Restrooms, seats, vehicle seats and beds

Abstract

To provide a seat that can appropriately change the pressure distribution of the seated person's body. [Solution] The seat 1 comprises a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3 rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2. The seat cushion 2 has a seat cushion frame 20, a cushion pad 21 provided on the seat cushion frame 20, and a surface material 22 that covers the seat cushion frame 20 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided. The seat cushion frame 20 has a base frame 23 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided, and a rotating frame 24 on which the surface material 22 is provided and which is rotatably supported by the base frame 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a resting device, a seat, a vehicle seat, and a bed.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of device, a seat having a seat surface configured to be movable up and down is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat described in Patent Document 1 includes a pan frame fixed to the front end of a link frame, and the pan frame moves up and down by rotating the link frame with a drive unit, whereby the seat surface moves up and down.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to improve the comfort of a seated person sitting on the seat, it is preferable to be able to appropriately change the body pressure distribution of the seated person. However, it is difficult to appropriately change the body pressure distribution of the seated person simply by configuring the seat surface to be movable up and down as in the seat described in Patent Document 1 above.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a resting device comprising a first cushion portion and a second cushion portion rotatably supported by the first cushion portion, wherein the first cushion portion comprises a cushion frame, a cushion pad provided on the cushion frame, and a surface material covering the cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided, and the cushion frame comprises a first cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided and a second cushion frame on which the surface material is provided and which is supported by the first cushion frame so as to be able to move up and down.

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, by moving the second cushion frame of the first cushion portion, the surface material provided on the second cushion frame can be separated from the cushion pad. As a result, when a user applies a load to the first cushion portion in this state, the surface material flexes, increasing the contact area between the user and the surface material, and thus distributing the user's body pressure supported by the first cushion portion.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the resting device described in claim 1 is a seat, the first cushion portion includes a seat cushion, and the second cushion portion includes a seat back.

[0008] According to the invention of claim 2, the body pressure acting on the seat cushion of an occupant seated in the seat can be distributed.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the seat described in claim 2, the cushion pad comprises a first cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame and a second cushion pad provided on the second cushion frame, and the surface material is provided so as to cover the second cushion frame on which the second cushion pad is provided.

[0010] According to the invention of claim 3, when the second cushion frame is moved to separate the surface material from the first cushion pad, the second cushion pad can stably support the occupant on the surface material.

[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the seat according to claim 2 further comprises a cushion actuator for raising and lowering the second cushion frame, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the cushion actuator so that the second cushion frame is raised and lowered in response to the rotational movement of the seat back.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 4, the raising and lowering of the second cushion frame can be easily linked to the rotation of the seat back, and for example, the seat can be easily set to relaxation mode.

[0013] The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the seat described in claim 4, the seat further comprises an ottoman that can be extended and retracted from the floor in front of the seat cushion, and an ottoman actuator for extending and retracting the ottoman from the floor, wherein the control unit further controls the driving of the ottoman actuator so that the ottoman extends and retracts in response to the raising and lowering movement of the second cushion frame.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 5, the raising and lowering of the second cushion frame can be easily linked to the raising and lowering of the ottoman, and for example, it can be easily set to a relaxation mode with the ottoman in place.

[0015] The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the seat described in claim 5, the ottoman actuator is configured to allow the ottoman to rotate vertically around a pivot axis extending along the floor, and the control unit controls the driving of the ottoman actuator so that when the ottoman is extended, the height of the ottoman from the floor is a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 6, the ottoman can be set to an optimal state according to the state of the seat.

[0017] The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the seat according to claim 2, a biasing member is further provided which biases the surface material toward the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame so that the surface material adheres closely to the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame when the second cushion frame is in a lowered position.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 7, even when a second cushion frame is provided, the surface material can be brought into close contact with the cushion pad when the second cushion frame is not rotated.

[0019] The invention according to claim 8 is a seat according to claim 7, wherein the seat cushion further comprises a pressure-receiving member provided on the first cushion frame and receiving a load from the seated person, and the biasing member is characterized in that one end is attached to the surface material and the other end is attached to the pressure-receiving member.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 8, it becomes possible to support the load from the occupant seated on the seat with the pressure-receiving member, and the rigidity of the cushion pad and surface material can be reduced compared to when no pressure-receiving member is provided.

[0021] The invention according to claim 9 is a seat according to claim 2, wherein the seat back comprises a seat back frame, a back pad provided on the seat back frame, and a back surface material covering the seat back frame on which the back pad is provided, and the seat back frame comprises a first back frame on which the back pad is provided, and a second back frame on which the back surface material of the seat back is provided and which is supported so as to be movable on the first back frame in a direction away from the first back frame.

[0022] According to the invention according to claim 9, by moving the second back frame of the seat back, the skin material provided on the second back frame can be separated from the back pad. As a result, when the user applies a load to the seat back in this state, the skin material bends, increasing the contact area between the upper body of the user and the skin material, and dispersing the body pressure of the upper body supported by the seat back.

[0023] The invention according to claim 10 is the seat according to claim 9, further comprising a back actuator that moves the second back frame in a direction away from the first back frame, and a control unit that controls the driving of the back actuator so that the second back frame moves in correspondence with the pivoting operation of the seat back.

[0024] According to the invention according to claim 10, the movement of the second back frame can be easily interlocked with the pivoting of the seat back. For example, the seat can be easily set to the relaxation mode.

[0025] The invention according to claim 11 is the seat according to claim 2, further comprising a headrest attached to the upper end of the seat back, the headrest having a headrest frame, a headrest pad provided on the headrest frame, and a headrest skin material covering the headrest frame provided with the headrest pad, the headrest frame having a first headrest frame provided with the headrest pad, and a second headrest frame provided with the headrest skin material and movably supported on the first headrest frame in a direction away from the first headrest frame.

[0026] According to the invention according to claim 11, by moving the second headrest frame of the headrest, the skin material provided on the second headrest frame can be separated from the headrest pad. Thereby, when the user places their head on the headrest in this state, the skin material flexes, increasing the contact area between the user's head and the skin material, and the body pressure of the head supported by the headrest can be dispersed.

[0027] The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that, in the seat according to claim 11, it further comprises a headrest actuator for moving the second headrest frame in a direction away from the first headrest frame, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the headrest actuator so that the second headrest frame moves in correspondence with the pivoting operation of the seat back.

[0028] According to the invention according to claim 12, the movement of the second headrest frame of the headrest can be easily interlocked with the pivoting of the seat back. For example, the seat can be easily set to a relaxation mode with the headrest intervening.

[0029] The invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that, in the seat according to claim 8, it further comprises a seating sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a seated person, and the seating sensor has a first seating sensor attached to the cushion pad or the pressure receiving member, and a second seating sensor attached to the skin material.

[0030] According to the invention according to claim 13, even when the second cushion frame is pivoted to separate the skin material from the first cushion pad, it is possible to detect a seated person sitting on the seat.

[0031] The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that, in the seat according to claim 8, it further comprises a vibration device for applying vibration to a seated person, and the vibration device has a first vibration device attached to the cushion pad or the pressure receiving member, and a second vibration device attached to the skin material.

[0032] According to the invention of claim 14, even when the second cushion frame is rotated to separate the surface material from the first cushion pad, vibrations from the vibration device can be transmitted to the occupant sitting in the seat.

[0033] The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that, in the seat according to claim 13, an ottoman is further provided in front of the seat cushion that can be extended and retracted from the floor, and the seating sensor further comprises a third seating sensor attached to the ottoman.

[0034] According to the invention of claim 15, the usage status of the ottoman can be detected.

[0035] The invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that, in the sheet described in claim 2, the second cushion frame is provided on the outside in the width direction of the first cushion frame.

[0036] According to the invention of claim 16, the width in the left-right direction can be increased compared to when the second cushion frame is provided on the inside in the width direction of the first cushion frame, thereby improving the seating comfort when the second cushion frame of the seat cushion is rotated. This allows the occupant to relax even more.

[0037] The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the seat described in any one of claims 2 to 16 is a seat for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle, and the cushion frame has pipes that extend in the left-right direction and suppress the submarine effect, which suppresses the forward movement of the occupant when the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision.

[0038] According to the invention of claim 17, when a vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the occupants sink forward and downward, the occupants' feet come into contact with the pipe, thereby suppressing the occupants' forward and downward sinking, and thus the occupants' forward and downward movement can be suppressed.

[0039] The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the seat described in any one of claims 2 to 16 is a seat for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle, and is attached to the seat cushion frame and has a cushion airbag that inflates when the vehicle is struck forward to suppress the forward movement of the occupant.

[0040] According to the invention of claim 18, when a vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the occupants sink forward and downward, the cushion airbag inflates and the occupants' feet come into contact with it, thereby suppressing the occupants' forward and downward sinking, and thus suppressing the occupants' forward and downward movement.

[0041] The invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that the resting device described in claim 1 is a bed having a reclining mechanism, the first cushion portion includes a first bed mattress portion, and the second cushion portion includes a second bed mattress portion rotatably connected to the first bed mattress portion.

