Vehicle seat

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle seat capable of suppressing a decrease in supporting force for a seated occupant at both outer ends of a seat cushion in a seat width direction even when a thickness of a cushion pad is reduced.SOLUTION: A support member 20 that is formed in a frame shape having a front side connecting portion 22 and a rear side connecting portion 24 that extend in the seat width direction, and a left side connecting portion 26 and a right side connecting portion 28 that extend in the front-rear direction and connect both seat width direction outer end portions of the front side connecting portion 22 and both seat width direction outer end portions of the rear side connecting portion 24, and that spans between a front side connecting portion 16 and a rear side connecting portion 18 of a seat cushion frame 12; A left side connection part 26 and a right side connection part 28 of the support member 20 are arranged outside in the seat width direction of the plurality of spring members 30, and have a support plate 40 for supporting both outside end parts in the seat width direction of the cushion pad.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Vehicle seats equipped with a stabilizer that links the right first spring and right second spring on the right side and the left first spring and left second spring on the left side on the rear side of the seat cushion have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-64574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The seat cushion is provided with a plurality of spring members extending in the front-rear direction of the seat and aligned in the seat width direction. The cushion pad of the seat cushion is supported from the underside of the seat by the plurality of spring members. However, when the cushion pad is thin, as in the case of vehicle seats for electric vehicles and the like, the spring members supporting the cushion pad are not arranged on both sides of the seat cushion (both outer ends in the seat width direction), and this reduces the support force of the seat cushion on both sides for the seated occupant.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction even if the thickness of the cushion pad is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is formed in a frame shape having a front connecting portion and a rear connecting portion extending in the seat width direction, and a left connecting portion and a right connecting portion extending in the seat fore-and-aft direction and connecting both outer end portions of the front connecting portion in the seat width direction to both outer end portions of the rear connecting portion in the seat width direction, respectively, and is equipped with a support member spanning between the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion of a seat cushion frame, and a plurality of spring members spanning between the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion of the support member and aligned in the seat width direction, wherein the left connecting portion and the right connecting portion of the support member are each arranged outside the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction, and have support plates that support both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from the underside of the seat.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, a frame-shaped support member having a front connecting portion, a rear connecting portion, a left connecting portion, and a right connecting portion is bridged between the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame, and the left connecting portion and the right connecting portion of the support member are each arranged outside the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction and have support plates that support both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from below the seat. Therefore, even if the thickness of the cushion pad is reduced, a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction is suppressed.

[0008] A second aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, wherein the support plate is inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the invention, the support plates are inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the seat front-rear direction, so that both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction are more effectively supported by the support plates than when the support plates are not inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the seat front-rear direction.

[0010] Furthermore, a third aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is a vehicle seat according to the first or second aspect, wherein the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame is formed in a circular cross section with the seat width direction as the axial direction, and the rear connecting portion of the support member is fitted into the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame from above the seat and is movable circumferentially of the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, the rear connecting portion of the support member is fitted from above the seat to the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame, which has a circular cross section with its axial direction aligned with the seat width direction, and is movable in the circumferential direction of the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame. Therefore, even if the seat cushion frame is provided with a lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism, the operation of the lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism is not hindered by the support member.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is a vehicle seat of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the rear ends of the plurality of spring members are fitted into the rear connecting portion of the support member from above the seat and are movable in the circumferential direction of the rear connecting portion of the support member.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the rear ends of the spring members are fitted to the rear connecting portion of the support member from above the seat and are movable in the circumferential direction of the rear connecting portion of the support member. Therefore, even if a lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism is provided on the seat cushion frame, the operation of the lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism is not hindered by the spring members.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is a vehicle seat according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the rear ends of the plurality of spring members are integrally molded and attached to a resin base member whose longitudinal direction is the seat width direction.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the rear ends of the spring members are integrally molded and attached to a resin base member whose longitudinal direction is the seat width direction, which makes it easy to attach the rear ends of the spring members to the rear connecting portions of the support member.

[0016] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is a vehicle seat according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the front connecting portion of the support member is engaged or fitted to the front connecting portion of the seat cushion frame from above the seat.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the front connecting portion of the support member is engaged with or fitted to the front connecting portion of the seat cushion frame from above the seat, which makes it easy to attach the support member to the seat cushion frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, even if the thickness of the cushion pad is reduced, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a support member of the vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a support member of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are mentioned, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0021] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment has a seat cushion frame 12. The seat cushion frame 12 has a pair of left and right metallic side frames 14, a metallic front panel 16 as a front connecting portion installed between the front ends of the side frames 14, and a metallic cylindrical (circular in cross section) rear pipe 18 as a rear connecting portion installed between the rear ends of the side frames 14 with the seat width direction as its axial direction.

