Seat cable module

Abstract

To improve efficiency of work of assembling a seat cable module to a seat frame.SOLUTION: A module plate for holding operation cables is disposed on the inner side of a frame-shaped seat frame in a vehicle seat, and a load support body for supporting a load of a seated occupant is provided at the module plate. The load support body has a pair of load support members that can be attached to the seat frame at both ends thereof and linearly extend in a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the vehicle seat in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat cable module for operating a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] A plurality of operation cables for operating the vehicle seat are attached to a frame-shaped seat frame of the vehicle seat via cable ties or the like (see Patent Document 1). In recent years, a seat cable module has been developed that modularizes a plurality of operation cables in order to improve the efficiency of the work of attaching the plurality of operation cables to the seat frame (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).

[0003] The seat cable module described in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of operating cables and a module plate that holds the plurality of operating cables. The module plate is attached to a load support disposed inside a frame-shaped seat frame of a vehicle seat. The load support supports the seating weight of an occupant. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Patent Document 1, a load support extending toward the rear of the vehicle seat is typically provided on the front frame of the seat frame, and the module plate is disposed below the load support.

[0004] The seat cable module described in Patent Document 3 includes multiple operation cables, a module plate arranged inside the seat frame, and a load support body to which the module plate is connected. The load support body has two cushion wire pairs aligned in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and each cushion wire pair has a cushion wire that extends in a zigzag pattern in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle seat. Both ends of each cushion wire can be attached to the seat frame. Each cushion wire pair has multiple constrictions arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. A module plate is connected to one of the constrictions of the two cushion wire pairs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-60203 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-16228 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2023-538375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, in the seat cable module described in Patent Document 2, the module plate is disposed below the load support provided on the front frame. Therefore, the seat cable module needs to be positioned inside the seat frame from a diagonally lower side in front of the seat and assembled to the load support. As a result, the assembly work of the seat cable module to the seat frame becomes complicated.

[0007] Furthermore, as described above, in the seat cable module described in Patent Document 3, the cushion wires in the load support body extend in a zigzag pattern in the front-rear direction. This results in a complex shape of the load support body, which makes it easier for the operating cable and module plate to get caught on the cushion wires when attaching the seat cable module to the seat frame. As a result, the assembly work of the seat cable module to the seat frame becomes complicated.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat cable module that can improve the efficiency of the work of assembling the seat cable module to the seat frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the seat cable module of the present invention includes an operation cable for operating a vehicle seat, a module plate disposed inside a frame-shaped seat frame of the vehicle seat and holding the operation cable, and a load support provided on the module plate and supporting the seating weight of an occupant. The load support has a pair of load support members that are attachable to the seat frame at both ends, are spaced apart in the width direction or the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat, and extend linearly in the front-rear direction or the width direction in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the efficiency of the work of assembling the seat cable module to the seat frame can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat equipped with a seat cable module according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat equipped with a seat cable module according to this embodiment, with a plurality of operation cables not shown. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the seat cable module according to this embodiment as viewed from the front side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the seat cable module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view of the seat cable module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a seat cable module according to a modified example of this embodiment, viewed from the front side, in which the illustration of a plurality of operation cables, holding portions, etc. is omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the specification and claims of this application, the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle seat refers to the fore-and-aft direction when a seat cable module is assembled to a seat frame of the vehicle seat. The fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle seat is synonymous with the fore-and-aft direction of the seat cable module or the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle, and in the following description, the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle seat may also be referred to as the fore-and-aft direction. The width direction of a vehicle seat refers to the width direction (left-and-right direction) when a seat cable module is assembled to a seat frame of the vehicle seat. The width direction of a vehicle seat is synonymous with the left-and-right direction of a vehicle seat, or the width direction (left-and-right direction) of a seat cable module, or the width direction (left-and-right direction) of a vehicle, and in the following description, the width direction of a vehicle seat may also be referred to as the width direction or left-and-right direction.

[0013] In the drawings, "FF" indicates the front direction of the vehicle seat, "FR" indicates the rear direction of the vehicle seat, "L" indicates one side of the vehicle seat in the width direction (left direction), "R" indicates the other side of the vehicle seat in the width direction (right direction), "U" indicates the upward direction, and "D" indicates the downward direction.

