Vehicular seat

The vehicle seat design addresses the issue of compact folding and rattling by using lifting and collapsing links with fluctuation suppression members, ensuring smooth operation and efficient space utilization.

JP2025175914APending Publication Date: 2025-12-03TS TECH CO LTD
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024121660
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-05-20
Filing Date
2024-07-26
Publication Date
2025-12-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle seat technologies do not effectively utilize limited space by folding rear seats compactly without rattling, and there is a need to prevent seat components from interfering with vehicle structures during recline and fold operations.

Method used

A vehicle seat design featuring a seat cushion that can recline onto the vehicle floor, incorporating lifting and collapsing links with fluctuation suppression members to abut against the vehicle floor, reducing seat width and vertical dimensions, and using elastic members to suppress rattling and interference.

Benefits of technology

The design allows for compact recline and fold of the seat, suppressing rattling and interference with vehicle components, enabling efficient use of space and smooth transition to a stowed position.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025175914000001_ABST
    Figure 2025175914000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a vehicular seat that is configured so that the vehicular seat can be compactly fallen down and the fallen-down vehicular seat can be prevented from rattling.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat S comprises a seat cushion 1 and can be brought into a falling-down state in which the seat cushion 1 is fallen down on a vehicle body floor. The vehicular seat S further comprises: a cushion frame CF forming a framework of the seat cushion 1; left and right height links HL that lift up and down the seat cushion 1; left and right dive-down links 16 that make the cushion frame CF fall down in a longitudinal direction; and dive-down link variation suppressing member 80 provided on the dive-down links 16, and coming into contact with the vehicle body floor or a slide rail device 6 in the falling-down state, to prevent the dive-down links 16 from varying with respect to the vehicle body floor or the slide rail device 6. The height link HL is arranged between both end parts of the dive-down link variation suppressing member 80, in a width direction of the seat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat that can be reclined in such a way that the seat cushion reclins onto the vehicle floor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technologies for effectively utilizing the limited space inside a vehicle have been attracting attention. For example, vehicles that can integrate and use the rear seats and the luggage space behind the rear seats have become increasingly popular. In such vehicles, the rear seats can be switched between being used as seating space and being used as part of the luggage space, thereby increasing the flexibility of how the interior space can be used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a rear seat that can be switched between a normal state where occupants can sit and a stowed state where the seat is stowed below the vehicle floor. When the rear seat is stowed in the stowed state, the upper end of the rear seat is stowed so that it is at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the vehicle floor. This allows for the creation of a spacious, level luggage space behind the driver's seat. Patent Document 2 also describes a rear seat that has elastic members attached to the support legs of the rear seat, which can be moved to a stowed state. The elastic members abut against brackets attached to the vehicle floor when the rear seat is in an occupied state, holding the rear seat in an appropriate position relative to the vehicle floor and preventing the rear seat from shifting out of position. This improves seating comfort for passengers seated in the rear seat under normal conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-59765 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-162342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 enable the rear seats to be stored below the vehicle floor, making effective use of the space inside the vehicle. However, in order to make more effective and comfortable use of the limited space inside the vehicle, it has been desired to fold the rear seats more compactly and to hold the folded rear seats properly without rattling.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle seat that can be reclined compactly while suppressing rattling of the vehicle seat in the reclined state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by a vehicle seat of the present invention, which provides a seat cushion and is capable of being put into a reclined state in which the seat cushion is reclined onto a vehicle floor, the vehicle seat comprising: a cushion frame forming a skeleton of the seat cushion; left and right lifting links for raising and lowering the seat cushion; left and right collapsing links located above the left and right lifting links for reclining the cushion frame in the front-to-rear direction; and fluctuation suppression members provided on the collapsing links and abutting against the vehicle floor or a connecting member located below the seat cushion in the reclined state and connecting the seat cushion to the vehicle floor, suppressing fluctuation of the collapsing links relative to the vehicle floor or the connecting member, and the lifting links are provided between both end portions of the fluctuation suppression members in the seat width direction.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the fluctuation suppressing member is provided on the collapsing link, and the fluctuation suppressing member suppresses the movement of the collapsing link by abutting against the vehicle floor or the connecting member connecting the seat cushion and the vehicle floor in the collapsed state, thereby making it possible to suppress rattle of the vehicle seat in the collapsed state. Furthermore, the lift link is provided between both ends of the fluctuation suppressing member in the seat width direction, which reduces the seat width dimension and allows the vehicle seat to be reclined compactly.

[0009] In addition, the fluctuation suppressing member may abut against the vehicle body floor or the connecting member in front of the lift link in the collapsed state. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the lift link from interfering with the vehicle body floor or the connecting member in the collapsed state, and it is possible to suppress rattle and deformation of the lift link.

[0010] The cushion frame may also have a lifting frame to which the lifting link is rotatably connected, and at least a portion of the fluctuation suppressing member may be positioned between both ends of the lifting frame in the seat width direction. According to the above configuration, the dimension in the seat width direction can be reduced, and the vehicle seat can be reclined compactly.

[0011] In addition, the lifting link has a first pivot shaft rotatably connected to the vehicle body floor or the connecting member, and a second pivot shaft rotatably connected to the lifting frame, and at least a portion of the fluctuation suppression member is positioned at the same height as the first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft in the collapsed state. According to the above configuration, at least a portion of the fluctuation suppression member is located at the same height as the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis of the lifting link, thereby reducing the vertical dimension and enabling the vehicle seat to be reclined compactly.

[0012] In addition, the connecting member may be a slide rail that allows the seat cushion to slide in a predetermined direction, the first pivot axis may be provided on a connecting bracket provided on the slide rail, and the fluctuation suppression member may be provided in a position that faces the connecting bracket in the fore-and-aft direction when in the collapsed state. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the lift link from interfering with the slide rail, and it is possible to suppress rattle and deformation of the lift link.

[0013] In addition, the connecting bracket may be positioned between the fluctuation suppressing member and the second pivot shaft in the front-rear direction in the collapsed state. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the lift link from interfering with the slide rail, and it is possible to suppress rattle and deformation of the lift link.

[0014] Preferably, at least a portion of the fluctuation suppressing member is provided between an inner end of the lift link and an outer end of the connecting bracket in the seat width direction. According to the above configuration, the dimension in the seat width direction can be reduced, and the vehicle seat can be reclined compactly.

[0015] In addition, the collapsing link may have an extension portion that extends in the seat width direction and to which the fluctuation suppression member is attached, and the extension portion may be positioned between the upper and lower ends of the lifting link in the vertical direction in the collapsed state. According to the above configuration, the vertical dimension can be reduced, and the vehicle seat can be folded down compactly.

