Seat back and method for manufacturing a seat back

Abstract

An example of a seatback that can improve productivity is disclosed, comprising a first seatback and a second seatback adjacent to the first seatback. [Solution] In the seat back 1, the left end of the first upper beam portion 25 of the first seat back 2 and the right end of the second upper beam portion 32 of the second seat back 3 overlap, and the left end of the first upper beam portion 25 and the right end of the second upper beam portion 32 are joined together. This makes it possible to, for example, attach the second seat back 3 to the first seat back 2 from the front side of the first seat back 2 while the first seat back 2 is fixed in place, and then join the left end of the first upper beam portion 25 and the right end of the second upper beam portion 32. Consequently, it becomes easier to ensure the quality of the joints, such as welds, and it may be possible to reduce the manufacturing man-hours for the seat back.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat back including a first seat back and a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the seat back described in Patent Document 1 includes a first seat back and a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back. The first seat back has a round pipe bent into a portal shape, and a pipe or the like extending in the sheet width direction and connecting portions extending in the vertical direction of the round pipe.

[0003] The second seat back has a round pipe bent into an L shape, and a pipe or the like extending in the sheet width direction and connecting portions extending in the vertical direction of the round pipe. The round pipes of the second seat back are welded to the round pipes of the first seat back.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure discloses an example of a seat back that can improve productivity in a seat back including a first seat back and a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] It is desirable for a seat back including a first seat back (2) and a second seat back (3) adjacent to the first seat back (2) to include at least one of the following constituent elements.

[0007] In other words, the constituent element is a first upper beam portion (25) positioned on the upper end side of the first sheet back (2) and extending in the sheet width direction, wherein the cross-sectional shape is substantially C-shaped or substantially L-shaped, and a second upper beam portion (32) positioned on the upper end side of the second sheet back (3) and extending in the sheet width direction, wherein the cross-sectional shape is substantially C-shaped or substantially L-shaped.

[0008] Furthermore, it is desirable that the longitudinal end of the first upper beam (25) and the longitudinal end of the second upper beam (32) are joined together while overlapping.

[0009] As a result, in this seat back, for example, with the first seat back (2) fixed in place, the second seat back (3) can be assembled to the first seat back (2) from the front side, and then the longitudinal end of the first upper beam (25) and the longitudinal end of the second upper beam (32) can be joined together.

[0010] Consequently, it becomes easier to ensure the quality of joints such as welds, and it may be possible to reduce the manufacturing time of the seat back. Furthermore, this seat back can be easily adapted to various specifications with different sizes and other characteristics.

[0011] The seatback may also have the following configuration, for example: In other words, the present invention relates to a side frame (23) that is positioned on one end of the first seat back (2) in the seat width direction and extends upward, and is joined to one end of the first upper beam (25) in the longitudinal direction; a lower beam (33) that is provided below the second upper beam (32) of the second seat back (3) and extends in the seat width direction, and has a substantially C-shaped cross-section; and a panel material (31) to which the second upper beam (32) and the lower beam (33) are joined, and it is desirable that the other end of the lower beam (33) in the longitudinal direction is joined to the side surface of the side frame (23).

[0012] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the seat back according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the structure of the first seat back according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the first upper beam portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the connection structure between the first seat back and the second seat back. [Figure 5] This figure shows the structure of the second seat back according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the second upper beam portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing a second seat back according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0015] This embodiment is an example in which the seat back according to this disclosure is applied to a seat installed in a vehicle or other vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat). The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of the members or parts.

[0016] Therefore, the seat back is not limited to the directions indicated in each figure. The directions shown in each figure are the directions in the state where the seat back according to the present embodiment is assembled to the vehicle. The figures with slashes do not always show cross-sectional views.

[0017] At least the members or parts described with reference numerals are provided with at least one, unless otherwise specified such as "one". That is, when there is no specification such as "one", two or more of the members may be provided. The seat back shown in the present disclosure includes at least one of the components such as the members or parts described with reference numerals and the illustrated structural parts.

[0018] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of the Back Frame> The present embodiment is an example of a seat back used for a rear seat of a vehicle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 1 includes a first seat back 2, a second seat back 3, and the like.

