Vehicle seat

Abstract

To prevent a load applied from a user to a backrest surface from being applied to a blower module in a vehicle seat including the blower module.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 1 includes: a frame 18 forming a seat back 5; and a blower module 38 supported by the frame. The blower module includes: a blower 41; and a housing 42 which is supported by the frame and receives the blower. The housing has: a bottom wall 50 in which the blower is coupled on a front surface; a standing wall 52 extending forward from the bottom wall; and a flange 54 provided at a tip of the standing wall. The flange extends from a tip of the standing wall in a direction orthogonal to the standing wall, and the frame is provided with a support member 62 which comes into contact with a rear surface of the flange.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat in which a blower is provided inside the seat back to blow air toward the seated occupant.

[0003] The vehicle seat in Patent Document 1 has a pair of left and right side frames. A plate-shaped bracket is hung across the back of the side frames. A cover member that covers the blower is provided on the back of the bracket, and the blower is fixed to the front of the cover member. The bracket has a through-hole that allows the blower to protrude forward at a position aligned with the blower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-197043 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a user leans against the seat back, a load is applied to the front of the seat back (hereinafter referred to as the backrest surface). Therefore, if a blower is installed inside the seat back, it is necessary to prevent the load from being applied to the blower.

[0006] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to prevent a load from being applied from a user to the backrest surface of a vehicle seat equipped with a blower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (18) constituting a seat back (5) and a blower (38) supported by the frame, the blower having a blower (41) and a housing (42) supported by the frame and receiving the blower, the housing having a bottom wall (50) to the front of which the blower is connected, a standing wall (52) extending forward from the bottom wall, and a flange (54) provided at the tip of the standing wall, the flange extending from the tip of the standing wall in a direction perpendicular to the standing wall, and the frame having a support member (62) abutting against the rear surface of the flange.

[0008] According to this aspect, the flange can resist rearward movement of an object located in front of the blower, thereby effectively preventing a load from being applied to the blower.

[0009] In the above aspect, preferably, the frame has a pair of left and right side members (22) and a cross member (24) connecting the side members, and the support member includes a support piece (66, 66A, 85) connected to the cross member and to the rear surface of the flange.

[0010] According to this aspect, the flange is supported by the cross frame from the rear side, and therefore the flange can resist a rearward load, effectively preventing the load from being applied to the blower.

[0011] In the above aspect, preferably, the standing wall has a pair of left and right side walls (52L, 52R) extending forward from the left and right edges of the bottom wall, the flange includes an extending portion (54L, 54R) extending in a direction away from each of the pair of left and right side walls, and the support pieces abutting the rear surfaces of the extending portions are provided on the left and right outer sides of the two side walls, respectively.

[0012] According to this aspect, the flanges can be supported from the rear side on the left and right outer sides of the two side walls.

[0013] In the above aspect, preferably, the support piece overlaps the standing wall in a side view.

[0014] According to this aspect, the support piece can be disposed in a position close to the housing in the front-rear and up-down directions, which allows the housing to be made smaller.

[0015] In the above aspect, preferably, the housing includes a rectangular tubular pipe material (85) having a pair of left and right vertical portions (85B) extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal portion (85A) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower ends of the vertical portions, the pipe material being connected to the cross member at the upper ends of the vertical portions, and the housing being supported by the pipe material below the support piece.

[0016] According to this aspect, the housing can be supported by the cross member at positions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0017] In the above aspect, preferably, the rear surface of the flange is provided with an abutment surface (86) that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe material and is substantially parallel to the outer peripheral surface before abutting.

[0018] According to this aspect, the housing can be well supported by the pipe material.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, the blower has a cylindrical duct (43) connected to the blower, the bottom wall is provided with a through hole (60) leading to the blower, and the duct passes through the through hole, extends upward, bends forward, and opens toward the front.

[0020] According to this aspect, air can be drawn in from the seating surface side and sent toward the seating surface side through the duct.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, the frame has a pair of left and right side members (22) and a cross member (24) connecting the side members, and the upper edge of the housing is provided with a connecting piece (71) extending toward the cross member and supported by the cross member.

[0022] According to this aspect, the housing can be supported by the cross member via the connecting piece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (18) constituting a seat back (5) and a blower (38) supported by the frame, the blower having a blower (41) and a housing (42) supported by the frame and receiving the blower, the housing having a bottom wall (50) to the front of which the blower is connected, a standing wall (52) extending forward from the bottom wall, and a flange (54) provided at the tip of the standing wall, the flange extending from the tip of the standing wall in a direction perpendicular to the standing wall, and the frame having a support member (62) abutting against the rear surface of the flange.

[0024] According to this aspect, the flange can resist rearward movement of an object located in front of the blower, thereby effectively preventing a load from being applied to the blower.

[0025] In the above aspect, preferably, the frame has a pair of left and right side members (22) and a cross member (24) connecting the side members, and the support member includes a support piece (66, 66A, 85) connected to the cross member and to the rear surface of the flange.

[0026] According to this aspect, the flange is supported by the cross frame from the rear side, and therefore the flange can resist a rearward load, effectively preventing the load from being applied to the blower.

[0027] In the above aspect, preferably, the standing wall has a pair of left and right side walls (52L, 52R) extending forward from the left and right edges of the bottom wall, the flange includes an extending portion (54L, 54R) extending in a direction away from each of the pair of left and right side walls, and the support pieces abutting the rear surfaces of the extending portions are provided on the left and right outer sides of the two side walls, respectively.

