Vehicle seat and control method of the same

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which enables an ottoman to rotate according to deformation of a seat cushion, and to provide a control method of the vehicle seat.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat S has: a seat body Sh which has a seat cushion 1, and an ottoman 4 which may rotate in a seat longitudinal direction relative to the seat cushion 1 and may switch its state between a normal state where the ottoman 4 is hung and a deployment state where the ottoman 4 rotates to a seat front side. The seat cushion 1 has a cushion frame 10 forming a framework. The cushion frame 10 has: a fixed side frame 11 having a pair of left and right side frames 12 disposed at the sides; and a movable side frame 21 which is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the pair of left and right side frames 12. The ottoman 4 has an ottoman frame 40 forming a framework. The ottoman frame 40 is connected to the movable side frame 21 and rotates in conjunction with rotation of the movable side frame 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a method for controlling a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat provided with an ottoman and a method for controlling a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicle seats such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 are known in the art, in which an ottoman is provided at the front end of the seat cushion for an occupant to rest his / her legs on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-105367 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle seat equipped with an ottoman, in order to put the seat into a bed state, the seat back is tilted backward, the front end of the seat cushion is raised, and the ottoman is deployed in front of the seat. Conventionally, the seat cushion and the ottoman are controlled separately and are not structured to be linked, so that, for example, to put the vehicle seat into a bed state, the seat cushion is deformed and the ottoman is rotated separately. Therefore, a linking structure that rotates the ottoman in accordance with the deformation of the seat cushion has been desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle seat and a method for controlling a vehicle seat that are capable of rotating an ottoman in accordance with deformation of the seat cushion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above problem is solved by a vehicle seat of the present invention, which comprises a seat cushion and an ottoman that can be rotated in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat relative to the seat cushion, and which is equipped with a seat body that can be switched between a normal state in which the ottoman hangs down and an expanded state in which the ottoman is rotated forward of the seat, wherein the seat cushion has a cushion frame that forms the skeleton, and the cushion frame has a fixed side frame having a pair of left and right side frames arranged on the sides, and a movable side frame that is rotatably supported by the pair of left and right side frames, and the ottoman has an ottoman frame that forms the skeleton, and the ottoman frame is connected to the movable side frame and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable side frame. The ottoman frame rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame of the cushion frame, thereby providing a vehicle seat that allows the ottoman to rotate in accordance with deformation of the seat cushion.

[0007] In the above configuration, when the seat body is in the normal state, the connection portion between the ottoman frame and the movable-side frame may be located above a frame pivot axis of the movable-side frame relative to the pair of left and right side frames. When the seat body is in its normal state, the ottoman hangs down from the seat cushion, but since the connection part between the ottoman and the movable frame is positioned above the movable frame pivot axis, the position of the lower end of the ottoman in the normal state is raised, which prevents the lower end of the ottoman from interfering with the vehicle floor, for example.

[0008] In the above configuration, the cushion frame may have a connecting frame connecting the pair of left and right side frames, and the ottoman frame may be configured to be rotatable about the connecting frame as a central axis of rotation. By using the connecting frame as the rotational center axis of the ottoman frame, the rotational movement of the ottoman in the front-rear direction of the seat can be stabilized.

[0009] In the above configuration, it is preferable that an airflow generating device for air conditioning is provided, and the airflow generating device is disposed on a lower surface of the movable frame. By placing the air flow generating device on the underside of the movable frame, the air flow generating device can be made to follow the movable frame, thereby suppressing deformation of ducts, etc., and allowing air flow to be stably supplied to the seat body, etc.

[0010] In the above-mentioned configuration, the ottoman frame may include guide devices on both sides in the seat width direction for guiding the rotation of the ottoman frame. By providing the ottoman frame with the guide device, the ottoman frame can be rotated stably.

