Seat

Abstract

To provide a seat with good sitting comfortability capable of relieving the feeling of fatigue even if a person sits thereon for a long period of time.SOLUTION: A seat includes: a cushion frame (F1); a first support member (31) supported by the cushion frame (F1) and arranged in the center in the lateral direction to support a person sitting on the seat; a deformable second support member (32) arranged on both right and left sides of the first support member; and a restraining part (34) for restraining each second support member such that an outer side in the lateral direction more hardly sinks downward than a center side in the lateral direction. The seat is configured such that an upper support surface for supporting the person sitting on the seat takes a first posture when the person does not sit thereon and takes a second posture in that the upper support surface faces more inwardly in the lateral direction as compared with the first posture when the person is sitting thereon by the restraining part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat that reduces fatigue even when seated for a long period of time. [Background technology]

[0002] Seats are required to be comfortable even when seated for long periods of time, and such performance is particularly important for seats used in automobiles. Generally, automobile seats often have a structure in which multiple springs are stretched across the seat cushion from front to back or from side to side. In such a structure, for example, equal springs are arranged on the left and right at a predetermined interval (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2).

[0003] In addition, a structure has been proposed in which tension springs, which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat and are engaged with the left and right side frame portions, are embedded in a resin plate that is molded into a curved surface along the seating line (Patent Document 3).

[0004] In addition, a seat has been proposed in which a planar spring is attached to the seat frame with a hook, and a resin support panel is provided approximately in the center of the planar spring to support the body pressure areas (ischial tuberosities) of the seated person (Patent Document 4).

[0005] In addition, there is a pan frame that constitutes the seat cushion that has a large shallow recess that follows the curves of the body, and this pan frame is used to support the load around the buttocks (Patent Document 5). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-117406 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-7751 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-54445 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 64-14053 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,247 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when springs are simply arranged uniformly on the cushion frame as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the ischial bones protrude downward, so a large load is placed on the area around the ischial bones, which reduces blood flow around the ischial bones of the seated person, causing fatigue after sitting for long periods of time. The same problem occurs with configurations such as Patent Documents 3 and 4, which provide a resin support member that supports the ischial bones and their surrounding areas.

[0008] Furthermore, when the weight of a person sitting on a seat is supported by a non-deformable pan frame as in Patent Document 5, there is a problem that the seat feels hard to the touch and the person sitting on the seat feels like they are hitting the bottom.

[0009] In view of the above technical background, it is desirable to provide a seat that is comfortable to sit on and reduces fatigue even when seated for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention proposes a seat including a cushion frame, a first support member supported by the cushion frame and supporting a seated occupant, deformable second support members arranged on both the left and right sides of the first support member, and a restraining unit that restrains each second support member so that the outer left and right sides are less likely to sink downward than the center side in the left and right direction. The seat is preferably configured such that the restraining unit causes the upper support surface that supports the seated occupant to take a first position when the occupant is not seated, and to take a second position that faces more inward in the left and right direction than the first position when the occupant is seated.

[0011] According to this configuration, the restraint portion makes it difficult for the outer portion of the second support member in the left-right direction to sink downward, so that after a person sits down, the upper surface of the second support member is likely to assume the second position facing inward in the left-right direction. That is, when a person sits down on the seat, the second support member bends, causing the upper support surface of the second support member to change from the first position to the second position, and to become inclined facing more inward in the left-right direction than in the first position. As a result, the second support member supports the sides of the buttocks and thighs of the seated person diagonally upward so as to sandwich them from the outside, so that the sides of the buttocks and thighs of the seated person are more strongly supported than when the second support member is not inclined. As a result, the pressure around the ischial bones is relatively reduced, and the seated person is supported in a balanced manner by the entire area around the ischial bones and the buttocks and thighs. This prevents poor blood circulation and reduces fatigue.

[0012] In addition, in this seat, the second support member deforms diagonally, so that the seat cushion conforms to the shape of the occupant's buttocks and thighs, providing a comfortable sitting experience regardless of the occupant's body type.

[0013] In the above-described seat, each second support member may include an S-spring that is suspended across the cushion frame in the front-rear direction and extends while bending alternately in the left-right direction.

