Seat

Abstract

To provide a seat which makes a seated person recognize a vibration source position as accurately as possible.SOLUTION: A seat 1A includes a seat part 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R, and a vibration absorbing materials 7, 8, and constitutes a driver seat of a vehicle. The vibration absorbing material 7 is arranged in a boundary part between a first region E1 and a second region E2 of the seat part 3 and is arranged in an intermediate part between the pair of vibrators 5L, 5R. The vibration absorbing material 7 suppresses propagation of vibration of the vibrator 5R to the second region E2 and the propagation of vibration of the vibrator 5L to the first region E1. The vibration absorbing material 8 is arranged in a boundary part between a first region E3 and a second region E4 of the backrest 4 and is arranged in an intermediate part of the pair of vibrators 6L, 6R. The vibration absorbing material 8 suppresses propagation of vibration of the vibrator 6R to the second region E4 and propagation of vibration of the vibrator 6L to the first region E3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat equipped with a vibrator. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an information presentation system has been proposed that provides a vibrator on a seat of a vehicle or the like and issues some kind of information to a seated person by vibrating the vibrator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 also discloses an information presentation system that detects dangerous objects (obstacles such as other vehicles, people, and fixed objects) around the vehicle and presents information about the direction of the dangerous objects (existing direction or moving direction) to the driver using multiple vibrators according to the state of the vehicle and the dangerous objects (position, speed, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-48566 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In seats with vibrators arranged inside as described above, the vibrations from the vibrator arranged in a specified area propagate to other areas, which creates the risk that the occupant may misidentify the location of the vibration source and may not be able to correctly recognize the information presented to them.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is, for example, to provide a seat that allows an occupant to recognize the position of a vibration source as accurately as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The seat of the present invention as described in claim 1 is a seat having a first area and another area, characterized in that it comprises a first vibrator arranged in the first area and a propagation suppression means for suppressing the vibration of the first vibrator from propagating to the other area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a transducer disposed in the seat of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a seat according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a vibrator and a vibration absorbing material disposed in the seat of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the seat in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a seat according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a seat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view showing a vibrator and a vibration absorbing material disposed in the seat of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the seat in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The seat according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first area and another area, and includes a first vibrator disposed in the first area and a propagation suppression means for suppressing the vibration of the first vibrator from propagating to the other area. This configuration allows the seated person to more accurately recognize the position of the vibration source.

[0009] The propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material provided around the first vibrator. With this configuration, the vibration range of the first vibrator can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated occupant to more accurately recognize the position of the vibration source.

[0010] Furthermore, the seat according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a second vibrator disposed in another area, and the propagation suppression means may suppress the vibration of the second vibrator from propagating to the first area.

[0011] The propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material provided around the second vibrator. With this configuration, the vibration range of the second vibrator can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated occupant to more accurately recognize the location of the vibration source.

[0012] The propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material disposed inside the seat in the widthwise center. With this configuration, when the first vibrator is disposed on one side of the seat in the widthwise direction and the second vibrator is disposed on the other side, a single vibration absorbing material can suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations of the first vibrator and the second vibrator, thereby reducing the number of parts in the seat.

[0013] The propagation suppression means may be a dividing groove that divides the internal member of the seat into left and right parts at the center of the width of the seat. With this configuration, the propagation of unwanted vibrations can be suppressed without using a dedicated vibration absorbing material, thereby reducing the number of parts in the seat.

[0014] Moreover, the seat according to the embodiment of the present invention may be installed as a seat in a vehicle. EXAMPLES

[0015] [Example 1] A "seat" according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. A seat 1A shown in Fig. 1 includes a seat portion 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, vibration absorbing materials (propagation suppression means) 7 and 8, and a control means, and constitutes a driver's seat for a vehicle. Arrow X shown in Fig. 1 indicates the front-rear direction of seat 1A, arrow Y indicates the width direction of seat 1A, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction of seat 1A.

[0016] The seat 3 is for supporting the buttocks and thighs of a seated person, and has a sheet member that forms its surface, and a shock-absorbing member (cushion member) provided inside the sheet member. When viewed from the seating surface, the seat 3 has a first area E1 and a second area E2. The first area E1 is the right half of the seat 3 (the right half as seen by a seated person sitting on the seat 1A). The second area E2 is the left half of the seat 3 (the left half as seen by a seated person sitting on the seat 1A).

