Vehicular seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicular seat which comprises: a first covering fixed to a pad; a second covering which is connected to the first covering in an attachable / detachable manner through a connector and covers a part of the pad directly or through the first covering; and further an airbag module provided in a frame, the vehicular seat being configured in such a manner that contacting and interfering of the connector with an airbag can be avoided when the airbag is deployed, consequently correct operation of the airbag is secured.SOLUTION: A frame 20 is provided with an airbag module AM housing an airbag 52 which can deploy outward from a surface of a pad P2. A fracture permission portion m1 which can be fractured for allowing the airbag 52 to deploy is arranged at intervals from connectors f1-f4, on at least either of first and second coverings 25 and 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular a vehicle seat comprising a pad, a frame supporting the underside of the pad, a first skin fixed to the pad and covering the surface of the pad, and a second skin detachably connected to the first skin via a connector and covering a portion of the surface of the pad directly or via the first skin. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle seat has an advantage that the second skin can be replaced with another second skin at any time as needed in place of the first skin. Vehicle seats having such easily removable skins are conventionally known, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, and in such known seats, fasteners are used as connectors between the first and second skins.

[0003] Furthermore, in a vehicle seat, an airbag module that houses an airbag that can be deployed outward from the surface of the pad is provided on a frame that supports the underside of the pad, as shown in Patent Document 2, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-97275 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-20457 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional vehicle seats with easily removable skins such as those in Patent Document 1 are not expected to be applied to seats with airbags such as those in Patent Document 2. However, if they were applied, and the connector (e.g., fastener) between the first and second skins was close enough to overlap with the point where the airbag begins to deploy from the pad surface, the contact device could easily interfere with the airbag in the early stages of deployment.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle seat that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle seat including a pad, a frame supporting the pad from a rear side, a first skin fixed to the pad and covering a surface of the pad, and a second skin detachably connected to the first skin via a connector and covering a part of the surface of the pad directly or via the first skin, the frame being provided with an airbag module that houses an airbag that can be deployed outward from the surface of the pad, 1. The first feature of the present invention is that at least one of the second skins has a breakable portion that is breakable to allow the deployment of the airbag and is disposed at a distance from the connector.

[0008] In addition to the first feature, the present invention has a second feature in that the breakable portion is provided in the first skin.

[0009] In addition to the second characteristic, the present invention has a third characteristic that an area overlapping the second skin is present on the first skin, and the break-tolerant portion is provided on the first skin outside the area.

[0010] In addition to the second characteristic, the present invention has a fourth characteristic in that an area overlapping the second skin is present on the first skin, a first of the breakable portions is provided on the first skin in the area, and a second breakable portion overlapping the first breakable portion is provided on the second skin.

[0011] Furthermore, in addition to the first or second characteristic, the present invention has a fifth characteristic in that the pad and the frame are a back pad and a side frame in a seat back portion that supports the back of an occupant, and the breakable portion is positioned at a distance in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat back portion from a specific connecting device that is located around the airbag module.

[0012] Furthermore, in addition to the second feature, the present invention has a sixth feature in that a contact suppression portion for suppressing contact between the airbag and the specific connecting device located around the airbag module is provided in a portion of the first skin or the second skin adjacent to the specific connecting device, the contact suppression portion being provided along the specific connecting device to suppress contact between the airbag and the specific connecting device during deployment.

[0013] In addition to the sixth characteristic, the present invention has a seventh characteristic in that the contact prevention portion is composed of an outward protrusion portion that protrudes outward from the surface of the skin on which the contact prevention portion is provided, and the protrusion height of the outward protrusion portion is greater than the protrusion height of the specific connecting device.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention has an eighth feature in addition to any one of the first to seventh features, in that the pad has a retraction groove for retracting at least a part of the first skin of the first and second skins, and a retraction hole having one end opening at the bottom of the retraction groove and the other end opening at the back surface of the pad, the portion of the first skin that is retracted into the retraction groove is connected to one end of a connecting member that passes through the retraction hole, the other end of the connecting member is connected to the inner surface of the frame directly or via a support member, and the airbag module is attached to the frame so as to avoid the connecting part.

[0015] In addition to the eighth feature, the present invention has a ninth feature in that the mounting portion of the airbag module that is mounted to the frame is positioned on the opposite side of the frame from the connecting portion.

[0016] In addition to the ninth feature, the present invention has a tenth feature in that the plate-shaped wall portion of the frame sandwiched between the mounting portion and the connecting portion has a concave curved portion that is recessed on one side in the thickness direction of the wall portion.

[0017] In the present invention, the term "breakable portion" refers to a weak portion that is provided in advance on the skin to allow the airbag to deploy when the airbag deploys, and that can be broken by the airbag in the early stages of deployment.

[0018] In the present invention, the "connecting portion" refers to a portion where the other end of the connecting member is directly connected to the inner surface of the frame. When the other end of the connecting member is connected to the inner surface of the frame via a support member, it refers to the connection between the other end of the connecting member and the inner surface of the frame. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to a first feature, in a vehicle seat having a first skin fixed to a pad and a second skin detachably connected to the first skin via a connecting device and covering a part of the pad directly or via the first skin, in which an airbag module is provided on a frame, at least one of the first and second skins has a breakable portion arranged at a distance from the connecting device so as to allow the airbag to deploy, thereby effectively preventing the connecting device between the first and second skins from contacting or interfering with the airbag in the early stages of airbag deployment, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag.

[0020] According to the second feature, since the breakable portion is provided on the first skin fixed to the pad, the breakable portion can be effectively prevented from shifting relative to the pad, making the operation of the airbag more stable.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the third feature, even if there is an area on the first skin where the second skin overlaps, the breakable portion of the first skin is positioned outside that area, so there is no risk of the second skin interfering with the deployment of the airbag, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag.

