Seat and seat for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a seat capable of appropriately changing a body pressure distribution of a sitting person.SOLUTION: A seat 1 includes: a seat cushion 2; and a seat back 3 rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2. The seat cushion 2 includes: a seat cushion frame 20; a cushion pad 21 provided in the seat cushion frame 20; and a skin material 22 for covering the seat cushion frame 20 provided with the cushion pad 21. The seat cushion frame 20 has: a base frame 23 provided with the cushion pad 21; and a rotating frame 24 provided with the skin material 22 and rotatably supported by the base frame 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat and a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, seats with a seat surface that can be raised and lowered are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat described in Patent Document 1 includes a pan frame fixed to the front end of a link frame, and the pan frame is raised and lowered by rotating the link frame with a drive unit, thereby raising and lowering the seat surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-154042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve the comfort of a seated occupant, it is preferable to be able to appropriately change the body pressure distribution of the occupant. However, if the seat surface is simply configured to be able to rise and fall, as in the seat described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to appropriately change the body pressure distribution of the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A seat according to one aspect of the present invention includes a seat cushion and a seat back rotatably supported by the seat cushion. The seat cushion includes a seat cushion frame, a cushion pad provided on the seat cushion frame, and a cover material covering the seat cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided. The seat cushion frame includes a first cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided, and a second cushion frame on which the cover material is provided and which is supported by the first cushion frame so as to be movable up and down.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which the above-mentioned seat is mounted on a vehicle, and the seat cushion frame has a pipe extending in the left-right direction for suppressing the submarine phenomenon, which suppresses forward movement of the seated occupant in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which the above-mentioned seat is mounted on a vehicle, and has a cushion airbag attached to the seat cushion frame that inflates in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle to suppress forward movement of the seated occupant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the body pressure distribution of a seated person can be appropriately changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat cushion frame according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion frame shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to the embodiment taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] 5 is a view showing a state in which the pivoting frame of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 4 is pivoted. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line VI-VI. [Figure 7] 7 is a view showing a state in which the pivoting frame of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 6 is pivoted. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller that controls the driving of the seat. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion set in drive mode. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant is seated on a seat cushion set to a relaxation mode. [Figure 10A] XX cross-sectional view of a seat back according to a first modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 10B] 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 10A, showing a state in which the rotation frame of the seat back is rotated. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of a headrest according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 11B] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the headrest taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 11A, showing a state in which the second frame is rotated. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the seat cushion. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the seat cushion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A seat according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used as a vehicle seat installed in various vehicles such as an airplane, a train, and an automobile, and can also be used as a seat other than a vehicle seat, for example, a single-seater sofa, a massage chair, an office chair, a wheelchair, etc. Below, an example of an application to a seat installed in an automobile will be described as an example of a seat.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of the overall configuration of a seat 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seat 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, as a passenger seat or a single-seat rear seat in a vehicle. If the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, it can also be used as a driver's seat. Below, the front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction are defined as shown in the figure with reference to an occupant (seat occupant) seated in the seat 1, and the configuration of each part will be explained according to these definitions. The front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction of the seat 1 basically correspond to the front-to-rear direction (length direction), left-to-right direction (width direction), and up-to-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back 3 that supports the occupant's waist and back, a headrest 4 that supports the occupant's head, and a controller (control unit) 5 that controls these components.

[0013] The seat cushion 2 is supported by a sliding device (not shown) provided on the floor 10 of the vehicle so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 3 is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2 at the rear end thereof. The headrest 4 is supported by the seat back 3 at the upper end thereof so as to be movable up and down. The controller 5 controls the driving of various actuators provided on the seat cushion 2, the seat back 3, the headrest 4, etc., to set the seat 1 in various positions. The seat 1 will be described in detail below.

[0014] The seat cushion 2 includes a seat cushion frame 20 forming the skeleton, a cushion pad 21 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a skin material 22 made of synthetic leather, fabric, a net sheet, or the like, and is formed by attaching the cushion pad 21 to the seat cushion frame 20 and covering them with the skin material 22.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the seat cushion frame 20 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion frame 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the seat cushion frame 20 includes a base frame (first cushion frame) 23 that forms a skeleton that conforms to the outer shape of the seat cushion 2, a rotating frame (second cushion frame) 24 that is rotatably supported by the base frame 23, a pressure-receiving member 25 that is provided on the base frame 23 and supports a load from the buttocks and the like of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 2, and a cushion actuator 26 (see Fig. 1) that rotates the rotating frame 24.

[0016] The base frame 23 includes a pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L extending in the front-rear direction and an upper frame 232 having a rectangular frame shape in a top view. Each of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L is formed as a plate with both sides facing the left-right direction and is erected in the up-down direction while extending in the front-rear direction. The upper surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are formed so as to be able to abut against the lower surface of the rotating frame 24, thereby restricting the rotation position of the rotating frame 24. In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L extend substantially horizontally and position the rotating frame 24 substantially horizontally when in abutment with the lower surface of the rotating frame 24 (non-rotating state). The lower surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are joined to a slide device (not shown) provided on the vehicle floor 10, thereby allowing the seat cushion 2 to move in the front-rear direction.

[0017] The slide device (not shown) has, for example, a pair of left and right lower rails extending in the fore-and-aft direction on the floor 10, and a pair of left and right upper rails slidably supported on the pair of left and right lower rails, and the lower surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are joined to the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right upper rails.

[0018] The upper frame 232 includes a pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front pipe 234 extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L, and a rear pipe 235 extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L.

[0019] Like the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L, each of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L is formed as a plate with both surfaces facing the left-right direction and is erected in the up-down direction while extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L are erected approximately parallel to the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L, and their respective outer surfaces are joined to the respective inner surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L. The lower surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L are located higher than the lower surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L, and their upper surfaces are also located higher than the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L. In other words, the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L are offset upward from the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L.