[0014] The overall configuration of a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figures 1 and 2 are schematic plan views of the vehicle seat 10 equipped with a seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 does not show multiple operation cables 24. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion III in Figure 2.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion frame 12 serving as a frame-shaped first seat frame, and the seat cushion frame 12 forms the framework of a seat cushion (most of which is not shown) that supports the buttocks of an occupant. The center of the seat cushion frame 12 is located in the center of the seating area of ​​the vehicle seat 10. The seat cushion frame 12 is made of metal such as steel or stainless steel. The seat cushion includes a cushion pad (not shown) provided on the seat cushion frame 12 and a cover (not shown) that covers the cushion pad.

[0016] The seat cushion frame 12 has a pair of side frames 14 spaced apart in the width direction (left-right direction), and each side frame 14 extends in the front-rear direction. The seat cushion frame 12 has a pipe-shaped front frame 16 provided to connect between the front ends of the pair of side frames 14, and the front frame 16 extends in the width direction. The seat cushion frame 12 has a pipe-shaped rear frame 18 provided to connect between the rear ends of the pair of side frames 14, and the rear frame 18 extends in the width direction. The seat cushion frame 12 is formed into a frame shape by the pair of side frames 14, the front frame 16, and the rear frame 18.

[0017] The seat cushion frame 12 has a reinforcing frame 20 extending in the width direction, and the reinforcing frame 20 is disposed forward of the front frame 16. One end of the reinforcing frame 20 is joined to the front end side of one side frame 14, and the other end of the reinforcing frame 20 is joined to the front end side of the other side frame 14.

[0018] The vehicle seat 10 includes a seatback frame (not shown) as a second seat frame, which forms the framework of a seatback (most of which is not shown) that supports the back of an occupant. The seatback frame is tiltably connected to the rear end of a seat cushion frame 12. The seatback frame is made of metal such as steel or stainless steel. The seatback includes a cushion pad (not shown) provided on the seatback frame and a cover (not shown) that covers the cushion pad.

[0019] The vehicle seat 10 is equipped with a reclining mechanism (not shown) for tilting the seat back relative to the seat cushion. The vehicle seat 10 is equipped with a reclining locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the reclining mechanism, and a reclining lever (not shown) for unlocking the reclining mechanism.

[0020] By operating the reclining lever, the seat back can be reclined (tilted) relative to the seat cushion by unlocking the reclining mechanism using the reclining lock mechanism. In other words, by operating the reclining lever to unlock the reclining mechanism, the vehicle seat 10 can be reclined. In other words, the reclining lever is one of the mechanical devices or apparatuses on the operating side used in the vehicle seat 10. The reclining lock mechanism is one of the mechanical devices or apparatuses on the operated side used in the vehicle seat 10.

[0021] The vehicle seat 10 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the floor of the vehicle via a pair of slide mechanisms (not shown). The pair of slide mechanisms are provided on the floor of the vehicle at a distance in the width direction, and each slide mechanism is disposed below the corresponding side frame 14. The vehicle seat 10 also includes a slide lock mechanism (not shown) for locking the pair of slide mechanisms, and a slide lever (not shown) for unlocking the pair of slide mechanisms.

[0022] The vehicle seat 10 can be slid in the front-rear direction by operating the slide lever to unlock the pair of slide mechanisms locked by the slide lock mechanism. In other words, the vehicle seat 10 can be slid by operating the slide lever to unlock the pair of slide mechanisms. In other words, the slide lever is one of the mechanical devices or apparatuses on the operating side used in the vehicle seat 10. The slide lock mechanism is one of the mechanical devices or apparatuses on the operated side used in the vehicle seat 10.

[0023] In addition to the reclining lever and the sliding lever, various other operating mechanical devices or mechanisms may be used in the vehicle seat 10. In addition to the reclining lock mechanism and the sliding lock mechanism, various other operated mechanical devices or mechanisms may be used in the vehicle seat 10.