[0022] In addition, according to the fourth feature, even if there is an area on the first skin that overlaps with the second skin and a first breakable portion is arranged in this area, a second breakable portion that overlaps with the first breakable portion is provided on the second skin, so there is no risk of the second skin interfering with the deployment of the airbag, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag.

[0023] According to the fifth feature, in the seat back portion, the breakable portion is positioned at a distance in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat back portion from a specific connecting device located around the airbag module. Therefore, even if the airbag breaks the breakable portion and deploys diagonally forward and outwardly of the seat back portion, contact and interference between the breakable portion and the connecting device can be effectively prevented, which is more advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag for the seat back portion.

[0024] According to the sixth feature, a contact suppression portion for suppressing contact between the airbag and the specific connecting device during deployment is provided along the specific connecting device in the portion of the first or second skin adjacent to the specific connecting device. Therefore, even if the breakable portion is located relatively close to the specific connecting device, the contact suppression portion can suppress contact between the airbag and the connecting device during deployment, allowing the airbag to be deployed and operated more accurately.

[0025] According to the seventh feature, the contact prevention portion is composed of an outward protrusion portion that protrudes outward from the surface of the skin on which it is provided, and the protrusion height of the outward protrusion portion is higher than the protrusion height of the above-mentioned specific connecting device. Therefore, with a simple structure of merely providing an outward protrusion portion on the surface of the first or second skin, contact between the airbag and the connecting device during deployment can be effectively prevented.

[0026] According to an eighth feature, the pad has a retraction groove for retracting a part of the first skin, and a retraction hole having one end opening at the bottom of the retraction groove and the other end opening at the back surface of the pad, the part of the first skin retracted into the retraction groove is connected to one end of a connecting member passing through the retraction hole, the other end of the connecting member is connected to the inner surface of the frame directly or via a support member, and the airbag module is attached to the frame so as to avoid the connecting part. Therefore, even if the connecting member for retracting the skin is connected to a common frame and the airbag module is attached to the frame in order to simplify the seat structure, there is no risk of interference with the operation of the airbag. do not have.

[0027] According to the ninth feature, the mounting portion of the airbag module that is attached to the frame is positioned on the opposite side of the frame from the connecting portion, so that the connecting portion and the mounting portion of the airbag module can be positioned compactly opposite each other with the frame in between.

[0028] In addition, according to the tenth feature, the plate-shaped wall portion of the frame sandwiched between the connecting portion and the mounting portion of the airbag module has a concave curved portion that is recessed on one side in the thickness direction of the wall portion. Therefore, the concave curved portion exerts a reinforcing rib effect, thereby making it possible to increase the rigidity of the frame (particularly the plate-shaped wall portion) while reducing the weight of the frame structure, and ultimately to increase the mounting rigidity of the skin retraction connecting member and the airbag module relative to the frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an automobile seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which an easily removable skin is removed from a base skin in the seat and seat back of a seat, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the seat pad and back pad alone before the base skin is attached. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a back pad is removed from a seat back portion to expose a back frame; [Figure 4] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line 4-4 in Figure 3 [Diagram 5] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line 5-5 in Figure 3 [Figure 6] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line 6-6 in Figure 3 [Figure 7] (C) is a perspective view of the seat back portion seen from the front outside (i.e., the airbag installation side), and (D) is a perspective view of the back pad seen from the front outside. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views each showing an example of an airbag deployment process, in which (E) shows the initial state of the airbag deployment, and (F) shows the airbag deployment completed state. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 8(H) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a deployment process of an airbag according to a third embodiment, in which (G) corresponds to FIG. 8(E) and (H) corresponds to FIG. 8(F). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, front / rear, left / right, and top / bottom refer to front / rear, left / right, top / bottom, respectively, as seen by a passenger sitting in a seat.

[0031] First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. An automobile seat S as a vehicle seat includes a seat portion S1 that supports the buttocks of an occupant from below, a seat back portion S2 that supports the back of the occupant from behind, and a headrest portion S3 attached to an upper portion of the seat back portion S2.

[0032] In the illustrated example, a driver's seat is shown, but the passenger seat is basically the same as the driver's seat except that the location of the airbag module AM, which will be described later, is reversed.

[0033] The seat S1 includes a seat pad P1, a seat frame F1 that supports the seat pad P1 from the back side, and a seat cover C1 that covers the surface of the seat pad P1. The seat frame F1 is supported on the vehicle floor 30 so that its fore-aft position can be adjusted via a conventionally known fore-aft position adjustment mechanism (not shown).

[0034] On the other hand, the seat back portion S2 is a back pad P2 and a seat back portion S3. The seat back S2 is provided with a back frame F2 supporting the seat back and a seat back skin C2 covering the surface of the back pad P2. The back frame F2 is supported on the rear of the seat frame F1 via a conventionally known reclining mechanism 32, and the reclining mechanism 32 allows the seat back S2 to be adjusted and fixed at an arbitrary upright angle.

[0035] Next, the specific structure of the seat back portion S2 will be described.

[0036] The back frame F2, which forms the skeleton frame of the seat back portion S2, is composed of a metal frame having a pair of left and right side frames 20, 20 extending in the vertical direction, upper and lower cross members 21, 22 extending in the horizontal direction to connect the upper and lower parts of the side frames 20, 20, respectively, as shown in Figure 3, and a headrest support frame portion 23 that connects the upper ends of the side frames 20, 20 together.