[0011] The above problem is solved by a control method for a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat having a seat cushion and an ottoman that can be rotated forward of the seat relative to the seat cushion, and a seat body that can be switched between a normal state in which the ottoman is hanging down and an expanded state in which the ottoman is rotated forward of the seat, the seat cushion having a cushion frame that forms a skeleton, the cushion frame having a fixed side frame with a pair of left and right side frames arranged on the sides, and a movable side frame that is rotatably supported relative to the pair of left and right side frames, the control method for the vehicle seat including lowering a front end of the movable side frame downward when the seat body transitions from the normal state to the expanded state, and rotating the ottoman forward after the front end of the movable side frame has been lowered or while it is moving downward. By rotating the ottoman forward in accordance with the downward movement of the front end portion of the movable frame, the ottoman can be rotated in accordance with the deformation of the seat cushion.

[0012] In the above control method, the seat body has a seat back that can be rotated in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, and the control method for the vehicle seat may include raising the rear end of the movable side frame and lowering the front end of the movable side frame downward when the seat back is rotated toward the rear of the seat. When the seat back is rotated toward the rear of the seat, the ottoman is also rotated forward by rotating the movable frame, so that the seat body can be easily put into the unfolded state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, a vehicle seat can be provided in which the ottoman frame rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame of the cushion frame, thereby enabling the ottoman to be rotated in accordance with the deformation of the seat cushion. Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the seat body is in its normal state, the ottoman hangs down from the seat cushion, but since the connection portion between the ottoman and the movable frame is positioned above the movable frame pivot axis, the position of the lower end of the ottoman in the normal state is raised, thereby preventing, for example, the lower end of the ottoman from interfering with the vehicle floor. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the ottoman frame has the connecting frame as a rotation center axis, so that the rotational movement of the ottoman in the front-rear direction of the seat can be stabilized. Furthermore, by placing the air flow generating device on the underside of the movable frame, the air flow generating device can be made to follow the movable frame, thereby suppressing deformation of, for example, ducts, etc., and allowing air flow to be stably supplied to the seat body, etc. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the ottoman frame is provided with a guide device, so that the ottoman frame can be rotated stably. Furthermore, according to the control method for a vehicle seat of the present invention, the ottoman can be rotated forward in accordance with the deformation of the seat cushion by rotating the ottoman forward in accordance with the downward movement of the front end of the movable frame. Furthermore, according to the control method for a vehicle seat of the present invention, when the seat back is rotated toward the rear of the seat, the ottoman is also rotated forward by rotating the movable frame, so that the vehicle seat can be easily deployed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a seat frame of the vehicle seat. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the vehicle seat in a normal state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the vehicle seat in an unfolded state. [Figure 6] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the interlocking operation between the movable frame and the ottoman frame. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling a vehicle seat. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a vehicle seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The configuration of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is an example for making the present invention easier to understand, and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0016] In the following, a vehicle seat S mounted on a ground-traveling vehicle having wheels, such as an automobile or train, will be given as an example of a vehicle seat, and an example of the configuration will be described. In the following description, the term "seat front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling. The term "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The term "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. In the following, the state in which an occupant is seated on the edge of the vehicle seat S (sitting with legs down) will be referred to as the "normal state" of the vehicle seat S, and the state in which the occupant can sit in a semi-sitting position (with the upper body leaning backward and legs up) will be referred to as the "unfolded state." In addition, the shape, position, posture, etc. of each part of the vehicle seat S described below will be described assuming that the vehicle seat S is in a normal state, unless otherwise specified.

[0017] <Vehicle seat S> The basic configuration of a vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat S as viewed obliquely from the front, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a seat frame F of the vehicle seat S. Fig. 3 is a top view of a cushion frame 10. Fig. 4 is a side view of the vehicle seat S in a normal state, and Fig. 5 is a side view of the vehicle seat S in an unfolded state. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the interlocking operation of the movable frame 21 and the ottoman frame 40. Note that in Fig. 1, for convenience of illustration, a part of the vehicle seat S is shown with the cover material Tr removed.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment mainly comprises a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, an ottoman 4, a reclining device 5, and a rail device 6. As shown in Fig. 2, a seat frame F forming the framework of the vehicle seat S is provided inside the vehicle seat S. The seat frame F includes a cushion frame 10, a back frame 30, a headrest frame 35, and an ottoman frame 40. The seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, the headrest 3, and the ottoman 4 may be collectively referred to as a seat body Sh.

