Seat for a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle seat capable of absorbing excess length of a wire harness in a scalable leg support device. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat provided with a leg support device. The leg support device has a main body that swings between a stowed position and a deployed position, an extension portion that is installed to be slidable with respect to the main body, and an adjustment portion that adjusts excess length of the wire harness. The adjustment portion has a housing fixed to the main body, and a guide that holds the wire harness and slides with respect to the housing. The housing has a guide insertion path through which the guide is inserted. The guide insertion path includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and a delivery port that delivers the guide to the outside of the housing. The distance between the lower surface and the upper surface increases as it approaches the delivery port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to seats for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In vehicle seats, wiring harnesses are installed for power supply and communication purposes, and the excess length of these harnesses changes in accordance with the movement or deformation of the vehicle seats. Therefore, a solution for an excess length absorbing device has been proposed, which absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness by maintaining the reciprocating movement (i.e., sliding) of the protector of the wiring harness (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-84643). Summary of the Invention

[0003] A leg support device is provided in a vehicle seat, a portion of which extends forward. In this vehicle seat, the front end of the leg support device bends downward due to the load on the occupant's legs. Therefore, if a wiring harness and a sliding excess length absorption device as described above are provided at the front end of the leg support device, the protector holding the wiring harness may deform due to this bending. This could potentially hinder the absorption of excess wiring harness length through the sliding of the protector.

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure preferably provides a vehicle seat capable of absorbing excess wire length in a retractable leg support device.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion and a leg support device. The leg support device includes: a main body configured to swing between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the retracted position is when the main body is retracted under the seat cushion; and the extended position is when the main body is extended toward the front side of the seat cushion; an extension portion mounted to be slidable relative to the main body; a wiring harness disposed across the main body and the extension portion; and an adjustment portion configured to adjust the excess length of the wiring harness.

[0006] The adjustment unit includes: a housing fixed to the main body and configured to extend or retract the wire harness in conjunction with the sliding of the extension; and a guide member holding the wire harness and configured to slide relative to the housing together with the wire harness. The housing has a guide member insertion path, and the guide member inserts into the guide member insertion path along the sliding direction.

[0007] The guide insertion path includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and a delivery outlet. The lower surface contacts the guide from below when the main body is in the unfolded position, and the upper surface overlaps the guide from above when the main body is in the unfolded position. The delivery outlet delivers the guide out of the housing. The distance between the lower and upper surfaces in directions orthogonal to both the sliding direction of the guide and the width direction of the seat increases as they approach the delivery outlet.

[0008] According to the structure described above, the distance between the lower surface and the upper surface tends to increase towards the outlet on the guide insertion path, thereby reducing the sliding resistance between the guide and the lower surface when the extension bends downward due to the load on the legs and feet of the seated person.

[0009] Therefore, when the leg support is in place, as the extension slides backward toward the seat, the wiring harness and guide are pulled into the housing together. This allows for smooth absorption of any excess wiring harness length when the leg support retracts.

[0010] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the guide can be fixed to the extension. According to the structure described above, the guide can slide stably relative to the guide insertion path as the extension slides.

[0011] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the adjusting portion may have a recess and a convex portion. The recess is disposed on either the guide member or the guide member insertion path and extends in the sliding direction of the guide member. The convex portion is disposed on the remaining one of the guide member and the guide member insertion path and is inserted into the recess. According to the structure described above, the sliding direction of the guide member is stabilized, thereby reducing sliding resistance.

[0012] In one embodiment of this disclosure, a recess may be provided on the guide. A protrusion may be provided on the insertion path of the guide. According to the structure described above, the recess functions as a rib, thereby increasing the strength of the guide.

