Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which can inhibit a duct from being displaced from a pad.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat includes: a blower; a pad P having a ventilation passage formed therein and a hole B2 communicating with the ventilation passage; a duct 100 which is connected to the hole B2 and connects the blower with the ventilation passage; and a holding member 150 connected to the duct 100. The duct 100 has: a first cylindrical part 133 entering into the hole B2; and a first flange 134 in which its diameter expands from the first cylindrical part 133. The holding member 150 has: a second cylindrical part 151 connected to the first cylindrical part 133; and a second flange part 152 in which its diameter expands from the second cylindrical part 151. The first flange 134 and the second flange 152 sandwich the pad P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat including a seat cushion and a seat back. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat configured to send conditioned air to a seat cushion and a seat back is known (Patent Document 1). In this vehicle seat, air passages and air outlets are formed in the seat cushion and the pad of the seat back, and the conditioned air is sent to the air passage of the pad from a blower attached to the bottom surface of the seat cushion via a duct. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-023477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, when an occupant moves the seat, for example by reclining, there is a possibility that the connection portion of the duct may become misaligned with respect to the pad.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can prevent the duct from being displaced from the pad. Another object of the present invention is to make it easier to attach the duct to the pad. Another object of the present invention is to suppress air leakage from the pad. Another object of the present invention is to stabilize ventilation inside the duct. Another object of the present invention is to suppress any influence on the flexibility of the pad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle seat of the present invention comprises a blower, a pad having an air passage formed therein and a hole communicating with the air passage, a duct connected to the hole connecting the blower and the air passage, and a retaining member connected to the duct. The duct has a first cylindrical portion inserted into the hole in the pad and a first flange expanding in diameter from the first cylindrical portion. The holding member has a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion and a second flange expanding in diameter from the second cylindrical portion. The first flange and the second flange sandwich the pad.

[0007] According to this configuration, the first flange and the second flange sandwich the pad, so that the duct is stably connected to the pad. This makes it possible to prevent the connection portion of the duct from shifting relative to the pad. In addition, since the duct and the holding member are separate, it is easy to attach the duct to the pad.

[0008] In the vehicle seat described above, the first flange may have an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the first tubular portion.

[0009] According to this, when the duct is attached to the pad, the inclined surface is pressed against the pad, which locally crushes a part of the pad, eliminating the gap between the pad and the duct, thereby suppressing air leakage.

[0010] In the vehicle seat described above, the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion may be configured to overlap between the first flange and the second flange.

[0011] This increases the strength of the overlapping parts, stabilizing ventilation.

[0012] In the vehicle seat described above, the first tubular portion may have a constant cross-sectional shape.

[0013] This stabilizes ventilation inside the first cylindrical portion.

[0014] In the vehicle seat described above, the first tubular portion may be configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the hole in the pad.

[0015] This can prevent air from leaking from the connection between the pad and the duct.

[0016] In the vehicle seat described above, the first flange may have a cavity that opens toward the inside of the duct.

[0017] This allows the periphery of the cavity of the duct to bend easily, which can reduce the effect on the flexibility of the pad.

[0018] In the vehicle seat described above, the retaining member may further include a third flange that is expanded in diameter from the second cylindrical portion at a position different from the second flange, and the third flange may be configured to fit into a cavity of the first flange.

[0019] This can prevent the retaining member from coming out of the duct.

[0020] In the vehicle seat described above, the duct may have an expandable and contractible bellows portion, and the bellows portion may include a first flange.

[0021] According to this, the duct being expandable can suppress the influence on the flexibility of the pad. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the duct of the vehicle seat from being displaced from the pad. Also, since the duct and the holding member are separate, it is easy to attach the duct to the pad.

[0023] Furthermore, since the first flange has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the first cylindrical portion, air leakage can be suppressed when the duct is attached to the pad.

[0024] In addition, since the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion overlap between the first flange and the second flange, the strength of the overlapping portion is increased, and ventilation becomes stable.

[0025] Furthermore, since the first cylindrical portion has a constant cross-sectional shape, ventilation inside the first cylindrical portion is stable.

[0026] In addition, since the first tubular portion is in contact with the inner surface of the hole in the pad, air leakage from the connection between the pad and the duct can be suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, since the first flange has a cavity that opens toward the inside of the duct, the periphery of the cavity of the duct becomes more flexible, which can suppress the influence on the flexibility of the pad.

[0028] In addition, the retaining member further has a third flange that is expanded in diameter from the second cylindrical portion at a position different from the second flange, and the third flange fits into the cavity of the first flange, thereby preventing the retaining member from falling out of the duct.

