Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat capable of improving workability of mounting work of a side finisher.SOLUTION: When the 70d of the guide projection slides in the guide groove 68, the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the vertical direction is regulated, and when the 70d of the guide projection slides to the rear end of the guide groove 68, the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the horizontal direction is also regulated. Therefore, by sliding the guide projection side 70d to the rear end of the guide groove 68, the relative positions of the fitting holes 63a and 65a and the fitting projection side 70e and 70f can be easily determined. In addition, since the guide projection side 70e is formed on the rear side of the fitting projection side 70f, 70d, the side finisher 7 is easily bent outward in the left-right direction in the region R2 where the fitting projection side 70e, 70f is formed. Therefore, since the fitting protrusions 70e and 70f can be easily fitted into the fitting holes 63a and 65a, the workability of the mounting work of the side finisher 7 can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat that can improve the workability of installing a side finisher. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for covering the side surfaces of the side frames 31 of a vehicle seat with side shield members 50. This vehicle seat is provided with lifting levers 28 for raising and lowering the side frames 31, and the side shield members 50 are formed with slits 54 into which the lifting levers 28 are inserted.

[0003] Furthermore, the side frame 31 and the side shield member 50 are provided with bosses 37a, 37b and clips 75, 76 that can be engaged with each other. When attaching the side shield member 50 to the side frame 31, the lifting lever 28 is inserted into the slit 54, and the clips 75, 76 are engaged with the bosses 37a, 37b from the side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-001149 A (for example, paragraphs 0014 to 0020, Figure 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the lift lever 28 is inserted into the slit portion 54, the displacement (movement) of the side shield member 50 in the left-right direction is restricted by the lift lever 28, which makes it time-consuming to adjust the relative positions of the boss portions 37a, 37b and the clips 75, 76. This has resulted in a problem of poor workability when attaching the side shield member 50 (side finisher).

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle seat that can improve the workability of the side finisher installation work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve this object, the vehicle seat of the present invention comprises a side frame that is attached to a cushion frame and extends in the front-to-rear direction, an operating lever that is attached to the lateral side of the side frame and is operated by an occupant, and a side finisher that covers the side surface of the side frame and has an insertion hole into which the operating lever is inserted, the side finisher protruding toward the side frame and having a guide protrusion and an engaging protrusion that are formed forward of the insertion hole, the side frame side being formed with a guide groove that extends in the front-to-rear direction and into which the guide protrusion is slidably inserted from an opening on the front end side, and an engaging hole into which the engaging protrusion is engaged from the lateral side, the guide protrusion restricts displacement of the side finisher in the up-down and left-to-right directions at least at the terminal position of the slide toward the rear end side of the guide groove, and the guide protrusion is formed rearward of the engaging protrusion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the vehicle seat of claim 1, the side finisher includes a guide protrusion and a fitting protrusion that protrude toward the side frame and are formed forward of the insertion hole of the operating lever. The side frame is formed with a guide groove that extends in the front-rear direction and into which the guide protrusion is slidably inserted from an opening on the front end side, and a fitting hole into which the fitting protrusion is fitted from the side, so that by sliding the guide protrusion rearward along the guide groove, it is possible to guide the movement of the side finisher toward a position where the fitting hole and the fitting protrusion can fit together.

[0009] The guide protrusion regulates the displacement of the side finisher in the vertical and horizontal directions at least at the terminal position of the slide toward the rear end of the guide groove, so that the relative position of the mating hole and the mating protrusion can be easily determined by sliding it to the terminal position on the rear end side of the guide groove.

[0010] On the other hand, when providing such guide protrusions on a side finisher, for example, if the guide protrusions are positioned forward of the mating protrusions, the outward bending of the side finisher in the left-right direction is restricted by the operating lever located behind the mating protrusions and the guide protrusion located forward.As a result, the task of fitting the mating protrusions into the mating holes is time-consuming.

[0011] In contrast, according to claim 1, the guide protrusion is formed rearward of the fitting protrusion, so the side finisher can be easily bent outward in the left-right direction in the area where the fitting protrusion is formed. This makes it easier to fit the fitting protrusion into the fitting hole, which has the effect of improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0012] According to the vehicle seat of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the vehicle seat of claim 1, the operating lever is inclined outward in the left-right direction toward the front end, which prevents parts on the side frame from interfering with the side finisher when inserting the operating lever into the insertion hole of the side finisher, thereby improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0013] The vehicle seat according to claim 3 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat according to claim 1. A guide surface extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the side frame side, facing the side finisher on the front side of the guide groove. When the guide protrusion slides toward the rear end of the guide groove, the guide surface can restrict the displacement of the guide protrusion toward the inside in the left-right direction, so the guide surface can guide the sliding of the guide protrusion toward the guide groove. Therefore, the guide protrusion can be easily inserted toward the rear end of the guide groove, which has the effect of improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0014] The vehicle seat of claim 4 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 1. The side frame is formed with a first surface in which the fitting hole is formed, and a second surface that is continuous with the front edge of the first surface and slopes inward in the left-right direction as it moves forward from the first surface. As a result, when the guide protrusion slides toward the rear end of the guide groove, the fitting protrusion slides along the second surface (the fitting protrusion rides up the second surface), thereby guiding the movement of the fitting protrusion toward the fitting hole. This has the effect of improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0015] The vehicle seat of claim 5 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 1. An insertion groove is formed on the rear surface of the guide protrusion, which penetrates the guide protrusion from top to bottom and into which the rear end of the guide groove is inserted. An inclined surface is formed on the rear end of the insertion groove so that the groove width in the left-right direction of the insertion groove increases toward the rear side, so that the inclined surface can guide the insertion of the rear end of the guide groove into the insertion groove. Therefore, the rear end of the guide groove can be easily inserted into the insertion groove, which has the effect of improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0016] The vehicle seat of claim 6 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 1. The side finisher has a low-rigidity region that has lower rigidity against bending in the left-right direction compared to the region where the fitting protrusion is formed. Because the low-rigidity region is formed between the guide protrusion and the fitting protrusion, when the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting hole, the side finisher is more likely to bend outward in the left-right direction starting from the low-rigidity region. Therefore, the fitting protrusion can be easily fitted into the fitting hole, which has the effect of improving the workability of the side finisher installation work.