[0014] In the above-described seat, the cushion frame has a pair of side frames arranged spaced apart on the left and right and extending in the front-rear direction, and the restraint portion includes a pair of third support members each having a first portion and a second portion located left and right more inward than the first portion, and each of the third support members may be arranged so that the first portion located on the left and right outer side is connected to the side frame and the second portion located on the left and right inner side supports the second support member.

[0015] According to this configuration, the third support member is connected to the side frame at the first portion, so that the first portion is restrained from lowering, and the third support member supports the second support member at the second portion, so that the connected portion of the second support member is less likely to lower downward. This makes it easier for the second support member to take the second position when a person sits on the seat.

[0016] In the above-described seat, it is preferable that each of the third support members is connected to a corresponding one of the second support members at a position that is laterally outboard of the center position of the second support member in the laterally direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, the left and right outer portions of the second support member are less likely to sag downward, so that when a person sits on the seat, the second support member is more likely to take the second position.

[0018] In the above-mentioned sheet, each of the third support members may be made of a band, a resin plate or a metal wire.

[0019] In the above-mentioned seat, the cushion frame has a pair of side frames arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right and extending in the front-to-rear direction, and each second support member is an elastically deformable member whose left and right outer ends are fixed non-rotatably to the corresponding side frames, and the restraint portion may be a portion that fixes the second support member non-rotatably to the side frames.

[0020] In this case, the side frame and the second support member may be formed as a single member.

[0021] In the above-described seat, the first support member may include an S-spring that is suspended across the cushion frame in the front-rear direction and extends while bending alternately in the left-right direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat, which is an example of a seat; [Diagram 2]2 is a perspective view of a cushion frame and a seat back frame built into the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1A is a cross-sectional view of a seat cushion viewed along the front-rear direction, and FIG. 1B is a view of the seat cushion before an occupant sits down and after an occupant sits down. [Figure 4] 11 is a perspective view of a cushion frame and a seat back frame that are built into a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment, viewed in the front-rear direction, showing a state before an occupant sits down and a state after an occupant sits down. [Figure 6] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a first modified example of the second embodiment, viewed along the front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a second modified example of the second embodiment, viewed along the front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 8] 13A is a perspective view of a cushion frame and a seat back frame built into a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged perspective view of a suspension band. [Figure 9] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat relating to a third embodiment, viewed along the front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cushion frame and a seat back frame that are built into a vehicle seat according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a fourth embodiment, taken along the front-rear direction, showing a state before an occupant sits down and a state after an occupant sits down. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cushion frame and a seat back frame of a vehicle seat relating to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, a vehicle seat as an example of a seat will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment] A vehicle seat according to an embodiment is configured as a vehicle seat S to be placed in a driver's seat of an automobile, as shown in Fig. 1. The vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion S1 in which a cushion pad 51 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam is covered with a surface 52 (see Fig. 3) made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, a seat back S2, and a headrest S3. In the following description, the front-rear and left-right directions are based on an occupant as an example of a seated person sitting on the seat cushion S1.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle seat S has a seat frame F built therein. The seat frame F includes a cushion frame F1 that constitutes the framework of the seat cushion S1, and a seat back frame F2 that constitutes the framework of the seat back S2. Although not shown in the figure, the headrest S3 also incorporates a headrest frame that constitutes its framework.

[0025] The cushion frame F1 comprises a pair of side frames 21 arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right and extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front frame 22 connecting the front ends of each side frame 21, and a rear frame 23 connecting the rear ends of each side frame 21.

[0026] Each side frame 21 includes a side wall portion 21A facing the left-right direction, an upper flange 21B extending inwardly to the left and right from an upper end of the side wall portion 21A, and a lower flange 21C extending inwardly to the left and right from a lower end of the side wall portion 21A. A hook 21E for hooking a suspension wire 34 (described later) is formed on the upper flange 21B rearwardly of the center in the front-rear direction.

