Vehicle seat

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle seat which can provide cool feeling to a seated occupant.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 10 includes a seated occupant support part for supporting a body of a seated occupant. Further, the vehicle seat 10 includes a water absorptive sheet 28 provided at the seated occupant support part and having water absorbability. Furthermore, the vehicle seat 10 includes a water storage tank 30 which stores water and supplies the stored water to the water absorptive sheet 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a seat pad that easily changes temperature in response to temperature changes in the vehicle interior. The seat pad described in this document includes a foamed resin that constitutes at least a portion of the seat pad, a liquid that vaporizes and liquefies within the seat pad's operating temperature range, and a bag that contains the foamed resin and the liquid. When the temperature of the seat pad rises, the liquid vaporizes within the bag and absorbs heat of vaporization from the surrounding area, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the foamed resin. Therefore, when the seat pad is cooled with cabin air, such as from an air conditioner, the temperature of the seat pad changes more quickly in response to temperature changes in the vehicle interior compared to a seat pad whose temperature changes are solely due to heat conduction through the foamed resin, which has low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, when the temperature of the seat pad drops, the liquid vaporized within the bag liquefies and releases heat of condensation to the surrounding area, thereby suppressing the temperature drop of the foamed resin. Therefore, when the seat pad is heated by the air in the vehicle cabin, such as from an air conditioner, the temperature of the seat pad changes quickly in response to the temperature change in the vehicle cabin, compared to a seat pad that can only expect changes in temperature due to heat conduction through a foamed resin body with low thermal conductivity.In this way, the seat pad described in Patent Document 1 can easily change its temperature in response to the temperature change in the vehicle cabin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-217138 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the seat pad described in Patent Document 1 above is a useful configuration from the viewpoint of making it easier to change the temperature in response to temperature changes in the vehicle interior, but there is room for improvement in terms of providing a feeling of coolness to seated occupants.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can give a cool feeling to a seated occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle seat of the first aspect comprises a seated occupant support portion that supports the body of a seated occupant, a water-absorbing member that is provided on the seated occupant support portion and has water-absorbing properties, and a storage portion that stores water and supplies the stored water toward the water-absorbing member.

[0007] In a first aspect of the vehicle seat, the body of a seated occupant is supported by a seated occupant support portion. A water-absorbing member having water-absorbing properties is provided in the seated occupant support portion. Furthermore, water stored in a reservoir is supplied toward the water-absorbing member. When the water stored in the reservoir is supplied to the water-absorbing member and the water in the water-absorbing member evaporates, heat is removed from the surface of the seated occupant support portion facing the seated occupant. This provides a feeling of coolness to the seated occupant.

[0008] The vehicle seat of the second aspect is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, in which a waterproof member formed in a film shape and having waterproof properties is provided between the surface of the seated occupant support portion facing the seated occupant and the water-absorbent member.

[0009] In the vehicle seat of the second aspect, the waterproof member is provided between the surface of the seated occupant support portion facing the seated occupant and the water-absorbent member, thereby preventing or suppressing discomfort caused by moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent member adhering to the seated occupant.

[0010] A third aspect of the vehicle seat is a vehicle seat of the first or second aspect, wherein the seated occupant support portion includes a cushioned seat pad, and the seat pad is formed using a breathable material.

[0011] In the vehicle seat of the third aspect, the seat pad is formed using a breathable material, which allows moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent material to escape through the seat pad.

[0012] A vehicle seat of a fourth aspect is the vehicle seat of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the reservoir is disposed above the seat with respect to the water-absorbent member.

[0013] In the vehicle seat of the fourth aspect, the reservoir is disposed above the seat with respect to the water-absorbent member, which allows the water in the reservoir to be supplied to the water-absorbent member by gravity.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the vehicle seat is a vehicle seat according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein an automatic water volume adjusting section is provided between the storage section and the water-absorbing member, which automatically adjusts the amount of water supplied from the storage section to the water-absorbing member.

[0015] In the vehicle seat of the fifth aspect, the automatic water amount adjusting section is provided, so that the amount of water supplied from the reservoir section to the water absorbent member can be automatically adjusted.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the vehicle seat is a vehicle seat according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a manual water volume adjustment section is provided between the storage section and the water-absorbing member for manually adjusting the amount of water supplied from the storage section to the water-absorbing member.

[0017] In the vehicle seat of the sixth aspect, the amount of water supplied from the reservoir to the water-absorbent member can be adjusted by operating the manual water amount adjuster.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the vehicle seat is a vehicle seat according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the surface of the seated occupant support portion opposite the seated occupant is formed using a breathable material.

