Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that can properly guide the release cable routed through the armrest. [Solution] The seat 1 includes a support frame 5 that extends upward from the side of the seat cushion 3 along the side of the seat back 2 to support the armrest 4, a release cable 9 that extends upward along the side of the support frame 5 and is routed inside the armrest 4, and a guide groove 5B formed on the side of the support frame 5 to guide the routing path of the release cable 9. The guide groove 5B includes a first groove B1 that extends vertically in a region behind the rotation axis 4R that rotatably supports the armrest 4 and opens diagonally upward and forward to communicate with the inside of the armrest 4, and a second groove B2 that extends downward from the first groove B1, expanding the front-to-back width of the groove. The release cable 9 is routed to pass through the first groove B1 and the second groove B2 and exit the groove from the second groove B2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat. More specifically, it relates to a vehicle seat having a support frame that extends upward along the side portion of the seat cushion to the side portion of the seat back to support an armrest.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat mounted on an aircraft. This seat has a configuration in which seats for three passengers are integrated side by side in a row. Support frames (spreaders) for supporting respective armrests and seat backs are arranged on both side portions of each seat.

[0003] Each support frame has a frame shape that extends in a reverse L shape in a side view along the side portion of each seat. An armrest is connected to the upper end portion of each support frame so as to be able to be tilted forward or raised backward by rotation. A release cable for releasing the lock of a reclining adjuster is passed through the armrest by pushing a release button at the tip thereof.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to appropriately guide the release cable so that it is not sandwiched or caught between the support frame due to the rotation of the armrest. Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle seat capable of appropriately guiding a release cable passed through an armrest.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means of solving the above problems, the vehicle seat of the present invention employs the following means.

[0007] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat having a support frame that extends upward from the side of the seat cushion along the side of the seat back to support an armrest, the vehicle seat having a release cable that extends upward along the side of the support frame and is routed inside the armrest, and a guide groove formed on the side of the support frame to guide the routing path of the release cable, wherein the guide groove has a first groove that extends vertically in a region behind a rotation axis that rotatably supports the armrest and opens diagonally upward and forward to communicate with the inside of the armrest, and a second groove that extends downward from the first groove, expanding the front-to-back width of the groove, and the release cable is routed to pass through the first groove and the second groove and exit from the second groove to the outside of the groove.

[0008] According to the first invention, the first groove, which is narrower in front-to-back width than the second groove, can guide the release cable so that it does not flap excessively even when the armrest rotates. Furthermore, the second groove, which is wider in front-to-back width than the first groove, can appropriately allow the release cable to bend and tighten within the groove due to the rotation of the armrest. As a result, the release cable can be properly guided.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which, in the first aspect, a cover is further provided to surround the support frame, wherein the first groove is covered from the side by the armrest, and the second groove is covered by the cover.

[0010] According to the second invention, the portion of the release cable that passes through the first groove can be properly covered by the armrest regardless of its rotational position. Furthermore, the portion of the release cable that exits from the second groove can also be properly covered by the cover regardless of the rotational position of the armrest. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view with the cover removed from the spreader. [Figure 5] This is a rear view of the cover attached to the spreader. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view visualizing the internal structure of the armrest. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view with the armrest retracted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 《First Embodiment》 (Outline of Sheet 1 structure) First, the configuration of the seat (vehicle seat) 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each figure. The directions shown in each figure are those viewed from the perspective of a seated occupant of the seat 1. Also, when "seat" is added to each direction, such as "seat width direction," it refers to the direction relative to the seat 1.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the seat 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a row of seats in a single horizontal row that is installed on an aircraft. Specifically, the seat 1 is configured as a row of seats integrated so that three seats are arranged in a single horizontal row. The seat 1 has a seat back 2 that forms the backrest of each seat and a seat cushion 3 that forms the seating area.

[0015] In addition, the seat 1 has armrests 4 that form the elbow rests for each seat. Each armrest 4 is provided so as to be arranged on both sides of each seat. Specifically, each armrest 4 is provided so as to be arranged one by one on the outside of the end seats and between two adjacent seats. That is, each armrest 4 provided between two adjacent seats is shared by the seated passengers of each seat.

[0016] Each armrest 4 is connected to the upper end of each support frame 5 (spreader) that extends in an inverted L shape in side view along the side portion of the seat cushion 3 of each seat to the side portion of the seat back 2. Specifically, each armrest 4 is connected such that their base ends can be rotated by a rotation axis 4R whose axis extends in the seat width direction with respect to the upper end of each support frame 5.

[0017] Thereby, each armrest 4 can be manually switched between a use state where it is tilted forward around the above axis and a storage state where it is pulled up along the side portion of the seat back 2. Each seat back 2 is connected between a pair of left and right support frames 5 provided on both side portions thereof so that the backrest angle can be adjusted.

[0018] Specifically, each seat back 2 is connected to each support frame 5 provided on both side portions thereof so that it can be rotated by a back shaft 6 whose axis extends in the seat width direction. Each back shaft 6 is arranged at a position lower than each rotation axis 4R which is the rotation center of each armrest 4.

[0019] Each seat back 2 is always held in a state where the backrest angle is fixed. Each seat back 2 is configured such that the fixed state of the backrest angle is released when a release button (not shown) provided on the inner side of the corresponding armrest 4 is pushed in. Thereby, each seat back 2 can adjust the backrest angle around the above axis.