[0027] The front frame 22 is a frame made of a metal plate, a so-called pan frame. Four hooks 22A are arranged side by side on the upper surface of the front frame 22 at a distance from each other on the left and right by cutting and raising the metal plate constituting the front frame 22. The rear frame 23 is a frame made of a pipe, and is provided with four hooks 23A arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0028] Four elastically deformable S springs, specifically, first S springs 31 and second S springs 32, are suspended between the front frame 22 and the rear frame 23 of the cushion frame F1. The first S springs 31 are arranged on the cushion frame F1. The first S springs 31 are arranged on the cushion frame F1. Two of them are arranged in the center of F1 in the left-right direction. The first S spring 31 is an example of a first support member that supports the occupant, and is arranged to pass near the area directly below the occupant's ischium. Two second S springs 32 are arranged, one on each of the left and right sides of the first S spring 31. The second S springs 32 are an example of a deformable second support member, and are arranged generally on the left and right outer sides of the part of the occupant's ischium that protrudes most downward (the left and right central positions of the second S springs 32 are on the left and right outer sides of the part of the occupant's ischium that protrudes most downward). For this reason, for example, the distance (pitch) D1 between the left and right central positions of the two second S springs 32 is 21 to 27 cm, preferably 22 to 26 cm. The front ends of the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are hooked to the hook 22A, and the rear ends of the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are hooked to the hook 23A.

[0029] The cushion frame F1 also includes a metal reinforcing wire 33 that connects the two first S springs 31 together, and a hanging wire 34 as an example of a restraining portion and third support member that connects the rear ends of the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 together and connects the second S spring 32 to the side frame.

[0030] The reinforcing wire 33 is a wire bent into a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is fixed to the first S springs 31 by crimping members 39 made of a metal plate. Specifically, the reinforcing wire 33 is formed to a size sufficient to surround one S-shaped portion at the rear end of the left first S spring 31 and one S-shaped portion at the rear end of the right first S spring 31, and is fixed to the first S springs 31 by the crimping members 39 at a total of four points on the rear and front sides of each S-shaped portion.

[0031] The suspension wire 34 is a metal wire having a shape of two U-shapes that open to the left and right inner sides and are partially connected to face each other. The suspension wire 34 is connected to the side frame 21 by being hooked to the hook 21E at a first portion (a portion hooked to the hook 21E) located on the left and right outer side, and is connected to the second S spring 32 at a second portion (a portion of the crimping member 39S) located on the left and right inner side of the first portion.

[0032] In detail, the hanging wire 34 includes left and right connecting portions 34A extending horizontally in the left-right direction, rear hanging portions 34B extending diagonally upwards and outward in the left-right direction from both left and right ends of the left and right connecting portions 34A, front and rear extending portions 34C extending forwards from both left and right ends of each rear hanging portion 34B, and front hanging portions 34D extending diagonally downwards and inward in the left-right direction from the front ends of the front and rear extending portions 34C and extending horizontally inward in the left-right direction.

[0033] The suspending wire 34 hardly stretches in the left-right direction, and the elastic modulus of the suspending wire 34 in the left-right direction is smaller than the elastic modulus of the second S spring 32 in the front-rear direction.

[0034] The left and right connecting portions 34A are fixed to the left and right extending portions of the rear ends of the first S springs 31 and the second S springs 32 by crimping members 39, 39S. The front and rear extensions 34C are hooked onto hooks 21E of the side frames 21, respectively. Each front hanging portion 34D is fixed by a crimping member 39S to a portion of the S-shaped portion of each second S spring 32 that extends in the left-right direction at a position forward of the left-right connecting portion 34A. The left and right inner ends of each front hanging portion 34D end at the position of each second S spring 32 and do not reach the first S spring 31. The front-rear position of the front hanging portion 34D is located around the position of the ischial bones of a normal seated person or slightly forward of that.

[0035] Since the left and right connecting portions 34A connect the first S springs 31 and the second S springs 32 at their rear ends, the rear ends of the four S springs (the first S springs 31 and the second S springs 32) are integrated and have high rigidity.