[0042] According to the invention of claim 19, the body pressure of the upper body supported by the first bed mattress portion of a user sitting on a reclining bed can be distributed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0043] According to the present invention, the user's body pressure distribution can be appropriately altered. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the seat cushion frame according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion frame. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to this embodiment, taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows the seat cushion's rotating frame in a rotated state. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to this embodiment, taken from line VI-VI. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows the seat cushion's rotating frame in a rotated state. [Figure 8] Block diagram of the controller that controls the seat's movement. [Figure 9A] A cross-sectional view showing an occupant seated on a seat cushion set to drive mode. [Figure 9B] A cross-sectional view showing an occupant seated on a seat cushion set to relaxation mode. [Figure 10] A perspective view of a seat back frame according to a first modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 11A] Cross-sectional view of the seat back at line XI-XI according to the first modified example. [Figure 11B] Figure 11A shows the seatback's rotating back frame in a rotated state. [Figure 12] A perspective view of a seat back frame and headrest frame according to a second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 13A] A cross-sectional view of the headrest at line XIII-XIII according to a second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 13B] Figure 13A shows the headrest frame in a rotated state. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating other forms of seat cushions. [Figure 15] A diagram illustrating other forms of seat cushions. [Figure 16A] A cross-sectional view illustrating a seat cushion equipped with a sensor. [Figure 16B] A diagram illustrating the arrangement of sensors installed on the seat cushion. [Figure 16C] A cross-sectional view showing an occupant seated on a seat cushion equipped with sensors. [Figure 17A] A cross-sectional view illustrating a seat cushion equipped with a vibration device. [Figure 17B] A diagram illustrating the arrangement of vibration devices installed in a seat cushion. [Figure 17C] A cross-sectional view showing an occupant seated on a seat cushion equipped with a vibration device. [Figure 18A] A diagram illustrating an ottoman equipped with a seating sensor. [Figure 18B] A diagram showing the ottoman in its retracted position. [Figure 19A] A side view of a bed according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19B] A diagram showing a bed with part of it raised upwards. [Figure 20] This diagram shows the rotating frame provided on the first bed mattress section in a rotated state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The resting device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used in beds and seats having a reclining function. The seat can be used as a vehicle seat installed in various vehicles such as aircraft, trains, and automobiles, and can also be used in seats other than vehicle seats, such as single-seater sofas, massage chairs, office chairs, wheelchairs, etc. Below, an example of a seat having a reclining mechanism will be described, specifically an example of its application to a seat installed in an automobile.

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a seat 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seat 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as a passenger seat or a single rear seat in a vehicle. In the case of an autonomous vehicle, it can also be used as the driver's seat. In the following, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined as shown in the figure, based on an occupant (seater) seated in the seat 1, and the configuration of each part will be described according to this definition. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the seat 1 generally correspond to the front-rear direction (length direction), left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, the seat 1 comprises a seat cushion (first cushion) 2 that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back (second cushion) 3 that supports the occupant's waist and back, a headrest 4 that supports the occupant's head, and a controller (control unit) 5 that controls these.

[0048] The seat cushion 2 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by a sliding device (not shown) provided on the floor 10 of the vehicle, and the seat back 3 is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 2 at its rear end. The headrest 4 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction by the seat back 3 at its upper end. The controller 5 controls the driving of various actuators provided on the seat cushion 2, seat back 3, headrest 4, etc., to set the seat 1 to various configurations. The seat 1 will be described in detail below.

[0049] The seat cushion 2 comprises a seat cushion frame 20 that forms the skeleton, a cushion pad 21 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a surface material 22 made of synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, etc., and is formed by attaching the cushion pad 21 to the seat cushion frame 20 and covering them with the surface material 22.

[0050] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat cushion frame 20 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion frame 20 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seat cushion frame 20 comprises a base frame (first cushion frame) 23 that forms a skeleton conforming to the outer shape of the seat cushion 2, a rotating frame (second cushion frame) 24 that is rotatably supported by the base frame 23, a pressure receiving member 25 provided on the base frame 23 that supports the load from the buttocks of an occupant sitting on the seat cushion 2, and a cushion actuator 26 (see Figure 1) that rotates the rotating frame 24.

[0051] The base frame 23 comprises a pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L extending in the front-rear direction, and an upper frame 232 that is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. Each of the left and right lower frames 231R, 231L is formed in a plate shape with both sides facing in the left-right direction, and is erected vertically while extending in the front-rear direction. The upper surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are formed to be in contact with the lower surface of the rotating frame 24, thereby restricting the rotational position of the rotating frame 24. In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are provided extending substantially horizontally, and when in contact with the lower surface of the rotating frame 24 (non-rotating state), the rotating frame 24 is positioned substantially horizontally. The lower surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R, 231L are joined to a sliding device (not shown) provided on the floor 10 of the vehicle, thereby allowing the seat cushion 2 to move in the front-rear direction.

[0052] A sliding device (not shown) includes, for example, a pair of left and right lower rails extending in the front-rear direction on the floor 10, and a pair of left and right upper rails slidably supported by the pair of left and right lower rails, with the lower surfaces of the pair of left and right lower frames 231R, 231L joined to the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right upper rails.

[0053] The upper frame 232 comprises a pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L extending in the front-rear direction, a front pipe 234 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L, and a rear pipe 235 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L.

[0054] Each of the left and right side frames 233R and 233L, like the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L, is formed as a plate with both sides facing left and right, and is erected vertically while extending in the front and rear direction. The left and right side frames 233R and 233L are erected approximately parallel to the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L, and their outer surfaces are joined to the inner surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L. In other words, the left and right side frames 233R and 233L are located inside the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L in the width direction. Furthermore, the lower surfaces of the left and right side frames 233R and 233L are located above the lower surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L, and their upper surfaces are also located above the upper surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L. In other words, the left and right pair of side frames 233R and 233L are positioned offset upward from the left and right pair of lower frames 231R and 231L.

[0055] The left and right side frames 233R, 233L each have a pair of left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L extending upward at their rear ends. A pivot shaft 237 is joined to the left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L, extending in the left and right direction and connecting the left and right bracket portions 236R, 236L to each other, and the pivot shaft 237 rotatably supports the seat back 3. In addition, a recessed portion 238 cut out forward is provided at the rear end of bracket portion 236R at a position corresponding to the space between the pivot shaft 237 and the rear pipe 235.

[0056] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view (longitudinal section) of the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment, taken along the line IV-IV. Here, a longitudinal section refers to a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, the description of the lower frame 231R is omitted in the base frame 23 shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, a pressure-receiving member 25 is stretched across the front pipe 234 and the rear pipe 235. The front pipe 234 is provided with a support portion 239 that supports one end of the cushion actuator 26 that rotates the rotating frame 24. The support portion 239 is formed in a plate shape with both sides facing vertically, and extends rearward from approximately the center of the front pipe 234 in the left-right direction. A through hole 239a is provided in approximately the center of the support portion 239 in the left-right direction, through which the cushion actuator 26 can pass in the vertical direction. The support portion 239 supports one end of the cushion actuator 26 in a state that allows it to pass through the through hole 239a.

[0057] The rotating frame 24 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed from above. The rotating frame 24 comprises a pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L extending in the front-rear direction, a front pipe 242 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L, and a rear pipe 243 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L.

[0058] Each of the left and right side frames 241R and 241L, like the left and right side frames 233R and 233L, is formed as a plate with both sides facing left and right, and is erected vertically while extending in the front and rear direction. The left and right side frames 241R and 241L are erected on the left and right outer sides (widthwise outer sides) of the left and right side frames 233R and 233L of the upper frame 232, and above the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L, approximately parallel to the left and right side frames 233R and 233L, and rotate along the outer surfaces of the left and right side frames 233R and 233L. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the left and right side frames 241R and 241L and the outer surfaces of the left and right lower frames 231R and 231L are located on approximately the same plane. That is, their outer surfaces are almost flush with each other.

[0059] The front pipe 242 is positioned above the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232, and the rear pipe 243 is positioned above the rear pipe 235 of the upper frame 232. The front and rear ends of the surface material 22 are stretched over the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243, respectively.

[0060] The front pipe 242 is provided with a support portion 244 that supports the other end of the cushion actuator 26 that rotates the pivot frame 24. The support portion 244 is formed in a plate shape with both sides facing vertically and extends rearward from approximately the center of the front pipe 242 in the left-right direction. A through hole 244a is provided in approximately the center of the support portion 244 in the left-right direction, through which the cushion actuator 26 can pass in the vertical direction, and the support portion 244 supports the other end of the cushion actuator 26 in a manner that allows it to pass through. The rear pipe 243 is provided between the rear pipe 235 of the upper frame 232 and the pivot shaft 237, and is located within the concave portions 238 provided in the bracket portions 236R and 236L.

