Vehicle seat frames and vehicle seats

Abstract

Increase the strength of the ends of the closed section. [Solution] In the seat back, a single panel is folded to form multiple cylindrical sections 20 on the back frame 18, and each of the multiple cylindrical sections 20 constitutes a closed cross section. Here, the ends of the cylindrical sections 20 are joined together by butt welding at a joint 26, so that the closed cross sections of the cylindrical sections 20 are continuous. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the ends of the cylindrical sections 20 on the back frame 18.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat frame provided with a plurality of closed cross-sectional portions and a vehicle seat provided with the vehicle seat frame.

Background Art

[0002] In the seat back described in Patent Document 1 below, a front frame portion and a rear frame portion are provided on a seat frame. A single steel plate is bent to form the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the front frame portion and the rear frame portion each constitute a closed cross-section.

[0003] Here, in this seat back, the closed cross-section of the front frame portion and the closed cross-section of the rear frame portion are not continuous.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In the vehicle seat frame according to the first aspect of the present invention, a single plate material is bent to form a plurality of closed cross-sectional portions, and the plurality of closed cross-sectional portions each constitute a closed cross-section.​​​​

[0008] Here, the ends of the closed sections are joined together by butt welding, making the closed sections continuous. This allows for increased strength at the ends of the closed sections.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat frame in which the corner portion is formed by the end portion of the closed cross-section portion, in the vehicle seat frame of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0010] In the second aspect of the present invention, the corners are formed by the ends of the closed cross-sections. This allows for increased strength at the corners.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat frame that, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, includes an extended curved portion that extends from the closed cross-section and is bent.

[0012] In the third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle seat frame has an extended curved portion that extends from the closed cross-section and is bent. Therefore, the strength of the closed cross-section can be increased by the extended curved portion.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat frame that, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, includes an extended connecting portion that extends from the closed cross-section and is connected to the closed cross-section.

[0014] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle seat frame has an extended joint that extends from the closed section and is joined to the closed section. Therefore, the strength of the closed section can be increased by the extended joint.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion on which an occupant sits; a seat back that supports the occupant's back; and a vehicle seat frame according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0016] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat is provided in which an occupant sits on the seat cushion, and the seat back supports the occupant's back.

[0017] Here, a vehicle seat frame according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention is provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back. Therefore, the same effects as any one of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The vehicle seat frame and vehicle seat of the present invention can increase the strength of the ends of the closed cross-section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a left-side view showing a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view from the front left, showing the back frame of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] (A) is a top-view cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line 3A-3A in Figure 2) showing the back frame of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an unfolded view of the said back frame. [Figure 4] (A) is a top-view cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) showing the back frame of a vehicle seat according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an unfolded view of the said back frame. [Figure 5] (A) is a top-view cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) showing the back frame of a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an unfolded view of the said back frame. [Figure 6] (A) is a top-view cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) showing the back frame of a vehicle seat according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an unfolded view of the said back frame. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle seat 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left. In the drawing, the front of the vehicle seat 10 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right side of the vehicle seat 10 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the upper side of the vehicle seat 10 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0021] The vehicle seat in this embodiment is provided in the passenger compartment of a vehicle (automobile).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a seat cushion 12 is provided at the lower part of the vehicle seat 10, and an occupant of the vehicle sits on the seat cushion 12. A seat back 14 is provided above the rear end portion of the seat cushion 12, and the seat back 14 supports the back of the occupant.

[0023] Inside the seat cushion 12, a cushion frame 16 made of metal and having a rectangular frame shape in plan view is provided, and the cushion frame 16 constitutes the skeleton of the seat cushion 12. Inside the seat back 14, a back frame 18 (see FIG. 2) made of metal and having a rectangular frame shape in front view as a vehicle seat frame is provided, and the back frame 18 constitutes the skeleton of the seat back 14.