[0016] The folding link and the lifting link may displace the seat cushion into the folded state in conjunction with the folding operation of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. According to the above configuration, the vehicle seat can be smoothly transitioned to the folded state and stored below the vehicle body floor.

[0017] The fluctuation suppressing member may be an elastic member that is elastically deformable. According to the above configuration, the fluctuation suppressing member is elastically deformed, thereby making it possible to effectively suppress rattle of the vehicle seat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress rattle of the vehicle seat in the reclined state while allowing the vehicle seat to be reclined compactly. In addition, it is possible to prevent the lift link from interfering with the vehicle body floor or the connecting member when in a collapsed state, and to suppress rattle and deformation of the lift link. Furthermore, the dimension in the seat width direction can be reduced, and the vehicle seat can be folded down compactly. Furthermore, the vertical dimension can be reduced, and the vehicle seat can be folded down compactly. In addition, the vehicle seat can be smoothly transitioned to the folded state and stored below the vehicle floor. Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the fluctuation suppressing member makes it possible to effectively suppress rattle of the vehicle seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a seat frame in a height-raised state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the seat frame in a folded state, and is a diagram mainly showing the height frame and the slide rail device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the cushion frame and the slide rail device in a folded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the seat frame in the folded state, mainly showing the height frame and the slide rail device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a seat frame in a normal state. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a seat frame in a reclined state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the seat frame in the height-raised state. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the seat frame in a folded state. [Figure 10] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion frame taken along line XX in FIG. 4. [Figure 11] 10 is an enlarged top view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in the folded state. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is an enlarged side view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an enlarged top view of a main portion of a cushion frame and a slide rail device according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a seat frame in a normal state of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the seat frame in the height-raised state. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the seat frame in a reclined state. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the seat frame in a folded state. [Figure 19] 10 is an enlarged top view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in the folded state. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is an enlarged side view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21. [Figure 23]22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21, showing a cushion frame and a slide rail device according to a first modified example. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a cushion frame and a slide rail device according to a second modified example. [Figure 25] 25 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion frame and the slide rail device taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a cushion frame and a slide rail device according to a third modified example. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a seat frame in a height-raised state according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front cross-sectional view of a main part of a cushion frame according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a member for suppressing fluctuation between connecting members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The configuration of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

[0021] In the following, a vehicle seat S provided in a vehicle automobile such as a minivan will be taken as an example of a vehicle seat, and an example of the configuration thereof will be described. In the following description, the "seat front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. The outer and inner sides are defined based on the occupant. That is, the direction toward the center of the seat width direction is the inward direction, and the direction away from it is the outward direction. A common number is assigned to a pair of left and right components, and when specifying the left and right, the name indicating the component is appended with "left side" or "right side," and the letter "L" or "R" is added to the reference symbol.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat S is a seat placed on the vehicle body floor and in which a vehicle occupant sits. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S is a seat that is disposed on the right side (behind the driver's seat) of the rear seats corresponding to the rear seats of the vehicle. The vehicle seat S can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a third seat in the third row in a vehicle that has three rows of seats in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or as a front seat corresponding to the front seats.

[0023] The vehicle seat S of this embodiment is configured to be able to transition to a plurality of states. Hereinafter, a state in which an occupant can sit in the vehicle seat S in an edge-sitting position (sitting with legs down) will be referred to as the "normal state" of the vehicle seat S (see FIGS. 1 and 6). A state in which the seat back 2 is rotated rearward of the seat cushion 1 from the normal state will be referred to as the "reclining state" of the vehicle seat S (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, a state in which the position of the seat cushion 1 is higher than the position in the normal state (see FIGS. 2 and 8) will be referred to as the "height-raised state." A state in which the seat cushion 1 is moved to collapse (sink) onto the vehicle floor and the entire vehicle seat S is folded (see FIG. 9) will be referred to as the "folded state." Regardless of the state of the seat back 2, a state in which the seat cushion 1 is simply moved to collapse onto the vehicle floor will sometimes be referred to as the "collapsed state." The vehicle seat S can be arranged in a normal position, a reclined position, a height-raised position, and a folded position. The occupant can move the entire seat forward and backward by operating a slide rail operating lever 41 located on the front left side of the seat cushion 1. In addition, by operating a height frame operating lever 42 located on the front right side of the seat cushion 1, the height of the seat cushion 1 can be changed by rotating a height link HL (described later). In addition, by operating a lever located on the shoulder of the seat back 2, the seat back 2 can be rotated forward or backward and folded down. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the shape, position, and posture of each part of the vehicle seat S described below will be described assuming that the vehicle seat S is in a normal state.

[0024] <Vehicle seat S> The overall configuration of a vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment, seen obliquely from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the seat frame F of the vehicle seat S in the height-raised state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the seat frame F in the folded state, mainly showing the height frame 20 and the slide rail device 6. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the cushion frame Cf and the slide rail device 6 in the folded state. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the seat frame F in the folded state, mainly showing the height frame 20 and the slide rail device 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the seat frame F in the normal state, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the seat frame F in the reclined state. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the seat frame F in the height-raised state, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing the seat frame F in the folded state. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion frame Cf taken along line XX in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, a part of the vehicle seat S is shown with the cover material Tr removed and the pad material P exposed.

[0025] 1, the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment mainly comprises a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, a reclining device 5, and a slide rail device 6. In the following description, the seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, and the headrest 3 may be collectively referred to as the seat body. 2, a seat frame F that forms the framework of the vehicle seat S is provided inside the vehicle seat S. The seat frame F includes a cushion frame Cf, a back frame 30, and a headrest frame 36.

[0026] <Seat cushion 1> The seat cushion 1 is a support member that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a seated person), and supports the seated person from below. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion 1 includes a cushion frame Cf that forms the framework of the seat cushion 1. The cushion frame Cf of this embodiment is composed of a cushion main body frame 10 that directly supports the seated person, and a height frame 20 that is disposed below the cushion main body frame 10 and supports the cushion main body frame 10 so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0027] <Cushion body frame 10> The cushion main body frame 10 is a frame body having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The cushion main body frame 10 has cushion side frames 11 that constitute the frame body, a pan frame 14 that connects the cushion side frames 11, and a cushion frame member 15. The cushion main body frame 10 also has a dive down link 16 that connects to the height frame 20 at its front end.

[0028] The cushion side frame 11 is composed of a right cushion side frame 11R disposed on the right side of the cushion main body frame 10 and a left cushion side frame 11L disposed on the left side. The right cushion side frame 11R and the left cushion side frame 11L extend in the front-to-rear direction. The right cushion side frame 11R extends in the front-to-rear direction while curving outward (to the right) at the front (see Figure 4). This makes it possible to ensure a seating space for the occupant while preventing the right cushion side frame 11R from interfering with other interior components arranged in the vehicle.

