Vehicle seat blower fitting structure and vehicle seat

Abstract

To prevent releasing of locking of a blower from a blower fitting member caused by vibration or the like during vehicle traveling.SOLUTION: This vehicle seat blower fitting structure has a blower fitting hole and a protrusion 32 provided in a blower fitting member 30 disposed in a seatback. A blower 42 has a locked part 44D rotated one side about the axis of the blower fitting hole in the state of being fitted in the blower fitting hole to be fitted to the blower fitting member 30 and locked to the protrusion 32 through the rotation. The center of gravity of the blower 42 is set at a position where a rotating force one side about the axis is applied to the blower 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] In the vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an air conditioning blower is fixed to a bracket attached to a seat back frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-126803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some blowers mounted on vehicle seats are configured to be rotated and locked relative to a bracket (blower mounting member). In such a configuration, if the center of gravity of the blower is misaligned with the center of rotation of the blower relative to the blower mounting member, vibrations caused by the vehicle being driven may cause the blower to rotate relative to the blower mounting member, which may result in the blower being unlocked from the blower mounting member.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat that can prevent the blower from being unlocked from the blower mounting member due to vibrations or the like while the vehicle is running. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat of the first aspect comprises a blower mounting member that is arranged within the seat back frame of the vehicle seat and that has a blower mounting hole and a locking portion, and a blower that is fitted into the blower mounting hole and rotated in one direction around the axis of the blower mounting hole to be attached to the blower mounting member, and that has a locking portion that is locked to the locking portion by the rotation, and the center of gravity of the blower is set at a position where a rotational force in one direction around the axis acts on the blower.

[0007] In a first aspect of the blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat, a blower mounting member disposed within the seat back of the vehicle seat is provided with a blower mounting hole and a locking portion. A blower is fitted into the blower mounting hole. While fitted into the blower mounting hole, the blower is rotated in one direction about the axis of the blower mounting hole to be mounted to the blower mounting member. This rotation locks a locked portion provided on the blower to the locking portion of the blower mounting member. The center of gravity of the blower is set at a position where a rotational force acts on the blower in one direction about the axis. Therefore, when vibrations or the like are applied to the blower while the vehicle is traveling, the blower attempts to rotate in one direction about the axis relative to the blower mounting member (i.e., in the direction in which the locked portion locks to the locking portion). This prevents the blower from being unlocked from the blower mounting member.

[0008] The blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat of the second aspect is configured in the first aspect, wherein the locking portion is a protrusion and the locked portion has a long hole, and when the blower is fitted into the blower mounting hole, the protrusion is inserted into one longitudinal end of the long hole, and the rotation causes the protrusion to be positioned at the other longitudinal end of the long hole, thereby holding the protrusion at the other longitudinal end.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat, when the blower is fitted into the blower mounting hole of the blower mounting member, the protrusion on the blower mounting member is inserted into one longitudinal end of the elongated hole of the locked portion. Then, when the blower is rotated in one direction around the axis of the blower mounting hole, the protrusion is positioned at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole and is held by the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole. Because of this configuration, when fitting the blower into the blower mounting hole, the blower can be positioned in the fitting position relative to the blower mounting hole by aligning the position of the protrusion with the one longitudinal end of the elongated hole. This makes it easier to mount the blower on the blower mounting member.

[0010] The vehicle seat of the third aspect includes a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, and a seat back that supports the back of the occupant and has the blower mounting structure of the vehicle seat of the first or second aspect.

[0011] In the vehicle seat of the third aspect, the back of the occupant seated on the seat cushion is supported by the seat back, and this seat back has the blower mounting structure of the vehicle seat of the first or second aspect, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the blower from being unlocked from the blower mounting member due to vibrations or the like while the vehicle is running. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an air conditioning duct provided in a seat back of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front side of the seat; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the duct and the blower as viewed from the rear side of the seat. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the blower is removed from the duct. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing a blower mounting member provided in the duct as viewed from the rear side of the seat. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the blower mounting member as viewed from the front side of the seat. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blower as viewed from the rear side of the seat. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blower as viewed from the front side of the seat. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing a portion of a blower. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view showing a portion of the blower. [Figure 11] 10 is a rear view of the blower being attached to the blower attachment member as viewed from the rear side of the seat. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a rear view of the blower mounted on the blower mounting member as viewed from the rear side of the seat. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR, LH, RH, and UP, which are appropriately depicted in each figure, respectively indicate the front, left, right, and top of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions are used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle seat 10.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a front seat of a vehicle, and includes a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant sits, a seat back 14 that supports the occupant's back, and a headrest 16 that supports the occupant's head. The seat cushion 12 is connected to the floor of the vehicle via a well-known slide mechanism 18. The lower end of the seat back 14 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12 via a well-known reclining mechanism 20. The headrest 16 is connected to the upper end of the seat back 14 so that its vertical position can be adjusted.