[0022] The pair of left and right side frames 14 are formed as generally rectangular flat plates with their longitudinal direction aligned with the front-to-rear direction of the seat in a side view, and are formed symmetrically. The front panel 16 is formed as a generally rectangular flat plate with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction of the seat in a plan view. A slit portion (not shown) of a predetermined width serving as an engaging portion with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction of the seat is formed at the rear end of the front panel 16.

[0023] The vehicle seat 10 also has a resin support member 20 that is bridged between the front panel 16 and rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12. The support member 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape that has a front connecting portion 22 and a rear connecting portion 24 that extend in the seat width direction, and a left connecting portion 26 and a right connecting portion 28 that extend in the seat front-rear direction and connect both outer end portions of the front connecting portion 22 and the rear connecting portion 24 in the seat width direction, respectively.

[0024] A locking plate 22A having a generally rectangular flat plate shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the seat width direction is integrally formed at the front end of the front connecting portion 22 of the support member 20, and the plate thickness of the locking plate 22A is the same as or slightly thinner than the width of the slit portion formed at the rear end of the front panel 16. A plurality of (for example, four) ribs 22B with their longitudinal direction aligned in the up-down direction are integrally formed at the front surface of the locking plate 22A at predetermined intervals (for example, at equal intervals) in the seat width direction.

[0025] This locking plate 22A is inserted from above into a slit formed at the rear end of the front panel 16 (the rib 22B portion is pressed in) and locked, thereby attaching the front connecting portion 22 of the support member 20 to the front panel 16 of the seat cushion frame 12.

[0026] Furthermore, a plurality of (e.g., three equally spaced) locked portions 22C are formed at predetermined intervals in the seat width direction on the upper surface of the front connecting portion 22 of the support member 20. The locked portions 22C are formed in a hook shape (approximately an inverted "L" shape when viewed from the seat width direction) so that front end portions (one end portions) 30A of a plurality of (e.g., three) spring members 30 described below can be inserted from the left and right and locked.

[0027] The rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 is formed with a generally semicircular cross section, and is adapted to be fitted from above onto the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12. This allows the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 to move (slide) in the circumferential direction of the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12 when a lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism, which will be described later, is activated. Note that a front end portion of the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 is formed with a plurality of (e.g., three) generally rectangular cutouts 24A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in a plan view so as to allow rear portions of the spring members 30 to move (slide).

[0028] The vehicle seat 10 also has a plurality of (e.g., three) linear spring members 30 that span between the front connecting portion 22 and the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20. The spring members 30 are made of metal and are arranged side by side in the seat width direction so as to be positioned on the same plane. The front end portions 30A of the spring members 30 are inserted from the left and right into the respective latched portions 22C formed on the front connecting portion 22 of the support member 20 and latched thereto.

[0029] The rear end (other end) 30B of each spring member 30 is integrally molded and attached to a resin base member 32 whose longitudinal direction is the seat width direction. The base member 32 is formed in a generally semicircular arc cross section whose length in the seat width direction is shorter than the length in the seat width direction of the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20, and the rear end 30B of the spring member 30 is integrally attached to both end portions (one end and the other end) and the center portion of the base member 32 in the seat width direction.

[0030] In other words, the base member 32 is configured to collectively hold the rear end portions 30B of the spring members 30, and is fitted from above into the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20. This allows the base member 32 (the rear end portions 30B of the spring members 30) to move (slide) in the circumferential direction of the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20, and when a lifter mechanism or tilt mechanism (described later) is activated, the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 and the base member 32 can each move (slide) individually in the circumferential direction.

[0031] Further, a bent portion 34 is formed in the middle of each spring member 30, which is bent in a generally "S" shape or a generally inverted "S" shape in a plan view. This allows at least the middle portion of each spring member 30 (the portion where the bent portion 34 is formed) to be stably elastically deformable. In other words, the plurality of spring members 30 configured in this manner elastically supports, from below, a cushion pad (not shown) which constitutes the seat cushion together with the seat cushion frame 12 and the support member 20.