[0028] According to this aspect, the flanges can be supported from the rear side on the left and right outer sides of the two side walls.

[0029] In the above aspect, preferably, the support piece overlaps the standing wall in a side view.

[0030] According to this aspect, the support piece can be disposed in a position close to the housing in the front-rear and up-down directions, which allows the housing to be made smaller.

[0031] In the above aspect, preferably, the housing includes a rectangular tubular pipe material (85) having a pair of left and right vertical portions (85B) extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal portion (85A) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower ends of the vertical portions, the pipe material being connected to the cross member at the upper ends of the vertical portions, and the housing being supported by the pipe material below the support piece.

[0032] According to this aspect, the housing can be supported by the cross member at positions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0033] In the above aspect, preferably, the rear surface of the flange is provided with an abutment surface (86) that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe material and is substantially parallel to the outer peripheral surface before abutting.

[0034] According to this aspect, the housing can be well supported by the pipe material.

[0035] In the above aspect, preferably, the blower has a cylindrical duct (43) connected to the blower, the bottom wall is provided with a through hole (60) leading to the blower, and the duct passes through the through hole, extends upward, bends forward, and opens toward the front.

[0036] According to this aspect, air can be drawn in from the seating surface side and sent toward the seating surface side through the duct.

[0037] In the above aspect, preferably, the frame has a pair of left and right side members (22) and a cross member (24) connecting the side members, and the upper edge of the housing is provided with a connecting piece (71) extending toward the cross member and supported by the cross member.

[0038] According to this aspect, the housing can be supported by the cross member via the connecting piece. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat frame of a seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] An exploded perspective view of a seat back frame and a blower device. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the seat back (cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1) [Figure 5] Front view of the seat back frame and the air blower [Figure 6] Rear view of the seat back frame and the air blower [Figure 7] Perspective view of the blower [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a seat frame and an air blower of a seat according to a second embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the seat frame and the air blower of the seat according to the second embodiment; [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view of a seat back according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a vehicle seat according to the present invention is applied to an automobile seat will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0041] <<First Embodiment>> A vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as seat 1) is placed on a floor F that defines the interior of an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 1 has a seat body 2 and a slide device 3 that connects the seat body 2 and the floor F.

[0042] The seat body 2 has a seat cushion 4, a seat back 5, and a headrest 6. The seat cushion 4 has a seat surface 4S that faces substantially upward. The seat cushion 4 supports the buttocks of a user seated on the seat surface 4S from below. The seat back 5 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 4. The seat back 5 has a backrest surface 5S that faces the back of the user. The seat back 5 supports the back of the user leaning against the backrest surface 5S from behind. The headrest 6 is provided on the upper part of the seat back 5, and is positioned behind the user's head. The seat surface 4S and the backrest surface 5S correspond to the seating surface, which is the surface of the seat body 2 facing the seated user (occupant).

[0043] The seat back 5 and the seat cushion 4 are connected so as to be rotatable (also referred to as tiltable backward) around a rotation axis X extending in the left-right direction. The seat body 2 is displaceable between a use position (see FIG. 1 ) in which the seat back 5 is disposed so as to extend upward from the rear end of the seat cushion 4 and the seat can be seated on the seat cushion 4, and a storage position in which the seat back 5 is rotated forward from the use position and folded above the seat cushion 4.

[0044] An operating belt 7 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 5. When the user operates the operating belt 7, the seat back 5 rotates and the seat body 2 moves from the use position to the storage position. When the seat body 2 is in the storage position, the user can lift the front end of the seat back 5 upward to make it stand up, thereby moving the seat body 2 to the use position.

[0045] A reclining device 8 (see also FIG. 2) is provided between the seat back 5 and the seat cushion 4. The reclining device 8 supports the seat back 5 so that it can be tilted relative to the seat cushion 4. The reclining device 8 is displaced from a locked position to an unlocked position by an operation input to the operation belt 7. In other words, the operation belt 7 functions as an operation input unit for operating the reclining device 8. When the reclining device 8 is in the unlocked position, the reclining device 8 allows the seat back 5 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 4. In this embodiment, when the reclining device 8 is in the unlocked position, it rotates the seat back 5 forward and urges the seat body 2 to assume the storage position.

[0046] When the seat body 2 is in the use position and the reclining device 8 is in the locked position, the reclining device 8 restricts the rotation of the seat back 5 so that the biasing force does not cause the seat back 5 to move to the stored position, and fixes the position of the seat body 2 to the use position. When the seat body 2 is not in the use position, the reclining device 8 may allow the seat back 5 to rotate until the seat body 2 is in the use position.

[0047] The slide device 3 is provided between the floor F and the seat cushion 4, and connects the seat body 2 so that it can slide in the front-to-rear direction relative to the floor F. The slide device 3 is preferably configured to be switchable between a locked position that restricts the sliding movement of the seat body 2 relative to the floor F and an unlocked position that allows the sliding movement of the seat body 2, in response to an operation input by the user.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion 4 has a seat cushion frame 9 that forms the skeleton, a pad member (not shown) supported by the seat cushion frame 9, and a skin material (not shown) that covers the surface of the pad member (not shown).

[0049] The seat cushion frame 9 has left and right seat cushion side members 10 extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front member 11 extending in the left and right direction and connected to the front ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 10, and a rear member 12 extending in the left and right direction and connected to the rear ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 10.

[0050] In this embodiment, each of the left and right seat cushion side members 10 has a base frame 13 that forms the front portion thereof, and a reclining frame 14 that is connected to the rear portion of the base frame 13.

