Vehicle seats

Abstract

This suppresses vertical displacement of the outer support. [Solution] In the vehicle seat 10, the suspension mat 16 supports the cushion pad from below, and the side body 30 supports the cushion pad from the left and right outer sides. In addition, the lower support portion 22 of the suspension mat 16 is rotatably supported by the cushion frame 14, and the outer support portion 36 of the side body 30 is rotatably supported by the cushion frame 14. Here, the outer support portion 36 allows relative rotation of the lower support portion 22. Therefore, even if the suspension mat 16 is displaced vertically while the lower support portion 22 is rotating, the rotation of the outer support portion 36 can be suppressed, and the vertical displacement of the side body 30 can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat in which a cushion pad and a cushion frame are provided on a seat cushion.

Background Art

[0002] In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 below, in the seat cushion, a cushion frame is disposed below the pad, and a support member is bridged between the front portion and the rear portion of the cushion frame. And, the central side (center side in the left - right direction) of the main body portion of the support member supports the pad from below, and both outer sides (both outer sides in the left - right direction) of the main body portion of the support member support the pad from the outer sides in the left - right direction.

[0003] Here, in this vehicle seat, the central side of the main body portion of the support member and both outer sides of the main body portion are integrated. Further, the latching portions on the front side and the rear side of the support member are rotatably supported by the front portion and the rear portion of the cushion frame, respectively. Therefore, when the central side of the main body portion of the support member is displaced in the vertical direction while the latching portion of the support member is rotated by the load of an occupant sitting on the seat cushion, both outer sides of the main body portion of the support member are displaced in the vertical direction integrally with the central side of the main body portion of the support member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle seat capable of suppressing the displacement of the outer support body in the vertical direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle seat according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a cushion pad provided on a seat cushion; a cushion frame provided on the seat cushion and positioned below the cushion pad; a lower support spanning between the front and rear portions of the cushion frame, having elasticity, and supporting the cushion pad from below; an outer support spanning between the front and rear portions of the cushion frame and supporting the cushion pad from the outside in the left-right direction; a lower support portion provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the lower support and rotatably supported by the cushion frame; and an outer support portion provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the outer support, rotatably supported by the cushion frame, and whose relative movement in the left-right direction with respect to the lower support portion is restricted, while allowing relative rotation of the lower support portion.

[0007] In the first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat is provided in the seat cushion, with a cushion frame positioned below the cushion pad, and a lower support and an outer support spanning between the front and rear of the cushion frame. The lower support is elastic and supports the cushion pad from below, while the outer support supports the cushion pad from the left and right outer sides.

[0008] Furthermore, at least one of the front and rear lower support portions of the lower support is rotatably supported by the cushion frame, and at least one of the front and rear outer support portions of the outer support is rotatably supported by the cushion frame, thereby restricting the lateral movement of the outer support portions relative to the lower support portions.

[0009] Here, the outer support allows relative rotation of the lower support. Therefore, even if the lower support rotates and the lower support is displaced vertically, the rotation of the outer support can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the vertical displacement of the outer support.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising: a recess provided on one of the lower support portion and the outer support portion and extending in the rotational direction of the lower support portion; and a protrusion provided on the other of the lower support portion and the outer support portion, inserted into the recess, having its relative movement in the left-right direction with respect to the recess restricted, and being able to move relative to the direction in which the recess extends.

[0011] In a vehicle seat according to a second aspect of the present invention, the protrusion of one of the lower support portion and the outer support portion is inserted into the recess of the other lower support portion and the outer support portion. The relative movement of the protrusion portion with respect to the recess in the left-right direction is restricted, thereby restricting the relative movement of the outer support portion with respect to the lower support portion in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the recess extends in the rotational direction of the lower support portion, and the protrusion portion is made movable relative to the direction of the extension of the recess, thereby allowing the outer support portion to rotate relative to the lower support portion. Thus, with a simple configuration, the relative movement of the outer support portion with respect to the lower support portion can be restricted in the left-right direction, and the outer support portion can rotate relative to the lower support portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The vehicle seat of the present invention can suppress vertical displacement of the outer support. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view taken from the front left, showing the internal structure of the seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a top view showing the internal structure of the seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front-view cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in Figure 2) showing the seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figures (A) and (B) show the main parts of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan view seen from above and (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear. [Figure 5]Figures (A) and (B) show the main parts of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan view seen from above and (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear. [Figure 6] (A) is a rearward cross-sectional view showing the main part of a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an upper diagonal left perspective view showing the lower support portion of the vehicle seat. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 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 top of the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the right of the vehicle seat. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions of up, down, front, back, and left and right refer to the up, down, front, back, and left and right directions of the vehicle seat. The left and right direction is synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0015] <First Embodiment> The vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a lower seat cushion 12 and an upper and rear seat back (not shown).

