Vehicle seat structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat structure capable of stabilizing the posture of an occupant during driving with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat structure includes: a seatback main body 18 that extends in a seat width direction and a seat vertical direction and is capable of supporting the back of an occupant; and central reaction force applying portions 20A, 20B provided at a region of the seatback main body 18 that comes into contact with the occupant's back in a central portion of the seat width direction, the central reaction force applying portions being capable of applying a reaction force in the upward direction of the seat to the back of the occupant in contact therewith.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat device including a main frame connected to a seat cushion via a reclining shaft, and a sub-frame that is capable of swinging in a roll direction relative to the main frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-112972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the structure described in Patent Document 1, the subframe swings in response to the inertial force acting on the occupant while driving, thereby stabilizing the occupant's posture. However, the structure is complex, and there is room for improvement before it can be widely used as a vehicle seat.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat structure that is simple in structure and that can stabilize the posture of an occupant while driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle seat structure of claim 1 comprises a seat back body that extends in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction and is capable of supporting the back of an occupant, and a central reaction force applying portion that is provided at a position in the center of the seat back body in the seat width direction where the back of the occupant comes into contact and that is capable of applying a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that comes into contact.

[0007] The vehicle seat structure according to claim 1 includes a seatback main body that extends in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction and is capable of supporting the back of an occupant. A central reaction force imparting portion is provided at a portion of the seatback main body in the center of the seat width direction where the back of the occupant comes into contact. The central reaction force imparting portion is configured to impart a reaction force upward to the back of the occupant that makes contact with the central reaction force imparting portion. As a result, when the occupant brings their upper body into contact with the central reaction force imparting portion while driving, a reaction force is imparted upward to the occupant's spine from the central reaction force imparting portion, encouraging the occupant to adopt an upright posture and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0008] Furthermore, since the seated occupant's seated posture can be stabilized simply by applying a deflection reaction force toward the upper side of the seat, a complex structure that swings part of the frame is not required, and the seated posture can be stabilized with a simple structure.

[0009] The vehicle seat structure of claim 2 is the same as claim 1, and has outer reaction force application portions arranged side by side on both sides of the central reaction force application portion in the seat width direction and capable of applying a reaction force to the lower side of the seat against the back of an occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0010] In the vehicle seat structure according to claim 2, the outer reaction force applying portion applies a reaction force downward to the back of the occupant. By applying deflection reaction forces in different vertical directions by the central reaction force applying portion and the outer reaction force applying portion, an upward reaction force can be applied to the sacrum while a downward force can be applied to the ilium. As a result, when an external force in the seat width direction is applied to the occupant during a turn of the vehicle, the upper body moves to the outer side of the turn, and the characteristics of the spine allow the head to be guided to the inner side of the turn, thereby maintaining the seated posture during the turn.

[0011] The vehicle seat structure of claim 3 is the same as claim 2, and has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the seat upper side of the outer reaction force exerting portion in the seat back main body, which is capable of exerting a reaction force toward the lower side of the seat against the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0012] In the vehicle seat structure according to claim 3, when the occupant is a driver, the driver's steering during a turn puts the upper body in a state in which it is easy for the upper body to yaw toward the inside of the turn, causing the shoulder blades on the inside of the turn to move rearward. As a result, a seat downward deflection reaction force is applied to the shoulder blades on the inside of the turn from the upper-stage reaction force application portion, urging the upper body of the occupant to roll toward the inside of the turn. As a result, the occupant can assume a posture that can withstand external forces during a turn, and the seated posture can be stabilized.

[0013] The vehicle seat structure of claim 4 is the same as claim 2, and has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the seat upper side of the outer reaction force exerting portion in the seat back main body, which is capable of exerting a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat against the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0014] In the vehicle seat structure according to claim 4, when an occupant other than the driver is seated in the passenger seat or a rear seat, the occupant's upper body is prone to yaw rotation toward the outside of the turn during a turn, causing the scapula on the outside of the turn to move rearward. Therefore, the scapula on the outside of the turn receives a deflection reaction force from the upper-stage reaction force application portion toward the upper side of the seat. This encourages the occupant to roll toward the inside of the turn, enabling the occupant to assume a posture that can withstand external forces during a turn and stabilizing the seated posture.

