Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that can appropriately deploy the airbag according to the condition of the seat cushion. [Solution] The vehicle seat S comprises a seat cushion 2 having a pad P and a cushion frame 20 that supports the pad P; a deformation device T provided on the front side of the cushion frame 20 for deforming the seat cushion 2; and an airbag device 30 having an airbag 31 that inflates and deploys toward the bottom of the seat. The airbag device 30 is provided on the cushion frame 20 so that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 remains constant even when the seat cushion 2 is deformed by the deformation device T.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat provided with an airbag device in a seat cushion.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for suppressing deformation of the front end of a seat cushion downward of the vehicle and suppressing the fall of a passenger's waist by inflating and deploying an airbag device provided on the back surface of a cushion pan toward the floor side during a frontal collision.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a vehicle seat having a tilt mechanism for tilting the front side of the seat cushion or a deformation device such as an ottoman, when an airbag device is attached to the back surface of the cushion pan, the deployment direction of the airbag may change depending on the state of the cushion, so that the expected effect may not be obtained. Therefore, in a vehicle seat provided with a deformation device such as a tilt mechanism, a means for deploying the airbag provided in the seat cushion in an appropriate direction has been demanded.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat capable of appropriately deploying an airbag according to, for example, the state of a seat cushion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above problems are solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which comprises a seat cushion having a pad and a cushion frame supporting the pad, a deformation device provided on the front side of the cushion frame for deforming the seat cushion, and an airbag device having an airbag that inflates and deploys toward the bottom of the seat, wherein the airbag device is provided on the cushion frame such that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant even when the seat cushion is deformed by the deformation device. Even if the seat cushion is deformed by the deformation device, the airbag system is designed so that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can appropriately deploy the airbag according to the condition of the seat cushion.