[0061] The rotating frame 24 configured in this way is rotatably supported on the base frame 23 by a pair of left and right rotating support parts 245R, 245L that rotatably support the rear ends of a pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L. The pair of left and right rotating support parts 245R, 245L rotatably connect the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 241R, 241L of the rotating frame 24 to the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames 233R, 233L of the upper frame 232 (base frame 23) so that the rotating frame 24 is rotatably supported on the base frame 23 around an axis CL1 extending in the left-right direction. The pair of left and right rotating support parts 245R, 245L are provided such that the axis CL1 is located between the rear pipe 235 of the upper frame 232 and the rear pipe 243 of the rotating frame 24 (see Figure 4).

[0062] The pressure-receiving member 25 is used by being stretched across the front pipe 234 and the rear pipe 235. As shown in Figure 3, the pressure-receiving member 25 is formed in a plate shape with both sides facing vertically, and includes a pressure-receiving portion 251 that receives the load of the occupant, a front engaging portion 252 that engages with the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232, and a rear engaging portion 253 that engages with the rear pipe 235. The pressure-receiving portion 251 has a notch 254 approximately in the center in the left-right direction at the front, and the notch 254 is provided so that when the front engaging portion 252 of the pressure-receiving member 25 is engaged with the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23, the support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 can be positioned within the notch 254.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, the cushion actuator 26 is interposed between a support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23 and a support portion 244 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24, and is configured to be extendable and retractable. In other words, the cushion actuator 26 is extended and retractable at the front end of the seat cushion frame 20, and as the cushion actuator 26 extends and retracts, the rotating frame 24 rotates around a pair of left and right rotating support portions 245R, 245L. To put it another way, as the cushion actuator 245 extends and retracts, the front part of the rotating frame 24 is raised and lowered relative to the base frame 23 around a pair of left and right rotating support portions 245R, 245L.

[0064] The cushioning actuator 26 comprises a screw shaft 261, a screw nut 262 that screws onto the screw shaft 261, a motor 263 that rotates the screw nut 262, and a housing 264 that houses the screw nut 262 and the motor 263.

[0065] The screw shaft 261 is rotatably supported by a support portion 244 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24, with its tip located around a pivot axis 265 extending in the left-right direction. The screw nut 262 is rotatably housed in the housing 264 with the screw screw shaft 261 screwed in, and the motor 263 is housed in the housing 264 connected to the screw nut 262 via a gear train (not shown). The housing 264 is rotatably supported by a support portion 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23, with its tip located around a pivot axis 266 extending in the left-right direction.

[0066] Figure 5 shows the state in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 shown in Figure 4 is rotated. As shown in Figure 5, the cushion actuator 26 moves relative to the screw shaft 261 as the screw nut 262, which is rotated by the driving force of the motor 263, moves relative to the screw shaft 261, and the housing 264 that supports the screw nut 262 moves relative to the screw shaft 261 together with the screw nut 262. The housing 264 is supported by a support part 239 provided on the front pipe 234 of the base frame 23, so it supports one end of the screw shaft 261, and the support part 246 provided on the front pipe 242 of the rotating frame 24 is lifted by the screw shaft 261. As a result the rotating frame 24 rotates upward.

[0067] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view (sectional plane) of the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment, taken from VI-VI. Note that the cross-sectional view referred to here is a cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the vehicle. Also, the description of the left and right pair of lower frames 231R and 231L is omitted in the base frame 23 shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, the cushion pad 21 comprises a base cushion pad (first cushion pad) 211 provided on the base frame 23 and a rotating cushion pad (second cushion pad) 212 provided on the rotating frame 24.

[0068] The base cushion pad 211 is a cushioning material provided on the seat surface 2a of the seat cushion 2, and the rotating cushion pad 212 is a cushioning material provided on the side support portions 2b located on both the left and right sides of the seat surface 2a. In the seat cushion 2 according to this embodiment, the base frame 23 and the pressure receiving member 25 constitute the skeleton of the seat surface 2a, and the rotating frame 24 constitutes the skeleton of the side support portions 2b. The base cushion pad 211 is provided by being placed on the pressure receiving member 25 which is stretched across the base frame 23, and the rotating cushion pad 212 is provided extending in the front-rear direction so as to cover the upper parts of the left and right pair of side frames 241R, 241L of the rotating frame 24.

[0069] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the base cushion pad 211 has a plurality of grooves 213 provided to improve the seating comfort of the occupant when seated, and a plurality of housing portions 214 provided inside each of the plurality of grooves 213. The plurality of grooves 213 include a plurality of longitudinal grooves 213a provided near the boundary between the seat surface portion 2a and the side support portion 2b, extending in the front-rear direction. The plurality of housing portions 214 are provided so as to be able to accommodate the tension springs (biasing members) 224 described later, which are provided on the surface material 22 to make the surface material 22 adhere tightly to the base cushion pad 211, and are provided at predetermined intervals inside each of the plurality of longitudinal grooves 213a. One end of the tension spring 224 is attached to the surface material 22, and the other end is attached to the pressure receiving member 25. By arranging the tension springs 224 in such housing portions 214, the surface material 22 can be properly adhered to the cushion pad 21 when the rotating frame 24 is not rotating.

[0070] Since the base cushion pad 211 and the rotating cushion pad 212 can be made of general cushioning materials such as urethane foam used in vehicle seats, a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0071] As shown in Figure 1, the surface material 22 is provided to cover the base frame 23 to which the base cushion pad 211 is attached and the rotating frame 24 to which the rotating cushion pad 212 is attached. In this embodiment, the surface material 22 covers the base cushion pad 211 and the rotating cushion pad 212 by engaging both ends in the front-rear direction with the front pipe 242 and rear pipe 243 of the rotating frame 24, and engaging both ends in the left-right direction with the left and right pair of side frames 241R and 241L of the rotating frame 24.

[0072] Specifically, the surface material 22 includes a plurality of first hooks 221 provided at each of its front-to-rear ends, a plurality of second hooks 222 provided at each of its left-to-right ends, a plurality of third hooks 223 provided near each of the plurality of longitudinal grooves 213a of the base cushion pad 211, and a plurality of tension springs 224 provided at locations corresponding to each of the plurality of housing portions 214 of the base cushion pad 211.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4, the multiple first hooks 221 are formed to engage with multiple first engaging portions 247 provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of the front pipe 242 and rear pipe 243, respectively, corresponding to the multiple first hooks 221. As shown in Figure 6, the multiple second hooks 222 are formed to engage with multiple second engaging portions 248 provided on the lower surfaces of the left and right pair of side frames 241R and 241L, respectively, corresponding to the multiple second hooks 222. As shown in Figure 6, the multiple third hooks 223 are formed to engage with multiple third engaging portions 249 provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right pair of side frames 241R and 241L, respectively, corresponding to the multiple third hooks 223. For example, the multiple first engaging portions 247 are formed protruding from corresponding positions on the outer circumferential surfaces of the front pipe 242 and the rear pipe 243, while the multiple second engaging portions 248 and the multiple third engaging portions 249 are formed by cutting out corresponding positions on the lower and inner surfaces of the left and right pair of side frames 241R and 241L.

[0074] Figure 7 shows the state in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 shown in Figure 6 is rotated. Multiple tension springs 224 are formed to be housed in multiple housing portions 214 of the base cushion pad 211. Furthermore, when the rotating frame 24 is not rotating, the multiple tension springs 224 have a spring coefficient that allows the surface material 22 to be in close contact with the base cushion pad 211, as shown in Figure 6, and when the rotating frame 24 is rotating (when the front part is raised), the surface material 22 to be separated from the base cushion pad 211, as shown in Figure 7.

[0075] The surface material 22 can be made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, or net sheet. Net sheet includes, for example, a cloth-like fabric made by weaving elastic fibers or a mesh-like fabric made by stretchably weaving non-elastic fibers, and includes a lightweight, highly elastic spring material. By using a stretchable fabric for the surface material 22, when the rotating frame 24 is rotated and the surface material 22 is separated from the cushion pad 21, the contact area between the seated occupant's buttocks and other body parts and the surface material 22 increases, and the user's body pressure can be distributed. As a result, the burden on the occupant's buttocks and other body parts can be reduced even when sitting for long periods of time. In addition, because the surface material 22 follows and wraps around the occupant's buttocks and other body parts like a hammock, the hold is also improved and the seating posture can be stabilized.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the seat back 3 comprises a seat back frame 30 that forms a skeleton conforming to the outer shape of the seat back 3, a back pad 31 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a back surface material 32 made of synthetic leather or fabric. Similar to the seat cushion 2, the seat back is formed by attaching the back pad 31 to the seat back frame 30 and covering them with the back surface material 32.

[0077] The seat back frame 30 is rotatably supported on the base frame 23 of the seat cushion 2 around a pivot shaft 237 provided on the base frame 23, and has an electric reclining mechanism that rotates when driven by a reclining actuator 37. The reclining actuator 37 is, for example, attached to the seat back frame 30 and connected to the pivot shaft 237 via a gear train (not shown), and when driven, rotates the seat back frame 30 around the pivot shaft 237.

