Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that can prevent performance degradation of an air flow generating device by suppressing application of an excessive load of a seated person to the air flow generating device while arranging the air flow generating device inside a seat back. [Solution] A vehicle seat S includes a seat back 2 having a seat back frame 30 and a seat back module 2M replaceably attached to the seat back frame 30. The seat back module 2M has flexible pad materials 2a, 2b, a cover material 2c, a blower device 100, and a first back cover 40 that covers the rear of the seat back module 2M, supports the blower device 100, and is attached to the seat back frame 30, the first back cover 40 having a blower device accommodating recess 42b recessed rearward, and the blower device 100 is accommodated in the blower device accommodating recess 42b.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat provided with an air flow generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat has been proposed that includes a blower and an air outlet that blows the air blown by the blower toward a seated occupant. Specifically, the blower is provided inside a seat cushion (sitting portion) or a seat back (backrest portion) that supports the weight of an occupant, and multiple air outlets that blow air toward the buttocks or back of the occupant are formed in the seat cushion and the seat back, and ventilation paths through which air passes between the blower and the air outlets are formed in the seat cushion and the seat back. This allows the occupant seated in the vehicle seat to spend the travel time until they reach their destination comfortably while receiving the blown air.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat in which a blower is disposed at the upper end of the seat back. A typical seat back is configured to deform backward when a seat occupant leans against the seat back to absorb the weight of the seat occupant. Therefore, by disposing the blower at the upper end of the seat back, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing the rotation of the blower from being hindered by deformation caused by the seat occupant's weight when the seat occupant leans against the seat back. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-291310 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 has the effect of suppressing the performance degradation of the air blower caused by the weight of the seated passenger being applied to the air blower. However, in recent years, as seat backs have become lighter and thinner, there has been a demand for further suppression of the load applied to the air blower in order to suppress the performance degradation of the air blower disposed inside the seat back.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle seat that can position an air flow generating device inside the seat back while preventing the seated person from applying excessive load to the air flow generating device, thereby preventing a decrease in the performance of the air flow generating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which is a vehicle seat equipped with a seat back having a seat back frame and a seat back module replaceably attached to the seat back frame, wherein the seat back module has a flexible padding material, a skin material covering the padding material, an air flow generating device disposed behind the padding material, and a cover member covering the rear of the seat back module, supporting the air flow generating device, and attached to the seat back frame, wherein the cover member has a recess recessed toward the rear, and the air flow generating device is housed in the recess.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the seatback module replaceably attached to the seatback frame includes an airflow generating device and a cover member that covers the rear of the seatback module and supports the airflow generating device, the cover member having a recess that is recessed rearward, and the airflow generating device is housed in the recess. As a result, because the airflow generating device is housed in the recess that is recessed rearward, it is possible to realize a thin seatback while locating the airflow generating device inside the seatback, and further to prevent excessive load from being applied to the airflow generating device by the seat occupant, thereby preventing a decrease in performance of the airflow generating device.

[0009] The cover member may have a reinforcing rib behind the recess, and the airflow generating device may be fixed to the reinforcing rib and housed in the recess. According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the cover member is improved by the reinforcing rib provided behind the recess, which makes it possible to improve the stability when the airflow generation device is attached to the cover member.

[0010] In addition, the reinforcing ribs are orthogonal ribs consisting of vertical reinforcing ribs extending in the up-down direction and horizontal reinforcing ribs extending in the left-right direction, which intersect perpendicularly with each other, and the air flow generating device is preferably fixed to the intersection where the vertical reinforcing ribs and the horizontal reinforcing ribs intersect with each other by a fixing member that fixes the air flow generating device. According to the above configuration, the cover member has orthogonal ribs where vertical reinforcing ribs and horizontal reinforcing ribs intersect perpendicularly, and the air flow generating device is fixed to the intersection where the vertical reinforcing ribs and horizontal reinforcing ribs intersect by a fixing member, thereby making it possible to improve the stability when the air flow generating device is attached to the cover member.

[0011] Preferably, the reinforcing rib has a dimension in the front-rear direction that is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the airflow generating device. According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the cover member can be improved by the reinforcing rib having a sufficient dimension, and it becomes possible to prevent the airflow generating device from being damaged by an external force applied from behind.

[0012] Preferably, the tip of the reinforcing rib to which the air flow generating device is fixed is positioned at the same position as the seat back frame in the seat thickness direction. According to the above configuration, the seat back can be made thinner while the airflow generating device is disposed inside the seat back module. In addition, the airflow generating device can be protected by being surrounded by a highly rigid seat back frame, thereby preventing damage to the airflow generating device.

[0013] Preferably, the recess is recessed rearward along the seat back frame inside the seat back frame, and the rear surface of the recess is located rearward of the seat back frame. According to the above configuration, the highly rigid seatback frame surrounds the periphery of the airflow generating device housed in the recess, and the rear of the airflow generating device is covered with a reinforcing rib, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the seatback while suppressing the application of excessive external force to the airflow generating device and thereby preventing damage to the airflow generating device.