[0017] The vehicle seat of claim 7 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 1. The vehicle seat is provided with a mounting bracket that is attached to the side surface of the side frame and has a guide groove and a fitting hole formed therein. By changing the shape of the mounting bracket depending on the type of vehicle seat (the shape and position of the guide protrusion and fitting protrusion of the side finisher), a common side frame can be applied to different vehicle seats. This makes it possible to create only a molding die for the mounting bracket that is smaller than the side frame, eliminating the need to create a new molding die for the side frame, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the vehicle seat.

[0018] The vehicle seat of claim 8 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 1. The fitting protrusion includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the fitting hole, and a claw portion that protrudes from the insertion portion in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and is hooked onto the inside of the fitting hole in the left-right direction. In the protruding direction of the claw portion, the engagement between the fitting hole and the insertion portion restricts displacement of the side finisher, while in the direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the claw portion and the left-right direction, a gap is formed between the fitting hole and the insertion portion.

[0019] The fitting protrusion is composed of at least a first fitting protrusion having a claw portion protruding in a first direction (e.g., the front-to-rear direction) and fitted into the first fitting hole, and a second fitting protrusion having a claw portion protruding in a second direction (e.g., the up-down direction) different from the first direction and fitted into the second fitting hole. As a result, the first and second fitting holes are caught in the insertion portions of the first and second fitting protrusions, restricting displacement of the side finisher in both the first and second directions (e.g., the front-to-rear direction and the up-down direction). This effectively prevents the side finisher from rattling.

[0020] Furthermore, in each direction perpendicular to the protruding direction (first direction and second direction) of the claw portions of the first and second fitting protrusions and the left-right direction, a gap is formed between the first and second fitting holes and the insertion portions of the first and second fitting protrusions, and this gap can absorb any error in the placement of the first and second fitting protrusions (insertion portions).This has the effect of making it possible to fit the first and second fitting protrusions into the first and second fitting holes even if an error occurs in the relative position of the first and second fitting protrusions due to a dimensional error in the side finisher, etc.

[0021] The vehicle seat of claim 9 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the vehicle seat of claim 8. Because the first fitting projection is formed on the front end side of the side finisher, a load directed diagonally rearward from the occupant is likely to act on the fitting portion between the first fitting hole and the first fitting projection. Therefore, for example, if a gap is formed in the front-to-rear direction between the first fitting hole and the insertion portion of the first fitting projection, the first fitting projection will be more likely to come out of the first fitting hole.

[0022] Furthermore, because the second fitting projection is formed rearward and above the first fitting projection, a load directed diagonally downward from the occupant is likely to act on the fitting portion between the second fitting hole and the second fitting projection. For this reason, if a gap is formed in the vertical direction between the second fitting hole and the insertion portion of the second fitting projection, for example, the second fitting projection will be more likely to come out of the second fitting hole.

[0023] In contrast, in claim 9, a gap is formed between the first fitting hole and the first fitting projection in the up-down direction, and a gap is formed between the second fitting hole and the second fitting projection in the front-rear direction, which has the effect of making it difficult for the first and second fitting projections to come out of the first and second fitting holes even if the above-mentioned load is applied by the occupant to the fitting portions between the first and second fitting holes and the first and second fitting projections. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a partially enlarged side view of the vehicle seat as seen in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a cross-section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, and is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat showing the state in which the operating lever is inserted into the insertion hole of the side finisher, and FIG. 4(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat showing the state in which the guide protrusion has begun to be inserted into the guide groove from the state shown in FIG. 4(a). [Figure 5] 4(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat showing the state in which the hanging portion of the mounting bracket is inserted into the insertion groove of the side finisher from the state in FIG. 4(b), and FIG. 5(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat showing the state in which the hanging portion is inserted into the insertion groove from the state in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat with the side finisher attached to the mounting bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the overall configuration of a vehicle seat 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat 1. Note that Fig. 1 illustrates a state in which a seat pad (cushion pad) supported by a cushion frame 2 and a cover covering the seat pad have been removed. The directions of arrows UD, LR, and FB in Fig. 1 indicate the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1, respectively (the same applies to the subsequent figures).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 1 is a seat installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes a cushion frame 2 that forms the framework of the seat surface (seat cushion). A seat back 3 (back frame) is connected to the rear end (end on the side of arrow B) of the cushion frame 2 via a reclining device 4 so as to be able to recline.