[0020] The pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L have a pair of left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L extending upward at their rear ends. A rotation shaft 237 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the pair of left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L is joined to the pair of left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L, and the rotation shaft 237 rotatably supports the seat back 3. In addition, a recessed portion 238 that is notched forward is provided at the rear end of the bracket portion 236R at a position corresponding to the position between the rotation shaft 237 and the rear pipe 235.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment taken along line IV-IV. Note that the lower frame 231R of the base frame 23 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, a pressure-receiving member 25 is suspended between a front pipe 234 and a rear pipe 235. The front pipe 234 is provided with a support portion 239 that supports one end of a cushion actuator 26 that rotates the rotating frame 24. The support portion 239 is formed in a plate shape with both surfaces facing up and down, and is provided at approximately the center of the front pipe 234 in the left-right direction, extending rearward. A through-hole 239a, through which the cushion actuator 26 can pass in the up-down direction, is provided at approximately the center of the support portion 239 in the left-right direction. The support portion 239 supports one end of the cushion actuator 26 so that the one end can pass through the through-hole 239a.

[0022] The rotating frame 24 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above. The rotating frame 24 includes a pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L extending in the front-rear direction, a front pipe 242 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L, and a rear pipe 243 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L.

[0023] Like the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L, each of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L is formed as a plate with both surfaces facing the left-right direction and is erected in the up-down direction while extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L are erected outward in the left-right direction of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L of the upper frame 232 and above the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L, approximately parallel to the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L, and rotate along the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L and the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are positioned on approximately the same plane. That is, the outer surfaces are approximately flush with each other.

[0024] The front pipe 242 is positioned higher than the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232, and the rear pipe 243 is positioned higher than the rear pipe 235 of the upper frame 232, and the front end and rear end of the skin material 22 are hung across the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243, respectively.

[0025] The front pipe 242 is provided with a support portion 244 that supports the other end of the cushion actuator 26 that rotates the rotating frame 24. The support portion 244 is formed in a plate shape with both surfaces facing in the up and down direction, and is provided extending rearward at approximately the center of the front pipe 242 in the left and right direction. A through-hole 244a that allows the cushion actuator 26 to pass through in the up and down direction is provided at approximately the center of the support portion 244 in the left and right direction, and the support portion 244 supports the other end of the cushion actuator 26 in a state where it can be passed through. The rear pipe 243 is provided between the rear pipe 235 and the rotating shaft 237 of the upper frame 232, and is located within a recessed portion 238 provided in the bracket portions 236R, 236L.

[0026] The rotating frame 24 configured in this manner is rotatably supported on the base frame 23 by a pair of left and right rotation support portions 245R, 245L that rotatably support rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L. The pair of left and right rotation support portions 245R, 245L rotatably connect the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L of the rotating frame 24 to rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L of the upper frame 232 (base frame 23) so that the rotating frame 24 is rotatably supported on the base frame 23 about an axis CL1 extending in the left-right direction. The pair of left and right rotation support portions 245R, 245L are provided so that the axis CL1 is located between the rear pipe 235 of the upper frame 232 and the rear pipe 243 of the rotating frame 24 (see FIG. 4).

[0027] 2, the pressure receiving member 25 is used by spanning the front pipe 234 and the rear pipe 235. As shown in Fig. 3, the pressure receiving member 25 is formed in a plate shape with both surfaces facing up and down, and includes a pressure receiving portion 251 that receives the weight of an occupant, a front engagement portion 252 that engages with the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232, and a rear engagement portion 253 that engages with the rear pipe 235. The pressure receiving portion 251 has a notch 254 in the approximate center in the left-right direction at the front, and the notch 254 is provided so that when the front engagement portion 252 of the pressure receiving member 25 is engaged with the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23, the support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 can be positioned within the notch 254.

[0028] 4, the cushion actuator 26 is interposed between a support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23 and a support portion 244 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24, and is configured to be extendable and contractible. That is, the cushion actuator 26 is provided extendable and contractible at the front end of the seat cushion frame 20, and as the cushion actuator 26 extends and contracts, the rotating frame 24 rotates around a pair of left and right rotation support portions 245R, 245L. In other words, as the cushion actuator 245 extends and contracts, the front portion of the rotating frame 24 is raised and lowered relative to the base frame 23 around the pair of left and right rotation support portions 245R, 245L.

[0029] The cushion actuator 26 includes a screw shaft 261, a screw nut 262 that screws onto the screw shaft 261, a motor 263 that rotates the screw nut 262, and a housing 264 that houses the screw nut 262 and the motor 263.

[0030] The screw shaft 261 has a tip end supported by a support portion 244 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 265 extending in the left-right direction. The screw nut 262 is rotatably housed in the housing 264 while being threadedly engaged with the screw shaft 261, and the motor 263 is housed in the housing 264 while being connected to the screw nut 262 via a gear train (not shown). The housing 264 is supported by a support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 266 extending in the left-right direction.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 shown in Fig. 4 has been rotated. As shown in Fig. 5, in the cushion actuator 26, the screw nut 262, which is rotated by the driving force of the motor 263, moves relatively along the screw shaft 261, and thus the housing 264 supporting the screw nut 262 moves relatively along the screw shaft 261 together with the screw nut 262. Since the housing 264 is supported by a support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23, the housing 264 supports one end of the screw shaft 261 and the support portion 246 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24 is lifted by the screw shaft 261. This causes the rotating frame 24 to rotate upward.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment. Note that the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L of the base frame 23 shown in Fig. 6 are omitted. As shown in Fig. 6, the cushion pad 21 includes a base cushion pad (first cushion pad) 211 provided on the base frame 23 and a rotating cushion pad (second cushion pad) 212 provided on the rotating frame 24.

[0033] The base cushion pad 211 is a cushion material provided on the seating surface 2a of the seat cushion 2, and the rotating cushion pad 212 is a cushion material provided on the side support portions 2b located on both the left and right sides of the seating surface 2a. In the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment, the base frame 23 and the pressure-receiving member 25 form the framework of the seating surface 2a, and the rotating frame 24 forms the framework of the side support portions 2b. The base cushion pad 211 is placed on the pressure-receiving member 25 suspended across the base frame 23, and the rotating cushion pad 212 is provided extending in the front-rear direction so as to cover the upper portions of a pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L of the rotating frame 24.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 , the base cushion pad 211 has a plurality of grooves 213 provided to improve the comfort of the occupant when seated, and a plurality of accommodation portions 214 provided within each of the grooves 213. The grooves 213 include a plurality of vertical grooves 213a extending in the front-rear direction near the boundary between the seat surface portion 2a and the side support portions 2b, and a plurality of horizontal grooves 213b extending in the left-right direction between the vertical grooves 213a. The accommodation portions 214 are provided to accommodate tension springs (biasing members) 224 (described later) provided in the upholstery material 22 to bring the upholstery material 22 into close contact with the base cushion pad 211. The accommodation portions 214 are provided at predetermined intervals within the vertical grooves 213a and the horizontal grooves 213b. By arranging the tension springs 224 in these accommodation portions 214, the upholstery material 22 can be brought into appropriate close contact with the cushion pad 21 when the rotating frame 24 is in a non-rotating state.