[0078] The back pad 31 and back surface material 32 can be made with the same configuration as the cushion pad 21 and surface material 22 of the seat cushion 2, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0079] As shown in Figure 1, the headrest 4 does not have a frame that forms a skeleton like the seat cushion 2 and seat back 3, but is formed by covering a headrest pad 41, which is formed into a predetermined shape, with a headrest surface material 42. The headrest 4 has a headrest stay 47 disposed inside it and is supported by the seat back frame 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction via the headrest stay 47. Note that the headrest pad 41 and headrest surface material 42 can be the same as the cushion pad 21 and surface material 22 of the seat cushion 2, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0080] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the seat 1 further includes an ottoman 6 capable of supporting the feet of a seated occupant. The ottoman 6 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is positioned on the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2. By rotating the ottoman 6 around the axis CL2, which is assumed to be a hypothetical cylinder, it is configured to extend and retract from the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2.

[0081] The ottoman 6 comprises an ottoman frame 60 that forms a skeleton conforming to the external shape of the ottoman 6, an ottoman pad 61 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and an ottoman surface material 62 made of synthetic leather or fabric. Similar to the seat cushion 2, it is formed by attaching the ottoman pad 61 to the ottoman frame 60 and covering them with the ottoman surface material 62.

[0082] The ottoman frame 60 is rotatably supported in the ottoman housing 11, which is located on the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2, around a pivot axis 11a provided in the ottoman housing 11, and is configured to be rotatable by the drive of an ottoman actuator 63. The ottoman actuator 63 is, for example, attached to the ottoman frame 60 and connected to the pivot axis 11a via a gear train (not shown), and when driven, rotates the ottoman frame 60 around the pivot axis 11a. For example, when the ottoman 6 is housed in the ottoman housing 11, driving the ottoman actuator 63 to rotate the ottoman frame 60 by 180° causes the ottoman 6 to emerge from the ottoman housing 11, and rotating it another 180° causes the ottoman 6 to be housed again inside the ottoman housing 11. The ottoman 6 is at its highest height from the floor 10 when rotated 90 to 180 degrees from its stored position, and maintains a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation until it is rotated 90 degrees from its stored position.

[0083] The ottoman pad 61 is formed to conform to the outer shape of the ottoman 6 and is housed inside the ottoman frame 60, which forms the skeleton. Note that the ottoman pad 61 and the ottoman surface material 62 can be made from general cushioning materials and surface materials such as urethane foam used in ottomans for vehicle seats; therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0084] The controller 5 controls the operation of various actuators provided on the seat 1 so that it behaves according to the occupant's command. For example, when a pre-stored relax mode or drive mode is commanded, the controller 5 controls the operation of the cushion actuator 26, the reclining actuator 37, and the ottoman actuator 63 so that the seat 1 is in relax mode or drive mode. At this time, the controller 5 controls the operation of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 emerges from the ottoman housing 11 in response to the rotational movement of the rotating frame 24. The controller 5 controls the operation of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the height of the ottoman 6 from the floor 10 is a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman 6.

[0085] The "relax mode" is a configuration in which the seatback 3 is tilted backward, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated upward, and the ottoman 6 is extended. The "drive mode" is a configuration in which the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is not rotated, the seatback 3 is upright at a predetermined angle, and the ottoman 6 is retracted. When the seat 1 is set to relaxation mode, in addition to the seatback 3 tilting backward, the contact area between the seated occupant and the surface material 22 of the seat cushion 2 increases, which distributes the occupant's body pressure and allows the occupant to relax. On the other hand, the drive mode is the normal configuration of the seat 1 when seated and is set as the default.

[0086] Furthermore, when the controller 5 receives a command to tilt the seatback 3 (backward or forward), it controls the drive of the reclining actuator 37 so that the seatback 3 tilts to the angle specified by the occupant. At this time, if the seatback 3 is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more, the controller 5 also controls the drive of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 emerges from the ottoman storage compartment 11.

[0087] Figure 8 is a block diagram of the controller 5 that controls the driving of seat 1. As shown in Figure 8, the controller 5 is composed of a computer including an arithmetic unit 51 such as a CPU, a storage unit 52 such as ROM, RAM, and hard disk, and other peripheral devices not shown. The arithmetic unit 51 has an information receiving unit 511 and an information output unit 512 as its functional configuration.

[0088] The information receiving unit 511 receives various information and commands. For example, the information receiving unit 511 receives commands such as a backward tilt signal output when the occupant presses the backward tilt switch SW1 to tilt the seat back 3 backward, a forward tilt signal output when the occupant presses the forward tilt switch SW2 to tilt the seat back 3 forward, a drive mode signal output when the occupant presses the drive mode switch SW3 to set the seat 1 to drive mode, and a relaxation mode signal output when the occupant presses the relaxation mode switch SW4 to set the seat 1 to relaxation mode. The information receiving unit 511 also receives the backward tilt angle of the seat back 3 detected by the backward tilt sensor 38 that detects the backward tilt angle of the seat back 3.

[0089] The information output unit 512 outputs control signals to various actuators based on the various information and commands received by the information receiving unit 511. For example, when the information receiving unit 511 receives a reclining signal or a forward tilt signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37, driving the reclining actuator 37. The information output unit 512 continues to output control signals to the reclining actuator 37 while the information receiving unit 511 is receiving a reclining signal or a forward tilt signal. That is, as long as the occupant is pressing the reclining switch SW1 or the forward tilt switch SW2, the seat back 3 continues to tilt backward or forward. At this time, when the information output unit 512 receives a reclining angle greater than a predetermined angle detected by the reclining sensor 38, it outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63, rotating the ottoman 6.

[0090] Similarly, when the information receiving unit 511 receives the drive mode signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the cushion actuator 26 to rotate the rotating frame 24 and also outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 to rotate the seat back 3, so that the seat 1 is in the configuration of the drive mode stored in the memory unit 52. If the ottoman 6 is extended at this time, the unit outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63 to retract the ottoman 6. In other words, when the occupant presses the drive mode switch SW3, the configuration of the seat 1 is changed to drive mode.

[0091] Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 511 receives a relax mode signal, the information output unit 512 outputs a control signal to the cushion actuator 26 to rotate the rotating frame 24, outputs a control signal to the reclining actuator 37 to tilt the seat back 3, and outputs a control signal to the ottoman actuator 63 to rotate the ottoman 6, so that the seat 1 enters the relaxed mode configuration stored in the memory unit 52. In other words, when the occupant presses the relax mode switch SW4, the configuration of the seat 1 is changed to relax mode.

[0092] The memory unit 52 stores various programs and data executed by the arithmetic unit 51. The memory unit 52 has a mode memory unit 521 that stores the configuration of seat 1 in various modes. The mode memory unit 521 stores configurations of seat 1 in drive mode, configurations of seat 1 in relaxation mode, and so on.

[0093] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion 2 set to drive mode, and Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion 2 set to relax mode. In the drive mode of seat 1, as shown in Figure 9A, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is not rotating, that is, the surface material 22 of the seat cushion 2 is in close contact with the cushion pad 21, and the load from the occupant's buttocks etc. is supported by the pressure receiving member 25 via the surface material 22 and the cushion pad 21.

[0094] On the other hand, in the relaxation mode of seat 1, as shown in Figure 9B, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated, that is, the surface material 22 of the seat cushion 2 is separated from the cushion pad 21, and the load from the occupant's buttocks is supported by the surface material 22. As mentioned above, since the surface material 22 is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, etc., when it receives a load from the occupant's buttocks in this state, the surface material 22 stretches, and the contact area with the occupant's buttocks increases. As a result, the occupant's body pressure on the seat cushion 2 is distributed, and the burden on the occupant's buttocks is reduced, for example, even when sitting for a long time. In addition, because the surface material 22 follows and wraps around the occupant's buttocks like a hammock, the hold is improved and the seating posture is stabilized.

[0095] According to Sheet 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The seat 1 according to this embodiment comprises a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3 rotatably supported on the seat cushion 2 (Figure 1). The seat cushion 2 has a seat cushion frame 20, a cushion pad 21 provided on the seat cushion frame 20, and a surface material 22 that covers the seat cushion frame 20 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided (Figures 4 and 6). The seat cushion frame 20 has a base frame 23 on which the cushion pad 21 is provided, and a rotatable frame 24 on which the surface material 22 is provided and which is supported on the base frame 23 so as to be able to move up and down (Figures 5 and 7).

[0096] This configuration allows the rotating frame 24 to be rotated, thereby separating the surface material 22 provided on the rotating frame 24 from the cushion pad 21 (Figures 5 and 7). As a result, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 2 in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the seat cushion 2 (in this case, the surface material 22) increases (Figures 9A and 9B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the seat cushion 2. Consequently, the burden on the occupant's buttocks and other areas is reduced, and fatigue is lessened, for example, even when riding (sitting) for long periods of time.