[0024] On the upper, lower, left, and right portions of the back frame 18, substantially rectangular tubular portions 20 as cut-off surfaces are provided, and the end portions (axial end portions) of the tubular portions 20 constitute the corner portions (circumferential corner portions) of the back frame 18. The tubular portion 20 constitutes a rectangular closed cross-section, and the rear wall of the tubular portion 20 extends to the inner peripheral side of the back frame 18 (see FIG. 3(A)).

[0025] The back frame 18 is formed from a single panel 22 as a plate material, and the panel 22 is in the shape of a roughly rectangular ring plate (see Figure 3(B)). The inner circumference of the panel 22 is a rectangular ring rear wall portion 20A, and the rear wall portion 20A constitutes the rear wall of all the cylindrical portions 20. Rectangular outer wall portions 20B are integrally provided on the outer circumference side of each outer edge of the rear wall portion 20A of the panel 22, and the outer wall portions 20B constitute the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 20 (the wall on the outer circumference side of the back frame 18). A trapezoidal front wall portion 20C is integrally provided on the outer circumference side of the outer wall portion 20B of the panel 22, and the front wall portion 20C constitutes the front wall of the cylindrical portion 20. A rectangular inner wall portion 20D is integrally provided on the outer circumference side of the front wall portion 20C of the panel 22, and the inner wall portion 20D constitutes the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 20 (the wall on the inner circumference side of the back frame 18).

[0026] The cylindrical section 20 is formed by bending the panel 22 between the rear wall section 20A and the outer wall section 20B, between the outer wall section 20B and the front wall section 20C, and between the front wall section 20C and the inner wall section 20D. The outer peripheral end of the inner wall section 20D is joined to the plate surface of the rear wall section 20A by butt welding, and a joint section 24 is formed between the outer peripheral end of the inner wall section 20D and the plate surface of the rear wall section 20A. The ends of the outer wall section 20B, the ends of the front wall section 20C, and the ends of the inner wall section 20D in adjacent cylindrical sections 20 are arranged along each other and joined by butt welding, and joint sections 26 are formed between the ends of the outer wall section 20B, between the ends of the front wall section 20C, and between the ends of the inner wall section 20D. As a result, the closed cross-sections of adjacent cylindrical sections 20 are continuous.

[0027] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0028] In the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10 with the above configuration, a single panel 22 is folded to form a plurality of cylindrical portions 20 on the back frame 18, and each of the plurality of cylindrical portions 20 constitutes a closed cross-section.

[0029] Here, the ends of the cylindrical sections 20 are joined together by butt welding at the joint 26, so that the closed cross-sections of the cylindrical sections 20 are continuous. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the ends of each cylindrical section 20 of the back frame 18.

[0030] Furthermore, the ends of the cylindrical portions 20 form the corners of the back frame 18. Therefore, by increasing the strength of the ends of the cylindrical portions 20 of the back frame 18, the strength of the corners of the back frame 18 can be increased.

[0031] [Second Embodiment] Figure 4(A) shows a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above, and Figure 4(B) shows an exploded view of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 50.

[0032] 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.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), in the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 50 according to this embodiment, a trapezoidal overlapping portion 52 is integrally provided on the panel 22 on the outer periphery side of the inner wall portion 20D, and the overlapping portion 52 constitutes the rear wall of the cylindrical portion 20.

[0034] Panel 22 is bent between the inner wall portion 20D and the overlapping portion 52, which protrudes inward from the cylindrical portion 20. The overlapping portion 52 is joined to the rear wall portion 20A by overlap welding, and a formed joint portion 24 is formed between the overlapping portion 52 and the rear wall portion 20A. The ends of adjacent overlapping portions 52 are aligned along each other and joined by butt welding, and a joint portion 26 is formed between the ends of the overlapping portions 52.

[0035] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0036] Furthermore, at the corners of the back frame 18, the ends of the overlapping sections 52 are joined together by butt welding at the joint section 26. This further increases the strength of the ends of the cylindrical section 20 of the back frame 18, and further increases the strength of the corners of the back frame 18.

