Vehicle seat

Abstract

To arrange an electric component below a seat cushion capable of changing a posture while suppressing interference with a component fixed to a floor.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated person; a slide device that extends in a front-rear direction and is attached to a vehicle body floor portion to support the seat cushion; a height adjustment mechanism that can change a posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion between a first state in which heights of one side and the other side in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion are substantially the same and a second state in which the one side is lower than the other side; and an air conditioner 40 that is attached to the one side of the seat cushion. The air conditioner 40 is provided below each of both end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction, and the air conditioner 40 is disposed the inside in the seat width direction than the slide device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat mounted on various vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicle seat whose seating height can be adjusted.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric seat lifter capable of adjusting the seating height of a seat cushion and a vehicle seat provided with a slide rail capable of adjusting the position of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat described in Patent Document 1 further includes an air conditioner attached to the bottom surface of the front portion of the seat cushion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in recent years, due to the diversity of the vehicle interior space, various seat arrangements have been demanded for vehicle seats. However, if components such as an air conditioner are provided on the bottom surface of the seat cushion as in the seat described in Cited Document 1, when the posture of the seat cushion is changed, those components may interfere with a slide rail or the like fixed to the vehicle body floor, and the seat arrangement is restricted.

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 a seated person, a base member that extends in the front-rear direction and is attached to the vehicle floor to support the seat cushion, a height adjustment mechanism that can change the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion between a first state in which the heights on one side and the other side in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion are substantially the same and a second state in which one side is lower than the other side, and electrical components attached to one side of the seat cushion. The base member is provided below both ends in the seat width direction of the seat cushion, and the electrical components are arranged inside the seat width direction from the base member.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, electrical components can be arranged while suppressing interference with components fixed to the floor below the seat cushion whose posture can be changed.

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 applying it 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 the automatic driving mode in which the driving operation by the driver is unnecessary, but also in the 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 traveling drive source, an electric vehicle having a traveling motor as a traveling drive source, and a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a traveling motor as traveling drive sources.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view (viewed obliquely from the 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 buttocks of the occupant, a seat back 2 that supports the back of the occupant, and a headrest 3 that is provided at the upper part of the seat back 2 and supports the head of the occupant. 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 by the rear end portion of the seat cushion 1 via a pair of left and right reclining mechanisms 4 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 thereof 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 buttocks of the occupant.

[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 between 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 metal front pipe 13 that connects the front portions of the side frames 11L, 11R, a metal rear pipe 14 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 a plan view.

[0015] The slide device 30 includes 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 includes 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 includes 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 in 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 penetrate 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. The slide device 30 functions as a slide mechanism with such a configuration.

[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, so as to be inside the sector link 22R in the width direction.