[0035] In addition, since the base cushion pad 211 and the rotating cushion pad 212 can be made of a general cushion material such as urethane foam used in vehicle seats, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0036] 1 , the cover material 22 is provided so as to cover the base frame 23 to which the base cushion pad 211 is attached and the rotating frame 24 to which the rotating cushion pad 212 is attached. In this embodiment, the cover material 22 covers the base cushion pad 211 and the rotating cushion pad 212 by engaging both front-rear end portions with the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243 of the rotating frame 24 and by engaging both left-right end portions with the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L of the rotating frame 24.

[0037] Specifically, the cover material 22 has a plurality of first hooks 221 provided at each of both ends in the front-rear direction, a plurality of second hooks 222 provided at each of both ends in the left-right direction, a plurality of third hooks 223 provided near each of the plurality of vertical grooves 213a of the base cushion pad 211, and a plurality of tension springs 224 provided at locations corresponding to each of the plurality of storage sections 214 of the base cushion pad 211.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple first hooks 221 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243 so as to be engageable with multiple first engaged portions 247 provided corresponding to the multiple first hooks 221. As shown in Fig. 6, the multiple second hooks 222 are formed on the lower surfaces of each of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L so as to be engageable with multiple second engaged portions 248 provided corresponding to the multiple second hooks 222. As shown in Fig. 6, the multiple third hooks 223 are formed on the inner surfaces of each of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L so as to be engageable with multiple third engaged portions 249 provided corresponding to the multiple third hooks 223. For example, the multiple first engaged portions 247 are formed by protruding from corresponding positions on the outer peripheral surfaces of the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243, and the multiple second engaged portions 248 and the multiple third engaged portions 249 are formed by cutting out corresponding positions on the lower surface and inner surface of each of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 shown in Fig. 6 has been rotated. The multiple tension springs 224 are formed so as to be able to be housed in the multiple housing portions 214 of the base cushion pad 211. The multiple tension springs 224 have a spring coefficient that allows the upholstery material 22 to be in close contact with the base cushion pad 211 when the rotating frame 24 is not rotated, as shown in Fig. 6, and allows the upholstery material 22 to be separated from the base cushion pad 211 when the rotating frame 24 is rotated (when the front part is raised), as shown in Fig. 7.

[0040] The cover material 22 may be made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, or the like. Examples of net sheets include cloth-like fabrics made by weaving elastic fibers and mesh-like fabrics made by stretchably weaving inelastic fibers, and include lightweight, highly elastic spring materials. By using a stretchable fabric for the cover material 22, when the rotating frame 24 is rotated to separate the cover material 22 from the cushion pad 21, the contact area between the seated occupant's buttocks and the cover material 22 increases, allowing the user's body pressure to be dispersed. This reduces the strain on the occupant's buttocks and the like, even when seated for long periods of time. Furthermore, the cover material 22 conforms to the occupant's buttocks and the like, enveloping them like a hammock, improving support and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 3 includes a seat back frame 30 that forms a skeleton that conforms to the outer shape of the seat back 3, a back pad 31 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a back skin material 32 made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, and is formed by attaching the back pad 31 to the seat back frame 30 and covering them with the back skin material 32, similar to the seat cushion 2.

[0042] The seatback frame 30 is supported by the base frame 23 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 237 provided on the base frame 23 of the seat cushion 2, and has an electric reclining mechanism that rotates when driven by a reclining actuator 37. The reclining actuator 37 is attached to the seatback frame 30, for example, and connected to the rotation shaft 237 via a gear train (not shown). When driven, the reclining actuator 37 rotates the seatback frame 30 about the rotation shaft 237.

[0043] The back pad 31 and the back covering material 32 can have the same configuration as the cushion pad 21 and the covering material 22 of the seat cushion 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0044] 1, the headrest 4 does not have a frame that forms a skeleton like the seat cushion 2 or the seat back 3, but is formed by covering a headrest pad 41 formed into a predetermined shape with a headrest covering material 42. Headrest stays 47 are disposed inside the headrest 4, and the headrest 4 is supported by the seat back frame 30 via the headrest stays 47 so as to be movable in the up and down direction. Note that the headrest pad 41 and the headrest covering material 42 can be made of the same materials as the cushion pad 21 and the covering material 22 of the seat cushion 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0045] 1, in this embodiment, the seat 1 further includes an ottoman 6 that can support the feet of a seated occupant. The ottoman 6 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is disposed on the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2. The ottoman 6 can be configured to appear and disappear from the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2 by rotating about an axis CL2 when the ottoman 6 is assumed to be in a virtual cylindrical shape.

[0046] The ottoman 6 comprises an ottoman frame 60 that forms a skeleton that follows the external shape of the ottoman 6, an ottoman pad 61 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and an ottoman covering material 62 made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, and is formed in the same manner as the seat cushion 2, etc., by attaching the ottoman pad 61 to the ottoman frame 60 and covering them with the ottoman covering material 62.

[0047] The ottoman frame 60 is supported by the ottoman storage compartment 11 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 11a provided in the ottoman storage compartment 11, which is provided on the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2, and is configured to be rotatable by driving an ottoman actuator 63. The ottoman actuator 63 is, for example, attached to the ottoman frame 60 and connected to the rotation axis 11a via a gear train (not shown), and when driven, rotates the ottoman frame 60 about the rotation axis 11a. For example, when the ottoman 6 is stored in the ottoman storage compartment 11, driving the ottoman actuator 63 to rotate the ottoman frame 60 180° causes the ottoman 6 to emerge from the ottoman storage compartment 11, and when rotated another 180°, the ottoman 6 is stored again in the ottoman storage compartment 11. The ottoman 6 reaches its highest position from the floor 10 when rotated 90 to 180 degrees from the stored state, and reaches a predetermined height according to the amount of rotation until it is rotated 90 degrees from the stored state.

