Conductive wire protection structure of electric component and vehicle seat

Abstract

To obtain a conductive wire protection structure of an electric component which can prevent disconnection of a conductive wire part without increasing the number of components and work hours.SOLUTION: A conductive wire protection structure of an electric component includes: a conductive wire protection part 46 formed of a part of a cushion pad 22; and a cutline part 48 formed at the cushion pad 22. The conductive wire protection part 46 forms a part of a bottom part of a horizontal groove 26F formed at the cushion pad 22 and is disposed between a lower part of a conductive wire part 42H of a seat heater 42 and a hanging part 32A of a trim cover 32. The cutline part 48 is formed at the cushion pad 22 so that the lower part of the conductive wire part 42H is inserted from the horizontal groove 26F into the lower surface side of the cushion pad 22 and wound around the conductive wire protection part 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a conductor protection structure for electrical components provided in a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a cushion pad, a cover, a heater disposed between the cover and the cushion pad, and a conductor that is energized when the heater is in use. The cover includes a first cover piece and a second cover piece sewn together, and a seam line formed by sewing the first cover piece and the second cover piece together. The conductor includes a heater wire attached to the first cover piece and a heater wire attached to the second cover piece. The heater wires are electrically connected to each other via an electric wire at connection portions located on opposite sides of the seam line. A portion of the cushion pad is disposed between the electric wire and the cover in the thickness direction of the cushion pad. This prevents the seating load from being applied to the connection portion when a vehicle occupant sits in the seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-144515 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the load of the seated occupant can be prevented from being applied to the connection portion, thereby improving the durability of the conductor and preventing the conductor from breaking. However, since an electric wire is required to connect the heater wires to each other at the connection portion, the number of parts and the number of steps for the connection work increase.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a conductor protection structure for an electrical component and a vehicle seat that can prevent breakage of conductor portions without increasing the number of components or labor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the conductor protection structure for an electrical component includes: a pad that forms the cushioning material of a vehicle seat, has a hanging groove that opens on the surface, and has an insert wire embedded near the bottom of the hanging groove; a trim cover that forms the cover of the vehicle seat, covers the pad, and has a hanging portion inserted into the hanging groove and engaged with the insert wire; an electrical component that is arranged between the pad and the trim cover and has a conductor portion inserted into the hanging groove; a conductor protection portion that is made up of part of the pad, forms part of the bottom of the hanging groove, and is interposed between part of the conductor portion and the hanging portion; and a slit portion formed in the pad so that part of the conductor portion can be inserted from within the hanging groove to the back side of the pad and wrapped around the conductor protection portion.

[0007] In a first aspect of the conductor protection structure for electrical components, a pad constituting a cushioning material for a vehicle seat has a hanging groove that opens on the surface, and an insert wire is embedded near the bottom of the hanging groove. The pad is covered with a trim cover that constitutes the upholstery of the vehicle seat. The trim cover has a hanging portion inserted into the hanging groove that is engaged with the insert wire. The electrical component disposed between the pad and the trim cover has a conductor portion inserted into the hanging groove. A portion of the bottom of the hanging groove is formed by a conductor protection portion that is made up of part of the pad.

[0008] This wire protection portion is interposed between a portion of the wire and the hanging portion of the trim cover. This prevents the hanging portion from directly interfering with the wire, thereby preventing the durability of the wire from being reduced by the force of passengers getting in and out of the vehicle and preventing the wire from breaking. Furthermore, the pad has a slit that allows a portion of the wire to be inserted from the hanging groove to the back side of the pad and wrapped around the wire protection portion. Therefore, when inserting the wire into the hanging groove, by inserting a portion of the wire into the slit, the portion of the wire can be wrapped around the wire protection portion. This prevents an increase in the number of parts and labor.

[0009] The second aspect of the conductor protection structure for an electrical component is the same as the first aspect, in that a recess is formed on the back side of the pad, which is recessed toward the hanging groove and communicates with the hanging groove via the slit portion, and a portion of the conductor portion is arranged within the recess.

[0010] In the second aspect of the conductor protection structure for an electrical component, a recess is formed on the back side of the pad that is recessed toward the hanging groove and communicates with the hanging groove, and part of the conductor of the electrical component is arranged in the recess, so that, for example, a component of a vehicle seat (e.g., a spring) arranged on the back side of the pad does not interfere with part of the conductor.

