Vehicle seat and method of manufacturing the same

The vehicle seat design with a sheet-like cable support member and nonwoven fabric resin film allows for high freedom in arranging electrical devices and cables, preventing interference and reducing bulk, enhancing installation and maintenance efficiency.

JP2026023211APending Publication Date: 2026-02-13TS TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024125050
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-31
Publication Date
2026-02-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle seat designs face limitations in arranging electrical devices and cables due to interference with the synthetic material plate, reducing the degree of freedom in design and increasing the thickness of the seat cushion or seat back.

Method used

A vehicle seat configuration featuring a frame, pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable support member that supports cables without overlapping with device coupling portions, allowing for high freedom in arrangement and preventing interference by using openings and nonwoven fabric and resin film components.

Benefits of technology

This configuration enables efficient, non-bulky, and flexible cable support without interfering with electrical devices, allowing for easy installation and maintenance, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing production costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat having a high degree of freedom of arrangement of a member for supporting an electric device and a cable.SOLUTION: The seat includes a pressure receiving member 21 supported by a frame 20 and supporting a seated person, a vibration generator 40 provided on the pressure receiving member 21, and a sheet-like cable support member 52 provided on the pressure receiving member 21 and supporting a cable 50 connected to the vibration generator 40. The pressure receiving member 21 has a wire 31 attached to the frame 20 and a plate 32 supported by the wire 31, the vibration generating device 40 is coupled to a device-coupling part 43 provided at the 32B of one surface of the plate 32, and the cable supporting member 52 is provided at the 32B of one surface of the plate 32 so as not to overlap the device-coupling part 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a vehicle seat in which electric wires for supplying power to an electrical device incorporated in the vehicle seat or transmitting electric signals are attached to a spring structure of the seat cushion (for example, see Patent Document 1). The spring structure has a synthetic material plate in which the electric wires are embedded by insert molding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-137066 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is preferable to arrange the synthetic material plate so as to avoid interference with the electrical device so as not to increase the thickness of the seat cushion or seat back, but in this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the electrical device and the synthetic material plate is reduced, which reduces the degree of freedom in designing the vehicle seat.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that allows a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of members that support electrical devices and cables, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (20), a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, electrical devices (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to device coupling portions (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, and the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion.

[0007] This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of the electrical devices and the cable support member.

[0008] In the above aspect, the cable support member may include an extension portion (A, B) extending between the one surface of the plate and the electrical device, and an opening may be formed in the extension portion to allow the device coupling portion to pass through.

[0009] According to this configuration, the opening prevents interference between the electrical device and the cable support member.

[0010] In the above aspect, the device coupling portion may pass through the opening and protrude toward the electrical device.

[0011] This configuration avoids interference between the electrical device and the cable support member in a direction perpendicular to the plate.

[0012] In the above aspect, the one surface of the plate may be a back surface (32B) opposite to the front surface (32A) that supports the seated occupant.

[0013] According to this aspect, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member.

[0014] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have a plurality of fixed portions (43, 45) fixed to the plate and spaced apart from each other, and the device coupling portion may be arranged between two adjacent fixed portions.

[0015] This configuration prevents the cable support member from shifting relative to the plate.

[0016] In the above aspect, the cable support member is formed into a flat bag shape by joining the outer edges of two sheet-like members (53, 54) together.

[0017] This configuration simplifies the structure and prevents the cable support member from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the pressure-receiving member.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the two sheet-like members preferably have a nonwoven fabric (53) and a resin film (54), and the outer edge (53A) of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge (54A) of the film are welded to each other.

[0019] According to this aspect, the cable support member can have the required strength and also have a suitable degree of flexibility that makes it easy to handle.

[0020] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film may be welded to each other at the edge of the opening.

[0021] With this configuration, the edges of the openings in the nonwoven fabric and film are reinforced.

[0022] In the above aspect, the film may transmit visible light.