[0032] Additionally, a metal wire member 36 of a predetermined diameter extending in the seat width direction is attached to the underside of the bent portion 34 of each spring member 30. The wire member 36 is formed in a generally rectangular frame shape with the seat width direction as the longitudinal direction in a plan view, and a front end 36A and a rear end 36B thereof are attached to the front end 34A and the rear end 34B of each bent portion 34, respectively, by clip members 38 formed with a generally C-shaped cross section. The wire member 36 functions as a stabilizer that synchronizes the multiple spring members 30, and is used to suppress lateral movement of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0033] In addition, the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 are arranged outside the spring members 30 on both the left and right sides in the seat width direction and inside the side frames 14 in the seat width direction, and each has an integral support plate 40 that supports both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from below.

[0034] The left and right support plates 40 are generally rectangular flat plates with the longitudinal direction in a plan view, are formed symmetrically, and are inclined at a predetermined angle so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. This allows each support plate 40 to effectively support both outer ends of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from below. In other words, each support plate 40 is configured to apply a reaction force to a load acting downward.

[0035] Note that a plurality of (e.g., five) reinforcing plates 26A and reinforcing plates 28A, each having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape with the front-to-rear direction as its normal direction, are integrally formed at predetermined intervals (e.g., equal intervals) in the front-to-rear direction at the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 on the lower side of each support plate 40, so that each support plate 40 can be reinforced from below (see FIG. 3). Also, a substantially rectangular cutout 40A of a predetermined size is formed at the inner end of each support plate 40 in the seat width direction so that the outer end 36C of the wire member 36 in the seat width direction does not come into contact with the reinforcing plates 26A and reinforcing plates 28A.

[0036] Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0037] As described above, the frame-shaped support member 20 having the front connecting portion 22, the rear connecting portion 24, the left connecting portion 26, and the right connecting portion 28 is bridged between the front panel 16 and the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12. The left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 are each disposed outside the plurality of spring members 30 in the seat width direction, and have support plates 40 that support both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from below.

[0038] Therefore, even if the thickness of the cushion pad that constitutes the seat cushion becomes thin (for example, even if it becomes 50 mm), each support plate 40 can suppress a decrease in the support force for the seated occupant at both outer ends of the seat cushion in the seat width direction.

[0039] In particular, since each support plate 40 is inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, both outer ends of the cushion pad in the seat width direction can be supported more effectively by each support plate 40 than when each support plate 40 is not inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction.

[0040] Furthermore, each support plate 40 is configured to be provided independently of each spring member 30 and wire member 36. Therefore, there is no problem of being affected by the bending deformation of each spring member 30 by a seated occupant (such as moving together with each spring member 30), and the load applied to the outer end of the cushion pad in the seat width direction can be effectively and stably received.

[0041] In other words, even if a load is applied downward to the outer end of the cushion pad in the seat width direction when the seated occupant in the vehicle seat 10 sways (sways side to side) to either the left or right, the outer end of the cushion pad in the seat width direction is effectively supported by the support plate 40, and therefore a reaction force can be effectively applied to the load, and the feeling of wobbling (the so-called bouncy feeling) and shaking in the vertical direction of the seated occupant can be effectively suppressed.

[0042] In addition, the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 is fitted into the rear pipe 18 from above, allowing it to move (slide) circumferentially around the rear pipe 18, and the base member 32 that holds the rear ends 30B of the multiple spring members 30 together is fitted into the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 from above, allowing it to move (slide) circumferentially around the rear connecting portion 24.

[0043] Therefore, even if the seat cushion frame 12 is provided with a lifter mechanism or a tilt mechanism (both not shown), the operation of the lifter mechanism or the tilt mechanism is not hindered by the support member 20 and the plurality of spring members 30. Furthermore, when attaching the rear end portions 30B of the plurality of spring members 30 to the rear connecting portions 24 of the support member 20, the base member 30 can be gripped and attached, which makes the attachment work easier and improves the ease of assembly.

[0044] Furthermore, the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 is fitted and attached to the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12 from above, and the front connecting portion 22 of the support member 20 is inserted and engaged from above into a slit formed in the front panel 16 of the seat cushion frame 12. Therefore, the work of attaching the support member 20 to the seat cushion frame 12 can be easily performed, improving the ease of assembly.

[0045] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0046] 4 to 6, in the vehicle seat 10 according to the second embodiment, the shape of the front connecting portion of the seat cushion frame 12 and the shape of the support member 20 are different from those of the first embodiment. The front connecting portion of the seat cushion frame 12 in this second embodiment is not a front panel 16 but a cylindrical (circular in cross section) front pipe 17 whose axial direction is the seat width direction.