[0036] On the other hand, at a position forward of the left-right connecting portion 34A, the two first S springs 31 have a relatively high rigidity because they are connected by the reinforcing wire 33, but the second S springs 32 are relatively flexible because they are not connected to the adjacent first S springs 31. The suspension wire 34 connects the rear portion of the second S spring 32 (here, a portion in a predetermined range forward of the left-right connecting portion 34A) to the side frame 21 located on the left-right outer side, thereby restraining each second S spring 32 so that the left-right outer side is less likely to sink downward than the left-right central side. Due to this restraint, as will be described later in detail, the second S spring 32 is configured so that when an occupant is not seated, the upper support surface that supports the occupant takes a first position, and when an occupant is seated, the support surface takes a second position in which the support surface faces more inward in the left-right direction than the first position.

[0037] The function and effect of the vehicle seat S configured as above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] When no passenger is sitting on the seat cushion S1, the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are not bent, and the support surface 32S of the second S spring 32 faces directly upward (first position), as shown in Fig. 3(a). The support surface 31S of the first S spring 31 also faces directly upward.

[0039] When an occupant P sits on the seat cushion S1, the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are bent and lowered by the weight of the occupant P, as shown in Fig. 3(b). At this time, the first S spring 31 lowers with the support surface 31S facing straight up, but the second S spring 32 is connected to the side frame 21 located on the left and right outer sides of the second S spring 32 by the front hanging part 34D of the hanging wire 34, so that the outer side is less likely to sink downward than the inner side in the left and right direction, and the support surface 32S faces inward in the left and right direction rather than straight up and becomes inclined (second posture). Therefore, the second S spring 32 supports the buttocks and sides of the thighs of the occupant P diagonally upward so as to sandwich them from the outside, and therefore supports the sides of the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P more strongly than when not restrained by the front hanging part 34D of the hanging wire 34. As a result, the pressure around the ischium P1 (more precisely, the lowest protruding part of the ischium P1; the same applies below) is relatively reduced, and the area around the ischium P1 and the entire buttocks and thighs support the seated occupant in a balanced manner. Thus, with the vehicle seat S of this embodiment, blood circulation in the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P is not impaired, and the fatigue of the occupant P can be reduced.

[0040] In addition, the second S spring 32 deforms obliquely so that the support surface 32S faces inward in the left-right direction depending on the weight and size of the occupant P, so that the seat cushion S1 approaches a shape that conforms to the shape of the occupant P's buttocks and thighs, providing a comfortable sitting experience regardless of the occupant P's body type.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are attached to the front frame 22 and the rear frame 23 by the hooks 22A and 23A, but the attachment method is not particularly limited, and may be screwed or welded, or other attachment parts may be used. Also, the suspension wire 34 is connected to the side frame 21 by being hooked on the hook 21E, but this connection method is not particularly limited, and may be screwed or a tie band, etc.

[0042] [Second embodiment] Next, a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same parts as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the cushion frame F1 of the vehicle seat according to the second embodiment is a suspender. A second reinforcing wire 134 corresponding to the reinforcing wire 34 is not connected to the side frame 21, and instead a resin support plate 140 as an example of a third support member connects the side frame 21 and the second S spring 32.

[0044] The second reinforcing wire 134 includes a left-right connecting portion 134A extending horizontally in the left-right direction, a front-to-rear extending portion 134C extending forward from both left and right ends of the left-right connecting portion 34A, and a front connecting portion 134D extending horizontally inward in the left-right direction from the front end of the front-to-rear extending portion 34C.

[0045] The left and right connecting portions 134A are fixed to the left and right extending portions of the rear ends of the first S springs 31 and the second S springs 32 by crimping members 39, 39S. The front-rear extending portions 134C extend in the front-rear direction along the left and right outer ends of the second S springs 32.

[0046] Each front connecting portion 134D is fixed by a crimping member 39S to a portion of the S-shaped second S spring 32 that extends in the left-right direction at a position forward of the left-right connecting portion 134A. The left-right inner ends of each front connecting portion 134D are interrupted at the position of each second S spring 32 and do not reach the first S spring 31. Therefore, the second reinforcing wire 134 connects the rear ends of the two first S springs 31 and the two second S springs 32 to each other, thereby increasing the rigidity of the rear ends. In a predetermined range forward of the rear ends of the second S springs 32, the presence of the front-rear extending portion 134C slightly increases the rigidity of the left-right outer parts of the second S springs 32.