[0023] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0024] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (1), the vehicle seat (1) comprising: a frame (20); a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting a seated occupant; an electrical device (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member; and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to a device coupling portion (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion, the method comprising: a first step of attaching the sheet-like cable support member supporting the cable connected to the electrical device to the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion; and a second step of coupling the electrical device to the device coupling portion after the first step.

[0025] According to this configuration, the cable support member and the electrical device can be attached to the plate in an orderly and appropriate manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (20), a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, electrical devices (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to device coupling portions (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, and the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion.

[0027] This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of the electrical devices and the cable support member.

[0028] In the above aspect, the cable support member may include an extension portion (A, B) extending between the one surface of the plate and the electrical device, and the opening may be formed in the extension portion to allow the device coupling portion to pass through.

[0029] According to this configuration, the opening prevents interference between the electrical device and the cable support member.

[0030] In the above aspect, the device coupling portion may pass through the opening and protrude toward the electrical device.

[0031] This configuration avoids interference between the electrical device and the cable support member in a direction perpendicular to the plate.

[0032] In the above aspect, the one surface of the plate may be a back surface (32B) opposite to the front surface (32A) that supports the seated occupant.

[0033] According to this aspect, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member.

[0034] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have a plurality of fixed portions (43, 45) fixed to the plate and spaced apart from each other, and the device coupling portion may be arranged between two adjacent fixed portions.

[0035] This configuration prevents the cable support member from shifting relative to the plate.

[0036] In the above aspect, the cable support member is formed into a flat bag shape by joining the outer edges of two sheet-like members (53, 54) together.

[0037] This configuration simplifies the structure and prevents the cable support member from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the pressure-receiving member.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the two sheet-like members preferably have a nonwoven fabric (53) and a resin film (54), and the outer edge (53A) of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge (54A) of the film are welded to each other.

[0039] According to this aspect, the cable support member can have the required strength and also have a suitable degree of flexibility that makes it easy to handle.

[0040] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film may be welded to each other at the edge of the opening.

[0041] With this configuration, the edges of the openings in the nonwoven fabric and film are reinforced.

[0042] In the above aspect, the film may transmit visible light.

[0043] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0044] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (1), the vehicle seat (1) comprising: a frame (20); a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting a seated occupant; an electrical device (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member; and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to a device coupling portion (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion, the method comprising: a first step of attaching the sheet-like cable support member supporting the cable connected to the electrical device to the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion; and a second step of coupling the electrical device to the device coupling portion after the first step.

[0045] According to this configuration, the cable support member and the electrical device can be attached to the plate in an orderly and appropriate manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a frame structure of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] Enlarged cross-sectional view along VV in Figure 1 [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The vehicle seat according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the left-right direction is defined based on the position of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat. The up-down direction is defined as the direction along the vertical direction. The front-rear direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the left-right direction.

[0048] First Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 1 has a seat cushion 2 provided on the floor F of the automobile, a seat back 3 extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion 2, and a headrest 4 provided on the upper part of the seat back 3.

[0049] The seat cushion 2 has a seat surface 5 facing substantially upward. The seat cushion 2 supports the buttocks of a user seated on the seat surface 5 from below. The seat back 3 has a backrest surface 6 facing substantially forward. The seat back 3 supports the back of a user leaning against the backrest surface 6 from behind. The headrest 4 supports the head of a seated user from behind.

[0050] The skeletal structure of the vehicle seat 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The seat cushion 2 has a seat cushion frame 7 and a seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 that is supported by the seat cushion frame 7 and supports the buttocks of a seated occupant.

[0051] The seat cushion frame 7 has left and right cushion side members 9 each extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a front cross member 10 and a rear cross member 11 each extending in the front-to-rear direction. The front cross member 10 has both ends connected to the front portion 9A of the corresponding cushion side members 9, connecting the front portions 9A of the left and right cushion side members 9 to each other. The rear cross member 11 has both ends connected to the rear portions 9B of the corresponding cushion side members 9, connecting the rear portions 9B of the left and right cushion side members 9 to each other.

