VEHICLE SEAT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A vehicle seat incorporated with air cells that can be selectively inflated and deflated is known in the art (for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air cells are provided on the surface side (the side on which the occupant is seated) of the pad member incorporated in the seat cushion or the seat back.

[0003] Each air cell is placed in a recess provided on the surface of the pad member. When the air cell is inflated, a slab covering the air cell and the skin member swells and expands upward so as to press a part of the occupant's body. As a result, the hip, back and thighs of the occupant can be massaged to relax or refresh the occupant.PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S)PATENT DOCUMENT(S)

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP2018-47862A

[0005] FR 3040930 A1 discloses a heating component for covering a vehicle seat comprising a sinuous resistive heating portion in a sheet arrangement and comprising expandable portions which elastically stretch the sheet.

[0006] WO 2018085104 A1 discloses a heater overlay for a cushion, wherein the heater is provided on a flexible substrate within the cushion.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTASK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] A vehicle is often fitted with an air conditioner that controls the temperature inside the vehicle. However, since the temperatures which the occupants find most comfortable may vary from one occupant to another, it is difficult to provide a temperature environment that is comfortable to every occupant.

[0008] In view of such a problem of the prior art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat including a pad member and air cells positioned on the surface of the pad member and configured to be selectively inflated and deflated to provide a temperature condition that is agreeable to every occupant of the vehicle.MEANS TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK

[0009] In order to solve such a problem of the prior art, the present invention provides a vehicle seat according to claim 1. The vehicle seat comprising at least one of a seat back (6) and a seat cushion (8) having a pad member (12) and a skin member (13) covering the pad member, wherein a heater (38) having a sheet configuration and a plurality of air cells (32) are provided between a surface side of the pad member and the skin member.

[0010] Thereby, a pressure can be applied to the occupant by inflating the air cells, and the skin member can be heated by activating the heater so that the vehicle seat on which an occupant is seated can be set to a temperature suitable for the particular occupant.

[0011] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater is attached to a back side surface of the skin member, and the air cells are attached to a surface side surface of the pad member.

[0012] Thereby, the assembling process for the vehicle seat can be facilitated.

[0013] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater and the air cells are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a surface side to back side direction.

[0014] Since the heater and the air cells do not overlap each other, the thickness of the vehicle seat can be minimized, and the vehicle seat can be made compact.

[0015] In this vehicle seat, the heater is provided with a readily deformable portion (103, 160) that can be readily deformed when the air cells are inflated.

[0016] Since the heater can be deformed in conformity to the inflation of the air cells, the inflation of the air cells is not hindered by the heater.

[0017] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the slit overlaps with one of the air cells in the surface side to back side direction.

[0018] Since the readily deformable portion is located adjacent to the air cell, the heater can readily conform to the inflation of the air cells.

[0019] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater includes a base cloth (68) with a sheet configuration and a heating wire (70) positioned along a surface of the base cloth, the slit being provided between adjacent segments of the heating wire.

[0020] Thereby, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the heating wire.

[0021] In this vehicle seat, the heater includes a base cloth (68) with a sheet configuration and a heating wire (70) positioned along a surface of the base cloth, and the deformable portion includes a segment of the heating wire that extends while meandering in a first direction and is looped back in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0022] Thereby, the readily deformable portion of the heating wire can be made readily deformable in both the first direction and the second direction.

[0023] In this vehicle seat, a part of the base cloth located in the readily deformable portion is provided with a slit (155) that does not overlap with the heating wire.

[0024] Thereby, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the heating wire.

[0025] In this vehicle seat, the slit includes a first part extending in the first direction and a second part extending orthogonally to the first part.

[0026] Thereby, the base fabric is enabled to readily deform in conformity to the inflation of the air cells.EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention provides a vehicle seat according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a seat back and a seat cushion having a pad member and a skin member covering the pad member, wherein a heater having a sheet configuration and a plurality of air cells are provided between a surface side of the pad member and the skin member. Thereby, a pressure can be applied to the occupant by inflating the air cells, and the skin member can be heated by activating the heater so that the vehicle seat on which an occupant is seated can be set to a temperature suitable for the particular occupant.