[0047] In the second embodiment, a fitting portion 23A having a substantially semicircular cross section with the seat width direction as its longitudinal direction is integrally formed at the front end of the front connecting portion 23 of the support member 20, and the fitting portion 23A is configured to be fitted and attached to the front pipe 17 from above. Note that a plurality of (for example, three) locked portions 23B are formed on the upper surface of the front connecting portion 23, into which the front end portions 30A of the spring members 30 are inserted from the left and right and locked.

[0048] Furthermore, each support plate 40 in the second embodiment is also inclined at a predetermined angle so as to face upward and inward in the seat width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction, but no notch 40A is formed in each support plate 40 in this second embodiment. In other words, even if no notch 40A is formed at the inner end portion in the seat width direction of each support plate 40 in this second embodiment, the support plate 40 is configured so that the outer end portion 36C in the seat width direction of the wire member 36 does not come into contact with the inner end portion in the seat width direction.

[0049] Furthermore, a plurality of substantially flat reinforcing plates 26A and reinforcing plates 28A, each normal to the front-to-rear direction, are integrally formed with the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 in the second embodiment, enabling reinforcement of each support plate 40 (see FIG. 6). The reinforcing plates 26A and reinforcing plates 28A in the second embodiment are formed at the front and rear of the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28, respectively, on the inner side in the seat width direction.

[0050] Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. Note that the explanation of the same operations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0051] As described above, the frame-shaped support member 20 having the front connecting portion 22, the rear connecting portion 24, the left connecting portion 26, and the right connecting portion 28 is bridged between the front pipe 17 and the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12. The left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 are each disposed outside the plurality of spring members 30 in the seat width direction, and have support plates 40 that support both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from below.

[0052] Therefore, even if the thickness of the cushion pad that constitutes the seat cushion becomes thin (for example, even if it becomes 50 mm), each support plate 40 can suppress a decrease in the support force for the seated occupant at both outer ends of the seat cushion in the seat width direction.

[0053] In the second embodiment, the rear connecting portion 24 of the support member 20 is fitted from above onto the rear pipe 18 of the seat cushion frame 12 and attached, and the front connecting portion 23 (fitting portion 23A) of the support member 20 is fitted from above onto the front pipe 17 of the seat cushion frame 12. Therefore, the work of attaching the support member 20 to the seat cushion frame 12 can be made even easier than in the first embodiment, and the ease of assembly can be further improved.

[0054] While the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings and can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the wire members 36 may be joined to the bent portions 34 of the spring members 30 by welding, adhesive, or the like, instead of by the clip members 38.

[0055] Furthermore, the shapes of the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 of the support member 20 may be configured to include a plurality of wire members (not shown). That is, the support member 20 may be integrally molded from a resin material by setting a pair of left and right wire members extending in the front-to-rear direction in a mold, and the plurality of wire members becoming the left connecting portion 26 and the right connecting portion 28 each having a support plate 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Vehicle seats 12 Seat cushion frame 16 Front panel (front connection part) 17 Front pipe (front connection part) 18 Rear pipe (rear connection part) 20 Support member 22 Front connection part 24 Rear connection part 26 Left side connection part 28 Right side connection part 30 Spring member 40 Support Plate

Claims

1. a support member formed in a frame shape having a front connecting portion and a rear connecting portion extending in the seat width direction, and a left connecting portion and a right connecting portion extending in the seat front-rear direction and connecting both outer end ends of the front connecting portion in the seat width direction and both outer end ends of the rear connecting portion in the seat width direction, respectively, the support member being bridged between the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame; a plurality of spring members that are arranged in a seat width direction and span between the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion of the support member; Equipped with The vehicle seat has a support plate in which the left connecting portion and the right connecting portion of the support member are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction, and which supports both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction from the underside of the seat.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support plate is inclined so as to face inward and upward in the seat width direction when viewed from the seat front-rear direction.

3. The rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame is formed to have a circular cross section with its axial direction aligned in the seat width direction, 3. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rear connecting portion of the support member is fitted into the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame from above the seat and is movable circumferentially of the rear connecting portion of the seat cushion frame.

4. 3. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rear ends of the plurality of spring members are fitted into the rear connecting portion of the support member from above the seat and are movable in a circumferential direction of the rear connecting portion of the support member.

5. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein rear ends of the plurality of spring members are integrally molded and attached to a resin base member having a longitudinal direction aligned with the seat width direction.

6. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the front connecting portion of the support member is engaged with or fitted to the front connecting portion of the seat cushion frame from above the seat.

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