Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which enables a drive device for causing a switching operation of a canopy to be compactly disposed.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat S is provided with: a canopy 30 that switches its state between a state of being accommodated in a seat back 2 and a state of being deployed to the front side of the seat back to cover a head of a seated person; a drive device 70 that causes the switching operation of the canopy; and a rotary bracket 80 coupling the canopy and the drive device to each other. The canopy 30 has a hood 31 and a canopy frame 32 that supports the hood. The drive device 70 has a drive member 71, and a drive shaft 72 that connects the drive member with the rotary bracket and serves as a shaft of the rotary bracket. The rotary bracket 80 supports a lower portion of the canopy frame 32 and rotates as the drive member 71 is driven. At least a part of the drive member 71 is disposed between an inner end portion and an outer end portion of the rotary bracket 80 in a seat width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat provided with a canopy that is provided on the upper part of a seat back and covers the head of a seated occupant. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat has been known that includes a canopy that switches between a "stored state" in which the canopy is stored in the seat back and a "deployed state" in which the canopy is deployed in front of the seat back and covers the head of the seated occupant, and a drive device that switches the canopy (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a canopy located on the top of the seat back that covers the head of the occupant from above, and a center-folding mechanism that changes the position of the seat back, making it possible to switch from a "normal state" to a "relaxed state." A canopy motor, pulleys, belts, etc. for deploying the canopy are mounted inside the seat back. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-112190 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a vehicle seat equipped with a canopy such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, a drive motor, drive pulley, and drive belt are mounted on the seat back to switch the canopy from the "storage state" to the "deployment state," resulting in a complex drive device. This makes it difficult to arrange the drive device compactly on the seat back. Furthermore, if the drive unit mounted on the seat back becomes too large, the canopy that covers the occupant's head becomes too small, which may make it difficult to adequately cover the occupant's head.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that allows a drive device for switching the canopy to be arranged in a compact manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which the drive unit can be arranged compactly and the interior space of the canopy can be maximized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which comprises a seat back, a canopy that is provided on an upper part of the seat back and that switches between a state where it is stored in the seat back and a state where it is deployed forward of the seat back and covers the head of a seated occupant, a drive device that is provided on the seat back and that switches the canopy, and a rotating bracket that connects the canopy and the drive device and rotates as the drive device is driven, the canopy has a hood that covers the head of the seated occupant from above and a canopy frame that supports the hood, the drive device has a drive member and a drive shaft that connects the drive member and the rotating bracket and serves as the axis of the rotating bracket, the rotating bracket supports a lower portion of the canopy frame and rotates together with the canopy frame around the drive shaft as the drive member is driven, and at least a part of the drive member is disposed between the inner end and the outer end of the rotating bracket in the seat width direction.

[0008] The above configuration makes it possible to realize a vehicle seat that allows the drive device that switches the canopy to be arranged compactly. Specifically, the vehicle seat of the present invention includes a drive unit that switches the canopy and a pivoting bracket that connects the canopy and the drive unit and rotates as the drive unit is driven. The pivoting bracket supports a lower portion of the canopy frame and rotates together with the canopy frame as the drive unit is driven. At least a portion of the drive unit is disposed between the inner end and outer end of the pivoting bracket in the seat width direction. This allows the drive unit (e.g., a drive motor) and the pivoting bracket to be compactly disposed in the seat width direction, thereby preventing the vehicle seat from becoming larger in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the canopy (canopy frame) can be rotated and deployed with a simple configuration using a drive unit, a drive shaft, and a pivoting bracket. In other words, the canopy can be switched without the complex configuration using a drive pulley and a drive belt as in Patent Document 1.

[0009] In this case, the seat back has a back frame that forms the skeleton of the seat back, is attached to the outer surface of the back frame, and is equipped with a mounting bracket for mounting the drive member, the drive member is fixed to the outer surface of the mounting bracket, the rotating bracket is positioned more inward than the mounting bracket, and the drive shaft passes through the mounting bracket in the seat width direction and connects the drive member and the rotating bracket. With the above-described configuration, the drive member is disposed further outward in the seat width direction than the back frame, which prevents the occupant from hitting the drive member when seated. In other words, discomfort felt by the occupant is reduced, ensuring a comfortable seating experience. Furthermore, since the drive shaft extends in the seat width direction and connects the drive member, the mounting bracket, and the rotating bracket, these components can be arranged compactly.

[0010] In this case, the mounting bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, and the portion of the mounting bracket that supports the drive member is preferably located outside in the seat width direction from the portion attached to the back frame. In addition, the pivoting bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, and the portion of the pivoting bracket that supports the canopy frame is preferably located further outward in the seat width direction than the portion connected to the drive shaft. As described above, the drive member is disposed offset outward in the seat width direction from the back frame, so that a seated occupant can be prevented from hitting the drive member. Furthermore, because the portion of the pivot bracket that supports the canopy frame is offset outward in the seat width direction, the canopy can be made wider in the seat width direction, thereby ensuring a larger interior space for the canopy.

[0011] In this case, the seat back has a back frame that forms the skeleton of the seat back, and the rotating bracket has a bracket inner portion connected to the drive shaft, a bracket outer portion that is located outside the bracket inner portion in the seat width direction and supports the lower portion of the canopy frame, and a bracket connecting portion that extends in the seat width direction and connects the bracket inner portion and the bracket outer portion, and it is preferable that the lower portion of the canopy frame is positioned at a position outside the back frame in the seat width direction. With the above-described configuration, the drive member can be compactly positioned at the outer side of the seat back in the seat width direction. Also, by increasing the size of the canopy frame in the seat width direction, a large internal space of the canopy can be secured.

[0012] In this case, an inner bracket cover is provided that covers the rotating bracket from the inside in the seat width direction, and the inner bracket cover extends in the vertical direction corresponding to the bending shape of the rotating bracket, and the inner surface of the inner bracket cover is preferably inclined in the vertical direction as it moves from the inner part of the bracket to the outer part of the bracket. By providing the inner bracket cover as described above, the rotating bracket having a curved shape can be reinforced and the appearance can be improved. Furthermore, since the inner surface of the inner bracket cover is inclined, it is possible to prevent a seated occupant from hitting the inner bracket cover.

[0013] In this case, it is preferable that an outer bracket cover is provided that covers the rotating bracket from the outside in the seat width direction, and that the outer bracket cover extends in accordance with the bending shape of the rotating bracket, and has a first outer cover portion that extends along the bracket outer portion and covers the bracket outer portion from the outside, and a second outer cover portion that bends continuously from the first outer cover portion, extends along the bracket connecting portion and covers the bracket connecting portion from below. By providing the outer bracket cover as described above, the rotating bracket having a curved shape can be reinforced and the appearance can be improved.

[0014] In this case, the mounting bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, and the upper portion of the mounting bracket that is connected to the drive shaft is located further outward in the seat width direction than the lower portion that is attached to the back frame, and the rotating bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, and the upper portion of the rotating bracket that supports the canopy frame is located further outward in the seat width direction than the lower portion that is connected to the drive shaft. As described above, by having the mounting bracket and the rotating bracket have a curved shape, the drive member can be disposed at an outer position in the seat width direction of the seat back, and the canopy frame can be widened in the seat width direction.

[0015] In this case, the mounting bracket has an inner wall portion connected to the outer surface of the back frame, an outer wall portion located outside the inner wall portion in the seat width direction and connected to the drive shaft, and a connecting wall portion extending in the seat width direction and connecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and the rotating bracket has a bracket inner portion connected to the drive shaft, a bracket outer portion located outside the bracket inner portion in the seat width direction and supporting the lower portion of the canopy frame, and a bracket connecting portion extending in the seat width direction and connecting the bracket inner portion and the bracket outer portion, and it is preferable that the lower portion of the canopy frame is positioned above the drive member and at the same position as the drive member in the seat width direction. As described above, the lower portion of the canopy frame is positioned above the drive member and at the same position as the drive member in the seat width direction, so the drive member, drive shaft, and pivot bracket can be arranged compactly in the seat width direction. Furthermore, by locating the drive member and the canopy frame as close as possible to each other, the canopy frame can be driven efficiently.