[0013] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the housing may include: a receiving portion that houses the wire harness; and a wire harness fixing portion that fixes the wire harness outside the receiving portion. An intermediate portion of the wire harness located between a first portion and a second portion can be housed in the receiving portion, the first portion being the portion of the wire harness fixed by the wire harness fixing portion, and the second portion being the portion of the wire harness held by a guide member. According to the structure described above, the wire harness can be stably bent inside the housing when the leg support device retracts. Furthermore, the number of components used to fix the wire harness can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view illustrating a vehicle seat according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B It is shown Figure 1 A schematic side view of the leg support device for a vehicle seat in use.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A schematic perspective view of the leg support device for a seat in a vehicle.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of the leg support device.

[0018] Figure 5A yes Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the adjustment section of the leg support device.

[0019] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view at the VB-VB line.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the base of the outer shell that constitutes the adjustment part.

[0021] Figure 7A This shows the extension in position 1. Figure 4 A schematic top view of the adjustment section.

[0022] Figure 7B This shows the extension in the second position. Figure 4 A schematic top view of the adjustment section.

[0023] Figure 8A as well as Figure 8B yes Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the guide component of the adjustment section. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of which this disclosure is applied will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] [1. First Embodiment]

[0026] [1-1. Structure]

[0027] Figure 1 The vehicle seat 1 shown has a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, and a leg support device 4.

[0028] The vehicle seat 1 is used as a passenger seat in a passenger vehicle. Furthermore, the directions indicated in the following description and the accompanying drawings refer to the direction in which the vehicle seat 1 is installed in the vehicle (i.e., the passenger vehicle). In this embodiment, the seat width direction is aligned with the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the front of the seat is aligned with the front of the vehicle.

[0029] The seat cushion 2 is for supporting the buttocks of the occupant. The seat back 3 is for supporting the back of the occupant. The leg support device 4 is for supporting the legs of the occupant.

[0030] <Leg support device>

[0031] The leg support device 4 can be switched between a non-use state and a use state. In the non-use state, the padding supporting the occupant's legs is located under the seat cushion 2 (see reference). Figure 1 In use, the padding extends to the front side of the seat cushion 2 (see reference). Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B The leg support device 4 has a main body 41 and an extension 42.

[0032] <Main Body>

[0033] The main body 41 is composed of, in Figure 1 The storage locations shown are Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B The body oscillates between the shown unfolded positions, where the stowed position is the position when the main body 41 is stowed under the seat cushion 2; and the unfolded position is the position when the main body 41 has been unfolded toward the front side of the seat cushion 2.

[0034] The main body 41 is connected to the cushion frame supporting the seat cushion 2 in a manner that allows it to swing vertically relative to the cushion frame (not shown) supporting the seat cushion 2. The swing center axis of the main body 41 is parallel to the width direction of the seat.

[0035] <Extension>

[0036] The extension 42 is a portion that has padding to support the legs and feet of the seated person. The extension 42 is mounted so as to be able to slide relative to the main body 41. The leg support device 4 extends and retracts by sliding the extension 42.

[0037] Specifically, the extension 42 is configured such that, when the main body 41 is in the unfolded position, the extension 42 slides between a first position and a second position along the front-rear direction of the seat, wherein the first position is... Figure 2A The position of the extension 42 relative to the main body 41 is shown; the second position is Figure 2B The position of the extension 42 relative to the main body 41 is shown.

[0038] The second position is located further forward of the seat than the first position. When the main body 41 is in the stowed position, the extension 42 is in the first position. Furthermore, when the main body 41 is not in the unfolded position, the extension 42 will not slide from the first position.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, with the main body 41 in the unfolded position, the extension 42 is positioned above the main body 41. Furthermore, Figure 3 The diagram shows the extension 42 in the first position, and the illustration of the padding on the extension 42 is omitted.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the leg support device 4 also includes a wiring harness 43 and an adjustment section 44. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the text, the cover 41A of the main body 41 is omitted (see reference). Figure 3 The illustration is shown. Furthermore, the illustration of the drive mechanism disposed inside the main body 41 is omitted. The drive mechanism consists of actuators, linkages, gears, etc., used to drive the main body 41 and the extension 42 (i.e., to make them swing or slide).