[0024] The vehicle seat 10 may include, as needed, electrical equipment or devices such as an electric lumbar support (not shown), an occupant sensor (not shown), and an electric actuator (not shown). The vehicle seat 10 also includes a seat cable module 22 for performing operations such as reclining the vehicle seat 10.

[0025] The specific configuration of the seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment as seen from the front side. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic bottom view of the seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 4 to 6, the seat cable module 22 includes a plurality of operation cables 24 for performing operations such as reclining the vehicle seat 10. The plurality of operation cables 24 includes a plurality of control cables 26 for mechanically performing operations such as reclining the vehicle seat 10. Each control cable 26 is a cable with a double structure having a tubular outer cable and a linear inner cable inserted within the outer cable. The plurality of operation cables 24 may also include a wire harness for electrically operating the vehicle seat 10.

[0027] 1, 4, and 5, the plurality of control cables 26 includes a plurality of operating-side control cables 26 and a plurality of operated-side control cables 26. The seat cable module 22 also includes a cable connecting device 28 that connects the plurality of operating-side control cables 26 and the plurality of operated-side control cables 26. The cable connecting device 28 has a known configuration, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-145685. The cable connecting device 28 has a case 30 and a joint piece (not shown) provided within the case 30 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the case 30.

[0028] One end of an outer cable of each of the plurality of operating-side control cables 26 is connected to one end of the case 30. One end of an inner cable of each of the plurality of operating-side control cables 26 is connected to the joint piece so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the inner cable of each of the plurality of operating-side control cables 26 is connected to a predetermined portion of an operating-side mechanical device or machine, such as a reclining lever.

[0029] One end of the outer cable of each of the plurality of control cables 26 on the operated side is connected to the other end of the case 30. One end of the inner cable of each of the plurality of control cables 26 on the operated side is connected to the joint piece so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the inner cable of each of the plurality of control cables 26 on the operated side is connected to a predetermined portion of the mechanical device or equipment on the operated side, such as a reclining lock mechanism.

[0030] 1 to 6, the seat cable module 22 includes a module plate 32 that holds a plurality of operation cables 24, and the module plate 32 is disposed inside the seat cushion frame 12. The module plate 32 has openings 32a that are open at the top and bottom, and the openings 32a are disposed in the center of the seat cushion frame 12. The module plate 32 is made of a resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA) that contains glass fiber.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the module plate 32 has a plurality of L-shaped (hook-shaped) retaining claws 34 as retaining portions on its front end side, and each retaining claw 34 is elastically deformable. When the module plate 32 is attached to the seat cushion frame 12, the retaining claws 34 press or engage with the case 30 of the cable connecting device 28 to hold it. In other words, when the module plate 32 is attached to the seat cushion frame 12, the retaining claws 34 indirectly hold the operation cables 24 via the cable connecting device 28. The retaining claws 34 are integrally formed on the front surface (upper surface) of the module plate 32 and constitute a part of the module plate 32. The retaining claws 34 are spaced apart in the width direction (left-right direction). The module plate 32 may also have a plurality of retaining portions (not shown) that directly hold the operation cables 24.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the module plate 32 has temporary holding claws 36 as temporary holding portions, and each temporary holding claw 36 is elastically deformable. Before the module plate 32 is assembled, the multiple temporary holding claws 36 press or lock the multiple operation cables 24 together to temporarily hold them. The multiple temporary holding claws 36 are integrally formed on the front side (upper surface side) and back side (lower surface side) of the module plate 32 and constitute part of the module plate 32. The multiple temporary holding claws 36 are arranged on the edge sides of the module plate 32.

[0033] 1 to 5, the seat cable module 22 includes a load support 38 that supports the seating weight of an occupant, and the load support 38 is provided on the module plate 32. The load support 38 can be attached to the seat cushion frame 12 from above. The load support 38 is made of a metal such as steel or stainless steel.