[0016] The seat back 14 includes a seat back frame (not shown) which is a skeletal member, a seat back pad 22 which is a cushioning material, a trim cover 24 which is an upholstery material, an air conditioning duct 26 (see Figures 2 to 4) attached to the seat back frame, and a blower 42 (see Figure 3) attached to the duct 26.

[0017] The seatback frame is made of, for example, a press-formed metal plate. The seatback pad 22 is made of, for example, a foam such as urethane foam, and is placed over the seatback frame from above. The trim cover 24 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together multiple skin pieces made of, for example, cloth, leather, or synthetic leather, and is placed over the seatback pad 22 from above.

[0018] The duct 26 is made of a fabric material such as nonwoven fabric and is formed into a long, thin bag shape. The duct 26 is disposed within the seat back 14 with its longitudinal direction extending up and down and its thickness direction extending back and forth. A flow path for air conditioning air is formed inside the duct 26. A front portion 26A of the duct 26 contacts the back surface of the seat back pad 22.

[0019] 2, a plurality of air intake holes 28 are formed in the front surface 26A of the duct 26. Although not shown, a plurality of air vents are formed in the seat back pad 22 at locations facing the plurality of air intake holes 28. The plurality of air intake holes 28 communicate with the front surface of the seat back pad 22 via the plurality of air vents.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, a blower mounting member 30 is provided on the upper part of the rear portion 26B of the duct 26. The blower mounting member 30 is manufactured by, for example, resin injection molding, and is formed into a ring-shaped plate as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The blower mounting member 30 is disposed with its plate thickness direction extending in the front-to-rear direction. The blower mounting member 30, together with the blower 42, constitutes the "blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat" according to the present invention.

[0021] The outer peripheral portion of the blower mounting member 30 is a flange portion 30A. This flange portion 30A is disposed inside the duct 26 and is fixed to the rear portion 26B of the duct 26 by adhesive or other means. A protrusion 32 that penetrates the rear portion 26B of the duct 26 and protrudes toward the rear side of the duct 26 is provided on a portion of this flange portion 30A (here, the lower right portion). This protrusion 32 is generally cylindrical with its axis extending in the front-to-rear direction. This protrusion 32 corresponds to the "lock portion" in this invention.

[0022] The inner peripheral portion of the blower mounting member 30 is a blower mounting portion 30B that protrudes rearward beyond the flange portion 30A. A circular through-hole 34, as viewed in the front-to-rear direction, is formed in the back surface portion 26B of the duct 26 corresponding to the blower mounting portion 30B. The blower mounting portion 30B is fitted into the through-hole 34 and is exposed on the rear side of the duct 26.

[0023] A blower mounting hole 36 that is substantially circular when viewed in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the center of the blower mounting portion 30B. Multiple (four in this example) notches 36A are formed in the edge of the blower mounting hole 36. The multiple notches 36A are substantially rectangular in shape with the circumferential direction of the blower mounting hole 36 as the longitudinal direction, and are arranged side by side at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the blower mounting hole 36.

[0024] 5 and 6, a plurality of (four in this example) blower locking portions 38 are provided on the edge of the blower mounting hole 36 between the plurality of cutout portions 36A. Each blower locking portion 38 is formed with a protrusion 38A that protrudes radially inward of the blower mounting hole 36. A slit 40 extending in the circumferential direction of the blower mounting hole 36 is formed on the edge of the blower mounting hole 36, radially outward from each blower locking portion 38. This makes it easy for each blower locking portion 38 to elastically deform radially outward of the blower mounting hole 36.

[0025] 7 and 8, the case 44 of the blower 42 includes a substantially disk-shaped case body 44A with its axis extending in the front-to-rear direction. The case body 44A houses a sirocco fan (not shown) and a motor for rotating the sirocco fan. A circular air intake 46 is formed in the front of the case body 44A when viewed from the front-to-rear direction.