[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 inside in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the lifting device 20 includes a front link 21R having one end rotatably connected to an upper rail bracket 28R by a front support shaft 28Rf, a sector link 22R connected to the other end of the front link 21R by a link connection shaft 22Rc and connected to the front part of the side frame 11R via a front pipe (frame connection shaft) 13, a pinion gear 24 engageable with a sector gear 22Rg formed on the rear surface of the sector link 22R, and a rear link 23R having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28R by a rear support shaft 28Rr and the other end 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 abuts against the stopper pin 22Rs, 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 its front end portion 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 its front end portion is located behind the front end portion of the side frame 11L regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1.Further, the front link 21R and the sector link 22R are connected such that the link connection shaft 22Rc is positioned above the front pipe 13 regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1, that is, the link connection shaft 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 an upper rail bracket 28L by a front support shaft 28Lf, a support link 29 connected to the other end of the front link 21L by a link connection shaft 29c and connected to the front portion of the side frame 11L via a front pipe (frame connection shaft) 13, a rear link (sector link) 22L having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28L by a rear support shaft 28Lr and the other end connected to the rear portion of the side frame 11R via a rear pipe (rear connection shaft) 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 foremost position, that is, when the seat cushion 1 is at the foremost end position within the slidable range (hereinafter referred to as the slidable range or simply the movable range). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lifting device 20 further includes a front lifting actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as the lifting actuator) 25 attached to the outer surface in the seat width direction at the front portion of the side frame 11R, and a rear lifting actuator 26 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the lifting actuator) attached to the outer surface in the seat width direction at the rear portion of the side frame 11L. The lifting actuator 25 incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating the pinion gear 24 via the electric motor. Similarly, the lifting 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 at 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 at the right part of the seat cushion 1 by using the space below the seat cushion frame 10. However, when the harness is routed 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. In addition, the bent harness may interfere with a part of the seat cushion frame 10. As a means of avoiding such an influence on the harness, a method of inserting the front pipe 13 from the controller 60 to the lifting actuator 25 and leading the harness 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 the harness is inserted into the front pipe 13 and used, 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, end caps 13a are attached to the ends (right end and left end) of the front pipe 13 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B 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 axial direction (left-right direction), has a portion 13a1 that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, a portion 13a2 that extends along the cap axial 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 elevating 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. Further, 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 vehicle travel, a work mode that positions the seated person in a posture suitable for work during parking or autonomous 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 corresponding to each mode (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as the posture of the seat cushion 1). 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 therewith, 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 therewith, 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-described operations of the 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 rearward. More specifically, 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 so that the side frame 11 is substantially parallel to the upper rail 31 of the slide device 30 in side view. Further, 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 rearward. More specifically, 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 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. Further, 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] By the way, when the height of the upper rail 31 at the front part of the side frame 11 is reduced as shown in FIG. 9B, 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). In order to avoid such interference, as shown in FIG. 9B, the air conditioner 40 is mounted so 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 so that the lower end part on the front side of the blower 41 is higher than the lower end part on the rear side of the blower 41. In order to enable such mounting of the blower 41, the blower bracket 42 is formed such that its lower surface (more specifically, the installation surface on which the blower 41 is installed) slopes downward toward the rear. FIG. 10 is a side view of the air conditioner 40 as viewed from the left side. As shown in FIG. 10, the blower bracket 42 has an installation surface 44 and a wall portion (hereinafter referred to as a holding portion) 45 formed so as to stand upward from the rear end portion of the installation surface 44. As shown in FIG. 10, the holding portion 45 holds the rear end portion 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 installation surface 44. The blower bracket 42 further has a wall portion 46 that stands upward from the front end portion of the installation 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 risk of interference between the front end portion of the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30. 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, and 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 risk of interference between the duct 43 and 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 rearward at a larger inclination angle than in the drive mode to form a downward slope. 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 space for the feet of the seated person, more specifically, when the seated person reclines the seat back 2 and lies on the side, the knees and feet of the seated person do not touch the vehicle's steering wheel or the lower part of the dashboard. The upper rail 31 is moved rearward more than in the drive mode via the slide actuator 34 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, there is a possibility that the exposed portion comes 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 other 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 other shapes may also be used. 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 part 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. The seat control device 6 also includes lifting actuators 25 and 26, a slide actuator 34, and a reclining actuator 4b as a part of the reclining mechanism 4. Further, 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 an 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 an attitude 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 attitude mode of the seat cushion 1 in response to the attitude 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 until 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 around the shaft portion 4a of the seat back 2 (hereinafter referred to as the reclining angle) 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 becomes smaller based on the difference between the calculated reclining angle and the set angle BA1. 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 suitable for work etc. and 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 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 (such as a button or a touch panel) 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 or 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. Note that 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. Note that 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] Figure 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 it is negated in step S1, the arithmetic unit 61 ends the process. If it is affirmed in step S1, in step S2, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether the posture mode switching command is a switching command to the drive mode. If it is affirmed in step S2, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is negated in step S2, 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 it is negated in step S3, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is affirmed in step S3, in step S4, the arithmetic unit 61 determines whether it 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 acquires 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 enabled. 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 enabled. If it is affirmed in step S4, 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 it is negated in step S4, 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 buttocks of the seated person, a slide device 30 that extends in the front-rear direction and is attached to the vehicle body floor to support the seat cushion 1, a first state (the state in FIG. 9A) in which the heights of the front side and the rear side of the seat cushion 1 are substantially the same, and a second state (the state in FIG. 9B) in which the front side is lower than the rear side, and a height adjustment mechanism capable of changing the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1, and an air conditioner 40 attached to the lower part of the front side of the seat cushion 1. The slide device 30 is provided below both ends of the seat cushion 1 in the seat width direction. The air conditioner 40 is disposed closer to the inner side in the seat width direction than the slide device 30 (more specifically, the slide rails 31, 32).