[0028] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater is attached to the back surface of the skin member, and the air cells are attached to the surface of the pad member. Thereby, the assembling process for the vehicle seat can be facilitated.

[0029] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater and the air cells are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a surface side to back side direction. Since the heater and the air cells do not overlap each other, the thickness of the vehicle seat can be minimized, and the vehicle seat can be made compact.

[0030] In this vehicle seat, the heater is provided with a readily deformable portion that can be readily deformed when the air cells are inflated. Since the heater can be deformed in conformity to the inflation of the air cells, the inflation of the air cells is not hindered by the heater.

[0031] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the slit overlaps with one of the air cells in a surface side to back side direction. Since the readily deformable portion is located adjacent to the air cell, the heater can readily conform to the inflation of the air cells.

[0032] Preferably, in this vehicle seat, the heater includes a base cloth with a sheet configuration and a heating wire positioned along the surface of the base cloth, the slit being provided between adjacent segments of the heating wire. Thereby, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the heating wire.

[0033] In this vehicle seat, the heater includes a base cloth with a sheet configuration and a heating wire positioned along the surface of the base cloth, and the deformable portion includes a segment of the heating wire that extends while meandering in a first direction and is looped back in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Thereby, the readily deformable portion of the heating wire can be made readily deformable in both the first direction and the second direction.

[0034] In this vehicle seat, a part of the base cloth located in the readily deformable portion is provided with a slit that does not overlap with the heating wire. Thereby, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the heating wire.

[0035] In this vehicle seat, the slit includes a first part extending in the first direction and a second part extending orthogonally to the first part. Thereby, the base fabric is enabled to readily deform in conformity to the inflation of the air cells.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example vehicle seat; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first example vehicle seat; FIG. 4 is a top view of the pad member of the first example vehicle seat; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the first example vehicle seat; FIG. 6 is a top view of the first example vehicle seat .< showing a seat heater along with the positioning thereof; FIG. 7 is a top view of a vehicle seat modified from that of the first example vehicle seat showing a seat heater along with the positioning thereof; FIG. 8A is a sectional view showing an area surrounding the air cell in an inflated state in the first example vehicle seat; FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing an area surrounding the air cell in an inflated state in the vehicle seat modified from that of the first example vehicle seat; FIG. 9A shows a seat heater of a vehicle seat according to a second example vehicle seat; FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a part in FIG. 9A surrounded by a double-dot chain line; FIG. 10A shows a seat heater of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a part in FIG. 10A surrounded by a double-dot chain line; FIG. 11A is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a part of a seat heater in a vehicle seat modified from that of the second example vehicle seat, a slit being positioned so as not to overlap with an air cell; FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a part of a seat heater of a vehicle seat modified from that of the second example vehicle seat, a readily deformable portion being formed by a material other than non-woven fabric; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention as applied to a seat, in particular to a vehicle seat configured to be mounted on a vehicle, will be described in the following with reference to the appended drawings.<<First Example vehicle seat >>

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 is mounted on a floor 3 defining the bottom end of a vehicle cabin 2 so as to face the front of the vehicle. The vehicle seat 1 consists of a passenger seat positioned laterally next to the driver's seat.

[0039] The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 5 attached to the floor 3, a seat back 6 connected to a rear part of the seat cushion 5, and a headrest 7 provided on the upper end of the seat back 6. The seat cushion 5 defines a seating surface 8 on the upper surface thereof that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant. The seat back 6 is positioned behind the hip and back of the seated occupant, and the headrest 7 is positioned behind the head of the seated occupant.

[0040] The seat cushion 5 includes a cushion frame 11 supported by the vehicle body and so as to form the structural framework of the seat cushion 5, a pad member 12 supported by the cushion frame 11, and a skin member 13 that covers the surface of the pad member 12.