[0019] The seat back 1 is a part for supporting the back of the seated person. And the second seat back 3 is adjacent to the first seat back 2 at a position shifted in the seat width direction with respect to the first seat back 2.

[0020] Incidentally, the first seat back 2 is a seat back used for the right seat of the rear seat where three people can ride. The second seat back 3 is a seat back used for the center seat. Each of the seat backs 2 and 3 is composed of a back frame, a cushion material such as a pad, and an outer skin part.

[0021] <2. Details of the Seat Back> <2.1 Back Frame of the First Seat Back> The back frame 20 of the first seat back 2 includes a frame body 21 and a back panel 22, as shown in Figure 2. The frame body 21 is configured in a rectangular frame shape. Specifically, the frame body 21 includes at least a first side frame 23, a second side frame 24, an upper beam portion 25, and a lower beam portion 26.

[0022] The first side frame 23 is a reinforcing member positioned at one end in the sheet width direction (the left end in this embodiment) and extending vertically. The second side frame 24 is a reinforcing member positioned at the other end in the sheet width direction (the right end in this embodiment) and extending vertically.

[0023] The upper beam portion 25 is a member that extends in the sheet width direction and connects the upper end of the first side frame 23 and the upper end of the second side frame 24. The cross-sectional shape of the upper beam portion 25 is configured to be roughly C-shaped (roughly U-shaped in this embodiment) or roughly L-shaped with the rear side open.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape of the area L1 of the upper beam portion 25 sandwiched between the first side frame 23 and the end of the second side frame 24 (the right end in Figure 3) is approximately C-shaped (approximately U-shaped in this embodiment).

[0025] The end of the upper beam section 25 on the side of the first side frame 23 (the left end in Figure 3) is configured with an L-shaped cross-section having an upper surface and a front surface. The upper beam section 25 is formed by press-forming a single steel plate to create a cross-sectional shape that is approximately C-shaped (approximately U-shaped in this embodiment) or approximately L-shaped.

[0026] Furthermore, a belt receiving portion 25A is provided in the upper beam portion 25. The belt receiving portion 25A is a through-hole through which a seat belt (not shown) is inserted. When tension is generated in the seat belt, that tension acts on the belt receiving portion 25A.

[0027] Therefore, a reinforcing patch 27, indicated by a thick solid line as shown in Figure 4, is provided on at least the front edge of the belt receiving portion 25A. The reinforcing patch 27 is joined to the upper beam portion 25 by welding or the like so as to cover the front outer edge of the belt receiving portion 25A and the front surface of the upper beam portion 25.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the lower beam portion 26 extends in the sheet width direction and connects the lower end of the first side frame 23 and the lower end of the second side frame 24. In this embodiment, the lower beam portion 26 is made of a panel material having a roughly C-shaped cross-section that is open at the top.

[0029] The back panel 22 is a metal plate-like member positioned on the rear side of the frame body 21 and covering the entire rear side of the frame body 21. A curled portion 22A is provided on the outer edge of the back panel 22 (excluding the outer edge on the lower end).

[0030] The curled portion 22A is a curved section. This curled portion 22A is a single piece integrally formed with the back panel 22 by plastic deformation applied to the outer edge of the plate-shaped back panel 22. The first side frame 23, the second side frame 24, the upper beam portion 25, the lower beam portion 26, and the back panel 22 are joined to each other by welding.

[0031] <2.2 Back frame of the second seat back> The back frame 30 of the second seat back 3 includes a back panel 31, an upper beam 32, a lower beam 33, and side frames (not shown), as shown in Figure 5.

[0032] The back panel 31 is a plate-shaped member made of metal or resin, and is an example of a panel material in which an upper beam portion 32 and a lower beam portion 33 are connected. In this embodiment, the back panel 31, upper beam portion 32, lower beam portion 33 and side frame are made of metal. The upper beam portion 32, lower beam portion 33 and side frame are joined to the front surface of the back panel 31 by welding.