[0029] In addition, since the duct has an expandable and contractable bellows portion and the bellows portion includes the first flange, the duct is expandable and contractible, thereby minimizing the effect on the flexibility of the pad and reducing the discomfort felt by the occupant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the connection of the first duct to the fourth duct. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third duct and a holding member. [Figure 6] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the third duct before it is connected to the pad, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the third duct after it is connected. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view after the fourth duct is connected to the pad. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of a duct in a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of a duct in a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of a duct in a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the terms front, back, left, right, top, bottom, and so on refer to the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom as viewed from a person sitting in the seat. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat S of this embodiment is configured as a seat to be installed in an automobile, and includes a seat cushion S1 and a seat back S2.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle seat S is constructed by covering a seat frame F with a pad P made of urethane foam or the like and skins U1, U2 made of fabric, leather, or the like.

[0033] The pad P includes a seat cushion pad P1 constituting the pad of the seat cushion S1, and a seat back pad P2 constituting the pad of the seat back S2.

[0034] The seat cushion pad P1 has an air passage A1, a plurality of air holes H1, and a hole B1. The air passage A1 is formed inside the seat cushion pad P1. The plurality of air holes H1 open on the upper surface of the seat cushion pad P1 and communicate with the air passage A1. The hole B1 opens on the lower surface of the seat cushion pad P1 and communicates with the air passage A1. The seat cushion pad P1 is formed by combining a pad main body P11 that constitutes a part of the surface of the air passage A1 with a cover pad P12 attached to the pad main body P11. Before the cover pad P12 is assembled to the pad main body P11, a portion of the pad main body P11 that is connected to the hole B1 of the air passage A1 is exposed. In this embodiment, the air hole H1 is formed in the cover pad P12. The cover pad P12 may be detachable from the pad main body P11.

[0035] The seat back pad P2 has an air passage A2, a plurality of air holes H2, and a hole B2. The air passage A2 is formed inside the seat back pad P2. The plurality of air holes H2 open on the front surface of the seat back pad P2 and communicate with the air passage A2. The hole B2 opens on the rear surface of the seat back pad P2 and communicates with the air passage A2. The seat back pad P2 is formed by combining a pad main body P21 that constitutes a part of the surface of the air passage A2 and a cover pad P22 attached to the pad main body P21. Before the cover pad P22 is assembled to the pad main body P21, the pad main body P21 has an exposed portion that is connected to the hole B2 of the air passage A2. In this embodiment, the air hole H2 is formed in the cover pad P22. The cover pad P22 may be detachable from the pad main body P21.

[0036] The air passages A1, A2 are connected to the blower 70 by a duct 100. Specifically, one end of the duct 100 is connected to the blower 70 and the other end is connected to the holes B1, B2 of the pad P, thereby connecting the blower 70 to the air passages A1, A2 of the pad P. The blower 70 is a sirocco fan and is disposed below the seat cushion S1. The vehicle seat S is configured to blow air blown from the blower 70 through the duct 100, the holes B1, B2, and the air passages A1, A2, and from the ventilation holes H1, H2 toward the occupant sitting in the seat.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the seat frame F includes a seat cushion frame F1 that constitutes a frame of the seat cushion S1, and a seat back frame F2 that constitutes a frame of the seat back S2.

[0038] The seat cushion frame F1 includes a pair of side frames 11, a pan frame 12, a rear pipe 13, and a front pipe 14 (see FIG. 2). The pair of side frames 11 are members that constitute the left and right frames of the seat cushion S1, and are disposed opposite each other but spaced apart in the left-right direction. The side frames 11 are made of sheet metal and are formed into an elongated shape that is long in the front-rear direction.

[0039] The rear pipe 13 and the front pipe 14 connect the pair of side frames 11. Specifically, the rear pipe 13 connects the rear portions of the pair of side frames 11, and the front pipe 14 connects the front portions of the pair of side frames 11. The rear pipe 13 and the front pipe 14 are an example of a connecting member that connects the pair of side frames.

[0040] The seat back frame F2 includes left and right sheet metal frames 22, a pipe frame 23, a lower frame 24, and a bridge frame 25. The left and right sheet metal frames 22 are disposed facing each other in the left-right direction while being spaced apart from each other. The sheet metal frames 22 are made of sheet metal and are formed into an elongated shape that is long in the vertical direction.

