Vehicular seat

Abstract

To suppress interference between a pressure receiving member that supports a load on an occupant and a height-link mechanism that changes a posture of a seating surface of a seat.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat comprises: a seat cushion that supports the hip of an occupant; a seat cushion frame that has a pair of left and right side frames and supports the seat cushion; a plate-like pressure receiving member 15, arranged between the pair of left and right side frames, which receives loads from the occupant; and a lifting device which has support parts mounted on inner side surfaces in a seat width direction of the pair of left and right side frames to support the pair of left and right side frames liftably, which changes an inclination angle of a seating surface of the seat cushion through the support parts. A step part CT dented toward inside in the seat width direction is formed in a region opposing to the support parts, at a side part of the pressure receiving member 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat mounted on various vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat having a pressure receiving member that is installed on a seat cushion frame and supports the load of an occupant is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the seat described in Patent Document 1, the pressure receiving member is disposed between a pair of left and right frames extending in the front-rear direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a height link mechanism for changing the posture of the seat surface of the seat is disposed inside the seat width direction of a pair of left and right frames, if the pressure receiving member is disposed between the pair of left and right frames like the seat described in Patent Document 1, the pressure receiving member may interfere with the height link mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A vehicle seat according to one aspect of the present invention includes a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of an occupant, It has a pair of left and right side frames, a seat cushion frame that supports a seat cushion, a plate-shaped pressure receiving member that is disposed between the pair of left and right side frames and receives a load from an occupant, and is attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames in the seat width direction, and has a support portion that supports the pair of left and right side frames so as to be movable up and down, and a changing device that changes the inclination angle of the seating surface of the seat cushion via the support portion. A notch portion that is recessed inward in the seat width direction is formed in a region of the side portion of the pressure receiving member that faces the support portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, interference between a pressure receiving member that supports the load of an occupant and a height link mechanism that changes the posture of the seating surface of the seat can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 9C

Figure 10

Figure 11A

Figure 11B

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various vehicles. Hereinafter, an example of application to a vehicle, particularly a vehicle having an automatic driving function, that is, an autonomous vehicle will be described. The vehicle to which the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment is applied can travel not only in an automatic driving mode that does not require a driving operation by the driver but also in a manual driving mode by the driver's driving operation. Note that the vehicle to which the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment is applied may be any of an engine vehicle having an internal combustion engine (engine) as a driving source, an electric vehicle having a driving motor as a driving source, and a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a driving motor as driving sources.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view (viewed from obliquely in front) of a vehicle seat (hereinafter simply referred to as a seat) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front-rear direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the length direction of the vehicle, the up-down direction corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. In other words, in the front-rear direction of FIG. 1, the front is the direction in which the occupant in the riding posture faces, the left-right direction is the seat width direction, and the up-down direction is the seat height direction.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 100 is a vehicle seat used in the driver's seat or passenger seat of a vehicle, and includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back 2 that supports the occupant's back, and a headrest 3 provided at the upper part of the seat back 2 that supports the occupant's head. The seat cushion 1 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the whole presents a substantially rectangular shape. The seat back 2 extends in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, and the whole presents a substantially rectangular shape. The lower end portion of the seat back 2 is supported via a pair of left and right reclining mechanisms 4 at the rear end portion of the seat cushion 1 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction with a shaft portion 4a extending in the left-right direction as a fulcrum. The reclining mechanism 4 includes a reclining actuator 4b described later. A controller 60 described later is provided below the skin of the seat cushion 1.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a part of the seat frame inside the seat 100, and more specifically, the structure of a frame (hereinafter referred to as a seat cushion frame) 10 corresponding to the seat cushion 1. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the structure of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame removed. The seat cushion frame 10 is formed along the outer shape of the seat cushion 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cushion 1 is configured by attaching a seat cushion pad made of a cushion material such as urethane foam to the seat cushion frame 10 and further covering the outside with a skin material made of synthetic leather or fabric. The seat cushion pad is supported by the seat cushion frame 10 and functions as a pressure-receiving portion that receives the load from the occupant's buttocks.

[0012] The seat 100 further includes a lifting device (hereinafter also referred to as a changing device) 20 that changes the inclination angle of the seat cushion frame 10 so that the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 can be switched among three posture modes (drive mode, work mode, and relaxation mode) described later, and a slide device 30 as a base member that supports the seat cushion frame 10 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Details of the lifting device 20 and the slide device 30 will be described later.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2A, the slide device 30 extends along the front-rear direction on the floor (vehicle body floor part) below the seat 100. The seat cushion frame 10 is slidably engaged with the slide device 30, whereby the seat cushion 1 can move in the front-rear direction along the slide device 30 with respect to the vehicle body.

[0014] The seat cushion frame 10 includes a pair of cushion side frames (hereinafter simply referred to as side frames) 11 (11L, 11R) arranged side by side in the left-right direction, a cushion pan frame 12 that connects the front end portions of the side frames 11L, 11R and covers the front of the side frames 11L, 11R, and at a position behind the front end portion of the cushion pan frame 12, more preferably, at a position behind the front end portion of the cushion pan frame 12 and in front of the rear end portion of the cushion pan frame 12, a front pipe 13 made of metal that connects the front portions of the side frames 11L, 11R, a rear pipe 14 made of metal that connects the rear portions of the side frames 11L, 11R, and a pressure receiving member 15 that is stretched across the front pipe 13 and the rear pipe 14 and receives an upward load due to the weight of the occupant (seated person) or the like. End caps 13a are attached to the right and left end portions of the front pipe 13. Torsion springs (not shown), which are biasing members that bias the rear links 22L, 23R, which will be described later, to rotate forward, are provided at the right and left end portions of the rear pipe 14 at positions inside the seat width direction from the side frames 11 in plan view.