[0027] The cushion frame 2 includes side frames 20 extending in the front-rear direction (the direction of the arrow FB), and the side frames 20 are provided in pairs spaced apart on the left and right (the direction of the arrow LR). The rear end portions of the pair of side frames 20 are connected by a rear frame 21 extending left and right, and the front end portions are connected by a front frame 22 (front panel) extending left and right.

[0028] In the following description, the side surface of the side frame 20 facing outward in the left-right direction (toward the arrow L) will be referred to as the "outer surface," and the surface facing the opposite side (toward the arrow R) will be referred to as the "inner surface" (the same applies to other components of the vehicle seat 1). An operating lever 5 is attached to the outer surface of the side frame 20 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the operating lever 5 is operated by the occupant to unlock the reclining device 4, but the operating lever 5 may also be used to raise and lower the cushion frame 2.

[0029] A mounting bracket 6 is fixed to the outer surface of the side frame 20 forward of the operating lever 5. The mounting bracket 6 is a component for attaching a side finisher 7 that covers the side surface of the side frame 20. First, the detailed configuration of the side finisher 7 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the side finisher 7.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side finisher 7 comprises a covering portion 70 that extends in the front-to-rear direction (arrow FB direction) and covers the outer surface of the side frame 20, and an outer peripheral portion 71 that rises from the outer edge of the covering portion 70 toward the side frame 20, and these portions 70, 71 are integrally formed using a resin material.

[0031] A recess 70a (see FIG. 1) is provided on the outer surface of the covering portion 70 in approximately the center in the front-to-rear direction. By forming this recess 70a, a stepped surface 70b facing forward is formed on the outer surface of the covering portion 70, and an insertion hole 70c extending vertically is formed in the stepped surface 70b (see FIG. 1). The insertion hole 70c passing through this stepped surface 70b is a portion into which the operating lever 5 is inserted.

[0032] The outer peripheral portion 71 of the side finisher 7 is formed like a wall that surrounds almost the entire outer edge of the covering portion 70. The rear end side of the covering portion 70 (the rear side of the insertion hole 70c) is inclined upward toward the rear, and the outer peripheral portion 71 that covers this inclined portion is integrally formed with claws 71a and engagement holes 71b (see FIG. 2).

[0033] A plurality of claws 71a and engagement holes 71b are formed in a row along the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 71, but in order to simplify the drawing, some of the claws 71a and engagement holes 71b are not shown in Figure 2. These claws 71a and engagement holes 71b are used to secure the rear end of the side finisher 7 to the inner cover 8 (see Figure 1) that covers the inner surface of the side frame 20.

[0034] The inner cover 8 is a resin part that covers the inside surface of the rear end side (recliner 4) of the side frame 20, and the inner cover 8 is integrally formed with claws 80 and engagement holes 81 at positions corresponding to the claws 71a and engagement holes 71b of the side finisher 7. By engaging the claws 71a, 80 and engagement holes 71b, 81 of the side finisher 7 and the inner cover 8 with each other, the rear end of the side finisher 7 is fixed to the side frame 20 (inner cover 8).

[0035] On the other hand, the front end portion of the side finisher 7 (forward of the insertion hole 70c) is fixed to the side frame 20 (mounting bracket 6 shown in Figure 1) by the guide protrusion 70d and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f (see the enlarged portions of both in Figure 2).

[0036] The guide protrusion 70d is a protrusion that slidably engages with a guide groove 68 (see the enlarged portion in Figure 1) of the mounting bracket 6, which will be described later, and the fitting protrusions 70e and 70f are protrusions that fit into fitting holes 63a and 65a (see the enlarged portion in Figure 1) of the mounting bracket 6. These protrusions 70d to 70f are integrally formed on the inner surface of the covering portion 70.

[0037] An insertion groove 70g is formed on the rear surface of the guide protrusion 70d, penetrating the guide protrusion 70d from top to bottom. This insertion groove 70g is a groove into which a hanging portion 66 (see the enlarged portion in Figure 1) of the mounting bracket 6, which will be described later, is inserted.

[0038] A clip 9 (see enlarged portion in Figure 2) is attached to the tip of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f. The clip 9 mainly comprises a U-shaped insertion portion 90 attached to the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f and an elastically deformable claw portion 91 protruding from the side of the insertion portion 90, and a known configuration can be adopted for the clip 9, so a detailed description will be omitted. Also, in Figure 2, the shapes of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are shown schematically to simplify the drawing, but known configurations can also be adopted for these fitting protrusions 70e, 70f.

[0039] An example of a known configuration of the clip 9 is the clip 6 of JP 2017-196937 A, and an example of a known configuration of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f is the clip push-in portion 411 of the same publication.

[0040] As will be described in detail later, when attaching the side finisher 7 to the side frame 20, the operating lever 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 70c, and then the clips 9 of the fitting protrusions 70e and 70f are fitted into the fitting holes 63a and 65a of the mounting bracket 6. Next, the cover 10 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the tip of the operating lever 5, thereby completing the installation of the side finisher 7.