[0014] The airflow generating device may have a connection cable electrically connected to the airflow generating device, and the connection cable may be arranged to extend along the side wall of the recess. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent external forces such as the weight of a seated person from being applied to the connection cable extending along the side wall of the recess, thereby making it possible to prevent the connection cable from breaking.

[0015] The cover member may have a cable penetration portion through which the connection cable passes, and the cable penetration portion may be provided at a lower end of the recess. According to the above configuration, the connection cable is inserted into the back side of the cover member through the cable penetration portion provided on the edge of the recess, thereby preventing external forces such as the weight of the seated person from being applied to the connection cable and preventing the connection cable from breaking.

[0016] The cover member may have a cable holding member that holds the connection cable, and the cable holding member may be provided at a position adjacent to the cable penetration portion. According to the above configuration, since the cable holding member is provided at a position adjacent to the cable penetration portion, it is possible to prevent the connection cable from being broken due to contact between the connection cable and the cable penetration portion.

[0017] In addition, the seatback module may have a mounting bracket that protrudes forward from the seating surface and to which a headrest can be attached, and the air flow generating device, when housed in the recess, may be positioned rearward of the headrest attached to the mounting bracket. According to the above configuration, the front side of the airflow generating device is covered by the padding material of the seat back and the padding material of the headrest, which reduces the load of the seated occupant applied to the airflow generating device by the two padding materials.

[0018] In addition, the seat back module is positioned behind the padding material and has a pressure-receiving member that receives the weight of the seated occupant, and the air flow generating device is attached to the cover member at a position below the bracket and above the upper end of the pressure-receiving member. According to the above configuration, the airflow generating device is mounted in a position that avoids the bracket and pressure-receiving member to which a large load from the seated person is applied, thereby making it possible to prevent a decrease in the performance of the airflow generating device due to the weight of the seated person. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to position an air flow generating device inside the seat back while preventing the seated occupant from applying excessive load to the air flow generating device, thereby preventing a decrease in the performance of the air flow generating device. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the stability when the airflow generating device is attached to the cover member. Furthermore, the rigidity of the cover member can be improved, making it possible to prevent the airflow generating device from being damaged by an impact applied from behind. Furthermore, the seat back can be made thinner while the airflow generating device is disposed inside the seat back module.Furthermore, the airflow generating device can be protected by being surrounded by a highly rigid seat back frame, thereby preventing damage to the airflow generating device. Furthermore, while realizing a thinner seat back, it is possible to prevent excessive external force from being applied to the airflow generating device, thereby preventing a decrease in the performance of the airflow generating device. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent external forces such as the weight of a seated person from being applied to the connection cable, thereby making it possible to prevent the connection cable from breaking. It is also possible to prevent the connection cable from being broken due to contact between the connection cable and the cable penetration portion. Furthermore, the weight of the seated person applied to the airflow generating device can be reduced by the two pad materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat as seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat back as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat back module as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat back module as seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first back cover to which the blower device is attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first back cover to which the blower device is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a main portion of the seat back. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The vehicle seat S of this embodiment includes a seat back 2 having a seat back frame 30 and a seat back module 2M replaceably attached to the seat back frame 30. The seat back module 2M has a blower device 100 and a first back cover 40 that supports the blower device 100, and the first back cover 40 has a recessed portion recessed rearward, and the airflow generating device is housed in the recessed portion. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the blower device 100 by the seated occupant, thereby preventing a decrease in performance of the blower device 100.

[0022] The configuration of a vehicle seat S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof. In the following description, the descriptions regarding the materials, shapes, and sizes of the seat components are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0023] In the following description, the "seat front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the front-rear direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat S to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat S.

[0024] <Overall structure of vehicle seat S> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat S seen obliquely from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat S seen obliquely from the rear. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle seat S according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, a rail device 4, and a reclining device 5 as main components.

[0025] <<Seat cushion 1>> The seat cushion 1 is a support member that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant, supporting the seated occupant from below. The seat cushion 1 mainly comprises a seat cushion frame 10 (see FIG. 3) that forms the framework of the seat cushion 1, and a seat cushion module 1M that is replaceably attached to the seat cushion frame 10.

[0026] The seat cushion frame 10 is a frame body having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The seat cushion frame 10 has left and right side frames 11, a pan frame 12 connecting the front ends of the left and right side frames 11, and a rear connecting frame 13 connecting the rear ends of the left and right side frames 11. The seat cushion frame 10 also has a support plate 15 connected to the rear connecting frame 13 via elastic springs 14 and supported by the left and right side frames 11. The support plate 15 is a flexible pressure-receiving member that receives the load of a seated occupant applied via a seat cushion module 1M, which will be described later. Cushion module assembly portions 16 are provided on both sides in the seat width direction in front of the pan frame 12. The cushion module assembly portions 16 can be connected to assembly portions 24 formed on a cushion base cover 20 of a seat cushion module 1M, which will be described later. This makes it possible to assemble the seat cushion module 1M to the seat cushion frame 10 in a replaceable manner. The seat cushion frame 10 constitutes a seat frame F together with a seat back frame 30 and a headrest frame 70, which will be described later.