[0037] The upper frame parts 20a of the left and right side frames 20 and the headrest support frame 23 are formed from a continuous pipe material formed into an inverted U-shape. Each side frame 20 includes the upper frame part 20a formed from a part of the pipe material, and a plate-like main frame part 20b that extends in the vertical direction and has the upper frame part 20a joined (for example, welded) to its upper end. The main frame part 20b is formed from a channel material with a U-shaped cross section that is open on the seat center side, and this channel material is formed so that its front-to-rear width gradually increases toward the joint part (i.e., the lower end) with the seat frame F1, thereby increasing its rigidity and strength.

[0038] In addition, a concave curved portion 20ba is integrally molded in the widthwise middle portion of the main frame portion 20b, which is concave in the thickness direction, i.e., in the left-right direction, to one side (in this embodiment, the inner side of the seat) and extends in the up-down direction. This concave curved portion 20ba acts as a reinforcing rib, thereby increasing the rigidity strength of the main frame portion 20b (and therefore the side frame 20).

[0039] A plurality of outwardly extending portions 41o of a support member 41 made of a corrugated bar material with alternating peaks and valleys are joined (e.g., welded) to the inner surface of each side frame 20 (specifically, the concavely curved portion 20ba of the frame main portion 20b and the frame upper portion 20a). The support member 41 is used to engage and connect retractable connecting members J1, J2 of the seat back skin C2, which will be described later. The shape and structure of the support member 41 is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, a strip material bent into a corrugated shape may be used.

[0040] A synthetic resin or metal pressure plate 24 is supported on the upper and lower cross members 21, 22 of the back frame F2 via a pair of left and right wires 28, 28 stretched between the cross members 21, 22. Furthermore, at least one wave spring 29 supporting the back surface of the pressure plate 24 near the bottom is supported horizontally between the left and right side frames 20, 20. The pressure plate 24, wave spring 29 and wire 28 cooperate with each other to support the back pad P2 from the back surface side.

[0041] Next, the structure of the back pad P2 will be described. The back pad P2 includes a main back pad P2M which is the main part of the back pad P2, and a flat cover pad P2C which covers the outside of the airbag module AM ​​described later. These pads P2M and P2C are each molded into a predetermined shape using a cushioning material (e.g., urethane foam). 2, the main back pad P2M includes a pad body P2m whose front surface serves as a support surface for the occupant's back, and left and right raised pad portions P2s that are connected to both the left and right sides of the pad body P2m and extend forward to support the outer sides of the back, and the back surfaces of the left and right raised pad portions P2s are supported by the side frames 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The left and right raised pad portions P2s cover the front and rear end surfaces and outer surfaces of the side frames 20.

[0042] Of the left and right raised pad portions P2s, the raised pad portion P2s on the outer side of the vehicle (for example, the right side since the seat S in the embodiment is for the driver's seat) has a module opening O formed therein as shown in Figures 5 and 7. An airbag module AM ​​is housed in this module opening O, and the airbag module AM ​​is fixed to the outer surface of the frame main portion 20b of the side frame 20 facing the opening O.

[0043] 5 and 7, the airbag module AM ​​includes a box-shaped module case 50 that is flat in the vehicle width direction and extends along the outer surface of the frame main portion 20b, an inflator 51 stored and fixed in the module case 50, an airbag 52 that can be rapidly inflated by high-pressure gas from the inflator 51, and a holding bag 53 that keeps the airbag 52 in a folded state under normal conditions. The inflator 51 is operable based on a detection signal from a collision sensor (not shown) that can detect an impact during a vehicle collision to supply high-pressure gas into the airbag 52. The holding bag 53 can be instantly broken by the inflation of the airbag 52.

[0044] The module case 50 comprises a flat, dish-shaped case body 50m that opens toward the outside of the vehicle, and a cover plate 50c that opens and closes the outer end opening of the case body 50m. The bottom wall portion of the case body 50m is fixed to the frame main portion 20b with multiple sets of bolts b and nuts n.

[0045] The rear edge of the cover plate 50c is pivotally connected 50h to the rear edge of the opening of the case body 50m so as to be able to swing. Furthermore, when the cover plate 50c closes the opening of the case body 50m, the front edge of the cover plate 50c is releasably engaged with the front edge of the opening of the case body 50m. The engaging portion 50k is of an engaging structure that can be easily released by the inflation of the airbag 52 to allow the cover plate 50c to be opened.

[0046] Meanwhile, the front surface of the main back pad P2M is provided with first and second inlet grooves g1, g2 extending vertically at the boundaries between the pad body P2m and the left and right raised pad portions P2s, and a third inlet groove g3 extending horizontally to connect the intermediate portions of the first and second inlet grooves g1, g2, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the main back pad P2M is provided with a plurality of inlet holes P2h... each of which has one end opening on the bottom surface of each inlet groove g1-g3 and the other end opening on the rear surface, i.e., the back surface, of the main back pad P2M, as shown in Figs. 4-6, at intervals in the longitudinal direction of each inlet groove g1-g3.

[0047] The seat back skin C2 includes a base skin 25 that is fixed to the back pad P2 and covers the outer surface of the back pad P2, and an easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 that covers the front surface of the base skin 25. The easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 is detachably connected to the base skin 25 via first to third fasteners f1 to f3 in the respective lead-in grooves g1 to g3 as described below, and further, the outer peripheral edge of the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 is detachably connected to the base skin 25 via a fourth fastener f4.

[0048] The base skin 25 is provided with a central base skin part 25m covering the pad main body P2m in accordance with the shape of the back pad P2, left and right base skin parts 25s covering the front and side front parts of the left and right raised pad parts P2s, and a peripheral base skin part 25z covering the entire outer periphery of the back pad P2, and these base skin parts 25m, 25s, 25z are sewn together to integrally cover the back pad P2 as a whole. Of the base skin 25, only the peripheral base skin part 25z is located in an area that does not overlap with the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 and is always exposed to the outside.