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat cushion 12 is provided with a metal cushion frame 14. A support frame 14A is provided at the front end of the cushion frame 14, and side frames 14B are provided at the left and right ends of the cushion frame 14. The support frame 14A is installed in the left-right direction between the front ends of the pair of side frames 14B. A cylindrical pipe member 14C is provided at the rear end of the cushion frame 14 as a support member, and the pipe member 14C is installed in the left-right direction between the rear ends of the pair of side frames 14B.

[0017] A suspension mat 16, acting as a lower support, is stretched between the support frame 14A and the pipe member 14C of the cushion frame 14.

[0018] The suspension mat 16 is provided with a plurality (three in this embodiment) of linear spring members 18 (wires) made of metal that constitute the lower support member, and the plurality of spring members 18 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. The front end portion of the spring member 18 is hooked and supported on the rear portion of the support frame 14A, and the rear end portion of the spring member 18 is curved in a substantially U - shape with its interior open downward.

[0019] At the rear end portions of the plurality of spring members 18, a resin - made base member 20 having a substantially U - shaped cross - section in a plate form as a lower support portion is integrally provided by insert molding. The base member 20 extends in the left - right direction to connect the rear end portions of the plurality of spring members 18 and has its interior open downward. The rear end portions of the plurality of spring members 18 and the base member 20 constitute the lower support portion 22 of the suspension mat 16, and the lower support portion 22 is hooked from above on the pipe member 14C and is rotatably supported.

[0020] The left end portion and the right end portion of the base member 20 (lower support portion 22) (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 4) protrude to the left and right sides of the plurality of spring members 18 respectively, and a space is formed in the pipe member 14C - side portions of the left end portion and the right end portion of the base member 20. Rectangular - columnar convex portions 2 more...4 are integrally provided at the left and right ends of the base member 20, and the convex portions 24 protrude toward the pipe member 14C side (downward).

[0021] The intermediate portion (the intermediate portion in the front - rear direction) of the spring member 18 is bent to the right or left in the front - rear direction at a plurality of locations, and the intermediate portion of the spring member 18 extends in a substantially wavy line and is made elastically deformable. Below the central portion (the central portion in the front - rear direction) of the plurality of spring members 18, a substantially rectangular - shaped wire frame 26 (wire) made of metal that constitutes the lower support member is arranged, and the longitudinal direction of the wire frame 26 is in the left - right direction. The front portion and the rear portion of the wire frame 26 are coupled to the central portion of the spring member 18, and the wire frame 26 is made elastically deformable together with the spring member 18.

[0022] Multiple spring members 18 and wire frame 26 support the cushion pad 28 (see Figure 3) from below, and the cushion pad 28 is made of a foamed material such as urethane foam. Inclined surfaces 28A are formed on the lower surface near the left end and near the right end of the cushion pad 28, and the inclined surfaces 28A are inclined in a direction toward the left and right sides of the cushion pad 28 as they are directed upwards.

[0023] Between the support frame 14A and the pipe member 14C of the cushion frame 14, side bodies 30, which serve as outer supports, are stretched across the left and right sides of the suspension mat 16.

[0024] The side body 30 is provided with a metal, linear wire member 32 (wire) as a bridging member. The front end of the wire member 32 is supported by welding or the like to the rear of the support frame 14A, and the rear end of the wire member 32 is curved in a roughly U-shape with the interior open to the lower side.

[0025] A hooking member 34 made of resin with a substantially U-shaped cross-section is integrally provided at the rear end of the wire member 32 by insert molding, serving as an external support portion, and the inside of the hooking member 34 is open to the bottom. The rear end of the wire member 32 and the hooking member 34 constitute the external support portion 36 of the suspension mat 16, and the external support portion 36 is rotatably supported by being hooked onto the pipe member 14C from above.

