Vehicle seat

Abstract

To raise and lower a seat with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 that supports buttocks of an occupant, a seat back 3 that is provided on the seat cushion 2 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft 23 extending in a width direction and supports an upper body of the occupant, and a lifting device 6 that is interposed between the seat cushion 2 and a floor 10 on which the seat cushion 2 is disposed and is provided so as to be capable of lifting and lowering the seat cushion 2. The lifting device 6 has gas springs (a front gas spring 61 and a rear gas spring 62) with elastic locking functions, one ends of which are rotatably provided on the seat cushion 2 around rotation shafts 61a and 62a extending in a width direction, and the other ends of which are rotatably provided on the floor 10 via an upper bracket 64 around rotation shafts 61b and 62b extending in a width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a lift mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of device, a seat equipped with a lift mechanism capable of raising and lowering a seat cushion has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the seat cushion can be raised and lowered using a link in which a first link member and a second link member are connected so as to be relatively rotatable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the seat described in Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure and operation of the link mechanism, and there is room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A vehicle seat according to one aspect of the present invention includes a seat cushion that supports a passenger's buttocks, a seat back that is rotatably provided on the seat cushion about a rotation axis extending in the width direction and supports the passenger's upper body, and a lifting device that is interposed between the seat cushion and the floor on which the seat cushion is disposed and is provided so as to be able to raise and lower the seat cushion. The lifting device has a gas spring with a locking function, one end of which is rotatably provided on the seat cushion about a rotation axis extending in the width direction, and the other end of which is rotatably provided on the floor about a rotation axis extending in the width direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a seat can be lifted and lowered with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention is a seat provided with a lift mechanism for a seat cushion, and can be used for seats mounted on various vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and automobiles. Hereinafter, as an example of the vehicle seat, a seat mounted on an automobile, particularly a front seat (hereinafter simply referred to as seat 1) used for the front seat of the automobile will be used for explanation. Further, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction (width direction), and the up-down direction (height direction) are defined based on the occupant sitting on seat 1, and the configuration of each part will be described according to this definition.

[0009] First, the main configuration of seat 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the main configuration of seat 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back 3 that supports the occupant's upper body (waist and back), a headrest 4 that supports the occupant's head, and an ottoman 5 that supports the occupant's legs.

[0011] The seat cushion 2 is formed by attaching a cushion pad 21 made of a cushion material such as urethane foam to a seat cushion frame 20 that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 2, and covering this with a skin material 22 made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, and is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by a slide device 11 provided on the floor 10 in the vehicle interior.

[0012] The seat back 3 is formed by attaching a cushion pad 31 to a seat back frame 30 that forms the skeleton of the seat back 3, and covering this with a skin material 32, and is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2 around a first rotation axis 23 extending in the left-right direction at the rear end portion of the seat cushion 2.

[0013] The headrest 4 does not have a frame that forms a skeleton like the seat cushion 2 or the seat back 3, and is supported so as to be attachable to the seat back frame 30 via a headrest stay 43 disposed inside a skin material 42 filled with a cushion pad 41.

[0014] The ottoman 5 is formed by attaching a cushion pad 51 to an ottoman frame 50 that forms the skeleton of the ottoman 5, and covering this with a skin material 52, and is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2 around a second rotation axis 24 extending in the left-right direction at the front end portion of the seat cushion 2.

[0015] The seat 1 also includes a lifting device 6 interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the slide device 11 for lifting and lowering the seat cushion 2, a tilting device 7 interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3 for tilting the seat back 3 around the first rotation axis 23, a rotating device 8 interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the ottoman 5 for rotating the ottoman 5 around the second rotation axis 24, and a controller 9 for controlling these.

[0016] The lifting device 6 includes a pair of left and right front gas springs 61, 61 provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the front end portion of the seat cushion, a pair of left and right rear gas springs 62, 62 provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the rear end portion of the seat cushion, a first sensor 63 for detecting the rotation angle of the seat cushion 2, and a pair of left and right upper brackets 64, 64 attached to the slide device 11 and supporting the pair of left and right front gas springs 61, 61 and the pair of left and right rear gas springs 62, 62 respectively.