[0051] The base frame 13 is made of a bent sheet metal member. The base frame 13 has a main surface facing the left-right direction and includes a main portion 13A extending in the front-rear direction and edge portions 13B extending inward from the upper and lower edges of the main portion 13A.

[0052] The reclining frame 14 is connected to the rear of the base frame 13. The reclining frame 14 is also made of a bent sheet metal member. The reclining frame 14 has a main surface facing left and right and is equipped with a main portion 14A extending forward and backward and edge portions 14B extending inward from the upper and lower edges of the main portion 14A. The reclining frame 14 is connected to the side surface of the base frame 13 on the inner or outer side of the seat. The reclining frame 14 extends upward and rearward from the rear end of the base frame 13. The reclining frame 14 may be fastened to the base frame 13 or may be welded thereto.

[0053] A flexible support frame 16 is spanned across the seat cushion frame 9 to support the buttocks of the user.

[0054] In this embodiment, the support frame 16 is made of a flexible metal plate material and is disposed between the left and right seat cushion side members 10.

[0055] However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the support frame 16 may be bridged between the front member 11 and the rear member 12. The support frame 16 may have a plurality of metal wires and flexible resin plates connected to the wires. Additionally, side covers may be provided on the left and right sides of the seat cushion 4 to shield the ends of the pad member and the cover material.

[0056] The seat back 5 has a seat back frame 18 (see Figures 2 and 3) that forms the skeleton, a pad member 19 (see Figure 4) that is supported by the seat back frame 18, and a skin material 20 (see Figure 4) that covers the surface of the pad member 19.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seatback frame 18 has left and right seatback side members 22 (also called side frames) that extend vertically, upper members 23 (also called upper frames) that extend horizontally and are connected to the upper ends of the left and right seatback side members 22, and lower members 24 that extend horizontally and are connected to the lower parts of the left and right seatback side members 22.

[0058] In this embodiment, the seatback frame 18 includes a pair of left and right base members 26 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of left and right extension members 27 joined to the lower parts of the corresponding base members 26, and an upper member 28 connecting the two base members 26.

[0059] Each base member 26 is made of a bent sheet metal member. Each base member 26 has a main surface facing the left-right direction and includes a main portion 26A extending in the front-rear direction and edge portions 26B extending inward from the upper and lower edges of the main portion 26A. The base members 26 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0060] Each extension member 27 is joined to the lower part of the corresponding base member 26. The extension members 27 are also made of bent sheet metal members. The extension members 27 have main surfaces facing the left-right direction and include a main portion 27A extending forward and backward, and edge portions 27B extending inward from the front and rear edges of the main portion 27A, respectively. The extension members 27 are joined to the side surfaces of the base member 26 on the inner or outer side of the seat. The extension members 27 extend downward and forward from the lower end of the base member 26.

[0061] The extension member 27 extends to a position where it overlaps with the reclining frame 14 in a side view. The extension member 27 and the reclining frame 14 are connected to be rotatable about a rotation axis X (also called a reclining axis) that extends in the left-right direction. As a result, the seat back frame 18 is connected to the seat cushion frame 9 to be rotatable about the rotation axis X.

[0062] An airbag module 30 is provided on at least one of the right and left seatback side members 22. The airbag module 30 is joined to the outer side of the seat at the top of the seatback side member 22. The airbag module 30 includes an airbag (not shown), an inflator (not shown) that inflates the airbag to the side of the seated occupant, and a case (not shown) that houses the airbag and the inflator.

[0063] In this embodiment, the airbag module 30 is disposed on the right side of the right seatback side member 22. The airbag module 30 is supported by the seatback side member 22 via a wire member 31 connected to the seatback side member 22.

[0064] The seatback frame 18 is provided with a plurality of pressure-receiving wires 32 that function as pressure-receiving members. The pressure-receiving wires 32 are made of metal round bars. The pressure-receiving wires 32 undergo elastic deformation (flexural deformation) when subjected to a load applied to the backrest surface 5S when seated or a load from the user during a rear-end collision. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the seatback frame 18 includes, as the pressure-receiving wires 32, a first pressure-receiving wire 32A that connects the upper member 23 and the lower member 24, and a second pressure-receiving wire 32B that connects one of the left and right side members to the first pressure-receiving wire 32A. The seatback frame 18 further includes a third pressure-receiving wire 32C that is U-shaped and opens downward, and whose lower end is connected to the lower member 24.

[0065] 2 and 5, the reclining device 8 is provided between the extension member 27 and the reclining frame 14. More specifically, the reclining device 8 is disposed at a position where the extension member 27 and the reclining frame 14 overlap.

[0066] The reclining device 8 includes a reclining body 33 and a biasing member (not shown).

[0067] The reclining body 33 has a known locking mechanism. When the reclining device 8 is in the locked position, the reclining body 33 (locking mechanism) allows the rotation of the seat back frame 18 until the seat body 2 reaches the in-use position, and when the seat body 2 reaches the in-use position, the reclining body 33 enters a locked state in which the rotation of the seat back frame 18 is prohibited.

[0068] The biasing member biases the seat back frame 18 to rotate forward (i.e., tilt forward) relative to the seat cushion frame 9. The biasing member may be configured as a so-called spiral spring, one end of which is fastened to the seat back frame 18 and the other end of which is fastened to the seat cushion frame 9.