[0015] A vehicle seat structure according to claim 5 is based on any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central reaction force applying portion includes a cushion having an S-shaped cross section as viewed in the seat width direction.

[0016] In the vehicle seat structure according to claim 5, the cushion with an S-shaped cross section applies a deflection reaction force, thereby stabilizing the seating posture with a simple structure. In addition, the direction of the applied deflection reaction force can be reversed simply by turning the cushion upside down. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the vehicle seat structure according to the present invention can stabilize the posture of an occupant while driving with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a cushion in the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are enlarged cross-sectional views of the main part of the central lower cushion, in which (A) shows the unloaded state and (B) shows the compressed state. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are front views showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment, in which (A) shows a vehicle seat placed in the driver's seat, and (B) shows a vehicle seat placed in the passenger seat. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a rear view of an occupant in the driver's seat when turning left. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a rear view of a passenger in a passenger seat when turning left. [Figure 7] (A) is a front view showing a schematic representation of a vehicle seat according to a first modified example, (B) is a front view showing a schematic representation of a vehicle seat according to a second modified example, and (C) is a front view showing a schematic representation of a vehicle seat according to a third modified example. [Figure 8] 10(A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing an enlarged cross section of a cushion in a fourth modified example, and FIG. 10(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing an enlarged cross section of a cushion in a fifth modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a vehicle seat according to a sixth modified example, as viewed in the seat width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A vehicle seat structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a vehicle seat 10 to which a vehicle seat structure according to an embodiment is applied. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and RH in the figure respectively indicate the seat front direction, seat upper direction, and seat right direction of the vehicle seat 10. In the following description, when the directions of front / rear, up / down, and left / right are used unless otherwise specified, they respectively refer to front / rear in the seat front / rear direction, up / down in the seat up / down direction, and left / right in the seat width direction.

[0021] 1, a vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment includes a seat cushion 12, a seat back 14, and a headrest 16. The seat cushion 12 extends in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat, and is configured to be able to support the buttocks and thighs of an occupant from below. The seat cushion 12 is supported by seat rails (not shown), and is configured to be able to move in the front-rear direction via the seat rails.

[0022] The rear end of the seat cushion 12 is connected to a seat back 14. The seat back 14 extends in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction, and is configured to be able to support the back of the occupant from behind. A headrest 16 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 14. The headrest 16 is configured to be able to support the head of the occupant from behind.

[0023] Here, the seat back 14 is configured to include a seat back main body 18 and cushions 20. In this embodiment, as an example, six cushions 20 are arranged on the front surface of the seat back 14. The cushions 20 are configured to include a central upper cushion 20A and a central lower cushion 20B arranged in the center of the seat width direction. These central upper cushion 20A and central lower cushion 20B are provided in the center of the seat back main body 18 in the seat width direction, at a position where the back of the occupant comes into contact.

[0024] Additionally, the right-side upper cushion 20C is disposed to the right of the central upper cushion 20A, and the right-side lower cushion 20D is disposed to the right of the central lower cushion 20B. Furthermore, the left-side upper cushion 20E is disposed to the left of the central upper cushion 20A, and the left-side lower cushion 20F is disposed to the left of the central lower cushion 20B.

[0025] All six cushions 20 are provided so as to be detachable from the seat back main body 18. For example, a frame (not shown) may be provided in the seat back main body 18, and the cushions 20 may be attached to the seat back main body 18 by fitting the cushions 20 into the frame. Also, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners may be provided on each of the seat back main body 18 and the cushions 20, so that the cushions can be attached and detached by the hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0026] 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the cushion 20 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example, the six cushions 20 have the same structure.

[0027] 2, the cushion 20 includes a first base plate portion 22 extending in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction, a second base plate portion 24 disposed opposite the first base plate portion 22, and a connecting spring portion 26 connecting the first base plate portion 22 and the second base plate portion 24 in the seat front-rear direction. In addition, the cross section of the cushion 20 as viewed in the seat width direction is formed in a substantially S-shape.