[0017] The backrest 4 extends so as to intersect with the upper surface of the seat 3, and has a sheet member that forms its surface, and a shock-absorbing member (cushion member) provided inside the seat member. The shock-absorbing members of the seat 3 and the backrest 4 are made of, for example, urethane foam. The backrest 4 has a first region E3 and a second region E4 when viewed from the seating surface. The first region E3 is the right half of the backrest 4 (the right half as seen by a person sitting on the seat 1A). The second region E4 is the left half of the backrest 4 (the left half as seen by a person sitting on the seat 1A).

[0018] The above-mentioned "seating surface" means the surface with which a seated person comes into contact when seated on the seat, and in the case of the seat portion 3, this refers to its upper surface, and in the case of the backrest 4, this refers to its front surface.

[0019] The vibrator (first vibrator) 5R is disposed in a first region E1 inside the cushioning material of the seat 3. The vibrator (second vibrator) 5L is disposed in a second region E2 inside the cushioning material of the seat 3. The vibrator (first vibrator) 6R is disposed in a first region E3 inside the cushioning material of the backrest 4. The vibrator (second vibrator) 6L is disposed in a second region E4 inside the cushioning material of the backrest 4.

[0020] The two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R have the same configuration, and as shown in Fig. 2, a magnetic circuit 520 is housed in a case 510. The case 510 has a low cylindrical frame 511, the opening of one end of which is closed by a circular first plate wall 513 having a plurality of through holes 512 in the center, and the opening of the other end of which is closed by a circular second plate wall 514.

[0021] A cylindrical bobbin 515 stands toward the second plate wall 514 from approximately the center of the first plate wall 513 so as to surround the multiple through holes 512, and a voice coil 516 is provided on the outer periphery of the bobbin 515. In this manner, the voice coil 516 is fixed to the first plate wall 513 via the bobbin 515. The multiple through holes 512 are provided in a region 513a that corresponds to the inside of the voice coil 516 in a plan view when viewed from a direction intersecting with the first plate wall 513.

[0022] The magnetic circuit 520 includes a ring-shaped plate 521, a magnet 522, and a disk-shaped yoke 523. The plate 521 and the magnet 522 are arranged coaxially with a gap between them and the voice coil 516. The plate 521, i.e., the magnetic circuit 520, is supported on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical frame 511 via a damper 530 so as to be vibrable in a direction D1 toward and away from the first plate wall 513.

[0023] When an AC signal is applied to the voice coil 516, the magnetic circuit 520 vibrates in a direction D1 toward and away from the first plate wall 513. Furthermore, a reaction to the vibration via the damper 530 causes the case 510 to vibrate.

[0024] Although the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R of this embodiment have an external magnet type magnetic circuit configuration, the configuration of the vibrators is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an internal magnet type magnetic circuit configuration.

[0025] Such vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are arranged with the first plate wall 513 facing the seated person. In the seat 3, the pair of vibrators 5L and 5R are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis that passes through the center of the width of the seat 3 and is parallel to the front-rear direction of the seat 1A. Similarly, in the backrest 4, the pair of vibrators 6L and 6R are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis that passes through the center of the width of the backrest 4 and is parallel to the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4.

[0026] The vibration absorbing material 7 is formed in a rectangular prism shape and is disposed inside the center of the width of the seat 3. The longitudinal direction of the vibration absorbing material 7 coincides with the front-rear direction of the seat 1A. That is, the vibration absorbing material 7 is disposed along a central axis that passes through the center of the width of the seat 3 and is parallel to the front-rear direction of the seat 1A. That is, the vibration absorbing material 7 is disposed at the boundary between the first area E1 and the second area E2 of the seat 3, and is disposed in the middle of the pair of vibrators 5L, 5R. The vibration absorbing material 7 is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning material inside the seat 3, and is made of urethane foam in this embodiment.

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration absorbing material 7 in the thickness direction of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 5L, 5R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the dimension of this vibration absorbing material 7 in the thickness direction of the seat 3 can be changed as appropriate and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the seat 3.

[0028] Such a vibration absorbing material 7 suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5R from being propagated to the second region E2, and also suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5L from being propagated to the first region E1.