[0015] The slide device 30 has a pair of slide rails (hereinafter referred to as upper rails) 31 (31L, 31R) arranged side by side left and right, and a pair of slide rails (hereinafter referred to as lower rails) 32 (32L, 32R) that are coupled to the floor (vehicle body floor portion) via the feet 19L, 19R and support the upper rails 31L, 31R so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Further, the slide device 30 has a pair of upper rail brackets 28 (28L, 28R) provided on the upper surfaces of the upper rails 31L, 31R and connecting the upper rails 31L, 31R and the side frames 11L, 11R. Furthermore, the slide device 30 has a rail connecting member 33 that connects the front end portions of the lower rails 32L, 32R, a slide actuator (hereinafter also referred to as a rail actuator) 34 supported by the rail connecting member 33, a screw shaft 35 that rotates by the driving force of the slide actuator 34, and a pair of shaft support members 36 (36L, 36R) provided at the outer end portions of the screw shaft 35 in the seat width direction and supporting the screw shaft 35.

[0016] The slide actuator 34 incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating the screw shaft 35 via the electric motor. The shaft support member 36 has a gear box and transmits the rotational power of the screw shaft 35 to a screw shaft (not shown) extending along the front-rear direction inside the upper rail 31 via the gear box. The screw shaft of the upper rail 31 is provided so as to insert through a ball screw (not shown) provided on the lower rail 32. When the screw shaft of the upper rail 31 rotates, the upper rail 31 moves relative to the lower rail 32 in the front-rear direction. With such a configuration, the slide device 30 functions as a slide mechanism.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2B, the seat cushion frame 10 further includes a gear cover portion 16 that covers a part (sector link 22R) of the lifting device 20 in the seat width direction below the cushion pan frame 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, the seat 100 includes an air conditioner 40 that sends air to or sucks in air from the seating surface of the seat cushion frame 10.

[0018] Insertion holes for inserting the front pipe 13 are formed in the gear cover portion 16 and the sector link 22R. The front portion of the gear cover portion 16 is attached to the right side frame 11R via the front pipe 13, and the rear end portion is joined to the inner wall surface of the side frame 11R. The sector link 22R is rotatably supported by the side frame 11R via the front pipe 13. The gear cover portion 16 is provided so as to be disposed within a gap formed between the sector link 22R and the side frame 11R in the seat width direction, that is, on the inner side in the width direction than the sector link 22R.

[0019] The air conditioner 40 includes a main body portion having a blower 41 and a wire harness (not shown) for energizing the blower 41, a blower bracket 42 for attaching the main body portion to the lower surface on the front side of the seat cushion 1 (more specifically, the cushion pan frame 12), and a duct 43 that extends from the blower 41 toward the seating surface side and forms an air passage for guiding air from the blower 41 to the seating surface or from the seating surface to the blower 41. The end portion (supply / discharge portion) 43S on the seating surface side of the duct 43 is attached to an attachment port formed in the pressure receiving member 15.

[0020] Here, the configuration of the lifting device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the lifting mechanism of the right side frame 11R from the inside. FIG. 4 is a side view of the lower end portion of the front part of the side frame 11R as viewed from the inner side in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the lifting device 20 includes a front link 21R whose one end is rotatably connected to an upper rail bracket 28R by a front support shaft 28Rf, a sector link 22R that is connected to the other end of the front link 21R by a link connection shaft 22Rc and is connected to the front part of the side frame 11R via a front pipe (frame connection shaft) 13, a pinion gear 24 that can engage with a sector gear 22Rg formed on the rear surface of the sector link 22R, and a rear link 23R whose one end is rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28R by a rear support shaft 28Rr and whose other end is connected to the rear part of the side frame 11R via a rear pipe (rear connection shaft) 14. In FIG. 3, for the sake of clarity of the drawing, the gear cover portion 16 is shown by a dashed line. A stopper pin 22Rs is inserted into an opening 22Ro provided in the sector link 22R, and when the end of the opening 22Ro and the stopper pin 22Rs come into contact, the rotation of the sector link 22R is restricted. In this way, by inserting the stopper pin 22Rs into the opening 22Ro, the rotation range of the sector link 22R is restricted. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, a bent flange portion BF extending in a crank shape is formed at the lower end portion of the front part of the side frame 11R. An insertion hole SH through which the stopper pin 22Rs is inserted and joined is formed at a position adjacent to the bent flange portion BF at a position overlapping the bent flange portion BF in the vertical direction (more specifically, in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the side frame 11R in a side view). The insertion hole PH is an insertion hole of the front pipe 13. Note that the front link 21R is connected such that the front end portion thereof is located behind the front end portion of the side frame 11R regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1. Also, the front link 21L is connected such that the front end portion thereof is located behind the front end portion of the side frame 11L regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1.Also, the front link 21R and the sector link 22R are connected such that the link connection axis 22Rc is positioned above the front pipe 13 regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1, that is, the link connection axis 22Rc moves above the front pipe 13 in a side view.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the elevating mechanism of the left side frame 11L from the inside. As shown in FIG. 5, the elevating device 20 includes a front link 21L having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28L by the front support shaft 28Lf, a support link 29 connected to the other end of the front link 21L by the link connection shaft 29c and connected to the front portion of the side frame 11L via the front pipe (frame connection axis) 13, a rear link (sector link) 22L having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28L by the rear support shaft 28Lr and the other end connected to the rear portion of the side frame 11R via the rear pipe (rear connection axis) 14, and a pinion gear 27 engageable with a sector gear 22Lg formed on the front surface of the sector link 22L.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame 12 removed. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame 12 removed. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a plan view and a rear view of the seat cushion frame 10 when the upper rail 31 is in the rearmost position, that is, when the seat cushion 1 is at the frontmost position within the range where it can slide (hereinafter referred to as the slidable range or simply the movable range). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the elevating device 20 further includes a front elevating actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as the elevating actuator) 25 attached to the outer surface in the seat width direction at the front part of the side frame 11R, and a rear elevating actuator 26 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the elevating actuator) attached to the outer surface in the seat width direction at the rear part of the side frame 11L. The elevating actuator 25 incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating the pinion gear 24 via the electric motor. Similarly, the elevating actuator 26 incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating the pinion gear 27 via the electric motor.