[0069] When the reclining device 8 is in the unlocked position, the reclining body 33 (locking mechanism) is in an unlocked state that allows the seat back frame 18 to rotate relative to the seat cushion frame 9. As a result, when the reclining device 8 is in the unlocked position, the seat back frame 18 rotates relative to the seat cushion frame 9 in accordance with the biasing force of the biasing member, and the seat body 2 is in the stored position.

[0070] The reclining body 33 is connected to the operating belt 7 via a transmission device 36. The transmission device 36 serves to transmit the operation input to the operating belt 7 to the reclining body 33. When the operating belt 7 is not operated, the reclining body 33 is biased to the locked position. When the operating belt 7 is operated, the operation is transmitted to the reclining body 33 by the transmission device 36, and the reclining body 33 moves to the unlocked position.

[0071] The upper members 28 are made of bent metal round pipes. The upper members 28 are shaped like an inverted U that opens downward. The lower ends of the upper members 28 are connected to the upper parts of the corresponding base members 26. The upper members 28 are provided with a pair of left and right pillar guides 28A into which the pillars of the headrest 6 are to be inserted.

[0072] The seatback side members 22 are each composed of a base member 26, an extension member 27, and the lower part of an upper member 28, and the upper member 23 is composed of the upper part of the upper member 28.

[0073] The lower member 24 is disposed between the left and right seatback side members 22. The lower member 24 extends in the left-right direction and connects the left and right seatback side members 22. The lower member 24 functions as a so-called cross member that connects the left and right seatback side members 22.

[0074] In this embodiment, the lower member 24 is made of a metal round pipe. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower member 24 is disposed between the left and right seatback side members 22 (more specifically, the left and right base members 26) so as to extend in the left-right direction. The left end of the lower member 24 is fixed to the right side surface of the base member 26, and the right end of the lower member 24 is fixed to the left side surface of the base member 26.

[0075] <Blower> The seat 1 is provided with an air blower 38 for blowing air to the user. The air blower 38 will be described in detail below.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the blower 38 includes a blower 41, a housing 42, and a duct 43.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, the blower 41 includes a fan 45, a motor (not shown) that drives the fan 45 to rotate about a rotation axis Y, and a case 46 that houses the fan 45. The case 46 is provided with an intake port 47 that opens in a direction along the rotation axis Y of the fan 45 and an outlet port 48 that opens in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis Y of the fan 45. The blower 41 draws air through the intake port 47 and blows the air out through the outlet port 48. The blower 41 may be, for example, a centrifugal type that draws air along the rotation axis Y of the fan 45 and blows the air in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Y, or may be a so-called sirocco fan. In this embodiment, the case 46 is provided with fastening holes 46A (see FIG. 7) into which fasteners are inserted to connect the fan 45 to the case 46. The fastening holes 46A are recessed along the rotation axis Y.

[0078] The housing 42 is a resin member that is supported by the seat back frame 18 and that houses the blower 41 therein.

[0079] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 42 has a bottom wall 50 to which the blower 41 is fixed on the surface (front side) on the backrest surface side, a standing wall 52 extending from the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S side (i.e., the front side), and a flange 54 provided at the extending end (tip) of the standing wall 52.

[0080] The housing 42 may be a one-piece resin molded product having a bottom wall 50, a vertical wall 52, and a flange 54. This makes it easier to manufacture the housing 42 than if the bottom wall 50, the vertical wall 52, and the flange 54 were formed from separate members.

[0081] The bottom wall 50 is plate-shaped with a main surface facing the backrest surface 5S (front side). The bottom wall 50 has a substantially quadrangular shape (more specifically, a rectangular shape) when viewed from the front (when viewed from the front-to-rear direction). In this embodiment, the bottom wall 50 is provided with a plurality of bosses 56 that protrude toward the backrest surface 5S, and the blower 41 is fastened to the bosses 56 and fixed to the bottom wall 50.

[0082] The blower 41 is fixed to the bottom wall 50 so that the suction port 47 faces away from the backrest surface 5S.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 4, the standing wall 52 has a plate shape and is erected in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 50. The standing wall 52 extends from the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the standing wall 52 has a left wall 52L (also referred to as the left side wall) extending from the left edge of the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S, a right wall 52R (also referred to as the right side wall) extending from the right edge of the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S, an upper wall 52U extending from the upper edge of the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S, and a lower wall 52D extending from the lower edge of the bottom wall 50 toward the backrest surface 5S. As a result, the blower 41 is surrounded by the standing walls 52 from above, below, left, and right, and is surrounded circumferentially by the standing walls 52.

[0084] At least one of the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R overlaps with the blower 41 in a side view. As a result, the standing wall 52 overlaps with the blower 41 in a side view. At least one of the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R extends further toward the backrest surface 5S (seat surface side) than the blower 41. As a result, the standing wall 52 extends further toward the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41.

[0085] In this embodiment, the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R are each plate-shaped with surfaces facing the left-right direction. The left wall 52L and the right wall 52R extend from corresponding left and right edges of the bottom wall 50 in directions generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 50. The left wall 52L and the right wall 52R are configured to be generally symmetrical, and both the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R overlap the blower 41 in a side view. Both the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R extend closer to the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41.

[0086] At least one of the upper wall 52U and the lower wall 52D preferably extends further toward the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41 and overlaps the blower 41 in a top view (specifically, when viewed in the up-down direction along the bottom wall 50).

[0087] In this embodiment, the upper wall 52U and the lower wall 52D extend generally in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 50. The upper wall 52U and the lower wall 52D are configured to be generally symmetrical in the vertical direction, and both the upper wall 52U and the lower wall 52D overlap the blower 41 in a top view (more specifically, when viewed in the vertical direction along the bottom wall 50). The left wall 52L and the right wall 52R both extend closer to the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41.