[0097] (2) In the seat 1 described in (1), the seat cushion 2 is further provided with a pressure-receiving member 25 that is attached to the base frame 23 and receives the load from the occupant (Figure 2). With this configuration, the pressure-receiving member 25 ultimately supports the load from the occupant, so the rigidity of the cushion pad 21 and the surface material 22 can be made lower than when the pressure-receiving member 25 is not provided. This improves the comfort of the seat cushion 2. In addition, it becomes possible to use a stretchable fabric or the like for the surface material 22, and when the rotating frame 24 is rotated, the contact area between the occupant and the surface material 22 can be made larger. As a result, the body pressure of the occupant acting on the seat cushion 2 can be distributed more evenly.

[0098] (3) In the seat 1 described in (1), the cushion pad 21 has a base cushion pad 211 provided on the base frame 23 and a rotating cushion pad 212 provided on the rotating frame 24 (Figures 4 and 6). The surface material 22 is provided so as to cover the rotating frame 24 on which the rotating cushion pad 212 is provided (Figures 5 and 7). With this configuration, even when the rotating frame 24 is rotated and the surface material 22 is separated from the base cushion pad 211, the occupant can be stably supported by the surface material 22 by the rotating cushion pad 212 provided on the rotating frame 24. In addition, since the surface material 22 is provided on the rotating frame 24 via the rotating cushion pad 212, the load from the rotating frame 24 acting on the surface material 22 can be reduced.

[0099] (4) The seat 1 described in (1) further includes a cushion actuator 26 for raising and lowering the rotating frame 24, and a controller 5 for controlling the drive of the cushion actuator 26 so that the rotating frame 24 rotates in response to the rotational movement of the seat back 3 (Figures 1 and 8). With this configuration, the seat 1 can be easily set to a relaxed mode, for example, by tilting the seat back 3 backward and rotating the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 upward.

[0100] The seat 1 described in (5)(4) further includes an ottoman 6 that can be extended and retracted from the floor 10 in front of the seat cushion 2, and an ottoman actuator 63 that extends and retracts the ottoman 6 from the floor 10 (Figures 1 and 8). The controller 5 further controls the drive of the ottoman actuator 63 so that the ottoman 6 extends and retracts in response to the rotational movement of the rotating frame 24. With this configuration, for example, the seat back 3 can be tilted backward, the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 can be rotated upward, and the ottoman 6 can be easily set to a relaxed mode.

[0101] In the seat 1 described in (6)(5), the ottoman actuator 63 is configured to rotate the ottoman 6 around a rotation axis 11a that extends along the floor 10, and the controller 5 controls the drive of the ottoman actuator 63 so that when the ottoman 6 appears, the height of the ottoman 6 from the floor 10 is a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman 6. With this configuration, for example, by rotating the ottoman 6 according to the rotation angle of the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 or the backward tilt angle of the seat back 3, the ottoman 6 can be set to an optimal height according to the state of the seat 1.

[0102] (7)(1) The seat 1 described above is further provided with a tension spring 224 that biases the surface material 22 toward the base cushion pad 211 so that the surface material 22 is in close contact with the base cushion pad 211 provided on the base frame 23 when the rotating frame 24 is in a lowered position. With this configuration, even when the rotating frame 24 is provided, the surface material 22 can be brought into close contact with the cushion pad 21 when the rotating frame 24 is not rotating (non-rotating state).

[0103] Sheet 1 according to the above embodiment can be modified into various forms. Modifications of Sheet 1 are described below. In the following modifications, the focus will be on the differences from Sheet 1, and the same configurations as Sheet 1 will be omitted, with the explanation referring to the description of Sheet 1.

[0104] The seat 1A according to the first modified example of this embodiment differs from the embodiment in the configuration of the seat back 3A. Hereinafter, the seat back 3A according to the first modified example will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 8, as well as Figures 10 to 11B. In the seat back 3A according to the first modified example, the seat cushion 2 is used as the second cushion part, so it also functions as the first cushion part.

[0105] As shown in Figure 1, the seat back 3A comprises a seat back frame 30A that forms a skeleton conforming to the outer shape of the seat back 3, a back pad 31A made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a back surface material 32A made of synthetic leather or fabric. Similar to the seat back 3, the seat back is formed by attaching the back pad 31A to the seat back frame 30A and covering them with the back surface material 32A.

[0106] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a seat back frame 30A according to a first modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the seat back frame 30A comprises a base back frame (first back frame) 33 that forms a skeleton conforming to the outer shape of the seat back 3A, a rotating back frame (second back frame) 34 that is rotatably supported by the base back frame 33, a pressure receiving member 35 provided on the base back frame 33 that supports the load from the back of an occupant seated on the seat 1A, and a back actuator 36 (see Figure 8) that rotates the rotating back frame 34.

[0107] The base back frame 33 comprises a pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the left and right direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, and a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the left and right direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L are formed in the shape of plates with both sides facing in the left and right direction, and are erected in the front and rear direction while extending in the vertical direction. Support parts 332 that support the pivot axis 237 of the seat cushion frame 20 are provided at the lower end of each of the left and right side back frames 331R, 331L. Pressure receiving members 35 are stretched across the upper and lower pipes.

[0108] The rotating back frame 34 comprises a pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe 342 extending in the left and right direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L, and a lower pipe 343 extending in the left and right direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The pair of left and right side back frames 341R, 341L are formed in the shape of plates with both sides facing in the left and right direction, similar to the pair of left and right side back frames 331R, 331L, and are erected in the front and rear direction while extending in the vertical direction.

[0109] The left and right pair of side back frames 341R, 341L are erected on the left and right outer sides (widthwise outer sides) of the base back frame 33, approximately parallel to the left and right pair of side back frames 331R, 331L, and their lower ends are rotatably supported by the left and right pair of side back frames 331R, 331L. The left and right pair of side back frames 341R, 341L rotate around their lower ends along the outer surfaces of the left and right pair of side back frames 331R, 331L. The upper pipe 342 is located in front of the upper pipe of the base back frame 33, and the lower pipe 343 is located in front of the lower pipe of the base back frame 33, and the front and rear ends of the back surface material 32A are stretched across the upper pipe 342 and the lower pipe 343, respectively.

[0110] The back actuator 36 is supported at one end by the upper pipe 342 of the rotating back frame 34 and at the other end by the upper pipe of the base back frame 33, and is configured to be extendable and retractable. By extending or retracting the back actuator 36, the rotating back frame 34 rotates. The back actuator 36 can be configured in the same way as the cushion actuator 26.

[0111] Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view) of the seat back 3A along line XI according to the first modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 11A, the back pad 31A comprises a base back pad 311 provided on the base back frame 33 and a rotating back pad 312 provided on the rotating back frame 34. The base back pad 311 is a cushioning material provided on the back portion 3a of the seat back 3, and the rotating back pad 312 is a cushioning material provided on the side support portions 3b located on both the left and right sides of the back portion 3a. In the seat back 3A according to the first modified example, the skeleton of the back portion 3a is formed mainly of the base back frame 33 and the pressure receiving member 35, and the skeleton of the side support portion 3b is formed mainly of the rotating back frame 34. The base back pad 311 is provided on the pressure receiving member 35 which is stretched across the base back frame 33, and the rotating back pad 312 is provided extending vertically so as to cover the front ends of the left and right pair of side back frames 341R, 341L of the rotating back frame 34.

[0112] As shown in Figures 1 and 11A, the base back pad 311 has a plurality of grooves 313 provided to improve the seating comfort of the occupant when seated, and a plurality of housing sections 314 provided inside each of the plurality of grooves 313. The plurality of grooves 313 include a plurality of longitudinal grooves 313a provided near the boundary between the back portion 3a and the side support portion 3b, extending in the front-rear direction. The plurality of housing sections 314 are provided to accommodate tension springs 324 provided on the back surface material 32A in order to make the back surface material 32A adhere tightly to the base back pad 311, and are provided at predetermined intervals inside each of the plurality of longitudinal grooves 313a. One end of the tension spring 324 is attached to the back surface material 32A, and the other end is attached to the pressure receiving member 35. By arranging the tension spring 324 in such housing sections 314, the back surface material 32A can be properly adhered to the back pad 31 when the rotating back frame 34 is in a non-rotating state.

[0113] The back cover material 32A is provided to cover the base back frame 33 to which the base back pad 311 is attached and the rotating back frame 34 to which the rotating back pad 312 is attached. In this embodiment, the back cover material 32A covers the base back pad 311 and the rotating back pad 312 by engaging both ends in the vertical direction with the upper pipe 342 and lower pipe 343 of the rotating back frame 34, and engaging both ends in the horizontal direction with the left and right pair of side back frames 341R and 341L of the rotating back frame 34.

[0114] The tension springs 324 are formed to be housed in multiple housing portions 314 of the base back pad 311. Furthermore, the multiple tension springs 324 have a spring coefficient that allows the back surface material 32A to be in close contact with the base back pad 311 when the rotating back frame 34 is not rotating, as shown in Figure 11A, and to be separated from the base back pad 311 when the rotating back frame 34 is rotating, as shown in Figure 11B.

