Hinge cover assembly and vehicle seat

Abstract

To prevent or suppress whitening discoloration of a resin constituting a hinge cover.SOLUTION: The hinge cover assembly 30 includes the resin hinge cover 32 that covers the side frame 18 of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat from the seat width direction outer side and includes the frame coupling portion 36 extending toward the seat width direction inner side, the coupling claw 38 formed at the leading end portion of the frame coupling portion 36 being inserted into the coupling hole 22 formed in the side frame 18, the switch unit 50 attached to the seat width direction inner side of the hinge cover 32 and disposed between the side frame 18 and the hinge cover 32, and the resin reinforcement plate 70 attached to the seat width direction inner side of the hinge cover 32, disposed between the frame coupling portion 36 and the switch unit 50, and supporting the frame coupling portion 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a hinge cover assembly that covers a side frame of a seat cushion. [Background technology]

[0002] In the vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the side frames of the seat cushion are covered from the outside in the seat width direction by a resin reclining cover (hinge cover). A resin base cover is attached to the inside of the hinge cover in the seat width direction. This base cover covers the inside of the seat width direction a switching unit attached to the inside of the hinge cover in the seat width direction. This base cover is provided with a tapping fixing portion that is screwed to the side frame. This allows the side frame to support the input load to the hinge cover via the base cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-51709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described prior art, the input load to the hinge cover is concentrated at the tapping fixing portion of the base cover, which may cause the resin of the hinge cover to deform around the tapping fixing portion, resulting in whitening and discoloration.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge cover assembly and a vehicle seat that can prevent or suppress whitening and discoloration of the resin that constitutes the hinge cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hinge cover assembly of the first aspect includes a resin hinge cover that covers the side frame of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat from the outside in the seat width direction and has a frame connecting portion that extends inward in the seat width direction, with connecting claws formed at the tip of the frame connecting portion being inserted into connecting holes formed in the side frame, an electrical component that is attached to the inside of the hinge cover in the seat width direction and is arranged between the side frame and the hinge cover, and a resin reinforcing member that is attached to the inside of the hinge cover in the seat width direction, is arranged between the frame connecting portion and the electrical component, and supports the frame connecting portion.

[0007] In a first aspect of the hinge cover assembly, a side frame of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat is covered from the seat width direction outer side by a resin hinge cover. This hinge cover has a frame connecting portion extending inward in the seat width direction, and a connecting claw formed at the tip of the frame connecting portion is inserted into a connecting hole formed in the side frame. An electrical component attached to the seat width direction inner side of the hinge cover is disposed between the side frame and the hinge cover. A resin reinforcing member attached to the seat width direction inner side of the hinge cover is disposed between the frame connecting portion of the hinge cover and the electrical component. Because this reinforcing member supports the frame connecting portion, it is possible to prevent input loads to the hinge cover from concentrating around the frame connecting portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress deformation and whitening of a portion of the resin of the hinge cover around the frame connecting portion.

[0008] The hinge cover assembly of the second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, in that the frame connection portion extends inward in the seat width direction above the seat from the electrical component, and the tip portion is bent toward the seat below the seat on the seat width direction inside the electrical component, and the reinforcing member engages with the frame connection portion from the seat below and outside in the seat width direction.

[0009] In the hinge cover assembly of the second aspect, the frame connecting portion of the hinge cover is configured as described above, and the reinforcing member engages with the frame connecting portion from below the seat and from outside in the seat width direction, which effectively prevents deformation of the frame connecting portion below the seat and outside in the seat width direction.

[0010] The hinge cover assembly of the third aspect is the first or second aspect, wherein the reinforcing member has a plurality of vertical ribs extending in the up-and-down direction of the seat and aligned in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, and a horizontal rib extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat and connecting the plurality of vertical ribs in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, and the plurality of vertical ribs and the horizontal ribs are engaged with the frame connection portion.

[0011] In the hinge cover assembly of the third aspect, the reinforcing member has a plurality of vertical ribs and horizontal ribs that engage with the frame connecting portion of the hinge cover. Because the reinforcing member has a plurality of vertical ribs and horizontal ribs, the frame connecting portion can be effectively reinforced while reducing the weight of the reinforcing member.