[0029] The vibration absorbing material 8 is formed in a rectangular prism shape and is disposed inside the backrest 4 at the center in the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the vibration absorbing material 8 coincides with the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4. That is, the vibration absorbing material 8 is disposed along a central axis that passes through the center of the width direction of the backrest 4 and is parallel to the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4. That is, the vibration absorbing material 8 is disposed at the boundary between the first region E3 and the second region E4 of the backrest 4, and is disposed in the middle of the pair of vibrators 6L, 6R. The vibration absorbing material 8 is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning material inside the backrest 4, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam.

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration absorbing material 8 in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 6L, 6R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the dimension of this vibration absorbing material 8 in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 can be changed as appropriate and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the backrest 4.

[0031] Such a vibration absorbing material 8 suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6R from being propagated to the second region E4, and also suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6L from being propagated to the first region E3.

[0032] The control means controls the vibration of each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R independently by controlling the current flowing through the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. When the vehicle deviates from the lane while traveling, the control means controls the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R to vibrate to notify the driver of the deviation.

[0033] According to the seat 1A having the above configuration, the vibrations generated by each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are well transmitted to the seated person, and the transmission in the width direction of the seat 1A is suppressed by the vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the position of the vibration source. That is, the seated person can more accurately recognize whether the transducer that is emitting the vibration is the right one or the left one. Therefore, the seated person can correctly recognize the information that the vibration of each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R means. In addition, since the transmission of unnecessary vibrations (vibrations that propagate in the width direction of the seat 1A) of the right and left transducers 5R and 5L can be suppressed by one vibration absorbing material 7, and the transmission of unnecessary vibrations of the right and left transducers 6R and 6L can be suppressed by one vibration absorbing material 8, the number of parts of the seat 1A can be reduced.

[0034] [Example 2] A "seat" according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] The seat 1B of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a seat portion 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R, a propagation suppression means, and a control means, and constitutes a driver's seat of a vehicle like the first embodiment.

[0036] The propagation suppression means is a dividing groove P1 that divides the cushioning material inside the seat 3 into left and right at the center in the width direction of the seat 3, and a dividing groove P2 that divides the cushioning material inside the backrest 4 into left and right at the center in the width direction of the backrest 4. The dividing grooves P1 and P2 are formed at positions corresponding to the vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8 of the first embodiment.

[0037] The dividing groove P1 is formed concavely from the upper surface of the cushioning material of the seat 3, and the inside of the dividing groove P1 is hollow. In this embodiment, the depth of the dividing groove P1 (depth in the thickness direction of the seat 3) is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 5L, 5R (dimension in the direction of the arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in FIG. 2), but the depth of this dividing groove P1 can be changed as appropriate, and may be formed over the entire area in the thickness direction of the cushioning material of the seat 3. Also, in the present invention, instead of the dividing groove P1, a cavity may be formed by hollowing out the center in the thickness direction of the cushioning material of the seat 3.

[0038] Such a dividing groove P1 suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5R from propagating to the second region E2, and also suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5L from propagating to the first region E1.

[0039] The dividing groove P2 is formed concavely from the front surface of the cushioning material of the backrest 4, and the inside of the dividing groove P2 is hollow. In this embodiment, the depth of the dividing groove P2 (depth in the thickness direction of the backrest 4) is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 6L, 6R (dimension in the direction of the arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in FIG. 2), but the depth of the dividing groove P2 can be changed as appropriate, and may be formed over the entire area in the thickness direction of the cushioning material of the backrest 4. Also, in the present invention, instead of the dividing groove P2, a cavity may be formed by hollowing out the center in the thickness direction of the cushioning material of the backrest 4.

[0040] Such a dividing groove P2 suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6R from propagating to the second region E4, and also suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6L from propagating to the first region E3.

[0041] According to the seat 1B having the above configuration, the vibrations generated by each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are well transmitted to the seated person, and the transmission in the width direction of the seat 1B is suppressed by the dividing grooves P1 and P2, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the vibration source position. That is, the seated person can more accurately recognize whether the vibrator that is emitting the vibration is the right one or the left one. Therefore, the seated person can correctly recognize the information that the vibration of each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R means. In addition, by forming the dividing grooves P1 and P2 in the seat part 3 and the backrest 4, the transmission of unnecessary vibrations (vibrations that propagate in the width direction of the seat 1B) of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be suppressed without using a dedicated vibration absorbing material as described in the first embodiment, so that the number of parts of the seat 1B can be reduced.