[0052] The seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 has a plurality of wires 13 and a plate 14. Each wire 13 extends in the front-to-rear direction, with a front end 13A fixed to the front cross member 10 and a rear end 13B fixed to the rear cross member 11. Each wire 13 has elasticity in the vertical direction. The plate 14 is a press-formed product of steel plate, has a substantially rectangular shape, and is supported by the wires 13. In other words, the wires 13 elastically support the plate 14 in the vertical direction from the seat cushion frame 7 at their longitudinal intermediate portions.

[0053] Left and right slide rails 15 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the floor F. Left and right sliders 16 are provided on the left and right slide rails 15 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Left and right front connecting members 17 and rear connecting members 18 are attached to the lower portions of the left and right cushion side members 9, respectively. The left and right front connecting members 17 and rear connecting members 18 are connected to the corresponding sliders 16. The sliders 16 are fixed to any position on the slide rails 15 by a known latch mechanism or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the sliders 16 are driven and fixed to any position on the slide rails 15 by a known electric mechanism. These mechanisms allow the vehicle seat 1 to be repositioned in the front-rear direction on the floor F.

[0054] The seat back 3 has a seat back frame 20 and a seat back pressure receiving member 21 that is supported by the seat back frame 20 and supports the back of a seated occupant.

[0055] The seatback frame 20 has left and right seatback side members 22 that each extend in the vertical direction, and an upper member 23 that connects upper portions 22A of the left and right seatback side members 22 to each other. The upper member 23 has left and right side portions 23A that extend approximately in the vertical direction, and an upper portion 23B that extends in the left and right direction and connects the upper ends of the left and right side portions 23A to each other, forming a generally staple shape (a roughly upside-down U-shape). The seatback frame 20 further has an upper cross member 24 that extends in the left and right direction and connects the left and right side portions 23A of the upper members 23 to each other, and a lower cross member (lower member) 25 that extends in the left and right direction and connects the lower portions 22B of the left and right seatback side members 22 to each other.

[0056] Two cylindrical headrest stays 26, one on each side, for attaching the headrest 4 to the seat back 3 are attached to an upper portion 23B of the upper member 23.

[0057] A blower 27 is attached to the upper cross member 24 by a mounting plate 27A. A duct 28 is connected to the blower 27. The airflow generated by the blower 27 is guided by the duct 28 toward the backrest surface 6 of the seat back 3 (see FIG. 1), and is ejected forward from a mesh portion (not shown) or the like provided on the backrest surface 6.

[0058] A lower portion 22B of the seatback side member 22 is rotatably supported on a rear portion 9B of the cushion side member 9 via a reclining device 29.

[0059] The reclining device 29 arbitrarily sets the rotation angle of the seat back frame 20 relative to the seat cushion frame 7, that is, the tilt angle of the seat back frame 20 relative to the seat cushion frame 7 in the front-rear direction.

[0060] The seat back pressure-receiving member 21 has a wire 31 and a plate 32. The wire 31 has a generally U-shape, with an upper end 31A fixed to the upper cross member 24 and a lower portion 31B fixed to the lower cross member 25. The wire 31 has elasticity in the front-to-rear direction, and a plate 32 is attached to a middle portion 31C.

[0061] Plate 32 is supported by intermediate portion 31C of wire 31. Plate 32 is a press-formed product of steel plate. Plate 32 is plate-shaped and has a surface (front surface) 32A (see FIG. 2) that supports the back of a seated occupant, and a back surface (rear surface) 32B (see FIG. 4) opposite surface 32A.

[0062] 3 and 4, the left and right intermediate portions 31C of the wire 31 extend in the up-down direction on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 and are connected to the plate 32. The wire 31 elastically supports the plate 32 in the front-rear direction by the seat back frame 20.