[0088] As a result, the standing wall 52 has a rectangular cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis Y of the fan 45 of the blower 41. The blower 41 is surrounded by the standing walls 52 from above, below, left and right.

[0089] The bottom wall 50 is provided with a through-hole 60 that allows air to be sucked in by the blower 41. The through-hole 60 penetrates the bottom wall 50 in the thickness direction. The through-hole 60 is preferably provided at a position that overlaps the blower 41 in the thickness direction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 50. The through-hole 60 is preferably positioned so as to overlap the suction port 47 in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 50, and more preferably the through-hole 60 is configured to penetrate the bottom wall 50 along the axis of the fan 45 of the blower 41.

[0090] 3, the standing wall 52 is provided with an exhaust port 61 that penetrates through the wall in the thickness direction. The exhaust port 61 is provided in a position facing the air outlet 48 of the blower 41 in the standing wall 52. In this embodiment, the blower 41 is fixed to the bottom wall 50 so that the air outlet 48 faces downward. The exhaust port 61 penetrates the lower wall 52D in the vertical direction at a position that is aligned with the air outlet 48 in the vertical direction.

[0091] 6, the flange 54 extends from the extending end of the standing wall 52 in a direction away from the rotation axis Y of the fan 45. As shown in FIG. 3, the flange 54 has a flat plate shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the standing wall 52 and substantially parallel to the bottom wall 50.

[0092] In this embodiment, the flange 54 includes an upper extending portion 54U extending upward from the upper wall 52U, a lower extending portion 54D extending downward from the lower wall 52D, a left extending portion 54L extending left from the left wall 52L, and a right extending portion 54R extending right from the right wall 52R. The upper extending portion 54U and the lower extending portion 54D extend in directions that are opposite to each other in the up-down direction, while the left extending portion 54L and the right extending portion 54R extend in directions that are opposite to each other in the left-right direction. The flange 54 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed in a direction facing the bottom wall 50 (when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 50; also referred to as a front-rear view or a front view).

[0093] 3 and 6, the seat back frame 18 is provided with a support member 62 for supporting the housing 42. The housing 42 is coupled to the seat back frame 18 via the support member 62. As a result, the blower 41 is supported by the seat back frame 18 via the housing 42 and the support member 62.

[0094] 3 and 6, the support member 62 includes a wire 64 connected to the seat back frame 18. The wire 64 is made of a bent metal round bar. The wire 64 may also be made of a metal round pipe.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 6 , the wire 64 has a pair of vertical portions 64A spaced apart from each other and a horizontal portion 64B connecting the lower ends of the vertical portions 64A, forming a generally rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front to the rear. The left vertical portion 64A extends vertically to the left of the left wall 52L along the rear surface of the flange 54 (i.e., the back surface of the left extending portion 54L). The right vertical portion 64A extends vertically to the right of the right wall 52R along the rear surface of the flange 54 (i.e., the back surface of the right extending portion 54R). The horizontal portion 64B extends vertically below the lower wall 52D along the rear surface of the flange 54 (i.e., the back surface of the lower extending portion 54D). The upper end of the wire 64 is fixed to the lower member 24. In this embodiment, the wire 64 is welded to the front surface of the lower member 24.

[0096] The support member 62 includes a plurality of support plates 66 (also referred to as support pieces). The support plates 66 are supported by the lower member 24 (also referred to as a cross member or a cross frame). In this embodiment, the support member 62 includes, as the support plates 66, a pair of left and right first support plates 66A provided on the lower member 24 and one second support plate 66B provided on the horizontal portion 64B of the wire 64. The first support plate 66A and the second support plate 66B each have a screw hole 67 for fastening the housing 42. The housing 42 is coupled to the first support plate 66A and the second support plate 66B, and is supported by the lower member 24 at positions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0097] A through hole 68 is provided in an appropriate position of the housing 42 at a position that aligns with the screw hole 67 of the support plate 66. The housing 42 is connected to the support plate 66 by a screw 69 that passes through the through hole 68 and connects to the support plate 66. By connecting the housing 42 to the support plate 66, the blower 41 is connected to and supported by the seat back frame 18.

[0098] In this embodiment, each of the first support plates 66A is formed by an L-shaped metal fitting. The first support plates 66A are arranged so that their surfaces face forward, and are fixed to the lower member 24 by welding. Each of the first support plates 66A is arranged in a position that overlaps the flange 54 in the front-to-rear direction. The rear surface of the flange 54 abuts against the first support plate 66A on the left side of the left wall 52L (i.e., the rear surface of the left extension portion 54L) and on the right side of the right wall 52R (i.e., the rear surface of the right extension portion 54R).

[0099] Furthermore, the first support plates 66A are disposed at positions overlapping the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R in a side view, respectively, which allows the housing 42 to be made more compact than when the first support plates 66A are disposed at positions farther apart than the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R in a side view.

[0100] The flange 54 has through holes 68 on the left side of the left wall 52L and on the right side of the right wall 52R in a front view. The flange 54 is fixed to the first support plate 66A by screws 69 that pass through the through holes. As a result, the rear surface (back surface) of the flange 54 is joined to the first support plate 66A, and the housing 42 is supported by the first support plate 66A (i.e., the support member 62) from the rear surface side of the flange 54 on the left and right outer sides of the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R, respectively.