[0027] The seat cushion module 1M mainly comprises a cushion base cover 20, a first pad material 1a, a second pad material 1b, and a cover material 1c (see FIG. 1). The seat cushion module 1M functions as a seat portion of the vehicle seat S by being attached to a seat cushion frame 10. In addition, the seat cushion module 1M can be removed and replaced, making it possible to easily change the design and functionality of the vehicle seat S, and to configure a vehicle seat S that is optimal for each seated occupant.

[0028] The cushion base cover 20 has a rectangular shape in top view and includes left and right cover side portions 21, a cover front portion 22, and a cover rear portion 23. The cover front portion 22 is provided with an assembly portion 24 for fixing the cushion base cover 20 to the pan frame 12, and the cover rear portion 23 is provided with a frame detachable portion 25 that detachably engages with the rear connecting frame 13. Therefore, the cushion base cover 20 can be attached to the seat cushion frame 10 by engaging the frame detachable portion 25 with the rear connecting frame 13 and assembling the assembly portion 24 to the pan frame 12.

[0029] A control device 90 that controls the vehicle seat S is attached below the cushion base cover 20 via a bracket 91. The control device 90 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that acquires output signals from detection sensors (such as temperature sensors) built into the vehicle, and controls a blower device 100 and a seat heater 110 (described later) based on the output signals to improve the comfort of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S.

[0030] The first pad material 1a and the second pad material 1b are cushion materials that are placed on the cushion base cover 20 and cover the cushion base cover 20. The first pad material 1a and the second pad material 1b are foamed resin molded bodies that have different properties (breathability and flexibility). By stacking multiple foamed resin molded bodies with different properties in this way, it is possible to improve seating comfort and comfort while reducing manufacturing costs. The skin material 1c is made of a stretchable synthetic leather material and covers the first pad material 1a and the second pad material 1b.

[0031] <<Seat back 2>> The seat back 2 is a support member that supports the back of a seated occupant and supports the seated occupant from behind. The seat back 2 has a seat back frame 30 (see FIG. 4) that forms the framework, a seat back module 2M that is replaceably attached to the seat back frame 30 from the front, and a second back cover 50 that covers the seat back 2 from the rear. The second back cover 50 corresponds to a seat back cover.

[0032] The seatback frame 30 is a frame body having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view. The seatback frame 30 has left and right backside frames 31, an upper frame 32 connecting the upper ends of the left and right backside frames 31, and a lower frame 33 connecting the lower ends of the left and right backside frames 31.

[0033] The backside frames 31 are elongated frame members that extend vertically and are arranged apart from each other while facing each other in the seat width direction. Each backside frame 31 is an angle member formed by bending a plate-like body vertically, and the front edge is bent outward to improve the strength of the backside frame 31. A reclining body 5a, a back rotation shaft 5b, and a spiral spring 5c ​​(see FIG. 1) of the reclining device 5, which will be described later, are attached to the lower end of the back side frame 31.

[0034] The upper frame 32 is a frame material having a substantially inverted U shape, and connects the upper ends of the left and right back side frames 31. The upper frame 32 is made of a round pipe material. Four module assembly parts 34 are provided on the upper frame 32 and are arranged at approximately equal intervals. The module assembly parts 34 protrude outward from the upper frame 32 and are assembled to a cover assembly part 45 (see FIG. 7) provided on the first back cover 40 (described later) and an assembly part 55 provided on the second back cover 50 by being connected and fixed thereto.

[0035] The lower frame 33 is a long frame member extending laterally, connecting the lower ends of the left and right back side frames 31. The lower frame 33 has a recess formed by bending a plate-like body so as to be recessed downward. The back rotation shaft 5b of the reclining device 5, which will be described later, is housed inside the recess.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the seatback module 2M. As shown in Fig. 5, the seatback module 2M mainly comprises a first back cover 40, a first padding material 2a, a second padding material 2b, a seat heater 110, and an upholstery material 2c (see Fig. 1). The seatback module 2M functions as a backrest portion of the vehicle seat S by being attached to the seatback frame 30. In addition, the seatback module 2M can be removed and replaced, making it possible to easily change the design and functionality of the vehicle seat S, and to configure a vehicle seat S that is optimal for each seated occupant. Furthermore, in recent years, attention has been focused on technology for thinning the seat back 2 in order to reduce the weight of the seat back 2. The seat back module 2M of this embodiment incorporates a blower device 100, and while improving the comfort of the occupant seated in the seat back 2, it has a smaller dimension in the seat thickness direction than a conventional seat back 2, achieving a thinner design. The thinning of the blower device 100 and the seat back module 2M will be described later.

[0037] The first back cover 40 is a cover member that supports electrical components built into the seat back module 2M and protects the electrical components by covering the seat back module 2M from the rear. Specifically, the seat back module 2M supports a blower device 100, an electric motor 108 (see FIG. 7), and a seat heater 110, which will be described later. The first back cover 40 has a cover body 40a made of synthetic resin and a first opening 44 formed in approximately the center of the cover body 40a. The cover body 40a has an outer dimension slightly larger than the seat back frame 30, and is provided on the back side with a back reinforcing rib 40b that improves the strength of the cover body 40a, and a cover assembly part 45 that is fixed to the module assembly part 34 of the seat back frame 30.