[0047] The support plate 140 consists of an elastically deformable resin plate and includes a fixed portion 141 placed on the upper flange 21B of the side frame 21, an extension portion 142 extending diagonally downward from the inner left-right end of the fixed portion 141, and a support portion 143 extending horizontally inward in the left-right direction from the inner left-right end of the extension portion 142.

[0048] The fixing portion 141 is fixed to the upper flange 21B of the side frame 21 by a fixing member 151 such as a clip or a screw.

[0049] The support portion 143 is fixed to the second S spring 32 by a fixing member 152 such as a clip or a tie band. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the support portion 143 has a through hole 143A for passing the fixing member 152. Returning to FIG. 4, the location where the fixing member 152 is disposed, that is, the location where the support plate 140 is connected to the second S spring 32, is located on the left and right outer side of the left and right central position of the second S spring 32. As a result, when the weight of an occupant is applied from above to the second S spring 32, the left and right outer sides are constrained from the left and right central position, so that the support surface 32S of the second S spring 32 is likely to face inward in the left and right direction.

[0050] The function and effect of the vehicle seat configured as above will be described. When no passenger is sitting on the seat cushion S1, the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are not bent, and the support surface 32S of the second S spring 32 faces directly upward (first position), as shown in Fig. 5(a). The support surface 31S of the first S spring 31 also faces directly upward.

[0051] When an occupant P sits on the seat cushion S1, the first S spring 31 and the second S spring 32 are bent and lowered by the weight of the occupant P, as shown in FIG. 5(b). At this time, the first S spring 31 lowers with the support surface 31S facing straight up, but the second S spring 32 is connected to the side frames 21 located on the left and right outer sides of the second S spring 32 by the support plates 140, so that the outer side is less likely to sink downward than the inner side in the left and right direction, and the support surface 32S becomes inclined and faces more inward in the left and right direction than straight up (second position). Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the pressure around the ischium P1 decreases, and the seated occupant is supported in a balanced manner by the areas around the ischium P1 and the entire buttocks and thighs. In this way, the vehicle seat of this embodiment also prevents poor blood circulation in the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P, thereby reducing the sense of fatigue felt by the occupant P.

[0052] In addition, the second S spring 32 deforms obliquely so that the support surface 32S faces inward in the left-right direction depending on the weight and size of the occupant P, so that the seat cushion S1 approaches a shape that conforms to the shape of the occupant P's buttocks and thighs, providing a comfortable sitting experience regardless of the occupant P's body type.

[0053] The inventors compared the driver's sense of fatigue between a seat provided with the support plate 140 like the vehicle seat of the second embodiment and a comparative example seat in which the support plate 140 is removed from the vehicle seat of the second embodiment. Specifically, the same driver drove the same route for three hours, and the driver's lactate level was measured while driving. As a result, when the support plate 140 was provided, the lactate level after three hours of driving was about half that of the comparative example without the support plate 140.

[0054] 4 and 5, the support plate 140 using a resin plate is not limited to being fixed to the side frame 21 by clips or the like, and may be configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The support plate 140 in FIG. 6 has side wall parts 144 extending downward from both left and right ends of the fixing part 141, and engagement claws 145 protruding inward from the lower ends of the side wall parts 144. Meanwhile, the side wall parts 21A of the side frame 21 have engagement holes 21F at positions corresponding to the engagement claws 145. The support plate 140 is connected to the side frame 21 by the engagement claws 145 engaging with the engagement holes 21F.

[0055] In this way, when the support plate 140 is arranged around the left and right outer sides of the side frame 21 and along the side frame 21, the support plate 140 is less likely to rotate at both left and right ends like a fixed beam, so the fixation of the support plate 140 to the second S spring 32 at the left and right inner ends may be omitted.

[0056] 7, the support plate 140 using a resin plate may have another shape. The support plate 140 in FIG. 7 is provided with a hook 146 at a portion corresponding to the fixing portion 141. Meanwhile, a rod 21G extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the upper flange 21B of the side frame 21. The support plate 140 is connected to the side frame 21 by engaging the hook 146 with the rod 21G.