[0041] The pad member 12 is made of a foamed resin such as urethane foam. As shown in FIG. 2, the pad member 12 is supported by the cushion frame 11 at the lower surface thereof.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the pad member 12 includes a pad central part 14 forming a laterally central part thereof, and a pair of pad side parts 15 connected to either side of the pad central part 14. The pad side parts 15 are thus positioned on either side of the seat cushion 5, and form a pair of raised parts 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that rise upward with respect to the pad central part 14.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the pad member 12 is provided with a retaining groove 20 which is recessed downward. As shown in FIG. 4, the retaining groove 20 includes a pair of longitudinal segments 21 extending in the fore and aft direction between the pad central part 14 and the pad side parts 15, and a lateral segment 22 extending laterally between central parts of the left and right longitudinal segments 21 so that the retaining groove 20 is shaped like the letter H in top view. As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal segments 21 and the lateral segments 22 of the retaining groove 20 are each internally fitted with a wire 24 for hooking selected parts of the skin member 13 thereto.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper surface of the pad central part 14 is provided with a plurality of recesses 26 which are recessed downward and each have a rectangular shape in top view. As shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 26 are located between the left and right longitudinal segments 21.

[0045] The recesses 26 are located on the front side of the lateral segment 22 of the retaining groove 20 in two longitudinal rows which are laterally spaced apart from each other. The recesses 26 that are located on the front side of the lateral segment 22 generally correspond in position to the thighs of the seated occupant. In the present first example vehicle seat, an additional pair of recesses 26 are provided in the part of the upper surface of the pad member 12 on the rear side of the lateral segment 22. The recesses 26 that are positioned on the rear side of the lateral segment 22 correspond in position to the buttocks of the seated occupant.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the pad member 12 is provided with a plurality of communication grooves 28 extending laterally between the respective recesses 26 and the longitudinal segments 21 that laterally outwardly adjoin the corresponding recesses 26. A through hole 30 is passed through the pad member 12 at the junction between the outer end of each communication groove 29 and the corresponding longitudinal segment 21.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle seat 1 includes a plurality of air cells 32, an air supply / exhaust device 34 for supplying / exhausting air to and from the air cells 32, a seating sensor 36, a seat heater 38, and a temperature control unit 40 for controlling the seat heater 38, and a control unit 42 for controlling the air supply / exhaust device 34 and the temperature control unit 40.

[0048] Each air cell 32 consists of a bag-shaped member, and is made of a stretchable material such as a rubber material. As shown in FIG. 2, the air cells 32 are incorporated in the seat cushion 5 each received in the corresponding recess 26 and attached to the surface of the pad member 12. A flexible tubing 44 is connected to each air cell 32. The tubing 44 is passed from the inside of the respective recesses 26 to the bottom side of the pad member 12 through the corresponding communication grooves 28 and though holes 30 in that order.

[0049] The air supply / exhaust device 34 is configured to supply / exhaust air into and out of the air cells 32 according to a control signal from the control unit 42 by inflating / deflating the air cells 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the air supply / exhaust device 34 includes solenoid valves 48 and a pump 50, and is connected to the air cells 32 via tubing 44.

[0050] The solenoid valves 48 each consist of a three-way valve provided with an intake port 48A, an exhaust port 48B, and a common port 48C. The intake port 48A of each solenoid valve 48 is connected to the pump 50, and the exhaust port 48B is open to the atmosphere. The common port 48C is connected to the tubing 44. The solenoid valve 48 switches between an intake position where the common port 48C is connected to the intake port 48A, and an exhaust position where the common port 48C is connected to the exhaust port 48B according to the control signal from the control unit 42. When the solenoid valve 48 is in the intake position, air is pumped from the pump 50 and inflates the corresponding air cell 32. When the solenoid valve 48 is in the exhaust position, the air in the corresponding air cell 32 is discharged via the tubing 44 under the pressure from the weight of the occupant, and the air cell 32 deflates.

[0051] The seating sensors 36 are configured to detect the seating of an occupant on the vehicle seat 1, and includes a plurality of pressure-sensitive switches 52.