[0023] Incidentally, the lifting actuators 25 and 26 of the lifting device 20 and the slide actuator 34 of the slide device 30 are connected to the controller 60 by a wire harness (hereinafter simply referred to as a harness) not shown, and the built-in motors are stopped or operated based on control signals from the controller 60 received via the harness. On the other hand, when the controller 60 is provided on the left part of the seat cushion 1 as shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to lead the harness from the controller 60 to the lifting actuator 25 provided on the right part of the seat cushion 1 by utilizing the space below the seat cushion frame 10. However, when routing the harness in this way, if the distance between the controller 60 and the lifting actuator 25 varies due to the sliding operation of the seat cushion frame 10 or the like, the harness may be pulled or bent. Also, there is a possibility that the bent harness may interfere with a part of the seat cushion frame 10. As a means to avoid such an influence on the harness, a method of leading the harness by inserting the front pipe 13 from the controller 60 to the lifting actuator 25 can be considered. However, unnecessary protrusions, so-called burrs, generated in processes such as cutting may exist at the edges of the front pipe 13. Therefore, when using the harness by inserting it into the front pipe 13, there is a risk that the surface of the harness may be worn or, in some cases, the harness may be cut by the burrs at the edges of the front pipe 13. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, end caps 13a are attached to the ends (right end and left end) of the front pipe 13 so that the harness can be routed through the front pipe 13. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap 13a. The end cap 13a extends along the cap axis direction (left-right direction), has 13a1 that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, 13a2 that extends along the cap axis direction and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, and a wall portion 13a3 that connects the wall portion 13a1 and the wall portion 13a2 so as to cover the edge of the front pipe 13 in a side view. By attaching the end cap 13a as shown in FIG. 8 to the end of the front pipe 13, contact between the burrs at the end of the front pipe 13 and the harness can be prevented.This enables the harness to be routed from one side to the other side of the seat cushion frame 10 in the seat width direction via the front pipe 13.

[0024] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C, the posture change of the seat cushion 1 by the lifting device 20 will be described. FIGS. 9A to 9C are side views of the side frame 11R as viewed from the inner side in the width direction. In FIGS. 9A to 9C, side views of the side frame 11R when the seat cushion 1 is at the foremost position within the movable range are shown. Also, in FIGS. 9A to 9C, for simplicity of explanation, the illustration of the cushion pan frame 12 and the gear cover portion 16 is omitted. The seat 100 can be changed in posture to a plurality of modes such as a drive mode that positions the seated person in a posture suitable for driving during normal driving of the vehicle, a work mode that positions the seated person in a posture suitable for work during parking or automatic driving, and a relaxation mode that positions the seated person in a posture prone to lying on their side by tilting the seat back 2.

[0025] The lifting device 20 rotates the pinion gears 24 and 27 via the lifting actuators 25 and 26 to change the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as the posture of the seat cushion 1) corresponding to each mode. More specifically, the inclination angle of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 is changed. When the pinion gear 24 rotates, the meshing position between the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg changes. As a result, the sector link 22R swings, and in conjunction with this, the front link 21R connected to the sector link 22R rotates about the front support shaft 28Rf. Further, the front link 21L connected to the support link 29 pivotally supported via the front pipe (frame connection shaft) 13 at a position facing the sector link 22R in the seat width direction rotates. Also, when the pinion gear 27 rotates, the meshing position between the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg changes. As a result, the sector link 22L swings, and in conjunction with this, the rear link 23R pivotally supported via the rear pipe (rear connection shaft) 14 at a position facing the sector link 22L in the seat width direction rotates. The inclination angle of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 is adjusted by the above operations of the respective links 21R, 21L, 22R, 22L, 23R, and 29.