[0026] An exhaust pipe 44B protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the case body 44A is provided. This exhaust pipe 44B protrudes downward from the lower left side of the case body 44A when the case body 44A of the blower 42 is attached to the duct 26, as shown in Fig. 3. An exhaust port (not shown) is formed at the tip of this exhaust pipe 44B.

[0027] A connector 44C is provided on the outer periphery of the case body 44A, protruding radially outward from the case body 44A. This connector 44C is provided so as to protrude upward and leftward from the upper left portion of the case body 44A when the case body 44A of the blower 42 is attached to the duct 26, as shown in Fig. 3. A connector (not shown) attached to wiring (not shown) for providing power to the motor is connected to this connector 44C.

[0028] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, a plurality of (four in this example) locking claws 48 are formed on the edge of the intake port 46 on the front surface of the case body 44A. The plurality of locking claws 48 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the case body 44A. Each locking claw 48 protrudes forward from the front surface of the case body 44A (i.e., toward one axial side of the case body 44A). At the locations on the edge of the intake port 46 where each locking claw 48 is formed, a through-hole 50 (see Figure 10) for molding each locking claw 48 is formed.

[0029] Each locking claw 48 is composed of a plate-shaped forward protruding portion 48A whose longitudinal direction is the circumferential direction of the case body 44A and whose plate thickness direction is the radial direction of the case body 44A, and an outward protruding portion 48B that protrudes radially outward from a front-to-rear intermediate portion of the forward protruding portion 48A. As shown in Fig. 9, two protrusions 52 that protrude radially outward from the case body 44A are formed at the base end of the forward protruding portion 48A. The two protrusions 52 are aligned at an interval in the circumferential direction of the case body 44A.

[0030] 7 and 8, a locked portion 44D is provided on the outer periphery of the case body 44A, protruding radially outward from the case body 44A. The locked portion 44D has a generally rectangular plate shape with the circumferential direction of the case body 44A as its longitudinal direction and the axial direction of the case body 44A as its plate thickness direction. The locked portion 44D is disposed at a position spaced apart from the exhaust pipe portion 44B in the circumferential direction of the case body 44A. The locked portion 44D is provided so as to protrude downward and rightward from the lower right portion of the case body 44A when the case body 44A of the blower 42 is attached to the duct 26 as shown in FIG.

[0031] The locked portion 44D has an elongated hole 54 whose longitudinal direction is the circumferential direction of the case body 44A. The elongated hole 54 is curved concentrically with the case body 44A. One longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54 is formed with an expanded width portion 54A that is substantially circular when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The width of the elongated hole 54 is expanded at this expanded width portion 54A.

[0032] An inner slit 56A and an outer slit 56B are formed on the other longitudinal end side of the elongated hole 54. The inner slit 56A is arranged radially inward of the case body 44A with respect to the longitudinal center and the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 54. The outer slit 56B is arranged radially outward of the case body 44A with respect to the longitudinal center and the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 54. The inner slit 56A and the outer slit 56B are connected to the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54.

[0033] An inner elastic piece 58A is formed between the elongated hole 54 and the inner slit 56A, and an outer elastic piece 58B is formed between the elongated hole 54 and the outer slit 56B. The inner elastic piece 58A and the outer elastic piece 58B are elastically deformable in the radial direction of the case body 44A. A protrusion 60 that protrudes toward the elongated hole 54 is formed at the tip of each of the inner elastic piece 58A and the outer elastic piece 58B.

[0034] When the blower 42 configured as described above is attached to the blower mounting member 30, the multiple locking claws 48 of the case 44 are fitted into the multiple cutouts 36A of the blower mounting hole 36, and the protrusions 32 of the blower mounting member 30 are inserted into the widened portions 54A of the elongated holes 54 of the locked portion 44D (see FIG. 11). In this state, the blower 42 is rotated in one direction around the axis of the blower mounting hole 36 (counterclockwise as viewed from the rear; see arrow L in FIG. 12).

[0035] As a result of the rotation, the outward protrusions 48B of the multiple locking claws 48 hook onto the edge of the blower mounting hole 36 from the front, and the edge of the hole in the blower mounting member 30 is sandwiched between the outward protrusions 48B of each locking claw 48 and the case body 44A. This restrains the blower 42 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the blower mounting member 30.