[0019] In the following explanation, we will first explain the seat cushion 1, seat back 2, headrest 3, reclining device 5, rail device 6, etc., and then explain the ottoman 4 and the control method of the vehicle seat S, which are the core of the present invention.

[0020] <Seat cushion 1> The seat cushion 1 is a support member that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant (hereinafter, may be referred to as a seated person), and supports the seated person from below. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion 1 includes a cushion frame 10 that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 1. The cushion frame 10 of this embodiment is composed of a fixed-side frame 11 and a movable-side frame 21 that is rotatably provided on the fixed-side frame 11. The movable-side frame 21 is attached to the fixed-side frame 11 so as to be rotatable about a frame rotation shaft 26 that extends in the seat width direction.

[0021] The fixed side frame 11 is a frame body having a rectangular shape in a top view. The fixed side frame 11 has a pair of left and right cushion side frames 12, 12 arranged on the sides and extending in the front-rear direction of the seat. The fixed side frame 11 also has a front connection frame 13 that connects the front ends of the pair of left and right cushion side frames 12, 12, and a rear connection frame 14 that connects the rear ends. As shown in FIG. 3, the front connection frame 13 is formed in a shape in which a part is bent and a central part protrudes forward. The pair of left and right cushion side frames 12, 12 correspond to the pair of left and right side frames of the present invention. The front connection frame 13 also corresponds to the connection frame of the present invention.

[0022] The movable side frame 21 is provided within the fixed side frame 11 and is formed as a frame body having a rectangular shape in a top view. The movable side frame 21 has a pair of left and right movable side frames 22, 22 that are disposed on the sides and extend in the front-rear direction of the seat. The movable side frame 21 is mainly composed of a movable side front frame 23 that connects the front ends of the pair of left and right movable side frames 22, 22, and a movable side rear frame 24 that connects the rear ends.

[0023] As described above, the movable frame 21 is rotatably attached to the fixed frame 11. More specifically, the movable side frames 22, 22 of the movable frame 21 are rotatably attached to the cushion side frames 12, 12 of the fixed frame 11. The movable frame 21 is configured to automatically rotate about the frame rotation axis 26 using a driving unit (not shown) such as an actuator having a motor and gears. The actuator and the like are controlled by a control device 8, which will be described later. The movable frame 21 may also be configured to rotate manually relative to the fixed frame 11.

[0024] In addition, a pressure-receiving member 25 is provided so as to bridge between the movable-side front frame 23 and the movable-side rear frame 24. The pressure-receiving member 25 is made of an elastic plate-like member, and is configured to support a cushion pad material P placed on the movable-side frame 21. 2 and 3, a plurality of through holes 27 are formed in the pressure-receiving member 25 in order to reduce the weight. The pressure-receiving member 25 may be made of an elastic member such as a plurality of S-springs.

[0025] <Pad material P> A padding material P for a seat cushion is placed on the cushion frame 10, and the padding material P is covered with a skin material Tr. The padding material P is a cushioning material, and is made of, for example, a urethane resin (foamed resin) such as soft polyurethane foam. The padding material P may be made of biomass urethane. The skin material Tr that covers the padding material P is made of, for example, a synthetic leather material having elasticity. The skin material Tr may be made of cloth, film, leather, or the like. The pad material P and the cover material Tr of the seat cushion 1 are configured to be deformed in accordance with the rotation of the movable-side frame 21. In other words, the seat cushion 1 is configured to be deformable by the rotation of the movable-side frame 21.

[0026] <Seat back 2> The seat back 2 is a support member that supports the back of a seated occupant and supports the seated occupant from behind. As shown in FIG.

[0027] The back frame 30 is a frame body having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view. The back frame 30 is composed of a pair of back side frames 31, 31 arranged on the sides of the back frame 30, an upper frame 32 connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right back side frames 31, 31, and a lower frame 33 connecting the lower ends of the left and right back side frames 31.