[0041] <Wire Harness>

[0042] The wiring harness 43 is configured to span the main body 41 and the extension 42. The wiring harness 43 enables the electrical mounting component 5 (see reference 5) to be mounted on the extension 42. Figure 3 It is electrically connected to, for example, the power supply and control devices of a vehicle. As an electrical installation component 5, an example is a heater that heats the padding of the extension 42.

[0043] <Regulation Department>

[0044] Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B The adjustment section 44 shown is configured to adjust (i.e., absorb) the excess length of the wire harness 43 by housing the wire harness 43 inside the adjustment section 44. The wire harness 43 is inserted through the adjustment section 44. The adjustment section 44 has a housing 441 and a guide 442.

[0045] <Outer shell>

[0046] The outer casing 441 is fixed to the main body 41 and is configured to deliver or retract the wire harness 43 in conjunction with the sliding of the extension 42.

[0047] The outer casing 441 is, for example, formed of resin. Figure 5A As shown, the housing 441 is constructed by connecting the base 44A and the cover 44B that is superimposed on the base 44A. The housing 441 has a guide insertion path 441A, a receiving portion 441B, a wire harness insertion port 441C, and a wire harness fixing portion 441D.

[0048] The guide insertion path 441A is a cylindrical portion, through which the guide 442 and the wire harness 43 slide together along the sliding direction. The interior of the guide insertion path 441A communicates with the interior of the receiving portion 441B. In this embodiment, the sliding direction of the guide 442 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0049] like Figure 5B As shown, the guide insertion path 441A has a lower surface 4411, an upper surface 4412, an outlet 4413, and a protrusion 4414 (see reference). Figure 6In addition, in Figure 5B The illustration of guide 442 is omitted in the text.

[0050] The lower surface 4411 is the inner surface that overlaps with and contacts the guide 442 from below when the main body 41 is in the unfolded position. The upper surface 4412 is the inner surface that overlaps with the guide 442 from above when the main body 41 is in the unfolded position.

[0051] The lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 are opposite each other in a direction orthogonal to both the sliding direction of the guide 442 and the seat width direction (i.e., the height direction of the guide insertion path 441A). Both the lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 are planes parallel to the seat width direction and extending in the seat fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the lower surface 4411 is inclined relative to the upper surface 4412.

[0052] The outlet 4413 is an opening that delivers the guide 442 to the outside of the housing 441 when the extension 42 is extended (i.e., when it slides towards the front of the seat). When the extension 42 is retracted (i.e., when it slides towards the rear of the seat), the guide 442 is delivered into the interior of the housing 441 from the outlet 4413.

[0053] The distance D between the lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 in the height direction of the guide insertion path 441A increases as the body moves from the receiving portion 441B toward the delivery outlet 4413. Specifically, the lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 are inclined such that, when the main body 41 is in the unfolded position, the ends of the lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 near the delivery outlet 4413 are positioned lower than the ends on the opposite sides. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the lower surface 4411 relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the upper surface 4412 relative to the horizontal direction.

[0054] Furthermore, if the shape is such that the distance D increases as it moves from the receiving section 441B toward the delivery outlet 4413, the lower surface 4411 may not be planar. That is, the lower surface 4411 may also be a curved or bent surface.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, a protrusion 4414 is provided in the base 44A of the housing 441 at the portion forming the guide insertion path 441A. The protrusion 4414 is a raised strip extending in the sliding direction of the guide 442. The protrusion 4414 protrudes from the lower surface 4411 of the guide insertion path 441A toward the upper surface 4412.

[0056] like Figure 7A as well as Figure 7BAs shown, the receiving portion 441B is a part that receives the wire harness 43 in a bent (i.e., curved) state. The middle portion 433 of the wire harness 43, received in the receiving portion 441B, expands and contracts within the receiving portion 441B in conjunction with the sliding of the guide member 442. Furthermore, Figure 7A as well as Figure 7B This shows the state after the base 44A of the outer casing 441 has been removed.

[0057] The wire harness insertion port 441C is an opening through which the wire harness 43 is inserted. The wire harness insertion port 441C connects the receiving part 441B (i.e., the inside of the housing 441) and the outside of the housing 441.