[0034] The load support body 38 has a pair of rod- or wire-shaped first load support members 40 spaced apart in the width direction, and each first load support member 40 extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The pair of first load support members 40 are arranged to sandwich the open portion 32a of the module plate 32 in a plan view. One end (front end) of each first load support member 40 can be attached to the front frame 16 from above, and a hook portion 40a that can be engaged with the front frame 16 from above is formed at one end of each first load support member 40. The other end (rear end) of each first load support member 40 can be attached to the rear frame 18 from above, and a hook portion 40b that can be engaged with the rear frame 18 from above is formed at the other end of each first load support member 40.

[0035] The load support member 38 has a plurality of (for example, two) rod- or wire-shaped second load support members 42 that connect the pair of first load support members 40, and the plurality of second load support members 42 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. Each second load support member 42 extends in the width direction, and each end side of any one of the second load support members 42 (the front second load support member 42) is formed in a U-shape. Any other one of the second load support members 42 (the rear second load support member 42) is formed in a straight line. The end side of each second load support member 42 is joined to the middle side of the pair of first load support members 40.

[0036] Note that instead of being spaced apart in the width direction, the pair of first load support members 40 may be spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In this case, each first load support member 40 extends linearly in the width direction in a plan view. The multiple second load support members 42 are spaced apart in the width direction, and each second load support member 42 extends in the front-rear direction. Also, the multiple second load support members 42 may be omitted from the components of the load support body 38. Also, the multiple first load support members 40 may be omitted from the components of the load support body 38. In this case, the ends of the multiple second load support members 42 are attached to the side frames 14. Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which the ends of the multiple first load support members 40 are attached to the front frame 16 and the rear frame 18, and the ends of the multiple second load support members 42 are attached to the left and right side frames 14.

[0037] The module plate 32 has, at its front end, a pair of first locking claws 44 as a pair of first locking portions that lock onto any of the second load support members 42 of the load support body 38 from the front direction (one side in the front-to-rear direction), and each of the first locking claws 44 is elastically deformable. The pair of first locking claws 44 are integrally formed on the front surface side (upper surface side) of the module plate 32 and constitute a part of the module plate 32. The pair of first locking claws 44 are arranged at an interval in the width direction (left-right direction) on the outer sides of the pair of first load support members 40.

[0038] The module plate 32 has, at its rear end, a second locking claw 46 as a second locking portion that locks onto any of the other second load support members 42 of the load support body 38 from the rear direction (the other side in the front-to-rear direction), and the second locking claw 46 is elastically deformable. The second locking claw 46 is integrally formed on the front surface side (upper surface side) of the module plate 32 and constitutes a part of the module plate 32. The second locking claw 46 is disposed between the pair of first load support members 40.

[0039] According to the configuration of the seat cable module 22 of this embodiment, the load support body 38 that supports the seating weight of an occupant is provided on the module plate 32. One end of each first load support member 40 of the load support body 38 can be attached to the front frame 16, and the other end of the first load support member 40 can be attached to the rear frame 18. Therefore, the seat cable module 22 can be easily assembled to the seat cushion frame 12 from above.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the seat cable module 22 according to this embodiment, each first load support member 40 extends linearly in the front-rear direction or width direction in a plan view. This allows the load support body 38 to have a relatively simple shape, and the seat cable module 22 can be easily attached to the seat cushion frame 12 while preventing the operation cable 24 and module plate 32 from getting caught on the seat cushion frame 12.

[0041] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the efficiency of the work of assembling the seat cable module 22 to the seat cushion frame 12 can be improved.

[0042] In particular, as described above, one end of each first load support member 40 is formed with a hook portion 40a that can be engaged with the front frame 16 from above. The other end of each first load support member 40 is formed with a hook portion 40b that can be engaged with the rear frame 18 from above. This makes it easier to assemble the seat cable module 22 to the seat cushion frame 12 from above, further improving the efficiency of the assembly work of the seat cable module 22 to the seat cushion frame 12.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the seat cable module 22 of this embodiment, the open portion 32a of the module plate 32 is located in the center of the seat cushion frame 12. The pair of first load support members 40 are located on the module plate 32 so as to sandwich the open portion 32a in a plan view. Therefore, the pair of first load support members 40 reinforce the module plate 32, while the open portion 32a of the module plate 32 can release the seating load of an occupant acting on the module plate 32. Therefore, according to this embodiment, damage to the module plate 32 due to the seating load of an occupant can be suppressed, thereby increasing the durability of the seat cable module 22. Note that the open portion 32a does not need to be provided in the module plate 32 if the shape of the seat cushion frame 12 does not require the release of the seating load.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the seat cable module 22 of this embodiment, the module plate 32 has a pair of first and second locking claws 44 and 46 that lock onto the second load support member 42 of the load support body 38. This makes it easy to attach the load support body 38 to the module plate 32. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the assembly of the seat cable module 22 can be improved.

