Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which can secure retention of an occupant properly.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 10 includes: a seat cushion 12; and a seat back 14 which may be reclined. The seat cushion 12 has: a main part 22 located at a center part in a seat width direction; and a pair of bank parts 24 located at both sides in the seat width direction of the main part 22. The pair of bank parts 24 protrudes relative to the main part 22. The bank part 24 has a movable bank part 24B which may move in a seat vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle seat is known in which a pair of bank portions is formed on the seat cushion to ensure that a seated occupant is supported (for example, see Patent Document 1). The pair of bank portions can support the occupant when turning a corner, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-185084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can adequately ensure the retention of an occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The vehicle seat of the first aspect comprises a seat cushion and a reclining seat back, the seat cushion having a main portion located in the center of the seat width direction and a pair of bank portions located on both sides of the main portion in the seat width direction and raised relative to the main portion, the bank portions having movable bank portions that can move in the up and down direction of the seat.

[0006] In this aspect, the vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a reclining seat back. The seat cushion has a main portion located in the center of the seat width direction and a pair of bank portions located on both sides of the main portion in the seat width direction. The pair of bank portions are raised relative to the main portion. Therefore, the pair of bank portions ensure that the occupant is supported in the seat width direction.

[0007] Furthermore, in this aspect, the bank portion has a movable bank portion that is movable in the up-down direction of the seat. This allows the occupant's ability to be held in the seat width direction to be changed depending on the situation. For example, the height of the movable bank portion can be changed automatically or manually depending on the reclining state of the seat back (e.g., during autonomous driving). This ensures appropriate occupant holding.

[0008] The vehicle seat of the second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, wherein the movable bank portion forms a part of the bank portion on the seat rear side.

[0009] However, if the entire or almost the entire bank portion is movable, moving the movable bank portion upward can reduce the degree of freedom of the occupant's knees or thighs, which can lead to a decrease in comfort. Therefore, in this embodiment, the movable bank portion constitutes a portion of the bank portion on the rear side of the seat. This improves the support of the lateral pelvis while maintaining the degree of freedom of the occupant's knees and thighs.

[0010] The vehicle seat of a third aspect is the vehicle seat of the first or second aspect, wherein the moving mechanism of the movable bank portion is a rotary type having a rotary shaft along the seat width direction on the front side of the seat.

[0011] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism of the movable bank portion is a rotary type having a rotation axis along the seat width direction on the front side of the seat, so that the rear side of the seat in the movable bank portion can be moved upward more than the front side of the seat, thereby primarily improving the support of the occupant's pelvis.

[0012] A vehicle seat of a fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the vehicle seat has a pelvis support mechanism that is a mechanism for lifting up the rear part of the main part.

[0013] In this aspect, the vehicle seat has a pelvic support mechanism that lifts the rear of the main part. Therefore, the pelvic support mechanism can improve support for the pelvis. Furthermore, by combining it with the movable bank part, the pelvic part can be supported not only from the rear but also in the seat width direction.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the vehicle seat is any one of the first to fourth aspects and includes a control unit that controls the movable bank portion, and the control unit sets the movable bank portion to a higher position when the vehicle is moving than when the vehicle is stopped.

[0015] However, when the vehicle is stopped, there is no need to improve occupant support. Nevertheless, if the movable bank portion is raised when the vehicle is stopped, it may reduce the occupant's comfort. Therefore, in this aspect, the vehicle seat is equipped with a control unit that controls the movable bank portion. When the vehicle is moving, the control unit sets the movable bank portion to a higher position than when the vehicle is stopped. This allows for both occupant comfort and occupant support.

[0016] The vehicle seat of the sixth aspect is the fourth aspect, and further includes a control unit that controls the movable bank portion, and the control unit raises the movable bank portion when the rear portion of the main portion is raised by the pelvic support mechanism.

[0017] Incidentally, when the rear portion of the main portion of the seat cushion is raised by the pelvic support mechanism, rearward support for the pelvis is improved, so improving support in the seat width direction may improve seating comfort. Furthermore, depending on the specific structure of the pelvic support mechanism, the occupant's hip point may rise, which may reduce the support provided by the bank portion. Therefore, in this aspect, the control unit raises the movable bank portion when the rear portion of the main portion is raised by the pelvic support mechanism. This allows for appropriate seating comfort and support for the occupant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, the ability to hold an occupant in the seat width direction can be changed depending on the situation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment, illustrating a state in which a movable bank portion is raised; FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the pelvis support mechanism in a retracted and deployed state. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a control unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a modified vehicle seat with a movable bank portion raised; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0021] The arrows FR and UP shown in each drawing indicate the forward and upward directions of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are simply used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle seat 10.

[0022] The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12, a seat back 14, and a headrest 16.

[0023] The seat cushion 12 has a main portion 22 located in the center of the seat width direction, and a pair of bank portions 24 located on both sides of the main portion 22 in the seat width direction. The bank portions 24 are raised relative to the main portion 22. The pair of bank portions 24 ensure that the occupant is held in place in the seat width direction.