[0057] According to this configuration, the support plate 140 can be connected to the side frame 21 with a simple operation.

[0058] [Third embodiment] Next, a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, only the differences from the second embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same parts as in the second embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0059] As shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), in the cushion frame F1 of the vehicle seat according to the third embodiment, the third support member connecting the second S spring 32 to the side frame 21 is configured by a band. The support band 240 includes a belt-like cloth band 241 with small stretchability and hooks 242 fixed to both ends of the cloth band 241. The elastic modulus in the left-right direction of the cloth band 241 is smaller than the elastic modulus in the front-rear direction of the second S spring 32. Meanwhile, a rod 21G is fixed to the side frame 21, as in the second modified example of the second embodiment. One hook 242 of the cloth band 241 is hooked onto the rod 21G, and the other hook 24 2 is hooked onto the front and rear extending portions 134C of the second reinforcing wire 134.

[0060] As a result, the support band 240 supports the second S spring 32 via the second reinforcing wire 134. Since the second reinforcing wire 134 reinforces the S-shaped portion at the rear of the second S spring 32 to increase its rigidity, the second portion where the support band 240 supports the second S spring 32 corresponds to the portion where the hook 242 and the front-rear extending portion 134C are engaged with each other.

[0061] This configuration also allows the support band 240 to be easily assembled. As shown in Fig. 9, when the occupant P is seated, the support band 240 restrains both left and right ends of the second S spring 32 so that they do not easily drop, so that the support surface 32S of the second S spring 32 can be oriented inward in the left-right direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the second S spring 32 is supported by the support band 240 via the second reinforcing wire 134, but the hook 242 may directly engage with the second S spring 32. In this case, it is preferable to provide a straight-line portion rather than continuously bending the portion extending forward and backward of the second S spring 32 into an arc shape.

[0063] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a vehicle seat according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same parts as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, the cushion frame F1 of the vehicle seat according to the fourth embodiment does not have a second S spring 32, but instead has a side support member 340 as an example of a second support member made of an elastically deformable leaf spring whose left and right ends are fixed to the side frame 21.

[0065] The side support member 340 includes a fixed portion 341 placed on the upper flange 21B of the side frame 21, an extension portion 342 extending diagonally downward from the inner left-right end of the fixed portion 341, and a support portion 343 extending horizontally inward in the left-right direction from the inner left-right end of the extension portion 342.

[0066] The side support members 340 are positioned at or slightly forward of the occupant's sit bones in the front-to-rear direction.

[0067] The fixing portion 341 is fixed to the upper flange 21B by welding or the like so as not to rotate. That is, the side support member 340 is fixed to the side frame 21 in a cantilever manner. In this embodiment, the portion that fixes the side support member 340 to the side frame 21 (the portion that corresponds to the fixing portion 341 of the side support member 340) corresponds to the restraining portion.

[0068] According to this configuration, when no passenger is sitting on the seat cushion S1, the first S spring 31 and the support portion 343 are not bent, and the support surface 343S, which is the upper surface of the support portion 343, faces directly upward (first position) as shown in Fig. 11(a). The support surface 31S of the first S spring 31 also faces directly upward.

[0069] When an occupant P sits on the seat cushion S1, the first S springs 31 and the side support members 340 bend and lower under the weight of the occupant P, as shown in FIG. 11(b). At this time, the first S springs 31 lower with the support surfaces 31S facing straight up, but since the ends of the side support members 340 on the outer left and right sides are fixed to the side frames 21, the outer sides are less likely to sink downward than the inner left and right sides, and the support surfaces 343S become inclined and face more inward in the left and right directions than straight up (second position). Therefore, the support surface 343S supports the sides of the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P diagonally upward so as to sandwich them from the outside, thereby strongly supporting the sides of the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P. As a result, the pressure around the ischium P1 is relatively reduced, and the seated occupant is supported in a balanced manner by the areas around the ischium P1 and the buttocks and thighs as a whole. Thus, according to the vehicle seat of this embodiment, the blood circulation in the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P is not impaired, and the fatigue of the occupant P can be reduced.