[0012] The hinge cover assembly of the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, and includes a harness extending from the front end of the electrical component, and the reinforcing member has integrally therewith a harness cover portion that covers a portion of the harness from the inside in the seat width direction.

[0013] In the hinge cover assembly of the fourth aspect, a portion of the harness extending from the front end of the electrical component is covered from the inside in the seat width direction by a harness cover portion integrally provided on the reinforcing member. In this way, since the harness cover portion is provided on the reinforcing member, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the reinforcing member and the harness cover portion are separate.

[0014] A vehicle seat of the fifth aspect includes a seat cushion on which a vehicle occupant sits, a seat back that supports the back of the occupant, and a hinge cover assembly of any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the side frame of the seat cushion is covered from the outside in the seat width direction with the hinge cover.

[0015] In the vehicle seat of the fifth aspect, the back of an occupant seated on a seat cushion is supported by the seat back. The side frames of the seat cushion are covered from the outer sides in the seat width direction by hinge covers provided in a hinge cover assembly. This hinge cover assembly is one of the first to fourth aspects, and therefore the above-mentioned effects can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, in the hinge cover assembly and vehicle seat according to the present invention, whitening and discoloration of the resin that constitutes the hinge cover can be prevented or suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the hinge cover assembly and the side frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge cover assembly and the side frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge cover assembly according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge cover assembly and the side frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F6-F6 in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge cover assembly and the side frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F8-F8 in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a part of the hinge cover assembly according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 10 with the reinforcing plate removed. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing a portion of the hinge cover. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view showing a portion of the hinge cover. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing a reinforcing plate. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view showing the reinforcing plate. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge cover assembly and a side frame according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of a hinge cover assembly according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of a hinge cover assembly according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] First Embodiment A vehicle seat 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR, LH, RH, and UP, which are appropriately shown in each figure, respectively indicate the front, left, right, and top of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions are used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle seat 10.

[0019] 1, a vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment includes a seat cushion 12 on which a vehicle occupant sits, a seatback 14 that supports the back of the occupant, a headrest 16 that supports the head of the occupant, and a hinge cover assembly 30. This vehicle seat 10 is, for example, a front seat located on the left side of the front part of the vehicle compartment. When this vehicle seat 10 is located on the right side of the front part of the vehicle compartment, for example, it will have a configuration that is symmetrical to that of this embodiment.

[0020] 2 and 3, a cushion frame including the side frames 18, a cushion pad 24 (see FIG. 1) attached to the cushion frame, and a trim cover 26 (see FIG. 1) covering the cushion pad 24. The cushion pad 24 is made of a foam such as urethane foam, and the trim cover 26 is made into a bag shape by sewing together multiple skin pieces made of, for example, cloth, leather, synthetic leather, or the like.

[0021] The cushion frame has a pair of left and right side frames 18 (the right side frame 18 is not shown), a front frame (not shown) that connects the front portions of the left and right side frames 18 in the left-right direction, and a rear frame (not shown) that connects the rear portions of the left and right side frames 18 in the left-right direction. The left and right side frames 18 and the front frame are made of, for example, press-formed metal plate material, and the rear frame is made of, for example, metal pipe material. A back frame (not shown) that forms the framework of the seat back 14 is connected to the rear portions of the left and right side frames 18 via a reclining mechanism (not shown).

[0022] The hinge cover assembly 30 is disposed on the left side of the seat cushion 12. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the hinge cover assembly 30 includes a hinge cover 32, a switch unit 50 which is an electrical component, a harness 62 connected to the switch unit 50, a harness cover 66, and a reinforcing plate 70 which is a reinforcing member.

[0023] The hinge cover 32 is manufactured by, for example, resin injection molding and has an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction. The hinge cover 32 is attached to the left side frame 18 and covers the left side frame 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "side frame 18") and the reclining mechanism from the outer side in the seat width direction (here, the left side).