[0016] In this case, the seat back has a back frame that forms the skeleton of the seat back, and the back frame has left and right back side frames provided on the sides in the seat width direction and back upper frames provided in upper portions of the left and right back side frames, and is equipped with a frame drive device that connects the back upper frame to the left and right back side frames so that it can rotate in the front-to-rear direction of the seat, the frame drive device having a frame drive member that rotates the back upper frame, and the drive member of the drive device is provided on one of the left and right back side frames, and the frame drive member is provided on the other of the left and right back side frames. The above configuration makes it possible to realize a vehicle seat in which the canopy can be deployed toward the front of the seat and the upper portion of the back frame (back upper frame) can be rotated toward the front of the seat. In addition, because the canopy drive member and the frame drive member are separately arranged on the left and right back side frames, respectively, the vehicle seat can be well balanced in the seat width direction, and these components can be arranged compactly.

[0017] In this case, it is preferable that a side airbag device is provided to cushion the impact applied from the side of the vehicle, the side airbag device is attached to the outer surface of the mounting bracket, and is positioned lower than the drive member, and at least a portion of the side airbag device is positioned at the same position as the drive member in the seat width direction. With the above-described configuration, the side airbag device can be compactly arranged at an outer position in the seat width direction of the seat back without interfering with the drive member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, a vehicle seat can be realized in which a drive device for switching the canopy can be arranged compactly. Specifically, the drive member and the pivot bracket can be arranged compactly in the seat width direction, thereby preventing the vehicle seat from becoming larger in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the canopy can be rotated and deployed with a simple configuration using the drive member, drive shaft, and pivot bracket. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the drive member is disposed on the outer side of the back frame in the seat width direction, it is possible to prevent the occupant from coming into contact with the drive member when seated. In other words, it is possible to prevent the occupant from feeling uncomfortable and ensure a comfortable seating position. In addition, it is possible to compactly arrange the drive member, drive shaft, mounting bracket, and pivot bracket. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the canopy can be widened in the seat width direction, thereby ensuring a large internal space for the canopy. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by providing the inner bracket cover and the outer bracket cover, the rotating bracket having a curved shape can be reinforced and the appearance can be improved. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the drive member, drive shaft, and pivot bracket can be arranged compactly in the seat width direction. Furthermore, by arranging the drive member and the canopy frame as close as possible to each other, the canopy frame can be driven efficiently. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the vehicle seat can be well balanced in the seat width direction. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the side airbag device can be compactly arranged at an outer position in the seat width direction of the seat back without interfering with the drive member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat of the present embodiment, showing the canopy in a "storage state." [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat showing the canopy in the "deployed" position. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle seat showing the canopy in the "stowed" position. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle seat showing the canopy in the "deployed" position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the canopy, showing the canopy frame, display devices, electric wires, and air conditioning equipment (ducts and air conditioning vents). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat back and canopy, showing the back frame. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the back frame (right side), drive unit, pivot bracket, and canopy. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the back frame (right side), drive unit (without cover), pivot bracket, and canopy. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] This is an assembly diagram of the seat back and backboard. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the back frame (right side), drive unit (without cover), pivot bracket (without cover), and canopy. [Figure 12] This is an exploded perspective view of the back frame (right side), pivot bracket, and canopy. [Figure 13] 13 is a detail (drive device) of the exploded perspective view of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13 is a detail (rotating bracket) of the exploded perspective view of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of the seat back (right side), showing each cover. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of the seat back (right side), pivot bracket, and canopy from a different angle. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back frame (left side), the frame drive device, the drive device, and the pivot bracket. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back frame (left side), frame drive device, drive device, and pivot bracket as seen from another angle. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a drive unit and a rotating bracket. [Figure 20] This is an exploded perspective view of the back frame (left side), drive unit, pivot bracket, and canopy. [Figure 21] 21 is a detail of the exploded perspective view of FIG. 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment relates to a "vehicle seat" that is equipped with a canopy that covers the head of the seated occupant, and has a compactly arranged drive device that switches the canopy, making it possible to ensure as much internal space as possible within the canopy. The side of the seat back (headrest) of a vehicle seat on which a seat occupant sits is the front side (front side of the seat).

[0021] 1 to 5, the vehicle seat S of this embodiment is a vehicle seat, for example, a front seat disposed at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle seat S may be a middle seat or a rear seat.

[0022] The vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, a reclining device 4 that rotatably connects the seat back 2 to the seat cushion 1, a height device 5 that connects the seat cushion 1 to the vehicle floor so that it can be raised and lowered, a rail device 6 that supports the seat cushion 1 so that it can move back and forth relative to the vehicle floor, and a control device 7 that controls the operation of the reclining device 4, the height device 5, and the rail device 6. The vehicle seat S also includes a canopy 30 provided on top of the seat back 2 to cover the head of the seated occupant, a canopy cover 40, a display device 50 installed in the interior space of the canopy 30, and a fragrance device 60 and an air conditioning device 65 provided inside the seat back 2. The vehicle seat S also includes a drive device 70 that switches the canopy 30, a rotating bracket 80 that connects the canopy 30 and the drive device 70, a frame drive device 90 that rotates the upper part of the seat back 2 relative to the lower part, and a side airbag device 100 that is provided on the side of the seat back 2. The seat cushion 1, the seat back 2 and the headrest 3 are also referred to as a "seat body."

[0023] The vehicle seat S is a seat that can be switched between a "normal mode (first mode)" shown in Figures 1 and 3 and a "relaxation mode (second mode)" shown in Figures 2 and 4, and the switching is controlled by, for example, a control device 7. Specifically, when the vehicle seat S is in the "normal mode," the seat back 2 is in the "upright state," the upper part of the seat back 2 is in the "normal state," and the canopy 30 is in the "stored state" stored on the seat back 2 side. On the other hand, when the vehicle seat S is in the "relaxation mode," the seat back 2 is tilted backward in a "reclined state (reclined state)," the upper part of the seat back 2 is tilted forward relative to the lower part in a "forward tilted state (center-folded state)," and the canopy 30 is deployed forward of the seat back 2 in an "expanded state." In addition, the control device 7 controls the driving operation of the height device 5 and rail device 6 by manual operation by the seat occupant or automatic operation, and can move the height position and front-rear position of the seat body. The control device 7 also controls the operation of the display device 50 to display images. The control device 7 also controls the operation of the fragrance device 60 and air conditioning device 65, and can provide cool air (warm air) to the seat occupant's head and spread a fragrance.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat cushion 1 is a seating portion that supports the seated person from below, and includes a cushion frame 1c that serves as a skeleton, a pad material 1a that is placed on the cushion frame 1c, and a cover material 1b that covers the cushion frame 1c and the pad material 1a.

[0025] The seat back 2 is a backrest portion that supports the seated occupant from behind, and includes a back frame 10 that serves as a skeleton, a padding material 2a, a skin material 2b, and a backboard 20 that covers the back frame 10, the padding material 2a, and the skin material 2b from behind. More specifically, the padding 2a can be separated into an upper and lower portion, and has an upper padding placed on the upper portion of the back frame 10, and a lower padding placed on the lower portion of the back frame 10. The upper padding and the lower padding are each covered with a skin material 2b.

[0026] The headrest 3 supports the head of a seated occupant from behind and includes left and right head pillars, a padding material 3a, and a covering material 3b. The headrest 3 is attached to the front of the upper part of the seat back 2. The headrest 3 may be positioned above the seat back 2, but it is preferable to position it in front of the seat back 2 in order to prevent interference with the canopy 30 and to position the canopy 30 compactly.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the reclining device 4 is a device that rotatably connects the seat back 2 to the seat cushion 1 and locks the seat back 2. As shown in FIGS. The reclining device 4 includes a reclining body 4a that is driven when rotating the seat back 2, a rotation axis 4b, a spiral spring 4c that urges the seat back 2 to rotate forward around the rotation axis 4b, an operating lever that releases the locked state of the seat back 2, and a drive motor. The reclining body 4a has a locking mechanism that switches the state of the seat back 2 between a "locked state" and an "unlocked state" in which the seat back 2 is rotatable relative to the seat cushion 1. The rotation shaft 4b is supported in the seat width direction on the seat cushion 1 side and the seat back 2 side. One end of the spiral spring 4c is anchored on the seat cushion 1 side, and the other end is anchored on the seat back 2 side.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the height device 5 is attached between the seat cushion 1 and the rail device 6 in the vertical direction. The height device 5 includes left and right first links 5a arranged on the front side of the seat, left and right second links 5b arranged on the rear side of the seat, a locking member that locks the seat cushion 1, a height operating lever that releases the locked state of the locking member, and a drive motor. The second link 5b serves as a driving link, allowing the height of the seat body to be adjusted.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the rail device 6 is disposed between the seat cushion 1 and the vehicle floor in the vertical direction. The rail device 6 is fixed to the vehicle floor and includes left and right lower rails 6a extending in the fore-and-aft direction, left and right upper rails 6b supported slidably along the lower rails 6a, a locking member that locks the upper rails 6b so that they cannot slide relative to the lower rails 6a, a rail operating lever 6c that releases the locked state of the locking member, and a drive motor. A seat cushion 1 is mounted on the upper surfaces of the left and right upper rails 6b via a height device 5.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 7 is a device that performs overall electrical control of the vehicle seat S, and is, for example, an engine control unit (ECU). The control device 7 is connected to the operation switches, detection sensors, reclining device 4, height device 5, rail device 6, display device 50, fragrance device 60, air conditioning device 65, drive device 70, frame drive device 90, side airbag device 100 and other moving devices and electronic devices via an in-vehicle network. The control device 7 determines that an occupant is seated based on, for example, the turning on of an operation switch by the occupant or based on a detection signal output from a detection sensor, and controls the operation of the above-mentioned movable devices and electronic devices.