[0049] The rear half of the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z, particularly the left and right side portions, are fixed (e.g., glued) to the left and right raised pad portions P2s and the side frames 20, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, so as to wrap around their respective rear end surfaces, and the upper and lower side portions of the rear half of the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z, particularly the upper and lower side portions, are fixed (e.g., glued) to the upper and lower ends of the pad main body P2m, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, so as to wrap around their respective rear end surfaces.

[0050] Incidentally, the portion of the rear surface of the seat back portion S2 that is difficult to cover with the outer peripheral base skin portion 15z can be nicely covered by attaching a cover member (not shown) to the rear surface of the seat back portion S2.

[0051] A flat cover pad P2C that faces the outer surface of the module case 50 (particularly the cover plate 50c) is fixed (eg, glued) to the surface of the outer periphery base skin portion 25z facing the airbag module AM ​​as shown in FIGS.

[0052] Next, the structure for fastening the base skin 25 to the back pad P2 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. The sewn portions of the central base skin part 25m and the left and right base skin parts 25s of the base skin 25 are set at positions corresponding to the first and second retraction grooves g1 and g2, respectively, and are retracted into the corresponding retraction grooves g1 and g2, and the retracted portions are connected and supported by the inner surface of the side frame 20 (specifically, the concave curved portion 20ba of the frame main part 20b) via the first and second connecting members J1..., J2... that penetrate the back pad P2 and the above-mentioned support member 41. Meanwhile, the upper and lower intermediate portions of the central base skin part 25m are retracted into the third retraction groove g3, and the retracted portions are engaged and connected to the pressure plate 24 via the connecting members J3... that penetrate the back pad P2.

[0053] More specifically, the front ends of the first and second connecting members J1, J2 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed (e.g., sewn) to the sewn portions between the central base skin part 25m and the left and right base skin parts 25s, and the connecting members J1, J2 reach the rear surface of the back pad P2 by passing through the plurality of lead-in holes P2h that open at intervals in the first and second lead-in grooves g1, g2, respectively. The front ends of the third connecting members J3 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed (e.g., sewn) to the upper and lower intermediate portions of the central base skin part 25m, and the connecting members J3 reach the rear surface of the back pad P2 by passing through the plurality of lead-in holes P2h that open at intervals in the third lead-in groove g3, respectively.

[0054] Each of the first to third connecting members J1 to J3 includes a member body Ja formed in a strip shape and extending in the front-rear direction, and a locking piece Jk that is joined and fixed to the rear end of the member body Ja. In this embodiment, the locking piece Jk is configured as a J-shaped hook body, and the locking pieces Jk of the first and second connecting members J1 and J2 in particular are locked and connected to the inward protruding portion 41i of the support member 41 fixed to the side frame 20 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. On the other hand, the locking piece Jk of the third connecting member J3 is locked and connected to the through hole h1 of the pressure plate 24 located at the opposing portion of the lead-in hole P2h that opens into the third lead-in groove g3 or in the vicinity thereof as shown in Figure 6.

[0055] Furthermore, when some of the draw-in holes P2h are located at the opposing portion of the wire 28 or the wavy spring 29 or in the vicinity thereof, the locking pieces Jk of the first to third connecting members J1 to J3 that pass through this draw-in hole P2h may be locked and connected to the wire 28 or the wavy spring 29.

[0056] Furthermore, the locking pieces Jk of the first to third connecting members J1 to J3 are not limited to the hook bodies described above, and can be formed in various shapes that can be locked and connected to the support member 41, the wire 28, the spring 29, the through hole h1 of the pressure-receiving plate 24, etc. For example, the locking pieces Jk may be formed of clip bodies (not shown) having an elastically deformable hook portion at their tip.

[0057] Next, a specific description will be given of the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26. As shown in Fig. 2, the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 comprises a central easy-to-attach / detach skin part 26m that covers the central base skin part 25m of the base skin 25, and left and right easy-to-attach / detach skin parts 26s that cover the left and right base skin parts 25s, respectively, and these easy-to-attach / detach skin parts are sewn together, so that the whole integrally covers the front surface and the front left and right side surfaces of the base skin 25 (i.e., the areas excluding the outer peripheral base skin part 25z).

[0058] The connection structure between the easily removable skin 26 and the base skin 25 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] That is, the inner fastener pieces f1i, f2i of the first and second fasteners f1, f2 are fixed (e.g., sewn) to the sewn portions between the central base skin part 25m and the left and right base skin parts 25s, which are drawn into the first and second drawing grooves g1, g2, respectively. Similarly, the outer fastener pieces f1o, f2o of the first and second fasteners f1, f2 are fixed (e.g., sewn) to the sewn portions between the central easy-to-attach and detach skin part 26m and the left and right easy-to-attach and detach skin parts 26s, which are also drawn into the first and second drawing grooves g1, g2, respectively.

[0060] Meanwhile, an inner fastener piece f3i of the third fastener f3 is fixed (e.g., sewn) to the front-rear intermediate portion of the central base skin portion 25m that is drawn into the third drawing groove g3. Also, an outer fastener piece f3o of the third fastener f3 is fixed (e.g., sewn) to the front-rear intermediate portion of the central easy-to-attach-and-detach skin portion 26m that is drawn into the third drawing groove g3.

[0061] The first to third fasteners f1 to f3 are connected between their outer fastener pieces f1o to f3o and inner fastener pieces f1i to f3i in the first to third lead-in grooves g1 to g3 by sliding the sliders f1s to f3s, respectively.