[0007] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the deformation device is composed of a pan frame provided on the front side of the cushion frame and supporting the pad, and a rotating member that rotatably supports the pan frame around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, and the airbag device is preferably provided on the back surface of the pan frame so that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant even when the pan frame is rotated by the rotating member. Even when the pan frame is rotated and the front of the seat cushion is tilted, the airbag always deploys in a consistent direction, and deformation of the pan frame downwards from the seat is suppressed, allowing for efficient restraint of occupants during a collision.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the airbag device is mounted on the back surface of the pan frame so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, and the airbag device is preferably rotated by its own weight so that when the pan frame rotates, the airbag deployment direction faces downwards from the seat. By using its own weight to rotate the airbag so that its deployment direction faces downwards from the seat, a simple configuration can be used to ensure that the airbag's deployment direction remains constant at all times.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the pan frame consists of a first pan frame and a second pan frame located in front of the first pan frame and rotatably connected to the first pan frame, the second pan frame is attached to the cushion frame by a link mechanism so as to be movable while maintaining parallel to the floor, and the airbag device is preferably positioned on the back surface of the second pan frame such that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downwards from the seat. The linkage mechanism allows the second pan frame to move while always remaining parallel to the floor, ensuring that the airbag always deploys facing downwards from the seat.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the pan frame is provided with an airbag holding portion below the pan frame for holding the airbag device, the airbag holding portion is attached to the cushion frame by a link mechanism so as to be movable while being parallel to the floor, and the airbag device is preferably positioned in the airbag holding portion such that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downwards from the seat. The linkage mechanism allows the airbag holder to move while always remaining parallel to the floor, ensuring that the airbag always deploys facing downwards from the seat.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the deformation device is preferably composed of a pan frame provided on the front side of the cushion frame and supporting the pad, an ottoman that supports the occupant's legs and has an ottoman frame, and a rotating member that rotatably supports the ottoman about a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, and a wall portion positioned on the rear side of the ottoman frame and on the front side of the airbag device and restricting the deployment direction of the airbag. Even if the airbag deploys, it will come into contact with the wall, preventing it from interfering with the ottoman frame and thus minimizing airbag damage.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the wall portion extends downward toward the seat, and the lower end of the wall portion is in contact with the floor. The lower edge of the wall section is in contact with the floor, which effectively prevents the airbag from deploying towards the ottoman.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the wall portion extends downward toward the seat, and it is preferable that the lower end of the wall portion does not come into contact with the floor. Because the lower edge of the wall does not come into contact with the floor, damage to the floor is minimized.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the airbag device is preferably located on the rear surface of the wall. By positioning the airbag system on the rear of the wall, even if the airbag deploys, it will not interfere with the ottoman frame, thus preventing damage to the airbag.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is preferable that a rear wall portion is provided behind the airbag device, extending downward from the cushion frame toward the seat. By sandwiching the airbag device between the wall and the rear wall, the airbag can be deployed more reliably downwards from the seat. In addition, contact between the airbag and the rear frame is suppressed when the airbag deploys. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the airbag device is provided such that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant even when the seat cushion is deformed by the deformation device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can appropriately deploy the airbag according to the state of the seat cushion. Furthermore, even when the pan frame is rotated and the front of the seat cushion is tilted, the airbag always deploys in a consistent direction, and deformation of the pan frame downwards from the seat is suppressed, allowing for efficient restraint of occupants during a collision. Also, by rotating the airbag so that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downward of the seat due to its own weight, the deployment direction of the airbag can always be made constant with a simple configuration. Also, by making the second pan frame movable while always keeping it parallel to the floor by a link mechanism, the deployment direction of the airbag can always be made to face downward of the seat. Also, by making the airbag holding part movable while always keeping it parallel to the floor by a link mechanism, the deployment direction of the airbag can always be made to face downward of the seat. Also, even when the airbag is deployed, the airbag contacts the wall portion, so that the airbag does not interfere with the ottoman frame and damage to the airbag can be suppressed. Also, since the lower end of the wall portion is in contact with the floor, it is possible to efficiently suppress the deployment of the airbag to the ottoman side. Also, since the lower end of the wall portion is not in contact with the floor, damage to the floor is suppressed. Also, by arranging the airbag device on the rear surface of the wall portion, even when the airbag is deployed, the airbag does not interfere with the ottoman frame and damage to the airbag can be suppressed. Also, by sandwiching the airbag device between the wall portion and the rear wall portion, the airbag can be more reliably deployed downward of the seat. Also, when the airbag is deployed, contact between the airbag and the frame behind is suppressed.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the first embodiment seen from obliquely forward. [Figure 2A] It is a side view of the seat frame, showing the state before tilting the front side of the seat cushion. [Figure 2B] It is a side view of the seat frame, showing the state where the front side of the seat cushion is tilted. [Figure 3A]It is a side view of a seat frame according to a first modification example, showing a state before tilting the front side of the seat cushion. [Figure 3B] It is a view showing a state where the front side of the seat cushion is tilted. [Figure 4A] It is a side view of a seat frame according to a second modification example, showing a state before tilting the front side of the seat cushion. [Figure 4B] It is a view showing a state where the front side of the seat cushion is tilted. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment, seen from obliquely in front. [Figure 6] It is a side view of a seat frame. [Figure 7] It is a side view of a seat frame according to a first modification example. [Figure 8] It is a side view of a seat frame according to a second modification example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] <<First Embodiment>> Hereinafter, the configuration of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it is needless to say that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

[0019] In the following, a vehicle seat will be cited as an example of a vehicle seat, and its configuration example will be described. In the following description, the "front-rear direction" is the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat and coincides with the traveling direction when the vehicle is running. Also, the "seat width direction" is the width direction of the vehicle seat and coincides with the left-right direction as seen from an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. Also, the "vertical direction" is the vertical direction of the vehicle seat and coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is running on a horizontal plane.