[0011] A vehicle seat of the third aspect includes a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, a seat back that supports the back of the occupant, and the conductor protection structure for electrical components of the first or second aspect provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0012] In the vehicle seat of the third aspect, the back of an occupant seated on a seat cushion is supported by a seat back. The conductor protection structure for electrical components provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back is the one of the first or second aspect, and therefore the above-mentioned effects can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, the conductor protection structure for an electrical component and the vehicle seat according to the present invention make it possible to prevent breakage of conductor portions without increasing the number of components or the number of work steps. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a portion of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 3 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F5-F5 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 5 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the seat cushion, and corresponds to a cross section taken along line F7-F7 in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a seat cushion pad and a foam molding mold thereof. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a portion of a seat cushion according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F10-F10 in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 9, illustrating a state in which a seat heater is displaced in a seat cushion according to a comparative example. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F12-F12 in FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR, LH, RH, and UP, which are appropriately depicted in each figure, respectively indicate the front, left, right, and top of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions are used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle seat 10.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a front seat of a vehicle, and includes a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant sits, a seat back 14 that supports the occupant's back, and a headrest 16 that supports the occupant's head. The seat cushion 12 is connected to the floor of the vehicle via a well-known slide mechanism 18. The lower end of the seat back 14 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12 via a well-known reclining mechanism 20. The headrest 16 is connected to the upper end of the seat back 14 so that its vertical position can be adjusted.

[0017] The seat cushion 12 includes a cushion frame (not shown), a cushion pad 22 (see FIG. 2) which is a padding material supported by the cushion frame, a trim cover 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) which is a cover covering the cushion pad 22, and a seat heater 42 disposed between the cushion pad 22 and the trim cover 32. The cushion pad 22 corresponds to the "pad" in the present invention, and the seat heater 42 corresponds to the "electrical component" in the present invention.

[0018] The cushion frame is formed by joining, for example, press-formed metal plates or metal pipes, and forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 12. The cushion pad 22 is formed of a foam, for example, urethane foam, and forms the cushioning material of the seat cushion 12. This cushion pad 22 is attached to the cushion frame from above. The trim cover 32 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together multiple cover pieces, for example, made of cloth, leather, synthetic leather, etc., and forms the cover material of the seat cushion 12. This trim cover 32 covers the cushion pad 22 from above. The seat heater 42 is formed by laminating a wire-, sheet-, or film-shaped heater main body that can generate heat when energized, and is formed into a film shape.

[0019] 2, the cushion pad 22 has a main portion 22M that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below, and left and right side support portions 22S that support the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from the sides. The main portion 22M is elastically supported from below by cushion springs (not shown) attached to the cushion frame.

[0020] Between the main portion 22M and the left and right side support portions 22S, two vertical grooves 24L, 24R extending in the front-rear direction are formed. Two horizontal grooves 26F, 26R extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the main portion 22M, and these two horizontal grooves 26F, 26R divide the main portion 22M into a front portion, a middle portion in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion. The left and right vertical grooves 24L, 24R and the front and rear horizontal grooves 26F, 26R open on the surface (here, the top surface) of the cushion pad 22. The front horizontal groove 26F corresponds to the "hanging groove" in this invention.

[0021] Insert wires 28, 30 are embedded in the cushion pad 22 below the left and right vertical grooves 24L, 24R and the front and rear horizontal grooves 26F, 26R (i.e., near the bottoms of the left and right vertical grooves 24L, 24R and the front and rear horizontal grooves 26F, 26R). The insert wires 28, 30 are made of, for example, metal wires. The insert wire 28 has a generally U-shape that is open on the front side in a plan view, and is disposed below the left and right vertical grooves 24L, 24R and the rear horizontal groove 26R. The insert wire 30 is elongated in the left-right direction, and is disposed below the front horizontal groove 26F.

[0022] The left end, right end, and center portion of the insert wire 30 each serve as a locking portion 30A for locking the trim cover 32. Two bent portions 30B that are bent rearward in a generally U-shape are formed between these three locking portions 30A. The rear ends of the two bent portions 30B are located rearward of the front lateral groove 26F. The number of locking portions 30A and bent portions 30B is not limited to the above and can be changed as appropriate.

[0023] 7, a hanging portion 32A of the trim cover 32 is inserted into the front horizontal groove 26F. In the hanging portion 32A, two skin pieces 34, 36 that form part of the trim cover 32 are sewn together at a stitching portion S. In the hanging portion 32A, the seam allowance of the skin piece 34 and the seam allowance of the skin piece 36 are folded downward and overlapped in the front-to-rear direction.

[0024] A hanging bag 38 is provided in this hanging portion 32A. The hanging bag 38 is made by folding a long piece of fabric material (e.g., nonwoven fabric) with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction in half, and is sewn together with the skin pieces 34, 36 at a seam S. A trim wire 40 is inserted into the hanging bag 38. The trim wire 40 is made of, for example, a metal wire and has an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction.