[0101] When the housing 42 is fixed to the first support plate 66A, the outer peripheral surfaces of the left and right vertical portions 64A may abut against the rear surface of the flange 54. For example, the rear surface of the left extending portion 54L and the rear surface of the right extending portion 54R may be provided with abutment surfaces that are approximately parallel to the outer peripheral surfaces of the corresponding vertical portions 64A. The outer peripheral surfaces of the left and right vertical portions 64A abut against the abutment surfaces of the flange 54, and the housing 42 may be supported by wires 64 from the rear surface side of the flange 54 on the left and right outer sides of the left wall 52L and the right wall 52R, respectively.

[0102] The second support plate 66B is provided at a position overlapping the bottom wall 50. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 50 is provided with a boss 56 that protrudes forward, and the boss 56 has a through hole 68. The housing 42 is fixed to the second support plate 66B by a screw 69 that passes through the through hole 68.

[0103] Because the standing wall 52 extends further toward the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41, the standing wall 52 can prevent an object located in front of the blower 41 from moving toward the blower 41. Furthermore, in a side view, the flange 54 is located closer to the backrest surface 5S than the blower 41, and the flange 54 has a surface facing the backrest surface 5S. Therefore, the flange 54 can resist the backward movement of an object located in front of the blower 41, effectively preventing a load from being applied to the blower 41.

[0104] In this embodiment, the front surface of the flange 54 abuts against the rear surface of the pad member 19. As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a gap V is formed between the front surface of the blower 41 and the pad member 19.

[0105] A connecting piece 71 extending toward the lower member 24 is provided on the upper edge of the housing 42. The connecting piece 71 is plate-shaped with a surface facing in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the connecting piece 71 abuts against the upper surface of the lower member 24, and the connecting piece 71 is supported from below by the lower member 24. As a result, the housing 42 is supported by the lower member 24 via the connecting piece 71.

[0106] When a user sits and leans against the backrest surface 5S, a rearward load is applied to the lower part of the housing 42, which may be pushed rearward. At this time, the wire 64 is flexed and deformed so that the lower part of the wire 64 moves rearward, and the housing 42 is displaced. At this time, the connecting piece 71 may be configured to slide on the upper surface of the lower member 24 in response to the displacement of the housing 42.

[0107] The duct 43 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape and is made of a resin material in this embodiment.

[0108] The duct 43 has a base end connected to an intake port 47 of the blower 41. The duct 43 passes through a through-hole 60 in the bottom wall 50 and extends rearward.

[0109] The duct 43 passes through the through-hole 60 in the bottom wall 50 and extends rearward, then bends upward. The duct 43 then bends further forward and opens forward at its free end. This positions the opening of the duct 43 so that it faces the backrest surface 5S, allowing air to be drawn in from the backrest surface 5S side.

[0110] The pad member 19 of the seat back 5 is provided with an air vent 73 recessed (or penetrating) toward the backrest surface 5S at a position aligned with the free end of the duct 43. In this embodiment, the pad member 19 includes a first pad member 19A constituting the backrest surface 5S side, and a second pad member 19B arranged along the back (rear) surface of the first pad member 19A. The air vent 73 is formed as a recess recessed toward the backrest surface 5S by a through hole penetrating the second pad member 19B. The air vent 73 may also be configured as a through hole penetrating from front to rear at a position aligned with the free end of the duct 43.

[0111] The free end of the duct 43 is inserted into the ventilation hole 73. A flange portion 43A is provided near the free end of the duct 43, extending along the rear surface of the pad member 19. The flange portion 43A is plate-shaped and protrudes in the vertical and horizontal directions from the outer peripheral surface of the duct 43. The front surface of the flange portion 43A abuts against the rear surface of the pad member 19. The pad member 19 is supported on its rear surface by the flange portion 43A.

[0112] Duct 43 may be made up of multiple members. For example, duct 43 may be made up of a first cylindrical member 43B that constitutes the duct from the base end to the vicinity of the free end, and a second cylindrical member 43C that is connected to first cylindrical member 43B and constitutes the free end portion of duct 43. Second cylindrical member 43C is preferably made up of a resin member that is softer than first cylindrical member 43B.

[0113] When the blower 41 is driven, air is sucked in from the backrest surface 5S by the blower 41 through the duct 43, the air vent 73, and the upholstery material 20. After sucking in air, the blower 41 blows the air in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 50, i.e., toward the standing wall 52. The air blown out by the blower 41 is sent out through the air outlet 48. The air sent out through the air outlet 48 passes through the inside of the pad member 19 and the upholstery material 20 and is discharged to the lower part of the seat back 5 and the rear part of the seat back 5. This generates an air flow from the front side of the backrest surface 5S to the lower part of the seat back 5 and the rear part of the seat back 5. In other words, the duct 43 defines a part of the air flow path connected to the blower 41 (more specifically, the air flow path connected to the inlet 47 of the blower 41). Note that the dashed arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the air flow in the air path.

[0114] 5, the duct 43 is disposed below the airbag module 30, and the free end of the duct 43 opens below the airbag module 30. The free end of the duct 43 is located above the rotation axis X of the seatback frame 18 relative to the seat cushion frame 9, and the base end of the duct 43 is located below the rotation axis X.

[0115] 4 and 5, the seat back frame 18, the seat cushion frame 9, the reclining device 8, and the blower 41 are arranged in positions that overlap in a side view. This allows the blower 41 to be arranged in a position that makes it less likely to deform due to a load in the left-right direction of the seat 1. In this embodiment, the duct 43 and the housing 42 are arranged in positions that overlap with the seat back frame 18, the seat cushion frame 9, and the reclining device 8, respectively.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission device 36 includes an assembly member 74, a rotary link 75, and a control cable 76.