[0062] Furthermore, an inner fastener piece f4i of the fourth fastener f4 is fixed (e.g., sewn) to the stitched parts between the upper edge of the central base skin part 25m and the outer edge parts of the left and right base skin parts 25s and the front edge of the outer base skin part 25z. An outer fastener piece f4o of the fourth fastener f4 is fixed (e.g., sewn) to the upper edge and the left and right outer edges of the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26. The outer fastener piece f4o and the inner fastener piece f4i of the fourth fastener f4 are connected to each other so as to be freely detachable by sliding the slider f4s on the outer peripheral surface (i.e., the top surface and the left and right side surfaces) of the back pad P2.

[0063] The uses and functions of the sliders f1s to f4s described above are similar to those of sliders of conventionally known linear fasteners.

[0064] Incidentally, in the initial stage of inflation, the airbag 52 automatically releases the locking portion 50k in response to the change in inflation and swings the cover plate 50c outward about the pivot joint 50h at the rear end. This allows the airbag 52 to inflate and deploy outward toward the front of the vehicle through a gap (see FIG. 8(E)) between the cover plate 50c and the opening end of the case body 50m. The gap, or the area adjacent to the outside of the gap and sandwiched between the right raised pad P2s and the cover pad P2C, corresponds to the deployment start area P2x of the airbag 52 from the surface of the back pad P2.

[0065] In relation to the installation of the airbag 52 described above, the outer circumferential base skin portion 25z is provided with a breakable portion m1 that can be broken by the airbag 52 in the early stage of deployment. In this embodiment, this breakable portion m1 is disposed at a position corresponding to the airbag deployment start site P2x (i.e., a position facing or adjacent to the deployment start site P2x) so that it can be easily and efficiently broken by the airbag 52 in the early stage of deployment.

[0066] The breakable portion m1 in this embodiment is composed of a series of small holes that are drilled in the outer periphery base skin portion 25z and aligned in a perforated pattern. The breakable portion m1 is arranged in a U-shape approximately along the front edge, upper edge, and lower edge of the cover plate 50c of the module case 50 (and therefore the aforementioned cover pad P2C) so as to surround the cover plate 50c (and therefore the aforementioned cover pad P2C) over a relatively wide area. Moreover, the breakable portion m1 (and therefore the deployment start site P2x) is located at the airbag module AM ​​among the first to fourth fasteners f1 to f4. The fourth fastener f4 is disposed at a distance (i.e., spaced apart in the front-rear direction) from the fourth fastener f4 located at the periphery of the first fastener f1.

[0067] The breakable portion m1 may have a fragile structure that can be broken by the airbag 52 in the early stage of deployment while ensuring a cover strength sufficient for normal use in the outer periphery base skin portion 25z, and various fragile structures may be adopted without being limited to the embodiment. For example, instead of the group of perforated small holes as described above, the portion of the outer periphery base skin portion 25z may be made thinner so as to be more easily broken than other portions, or a cut may be made in the portion dividing the portion in two, and both sides of the cut may be sewn together with low strength (i.e., so as to be easily broken).

[0068] The back pad P2 is an example of the pad of the present invention, and the back frame F2 is an example of the frame of the present invention. The first to fourth fasteners f1 to f4 are examples of the connectors of the present invention, and the fourth fastener f4 in particular is an example of a specific connector located around the airbag module AM ​​among the connectors of the present invention.

[0069] Furthermore, the base skin 25 is an example of the first skin of the present invention, and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 is an example of the second skin of the present invention.

[0070] The seat pad P1 of the seat bottom S1 is also covered with a seat cover C1 including a base cover 15 and an easy-to-attach / detach cover 16, and the attachment structure of this cover C1 to the seat pad P1 is similar to the attachment structure of the seat back cover C2 to the back pad P2 described above. For example, the upper surface of the seat pad P1 is provided with retraction grooves g1'-g3' for retracting the cover, similar to the back pad P2, and the base cover 15 and the easy-to-attach / detach cover 16 are detachably connected with fasteners f1'-f4' similar to the fasteners f1-f4 used in the seat back cover C2.

[0071] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When assembling the seat S, the back pad P2 to which the seat back cover C2 is not yet attached is attached to the back frame F2, and the airbag module AM ​​is attached to the outer surface of one of the side frames 20 of the back frame F2. Then, from this state, the work of assembling the seat back cover C2 to the back pad P2 is performed as follows.

[0072] For the base upholstery 25 of the seat back upholstery C2, the peripheral base upholstery portion 25z, the central base upholstery portion 25m and the left and right base upholstery portions 25s are sewn together, and the first to third connecting members J1 to J3 and the inner fastener pieces f1i to f4i of the first to fourth fasteners f1 to f4 are sewn to predetermined locations to form a base upholstery unit, which is then placed over the front surface of the back pad P2.

[0073] From this state, a part of the skin of the base skin unit is pulled into the first to third pull-in grooves g1 to g3 on the front surface of the back pad P2. Then, the first to third connecting members J1 to J3 connected to each of the pulled-in parts are extended to the rear surface side of the back pad P2 through the pull-in holes P1h. Among the extended ends, the locking pieces Jk of the first and second connecting members J1 and J2 in particular are locked and connected to the inward protruding portion 41i of the support member 41 fixed to the inner surface of the side frame 20, while the locking piece Jk of the third connecting member J3 is locked and connected to the through hole h1 of the pressure receiving plate 24.

[0074] Thereafter, the left and right side portions of the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z of the above-mentioned base skin unit are fixed (e.g., glued) to the left and right raised pad portions P2s and the side frames 20 so as to wrap around their respective rear end faces, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the upper and lower side portions of the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z are fixed (e.g., glued) to the upper and lower ends of the pad main body P2m so as to wrap around their rear end faces.