[0042] [Example 3] A "seat" according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In Figures 4 to 6, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The seat 1C of this embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises a seat portion 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R, a vibration absorbing material (propagation suppression means) 9, and a control means, and constitutes a driver's seat of a vehicle in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0044] 5, the vibration absorbing material 9 is formed in a ring shape and provided around each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, that is, on the outer periphery of the cylindrical frame 511. Although only the vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrator 5L is shown in Fig. 5, the vibration absorbing materials 9 provided around the other vibrators 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration as that in Fig. 5.

[0045] The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrators 5L, 5R is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibration to the cushioning material inside the seat 3, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam. In this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrators 5L, 5R in the thickness direction of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 5L, 5R (the dimension in the direction of the arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in FIG. 2), but the dimension of this vibration absorbing material 9 in the thickness direction of the seat 3 can be changed as appropriate and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the seat 3. In addition, the vibration absorbing material 9 covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 511 of the vibrators 5L, 5R.

[0046] The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrator 5R prevents the vibration of the inner vibrator 5R from propagating to the second region E2. The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrator 5L prevents the vibration of the inner vibrator 5L from propagating to the first region E1.

[0047] The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrators 6L, 6R is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibration to the cushioning material inside the backrest 4, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam. In this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrators 6L, 6R in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 6L, 6R (the dimension in the direction of the arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in FIG. 2), but the dimension of this vibration absorbing material 9 in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 can be changed as appropriate and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the backrest 4. In addition, the vibration absorbing material 9 covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 511 of the vibrators 6L, 6R.

[0048] The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrator 6R prevents the vibration of the inner vibrator 6R from propagating to the second region E4. The vibration absorbing material 9 provided around the vibrator 6L prevents the vibration of the inner vibrator 6L from propagating to the first region E3.

[0049] According to the seat 1C having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the vibrations generated by each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are well transmitted to the seated person, and the transmission in the radial direction of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R is suppressed by the vibration absorbing material 9, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the vibration source position. That is, the seated person can more accurately recognize whether the transducer that is emitting the vibration is the right one or the left one. Therefore, the seated person can correctly recognize the information that the vibration of each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R means. In addition, by providing the vibration absorbing material 9 around each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, the vibration range of each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be limited to a narrow range, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the vibration source position.

[0050] In the above-mentioned third embodiment, the vibration absorbing material 9 is provided around all the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vibration absorbing material 9 may be provided around one of the pair of vibrators 5L and 5R, and the vibration absorbing material 9 may be provided around one of the pair of vibrators 6L and 6R. Even in this case, a certain effect of suppressing the propagation of unnecessary vibrations can be obtained.

[0051] [Modification of Example 3] A "seat" according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the same components as those in the third embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The seat 101C shown in FIG. 7 includes a seat portion 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, vibration absorbing material (propagation suppression means) 109 provided around each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, and a control means, and constitutes a driver's seat of a vehicle, similar to that of the third embodiment.

[0053] The vibration absorbing material 109 has the same configuration as the vibration absorbing material 9 of the third embodiment, except that the dimension in the thickness direction of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R is larger than that of the vibration absorbing material 9 of the third embodiment.

[0054] The vibration absorbing material 109 provided around the vibrators 5L, 5R is formed to have a thickness approximately equal to that of the seat 3. Above and below the vibrators 5L, 5R inside the vibration absorbing material 109, there are cavities S1, S2. In the present invention, these cavities S1, S2 may be filled with urethane foam or the like, or may be filled with a cushioning material made of the same material as the seat 3.

[0055] The vibration absorbing material 109 provided around the vibrators 6L, 6R is formed to have a thickness approximately equal to that of the backrest 4. Cavities S3, S4 exist in front of and behind the vibrators 6L, 6R inside the vibration absorbing material 109. In the present invention, these cavities S3, S4 may be filled with urethane foam or the like, or may be filled with a cushioning material made of the same material as the backrest 4.

[0056] According to the seat 101C having the above-mentioned configuration, the vibration absorbing material 109, which is formed to be thicker than the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3, can further suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R (vibrations propagating radially of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R) than the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3.