[0031] Specifically, the control device 7 is a computer equipped with a CPU (processor) as a data calculation and control processing device, ROM and RAM as storage devices, an HDD, and a communication interface for sending and receiving information data via an in-vehicle network. The control device 7 is provided inside the seat cushion 1 and is connected to various movable devices and electronic devices by electric wires (harnesses). The control device 7 may be provided inside the seat back 2 or outside the seat body.

[0032] <Back frame> As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the back frame 10 is a substantially rectangular frame-like body and includes back side frames 11 arranged on the left and right sides, inverted U-shaped back upper frames 12 provided at the upper end portions of each back side frame 11, a back lower frame 13 connecting the lower end portions of each back side frame 11, and a back connecting plate 14 connecting the left and right side portions of the back upper frame 12 and extending in the seat width direction. The back frame 10 also includes left and right wire members 15 that extend vertically and are hooked to the back upper frame 12 and the back lower frame 13, and a support plate 16 (pressure plate) that is held by the left and right wire members and supports the seated person from behind.

[0033] The back side frame 11 is a plate-like frame that extends in the vertical direction and has a C-shaped cross section. The lower end portion of the backside frame 11 is connected to the rear end portion of the cushion frame 1c via the reclining device 4. On the outer surface of the backside frame 11, a drive unit 70, a rotating bracket 80, and a mounting bracket 17 for mounting the side airbag device 100 are attached. A frame drive device 90 is attached to the inner surface of the left back side frame 11. Protruding frames 11a and 11b that protrude inward in the seat width direction from the frame body of the backside frame are formed in the upper and lower portions of the backside frame 11. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a board frame 23 (frame connecting portions 23c and 23d) described below is attached to the protruding frames 11a and 11b. The protruding frames 11a and 11b are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The back side frame 11 and the back upper frame 12 may be formed as an integrated frame.

[0034] The back upper frame 12 is an inverted U-shaped frame that extends in the vertical direction. The back upper frame 12 has an upper frame main body 12a and a cylindrical pillar mounting member 12b that is attached to the center portion of the upper frame main body 12a in the seat width direction and for mounting a headrest 3 (head pillar). The pillar mounting members 12b are fixed in pairs with a gap between them.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 7, 17, and 18, a frame drive device 90 (a frame support member 94 having a C-shaped cross section) is attached to the lower portion (lower end) of the upper frame main body 12a via a rotary shaft 96. The frame drive device 90 allows the back upper frame 12 to rotate in the front-rear direction relative to the back side frame 11. That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the seat back 2 can be switched to a "forward tilted state (center-folded state)" in which the upper portion thereof is tilted forward relative to the lower portion thereof.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 11 and 12, the mounting bracket 17 is attached to the outer surface of the backside frame 11, and is a bracket for mounting the drive unit 70, the rotating bracket 80 and the side airbag device 100. The mounting bracket 17 has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and is bent in the seat width direction. The mounting bracket 17 is disposed at a position that protrudes slightly forward from the back side frame 11. Specifically, the mounting bracket 17 has a long inner wall portion 17a connected to the outer surface of the backside frame 11, a long outer wall portion 17b located outside the inner wall portion 17a in the seat width direction and connected to the drive shaft 72, and a connecting wall portion 17c extending in the seat width direction and connecting the upper end of the inner wall portion 17a and the lower end of the outer wall portion 17b.

[0037] The outer wall portion 17b is disposed offset outward in the seat width direction from the inner wall portion 17a. That is, the drive member 71 is disposed outward and spaced apart from the back side frame 11 in the seat width direction. In other words, the drive shaft 72 is disposed outwardly and spaced apart from the back side frame 11 in the seat width direction. The mounting bracket 17 (outer wall portion 17b) is fastened to the outer surface of the backside frame 11 with fastening bolts 18. The mounting bracket 17 (inner wall portion 17a) is connected to the drive member 71 (drive shaft 72) via an intermediate plate 73 and a guide plate 74. These components are connected with connecting bolts 19. The mounting bracket 17 may be fixed to the backside frame 11 by welding.

[0038] <Backboard> As shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 15, the backboard 20 is a resin board member that entirely covers the back frame 10, canopy 30, display device 50, fragrance device 60 and air conditioner 65 from behind. By providing the backboard 20, the vehicle seat S can be configured so that, for example, the back frame 10, the canopy frame 32, etc. are not exposed from behind, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle seat S when viewed from behind.

[0039] The backboard 20 comprises an assembly backboard 21 assembled to the backframe 10 from the rear, a storage backboard 22 capable of storing the assembly backboard 21, an inverted U-shaped board frame 23 supporting the storage backboard 22 from the rear, and a rear backboard 24 covering the entire storage backboard 22 and the board frame 23 from the rear.

[0040] 4, 6, 9, and 10, the assembly backboard 21 has a plate-shaped board body 21a and a protruding outer edge portion 21b that protrudes forward and is provided along substantially the entire outer edge of the board body 21a. A board recess portion 21c that is recessed rearward is formed in the center of the board body 21a. The assembled backboard 21 covers the headrest 3, the back upper frame 12 and the back connecting plate 14 from the rear, and is assembled to the back upper frame 12 and the back connecting plate 14 from the rear. More specifically, the assembly backboard 21 has frame assembly portions 21d that can be assembled to assembly receiving portions 14a provided on the left and right side portions of the back connecting plate 14.

[0041] The protruding outer edge 21b at the lower end of the assembly backboard 21 protrudes forward beyond the back upper frame 12. In other words, the protruding outer edge 21b covers the back upper frame 12 from below. The left and right wire members 15 are hooked to the protruding outer edge portion 21b.

[0042] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the storage backboard 22 has a plate-shaped board body 22a, a protruding outer edge portion 22b that is provided along almost the entire outer edge of the board body 22a and protrudes forward, and a protruding flange portion 22c that is provided at the protruding end of the protruding outer edge portion 22b and protrudes slightly in the vertical or horizontal direction. A board recess 22d recessed rearward is formed in the center of the board body 22a, and a plurality of fitting holes 22e are formed in the rear surface of the board body 22a. The assembly backboard 21 and the storable backboard 22 are not fixed, and the assembly backboard 21 rotates forward together with the seat back 2 (back side frame 11) relative to the storable backboard 22. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the assembly backboard 21 can move away from the storable backboard 22.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the board frame 23 is a plate-shaped frame, and is assembled to fit into the board recess 22d of the storage backboard 22. As shown in FIGS. Furthermore, a plurality of assembly holes 23a and a plurality of engagement holes 23b are formed on the rear surface of the board frame 23 along the extending direction of the board frame 23. The board frame 23 is fixed to the rear surface of the storage backboard 22 by fastening the assembly bolts into the assembly holes 23a from the rear. Furthermore, the engagement holes 23b are detachably engaged with engagement protrusions 24h formed on the front surface of the rear backboard 24. The engagement with each other may also be achieved by clip engagement.

[0044] The board frame 23 extends downward further than the assembly backboard 21 and the storage backboard 22. Frame connecting portions 23c and 23d for connecting to the back side frames 11 (protruding frames 11a and 11b) are formed on the left and right downward extending portions of the board frame 23. That is, the board frame 23 is assembled to the storage backboard 22 and the back side frame 11.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4, 9 and 10, the rear backboard 24 is a board member that covers the back frame 10, canopy 30, fragrance device 60, air conditioning device 65 and side airbag device 100 from the sides and rear. The rear backboard 24 has a rear wall portion 24a, an upper wall portion 24b and a bottom wall portion 24c that protrude forward from the upper and lower ends of the rear wall portion 24a, respectively, and side wall portions 24d that protrude forward from both the left and right ends of the rear wall portion 24a. A mounting hole 24e for mounting the reclining device 4 is formed at the lower end of the side wall portion 24d. A notch 24f is formed at the front end of the side wall 24d, cutting downward from the upper end. The drive unit 70, outer drive cover 77, and rotating bracket 80 are disposed (received) at a position corresponding to the notch 24f. A harness-passing hole is formed at the lower end of the notch 24f, through which the harness extending from the drive unit 70 passes.

