of the side airbag unit 30, and is retained between the back side member 24 and the side airbag unit 30 so that the retaining sheet 60 is firmly fixed to the back side member 24. The fastening shaft 35 for fastening the side airbag unit 30 to the back side member 24 passes through the sheet hole 64 of the frame connection portion 62, and firmly fixes the frame connection portion 62 to the back side member 24. Preferably, when the frame connection portion 62 is attached to the back side member 24, the pad connection portion 61 and the frame connection portion 62 of the retaining sheet 60 are taut and have no slack.

[0053] The gripping portion 63 of the holding piece 60 protrudes rearward from between the back side member 24 and the side airbag unit 30. The gripping portion 63 of the holding piece 60 is held between the rear edge wall portion 24C of the back side member 24 and the side rear portion 42C of the seat back pad 21.

[0054] In addition, the backrest side member 24 and the skin member 13 are connected to each other by a reinforcement lining cloth 70 (or webbing). The reinforcement lining cloth 70 has a certain vertical width and extends longitudinally in the transverse direction. One end of the reinforcement lining cloth 70 in the longitudinal direction is sewn to the edge of the skin member 13, and the edge of the skin member 13 defines the front edge of the skin side slit 51. The other end of the reinforcement lining cloth 70 in the longitudinal direction is bifurcated into an upper branch 71 and a lower branch 72 located above each other. The free ends of the upper branch 71 and the lower branch 72 are connected to the backrest side member 24 via respective clips 73. The reinforcement lining cloth 70 extends from the backrest side member 24 along the backing 45, and then extends to the front edge of the skin side slit 51 through the pad side slit 44.

[0055] The connection portion between the upper branch 71 and the backrest side member 24 is located above the frame connection portion 62 of the retaining sheet 60, and the connection portion between the lower branch 72 and the backrest side member 24 is located below the frame connection portion 62. The retaining sheet 60 extends from the frame connection portion 62 to the cushion connection portion 61 by passing through a space defined between the upper branch 71 and the lower branch 72.

[0056] The operation mode and effects of the seat 1 constructed as described above will be described below. Figure 5 As shown in , when the side airbag 31 is deployed, the side airbag 31 is inflated toward the pad side slit 44 along the reinforcing lining cloth 70. Pushed by the inflated side airbag 31, the seat back pad 21 is deformed in such a manner that the pad side slit 44 is opened. In addition, under the pressure from the inflated side airbag 31, the sewing line 53 that keeps the skin side slit 51 closed is broken, and the skin side slit 51 is opened. As a result, the side airbag 31 passes through the pad side slit 44 and the skin side slit 51 to be deployed out of the seat 1. Since the seam line (sewn portion) connecting the pad connection portion 61 of the retaining sheet 60 and the backing 45 together extends vertically, the surrounding portion of the pad side slit 44 of the side front portion 42A of the seat back pad 21 is allowed to deform in the outward (forward) direction around the seam line between the pad connection portion 61 of the retaining sheet 60 and the backing 45.

[0057] At normal times other than when the side airbag 31 is deployed, the seat back pad 21 and the skin member 22 are maintained in a predetermined shape so that the pad side slit 44 remains in a closed state. When an occupant of the seat 1 comes into contact with the seat back 3, the pad side slit 44 temporarily opens due to the elastic deformation of the seat back pad 21 and the skin member 22, but once the seat back pad 21 is allowed to recover its original shape, the pad side slit 44 recovers its original closed state.

[0058] When the seat back cushion 21 is deformed under the external force applied by the occupant, the retaining piece 60 pulls back the portion of the back side member 24 adjacent to the seat back cushion 21, so that the movement of the seat back cushion 21 relative to the seat back side member 24 is restricted. Thus, the position deviation of the seat back cushion 21 relative to the seat back side member 24 is minimized. If the seat back cushion 21 is excessively displaced relative to the seat back side member 24, the seat back cushion 21 may be caught by the seat back side member 24, which may prevent the seat back cushion 21 from returning to its original shape. The retaining piece 60 prevents such excessive displacement of the seat back cushion 21 relative to the seat back side member 24, so that the seat back cushion 21 can reliably return to its original form after elastic deformation. As a result, the possibility of the skin-side slit 51 and the pad-side slit 44 remaining open can be minimized.

[0059] Since the retaining piece 60 extends rearward between the back side member 24 and the side airbag unit 30 from the front end connected to the back surface of the seat back pad 21 , the deployment of the side airbag 31 is never hindered by the presence of the retaining piece 60 .

