Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which is guaranteed to be rigid while also being lightweight.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat S comprising, as a skeleton, a seat back frame F1 being a substantially rectangular framework configured to have at least a lower member frame 50 as a bridge in the vehicle width direction between the lower ends of two side frames 10, 10. A waist support member 70 formed of a resin is arranged on the lower member frame 50. The waist support member 70 is a rectangular member extending along the vehicle width direction and is configured such that the length thereof in the vehicle width direction is less than the length of the lower member frame 50 in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat having a seat frame that is lighter than conventional products as a skeleton.

Background Art

[0002] When reducing the weight of a vehicle seat, generally, each part of the seat frame can be made thinner or the occupancy of each part can be reduced (such as shortening long members, forming holes, etc.). However, the thinner the thickness of each part of the seat frame, the lower the rigidity of that part. Therefore, in order to achieve weight reduction and reinforce the weight-reduced parts, some devices have been made (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a back frame formed in a rectangular frame state is disclosed, which includes two side frames that define both sides, an upper frame that bridges the upper ends of these side frames to define the upper part, and a lower frame that bridges the lower ends of these side frames to define the lower part. A flange portion extending forward from the lower end side is formed on this lower frame, and a resin bracket having a dimension over the entire width of this flange portion (length in the seat width direction) is attached to this flange portion. And with such a configuration, the flange portion extending forward from the lower end side of the lower frame is reinforced from the inside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a seat back frame, particularly with respect to the lower frame, since it has the role of supporting the waist of the seated person, sufficient rigidity to withstand the load received from the seated person is required. On the other hand, as described above, there is a demand to reduce the weight of the seat frame itself including the seat back frame. In order to satisfy these conflicting requirements, in the technology according to Patent Document 1, brackets are used for reinforcement. However, a technology that satisfies both further weight reduction and rigidity improvement has been demanded.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat in which weight reduction is achieved and at the same time higher rigidity is ensured.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The above problem is solved by a vehicle seat according to the present invention, which comprises a vehicle seat having at least a side frame provided at both ends in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and a lower member frame that bridges the lower ends of both the side frames in the vehicle width direction, and having a seat back frame of a substantially rectangular frame body as a skeleton, wherein at least one notch is formed in the lower member frame. Thus, in the present invention, since a notch is formed in the lower member frame, it is possible to reduce the weight of this lower member frame.

[0008] At this time, as described in claim 2, it is preferable that the notch is formed at the width direction end of the lower member frame. Specifically, as described in claim 3, it is preferable that the notch has a shape cut from the width direction end of the lower member frame toward the width direction inner side. With such a configuration, specific weight reduction is achieved, and it is also possible to suppress interference with members arranged in various ways.

[0009] Further, as described in claim 4, it is preferable that a flange portion rising toward the front portion of the vehicle is formed from at least a part of the periphery of the notch portion. In this way, since the flange rises from at least a part of the periphery of the notch portion, the strength of this portion can be increased. That is, it becomes possible to achieve both weight reduction and rigidity securing. As a specific configuration, as described in claim 5, it is preferable that the notch portions are respectively formed at both ends in the width direction of the lower member frame, because further weight reduction can be achieved.

[0010] Furthermore, as described in claim 6, a protruding portion that protrudes from the rear to the front of the vehicle and is long in the width direction is formed on the lower member frame, and it is preferable that the protruding portion is formed between the notch portions formed at both ends of the lower member frame. Also, as described in claim 7, it is preferable that the protruding portion is formed at the same height position as the notch portions formed at both ends of the lower member frame in the vehicle vertical direction. With such a configuration, further improvement in rigidity is realized.

[0011] Furthermore, as described in claim 8, if the vehicle vertical width at both ends of the lower member frame is formed wider than the vehicle vertical width at the center portion of the lower member frame, the joint portion with the side frame becomes wider, and the rigidity can be further improved.