[0063] 2, a planar heater 33 is attached to a surface 32A of the plate 32. The heater 33 is an electric type that generates heat when energized, thereby warming the back of a seated occupant.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an electric vibration generator 40 and a control device 41 are disposed on the rear surface 32B of the plate 32.

[0065] The vibration generator 40 vibrates to massage the seated occupant or to notify the seated occupant. The vibration generator 40 may be configured to rotate an unbalanced mass using an electric motor, or may be configured to reciprocate the mass using a solenoid. The vibration generator 40 has a rectangular frame-shaped mounting flange 40B that extends outward from the outer periphery of the device body 40A. The mounting flange 40B has through-holes 40C formed in each of its four corners.

[0066] Four device connecting members 43 (device connecting portions) are fixed by welding or the like to the bottom left corner of the back surface 32B of the plate 32 when viewed from the back surface 32B side as fixing portions for the vibration generator 40. The device connecting members 43 have a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length and protrude rearward from the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A screw hole (not shown) is formed at the tip of each device connecting member 43.

[0067] Each device coupling member 43 is provided to avoid the placement portion of the wire 31 in order to avoid interference with the wire 31. In detail, all of the device coupling members 43 are arranged outward and to the left of the left intermediate portion 31C of the wire 31 when viewed from the rear surface 32B side.

[0068] A bolt 44 passes through each through-hole 40C in the mounting flange 40B. Each bolt 44 is threadedly engaged with a corresponding threaded hole in the device connecting member 43. As a result, the vibration generator 40 is connected to the tip of the device connecting member 43 by the bolt 44 and fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A gap 34 (see FIG. 5) is formed in the front-rear direction between the vibration generator 40 and the back surface 32B of the plate 32, the gap being equal to the axial length of the device connecting member 43.

[0069] The control device 41 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the heater 33 and the vibration generator 40. The control device 41 has a device main body 41A that incorporates hardware such as a CPU and memory, and mounting ears 41B that extend outward from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the outer edge of the device main body 41A. Each mounting ear 41B has a through-hole 41C formed therein.

[0070] Four device coupling members 45 (device coupling portions) are fixed by welding or the like to the lower right side of the back surface 32B of the plate 32 when viewed from the back surface 32B side as fixing portions for the control device 41. The device coupling members 45 have a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length and protrude rearward from the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A screw hole (not shown) is formed at the tip of the device coupling members 45. The device coupling members 43 and 45 have the same axial length.

[0071] Each device connecting member 45 is provided to avoid the placement portion of the wire 31 to avoid interference with the wire 31. In detail, the device connecting members 45 are arranged so that the right-side intermediate portion 31C of the wire 31 when viewed from the rear surface 32B side passes vertically between adjacent device connecting members 45 on the left and right.

[0072] A bolt 46 passes through the through-hole 41C of each mounting ear 41B. Each bolt 46 is threadedly engaged with a corresponding device coupling member 45. As a result, the control device 41 is coupled to the tip of the device coupling member 45 by the bolt 46 and fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A gap 35 (see FIG. 5) is formed between the control device 41 and the back surface 32B of the plate 32 in the front-to-rear direction, the gap being equal to the axial length of the device coupling member 45.

[0073] The control device 41 is disposed adjacent to the vibration generator 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 41 is electrically connected to the vibration generator 40 by an electric cable 48A and is also electrically connected to the heater 33 by an electric cable 48B.

[0074] A cable support member 52 that supports a plurality of cables 50 is provided on the back surface 32B of the plate 32. The cables 50 supported by the cable support member 52 include power lines that supply power to the heater 33, the vibration generator 40, and the control device 41, and signal transmission lines that transmit control signals.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the cable support member 52 is formed by overlapping two flexible sheet-like members 53 and 54 so as to sandwich the cable 50. The sheet-like member 53 is made of nonwoven fabric. The sheet-like member 54 is a resin film. Hereinafter, the sheet-like member 53 may be referred to as the nonwoven fabric 53, and the sheet-like member 54 may be referred to as the film 54. The film 54 is made of a transparent resin such as transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is transmissive to visible light. The cable support member 52 is arranged with the nonwoven fabric 53 on the plate 32 side.