[0026] FIG. 9A is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the drive mode. FIG. 9B is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the work mode. FIG. 9C is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the relaxation mode. In the drive mode, as shown in FIG. 9A, the posture of the seat cushion 1 is substantially horizontal or slopes downward toward the rear. More specifically, the lifting device 20 adjusts the meshing positions of the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg, and the meshing positions of the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg so that the side frame 11 is substantially parallel to the upper rail 31 of the slide device 30 in side view. Also, in the drive mode, the upper rail 31 is relatively moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the lower rail 32 via the slide actuator 34 so that the driver can adopt a driving posture in which it is easy to operate the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, etc., and the position (front-rear position) of the seat cushion 1 is adjusted.

[0027] In the work mode, as shown in FIG. 9B, the posture of the seat cushion 1 slopes upward toward the rear. More specifically, the lifting device 20 adjusts the meshing positions of the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg, and the meshing positions of the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg so that the height of the front part of the side frame 11 with respect to the upper rail 31 is lower than that in the drive mode, and the height of the rear part of the side frame 11 with respect to the upper rail 31 is higher than that in the drive mode. Also, in the work mode, the upper rail 31 is moved rearward more than in the drive mode via the slide actuator 34 so that a space for the feet of the seated person is secured. More specifically, a sufficient space is secured between the legs (thigh parts) of the seated person and the lower part of the vehicle dashboard when the posture of the seat cushion 1 is in the state of FIG. 9B, and the position (front-rear position) of the seat cushion 1 is adjusted.

[0028] Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 9B, when the height of the upper rail 31 at the front part of the side frame 11 is lowered, that is, when the front side of the seat cushion 1 is arranged lower than the rear side, the air conditioner 40 provided below the seat cushion 1 may interfere with the floor (vehicle body floor). To avoid such interference, the air conditioner 40 is mounted as shown in Fig. 9B such that the front end is higher than the rear end in the work mode. Specifically, in the work mode, the air conditioner 40 is mounted such that the lower end at the front side of the blower 41 is higher than the lower end at the rear side of the blower 41. To enable such mounting of the blower 41, the blower bracket 42 is formed such that its lower surface (more specifically, the mounting surface on which the blower 41 is installed) slopes downward toward the rear. Fig. 10 is a side view of the air conditioner 40 seen from the left side. As shown in Fig. 10, the blower bracket 42 has a mounting surface 44 and a wall portion (hereinafter referred to as a holding portion) 45 formed to stand upward from the rear end of the mounting surface 44. As shown in Fig. 10, the holding portion 45 holds the rear end of the blower 41. Further, the holding portion 45 has a claw portion 45t that holds the upper surface of the blower 41 so that the blower 41 can be held stably on the mounting surface 44. The blower bracket 42 further has a wall portion 46 standing upward from the front end of the mounting surface 44. As shown in Fig. 10, the wall portion 46 is formed such that the distance from the holding portion 45 increases upward in a side view so that the blower 41 can be easily placed on the blower bracket 42 provided with the claw portion 45t.

[0029] Also, when the front side of the seat cushion 1 is arranged lower than the rear side as shown in Fig. 9B, depending on the position where the slide device 30 (more specifically, the rail connecting member 33, the slide actuator 34, the screw shaft 35, and the shaft support member 36) is arranged, there is a possibility that the front end portion of the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30 may interfere with each other. To avoid such interference, the air conditioner 40 is attached to the cushion pan frame 12 such that its front end portion is located at least behind the rear end portion of the rail connecting member 33 in the front-rear direction, more specifically, in the extending direction of the upper rail 31 (or the lower rail 32) in the work mode. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 40 is arranged rearward to avoid interference between the front end portion of the air conditioner 40 and the rear end portion of the rail connecting member 33, there is a possibility that the duct 43 may interfere with the front pipe 13. However, as described above, since the installation surface 44 of the blower bracket 42 is formed to be inclined downward rearward, a sufficient gap can be provided between the duct 43 and the front pipe 13 in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to provide the blower bracket 42 behind the rear end portion of the rail connecting member 33 while avoiding interference between the duct 43 and the front pipe 13. Also, as shown in Fig. 9B, in the work mode, since the lower end of the duct 43 is located below the upper ends of the slide rails 31, 32, a part of the air conditioner 40 and the slide rails 31, 32 overlap in the vertical direction in a side view. However, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, since the air conditioner 40 is provided inside the slide rails 31, 32 in the width direction, the front portion of the side frame 11 can be lowered to the height shown in Fig. 9B without interfering the air conditioner 40 and the slide rails 31, 32. As shown in Fig. 9B, it is preferable that the blower bracket 42 is attached to the cushion pan frame 12 such that the position of the link connecting shaft 22Rc is above the blower bracket 42 in the work mode.