[0038] The first opening 44 is formed in a position facing the pressure-receiving plate 60 attached to the front side of the first back cover 40. Therefore, when the weight of the seated occupant is applied to the pressure-receiving plate 60, the pressure-receiving plate 60 can deform rearward in accordance with the posture of the seated occupant's back and waist. The cover main body 40a has left and right cover side portions 41 on the outer sides of the first opening 44 in the seat width direction, an upper cover portion 42 on the upper side, and a lower cover portion 43 on the lower side.

[0039] The left and right cover side portions 41 extend in the vertical direction and are recessed rearward on the inside. The left and right cover side portions 41 are connected to the plate mounting portion 61 of the pressure-receiving plate 60 to support the left and right side edges of the pressure-receiving plate 60. An electric motor 108 is attached to and supported on the back side of the cover side portion 41 located on the right side when viewed from the front.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, the cover upper portion 42 has a generally triangular shape that protrudes upward, and its ends in the seat width direction connect the upper ends of the left and right cover side portions 41. A bracket 46 to which the headrest 3 is attached is fixed to the upper end of the cover upper portion 42. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 11, the bracket 46 protrudes forward from the cover upper portion 42, and can fix the headrest 3 to the upper end of the seat back 2 so that it protrudes forward from the seating surface 2d.

[0041] A blower device 100 is attached below the bracket 46. The blower device 100 generates an airflow that draws air in from the front of the seat back 2 and blows the air downward at the rear (back side). More specifically, the blower device 100 is attached to a recessed position at the rear of the cover upper portion 42. This allows the seat back 2 to be thinned while incorporating the blower device 100 into the seat back 2. Furthermore, the blower device 100 is attached to a recessed position at the rear to avoid the bracket 46 and the pressure-receiving plate 60, and the front is covered by the padding 3a of the headrest 3, thereby preventing the weight of the seated occupant from being applied to the blower device 100. The attachment position of the blower device 100 and the weight of the seated occupant applied to the blower device 100 will be described in detail later. The blower device 100 corresponds to an airflow generating device.

[0042] The cover lower portion 43 extends in the seat width direction, and connects the lower ends of the left and right cover side portions 41 at both ends in the seat width direction. The cover lower portion 43 supports the lower end of the pressure-receiving plate 60. Front reinforcing ribs 40c for improving the strength of the first back cover 40 are provided on the front sides of the cover side portions 41, the cover upper portion 42, and the cover lower portion 43.

[0043] The first padding material 2a and the second padding material 2b are cushioning materials that are placed on the first back cover 40 and cover the first back cover 40. The first padding material 2a and the second padding material 2b are foamed resin molded bodies that have different properties (breathability and flexibility) from each other. The first pad material 2a is formed with a blower covering portion 2aa that faces the blower device 100, and a space that can supply air to an area facing an intake port 102 of the blower device 100 (described later) is provided.

[0044] The seat heater 110 is an electric heating wire heater that receives electrical energy via a heater connection cable 130 and heats the back and waist of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The skin material 2c is made of a stretchable synthetic leather material and covers the first pad material 2a and the second pad material 2b.

[0045] 4, the second back cover 50 covers the entire seat back 2 from the rear. More specifically, the second back cover 50 and the seat back module 2M are fixed together with the seat back frame 30 sandwiched between them in the front-rear direction, thereby assembling the seat back 2. The second back cover 50 has a cover body 50a made of synthetic resin and a second opening 54 formed in approximately the center of the cover body 50a. The cover body 50a protects the seat back module 2M by covering the first back cover 40 from the rear, and serves to improve the strength of the seat back 2. An assembly portion 55 is provided on the front side of the second back cover 50 to be fixed to the module assembly portion 34 of the seat back frame 30.

[0046] The second opening 54 is formed at a position and with dimensions approximately equal to those of the first opening 44 of the first back cover 40, allowing the pressure plate 60 to deform rearward in accordance with the posture of the occupant's back and waist when the weight of the occupant is applied to the pressure plate 60. The cover main body 50a has left and right cover side portions 51 on both sides of the second opening 54 in the seat width direction, an upper cover portion 52 above, and a lower cover portion 53 below. The left and right cover side portions 51, upper cover portion 52, and lower cover portion 53 of the second back cover 50 respectively cover the left and right cover side portions 41, upper cover portion 42, and lower cover portion 43 of the first back cover 40 from behind.

[0047] <<Headrest 3>> The headrest 3 is a support member that supports the head of a seated occupant from behind. As shown in Fig. 6, the headrest 3 mainly comprises a headrest frame 70 that forms the skeleton of the headrest 3, a padding material 3a, a covering material 3b (see Fig. 1), and a headrest cover 80.