[0052] Each pressure-sensitive switch 52 consists of a membrane switch that includes a frame-shaped spacer sheet, a pair of contact sheets laminated on either side of the frame-shaped spacer sheet in mutually spaced apart relationship, and a pair of electric contacts provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the contact sheets. When a load is applied to either one of the contact sheets, the load causes the contact sheets to come closer to each other with the result that the two electric contacts come into contact with each other to be in a conductive state, or to produce a turned on state. The level of pressure at which the electrical contacts come into contact with each other can be changed by adjusting the size and thickness of the contact sheets, the thickness and shape of the spacer sheet, the stiffness of the contact sheet, and the like. The pressure-sensitive switch 52 may have any configuration as long as it is a switch that establishes an electric conductivity upon detecting pressure.

[0053] In the first example vehicle seat, as shown in FIG. 1, two of the pressure-sensitive switches 52 are provided in a rear part of the seating surface 8 of the seat cushion 5 and the remaining two of the pressure-sensitive switches 52 are provided in a lower front part of the seat back 6.

[0054] Preferably, the pad members 12 of the seat cushion 5 and the seat back 6 are provided with switch recesses 54 for receiving the pressure-sensitive switches 52 therein. Two of the switch recesses 54 are provided in a rear part of the seat cushion 5 and the remaining two of the switch recesses 54 are provided in a lower part of the seat back 6 so as to form a pair on the left and right in each instance (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Preferably, the pressure-sensitive switches 52 are received in the respective switch recesses 54 such that the surface of the contact sheet of each pressure-sensitive switch 52 is flush with the surface of the pad member 12. As a result, the presence of the pressure-sensitive switches 52 is prevented from causing discomfort to the seated occupant.

[0055] The seat heater 38 is formed by a planar heating element or a sheet-shaped heating element provided inside the seat cushion 5. The heat generated from the seat heater 38 warms the seating surface 8 of the seat cushion 5.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the seat heater 38 includes a rectangular heater central part 60 positioned on the upper surface of the pad central part 14 and a pair of heater side parts 62 positioned on the left and right pad side parts 15, respectively. A heater lateral connecting part 64 connects each heater side part 62 to the heater central part 60.

[0057] The seat heater 38 includes a base cloth 68, a heating wire 70, and a temperature sensor 72.

[0058] The base cloth 68 is in a sheet form. In the present first example vehicle seat, the base cloth 68 is made of a non-woven fabric formed by entangling fibers with one another. The base cloth 68 includes a base cloth central part 74 positioned over the pad central part 14 to form the heater central part 60, a pair of base cloth side parts 76 positioned over the respective pad side parts 15 to form the heater side parts 62, and a pair of base cloth lateral connecting parts 78 connecting the base cloth central part 74 to the respective base cloth side parts 76. The base cloth central part 74 includes a front base cloth main part 74A, a rear base cloth main part 74A and a base cloth longitudinal connecting part 74B extending in the fore and aft direction to connect the two base cloth main parts 74A to each other. The base cloth side parts 76 are located on either side of the base cloth central part 74, and the base cloth lateral connecting parts 78 extend laterally to connect the front base cloth main part 74A and to the respective base cloth side parts 76.

[0059] The base cloth central part 74 extends in the fore and aft direction in a region located between the left and right air cells 32. The base cloth main part 74A and the base cloth longitudinal connecting parts 74B each have a substantially rectangular shape. The lateral width of the base cloth longitudinal connecting part 74B is smaller than that of the base cloth main parts 74A. The longitudinal width of the lateral connecting parts 78 is smaller than those of the base cloth central part 74 and the left and right base cloth side parts 76, and the base cloth lateral connecting parts 78 extend in a region located between the air cells 32.

[0060] The heating wire 70 (also referred to as a heat wire) is made of a material (for example, a metal wire or film) that generates heat when an electric current is conducted therethrough. The heating wire 70 is attached to the surface of the base cloth 68. The heating wire 70 extends forward from a rear end part of the heater central part 60 in a meandering fashion, passes through the left and right side parts, and loops back to a rear end part of the heater central part 60. The heating wire 70 passes through regions located between the air cells 32, but does not pass through the air cells 32. The two ends of the heating wire 70 are connected to the temperature control unit 40.