[0029] Each cushion side frame 11 has a folding mechanism. Specifically, each cushion side frame 11 has a rear cushion side frame 12 and a front cushion side frame 13 that are connected to be rotatable around a folding pivot shaft 12a (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The folding mechanism will be described in detail later.

[0030] The rear cushion side frame 12 arranged on the right side of the vehicle seat S may be referred to as the right rear cushion side frame 12R, and the rear cushion side frame 12 arranged on the left side may be referred to as the left rear cushion side frame 12L. The front cushion side frame 13 arranged on the right side of the vehicle seat S may be referred to as the right front cushion side frame 13R, and the front cushion side frame 13 arranged on the left side may be referred to as the left front cushion side frame 13L.

[0031] The pan frame 14 is made of a plate-like member and connects the front ends of the cushion side frames 11. The cushion frame members 15 are made of a pipe material and connect the central portions in the front-to-rear direction of the cushion side frames 11. The cushion frame members 15 are partially bent and curved so that the central portion of the cushion frame member 15 in the seat width direction is positioned rearward.

[0032] 2 and 4, a plurality of S-springs 18 are attached to the cushion main body frame 10 as pressure-receiving members that receive the load of the seated occupant, spanning the pan frame 14 and the cushion frame member 15. As described above, the central portion of the cushion frame member 15 has a shape that curves backward, so the S-springs 18 can receive the load of the seated occupant over a wide area in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the pressure-receiving member is made up of a plurality of S-springs 18, but is not limited to this. The pressure-receiving member provided on the cushion main body frame 10 may be made up of an elastic plate-shaped member.

[0033] A slide rail operating lever 41 for operating the slide rail device 6 is provided in front of the left front cushion side frame 13L. In addition, a height frame operating lever 42 for operating the height frame 20 (described later) is provided in front of the right front cushion side frame 13R. An ottoman support mechanism (not shown) for supporting an ottoman may be provided between the slide rail operation lever 41 and the height frame operation lever 42.

[0034] The dive down link 16 is interposed between the cushion side frame 11 and the front end of the height frame 20, and supports the cushion main body frame 10 in cooperation with the back frame 30, which will be described later. The dive downlink 16 mainly comprises a right dive downlink 16R located on the right side, a left dive downlink 16L located on the left side, and a dive downlink member 17 (see Figures 3 and 5).

[0035] The right dive down link 16R and the left dive down link 16L are elongated plate-like members having a first rotation shaft 16a at one longitudinal end and a second rotation shaft 16b at the other end. The first rotation shaft 16a is rotatably connected to the cushion side frame 11, and the second rotation shaft 16b is rotatably connected to the height side frame 21 (see FIG. 8). By rotating the right dive down link 16R and the left dive down link 16L, the vehicle seat S transitions between a normal state in which the cushion main body frame 10 is spaced above the height frame 20 and a reclined state (or folded state) in which it is sunk downward. The dive down link 16 corresponds to a reclining link of the present invention.

[0036] A dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is provided at the longitudinal center of the right dive down link 16R and the left dive down link 16L. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6 in the folded state shown in FIG. 9. This suppresses fluctuation of the left and right dive down links 16 in the folded state or reclined state. This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the vehicle seat S in the folded state or reclined state.

[0037] The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is fixed to an elastic member fixing portion 16c provided on the outer side of the dive down link 16 in the seat width direction (see FIG. 3). The elastic member fixing portion 16c is formed by bending the dive down link 16 made of a plate-shaped member. This eliminates the need to separately prepare a member such as a bracket for fixing the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80, thereby reducing the number of parts of the vehicle seat S. However, without being limited to this, a fixing member for fixing the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 may be provided as a separate member. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 will be described in detail later. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 corresponds to the fluctuation suppressing member of the present invention.

[0038] The dive down link member 17 connects the right dive down link 16R and the left dive down link 16L, increasing the rigidity of the dive down link 16. In addition, by connecting the right dive down link 16R and the left dive down link 16L, the cushion main body frame 10 can be smoothly raised and lowered relative to the height frame 20.

[0039] <Height frame 20> The cushion frame Cf includes a height frame 20 below the cushion main body frame 10, which supports the cushion main body frame 10. The height frame 20 is a frame body having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The height frame 20 includes height side frames 21, a front height frame member 24, an intermediate height frame member 25, a rear height frame member 26, and connecting shafts 27 (front connecting shaft 27a and rear connecting shaft 27b), which constitute the frame body. The height frame 20 also has a front height link 22 and a rear height link 23 interposed between the height side frames 21 and the slide rail device 6. The height frame 20 corresponds to the lifting frame of the present invention.

[0040] The height side frame 21 is composed of a right height side frame 21R arranged on the right side of the height frame 20 and a left height side frame 21L arranged on the left side. The right height side frame 21R and the left height side frame 21L have elongated shapes and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The right height side frame 21R and the left height side frame 21L are plate-like bodies with a generally triangular shape that extends upward and rearward. 2 to 4, the left height side frame 21L is bent in the seat width direction. This allows the left height side frame 21L to be positioned above the slide rail device 6 while avoiding interference with the slide rail locking device 63, front connecting bracket 43, and rear connecting bracket 44 arranged on the slide rail device 6.

[0041] An extended height side frame 21E is provided on the right side of the right height side frame 21R. The extended height side frame 21E is connected to the right height side frame 21R via a rear height frame member 26 and two connecting pipes 21Ea. However, the number and arrangement of the connecting pipes 21Ea are not limited to those shown in Figures 4 and 5. Three or more connecting pipes 21Ea may connect the right height side frame 21R and the extended height side frame 21E.

[0042] The front end of the right height side frame 21R and the front end of the left height side frame 21L are connected by a front height frame member 24. In addition, the rear end of the right height side frame 21R and the rear end of the left height side frame 21L are connected by a rear height frame member 26. The front height frame member 24 and the rear height frame member 26 are round pipe materials that extend linearly. An intermediate height frame member 25 is interposed between the front height frame member 24 and the rear height frame member 26, connecting the right height side frame 21R and the left height side frame 21L. The intermediate height frame member 25 is a straight round pipe member, but is not limited to this. The intermediate height frame member 25 may have a curved shape to avoid interference with other members. As a specific example, the intermediate height frame member 25 may have a shape in which the center portion in the seat width direction is curved rearward.

[0043] The front height link 22 and the rear height link 23 are elongated plate-like bodies. The front height link 22 is rotatably connected to the height side frame 21 via a first pivot shaft 22a and to the slide rail device 6 via a second pivot shaft 22b provided on the front connecting bracket 43. The left and right first pivot shafts 22a are connected by a front connecting shaft 27a (see FIG. 5). The front height link 22 is a driven link mechanism that operates in response to the rear height link 23 when the height frame operating lever 42 is operated.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the left and right front height links 22 are connected by a front height link member 28. The front height link member 28 is made of a plate-shaped member. When the vehicle seat S is in the folded state, the front height link member 28 is located in front of the front connecting shaft 27a and below the front height frame member 24.