[0048] The ottoman pad 61 is formed to fit the outer shape of the ottoman 6 and is housed inside the ottoman frame 60, which forms the skeleton. Note that the ottoman pad 61 and the ottoman covering material 62 can be made of common cushioning materials and covering materials, such as urethane foam, used in ottomans provided in vehicle seats, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0049] The controller 5 controls the actuation of various actuators provided in the seat 1 so that the seat 1 is in a mode based on a command from the occupant. For example, when a command to select a pre-stored relaxation mode or drive mode is received, the controller 5 controls the actuation of the cushion actuator 26, the reclining actuator 37, and the ottoman actuator 63 so that the seat 1 is in the relaxation mode or drive mode. At this time, the controller 5 controls the actuation of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 emerges from the ottoman storage portion 11 in response to the rotational movement of the rotating frame 24. The controller 5 controls the actuation of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the height of the ottoman 6 from the floor 10 becomes a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman 6.

[0050] The relaxation mode is a mode in which the seat back 3 is tilted backward (backward), the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated upward, and the ottoman 6 is extended, while the drive mode is a mode in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is not rotated, the seat back 3 is raised to a predetermined angle, and the ottoman 6 is retracted. When the seat 1 is set to the relaxation mode, the seat back 3 is tilted backward and the contact area between the seated occupant and the upholstery material 22 of the seat cushion 2 is increased, thereby distributing the occupant's body pressure and allowing the occupant to relax. On the other hand, the drive mode is a mode in which the seat 1 is normally used when riding, and is set as the default.

[0051] Furthermore, when a command to tilt the seat back 3 (tilt backward or tilt forward) is received, the controller 5 controls the drive of the reclining actuator 37 so that the seat back 3 is tilted to the angle based on the command of the occupant. At this time, when the seat back 3 is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more, the controller 5 also controls the drive of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 emerges from the ottoman storage portion 11.

[0052] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the controller 5 that controls the driving of the seat 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the controller 5 includes a computer having a calculation unit 51 such as a CPU, a storage unit 52 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, and other peripheral devices (not shown). The calculation unit 51 has, as functional components, an information receiving unit 511 and an information output unit 512.

[0053] The information receiving unit 511 receives various information, commands, etc. For example, the information receiving unit 511 receives commands such as a rearward tilt signal output when the occupant presses a rearward tilt switch SW1 that tilts the seat back 3 rearward, a forward tilt signal output when the occupant presses a forward tilt switch SW2 that tilts the seat back 3 forward, a drive mode signal output when the occupant presses a drive mode switch SW3 that sets the state of the seat 1 to the drive mode, and a relax mode signal output when the occupant presses a relax mode switch SW4 that sets the state of the seat 1 to the relax mode. The information receiving unit 511 also receives commands such as the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 3 detected by a rearward tilt sensor 38 that detects the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 3.

[0054] The information output unit 512 outputs control signals to various actuators based on various information and commands received by the information receiving unit 511. For example, when the information receiving unit 511 receives a rearward tilt signal or a forward tilt signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 to drive the reclining actuator 37. The information output unit 512 continues to output a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 while the information receiving unit 511 is receiving the rearward tilt signal or the forward tilt signal. In other words, the seat back 3 continues to tilt backward or forward while the occupant is pressing the rearward tilt switch SW1 or the forward tilt switch SW2. At this time, when the information output unit 512 receives a rearward tilt angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle detected by the rearward tilt sensor 38, it outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63 to rotate the ottoman 6.

[0055] Similarly, when the information receiving unit 511 receives the drive mode signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the cushion actuator 26 to rotate the rotating frame 24 and outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 to rotate the seat back 3 so that the seat 1 is in the drive mode stored in the storage unit 52. If the ottoman 6 is extended at this time, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63 to retract the ottoman 6. In other words, when the occupant presses the drive mode switch SW3, the state of the seat 1 is changed to the drive mode.

[0056] Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 511 receives the relaxation mode signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the cushion actuator 26 to rotate the rotating frame 24, outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 to tilt the seat back 3, and outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63 to rotate the ottoman 6, so that the seat 1 is in the relaxation mode stored in the memory unit 52. In other words, when the occupant presses the relaxation mode switch SW4, the state of the seat 1 is changed to the relaxation mode.

[0057] The memory unit 52 stores various programs and various data executed by the calculation unit 51. The memory unit 52 has a mode memory unit 521 that stores the state of the seat 1 in various modes. The mode memory unit 521 stores the state of the seat 1 in the drive mode, the state of the seat 1 in the relax mode, etc.

[0058] 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion 2 set to the drive mode, and Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion 2 set to the relax mode. In the drive mode of the seat 1, as shown in Fig. 9A, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is not rotated, that is, the cover material 22 of the seat cushion 2 is in close contact with the cushion pad 21, and the load from the occupant's buttocks and the like is supported by the pressure-receiving member 25 via the cover material 22 and the cushion pad 21.

[0059] On the other hand, in the relaxation mode of the seat 1, as shown in FIG. 9B , the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated, i.e., the cover material 22 of the seat cushion 2 is separated from the cushion pad 21, and the load from the occupant's buttocks and the like is supported by the cover material 22. As described above, the cover material 22 is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, or the like. Therefore, when the cover material 22 receives a load from the occupant's buttocks and the like in this state, the cover material 22 stretches, increasing the contact area with the occupant's buttocks and the like. This distributes the occupant's body pressure on the seat cushion 2, reducing the strain on the occupant's buttocks and the like, even when the occupant sits for a long time. In addition, the cover material 22 conforms to the occupant's buttocks and the like, enveloping them like a hammock, improving the hold and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0060] The sheet 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects. (1) The seat 1 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3 rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2 (FIG. 1). The seat cushion 2 includes a seat cushion frame 20, a cushion pad 21 provided on the seat cushion frame 20, and a cover material 22 that covers the seat cushion frame 20 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided (FIGS. 4 and 6). The seat cushion frame 20 includes a base frame 23 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided, and a rotating frame 24 on which the cover material 22 is provided and which is supported by the base frame 23 so as to be movable up and down (FIGS. 5 and 7).

[0061] With this configuration, by rotating the rotating frame 24, the covering material 22 provided on the rotating frame 24 can be separated from the cushion pad 21 (FIGS. 5 and 7). Therefore, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 2 in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the seat cushion 2 (in this case, the covering material 22) increases (FIGS. 9A and 9B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the seat cushion 2. As a result, the burden acting on the occupant's buttocks and the like is reduced, and fatigue of the occupant is reduced, for example, even when riding (sitting) for a long period of time.