[0033] A curled portion 31A is provided on the outer edge of the back panel 31 (excluding the outer edge on the first seat back 2 side). The curled portion 31A is a curved portion in an arc shape and is an integral part formed by plastic deformation of the outer edge of the plate-shaped back panel 31.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the upper beam portion 32 is a member positioned on the upper end side of the back panel 31 and extending in the width direction of the sheet. The cross-sectional shape of the upper beam portion 32 is configured to be roughly C-shaped (roughly U-shaped in this embodiment) or roughly L-shaped with the rear side open.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the cross-sectional shape of the upper beam portion 32 within a predetermined range from the end on the first seat back 2 side (the right end in Figure 6) is approximately C-shaped (approximately U-shaped in this embodiment). The cross-sectional shape of the upper beam portion 32 at the end opposite to this end (the left end in Figure 6) is configured as an L-shaped cross-section having an upper surface portion and a front surface portion.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the lower beam portion 33 is a member of the back panel 31 that is located below the upper beam portion 32 and extends in the width direction of the sheet. The cross-sectional shape of the lower beam portion 33 is configured to be roughly C-shaped with the rear side open.

[0037] The side frame is a member that extends vertically, positioned opposite to the first seat back 2, sandwiching the upper beam portion 32 and the lower beam portion 33. The side frame is joined to one end (in this embodiment, the left end) of each of the upper beam portion 32 and the lower beam portion 33 by welding.

[0038] <2.3 Connecting structure between the first and second seatbacks> As shown in Figure 7, the upper beam portion 32 (hereinafter referred to as the second upper beam portion 32) and the lower beam portion 33 of the second seat back 3 protrude from the outer edge 31B of the back panel 31 toward the first seat back 2 (to the right in this embodiment).

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the longitudinal end of the upper beam portion 25 of the first seat back 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first upper beam portion 25) and the longitudinal end of the second upper beam portion 32 are joined together by welding while overlapping.

[0040] Specifically, the right end of the second upper beam section 32 overlaps the left end of the first upper beam section 25, covering it from the outside, and the right end of the second upper beam section 32 and the left end of the first upper beam section 25 are joined by arc welding. Reference numerals W1 and W2 indicate the weld beads of the arc welding.

[0041] The other end of the lower beam section 33 in the longitudinal direction (the right end in this embodiment) is joined to the side surface of the first side frame 23 by arc welding, as shown in Figure 1. The joints W3 and W4 are welded from the second seat back 3 side, and the joint W5 is welded from the first seat back 2 side.

[0042] <2.4 Overview of the manufacturing method for seatbacks> The first seat back 2 and the second seat back 3 are manufactured independently. In the manufacturing process of the seat back 1, during the process of connecting the first seat back and the second seat back, the first seat back 2 is fixed and held by a jig (not shown), and an assembly robot (not shown) assembles the second seat back 3 to the first seat back 2 from the front side.

[0043] As a result, the right end of the second upper beam section 32 overlaps the left end of the first upper beam section 25, covering it from the outside. Next, a welding robot or a welding operator joins the right end of the second upper beam section 32 and the left end of the first upper beam section 25 by arc welding.

[0044] In this embodiment, the mass and external dimensions of the first seat back 2 are greater than those of the second seat back 3, so the first seat back 2 is fixed in place. Therefore, if the mass and external dimensions of the second seat back 3 were greater than those of the first seat back 2, the second seat back 3 would be fixed in place.

[0045] In other words, of the first seatback 2 and the second seatback 3, the seatback with the larger mass or external dimensions is fixed in place, while the seatback with the smaller mass or external dimensions is assembled onto the seatback with the larger mass or external dimensions by an assembly robot.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the external dimensions of the back panel 22 are larger than the external dimensions of the frame body 21, the second seat back 3 is assembled to the first seat back 2 from the front. Therefore, if the external dimensions of the frame body 21 are larger than the external dimensions of the back panel 22, the first seat back 2 may be assembled to the second seat back 3 from the rear.

[0047] <3. Features of the seat back and manufacturing method according to this embodiment> In the seat back 1 according to this embodiment, the left end of the first upper beam portion 25 of the first seat back 2 and the right end of the second upper beam portion 32 of the second seat back 3 are joined together in an overlapping state.