[0075] Thus, the base skin unit including the base skin portions 25m, 25s, 25z of the base skin 25 is fixed to the seat pad P2 so as to cover it. In this case, the state in which a part of the base skin 25 is pulled into the first to third pull-in grooves g1 to g3 is maintained by the first and second connecting members J1, J2 being engaged and connected to the support member 41 fixed to the inner surface of the side frame 20, and the third connecting member J3 being engaged and connected to the through hole h1 of the pressure-receiving plate 24, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the base skin 25 from shifting, loosening, wrinkles, etc. due to long-term use.

[0076] On the other hand, for the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 of the seat back skin C2, the central easy-to-attach / detach skin part 26m and the left and right easy-to-attach / detach skin parts 26s are sewn together, and the outer fastener pieces f1o-f4o of the first to fourth fasteners f1-f4 are sewn to predetermined positions to produce an easy-to-attach / detach skin unit in advance. Then, this easy-to-attach / detach skin unit is placed so as to cover the base skin 25 previously fixed to the seat pad P2, and at this time, the outer fastener pieces f1o-f3o and the inner fastener pieces f1i-f3i of the first to third fasteners f1-f3 are sequentially connected, so that parts of the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 are respectively pulled into the first to third pull-in grooves g1-g3. Thereafter, by connecting the outer fastener piece f4 and the inner fastener piece f4i of the fourth fastener f4, the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 can be connected and fixed to the base skin 25 while a part of it is pulled into the first to third pulling grooves g1 to g3. When removing the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 from this state, the above steps are reversed.

[0077] Thus, the attachment of the seat back skin C2 to the back pad P2 is completed. The base skin 15 and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 16 of the seat part skin C1 can also be attached to the seat pad P1 in the same manner as the above-mentioned seat back skin C2.

[0078] In the seat cushion S1 and seat back S2 of the above structure, the easily removable skins 16, 26 can be easily attached and detached at any time by fasteners f1-f4, f1'-f4' to the base skins 15, 25 fixed to the seat pad P1 and back pad P2, respectively. This makes it convenient to replace the easily removable skins 16, 26 with other easily removable skins 16, 26 with different colors, patterns, textures, etc. depending on the season, or to remove and clean the dirty easily removable skins 16, 26.

[0079] In the event that a traveling vehicle should have a collision accident, the inflator 51 in the airbag module AM ​​built into the back pad P2 is activated by the impact of the collision to supply high-pressure gas to the airbag 52, which causes the airbag 52 to rapidly inflate and deploy. At this time, the airbag 52 opens, i.e., swings outward, the cover plate 50c of the module case 50 in the initial stage of deployment (see FIG. 8(E)), and the airbag 52 breaks through the breakable portion 25zx facing and adjacent to the gap generated between the cover plate 50c and the opening end of the case main body 50m, and inflates and deploys outward toward the front of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 8(F) to protect the occupant.

[0080] In this case, the base skin 25 (specifically, the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z) of the seat back skin C2 has a breakable portion m1 that can be broken by the airbag 52 in the early stage of deployment disposed at a position corresponding to the airbag deployment start site P2x on the surface of the back pad P2 (i.e., a position facing the deployment start site P2x or a position adjacent thereto), and this breakable portion m1 is disposed at a distance from the fourth fastener f4 as a specific connector located on the periphery of the airbag module AM. This effectively prevents the fourth fastener f4 from contacting or interfering with the airbag 52 that is about to break through the breakable portion m1 and inflate and deploy in the early stage of deployment of the airbag 52, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag 52.

[0081] In this embodiment, the breakable portion m1 of the seat back skin C2 is provided on the base skin 25 fixed to the back pad P2. This effectively prevents the breakable portion m1 from shifting relative to the back pad P2 (and therefore the airbag deployment start site P2x from the surface of the pad P2), thereby making the operation of the airbag 52 more stable.

[0082] In the seat back skin C2 of this embodiment, there is an area on the base skin 25 that overlaps with the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 (i.e., the area corresponding to the central base skin portion 25m and the left and right base skin portions 25s), but outside this area (i.e., the peripheral base skin portion 25z), the breakable portion m1 of the base skin 25 is disposed. This eliminates the risk that the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 will hinder the deployment of the airbag 52, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag 52.

[0083] In this embodiment, the fourth fastener f4 located around the airbag module AM ​​in the seat back portion S2 is disposed forward of the breakable portion m1. This makes it possible to effectively prevent contact and interference between the airbag 52 and the fourth fastener f4 even if the airbag 52 deploys diagonally forward and outward of the seat back portion S2 while breaking the breakable portion m1.

[0084] In addition, the back pad P2 of this embodiment has retraction grooves g1-g3 for retracting a portion of the base skin 25, and a plurality of retraction holes P2h, one end of which opens at the bottom of the retraction grooves g1-g3 and the other end of which opens at the back surface of the back pad P2. The retracted portion of the base skin 25 into the retraction grooves g1-g3 is connected to one end of each of a plurality of connecting members J1-J3 that pass through the retraction holes P2h, and the other ends of the connecting members J1-J3 are connected to the inner surface of the frame main part 20b of the side frame 20 via the support member 41. The airbag module AM ​​is attached to the side frame 20 so as to avoid the connection portion (i.e., the connection portion w between the support member 41 and the inner surface of the frame main part 20b).