[0030] In the relaxation mode, as shown in FIG. 9C, the posture of the seat cushion 1 is inclined rearwardly with a steeper gradient than in the drive mode. More specifically, the height of the front part of the side frame 11 with respect to the upper rail 31 is made higher than in the drive mode, and the height of the rear part of the side frame 11 with respect to the upper rail 31 is made lower than in the drive mode. The lifting device 20 adjusts the meshing positions of the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg, and the meshing position of the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg. Also, in the relaxation mode, in order to ensure the space for the feet of the seated person, more specifically, so that the knees and feet of the seated person do not contact the vehicle's steering wheel or the lower part of the dashboard when the seated person reclines the seat back 2 and lies on the side, the upper rail 31 is moved rearwardly via the slide actuator 34 more than in the drive mode to adjust the position (front-rear position) of the seat cushion 1.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the sector link 22R is covered in the sheet width direction by the gear cover portion 16, but is not completely covered in the vertical direction. Specifically, a part of the sector link 22R is exposed above the gear cover portion 16. Therefore, the exposed portion may come into contact with the seat cushion pad attached to the seat cushion frame 10. In particular, in the drive mode (FIG. 9A) and the relaxation mode (FIG. 9C), since the sector gear 22Rg is located above the sector link 22R, a part of the sector gear 22Rg is exposed. When the sector link 22R swings in that state, there is a risk that the sector gear 22Rg may entangle the seat cushion pad. Therefore, a cover member 50 that covers the sector link 22R in the vertical direction is attached to the right part of the front pipe 13. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the cover member 50 attached to the front pipe 13. FIG. 11B is a plan view of the cover member 50 attached to the front pipe 13. The cover member 50 is molded from resin or the like and has a side wall portion 52 that covers the sector link 22R from the inner side in the sheet width direction and an upper wall portion 53 that covers the sector link 22R from above. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a bearing portion 51 that engages with the front pipe 13 is formed on the left side of the front portion of the cover member 50. When attaching the cover member 50 to the front pipe 13, the bearing portion 51 is pushed in from above the front pipe 13 to engage the bearing portion 51 with the front pipe 13.

[0032] On the one hand, when the cover member 50 is attached, as shown in FIG. 11B, the distance in the sheet width direction between the cover member 50 and the front wing portion 15Rf on the right side of the pressure receiving member 15 becomes close, and when the pressure receiving member 15 is displaced in the sheet width direction or the like, there is a risk that the cover member 50 and the front wing portion 15Rf may interfere with each other. In order to avoid such interference, as shown in FIG. 11B, a stepped portion (notch portion) CT is formed at the front portion of the front wing portion 15Rf. Note that the stepped portion CT is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 11B, and may have other shapes. For example, when another cover member having a shape different from that of the cover member 50 is attached instead of the cover member 50, the stepped portion CT may be formed in accordance with the planar shape of the exterior portion of the cover member.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a seat control device (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a control device) 6 provided in the seat 100. As shown in FIG. 12, the seat control device 6 includes a controller 60 and a slide position detection sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a position sensor) 63. Further, the seat control device 6 includes elevating actuators 25 and 26, a slide actuator 34, and a reclining actuator 4b as a part of the reclining mechanism 4. Furthermore, the seat control device 6 includes an operation unit 64.

[0034] The reclining actuator 4b incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating a shaft portion 4a provided at the lower end portion of the seat back frame via the electric motor. Thereby, the seat back 2 rotates in the front-rear direction with respect to the seat cushion 1.

[0035] The position sensor 63 is attached to the upper rail 31 of the slide device 30 and detects the position of the upper rail 31 in the front-rear direction. The operation unit 64 is configured as, for example, a switch that can be manually operated by the occupant, and includes a manual / automatic changeover switch and a mode selection switch. The manual / automatic changeover switch is provided, for example, near the instrument panel or on the steering wheel. The manual / automatic changeover switch outputs a switching command (hereinafter referred to as a driving mode switching command) to an automatic driving mode in which the automatic driving function is enabled or a manual driving mode in which the automatic driving function is disabled according to the switch operation. Regardless of the operation of the manual / automatic changeover switch, when a predetermined driving condition is satisfied, switching from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode or switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode may be commanded. That is, the mode switching may be automatically performed instead of manually by automatically switching the manual / automatic changeover switch. The mode selection switch is provided, for example, on the side surface of the door side of the seat 100. The mode selection switch outputs a switching command (hereinafter referred to as a posture mode switching command) for switching the posture of the seat cushion 1 to any one of a drive mode, a work mode, or a relaxation mode according to the switch operation.

[0036] The controller 60 is communicably connected to the position sensor 63, each actuator 25, 26, 34, 4b, and the operation unit 64 via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), and communicates via a communication unit (not shown).

[0037] The controller 60 includes a computer having an arithmetic unit 61 such as a CPU, a storage unit 62 such as a ROM and a RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I / O interface. The arithmetic unit 61 functions as a sensor value acquisition unit 611, a command input unit 612, and an actuator control unit 613 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 62 in advance.

[0038] The sensor value acquisition unit 611 acquires the sensor values of the position sensor 63. The command input unit 612 inputs various commands including a driving mode switching command and a posture mode switching command via the operation unit 64. The actuator control unit 613 controls each of the actuators 25, 26, 34, 4b. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 outputs a control signal to each of the actuators 25, 26, 34, 4b based on the sensor values acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 611 and in response to the commands input to the command input unit 612.

[0039] Here, the switching operation of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1 in response to the posture mode switching command will be described by taking the case where a switching command to the work mode is input as an example.