[0048] As a result, in the seat back 1, as described above, with the first seat back 2 fixed in place, the second seat back 3 can be assembled to the first seat back 2 from the front side of the first seat back 2, and then the left end of the first upper beam 25 and the right end of the second upper beam 32 can be joined together.

[0049] Consequently, it becomes easier to guarantee the quality of joints such as welds, and it may be possible to reduce the manufacturing man-hours for the seat back. Furthermore, since the same manufacturing method can be applied to seat backs with various specifications and sizes, it may be possible to reduce manufacturing man-hours and thus reduce manufacturing costs.

[0050] Incidentally, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, pipe materials are welded together while assembled from multiple directions. As a result, it becomes difficult to guarantee the quality of the welded joints, and it is also difficult to reduce manufacturing man-hours (especially assembly man-hours).

[0051] In contrast, in the seat back 1 according to this embodiment, after manufacturing the first seat back 2 and the second seat back 3, the left end of the first upper beam portion 25 and the right end of the second upper beam portion 32 are overlapped and welded, which makes it easier to ensure joining quality and can reduce manufacturing man-hours.

[0052] (Other embodiments) In the embodiment described above, the first upper beam portion 25 and the second upper beam portion 32 were joined by arc welding. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also describe a configuration in which the first upper beam portion 25 and the second upper beam portion 32 are joined by, for example, an adhesive.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the first upper beam 25 and the second upper beam 32 were joined in such a way that the right end of the second upper beam 32 overlapped the left end of the first upper beam 25, covering it from the outside. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0054] In other words, the disclosure may also include a configuration in which the first upper beam 25 and the second upper beam 32 are joined together such that the left end of the first upper beam 25 overlaps the right end of the second upper beam 32 from the outside.

[0055] In the embodiments described above, the vehicle seat according to this disclosure was applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed herein is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure can be applied, for example, to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships and aircraft, as well as to stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

[0056] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1… Seat back 2… First seatback 3… Second seatback 20… Back frame 21… Frame body 22… Back panel 22A… Curl section 23… First side frame 24… Second side frame 25... Upper beam part (first upper beam part) 26… Lower beam part 30… Back frame 31… Back panel 32... Upper beam part (second upper beam part) 33… Lower beam part

Claims

1. A seat back comprising a first seat back and a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back, A first upper beam portion is positioned on the upper end side of the first seat back and extends in the seat width direction, and the first upper beam portion has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially C-shaped or substantially L-shaped, The second upper beam portion is positioned on the upper end side of the second seat back and extends in the seat width direction, and the cross-sectional shape of the second upper beam portion is configured to be approximately C-shaped or approximately L-shaped, A seat back in which one longitudinal end of the first upper beam and the other longitudinal end of the second upper beam overlap, and the two longitudinal ends are joined together.

2. A side frame positioned on one end of the first seat back in the seat width direction and extending upward, the side frame being joined to one end of the first upper beam in the longitudinal direction, The lower beam portion of the second seat back is provided below the second upper beam portion and extends in the seat width direction, and the lower beam portion has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, The structure comprises a panel material to which the second upper beam and the lower beam are joined, The seat back according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the lower beam in the longitudinal direction is joined to the side surface of the side frame.

3. First seat back, A second seatback adjacent to the first seatback, A first upper beam portion positioned on the upper end side of the first seat back and extending in the seat width direction, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first upper beam portion is configured to be approximately C-shaped or approximately L-shaped, and The second upper beam portion is positioned on the upper end side of the second seat back and extends in the seat width direction, and comprises a second upper beam portion having a cross-sectional shape that is substantially C-shaped or substantially L-shaped. In a method for manufacturing a seat back, in which one longitudinal end of the first upper beam and the other longitudinal end of the second upper beam are joined together, the longitudinal end of the first upper beam and the other longitudinal end of the second upper beam are joined together. A method for manufacturing a seat back, comprising: fixing and holding the first seat back in place; assembling the second seat back to the first seat back from the front side of the first seat back; and then joining one longitudinal end of the first upper beam to the other longitudinal end of the second upper beam.

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