[0048] The headrest frame 70 is a plate-like body having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view, and includes a frame main body 71 and an outer edge flange 72 that is bent rearward at the outer edge of the frame main body 71 relative to the frame main body 71. A bracket assembly part 73 that is attached to a bracket 46 fixed to the seat back 2 is provided in the center of the frame main body 71, and is fixed to the front surface 46a of the bracket 46 by inserting a fastener (screw) therethrough. Furthermore, cover assembly parts 74 are provided at the four corners (upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left) of the frame main body 71, to which a headrest cover 80 that covers the rear of the headrest frame 70 is attached. The headrest frame 70 and the headrest cover 80 are assembled by the cover assembly parts 74 engaging with assembly parts 84 provided on the headrest cover 80.

[0049] The headrest cover 80 is a cover material made of synthetic resin that covers the headrest frame 70 from behind and forms the outer shell of the headrest 3 by being assembled to the headrest frame 70. The headrest cover 80 has approximately the same outer dimensions as the headrest frame 70, and has a cover main body 81 and an outer edge flange 82 that is bent forward relative to the cover main body 81 at the outer edge of the cover main body 81.

[0050] An attachment opening 83 that allows the bracket 46 to pass through is formed in the approximate center of the headrest cover 80. This allows the bracket 46 and the bracket assembly portion 73 to be joined and connected, making it possible to attach the headrest 3 to the first back cover 40 of the seat back 2 via the headrest cover 80 and the bracket 46. Additionally, assembly portions 84 are provided at the four corners (upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left) of the headrest cover 80 to engage the headrest cover 80 with the headrest frame 70. The assembly portions 84 protrude forward and can engage with the cover assembly portions 74 of the headrest frame 70.

[0051] The pad material 3a is a cushion material that covers the front of the headrest frame 70. The pad material 3a is a flexible foamed resin molded body. The covering material 3b (see FIG. 1) is made of a stretchable synthetic leather material and covers the entire headrest 3.

[0052] <<Rail device 4>> Returning to Fig. 1, the rail device 4 connects the vehicle seat S to the floor of the vehicle so that the seat S can slide in the front-rear direction. The rail device 4 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the rail device 4 has a lower rail 4a fixed to the floor and an upper rail 4b that can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 4a.

[0053] The rail device 4 also includes a locking member 4c that locks the upper rail 4b against sliding movement relative to the lower rail 4a. The upper rail 4b is normally locked by the locking member 4c in a state where it cannot slide relative to the lower rail 4a. When the passenger performs a predetermined operation, the upper rail 4b transitions to an unlocked state where it can slide relative to the lower rail 4a. The locking member 4c has a known locking mechanism.

[0054] <<Reclining device 5>> The reclining device 5 rotatably connects the seat back 2 to the seat cushion 1. More specifically, the seat back 2 can be displaced between an upright position in which the seat back 2 is upright, a forward tilted position in which the seat back 2 is tilted forward, and a backward tilted position in which the seat back 2 is tilted backward.

[0055] The reclining device 5 has a known reclining mechanism. Specifically, the reclining device 5 has a reclining main body 5a that is driven to rotate the seat back 2, a back rotation shaft 5b, and a spiral spring 5c ​​that biases the seat back frame 30 forward around the back rotation shaft 5b.

[0056] <Blower device 100> Next, the blower device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The blower device 100 has a blower body 101, an inlet 102 formed in front of the blower body 101, and an outlet 103 formed below the blower body 101 and opening to the right. In other words, by rotating the blower body 101, the blower device 100 draws air from the front (from the seating surface 2d toward the inlet 102) and generates an airflow that flows downward (from the cover upper portion 42 toward the first opening 44). This allows warm air warmed by the body temperature of the seated person to be drawn in from the seating surface 2d and sent out toward the bottom of the vehicle seat S, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S.

[0057] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 8. Blower body 101 is a propeller fan and has a rotary shaft 101a extending in the front-to-rear direction and a plurality of rotary blades 101b that rotate around rotary shaft 101a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and blower body 101 may also be a sirocco fan.

[0058] Furthermore, the blower device 100 is electrically connected to a blower connection cable 120 that supplies electrical energy to the blower device 100 via a blower connection connector 121. Therefore, when inspecting the blower device 100, the inspection of the blower device 100 can be easily performed by simply unplugging the blower connection cable 120 from the blower device 100 and connecting an inspection cable.

[0059] Next, we will explain the mounting structure of the blower device 100. As described above, the blower device 100 is supported by the first back cover 40 of the seat back module 2M. To explain in more detail, the blower device 100 is mounted on the cover upper portion 42 of the first back cover 40.

[0060] 8, 9, and 11, the cover upper portion 42 has a flat plate portion 42a and a blower device accommodating recess 42b located below the flat plate portion 42a. The flat plate portion 42a has an umbrella shape that protrudes upward and has a flat surface that is flat in the sheet thickness direction.

[0061] The blower device-accommodating recess 42b forms a recess recessed rearward from the flat plate portion 42a (see FIG. 11 ), and the blower device 100 is accommodated inside the recess and fixedly supported therein. This positions the blower device 100 rearward from the flat surface of the flat plate portion 42a. The blower device-accommodating recess 42b is located below the bracket 46 to which the headrest 3 is attached and above the pressure-receiving plate 60. In other words, the blower device 100 is located away from the bracket 46 and the pressure-receiving plate 60, to which a large load is applied when an occupant sits in the vehicle seat S. Specifically, the bracket 46 receives weight from the occupant's head via the headrest 3. The pressure-receiving plate 60 receives weight from the occupant's back and waist. The blower device 100 is attached at a position (height) corresponding to the occupant's neck, which is located forward of the occupant's head and back. As a result, it is possible to prevent the seated person from applying an excessive load to the blower device 100, thereby preventing the performance of the blower device 100 from deteriorating.