[0012] Also, as described in claim 9, it is preferable that the notch portions are formed at the joint portions between both ends of the lower member frame and the side frames. Furthermore, as described in claim 10, the side frame includes a side frame main body portion that defines the widthwise side surface of the seat back frame, and a side frame rear extension portion that bends from the rear end portion of the vehicle of the side frame main body portion and extends into the inside of the seat back frame. It is preferable that both end portions of the lower member frame are laminated on the side frame rear extension portion. With this configuration, the compatibility between weight reduction and rigidity ensuring is further improved.

[0013] Also, as described in claim 11, in the lower member frame, an upper flange that is bent and formed so as to extend forward of the vehicle is formed at the upper edge portion of the vehicle, and at the rear end portion of the side frame, from the end portion located inside the seat back frame, a side frame flange that extends forward of the vehicle is provided, and it is preferable that at least a part of the side frame flange is in contact with the upper flange, as this further improves rigidity. Furthermore, as described in claim 12, if a notch facing the notch portion is formed in the side frame, weight reduction and rigidity improvement can be effectively achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] In the vehicle seat according to the present invention, a notch portion is formed in the lower member frame, weight reduction is achieved, and furthermore, a flange portion can be created and the rigidity can also be ensured to be high by the peripheral structure. In this way, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat in which weight reduction is achieved and high rigidity is also ensured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it goes without saying that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the content regarding the material, shape, and size of each device and its constituent parts is merely one specific example and does not limit the present invention. That is, regarding the material, shape, and size of each device and its constituent parts, it is possible to freely design as long as the specific matters of the present invention are satisfied.

[0017] In addition, in the following description, the "front-rear direction" means the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat, specifically, the direction that coincides with the traveling direction of the vehicle. Also, the "width direction" means the width direction of the vehicle seat, specifically, the direction that coincides with the vehicle width direction (left-right direction).

[0018] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the following description will assume that the vehicle seat is in a use state (a state in which a seated person can be seated). That is, in the following description, regarding the posture, position of each part of the vehicle seat, and the positional relationship with other members, etc., it is the content when the vehicle seat is in a use state.

[0019] <<Regarding the basic configuration of the vehicle seat and the seat frame>> First, regarding the basic configuration of the vehicle seat (hereinafter, this seat S) according to the present embodiment and the seat frame F forming its skeleton, the basic configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, this seat S has a seat back S1, a seat cushion S2, and a headrest S3. The seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2 are each configured by placing a pad material P on the seat frame illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and covering the surface of the pad material P with a skin material W. The headrest S3 is configured by arranging a pad material P on a core material (not shown) and covering the surface of the pad material P with a skin material W. Note that a pair of headrest pillars (not shown) extending downward are provided at the lower part of the headrest S3. The headrest S3 is supported at the upper end of the seat back S1 (strictly speaking, the seat back frame F1) via the pair of headrest pillars.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this seat S has a seat back frame F1 included in the seat back S1 and a seat cushion frame F2 included in the seat cushion S2. The seat cushion frame F2 is connected to the upper rail RU of a slide rail device R arranged at its lower part. With such a configuration, when the upper rail RU moves along the lower rail RL fixed to the vehicle body floor, the entire seat S including the seat cushion frame F2 slides.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, the seat cushion frame F2 is connected to the upper rail RU via a rotation link XL as shown in FIG. 2. This rotation link XL is a link member disposed on both sides of the seat cushion S2 in the width direction, and rotates about a rotation axis along the width direction. Then, as the rotation link XL rotates while carrying the seat cushion S2 around, the position of the seat cushion S2 in the vertical direction is adjusted.

[0022] Further, at the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame F2, the lower end portion of the seat back frame F1 is connected via a reclining device 80. By this reclining device 80, the seat back S1 including the seat back frame F1 is connected to the seat cushion S2 in a state where the inclination angle with respect to the seat cushion S2 can be adjusted. That is, the seat back S1 can rotate relative to the seat cushion S2 about a reclining axis 81 along the width direction.

[0023] And this seat S is different from a conventional general vehicle seat in the structure of the seat frame. Hereinafter, the configuration of the seat back frame F1 as the seat frame included in this seat S will be described in detail.