[0020] Furthermore, in the following explanations, when "sheet" is added to various directions, such as "sheet width direction" and "sheet height direction," it indicates the direction relative to the vehicle seat, and when "vehicle" is added, such as "inside vehicle" and "outside vehicle," it indicates the direction relative to the vehicle. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the following descriptions of the shape, position, and orientation of each part of the vehicle seat will be based on the assumption that the vehicle seat is in a state where it can be used for seating.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle seat S is a seat placed on the vehicle floor FL where the vehicle's occupants sit. The vehicle seat S is a front seat located at the front of the vehicle, but it may also be used as a rear seat located at the rear. In addition, the vehicle seat S can be used as a second-row middle seat or a third-row 3rd seat in a vehicle equipped with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] <Basic configuration of vehicle seat S> The overall configuration of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be outlined with reference to Figures 1 to 2B. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat S according to the first embodiment, seen from the front at an oblique angle. Figure 2A is a side view of the seat frame F of the vehicle seat S, showing the state before the front side of the seat cushion 2 is tilted, and Figure 2B shows the state after the front side of the seat cushion 2 has been tilted. Note that in Figure 1, for illustrative purposes, a part of the vehicle seat S is shown with the surface material Tr removed, exposing the pad material P.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment mainly comprises a seat back 1, a seat cushion 2, a headrest 3, a sliding device 4, and a reclining device 5. In the following, the seat back 1, seat cushion 2, and headrest 3 may be collectively referred to as the seat body.

[0024] A sliding device 4 is installed beneath the vehicle seat S. The sliding device 4 allows the vehicle seat S to be mounted on the vehicle floor FL in a state where the seat body can slide in the front-to-back direction. The sliding device 4 consists of a lower rail 4a fixed to the floor and an upper rail 4b that can slide relative to the lower rail 4a. As shown in Figure 2A, the seat body and the upper rail 4b are connected by a height link 23, and the height of the seat body can be changed by rotating the height link 23.

[0025] The seat cushion 2 and the seat back 1 are connected by a reclining device 5 sandwiched between them. The reclining device 5 allows the seat back 1 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 2, and its tilt angle can be adjusted. Additionally, a headrest pillar (not shown) extends downward from headrest 3 and connects to the upper end of seatback 1.

[0026] <Seat frame F> As shown in Figure 2A, a seat frame F, which forms the skeleton of the vehicle seat S, is provided inside the vehicle seat S. The seat frame F includes a back frame 10 and a cushion frame 20.

[0027] The back frame 10 is formed in a frame shape as a whole and comprises a pair of back side frames 11 arranged on the left and right sides, an upper frame 12, and a lower frame (not shown). The upper frame 12 is provided with a headrest holder, and the headrest 3 can be attached to the seat back 1 by inserting the headrest pillar, which extends from the headrest frame 13, into the headrest holder.

[0028] The cushion frame 20 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above the vehicle seat S, and a pair of cushion side frames 21 are provided on the left and right sides. The pair of cushion side frames 21 are basically symmetrical components and are provided extending in the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

[0029] The cushion frame 20 has a front connecting frame that connects a pair of cushion side frames 21 at the front and a rear connecting frame that connects them at the rear. Furthermore, a plate-shaped cushion pan frame 22 is provided in front of the front connecting frame. As will be described in detail later, the cushion frame 20 is provided with a deformation device T that deforms the seat cushion 2, and the cushion pan frame 22 is configured to rotate around a pivot axis that extends in the seat width direction, tilting the front side of the seat cushion 2. The cushion frame 20 is also provided with a pressure-receiving member for the cushion (not shown) that is positioned across the front connecting frame and the rear connecting frame. The pressure-receiving member for the cushion makes it possible to support the seated person's buttocks from below.

[0030] Pad materials P are attached to the back frame 10 and the cushion frame 20. The pad material P placed on the back frame 10 may be called a back pad. The pad material P placed on the cushion frame 20 may be called a cushion pad. The pad material P consists mainly of a urethane base material formed by foam molding using urethane foam material. The pad material P is covered with a surface layer Tr. The surface layer Tr is made of, for example, cloth, synthetic leather or genuine leather, vinyl leather, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0031] <Transformation device T> As described above, the vehicle seat S is provided on the front side of the cushion frame 20 and is equipped with a deformation device T for deforming the seat cushion 2. In this embodiment, the deformation device T is a tilt mechanism that tilts the front side of the seat cushion 2 at a predetermined angle.

[0032] The deformation device T is provided on the front side of the cushion frame 20 and consists of a cushion pan frame 22 that supports the pad material P, and a rotating member 22a that rotatably supports the cushion pan frame 22 around a pivot axis that extends in the seat width direction (left-right direction) between a pair of cushion side frames 21. The rotating member 22a is provided with, for example, a ratchet mechanism, so that the occupant can rotate the front part of the seat cushion 2 in the direction of arrow A and fix the front part of the seat cushion 2 in an inclined position. In other words, the front part of the seat cushion 2 can be maintained in an inclined position at a predetermined angle.