[0024] The seat back 14 is recliningable. Specifically, the seat back 14 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12 via a reclining mechanism (not shown).

[0025] The bank portion 24 has a fixed bank portion 24A and a movable bank portion 24B.

[0026] The fixed bank portion 24A constitutes the portion of the bank portion 24 on the front side of the seat, and the movable bank portion 24B constitutes the portion of the bank portion 24 on the rear side of the seat. The fixed bank portion 24A is configured to be immovable relative to the main portion 22, while the movable bank portion 24B is configured to be movable in the up and down direction of the seat relative to the main portion 22. By moving the movable bank portion 24B in the up and down direction, the ability to hold the occupant in the width direction of the seat can be changed depending on the situation. Note that FIG. 1 shows the movable bank portion 24B in the lower (lowest) position.

[0027] The moving mechanism of the movable bank portion 24B is a rotary type having a rotation axis AX along the seat width direction on the front side of the seat. In the example shown in the figure, the rotation axis AX is provided at a position overlapping with the fixed bank portion 24A in a side view of the seat.

[0028] Although not shown in the drawings, the movement mechanism of the movable bank portions 24B is preferably configured so that the movable bank portion 24B on one side in the seat width direction and the movable bank portion 24B on the other side in the seat width direction move in conjunction with each other. For example, it is preferable to provide a connecting member that connects the pair of movable bank portions 24B in the seat width direction.

[0029] 3, the vehicle seat 10 has a pelvis support mechanism 30 that is a mechanism for lifting the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22. The pelvis support mechanism 30 improves support for the pelvis and surrounding area of ​​the occupant.

[0030] Specifically, the main part 22 of the seat cushion 12 has a front part 22A and a rear part 22B. The pelvis support mechanism 30 is configured to lift the rear part 22B of the main part 22. In the example shown in the figure, the rear part 22B is configured to rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) on the front side of the seat.

[0031] The vehicle seat 10 also includes a control unit 90 that controls the movable bank portion 24B and the pelvis support mechanism 30.

[0032] Specifically, as an example, the vehicle seat 10 includes a motor (drive unit) that rotates a connecting member that connects the pair of movable bank portions 24B. The control unit 90 is configured to control this motor. The connecting member that connects the pair of movable bank portions 24B may constitute a part of the pelvis support mechanism 30. In other words, the movement mechanism of the movable bank portions 24B and the pelvis support mechanism 30 may share a rotation axis.

[0033] The control unit 90 is made up of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and non-volatile storage units such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). A program for causing the CPU of the ECU to function as the control unit 90 is stored in the storage unit.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control by the control unit 90.

[0035] For example, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on, the control unit 90 starts the control process shown in FIG.

[0036] First, in step S101, the control unit 90 determines whether the vehicle is running. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S102, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0037] When the process proceeds to step S102, the control unit 90 determines whether the vehicle seat 10 is in the driving position. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S105, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0038] When the process proceeds to step S103, the control unit 90 sets the movable bank portion 24B to the lower stage (lowest stage). When the process proceeds to step S103, the vehicle is stopped, so there is little need to ensure the support of the occupant. Therefore, for example, regardless of the reclining state of the seat back 14 or the amount of movement of the pelvis support mechanism 30, the movable bank portion 24B is set to the lower stage.

[0039] When the process proceeds to step S104, the control unit 90 sets the movable bank portion 24B to the middle position. When the process proceeds to step S104, the occupant is in a relaxed posture while driving, so by setting the movable bank portion 24B to the middle position, the occupant's support is adequately ensured. Note that the relaxed posture while driving here refers to the posture of an occupant in the driver's seat who is not in a driving position, for example, during automatic driving.

[0040] In this case, the control unit 90 may set the height of the movable bank portion 24B in proportion to the reclining state of the seat back 14 and the amount of movement of the pelvis support mechanism 30. For example, when the seat back 14 is reclined to a large extent, the occupant's support is likely to decrease, so from the perspective of ensuring the occupant's support, it is preferable to set the height of the movable bank portion 24B high.

[0041] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring support or seat comfort, it is preferable to set the height of the movable bank portion 24B high even when the height of the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22 is increased by the pelvis support mechanism 30. For example, the control unit 90 controls the movable bank portion 24B to be set at the lower position when the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22 is stored, and to raise the movable bank portion 24B when the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22 is raised.

[0042] When the process proceeds to step S105, the control unit 90 sets the movable bank portion 24B to the upper position. When the process proceeds to step S105, the driver is in the driving position while driving, so by setting the movable bank portion 24B to the upper position, the occupant's position is reliably maintained. In this case, as in step S104, the height of the movable bank portion 24B may be set in proportion to the reclining state of the seat back 14 and the amount of movement of the pelvic support mechanism 30. Note that the driving position while driving referred to here is the position of the occupant in the driver's seat who is in the driving position while driving manually.