[0017] One end of the front gas spring 61 is rotatably attached to the seat cushion frame 20 about a rotating shaft 61a extending in the left-right direction, and the other end is rotatably attached to the upper bracket 64 about a rotating shaft 61b extending in the left-right direction. One end of the rear gas spring 62 is rotatably attached to the seat cushion frame 20 about a rotating shaft 62a extending in the left-right direction, and the other end is rotatably attached to the upper bracket 64 about a rotating shaft 62b extending in the left-right direction. The front gas spring 61 and the rear gas spring 62 in the present embodiment are constituted by gas springs with a locking function (first gas springs) capable of elastic locking at an arbitrary position, and are configured to be able to absorb the load acting on the seat cushion 2 even after being fixed. The first sensor 63 detects the angle of the support surface (seating surface) of the seat cushion 2 with respect to the horizontal line H (hereinafter referred to as the first rotation angle θ1) (see FIG. 2B described later). For example, it detects the first rotation angle θ1 and the like in a mode where one or both of the front gas spring 61 and the rear gas spring 62 are driven to raise the front end portion of the seat cushion 2 (lower the rear end portion) or raise the rear end portion of the seat cushion 2 (lower the front end portion). The upper bracket 64 is attached to an upper rail (not shown) of the slide device 11 extending in the front-rear direction, and is provided so as to extend upward from this upper rail.

[0018] The tilting device 7 includes a pair of left and right second gas springs 71, 71 provided at both left and right ends in the lateral direction of the back surface portion of the seat back, a pair of left and right slide portions 72, 72 interposed between the pair of left and right second gas springs 71, 71 and the pair of left and right upper brackets 64, 64 respectively, and a second sensor 73 for detecting the rotation angle of the seat back 3.

[0019] One end of the second gas spring 71 is rotatably attached to the seat back frame 30 about a rotation shaft 71a extending in the lateral direction, and the other end is rotatably attached to the slide portion 72 about a rotation shaft 71b extending in the lateral direction. The second gas spring 71 in the present embodiment is constituted by a gas spring with a locking function capable of elastic locking at an arbitrary position, and is configured to be able to absorb the load acting on the seat back 3 even after being fixed. The slide portion 72 is provided to extend in the front-rear direction along the upper bracket 64 and is supported by the upper bracket 64 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Further, the slide portion 72 is configured to move in the front-rear direction by driving an actuator (not shown), and moves the other end of the second gas spring 71 in the front-rear direction. The second sensor 73 detects the angle of the support surface of the seat back 3 with respect to the horizontal line H (hereinafter referred to as the second rotation angle θ2) (see FIG. 2B described later). For example, the second rotation angle θ2 etc. when the second gas spring 71 and the slide portion 72 are driven to tilt the seat back 3 rearward are detected.

[0020] The rotation device 8 includes a third gas spring 81 provided on the back surface portion of the ottoman, and a third sensor 82 for detecting the rotation angle of the ottoman 5.

[0021] The third gas spring 81 is rotatably attached to the ottoman frame 50 about a rotating shaft 81a extending in the left-right direction at one end, and is rotatably attached to the upper bracket 64 about a rotating shaft 81b extending in the left-right direction at the other end. The third gas spring 81 in the present embodiment is configured by a gas spring with a locking function capable of elastic locking at an arbitrary position, and is configured to absorb the load acting on the ottoman 5 even after being fixed. The third sensor 82 detects the angle of the support surface of the ottoman 5 with respect to the horizontal line H (hereinafter referred to as the third rotation angle θ3) (see FIG. 2B described later). For example, the third rotation angle θ3 and the like when the third gas spring 81 is driven to rotate the ottoman 5 upward are detected.