[0040] When a switching command to the work mode is input to the command input unit 612, first, the actuator control unit 613 controls the slide actuator 34 so that the position of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction becomes a preset set position SP1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 recognizes the position of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as the slide position) based on the sensor values of the position sensor 63 acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 611. The actuator control unit 613 controls the slide actuator 34 based on the difference between the recognized slide position and the set position SP1 so that the difference becomes smaller. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly executes the control of the slide actuator 34 until the slide position reaches the set position SP1.

[0041] Next, the actuator control unit 613 controls the lifting actuators 25 and 26 so that the inclination angle of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 (hereinafter referred to as the seating surface inclination angle) becomes the set angle CA1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 calculates the rotation angle of the front links 21L and 21R corresponding to the set angle CA1 (hereinafter referred to as the set front link angle), and the rotation angle of the rear links 22L and 23R corresponding to the set angle CA1 (hereinafter referred to as the set rear link angle). The actuator control unit 613 acquires information indicating the motor rotation speed from the lifting actuator 25 (electric motor), and calculates the rotation angle of the front links 21L and 21R (hereinafter referred to as the front link angle) based on that information. Further, the actuator control unit 613 acquires information indicating the motor rotation speed from the lifting actuator 26 (electric motor), and calculates the rotation angle of the rear links 22L and 23R (hereinafter referred to as the rear link angle) based on that information. The actuator control unit 613 controls the lifting actuators 25 and 26 so that the differences between the front link angle and the set front link angle, and between the rear link angle and the set rear link angle become smaller. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly executes the calculation of the front link angle and the rear link angle and the control of the lifting actuators 25 and 26 until the front link angle becomes the set front link angle and the rear link angle becomes the set rear link angle. Note that the set angle CA1 and the rotation angles calculated by the actuator control unit 613 may be angles based on the horizontal direction, or may be angles based on the extending direction of the upper rail 31 (or the lower rail 32).

[0042] Finally, the actuator control unit 613 controls the reclining actuator 4b so that the inclination angle (hereinafter referred to as the reclining angle) around the shaft portion 4a of the seat back 2 becomes the set angle BA1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 acquires information indicating the motor rotation speed from the reclining actuator 4b (electric motor), and calculates the reclining angle of the seat back 2 based on that information. The actuator control unit 613 controls the reclining actuator 4b so that the difference between the calculated reclining angle and the set angle BA1 becomes smaller based on the difference. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly executes the calculation of the reclining angle and the control of the reclining actuator 4b until the reclining angle becomes the set angle BA1.

[0043] Note that the set angles CA1 and BA1 are determined in advance so as to make the posture of the seated person easy for work etc., and are stored in the storage unit 62. Also, the set position SP1 is determined in advance so that sufficient space is secured at the feet of the seated person when the seat surface inclination angle and the reclining angle are changed according to the set angles CA1 and BA1, and is stored in the storage unit 62. Note that the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 may be stored for each occupant. Specifically, the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 may be stored in the storage unit 62 in association with information (user ID) that can identify the occupant. Also, a user interface (buttons, touch panel, etc.) for changing the values of the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 may be included in the operation unit 64 so that the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 can be changed by the occupant or the like.

[0044] In the above description, the case where a switching command to the work mode is input is taken as an example. However, the switching operation of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1 when a switching command to the drive mode and the relaxation mode is input is the same. Specifically, in the storage unit 62, the set position SP0 and the set angles CA0 and BA0 corresponding to the drive mode are stored. When a switching command to the drive mode is input to the command input unit 612, the actuator control unit 613 controls each actuator 25, 26, 34, 4b based on the set position SP0 and the set angles CA0 and BA0 read from the storage unit 62. Similarly, in the storage unit 62, the set position SP2 and the set angles CA2 and BA2 corresponding to the relaxation mode are stored. When a switching command to the relaxation mode is input to the command input unit 612, the actuator control unit 613 controls each actuator 25, 26, 34, 4b based on the set position SP2 and the set angles CA2 and BA2 read from the storage unit 62. The set position SP0 and the set angles CA0 and BA0 are determined in advance so that the seated person can take a driving posture in which it is easy to operate the steering wheel, the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, etc., and are stored in the storage unit 62. Further, the set angles CA2 and BA2 are determined in advance so that the seated person can easily lie on their side and are stored in the storage unit 62. The set position SP2 is determined in advance so that sufficient space is secured at the feet of the seated person when the seat surface tilt angle and the reclining angle are changed according to the set angles CA2 and BA2, and is stored in the storage unit 62. The set position SP0 and the set angles CA0 and BA0, and the set position SP2 and the set angles CA2 and BA2 may be stored in the storage unit 62 for each occupant, similar to the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1. Further, they may be changeable by the occupant or the like.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU of the controller 60 according to a pre-stored program. The processing shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the seat control device 6 (controller 60) is powered on, and is repeated at a predetermined cycle.