[0041] Next, the detailed configuration of the mounting bracket 6 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged side view of the vehicle seat 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow III in Figure 1.

[0042] 1 and 3, the mounting bracket 6 has a first mounting portion 60 and a second mounting portion 61 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction (the direction of the arrow FB). Each of these mounting portions 60, 61 is fixed to the outer surface of the side frame 20 by a bolt (not shown). Each mounting portion 60, 61 is inclined downward from the side frame 20 outward in the left-right direction (toward the arrow L), and a lateral guide portion 62 is formed below the first mounting portion 60 located on the front end side of the mounting bracket 6. The outer surface of the lateral guide portion 62 is configured as a lateral guide surface 62a that guides the sliding of the inner surface of the guide protrusion 70d (see FIG. 2).

[0043] A fitting portion 63 is formed on the front side of the lateral guide portion 62 (lateral guide surface 62a), protruding outward in the left-right direction beyond the lateral guide surface 62a, and a fitting hole 63a penetrating left and right (in the direction of arrows LR) is formed in the fitting portion 63. The fitting hole 63a is an elongated hole extending up and down (in the direction of arrows UD), and the clip 9 (see FIG. 2) of the fitting protrusion 70e is fitted into this fitting hole 63a.

[0044] An upper guide portion 64 extending in the front-rear direction is formed above the lateral guide surface 62a of the lateral guide portion 62. The upper guide portion 64 is formed so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction from the lateral guide surface 62a, and the lower surface of the upper guide portion 64 is configured as an upper guide surface 64a that guides the sliding of the upper surface of the guide protrusion 70d (see FIG. 2).

[0045] A fitting portion 65 is formed at the top of the front end side of the upper guide portion 64, protruding outward in the left-right direction beyond the upper guide portion 64, and a fitting hole 65a penetrating left and right is formed in the fitting portion 65. The fitting hole 65a is an elongated hole extending forward and backward (in the direction of arrow FB), and the clip 9 (see FIG. 2) of the fitting protrusion 70f described above is fitted into the fitting hole 65a formed in this fitting portion 65.

[0046] The upper guide portion 64 extends rearward beyond the lateral guide surface 62a, and the lower end portion of the second mounting portion 61 is connected to the rear end portion of this upper guide portion 64. A hanging portion 66 hangs downward from the rear end of the upper guide portion 64, and a lower guide portion 67 bends forward from the lower end of the hanging portion 66.

[0047] The respective portions 60 to 67 constituting the mounting bracket 6 are integrally formed by bending (pressing) a metal plate. That is, the respective portions 60 to 67 of the mounting bracket 6 are formed in the shape of a flat plate.

[0048] A guide groove 68 is formed in the mounting bracket 6 and is surrounded by the rear end portion of the upper guide portion 64, the hanging portion 66, and the lower guide portion 67. The guide groove 68 is an elongated hole (a hole extending in the front-to-rear direction) with an opening 68a on the front side. When the side finisher 7 is attached to the mounting bracket 6, a guide protrusion 70d (see FIG. 2) is inserted through the opening 68a of the guide groove 68.

[0049] Next, a method for attaching the side finisher 7 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4(a) is a cross section taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3, and is a partially enlarged cross section of the vehicle seat 1 showing a state in which the operating lever 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 70c of the side finisher 7, and Figure 4(b) is a partially enlarged cross section of the vehicle seat 1 showing a state in which the guide protrusion 70d has begun to be inserted into the guide groove 68 from the state shown in Figure 4(a).

[0050] 5(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of vehicle seat 1 showing how hanging portion 66 of mounting bracket 6 is inserted into insertion groove 70g of side finisher 7 from the state shown in FIG. 4(b), and FIG. 5(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of vehicle seat 1 showing how hanging portion 66 has been inserted into insertion groove 70g from the state shown in FIG. 4(a). In FIGS. 4 and 5, the outline of operating lever 5 as viewed from above is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0051] 4(a), when attaching the side finisher 7 to the mounting bracket 6, the operating lever 5 is first inserted from the rear side (the side indicated by arrow B) of the insertion hole 70c. The operating lever 5 is inclined outward in the left-right direction (the direction between arrows F and L) as it approaches its front end (tip), so when inserting the operating lever 5 into the insertion hole 70c, the fitting portion 65 and the like (components on the side frame 20 side) of the mounting bracket 6 can be prevented from interfering with the guide protrusion 70d of the side finisher 7.

[0052] After inserting the operating lever 5 into the insertion hole 70c, the guide protrusion 70d is slid rearward toward the guide groove 68. This sliding of the guide protrusion 70d is guided by the lateral guide surface 62a of the lateral guide portion 62.

[0053] The lateral guide surface 62a is a flat surface extending in the front-rear direction and faces the side finisher 7 on the front side of the guide groove 68, so that by sliding the guide protrusion 70d rearward along the lateral guide surface 62a, the sliding of the guide protrusion 70d toward the guide groove 68 can be guided. Therefore, the guide protrusion 70d can be easily inserted into the guide groove 68.