[0028] A plurality of through holes 22A are formed in the first base plate portion 22. The through holes 22A have substantially the same shape, are formed as substantially oval shapes with the seat width direction as the longitudinal direction, and five through holes 22A are formed at equal intervals in the seat width direction. In addition, seven through holes 22A are formed at equal intervals in the seat up-down direction.

[0029] The second base plate portion 24 has the same shape as the first base plate portion 22, and is disposed at a distance in the front-to-rear direction of the seat from the first base plate portion 22. Further, the second base plate portion 24 is formed with a through-hole 24A similar to that of the first base plate portion 22.

[0030] Eight connecting spring portions 26 are formed at intervals in the seat vertical direction, and each connecting spring portion 26 extends from one end to the other end of the cushion 20 in the seat width direction. Here, the cushion 20 shown in FIG. 2 is, as an example, the central lower cushion 20B, and the connecting spring portion 26 of this central lower cushion 20B is curved upward from the first base plate portion 22 to the second base plate portion 24, and then curves downward, forming a generally S-shape. The central lower cushion 20B constitutes a central reaction force applying portion. The right lower cushion 20D and the left lower cushion 20F, which are arranged side by side on both sides of the central lower cushion 20B in the seat width direction, constitute outer reaction force applying portions.

[0031] 3A and 3B are enlarged cross-sectional views of the main portion of the lower central cushion 20B, with (A) showing the unloaded state and (B) showing the compressed state. In the state shown in Fig. 3A, when the first base plate 22 side is pressed by the occupant's body P while the second base plate 24 is fixed, the state shifts to the state shown in Fig. 3B. That is, the connecting spring 26 is compressed and deformed, and the distance between the first base plate 22 and the second base plate 24 becomes closer.

[0032] 3(B), a reaction force acts on the body of the occupant from the first base plate portion 22 toward the front and upper side of the seat as indicated by the arrows in the figure. That is, the central lower cushion 20B is configured to apply a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0033] 2 is arranged on the opposite side from front to back, the orientation of the connecting spring portion 26 is reversed. In this state, the second base plate portion 24 is positioned on the occupant side, and is therefore pressed toward the first base plate portion 22. As a result, a reaction force acts on the occupant from the second base plate portion 24 toward the front and bottom of the seat. In other words, the cushion 20 is configured so that the direction of the reaction force can be reversed upside down simply by arranging the cushion 20 upside down.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a front view that schematically illustrates a vehicle seat 10 according to an embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4(A) shows a vehicle seat arranged in a driver's seat, and Fig. 4(B) shows a vehicle seat arranged in a passenger's seat.

[0035] 4(A), in the vehicle seat 10 placed in the driver's seat, the direction of the reaction force differs depending on the arrangement of each cushion 20. Specifically, the upper central cushion 20A and the lower central cushion 20B are attached in a direction in which the reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat. In other words, the cushions 20 are attached in a direction in which the first base plate portion 22 is located on the front side of the seat.

[0036] The right upper cushion 20C and the right lower cushion 20D are attached with the cushions 20 in a direction that causes a reaction force to act downward on the seat. In other words, the cushions 20 are attached in a direction that causes the second base plate portion 24 to be positioned on the front side of the seat.

[0037] The left upper cushion 20E and the left lower cushion 20F are attached with the cushions 20 oriented so that a reaction force acts downward on the seat, similar to the right upper cushion 20C and the right lower cushion 20D.

[0038] In this way, in the vehicle seat 10 placed in the driver's seat, the central lower cushion 20B constituting the central reaction force application section is configured to apply a reaction force to the occupant's back toward the upper side of the seat, and the right lower cushion 20D and left lower cushion 20F constituting the outer reaction force application section are configured to apply a reaction force to the occupant's back toward the lower side of the seat.

[0039] In addition, the right-side upper cushion 20C and the left-side upper cushion 20E, which are located above the seat of the right-side lower cushion 20D and the left-side lower cushion 20F, constitute an upper outer reaction force application section that can apply a reaction force toward the lower side of the seat to the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4(B), in the vehicle seat 11 placed in the passenger seat, the central upper cushion 20A and the central lower cushion 20B are attached in a direction such that a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0041] The cushion 20 is attached to the upper right cushion 20C in a direction that causes a reaction force to act toward the upper side of the seat, and the cushion 20 is attached to the lower right cushion 20D in a direction that causes a reaction force to act toward the lower side of the seat. In other words, the cushions 20 are arranged in opposite directions between the upper right cushion 20C and the lower right cushion 20D.