[0117] The mounting member 74 is made of a sheet metal member. The mounting member 74 is arranged so that its main surface faces the front-rear direction, and one end of the mounting member 74 is fixed to one of the seatback side members 22. The support plate 66 extends from one of the seatback side members 22 toward the inside of the seat.

[0118] In this embodiment, the seatback frame 18 is provided with a reinforcing member 78 that connects the extending end of the assembly member 74 to the seatback side member 22. The reinforcing member 78 is made of a bent rod-shaped member (wire member). The reinforcing member 78 has a generally U-shape that opens to the left and right sides when viewed from the front. The reinforcing member 78 is connected to the seatback side member 22 at both ends and to the extending end of the assembly member 74 at a substantially central portion. In this way, the assembly member 74 is connected to the seatback side member 22 by the reinforcing member 78, and the rigidity of the assembly member 74 is increased.

[0119] The rotating link 75 is rod-shaped and extends in the seat width direction. The rotating link 75 is supported by an assembly member 74 near an end (hereinafter referred to as one end) located inside the seat so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis Z. The operation belt 7 is hooked to the other end of the rotating link 75. The rotating link 75 is rotatably supported (i.e., pivotally supported) by the assembly member 74 near the other end.

[0120] The control cable 76 includes an inner wire and an outer casing, and when a tensile force is input to one end of the inner wire, the tensile force is output to the other end of the inner wire. One end of the control cable 76 (inner wire) is connected to the other end of the rotating link 75, and the other end of the control cable 76 (inner wire) is connected to the reclining body 33.

[0121] When an operation input is applied to the operation belt 7 and it is pulled upward, the rotating link 75 rotates around the rotation axis Z, and the inner wire is pulled. As a result, the operation input (pulling force) is transmitted to the reclining body 33 via the control cable 76, and the reclining device 8 moves to the unlocked position. When the operation input to the operation belt 7 is released, the biasing force returns the reclining device 8 to the locked position.

[0122] At least a portion of the duct 43 is located between the mounting member 74 and the lower member 24 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the free end of the duct 43 is located between the mounting member 74 and the lower member 24 in the vertical direction.

[0123] In this way, the free end of the duct 43 is disposed between the transmission device 36 (specifically, the mounting member 74) and the lower member 24 (cross member) in the vertical direction, so that the free end of the duct 43 can be well protected against loads from the vertical direction.

[0124] Next, a method for manufacturing the sheet 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0125] A worker who manufactures the seat 1 first prepares the seatback frame 18. When preparing the seatback frame 18, the worker first performs a step of connecting the left and right base members 26 and the upper members 28 by welding the upper members 28 to the tops of the left and right base members 26. Then, the worker performs a step of placing the lower members 24 between the left and right base members 26 and joining both ends of the lower members 24 to the corresponding base members 26 by welding.

[0126] Furthermore, the worker performs the step of fixing the support plate 66 to the wire 64, and then fixing the wire 64 to the lower member 24 by welding. After that, the worker performs the step of connecting the seat back frame 18 to the seat cushion frame 9.

[0127] Next, the worker fastens the blower 41 to the bottom wall 50 of the housing 42 and fastens the housing 42 to the support plate 66. As a result, the blower 41 is arranged so that it overlaps with the left and right walls 52L and 52R of the housing 42 in the left-right direction.

[0128] Thereafter, the worker provides the pad members 19 on the seat back frame 18 and the seat cushion frame 9, respectively, and covers them with the covering material 20, thereby completing the seat 1.

[0129] Next, the effects of the sheet 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0130] 4, blower 41 is fixed to bottom wall 50 so that its rotation axis X is perpendicular to bottom wall 50. Furthermore, standing wall 52 overlaps blower 41 in side view and extends further toward backrest surface 5S (i.e., toward the seating surface) than blower 41. As a result, sound generated by blower 41 is blocked by standing wall 52, thereby suppressing noise transmitted to the user.

[0131] In this embodiment, the blower 41 is surrounded by a standing wall 52 that is parallel to the rotation axis Y of the fan 45. Since the sound generated by the blower 41 is mainly emitted in a direction perpendicular to and away from the rotation axis Y of the fan 45, the sound generated by the blower 41 can be effectively blocked. This effectively reduces the noise transmitted to the user.

[0132] 5 and 6, the blower 41 and the duct 43 are located below the airbag module 30. This allows at least one of the blower 41 and the duct 43 to be located further away from the user's ears than when at least one of the blower 41 and the duct 43 overlaps the airbag module 30 in a side view or is located above the airbag module 30, thereby suppressing noise transmitted to the user.

[0133] Furthermore, the free end of duct 43 is located above the rotation axis X of seat back frame 18 relative to seat cushion frame 9, and the base end of duct 43 is located below the rotation axis X. This allows duct 43 to be located at a position farther away from the user's ears, thereby suppressing noise transmitted to the user.

[0134] The flange 54 extends from the extending end of the standing wall 52 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction thereof, and its front surface (the end surface in the extending direction of the standing wall 52) abuts against the rear surface of the pad member 19. This allows the flange 54 to support a seating load. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a gap V is formed between the front surface of the blower 41 and the pad member 19, which effectively prevents the seating load from being applied to the blower 41.