[0033] <Airbag device 30> In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S is equipped with an airbag device 30 on the cushion pan frame 22 of the deformation device T. The airbag device 30 comprises an airbag 31 that inflates when activated, an inflator 32 that supplies gas to the airbag 31, and a case 33 that covers the airbag 31 and the inflator 32.

[0034] The airbag device 30 is mounted on the underside of the cushion pan frame 22 so that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 faces the vehicle floor FL. In other words, as shown in Figure 2, it is mounted on the underside of the cushion pan frame 22 so that the airbag 31 deploys downwards from the seat.

[0035] Since the airbag 31 is installed so that its deployment direction faces the vehicle floor FL, for example, in the event of a frontal collision, the airbag 31 deploys to support the front end of the seat cushion 2, preventing the front end of the seat cushion 2 from deforming downwards. This prevents the occupant's waist from sinking.

[0036] Furthermore, the airbag device 30 is mounted such that even if the cushion pan frame 22 rotates around its pivot axis, the deployment direction of the airbag 31 remains constant. Specifically, the airbag device 30 has pipe members 35 extending in the seat width direction at both ends and is rotatably supported on the cushion pan frame 22. The airbag device 30 is configured such that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 always faces downwards from the seat due to its own weight. The airbag device 30 may also be equipped with a weight 34 on the underside of the case 33 of the airbag 31 to more reliably ensure that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 faces downwards from the seat.

[0037] This configuration ensures that the airbag 31 always deploys downwards. In other words, the airbag 31 can be directed toward the vehicle floor FL. Therefore, even in the event of a frontal collision, the airbag 31 deploys downwards from the seat, supporting the front of the seat cushion 2 and preventing the seat cushion 2 from deforming downwards from the vehicle.

[0038] <First Torture> The means for ensuring that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 of the airbag device 30 is always directed downward is not limited to its own weight. A first modified example of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A is a side view of the cushion frame F1 according to the first modified example, showing the state before the front side of the seat cushion 2 is tilted. Figure 3B shows the state after the front side of the seat cushion has been tilted. The vehicle seat S1, which is the first modified example, is equipped with a deformation device T1 that deforms the front side of the seat cushion 2, similar to the vehicle seat S shown in Figure 2A, but the configuration of the cushion pan frame is different. Since the other configurations are the same, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding components, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0039] <Deformation device T1> The deformation device T1 consists of a first cushion pan frame 25 and a second cushion pan frame 26 provided in front of the first cushion pan frame 25. The first cushion pan frame 25 is rotatably mounted to a pair of cushion side frames 21. More specifically, the first cushion pan frame 25 is supported by a rotating member 22a that rotatably supports the cushion pan frame 22 around a pivot axis extending in the sheet width direction (left-right direction) between the pair of cushion side frames 21. The first cushion pan frame 25 corresponds to the first pan frame, and the second cushion pan frame 26 corresponds to the second pan frame.

[0040] The first cushion pan frame 25 and the second cushion pan frame 26 are connected by a hinge, and the second cushion pan frame 26 is configured to be rotatable relative to the first cushion pan frame 25.

[0041] Furthermore, the second cushion pan frame 26 is connected to a pair of cushion side frames 21 by a link mechanism consisting of a front link 27 and a rear link 28. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3B, by rotating the front link 27 and the rear link 28, the second cushion pan frame 26 can be moved while being kept parallel to the vehicle floor FL.

[0042] In the first modified example, as shown in Figure 3A, the airbag device 30 is mounted on the back surface of the second cushion pan frame 26 so that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 faces the vehicle floor FL. As described above, the second cushion pan frame 26 is supported so that it remains parallel to the vehicle floor FL even when it moves upward. Therefore, even when the second cushion pan frame 26 is moved, the deployment direction of the airbag 31 of the airbag device 30 is maintained to face the vehicle floor FL. In other words, even when the seat cushion 2 is deformed by the deformation device T1, the deployment direction of the airbag 31 can always be kept constant.