[0076] The nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 have the same shape and are overlapped with each other, with outer edges 53A, 54A welded (bonded) to each other along the entire periphery at welded portions 58 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the cable support member 52 is formed into a flat bag shape, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0077] The cable support member 52 has an outer edge 52A (same as the outer edges 53A and 54A) that generally follows the outer edge 32C of the plate 32. As a result, the cable support member 52 has an outer shape that is generally the same as the outer shape of the plate 32 and extends in a planar form over substantially the entire plate 32.

[0078] The cable support member 52 may have the same outer shape as the outer shape of the plate 32. In this case, the cable support member 52 extends in a planar shape over the entire plate 32.

[0079] The cable support member 52 has two first through holes 57 spaced apart in the left-right direction at its upper portion and two first through holes 59 spaced apart in the left-right direction at its lower portion, as fixing portions for the plate 32. In other words, the cable support member 52 has first through holes 57, 59 near each of the top, bottom, left, and right corners.

[0080] Each of the first through holes 57, 59 penetrates through both the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. The nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 are welded (bonded) to each other by welded parts 81 (see FIG. 5) at the edges of each of the first through holes 57, 59. This reinforces the edges of each of the first through holes 57, 59.

[0081] The plate 32 has a plurality of recesses 61 recessed from the front surface 32A toward the back surface 32B, and second through holes 62 formed in the bottoms of the recesses 61. When viewed from the back surface 32B side of the plate 32, each recess 61 is a protrusion, and serves as a mounting seat for the cable support member 52. Each recess 61 is provided in a position facing the first through holes 57, 59. In other words, each first through hole 57, 59 is provided in a position corresponding to the recess 61.

[0082] The cable support member 52 is fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32 by clips 63, which are fasteners, at positions corresponding to each recess 61. As shown in FIG. 5 , each clip 63 has a head 63A and a one-way stopper-shaped locking portion 63B extending from the head 63A. Each locking portion 63B passes through the corresponding first through-hole 57, 59 and locks onto the edge of the second through-hole 62 of the corresponding recess 61. As a result, the four corners of the cable support member 52 are fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32 by the clips 63. The cable support member 52 can be attached to the plate 32 easily using the clips 63 without using any tools.

[0083] The locking portion 63B that passes through the second through-hole 62 is entirely housed in the recess 61 and does not protrude forward from the surface 32A of the plate 32. This allows the cable support member 52 to be attached to the plate 32 by the clip 63 without creating a protrusion on the surface 32A of the plate 32 that supports the seated occupant. In other words, the clip 63 does not interfere with devices such as the heater 33 mounted on the surface 32A of the plate 32.

[0084] As shown by the phantom lines in Fig. 5, when the cable support member 52 is in a flat state and not attached to the plate 32, the distance L1 between the adjacent lower left and right first through holes 59 on the left and right is greater than the distance L2 between the corresponding adjacent second through holes 62 on the left and right. As a result, when the cable support member 52 is attached to the plate 32 by the clips 63 inserted into the second through holes 62 corresponding to each first through hole 59, the cable support member 52 bends due to slack, as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 5. The same applies to the adjacent upper first through holes 57 on the left and right.

[0085] This allows the cable support member 52 to be attached more easily and efficiently than when it is attached with tension applied to the fixing parts of the two adjacent plates 32, and also improves the durability of the cable support member 52.

[0086] The structure for attaching the cable support member 52 to the plate 32 only requires that the cable support member 52 has the first through holes 57, 59, which simplifies the structure for attaching the cable support member 52 to the plate 32.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 5, the cable support member 52 has a cable accommodating space 64 between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 arranged in the cable accommodating space 64 by sandwiching the cable 50 between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the cable support member 52 has a cable inlet portion 65 at its upper outer edge for introducing the cable 50 into the cable accommodating space 64. The cable support member 52 has a cable outlet portion 66 at its lower portion adjacent to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 for taking the cable 50 out of the cable accommodating space 64 to the outside.