[0045] The rear height link 23 is rotatably connected to the height side frame 21 via a first pivot shaft 23a and to the slide rail device 6 via a second pivot shaft 23b provided on the rear connecting bracket 44. The left and right first pivot shafts 23a are connected by a rear connecting shaft 27b. The rear connecting shaft 27b is provided with a lifting device 7 that rotates the rear height link 23 and raises and lowers the seat surface of the seat cushion 1. The rear height link 23 is a driven link mechanism that is driven when the height frame operating lever 42 is operated. 3 and 5, the rear height links 23 provided on the left and right sides are connected by a pipe-shaped rear height link member 29. The front height links 22 and the rear height links 23 correspond to the lift links of the present invention.

[0046] In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the front height link 22 and the rear height link 23, they may be collectively referred to simply as height link HL. The front height link 22 arranged on the right side of the vehicle seat S may be referred to as the right front height link 22R, and the front height link 22 arranged on the left side may be referred to as the left front height link 22L. The rear height link 23 arranged on the right side of the vehicle seat S may be referred to as the right rear height link 23R, and the rear height link 23 arranged on the left side may be referred to as the left rear height link 23L.

[0047] The front height links 22 and the rear height links 23 rotate so as to stand up relative to the slide rail device 6, thereby raising the height frame 20. As a result, the vehicle seat S transitions from the normal state shown in FIG. 6 to the height-raised state shown in FIG. 8. Conversely, the front height links 22 and the rear height links 23 rotate so as to lean backward relative to the slide rail device 6, thereby lowering the height frame 20. As a result, the vehicle seat S transitions from the height-raised state shown in FIG. 8 to the normal state shown in FIG. 6. In the following description, the state in which the height frame 20 is lowered is referred to as the height-lowered state.

[0048] A second rotation shaft 16b of the dive down link 16 is rotatably provided at the front end of each height side frame 21. In addition, the rear end of each height side frame 21 is connected to the side connecting frame 32 of the back frame 30 via the reclining device 5. This allows each height side frame 21 to support the cushion main body frame 10 from below via the dive down link 16 at the front end and the side connecting frame 32 at the rear end.

[0049] <Pad material P and cover material Tr> A pad material P for the seat cushion is placed on the cushion main body frame 10, and the pad material P is covered with a skin material Tr. The pad material P is a cushion material and is made of, for example, a urethane resin (foam resin) such as soft polyurethane foam. The pad material P may be made of biomass urethane. The skin material Tr that covers the pad material P is made of, for example, a stretchable synthetic leather material. The skin material Tr may be made of cloth, film, leather, etc.

[0050] <Seatback 2> The seat back 2 is a support member that supports the back of a seated occupant, and supports the seated occupant from behind. As shown in Fig. 2, the seat back 2 has a back frame 30 that forms the skeleton of the seat back 2. The seat back 2 has a pad material P for the seat back 2 that covers the back frame 30, and a cover material Tr that covers the pad material P.

[0051] The back frame 30 is a frame body having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The back frame 30 mainly comprises a pair of back side frames 31, a side connecting frame 32, a back upper frame 33, a back lower frame 34, and a pressure plate 35. The pair of back side frames 31 are elongated frame members extending in the vertical direction and are disposed apart from each other while facing each other in the seat width direction. The side connecting frame 32 is connected to the lower end of the back side frame 31 and the reclining device 5. In addition, the side connecting frame 32 is connected to the upper end (rear end) of the rear cushion side frame 12.

[0052] The back upper frame 33 connects the upper ends of the left and right back side frames 31, and the back lower frame 34 connects the lower ends of the left and right back side frames 31. The pressure plate 35 is a plate-shaped member that is attached to the inside of the back frame 30 and receives the weight of a seated occupant. The back frame 30 corresponds to the seat back frame of the present invention.

[0053] <Headrest 3> The headrest 3 is a support member that supports the head of a seated occupant from behind. As shown in Fig. 2, the headrest 3 has a headrest frame 36 that forms the skeleton of the headrest 3. The headrest 3 has a padding material (not shown) for the headrest 3 that covers the headrest frame 36, and a skin material Tr that covers the padding material.

[0054] <Reclining device 5> The reclining device 5 rotatably connects the seat back 2 to the seat cushion 1. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the reclining device 5 rotatably connects the rear end of the height frame 20 and the lower end of the back frame 30 that constitute the cushion frame Cf. The reclining device 5 rotates the seat back 2 rearward relative to the seat cushion 1, thereby transitioning the vehicle seat S from the normal state shown in FIG. 6 to the reclined state shown in FIG. 7. The reclining device 5 also rotates the seat back 2 forward relative to the seat cushion 1, thereby transitioning the vehicle seat S from the normal state shown in FIG. 6 to the folded state shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, the dive down link 16 and the height link HL displace the vehicle seat S to a reclined state in conjunction with the folding operation in which the seat back 2 rotates forward relative to the seat cushion 1.

[0055] <Slide rail device 6> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide rail device 6 connects a vehicle seat S (specifically, a seat cushion 1) to a vehicle floor so that the seat S can slide in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the slide rail device 6 is provided below the seat cushion 1. The slide rail device 6 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the slide rail device 6 has a lower rail 61 fixed to the vehicle floor and an upper rail 62 that can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 61. The slide rail device 6 also has a slide rail locking device 63 that restricts the sliding movement of the upper rail 62 relative to the lower rail 61. The slide rail locking device 63 can release the restriction on the sliding movement by operating a slide rail operating lever 41 provided on the seat cushion 1. The slide rail device 6 corresponds to a connecting member in the present invention, and the slide rail locking device 63 corresponds to a slide restricting member in the present invention.

[0056] <Dive downlink fluctuation suppression member 80> Next, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 11 to 14. As described above, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is provided on the outer side of the left and right dive down links 16 in the seat width direction, and abuts against the slide rail device 6 when the vehicle seat S transitions to a folded state or a reclined state. When the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the slide rail device 6, it elastically deforms to suppress movement of the dive down link 16 relative to the slide rail device 6. This makes it possible to suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S in the folded state or a reclined state. The following will use the dive downlink fluctuation suppression member 80 provided on the left dive downlink 16L as an example for explanation, but the dive downlink fluctuation suppression member 80 provided on the right dive downlink 16R is similar except that it is symmetrical on the left and right sides.