[0115] The back cover material 32A can be made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, or netting. By using a stretchable fabric for the back cover material 32A, when the rotating back frame 34 is rotated to separate the back cover material 32A from the back pad 31, the contact area between the occupant's back and the back cover material 32A increases, allowing the user's body pressure to be distributed. This reduces the burden on the occupant's back even when sitting for long periods of time. In addition, because the back cover material 32A follows and wraps around the occupant's upper body like a hammock, the hold is improved and the seating posture can be stabilized.

[0116] When the occupant presses the relax mode switch SW4, the controller 5A outputs a control signal to the back actuator 36, in addition to the relaxed mode configuration described above, causing the rotating back frame 34 to rotate.

[0117] Figure 11B shows the state in which the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A shown in Figure 11A is rotated. When the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is not rotated, as shown in Figure 11A, the back surface material 32A of the seat back 3A is in close contact with the back pad 31A, and the load from the occupant's back is supported by the pressure receiving member 35 via the back surface material 32A and the back pad 31A.

[0118] On the other hand, when the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is rotated, as shown in Figure 11B, the back surface material 32A of the seat back 3A is separated from the back pad 31A, and the load from the seated occupant's back is supported by the back surface material 32A. As mentioned above, since the back surface material 32A is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, etc., when it receives a load from the occupant's back in this state, the back surface material 32A stretches, and the contact area with the occupant's back increases. As a result, the occupant's body pressure on the seat back 3A is distributed, and the burden on the occupant's back is reduced, for example, even when sitting for a long time. In addition, since the back surface material 32A follows and wraps around the occupant's upper body like a hammock, the hold is improved and the seating posture is stabilized.

[0119] According to Sheet 1A of the first modified example of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (8) In the seat 1A, the seat back 3A comprises a seat back frame 30A, a back pad 31A provided on the seat back frame 30A, and a back surface material 32A that covers the seat back frame 30A on which the back pad 31A is provided (Figure 1). The seat back frame 30A comprises a base back frame 33 on which the back pad 31A is provided, and a rotating back frame 34 on which the back surface material 32A of the seat back 3A is provided and which is supported so as to be movable on the base back frame 33 in a direction away from the base back frame 33 (Figure 10).

[0120] This configuration allows the rotating back frame 34 to be rotated, thereby separating the back surface material 32A provided on the rotating back frame 34 from the back pad 31A (Figure 11B). As a result, when an occupant sits on the seat 1A in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the seat back 3A (in this case, the back surface material 32A) increases (Figures 11A, 11B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the seat back 3A. Consequently, the burden on the occupant's upper body is reduced, and fatigue is lessened, for example, even when riding (sitting) for long periods of time.

[0121] The seat 1A described in (9)(8) further includes a back actuator 36 that moves the rotating back frame 34 away from the base back frame 33, and a controller 5A that controls the drive of the back actuator 36 so that the rotating back frame 34 moves in response to the rotational movement of the seat back 3A (Figure 8). With this configuration, the seat 1A can be easily set to a relaxed mode in which the seat back 3A is tilted backward and the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 is rotated upward, and the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A is further rotated upward.

[0122] The seat 1B according to the second modification of this embodiment differs from the embodiment in the configuration of the headrest 4B. Hereinafter, the headrest 4B according to the second modification will be described with reference to Figures 12-13B, in addition to Figures 1 and 8. In the headrest 4B according to the second modification, the seat backs 3, 3A can be used as a second cushion part, thereby enabling them to function as a first cushion part.

[0123] As shown in Figure 1, the headrest 4B comprises a headrest frame 40B (see Figure 12) that forms a skeleton conforming to the external shape of the headrest 4B, a headrest pad 41B made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam, and a headrest surface material 42B made of synthetic leather or fabric. The headrest 4B is formed by attaching the headrest pad 41B to the headrest frame 40B and covering them with the headrest surface material 42B.

[0124] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a seat back frame 30B and a headrest frame 40B according to a second modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the headrest frame 40B includes a base headrest frame (first headrest frame) 43 that forms a skeleton conforming to the outer shape of the headrest 4B, a rotating headrest frame (second headrest frame) 44 that is rotatably supported by the base headrest frame 43, a pressure receiving member 45 provided on the base headrest frame 43 that supports the load from the head of an occupant seated on the seat 1B, and a headrest actuator 46 (see Figure 8) that rotates the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0125] The base headrest frame 43 comprises a pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe (not shown) extending in the left and right direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, and a lower pipe (not shown) extending in the left and right direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L are formed in the shape of plates with both sides facing in the left and right direction, and are erected in the front and rear direction while extending in the vertical direction. Support parts 432 that support the pivot axis 333 of the seat back frame 30B are provided at the lower end of each of the left and right side head frames 431R, 431L. Pressure receiving members 45 are stretched across the upper and lower pipes.

[0126] The rotating headrest frame 44 comprises a pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L extending in the vertical direction, an upper pipe 442 extending in the left and right direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L, and a lower pipe 443 extending in the left and right direction and connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The pair of left and right side head frames 441R, 441L are formed in the shape of plates with both sides facing in the left and right direction, similar to the pair of left and right side head frames 431R, 431L, and are erected in the front and rear direction while extending in the vertical direction.

[0127] The left and right pair of side head frames 441R, 441L are erected on the left and right outer sides (widthwise outer sides) of the left and right pair of side head frames 431R, 431L of the base headrest frame 43, approximately parallel to the left and right pair of side head frames 431R, 431L, and their lower ends are rotatably supported by the left and right pair of side head frames 431R, 431L. The left and right pair of side head frames 441R, 441L rotate around their lower ends along the outer surfaces of the left and right pair of side head frames 431R, 431L. The upper pipe 442 is located in front of the upper pipe of the base headrest frame 43, and the lower pipe 443 is located in front of the lower pipe of the base headrest frame 43, and the front and rear ends of the headrest surface material 42B are stretched over the upper pipe 442 and the lower pipe 443, respectively.

[0128] The headrest actuator 46 is supported at one end by the upper pipe 442 of the rotating headrest frame 44 and at the other end by the upper pipe of the base headrest frame 43, and is configured to be extendable and retractable. By extending or retracting the headrest actuator 46, the rotating headrest frame 44 rotates. The headrest actuator 46 can be configured in the same way as the cushion actuator 26.

[0129] Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view) of the headrest 4B according to a second modification of this embodiment, taken from line XIII-XIII. As shown in Figure 13A, the headrest pad 41B comprises a base head pad 411 provided on the base headrest frame 43 and a rotating head pad 412 provided on the rotating headrest frame 44. The base head pad 411 is a cushioning material provided on the head portion 4a of the headrest 4, and the rotating head pad 412 is a cushioning material provided on the side support portions 4b located on both the left and right sides of the head portion 4a. In the second modified headrest 4, the skeleton of the head portion 4a is formed mainly of the base headrest frame 43 and the pressure receiving member 45, and the skeleton of the side support portion 4b is formed mainly of the rotating headrest frame 44. The base head pad 411 is located inside the base headrest frame 43, and the rotating head pad 412 is provided extending vertically so as to cover the front ends of the left and right pair of side head frames 441R, 441L of the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0130] As shown in Figure 13A, the base head pad 411 has a plurality of housing sections 414 on its front surface. The plurality of housing sections 414 are provided to accommodate tension springs 424 that are installed in the headrest surface material 42B to ensure that the headrest surface material 42B is in close contact with the base head pad 411. One end of the tension spring 424 is attached to the headrest surface material 42A, and the other end is attached to the pressure receiving member 45. By arranging the tension spring 424 in such housing sections 414, the headrest surface material 42B can be properly brought into close contact with the headrest pad 41 when the rotating headrest frame 44 is in a non-rotating state.

[0131] The headrest covering material 42B is provided to cover the base headrest frame 43 to which the base head pad 411 is attached and the rotating headrest frame 44 to which the rotating head pad 412 is attached. In this embodiment, the headrest covering material 42B covers the base head pad 411 and the rotating head pad 412 by engaging both ends in the vertical direction with the upper pipe 442 and the lower pipe 443 of the rotating headrest frame 44 and engaging both ends in the horizontal direction with the left and right pair of side head frames 441R and 441L of the rotating headrest frame 44.

[0132] The tension springs 424 are formed to be housed in multiple housing sections 414 of the base head pad 411. The multiple tension springs 424 have a spring coefficient that allows the headrest surface material 42B to be in close contact with the base head pad 411 when the rotating headrest frame 44 is not rotating, as shown in Figure 13A, and to be separated from the base head pad 411 when the rotating headrest frame 44 is rotating, as shown in Figure 13B.