[0046] The rear backboard 24 is assembled to the storage backboard 22 and the board frame 23 from the rear. Specifically, a plurality of fitting protrusions 24g and engagement protrusions 24h are formed on the front surface of the rear backboard 24. The fitting protrusions 24g are detachably fitted into the storage backboard 22 (fitting holes 22e), and the engagement protrusions 24h are detachably engaged with the board frame 23 (engagement holes 23b), so that the rear backboard 24 is integrally assembled with the storage backboard 22 and the board frame 23. The rear backboard 24 may be detachably engaged with the storage backboard 22 and the board frame 23 by clip engagement.

[0047] By having the rear backboard 24, the appearance of the vehicle seat S (appearance when viewed from behind) can be improved even if, for example, the upper part of the seat back 2 is tilted forward relative to the lower part (center-bent state). Note that, in the case where the vehicle seat S does not have the frame drive device 90 and the upper portion of the seat back 2 does not tilt forward, the vehicle seat S does not need to have the rear backboard 24. In other words, a skin material may be used instead of the rear backboard 24, and the rear portion of the vehicle seat S may be covered with the skin material.

[0048] In the above configuration, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10, the rear backboard 24 has a board extension portion 24i provided on its outer edge that extends above the back frame 10 and the pad material 2a and outward in the seat width direction. In the "stored state," the canopy frame 32 is provided in front of the board extension portion 24i and is stored so as not to extend outward from the rear backboard 24. Specifically, the outer surface of the rear backboard 24 and the outer surface of the canopy frame 32 (the outer surface of the hood 31) are substantially flush with each other. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle seat S equipped with the canopy 30 can be maintained in good condition.

[0049] <Canopy> 1 to 7, the canopy 30 is provided on the upper part of the seat back 2 and switches between a "stored state" in which it is stored in the seat back 2 and an "expanded state" in which it is deployed to the front side of the seat back 2 to cover the head of a seated occupant. The canopy 30 is also called a covering part, a canopy, a hood, etc. The canopy 30 is connected to the left and right side portions (left and right back side frames 11) of the seat back 2 via mounting brackets 17, a drive unit 70 and a rotating bracket 80 so as to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction of the seat. More specifically, the canopy 30 has a hood 31 that covers the head of a seated occupant from above, and a canopy frame 32 that supports the hood 31.

[0050] The canopy 31 is a stretchable sheet that is folded so as to be able to unfold in the front-rear direction of the seat. The canopy 31 is made of, for example, a waterproof cloth. When the canopy 31 is in the "deployed state", it can cover the upper part of the seat back 2 and the headrest 3 from above, the front, and the left and right sides. In other words, it can cover the head of a seated occupant. When the hood 31 is in the "storage state", it is stored in a folded state toward the seat back 2 (backboard 20) side. At this time, the hood 31 is covered from above and from the sides by the canopy cover 40.

[0051] The canopy frame 32 is attached to the seat back 2 so as to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction, and has a drive frame 33 that rotates in response to the driving of the drive unit 70, and a plurality of driven frames 34 that rotate in response to the driving operation of the drive frame 33. The drive frame 33 is disposed at a position furthest forward of the driven frame 34 . The drive frame 33 and the driven frame 34 are arranged to surround the back frame 10 (back upper frame 12).

[0052] The drive frame 33 is a plate-like frame having an inverted U-shape. Specifically, it has left and right side frames 33a extending upward from the left and right lateral portions of the back frame 10 in the seat width direction, respectively, and an upper frame 33b connecting upper portions of the left and right side frames 33a. The driven frame 34 is a wire frame, and like the driving frame 33, has left and right side frames 34a and an upper frame 34b.

[0053] The drive frame 33 is a frame that supports the front end portion of the hood 31 from below. The left and right side frames 33a and the upper frame 33b are connected to the hood 31. The lower ends of the left and right side frames 33a are connected to the left and right back side frames 11 via pivot brackets 80. More specifically, an assembly hole 33c (assembly receiving portion) for assembly to the rotation bracket 80 is formed in the lower end of the drive frame 33 (side frame 33a). The drive frame 33 rotates in the front-rear direction around the drive shaft 72 as the rotation center when the rotation bracket 80 rotates in accordance with the driving of the drive device 70 .

[0054] The driven frame 34 is disposed at a position rearward of the drive frame 33 and is a frame that supports the hood 31 from below. The multiple driven frames 34 are spaced apart from one another when switched from the "stored state" to the "deployed state" and can support the hood 31 as a whole. The plurality of driven frames 34 are each connected to the hood 31. The lower ends of the plurality of driven frames 34 are gathered together in one location and fixed to the lower end of the hood 31.

[0055] <Canopy cover> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 10, the canopy cover 40 is attached to the canopy 30 and covers the canopy 30 from the outside. The canopy cover 40 is positioned to cover the hood 31 and the canopy frame 32 from above and from the sides when the canopy 30 is in the "stored state." The canopy cover 40 is arranged to cover the display device 50 from above, the front, and the sides when in the "stored state" and the "deployed state."

[0056] The canopy cover 40 has a rear canopy cover 41 that covers the hood 31 and canopy frame 32 from above and from the sides when the canopy 30 is in the "stored state," and a front canopy cover 45 that is located forward of the rear canopy cover 41 and covers the internal space of the canopy 30 from the front. The rear canopy cover 41 is attached rearward of the drive frame 33, and the front canopy cover 45 is attached forward of the drive frame 33.

[0057] The rear canopy cover 41 is a plate-like resin cover having an inverted U-shape, and extends along the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33) and reaches the left and right side portions of the seat back 2. The upper portion of the rear canopy cover 41 is detachably attached to the upper portion of the drive frame 33. The lower end of the rear canopy cover 41 is detachably engaged with an outer bracket cover 87 that covers the rotating bracket 80 from the outside.

[0058] The front canopy cover 45 is a resin cover that is slightly long in the seat width direction, extends along the drive frame 33, and is disposed at a position above the seat back 2. The outer surface of the front canopy cover 45 (cover body 46) is formed along the drive frame 33 and has a fitting recess 47 for fitting onto the drive frame 33. The front canopy cover 45 is attached to the inner surface of the canopy frame 32 by fitting the fitting recess 47 into the drive frame 33.

[0059] As described above, by providing the canopy cover 40, the frame that forms the framework of the canopy 30 can be configured to be exposed to the outside as little as possible. Specifically, when the canopy 30 is at least in the "stored state," the hood 31 and the canopy frame 32 can be exposed to the outside as little as possible. In other words, the appearance of the vehicle seat S can be improved.

[0060] <Display equipment, aroma equipment, air conditioning equipment> The display device 50 is a display used by a person seated in the vehicle seat S, as shown in FIGS. The display device 50 is attached to the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33) via a holder 55. The display device 50 and the holder 55 are disposed in the interior space of the canopy 30 and are covered from the front and sides by the canopy cover 40 . More specifically, the canopy cover 40 is disposed so as to cover the display device 50 and the holder 55 from above, the front, and the sides when the canopy 30 is in the "stored state." The canopy cover 40 is disposed so as to cover the display device 50 and the holder 55 from the front and the sides when the canopy 30 is in the "deployed state." When the canopy 30 is in the "deployed state," the hood 31 covers the display device 50 and the holder 55 from above.

[0061] The display device 50 is connected to an electric wire 51 for supplying electricity to the display device 50 (device main body). The electric wire 51 extends from the display device 50 along the drive frame 33, and then extends from the drive frame 33 to the seat back 2 and into the seat back 2. The electric wire 51 then extends from the inside of the seat back 2 to the inside of the seat cushion 1 and is connected to the control device 7.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the fragrance device 60 is a device that emits a fragrance to the outside, and is provided inside the seat back 2. The air outlet 63 of the fragrance device 60 is disposed in a position on the upper part of the seat back 2 that corresponds to the internal space of the canopy 30 , and faces the internal space of the canopy 30 . Therefore, the fragrance device 60 can emit fragrance toward the interior space of the canopy 30.