[0088] The cable 50 is inserted into the cable accommodating space 64 from the cable inlet 65, passes through the cable accommodating space 64 to the cable outlet 66, and one end is taken out from the cable outlet 66 to the outside. The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 in a planar manner over a wide area by accommodating the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64. This allows the cable 50 to be supported on the plate 32 by a single cable support member 52, without the need for numerous cable supports. The cable 50 accommodated in the cable accommodating space 64 is preferably fixed to the film 54 by vibration welding or the like.

[0089] Connectors 67 and 68 are attached to one end of the cable 50 that extends to the outside from the cable outlet 66. The cable 50 is electrically connected to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 by the connectors 67 and 68.

[0090] Because the cable support member 52 is provided on the rear surface 32B of the plate 32, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member 52 and the cable 50 housed in the cable housing space 64. This improves the durability of the cable support member 52 and protects the cable 50 from the load supporting the seated occupant.

[0091] The cable accommodating space 64 is a flat space defined by the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54, which prevents the cable support member 52 from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the plate 32. The flat cable accommodating space 64 is wide in planar form, so the path of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64 can be set with a large degree of freedom.

[0092] Because the cable support member 52 has roughly the same shape as the plate 32 and extends in a planar manner over almost the entire plate 32, the cable support member 52 does not protrude outward from the plate 32, and a large cable accommodating space 64 is obtained. This improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement (route) of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64. Moreover, the cable inlet 65 and the cable outlet 66 can be appropriately provided at required locations on the cable support member 52 by knife cutting or the like. This also improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement (route) of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64.

[0093] These features allow for a high degree of freedom in arranging the cable 50 relative to the seat back 3, and furthermore, the cable 50 can be installed (wired) in the seat back 3 with good workability and reliability.

[0094] Since the film 54 is made of a transparent resin that allows visible light to pass through, the arrangement of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64 can be visually confirmed from the outside. This allows for easy and reliable inspection of the wiring of the cable 50.

[0095] The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 by sandwiching it between two sheet members, the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. Therefore, unlike a synthetic material plate into which electric wires or the like are insert-molded, the cable support member 52 and the cable 50 can be easily separated during dismantling, etc. This makes it easy to separate the materials required for resource recycling.

[0096] The cable support member 52 includes an overlapping portion (extension portion) A (see FIG. 4) that extends through the gap 34 between the rear surface 32B of the plate 32 and the vibration generator 40 and overlaps with the vibration generator 40. The cable support member 52 includes an overlapping portion (extension portion) B (see FIG. 4) that extends through the gap 34 between the rear surface 32B of the plate 32 and the control device 41 and overlaps with the control device 41.

[0097] The overlapping portion A has openings 70 having a circular cross section through which the device connecting members 43 can pass formed at positions overlapping with the device connecting members 43 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32 (front-rear direction). In other words, each device connecting member 43 is provided at a position overlapping with the corresponding opening 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. Each device connecting member 43 passes through the corresponding opening 70 and protrudes toward the vibration generator 40, facing the outer edge of the through-hole 40C of the vibration generator 40. Each device connecting member 43 may contact the edge of the corresponding opening 70.

[0098] This allows the bolt 44 passing through the through hole 40C to be threadedly engaged with the tip of the device connecting member 43 at the overlapping portion A of the cable support member 52. In this way, the vibration generator 40 can be attached to the plate 32 without interfering with the cable support member 52. This avoids interference between the vibration generator 40 and the cable support member 52 in both the extending direction of the plate 32 and the direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0099] In the overlapping portion B, openings 71 through which the device coupling members 45 can pass are formed at positions overlapping with the device coupling members 45 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. In other words, each device coupling member 45 is provided at a position overlapping with the corresponding opening 71 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. Each device coupling member 45 passes through the corresponding opening 71 and protrudes toward the control device 41, facing the outer edge of the through-hole 41C of the control device 41.