[0042] The cushion 20 is attached to the upper left cushion 20E in a direction that causes a reaction force to act toward the upper side of the seat, and the cushion 20 is attached to the lower left cushion 20F in a direction that causes a reaction force to act toward the lower side of the seat. In other words, the cushions 20 are arranged in opposite directions between the upper left cushion 20E and the lower left cushion 20F.

[0043] In this way, in the vehicle seat 11 placed in the passenger seat, the right upper cushion 20C and the left upper cushion 20E, which are arranged above the seat of the right lower cushion 20D and the left lower cushion 20F that constitute the outer reaction force application portion, constitute an upper outer reaction force application portion that can apply a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

[0044] (action) Next, the operation of the vehicle seat structure according to this embodiment will be described.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the vehicle seat structure according to this embodiment includes a seatback main body 18 that extends in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction and is capable of supporting the back of an occupant. A central lower cushion 20B is provided as a central reaction force applying portion at a portion of the seatback main body 18 in the center of the seat width direction where the back of the occupant comes into contact. The central lower cushion 20B is configured to apply a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that comes into contact with the central lower cushion 20B. As a result, when the occupant brings their back, particularly their spine, into contact with the central lower cushion 20B while driving, the central lower cushion 20B applies a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the spine of the occupant, encouraging them to adopt an upright posture and stabilizing their seated posture.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, the seated occupant's seating posture can be stabilized simply by applying a deflection reaction force toward the upper side of the seat, eliminating the need for a complex structure that swings a portion of the frame, and making it possible to stabilize the seated posture with a simple structure. In other words, the occupant's posture during driving can be stabilized with a simple structure.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the right-side lower cushion 20D and the left-side lower cushion 20F, which constitute the outer reaction force application units, apply a reaction force downward to the occupant's back. In this manner, by applying deflection reaction forces in different vertical directions by the central reaction force application unit and the outer reaction force application units, an upward reaction force can be applied to the sacrum while a downward force can be applied to the ilium. As a result, when an external force in the seat width direction is applied to the occupant during a turn of the vehicle, the occupant's upper body can be moved to the outer side of the turn, and the characteristics of the spine can guide the head to the inner side of the turn, resulting in a stable seating posture.

[0048] This effect will be described, for example, when turning left while traveling around a curve that curves to the left. When turning left, the occupant's upper body moves slightly to the outside of the turn (to the right of the seat). As a result, a moment that rolls the pelvis near the lumbar vertebrae is generated by the reaction forces from the center lower cushion 20B and the right lower cushion 20D. As a result, the spine tends to bend toward the inside of the turn (to the left of the seat), generating a moment that supports the upper body toward the inside of the turn. As a result, it is easier to maintain posture during turns compared to a vehicle seat not provided with cushion 20.

[0049] 3A, in the present embodiment, in the vehicle seat 10 arranged in the driver's seat, the upper right cushion 20C and the upper left cushion 20E apply a reaction force downward to the back of the occupant (particularly near the shoulder blades), thereby enabling the driver to maintain a posture that makes it easier to withstand external turning forces.

[0050] This effect will be explained using FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a plan view and a rear view of the occupant when the driver P1 turns left. As shown in FIG. 5(A), when the occupant is a driver, the driver P1 operates the steering wheel 100 during a turn, which puts the upper body PU1 in a state in which the occupant is likely to yaw toward the inside of the turn (the left side of the seat). As a result, the shoulder blades of the driver P1 on the inside of the turn (the left side of the seat) are pressed more firmly against the seat back 14, and a deflection reaction force toward the lower side of the seat is input from the left upper cushion 20E to the occupant. As a result, the upper body PU1 of the driver P1 moves closer to the lower body PL1, which encourages the driver P1 to roll toward the inside of the turn (the left side of the seat). In other words, the driver P1 can assume a posture that can withstand external forces during a left turn, thereby stabilizing the seated posture of the driver P1.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3(B), in the vehicle seat 11 arranged in the passenger seat, the right upper cushion 20C and the left upper cushion 20E apply a reaction force upward to the back of the occupant (particularly near the shoulder blades), thereby enabling the driver to maintain a posture that makes it easier to withstand external turning forces.