[0062] (2) In the seat 1 described in (1), the seat cushion 2 further includes a pressure-receiving member 25 that is attached to the base frame 23 and receives the load of the occupant (FIG. 2). With this configuration, the pressure-receiving member 25 ultimately supports the load of the occupant, so the rigidity of the cushion pad 21 and the upholstery material 22 can be lower than in a case where the pressure-receiving member 25 is not provided. This improves the comfort of sitting on the seat cushion 2. In addition, it is possible to use a stretchable fabric or the like for the upholstery material 22, which can increase the contact area between the occupant and the upholstery material 22 when the rotating frame 24 is rotated. As a result, the body pressure of the occupant acting on the seat cushion 2 can be more effectively distributed.

[0063] (3) In the seat 1 described in (1), the cushion pad 21 has a base cushion pad 211 provided on the base frame 23 and a rotating cushion pad 212 provided on the rotating frame 24 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The cover material 22 is provided so as to cover the rotating frame 24 on which the rotating cushion pad 212 is provided (FIGS. 5 and 7). With this configuration, even when the rotating frame 24 is rotated to separate the cover material 22 from the base cushion pad 211, the rotating cushion pad 212 provided on the rotating frame 24 allows the occupant to be stably supported on the cover material 22. In addition, because the cover material 22 is provided on the rotating frame 24 via the rotating cushion pad 212, the load acting on the cover material 22 from the rotating frame 24 can be reduced.

[0064] (4) The seat 1 described in (1) further includes a cushion actuator 26 that raises and lowers the rotating frame 24, and a controller 5 that controls the drive of the cushion actuator 26 so that the rotating frame 24 rotates in response to the rotation of the seat back 3 (FIGS. 1 and 8). With this configuration, the seat 1 can be easily set to, for example, a relaxation mode in which the seat back 3 is tilted backward and the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated upward.

[0065] (5) The seat 1 described in (4) further includes an ottoman 6 that can be extended and retracted from the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2, and an ottoman actuator 63 that causes the ottoman 6 to extend and retract from the floor 10 (FIGS. 1 and 8). The controller 5 further controls the drive of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 extends and retracts in response to the rotation of the rotating frame 24. With this configuration, for example, the seat back 3 can be tilted backward, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 can be rotated upward, and the seat can be easily set to a relaxation mode in which the ottoman 6 extends and retracts.

[0066] In the seat 1 described in (6) and (5), the ottoman actuator 63 is configured to be able to rotate the ottoman 6 around a rotation axis 11a extending along the floor 10, and the controller 5 controls the driving of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the height of the ottoman 6 from the floor 10 when the ottoman 6 is extended becomes a predetermined height according to the amount of rotation of the ottoman 6. With this configuration, for example, by rotating the ottoman 6 according to the rotation angle of the rotation frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 or the backward tilt angle of the seat back 3, the ottoman 6 can be set to an optimum height according to the state of the seat 1.

[0067] (7) The seat 1 described in (1) further includes a tension spring 224 that biases the cover material 22 toward the base cushion pad 211 so that the cover material 22 comes into close contact with the base cushion pad 211 provided on the base frame 23 when the rotating frame 24 is in a lowered position. With this configuration, even when the rotating frame 24 is provided, the cover material 22 can come into close contact with the cushion pad 21 when the rotating frame 24 is not rotated (non-rotating state).

[0068] The sheet 1 according to the above embodiment can be modified into various forms. Modified examples of the sheet 1 will be described below. Note that in the following modified examples, differences from the sheet 1 will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same configurations as the sheet 1 will be omitted, as the description of the sheet 1 will be used.

[0069] A seat 1A according to a first modified example of the present embodiment differs from the above embodiment in the configuration of a seat back 3A. The seat back 3A according to the first modified example will be mainly described below with reference to Figures 1 and 8 as well as Figures 10A and 10B.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 3A includes a seat back frame 30A that forms a skeleton that conforms to the external shape of the seat back 3, a back pad 31A made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a back skin material 32A made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, and is formed in the same manner as the seat back 3 by attaching the back pad 31A to the seat back frame 30A and covering them with the back skin material 32A.

[0071] 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of a seat back 3A according to a first modified example of the present embodiment. The seat back frame 30A includes a base back frame (first back frame) 33 that forms a skeleton along the outer shape of the seat back 3A, a rotating back frame (second back frame) 34 that is rotatably supported by the base back frame 33, a pressure-receiving member 35 that is provided on the base back frame 33 and supports a load from the back of an occupant seated in the seat 1A, and a back actuator 36 (see FIG. 8) that rotates the rotating back frame 34.

[0072] The base back frame 33 includes a pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, and a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, and is formed into a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. The pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L are formed into plate shapes with both surfaces facing the horizontal direction and are erected in the front-to-rear direction while extending in the vertical direction. A pressure-receiving member 35 is suspended between the upper pipe and the lower pipe.

[0073] The rotating back frame 34 includes a pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting upper ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L, and a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting lower ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L, and is formed into a rectangular frame shape in a front view. Similar to the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L are formed into plate shapes with both surfaces facing in the horizontal direction and are erected in the front-to-rear direction while extending in the vertical direction.

[0074] The pair of left and right side-back frames 341R, 341L are erected substantially parallel to the pair of left and right side-back frames 331R, 331L on the left-right outer sides of the pair of left and right side-back frames 331R, 331L of the base-back frame 33, and their lower ends are rotatably supported by the pair of left and right side-back frames 331R, 331L. The pair of left and right side-back frames 341R, 341L rotate about their lower ends along the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right side-back frames 331R, 331L. The upper pipe is located forward of the upper pipe of the base-back frame 33, and the lower pipe is located forward of the lower pipe of the base-back frame 33. The front end and rear end of the bag upholstery material 22A are hung across the upper pipe and the lower pipe, respectively.

[0075] The back actuator 36 is configured to be extendable and contractible, with one end supported by the upper pipe of the rotating back frame 34 and the other end supported by the upper pipe of the base back frame 33. By extending and contracting the back actuator 36, the rotating back frame 34 rotates. Note that the back actuator 36 may have the same configuration as the cushion actuator 26.

