Seat Cushion Frame

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a seat frame including a first side frame and a second side frame, and a connecting member connecting the rear ends of the first side frame and the second side frame to each other. Both the first side frame and the second side frame have a fixing portion at their respective rear ends. The first side frame has a first rib portion and a second rib portion at its rear end. In the first side frame, the virtual ridge line of the first rib portion substantially coincides with a virtual line from the connecting member to the fixing portion, and the angle formed by the virtual ridge line of the first rib portion and the virtual ridge line of the second rib portion is less than or equal to a predetermined angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cushion frame that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-132917 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") describes a side frame provided with an energy-absorbing portion formed by a recess in the width direction of the seat. Furthermore, in this side frame, when a large load is applied to the side frame, the energy-absorbing portion deforms in a concentrated manner, thereby absorbing the energy generated by the load. Summary of the Invention

[0003] For example, in a seat frame having two side frames and a connecting tube connecting the two side frames, if a large downward load is applied to the connecting tube, the general surfaces of the two side frames may deform in a way that protrudes in the width direction of the seat.

[0004] This disclosure discloses an example of a cushion frame capable of suppressing deformation as described above.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a seat cushion frame that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion for a vehicle seat, and preferably has at least one of the following components.

[0006] That is, the constituent elements are: a first side frame, which is disposed at one end in the seat width direction and extends in the seat front-rear direction, and has a fixing part at its rear end that can be directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle; a second side frame, which is disposed at the other end in the seat width direction and extends in the seat front-rear direction, and has a fixing part at its rear end that can be directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle; a connecting member, which extends in the seat width direction and connects the rear end of the first side frame and the rear end of the second side frame; and a first rib portion and a second rib portion, which are provided at least at the rear end of the first side frame, and both the first rib portion and the second rib portion are formed by bending a portion of the first side frame in a way that protrudes or retracts in the seat width direction, wherein the first rib portion and the second rib portion are recessed from the surface of the first side frame toward the second side frame in the seat width direction.

[0007] Furthermore, preferably in the first side frame, the virtual ridge line formed by connecting the top of the first rib portion is substantially aligned with the virtual line from the connecting member to the fixing part of the first side frame. Preferably, the second rib portion is located below the first rib portion, and preferably, the angle between the virtual ridge line formed by connecting the top of the second rib portion and the ridge line of the first rib portion is less than or equal to a predetermined angle.

[0008] Therefore, even under large downward loads on the connecting parts, the first and second ribs can be used to suppress deformation of the first side frame in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the thickness of the components forming the first side frame can be reduced, thereby achieving weight reduction of the first side frame.

[0009] In addition, the seat frame may have the following configuration, for example.

[0010] That is, a stepped, curved weak part is preferably provided between the connecting member and the first rib in the first side frame.

[0011] Therefore, when a large downward load is applied to the connecting member, the weak part undergoes plastic deformation in a buckling manner, thereby guiding the displacement of the connecting member along the ridge line of the first rib of the first side frame.

[0012] Furthermore, even when a large downward load is applied to the connecting component, causing it to displace significantly, it is possible to prevent the connecting component from interfering with other components besides the first side frame.

[0013] Furthermore, the dimension of the portion of the first rib section that is parallel to the following direction is called the rib width. This direction is orthogonal to both the ridge line of the first rib section and the seat width direction. In this case, it is preferable that the first rib section is formed such that the rib width is smaller the closer it is to the fixing part of the first side frame. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the cushion frame of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the cushion frame of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the rear end portion of the first side frame in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the rear end portion of the first side frame in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5A This is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the first rib section.

[0019] Figure 5B This is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the first rib section.

[0020] Figure 6A This is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the first rib section.

[0021] Figure 6BThis is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the first rib section.

[0022] Figure 7 This is an illustration of the shape of the vulnerable part. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The following embodiments illustrate an example of an implementation within the scope of this disclosure. That is, the technical solutions described in the claims are not limited to the specific structures or configurations shown in the following embodiments.

[0025] This embodiment is an example of applying the seat frame of this disclosure to a seat installed in a vehicle or other means of transportation (hereinafter referred to as a "vehicle seat"). Arrows and diagonal lines, etc., indicating direction in the various figures are symbols used to facilitate understanding of the interrelationships between the figures and the shapes of components or parts.