[0052] This action will be explained using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a rear view of an occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat when turning left. As shown in FIG. 6, when the occupant P2 is a passenger other than the driver, the upper body PU2 of the occupant P2 is prone to yaw rotation toward the outside of the turn (to the right side of the seat) during a turn. As a result, the shoulder blades of the occupant P2 on the outside of the turn (to the right side of the seat) are pressed more against the seatback 14, and a deflection reaction force toward the upper side of the seat is input from the right upper cushion 20C to the occupant P2. As a result, the upper body PU2 of the occupant P2 moves closer to the lower body PL2, which encourages the occupant P2 to roll toward the inside of the turn (to the left side of the seat), thereby stabilizing the seated posture of the occupant P2.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the cushion 20 is formed to have a substantially S-shaped cross section when viewed in the seat width direction. This allows the occupant's seating posture to be stabilized with a simple structure. Also, the direction of the deflection reaction force to be applied can be easily reversed by simply turning the cushion 20 upside down. Furthermore, by using the same cushion 20, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated cushion that matches the direction of the reaction force, and this reduces the complexity of management.

[0054] In this embodiment, the direction of the reaction force is set as shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), but is not limited to this. For example, modified structures shown in Figures 7(A) to 7(C) may be adopted.

[0055] (First Modification) Figure 7(A) is a front view schematically showing a vehicle seat 30 according to a first modified example, Figure 7(B) is a front view schematically showing a vehicle seat 32 according to a second modified example, and Figure 7(C) is a front view schematically showing a vehicle seat 34 according to a third modified example.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7(A), in the vehicle seat 30 according to the first modified example, the upper central cushion 20A and the lower central cushion 20B are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0057] The right upper cushion 20C and the right lower cushion 20D of the vehicle seat 30 are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat. Furthermore, the left upper cushion 20E and the left lower cushion 20F are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat. That is, in the vehicle seat 30 according to the first modification, all of the cushions 20 are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0058] Even when all cushions 20 are attached in the same direction as in this modified example, a certain posture improvement effect can be obtained by applying a reaction force in the direction that straightens the spine.

[0059] (Second Modification) As shown in FIG. 7(B), in the vehicle seat 32 according to the second modified example, the upper central cushion 20A and the lower central cushion 20B are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0060] The right upper cushion 20C and the right lower cushion 20D of the vehicle seat 32 are attached in a direction that causes a reaction force to act on the lower side of the seat and on the inner side in the seat width direction (left side of the seat). Furthermore, the left upper cushion 20E and the left lower cushion 20F are attached in a direction that causes a reaction force to act on the lower side of the seat and on the inner side in the seat width direction (right side of the seat).

[0061] For example, by inclining the extending direction of the connecting spring portion that constitutes the cushion 20, it is possible to make the reaction force act downward on the seat and inward in the seat width direction.

[0062] In this modification, reaction forces acting inward in the seat width direction act on the back of the occupant from the right upper cushion 20C, the right lower cushion 20D, the left upper cushion 20E, and the left lower cushion 20F, thereby preventing the occupant's upper body from moving outward when the vehicle is turning.

[0063] (Third Modification) As shown in FIG. 7(C), in the vehicle seat 34 according to the third modified example, the upper central cushion 20A and the lower central cushion 20B are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0064] The right upper cushion 20C and the right lower cushion 20D of the vehicle seat 34 are attached in a direction that causes a reaction force to act on the lower side of the seat and on the outer side in the seat width direction (the right side of the seat). Furthermore, the left upper cushion 20E and the left lower cushion 20F are attached in a direction that causes a reaction force to act on the lower side of the seat and on the outer side in the seat width direction (the left side of the seat).

[0065] In this modified example, even in the case of a relatively small occupant, for which a large reaction force is not applied from the cushion 20, a rolling force can be applied to the pelvis of the occupant.

[0066] (Fourth Modification) 8(A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cushion 40 in a fourth modified example. The cushion 40 in this modified example includes a first base plate portion 42 and a second base plate portion 44 that extend in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction, and a connecting spring portion 46 that connects the first base plate portion 42 and the second base plate portion 44 in the seat front-rear direction.