[0063] Specifically, the fragrance device 60 is assembled to the top of the back upper frame 12 and comprises an aroma diffuser 61 (device main body) that emits a fragrance, a fragrance passage 62 that is connected to the aroma diffuser 61 and allows the fragrance emitted from the aroma diffuser 61 to flow toward the seated occupant, and an outlet 63 provided at the tip of the fragrance passage 62. The fragrance passages 62 extend from the fragrance device 61 to both sides in the seat width direction and downward from the fragrance device 61. The left and right fragrance passages 62 pass through pad holes formed in the pad material 2a and extend from the back side to the front side of the pad material 2a. The left and right air outlets 63 are provided at the top of the seat back 2 and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the seat width direction. In other words, when the canopy 30 is in the "deployed state," the left and right air outlets 63 are disposed above the front end of the canopy 30 (hood 31, canopy frame 32) and are disposed inside the canopy 30 in the seat width direction. In other words, the air outlets 63 are covered by the canopy 30.

[0064] The air conditioner 65 is a device that adjusts the air in the interior space of the canopy 30, and is provided inside the seat back 2, as shown in FIGS. An air conditioning vent 68 of the air conditioning device 65 is provided in the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33 ) and faces the interior space of the canopy 30 . Therefore, the air conditioner 65 can provide good air conditioning in the interior space of the canopy 30, allowing seated occupants to feel comfortable.

[0065] Specifically, the air conditioning device 65 is mounted to the rear of the back upper frame 12 and comprises an air conditioner 66 (device main body) that supplies air, a duct 67 that is connected to the air conditioner 66 and allows the air sent out from the air conditioner 66 to flow out toward the seated occupant, and an air conditioning port 68 provided at the tip of the duct 67. The ducts 67 extend from the air conditioner 66 to both sides in the seat width direction of the seat back 2. The ducts 67 preferably extend along the rear surface of the back upper frame 12. The left and right ducts 67 extend from both sides of the seat back 2 along the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33), and are connected to the left and right air conditioning vents 68. The left and right air conditioning vents 68 are attached to the drive frame 33 and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the seat width direction.

[0066] When the canopy 30 is in the "deployed state," the left and right air conditioning vents 68 are located at or near the opening of the canopy 30 (hood 31, canopy frame 32), and are located inside the canopy 30 in the seat width direction. The air conditioning vents 68 are covered by the canopy 30, and face the interior space of the canopy 30. This makes it easier to adjust the air in the interior space of the canopy 30. Furthermore, by providing the left and right air conditioning vents 68 on the drive frame 33, the opening area in the lower part of the canopy 30 can be covered like an air curtain. This allows the conditioned air to be suitably retained in the interior space of the canopy 30.

[0067] <Drive unit> As shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 to 8, and 11 to 13, the drive device 70 is a device that switches the canopy 30, and is attached to the left and right side portions of the seat back 2, and is covered from the sides by an outer drive cover 77 and an inner drive cover 78. More specifically, the drive unit 70 is attached to the outer surface of the back frame 10 (back side frame 11) via a mounting bracket 17. A rotating bracket 80 is attached between the back side frame 11 and the drive member 71 in the seat width direction. The outer drive cover 77 and the inner drive cover 78 are located in positions corresponding to the cutout portion 24f of the rear backboard 24 in a side view of the seat, and are arranged in positions that do not overlap with the rear backboard 24 (side wall portion 24d).

[0068] The drive unit 70 is provided on each of the left and right side portions of the seat back 2, and a drive member 71 (drive motor) is attached to the right side portion of the seat back 2. Note that the drive member 71 is not attached to the left side portion of the seat back 2. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, the components of the drive device 70 in the right portion of the seat back 2 are as follows. The drive unit 70 includes a drive member 71 (drive motor) provided on the right side of the seat back 2, a drive shaft 72 that serves as the axis of the drive member 71, an intermediate plate 73 that supports the drive shaft 72, a guide plate 74, an auxiliary guide plate 75 and a guide ring 76 that guide the rotational movement of the rotating bracket 80 together with the guide plate 74, and an outer drive cover 77 and an inner drive cover 78 that cover these components.

[0069] The drive member 71 is, for example, a drive motor that rotates a drive shaft 72, and has an axis support portion 71a that supports the drive shaft 72, and an attachment hole 71b that is located below the axis support portion 71a and is used for attachment to the attachment bracket 17. The drive member 71 is attached to the mounting bracket 17 by fastening the mounting bolt from the outside while the mounting hole 71b, the mounting hole 74e formed in the guide plate 74, and the mounting hole 17d formed in the mounting bracket 17 are in communication with each other. Although the driving member 71 is attached to the outer surface of the mounting bracket 17, it may also be attached to the inner surface of the mounting bracket 17.

[0070] The drive shaft 72 functions as a rotation shaft for the rotation bracket 80 and extends in the seat width direction. The drive shaft 72 passes through the intermediate plate 73 , the guide plate 74 and the guide ring 76 , and is supported by the lower end of the rotating bracket 80 . A gear 72a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft 72. The gear 72a and a gear hole 84a formed in the lower end of the rotating bracket 80 are fitted together. The drive shaft 72 functions as the shaft of the drive member 71 and as the rotation shaft of the rotating bracket 80, but is not particularly limited to this. For example, the drive shaft of the drive member 71 and the rotation shaft of the rotating bracket 80 may be configured to mesh with each other via gears.

[0071] The intermediate plate 73 is a plate-shaped reinforcing plate having a plate body 73a, a shaft through hole 73b formed in the center portion of the plate body 73a, and a connecting hole 73c formed to surround the shaft through hole 73b. The shaft through hole 73b is a shaft hole through which the drive shaft 72 passes. A plurality of the connecting holes 73c are formed above the shaft through-hole 73b, and a plurality of the connecting holes 73c are formed below the shaft through-hole 73b. The intermediate plate 73 is connected to the guide plate 74 by fastening a connecting bolt from the outside with the connecting hole 73c communicating with the connecting hole 74c formed in the guide plate 74. The surfaces of the intermediate plate 73 and the guide plate 74 are configured to mate with each other.

[0072] The guide plate 74 and the auxiliary guide plate 75 are plate-shaped members that have the function of increasing the assembly rigidity of the drive member 71 and the function of guiding the rotational movement of the rotational bracket 80 . The guide plate 74 has a plate body 74a, a shaft through hole 74b that penetrates the plate body 74a, a plurality of connecting holes 74c formed to surround the shaft through hole 74b, and a plurality of assembly holes 74d and mounting holes 74e formed at the lower end of the plate body 74a. A guide plate 74f is integrally formed on the inner surface of the plate body 74a, slightly rearward of the shaft through hole 74b and aligned along the shaft through hole 74b. A plurality of fastening holes 74g for fastening an auxiliary guide plate 75 are formed on the inner surface of the guide plate 74f. The auxiliary guide plate 75 has a plate body 75a, a shaft insertion portion 75b, and a plurality of fastening holes 75c.

[0073] The shaft through-hole 74b and the shaft insertion portion 75b are shaft holes through which the drive shaft 72 passes. The guide plate 74 is assembled to the mounting bracket 17 by fastening an assembly bolt from the inside with the assembly hole 74d communicating with the assembly hole 17e formed in the mounting bracket 17.

[0074] Guide plate 74f is connected to auxiliary guide plate 75 by fastening bolts from the inside with fastening holes 74g communicating with fastening holes 75c of auxiliary guide plate 75. The surface of guide plate 74f and the surface of auxiliary guide plate 75 are configured to mate with each other. The front end of the guide plate 74f is cut out to form a guide portion 74h (guide surface) that guides the rotation of the rotation bracket 80. Similarly, the front end of the auxiliary guide plate 75 is also formed with a guide portion 75d (guide surface). A guide ring 76 is fitted and attached to the guide portions 74h and 75d.

[0075] The guide ring 76 is a ring member that guides the rotation of the rotation bracket 80 . The guide ring 76 is provided at a position corresponding to the drive shaft 72, and is supported by the guide plate 74f and the auxiliary guide plate 75. The guide ring 76 is disposed between the guide plate 74f and the rotating bracket 80 in the seat width direction. The bracket bulge 81a of the rotating bracket 80 is inserted into and held by the guide ring 76. The guide ring 76 allows the rotating bracket 80 to rotate smoothly.