[0085] As a result, even if the skin retraction connecting members J1-J3 are connected to the common right side frame 20 (specifically, the frame main portion 20b) via the support member 41 and the airbag module AM ​​is attached to the same in order to simplify the seat structure, there is no risk of interference with the operation of the airbag 52. Moreover, the mounted portion of the airbag module AM ​​that is mounted to the frame main portion 20b, i.e., the case main body 50m, is disposed on the opposite side of the frame main portion 20b to the above-mentioned joint part w, so that the joint part w (and therefore the support member 41) and the case main body 50m can be disposed facing each other in a compact manner with the frame main portion 20b in between.

[0086] Moreover, the frame main portion 20b, which is a plate-like wall portion of the side frame 20 sandwiched between the joint portion w (hence the support member 41) and the case body 50m, has a concave curved portion 20ba that is concave on one side in the thickness direction. This concave curved portion 20ba exerts a reinforcing rib effect, thereby increasing the rigidity of the side frame 20 (frame main portion 20b) while reducing the weight of the frame structure, and thus effectively increasing the mounting rigidity of the connecting members J1-J3 and the airbag module AM ​​to the side frame 20.

[0087] 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment has a seat structure that is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but further includes an outward protrusion 61 as a contact suppression part that suppresses contact between the airbag 52 and the fourth fastener f4 during deployment, which is provided along the fourth fastener f4 in a portion of the base skin 25 as the first skin that is adjacent to the fourth fastener f4 (specific connector).

[0088] In the second embodiment, the outward protruding portion (contact suppressing portion) 61 is a sheet-like protruding portion main body 61m whose base end is joined (for example, sewn) to the base skin 25, i.e., the outer peripheral base skin portion 25s, and protrudes outward (particularly toward the fourth fastener f4) from the surface of the base skin 25; The protrusion main body 61m is made of a sheet-like flexible material, such as a cloth material or a synthetic resin sheet material.

[0089] Thus, in the second embodiment, in addition to the above-described advantageous effects of the first embodiment, the following advantageous effects can also be achieved.

[0090] That is, even if the breakable portion m1 is located relatively close to the fourth fastener f4, the special provision of the outward protrusion (contact suppression portion) 61 can suppress contact between the airbag 52 and the fourth fastener f4 during deployment, thereby enabling the airbag 52 to be deployed and operated more accurately. Moreover, the protrusion height of the outward protrusion (contact suppression portion) 61, particularly the bead-shaped expanded head portion 61a at the tip, is higher than the protrusion height of the fourth fastener f4, so that with a simple structure of merely providing the outward protrusion 61 on the surface of the base skin 25, it is possible to effectively suppress contact between the airbag 52 and the fourth fastener f4 during deployment.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the beaded swollen head 61a, i.e., the swollen head 61a having a substantially circular cross section, is integrally connected to the tip of the sheet-like protruding portion main body 61m of the outward protruding portion (contact prevention portion) 61, but the cross-sectional shape of the swollen head 61a is not limited to that in the second embodiment, and may be any shape that can prevent contact between the airbag 52 and the fourth fastener f4 during deployment. Also, such a swollen head 61a may be omitted, and the outward protruding portion (contact prevention portion) 61 may be formed only by the sheet-like protruding portion main body 61m.

[0092] 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the seat back skin C2 of the first embodiment, the breakable portion m1 is arranged in the base skin 25 (i.e., the outer peripheral base skin portion 25z) outside the area where the base skin 25 and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 overlap, but in the third embodiment, the first breakable portion m1 is arranged in the base skin 25 (i.e., the right base skin portion 25s) within the above area. Then, the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 is provided with a second breakable portion m2 that overlaps with the first breakable portion m1. The first and second breakable portions m1 and m2 are formed of a series of small holes arranged in a perforated pattern approximately along the front edge, upper edge, and lower edge of the cover plate 50c (and therefore the cover pad P2C) of the module case 50, similar to the breakable portion m1 of the first embodiment.

[0093] Incidentally, the first and second breakable portions m1, m2 may have a fragile structure that can be broken by the airbag 52 in the early stage of deployment while ensuring a cover strength sufficient for normal use in the base skin 25 and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26, similar to the breakable portion m1 in the first embodiment, and various fragile structures can be adopted without being limited to the embodiments. For example, instead of the group of perforated small holes as described above, the relevant portions of the base skin 25 and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 may be made thinner so as to be more easily broken than other portions, or a cut may be made vertically through the relevant portion and both sides of the cut portion may be sewn together with low strength (i.e., so as to be easily broken).

[0094] In the third embodiment as well, it is possible to achieve basically the same effects as in the first embodiment.

[0095] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, even if there is an area on the base skin 25 that overlaps with the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 and a first breakable portion m1 is arranged in this area, a second breakable portion m2 that overlaps with the first breakable portion m1 is provided in the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26, so there is no risk that the deployment operation of the airbag 52 will be hindered by the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26, which is advantageous in ensuring proper operation of the airbag 52.

[0096] In addition, the outward protrusion (contact prevention portion) 61 of the second embodiment is added to the structure of the skin C2 of the third embodiment. In this case, the base end of the outward protruding portion (contact suppressing portion) 61 is connected, for example sewn, to the easy-to-attach / detach skin 26 (specifically, the right easy-to-attach / detach skin portion 26s).

[0097] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0098] For example, in the above embodiment, an automobile seat S was given as an example of a vehicle seat, but the present invention is also applicable to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles (e.g., railway vehicles) and seats used in vehicles other than cars (e.g., ships, aircraft).