[0133] The headrest upholstery material 42B can be made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, or mesh. By using a stretchable fabric for the headrest upholstery material 42B, when the rotating headrest frame 44 is rotated to separate the headrest upholstery material 42B from the headrest pad 41B, the contact area between the occupant's head and the headrest upholstery material 42B increases, allowing the user's body pressure to be distributed. This reduces the burden on the occupant's head even when sitting for long periods of time. In addition, because the headrest upholstery material 42B conforms to and supports the occupant's head like a hammock, the hold is improved and posture can be stabilized.

[0134] When the occupant presses the relax mode switch SW4, the controller 5B outputs a control signal to the headrest actuator 46 to rotate the rotating headrest frame 44, in addition to the relaxed mode configuration described above.

[0135] Figure 13B shows the state in which the rotating headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B shown in Figure 13A is rotated. When the rotating headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is not rotated, as shown in Figure 13A, the headrest surface material 42B of the headrest 4B is in close contact with the headrest pad 41B, and the load from the occupant's head, etc., is supported by the back pad 31A via the back surface material 32A.

[0136] On the other hand, when the rotating headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is rotated, as shown in Figure 13B, the headrest surface material 42B of the headrest 4B is separated from the headrest pad 41B, and the load from the occupant's head is supported by the headrest surface material 42B. As mentioned above, since the headrest surface material 42B is made of stretchable synthetic leather, fabric, net sheet, etc., when it receives a load from the occupant's head in this state, the headrest surface material 42B stretches, and the contact area with the occupant's head increases. As a result, the pressure on the occupant's body on the headrest 4B is distributed, and the burden on the occupant's head is reduced, for example, even when sitting for a long time. In addition, because the headrest surface material 42B follows and wraps around the occupant's head like a hammock, the hold is improved and the seating posture is stabilized.

[0137] According to Sheet 1B of the second modified example of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (10) The seat 1B further includes a headrest 4B attached to the upper end of the seat back 3, the headrest 4B having a headrest frame 40B, a headrest pad 41B provided on the headrest frame 40B, and a headrest surface material 42B covering the headrest frame 40B on which the headrest pad 41B is provided (Figure 1). The headrest frame 40B has a base headrest frame 43 on which the headrest pad 41B is provided, and a rotating headrest frame 44 on which the headrest surface material 42B is provided and which is supported so as to be movable on the base headrest frame 43 in a direction away from the base headrest frame 43 (Figure 12A).

[0138] This configuration allows the rotating headrest frame 44 to be rotated, thereby separating the headrest surface material 42B provided on the rotating headrest frame 44 from the base headrest frame 43 (Figure 13B). As a result, when an occupant sits on the seat 1B in this state, the contact area between the occupant and the headrest 4B (in this case, the headrest surface material 42B) increases (Figures 13A, 13B). This distributes the occupant's body pressure acting on the headrest 4B. Consequently, the burden on the occupant's head and other parts is reduced, and fatigue is lessened, for example, even when riding (sitting) for long periods of time.

[0139] The seat 1B described in (11)(10) further includes a headrest actuator 46 that moves the rotating headrest frame 44 away from the base headrest frame 43, and a controller 5B that controls the drive of the headrest actuator 46 so that the rotating headrest frame 44 moves in response to the rotational movement of the seat back 3 (Figure 8). With this configuration, the seat 1B can be easily set to a relaxed mode in which, for example, the seat back 3A is tilted backward and the rotating frame 24 of the seat cushion 2 and the rotating back frame 34 of the seat back 3A are rotated upward, and the rotating headrest frame 44 of the headrest 4B is further rotated upward.

[0140] Figures 14 and 15 illustrate other forms of the seat cushion 2 for seats 1, 1A, and 1B. The seat cushion 2 may be configured to include means for suppressing the submarine phenomenon, in which the bodies of occupants seated on seats 1, 1A, and 1B mounted on a vehicle slide forward and downward when the vehicle (vehicle) is involved in a frontal collision.

[0141] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the seat cushion 2 may be configured to include a submarine pipe 27. The submarine pipe 27 shown in Figure 14 is provided on the base frame 23 of the seat cushion frame 20. Specifically, the submarine pipe 27 extends in the left-right direction and is provided to connect the front ends of the left and right pair of side frames 233R, 233L of the upper frame 232 of the base frame 23. The submarine pipe 27 is provided above and slightly behind the front pipe 234 of the upper frame 232.

[0142] With this configuration, when the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the occupants sink forward and downward, their feet come into contact with the submarine pipe 27, thereby suppressing the occupants' forward and downward sinking and improving the effect of suppressing the occupants' forward and downward movement.

[0143] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 15, the seat cushion 2 may be configured to include a cushion airbag 28 that inflates when the vehicle is subjected to an impact such as a frontal collision. The cushion airbag 28 shown in Figure 14 is provided on a pressure receiving member 25 that spans the base frame 23. The cushion airbag 28 is provided on the pressure receiving portion 251 of the pressure receiving member 25 and is located slightly behind the notch 254. The cushion airbag 28 includes an inner bag 281 and a gas generator 282 that is housed in the inner bag 281 and supplies inflation gas.

[0144] With this configuration, when a vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the cushion airbag 28 deploys, the gas generator 282 generates high-pressure gas for inflation, causing the inner bag 281 to inflate. When the inner bag 281 inflates, the front portion of the seat cushion 2, for example, the portion from the occupant's thighs to the back of the knees, inflates, suppressing the occupant's forward and downward sinking and improving the effect of suppressing the occupant's forward and downward movement.

[0145] Figures 16A to 16C illustrate yet other forms of the seat cushion 2 for seats 1, 1A, and 1B. The seat cushion 2 may be configured to have sensors such as seating sensors and functional devices such as vibration devices attached to the surface material 22.

[0146] Figure 16A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a seat cushion 2 equipped with a sensor 291, Figure 16B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the sensor 291 provided on the seat cushion 2, and Figure 16C is a cross-sectional view showing an occupant seated on the seat cushion 2 equipped with the sensor 291. As shown in Figure 16A, the seat cushion 2 may be configured with a first seat sensor 291a provided on the upper surface of the base cushion pad 211, a second seat sensor 291b provided on the back surface of the surface material 22, and a biosensor 291c provided on the surface of the surface material 22. Preferably, multiple first and second seat sensors 291a, 291b, and biosensor 291c are provided in positions that do not overlap when viewed from above, as shown in Figure 16B, and preferably the multiple first and second seat sensors 291a, 291b are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction. Preferably, the multiple biosensors 291c are arranged in the front-rear direction between a pair of left and right first and second seat sensors 291a, 291b.

[0147] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 16C, even when the rotating frame 24 is rotated to separate the surface material 22 provided on the rotating frame 24 from the cushion pad 21, it is possible to detect occupants seated in seats 1, 1A, and 1B, and to detect the state of the occupants seated in seats 1, 1A, and 1B. Furthermore, by arranging the first seating sensor 291a, the second seating sensor 291b, and the biosensor 291c so as not to overlap, it is possible to suppress an increase in the thickness of the seat cushion 2, thereby reducing discomfort to the occupant seated.

[0148] The biosensor 291c can be any sensor capable of detecting the occupant's condition, such as a respiration sensor, heart rate sensor, pulse wave sensor, and alertness sensor. The information on the occupant's condition detected by the biosensor 291c may be displayed on an in-vehicle monitor located on the vehicle's instrument panel, or it may be transmitted to a pre-registered mobile terminal. The first seating sensor 291a may be positioned on the upper surface of the pressure-receiving member 25, that is, between the base cushion pad 211 and the pressure-receiving member 25.

[0149] Figure 17A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a seat cushion 2 equipped with a vibration device 292, which is an example of a functional device. Figure 17B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the vibration device 292 provided on the seat cushion 2. Figure 17C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant is seated on the seat cushion 2 equipped with the vibration device 292. As shown in Figure 17A, the seat cushion 2 may be configured with a first vibration device 292a provided on the upper surface of the base cushion pad 211 and a second vibration device 292b provided on the back surface of the surface material 22. It is preferable that multiple first and second vibration devices 292a and 292b are provided in positions that do not overlap when viewed from above, as shown in Figure 17B, and that the multiple first and second vibration devices 292a and 292b are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction. The first vibration device may also be configured to be placed on the upper surface of the pressure receiving member 25.

[0150] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 17C, even when the rotating frame 24 is rotated to separate the surface material 22 provided on the rotating frame 24 from the cushion pad 21, the occupants seated in seats 1, 1A, and 1B can still be subjected to vibration and other massage. Furthermore, by arranging the first and second vibration devices 292a and 292b so as not to overlap, it is possible to suppress an increase in the thickness of the seat cushion 2, thereby reducing discomfort to the seated occupants.

[0151] The functional device may be configured to replace the above-mentioned vibration device 292 with a small functional device such as a sheet-shaped cooling device or heating device. The functional device including the above-mentioned vibration device 292 may be configured to operate when the relaxation mode is selected by the occupant, or it may be configured to be operated at the occupant's discretion. Furthermore, the first vibration device 292a may be configured to be placed on the upper surface of the pressure-receiving member 25, that is, between the base cushion pad 211 and the pressure-receiving member 25.