[0061] The temperature sensor 72 consists of a thermocouple. In this first example vehicle seat, the temperature sensor 72 is positioned at an appropriate part in the central part 60 of the heating wire 70. The temperature sensor 72 is connected to the temperature control unit 40 similarly as the heating wire 70.

[0062] Upon receiving a control signal from the control unit 42, the temperature control unit 40 controls the seat heater 38 so that the temperature becomes equal to a predetermined temperature corresponding to the control signal received from the control unit 42. In the present first example vehicle seat, when the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor 72 is equal to or lower than the temperature corresponding to the control signal received from the control unit 42, the temperature control unit 40 energizes the heating wire 70 to raise the temperature of the seat heater 38. When the temperature corresponding to the control signal is exceeded, the energization of the heating wire 70 is stopped.

[0063] The skin member 13 is in the form of a sheet that covers the pad member 12, the air cells 32, the seating sensor 36, and the seat heater 38 from above, and provides the ornamental surface of the seat cushion 5. The skin member 13 is preferably made of a stretchable cloth material that expands and contracts to accommodate the inflation of the air cells 32. Further, the skin member 13 may be formed by sewing a plurality of cloth pieces together.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, appropriate positions of the skin member 13 are fitted with hooks 80 that are hooked onto a wire 24 provided in the longitudinal segments 21 and the lateral segment 22 of the retaining groove 20 to secure the skin member 13 to the pad member 12.

[0065] The seat heater 38 is attached to the back surface of the skin member 13. In the present first example vehicle seat, the seat heater 38 is sewn to the back surface of the skin member 13 at the edge part thereof to be secured to the back surface of the skin member 13. As a result, the seat heater 38 is hooked to the wire 24 via the skin member 13.

[0066] Further, preferably, the base cloth longitudinal connecting part 74B is hooked onto the part of the wire 24 located in the lateral segment 22 of the retaining groove 20. Preferably, the base cloth lateral connecting parts 78 are hooked onto the parts of the wire 24 located in the longitudinal segments 21 of the retaining groove 20. By hooking the base cloth longitudinal connecting part 74B and the base cloth lateral connecting parts 78 to the wire 24, the seat heater 38 can be particularly firmly attached to the pad member 12.

[0067] The control unit 42 (ECU) is composed of a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, ROM, a storage device, and the like. The vehicle seat 1 is provided with an input unit 82 that accepts an instruction to activate and deactivate the air cells 32 from the occupant, and an instruction to activate and deactivate the seat heater 38 from the occupant.

[0068] The control unit 42 is connected to the input unit 82. When an input corresponding to a drive instruction for the air cells 32 is made to the input unit 82, and the seating sensor 36 detects the seating of an occupant (more specifically, all the pressure-sensitive switches 52 are turned on), the control unit 42 activates the pump 50, and switches the solenoid valves 48 between the intake position and the exhaust position at predetermined time intervals. When the solenoid valves 48 are in the intake position, the air pumped from the pump 50 flows into the tubing 44. As a result, the air cells 32 are inflated, and the parts of the seating surface 8 corresponding to the air cells 32 expand. When the solenoid valves 48 are in the exhaust position, the air inside the air cells 32 is discharged from the exhaust ports 48B through the tubing 44, and the air cells 32 are deflated. As a result, the air cells 32 are repeatedly inflated and deflated in an intermittent manner. When the input unit 82 receives an input corresponding to a stop instruction, the control unit 42 stops the pump 50 and sets the solenoid valves 48 to the exhaust position. As a result, the air inside the air cells 32 is discharged from the exhaust ports 48B, and the air cells 32 are deflated.

[0069] When the input unit 82 receives an input corresponding to a drive instruction for the seat heater 38, and the seating sensor 36 detects that the occupant is seated, the control unit 42 causes the temperature control unit 40 to activate the seat heater 38 to bring the seat heater 38 to a predetermined temperature. In the present first example vehicle seat, the control unit 42 receives a drive instruction and a temperature setting (for example, HIGH, LOW, etc.) of the seating surface 8 desired by the occupant from the input unit 82, and the control unit 42 forwards a control signal indicating the temperature of the seating surface 8 desired by the occupant to the temperature control unit 40, which in turn controls the seat heater 38 to be at the temperature corresponding to the temperature setting.

