Vehicle seats

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle seat that can improve the seating comfort performance for seated occupants. [Solution] The vehicle seat 10 comprises a plurality of first seat cushion springs 22 arranged in the width direction of the seat, a plurality of second seat cushion springs 24 arranged in the width direction of the seat on the front side of the seat of the first seat cushion springs 22 and being more elastically deformable than the first seat cushion springs 22, and a connecting member 18 that connects the first seat cushion springs 22 and the second seat cushion springs 24.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion spring in which a plurality of spring steel wires extending in the front-rear direction and having a substantially "S" shape in plan view are spanned in a state of being spaced apart in the seat width direction between a front connecting rod and a rear connecting rod has been conventionally known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in a configuration for adjusting the elastic restoring force of the seat cushion spring in the seat cushion of a vehicle seat to improve the sitting comfort performance of the seated occupant.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle seat capable of improving the sitting comfort performance of a seated occupant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle seat according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of first seat cushion springs provided side by side in the seat width direction, a plurality of second seat cushion springs provided side by side in the seat width direction on the front side or the rear side of the seat of the first seat cushion spring, and being more easily elastically deformed than the first seat cushion springs, and a connecting member connecting the first seat cushion springs and the second seat cushion springs.

[0007] According to the first embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first seat cushion springs are arranged in the seat width direction, and a plurality of second seat cushion springs, which are more elastically deformable than the first seat cushion springs, are arranged in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat or on the rear side of the seat relative to the first seat cushion springs. The first seat cushion springs and the second seat cushion springs are connected by a connecting member.

[0008] In other words, the elastic restoring force of the seat cushion spring is adjusted in the front-to-back direction of the seat. Therefore, the seating comfort performance for the occupant is improved compared to when the elastic restoring force of the seat cushion spring is not adjusted in the front-to-back direction of the seat.

[0009] Furthermore, a second embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment, wherein the first seat cushion spring is made of iron wire and the second seat cushion spring is made of spring steel wire.

[0010] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the first seat cushion spring is made of iron wire. Therefore, the seat cushion spring is inexpensive. Furthermore, since the tempering (annealing) required for the spring steel wire to obtain seating comfort performance only needs to be performed on the second seat cushion spring, it can contribute to efforts toward carbon neutrality.

[0011] Furthermore, a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle seat according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the connecting member is made of a soft resin material.

[0012] According to the third embodiment of the invention, the connecting member is made of a soft resin material. Therefore, the weight of the seat cushion spring can be reduced, and the connecting member is prevented from hindering the elastic deformation of the first and second seat cushion springs.

[0013] Furthermore, a vehicle seat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment, wherein a hole is formed in the center of the connecting member in the front-rear direction of the seat, and the hole penetrates in the width direction of the seat.

[0014] According to the fourth embodiment of the invention, a hole is formed in the center of the connecting member in the front-rear direction of the seat, extending through in the width direction of the seat. Therefore, the connecting member becomes more elastically deformable in accordance with the elastic deformation of the first seat cushion spring and the second seat cushion spring. In other words, the effect of the connecting member on the elastic deformation of the first seat cushion spring and the second seat cushion spring is further suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to improve the seating comfort performance of seated occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the seat cushion spring of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a connecting member that connects the first seat cushion spring and the second seat cushion spring of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the seat cushion spring of a vehicle seat according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of explanation, in each figure, the arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle seat. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right refer to the up and down, front and back, and left and right directions of the vehicle seat. The left and right direction is synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0018] <First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment has a seat cushion frame 12 provided inside a seat cushion (not shown). The seat cushion frame 12 includes a pair of left and right metal side frames (not shown), a metal cylindrical rear rod 14 installed at the rear end portion of the side frame (the rear portion of the seat cushion frame 12) with the seat width direction as the axial direction, and a metal cylindrical front rod 16 installed at the front end portion of the side frame (the front portion of the seat cushion frame 12) with the seat width direction as the axial direction.

[0019] Between the rear rod 14 and the front rod 16, a metal seat cushion spring 20 that supports a cushion pad (not shown) constituting the seat cushion together with the seat cushion frame 12 from below is installed. The seat cushion spring 20 includes a first seat cushion spring 22 disposed on the rear side of the seat cushion frame 12 and a second seat cushion spring 24 disposed on the front side of the seat cushion frame 12 (the front side of the first seat cushion spring 22).