[0057] 11 to 13 show the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 in contact with the slide rail device 6. Specifically, Fig. 11 is a top view of the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the slide rail device 6, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the same, and Fig. 13 is a side view of the same. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is an elastic member made of synthetic rubber, but is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the member can suppress fluctuation of the dive down link 16 by generating a sufficient frictional force against the slide rail device 6 when it abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6 and elastically deforms. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 may also be an elastic member made of polyurethane.

[0058] 11 and 12, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is fixed to an elastic member fixing portion 16c that bends and extends from the dive down link 16 outward in the seat width direction. More specifically, the elastic member fixing portion 16c has an extending portion 16c1 that extends outward in the seat width direction and a vertical portion 16c2 that bends perpendicularly from the extending portion 16c1 and extends in the up-down direction. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the dive down link 16 with fastening members such as screws while abutting against the extending portion 16c1 and the vertical portion 16c2. However, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is not limited to this, and may also be adhesively fixed using an adhesive.

[0059] 11, when the vehicle seat S is in the folded state, the left front height link 22L is located between both end portions (outer end surface 80a and inner end surface 80b) in the seat width direction of the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80. Therefore, in the reclined state, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the slide rail device 6, suppressing fluctuation of the dive down link 16, and allowing the vehicle seat S to be reclined compactly in the seat width direction.

[0060] The dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is disposed between both end portions (the outermost end surface 21a and the innermost end surface 21b) of the left height side frame 21L in the seat width direction. More specifically, the left height side frame 21L extends in the front-rear direction and bends in the seat width direction to avoid interference with the slide rail locking device 63 and the front connecting bracket 43 provided on the slide rail device 6. Specifically, the left height side frame 21L has an outermost end surface 21a that protrudes outward (to the left in the seat width direction) at a position rearward of the slide rail locking device 63. The left height side frame 21L also has an innermost end surface 21b that protrudes inward (to the right in the seat width direction) at its front end. At least a portion of the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is located between the outermost end surface 21a and the innermost end surface 21b of the left height side frame 21L in the seat width direction. Therefore, when the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the slide rail device 6 in the reclined state, fluctuation of the left height side frame 21L is suppressed and the vehicle seat S can be reclined compactly in the seat width direction. Furthermore, when the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the slide rail device 6, fluctuation of the left front height link 22L connected to the left height side frame 21L via the first pivot shaft 22a is suppressed.

[0061] The dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is located between the inner end surface 22d of the left front height link 22L and the outer end surface 43a of the front connecting bracket 43. This will be explained in detail below. An inner end surface 22d of the left front height link 22L made of a plate-like body is an inner side surface of the left front height link 22L extending in the front-rear direction. The front connecting bracket 43 has a slide rail connecting plate 43b, a height link connecting plate 43c, and a pair of reinforcing plates 43d arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The slide rail connecting plate 43b abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6 to connect the front connecting bracket 43 to the slide rail device 6. The height link connecting plate 43c stands vertically from the slide rail connecting plate 43b and connects the left front height link 22L to the front connecting bracket 43 via the second pivot shaft 22b of the left front height link 22L. The reinforcing plate 43d stands from the slide rail connecting plate 43b and connects to the height link connecting plate 43c, thereby reinforcing the height link connecting plate 43c. The outer end surface 43a of the front connecting bracket 43 is located at the outer tip of the slide rail connecting plate 43b.

[0062] By positioning the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 between the inner end surface 22d of the left front height link 22L and the outer end surface 43a of the front connecting bracket 43, a wide contact area can be ensured between the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the slide rail 60. This generates sufficient frictional force between the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the slide rail 60, effectively suppressing fluctuation of the dive down link 16 and making it possible to suppress rattling of the vehicle seat S in the folded state.

[0063] The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6 at a position forward of the left front height link 22L. More specifically, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6 at a position forward of the front end 22c of the left front height link 22L and adjacent to the front connecting bracket 43. At this time, the front connecting bracket 43 is located between the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the first pivot shaft 22a in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, when the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 abuts against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6, the lower end 22f of the left front height link 22L is held above the upper surface of the slide rail device 6. This prevents the left front height link 22L from interfering with the slide rail device 6 and suppresses rattle and deformation of the left front height link 22L.

[0064] 13, the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is provided at approximately the same height as the first pivot shaft 22a and the second pivot shaft 22b of the left front height link 22L. More specifically, at least a portion between the upper and lower ends of the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is provided at the same height as the first pivot shaft 22a and the second pivot shaft 22b. Furthermore, the elastic member fixing portion 16c that fixes the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is located between the height L1 of the upper end 22e of the left front height link 22L and the height L2 of the lower end 22f in the vertical direction. This reduces the vertical dimension, allowing the vehicle seat S to be reclined compactly.

[0065] The dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 configured as described above makes it possible to suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S in a reclined state, while allowing the vehicle seat S to be reclined compactly.

[0066] <Method for manufacturing vehicle seat S> Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat S will be described. First, the cushion frame Cf that constitutes the seat frame F is assembled. Specifically, the left and right dive down links 16, which are connected by dive down link members 17, are assembled to the left and right cushion side frames 11 of the cushion main body frame 10. At this time, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing members 80 are attached to the elastic member fixing portions 16c of the dive down links 16. In addition, the left and right front height links 22 and rear height links 23, which are connected by front height link members 28 and rear height link members 29, are assembled to the left and right height side frames 21 of the height frame 20. Next, the cushion frame Cf is assembled by providing the cushion main body frame 10 above the height frame 20. Here, the front height link 22 is provided between both ends of the dive down link 16 in the seat width direction. Similarly, the back frame 30 is assembled.

[0067] Next, the pad material P is placed on the cushion frame Cf and the back frame 30, and is covered with the covering material Tr, thereby assembling the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2. Next, the headrest 3 is assembled, and the seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, and the headrest 3 are connected together to manufacture the seat body. The seat body is assembled to the slide rail device 6 by connecting the height links HL provided on the left and right sides of the height frame 20 to the upper rails 62. The dive down link fluctuation suppression member 80 described above abuts against the slide rail device 6 in the folded or reclined state. In this way, the manufacturing of the vehicle seat S is completed. Next, the pad material P is placed on the cushion frame Cf and the back frame 30, and is covered with the covering material Tr, thereby assembling the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2. Next, the headrest 3 is assembled, and the seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, and the headrest 3 are connected together to manufacture the seat body. The seat body is assembled to the slide rail device 6 by connecting the height links HL provided on the left and right sides of the height frame 20 to the upper rails 62. The dive down link fluctuation suppression member 80 described above abuts against the slide rail device 6 in the folded or reclined state. In this way, the manufacturing of the vehicle seat S is completed.