[0076] 10A, the back pad 31A includes a base back pad 311 provided on the base back frame 33 and a rotating back pad 312 provided on the rotating back frame 34. The base back pad 311 is a cushioning material provided on the back portion 3a of the seat back 3, and the rotating back pad 312 is a cushioning material provided on the side support portions 3b located on both the left and right sides of the back portion 3a. In the seat back 3A according to the first modification, the base back frame 33 and the pressure-receiving member 35 form the framework of the back portion 3a, and the rotating back frame 34 forms the framework of the side support portions 3b. The base back pad 311 is provided on the pressure-receiving member 35 suspended across the base back frame 33, and the rotating back pad 312 is provided extending in the vertical direction so as to cover the front ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L of the rotating back frame 34.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10A , the base back pad 311 has multiple grooves 313 provided to improve the comfort of the occupant when seated, and multiple storage compartments 314 provided within each of the multiple grooves 313. The multiple grooves 313 include multiple vertical grooves 313a extending in the front-rear direction near the boundary between the back portion 3a and the side support portions 3b, and multiple horizontal grooves 313b extending in the left-right direction between the multiple vertical grooves 313a. The multiple storage compartments 314 are provided at predetermined intervals within the multiple vertical grooves 313a and the multiple horizontal grooves 313b to accommodate tension springs 324 provided in the back upholstery material 22A to closely contact the base back pad 311. By arranging the tension springs 324 in these storage compartments 314, the back upholstery material 22A can be properly closely contacted with the back pad 31 when the rotating back frame 34 is in a non-rotating state.

[0078] The back covering material 32A is provided to cover the base back frame 33 to which the base back pad 311 is attached and the rotating back frame 34 to which the rotating back pad 312 is attached. In this embodiment, the back covering material 32A covers the base back pad 311 and the rotating back pad 312 by engaging both vertical ends with the upper pipe and lower pipe of the rotating back frame 34 and by engaging both horizontal ends with the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L of the rotating back frame 34.

[0079] The tension springs 324 are formed so as to be able to be housed in the plurality of housing portions 314 of the base back pad 311. The plurality of tension springs 324 have a spring coefficient that allows the back covering material 32A to be in close contact with the base back pad 311 when the rotating back frame 34 is not rotating, as shown in Fig. 10A, and allows the back covering material 32A to be separated from the base back pad 311 when the rotating back frame 34 is rotating, as shown in Fig. 10B.

[0080] The back cover material 32A is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, a net seat, or the like. By using a stretchable fabric for the back cover material 32A, when the pivotable back frame 34 is pivoted to separate the back cover material 32A from the back pad 31, the contact area between the occupant's back and the back cover material 32A increases, making it possible to distribute the user's body pressure. This reduces the strain on the occupant's back, even when seated for long periods of time. In addition, the back cover material 32A conforms to the occupant's upper body, enveloping it like a hammock, providing improved support and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0081] When the relaxation mode switch SW4 is pressed by the occupant, the controller 5A outputs a control signal to the back actuator 36 to rotate the rotating back frame 34 in addition to the relaxation mode described above.

[0082] Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX when the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A of Fig. 10A is rotated. When the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is not rotated, as shown in Fig. 10A, the back cover material 32A of the seat back 3A is in close contact with the back pad 31A, and the load from the back of the occupant, etc., is supported by the pressure-receiving member 35 via the back cover material 32A and the back pad 31A.

[0083] On the other hand, when the pivotable back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is rotated, as shown in FIG. 10B , the back cover material 32A of the seat back 3A is spaced from the back pad 31A, and the load from the back of the seated occupant is supported by the back cover material 32A. As described above, the back cover material 32A is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net seat, or the like. Therefore, when the back cover material 32A receives a load from the occupant's back in this state, the back cover material 32A stretches, increasing the contact area with the occupant's back. This distributes the occupant's body pressure on the seat back 3A, reducing the strain on the occupant's back, for example, even when seated for a long period of time. Furthermore, the back cover material 32A conforms to the occupant's upper body, enveloping it like a hammock, improving support and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0084] The sheet 1A according to the first modified example of this embodiment can provide the following advantageous effects. (8) In the seat 1A, the seat back 3A includes a seat back frame 30A, a back pad 31A provided on the seat back frame 30A, and a back covering material 32A that covers the seat back frame 30A on which the back pad 31A is provided (FIG. 1). The seat back frame 30A includes a base back frame 33 on which the back pad 31A is provided, and a rotating back frame 34 on which the back covering material 32A of the seat back 3A is provided and which is supported by the base back frame 33 so as to be movable in a direction away from the base back frame 33 (FIG. 10A).

[0085] With this configuration, by rotating the rotating back frame 34, the back covering material 32A provided on the rotating back frame 34 can be separated from the back pad 31A (FIG. 10B). Therefore, when an occupant sits on the seat 1A in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the seat back 3A (in this case, the back covering material 32A) increases (FIGS. 10A and 10B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the seat back 3A. As a result, the burden acting on the occupant's upper body and the like is reduced, and the occupant's fatigue and the like are reduced, even when, for example, riding (sitting) for a long period of time.

[0086] The seat 1A described in (9) and (8) further includes a back actuator 36 that moves the swivel back frame 34 in a direction away from the base back frame 33, and a controller 5A that controls the drive of the back actuator 36 so that the swivel back frame 34 moves in response to the rotation of the seat back 3A (FIG. 8). With this configuration, the seat 1A can be easily set, for example, in a relaxation mode in which the seat back 3A is tilted backward and the swivel frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated upward, to a state in which the swivel back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is further rotated upward.

[0087] A seat 1B according to a second modification of the present embodiment differs from the above embodiment in the configuration of a headrest 4B. Hereinafter, the headrest 4B according to the second modification will be mainly described with reference to Figures 11A and 11B in addition to Figures 1 and 8.

[0088] The headrest 4B comprises a headrest frame 40B that forms a skeleton that follows the external shape of the headrest 4B, a headrest pad 41B made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a headrest covering material 42B made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like, and is formed by attaching the headrest pad 41B to the headrest frame 40B and covering them with the headrest covering material 42B.

[0089] 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of a headrest 4B according to a second modified example of the present embodiment. The headrest frame 40B includes a base headrest frame (first headrest frame) 43 that forms a framework that conforms to the external shape of the headrest 4B, a rotating headrest frame (second headrest frame) 44 that is rotatably supported by the base headrest frame 43, and a headrest actuator 46 (see FIG. 8) that rotates the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0090] The base headrest frame 43 includes a pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, and a headrest stay 47 connected to the lower pipe and extending downward. The pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L are formed in the shape of a plate with both surfaces facing in the horizontal direction and are erected in the front-to-rear direction while extending in the vertical direction.