[0019] In the vehicle seat of the seventh aspect, the surface of the seated occupant support portion opposite the seated occupant is formed using a breathable material, so that moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent material can escape through the surface of the seated occupant support portion opposite the seated occupant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The vehicle seat according to the present invention has the excellent effect of providing a cool feeling to the seated occupant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view schematically showing a seat back of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an armrest. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A vehicle seat 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 and 2. In the figures, the arrow FR indicates the front side of the seat, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat, the arrow RH indicates the right side in the seat width direction, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the seat width direction. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, when referring to front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions, these refer to front-rear in the front-rear direction of the seat, up-down in the seat up-down direction, and left-right in the seat width direction.

[0023] 1, the vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 as a seated occupant support part that supports the buttocks of the seated occupant from below, a seat back 14 as a seated occupant support part that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear side, and a headrest 16 as a seated occupant support part that supports the head of the seated occupant. The vehicle seat 10 also includes a cooling device 18 that cools the surface of the seat back 14 facing the seated occupant.

[0024] The seat cushion 12 includes a cushion pad 20 serving as a seat pad having cushioning properties, and a cushion trim 22 covering the cushion pad 20.

[0025] The seat back 14 is configured to include a back pad 24 as a cushioned seat pad, and a back trim 26 that covers the back pad 24. The back pad 24 is formed using a breathable material, such as urethane, fiber, or filament-based material from which the cell membrane has been removed. The seated occupant side of the back trim 26 (front surface 26A) is formed using cloth, leather, vinyl, or the like. The opposite side of the back trim 26 from the seated occupant (rear surface 26B) is formed using cloth, leather, vinyl, or the like. Here, the rear surface 26B of the back trim 26 is configured to be breathable by using a mesh-shaped material or a punched material.

[0026] The cooling device 18 includes a water-absorbent sheet 28 as a water-absorbent member provided along the front surface 26A of the back trim 26, and a water storage tank 30 as a storage unit that stores water and supplies the stored water toward the water-absorbent sheet 28. The cooling device 18 also includes a waterproof sheet 32 as a waterproof member provided between the front surface 26A of the back trim 26 and the water-absorbent sheet 28, and a water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 as an automatic water volume adjustment unit provided between the water-absorbent sheet 28 and the water storage tank 30.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the water-absorbent sheet 28 is formed using a molded felt or a three-dimensional woven fabric blended with a water-absorbent polymer and hydrophilic fibers. Specifically, the water-absorbent sheet 28 is formed into a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction extending vertically when viewed from the front, and a sheet-like shape with its thickness extending longitudinally in the front-rear direction. The water-absorbent sheet 28 is fixed to the front surface of the back pad 24 behind the front surface 26A of the back trim 26. The water-absorbent sheet 28 is also disposed in the vertical center and the horizontal center of the seat back 14 when viewed from the front. Flow paths 36, through which water supplied from a water storage tank 30 (described later) flows, are provided vertically at both lateral ends and in the horizontal middle of the water-absorbent sheet 28. The flow paths 36 may be formed using thin tubes or thin permeable wires.

[0028] The water storage tank 30 is a container having a space therein for storing water, and is fixed to the top of the back pad 24 above the absorbent sheet 28. The internal space of the water storage tank 30 and the flow path 36 of the absorbent sheet 28 are connected in the vertical direction via a connecting pipe 38. Water can be supplied to the inside of the water storage tank 30 through a water intake port 30A.

[0029] 1, the waterproof sheet 32 is formed as a thin film that is both waterproof and flexible. The waterproof sheet 32 is provided on the water-absorbent sheet 28 side of the front surface 26A of the back trim 26 so as to face the front surface 26A of the back trim 26 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] 1 and 2, the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is provided in the vertical middle of the connecting pipe 38. In this embodiment, the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is opened and closed by a bimetal that is activated by changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, when the temperature of the portion of the seat back 14 where the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is provided is below a predetermined temperature, the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is closed, cutting off the supply of water from the water storage tank 30 to the water absorbent sheet 28. On the other hand, when the temperature of the portion of the seat back 14 where the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is provided exceeds the predetermined temperature, the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is opened, allowing water to be supplied from the water storage tank 30 to the water absorbent sheet 28.

[0031] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the vehicle seat 10 of the present embodiment described above, the buttocks, back and head of a seated occupant are supported by the seat cushion 12, seat back 14 and headrest 16, respectively.

[0033] Here, when the seat back 14 is heated by an increase in the temperature of the environment surrounding the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment or the body temperature of the seated occupant, and the temperature of the portion of the seat back 14 where the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is provided exceeds a predetermined temperature, the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34 is opened. As a result, water is supplied from the water storage tank 30 to the water absorbent sheet 28 via the connecting pipe 38 and the flow path 36. When the water supplied to the water absorbent sheet 28 evaporates, heat is removed from the front surface 26A of the back trim 26, and heat is removed from the back of the seated occupant through the front surface 26A of the back trim 26. In this way, the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment can provide a cooling sensation to the back of the seated occupant without consuming power.