[0076] The outer drive cover 77 and the inner drive cover 78 are covers made of resin and are assembled to each other so as to sandwich the drive member 71, drive shaft 72, intermediate plate 73, guide plate 74, auxiliary guide plate 75, guide ring 76 and part of the rotating bracket 80 between them. For example, the outer edge of the outer drive cover 77 and the outer edge of the inner drive cover 78 are engaged with each other, thereby combining these covers 77 and 78 together. A shaft through-hole 78a is formed in a portion of the inner drive cover 78 that corresponds to the drive shaft 72. In addition, a guide portion 78b (guide surface) that guides the rotational movement of the rotating bracket 80 is formed on the periphery of the shaft through-hole 78a. The guide portion 78b has a guide shape (groove shape) that follows the rotation path of the rotating bracket 80 (inner bracket cover 88). The guide portion 78b may be formed on the outer drive cover 77.

[0077] <Rotating bracket> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 to 16, the pivoting bracket 80 is a bracket that connects the canopy frame 32 and the driving device 70 and pivots as the driving device 70 is driven. The pivot bracket 80 supports the lower portion of the drive frame 33 and pivots in the front-to-rear direction around the drive shaft 72 together with the drive frame 33 as the drive member 71 is driven. The pivot bracket 80 together with the drive frame 33 is covered by an outer bracket cover 87 and an inner bracket cover 88 .

[0078] The rotating bracket 80 has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and is bent in the seat width direction. Of the rotating bracket 80, an upper portion that supports the canopy frame 32 is offset outward in the seat width direction from a lower portion that is connected to the drive shaft 72. Specifically, the pivoting bracket 80 has a bracket inner portion 81 connected to the drive shaft 72, a bracket outer portion 82 that is located outside the bracket inner portion 81 in the seat width direction and supports the lower portion of the drive frame 33, and a bracket connecting portion 83 that extends in the seat width direction and connects the bracket inner portion 81 and the bracket outer portion 82.

[0079] A bracket bulge portion 81a having a generally cylindrical shape that bulges outward in the seat width direction is formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the bracket inner portion 81. A guide ring 76 is slidably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bracket bulge portion 81a. A shaft through-hole 84 that passes through the side surfaces of the bracket inner portion 81 and the bracket bulging portion 81a in the seat width direction and supports the drive shaft 72 is formed. The shaft through-hole 84 has a gear hole 84a into which the gear 72a of the drive shaft 72 is fitted.

[0080] A cover assembly hole 85 for assembling an outer bracket cover 87 is formed in the side surface of the upper end of the bracket inner portion 81, penetrating in the seat width direction. The pivot bracket 80 is assembled to the outer bracket cover 87 by fastening bolts from the outside with the cover assembly holes 85 communicating with assembly holes 87h formed in the outer bracket cover 87.

[0081] A frame assembly hole 86 is formed in the side surface of the bracket outer portion 82, penetrating in the seat width direction and for assembly of the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33). A plurality of frame assembly holes 86 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction, and are arranged at positions corresponding to the assembly holes 33c of the drive frame 33 and the assembly bosses 87e of the outer bracket cover 87. The pivot bracket 80 is assembled to the drive frame 33 and the outer bracket cover 87 by fitting the assembly boss 87e from the outside with the frame assembly hole 86 communicating with the assembly hole 33c of the drive frame 33.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, the outer bracket cover 87 is a resin cover that extends in accordance with the curved shape of the rotating bracket 80. As shown in FIGS. The outer bracket cover 87 has an approximately L-shape and includes a first outer cover portion 87a that extends along the bracket outer portion 82 and covers the bracket outer portion 82 from the outside, and a second outer cover portion 87b that bends continuously from the lower end of the first outer cover portion 87a, extends along the bracket connecting portion 83, and covers the bracket connecting portion 83 from below. A pair of support ribs 87c protruding inward in the seat width direction are formed on both widthwise ends of the first outer cover portion 87a, and a pair of support ribs 87d protruding upward are formed on both widthwise ends of the second outer cover portion 87b. The support ribs 87c and 87d support the drive frame 33 and the rotating bracket 80 by sandwiching them therebetween.

[0083] A plurality of assembly bosses 87e that protrude inward in the seat width direction are formed on the inner surface of the first outer cover portion 87a in the seat width direction. Note that assembly holes may be used instead of assembly bosses. In the case of assembly holes, bolts are attached from the outside. A pair of storage recesses 87f are formed on the inner surface of the first outer cover portion 87a in the seat front-rear direction to store disk-shaped permanent magnets 89. A plurality of storage recesses 87f are formed at intervals in the up-down direction. The permanent magnets 89 stored in the pair of storage recesses 87f are arranged at positions sandwiching the metal drive frame 33 therebetween. The outer bracket cover 87 can hold the drive frame 33 more suitably by having the permanent magnets 89 abut against the drive frame 33 .

[0084] The first outer cover portion 87a has an upper end formed with a cover opening 87g for laterally assembling the drive frame 33 and exposing the drive frame 33 thereto. Further, an assembly hole 87h is formed on the side surface of the second outer cover portion 87b in the seat width direction, penetrating the side surface in the seat width direction and for assembly to the pivot bracket 80 (cover assembly hole 85).

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12 to 16, the inner bracket cover 88 is a resin cover that extends in accordance with the curved shape of the rotating bracket 80. As shown in FIGS. The inner bracket cover 88 comprises a first inner cover portion 88a that extends along the bracket inner portion 81 and covers the bracket inner portion 81 from the inside, a second inner cover portion 88b that bends from the upper end of the first inner cover portion 88a and extends along the bracket connecting portion 83 and covers the bracket connecting portion 83 from above, and a third inner cover portion 88c that bends from the outer end of the second inner cover portion 88b and extends along the bracket outer portion 82 and covers the bracket outer portion 82 from the inside. A pair of support ribs 88d that protrude outward in the seat width direction are formed on both widthwise ends of the first inner cover portion 88a and the third inner cover portion 88c. Also, a pair of support ribs 88e that protrude downward are formed on both widthwise ends of the second inner cover portion 88b. The support ribs 88d and 88e support the drive frame 33 and the rotating bracket 80 by sandwiching them therebetween.

[0086] The inner bracket cover 88 extends in the vertical direction in accordance with the curved shape of the pivot bracket 80. The inner surface of the inner bracket cover 88 is inclined in the vertical direction from the bracket inner portion 81 to the bracket outer portion 82. That is, an inclined surface 88f is formed on the inner surface of the inner bracket cover 88, making the inner surface of the inner bracket cover 88 a smooth surface. This prevents the seated occupant from hitting the inner bracket cover 88, and even if the occupant does come into contact with the inner bracket cover 88, it is possible to prevent the occupant from feeling uncomfortable.

[0087] A boss hole 88g for supporting the drive shaft 72 is formed on the outer surface in the seat width direction of the lower end of the first inner cover portion 88a, the boss hole 88g bulging inward in the seat width direction. The outer surface in the seat width direction of the upper end of the first inner cover portion 88a is formed with an assembly boss hole 88h that bulges inward in the seat width direction and is used for assembly to the pivot bracket 80 (cover assembly hole 85).

[0088] The third inner cover portion 88c has an outer surface in the seat width direction formed with an assembly boss hole 88i that bulges inward in the seat width direction and is used for assembly to the drive frame 33 (assembly hole 33c). The assembly boss 87e of the outer bracket cover 87, the assembly hole 33c, and the assembly boss hole 88i are assembled together.

[0089] The inner bracket cover 88 is connected to the outer bracket cover 87 by the support ribs 88d and 88e engaging with the support ribs 87c and 87d. The outer bracket cover 87 and the inner bracket cover 88 rotate integrally with the rotating bracket 80 around the drive shaft 72 as the center of rotation.

[0090] In the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, at least a portion of the driving member 71 is disposed between the inner end and the outer end of the rotating bracket 80 in the seat width direction. In detail, the inner portion of the drive member 71 is positioned between the inner end and outer end of the pivot bracket 80 in the seat width direction, and is also positioned between the inner end of the inner bracket cover 88 and the outer end of the outer bracket cover 87. In other words, a portion of the drive cover (outer drive cover 77, inner drive cover 78) is positioned between the inner end and outer end of the pivot bracket 80 in the seat width direction, and is also positioned between the inner end of the inner bracket cover 88 and the outer end of the outer bracket cover 87. This allows for a compact arrangement of the drive device 70 that switches the canopy 30. In other words, the drive member 71 and the rotating bracket 80 can be arranged compactly in the seat width direction, preventing the vehicle seat S from becoming larger in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the canopy 30 (canopy frame 32) can be rotated and deployed with a simple configuration using the drive member 71, drive shaft 72, and rotating bracket 80. In other words, the canopy 30 can be simply switched without using a complicated configuration using a conventional drive pulley and drive belt.