[0062] Additionally, an upper reinforcement rib 42c is provided behind the blower device accommodating recess 42b to improve the strength of the cover upper portion 42. The upper reinforcement rib 42c is an orthogonal rib consisting of a vertical reinforcement rib 42c1 extending vertically through the cover upper portion 42 and a horizontal reinforcement rib 42c2 extending in the seat width direction, which intersect at right angles. The blower device 100 is fixed at the intersection where the vertical reinforcement rib 42c1 and the horizontal reinforcement rib 42c2 intersect at right angles. More specifically, the blower device 100 is fixed at the intersection of the upper reinforcement ribs 42c by a blower device fixing portion 104. The blower device fixing portion 104 has a first blower device fixing portion 104a, a second blower device fixing portion 104b, and a third blower device fixing portion 104c that protrude upward, downward, and leftward from the blower device 100, and is fastened to the upper reinforcement rib 42c by fasteners (screws). This makes it possible to improve the strength of the cover upper part 42 while realizing a reduction in the weight and thickness of the seat back 2, and further makes it possible to stably fix the blower device 100 to the cover upper part 42. The blower device fixing part 104 corresponds to a fixing member.

[0063] 11, the dimension Dr of the upper reinforcing rib 42c in the seat thickness direction is larger than the dimension Db of the blower device 100 in the seat thickness direction. Therefore, the upper reinforcing rib 42c has a sufficient dimension in the seat thickness direction, and can ensure the strength required for the cover upper portion 42. To explain this using a specific example, even if an external force is applied from behind the cover upper portion 42 by an occupant sitting in the rear seat, the blower device 100 is protected and can be prevented from being damaged.

[0064] 8 and 11, the blower device-accommodating recess 42b that accommodates the blower device 100 is recessed rearward along the upper frame 32 inside the seatback frame 30. The position of the tip of the upper reinforcing rib 42c to which the blower device 100 is fixed is the same as the position of the seatback frame 30 in the seat thickness direction. In other words, the blower device 100 is surrounded by the highly rigid seatback frame 30. 11, the rear surface 42b2 of the blower-device-accommodating recess 42b is located rearward of the seatback frame 30, and the rear end of the seatback frame 30 is located rearward of the rear end of the blower device 100. In other words, the rear of the blower device 100 is covered by the seatback frame 30 and the blower-device-accommodating recess 42b reinforced by the upper reinforcing rib 42c. As a result of the above, the blower device 100 is protected from external forces around it by the seat back frame 30 and the upper reinforcing rib 42c, preventing damage to or performance degradation of the blower device 100 due to excessive external forces being applied to the blower device 100.

[0065] Next, the routing of the blower connection cable 120 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, which is an enlarged view of portion A of Fig. 9. The blower connection cable 120 is routed so as to extend along the side wall (specifically, the inclined wall 42b1) of the blower device-accommodating recess 42b that is interposed between the flat plate portion 42a and the blower device-accommodating recess 42b. The blower connection cable 120 also passes through a cable penetration portion 42d provided at the lower end of the blower device-accommodating recess 42b, is inserted into the rear side of the first back cover 40, and extends downward.

[0066] 10, a cable holder 42e that holds the blower connection cable 120 is provided adjacent to the cable penetration portion 42d. The cable holder 42e is a cable tie that ties together the blower connection cable 120, which is made up of two electric cables. The cable holder 42e ties together the blower connection cable 120 and guides it in the direction of passing through the cable penetration portion 42d. This prevents the blower connection cable 120 from coming into contact with the cable penetration portion 42d and becoming disconnected. The cable holder 42e corresponds to a cable holding member.

[0067] 11, the blower device 100 is located rearward in the seat thickness direction from the headrest 3, which is attached via a bracket 46 so as to protrude forward (toward the seated occupant) from the seating surface 2d of the seatback 2. As a result, the front of the blower device 100 is covered by the first pad material 2a and the second pad material 2b of the seatback 2 and the pad material 3a of the headrest 3. Therefore, the first pad material 2a, the second pad material 2b, and the pad material 3a can reduce the load of the seated occupant applied from the front to the blower device 100.

[0068] Next, the airflow blown out from the outlet 103 of the blower device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The airflow generated by the blower device 100 passes through a gap G formed below the blower device 100 and is discharged to the outside of the first back cover 40. More specifically, the gap G is formed in the first back cover 40 between the first opening 44 and the second opening 54 located in an area facing the pressure-receiving plate 60 and the air outlet 103. More specifically, the gap G extends in the seat width direction and is formed at a position equal to that of the blower device 100 (specifically, the air outlet 103) in the seat thickness direction, allowing the airflow generated by the blower device 100 to pass to the outside without accumulating inside the first back cover 40. Therefore, the blower device 100 can generate an airflow without being affected by the rear being covered by the first back cover 40, thereby improving the comfort of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S.