[0099] In the above embodiment, the airbag module AM ​​is built into the back pad P2 of the seat back S2, and the airbag 52 is inflated and deployed from the surface of the back pad P2, but in the present invention, the airbag module may be built into the seat pad P1 of the seat bottom S1, and the airbag may be inflated and deployed from the surface of the seat pad P1. In this case, a breakable portion m1 is provided at a distance from the fasteners f1'-f4' as connectors connecting the first and second skins to each other in at least one of the first and second skins (i.e., the base skin 15 and the easy-to-attach / detach skin 16) of the seat skin C1.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the seat cover C1 and the seat back cover C2 are shown as having a two-layer structure in which at least a part of the base cover 15, 25 overlaps with the easy-to-attach / detach cover 16, 26. However, in the present invention, the seat cover may be a single-layer structure in which the base cover and the easy-to-attach / detach cover do not overlap (see, for example, JP 2016-97275 A). Even in the case of the single-layer structure, the retraction structure of the cover is the same as that of the above embodiment. In the case of the single-layer structure, a breakable portion m1 is provided in either the base cover (first cover) or the easy-to-attach / detach cover (second cover) at a distance from a specific connector (fourth fastener f4) located around the airbag module AM.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the base skins 15, 25 and the easy-to-attach / detach skins 16, 26 constituting the seat skin C1 and the seat back skin C2, respectively, are each shown to have a thin, single-layer structure. However, in the present invention, at least one of the base skins 15, 25 and the easy-to-attach / detach skins 16, 26 may be a multi-layered skin having a thin cushion sheet material sandwiched between at least two overlapping outer skins (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-14628).

[0102] In the above embodiment, the base skin 25 of the seat back skin C2 has a breakable portion m1 that can be broken by the airbag 52 in the early stages of deployment, disposed at a position corresponding to the airbag deployment start site P2x on the surface of the back pad P2 (i.e., a position opposite to or in the vicinity of the deployment start site P2x), so that the breakable portion m1 can be easily and efficiently broken. However, the position of the breakable portion m1 may be any position as long as it is broken by the airbag 52 in the early stages of deployment of the airbag 52 and can reasonably allow the deployment of the airbag 52, and may, for example, be a position somewhat away from the corresponding position.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the airbag module AM ​​includes a flat box-shaped module case 50 that houses the airbag 52 in a folded state and the inflator 51, and the module case 50 is capable of controlling the deployment direction of the airbag 52 from the surface of the back pad P2, but the present invention may use a case-less airbag module that omits the module case (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6211839). In this case, a webbing (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6211839) that is connected to the skin and receives the inflation force of the airbag can be used to appropriately control the deployment direction of the airbag by preventing the airbag from expanding toward the front inside of the back pad.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the first and second connecting members J1, J2 passing through the retraction hole P2h are engaged and connected to the support member 41 fixed to the inner surface of the side frame 20 (more specifically, the frame main portion 20b). However, in the case of a seat structure in which the retraction hole P2h and the side frame 20 are close to each other, the support member 41 may be omitted and the first and second connecting members J1, J2 may be directly engaged and connected to an engaging portion (e.g., a through hole, a hook-shaped protrusion, etc.) (not shown) provided on the side frame 20.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the member body Ja of each of the connecting members J1 to J3 is made of a rigid strip material, but the shape of the member body Ja of the connecting member of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and may be any shape that can pass through the lead-in hole P2h. For example, the member body Ja may be a rod-shaped material, or may be made of a flexible material as long as the necessary connecting strength can be ensured.

[0106] In the above embodiment, each connecting member J1 to J3 is directly connected (sewn) to the retraction portion into the retraction grooves g1 to g3 of the skin C2 (specifically, the base skin 25), but each connecting member J1 to J3 may also be connected to the retraction portion via an edge reinforcing member (e.g., a wire) attached to the retraction portion and extending in the longitudinal direction of the retraction grooves g1 to g3.

[0107] In the above embodiment, a vehicle seat without a seat air-blowing air-conditioning function is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle seat that has an air passage provided in the seat pad (e.g., the seat pad), an air blower (e.g., an air blower fan), and a duct connecting the air passage and the air blower to exhibit a seat air-blowing air-conditioning function (see, for example, PCT International Publication WO2018 / 061602A2, JP2005-287532A, etc.). In this case, the airbag module AM, the support member 41, the retraction grooves g1-g3, g1'-g3', the retraction hole P2h, the connecting member J1-J3, the pressure plate 24, the corrugated spring 29, and the wire 28 of this embodiment are arranged so as to avoid the above-mentioned air passage, duct, and air blower provided in the seat cushion portion S1 or the seat back portion S2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] AM...Airbag module C2: Seat back skin as skin f1~f4: 1st to 4th fasteners as connectors g1, g2: First and second lead-in grooves J1, J2: First and second connecting members as connecting members m1: Breaking allowance section, first breaking allowance section m2: Second breakable section P2... Back pad as a pad P2h.....Inlet hole S... Automobile seats as vehicle seats S2 Seat back part w... Joint as a connection 20. Side frame as a frame 20b....Main frame portion as wall portion 20ba...Concave curved part 25 Base epidermis as the first epidermis 26. Easy-to-remove second skin 41 Support member 50m: Case body as the mounting part 52 Airbag 61.....Outward projection as contact prevention part

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle seat comprising: a pad (P2); a frame (20) supporting the pad (P2) from a back surface side; a first skin (25) fixed to the pad (P2) and covering a surface of the pad (P2); and a second skin (26) detachably connected to the first skin (25) via connectors (f1-f4) and covering a part of the surface of the pad (P2) directly or via the first skin (25), The frame (20) is provided with an airbag module (AM) that houses an airbag (52) that can be deployed outward from the surface of the pad (P2), A vehicle seat characterized in that a breakable portion (m1) capable of being broken so as to allow the deployment of the airbag (52) is disposed at a distance from the connecting devices (f1 to f4) on at least one of the first and second skins (25, 26).

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