[0068] Although a vehicle seat S according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the dive down link 16, the height side frame 21, and the front height link 22 are located inside the slide rail device 6 as shown in Fig. 13, but this is not limiting. The dive down link 16, the height side frame 21, and the front height link 22 may also be located outside the slide rail device 6.

[0070] Fig. 14 is a top view showing a main portion of a cushion frame CfA according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 14, when the vehicle seat S is folded (reclining), the dive down link 16A, height side frame 21A, and front height link 22A extend in the front-rear direction outside (on the left side of) the slide rail device 6. Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 elastically deforms when it abuts against the slide rail device 6, suppressing the fluctuation of the dive down link 16A and thus suppressing rattling of the vehicle seat S.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 suppresses fluctuation of the dive down link 16 by abutting against the upper surface of the slide rail device 6, but this is not limited to this. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 may suppress fluctuation of the dive down link 16 by abutting against the front connecting bracket 43. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 may also suppress fluctuation of the dive down link 16 by abutting against the vehicle floor. It is sufficient that the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 suppresses fluctuation of the dive down link 16 by abutting against the vehicle floor or a connecting member that connects the seat cushion 1 to the vehicle floor.

[0072] <Second Example> In the above-described embodiment, the dive down link 16 is provided with a dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80. In the second embodiment, the front height link 22 is further provided with a height link fluctuation suppressing member 81. The height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 abuts against the slide rail device 6 and elastically deforms in a height-lowering state (including the normal state shown in FIG. 15 , the reclined state shown in FIG. 16 , and the folded state shown in FIG. 18 ), suppressing fluctuation of the front height link 22 relative to the slide rail device 6. This improves the stability of the vehicle seat S in the normal state corresponding to a seated state and in the reclined or folded state, making it possible to effectively suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S (see FIGS. 15 to 18 ). The following description will be given taking as an example the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 provided on the left front height link 22L. The dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 corresponds to the first fluctuation suppressing member of the present invention, and the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 corresponds to the second fluctuation suppressing member of the present invention.

[0073] The height link fluctuation suppression member 81 is an elastic member made of synthetic rubber, but is not limited to this. It is sufficient that it generates a sufficient frictional force against the slide rail device 6 when it comes into contact with the slide rail device 6 and elastically deforms to suppress fluctuation of the front height link 22. The height link fluctuation suppression member 81 may also be an elastic member made of polyurethane.

[0074] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 is fixed to an elastic member fixing portion 22g that bends and extends from the left front height link 22L outward in the seat width direction. The elastic member fixing portion 22g has an extending portion 22g1 that extends outward in the seat width direction and a vertical portion 22g2 that bends perpendicularly from the extending portion 22g1 and extends in the up-down direction. The height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the left front height link 22L with fastening members such as screws while abutting against the extending portion 22g1 and the vertical portion 22g2. However, the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 is not limited to this, and may also be adhesively fixed using an adhesive.

[0075] In the height-lowered state, the outer end surface 81a in the seat width direction of the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 is located near the outer end surface 6b in the seat width direction of the slide rail device 6. On the other hand, the inner end surface 81b in the seat width direction of the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 is located near the inner end surface 6a of the slide rail device 6. This ensures a wide contact area between the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 and the slide rail 60. As a result, sufficient frictional force is generated between the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 and the slide rail 60 in the height-lowered state, making it possible to suppress fluctuation of the left front height link 22L relative to the slide rail device 6. Additionally, the outer end surface 81a of the height link fluctuation suppression member 81 in the seat width direction does not protrude outward (to the left) beyond the outer end surface 6b of the slide rail device 6. This suppresses the dimension in the seat width direction when the height is lowered, and also prevents the height link fluctuation suppression member 81 from interfering with the left front cushion side frame 13L when the seat is folded (see FIG. 20).

[0076] Furthermore, in the height-lowered state, the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 is located between the front connecting bracket 43 and the slide rail locking device 63 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, in the height-lowered state, the front end of the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 is located rearward of the reinforcing plate 43d located at the rear end of the front connecting bracket 43 (see FIG. 21). Furthermore, the rear end of the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 is located forward of the spring engaging fitting 63a located at the front end of the slide rail locking device 63. Therefore, it is possible to compactly arrange the height link fluctuation-suppressing member 81 while suppressing rattle of the vehicle seat S in the height-lowered state.

[0077] Furthermore, in the folded state, the second pivot shaft 22b of the left front height link 22L is located between the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 in the front-to-rear direction. This prevents rattling between the left front height link 22L and the slide rail device 6. It also prevents the second pivot shaft 22b of the front height link 22 from being damaged, such as by deformation. Similarly, in the folded state, the second pivot shaft 16b of the left dive down link 16L is located between the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 and the height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 in the front-to-rear direction. This suppresses rattle between the left dive down link 16L and the left height side frame 21L. It also suppresses damage such as deformation of the second pivot shaft 22b of the front height link 22.

[0078] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of Figure 21. As shown in Figure 22, the lower end of the height link fluctuation-inhibiting member 81 has a mating recess 81c that mates with the upper surface of the slide rail device 6. More specifically, the slide rail device 6 has a lower rail 61 and an upper rail 62. When the upper rail 62 is slidably assembled to the lower rail 61, the upper rail 62 has a flat surface that protrudes upward from the lower rail 61 at the center in the left-right direction. The lower end of the height link fluctuation-inhibiting member 81 has a mating recess 81c that corresponds to the flat surface, and is mated with the slide rail device 6. This improves the effect of the height link fluctuation-inhibiting member 81 in suppressing fluctuation in the seat width direction when the height is lowered, making it possible to effectively suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S in the seat width direction.

[0079] <Method for manufacturing vehicle seat S> Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat S will be described. First, the cushion frame Cf that constitutes the seat frame F is assembled. Specifically, the left and right dive down links 16, which are connected by dive down link members 17, are assembled to the left and right cushion side frames 11 of the cushion main body frame 10. At this time, a dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 is attached to the elastic member fixing portion 16c of the dive down link 16. Additionally, the left and right front height links 22 and rear height links 23, which are connected by a front height link member 28 and a rear height link member 29, are assembled to the left and right height side frames 21 of the height frame 20. At this time, a height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 is attached to the elastic member fixing portion 22g of the front height link 22. Next, the cushion body frame 10 is provided above the height frame 20, and the cushion frame Cf is assembled. Similarly, the back frame 30 is assembled.

[0080] Next, the pad material P is placed on the cushion frame Cf and the back frame 30, and is covered with the covering material Tr, thereby assembling the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2. Next, the headrest 3 is assembled, and the seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, and the headrest 3 are connected together to manufacture the seat body. The seat body is assembled to the slide rail device 6 by connecting the height links HL provided on the left and right sides of the height frame 20 to the upper rails 62. The dive-down link fluctuation suppression member 80 described above abuts against the slide rail device 6 in the folded or reclined state. The height link fluctuation suppression member 81 also abuts against the slide rail device 6 in the height-lowered state. In this way, the manufacturing of the vehicle seat S is completed.