[0070] Next, the effect of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this way will be discussed in the following. When the occupant makes an input corresponding to the drive instruction (inflation instruction) to the air cells 32 to the input unit 82, the resulting inflation of the air cells 32 causes the skin member 13 to swell so that a pressure is applied to the thighs of the occupant. The occupant's thighs are thereby massaged, and the occupant can relax or be refreshed.

[0071] Further, when the occupant makes an input corresponding to the drive instruction of the seat heater 38 to the input unit 82, the seat heater 38 is activated with the result that the upper surface of the seat cushion 5 (or, the seating surface 8) is warmed, and the surface temperature of the seat cushion 5 rises. In this way, the surface temperature of the seat cushion 5 can be raised by the occupant making a suitable input to the input unit 82. Therefore, the seating surface 8 of the vehicle seat 1 on which the occupant is seated can be set to a temperature that suits the desire of the occupant.

[0072] In the present first example vehicle seat, as shown in FIG. 6, the heater central part 60 extends through a region located between the left and right air cells 32, and the left and right heater side parts 62 are located on the left and right outer sides of the left and right air cells 32, respectively. Further, the heater lateral connecting part 64 passes through regions located between the air cells 32. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the seat heater 38 and the air cells 32 are located so as not to overlap each other in top view.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, even when a part of the seat heater 38 overlaps with the air cells 32 in top view (as view in the surface side - reverse side direction), the drive instruction of the seat heater 38 entered from the input unit 82 by the occupant causes the seating surface 8 to be warmed up so that a temperature environment suitable for the occupant seated on the vehicle seat 1 can be provided.

[0074] However, when the seat heater 38 and the air cells 32 overlap each other in top view, the resulting increase in the thickness of the seat cushion 5 may create a problem. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the seat heater 38 is pushed out toward the occupant due to the bulging of the air cells 32, the seat heater 38 could be displaced or bent (or otherwise behave in an unpredictable manner), or the heating wire 70 may be subjected to a tensile load.

[0075] In the present first example vehicle seat, since the seat heater 38 and the air cells 32 are positioned so as not to overlap each other in top view, the thickness of the seat cushion 5 is prevented from increasing. Therefore, the vehicle seat 1 can be designed in a compact manner. Further, since the seat heater 38 and the air cells 32 do not overlap each other in top view, it is unlikely for the load due to the inflation of the air cells 32 to be applied to the seat heater 38 as shown in FIG. 8B. Thus, the seat heater 38 is prevented from being displaced or bent. Further, since the seat heater 38 and the air cells 32 do not overlap with each other, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the seat heater 38 when the air cells 32 are inflated.

[0076] The pressure-sensitive switches 52 are provided in a rear part of the seating surface 8 of the seat cushion 5 and in a lower part of the front surface of the seat back 6. Therefore, when the occupant is not properly seated on the vehicle seat 1, the seat heater 38 is prevented from being activated and the air cells 32 are prevented from being inflated and deflated. As a result, the seat heater 38 is prevented from being inadvertently activated, and the air cells 32 are prevented from being inadvertently inflated and deflated.<< Second Example vehicle seat, >>

[0077] The vehicle seat 101 according to the second example vehicle seat differs from that of the first example vehicle seat only in the configuration of the seat heater 38, and is otherwise similar to that of the first example vehicle seat. Therefore, the description of such parts will be omitted in the following.

[0078] Similar to the first example vehicle seat, the seat heater 38 has a substantially rectangular heater central part 60 positioned on the upper surface of the pad central part 14, and a pair of heater side parts 62 positioned on the respective pad side parts 15.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9A, the heater central part 60 overlaps with the air cells 32 at the left and right side edge parts thereof. As shown in FIG. 9A, the base cloth 68 of the seat heater 38 is provided with slits 102 in the region thereof located between adjoining segments of the meandering heating wire 70 including the parts of the heater central part 60 overlapping with the air cells 32 (see FIG. 9B). These slits 102 create readily deformable portions 103 which readily deform when the air cells 32 are inflated.