[0045] In particular, as described above, the pair of first locking claws 44 that lock onto one of the second load support members 42 of the load support body 38 from the front direction are arranged at a distance in the width direction on the outer sides of the pair of first load support members 40. The second locking claws 46 that lock onto one of the other second load support members 42 of the load support body 38 from the rear direction are arranged between the pair of first load support members 40. This allows the load support body 38 to be attached to the module plate 32 in a balanced manner. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the assembly of the seat cable module 22 can be further improved.

[0046] The configuration of a seat cable module 48 according to a modified example of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the seat cable module 48 according to a modified example of this embodiment, as seen from the front side, with multiple operation cables, holding portions, etc. not shown. For ease of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0047] 7, in a seat cable module 48 according to a modified example of this embodiment, the load support body 38 is integrally molded with the module plate 32 by insert molding. The pair of first load support members 40 are arranged on either side of the module plate 32, sandwiching the open portion 32a, in a plan view.

[0048] According to the configuration of the seat cable module 48 in this modified example of the present embodiment, the load support 38 is integrally molded with the module plate 32 by insert molding. Therefore, according to this modified example of the present embodiment, the load support 38 can sufficiently reinforce the module plate 32, thereby increasing the durability of the seat cable module 22.

[0049] In particular, as described above, the pair of first load support members 40 are arranged on the module plate 32 so as to sandwich the open portion 32a in a plan view. Therefore, the pair of first load support members 40 sufficiently reinforce the module plate 32, while the open portion 32a of the module plate 32 can release the seating weight of an occupant acting on the module plate 32. Therefore, according to this modification of the present embodiment, damage to the module plate 32 due to the seating weight of an occupant can be suppressed, and the durability of the seat cable module 22 can be increased. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a seat cable module that can improve the efficiency of the work of assembling the seat cable module to the seat frame. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Vehicle seats 12 Seat cushion frame (first seat frame) 14 Side frame 16 Front frame 18 Rear frame 20 Reinforcement frame 22 Seat cable module 24 Control cable 26 Mechanical control cable (operation cable) 28 Cable coupling device 30 cases 32 module plate 32a Open area 34 Holding claw (holding part) 36 Temporary holding claw (temporary holding part) 38 Load support 40 First load-supporting member (load-supporting member) 40a hook part 40b Hook part 42 Second load-supporting member 44 First locking claw 46 Second locking claw

Claims

1. an operating cable for operating the vehicle seat; a module plate that is disposed inside a frame-shaped seat frame of the vehicle seat and that holds the operation cable; a load support provided on the module plate to support a seating load of an occupant, The load support is The seat frame has a pair of load support members, both ends of which can be attached to the seat frame, spaced apart in the width direction or the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat, and extending linearly in the front-rear direction or the width direction in a plan view. Seat cable module.

2. the module plate is disposed in a central portion of the seat frame and has an opening portion that is open upward and downward, the pair of load support members are arranged to sandwich the open portion of the module plate in a plan view, The seat cable module according to claim 1 .

3. The module plate has a locking portion that locks onto the load support. The seat cable module according to claim 1 .

4. The locking portion is a pair of first engaging portions that are arranged at intervals in the width direction on outer sides of the pair of load support members and that engage with the load support members from one side in the front-rear direction; a second engaging portion disposed between the pair of load support members and engaging with the load support member from the other side in the front-rear direction, The seat cable module according to claim 3 .

5. The load support is integrally molded with the module plate by insert molding. The seat cable module according to claim 1 .

6. Hook portions are formed at both ends of each first load support member so as to be able to be engaged with the seat frame from above. The seat cable module according to claim 1 .

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