[0057] [Example 4] A "seat" according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. In Figures 8 to 10, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] The seat 1D of this embodiment shown in Figure 8 comprises a seat portion 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, vibration absorbing materials (propagation suppression means) 10 provided around each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, a frame material 11 that supports the vibration absorbing materials 10, and a control means, and constitutes a driver's seat of a vehicle in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0059] The vibration absorbing material 10 is a vibration-damping spring, and three are provided for each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. As shown in FIG. 9, one end of the vibration absorbing material 10 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical frame 511, and the other end is attached to the frame material 11. The frame material 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged on the outer periphery of each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. The three vibration absorbing materials 10 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of each of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. In FIG. 9, only the vibration absorbing material 10 and the frame material 11 provided around the vibrator 5L are shown, but the vibration absorbing materials 10 and the frame material 11 provided around the other vibrators 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration as in FIG. 9. Note that FIG. 9 shows the vibration absorbing material 10 in a schematic manner.

[0060] The vibration absorbing material 10 provided around the vibrator 5R suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5R located on the inside from propagating to the second region E2. The vibration absorbing material 10 provided around the vibrator 5L suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 5L located on the inside from propagating to the first region E1. The vibration absorbing material 10 provided around the vibrator 6R suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6R located on the inside from propagating to the second region E4. The vibration absorbing material 10 provided around the vibrator 6L suppresses the vibration of the vibrator 6L located on the inside from propagating to the first region E3.

[0061] According to the seat 1D having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, the vibrations generated by each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are well transmitted to the seated person, and the transmission in the radial direction of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R is suppressed by the vibration absorbing material 10, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the vibration source position. That is, the seated person can more accurately recognize whether the transducer generating the vibration is the right one or the left one. Therefore, the seated person can correctly recognize the information that the vibration of each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R means. In addition, by providing the vibration absorbing material 10 around each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, the vibration range of each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be limited to a narrow range, so that the seated person can more accurately recognize the vibration source position.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fourth embodiments, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0063] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, the seats 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are configured to have two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the seats may be configured to have one vibrator arranged in one area and a propagation suppression means for suppressing the vibration of the vibrator from propagating to other areas. Even in this case, the seated person can be made to recognize the position of the vibration source more accurately.

[0064] In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the seat 3 and the backrest 4 each have a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the width direction of the seat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat may have a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, or the backrest may have a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the seat or the backrest may have a plurality of regions arranged in a grid pattern.

[0065] In the first to fourth embodiments, the vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8, the dividing grooves P1 and P2, the vibration absorbing materials 9, and the vibration absorbing materials 10 are used individually as the propagation suppression means, but the present invention may use a combination of these multiple types of propagation suppression means. For example, the first embodiment may have a configuration in which the vibration absorbing material 9 is provided around the vibrators 5L and 5R, and the vibration absorbing material 9 and the vibration absorbing material 7 suppress the propagation of unnecessary vibrations (vibrations propagating in the width direction of the seat) of the vibrators 5L and 5R. The second embodiment may have a configuration in which the vibration absorbing material 10 and the frame material 11 are provided around the vibrators 5L and 5R, and the vibration absorbing material 10 and the dividing groove P1 suppress the propagation of unnecessary vibrations of the vibrators 5L and 5R.

[0066] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, the vibrator is provided on both the seat 3 and the backrest 4, but in the present invention, the vibrator may be provided on only one of the seat 3 and the backrest 4.

[0067] In addition, in the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 4, the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration and size, but in order to obtain the required vibration strength, the sizes of the vibrator arranged in the backrest 4 and the vibrator arranged in the seat 3 may be different, and if the number of vibrators arranged in the backrest 4 and the seat 3 is three or more, the sizes of the vibrators in the backrest 4 and the seat 3 may be different.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the seat is mounted in a vehicle, but the seat of the present invention may also constitute a seat other than a vehicle seat, for example, a seat in a movie theater or a theater.

[0069] In addition, the best configurations and methods for implementing the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been mainly illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions limiting the shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative descriptions for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and therefore descriptions of the names of components that are free of some or all of the limitations on the shapes, materials, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] Seats 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 101C 5R,6R transducer (first transducer) 5L,6L transducer (second transducer) 7, 8, 9, 10, 109 Vibration absorbing material (propagation suppression means) E1,E3 1st area E2,E4 2nd area P1, P2 Dividing groove (propagation suppression means)

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. A seat having a first region and another region, A first transducer disposed in the first region; a propagation suppression means for suppressing the vibration of the first vibrator from propagating to the other area. A seat characterized by:

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