[0041] The pipe frame 23 is made of a metal pipe material and has left and right upper side frames 23A extending substantially vertically, and an upper frame 23B connecting the upper ends of the upper side frames 23A to each other. The left and right upper side frames 23A are connected at their lower parts to the upper parts of the sheet metal frame 22, thereby forming a pair of side frames 21 constituting the left and right frames of the seat back S2 together with the left and right sheet metal frames 22. The lower frame 24 is made of sheet metal and connects the lower parts of the pair of side frames 21 to each other. The bridging frame 25 is made of sheet metal and connects the upper parts of the pair of side frames 21 to each other. The lower frame 24, the bridging frame 25, and the upper frame 23B are examples of connecting members connecting the pair of side frames 21 to each other.

[0042] The rear portion of the side frame 11 and the lower portion of the side frame 21 are rotatably connected via a reclining mechanism RL, so that the seat back S2 of the vehicle seat S is rotatable back and forth relative to the seat cushion S1.

[0043] 4, the duct 100 is made up of a plurality of components. Specifically, the duct 100 has a first duct 110, a second duct 120, a third duct 130, and a fourth duct 140.

[0044] The first duct 110 has a main body 111 extending substantially in the front-rear direction, a first connection part 112 disposed at the rear end of the main body 111, and a fifth connection part 113 disposed at the front part of the main body 111. The front end part of the main body 111 is connected to the blower 70.

[0045] The second duct 120 has a bellows portion 122 extending vertically, a second connection portion 121 provided below the bellows portion 122, and a third connection portion 123 provided above the bellows portion 122. The bellows portion 122 is flexible and can expand and contract. The second connection portion 121 is formed to a size that fits on the outside of the first connection portion 112 of the first duct 110. The second connection portion 121 of the second duct 120 is connected to the first connection portion 112 of the first duct 110.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the second duct 120 is disposed so as to pass through the rear pipe 13 and the front side of the lower frame 24 and extend from the seat cushion S1 toward the seat back S2.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the third duct 130 has a main body portion 132 extending vertically, a fourth connection portion 131 provided below the main body portion 132, and a first cylindrical portion 133 provided above the main body portion 132. An upper portion of the main body portion 132 is bent forward. A first flange 134 is provided between the main body portion 132 and the first cylindrical portion 133.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the first flange 134 expands in diameter from the first cylindrical portion 133 and the main body portion 132. Specifically, the first flange 134 extends from the rear end of the first cylindrical portion 133 so as to expand radially outward, and then extends while narrowing so as to connect to the main body portion 132. As a result, the first flange 134 has a cavity 134A on the inside that opens toward the inside of the duct 100. The cavity 134A extends around the entire circumference of the third duct 130. The first flange 134 also has an inclined surface 134B that is inclined with respect to the first cylindrical portion 133.

[0049] 4, the fourth connection portion 131 is formed to have a size such that it fits inside the third connection portion 123 of the second duct 120. The fourth connection portion 131 is connected to the third connection portion 123 of the second duct 120. The first cylindrical portion 133 has a constant cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 5. The first cylindrical portion 133 is connected to a hole B2 formed in the seat back pad P2, and as described later, a holding member 150 is connected to the tip of the first cylindrical portion 133, so that the first cylindrical portion 133 is held so as not to come off the seat back pad P2.

[0050] 4, the fourth duct 140 has a bellows portion 142 extending vertically, a sixth connection portion 141 provided below the bellows portion 142, and a first cylindrical portion 143 provided above the bellows portion 142. The bellows portion 142 is flexible and can expand and contract. The sixth connection portion 141 is formed to a size that fits on the outside of the fifth connection portion 113 of the first duct 110. The sixth connection portion 141 is connected to the fifth connection portion 113 of the first duct 110. The first cylindrical portion 143 has a constant cross-sectional shape. The first cylindrical portion 143 is connected to a hole B1 formed in the seat cushion pad P1. Similarly to the first cylindrical portion 133 of the third duct 130, a holding member 150 is connected to the tip of the first cylindrical portion 143, so that the first cylindrical portion 143 is held so as not to come off the seat cushion pad P1.

[0051] 7, the pleats at the top of bellows portion 142 expand in diameter from first cylindrical portion 143. That is, the pleats at the top of bellows portion 142 form first flange 144 equivalent to first flange 134 in third duct 130. In other words, bellows portion 142 includes first flange 144. First flange 144 has cavity 144A opening toward inside duct 100 and inclined surface 144B inclined relative to first cylindrical portion 143.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6( a ), the holding member 150 has a second tubular portion 151 , a second flange 152 , and a third flange 153 .