[0043] The control unit 90 repeats the above determination and control until the ignition switch is turned off (see step S106). When the ignition switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step S107, where the control unit 90 sets the movable bank portion 24B to the lower tier, and ends the process.

[0044] The control described above is merely an example, and it is preferable that the control by the control unit 90 be configured so that it can be changed as appropriate according to settings made by the user.

[0045] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0046] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 and a reclining seat back 14. The seat cushion 12 has a main portion 22 located in the center of the seat width direction, and a pair of bank portions 24 located on both sides of the main portion 22 in the seat width direction. The pair of bank portions 24 are raised relative to the main portion 22. Therefore, the pair of bank portions 24 ensure that the occupant is supported in the seat width direction.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bank portion 24 has a movable bank portion 24B that can move in the seat up and down direction. This allows the occupant's support in the seat width direction to be changed depending on the situation. For example, the height of the movable bank portion 24B can be changed automatically or manually depending on the reclining state of the seat back 14. This ensures appropriate support for the occupant. For example, when the seat back 14 is reclined and the occupant is in a relaxed position during autonomous driving, the support and seating comfort can be adjusted to an appropriate state by changing the height of the movable bank portion 24.

[0048] However, if the entire or almost the entire bank portion 24 is the movable bank portion 24B, moving the movable bank portion 24B upward may reduce the degree of freedom of the occupant's knees or thighs, which may result in a decrease in sitting comfort. Therefore, in this embodiment, the movable bank portion 24B forms a portion of the seat rear side of the bank portion 24. This makes it possible to improve the support of the lateral sides of the pelvis while ensuring the degree of freedom of the occupant's knees or thighs.

[0049] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism of the movable bank portion 24B is a rotary type having a rotation axis AX along the seat width direction at the front side of the seat. Therefore, the rear side of the seat in the movable bank portion 24B can be moved upward more than the front side of the seat. As a result, the support for the pelvis of the occupant can be improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 also has a pelvis support mechanism 30, which is a mechanism for lifting the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22. Therefore, the pelvis support mechanism 30 can improve support for the pelvis area. Furthermore, by combining it with the movable bank portion 24B, the pelvis area can be supported not only from the rear but also in the seat width direction.

[0051] However, when the vehicle is stopped, there is no need to improve occupant support. Nevertheless, if the movable bank portion 24B is raised when the vehicle is stopped, it may reduce the occupant's seating comfort. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 is equipped with a control unit 90 that controls the movable bank portion 24B. When the vehicle is moving, the control unit 90 sets the movable bank portion 24B to a higher position than when the vehicle is stopped. This makes it possible to achieve both occupant seating comfort and occupant support.

[0052] Incidentally, when the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22 of the seat cushion 12 is raised by the pelvis support mechanism 30, the support for the pelvis region from behind is improved, so that improving support from the seat width direction may improve seating comfort. Also, depending on the specific structure of the pelvis support mechanism 30, the occupant's hip point may rise, which may reduce the support provided by the bank portion 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 90 raises the movable bank portion 24B when the rear portion 22B of the main portion 22 is raised by the pelvis support mechanism 30. This makes it possible to appropriately ensure seating comfort and support for the occupant.

[0053] 〔supplementary explanation〕 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.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 has the pelvis support mechanism 30 (see FIG. 3), but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle seat of the present invention does not have to have a pelvis support mechanism.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the movement mechanism of the movable bank portion 24B is a rotary type having a rotation axis AX along the seat width direction on the front side of the seat (see FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement mechanism of the movable bank portion 24B may be a sliding type, as in a modified vehicle seat 110 shown in FIG.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the movable bank portion 24B constitutes a portion of the bank portion 24 on the rear side of the seat, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable bank portion may constitute the entire bank portion. In other words, the front and rear portions of the bank portion may be movable vertically as a single unit. In this case, the movement mechanism of the movable bank portion may be either a rotary type or a sliding type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 22 Main Section 22B Rear 24 Bank 24B Movable bank section 30 Pelvic support mechanism 90 Control Unit AX Rotation Axis

Claims

1. Seat cushion and Reclining seat backs and Equipped with The seat cushion is a main portion located at the center in the seat width direction; a pair of bank portions located on both sides of the main portion in the seat width direction and protruding from the main portion; and The bank portion has a movable bank portion that is movable in the up-and-down direction of the seat. Vehicle seat.

2. The movable bank portion constitutes a part of the bank portion on the rear side of the seat. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 .

3. The moving mechanism of the movable bank portion is a rotary type having a rotation axis along the seat width direction on the front side of the seat, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 .

4. The vehicle seat has a pelvis support mechanism that lifts up a rear portion of the main portion. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 .

5. a control unit for controlling the movable bank portion, The control unit When the vehicle is traveling, the movable bank portion is set to a higher position than when the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 .

6. a control unit for controlling the movable bank portion, The control unit When the rear portion of the main portion is raised by the pelvis support mechanism, the movable bank portion is raised. The vehicle seat according to claim 4.

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