[0028] The back side frames 31 are elongated frame members extending vertically, and are disposed facing each other in the seat width direction while being spaced apart from each other. Each back side frame 31 is an angle member formed by bending a plate-like member vertically. The reclining device 5 is attached to the lower end of the back side frame 31.

[0029] The upper frame 32 is a frame material having a substantially inverted U-shape, and connects the upper ends of the left and right back side frames 31, 31. The upper frame 32 is made of a metal round pipe material, but the upper frame 32 may also be made of resin.

[0030] The lower frame 33 is an elongated frame material extending in the left-right direction, and connects the lower ends of the left and right back side frames 31, 31. A reclining rotation shaft 50 of the reclining device 5 is disposed in front of the lower frame 33.

[0031] A padding material P for the seat back 2 is placed on the back frame 30, and the padding material P is further covered with a skin material Tr. The padding material P is made of a urethane resin (foamed resin) such as soft polyurethane foam. The padding material P may also be made of biomass urethane. The skin material Tr for the seat back 2 is made of, for example, a synthetic leather material having elasticity. The skin material Tr may also be made of cloth, film, leather, etc.

[0032] The seat back 2 is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction relative to the seat cushion 1 by a reclining device 5, and can be rotated backward from a seated state (normal state) to an unfolded state as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The seat back 2 can also be rotated forward to a stowed state.

[0033] <Headrest 3> The headrest 3 is a support member that supports the head of a seated occupant from behind. As shown in Fig. 2, the headrest 3 has therein a headrest frame 35 that forms the framework of the headrest 3. The headrest 3 has a headrest padding material P that covers the headrest frame 35, and a skin material Tr that covers the padding material P.

[0034] <Rail device 6> As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the rail device 6 is a device that connects the vehicle seat S to the vehicle floor so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the rail device 6 is provided below the vehicle seat S. The rail device 6 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the rail device 6 has a lower rail 6a fixed to the floor and an upper rail 6b that is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 6a.

[0035] <Reclining device 5> The reclining device 5 has a reclining rotation shaft 50, and the seat back 2 is connected to the seat cushion 1 so as to be rotatable about the reclining rotation shaft 50. The reclining device 5 is provided below the back frame 30 as shown in FIG. 2. As described above, the reclining device 5 can rotate the seat back 2 backward from the normal state to the deployed state. The seat back 2 can also be rotated forward to the stored state, and the seat back 2 can be displaced from the stored state to the deployed state. The reclining device 5 is provided with an actuator (not shown), and can be automatically shifted from the normal state to the deployed state by the control device 8.

[0036] <Blower unit 7> The blower device 7 is an air conditioning device that generates an air flow in the vehicle seat S. The blower device 7 is provided with an air outlet and an inlet (not shown), and generates an air flow by drawing in air from the inlet and blowing out the air from the air outlet by rotating a fan inside the blower device 7. A duct (not shown) is connected to the blower device 7, and configured to be able to blow out air toward a person sitting in the vehicle seat S. Providing the blower device 7 can increase the comfort of the person sitting in the vehicle seat S. The blower device 7 corresponds to an air flow generating device of the present invention.

[0037] 1 to 5, the blower device 7 is attached to the lower surface of the movable-side frame 21. More specifically, the blower device 7 is attached to the lower surface of the movable-side front frame 23 of the movable-side frame 21 via a bracket. By providing the blower unit 7 on the underside of the movable side frame 21, the blower unit 7 can be made to follow the movable side frame 21, thereby suppressing deformation of, for example, ducts, etc., and allowing airflow to be stably supplied to the seat body, etc.