[0024] A frame insertion portion 34 into which the insertion piece 20 formed on the front end of the side frame 18 is inserted is provided on the inner surface in the seat width direction (here, the right side surface) of the front end of the hinge cover 32. A hole (not shown) that opens toward the rear side is formed in this frame insertion portion 34, and the insertion piece 20 is inserted into this hole.

[0025] A frame connecting portion 36 extending inward in the seat width direction (here, to the right side) is provided on the inner surface in the seat width direction (here, the right side surface) of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the hinge cover 32. A connecting claw 38 is formed at the tip of the frame connecting portion 36 and is inserted into a connecting hole 22 formed in the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the side frame 18.

[0026] A switch unit 50 is attached to the inner surface in the seat width direction of the hinge cover 32 at the front-rear direction intermediate portion below the frame connecting portion 36. The switch unit 50 has a long switch case 52 whose longitudinal direction is in the front-rear direction. The switch case 52 is fixed to the hinge cover 32 with a plurality of screws 54 (three in this case). A plurality of switches (three in this case) not shown are provided inside the switch case 52. These switches are configured to be turned on and off by operating knobs 56, 58, and 60 shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] A connector 64 provided at one end of a harness 62 is connected to the front end of the switch case 52. The harness 62 extends forward from the front end of the switch case 52 (i.e., the switch unit 50) and then extends inward in the seat width direction (here, to the right). An intermediate portion of the harness 62 is fastened to the hinge cover 32 by harness retaining portions 33, 35 formed on the right side surface of the front portion of the hinge cover 32.

[0028] 4 to 6, the front end of the switch case 52, the connector 64, and one end of the harness 62 are covered from the right side (inside in the seat width direction) by a harness cover 66. This harness cover 66 is a cover for preventing the harness 62 from being damaged or broken when the hinge cover assembly 30 is assembled to the side frame 18. This harness cover 66 is manufactured by, for example, resin injection molding, and is disposed on the right side of the front of the hinge cover 32. This harness cover 66 is fixed to the hinge cover 32 using a plurality of screws 68 (two in this case).

[0029] The harness cover 66 is disposed between the front end of the side frame 18 and the front portion of the hinge cover 32. As shown in FIG. 6 , a bent portion 21 bent to the right (inward in the seat width direction) is formed at the lower end of the front end of the side frame 18. This bent portion 21 has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens to the right when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. A long hole 23, elongated in the front-to-rear direction, is formed at the left end of this bent portion 21. The lower portion of the harness cover 66 is fitted into this long hole 23. As a result, the front portion of the hinge cover 32 is supported by the side frame 18 via the harness cover 66.

[0030] 3, 4, and 7 to 9, a reinforcing plate 70 is disposed between the frame connecting portion 36 of the hinge cover 32 and the switch unit 50. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the frame connecting portion 36 extends rightward from the right side surface of the hinge cover 32 above the switch unit 50, and a tip portion 36A bends downwardly on the right side of the switch unit 50.

[0031] The base end 36B of the frame connecting portion 36 is disposed above the switch unit 50, and the tip end 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 is disposed to the right (inner in the seat width direction) of the switch unit 50. The tip end 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 extends diagonally downward and to the right, and then extends downward again. A plurality of vertical ribs 40 and horizontal ribs 42 formed on the right side of the hinge cover 32 are directly or indirectly connected to the base end 36B of the frame connecting portion 36, and these ribs 40, 42 reinforce the frame connecting portion 36.

[0032] 11 and 12, the frame connecting portion 36 has a plurality of (three in this example) vertical walls 46 aligned in the front-rear direction, and a connecting wall 48 that connects the upper ends and inner ends in the seat width direction of the three vertical walls 46 in the front-rear direction, and has a substantially E-shaped cross section. A tip end 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 is provided with a connecting claw 38 that protrudes toward the right side.