[0091] The rotating headrest frame 44 includes a pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting upper ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L, and a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction and connecting lower ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L, and is formed into a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. Similar to the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L are formed like plates with both surfaces facing the horizontal direction and are erected in the front-to-rear direction while extending in the vertical direction.

[0092] The pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L are erected substantially parallel to the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L on the left-right outer sides of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L of the base headrest frame 43, and their lower ends are rotatably supported by the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L. The pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L rotate about their lower ends along the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L. The upper pipe is located forward of the upper pipe of the base headrest frame 43, and the lower pipe is located forward of the lower pipe of the base headrest frame 43. The front and rear ends of the headrest covering material 42B are suspended over the upper and lower pipes, respectively.

[0093] The headrest actuator 46 is configured to be extendable and contractible, with one end supported by the upper pipe of the rotating headrest frame 44 and the other end supported by the upper pipe of the base headrest frame 43. The rotating headrest frame 44 rotates when the headrest actuator 46 is extended or contracted. The headrest actuator 46 may have the same configuration as the cushion actuator 26.

[0094] 11A, the headrest pad 41B includes a base head pad 411 provided on the base headrest frame 43 and a rotating head pad 412 provided on the rotating headrest frame 44. The base head pad 411 is a cushioning material provided on the head portion 4a of the headrest 4, and the rotating head pad 412 is a cushioning material provided on the side support portions 4b located on both left and right sides of the head portion 4a. In the headrest 4 according to the second modification, the base headrest frame 43 forms the framework of the head portion 4a, and the rotating headrest frame 44 forms the framework of the side support portions 4b. The base head pad 411 is disposed inside the base headrest frame 43, and the rotating head pad 412 is provided extending in the vertical direction so as to cover the front ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L of the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0095] 11A, the base head pad 411 has a plurality of accommodation portions 414 on its front surface. The plurality of accommodation portions 414 are provided so as to be able to accommodate tension springs 424 provided in the headrest covering material 42B to bring the headrest covering material 42B into close contact with the base head pad 411. By arranging the tension springs 424 in such accommodation portions 414, the headrest covering material 42B can be brought into appropriate close contact with the headrest pad 41 when the rotatable headrest frame 44 is in a non-rotating state.

[0096] The headrest covering material 42B is provided so as to cover the base headrest frame 43 to which the base head pad 411 is attached and the rotating headrest frame 44 to which the rotating head pad 412 is attached. In this embodiment, the headrest covering material 42B covers the base head pad 411 and the rotating head pad 412 by engaging both vertical ends with the upper pipe and lower pipe of the rotating headrest frame 44 and by engaging both horizontal ends with the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L of the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0097] The tension springs 424 are formed so as to be able to be housed in the plurality of housing portions 414 of the base head pad 411. The plurality of tension springs 424 have a spring coefficient that allows the headrest covering material 42B to be in close contact with the base head pad 411 when the rotatable headrest frame 44 is not rotated, as shown in Fig. 11A, and allows the headrest covering material 42B to be separated from the base head pad 411 when the rotatable headrest frame 44 is rotated, as shown in Fig. 11B.

[0098] The headrest covering material 42B is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, or the like. By using a stretchable fabric for the headrest covering material 42B, when the rotating headrest frame 44 is rotated to separate the headrest covering material 42B from the headrest pad 41B, the contact area between the occupant's head and the headrest covering material 42B increases, thereby dispersing the user's body pressure. This reduces the strain on the occupant's head even when seated for long periods of time. Furthermore, the headrest covering material 42B conforms to the occupant's head and supports it like a hammock, improving the hold and stabilizing posture.

[0099] When the relaxation mode switch SW4 is pressed by the occupant, the controller 5B outputs a control signal to the headrest actuator 46 to rotate the rotating headrest frame 44 in addition to the relaxation mode described above.

[0100] Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 11A when the rotatable headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is rotated. When the rotatable headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is not rotated, as shown in Fig. 11A, the headrest covering material 42B of the headrest 4B is in close contact with the headrest pad 41B, and the load from the occupant's head and the like is supported by the back pad 31A via the back covering material 32A.

[0101] On the other hand, when the rotatable headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is rotated, as shown in FIG. 11B, the headrest cover material 42B of the headrest 4B is spaced from the headrest pad 41B, and the load from the occupant's head and other parts is supported by the headrest cover material 42B. As described above, the headrest cover material 42B is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, or the like. Therefore, when the headrest cover material 42B receives a load from the occupant's head and other parts in this state, the headrest cover material 42B stretches, increasing the contact area with the occupant's head and other parts. This distributes the occupant's body pressure on the headrest 4B, reducing the strain on the occupant's head and other parts, even when the occupant sits for a long period of time. Furthermore, the headrest cover material 42B conforms to the occupant's head and other parts, enveloping it like a hammock, improving the hold and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0102] The sheet 1B according to the second modified example of this embodiment can provide the following advantageous effects. (10) The seat 1B further includes a headrest 4B attached to the upper end of the seat back 3. The headrest 4B includes a headrest frame 40B, a headrest pad 41B attached to the headrest frame 40B, and a headrest covering material 42B that covers the headrest frame 40B on which the headrest pad 41B is attached (FIG. 1). The headrest frame 40B includes a base headrest frame 43 on which the headrest pad 41B is attached, and a rotating headrest frame 44 on which the headrest covering material 42B is attached and which is supported on the base headrest frame 43 so as to be movable in a direction away from the base headrest frame 43 (FIG. 11A).

[0103] With this configuration, by rotating the rotating headrest frame 44, the headrest covering material 42B provided on the rotating headrest frame 44 can be separated from the base headrest frame 43 (FIG. 11B). Therefore, when an occupant sits on the seat 1B in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the headrest 4B (in this case, the headrest covering material 42B) increases (FIGS. 11A and 11B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the headrest 4B. As a result, the burden acting on the occupant's head and other parts is reduced, and the occupant's fatigue is alleviated, even when, for example, riding (sitting) for a long period of time.