[0026] Therefore, the vehicle seat is not limited to the directions indicated in the accompanying drawings. The directions shown in the accompanying drawings are those in which the vehicle seat with the seat cushion frame of this embodiment is assembled into the vehicle. Drawings marked with diagonal lines do not necessarily represent cross-sectional views.

[0027] For any component or part that is marked with a symbol, there must be at least one such component, unless otherwise stated beforehand as "only one". That is, unless otherwise stated beforehand as "only one", there may be more than one such component.

[0028] (First Embodiment)

[0029] <1. Overview of the seat cushion frame>

[0030] Figure 1 The seat frame 10, shown in solid lines, can be used in a vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 includes at least a seat cushion 3 and a seat back (not shown).

[0031] The seat cushion 3 is used to support the buttocks of the person sitting. The seat back is used to support the back of the person sitting. Furthermore, the seat cushion frame 10 is a strong component that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 3.

[0032] <1.1 Simplified Structure of the Seat Cushion Frame>

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the seat frame 10 includes at least a first side frame 11, a second side frame 12, a first connecting member 13, and a second connecting member 14.

[0034] <First Side Frame>

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the first side frame 11 is a component disposed on one end side in the seat width direction (disposed on the left end side in this embodiment) and extending in the seat front-back direction. Fixing parts 11A and 11B are provided at the lower end of the first side frame 11.

[0036] The fixing part 11A is provided at the rear end of the first side frame 11 and is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle. The fixing part 11B is provided at the front end of the first side frame 11 and is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle.

[0037] The first side frame 11 of this embodiment, namely the seat frame 10, is indirectly fixed to the vehicle via a sliding device (not shown). This sliding device can fix the seat frame 10 to the vehicle, for example, in a state that allows it to slide in the vehicle's longitudinal direction or in a state that prevents it from sliding in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0038] In this embodiment, the fixing parts 11A and 11B are each formed to include at least one bolt insertion hole. These bolt insertion holes are through holes for inserting bolts (not shown) used for fastening connections.

[0039] Furthermore, the fixing part 11A in this embodiment is formed to include two bolt insertion holes. Hereinafter, the bolt insertion hole located on the rear side of the two bolt insertion holes of the fixing part 11A will also be referred to as "rear bolt insertion hole 111A".

[0040] <Second Side Frame>

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the second side frame 12 is a component disposed on the other end side (the right end side in this embodiment) in the width direction of the seat and extending in the front-back direction of the seat. Fixing parts 12A and 12B are provided at the lower end of the second side frame 12.

[0042] The fixing part 12A is provided at the rear end of the second side frame 12 and is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle. The fixing part 12B is provided at the front end of the second side frame 12 and is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle.

[0043] Similar to the first side frame 11, the second side frame 12 is also indirectly fixed to the vehicle via a sliding device. In this embodiment, the fixing portions 12A and 12B are each formed to include at least one bolt insertion hole. These bolt insertion holes are through holes for inserting bolts (not shown) used for fastening connections.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are approximately symmetrical in shape across the center of the seat width direction. That is, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are formed to be approximately symmetrical about each other across a virtual vertical plane passing through the center of the seat width direction.

[0045] Furthermore, by performing plastic processing (e.g., stamping) on ​​metal sheets such as cold-rolled steel sheets, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are integrally formed together with the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16, which will be described later.

[0046] <First connecting component and second connecting component>

[0047] The first connecting member 13 and the second connecting member 14 are members that extend in the width direction of the seat. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connecting member 13 and the second connecting member 14 are formed of a cylindrical hollow member (e.g., a round tube).

[0048] Furthermore, the first connecting member 13 connects the rear end of the first side frame 11 and the rear end of the second side frame 12. The second connecting member 14 connects the front end of the first side frame 11 and the front end of the second side frame 12.

[0049] Furthermore, the first connecting component 13 is welded and fixed to each side frame 11, 12 via bracket 13A. The second connecting component 14 is directly welded and fixed to each side frame 11, 12.

[0050] <1.2 Characteristic Structure of the Side Frame>

[0051] As described above, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are symmetrical in shape. Furthermore, in the following description, the characteristic structure will be described using the first side frame 11 as an example.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, a first rib portion 15, a second rib portion 16, and a weak portion 17 are provided at the rear end of the first side frame 11. The first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are both formed by bending a portion of the steel plate constituting the first side frame 11 in a manner that protrudes or recesses in the seat width direction.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 of the first side frame 11 are curved in a manner that they are recessed toward the second side frame 12 relative to the general surface 11C of the first side frame 11. The general surface 11C is a surface orthogonal to the seat width direction and is a region where the plastic flow of the material is relatively small during plastic processing.