[0034] Furthermore, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the waterproof sheet 32 is provided between the front surface 26A of the back trim 26 and the water-absorbent sheet 28. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress discomfort caused by moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent sheet 28 adhering to the back of the seated occupant. In other words, it is possible to prevent or suppress discomfort caused by moisture accumulating around the back of the seated occupant.

[0035] Furthermore, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the back pad 24 is formed using a breathable material. This allows moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent sheet 28 to escape through the back pad 24. In addition, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the rear surface 26B of the back trim 26 is formed using a breathable material. This allows moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent sheet 28 to escape through the rear surface 26B of the back trim 26.

[0036] Furthermore, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the water storage tank 30 is disposed above the water-absorbent sheet 28. This allows water inside the water storage tank 30 to be supplied to the water-absorbent sheet 28 by gravity. The relative positions of the water storage tank 30 and the water-absorbent sheet 28 change depending on the reclining angle of the seat back 14. Therefore, a mechanism (e.g., a mechanism equipped with a pump) that keeps the water inside the water storage tank 30 supplied to the water-absorbent sheet 28 may be provided. In the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the water storage tank 30 is disposed above the water-absorbent sheet 28 even when the seat back 14 is reclined all the way rearward.

[0037] The vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment is also provided with a water shutoff flow rate adjustment valve 34 that opens and closes in response to changes in the ambient temperature. This configuration allows the amount of water supplied from the water storage tank 30 to the water-absorbent sheet 28 to be automatically adjusted.

[0038] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the amount of water supplied from the water storage tank 30 to the water-absorbent sheet 28 can be automatically adjusted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a vehicle seat 40 according to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , a manual valve 42 may be provided as a manual water volume adjuster instead of the water stop flow rate adjustment valve 34. In this configuration, the amount of water supplied from the water storage tank 30 to the water-absorbent sheet 28 can be automatically adjusted by a seated occupant operating an operating unit 44 connected to the manual valve. In the vehicle seat 40 according to the second embodiment, components and parts corresponding to those of the vehicle seat 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those corresponding to those of the vehicle seat 10 described above.

[0039] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the back pad 24 is formed using a breathable material and the rear surface 26B of the back trim 26 is formed using a breathable material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a configuration in which a separate path is provided for discharging moisture generated by evaporation of water in the water-absorbent sheet 28, the back pad 24 and the rear surface 26B of the back trim 26 may be formed using a non-breathable material.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the waterproof sheet 32 is provided between the front surface 26A of the back trim 26 and the water-absorbent sheet 28, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Whether or not to provide the waterproof sheet 32 can be determined appropriately in consideration of the breathability of each member constituting the seat back 14, etc.

[0041] The cooling device 18 can also be configured to support the seat cushion 12, the headrest 16, and the armrest. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , an armrest 46 serving as a seated occupant support portion may be provided with a fan 48 that blows air toward the absorbent sheet 28 to promote evaporation of water supplied to the absorbent sheet 28. In FIG. 4 , components and parts corresponding to those of the vehicle seats 10 and 40 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in a seated occupant support portion such as the armrest 46, whose position changes depending on whether the armrest 46 is in use or retracted, it is preferable to provide a water storage tank 30 on both sides in the up-down direction when the armrest 46 is in the retracted position. In this configuration, when the armrest 46 is in the retracted position, water in the absorbent sheet 28 can be collected by one of the water storage tanks 30. This prevents water leakage from the absorbent sheet 28 when the armrest 46 is in the retracted position.

[0042] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Vehicle seats 12 Seat cushion (support part for seated passenger) 14 Seat back (support part for seated passenger) 16 Headrest (support part for seated passengers) 28 Water-absorbent sheet (water-absorbent material) 30 Water tank (storage section) 32 Waterproof sheet (waterproof material) 20 Cushion pad (seat pad) 24 Back pad (seat pad) 34 Water stop flow adjustment valve (automatic water volume adjustment part) 42 Manual valve (manual water volume control part) 46 Armrest (support for seated passengers)

Claims

1. a seated occupant support portion that supports the body of a seated occupant; a water-absorbing member provided in the seated occupant support portion and having water-absorbing properties; a reservoir that stores water and supplies the stored water toward the water-absorbing member; A vehicle seat comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a waterproof film-like waterproof member is provided between the surface of the seated occupant support portion facing the seated occupant and the water-absorbent member.

3. The seated occupant support portion is configured to include a seat pad having cushioning properties, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat pad is made of a breathable material.

4. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is disposed above the water-absorbent member.

5. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an automatic water amount adjusting unit is provided between the reservoir and the water absorbent member, the automatic water amount adjusting unit automatically adjusting the amount of water supplied from the reservoir to the water absorbent member.

6. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a manual water volume adjusting section is provided between the reservoir section and the water absorbent member for manually adjusting the amount of water supplied from the reservoir section to the water absorbent member.

7. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the seated occupant support portion opposite to the seated occupant is formed using a breathable material.

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