[0080] In the present second example vehicle seat, at least a part of the slits 102 are provided so as to overlap with the air cells 32 in top view.

[0081] Next, the effect of the vehicle seat 101 configured in this way will be discussed in the following. By providing the slits 102 in the base cloth 68 of the seat heater 38, the readily deformable portions 103 are formed in the parts thereof overlapping with the air cells 32. As a result, when the air cells 32 are inflated, the seat heater 38 can deform in conformity. As a result, an excessive tensile force is prevented from being applied to the seat heater 38, and the seat heater 38 is prevented from impeding the inflation of the air cells 32. Thus, the pressure from the air cells 32 can be appropriately applied to the occupant.

[0082] Further, by providing the slits 102 in the base cloth 68, the readily deformable portions 103 can be created with ease and simplified in structure as compared to the cases where the base cloth 68 is provided with locally thinned portions or includes localized portions made of a readily deformable material.

[0083] In the present second example vehicle seat, since at least a part of the slits 102 overlap with the air cells 32 in top view, the readily deformable portions 103 of the seat heater 38 are located partly adjacent to the air cells 32. Thereby, the seat heater 38 is enabled to more readily conform to the inflated air cells 32.

[0084] When the air cells 32 are inflated, the slits 102 provided adjacent to the air cells 32 are deformed to a more open configuration. Therefore, when the slits 102 and the heating wire 70 intersect each other, a tensile load is applied to the heating wire 70. In the present second example vehicle seat, since the slits 102 are provided in the region between the adjacent segments of the heating wire 70, the load acting on the heating wire 70 owing to the inflation of the air cells 32 can be reduced as compared to the case where the slits 102 and the heating wire 70 intersect with each other.<<Embodiment of the invention>>

[0085] The vehicle seat 151 according to the invention differs from that of the first example vehicle seat only in the configuration of the seat heater 38, but is otherwise similar to that of the first example vehicle seat. Therefore, the description of such parts is omitted in the following.

[0086] Similarly to the first example vehicle seat, the seat heater 38 has a substantially rectangular heater central part 60 positioned on the upper surface of the pad central part 14 and a pair of heater side parts 62 positioned on the left and right pad side parts 15, respectively.

[0087] The heater central part 60 overlaps with the air cells 32 at the left and right edges thereof. As shown in FIG. 10A, the part of the heating wire 70 located on the heater central part 60 includes a plurality of meandering segments 152 extending laterally (in a first direction) in a meandering manner, and connecting segments 153 that connect the opposing ends of the adjacent meandering segments 152. The meandering segments 152 are arranged one next to the other in the fore and aft direction, and the connecting segments 153 extend in the fore and aft direction (in a second direction) so as to connect the adjacent meandering segments 152. Thus, in the heater central part 60, the heating wire 70 extends laterally in a meandering manner, and loops back in the fore and aft direction.

[0088] The base cloth 68 of the seat heater 38 is provided with a plurality of slits 155. Each slit 155 is positioned between the two mutually adjoining meandering segments 152. Each slit 155 includes a slit lateral part 156 (first part) extending in the lateral direction and a slit longitudinal part 157 (second part) extending orthogonally to the slit lateral part 156 or in the fore and aft direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the slit longitudinal parts 157 include those provided at positions overlapping with the central parts of the air cells 32.

[0089] The longitudinal distance between the adjoining meandering segments 152 is smaller than the fore and aft width of the air cells 32, and at least one of the meandering segments 152, at least one of the connecting segments 153, and at least one of the slits 155 overlap with one of the air cells 32.

[0090] Next, the effect of the vehicle seat 1 according to the embodiment will be discussed in the following. When the air cells 32 are inflated, the parts of the seat heater 38 on the immediate upper side of the air cells 32 are pushed upward.