[0135] <<Second embodiment>> The seat 1 according to the second embodiment differs in that the support member 62 is provided with a pipe material 85 instead of the wire 64, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The seat 1 according to the third embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that it does not include a second support plate 66B, as shown in Figure 9. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description of the other similar configuration will be omitted.

[0136] 8, the pipe material 85 is a metal member having a rectangular cylindrical shape. The pipe material 85 is made of a bent square pipe.

[0137] 9, the pipe 85 has a horizontal portion 85A extending in the left-right direction in a front view, and a pair of left and right vertical portions 85B extending upward from the left and right ends of the horizontal portion 85A. As a result, the pipe 85 has a pair of left and right vertical portions 85B extending in the up-down direction, and the horizontal portion 85A extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower ends of the vertical portions, and is U-shaped in a front view.

[0138] The pipe 85 extends along the rear surface of the flange 54. As shown in Fig. 10, the flange 54 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 85 at the rear surface of the lower side of the bottom wall 52D. In this embodiment, a substantially flat abutment surface 86 is provided on the rear surface of the lower extension portion 54D. The front surface of the horizontal portion 85A is disposed substantially parallel to the abutment surface 86 and abuts against the abutment surface 86.

[0139] The housing 42 is supported below the first support plate 66A by the pipe material 85. This allows the housing 42 to be supported by the lower member 24 at positions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0140] Next, the effects of the seat 1 configured in this manner will be described. When a user leans against the backrest surface 5S, a rearward load is applied to the flange 54 via the pad member 19. The pipe member 85 abuts against the rear surface of the flange 54, and the housing 42 is supported from behind by the pipe member 85. Therefore, when a load from the user is applied to the backrest surface 5S, the pipe member 85 functions as a pressure-receiving member that receives the load from the user, and can provide good support for the user's back.

[0141] In this embodiment, the rear surface of the lower extending portion 54D is provided with an abutment surface 86 that is parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 85. This allows good contact between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 85 and the rear surface of the flange 54. Therefore, the load applied to the flange 54 is well transmitted to the pipe 85, and the pipe can well support the housing 42 from behind.

[0142] The flange 54 may be fastened at an appropriate location (for example, the lower extension 54D) to the pipe material 85. This allows the housing 42 to be joined to the pipe material 85 more strongly and favorably.

[0143] The pipe material 85 may be made of a round bar or a square pipe. Alternatively, the pipe material 85 may be made of various materials such as a round pipe, a square bar, or a sheet metal member.

[0144] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the flange 54 is provided on the upright wall 52, but the flange 54 is not essential, and the housing 42 may be configured to include a bottom wall 50 and either the left wall 52L or the right wall 52R. Alternatively, the housing 42 may have a bottom wall 50, the left wall 52L, the right wall 52R, and an upper wall 52U, and the connecting piece 71 may be provided on the upper wall 52U.

[0146] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the blower 41 (air blowing device 38) is provided in the seat back 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the blower 41 (air blowing device 38) may be provided in the seat cushion 4. In this case as well, the blower 41 is preferably coupled to the bottom wall 50 of the housing 42 so as to draw in air from the seat surface 4S side, and the housing 42 preferably has a standing wall 52 provided in a position overlapping the blower 41 in a side view.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the blower 41 is configured to take in air from the backrest surface 5S side, but the blower 41 may be configured to send (exhaust) air to the backrest surface 5S side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1: Sheet 5: Seat back 5S: Backrest surface (example of seating surface) 24: Lower member (an example of a cross frame) 38: Air blower 41: Blower 42: Housing 43: Duct 50: Bottom wall 52: Standing wall 54: Flange 60:Through hole 62: Support member 66: Support plate (an example of a support piece) 68:Through hole 71: Connection piece 82: Through hole 85: Pipe material 85A: Side part 85B: Vertical section 86: Contact surface S: Seating surface

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, The seat includes a frame that configures a seat back, and a blower device supported by the frame, the air blower includes a blower and a housing supported by the frame and configured to receive the blower; the housing has a bottom wall to which the blower is coupled at a front surface, a standing wall extending forward from the bottom wall, and a flange provided at a tip of the standing wall, The flange extends from a tip of the standing wall in a direction perpendicular to the standing wall, The vehicle seat has a support member on the frame that abuts against the rear surface of the flange.

2. The frame has a pair of left and right side members and a cross member connecting the side members, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support member includes a support piece connected to the cross member and to a rear surface of the flange.

3. The standing wall has a pair of left and right side walls extending forward from left and right edges of the bottom wall, the flange includes an extension portion extending in a direction away from each of the pair of left and right side walls, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the support pieces are provided on the left and right outer sides of the two side walls, respectively, so as to come into contact with the rear surfaces of the extensions.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the support piece overlaps with the standing wall in a side view.

5. The support member includes a rectangular tubular pipe member having a pair of left and right vertical portions extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal portion extending in the left-right direction and connecting lower ends of the vertical portions, The pipe member is connected to the cross member at an upper end of the vertical portion, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the housing is supported by the pipe member below the support piece.

6. 6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the rear surface of the flange is provided with a contact surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and is substantially parallel to the outer peripheral surface before contact.

7. The air blowing device has a cylindrical duct connected to the blower, a through hole communicating with the blower is provided in the bottom wall; The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the duct passes through the through-hole, extends upward, bends forward, and opens forward.

8. The frame has a pair of left and right side members and a cross member connecting the side members, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an upper edge of said housing is provided with a connecting piece extending toward said cross member and supported by said cross member.

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