[0091] In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower portion of the canopy frame 32 (drive frame 33) is disposed at a position higher than the drive member 71 and at the same position as the drive member 71 in the seat width direction. Therefore, the drive member 71, the drive shaft 72, and the rotating bracket 80 can be arranged compactly in the seat width direction. Also, by arranging the drive member 71 and the canopy frame 32 as close as possible, the canopy frame 32 can be driven efficiently.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 14, the pivot bracket 80 holds the canopy frame 32 by the bracket outer portion 82 , but the canopy frame 32 may be held by the bracket outer portion 82 and the bracket connecting portion 83 . That is, the lower portion of the canopy frame 32 may extend so as to reach the bracket connection portion 83 of the pivot bracket.

[0093] <Frame drive unit> As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the frame drive device 90 is a device that connects the back upper frame 12 to the back side frame 11 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat, and is attached to the left side portion of the seat back 2. That is, the frame driving device 90 is a device that causes the back frame 10 to fold in the middle. The frame drive device 90 is attached to the left side portion of the backside frame 11, and is disposed slightly rearward of the drive device 70 (canopy drive device). In other words, the frame drive device 90 and the drive device 70 are configured so that they do not interfere with each other when they are driven.

[0094] A drive member 71 (drive motor) of the drive device 70 is attached to the right back side frame 11. On the other hand, a drive member 91 (drive motor) of the frame drive device 90 is attached to the left back side frame 11. This allows for a good balance in the seat width direction of the vehicle seat S. Furthermore, these components can be arranged compactly.

[0095] As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the frame drive device 90 includes a drive member 91 (drive motor) provided on the inner surface of the left back side frame 11, a drive shaft 92 that serves as the axis of the drive member 91, a drive link 93 provided on the outer surface of the back side frame 11 and connected to the drive shaft 92, and a frame support member 94 that connects the drive link 93 and the back upper frame 12. The drive link 93 and the frame support member 94 are connected by a drive shaft 95 . The frame support member 94 is connected to the back side frame 11 via a drive shaft 95, and is also fixed to the lower end of the back upper frame 12 by welding.

[0096] The driving member 91 is, for example, a driving motor that moves a driving shaft 92 up and down. The driving member 91 has a motor body 91a, an expandable member 91b that expands and contracts up and down from the motor body 91a, and a shaft support portion 91c that is formed at the tip of the expandable member 91b and that supports the driving shaft 92. A mounting hole 91d for mounting the motor body 91a to the side surface of the back side frame 11 is formed at the lower end of the motor body 91a. The drive member 91 is attached to the back side frame 11 by fastening an attachment pin from the inside with the attachment hole 91d communicating with an attachment hole 11c formed in the back side frame 11. The expandable member 91b is a rod member that expands and contracts up and down along the inner surface of the backside frame 11 in accordance with the driving operation of the motor main body 91a.

[0097] The drive shaft 92 penetrates the back side frame 11 and extends in the seat width direction, and is a shaft that connects the expansion and contraction member 91 b and the drive link 93 . In addition, a vertically elongated slot 11d is formed in a portion of the side surface of the back side frame 11 that corresponds to the drive shaft 92. The drive shaft 92 can move up and down inside the elongated hole 11d in accordance with the up and down movement of the expandable member 91b.

[0098] The drive link 93 is a link that connects the back side frame 11 and the frame support member 94. They are connected via a drive shaft 92 and a drive shaft 95. The drive link 93 rotates relative to the drive shaft 92 while rising in accordance with the up and down movement of the drive shaft 92. Then, the frame support member 94 is raised and rotated via the drive shaft 95.

[0099] The frame support member 94 is a frame having a C-shaped cross section, and is rotatably connected to the back side frame 11 via a rotation shaft 96 . The frame support member 94 is welded and fixed to the back upper frame 12 so as to surround the back upper frame 12 from the outside. That is, the frame support member 94 is fixed integrally with the back upper frame 12 and rotates in the front-rear direction together with the back upper frame 12 about the rotation shaft 96 as the drive link 93 rotates.

[0100] With the above-described configuration, the frame drive device 90 can rotate the back upper frame 12 in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the back side frame 11. That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the seat back 2 can be switched to a "forward-leaning state (center-folded state)" in which the upper portion thereof is tilted forward relative to the lower portion thereof. When the seat back 2 is in the "forward tilted state," the back upper frame 12 and the assembled backboard 21 are in a forward tilted state. More specifically, the pad material 2a (upper pad material), the skin material 2b (upper skin material), and the headrest 3 placed on the front surface of the back upper frame 12 are in a forward tilted state.

[0101] <Additional comments on the drive unit (canopy drive unit)> The components of the drive device 70 in the left portion of the seat back 2 will also be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, there is no drive member 71 on the left side portion of the seat back 2. The components of the drive device 70 are as follows:

[0102] The drive unit 70 is provided on the right side of the seat back 2 and includes a drive shaft 72 (drive pin) that serves as the axis of the pivoting bracket 80, an intermediate plate 73 that supports the drive shaft 72, a guide plate 74, a guide ring 76 that guides the pivoting movement of the pivoting bracket 80 together with the guide plate 74, and an outer drive cover 77 and an inner drive cover 78 that cover these components. That is, the left side portion of the seat back 2 does not have components equivalent to the drive member 71 and the auxiliary guide plate 75. The other components are generally symmetrical.

[0103] The outer edge of the outer drive cover 77 and the outer edge of the inner drive cover 78 are engaged with each other to combine these covers 77, 78, but they may also be combined with an adhesive or the like.

[0104] The drive shaft 72 (drive pin) may be omitted from the left side portion of the seat back 2. In that case, it is sufficient that the left rotating bracket 80 (bracket bulge 81 a) is configured to rotate relative to the guide ring 76. More specifically, the bracket bulge 81a is attached so as to be slidable relative to the guide ring 76. The guide ring 76 is positioned inside the intermediate plate 73 and is fixed to the intermediate plate 73 and the guide plate 74. The intermediate plate 73 is fixed to the backside frame 11 and the mounting bracket 17. With this configuration, the left-side rotating bracket 80 can rotate in the front-rear direction relative to the seat back 2 (backside frame 11).

[0105] The rotating bracket 80, together with the drive frame 33, is covered by an outer bracket cover 87 and an inner bracket cover 88. The pivot bracket 80 has a bracket inner portion 81 connected to the drive shaft 72 , a bracket outer portion 82 supporting the lower portion of the drive frame 33 , and a bracket connecting portion 83 .

[0106] <Side airbag device> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the side airbag device 100 is a device for mitigating the impact on a seated occupant when an impact is received from the side of a vehicle. The side airbag device 100 includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator that supplies gas to the inside of the airbag.

[0107] The side airbag device 100 is attached to the outer surface of the mounting bracket 17 and is disposed at a position lower than the drive member 71. At least a part of the side airbag device 100 is disposed at the same position as the drive member 71, the rotating bracket 80, and the canopy frame 32 in the seat width direction. In addition, the side airbag device 100 is disposed at a position slightly forward of the drive member 71, the pivot bracket 80, and the canopy frame 32. Therefore, the side airbag device 100 can be arranged compactly at an outer position in the seat width direction of the seat back 2 without interfering with the drive member 71, the rotating bracket 80, and the canopy frame 32.

[0108] <Method for manufacturing vehicle seats> Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat S will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in the method for manufacturing the vehicle seat S, explanation of manufacturing steps other than those described below will be omitted.

[0109] First, the seat back 2, the canopy 30, the drive unit 70, and the pivot bracket 80 are prepared. The canopy 30 has a hood 31 and a canopy frame 32 that supports the hood 31. The drive device 70 has a drive member 71 and a drive shaft 72 that serves as the shaft of the pivot bracket 80.

[0110] Then, the drive unit 70 and the rotating bracket 80 are assembled to the side portion of the seat back 2. Furthermore, the canopy 30 is assembled to the seat back 2, the drive unit 70 and the rotating bracket 80 so that the canopy 30 is disposed above the seat back 2. At this time, the canopy 30 can be switched between a "stored state" in which it is stored on the seat back 2 side, and an "expanded state" in which it is deployed on the front side of the seat back 2 and covers the head of the seated occupant. In addition, a pivot bracket 80 supports the lower portion of the canopy frame 32 and is capable of pivoting together with the canopy frame 32 about the drive shaft 72 as the drive member 71 is driven.

[0111] When assembling the drive unit 70 and the pivot bracket 80 as described above, at least a portion of the drive member 71 is configured to be disposed between the inner end and the outer end of the pivot bracket 80 in the seat width direction.

[0112] The above manufacturing method makes it possible to manufacture a vehicle seat in which the drive device that switches the canopy can be arranged compactly.