[0022] The seat 1 having the lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 is configured to be set to the drive mode, the relaxation mode, and the work mode by driving the respective actuators based on the first to third rotation angles θ1, θ2, θ3 detected by the first to third sensors 63, 73, 82. Hereinafter, each mode of the seat 1 will be described. FIG. 2A is a side view of the seat 1 set to the drive mode, FIG. 2B is a side view of the seat 1 set to the relaxation mode, and FIG. 2C is a side view of the seat 1 set to the work mode.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2A, the drive mode of the seat 1 is a mode of the seat 1 corresponding to the driving posture of the occupant. In the drive mode, the left and right pair of front gas springs 61, 61, the left and right pair of rear gas springs 62, 62, the left and right pair of second gas springs 71, 71, the left and right pair of slide portions 72, 72, and the third gas spring 81 are driven so that the first rotation angle θ1 detected by the first sensor 63 is about 0°, the second rotation angle θ2 detected by the second sensor 73 is about 100°, and the third rotation angle θ3 detected by the third sensor 82 is about 70°. By driving these actuators in this way, the seat 1 is set in a mode in which the support surface of the seat cushion 2 is substantially horizontal, the seat back 3 is slightly inclined rearward, and the ottoman 5 is stored, and the seated occupant can drive the vehicle while gripping the steering wheel 13 in an appropriate posture.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2B, the relaxation mode of the seat 1 is a mode in which the seat back 3 is tilted for the occupant to rest or take a nap on the seat 1. In the relaxation mode, the left and right pair of front gas springs 61, 61, the left and right pair of rear gas springs 62, 62, the left and right pair of second gas springs 71, 71, the left and right pair of slide portions 72, 72, and the third gas spring 81 are driven so that the first rotation angle θ1 detected by the first sensor 63 is about 30°, the second rotation angle θ2 detected by the second sensor 73 is about 170°, and the third rotation angle θ3 detected by the third sensor 82 is about -20°. By driving these actuators in this way, the seat 1 is set in a mode in which the front of the seat cushion 2 rises slightly, the seat back 3 tilts greatly rearward, and the support surface of the ottoman 5 faces obliquely upward, and the seated occupant can lie down on the seat 1 looking upward. At this time, the seat 1 is slid rearward by the slide device 11 so that the legs of the occupant do not interfere with the steering wheel in the vehicle interior.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2C, the work mode of the seat 1 is a mode in which the seat back 3 is erected so that the occupant can perform work (such as work, eating, games, etc.) on the seat 1. In the work mode, the left and right pair of front gas springs 61, 61 and the left and right pair of rear gas springs 62, 62, the left and right pair of second gas springs 71, 71 and the left and right pair of slide portions 72, 72, and the third gas spring 81 are driven so that the first rotation angle θ1 detected by the first sensor 63 is about -20°, the second rotation angle θ2 detected by the second sensor 73 is about 90°, and the third rotation angle θ3 detected by the third sensor 82 is about -80°. By driving these actuators in this way, the seat 1 is set in a mode in which the front of the seat cushion 2 is slightly lowered and the seat back 3 is erected, enabling the seated occupant to work, eat, or concentrate on games, etc. on the seat 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a controller 9 for driving and controlling the seat 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 9 includes a computer having an arithmetic unit 91 such as a CPU, a storage unit 92 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, and other peripheral circuits (not shown).

[0027] Functionally, the arithmetic unit 91 has an information receiving unit 911 and an information output unit 912. The information receiving unit 911 receives various information and various commands. For example, the information receiving unit 911 receives various information such as the first rotation angle θ1 detected by the first sensor 63, the second rotation angle θ2 detected by the second sensor 73, and the third rotation angle θ3 detected by the third sensor 82. The information receiving unit 911 also receives various commands such as a drive mode signal output when the occupant presses a drive mode switch SW1 for setting the state of the seat 1 to the drive mode, a relaxation mode signal output when the occupant presses a relaxation mode switch SW2 for setting the relaxation mode, and a work mode signal output when the occupant presses a work mode switch SW3 for setting the work mode.

[0028] The information output unit 912 outputs a control signal to various devices based on various information such as various information and various commands received by the information reception unit 911. For example, when the information reception unit 911 receives a drive mode signal, the information output unit 912 outputs a control signal to the lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 so that the seat 1 is in the drive mode. The lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 that have received the control signal for the drive mode drive their respective actuators based on the first to third rotation angles θ1, θ2, θ3 detected by the first to third sensors 63, 73, 82.

[0029] Also, for example, when the information reception unit 911 receives a relaxation mode signal, the information output unit 912 outputs a control signal to the lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 so that the seat 1 is in the relaxation mode. The lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 that have received the control signal for the relaxation mode drive their respective actuators based on the first to third rotation angles θ1, θ2, θ3 detected by the first to third sensors 63, 73, 82.

[0030] Also, for example, when the information reception unit 911 receives a work mode signal, the information output unit 912 outputs a control signal to the lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 so that the seat 1 is in the work mode. The lifting device 6, the tilting device 7, and the rotating device 8 that have received the control signal for the work mode drive their respective actuators based on the first to third rotation angles θ1, θ2, θ3 detected by the first to third sensors 63, 73, 82.