[0054] <Details of the first rib section>

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the first rib portion 15 is formed such that the top 15A (see reference) of the first rib portion 15 is connected to it. Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A as well as Figure 6B The virtual ridge line L1 formed is a recess that roughly coincides with the virtual line Lo from the first connecting member 13 to the rear bolt insertion hole 111A.

[0056] also, Figure 4 The virtual line Lo shown is a virtual line that starts from the central axis of the first connecting component 13 and passes through the center of the rear bolt insertion hole 111A (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0057] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A as well as Figure 6B As shown, the dimensional difference between the top 15A of the first rib portion 15 in this embodiment and the general surface 11C, that is, the recessed dimension d, varies along the ridge line L1. Furthermore, the recessed dimension d is a dimension in a direction parallel to the seat width direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the rib width W of the first rib portion 15 is formed such that it becomes smaller the closer it is to the rear bolt insertion hole 111, that is, the closer it is to the lower end. Therefore, the outer edge shape of the first rib portion 15 projected onto a virtual plane orthogonal to the seat width direction is formed into a roughly triangular shape that protrudes from the lower side (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0059] Furthermore, "the virtual ridge line L1 is roughly consistent with the virtual line Lo" means that the ridge line L1 and the virtual line Lo are roughly parallel to each other, and the size by which the ridge line L1 and the virtual line Lo are offset is, for example, less than half the outer diameter of the first connecting member 13.

[0060] "The spine line L1 and the virtual line Lo are approximately parallel to each other" means that the angle between the spine line L1 and the virtual line Lo is within, for example, the range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees. The rib width W refers to the dimension of the portion of the first rib portion 15 that is parallel to the following direction, which is orthogonal to both the spine line L1 of the first rib portion 15 and the seat width direction.

[0061] <Details of the second rib section>

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the second rib portion 16 is located below the first rib portion 15. Furthermore, the angle θ formed by the virtual ridge line L2 and ridge line L1 formed by connecting the top of the second rib portion 16 is a predetermined angle (e.g., 30 degrees) that is less than or equal to 0 degrees.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are formed such that the extension lines of the ridge line L1 and the extension lines of the ridge line L2 intersect at the rear bolt insertion hole 111A or within a specified range including the rear bolt insertion hole 111A.

[0064] In other words, the extensions of ridge line L1 and ridge line L2 intersect at the rear bolt insertion hole 111A or within a specified range including the rear bolt insertion hole 111A, and the angle θ formed by ridge line L1 and ridge line L2 is less than or equal to "a specified angle including 0 degrees".

[0065] <Details of Vulnerable Areas>

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown, the vulnerable part 17 is a stepped section located between the first connecting member 13 and the first rib section 15 in the first side frame 11. This vulnerable part 17 is more prone to buckling deformation than other parts when a compressive load parallel to the virtual line Lo is applied.

[0067] That is, the vulnerable part 17 in this embodiment is formed with a cross-sectional shape that is approximately Z-shaped. Therefore, if a compressive load is applied to crush the Z-shaped cross-sectional shape, the bent portions 17A and 17B forming the Z will undergo significant deformation, thereby causing the vulnerable part 17 to undergo plastic deformation in a buckling manner.

[0068] <2. Features of the seat frame (especially the side frame) in this embodiment>

[0069] In this embodiment, both the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are provided with a first rib portion 15 and a second rib portion 16. As a result, the moment of inertia of the cross sections of the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 at the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are increased.

[0070] Therefore, even when a large downward load is applied to the first connecting member 13, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 in a way that protrudes in the seat width direction.

[0071] Furthermore, since the thickness of the steel plate forming the first side frame 11 and the steel plate forming the second side frame 12 can be reduced, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 can be made lighter, that is, the seat cushion frame 10 can be made lighter.

[0072] Furthermore, a stepped, curved weak portion 17 is formed between the first connecting member 13 and the first rib portion 15 in the first side frame 11, and a stepped, curved weak portion 17 is also formed between the first connecting member 13 and the first rib portion 15 in the second side frame 12.