[0058] Figure 5A The wire harness fixing part 441D shown is a plate-shaped portion that fixes the wire harness 43 outside the receiving part 441B. The wire harness fixing part 441D protrudes from the outer surface of the base 44A of the housing 441. When the main body 41 is in the unfolded position, the wire harness fixing part 441D is located below the wire harness insertion port 441C.

[0059] The first portion 431 of the wire harness 43 is fixed to the wire harness fixing part 441D, for example, by a cable tie or the like. The first portion 431 and the second portion 432 of the wire harness 43 (see reference) Figure 8A The intermediate portion 433 between the two is housed in the housing section 441B as described above (see reference). Figure 7A ), of which, part 2 432 (refer to Figure 8A The part 441D is the portion of the wire harness 43 held by the guide 442. The wire harness fixing part 441D, together with the guide 442, defines the length of the middle portion 433 of the wire harness 43.

[0060] <Guide>

[0061] The guide 442 is an elongated component and is configured to hold the wire harness 43 and slide relative to the housing 441 together with the wire harness 43.

[0062] The guide 442 slides together with the extension 42 in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat. The guide 442 is, for example, formed of resin. Figure 8A as well as Figure 8B As shown, the guide 442 has a wire harness holding part 442A and a clamping part 442B.

[0063] The wire harness holding part 442A is a sleeve with a slot for radial insertion of the wire harness 43. The longitudinal direction of the wire harness holding part 442A is parallel to the sliding direction of the guide member 442.

[0064] The wire harness holding part 442A is inserted through the guide insertion path 441A of the housing 441. The wire harness holding part 442A has a bottom wall 4421 that slides relative to the lower surface 4411 of the guide insertion path 441A, and a recess 4422 provided in the bottom wall 4421.

[0065] The recess 4422 is a groove into which the protrusion 4414 of the guide insertion path 441A is inserted. The recess 4422 extends along the sliding direction of the guide 442. The recess 4422 forms part of the rib of the bottom wall 4421.

[0066] The clamping part 442B is fixed to the extension part 42. The clamping part 442B is fixed to the extension part 42 by a fastener such as a resin clip that inserts through the through hole 4423. The through hole 4423 is an elongated hole with a diameter in the seat width direction larger than its diameter in the direction orthogonal to the seat width direction. Therefore, it can absorb dimensional deviations between the clamping part 442B and the extension part 42 in the seat width direction.

[0067] The clamp portion 442B is connected to the end of the wire harness holding portion 442A located in front of the seat. Furthermore, the wire harness 43 is secured to the clamp portion 442B, for example, by a cable tie.

[0068] If the extension 42 is in position 1 (refer to) Figure 2A When the adjustment part 44 slides forward toward the seat, the clamp part 442B fixed to the extension part 42 moves forward toward the seat together with the extension part 42. Therefore, the adjustment part 44... Figure 7A The wire harness holding part 442A shown is housed in the guide insertion path 441A, thus changing to a state where... Figure 7B The wire harness holding portion 442A shown is pulled out from the guide insertion path 441A. As a result, the second portion 432 of the wire harness 43 held by the guide 442 is delivered from the housing 441.

[0069] On the other hand, if the extension 42 in the second position (refer to) Figure 2B When the adjustment part 44 slides backward toward the seat, the clamp part 442B fixed to the extension part 42 moves backward toward the seat together with the extension part 42. Therefore, the adjustment part 44... Figure 7B The state shown becomes Figure 7A The state shown. As a result, the second part 432, which is held by the guide member 442, is retracted into the housing 441.

[0070] [1-2. Effects]

[0071] The following effects can be obtained by implementing the methods described in detail above.

[0072] (1a) The distance between the lower surface 4411 and the upper surface 4412 increases as it approaches the outlet 4413 on the guide insertion path 441A, thereby reducing the sliding resistance between the guide 442 and the lower surface 4411 when the extension 42 bends downward due to the load on the legs of the seated person.