[0025] The trim wire 40 is engaged with the three engaging portions 30A of the insert wire 30 using engaging devices such as hog rings (not shown). This causes the trim cover 32 to be suspended from the insert wire 30. The trim cover 32 has suspending portions (not shown) inserted into the left and right vertical grooves 24L, 24R and the rear horizontal groove 26R, and these suspending portions are suspended from the insert wire 28.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat heater 42 includes a front heater 42A disposed on the upper surface of the front portion of the main portion 22M of the cushion pad 22, a rear heater 42B disposed on the upper surface of a middle portion of the main portion 22M in the front-rear direction, and one or more (here, two, left and right) conductor portions (conductor strip portions; conductor bridge portions) 42H connecting the front heater 42A and the rear heater 42B. The two conductor portions 42H are spaced apart on both the left and right sides of the seat heater 42. The two conductor portions 42H and the two bent portions 30B of the insert wire 30 are aligned in the left-right direction. At the left-right positions where the two conductor portions 42H are located, the insert wire 30 is not present below the front horizontal groove 26F.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the two conductor portions 42H are bent downward in a generally U-shape when viewed from the left-right direction and are inserted into the front horizontal groove 26F. Two conductor protection portions 46, one on each side, are provided at the bottom of the horizontal groove 26F corresponding to the two conductor portions 42H. Each conductor protection portion 46, together with the cushion pad 22, the trim cover 32, the seat heater 42, and a slit portion 48 (described later), constitutes a "conductor protection structure for electrical components" according to the present invention. The number of conductor protection portions 46 can be changed as needed depending on the number of conductor portions 42H.

[0028] The conductor protection portion 46 is made up of a part of the cushion pad 22 and forms a part of the bottom of the horizontal groove 26F. The conductor protection portion 46 is interposed between a part (here, the lower part) of each conductor portion 42H and the hanging portion 32A of the trim cover 32. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a recess 50 is formed on the back surface side (here, the lower surface side) of the cushion pad 22 at the left-right position where the conductor protection portion 46 is arranged.

[0029] The recesses 50 are recessed toward the lateral groove 26F, and each conductor protection portion 46 is disposed within the recesses 50. The recesses 50 are generally truncated pyramid-shaped, with dimensions in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions decreasing toward the upper end. The upper end of each recess 50 is disposed above each conductor protection portion 46. Both left and right end portions of the conductor protection portion 46 are integrally connected to the main portion 22M of the cushion pad 22, but the other portions are disposed within the recesses 50 without contacting the main portion 22M of the cushion pad 22.

[0030] A slit 48 (see FIGS. 3 to 7) is formed in the cushion pad 22 so that the lower part of the conductor portion 42H can be inserted from inside the horizontal groove 26F to the underside of the cushion pad 22 (here, inside the recess 50) and wrapped around the conductor protection portion 46. This slit 48 is made up of two horizontal slits 48B, one at the front and one at the rear, that connect the lower end of the horizontal groove 26F to the front and rear upper end of the recess 50, and a vertical slit 48V that connects the left-right central parts of the front and rear horizontal slits 48B in the front-to-rear direction, forming a substantially H-shape. The horizontal groove 26F and the recess 50 are connected via this slit 48.

[0031] The conductor protection portion 46 is divided into left and right portions by a vertical slit portion 48V and is capable of bending and deforming downward. The conductor portion 42H is inserted through the front and rear horizontal slit portions 48B, and the lower portion of the conductor portion 42H is wrapped around the conductor protection portion 46 from below. The conductor portion 42H inserted through the front and rear horizontal slit portions 48B is restricted from moving in the left and right direction relative to the cushion pad 22. As described above, the bent portions 30B of the insert wire 30 are disposed at the left and right positions where the conductor protection portions 46 are disposed. The bent portions 30B are bent so as to bypass the recesses 50 from the rear side.

[0032] The cushion pad 22 of the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above is foam-molded using a foam molding die 52, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 8. An upper mold 54 of the foam molding die 52 is provided with a convex portion 54A for molding the horizontal groove 26F, and a lower mold 56 of the foam molding die 52 is provided with a convex portion 56A for molding the concave portion 50. A concave portion 56B for molding the conductor protection portion 46 is formed in this convex portion 56A, and the convex portion 54A is configured to fit into the opening of this concave portion 56B.

[0033] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 is supported by the seat back 14. The seat cushion 12 is provided with a conductor protection structure for electrical components. In this structure, the cushion pad 22 constituting the cushion material of the seat cushion 12 has a horizontal groove 26F that opens on the top surface, and an insert wire 30 is embedded near the bottom of the horizontal groove 26F.

[0034] The trim cover 32 placed over the cushion pad 22 has a hanging portion 32A inserted into the lateral groove 26F, and the hanging portion 32A is engaged with the insert wire 30. The seat heater 42 disposed between the cushion pad 22 and the trim cover 32 has a conductor portion 42H inserted into the lateral groove 26F. A portion of the bottom of the lateral groove 26F is formed by a conductor protection portion 46 made of part of the cushion pad 22.