[0048] In the work mode, when the front end portion of the seat cushion 1 is made lower than the rear end portion as shown in FIG. 9B, the vertical positions of the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30 overlap. However, by disposing the air conditioner 40 closer to the inner side in the seat width direction than the slide device 30 as described above, it is possible to switch the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 to the posture of FIG. 9B while suppressing interference between the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30.

[0049] (2) The seat 100 further includes a first support portion (front links 21L and 29 and support link 29, and front links 21R and sector link 22R) provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1, and a second support portion (rear link 22L and rear link 23R) provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The first support portion has a first link (support link 29, sector link 22R) connected to the slide device 30 and a second link (front links 21L, 21R) connected to the first link (Figs. 3 and 5). The first link and the second link are connected so as to be relatively rotatable about their connection portions (link connection shafts 22Rc, 29c) (Figs. 3 and 5). The height adjustment mechanism changes the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 between a first state and a second state via the first support portion and the second support portion. In the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support portion and raises the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support portion. With this configuration, while suppressing interference between the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30, the front side of the seat cushion 1 can be made lower relative to the rear side.

[0050] (3) The air conditioner 40 is attached such that the position of the front end portion in the second state is behind the front end portion of the base member and the height position in the second state is substantially the same as that of the base member. With this configuration, while suppressing interference between the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30, the front side of the seat cushion 1 can be made lower relative to the rear side. With this configuration, the height position of the air conditioner 40 during the work mode can be lowered to a position substantially the same as that of the slide device 30 while suppressing interference with the slide device 30.

[0051] (4) The air conditioner 40 includes a blower 41 and a duct 43 that 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 air conditioner 40 is further mounted such that the lower end of the duct 43 in the second state is lower than the upper end of the slide device 30. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, even when the front portion of the duct 43 is formed to incline rearward and downward from the blower 41, the height position of the blower 41 in the work mode can be lowered to substantially the same position as the slide device 30.

[0052] The above-described embodiment can be modified in various forms. Hereinafter, modification examples will be described. In the above embodiment, the case where the air conditioner 40 as an electrical component is attached to the lower part on the front side of the seat cushion 1 is taken as an example. Further, the case where the height adjustment mechanism changes the posture of the seating surface of the seat cushion 1 between a first state (the state in FIG. 9A) where the heights of the front side and the rear side of the seat cushion 1 are substantially the same and a second state (the state in FIG. 9B) where the front side is lower than the rear side is taken as an example. However, the electrical component may be provided at the lower part on one side in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion 1. That is, the electrical component may be provided at the lower part on the rear side of the seat cushion 1. Also, the posture of the seating surface where one side in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the other side may be set as the second state. That is, the posture where the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the front side may be set as the second posture.

[0053] In this case, a first support portion having a first link and a second link is provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1, and a second support portion is provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1. Further, in the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support portion and raises the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support portion. Also, the air conditioner 40 as an electrical component is attached such that the position of the rear end portion in the second state is on the front side of the rear end portion of the slide device 30 and the height position in the second state is substantially the same as that of the base member. More specifically, the air conditioner 40 is attached such that the position of the rear end portion in the second state is on the front side of the rear end portion of the slide device 30 and the lower end of the duct 43 in the second state is lower than the upper end of the slide device 30. Note that the electrical component may be other than the air conditioner 40.