[0073] Therefore, when the leg support is in place, as the extension 42 slides backward toward the seat, the wiring harness 43 and the guide 442 are pulled into the housing 441 together. Thus, the excess length of the wiring harness 43 can be smoothly absorbed when the leg support 4 retracts.

[0074] (1b) The guide 442 is fixed to the extension 42, thereby allowing the guide 442 to slide stably relative to the guide insertion path 441A as the extension 42 slides.

[0075] (1c) The sliding direction of the guide 442 is stabilized by the protrusion 4414 and the recess 4422, thereby reducing the sliding resistance.

[0076] (1d) The recess 4422 functions as a rib, thereby increasing the strength of the guide 442.

[0077] (1e) The wire harness fixing part 441D is provided on the housing 441, thereby enabling the wire harness 43 to be stably bent inside the housing 441 when the leg support device 4 is retracted. In addition, the number of parts used to fix the wire harness 43 can be reduced.

[0078] [2. Other Implementation Methods]

[0079] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above; however, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various embodiments can be adopted.

[0080] (2a) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, as long as the guide can be slid together with the extension by means of the wire harness fixed to the extension, the guide does not need to be fixed to the extension.

[0081] (2b) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the recess may be provided on the guide insertion path, and the protrusion may be provided on the guide. In addition, the adjustment part may not have a recess or a protrusion.

[0082] (2c) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the outer part of the wire harness insertion port of the wire harness ratio adjustment part can also be fixed to the main body of the leg support device. In addition, the outer shell may not have a wire harness fixing part.

[0083] (2d) The vehicle seat described in the above embodiments can also be applied to seats used in automobiles other than passenger cars, or to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as railway vehicles, ships, aircraft, etc.

[0084] (2e) The functions of one constituent element in the above embodiments can be shared by multiple constituent elements, or the functions of multiple constituent elements can be integrated into one constituent element. Furthermore, a portion of the structure of the above embodiments can be omitted. Additionally, at least a portion of the structure of the above embodiments can be added to the structure of other embodiments, or at least a portion of the structure of the above embodiments can be substituted with the structure of other embodiments. Furthermore, all embodiments of the technical concept defined by the statements in the claims are embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion and a leg support device, characterized in that, The leg support device has: a main body configured to swing between a storage position and a deployed position, wherein The storage position is the position when the main body is stored under the seat cushion; the unfolded position is the position when the main body has been unfolded towards the front side of the seat cushion. An extension portion, which is mounted to be slidable relative to the main body; A wire harness, which is configured to span the body and the extension; as well as An adjustment section is configured to adjust the excess length of the wire harness. The adjustment unit has: A housing, fixed to the main body, and configured to extend or retract the wiring harness in conjunction with the sliding of the extension; and A guide member, fixed to the extension and holding the wiring harness, is configured to slide relative to the housing together with the wiring harness. The housing has a guide insertion path, and the guide is inserted into the guide insertion path along the sliding direction. The guide insertion path includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and an outlet. The lower surface contacts the guide from below when the main body is in the unfolded position. The upper surface overlaps the guide from above when the main body is in the unfolded position. The outlet outlet delivers the guide to the outside of the housing. The adjusting part has a concave portion and a convex portion. The recess is disposed on either the guide or the guide insertion path, and extends in the sliding direction of the guide. The protrusion is disposed on the remaining one of the guide and the guide insertion path, and is inserted into the recess. The protrusion is a raised strip extending in the sliding direction of the guide. The distance between the lower surface and the upper surface in a direction orthogonal to both the sliding direction of the guide and the width direction of the seat increases as they move toward the delivery outlet.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recess is provided on the guide. The protrusion is disposed on the guide insertion path.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer casing has: A receiving section, the receiving section housing the wire harness; and A wire harness fixing part, which fixes the wire harness outside the receiving part. The intermediate portion of the wire harness located between the first portion and the second portion is housed in the receiving portion. The first portion is the portion of the wire harness that is fixed in the wire harness fixing portion, and the second portion is the portion of the wire harness that is held by the guide.

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