[0113] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the vehicle seat S is equipped with a display device 50, a fragrance device 60, an air conditioning device 65, a frame drive device 90, and a side airbag device 100, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the vehicle seat S may not be equipped with the frame drive device 90 and the side airbag device 100. Alternatively, the vehicle seat S may not be equipped with the display device 50, the fragrance device 60, the air conditioning device 65, the frame drive device 90, or the side airbag device 100.

[0114] In the above embodiment, a vehicle seat used in an automobile was described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be used as a vehicle seat for trains, buses, etc., as well as airplanes, ships, etc.

[0115] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present invention has been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] S Vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 1 seat cushion 1a, 2a, 3a pad material 1b, 2b, 3b Skin material 1c Cushion Frame 2 seat backs 3 headrests 4 Reclining device 4a Reclining unit 4b Rotating shaft 4c spiral spring 5 Height device 5a Link 1 5b Second Link 6 Rail device 6a Lower rail 6b Upper rail 6c Rail operation lever 7 Control Device 10 Back Frame 11 Backside Frame 11a, 11b Protruding frame 11c mounting hole 11d long hole 12 Back upper frame 12a Upper frame body 12b Pillar mounting member 13 Back lower frame 14 Back connecting plate 14a Mounting part 15 Wire material 16 Support Plate 17 Mounting bracket 17a Inside wall 17b Outer wall 17c Connecting wall 17d mounting hole 17e Assembly hole 18 Fastening bolt 19 Connection bolt 20 Backboard 21 Assembled backboard 21a board body 21b protruding outer edge 21c Board recess 21d Frame assembly part 22 Retractable Backboard 22a board body 22b protruding outer edge 22c protruding flange 22d Board recess 22e Mating hole 23 Board Frame 23a Assembly hole 23b Engagement hole 23c, 23d Frame connection part 24 Rear Backboard 24a Rear wall 24b Upper wall 24c Bottom wall 24d Side wall part 24e mounting holes 24f cutout 24g mating protrusion 24h Engagement protrusion 24i Board extension 30 Canopy 31 Canopy 32 Canopy frame 33 Drive frame 33a, 34a Side frame 33b, 34b upper frame 33c Assembly hole (assembly part) 34 Follower frame 40 Canopy Cover 41 Rear canopy cover 45 Forward canopy cover 46 Cover body 47 Fitting recess (fitting part) 50 Display equipment 51 Electric wire 55 Holder 60 Fragrance device 61 Air freshener 62 Fragrance aisle 63 Air Outlet 65 Air conditioner 66 Air conditioner 67 Duct (air conditioning passage) 68 Air conditioning vent 70 Drive unit (canopy drive unit) 71 Driving member (driving motor) 71a Shaft support part 71b Mounting hole 72 Drive shaft 72a Gear (Mating gear) 73 Intermediate Plate 73a Plate body 73b Shaft through hole 73c connection hole 74 Guide plate 74a Plate body 74b Shaft through hole 74c connection hole 74d Assembly hole 74e mounting holes 74f Guide plate 74g Fastening hole 74h Guide section 75 Auxiliary guide plate 75a Plate body 75b Shaft insertion part 75c fastening hole 75d Guide part 76 Guide Ring 77 Outer drive cover 78 Inner drive cover 78a Shaft through hole 78b Guide part 80 Rotating bracket 81 Bracket inner part 81a Bracket bulge 82 Outer part of bracket 83 Bracket connection part 84 shaft through hole 84a gear hole 85 Cover assembly hole 86 Frame assembly holes 87 Outer bracket cover 87a First outer cover part 87b Second outer cover part 87c, 87d Support ribs 87e Assembly boss 87f Storage recess 87g Cover opening 87h Assembly hole 88 Inner bracket cover 88a First inner cover part 88b Second inner cover part 88c Third inner cover part 88d, 88e Support ribs 88f slope 88g boss hole 88h, 88i assembly boss hole 89 Permanent Magnets 90 Frame drive unit 91 Driving member (driving motor) 91a Motor body 91b Elastic member 91c Shaft support part 91d Mounting hole 92 Drive shaft 93 Drive link 94 Frame support member 95 Drive shaft 96 Rotating shaft 100 Side airbag device

Claims

1. Seat back and a canopy that is provided on an upper portion of the seat back and that switches between a state in which it is housed in the seat back side and a state in which it is deployed to the front side of the seat back and covers the head of a seated occupant; a drive device provided on the seat back for switching the canopy; a rotating bracket that connects the canopy and the drive device and rotates in response to the drive of the drive device, The canopy includes a hood that covers the head of the seated occupant from above and a canopy frame that supports the hood, the drive device includes a drive member and a drive shaft that connects the drive member and the rotating bracket and serves as an axis of the rotating bracket; the pivot bracket supports a lower portion of the canopy frame, and pivots together with the canopy frame about the drive shaft as the drive member is driven; At least a portion of the drive member is disposed between an inner end and an outer end of the pivot bracket in the seat width direction.

2. The seat back has a back frame that forms a skeleton of the seat back, a mounting bracket attached to an outer surface of the back frame for mounting the driving member; the drive member is secured to an outer surface of the mounting bracket; the pivot bracket is disposed inward of the mounting bracket, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft passes through the mounting bracket in the seat width direction and connects the drive member and the pivot bracket.

3. The mounting bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and is bent in the seat width direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 2 , wherein a portion of the mounting bracket that supports the drive member is located outward in the seat width direction from a portion that is attached to the back frame.

4. The rotating bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the pivot bracket that supports the canopy frame is located outward in the seat width direction from a portion connected to the drive shaft.

5. The seat back has a back frame that forms a skeleton of the seat back, The pivot bracket is a bracket inner portion connected to the drive shaft; a bracket outer portion that is provided outward in the seat width direction from the bracket inner portion and supports a lower portion of the canopy frame; a bracket connecting portion extending in the seat width direction and connecting the bracket inner portion and the bracket outer portion, The vehicle seat according to claim 4 , wherein a lower portion of the canopy frame is disposed at a position outward of the back frame in the seat width direction.

6. an inner bracket cover that covers the rotating bracket from the inside in the seat width direction; The inner bracket cover is The bent portion extends in the vertical direction in accordance with the bent shape of the pivot bracket, The vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein an inner surface of the inner bracket cover is inclined in the up-down direction from the bracket inner portion toward the bracket outer portion.

7. an outer bracket cover that covers the rotating bracket from the outside in the seat width direction; The outer bracket cover is The bent portion extends in accordance with the bent shape of the pivot bracket, a first outer cover portion extending along the bracket outer portion and covering the bracket outer portion from the outside; 6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, further comprising: a second outer cover portion that is bent continuously from the first outer cover portion, extends along the bracket connecting portion, and covers the bracket connecting portion from below.

8. The mounting bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and is bent in the seat width direction, an upper portion of the mounting bracket that is connected to the drive shaft is located outward in the seat width direction than a lower portion that is attached to the back frame; The rotating bracket has a shape that extends in the vertical direction and bends in the seat width direction, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein an upper portion of the pivot bracket that supports the canopy frame is positioned outward in the seat width direction from a lower portion that is connected to the drive shaft.

9. The mounting bracket is an inner wall portion connected to an outer surface of the back frame; an outer wall portion provided outward in the seat width direction from the inner wall portion and connected to the drive shaft; a connecting wall portion extending in the seat width direction and connecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, The pivot bracket is a bracket inner portion connected to the drive shaft; a bracket outer portion that is provided outward in the seat width direction from the bracket inner portion and supports a lower portion of the canopy frame; a bracket connecting portion extending in the seat width direction and connecting the bracket inner portion and the bracket outer portion, The vehicle seat according to claim 8 , wherein the lower portion of the canopy frame is disposed above the drive member and at the same position as the drive member in the seat width direction.

10. The seat back has a back frame that forms a skeleton of the seat back, The back frame includes left and right back side frames provided on the sides in the seat width direction, and back upper frames provided in upper portions of the left and right back side frames, a frame drive device that connects the back upper frame to the left and right back side frames so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat; the frame drive device has a frame drive member that rotates the back upper frame, the drive member of the drive device is provided on one of the left and right back side frames, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the frame drive member is provided on the other of the left and right back side frames.

11. A side airbag device is provided to cushion an impact applied from the side of the vehicle, the side airbag device is attached to an outer surface of the mounting bracket and is disposed at a position lower than the drive member, The vehicle seat according to claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the side airbag device is disposed at the same position as the drive member in the seat width direction.

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