[0054] Furthermore, contact between the guide protrusions 70d and the lateral guide surfaces 62a prevents the side finisher 7 from being pushed inward in the left-right direction (towards the arrow R), thereby preventing excessive deformation of the side finisher 7. Therefore, damage to the side finisher 7 can be prevented.

[0055] Although not shown, when the guide protrusion 70d slides along the lateral guide surface 62a, the sliding is also guided by the upper guide surface 64a of the upper guide portion 64 (see FIG. 3). The upper guide surface 64a is a surface that is perpendicular to the lateral guide surface 62a (facing downward), and this upper guide surface 64a, which extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction, is continuous with the upper edge of the guide groove 68. Therefore, the guide protrusion 70d can be easily inserted into the guide groove 68 by sliding the guide protrusion 70d rearward while pushing (hooking) it between the lateral guide surface 62a and the upper guide surface 64a.

[0056] 4(b), after the guide protrusion 70d begins to be inserted into the guide groove 68, the sliding of the clip 9 of the fitting protrusion 70f toward the outer surface 65b (the surface on which the fitting hole 65a is formed) of the fitting portion 65 is guided by the inclined surface 65c. The inclined surface 65c is formed by bending the front end portion (the end portion on the arrow F side) of the fitting portion 65 inward in the left-right direction (toward the arrow R), and the connection portion between the outer surface 65b of the fitting portion 65 and the inclined surface 65c forms a smoothly curved surface.

[0057] The inclined surface 65c is a flat surface that inclines inward in the left-right direction (the direction between arrows F and R) as it moves away from the outer surface 65b of the fitting portion 65 toward the front. Therefore, when the guide protrusion 70d is slid toward the rear end side of the guide groove 68, the clip 9 of the fitting protrusion 70f slides up the inclined surface 65c. The sliding of the fitting protrusion 70f along this inclined surface 65c can guide the movement of the fitting protrusion 70f toward the fitting hole 65a while bending the side finisher 7 outward in the left-right direction.

[0058] 5(a), when the clip 9 of the fitting protrusion 70f completely rides up onto the outer surface 65b of the fitting portion 65, the rear end portion of the side finisher 7 is tilted inward in the left-right direction. This is because the outward displacement (movement) of the side finisher 7 in the left-right direction is restricted by the engagement between the insertion hole 70c and the operating lever 5.

[0059] Therefore, when hanging portion 66 of mounting bracket 6 is inserted into insertion groove 70g (see the enlarged portion in FIG. 5(a)) of guide protrusion 70d, insertion groove 70g is inclined with respect to hanging portion 66. The insertion of hanging portion 66 into this inclined insertion groove 70g is guided by inclined surface 70h that continues to the rear end of insertion groove 70g.

[0060] Inclined surface 70h is a flat surface that slopes inward in the left-right direction as it moves away from insertion groove 70g rearward. That is, inclined surface 70h is sloped so that the groove width of insertion groove 70g in the left-right direction increases rearward. By forming such inclined surface 70h, even when hanging portion 66 is inserted into insertion groove 70g with side finisher 7 tilted relative to mounting bracket 6, inclined surface 70h can guide the insertion of hanging portion 66. Therefore, hanging portion 66 (rear end portion of guide groove 68) can be easily inserted into insertion groove 70g.

[0061] The groove width of insertion groove 70g is approximately the same as the thickness of plate-shaped hanging portion 66, and once hanging portion 66 begins to be inserted into insertion groove 70g to a certain extent, left-right displacement of side finisher 7 is restricted by the engagement between insertion groove 70g and hanging portion 66. For this reason, when hanging portion 66 is inserted into insertion groove 70g and clip 9 of fitting projection 70f rides up onto outer surface 65b of fitting portion 65 (the state before fitting projections 70e, 70f fit into fitting holes 63a, 65a), the portion of side finisher 7 on the front end side is most bent outward in the left-right direction.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), the state in which the hanging portion 66 is inserted until it contacts the front end (groove bottom surface) of the insertion groove 70g is the end position of the sliding of the guide protrusion 70d in the guide groove 68, and when the guide protrusion 70d has slid to this end position, the clips 9 of the mating protrusions 70e, 70f are shallowly fitted into the mating holes 63a, 65a.

[0063] The state in which the clips 9 are shallowly fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a means that the claw portions 91 of the clips 9 are caught on the edges of the fitting holes 63a, 65a. Even in this state, the front end portions of the side finisher 7 are bent outward in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a similar bending can occur in the side finisher 7 when the clips 9 of the fitting protrusions 70f ride up the inclined surfaces 65c described above. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily cause such bending of the side finisher 7.

[0064] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5(b), a recess 70a is formed on the outer surface of the covering portion 70 of the side finisher 7, and a protrusion 70i corresponding to the recess 70a is formed on the inner surface of the covering portion 70. In the region where the protrusion 70i is formed, the height of the outer peripheral portion 71 rising from the outer edge of the covering portion 70 is lower than in other regions. Therefore, the region where the protrusion 70i is formed is a low-rigidity region R1 where the rigidity of the side finisher 7 is relatively low, and a guide protrusion 70d is formed in this low-rigidity region R1 (the inner surface of the protrusion 70i).