[0053] The second flange 152 expands in diameter from one end of the second cylindrical portion 151. The second flange 152 has a plate shape. The third flange 153 is expanded in diameter from the other end of the second cylindrical portion 151, i.e., from a position different from the second flange 152. The third flange 153 is expanded in diameter obliquely from the second cylindrical portion 151 so as to gradually expand radially outward as it moves away from the second flange 152. The amount of expansion K2 of the third flange 153 (the amount of expansion in the radial direction from the second cylindrical portion 151) is smaller than the amount of expansion K1 of the second flange 152.

[0054] The second cylindrical portion 151 is connected to the first cylindrical portion 133. The second cylindrical portion 151 is formed to be one size smaller than the first cylindrical portion 133 so as to fit inside the first cylindrical portion 133, and has a constant cross-sectional shape (see FIG. 5). The length L2 of the second cylindrical portion 151 is greater than the length L1 of the first cylindrical portion 133. In addition, the length L2 of the second cylindrical portion 151 (the distance between the second flange 152 and the third flange 153) is less than the length L3 of the hole B2 (the thickness of the seat back pad P2).

[0055] When the third duct 130 is attached to the seat back pad P2, the cover pad P22 is not attached to the pad main body P21, and the portion where the hole B2 of the air passage A2 is connected is exposed (see FIG. 2). Then, after the first cylindrical portion 133 of the third duct 130 is inserted into the hole B2, the second cylindrical portion 151 of the holding member 150 is inserted inside the first cylindrical portion 133. At this time, the third flange 153 of the holding member 150 is bent, and the third flange 153 and the second cylindrical portion 151 are inserted inside the first cylindrical portion 133, and the third flange 153 is inserted into the cavity 134A. In this way, the holding member 150 is fixed to the third duct 130. Finally, the cover pad P22 is attached to the pad main body P21.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the third duct 130 is attached to the seat back pad P2, the first cylindrical portion 133 enters the hole B2 and contacts the inner surface of the hole B2. The first cylindrical portion 133 and the second cylindrical portion 151 overlap between the first flange 134 and the second flange 152. The third flange 153 enters the cavity 134A and engages with the inner surface of the first flange 134. The tip of the third flange 153 is located radially outward from the hole B2 and the first cylindrical portion 133. Therefore, even if a force in a direction in which the holding member 150 is removed from the third duct 130 is applied to the holding member 150 or the third duct 130, the third flange 153 is caught by the first flange 134, so that the holding member 150 does not easily come off.

[0057] In this state in which the third duct 130 is held by the holding member 150 on the seatback pad P2, the first flange 134 and the second flange 152 are positioned outside the hole B2 of the seatback pad P2 and hold the seatback pad P2 in between. At this time, the inclined surface 134B presses against the rear surface D2 of the seatback pad P2, and the second flange 152 presses against the front surface E2 of the seatback pad P2 (the surface inside the air passage A2).

[0058] The configuration, mounting method, and operation after mounting of the fourth duct 140 to the seat cushion pad P1 are similar to those of the third duct 130 mounted to the seat back pad P2, and therefore will not be described.

[0059] As described above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment. According to the vehicle seat S of this embodiment, the pad P is sandwiched between the first flange 134 and the second flange 152, so that the first tubular portion 133 of the duct 100 can be prevented from becoming misaligned.

[0060] In addition, if the retaining member 150 were integrated with the duct 100, it would be difficult to pass the second flange 152 through the hole B2, but since the retaining member 150 is configured separately from the duct 100, the retaining member 150 can be attached to the seat back pad P2 from the opposite side to the duct 100, and there is no need to pass the second flange 152 through the hole B2. Therefore, the duct 100 can be easily attached to the pad P.

[0061] Moreover, since the first flange 134 has an inclined surface 134B inclined relative to the first cylindrical portion 133, when the first cylindrical portion 133 of the duct 100 is attached to the pad P, the inclined surface 134B is pressed against the pad P. As a result, a part of the pad P is locally crushed, eliminating the gap between the pad P and the duct 100, and air leakage can be suppressed.

[0062] In addition, since the first tubular portion 133 and the second tubular portion 151 overlap between the first flange 134 and the second flange 152, the strength of the overlapping portion is increased. Therefore, the first tubular portion 133 and the second tubular portion 151 can be prevented from being deformed within the hole B1 of the pad P, and ventilation is stabilized.

[0063] Moreover, since the first cylindrical portions 133, 143 have a constant cross-sectional shape, they do not impede the flow of air inside the first cylindrical portions 133, 143. Therefore, ventilation inside the first cylindrical portions 133, 143 is stable.