[0100] This allows the bolt 46 passing through the through hole 41C to be threadedly engaged with the tip of the device connecting member 45 at the overlapping portion B of the cable support member 52. In this manner, the control device 41 can be attached to the plate 32 without interfering with the cable support member 52. This avoids interference between the control device 41 and the cable support member 52 in both the extending direction of the plate 32 and the direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0101] As shown in Figure 5, one of the lower device connecting members 43 and two of the lower device connecting members 45 are arranged between two adjacent recesses 61 on the lower left and right (fixing portions of the cable support member 52 relative to the plate 32).

[0102] The device coupling members 43, 45 between the recesses 61 also pass through the openings 70, 71 of the cable support member 52, making it difficult for the cable support member 52 to slip relative to the plate 32 and improving the attachment strength of the cable support member 52 to the plate 32.

[0103] Nonwoven fabric 53 and film 54 are welded (bonded) to each other at welded parts 82 (see FIG. 5) at the edges of each of openings 70 and 71. This reinforces the edges of openings 70 and 71 and prevents cable 50 from protruding outside from the edges of openings 70 and 71.

[0104] Because cable support member 52 is not an injection-molded product in which cable 50 is insert-molded, no molding die is required for its manufacture. Therefore, cable support member 52 has lower production costs than injection-molded products. Because nonwoven fabric 53 and film 54 constituting cable support member 52 are softer than injection-molded products, first through holes 57, 59 and openings 70, 71, 75 provided in cable support member 52 can be easily formed with a high degree of freedom by cutting nonwoven fabric 53 and film 54 with a cutting blade or the like.

[0105] Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 described above will be described.

[0106] This manufacturing method includes a first step of arranging the cable support member 52 on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 so that each of the first through holes 57, 59 is aligned with a corresponding recess 61 in the plate 32, and attaching the cable support member 52 to the recess 61 with a clip 63 at each of the first through holes 57, 59. Prior to the first step, the cable 50 is sandwiched between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54, and the edge of the nonwoven fabric 53 and the edge of the film 54 are welded together. This forms the cable support member 52.

[0107] In the first step, the device coupling members 43 and 45 pass through the corresponding openings 70 and 71 of the cable support member 52, so that the cable support member 52 does not overlap with the device coupling members 43 and 45.

[0108] This manufacturing method includes, after the first step described above, a second step of connecting the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the device connecting members 43 and 45 with bolts 44 and 46.

[0109] Since the first step occurs before the second step of connecting the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the device connecting members 43 and 45 with the bolts 44 and 46, the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the cable support member 52 can be easily positioned in their predetermined positions without interfering with each other.

[0110] In this way, the attachment of the cable support member 52 to the plate 32 and the attachment of the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the plate 32 are performed in an orderly and appropriate manner. This allows the vehicle seat 1 to be manufactured efficiently.

[0111] It is preferable that the cable support member 52 is provided so as not to overlap the wires 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. This prevents the cable support member 52 and the wires 31 from interfering with each other.

[0112] Second Embodiment As shown in Figure 6, the cable support member 52 is provided on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 in an area that does not overlap with the electrical devices, namely the vibration generating device 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0113] In the second embodiment, the cable support member 52 is arranged in an area where it does not overlap with the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32, so that the cable support member 52 does not interfere with the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31.

[0114] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cable support member 52 is easily attached to the plate 32. The use of the cable support member 52 provides a high degree of freedom in wiring the cable 50 relative to the seat back 3, and also makes it possible to install (wire) the cable 50 in the seat back 3 with good workability and reliability.

[0115] Although the specific embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented.