[0065] On the other hand, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed forward of the low-rigidity region R1 (the convex portion 70i). In the region R2 where the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed (the region extending from the front end of the fitting protrusion 70e to the rear end of the fitting protrusion 70f), the height of the outer circumferential portion 71 is higher than that of the low-rigidity region R1, and the rigidity of the side finisher 7 is increased.

[0066] That is, in this embodiment, a portion of the low-rigidity region R1, which has low rigidity against bending in the left-right direction, is formed between the guide protrusion 70d and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f. As a result, when the clip 9 of the fitting protrusion 70f rides up the inclined surface 65c or when the hanging portion 66 is inserted into the insertion groove 70g, the side finisher 7 is more likely to bend outward in the left-right direction starting from the low-rigidity region R1. Therefore, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can slide smoothly toward the fitting holes 63a, 65a, and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be easily fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a.

[0067] Furthermore, by forming such low-rigidity regions R1, it is possible to prevent the side finisher 7 from being plastically deformed due to bending outward in the left-right direction, thereby preventing the side finisher 7 from being damaged during installation.

[0068] Furthermore, although it is possible to form the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the guide grooves 68 in the side frame 20 (see FIG. 1, etc.), in this embodiment, the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the guide grooves 68 are formed in the mounting bracket 6 attached to the side surface of the side frame 20. This allows a common side frame 20 to be applied to different vehicle seats by changing the shape of the mounting bracket 6 depending on the type of vehicle seat 1 (the shape and position of each of the protrusions 70d to 70f of the side finisher 7). This means that it is only necessary to create a molding die for the mounting bracket 6 that is smaller than the side frame 20, and it is not necessary to create a new molding die for the side frame 20. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the vehicle seat 1.

[0069] Although not shown in the drawings, the dimension of the guide protrusion 70d in the up-down direction (direction of the arrow UD) is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the up-down groove width of the guide groove 68. Therefore, when the guide protrusion 70d slides along the guide groove 68, the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the up-down direction (tilt in the up-down direction) is restricted by the engagement between the guide groove 68 and the guide protrusion 70d.

[0070] Therefore, by sliding the guide protrusion 70d along the guide groove 68, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be slid rearward (toward the fitting holes 63a, 65a) while the relative heights of the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f in the up-down direction are matched. In other words, simply by sliding the guide protrusion 70d rearward along the guide groove 68, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be slid toward positions where they can be fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, when the guide protrusion 70d slides to the terminal position of the guide groove 68, the hanging portion 66 is inserted into the insertion groove 70g, and the engagement between this insertion groove 70g and the hanging portion 66 allows the side finisher 7 to be positioned in the left-right direction (the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the left-right direction can be regulated).

[0072] With this positioning performed, the clips 9 of the fitting projections 70e, 70f can be maintained in a shallowly fitted state (hereinafter referred to as a "temporarily fastened state") in the fitting holes 63a, 65a due to the flexure (elastic recovery force) of the side finisher 7. In other words, even if the worker releases the side finisher 7 in this temporarily fastened state, the side finisher 7 can be prevented from falling off the mounting bracket 6. Then, by pushing the side finisher 7 inward in the left-right direction from this temporarily fastened state, the clips 9 (claw portions 91) of the fitting projections 70e, 70f can be easily fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, when the guide protrusion 70d slides along the guide groove 68, vertical displacement of the side finisher 7 is restricted, and when the guide protrusion 70d slides to the terminal position of the guide groove 68, horizontal displacement of the side finisher 7 is also restricted. Therefore, by sliding the guide protrusion 70d to the terminal position of the guide groove 68, the relative positions of the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be easily determined. In other words, the task of adjusting the relative positions of the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be substantially eliminated.

[0074] Furthermore, because the guide protrusions 70d are formed rearward of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f, there is no portion that restricts left-right displacement of the side finisher 7 in the region R2 where the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed, or in front of the region R2. This allows the side finisher 7 to be easily deflected outward in the left-right direction in the region R2 where the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed. Therefore, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f (clips 9) can be easily fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a, improving the workability of installing the side finisher 7.

[0075] Next, a state in which the side finisher 7 is attached to the mounting bracket 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross section corresponding to line IV-IV in Fig. 3, and is a partially enlarged cross section of the vehicle seat 1 showing a state in which the side finisher 7 is attached to the mounting bracket 6.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the side finisher 7 is attached to the mounting bracket 6 by inserting the hanging portion 66 into the insertion groove 70g of the guide projection 70d and fitting the clips 9 of the fitting projections 70e and 70f into the fitting holes 63a and 65a.

[0077] With the side finisher 7 attached in this state, the claws 91 of the clips 9 attached to the fitting protrusions 70e are hooked on the inner side in the left-right direction (the side of arrow R) of the fitting portions 63 (fitting holes 63a). In the protruding direction (front-rear direction) (direction of arrow FB) of the claws 91 of the fitting protrusions 70e, there is only a small gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting holes 63a and the fitting protrusions 70e (insertion portions 90 of the clips 9), so displacement of the side finisher 7 in the same direction is restricted by the hooking of the fitting protrusions 70e on the fitting holes 63a.