[0037] [Third Embodiment] Figure 5(A) shows a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 60 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above, and Figure 5(B) shows an exploded view of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 60.

[0038] The vehicle seat 60 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), in the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 60 according to this embodiment, an extended portion 62 extends inward from the cylindrical portion 20 as an extended curved portion.

[0040] In panel 22, the portion of the rear wall portion 20A on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 20 forms a rectangular annular first extension portion 62A that constitutes the extension portion 62. On panel 22, trapezoidal second extension portions 62B that constitute the extension portion 62 are integrally provided on the inner circumference side of each inner edge of the first extension portion 62A (rear wall portion 20A), and the second extension portions 62B are bent forward relative to the first extension portion 62A. On panel 22, trapezoidal third extension portions 62C that constitute the extension portion 62 are integrally provided on the inner circumference side of the second extension portion 62B, and the third extension portion 62C is bent outward relative to the second extension portion 62B. Panel 22 has a trapezoidal fourth extension 62D integrally provided on the inner circumference side of the third extension 62C, which constitutes the extension 62, and the fourth extension 62D is bent to the rear side relative to the third extension 62C.

[0041] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0042] Furthermore, in the back frame 18, the extensions 62 (first extension 62A, second extension 62B, third extension 62C, and fourth extension 62D) extend inward from the cylindrical portion 20 and are bent. As a result, the strength of the cylindrical portion 20 can be increased by the extensions 62.

[0043] Furthermore, the extension portion 62 of the panel 22 constitutes the back frame 18. This improves the yield of the back frame 18.

[0044] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 6(A) shows a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the line 3A-3A in Figure 2) of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 70 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above, and Figure 6(B) shows an exploded view of the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 70.

[0045] The vehicle seat 70 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the third embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), in the back frame 18 of the vehicle seat 70 according to this embodiment, the extension portion 62 functions as an extension curved portion and an extension joint portion.

[0047] In the extension portion 62, the second extension portion 62B extends forward, and the third extension portion 62C extends outward. The extension portion 62 does not have a fourth extension portion 62D. The third extension portion 62C is joined to the front wall portion 20C of the cylindrical portion 20 by spot welding, plug welding, or laser welding, and a joint portion 72 is formed between the front wall portion 20C and the third extension portion 62C.

[0048] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the third embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0049] Furthermore, in the back frame 18, the extensions 62 (first extension 62A, second extension 62B, and third extension 62C) extend inward from the cylindrical portion 20 and are connected to the cylindrical portion 20. As a result, the strength of the cylindrical portion 20 can be further increased by the extensions 62.

[0050] The second embodiment described above is applicable to the first embodiment described above. However, the second embodiment may also be applied to the third or fourth embodiment described above.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, four cylindrical portions 20 are provided on the back frame 18. However, two, three, or five or more cylindrical portions 20 may be provided on the back frame 18.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the vehicle seat frame is applied to the back frame 18. However, the vehicle seat frame may also be applied to the cushion frame 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seatback 18. Back frame (vehicle seat frame) 20 Cylindrical part (closed cross section) 22 panels (boards) 26 Joint 50 Vehicle seats 60 Vehicle seats 62 Extended part (extended bent part, extended joint part) 70 Vehicle seats

Claims

1. A single sheet material is bent to form multiple closed sections, each of which constitutes a closed cross-section, The ends of the closed cross-sections are joined together by butt welding to form a joint where the closed cross-sections are continuous, A vehicle seat frame equipped with the following features.

2. The vehicle seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the corner portion is formed by the end portion of the closed cross-section.

3. A vehicle seat frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an extended curved portion that extends from the closed cross-section and is bendable.

4. A vehicle seat frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an extended connecting portion that extends from the closed cross-section and is connected to the closed cross-section.

5. The seat cushion on which the occupants sit, A seatback that supports the occupant's back, A vehicle seat frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back, A vehicle seat equipped with the following features.

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