[0081] <First Modification> In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the lower end of the height link fluctuation suppression member 81 has an engaging recess 81c that corresponds to the shape of the upper rail 62, but the shape of the engaging recess 81c is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of a height link fluctuation suppressing member 81A and a slide rail device 6A according to a first modified example. As shown in FIG. 23, a protruding member 62a that protrudes upward is provided on the upper rail 62. The protruding member 62a may be a spring engaging fitting 63a provided at the front end of the slide rail locking device 63, or it may be the head of a fastening member such as a screw. The height link fluctuation suppressing member 81 only needs to have a fitting recess 81c that corresponds to the shape of the protruding member 62a. This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment.

[0082] <Second Modification> The dive down link 16 may be provided with an inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 in addition to the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S. Fig. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a cushion frame Cf having a dive down link 16A according to a second modified example, and Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 24. As shown in Figs. 24 and 25, the left dive down link 16L is provided with an inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82. The inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 is a plate-shaped elastic member made of synthetic rubber. However, the inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 may also be an elastic member made of polyurethane.

[0083] The inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 is attached to the inter-link elastic member fixing portion 16f, which is formed by bending the dive down link 16, which is made of a plate-shaped member. Specifically, the inter-link elastic member fixing portion 16f has an extension portion 16f1 that extends outward in the seat width direction from the upper end of the dive down link 16 and covers the upper part of the left front height link 22L, and a vertical portion 16f2 that bends perpendicularly from the extension portion 16f1 and extends downward. The inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82, attached to the underside of the inter-link elastic member fixing portion 16f, elastically deforms when it comes into contact with the upper end of the front height link 22, suppressing relative fluctuation between the dive down link 16 and the front height link 22. Therefore, the inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 can suppress rattle of the vehicle seat S in the folded state.

[0084] 24 and 25, the inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 is a plate-shaped body, but the shape of the inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 is not limited to a plate-like body. It is sufficient if the inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 can suppress relative fluctuation between the dive down link 16 and the front height link 22 by abutting against the front height link 22. The inter-link fluctuation suppressing member 82 may have a fitting recess into which the front height link 22 can fit, or may have a vertical surface that abuts against the front height link 22 and extends to the lower end of the front height link 22.

[0085] <Third Modification> The height side frame 21 according to the third modification is provided with a height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83. This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the vehicle seat S more effectively. Figure 26 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the height side frame 21A according to the third modified example. As shown in Figure 26, the left height side frame 21L is provided with a height frame fluctuation suppression member 83. The height frame fluctuation suppression member 83 is an elastic member made of synthetic rubber and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The height frame fluctuation suppression member 83 corresponds to the fourth fluctuation suppression member of the present invention.

[0086] The height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83 is attached to the elastic member fixing portion 21c. More specifically, the elastic member fixing portion 21c has an extending portion 21c1 that extends outward in the seat width direction, and a vertical portion 21c2 that bends perpendicularly from the extending portion 21c1 and extends in the up-down direction. The height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83 is fastened to the side wall of the left height side frame 21L with fastening members such as screws while abutting against the extending portion 21c1 and the vertical portion 21c2.

[0087] In the height lowering state, the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83 abuts against a fixing metal fitting 91 of the seat belt 9 provided on the upper surface of the slide rail device 6. The height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83 elastically deforms when abutting against the fixing metal fitting 91, suppressing the movement of the left height side frame 21L relative to the slide rail device 6. Therefore, the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83 improves the stability of the vehicle seat S in the height lowering state and can effectively suppress rattling. Note that a fitting recess corresponding to the shape of the upper surface of the fixing metal fitting 91 may be formed on the lower surface of the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the movement of the left height side frame 21L relative to the slide rail device 6.

[0088] <Fourth Modification> The height side frame 21 according to the fourth modification is provided with a liquid damper-type height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83A, which makes it possible to stabilize the lifting and lowering operation of the vehicle seat S. FIG. 27 is a side view of a seat frame F having a height side frame 21B according to a fourth modified example. As shown in FIG. 27, a liquid damper-type height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83A is provided on the left height side frame 21L. The upper end of the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83A is inserted into a guide groove 21d formed in the left height side frame 21L, and the lower end is fixed to the slide rail device 6. This allows the upper end of the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83A to move along the guide groove 21d. Furthermore, a highly viscous liquid is sealed in the cylinder 83a of the height frame fluctuation suppressing member 83A in a contractible manner. This suppresses abrupt fluctuation of the vehicle seat S due to an impact or the like when the vehicle seat S transitions from a height-raised state to a height-lowered state, thereby stabilizing the raising and lowering movement of the vehicle seat S.

[0089] <Fifth Modification> The front height link member 28 according to the fifth modified example is provided with a member 84 for suppressing fluctuations between connecting members. Fig. 28 is an enlarged front cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cushion frame Cf according to the fifth modified example. As shown in Fig. 28, in the height-lowered state, the front height frame member 24 connecting the left and right height side frames 21 and the front height link member 28 connecting the left and right front height links 22 face each other in a vertically overlapping position. In other words, the front height frame member 24 and the front height link member 28 are positioned at approximately the same position in the front-to-rear direction in the height-lowered state.

[0090] The inter-connecting member fluctuation suppressing member 84 is a plate-like elastic member made of synthetic rubber that extends in the seat width direction (left-right direction). A connecting member fluctuation suppression member 84 is provided on the upper surface of the front height link member 28, and comes into contact with the front height frame member 24 in the height lowered state. The connecting member fluctuation suppression member 84 elastically deforms when it comes into contact with the front height frame member 24, suppressing relative movement of the front height link member 28 and the front height frame member 24 in the seat width direction. Therefore, the connecting member fluctuation suppression member 84 improves the stability of the vehicle seat S in the seat width direction in the height lowered state, and can effectively suppress rattling.