[0064] Furthermore, since the first cylindrical portions 133, 143 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the holes B1, B2 of the pad P, air leakage from the connection portions between the pad P and the ducts 130, 140 can be suppressed.

[0065] In addition, since the first flanges 134, 144 have the cavities 134A, 144A that open toward the inside of the duct 100, the periphery of the cavities 134A, 144A of the duct 100 becomes easily flexible. This makes it possible to suppress any influence on the flexibility of the pad P.

[0066] In addition, since the third flange 153 of the holding member 150 fits into the cavities 134A and 144A, the holding member 150 can be prevented from coming off the duct 100.

[0067] Moreover, in the fourth duct 140, since the bellows portion 142 includes the first flange 144, the periphery of the first flange 144 is easily bent. This makes it possible to suppress an effect on the flexibility of the pad P.

[0068] Although one embodiment of the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The specific configuration can be appropriately changed as described below without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the following, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same configuration as the above embodiment, and the description is omitted as appropriate, and differences from the above embodiment are described in detail.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first flange has a cavity that opens toward the inside of the duct, but the first flange does not have to have a cavity. Also, although the holding member has a third flange, the third flange can be omitted. For example, the third duct 230 of the first modified example shown in FIG. 8 has a first cylindrical portion 233 and a first flange 234. The first flange 234 has a plate shape and expands in diameter from the first cylindrical portion 233. The holding member 250 has a second cylindrical portion 251 and a second flange 252. The first cylindrical portion 233 and the second cylindrical portion 251 are fixed by bonding with, for example, an adhesive. Even in this embodiment, it is preferable to fix the first cylindrical portion 233 and the second cylindrical portion 251 so that the first flange 234 and the second flange 252 hold the pad P between them. This allows the duct 200 to be stably held on the pad P.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the holding member is fitted inside the duct, but the holding member may be fitted outside the duct. For example, in a second modified example shown in FIG. 9, the holding member 350 is fitted outside the third duct 330. The third duct 330 has a first cylindrical portion 333, a plate-shaped first flange 334, and a third flange 335. The first cylindrical portion 333 is one size smaller than the second cylindrical portion 351 of the holding member 350, so that the third duct 330 fits inside the holding member 350. The third flange 335 expands in diameter from the tip of the first cylindrical portion 333. In this embodiment, the holding member 350 is first inserted into the hole B2 of the seat back pad P2, and then the first cylindrical portion 333 of the third duct 330 is inserted into the inside of the holding member 350 to attach the third duct 330. Then, the third flange 335 engages with the second flange 352 of the holding member 350, so that the third duct 330 is stably held.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the third flange of the holding member enters the cavity of the first flange and engages with the first flange, but a portion of the holding member other than the flange may engage with a part of the duct. For example, in a third modified example shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 550 has a second cylindrical portion 551, a second flange 552, and a claw portion 553. The claw portion 553 is disposed so as to protrude outward from the second cylindrical portion 551. The claw portion 553 engages with an engagement hole 533E formed in the first cylindrical portion 533. This connects (fixes) the holding member 550 to the duct 500 so as not to come off.

[0072] In addition, in the above embodiment, a sirocco fan is exemplified as the blower 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a propeller fan, a turbo fan, etc. In addition, in the above embodiment, the vehicle seat S is configured to blow air out from the ventilation holes H1, H2, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a configuration to draw air in from the ventilation holes.

[0073] In addition, in the above embodiment, the air passage connected to the blower device by the duct was formed in both the seat cushion and the seat back, but this is not limited to this, and the air passage may be formed in only one of the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0074] In addition, in the above embodiment, a vehicle seat S installed in an automobile was given as an example of a vehicle seat, but the vehicle seat is not limited to this and may be a seat installed in a vehicle other than an automobile, such as a railway vehicle, a ship, or an aircraft.

[0075] Furthermore, the elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 70 Blower 100 Duct 133 First cylindrical part 134 First flange 134A Cavity 134B Slope 150 Retaining member 151 Second cylindrical section 152 Second flange 153 Third flange A1 Air passage A2 Ventilation passage B1 Hole B2 Hole P Pad P1 Seat cushion pad P2 seat back pad S Vehicle seat S1 Seat Cushion S2 seat back

Claims

1. A blower; a pad having an air passage formed therein and holes through which air blown from the blower device toward the occupant passes; a duct connecting the hole and the blower; a holding member connected to the duct, The holding member has a claw portion that protrudes toward the duct, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the duct has an engagement hole that engages with the claw portion.

2. The retaining member further has a flange that expands in diameter in a direction away from the hole, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the protruding amount of the claw portion is smaller than the expanding amount of the flange.

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