[0043] <Second variation> A second modification of the first embodiment will be described using Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a side view of the cushion frame 20 according to the first modification, showing the state before the front side of the seat cushion 2 is tilted. Figure 4B shows the state after the front side of the seat cushion 2 has been tilted. The vehicle seat S2, which is the second modification, is equipped with a deformation device T2 that deforms the front side of the seat cushion 2, similar to the vehicle seat S shown in Figure 2A, but the configuration for supporting the airbag device 30 is different. Since the other configurations are the same, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding components, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0044] <Transformation device T2> In the deformation device T1 provided in the first modified vehicle seat S1, the cushion pan frame is divided, and the airbag device 30 is attached to the back surface of the second cushion pan frame 26, which remains parallel to the vehicle floor FL even when moved. In the deformation device T2 of the second modified vehicle seat S2, an airbag holding part 29 for holding the airbag device 30 is provided below the cushion pan frame 22. The airbag holding part 29 is configured to be connected to a pair of cushion side frames 21 by a link mechanism consisting of a front link 27 and a rear link 28. The cushion pan frame 22 and the airbag holding part 29 are configured to move in conjunction with each other, for example, by rotating the cushion pan frame 22 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 4A, the airbag holding part 29 also rises as shown in Figure 4B. Furthermore, the airbag holding part 29 is configured to be movable so as to always remain parallel to the vehicle floor FL by the link mechanism.

[0045] The airbag retaining part 29 is fixed to the cushion pan frame 22 in conjunction with it, while the airbag device 30 is fixed to the airbag retaining part 29. The airbag retaining part 29 is configured to be movable so as to always be parallel to the vehicle floor FL by a link mechanism, so that the deployment direction of the airbag 31 can always be directed toward the vehicle floor FL. In other words, even if the seat cushion 2 is deformed by the deformation device T2, the deployment direction of the airbag 31 can always be kept constant.

[0046] <<Second Embodiment>> The configuration of the vehicle seat SA according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle seat SA according to the second embodiment is a seat that is placed on the vehicle floor FL and on which the occupants of the vehicle sit. The vehicle seat SA is a front seat located at the front of the vehicle, but it may also be used as a rear seat located at the rear. Furthermore, the vehicle seat SA can be used as a middle seat in the second row or a third seat in the third row in a vehicle equipped with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction.

[0047] <Basic configuration of vehicle seat SA> The overall configuration of the vehicle seat SA according to the second embodiment will be outlined with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat SA according to the second embodiment, taken from a diagonal front view. Figure 6 is a side view of the seat frame FA of the vehicle seat SA. In Figure 5, for illustrative purposes, a portion of the vehicle seat SA is shown with the surface material TrA removed, exposing the pad material PA.

[0048] The vehicle seat SA according to the second embodiment, like the vehicle seat S of the first embodiment, is equipped with a deformation device TA that deforms the front side of the seat cushion 2A, but differs in that the ottoman that supports the occupant's legs is deformed, rather than the cushion pan frame. In the following description, components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the vehicle seat S of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the vehicle seat SA mainly consists of a seat back 1A, seat cushion 2A, headrest 3A, sliding device 4A, and reclining device 5A. Hereafter, the seat back 1A, seat cushion 2A, and headrest 3A may be collectively referred to as the seat body.

[0050] A sliding device 4A is installed at the bottom of the vehicle seat SA. The sliding device 4A allows the vehicle seat SA to be mounted on the vehicle floor FL in a state where the seat body can slide in the front-rear direction. The sliding device 4A consists of a lower rail 4Aa fixed to the floor and an upper rail 4Ab that can slide relative to the lower rail 4Aa. As shown in Figure 6, the seat body and the upper rail 4b are connected by a height link 23A, and the height of the seat body can be changed by rotating the height link 23A.

[0051] The seat cushion 2A and the seat back 1A are connected by a reclining device 5A. The reclining device 5A allows the seat back 1A to rotate relative to the seat cushion 2, and its tilt angle can be adjusted.

[0052] The back frame 10A is formed in a frame shape as a whole and comprises a pair of back side frames 11A arranged on the left and right sides, an upper frame (not shown), and a lower frame (not shown). The upper frame is provided with a headrest holder (not shown), and the headrest 3A can be attached to the seat back 1A by inserting the headrest pillar, which extends from the headrest frame 13A, into the headrest holder.