[0104] The seat 1B described in (11) and (10) further includes a headrest actuator 46 that moves the swivel headrest frame 44 in a direction away from the base headrest frame 43, and a controller 5B that controls the drive of the headrest actuator 46 so that the swivel headrest frame 44 moves in response to the rotation of the seat back 3 (FIG. 8). With this configuration, the seat 1B can be easily set to a state in which the swivel headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is further rotated upward, for example, in a relaxation mode in which the seat back 3A is tilted backward and the swivel frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 and the swivel back frame 34 of the seat back 3A are rotated upward.

[0105] 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating other forms of the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1, 1A, 1B. The seat cushion 2 may be configured to include a means for suppressing the submarine phenomenon in which the body of an occupant seated in the seat 1, 1A, 1B mounted on the vehicle slides forward and downward when the vehicle (vehicle) is hit by a frontal collision.

[0106] For example, as shown in Fig. 12, a submarine pipe 27 may be provided on the seat cushion 2. The submarine pipe 27 shown in Fig. 12 is provided on the base frame 23 of the seat cushion frame 20. Specifically, the submarine pipe 27 extends in the left-right direction and is provided so as to connect the front ends of a pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L of an upper frame 232 of the base frame 23. The submarine pipe 27 is provided above and slightly rearward of the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232.

[0107] With this configuration, when the vehicle collides head-on and the occupant sinks forward and downward, the occupant's feet come into contact with the submarine pipe 27, so the occupant is prevented from sinking forward and downward, improving the effect of preventing the occupant from moving forward and downward.

[0108] 13, the seat cushion 2 may be provided with a cushion airbag 28 that inflates when the vehicle receives an impact due to a frontal collision or the like. The cushion airbag 28 shown in FIG. 13 is provided on a pressure-receiving member 25 that is hung across the base frame 23. The cushion airbag 28 is provided on a pressure-receiving portion 251 of the pressure-receiving member 25, and is positioned slightly behind the cutout portion 254. The cushion airbag 28 has an inner bag 281 and a gas generator 282 that is housed in the inner bag 281 and supplies inflation gas.

[0109] With this configuration, when the vehicle collides frontally and the cushion airbag 28 is activated, the gas generator 282 generates high-pressure gas for inflation, causing the inner bag 281 to inflate. When the inner bag 281 inflates, the front portion of the seat cushion 2, for example, the area from the thighs to the backs of the knees of the occupant, is inflated, preventing the occupant from sinking forward and downward, thereby improving the effect of preventing the occupant from moving forward and downward.

[0110] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and first and second modifications, as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. One or more of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be arbitrarily combined, and modifications can also be combined with each other.

[0111] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the seats 1, 1A, and 1B are described as having an ottoman 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. The seats 1, 1A, and 1B may be configured without an ottoman 6, or may have an ottoman configured differently from the ottoman 6. For example, the seats 1, 1A, and 1B may be configured such that an ottoman is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 seat, 2 seat cushion, 3, 3A seat back, 4, 4B headrest, 5, 5A, 5B controller, 6 ottoman, 10 floor, 20 seat cushion frame, 21 cushion pad, 22 upholstery material, 23 base frame (first cushion frame), 24 rotating frame (second cushion frame), 25 pressure receiving member, 26 cushion actuator

Claims

1. A seat comprising a seat cushion and a seat back rotatably supported by the seat cushion, the seat cushion includes a seat cushion frame, a cushion pad provided on the seat cushion frame, and a skin material that covers the seat cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided, The seat cushion frame includes a first cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided, and a second cushion frame on which the cover material is provided and which is supported by the first cushion frame so as to be movable up and down.

2. The sheet according to claim 1, The seat is characterized in that the seat cushion further includes a pressure-receiving member that is provided on the first cushion frame and receives a load from a seated occupant.

3. The sheet according to claim 1, the cushion pad includes a first cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame and a second cushion pad provided on the second cushion frame, The seat is characterized in that the covering material is provided so as to cover the second cushion frame on which the second cushion pad is provided.

4. The sheet according to claim 1, a cushion actuator that raises and lowers the second cushion frame; The seat further comprises a control unit that controls driving of the cushion actuator so that the second cushion frame moves up and down in response to a rotational movement of the seat back.

5. The sheet according to claim 4, an ottoman that can be protruded from the floor in front of the seat cushion; an ottoman actuator that causes the ottoman to protrude from and retract into the floor, The control unit further controls the driving of the ottoman actuator so that the ottoman extends and retracts in response to the lifting and lowering movement of the second cushion frame.

6. The sheet according to claim 5, the ottoman actuator is configured to be able to rotate the ottoman in a vertical direction around a rotation axis extending along the floor, The control unit controls the driving of the ottoman actuator so that the height of the ottoman from the floor when the ottoman is deployed is a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman.

7. The sheet according to claim 1, the seat further comprising a biasing member that biases the cover material toward the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame so that the cover material comes into close contact with the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame when the second cushion frame is in a lowered position.

8. The sheet according to claim 1, The seat back includes a seat back frame, a back pad provided on the seat back frame, and a back covering material that covers the seat back frame on which the back pad is provided, The seatback frame is characterized in that it has a first back frame on which the back pad is provided, and a second back frame on which the back cover material of the seatback is provided and which is supported on the first back frame so as to be movable in a direction away from the first back frame.

9. The sheet according to claim 8, a back actuator that moves the second back frame in a direction away from the first back frame; The seat further comprises a control unit that controls the drive of the back actuator so that the second back frame moves in response to a rotational movement of the seat back.

10. The sheet according to claim 1, The seatback further includes a headrest attached to an upper end thereof, the headrest includes a headrest frame, a headrest pad provided on the headrest frame, and a headrest covering material that covers the headrest frame on which the headrest pad is provided, The headrest frame is characterized in that it has a first headrest frame on which the headrest pad is provided, and a second headrest frame on which the headrest covering material is provided and which is supported on the first headrest frame so as to be movable in a direction away from the first headrest frame.

11. The sheet according to claim 10, a headrest actuator that moves the second headrest frame in a direction away from the first headrest frame; The seat further comprises a control unit that controls driving of the headrest actuator so that the second headrest frame moves in response to a rotational movement of the seat back.

12. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is a vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the seat cushion frame extends in the left-right direction and has a pipe for suppressing submarine phenomenon, which suppresses forward movement of the seated occupant in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle.

13. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is a vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle, A vehicle seat comprising a cushion airbag attached to the seat cushion frame, the cushion airbag inflating in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle to suppress forward movement of the seated occupant.

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