[0060] The gripping portion 63 provided at the rear end of the retaining sheet 60 facilitates the assembly work of the seat 1. By pulling the gripping portion 63 of the retaining sheet 60 after placing the seat back pad 21 on the seat back frame 20, the worker can place the retaining sheet 60 at an appropriate position relative to the back side member 24. Thereafter, the worker inserts the fastening shaft 35 of the side airbag unit 30 into the sheet hole 64 and the fastening hole 36 while holding the retaining sheet 60 by its gripping portion 63 to securely fix the retaining sheet 60 and the side airbag unit 30 to the back side member 24.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described based on specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although the pad side slit 44 is provided at the junction of the side front portion 42A and the side end portion 42B of the seat back pad 21, the pad side slit 44 may also be provided as follows. Figure 6The pad side slit 44 may be provided opposite to the front edge of the side airbag unit 30 , and the skin side slit 51 may be provided at a position directly opposite to the pad side slit 44 .

[0062] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connection portion (seam) between the pad connection portion 61 of the retaining sheet 60 and the backing 45 may overlap or face the front edge wall portion 24B of the back side member 24 in the front-rear direction.

[0063] The frame connection portion 62 of the retaining sheet 60 may be connected to the back side member 24 above or below the side air bag unit 30 .

[0064] Glossary

[0065] 1. Seat

[0066] 2: Seat Cushion

[0067] 3: Seat back

[0068] 20: Seat back frame

[0069] 21: Seat back pad

[0070] 22: Skin component

[0071] 24: Side member of backrest

[0072] 24A: Side wall

[0073] 24B: Front edge wall

[0074] 24C: Rear edge wall

[0075] 30:Side airbag unit

[0076] 31: Side airbags

[0077] 32: Inflator

[0078] 32A: Shell

[0079] 33: Retainer

[0080] 35: Fastening shaft

[0081] 36 fastening holes

[0082] 37: Nut

[0083] 42: Side Part

[0084] 42A: Side front part

[0085] 42B: Side part

[0086] 44: Pad side slits

[0087] 45: Backing

[0088] 51: Skin side slit

[0089] 60: Keep the piece

[0090] 61: Gasket connection

[0091] 62: Frame connection

[0092] 63: Grip

[0093] 64: Hole

[0094] 70: Reinforced lining

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion and a seat back, the seat comprising: a seat back frame including right and left side members extending vertically; a side air bag unit including an inflator and attached to one of the side members; a resilient seat back pad supported by the seat back frame and covering the side member and the side air bag unit; a skin member covering an outer surface of the seat back pad; a reinforcing lining connecting the side members and the skin member; a backing attached to the seat back cushion; as well as a retaining piece connecting the seat back pad to the side member, wherein the retaining sheet has a pad connection portion at its front edge bonded to the backing, a frame connection portion connected to the side member, and a grip portion extending to the rear of the side member, The frame connection portion is provided between the side wall portion of the side member and the side airbag unit, The grip portion protrudes rearward from between the side member and the side airbag unit and is held between a rear edge wall portion of the side member and a side rear portion of the seat back pad, The reinforcing lining fabric extends in the transverse direction, One end of the reinforcing lining cloth in the transverse direction is sewn to the skin member, The other end of the reinforcing lining cloth in the transverse direction is bifurcated into an upper branch and a lower branch. The free ends of the upper branch and the lower branch are connected to the side member via respective clips, and The retaining piece extends from the frame connecting portion to the cushion connecting portion by passing through a space defined between the upper branch and the lower branch. 2 . The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the pad connecting portion is bonded to a portion of the backing corresponding to a front end of the side member on the right side. 3 . The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining piece gradually increases in vertical width from the frame connecting portion to the pad connecting portion such that the vertical width of the pad connecting portion is greater than that of the frame connecting portion.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat back pad is provided with a pad side slit which passes through a portion of the seat back pad opposite to the side air bag unit in a thickness direction and extends in parallel with the side member to allow an air bag deployed from the side air bag unit to pass therethrough, The skin member has a skin-side slit in a portion thereof corresponding to the pad-side slit. 5 . The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the pad connection portion is bonded to the backing.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat back pad includes a middle portion located between the left and right side members, and a pair of side portions connected to the left and right sides of the middle portion and surrounding the corresponding back side members, Each side portion includes a side front portion projecting laterally outwardly and forwardly from a corresponding side edge of the middle portion, The pad connection portion is bonded to the backing.

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