[0024] <<Regarding the detailed configuration of the seat back frame>> The configuration of the seat back frame F1 of this sheet S will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 already shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat back frame F1 forms a rectangular frame when the seat frame F is viewed from the front. Also, the seat back frame F1 is lighter in weight compared to the seat back frames of conventional general vehicle seats. Specifically, as the material constituting the seat back frame F1 (for example, the steel plate constituting the side frame 10 described later), a material lighter than the material used for conventional seat back frames is used. Furthermore, when fastening and connecting the components constituting the seat back frame F1, instead of using fasteners such as bolts, nuts, and screws, the components are fastened and connected by laser welding. By adopting such a configuration, the seat back frame F1 according to this embodiment is lighter in weight.

[0025] Regarding the structure of the seat back frame F1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat back frame F1 has a pair of side frames 10 provided at both ends in the width direction. Also, as shown in the same figure, the seat back frame F1 has an upper frame 30 that is attached to the upper end portions of the respective side frames 10 to connect the space between the side frames 10. Furthermore, as shown in the same figure, the seat back frame F1 has a lower member frame 50 that is attached to the lower end portions of the respective side frames 10 to connect the space between the side frames 10. Further, an S spring 60 that supports the back of the occupant from behind is installed between the side frames 10.

[0026] [[ID=9 ]] [[ ID=10]]This upper frame 30 is a component formed in a downward U shape when viewed from the front and is constituted by a metal hollow pipe member However, it is not limited to this, 30 may be constituted by a solid member. [[ ID=12]]Both free end sides of this 30 are joined above the side frames 10, 10 respectively. In the upper frame 30, on the front surface of the horizontal portion disposed above, there is attached a square tube-shaped pillar guide 34 that supports the headrest pillar. A pair of these pillar guides 34 are provided at intervals in the width direction.

[0027] Next, the side frame 10 has a spindle-shaped outer shape when viewed from the side. That is, when the side frame 10 is viewed from the side, the front end portion of the side frame 10 bulges in an arc shape from a position midway in the vertical direction. When the present seat S is in use (more precisely, when the seat back S1 is in the reference position), the side frame 10 extends long along a direction slightly inclined (rearward inclined) with respect to the vertical direction. Also, as described above, the free end side of the upper frame 30 is joined to one end portion (upper end portion) in the extending direction of the side frame 10. In this embodiment, the side frame 10 is composed of a thin steel plate, more specifically, an ultra-high tensile steel plate with a thickness of 1 mm or less, which contributes to weight reduction.

[0028] Next, the lower member frame 50 will be described. The lower member frame 50 is formed by processing sheet metal and is installed between the lower end portions of the side frames 10. Also, the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the lower member frame 50 are each formed in a shape that is bent forward (hereinafter, these flange portions are referred to as "upper and lower flanges 50d, 50d"). Regarding the detailed configuration of this lower member frame 50, since it is the main configuration of this embodiment, it will be described in detail later.

[0029] And on the front surface of this lower member frame 50, a lumbar support member 70 is disposed. This lumbar support member 70 is a resin long member and is disposed along the lower member frame 50 extending in the width direction so that the longitudinal direction is along the width direction. As materials, for example, resin foams such as urethane foam, polypropylene foam, and polyethylene foam may be used, and their hardness may be configured to be higher than that of the pad material P covered on the seat back frame F1. Therefore, the moldability is good and the molding freedom is improved.

[0030] Further, it is preferable that the lumbar support member 70 has a deflection amount equivalent to that of a metal steel plate bracket conventionally used. This lumbar support member 70 functions as a reinforcing member for reinforcing the strength of the lower member frame 50 at this position and also functions as a lumbar support member for supporting the lumbar region of the seated person.

[0031] In addition, FIGS. 1 to 4 show the final arrangement position of the lumbar support member 70 for the purpose of explanation. The lumbar support member 70 according to this example is not incorporated at the time of assembling the seat back frame F1 and is not used independently. That is, the lumbar support member 70 is manufactured integrally with the pad material P and is attached to the seat back frame F1 later. Since the said structure is the main structure of this invention, it will be described in detail later.