[0020] The first seat cushion spring 22 is configured by arranging two sets (a plurality of sets) of substantially "U" - shaped linear spring members with the middle portion bent in a plan view in the seat width direction. In other words, the first seat cushion spring 22 is configured by arranging four (a plurality of) linear spring members with the middle portion bent in the seat width direction, and the rear end portions of two spring members on the left and right are integrally connected respectively.

[0021] The left and right first seat cushion springs 22, which are paired in two, are each formed in a shape in which a rear portion 22R whose interval along the seat width direction gradually narrows as it goes forward and a front portion 22F bent in a substantially "C" shape or a substantially "C" shape with the front and back reversed in plan view are integrally continuous. The rear portion 22R of the first seat cushion spring 22 extends obliquely downward and forward, and the front portion 22F of the first seat cushion spring 22 extends substantially horizontally.

[0022] Also, the front end portions of the first seat cushion springs 22 are bent in a direction approaching each other and extend in the seat width direction. The rear end portions 22B of the first seat cushion springs 22 are integrally connected by connecting portions 22C extending in the seat width direction, and are each locked and attached to the rear rod 14 from above. Although not shown, a resin cover may be provided at the rear end portion 22B of the first seat cushion spring 22, for example, by insert molding.

[0023] The second seat cushion spring 24 is configured by arranging two sets (a plurality of sets) of linear spring members having a substantially "U" shape with a bent middle portion in the seat width direction. In other words, the second seat cushion spring 24 is configured by arranging four (a plurality of) linear spring members with a bent middle portion in the seat width direction, and the rear end portions of the two spring members on the left and right are integrally connected.

[0024] The left and right second seat cushion springs 24, which are paired in two, are each formed in a shape in which two bent portions (hereinafter referred to as "bent portions"), each bent in a substantially "S" shape or a substantially "S" shape with the front and back reversed in plan view, are continuous toward the front side. The bent portion on the rear side of the second seat cushion spring 24 extends substantially horizontally, and the bent portion on the front side of the second seat cushion spring 24 extends obliquely upward and forward.

[0025] Furthermore, the rear end portion 24B of the second seat cushion spring 24 is integrally connected by connecting portions 24C that extend in the seat width direction. The front end portion 24A of the second seat cushion spring 24 is attached to the front rod 16 by being locked from above. As shown in the figure, the front end portion 24A of the second seat cushion spring 24 may be provided with a resin cover, for example, by insert molding.

[0026] Furthermore, the second seat cushion spring 24 is made of a spring material that is more elastically deformable than the first seat cushion spring 22. Specifically, the first seat cushion spring 22 is made of inexpensive iron wire that does not require tempering (annealing), while the second seat cushion spring 24 is made of spring steel wire that undergoes tempering (annealing).

[0027] As shown in Figure 2(A), the front end 22A of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the connecting portion 24C that connects the rear end 24B of the second seat cushion spring 24 are integrally connected by a resin connecting member 18. In other words, this connecting member 18 is formed by insert molding, thereby integrally connecting the front end 22A of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the connecting portion 24C (rear end 24B) of the second seat cushion spring 24.

[0028] Furthermore, this connecting member 18 is made of a soft resin material such as polyethylene (PE), and a hole (weight-reducing portion) 18A is formed in its center in the front-to-rear direction, penetrating in the seat width direction. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(B), when the front part 22F of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the rear part of the second seat cushion spring 24 are elastically deformed downward by a seated occupant, the connecting member 18 is less likely to hinder that elastic deformation (in other words, it is configured to easily follow that elastic deformation and undergo elastic deformation).

[0029] The operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained.

[0030] As described above, multiple first seat cushion springs 22 are arranged in the seat width direction, and multiple second seat cushion springs 24, which are more elastically deformable than the first seat cushion springs 22, are arranged in the seat width direction in front of the first seat cushion springs 22. The front end portion 22A of the first seat cushion springs 22 and the connecting portion 24C (rear end portion 22B) of the second seat cushion springs 24 are integrally connected by a connecting member 18.

[0031] In other words, the elastic restoring force of the seat cushion spring 20 is adjusted in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, compared to the case where the elastic restoring force of the seat cushion spring 20 is not adjusted in the front-to-back direction (i.e., the seat cushion spring 20 is not configured separately for the front and back), the seating comfort performance for the seated occupant can be improved.