[0036] Furthermore, the protrusions 38A formed on each blower locking portion 38 of the blower mounting member 30 fit between the two protrusions 52 formed on the forward protrusion 48A of each locking claw 48. During this fitting, each blower locking portion 38 elastically deforms radially outward from the blower mounting hole 36 and then elastically returns to its original shape. This fitting restrains the blower 42 relative to the blower mounting member 30 in the circumferential direction of the blower mounting hole 36.

[0037] Furthermore, due to the rotation, the protrusion 32 of the blower mounting member 30 is positioned at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54 of the locked portion 44D, and the protrusions 60 of the inner elastic piece 58A and the outer elastic piece 58B are caught on the protrusion 32. At this time, the inner elastic piece 58A and the outer elastic piece 58B are elastically deformed in opposite directions and then elastically return to their original position. This catch holds the protrusion 32 at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54, and the locked portion 44D is locked (restrained) by the protrusion 32. This completes the attachment of the blower 42 to the blower mounting member 30.

[0038] 12, the center of gravity G of the blower 42 after attachment to the blower attachment member 30 is positioned slightly off-center to the left. The center of gravity G of the blower 42 is set at a position where a rotational force acts on the blower 42 in one direction (the direction of arrow L in FIG. 12) around the axis of the blower attachment hole 36.

[0039] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 is supported by the seat back 14. The blower mounting member 30 disposed within the seat back 14 is provided with a blower mounting hole 36 and a locking portion. A blower 42 is fitted into the blower mounting hole 36. The blower 42 is attached to the blower mounting member 30 by rotating in one direction (the direction of arrow L in FIG. 12 ) about the axis of the blower mounting hole 36 with the multiple locking claws 48 of the case 44 fitted into the multiple cutouts 36A of the blower mounting hole 36. This rotation causes the locked portion 44D provided on the blower 42 to be locked to the protrusion 32 provided on the blower mounting member 30.

[0040] The center of gravity G of the blower 42 is set at a position where a rotational force acts on the blower 42 in one direction about the axis. Therefore, when vibrations such as those caused by the vehicle traveling are applied to the blower 42, the blower 42 will tend to rotate in one direction about the axis relative to the blower mounting member 30 (i.e., in the direction in which the locked portion 44D is locked to the protrusion 32). In other words, the rotation direction of the blower 42 due to the position of the center of gravity G and the locking direction of the blower 42 relative to the blower mounting member 30 are set to the same direction, so that the locking of the blower 42 relative to the blower mounting member 30 can be prevented from being inadvertently released.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the blower 42 is fitted into the blower mounting hole 36 of the blower mounting member 30, the protrusion 32 is inserted into the widened portion 54A formed at one longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54 of the locked portion 44D. When the blower 42 is rotated in one direction about the axis of the blower mounting hole 36, the protrusion is positioned at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54, and the protrusion 32 is held at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole 54.

[0042] With the above-described configuration, when fitting the multiple locking claws 48 of the blower 42 into the multiple cutouts 36A of the blower mounting hole 36, the multiple locking claws 48 can be positioned to fit into the multiple cutouts 36A by aligning the positions of the widened portions 54A of the elongated holes 54 with the protrusions 32. In other words, the widened portions 54A and the protrusions 32 function as marks for alignment when mounting the blower 42 to the blower mounting member 30, facilitating the work of mounting the blower 42 to the blower mounting member 30.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 30 Blower mounting member 32 Protrusion (lock part) 36 Blower mounting hole 42 Blower 44D Locked part 54 long hole G center of gravity

Claims

1. a blower mounting member disposed within a seat back of the vehicle seat and having a blower mounting hole and a locking portion; a blower that is fitted into the blower mounting hole and rotated in one direction about the axis of the blower mounting hole to be attached to the blower mounting member, and that has a locked portion that is locked to the locking portion by the rotation; Equipped with The blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat has a center of gravity of the blower set at a position where a rotational force acts on the blower in one direction around the axis.

2. The locking portion is a protrusion, The locked portion has an elongated hole, 2. The blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein when the blower is fitted into the blower mounting hole, the protrusion is inserted into one longitudinal end of the elongated hole, and when the blower is rotated, the protrusion is positioned at the other longitudinal end of the elongated hole, thereby holding the protrusion at the other longitudinal end.

3. A seat cushion on which an occupant sits; a seat back that supports the back of the occupant and has the blower mounting structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2; A vehicle seat comprising:

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