[0035] The conductor protection portion 46 is interposed between the lower portion of the conductor portion 42H and the hanging portion 32A of the trim cover 32. This prevents the trim wire 40 of the hanging portion 32A from directly interfering with the conductor portion 42H, thereby preventing the durability of the conductor portion 42H from being reduced by input when passengers get in and out of the vehicle, and making it possible to prevent breakage of the conductor portion 42H.

[0036] Moreover, the cushion pad 22 is formed with a slit 48 through which the lower part of the conductor portion 42H is inserted from inside the horizontal groove 26F to the underside of the cushion pad 22 and wound around the conductor protection portion 46. Therefore, when inserting the conductor portion 42H into the horizontal groove 26F, by inserting a part of the conductor portion 42H into the slit 48, the part of the conductor portion 42H can be wound around the conductor protection portion 46. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts and man-hours.

[0037] Furthermore, the conductor portion 42H inserted through the horizontal slit portions 48B at the front and rear of the slit portion 48 is restricted from being displaced in the left-right direction relative to the cushion pad 22. This makes it possible to prevent the seat heater 42 from being misaligned in the left-right direction relative to the cushion pad 22.

[0038] The above-described effects will be further explained using a comparative example shown in FIGS. 9 to 12. In FIGS. 9 to 12, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those in the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the seat cushion according to the comparative example does not include a conductor protection portion 46 or a slit 48 in the cushion pad 22. In this comparative example, the conductor portion 42H of the seat heater 42 and the bent portion 30B of the insert wire 30 are aligned in the left-right direction, so that the insert wire 30 is positioned rearward relative to the conductor portion 42H. This prevents the conductor portion 42H from being pinched tightly between the bent portion 30B of the insert wire 30 and the trim wire 40 when an input F is applied to the seat cushion 12 when an occupant gets in or out of the vehicle.

[0039] 11, if the seat heater 42 is misaligned in the left-right direction with respect to the cushion pad 22, a part of the locking portion 30A of the insert wire 30 will be disposed below the conductor portion 42H. In this state, if an input F is applied to the seat cushion 12 when an occupant gets in or out of the vehicle, the conductor portion 42H will be tightly pinched between the locking portion 30A of the insert wire 30 and the trim wire 40, which will cause a problem with the durability of the conductor portion 42H, but this problem can be avoided in this embodiment.

[0040] In the present embodiment, a recess 50 is formed on the lower surface of the cushion pad 22, recessed toward the lateral groove 26F and communicating with the interior of the lateral groove 26F via the slit 48, and the lower part of the conductor part 42H is disposed in the recess 50. This prevents the cushion spring disposed on the lower surface of the cushion pad 22 from interfering with the lower end of the conductor part 42H.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the recess 50 is formed on the lower surface side of the cushion pad 22, but this is not limiting, and the cushion pad 22 may be configured not to have the recess 50. In this case, the slit portion 48 opens on the lower surface of the cushion pad 22.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the seat heater 42 is an electrical component, but the electrical component is not limited to this, and may be a sensor or the like.

[0043] In addition, in the above embodiment, the conductor protection structure for electrical components according to the present invention is configured to be provided on the seat cushion 12, but this is not limited to this, and the conductor protection structure for electrical components according to the present invention may also be configured to be provided on the seat cushion 14.

[0044] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist thereof. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 22 Cushion pad (pad) 26F Horizontal groove (hanging groove) 30 Insert Wire 32 Trim cover 32A Hanging part 42 Seat heater (electrical component) 42H Conductor section 46 Conductor protection section 48 Cutting section 50 recess

Claims

1. a pad constituting a cushion material for a vehicle seat, the pad having a hanging groove that opens on a surface thereof and an insert wire embedded near a bottom of the hanging groove; a trim cover that forms a skin of the vehicle seat, covers the pad, and has a hanging portion inserted into the hanging groove and engaged with the insert wire; an electrical component disposed between the pad and the trim cover and having a conductor portion inserted into the hanging groove; a conductor protection portion that is made of a part of the pad, that constitutes a part of the bottom of the hanging groove, and that is interposed between a part of the conductor portion and the hanging portion; a slit formed in the pad for inserting a part of the conductor portion from the hanging groove to the back side of the pad and winding it around the conductor protection portion; A conductor protection structure for an electrical component.

2. a recess formed on the back surface of the pad, the recess being recessed toward the hanging groove and communicating with the hanging groove via the slit; The conductor protection structure for an electrical component according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the conductor portion is disposed within the recess.

3. A seat cushion on which an occupant sits; a seat back that supports the back of the occupant; the conductor protection structure for electrical components according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back; A vehicle seat comprising:

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