[0152] Figures 18A and 18B illustrate other configurations of the ottoman 6 for seats 1, 1A, and 1B. The ottoman 6 may also be configured to include a seating sensor 64 in the portion that contacts the occupant's feet.

[0153] Figure 18A is a diagram illustrating an ottoman 6 equipped with a seating sensor 64, and Figure 18B is a diagram showing the ottoman 6 in its retracted state. As shown in Figure 18A, the ottoman 6 may be configured such that the seating sensor 64 is provided at its uppermost part when it emerges from the ottoman housing 11. The seating sensor 64 may also be configured to extend in the circumferential direction, and as shown in Figure 18B, it is preferable that it not operate when the ottoman 6 is retracted into the ottoman housing 11. By stopping the operation of the seating sensor 64 (powering it off) when the ottoman 6 is retracted into the ottoman housing 11, power can be saved, resulting in an environmentally friendly, energy-saving seat. Alternatively, for example, if the seating sensor 64 detects that the ottoman 6 has not been used for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes), the ottoman 6 may be retracted into the ottoman housing 11 and the operation may be stopped.

[0154] The resting device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used not only in the seat 1 described above, but also in a bed 100 having a reclining mechanism. Figure 19A is a side view of a bed 100, which is another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 19B shows a state in which a part of the bed 100 is raised upward (reclined state).

[0155] As shown in Figure 19A, the bed 100 comprises a bed frame 110 that forms the skeleton of the bed 100, a cushion portion 120 made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam or coils, and an expandable surface material 130 that constitutes the surface of the bed 100, and is formed by covering the bed frame 110 to which the cushion portion 120 is attached with the surface material 130.

[0156] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19B, the bed 100 comprises a first bed mattress section 101 that supports the user's upper body and a second bed mattress section 102 that supports the user's lower body, and the first bed mattress section 101 and the second bed mattress section 102 are connected via a reclining mechanism 103. In other words, the bed 100 is a bed that can raise the upper body of a user lying on the bed 100 by rotating the first bed mattress section 101.

[0157] The bed frame 110 comprises a base frame (first cushion frame) 111, a rotating frame (second cushion frame) 112 rotatably supported on the base frame 111 about axis C1, and a bed actuator (not shown) for rotating the rotating frame 112. These are arranged on the first bed mattress section 101. The base frame 111 supports the cushion section 120 on the first bed mattress section 101, and the rotating frame 112 supports the surface material 130 on the first bed mattress section 101.

[0158] Figure 20 shows the state in which the rotating frame 112 provided on the first bed mattress section 101 is rotated. As shown in Figure 20, when the rotating frame 112 is rotated, the surface material 130 is pushed upward by the rotating frame 112 and stretched, separating from the cushion section 120. When a user leans against the first bed mattress section 101 in this state, the contact area between the user's upper body and the surface material 130 increases, and the user's body pressure can be distributed. As a result, even when leaning for a long time, the burden on the occupant's upper body can be reduced. In addition, because the surface material 130 follows and wraps around the occupant's upper body like a hammock, the holding ability is also improved and the leaning posture can be stabilized.

[0159] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, first and second modifications, and other forms of the seat cushion 2 and ottoman 6 described above, as long as they do not impair the features of the present invention. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiments, modifications, and other forms, and to combine modifications with each other or other forms with each other.

[0160] Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described using seats 1, 1A, and 1B having an ottoman 6, the present invention is not limited thereto. Seats 1, 1A, and 1B may not have an ottoman 6, or the ottoman may have a different configuration than the ottoman 6. For example, the ottoman may be provided at the front end of the seat cushion 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0161] 1 Seat, 2 Seat cushion (first cushion section), 3,3A Seat back (second cushion section), 4,4B Headrest, 5,5A,5B Controller, 6 Ottoman, 10 Floor, 20 Seat cushion frame, 21 Cushion pad, 22 Upholstery material, 23 Base frame (first cushion frame), 24 Rotating frame (second cushion frame), 25 Pressure receiving member, 26 Cushion actuator

Claims

1. A resting device comprising a first cushion portion and a second cushion portion rotatably supported by the first cushion portion, The first cushion portion comprises a cushion frame, a cushion pad provided on the cushion frame, and a surface material covering the cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided. The cushion frame is characterized by comprising a first cushion frame on which the cushion pad is provided, and a second cushion frame on which the surface material is provided and which is supported by the first cushion frame so as to be able to move up and down.

2. The resting device described in claim 1 is a sheet, The seat is characterized in that the first cushion portion includes a seat cushion, and the second cushion portion includes a seat back.

3. In the sheet described in claim 2, The cushion pad comprises a first cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame and a second cushion pad provided on the second cushion frame. The sheet is characterized in that the surface material is provided so as to cover the second cushion frame on which the second cushion pad is provided.

4. In the sheet described in claim 2, A cushioning actuator for raising and lowering the second cushioning frame, A seat further comprising a control unit that controls the drive of the cushion actuator so that the second cushion frame moves up and down in response to the rotational movement of the seat back.

5. In the sheet according to claim 4, An ottoman that can be extended and retracted from the floor in front of the aforementioned seat cushion, The system further comprises an ottoman actuator for extending and retracting the ottoman from the floor, The seat is characterized in that the control unit further controls the drive of the ottoman actuator so that the ottoman extends and retracts in response to the raising and lowering movement of the second cushion frame.

6. In the sheet described in claim 5, The ottoman actuator is configured to allow the ottoman to rotate vertically around a pivot axis extending along the floor, The seat is characterized in that the control unit controls the drive of the ottoman actuator so that when the ottoman is extended, the height of the ottoman from the floor is a predetermined height corresponding to the amount of rotation of the ottoman.

7. In the sheet described in claim 2, The seat is further characterized by comprising a biasing member that biases the surface material toward the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame so that, when the second cushion frame is in a lowered position, the surface material adheres closely to the cushion pad provided on the first cushion frame.

8. In the sheet according to claim 7, The seat cushion further comprises a pressure-receiving member provided on the first cushion frame to receive the load from the seated person, The biasing member is characterized in that one end is attached to the surface material and the other end is attached to the pressure receiving member.

9. In the sheet described in claim 2, The aforementioned seat back comprises a seat back frame, a back pad provided on the seat back frame, and a back surface material covering the seat back frame on which the back pad is provided. The seat is characterized by having a seat back frame comprising a first back frame on which the back pad is provided, and a second back frame on which the back surface material of the seat back is provided and which is supported so as to be movable on the first back frame in a direction away from the first back frame.

10. In the sheet according to claim 9, A backing actuator that moves the second back frame away from the first back frame, A seat further comprising a control unit that controls the drive of the back actuator so that the second back frame moves in response to the rotational movement of the seat back.

11. In the sheet described in claim 2, The seat back is further equipped with a headrest attached to the upper end of the seat back, The headrest comprises a headrest frame, a headrest pad provided on the headrest frame, and a headrest surface material covering the headrest frame on which the headrest pad is provided. The seat is characterized by comprising: a first headrest frame on which the headrest pad is provided; and a second headrest frame on which the headrest surface material is provided and which is supported so as to be movable on the first headrest frame in a direction away from the first headrest frame.

12. In the sheet according to claim 11, A headrest actuator that moves the second headrest frame away from the first headrest frame, A seat further comprising a control unit that controls the drive of the headrest actuator so that the second headrest frame moves in response to the rotational movement of the seat back.

13. In the sheet according to claim 8, It is further equipped with a seating sensor that detects whether or not a person is seated, The seat is characterized in that the seat sensor comprises a first seat sensor attached to the cushion pad or the pressure receiving member, and a second seat sensor attached to the surface material.

14. In the sheet according to claim 8, It is further equipped with a vibration device that delivers vibrations to the seated person, The seat is characterized in that the vibration device comprises a first vibration device attached to the cushion pad or the pressure receiving member, and a second vibration device attached to the surface material.

15. In the sheet according to claim 13, The aforementioned seat cushion is further equipped with an ottoman that can be extended and retracted from the floor in front of it. The seat is characterized in that the seat sensor further comprises a third seat sensor attached to the ottoman.

16. In the sheet described in claim 2, The sheet is characterized in that the second cushion frame is provided on the outside in the width direction of the first cushion frame.

17. The seat according to any one of claims 2 to 16 is a seat for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle, The cushion frame is characterized by having pipes that extend in the left-right direction and suppress the submarine effect, which prevents the occupant from moving forward during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

18. The seat according to any one of claims 2 to 16 is a seat for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle, A vehicle seat characterized by having a cushion airbag attached to the cushion frame, which inflates during a frontal collision of the vehicle to suppress the forward movement of the occupant.

19. The resting device described in claim 1 is a bed having a reclining mechanism, The bed is characterized in that the first cushion portion includes a first bed mattress portion, and the second cushion portion includes a second bed mattress portion that is rotatably connected to the first bed mattress portion.

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