[0067] The connecting spring portion 46 has a cross section formed in a substantially S-shape when viewed in the seat width direction. Specifically, the connecting spring portion 46 is formed in a substantially S-shape by connecting a first bulging portion 46A bulging from the first base plate portion 42 toward the second base plate portion 44 and a second bulging portion 46B bulging from the second base plate portion 44 toward the first base plate portion 42.

[0068] In this modified connecting spring portion 46, the connection portion between the first bulge portion 46A and the first base plate portion 42 and the connection portion between the second bulge portion 46B and the second base plate portion 44 are offset in the seat up-down direction. In other words, an imaginary line extending in the seat front-rear direction from the connection portion between the first bulge portion 46A and the first base plate portion 42 and an imaginary line extending in the seat front-rear direction from the connection portion between the second bulge portion 46B and the second base plate portion 44 are offset in the seat up-down direction.

[0069] In this modified example, the connection portion between the first bulge portion 46A and the first base plate portion 42 and the connection portion between the second bulge portion 46B and the second base plate portion 44 are offset in the up-down direction of the seat, thereby allowing the angle of the deflection reaction force to be adjusted.

[0070] (Fifth Modification) 8(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cushion 50 in the fifth modified example. The cushion 50 in this modified example includes a first base plate portion 52 and a second base plate portion 54 that extend in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction, and a connecting spring portion 56 that connects the first base plate portion 52 and the second base plate portion 54 in the seat front-rear direction.

[0071] The connecting spring portion 56 has a cross section formed in a substantially S-shape when viewed in the seat width direction. Specifically, the connecting spring portion 56 is formed in a substantially S-shape by connecting a first bulging portion 56A bulging from the first base plate portion 52 toward the second base plate portion 54 and a second bulging portion 56B bulging from the second base plate portion 54 toward the first base plate portion 52.

[0072] In this modified example, the connection portion between the first bulging portion 56A and the first base plate portion 52 and the connection portion between the second bulging portion 56B and the second base plate portion 54 are set at approximately the same position in the seat up-down direction.

[0073] According to this modification, compared to the connecting spring portion 26 of the embodiment, the gap between the first bulge portion 56A and the second base plate portion 54 is smaller, and the gap between the second bulge portion 56B and the first base plate portion 52 is smaller. As a result, compared to the embodiment, the connecting spring portion 56 is more likely to come into contact with the first base plate portion 52 and the second base plate portion 54 when the cushion 50 is compressed, and a reaction force can be applied earlier.

[0074] (Sixth Modification) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a vehicle seat 60 according to a sixth modified example, as viewed in the seat width direction.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 9, a vehicle seat 60 according to this modification differs from the embodiment in that a plurality of cushions are arranged in the thickness direction of the seat back main body 18.

[0076] The upper central cushion 62A and the lower central cushion 62B are attached in a direction that applies a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat. In addition, a rear upper central cushion 64A is disposed behind the upper central cushion 62A. In addition, a rear lower central cushion 64B is disposed behind the lower central cushion 62B.

[0077] The rear central upper cushion 64A and the rear central lower cushion 64B are attached in a direction in which a reaction force acts toward the upper side of the seat.

[0078] In this modified example, the upper right cushion, lower right cushion, upper left cushion, and lower left cushion (not shown) may be arranged in the same orientation as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4(A), or in the same orientation as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4(B).

[0079] An unillustrated upper rear right cushion is disposed to the right of the upper rear center cushion 64A, and an unillustrated upper rear left cushion is disposed to the left of the upper rear center cushion 64A. Also, an unillustrated lower rear right cushion is disposed to the right of the lower rear center cushion 64B, and an unillustrated lower rear left cushion is disposed to the left of the lower rear center cushion 64B.

[0080] The orientation of the rear right upper cushion, rear right lower cushion, rear left upper cushion, and rear left lower cushion is not particularly limited, and each may be oriented in the same direction as the adjacent cushion on the front side of the seat, or in a different direction.