[0033] The connecting claw 38 is generally box-shaped and opens to the right, with its right end (tip) pointed when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The connecting claw 38 is inserted from the left side into the connecting hole 22 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) formed in the side frame 18. An elastically deformable claw portion 39 is provided on the underside of the connecting claw 38, and the claw portion 39 is hooked on the edge of the connecting hole 22 from the right side. This prevents the connecting claw 38 from coming out of the connecting hole 22.

[0034] The reinforcing plate 70, which is disposed between the frame connecting portion 36 and the switch unit 50, is manufactured by, for example, resin injection molding. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the reinforcing plate 70 has a generally plate-shaped plate body 72 whose thickness is in the left-right direction. A plurality of (six in this example) vertical ribs 74 that protrude to the right are formed on the right side of the plate body 72. The multiple vertical ribs 74 extend in the up-down direction and are aligned at intervals in the front-to-rear direction.

[0035] The upper portions of the two front vertical ribs 74 and the upper portions of the two rear vertical ribs 74 are each connected in the front-to-rear direction by two upper and lower horizontal ribs 76. The horizontal ribs 76 extend in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged at intervals in the up-and-down direction. The upper portions of the four central vertical ribs 74 in the front-to-rear direction are connected in the front-to-rear direction by a horizontal rib 78 that also extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] The plate body 72 has mounting pieces 80 formed at both front and rear ends of its upper end, protruding upward, and mounting pieces 80 formed at both front and rear ends of its lower end, protruding downward. Each mounting piece 80 has a circular mounting hole 82. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, bosses 41 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) formed on the hinge cover 32 are inserted into the mounting hole 82 of the front mounting piece 80 at the upper end of the plate body 72 and the mounting hole 82 of the rear mounting piece 80 at the lower end of the plate body 72. Screws 84 are inserted into the mounting hole 82 of the rear mounting piece 80 at the upper end of the plate body 72 and the mounting hole 82 of the front mounting piece 80 at the lower end of the plate body 72. These screws 84 are threaded into screw holes 43 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) formed in the hinge cover 32. This secures the reinforcing plate 70 to the hinge cover 32. When the reinforcing plate 70 is fixed to the hinge cover 32, the reinforcing plate 70 is inserted between the frame connecting portion 36 and the switch unit 50 from below and fastened to the hinge cover 32 with screws.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, the upper part of the plate body 72 of the reinforcing plate 70 engages (contacts or closely faces) with the tip 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 of the hinge cover 32 from the left side (outside in the seat width direction). The horizontal rib 78 of the reinforcing plate 70 engages (contacts or closely faces) with the tip 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 from below. As shown in Fig. 9, the upper parts of the two vertical ribs 74 on the center side of the reinforcing plate 70 in the front-rear direction engage (contacts or closely faces) with the connecting wall 48 of the tip 36A of the frame connecting portion 36 from the left side. In this way, the reinforcing plate 70 engages with the frame connecting portion 36, so that the cantilevered frame connecting portion 36 is supported by the reinforcing plate 70.

[0038] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 is supported by the seat back 14. The side frames 18 of the seat cushion 12 are covered from the outer sides in the seat width direction by resin hinge covers 32 provided in the hinge cover assembly 30. The hinge covers 32 have frame connecting portions 36 extending inward in the seat width direction, and connecting claws 38 formed on tip ends 36A of the frame connecting portions 36 are inserted into connecting holes 22 formed in the side frames 18.