[0116] For example, the two sheet-like members 53 and 54 of the cable support member 52 may both be made of resin film or may be made of the same material. In this case, one sheet-like member may be folded so that it overlaps the other, and the outer edges may be welded together. In any embodiment, the entire outer edges of the sheet-like members do not need to be welded together, and the outer edges of the sheet-like members may be welded together partially.

[0117] The openings 70, 71 provided in the cable support member 52 do not necessarily have to be formed individually for each bolt 44, 46, but may be openings through which multiple bolts 44, 46 pass collectively. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the openings may be openings 75 through which four bolts 46 for attaching the control device 41 pass collectively. The openings 75 are notches that reach the outer edge 52A of the cable support member 52.

[0118] The electrical devices provided on the plate 32 are not limited to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41, and may be an electric motor for lumbar support, etc. The cable support member 52 is applicable to the seat cushion 2, and may be provided on the seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 to support a cable arranged on the seat cushion 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1: Vehicle seats 2: Seat cushion 3: Seat back 7: Seat cushion frame 8: Seat cushion pressure-receiving member 20: Seat back frame 21: Seat back pressure receiving member 31: Wire 32: Plate 32A: Surface 32B: Back side 32C: Outer edge 33: Heater (electrical device) 40: Vibration generator (electrical device) 41: Control device (electrical device) 43: Device connecting member 45: Device connecting member 50: Cable 52: Cable support member 52A: outer edge 53: Sheet-like member (nonwoven fabric) 53A: outer edge 54: Sheet-like material (film) 54A: outer edge 57: 1st through hole (fixed part) 59: 1st through hole (fixed part) 63: Clip (fixing device) 63B: Locking part 53: Sheet-like member (nonwoven fabric) 53A: outer edge 54: Sheet-like material (film) 54A: outer edge 57: 1st through hole (fixed part) 59: 1st through hole (fixed part) 63: Clip (fixing device) 63B: Locking part

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, The frame and a pressure-receiving member supported by the frame and supporting a seated occupant; an electrical device provided on the pressure-receiving member; a sheet-like cable support member that is provided on the pressure-receiving member and supports a cable connected to the electrical device; the pressure-receiving member includes a wire attached to the frame and a plate supported by the wire; A vehicle seat in which the electrical device is coupled to a device coupling portion provided on one side of the plate, and the cable support member is provided on the one side of the plate so as not to overlap the device coupling portion.

2. The seat according to claim 1 , wherein the cable support member includes an extension extending between the one surface of the plate and the electrical device, and an opening is formed in the extension to allow the device coupling portion to pass through.

3. The seat according to claim 2 , wherein the device coupling portion passes through the opening and protrudes toward the electrical device.

4. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one surface of the plate is a back surface opposite to the surface that supports the seated occupant.

5. the cable support member has a plurality of fixed portions fixed to the plate and spaced apart from one another; 4. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the device coupling portion is disposed between two adjacent fixing portions.

6. 3. The sheet according to claim 2, wherein the cable support member is formed into a flat bag shape by joining the outer edges of two sheet-like members together.

7. The two sheet-like members each have a nonwoven fabric and a resin film, 7. The sheet according to claim 6, wherein the outer edge of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge of the film are welded together.

8. The sheet according to claim 7, wherein the nonwoven fabric and the film are welded together at the edge of the opening.

9. 8. The sheet of claim 7, wherein the film transmits visible light.

10. A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, comprising: a frame, a pressure receiving member supported by the frame and supporting a seated occupant, an electrical device provided on the pressure receiving member, and a sheet-like cable support member provided on the pressure receiving member and supporting a cable connected to the electrical device, the pressure receiving member having a wire attached to the frame and a plate supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to a device coupling portion provided on one surface of the plate, and the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion; a first step of attaching the cable support member to the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap the device coupling portion; A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, comprising, after the first step, a second step of connecting the electrical device to the device connecting portion.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Seat section of automobile

    JP2001137066A