[0091] A part of the seat heater 38 located directly above one of the air cells 32 includes at least one meandering segment 152, at least one of the connecting segments 153, and at least one of the slits 155. Therefore, the heating wire 70 and the base cloth 68 can readily deform in conformity to the inflated air cell 32. In other words, the part of the seat heater 38 located above the air cell 32 is formed as a readily deformable portion 160 that can readily deform in conformity to the inflated air cell owing to the meandering segment 152, the connecting segment 153, and the slit 155. Thereby, an excessive tensile load is prevented from being applied to the base cloth 68 and the heating wire 70.

[0092] In the present embodiment, each slit 155 includes a slit lateral part 156 extending in the lateral direction and a slit longitudinal part 157 extending in the fore and aft direction. Therefore, each slit 155 can be opened in both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the base cloth 68 is enabled to be more readily deformed in conformity to the inflation of the air cell 32 as compared with the case where the slits 155 extend only in the lateral direction.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, the present invention is by no means limited by such embodiment, but can be modified in various ways, as long as it remains within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the air cells 32 are inflated and deflated to massage the buttocks and thighs of the occupant, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 42 may open only the solenoid valve 48 connected to the air cells 32 provided on the left half (or right half) of the vehicle seat 1, and control the posture of the occupant by inflating only the air cells 32 that are located on the left half (or right half) of the seating surface 8 of the vehicle seat 1.

[0094] The air cells 32 and the seat heater 38 are provided on the seat cushion 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. By applying the same inventive idea, the air cells 32 and the seat heater 38 may be provided on the surface side (front side) of the pad member of the seat back 6 of the vehicle seat 1. By providing the air cells 32 on the seat back 6 and inflating and deflating the air cells 32 therein, the hip and back of the occupant can be pressed and massaged.

[0095] In the second example vehicle seat, the slits 102 are provided so as to overlap with the air cells 32, but any arrangement may be used as long as the readily deformable portion 160 of the seat heater 38 is deformable following the inflation of the air cell 32, and as shown in FIG. 11A, the readily deformable portion 160 of the seat heater 38 may be formed in the vicinity of the air cell 32 by providing the slit 102 in the vicinity of the air cell 32. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the readily deformable portion 103 of the seat heater 38 may be partly made of a material (for example, rubber or the like) having a higher flexibility than the non-woven fabric.

[0096] The vehicle seat 151 is described as being used in automobiles, but the present invention is not limited this. The present invention can be applied to vehicle seats other than those for automobiles (for example, buses, trucks, ships, airplanes, etc.).REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0097] 1:first example vehicle seat5:seat cushion6:seat back12:pad member13:skin member32:air cell68:base cloth70:heater wire101:second example vehicle seat,102:slit103:readily deformable portion151:vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the invention155:slit156:slit lateral part (first part)157:slit longitudinal part (second part)160:readily deformable portion

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (151), comprising at least one of a seat back (6) and a seat cushion (5) having a pad member (12) and a skin member (13) covering the pad member, wherein a heater (38) having a sheet configuration and a plurality of air cells (32) are provided between a surface side of the pad member and the skin member, and wherein: the heater (38) is provided with a readily deformable portion (103; 160) that can be readily deformed when the air cells (32) are inflated; the heater (38) includes a base cloth (68) with a sheet configuration and a heating wire (70) positioned along a surface of the base cloth, and the deformable portion (160) includes a segment (152) of the heating wire that extends while meandering in a first direction and is looped back in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a part of the base cloth (68) located in the readily deformable portion (160) is provided with a slit (155) that does not overlap with the heating wire (70); characterized in that the slit (155) includes a first part (156) extending in the first direction and a second part (157) extending orthogonally to the first part.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the heater (38) is attached to a back side surface of the skin member (13), and the air cells (32) are attached to a surface side surface of the pad member (12).

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the heater (38) and the air cells (32) are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a surface side to back side direction.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim. wherein the slit (102; 155) overlaps with one of the air cells (32) in the surface side to back side direction.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the heater (38) includes a base cloth (68) with a sheet configuration and a heating wire (70) positioned along a surface of the base cloth, the slit (102; 155) being provided between adjacent segments of the heating wire.