[0046] First, in step S1, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether a posture mode switching command has been input from the operation unit 64 (mode selection switch). If the determination in step S1 is negative, the arithmetic unit 61 ends the process. If the determination in step S1 is positive, in step S2, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether the posture mode switching command is a switching command to the drive mode. If the determination in step S2 is positive, the process proceeds to step S5. If the determination in step S2 is negative, in step S3, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether the vehicle is in motion. For example, when the shift position of the vehicle's transmission is set to a position other than the parking position, the arithmetic unit 61 determines that the vehicle is in motion, and when it is set to the parking position, the arithmetic unit 61 determines that the vehicle is not in motion. If the determination in step S3 is negative, the process proceeds to step S5. If the determination in step S3 is positive, in step S4, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether the vehicle is in the middle of automatic driving, or more specifically, whether the automatic driving function of the vehicle is enabled. For example, the arithmetic unit 61 obtains information on the currently set driving mode from a vehicle control system (not shown) provided in the vehicle and determines whether the automatic driving function of the vehicle is effective. Note that in step S4, it is determined whether the automatic driving function at a level that does not require at least monitoring by the driver (automatic driving level) is effective. If the determination in step S4 is positive, in step S5, the arithmetic unit 61 controls each of the actuators 25, 26, 34, 4b based on the posture mode switching command input in step S1. On the other hand, if the determination in step S4 is negative, the arithmetic unit 61 ends the process. Thus, when the posture mode switching command input in step S1 is a switching command to the work mode or the relaxation mode, when the vehicle is traveling in the manual driving mode, the arithmetic unit 61 ends the process without performing actuator control for changing the posture of the seat cushion 1.

[0047] According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are achieved. (1) The seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat cushion frame 10 that has a pair of left and right side frames 11 (11L, 11R) and supports the seat cushion 1, a plate-shaped pressure receiving member 15 that is disposed between the pair of left and right side frames 11 and receives the load from the occupant, and a support portion (links 21R, 21L, 22R, 22L, 23R, 29) that is attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames 11 in the seat width direction and supports the pair of left and right side frames 11 so as to be movable up and down. Through the support portion, there is provided a lifting device 20 as a changing device for changing the inclination angle of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1. A stepped portion CT that is recessed toward the inner side in the seat width direction is formed in a region of the side portion of the pressure receiving member 15 that faces the support portion. With this configuration, interference between the pressure receiving member 15 and the link attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction can be suppressed. In particular, even when a link capable of switching the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 to the work mode (the posture in FIG. 9B) is attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction, interference between the pressure receiving member 15 and the link can be suppressed.

[0048] (2) The lifting device 20 is configured to be able to change the inclination angle so that the posture of the seating surface switches between a first posture (the posture in FIG. 9A) in which the seating surface is substantially horizontal or has a downward gradient toward the rear, and a second posture (the posture in FIG. 9B) in which the seating surface has an upward gradient toward the rear. Further, the lifting device 20 is configured to be able to change the inclination angle so that the posture of the seating surface switches between the first posture, the second posture, and a third posture (the posture in FIG. 9C) in which the seating surface has a downward gradient toward the rear at an inclination angle larger than the inclination angle in the first posture. With this configuration, even when a link capable of switching the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 to the work mode (the posture in FIG. 9B) or the relaxation mode (the posture in FIG. 9C) is attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction, interference between the pressure receiving member 15 and the link can be suppressed.

[0049] (3) The above support portion includes a drive link that adjusts the height of the ends of a pair of left and right side frames 11. The drive link has a plurality of links (front links 21R, 22R) pivotally connected in the sheet width direction. More specifically, the above support portion includes a first support portion (front link 21L, front links 21R, and sector link 22R) that supports the front end portions of the pair of left and right side frames 11 so as to be movable up and down, and a second support portion (rear links 22L, 23R) that supports the rear end portions of the pair of left and right side frames so as to be movable up and down. The above drive link is included in the first support portion and adjusts the height of the front end portions of the pair of left and right side frames 11. A step portion CT recessed inward in the sheet width direction is formed in a region of the side portion of the pressure receiving member 15 that faces the first support portion. With this configuration, even when the links connected in the sheet width direction are attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the sheet width direction, interference between the pressure receiving member 15 and the links can be suppressed.

[0050] (4) The seat 100 is provided between the above drive link and the pressure receiving member 15 in the sheet width direction, and further includes a protection member (gear cover portion 16 or cover member 50) that covers at least a part of the region inside the drive link in the sheet width direction. A step portion CT is formed in a region of the side portion of the pressure receiving member 15 that faces the above protection member so as to provide a gap with a predetermined interval in the sheet width direction between the protection member and the step portion CT. With this configuration, when a gear cover portion 16 or a cover member 50 is provided between the sector link 22R and the pressure receiving member 15, interference between these protection members and the pressure receiving member 15 can be suppressed.

[0051] (5) The lifting device 20 further includes a pinion gear 24 that rotates around a rotation axis along the seat width direction. The drive link includes a sector link 22R having a sector gear 22Rg formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface so as to be rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion gear. The cover member 50 has an upper wall portion 53 that covers the sector link 22R from above and a side wall portion 52 that covers the sector link 22R from the inner side in the seat width direction. A step portion CT is formed in a region of the side portion of the pressure receiving member 15 that faces the side wall portion 52 of the cover member 50 so as to provide a gap with a predetermined interval in the seat width direction between the side wall portion 52. With this configuration, the cover member 50 for preventing the seat cushion pad from being caught by the sector gear 22Rg can be arranged while suppressing interference with the pressure receiving member 15.