[0032] <Detailed Configuration of Lumbar Support Member> The configuration of the lumbar support member 70 will be described in detail. The lumbar support member 70 is a long, three-dimensional rod-shaped member, and is formed in a substantially prismatic shape by arrangement member bottom surfaces 71, 71 that define the left and right end portions in the width direction and a side surface 70A that defines the side surfaces between both of these arrangement member bottom surfaces 71, 71. The side surface 70A is configured to have an arrangement member mounting surface 72 facing the lower member frame 50, a front surface 73 that defines the front side, an upper surface 74 that defines the upper side, and a lower surface 75 that defines the lower side. A groove-shaped alignment groove 72a extending in the width direction is formed in the arrangement member mounting surface 72 near the substantially central portion in the vertical direction. Further, on the upper surface 74, two upper surface concave portions 74a, which are substantially rectangular concave portions, are formed in this example. Furthermore, the front surface 73 is a gently curved curved surface, and below it, two front surface concave portions 73a, which are substantially rectangular concave portions, are formed in this example.

[0033] <Detailed Configuration of the Lower Member Frame> Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the detailed configuration of the lower member frame � will be described. The lower member frame 50 is configured as a long rectangular steel plate in the width direction. And on this lower member frame 50, a alignment protrusion 50a is formed which is cast from the back surface so as to protrude on the front surface. This alignment protrusion 50a is formed in a shape along the inner wall surface shape of the alignment groove portion 72a so as to align with the alignment groove portion 72a described above. That is, the alignment protrusion 50a is configured to be able to be positioned in alignment with the alignment groove portion 72a. This "alignment" only needs to be such that the position can be specified, and it may be in a loose fitting state or may have a function like temporary fixing in an engaged state. In this example, this alignment protrusion 50a is formed to be long in the width direction. However, the formed state is not limited to this, and a configuration in which two alignment protrusions 50a, that is, are formed near both ends of the lower member frame may also be used. Note that, as will be described later, in this example, by aligning the alignment protrusion 50a with the alignment groove portion 72a, it is possible to position the waist support member 70. However, by forming this alignment protrusion 50a (that is, by forming an uneven shape on the flat plate), the strength of the lower member frame 50 can be increased, which can contribute to thinning of the lower member frame.

[0034] Furthermore, as described above, the formation position, number, formation method, etc. of the alignment protrusion 50a are not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to project forward so as to extend longitudinally in the width direction near the substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the lower member frame 50, or one may be formed at the center in the width direction. Also, even if it is not configured to be cast from the back surface, for example, it may be configured to weld a protrusion of a lightweight material to the front side of the lower member frame 50. Furthermore, as an optimal application configuration, as in the present embodiment, the alignment protrusion 50a is formed to be long in the width direction, and the width direction length of the alignment protrusion 50a is preferably configured to be longer than the width direction length of the waist support member 70 described later. With this configuration, it becomes possible to efficiently position the waist support member 70 on the alignment protrusion 50a.

[0035] Also, at both ends in the width direction of the lower member frame 50, notch portions 50b, 50b that are notched inward are respectively formed. And from the peripheral edge of this notch portion 50b, end flanges 50c that stand up forward are standing up. Since the notch portions 50b, 50b are formed in this way, it becomes possible to reduce the weight of the lower member frame 50, and since the end flanges 50c, 50c stand up from the peripheral edge, the strength of that portion can be increased. That is, it becomes possible to achieve both weight reduction and rigidity ensuring.

[0036] <Method of disposing the waist support member> First, the waist support member 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 7, 8, etc. The waist support member 70 is formed of a hard foamed resin material. The thus formed waist support member 70 is inserted and integrally formed when the pad material P is foam-formed by a mold. At this time, since the upper surface concave portion 74a and the front surface concave portion 73a are formed in the lumbar support member 70, the bonding area with the pad material P can be made wide, so the integrality is improved. That is, although it is preferable that the lumbar support member 70 is formed with a higher hardness than the pad material P, in order to integrate the hard member and the soft member, the contact area is increased to further enhance the integration efficiency.