[0078] Similarly, although not shown, for the clip 9 of the fitting protrusion 70f, there is a small gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 65a and the fitting protrusion 70f (insertion portion 90 of the clip 9) in the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the claw portion 91 (arrow UD direction). Therefore, displacement of the side finisher 7 in the vertical direction is also restricted by the engagement between the fitting protrusion 70f and the fitting hole 65a.

[0079] As described above, this embodiment includes the fitting protrusion 70e, whose claw portion 91 protrudes in the front-rear direction (first direction), and the fitting protrusion 70f, whose claw portion 91 protrudes in a different, up-down direction (second direction). As a result, rattling of the side finisher 7 can be effectively suppressed in both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction by the engagement between the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f (insertion portions 90 of the clips 9).

[0080] Meanwhile, in the front-rear direction (arrow FB direction) perpendicular to the protruding direction (arrow UD direction) of the claw portion 91 of the fitting projection 70f and the left-right direction (arrow LR direction), a gap 11 is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 65a and the fitting projection 70f (insertion portion 90 of the clip 9). Although not shown, a similar gap 11 is also formed in the fitting projection 70e in the up-down direction (arrow UD direction) perpendicular to the protruding direction of the claw portion 91.

[0081] By forming the gaps 11 between the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f in different directions, i.e., the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, errors in the placement of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f can be absorbed by the gaps 11. That is, even if an error occurs in the relative position of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f due to a dimensional error of the side finisher 7 or the like, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f (clips 9) can be fitted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a.

[0082] When an occupant sits in or gets out of the vehicle seat 1, a load from the occupant acts on the side finisher 7. Explaining this load with reference to FIG. 1, a load directed diagonally rearward to the left (in the direction between arrows L and B in FIG. 1) tends to act on the front portion of the side finisher 7. Furthermore, a load directed diagonally downward to the left (in the direction between arrows L and D in FIG. 1) tends to act on the top surface portion of the side finisher 7.

[0083] In contrast, since the fitting hole 63a (fitting protrusion 70e) is formed on the front end side of the side finisher 7 (forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction), a load directed diagonally rearward from the occupant is likely to act on the fitting portion between the fitting hole 63a and the fitting protrusion 70e. On the other hand, since the fitting hole 65a (fitting protrusion 70f) is formed rearward and above the fitting hole 63a (fitting protrusion 70f), a load directed diagonally downward from the occupant is likely to act on the fitting portion between the fitting hole 65a and the fitting protrusion 70f.

[0084] For this reason, for example, in a configuration in which gap 11 is formed in the vertical direction between fitting hole 65a and fitting projection 70f, when a load (load including a downward component) directed diagonally downward to the left is applied to the fitting portion between fitting hole 65a and fitting projection 70f, the fitting projection 70f (clip 9) is more likely to be allowed to fall out of fitting hole 65a by the amount of gap 11. Therefore, the above-mentioned load from the occupant makes it easier for fitting projection 70f (clip 9) to come out of fitting hole 65a.

[0085] Similarly, in a configuration in which a gap 11 is formed in the fore-and-aft direction between the fitting hole 63a and the fitting protrusion 70e, the load from the occupant as described above (a load directed diagonally rearward to the left and including a rearward component) also makes it easier for the fitting protrusion 70e (clip 9) to come off from the fitting hole 63a.

[0086] In contrast, in this embodiment, a gap 11 is formed between the fitting hole 65a and the fitting protrusion 70f in the front-to-rear direction (see the enlarged portion in FIG. 6). Furthermore, although not shown, a gap 11 is formed between the fitting hole 63a and the fitting protrusion 70e in the up-down direction (the direction of the arrow UD). This makes it difficult for the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f (clips 9) to come out of the fitting holes 63a, 65a even if a load from the occupant acts on the fitting portions between the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f. Therefore, the side finisher 7 can be stably fixed to the mounting bracket 6.

[0087] The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it can be easily inferred that various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the operating lever 5 is inclined outward in the left-right direction as it approaches the front end, but the operating lever 5 may also extend linearly in the front-rear direction.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the lateral guide surface 62a and the upper guide surface 64a that guide the sliding of the guide protrusion 70d are described as being formed on the front side of the guide groove 68, but either or both of the lateral guide surface 62a and the upper guide surface 64a may be omitted.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an inclined surface 65c is formed on the front side of the fitting hole 65a, and an inclined surface 70h is formed on the rear side of the insertion groove 70g, but these inclined surfaces 65c and 70h may be omitted.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the case where the low-rigidity region R1 is formed, which has lower rigidity against bending in the left-right direction than the region R2 where the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed, has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the rigidity of each of the regions R1, R2 may be the same, or the rigidity of the region R2 where the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f are formed may be higher than that of the region R1.

[0092] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the left-right direction is restricted when the hanging portion 66 (rear end portion of the guide groove 68) is inserted into the insertion groove 70g. That is, a case has been described in which the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the left-right direction is not restricted in the initial stage of sliding of the guide protrusion 70d in the guide groove 68, but this is not necessarily limited to this.