[0038] <Control device 8> The control device 8 is attached to the underside of the movable side frame 21 via a bracket or the like, similar to the blower device 7. The control device 8 is called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and controls a drive device and the like mounted on the vehicle or the vehicle seat S. For example, when an operation button mounted on the vehicle or the vehicle seat S is pressed, the control device 8 drives the reclining device 5 or rotates the movable side frame 21 according to the pressed button. The control device 8 may also control the blower device 7. By controlling the movable frame 21 and the reclining device 5 with the control device 8, the comfort of the passenger seated in the vehicle seat S can be improved.

[0039] <Ottoman 4> In the vehicle seat S of this embodiment, an ottoman 4 for supporting the legs of a seated occupant is provided at the front end of a seat cushion 1. The ottoman 4 is attached to the seat cushion 1 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0040] 2 and 3, the ottoman 4 has an ottoman frame 40 that serves as the skeleton of the ottoman 4. The ottoman frame 40 is made of a metal plate-like member and has a plurality of through holes 43 formed therein. The upper end of the ottoman frame 40 is connected to the movable-side front frame 23 of the movable-side frame 21 via a connecting member 41. In addition, a hinge portion 42 is formed between the ottoman frame 40 and the connecting member 41, and the ottoman frame 40 is configured to be rotatable relative to the connecting member 41.

[0041] 4 shows the normal state of the vehicle seat S in which the seated person sits on the edge of the seat. The normal state is sometimes called the seated mode. In the normal state, the ottoman 4 hangs down from the front end of the seat cushion 1, allowing the seated person to sit with their legs lowered.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 5, the seat body Sh of the vehicle seat S can be transformed into an unfolded state in which the seat occupant is in a semi-sitting position by rotating the seat back 2 rearward (in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 4). When the unfolded state is reached, the movable frame 21 of the seat cushion 1 rotates about the frame rotation shaft 26, and the front end 1a of the seat cushion 1 moves downward (in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 4). At this time, the rear end 1b of the seat cushion 1 moves upward.

[0043] When the vehicle seat S is in the unfolded state, the ottoman 4 rotates forward (in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 4) to raise the legs of the seated occupant. In this manner, the rotation of the ottoman 4 is performed in conjunction with the rotation of the movable frame 21 of the seat cushion 1.

[0044] The mechanism by which the ottoman 4 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame 21, i.e., the interlocking movement between the movable frame 21 and the ottoman 4, will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The upper part of Fig. 6 shows the positions of the movable frame 21 and the ottoman frame 40 in the normal state, and the lower part of Fig. 6 shows the positions of the movable frame 21 and the ottoman frame 40 in the unfolded state.

[0045] In a normal state, the ottoman frame 40 hangs down from the front end portion 21a of the movable frame 21. At this time, the ottoman frame 40 is supported by the front connecting frame 13 of the fixed frame 11.

[0046] When the vehicle seat S is in the unfolded state, the movable side frame 21 rotates about the frame rotation shaft 26 in the direction of the arrow B, and the movable side front frame 23 is positioned downward. As the movable-side front frame 23 moves down, the connecting member 41 moves down, and as a result, the ottoman frame 40 joined by the hinge portion 42 rotates toward the front of the seat (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6) with the front connecting frame 13 as the rotation center axis. That is, the ottoman 4 rotates toward the front of the seat and enters the unfolded state. When the seat back 2 is tilted backward, the occupant's feet are raised, allowing the occupant to sit in a semi-sitting position on the vehicle seat S. By setting the front connecting frame 13 of the fixed-side frame 11 as the rotation center axis of the ottoman 4, for example, it is possible to stabilize the rotational movement of the ottoman 4 in the front-rear direction of the seat. The ottoman frame 40 may be configured to rotate around the hinge portion 42 as a central axis of rotation. Furthermore, the hinge portion 42 is provided between an upper end of the ottoman frame 40 and a front end of the connecting member 41, and is configured so that the ottoman frame 40 rotates with respect to the connecting member 41. This is just one example, and the hinge portion 42 may be provided between the rear end of the connecting member 41 and the movable-side front frame 23. The ottoman frame 40 and the connecting member 41 may be configured so that the hinge portion 42 provided on the movable-side front frame 23 rotates as a rotation center axis, causing the movable-side front frame 23 to lower, thereby rotating the ottoman 4 forward of the seat.