[0037] Note that, in order to improve the integrality, in this example, an example of forming the upper surface concave portion 74a and the front surface concave portion 73a is shown, but it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which holes or slits are formed in the lumbar support member 70 may also be used.

[0038] Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when arranging the pad material P1, the lumbar support member 70 is inserted between the upper and lower flanges 50d, 50d of the lower member frame 50, and the alignment protrusion 50a of the lower member frame 50 is aligned with the alignment groove 72a of the lumbar support member 70 and arranged for positioning. Also, at this time, a non-woven fabric G is interposed between the lumbar support member 70 and the lower member frame 50. With this configuration, since the lumbar support member 70 and the lower member frame 50 do not directly contact each other, the generation of noise due to friction during use can be effectively suppressed.

[0039] As described above, with this configuration, even when the lower member frame 50 is made thinner and lighter, it is possible to maintain high rigidity. In addition, since the lumbar support member 70 is provided on the pad material P side and arranged simultaneously with the assembly of the pad material P with respect to the lower member frame 50, the attachment workability is good. Note that the lumbar support member 70 of this example functions as a reinforcing member of the lower member frame 50 and also functions as a lumbar support member that supports the lumbar region of the occupant.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 10 Side frame 13 Side wall portion 30 Upper frame 34 Pillar guide 50 Lower member frame 50a Alignment projection (alignment part) 50b Notch 50c End flange 50d Upper and lower flanges 60 S spring 70 Waist support member 71 Bottom surface of the installation member 70A Side surface 72 Installation part mounting surface 72a Alignment groove (aligned part) 73 Front surface 73a Front surface recess 74 Upper surface 74a Upper surface recess 75 Lower surface 80 Reclining device 81 Reclining shaft F Seat frame F1 Seat back frame F2 Seat cushion frame R Slide rail device RL Lower rail RU Upper rail S This seat (vehicle seat) S1 Seat back S2 Seat cushion S3 Headrest P Pad material G Non-woven fabric W Skin material XL Rotating link

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising side frames provided at both widthwise ends of a seat frame that forms the skeleton of the vehicle seat, and member frames that connect the ends of both side frames, The member frame has an open portion at an end in the width direction, and at least one notch portion extending inward in the width direction is formed, A vehicle seat, wherein the direction in which the cutout portion extends from the opening toward the inner end portion is the same as the direction in which the member frame extends.

2. The side frame is configured to have a side frame main body portion that defines the width direction side surface of the seat frame, and a side frame inward extension portion that extends from an end of the side frame main body portion to the inside of the seat frame, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the cutout portion of the member frame sandwiching the opening are joined to the inward extending portion of the side frame.

3. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the ends sandwiching the open portion of the cutout portion of the member frame is offset in a direction away from the center in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the member frame.

4. The notch portions are provided at both ends of the member frame in the left-right direction, The member frame has a protrusion extending in the left-right direction between the notches at both ends, 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the protrusion is positioned higher than an upper end of the notch.

5. A vehicle seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cutout portion has an inclined portion extending to the inner end.

6. A vehicle seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the member frame has an extension portion that protrudes forward and upward from an end portion below the cutout portion.

7. The vehicle seat has a seat back, a seat cushion, and a headrest, The seat back and the seat cushion are configured by placing a pad material on the seat frame and covering the surface of the pad material with a skin material, The headrest is configured by disposing a padding material on a core material and covering the surface of the padding material with a skin material, A seat cushion frame, which is a framework of the seat cushion, is connected to a slide rail device disposed at a lower portion of the seat cushion frame, 7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of the seat cushion frame is connected to a lower end of a seat back frame, which forms a framework of the seat back, via a reclining device.

8. A vehicle seat as described in Claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the upper and lower ends of the cutout portion that sandwich the open portion is positioned at the same height as a portion of the reclining device.

9. A vehicle seat as described in Claim 8, characterized in that the upper end portion is positioned at the same height as a portion of the reclining device.

10. A vehicle seat as described in claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the lower end is positioned at the same height as a portion of the reclining device.

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