[0053] The cushion frame 20A is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above as a vehicle seat SA, and a pair of cushion side frames 21A are provided on the left and right sides. The pair of cushion side frames 21A are basically symmetrical components and extend in the front-rear direction of the seat. The cushion frame 20 has a front connecting frame that connects the pair of cushion side frames 21 at the front and a rear connecting frame that connects them at the rear. Furthermore, a plate-shaped cushion pan frame 22A is provided in front of the front connecting frame.

[0054] <Transformation device TA> As described above, the vehicle seat SA is provided with a deformation device TA located at the front of the cushion frame 20A, which deforms the seat cushion 2. In this embodiment, the deformation device TA consists of an ottoman 6 that supports the occupant's legs and a rotating member 16a that rotates the ottoman 6. The ottoman 6 has an ottoman frame 16 that forms its skeleton and is positioned at the front of the cushion frame 20A. The ottoman frame 16 of the ottoman 6 is rotatably supported by the rotating member 16a with respect to the cushion frame 20A, with respect to a pivot axis that extends in the seat width direction.

[0055] The vehicle seat SA is equipped with an airbag device 30 in front of the cushion frame 20A. The airbag device 30 consists of an airbag 31, an inflator 32, and a case 33. The airbag device 30 is positioned on the back surface of the cushion pan frame 22A so that the airbag 31 inflates and deploys downwards towards the seat, i.e., toward the vehicle floor FL.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the vehicle seat SA has a wall portion 36 positioned in front of the airbag device 30 and behind the ottoman frame 16, which restricts the deployment direction of the airbag 31. The upper end of the wall portion 36 is attached so as not to rotate with respect to the pivot axis of the ottoman 6. The lower end of the wall portion 36 extends to the vehicle floor FL and is in contact with the vehicle floor FL, as shown in Figure 6.

[0057] By positioning the wall portion 36, even when the airbag 31 deploys, the airbag 31 will come into contact with the wall portion 36, suppressing interference between the airbag 31 and the ottoman frame 16. Even when the ottoman frame 16 moves, the airbag 31 will come into contact with the wall portion 36 when deployed, suppressing damage caused by the airbag 31 coming into contact with the ottoman frame 16.

[0058] Furthermore, because the lower end of the wall portion 36 extends to the vehicle floor FL, it is possible to effectively prevent the airbag 31 from deploying towards the ottoman. Furthermore, the lower end of the wall portion 36 does not necessarily have to extend to the vehicle body floor FL. By preventing the wall portion 36 from contacting the vehicle body floor FL, damage to the vehicle body floor FL can be suppressed when the seat body of the vehicle seat SA slides.

[0059] <First Torture> The position in which the airbag device 30 is installed is not limited to the back surface of the cushion pan frame 22A. A first modified example of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a side view of the cushion frame FA1 according to the first modified example. The vehicle seat SA1, which is the first modified example, is equipped with a deformation device TA1 having an ottoman 6 on the front side of the seat cushion 2A, similar to the vehicle seat SA shown in Figure 6, but the position in which the airbag device 30 is installed is different. Since the other components are the same as those of the vehicle seat SA shown in Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding components, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0060] <Transformation device TA1> The deformation device TA1 is provided with a wall portion 36A that extends from the rear of the rotating member 16a downwards from the seat. The upper end of the wall portion 36A is attached in such a way that it does not rotate even when the ottoman 6 moves. The lower end of the wall portion 36A does not extend to the vehicle floor FL and does not come into contact with the vehicle floor FL.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the airbag device 30 is attached to the rear surface of the wall portion 36A. The airbag 31 of the airbag device 30 is positioned to deploy downwards toward the seat. In other words, the airbag 31 is attached to the wall portion 36A so that it faces toward the vehicle floor FL side. The wall portion 36A is located in front of the cushion side frame 21 and behind the pivot axis of the ottoman 6. With this configuration, when the airbag 31 deploys, the airbag 31 comes into contact with the wall portion 36A, so even when the ottoman 6 is moving, contact between the airbag 31 and the ottoman frame 16 is suppressed, and damage to the airbag 31 is suppressed.