[0031] The storage unit 92 stores various programs and various data executed by the arithmetic unit 91. The storage unit 92 has a mode storage unit 921 that stores the modes of the seat 1 in various modes. The mode storage unit 921 stores the mode of the seat 1 set in the drive mode shown in FIG. 2A, the mode of the seat 1 set in the relaxation mode shown in FIG. 2B, and the mode of the seat 1 set in the work mode shown in FIG. 2C, etc.

[0032] Next, the deformation operation of the sheet 1 configured as described above to each mode will be described. First, the deformation operation of the sheet 1 from the drive mode to the relaxation mode will be described.

[0033] When the control signal of the relaxation mode output by the information output unit 912 is input to each device, first, the slide device 11 retracts the sheet 1 to a predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position where the legs of the occupant seated on the sheet 1 in the relaxation mode do not interfere with the steering wheel or the like. Next, the pair of left and right front gas springs 61, 61 extend to raise the front end portion of the sheet 1, and the pair of left and right rear gas springs 62, 62 compress to lower the rear end portion of the sheet 1. One end portion and the other end portion of each of the pair of left and right front gas springs 61, 61 and the pair of left and right rear gas springs 62, 62 are rotatably supported by the seat cushion frame 20 and the upper bracket 64, respectively, and these constitute a link mechanism. Therefore, by this operation, the front of the seat cushion 2 is slightly raised.

[0034] Next, each of the pair of left and right slide portions 72, 72 moves rearward, and each of the pair of left and right second gas springs 71, 71 compresses, causing the seat back 3 to tilt about the first rotation axis 23. Next, the third gas spring 81 extends and the ottoman 5 rotates upward about the second rotation axis 24. In this way, the sheet 1 is deformed from the drive mode to the relaxation mode. Note that the lifting and lowering operation of the seat cushion 2, the tilting operation of the seat back 3, and the rotating operation of the ottoman 5 are not limited to the above order, and may be configured such that each is performed simultaneously.

[0035] Next, the deformation operation of the sheet 1 from the drive mode to the work mode will be described. When the control signal of the work mode output by the information output unit 912 is input to each device, first, the pair of left and right front gas springs 61, 61 compress to lower the front end portion of the sheet 1, and the pair of left and right rear gas springs 62, 62 extend to raise the rear end portion of the sheet 1. By this operation, the front of the seat cushion 2 is slightly lowered.

[0036] Next, each of the pair of left and right slide portions 72, 72 moves forward, and each of the pair of left and right second gas springs 71, 71 extends to rotate the seat back 3 forward about the first rotation axis 23. By this operation, the seat back 3 is in an upright or forward-tilted state. In this way, the seat 1 is deformed from the drive mode to the work mode. Note that, similar to the deformation to the relaxation mode, the lifting operation of the seat cushion 2 and the tilting operation of the seat back 3 are not limited to the above order, and may be configured such that each is performed simultaneously.

[0037] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back 3 that is rotatably provided on the seat cushion 2 about a first rotation axis 23 extending in the width direction and supports the occupant's upper body, and a lifting device 6 that is interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the floor 10 on which the seat cushion 2 is disposed and is provided to be able to lift and lower the seat cushion 2. The lifting device 6 has gas springs with an elastic locking function (front gas spring 61, rear gas spring 62) whose one ends are rotatably provided on the seat cushion 2 about rotation axes 61a, 62a extending in the width direction and whose other ends are rotatably provided on the floor 10 via an upper bracket 64 about rotation axes 61b, 62b extending in the width direction.

[0038] With this configuration, since the link is formed by the gas spring with the locking function, the seat cushion 2 can be lifted and lowered with a simple configuration. Further, since the link is configured by the gas spring with the locking function that enables elastic locking at an arbitrary position, the load acting on the seat cushion 2 can be absorbed even after the seat cushion 2 is fixed at an arbitrary position. For example, even when the seat 1 is set to the relaxation mode during automatic driving and the occupant is taking a nap or resting in the moving vehicle interior, the gas spring with the locking function absorbs the load acting on the seat cushion 2, so that the riding comfort can be improved.