[0081] According to this modification, one of the central upper cushion 62A and the rear central upper cushion 64A is formed to be more easily deformed than the other cushion, thereby making it possible to change the direction of the reaction force applied to the occupant depending on the physique of the occupant, etc.

[0082] Although the vehicle seat structure according to the embodiment and the modified example has been described above, it is needless to say that it can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, six cushions 20 are provided on the seat back main body 18, but this is not limited to this, and the number of cushions may be changed. For example, a configuration may be provided with only three cushions 20: a central lower cushion 20B, a right lower cushion 20D, and a left lower cushion 20F.

[0083] Also, for example, a configuration in which three or more cushions are arranged one above the other may be adopted. Furthermore, the shape of each cushion is not particularly limited, and they may be formed into a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0084] 2, eight connecting spring portions 26 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this and the number of connecting spring portions may be increased or decreased. For example, when the connecting spring portions are formed from a resin or the like that has lower rigidity than the cushion of the embodiment, the rigidity of the cushion can be increased by narrowing the pitch of the connecting spring portions and increasing the number of connecting spring portions.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the deflection reaction force can be applied by using a connecting spring portion that is approximately S-shaped when viewed from the seat width direction, but this is not limited to this, and other configurations may be used. For example, the cushion body may be made of a soft material such as urethane foam, and plates made of a hard material such as plastic may be arranged at equal intervals inside the cushion body to apply a reaction force in any direction. In this configuration, the angle of the deflection reaction force can be adjusted by changing the inclination angle of the plates.

[0086] The following notes are provided regarding the above embodiment.

[0087] (Appendix 1) a seat back main body extending in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction and capable of supporting the back of an occupant; a central reaction force applying portion provided at a position in a central portion of the seat back body in the seat width direction where the back of the occupant comes into contact, and capable of applying a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that has come into contact; A vehicle seat structure having: (Appendix 2) A vehicle seat structure as described in Appendix 1, which has outer reaction force application portions arranged side by side on both sides of the central reaction force application portion in the seat width direction and capable of applying a reaction force to the lower side of the seat against the back of an occupant that comes into contact with it. (Appendix 3) A vehicle seat structure as described in Appendix 2, wherein the seat back main body has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the upper side of the seat that can exert a reaction force toward the lower side of the seat against the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it. (Appendix 4) A vehicle seat structure as described in Appendix 2, wherein the seat back main body has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the seat upper side of the outer reaction force exerting portion, which is capable of exerting a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat against the back of an occupant that comes into contact with it. (Appendix 5) 5. The vehicle seat structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central reaction force imparting portion includes a cushion having an S-shaped cross section as viewed in the seat width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Vehicle seats 18 Seat back body 20B Center lower cushion (center reaction force application part) 20C Right upper cushion (upper outer reaction force application part) 20D Right lower cushion (outer reaction force application part) 20E Left upper cushion (upper outer reaction force application part) 20F Left lower cushion (outer reaction force application part) 30 Vehicle seats 32 Vehicle seats 34 Vehicle seats 60 Vehicle seats

Claims

1. a seat back main body extending in the seat width direction and the seat up-down direction and capable of supporting the back of an occupant; a central reaction force applying portion provided at a position in a central portion of the seat back body in the seat width direction where the back of the occupant comes into contact, and capable of applying a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat to the back of the occupant that has come into contact; A vehicle seat structure having:

2. 2. The vehicle seat structure according to claim 1, further comprising outer reaction force application portions arranged in parallel on both sides of the central reaction force application portion in the seat width direction and capable of applying a reaction force downward to the back of an occupant that makes contact with the outer reaction force application portion.

3. 3. A vehicle seat structure as described in claim 2, wherein the seat back body has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the seat upper side of the outer reaction force exerting portion, which is capable of exerting a reaction force toward the lower side of the seat against the back of the occupant that comes into contact with it.

4. 3. A vehicle seat structure as described in claim 2, wherein the seat back body has an upper outer reaction force exerting portion on the seat upper side of the outer reaction force exerting portion, which is capable of exerting a reaction force toward the upper side of the seat against the back of an occupant that makes contact with it.

5. 5. The vehicle seat structure according to claim 1, wherein the central reaction force imparting portion includes a cushion having an S-shaped cross section as viewed in the seat width direction.

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