[0052] The above embodiment can be modified into various forms. Hereinafter, modification examples will be described. In the above embodiment, an example in which the front end portion of the seat cushion frame 10 is changed to three levels of height (the first front end portion height (FIG. 9A), the second front end portion height (FIG. 9B), the third front end portion height (FIG. 9C)) is shown. Also, an example in which the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame 10 is changed to three levels of height (the first rear end portion height (FIG. 9A), the second rear end portion height (FIG. 9B), the third rear end portion height (FIG. 9C)) is shown. However, the heights of the front end portion and the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame 10 may be changed to a number of levels other than three levels, for example, a number of levels more than three levels. That is, the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 may be switchable to a posture mode other than the three posture modes shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, a link structure having two-stage links (front links 21R and sector links 22R, or front links 21L and support links 29) on the front side of the seat cushion 1 and a one-stage link (rear link 23R, or rear link (sector link) 22L) on the rear side is taken as an example. However, it is only necessary that the front end portion of the seat cushion 1 can be changed to a posture mode lower than the rear end portion. Specifically, it is only necessary to provide two-stage links on either the front side or the rear side of the seat cushion 1 and at least one or more links on the other side of the front side or the rear side. Therefore, the seat cushion 1 may have a link structure having two-stage links on the front side and two-stage links on the rear side of the seat cushion 1.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the driving force for rotating the pinion gears 24 and 27 is generated by the electric motors of the elevating actuators 25 and 26. However, the pinion gears 24 and 27 may be rotated by manual operation via an operation lever or a dial provided on the side surface of the seat 100. That is, the occupant (seated person) may operate the operation lever or the dial to switch the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the driving force for rotating the screw shaft 35 is generated by the electric motor of the slide actuator 34 so that the upper rail 31 slides relative to the lower rail 32. However, the upper rail 31 may be manually slidable relative to the lower rail 32. For example, the upper rail 31 may be configured to be slidable relative to the lower rail 32 by operating a slide operation lever (not shown) provided below the front portion of the seat 100. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the rail connecting member 33 connects the front end portions of the lower rails 32L and 32R, but the rail connecting member may connect the rear end portions of the lower rails 32L and 32R. That is, the rail connecting member, the slide actuator, the screw shaft, and the shaft support member may be disposed at the rear end portions of the lower rails 32L and 32R.

[0055] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified 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 embodiments and modified examples, and it is also possible to combine the modified examples with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1 Seat cushion, 2 Seat back, 3 Headrest, 4 Reclining mechanism, 10 Seat cushion frame, 11L, 11R Side frames, 13 Front pipe, 14 Rear pipe, 16 Gear cover part, 21L, 21R Front links, 22R Sector link, 22L, 23R Rear links, 28L, 28R Upper rail brackets, 31R, 31L Upper rails, 32R, 32L Lower rails, 25, 26 Lifting actuators, 34 Slide actuator, 50 Cover member, 51 Bearing part, 52 Side wall part, 53 Upper wall part, 60 Controller, 100 Seat

Claims

1. A seat cushion that supports the buttocks of an occupant; a seat cushion frame having a pair of left and right side frames and supporting the seat cushion; a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member disposed between the pair of left and right side frames and receiving a load from an occupant; a change device that changes the inclination angle of the seat cushion via a support portion attached to an inner surface of the pair of left and right side frames in a seat width direction and supports the pair of left and right side frames so as to be able to rise and fall; A vehicle seat, comprising: a side portion of the pressure-receiving member, in an area facing the support portion, a notch portion recessed toward the inside in the seat width direction, the notch portion being formed.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the change device is configured to change the inclination angle so that the posture of the seat surface is switched between a first posture in which it is approximately horizontal or has a downward slope toward the rear, and a second posture in which it has an upward slope toward the rear.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, The change device is configured to change the inclination angle so that the posture of the seat surface is switched between the first posture, the second posture, and a third posture having a downward slope toward the rear, The vehicle seat, wherein the inclination angle in the third position is greater than the inclination angle in the first position.

4. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the support portion includes a drive link for adjusting heights of the ends of the pair of left and right side frames, The vehicle seat, wherein the drive link includes a plurality of links rotatably connected in the seat width direction.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, The support portion includes a first support portion that supports front end portions of the pair of left and right side frames so as to be liftable and lowerable, and a second support portion that supports rear end portions of the pair of left and right side frames so as to be liftable and lowerable, The driving link is included in the first support portion and adjusts the height of the front end portions of the pair of left and right side frames, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a side portion, the side portion being formed in an area facing the first support portion, the cutout portion being recessed toward the inside in the seat width direction.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, a protection member provided between the drive link and the pressure-receiving member in the seat width direction and covering at least a portion of an inner region of the drive link in the seat width direction, A vehicle seat characterized in that the cutout portion is formed in the area of ​​the side portion of the pressure-receiving member that faces the protective member so as to provide a predetermined gap between the protective member in the seat width direction.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, The changing device further includes a pinion gear that rotates around a rotation axis along the sheet width direction, the drive link includes a sector link having a sector gear formed on a part of an outer circumferential surface thereof, the sector gear being engaged with the pinion gear so as to be rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion gear; the protection member has an upper wall portion that covers the sector link from above and a side wall portion that covers the sector link from the inside in the seat width direction, A vehicle seat characterized in that the cutout portion is formed in the area of ​​the side of the pressure-receiving member that faces the side wall portion of the protective member so as to provide a gap of the specified distance between the side wall portion and the pressure-receiving member in the seat width direction.

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