[0091] <Sixth Modification> The front height link member 28 according to the sixth modified example is provided with an inter-connecting member fluctuation suppressing member 84A. 29 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cushion frame Cf according to the sixth modified example. The connecting member fluctuation suppressing member 84A is an elastic member formed of a leaf spring and extends in the seat width direction (left-right direction). When the connecting member fluctuation suppressing member 84A comes into contact with the front height frame member 24 in the height lowered state, it elastically deforms and contracts downward, suppressing relative movement of the front height link member 28 and the front height frame member 24 in the seat width direction. Therefore, the connecting member fluctuation suppressing member 84A can achieve the same effect as the fifth modified example.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 is provided on both the right dive downlink 16R and the left dive downlink 16L, but this is not limiting. The dive downlink fluctuation suppressing member 80 may be provided on either the right dive downlink 16R or the left dive downlink 16L. In the above embodiment, the dive down link fluctuation suppression member 80 is described as being made of an elastic member, but is not limited to an elastic member. It is sufficient if the fluctuation of the dive down link 16 can be suppressed by abutting against the slide rail device 6, and the fluctuation of the dive down link 16 may be suppressed by an adhesive member that adheres to the slide rail device 6 when it abuts against the slide rail device 6.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the dive down link 16 is described as connecting the front end portions of the cushion main body frame 10 and the height frame 20, but this is not limited thereto. The dive down link 16 may connect the rear end portions of the cushion main body frame 10 and the height frame 20. In this case, it is sufficient that the rear height link 23 is provided between both end portions of the dive down link fluctuation suppressing member 80 in the seat width direction in the reclined state.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat S transitions from the height-raised state to the folded state by the dive down link 16 tilting forward and the height link HL pivoting to tilt rearward, but this is not limiting. The vehicle seat S may transition from the height-raised state to the folded state by the dive down link 16 and the height link HL all pivoting to tilt forward or rearward. However, it is preferable that the dive down link 16 tilts forward and the front height link 22 and the rear height link 23 pivot to tilt rearward. This allows the vehicle seat S to be folded compactly from the normal state to the folded state within a limited space.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the seat body is mainly composed of the seat cushion 1, the seat back 2, and the headrest 3, but is not limited to this. The seat body may also include an ottoman and an armrest.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, a vehicle seat S mounted on a vehicle is given as an example of a vehicle seat, and an example of the configuration thereof has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on ground vehicles having wheels such as automobiles and trains, and may also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that move on non-ground surfaces, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] S Vehicle seat (vehicle seat) Front seat frame P pad material Tr skin material 1 seat cushion 2 seat backs 3 Headrest 5 Reclining device 6 Slide rail device (connecting member) 6a Inner end surface 6b Outer end face 61 Lower rail 62 Upper Rail 62a Protruding member 63 Slide rail locking device 63a Spring engagement fitting 7 Lifting device 9. Seatbelts 91 Fixing bracket Cf, CfA cushion frame 10 Cushion body frame 11 Cushion side frame 11R Right side cushion side frame 11L Left side cushion frame 12 Rear cushion side frame 12a Center-folding pivot 12R Right rear cushion side frame 12L Left rear cushion side frame 13 Front cushion side frame 13R Right front cushion side frame 13L Left front cushion side frame 14 Pan Frame 15 Cushion frame member 16, 16A Dive Downlink (Falling Link) 16a First rotation axis 16b Second rotation axis 16c Elastic member fixing part 16c1 Extension 16c2 Vertical section 16f Inter-link elastic member fixing part 16f1 Extension 16f2 Vertical section 16R Right Dive Downlink 16L left dive downlink 17 Dive Downlink Members 18 S spring 20 Height frame (lifting frame) 21, 21A, 21B Height Side Frame 21a Outermost end surface 21b Innermost end surface 21c Elastic member fixing part 21c1 Extension 21c2 Vertical section 21d Guide groove 21R Right side height side frame 21L Left side height side frame 21E Extended Height Side Frame 21Ea Connecting pipe HL Height Link (Lift Link) 22, 22A Front height link 22a First rotation axis 22b Second rotation axis 22c Front end 22d Inner end face 22e Upper end 22f Lower end 22g Elastic member fixing part 22g1 Extension 22g2 Vertical section 22R Right front height link 22L left front height link 23 Rear height link 23a First rotation axis 23b Second rotation axis 23R Right rear height link 23L Left rear height link 24 Front height frame member 25 Mid-height frame member 26 Rear height frame member 27 Connecting shaft 27a Front connecting shaft 27b Rear connecting shaft 28 Front height link member 29 Rear height link member 30 Back frame (seat back frame) 31 Backside Frame 32 Side connecting frame 33 Back upper frame 34 Back lower frame 35 Pressure Plate 36 Headrest frame 41 Slide rail operating lever 42 Height frame operating lever 43 Front connecting bracket 43a Outer end face 43b Slide rail connecting plate 43c Height link connecting plate 43d Reinforcement plate 44 Rear connecting bracket 80 Dive downlink fluctuation component (fluctuation suppression component) 80a Outer end face 80b Inner end face 81 Height link fluctuation suppression member 81a Outer end face 81b Inner end face 81c Mating recess 82 Inter-link fluctuation suppression member 83, 83A Height frame fluctuation suppression member 83a Cylinder 84, 84A Inter-connection member fluctuation suppression member

Claims

1. A vehicle seat including a seat cushion, the seat cushion being capable of being reclined onto a vehicle body floor, a cushion frame that forms a skeleton of the seat cushion; left and right lifting links for lifting and lowering the seat cushion; left and right collapsing links located above the left and right lifting links and configured to collapse the cushion frame in the front-rear direction; a fluctuation suppressing member that is provided to the collapsing link and is located below the vehicle body floor or the seat cushion in the collapsed state to come into contact with a connecting member that connects the seat cushion and the vehicle body floor, and that suppresses fluctuation of the collapsing link relative to the vehicle body floor or the connecting member, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the lifting link is provided between both ends of the fluctuation suppressing member in the seat width direction.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the movement suppressing member abuts against the vehicle body floor or the connecting member in front of the lift link in the reclined state.

3. the cushion frame has a lifting frame to which the lifting link is rotatably connected, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the movement suppressing member is located between both ends of the lift frame in the seat width direction.

4. the lift link has a first rotation shaft rotatably connected to the vehicle body floor or the connecting member, and a second rotation shaft rotatably connected to the lift frame, 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the movement suppressing member is located at the same height as the first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft in the reclined state.

5. The connecting member is a slide rail that allows the seat cushion to slide in a predetermined direction, the first rotation shaft is provided on a connecting bracket provided on the slide rail, The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the movement suppressing member is provided at a position facing the connecting bracket in the front-rear direction in the reclined state.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the connecting bracket is located between the movement suppressing member and the second pivot shaft in the front-rear direction in the reclined state.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the movement suppressing member is provided between an inner end of the lifting link and an outer end of the connecting bracket in the seat width direction.

8. the tilting link has an extension portion that extends in the seat width direction and to which the fluctuation suppressing member is attached, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is positioned between an upper end and a lower end of the lift link in the vertical direction in the reclined state.

9. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the folding link and the lifting link displace the seat cushion into the folded state in conjunction with a folding operation of a seat back relative to the seat cushion.

10. 10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the fluctuation suppressing member is an elastic member that is elastically deformable.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Folding seat

    JP2005059765A

  • Fitting structure of vehicular folding seat

    JP2014162342A