[0032] Furthermore, the first seat cushion spring 22 has a smaller area of ​​support for the seated occupant compared to the second seat cushion spring 24 (it does not require elastic deformation that affects seating comfort). Therefore, the first seat cushion spring 22 can be made of inexpensive spring material. Specifically, the first seat cushion spring 22 can be made of inexpensive iron wire. Consequently, the seat cushion spring 20 can be manufactured at a low cost.

[0033] Furthermore, compared to the first seat cushion spring 22, the second seat cushion spring 24, which supports a larger area of ​​the seated occupant (requiring elastic deformation that affects seating comfort), is composed of a spring material that is easily elastically deformable. Specifically, the second seat cushion spring 24 is composed of spring steel wire. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of seating comfort for the seated occupant. In addition, since the tempering (annealing) necessary to obtain seating comfort only needs to be performed on the second seat cushion spring 24, it can also contribute to efforts toward carbon neutrality.

[0034] Furthermore, the connecting member 18 that connects the front end portion 22A of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the connecting portion 24C (rear end portion 22B) of the second seat cushion spring 24 is made of a soft resin material, and a hole 18A that penetrates in the seat width direction is formed in the center of the front-rear direction. Therefore, the weight of the seat cushion spring 20 can be reduced, and the connecting member 18 can be prevented from hindering the elastic deformation of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the second seat cushion spring 24. In other words, the connecting member 18 can easily elastically deform in accordance with the elastic deformation of the first seat cushion spring 22 and the second seat cushion spring 24.

[0035] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the shape of the second seat cushion spring 26 in this second embodiment differs from that of the second seat cushion spring 24 in the first embodiment. In other words, in this second embodiment, the only difference from the first embodiment is the shape of the second seat cushion spring 26, which is made of spring steel wire.

[0037] Specifically, in this second embodiment, the second seat cushion spring 26 has only one bent portion on the front side that is roughly S-shaped or inverted S-shaped when viewed from above, while the rear side is formed in a straight shape along the front-rear direction. The rear end portion 26B of the second seat cushion spring 26 is integrally connected by a connecting portion 26C that extends in the seat width direction, and the front end portion 26A of the second seat cushion spring 26 is attached to the front rod 16 by being locked from above.

[0038] Even with the second seat cushion spring 26 having this shape, the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, the spring member connected to the first seat cushion spring 22, such as the second seat cushion spring 24 or the second seat cushion spring 26, can be appropriately replaced (set). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which such replacement (setting) is not possible, the degree of freedom of the elastic restoring force in the seat cushion spring 20 can be improved, and appropriate seating comfort performance can be obtained.

[0039] The vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment has been described above based on the drawings, but the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated version and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the connecting member 18 may be divided in the center in the width direction of the seat. That is, the connecting member 18 may be provided for each pair of left and right first seat cushion springs 22 and second seat cushion springs 24. Also, the connecting member 18 does not have to have a hole 18A formed in it.

[0040] Furthermore, the first seat cushion spring 22 and the second seat cushion spring 24 are not limited to being formed in a roughly "U" shape in plan view, with their rear ends integrally connected and their front ends open. In other words, the first seat cushion spring 22 and the second seat cushion spring 24 may be provided independently (without their rear ends integrally connected).

[0041] Alternatively, the first seat cushion spring 22 may be positioned on the front side of the seat cushion frame 12 with its shape appropriately modified, and the second seat cushion spring 24 may be positioned on the rear side of the seat cushion frame 12 (behind the first seat cushion spring 22) with its shape appropriately modified. In this case as well, however, the area supporting the seated occupant will still have fewer first seat cushion springs 22 and more second seat cushion springs 24. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 Vehicle seats 18 Connecting member 18A hole 22. First seat cushion spring 24. Second seat cushion spring 26. Second seat cushion spring

Claims

1. Multiple first seat cushion springs arranged in the width direction of the seat, Multiple second seat cushion springs are provided in the seat width direction on the front or rear side of the seat of the first seat cushion spring, and are more elastically deformable than the first seat cushion spring, A connecting member that connects the first seat cushion spring and the second seat cushion spring, A vehicle seat equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The first seat cushion spring is made of iron wire, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the second seat cushion spring is made of spring steel wire.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connecting member is formed of a soft resin material.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein a hole is formed in the center of the connecting member in the front-rear direction of the seat, through to the seat width direction.

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