[0093] For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the displacement of the side finisher 7 in the left-right direction begins to be restricted at the same time as the guide protrusion 70d starts to be inserted into the guide groove 68. One example of such a configuration is a configuration in which walls are formed that protrude upward and downward from the guide protrusion 70d, and the walls are hooked onto the inner edges of the guide groove 68 in the left-right direction (the inner surfaces of the upper guide portion 64 and the lower guide portion 67).

[0094] Also, for example, a groove (a portion corresponding to the insertion groove 70g) may be formed on the mounting bracket 6 side, while an insertion piece (a portion corresponding to the hanging portion 66) to be inserted into the groove may be formed on the side finisher 7 side, and the left-right displacement of the side finisher 7 may be regulated by engagement between the groove and the insertion piece.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the clip 9 including the insertion portion 90 and the claw portion 91 is attached to the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a claw (a protrusion corresponding to the claw portion 91) formed integrally with the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f is hooked into the fitting holes 63a, 65a. In this configuration, the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f themselves correspond to the "insertion portion" inserted into the fitting holes 63a, 65a.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion 70e has the claw portion 91 protruding in the front-rear direction (first direction) and the fitting protrusion 70f has the claw portion 91 protruding in a different vertical direction (second direction). However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, one of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f may be omitted, or another fitting protrusion (fitting hole) may be added to the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f. Furthermore, the claw portions 91 of the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f may protrude in a direction inclined relative to the front-rear direction or the vertical direction, or the protruding directions of the claw portions 91 of the fitting protrusions 70e and 70f may be the same.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the gap 11 between the fitting holes 63a, 65a and the fitting protrusions 70e, 70f is formed in different directions, i.e., the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction, but a configuration without such a gap 11 is also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Vehicle seat 2 cushion frames 20 Side frame 5 Operating lever 6 Mounting bracket 62a Horizontal guide surface (guide surface) 63a Fitting hole (first fitting hole) 65a Mating hole (second mating hole) 65b Outer surface of fitting portion (first surface) 65c Sloped surface (2nd surface) 66 Hanging part (rear end of guide groove) 68 Guide groove 7 Side Finisher 70c insertion hole 70d guide protrusion 70e Fitting protrusion (1st fitting protrusion) 70f Fitting protrusion (second fitting protrusion) 70g insertion groove 70h slope 90 Insertion section 91 Claw 11 Gap R1 Low rigidity region R2 Area where the mating protrusion is formed

Claims

1. The seat cushion comprises a side frame provided on the cushion frame and extending in the front-rear direction, an operating lever provided on a lateral side of the side frame and operated by an occupant, and a side finisher having an insertion hole into which the operating lever is inserted and covering a side surface of the side frame, the side finisher includes a guide protrusion and a fitting protrusion that protrude toward the side frame and are formed forward of the insertion hole, The side frame is formed with a guide groove extending in the front-rear direction, into which the guide protrusion is slidably inserted from an opening on the front end side, and a fitting hole into which the fitting protrusion is fitted from a lateral side, the guide protrusion restricts displacement of the side finisher in the up-down direction and the left-right direction at least at the end position of the slide toward the rear end side of the guide groove; The vehicle seat is characterized in that the guide protrusion is formed rearward of the fitting protrusion.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever is inclined outward in the left-right direction toward the front end.

3. a guide surface extending in the front-rear direction and facing the side finisher on the front side of the guide groove is formed on the side frame side; 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface can restrict the displacement of the guide protrusion toward the inside in the left-right direction when the guide protrusion slides toward the rear end side of the guide groove.

4. The side frame is formed with a first surface in which the fitting hole is formed, and a second surface that is connected to a front edge of the first surface and inclined inward in the left-right direction as it moves away from the first surface to the front side, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the fitting projection can slide along the second surface when the guide projection slides toward the rear end of the guide groove.

5. An insertion groove is formed on the rear surface of the guide protrusion, the insertion groove penetrating the guide protrusion in the vertical direction and into which the rear end of the guide groove is inserted; 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of the insertion groove is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined so as to increase the width of the insertion groove in the left-right direction toward the rear.

6. The side finisher is formed with a low-rigidity region having lower rigidity against bending in the left-right direction than the region where the fitting protrusion is formed, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity region is formed between the guide projection and the fitting projection.

7. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket attached to a side surface of the side frame, the mounting bracket having the guide groove and the fitting hole formed therein.

8. the fitting protrusion includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the fitting hole, and a claw portion that protrudes from the insertion portion in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and is hooked onto an inner side of the fitting hole in the left-right direction, In the protruding direction of the claw portion, the displacement of the side finisher is restricted by the engagement between the fitting hole and the insertion portion, while in the direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the claw portion and the left-right direction, a gap is formed between the fitting hole and the insertion portion, the fitting hole is composed of at least a first fitting hole and a second fitting hole, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the engaging protrusion is at least composed of a first engaging protrusion having the claw portion protruding in a first direction and being fitted into the first engaging hole, and a second engaging protrusion having the claw portion protruding in a second direction different from the first direction and being fitted into the second engaging hole.

9. the first fitting protrusion is formed on the front end side of the side finisher, the second fitting protrusion is formed rearward and above the first fitting protrusion, the gap between the first fitting hole and the first fitting protrusion is formed in the vertical direction, 9. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the gap between the second fitting hole and the second fitting projection is formed in the front-rear direction.

Images