[0026] A rectangular cross-section recess 38 (see Figure 4(B)) is formed at the end of the hooking member 34 (outer support portion 36) on the base member 20 (lower support portion 22) side. The recess 38 is open to the side opposite to the pipe member 14C and extends in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 14C. The end of the recess 38 opposite to the pipe member 14C is open to the base member 20 side, and the protrusion 24 of the base member 20 is inserted into the recess 38. The protrusion 24 is movable in the extending direction of the recess 38, thereby allowing the recess 38 to allow relative rotation of the protrusion 24, and the outer support portion 36 to allow relative rotation of the lower support portion 22. The protrusion 24 is fitted into the recess 38 in the left-right direction, thereby restricting the left-right relative movement of the recess 38, and restricting the left-right relative movement of the lower support portion 22.

[0027] A U-shaped fixing portion 32A is formed in the central part (front-to-back center) of the wire member 32, and the fixing portion 32A protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction relative to the cushion pad 28 as it extends upward. A roughly rectangular plate-shaped resin side panel 40 is fixed to the suspension mat 16 side of the fixing portion 32A with adhesive or the like as an external support member, and the side panel 40 is inclined outward in the left-to-right direction relative to the cushion pad 28 as it extends upward. The inclined surface 28A of the cushion pad 28 is in contact with the side panel 40, and the side panel 40 supports the cushion pad 28 from the left-to-right outside (see Figure 3).

[0028] The cushion frame 14 and cushion pad 28 are covered from the top and side with a surface material such as leather (not shown).

[0029] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0030] In the vehicle seat 10 with the above configuration, when a vehicle occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and when the occupant sitting on the seat cushion 12 vibrates, the occupant's load acts on the multiple spring members 18 and wire frame 26 in the suspension mat 16 via the cushion pad 28, causing the lower support part 22 to rotate and the multiple spring members 18 and wire frame 26 to elastically deform vertically, thereby elastically supporting the cushion pad 28 and the occupant from below. Furthermore, when a occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and when the occupant sitting on the seat cushion 12 vibrates (especially when the occupant sitting on the seat cushion 12 is swung from side to side), the occupant's load acts on the side panel 40 of the side body 30 via the cushion pad 28, thereby supporting the cushion pad 28 and the occupant from the outside in the left-right direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the lower support portion 22 of the suspension mat 16 is rotatably supported by the pipe member 14C of the cushion frame 14, and the outer support portion 36 of the side body 30 is rotatably supported by the pipe member 14C.

[0032] Here, the outer support portion 36 allows relative rotation of the lower support portion 22. Therefore, even if the lower support portion 22 rotates and the multiple spring members 18 and wire frame 26 are displaced vertically, the rotation of the outer support portion 36 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the vertical displacement of the side panel 40. As a result, the rotation of the outer support portion 36 prevents the side panel 40 from being displaced downward, and prevents a decrease in the support force provided by the side panel 40 to the cushion pad 28 and the occupant from the outside in the lateral direction.

[0033] Furthermore, the relative movement of the outer support portion 36 with respect to the lower support portion 22 in the lateral direction is restricted. As a result, the movement of the outer support portion 36 in the lateral direction is suppressed, which suppresses the displacement of the cushion pad 28 of the side panel 40 outward in the lateral direction, and prevents a decrease in the support force of the side panel 40 on the cushion pad 28 and the occupant from the lateral side.

[0034] Furthermore, the protrusion 24 of the outer support portion 36 is inserted into the recess 38 of the lower support portion 22. The relative movement of the recess 38 with respect to the protrusion 24 in the left-right direction is restricted, thereby restricting the relative movement of the outer support portion 36 with respect to the lower support portion 22 in the left-right direction. Moreover, the recess 38 extends in the rotational direction of the lower support portion 22 (circumferential direction of the pipe member 14C), and the protrusion 24 is made movable relative to the direction of the extension of the recess 38, thereby allowing the outer support portion 36 to allow relative rotation of the lower support portion 22. Thus, with a simple configuration, the relative movement of the outer support portion 36 with respect to the lower support portion 22 in the left-right direction can be restricted, and the outer support portion 36 can allow relative rotation of the lower support portion 22.

[0035] <Second Embodiment> Next, a vehicle seat 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0036] The vehicle seat 50 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), in the vehicle seat 50 according to this embodiment, recesses 38 are formed at the left and right ends of the base member 20 (lower support portion 22) of the suspension mat 16, and the recesses 38 are open on the side opposite to the pipe member 14C. The recesses 38 extend in the circumferential direction of the pipe member 14C, and the end of the recess 38 opposite to the pipe member 14C is open to the hook member 34 (outer support portion 36) of the side body 30.