[0073] Therefore, when a large downward load is applied to the first connecting member 13, each vulnerable part 17 undergoes plastic deformation in a buckling manner, thereby enabling the displacement of the first connecting member 13 to be guided along the ridge line L1 of each first rib part 15.

[0074] Furthermore, even when a large downward load is applied to the first connecting member 13, causing a large displacement of the first connecting member 13, it is possible to suppress the first connecting member 13 from interfering with other components besides the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12.

[0075] (Other implementation methods)

[0076] In the above embodiment, the virtual line Lo is a virtual line that starts from the central axis of the first connecting member 13 and passes through the center of the rear bolt insertion hole 111A forming the fixing part 11A. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the virtual line Lo of this disclosure can be any virtual line that starts from the first connecting member 13 and extends to the fixing part 11A or extends to the rear bolt insertion hole 111A.

[0077] In the above embodiment, a vulnerable portion 17 is provided between the first connecting member 13 and the first rib portion 15. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may also include a structure that eliminates, for example, the vulnerable portion 17.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the outer edge of the first rib portion 15 is formed into a generally triangular shape with a downward protrusion. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the first rib portion 15 of this disclosure may also have, for example, an elliptical outer edge shape in which the major axis direction coincides with the virtual ridge line L1.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are recessed in a shape that bulges towards the center side in the width direction of the seat. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0080] That is, this disclosure may also include, for example, a structure in which the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are formed to bulge in the opposite direction to the above embodiment, or it may be a structure in which the direction in which the first rib portion 15 bulges and the direction in which the second rib portion 16 bulges are different from each other.

[0081] In the above embodiment, a first rib portion 15 and a second rib portion 16 are provided in both the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0082] That is, this disclosure may also be a structure in which the first rib portion 15 and the second rib portion 16 are provided only in the side frame of either the first side frame 11 or the second side frame 12.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the seat cushion frame of this disclosure is used in vehicle seats. However, the application scope of this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, this disclosure can also be applied to seats used in transportation vehicles such as railway vehicles, ships and aircraft, as well as fixed seats used in theaters or homes.

[0084] Furthermore, this disclosure is applicable as long as it conforms to the content of the claims, and is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, this disclosure may be a combination of at least two of the above-described embodiments, or it may be a configuration that eliminates any of the constituent elements illustrated or described by reference numerals in the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A seat cushion frame constituting the skeleton of a seat cushion for a vehicle seat, the seat cushion frame being characterized by comprising: The first side frame is disposed at one end in the width direction of the seat and extends in the front-rear direction of the seat. The first side frame has a fixing part at its rear end that can be directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle. The second side frame is disposed on the other end side in the width direction of the seat and extends in the front-rear direction of the seat. The second side frame has a fixing part at its rear end that can be directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle. as well as A connecting member extends in the seat width direction and connects the rear end of the first side frame and the rear end of the second side frame. A first rib and a second rib are provided at the rear end of the first side frame. Both the first and second ribs are formed by bending a portion of the first side frame in a manner that protrudes or retracts in the seat width direction. The first and second ribs are recessed from the surface of the first side frame toward the second side frame in the seat width direction. The virtual ridge line formed by connecting the top of the first rib section is substantially consistent with the virtual line from the connecting member to the fixing part. The second rib is located below the first rib, and the angle between the virtual ridge line formed by connecting the top of the second rib and the ridge line of the first rib is less than or equal to a predetermined angle.

2. The seat cushion frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first side frame, a stepped, curved weak section is provided between the connecting member and the first rib.

3. The seat cushion frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The dimension of the portion of the first rib section that is parallel to the following direction is referred to as the rib width. The direction is orthogonal to both the ridge line of the first rib section and the seat width direction. In this case, the first rib section is formed such that the rib width is smaller the closer it is to the fixing part of the first side frame.

4. The seat cushion frame according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a third rib and a fourth rib, which are disposed at the rear end of the second side frame. Both the third rib and the fourth rib are formed by bending a portion of the second side frame in a manner that protrudes or retracts in the seat width direction. The third rib of the second side frame has a shape that is symmetrical to the first rib of the first side frame across the center of the seat width direction. The fourth rib of the second side frame has a shape that is symmetrical to the second rib of the first side frame across the center of the seat width direction.

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