[0039] (2) In the seat 1 described in (1), the gas springs with locking functions (front gas spring 61 and rear gas spring 62) are provided at the front and rear parts of the seat cushion 2 respectively, and at least raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion 2. With this configuration, for example, by supporting the front and rear parts of the seat cushion 2 with the front gas spring 61 and the rear gas spring 62 respectively, the entire seat cushion 2 can absorb the load, and the riding comfort can be further improved.

[0040] (3) The seat 1 described in (2) further includes a rotating device 8 for rotating the seat back 3. The front and rear gas springs 61, 62 are the first gas springs. The rotating device 8 has a second gas spring 71 with a locking function, one end of which is rotatably provided on the seat back 3 around a rotating shaft 71a extending in the width direction, and the other end of which is rotatably provided on the upper bracket 64 around a rotating shaft 71b extending in the width direction. With this configuration, for example, even when the seat 1 is set to the relaxation mode during automatic driving and the occupant is taking a catnap or resting in the moving vehicle interior, the second gas spring 71 with a locking function absorbs the load acting on the seat back 3, so that the riding comfort can be improved.

[0041] (4) The seat 1 described in (3) further includes an ottoman 5 that appears when the front part of the seat cushion 2 rises and supports the legs of the occupant sitting on the seat 1. The ottoman 5 is supported by a third gas spring 81 with a locking function so as to be movable up and down. With this configuration, for example, even when the seat 1 is set to the relaxation mode during automatic driving and the occupant is taking a catnap or resting in the moving vehicle interior, the third gas spring 81 with a locking function absorbs the load acting on the ottoman 5, so that the riding comfort can be improved.

[0042] (5) In the seat 1 according to any one of (1) to (4), a slide device 11 interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the floor 10 and slidable in the front-rear direction is further provided. The lifting device 6 is interposed between the seat cushion 2 and the slide device 11. With this configuration, for example, even when the seat 1 is set to the relaxation mode, by moving the seat 1 backward, it is possible to prevent the legs of the occupant sitting on the seat 1 from interfering with an object located in front of the seat 1. For example, it is possible to prevent the legs of the occupant from interfering with the steering wheel.

[0043] The above-described embodiment can be modified into various forms. Hereinafter, modification examples will be described.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, as the lifting device 6 for lifting the seat cushion 2, a device having a front gas spring 61 and a rear gas spring 62 has been described. However, for example, a configuration in which only the front gas spring 61 is arranged and only the front end portion of the seat cushion 2 is lifted and lowered around the first rotation axis 23 may be used. Further, a configuration in which the front end portion of the seat cushion 2 is rotatably supported by an upper bracket 64 and only the rear gas spring 62 is arranged and only the rear end portion of the seat cushion 2 is lifted and lowered may be used.

[0045] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification examples as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above-described embodiment and modification examples, and it is also possible to combine the modification examples with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Seat (vehicle seat), 2 Seat cushion, 3 Seat back, 4 Headrest, 6 Lifting device, 10 Floor, 23 First rotation axis, 61 Front gas spring (first gas spring), 62 Rear gas spring (first gas spring), 61a, 62a Rotation axis, 61b, 62b Rotation axis

Claims

1. A seat cushion that supports the buttocks of an occupant; a seat back that is rotatably provided on the seat cushion around a rotation axis extending in a width direction and supports an upper body of an occupant; a lifting device that is interposed between the seat cushion and a floor on which the seat cushion is placed and is capable of lifting and lowering the seat cushion, The lifting device is characterized in that it has a gas spring with a locking function, one end of which is rotatably attached to the seat cushion around a rotation axis extending in the width direction, and the other end of which is rotatably attached to the floor around a rotation axis extending in the width direction.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The gas spring is provided at one or both of a front and a rear portion of the seat cushion, and raises and lowers at least the front or the rear portion of the seat cushion.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, The seat back further includes a rotation device for rotating the seat back, the gas spring is a first gas spring; The vehicle seat is characterized in that the rotation device has a second gas spring, one end of which is rotatably mounted on the seat back around a rotation axis extending in the width direction, and the other end of which is rotatably mounted on the floor around a rotation axis extending in the width direction.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, The vehicle seat further includes an ottoman that appears when the front portion of the seat cushion is raised and supports the legs of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the ottoman is supported by a third gas spring so as to be freely raised and lowered.

5. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The seat cushion further includes a slide device that is interposed between the seat cushion and the floor and is slidable in a front-rear direction. The vehicle seat, wherein the lifting device is interposed between the seat cushion and the slide device.

Images