[0047] The rotational movement of the movable frame 21 about the frame rotation shaft 26 may be performed in conjunction with the seat back 2 being tilted backward, as shown in Fig. 5. In this way, when the seat back 2 is tilted backward, the ottoman 4 is rotated toward the front of the seat, and the seat body Sh of the vehicle seat S can be placed in the unfolded state.

[0048] When the seat body Sh of the vehicle seat S is in the normal state, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion between the ottoman frame 40 of the ottoman 4 and the movable side frame 21, more specifically, the hinge portion 42, should be located above the frame rotation axis 26. Since the hinge portion 42 is located at an upper position, even if the ottoman 4 sags, the lower end of the ottoman 4 is less likely to interfere with the vehicle floor, and contact can be suppressed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the ottoman frame 40 of the ottoman 4 is connected to the movable frame 21 by the connecting member 41, so that the ottoman frame 40 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame 21, but this is just one example. An actuator for rotating the ottoman frame 40 may be provided on the front end portion 21a of the movable frame 21 or on the ottoman frame 40, and the actuator may be controlled by the control device 8 to rotate the ottoman frame 40 in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame 21.

[0050] A method of controlling the vehicle seat S will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The vehicle seat S is initially in a normal state, and transitions from the normal state to the unfolded state. In order to place the seat body Sh of the vehicle seat S in the deployed state, the seat occupant inclines the seat back 2 toward the rear of the seat using the reclining device 5 (step S101). At this time, the seat occupant may use an operation button or the like provided on the vehicle or the vehicle seat, and the control device 8 that receives an input signal from the operation button or the like may control the reclining device 5 to incline the seat back 2 backward.

[0051] In accordance with the backward tilt of the seat back 2, the rear end 1b of the seat cushion 1, i.e., the rear end 21b of the movable frame 21, is moved upward, thereby rotating the movable frame 21 around the frame rotation shaft 26. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the front end 21a of the movable frame 21 moves downward from the position in the normal state (step S102). In other words, the control device 8 rotates the movable frame 21 to move the front end 21a downward. The link between the seat back 2 and the seat cushion 1 may be performed mechanically by connecting the lower end of the seat back 2 and the rear end 1b of the seat cushion 1, or may be performed using the control device 8.

[0052] When the front end 1a of the seat cushion 1 moves downward, the front end 21a of the movable frame 21 moves down, and the ottoman frame connected to the front end 21a rotates forward and unfolds (step S103). During the transition to the unfolded state, the ottoman frame 40 connected to the movable frame 21 by the connecting member 41 rotates forward, and the ottoman 4 enters the unfolded state.

[0053] In addition, if the ottoman 4 can be automatically rotated by an actuator or the like, the control device 8 may control the ottoman frame 40 to rotate forward and place the ottoman 4 in the unfolded state not only during the transition of the front end 21a of the movable frame 21 to the lowered state, but also after the front end 21a of the movable frame 21 has reached the lowered state. By controlling the vehicle seat S in this manner, the ottoman 4 can be deployed in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame 21.

[0054] In addition, when the seat back 2 is in a rearward tilted state or when the seat back 2 does not need to be rearward tilted, the processes of steps S102 and S102 may be executed without processing step S101, that is, the ottoman frame 40 may be rotated forward while the front end portion 21a of the movable side frame 21 is transitioning to a lowered state.

[0055] <<Second embodiment>> A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a seat frame F2 of a vehicle seat S2 according to the second embodiment. This seat frame differs from the seat frame F shown in Fig. 2 in that a guide device 80 is provided on the ottoman frame 40. Other configurations are similar to those of the vehicle seat S and seat frame F shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so the same or equivalent members are given the same reference symbols and their description will be omitted.