[0062] <Second variation> Using Figure 8, a second modification of the second embodiment, the vehicle seat SA2, will be described. Figure 8 is a side view of the cushion frame FA2 according to the second modification. The vehicle seat SA2, the second modification, is equipped with a deformation device TA2 having an ottoman 6 on the front side of the seat cushion 2A, similar to the vehicle seat SA shown in Figure 6. In the second modification, as shown in Figure 8, a rear wall portion 37 is provided behind the airbag device 30, extending downward from the cushion side frame 21A. By sandwiching the airbag device 30 between the wall portion 36A and the rear wall portion 37 and forming a recess that opens downward, the deployment direction of the airbag 31 can be more reliably directed downward. In addition, by providing the rear wall portion 37, the deployment of the airbag 31 to the rear is suppressed, and contact with the height link 23A, etc., can be suppressed.

[0063] The vehicle seats S-SA2 according to this embodiment have been described above with reference to the figures. Although the vehicle seats S-SA2 of this embodiment are mounted on a vehicle, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on ground-running vehicles with wheels such as automobiles and trains, but can also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, etc. that move on surfaces other than the ground. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] S, S1, S2, SA, SA1, SA2 Vehicle seats (seats for vehicles) FL (Floor) P pad material Tr epidermis 1 seat back 2 seat cushions 3 Headrests 4. Slide device 4a Lower Rail 4b Upper rail 5. Reclining device 6 Ottoman T, T1, T2, TA, TA1, TA2 deformation device F Seat Frame 10 Backframe 11. Backside frame 12 Upper Frame 13 Headrest Frame 16 Ottoman Frame 16a Rotating member 20, 20A cushion frame 21, 21A Cushion side frame 22, 22A Cushion Pan Frame 22a Rotating member 23, 23A Height Link 25 First Cushion Pan Frame 26 Second cushion pan frame 27 Front Link 28 Rear link 29 Airbag retaining section 30 Airbag system 31 Airbags 32 Inflator 33 cases 34 Weight 35 Pipe members 36, 36A wall 37 Rear wall

Claims

1. A seat cushion having a pad and a cushion frame that supports the pad, A deformation device provided on the front side of the cushion frame for deforming the seat cushion, The system includes an airbag device having an airbag that inflates and deploys downwards from the seat, The airbag device is provided on the cushion frame such that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant even when the seat cushion is deformed by the deformation device.

2. The deformation device is A pan frame provided on the front side of the cushion frame and supporting the pad, It consists of a rotating member that rotatably supports the pan frame around a pivot axis extending in the sheet width direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the airbag device is provided on the back surface of the pan frame so that the deployment direction of the airbag remains constant even when the pan frame is rotated by the rotating member.

3. The airbag device is mounted on the back surface of the pan frame so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that when the pan frame rotates, the airbag device rotates due to its own weight so that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downwards from the seat.

4. The pan frame comprises a first pan frame and a second pan frame located in front of the first pan frame and rotatably connected to the first pan frame. The second pan frame is attached to the cushion frame by a link mechanism so as to be movable while maintaining parallelism with respect to the floor. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the airbag device is arranged on the back surface of the second pan frame such that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downwards from the seat.

5. The pan frame is provided with an airbag holding portion below the pan frame for holding the airbag device. The airbag retaining portion is attached to the cushion frame by a link mechanism so as to be movable while remaining parallel to the floor. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the airbag device is arranged in the airbag holding portion such that the deployment direction of the airbag faces downwards from the seat.

6. The deformation device is A pan frame provided on the front side of the cushion frame and supporting the pad, An ottoman that supports the occupant's legs and has an ottoman frame, It consists of a rotating member that rotatably supports the ottoman around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a wall portion positioned on the rear side of the ottoman frame and on the front side of the airbag device, which restricts the deployment direction of the airbag.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the wall portion extends downward toward the seat, and the lower end of the wall portion is in contact with the floor.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the wall portion extends downward toward the seat and the lower end of the wall portion does not come into contact with the floor.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the airbag device is arranged on the rear surface of the wall portion.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, characterized in that a rear wall portion is provided behind the airbag device, extending downward from the cushion frame toward the seat.

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