[0069] Furthermore, a gap G is formed between the upper end 60a of the pressure plate 60 and the first back cover 40. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, the pressure plate 60 has a curved portion 62 at the center of the upper end 60a in the seat width direction, which deforms rearward to receive the weight of the seated occupant when the weight of the seated occupant is applied. Therefore, the gap G is formed between the first pad material 2a and the curved portion 62, and between the curved portion 62 and the first back cover 40. This allows airflow to pass through the gap G both when the pressure plate 60 is deformed rearward due to the weight of the seated occupant and when the pressure plate 60 is not deformed rearward without receiving the weight of the seated occupant.

[0070] Here, the dimension in the sheet thickness direction of the gap G formed between the upper end 60a of the pressure-receiving plate 60 and the first back cover 40 is smaller than the dimension in the sheet thickness direction of the air outlet 103 of the blower device 100. Furthermore, the gap G extends in the vertical direction, and the first cover member faces the gap G and has a vertical wall portion 40e that extends along the gap G. In other words, the vertical wall portion 40e faces the pressure-receiving plate 60. By arranging the first back cover 40 in this manner, the gap G becomes less noticeable and the air flow passing through the gap G can be effectively guided.

[0071] Additionally, a second back cover 50 is attached to the rear of the seat back frame 30 and the seat back module 2M behind the first back cover 40. The second back cover 50 covers the first back cover 40 from behind, and a lower end 50b of the second back cover 50 overlaps with the gap G in the front-to-rear direction below the lower end 40d of the first back cover 40 and the lower end of the vertical wall 40e. By arranging the second back cover 50 in this manner, the gap G becomes less noticeable, and it is possible to prevent the gap G from damaging the appearance of the vehicle seat S.

[0072] Furthermore, the lower end 50b of the second back cover 50 is located further rearward than the lower end of the vertical wall portion 40e of the first back cover 40. This prevents the gap G from being blocked by the lower end of the second back cover 50, and allows the airflow generated by the blower device 100 to pass through the gap G effectively.

[0073] <Method for manufacturing a vehicle seat> Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat S will be described. First, the seat back module 2M is assembled. Specifically, electrical components including the blower device 100 and the electric motor 108 are attached to the first back cover 40. The blower device 100 is fixed to the upper reinforcing rib 42c behind the blower device accommodating recess 42b formed in the cover upper portion 42 of the first back cover 40 so as to be accommodated in the blower device accommodating recess 42b. Meanwhile, the electric motor 108 is attached to the lower end portion on the rear side of the left cover side portion 41.

[0074] Next, a pressure-receiving plate 60 is attached to a position facing the first opening 44 formed in the first back cover 40. Furthermore, the first back cover 40 and the pressure-receiving plate 60 are covered from the front by the first padding 2a, the seat heater 110, and the second padding 2b, and are also covered by the covering material 2c. This completes the assembly of the seat back module 2M.

[0075] At this time, a gap G is formed behind the seat back module 2M, through which the airflow blown out from the outlet 103 of the blower device 100 passes. Specifically, in the first back cover 40 covering the rear of the seat back module 2M, a gap G is formed between the outlet 103 and the first opening 44, through which the airflow can pass downward behind (on the back side of) the first back cover 40. This allows the blower device 100 to generate an airflow without being affected by the rear being covered by the first back cover 40, thereby improving the comfort of the occupants.

[0076] Next, the headrest 3 is attached to the upper end of the seatback module 2M so as to protrude forward (toward the seat occupant) from the seating surface 2d. Specifically, the headrest 3 is attached via the headrest frame 70 to the front surface 46a of the bracket 46 that protrudes forward from the seating surface 2d of the seatback module 2M. This allows the headrest 3 to be attached to the seatback module 2M while being positioned forward (toward the seat occupant) from the seating surface 2d of the seatback module 2M.

[0077] Next, the seat back module 2M to which the headrest 3 is attached and the second back cover 50 are assembled to the seat back frame 30. Specifically, the seat back module 2M and the second back cover 50 are assembled to the module assembly portion 34 of the seat back frame 30 so as to sandwich the seat back frame 30 from the front and rear.

[0078] Similarly, the seat cushion module 1M is assembled, and then the seat cushion module 1M is attached to the seat cushion frame 10. Finally, the cables connected to the electrical components (blower connection cable 120, heater connection cable 130, etc.) are connected to the control device 90 or an on-vehicle device. In this manner, the vehicle seat S is manufactured.

[0079] The configuration of a vehicle seat S according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the blower device 100 is described as drawing in air from the front and generating an airflow that flows downward behind the first back cover 40, but is not limited to this. The blower device 100 may also draw in air from below and generate an airflow that flows forward. Furthermore, although the blower device 100 has been described as drawing in air from the suction port 102 of the blower body 101, the present invention is not limited to this. The first pad material 2a and the second pad material 2b may have the air suction port 102 and a ventilation duct through which the drawn-in air passes, and the air may be drawn in through the ventilation duct.