[0054] Also, in the above embodiment, a link structure having two-stage links (front links 21R and sector link 22R, or front links 21L and support link 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 posture mode in which the front end portion of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the rear end portion can be changed. Specifically, it is sufficient if one of the front side or the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is provided with two-stage links and the other of the front side or the rear side is provided with at least one or more links. 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.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which a connecting pipe (front pipe 13) that connects the front portions of the side frames 11L is used as a guide for the wire harness. However, a connecting pipe (rear pipe 14) that connects the rear portions of the side frames 11L may be used as a guide for the wire harness. In this case, end caps as shown in FIG. 8 are fitted to the right and left end portions of the rear pipe 14. Note that both the front pipe 13 and the rear pipe 14 may be used as guides for the wire harness. Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the end cap 13a has a wall portion 13a1 as a first wall portion that extends along the cap axis direction and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, a wall portion 13a2 as a second wall portion that extends along the cap axis direction and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, and a wall portion 13a3 as a third wall portion 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. However, the structure and shape of the end cap may be other structures and shapes as long as contact between the edge of the front pipe 13 and the wire harness can be avoided.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown 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)). Also, an example was shown 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)). 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 greater 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.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the driving force for rotating the pinion gears 24 and 27 is generated by the electric motors of the lifting 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. Also, 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, and the upper rail 31 is slid relative to the lower rail 32. However, the upper rail 31 may be slid relative to the lower rail 32 manually. 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. Further, 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.

[0058] 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.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1 Seat cushion, 2 Seat back, 3 Headrest, 4 Reclining mechanism, 6 Seat control device, 10 Seat cushion frame, 11L, 11R Side frames, 13 Front pipe, 14 Rear pipe, 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, 40 Air conditioner, 41 Blower, 42 Blower bracket, 43 Duct, 60 Controller, 100 Seat

Claims

1. A seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated person; a base member extending in the front-rear direction and attached to a vehicle body floor to support the seat cushion; a height adjustment mechanism that changes the posture of the seat surface of the seat cushion between a first state in which one side and the other side of the seat cushion are approximately the same height in a front-rear direction and a second state in which the one side is lower than the other side; an electrical component attached to a lower portion of the one side of the seat cushion, The base members are provided below both end portions of the seat cushion in a seat width direction, The vehicle seat, wherein the electrical components are disposed on an inner side in a seat width direction than the base member.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The seat cushion further includes a first support portion provided on the one side of the seat cushion and a second support portion provided on the other side of the seat cushion, the first support portion has a first link connected to the base member and a second link connected to the first link, The first link and the second link are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a connection portion thereof, The height adjustment mechanism includes: A vehicle seat, characterized in that a posture of a seat surface of the seat cushion is changed between the first state and the second state via the first support portion and the second support portion.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, The vehicle seat is characterized in that, in the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the one side of the seat cushion via the first support portion and raises the other side of the seat cushion via the second support portion.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The electrical component is positioned so that the position of the end on one side in the second state is on the other side of the end on one side of the base member, and so that the height position in the second state is approximately the same as that of the base member.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, The electrical component is an air conditioning device having a blower and a duct forming an air passage for directing air from the blower to a seating surface or from the seating surface to the blower, The vehicle seat, further comprising: a lower end of the duct in the second state being positioned lower than an upper end of the base member.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The base member includes a slide device that can move the seat cushion in the front-rear direction. A vehicle seat characterized by:

7. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Seat back and a reclining mechanism for rotating the seat back relative to the seat cushion; A headrest attached to the seat back, The vehicle seat, wherein the seat back is provided on the other side of the seat cushion in a front-rear direction.

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