[0039] The switch unit 50, attached to the inner side of the hinge cover 32 in the seat width direction, is disposed between the side frame 18 and the hinge cover 32. A resin reinforcing plate 70, attached to the inner side of the hinge cover 32 in the seat width direction, is disposed between the frame connecting portion 36 of the hinge cover 32 and the switch unit 50. Because the frame connecting portion 36 is supported by this reinforcing plate 70, it is possible to prevent the input load to the hinge cover 32 from concentrating around the frame connecting portion 36. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress deformation and whitening / discoloration of part of the resin of the hinge cover 32 around the frame connecting portion 36.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the frame connecting portion 36 of the hinge cover 32 extends inward in the seat width direction above the switch unit 50, and the tip portion 36A is bent downward inside the switch unit 50 in the seat width direction. The reinforcing plate 70 engages with the frame connecting portion 36 from below and outside in the seat width direction. This effectively prevents the frame connecting portion 36 from deforming downward and outward in the seat width direction.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 70 has a plurality of vertical ribs 74 that extend in the up-down direction and are aligned in the front-rear direction, and horizontal ribs 78 that extend in the front-rear direction and connect the plurality of vertical ribs 74 in the front-rear direction, and the two plurality of vertical ribs 74 and horizontal rib 78 at the center in the front-rear direction are engaged with the frame connecting portion 36. Because the reinforcing plate 70 has a plurality of vertical ribs 74 and horizontal ribs 78 in this way, the frame connecting portion can be effectively reinforced while the weight of the reinforcing plate 70 is reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower portion of the harness cover 66 is fitted into the long hole 23 of the side frame 18, so that the front portion of the hinge cover 32 is supported by the side frame 18 via the harness cover 66. This allows the side frame 18 to receive the input load to the hinge cover 32 via the harness cover 66, thereby suppressing deformation of the resin that constitutes the hinge cover 32 and preventing or suppressing whitening and discoloration of the resin that accompanies such deformation.

[0043] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the configurations and operations that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 15 shows an exploded perspective view of a hinge cover assembly 90 and a side frame 18 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a portion of the hinge cover assembly 90 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the hinge cover assembly 90 according to the second embodiment, the reinforcing plate 70 has a harness cover portion 92 integrally formed therewith. This harness cover portion 92 covers the front end of the switch case 52, the connector 64, and one end of the harness 62 from the inside in the seat width direction. A fitting hole 94 is formed in the lower end of the front end of the harness cover portion 92, and fits into the elastically deformable claw portion 37 formed at the lower end of the frame insertion portion 34 of the hinge cover 32. This fitting locks the front end of the harness cover portion 92 to the hinge cover 32.

[0045] In this embodiment, the configuration other than that described above is the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, too, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, in this embodiment, the harness cover portion 92 is provided integrally with the reinforcing plate 70, so the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the reinforcing plate 70 and the harness cover portion 92 are separate.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above using two embodiments, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications within the scope of the gist thereof. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 18 Side frame 22 Connection hole 30 Hinge cover assembly 32 Hinge cover 36 Frame connection part 36A Tip 38 Connecting Claw 50 Switch unit (electrical parts) 62 Harness 70 Reinforcement plate 74 Vertical ribs 78 Horizontal rib 90 Hinge cover assembly 92 Harness cover

Claims

1. a resin hinge cover that covers a side frame of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat from the outer side in the seat width direction and has a frame connecting portion that extends toward the inner side in the seat width direction, and a connecting claw formed at a tip end of the frame connecting portion is inserted into a connecting hole formed in the side frame; an electrical component attached to the inner side of the hinge cover in the seat width direction and disposed between the side frame and the hinge cover; a resin reinforcing member attached to the hinge cover on the inner side in the seat width direction, disposed between the frame connecting portion and the electrical component, and supporting the frame connecting portion; A hinge cover assembly comprising:

2. the frame connecting portion extends inward in the seat width direction above the electrical component, and a tip portion thereof is bent inward in the seat width direction below the electrical component, 2. The hinge cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member engages with the frame connecting portion from below the seat and from outside in the seat width direction.

3. The reinforcing member is A plurality of vertical ribs extending in the seat up-down direction and aligned in the seat front-rear direction; a horizontal rib extending in the seat front-rear direction and connecting the plurality of vertical ribs in the seat front-rear direction; and 3. The hinge cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical ribs and the horizontal ribs are engaged with the frame connecting portion.

4. a harness extending from a front end of the electrical component; 3. The hinge cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has integrally therewith a harness cover portion that covers a part of the harness from the inner side in the seat width direction.

5. a seat cushion on which a vehicle occupant sits; a seat back that supports the back of the occupant; 3. The hinge cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the side frame of the seat cushion is covered from an outer side in a seat width direction by the hinge cover; A vehicle seat comprising:

Images