[0081] 8 and 9, the air outlet 103 of the blower device 100 is shown extending to the right below the cover upper part 42, but it goes without saying that the air outlet 103 may extend downward. This allows the airflow generated by the blower body 101 to pass efficiently to the outside of the first back cover 40.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the first back cover 40 has the first opening 44, and the second back cover 50 has the second opening 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The entire seat back 2 may be covered with the upholstery material 2c, and the first opening 44 or the second opening 54 may be closed.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a vehicle seat S mounted on a vehicle is given as an example of a vehicle seat, and an example of the configuration thereof has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on ground vehicles having wheels such as automobiles and trains, and may also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that move on non-ground surfaces, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] S vehicle seat Front seat frame 1 seat cushion 1a First pad material 1b Second pad material 1c Skin material 1M Seat Cushion Module 2 seat backs 2a First pad material 2aa Blower coating 2b Second pad material 2c Skin material 2d seating surface 2M Seatback Module 3 Headrest 3a padding material 3b Skin material 4 Rail device 4a Lower rail 4b upper rail 4c Locking member 5 Reclining device 5a Reclining unit 5b Back rotation axis 5c spiral spring 10 Seat cushion frame 11 Side frame 12 Pan Frame 13 Rear connecting frame 14 Elastic spring (elastic member) 15 Support Plate 16 Cushion module assembly section 20 Cushion base cover 21 Cover side part 22 Front part of cover 23 Rear part of cover 24 Assembly section 25 Frame attachment / detachment part 30 Seat back frame 31 Backside Frame 32 Upper frame 33 Lower frame 34 Module assembly section 40 1st back cover 40a Cover body 40b Back reinforcement rib 40c front reinforcement rib 40d lower end 40e vertical wall section 41 Cover side part 42 Upper part of cover 42a Flat plate part 42b Blower device housing recess 42b1 Inclined wall 42b2 rear 42c Upper reinforcement rib 42c1 Vertical reinforcing rib 42c2 Horizontal reinforcement rib 42d Cable Transit 42e Cable holder (cable holding member) 43 Lower part of cover 44 First Opening 45 Cover assembly part 46 Bracket 46a front 50 Second back cover (seat back cover) 50a Cover body 50b Bottom end 51 Cover side part 52 Upper part of cover 53 Lower part of cover 54 Second Opening 55 Assembly section 60 Pressure Plate 60a upper end 61 Plate mounting part 62 Curved section 70 Headrest frame 71 Frame body 72 Outer flange 73 Bracket assembly part 74 Cover assembly part 75 Fasteners 80 Headrest Cover 81 Cover body 82 Outer flange 83 Mounting opening 84 Assembly section 90 Control device 91 Bracket 100 Blower device (air flow generating device) 101 Blower body 101a Rotation axis 101b Rotating blade 102 Intake port 103 Air outlet 104 Blower device fixing part (fixing member) 104a First blower device fixing part 104b Second blower device fixing part 104c Third blower device fixing part 108 Electric Motor 110 Seat heater 120 Blower connection cable 121 Blower connector 130 Heater connection cable G void

Claims

1. A vehicle seat including a seat back having a seat back frame and a seat back module replaceably attached to the seat back frame, The seat back module includes: A flexible padding material; a skin material covering the pad material; an airflow generating device disposed behind the padding; a cover member that covers the rear of the seat back module, supports the air flow generating device, and is attached to the seat back frame, The cover member has a recess recessed rearward, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the air flow generating device is housed in the recess.

2. the cover member has a reinforcing rib behind the recess, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating device is fixed to the reinforcing rib and accommodated in the recess.

3. The reinforcing rib is an orthogonal rib in which a vertical reinforcing rib extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal reinforcing rib extending in the left-right direction intersect perpendicularly with each other, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the air flow generating device is fixed at an intersection where the vertical reinforcing rib and the horizontal reinforcing rib intersect with each other by a fixing member that fixes the air flow generating device.

4. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the dimension of the reinforcing rib in the seat thickness direction is larger than the dimension of the air flow generating device in the seat thickness direction.

5. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein a tip of the reinforcing rib to which the air flow generating device is fixed is positioned at the same position as the seat back frame in the seat thickness direction.

6. The recess is recessed rearward along the seat back frame on the inside of the seat back frame, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a rear surface of the recess is located rearward of the seat back frame.

7. the airflow generating device has a connection cable electrically connected to the airflow generating device, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the connection cable is arranged to extend along a side wall of the recess.

8. the cover member has a cable penetration portion through which the connection cable passes, 8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the cable passage portion is provided at a lower end portion of the recess.

9. the cover member has a cable holding member that holds the connection cable, 9. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the cable holding member is provided at a position adjacent to the cable passage portion.

10. The seat back module has a bracket that protrudes forward from a seating surface and to which a headrest can be attached, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating device is located rearward of the headrest attached to the bracket when housed in the recess.

11. the seat back module is disposed behind the pad material and has a pressure-receiving member that receives the load of a seated occupant; 11. The vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the air flow generating device is attached to the cover member at a position below the bracket and above an upper end of the pressure-receiving member.

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