[0070] In addition, the side support member 340 deforms obliquely so that the support surface 343S faces inward in the left-right direction depending on the weight and size of the occupant P, so that the seat cushion S1 conforms to a shape that closely matches the shape of the occupant P's buttocks and thighs, providing a comfortable sitting experience regardless of the occupant P's body type.

[0071] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a vehicle seat according to a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same parts as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the reinforcing wire 33 connects the two first S springs 31, and the suspending wire 34 also connects the two first S springs 31. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the reinforcing wire 133 may reinforce the rear end of each first S spring 31 but not connect the two first S springs 31. The suspending wire 134 may also not connect the two first S springs 31. In this way, by configuring the rear ends of the two first S springs 31 not to be connected by a wire, the first S springs 31 become more flexible, and the support force of the first S spring 31 located directly below the ischium can be reduced. By reducing the support force of the first S spring 31, the support force of the second support spring 32 becomes larger, and the occupant is supported in a balanced manner not only directly below the ischium but also from the buttocks to the entire thigh, and the pressure supporting the ischium can be reduced. This prevents blood circulation from worsening, thereby reducing fatigue.

[0073] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and can be appropriately modified and carried out.

[0074] For example, in the fourth embodiment, the side support member 340 is fixed to the side frame 21 by welding or the like, but the side support member 340 may be configured as a member integral with the side frame 21.

[0075] The vehicle seat S may also be configured as a bucket-type vehicle seat in which the seat cushion S1, the seat back S2, and the headrest S3 are integrally configured.

[0076] Furthermore, the seat of the present invention may be a seat for a vehicle other than a car, or may be a seat for a vehicle other than a car.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the first support member and the second support member are directly supported by the seat cushion frame, but the first support member and the second support member do not have to be directly supported by the seat cushion frame. For example, the first support member and the second support member may be directly supported by the seat cushion pad and supported by the seat cushion frame via the seat cushion pad.

[0078] The first support member and the second support member may be springs other than S-springs. In addition, the restraint portion is not limited to being connected to the side frame, but may be a connecting member such as a pipe connecting the left and right side frames, and a member supporting a part of the second support member may be provided on the connecting member as the restraint portion. For example, It is also possible to fix a restraining member that protrudes toward the second support member so that an upper end of the restraining member can abut from below against a portion of the second support member that is closer to the outside in the left-right direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

Claims

1. A cushion frame having a pair of side frames arranged spaced apart on the left and right and extending in the front-rear direction; a support member that is supported by the cushion frame and extends in a front-rear direction to support a seated occupant, the support member having a first support member and a deformable second support member that is disposed on both the left and right sides of the first support member; a resin support plate having a fixing portion fixed to the side frame and an extending portion extending obliquely downward from an inner end portion of the fixing portion in the left-right direction, the inner end portion being fixed to the second support member; a cushion pad covering the side frame and the support member from above, the cushion pad having an upper surface formed with a groove recessed downward and extending in the front-rear direction; The seat, wherein the support plate supports a cushion pad and is not connected to the first support member.

2. A sheet as described in claim 1, characterized in that the support plate is connected to a linearly extending portion of the second support member.

3. The support plate is arranged so as to overlap the groove when viewed from the up-down direction, 3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the groove is disposed laterally inward of a portion where the support plate is fixed to the side frame.

4. A sheet described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support plate includes a support portion extending from the left and right inner ends of the extension portion toward the left and right inner sides and connected to the support member.

5. A sheet as described in Claim 4, characterized in that the support portion is arranged so as to overlap the groove when viewed from the top and bottom directions.

6. The first support member is provided in a plurality of parts, and further includes a reinforcing member connecting the plurality of first support members, The seat according to claim 1 , wherein a position of the reinforcing member in the front-rear direction overlaps a position of the support plate in the front-rear direction.

7. The first support member is provided in a plurality of parts, and further includes a reinforcing member connecting the plurality of first support members, 6. The sheet according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member has a portion parallel to the support portion.

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