[0038] A space is formed in the pipe member 14C side portion of the base member 20 (lower support portion 22) side end of the hooking member 34 (outer support portion 36) in the side body 30. A projection 24 is integrally provided on the base member 20 side end of the hooking member 34, and the projection 24 protrudes toward the pipe member 14C side (downward) and is inserted into the recess 38 of the base member 20. The projection 24 is movable in the extending direction of the recess 38, thereby allowing the projection 24 to allow relative rotation of the recess 38 and the outer support portion 36 to allow relative rotation of the lower support portion 22. The projection 24 is fitted into the recess 38 in the left-right direction, thereby allowing the recess 38 to restrict the relative movement of the projection 24 in the left-right direction and the lower support portion 22 to restrict the relative movement of the outer support portion 36 in the left-right direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0040] <Third Embodiment> Next, a vehicle seat 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0041] The vehicle seat 60 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the second embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), in the vehicle seat 60 according to this embodiment, a space is formed on the left and right ends of the base member 20 (lower support portion 22) of the suspension mat 16, opposite to the pipe member 14C, and the recesses 38 at the left and right ends of the base member 20 penetrate the base member 20.

[0043] The hooking member 34 (outer support portion 36) of the side body 30 is rotatably (slidably) supported on the left or right end of the base member 20 (lower support portion 22), and the convex portion 24 of the hooking member 34 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the hooking member 34 toward the pipe member 14C side (downward side) and is inserted into the recess 38 of the base member 20.

[0044] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the second embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lower support portion 22 is provided with a recess 38, and the outer support portion 36 is provided with a protrusion 24. However, the lower support portion 22 may be provided with a protrusion 24, and the outer support portion 36 may be provided with a recess 38.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recess 38 penetrates the base member 20. However, the recess 38 does not necessarily have to penetrate the base member 20.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the wire frame 26 of the suspension mat 16 is made of metal. However, the wire frame 26 of the suspension mat 16 may be replaced with a resin component.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the front end of the wire member 32 is fixed to the support frame 14A by welding. However, the front end of the wire member 32 may also be fixed to the support frame 14A by means of inserting it into a hole in the support frame 14A or locking it to a cut-out portion of the support frame 14A.

[0049] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the fixing portion 32A of the wire member 32 is U-shaped, and the side panel 40 is made of resin. However, the fixing portion 32A of the wire member 32 is not limited to being U-shaped, and the side panel 40 is not limited to being made of resin. For example, the side panel 40, which is a pressed iron part, may be welded to the wire member 32. Alternatively, the resin side panel 40 may be integrally molded (insert molded) onto the wire member 32.

[0050] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, a pipe member 14C is provided at the rear of the cushion frame 14, a lower support portion 22 is provided at the rear end of the suspension mat 16, and an outer support portion 36 is provided at the rear end of the side body 30. However, a pipe member 14C may be provided at the front of the cushion frame 14, a lower support portion 22 may be provided at the front end of the suspension mat 16, and an outer support portion 36 may be provided at the front end of the side body 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Cushion Frame 16. Suspension mat (lower support) 22 Lower support part 24 Convex part 28 Cushion pads 30 Side body (outer support) 36 Outer support part 38 recesses 50 Vehicle seats 60 Vehicle seats

Claims

1. A cushion pad provided on the seat cushion, A cushion frame provided on the seat cushion and positioned below the cushion pad, A lower support is provided, which is stretched between the front and rear of the cushion frame, is elastic, and supports the cushion pad from below. An outer support is provided, which is stretched between the front and rear of the cushion frame and supports the cushion pad from the left and right outer sides, A lower support portion is provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the lower support and is rotatably supported by the cushion frame, An outer support portion is provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the outer support, is rotatably supported by the cushion frame, has its relative movement in the left-right direction restricted with respect to the lower support portion, and allows relative rotation of the lower support portion. A vehicle seat equipped with the following features.

2. A recess is provided in one of the lower support portion and the outer support portion, and extends in the rotational direction of the lower support portion, A protrusion is provided on the other of the lower support portion and the outer support portion, is inserted into the recess, and is restricted from relative movement in the left-right direction relative to the recess, while being able to move relative to the extension direction of the recess. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, comprising:

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