[0056] The seat frame F2 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a guide device 80 for guiding the rotation of the ottoman frame 40. The guide device 80 is composed of a pillar 81 extending along the extension direction of the ottoman frame 40 on both sides (left and right sides) of the ottoman frame 40 in the seat width direction, a ring-shaped guide portion 82 for holding the pillar 81, and a fixed-side bracket 83 for fixing the guide portion 82 to the fixed-side frame 11. The guide portion 82 is rotatably attached to the fixed-side bracket 83, and is configured such that when the ottoman frame 40 rotates forward, the position of the guide portion 82 for holding the pillar 81 moves. The ottoman frame 40 is supported not only by the connecting member 41 but also by the guide devices 80 provided on the left and right sides, so that the ottoman 4 can be rotated more stably.

[0057] As described above, the vehicle seat S to be mounted on a vehicle has been given as an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of the configuration thereof has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on vehicles that have wheels and run on the ground, such as automobiles and trains, and may also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that move on non-ground surfaces, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] S, S2 Vehicle seats (vehicle seats) F, F2 seat frame P Pad material Tr skin material Sh seat body 1 seat cushion 1a Front end 1b Rear end 2 Seat back 3 Headrest 4 Ottoman 5 Reclining device 6 Rail device 6a Lower rail 6b Upper rail 7 Blower device (air flow generating device) 8 Control device 10 Cushion Frame 11 Fixed side frame 12 Cushion side frame (side frame) 13 Front connecting frame (connecting frame) 14 Rear connecting frame 21 Movable frame 21a Front end 21b Rear end 22 Movable side frame 23 Movable front frame 24 Movable rear frame 25 Pressure-receiving member 26 Frame pivot axis 27 Through hole 30 Back Frame 31 Backside Frame 32 Upper Frame 33 Lower frame 35 Headrest frame 40 Ottoman Frame 41 Connecting member 42 Hinge part 43 Through hole 50 Reclining rotation axis 80 Guidance device 81 Pillar 82 Guide part 83 Fixed side bracket

Claims

1. The seat body includes a seat cushion and an ottoman that can be rotated in a front-rear direction of the seat with respect to the seat cushion, and the seat body is switchable between a normal state in which the ottoman is suspended and an expanded state in which the ottoman is rotated forward of the seat, The seat cushion has a cushion frame forming a skeleton, The cushion frame is a fixed frame having a pair of left and right side frames disposed on the sides; a movable frame supported rotatably by the pair of left and right side frames, The ottoman has an ottoman frame that forms a framework, The vehicle seat, wherein the ottoman frame is connected to the movable frame and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the movable frame.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein when the seat body is in the normal state, a connection portion between the ottoman frame and the movable side frame is located above a frame pivot axis of the movable side frame relative to the pair of left and right side frames.

3. The cushion frame has a connecting frame that connects the pair of left and right side frames, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the ottoman frame is configured to be rotatable about the connecting frame as a central axis of rotation.

4. Equipped with an airflow generator for air conditioning, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating device is disposed on a lower surface of the movable frame.

5. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the ottoman frame is provided with guide devices on both sides in a seat width direction for guiding the rotation of the ottoman frame.

6. A method for controlling a vehicle seat, comprising: The vehicle seat has a seat cushion and an ottoman that can be rotated toward the front of the seat with respect to the seat cushion, and is equipped with a seat main body that can be switched between a normal state in which the ottoman hangs down and an expanded state in which the ottoman is rotated toward the front of the seat, the seat cushion has a cushion frame that forms a skeleton, the cushion frame has a fixed side frame having a pair of left and right side frames disposed on the sides, and a movable side frame that is rotatably supported with respect to the pair of left and right side frames, The method for controlling a vehicle seat includes: When the seat body transitions from the normal state to the deployed state, a front end portion of the movable frame is lowered downward. and rotating the ottoman forward after the front end of the movable frame has been lowered or while the front end of the movable frame is moving downward.

7. The seat body has a seat back that is rotatable in a front-rear direction of the seat, The method for controlling a vehicle seat includes:

7. The method for controlling a vehicle seat according to claim 6, further comprising raising a rear end of the movable frame and lowering a front end of the movable frame when the seat back is rotated toward the rear of the seat.

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