[0020] The release operation by pushing the release button (not shown above) is performed through the operation of a release cable 9 routed through the inside of each armrest 4. Each release cable 9 is drawn from the inside of each armrest 4 through the side of each support frame 5 and pulled downward to the rear. And each release cable 9 is drawn to the lower part of the seat cushion 3 and connected to an actuator of a reclining adjuster (not shown).

[0021] In addition to the above release cable 9, a wire harness (not shown) drawn from the seat back 2 and the seat cushion 3 is routed along the side of each support frame 5. On each support frame 5, a front cover 7 covering these from the seat front side and a back cover 8 covering these from the seat back side are attached so that the release cable 9 and the wire harness (not shown) do not touch the seated occupant. Here, the front cover 7 and the back cover 8 correspond to the "cover" of the present invention.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each front cover 7 is fixed to the corresponding support frame 5 from the seat front side using a tie wrap T. Also, each back cover 8 is fixed to the corresponding support frame 5 from the seat back side using screws (not shown). By fixing each front cover 7 to the corresponding support frame 5 using a tie wrap T, it can be easily fixed to each support frame 5 without setting fastening points such as screw parts on each support frame 5.

[0023] Hereinafter, the specific configuration of each front cover 7 and the fixing structure to each support frame 5 will be described in detail. Each front cover 7 has the same basic structure as each other. Therefore, hereinafter, on behalf of these, the configuration of the front cover 7 and the support frame 5 disposed between the center seat and the left seat shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the front cover 7 is made of a vacuum-formed resin part. The front cover 7 has a covering portion 7A that covers the support frame 5 from the front side of the sheet, and a pair of overhanging portions 7B that extend from the covering portion 7A to both sides in the sheet width direction. The covering portion 7A is shaped to extend in a substantially U-shape in cross-section so as to cover the support frame 5 from the front side of the sheet and both sides in the sheet width direction.

[0025] The covering portion 7A is shaped to extend in a curved manner in the height direction, following the concave curved surface of the front of the support frame 5, which curves upward towards the rear. The covering portion 7A is assembled to the support frame 5 so as to cover most of the area extending in the height direction, excluding the upper end of the support frame 5 that is connected to the armrest 4, from both the front side of the seat and both sides in the width direction of the seat.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, in more detail, the covering portion 7A is assembled so as to cover a part (rear portion) of the area extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat along the side of the seat cushion 3 of the support frame 5, from both the front side of the seat and both sides in the width direction of the seat. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each protruding portion 7B extends from the covering portion 7A on both sides in the width direction of the seat, so as to cover the gap between the support frame 5 and the left and right seat backs 2 and seat cushions 3 from the front side of the seat.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, each protruding portion 7B is formed to extend in the seat width direction from each edge of the cover portion 7A, which extends in a roughly U-shape in cross-section. As a result, each protruding portion 7B is positioned in a recessed location in the gap between the support frame 5 and the seat back 2 and seat cushion 3, so as not to interfere with riding comfort.

[0028] The front cover 7 has a first fixing portion 7C which secures the covering portion 7A to the support frame 5 from the front side of the sheet using a cable tie T. The front cover 7 also has a second fixing portion 7D which secures each protruding portion 7B to the curved outer surface of each portion that protrudes from the support frame 5 of the back shaft 6 in the sheet width direction using a cable tie T which secures the portion that protrudes from the support frame 5 in the sheet width direction using a cable tie T which secures the portion that protrudes from the front side of the sheet using a cable tie T.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the first fixing part 7C is positioned lower than the center of the height of the front cover 7. More specifically, the first fixing part 7C is positioned lower than the top surface of the seat cushion 3. As a result, the cable tie T wrapped around the surface of the first fixing part 7C is positioned in a location that is less noticeable and less likely to be touched by the seated occupant.

[0030] Furthermore, each second fixing part 7D is positioned slightly above the center in the height direction of the front cover 7. These second fixing parts 7D are configured to fix each protruding part 7B that extends from each edge of the roughly U-shaped cross-section of the cover part 7A to the back shaft 6. As a result, each second fixing part 7D is positioned so that the tie wrap T wrapped around its surface is not easily noticeable to a seated occupant and is not easily touched.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the covering portion 7A has a band groove 7E formed on the front surface where the tie wrap T of its first fixing portion 7C is wrapped, which recesses the wrapping surface of the tie wrap T. Similarly, each protruding portion 7B also has a band groove 7E formed on the front surface where the tie wrap T of its second fixing portion 7D is wrapped, which recesses the wrapping surface of the tie wrap T.

[0032] These band grooves 7E allow each tie wrap T to be wrapped around the first fixing part 7C and each second fixing part 7D in a way that prevents misalignment. In addition, each tie wrap T can be positioned in a location that is less noticeable and less likely to be touched by a seated occupant.

[0033] The tie wrap T wrapped around the first fixing part 7C is passed through the band holes 7F formed at the inner ends of each side of the cover part 7A and the band through holes 5A formed in the support frame 5 in the sheet width direction, and is tightened so as to wrap around the cover part 7A and the support frame 5. The tie wrap T wrapped around each second fixing part 7D is passed through the band holes 7F formed at the upper and lower ends of the band grooves 7E of each protruding part 7B, and is tightened so as to wrap around each protruding part 7B and the back shaft 6.

[0034] These fasteners secure the vertically elongated front cover 7 to the support frame 5 and back shaft 6, ensuring that its upper and lower parts are positioned simply and appropriately. As shown in Figure 1, the back cover 8 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section that extends to cover the support frame 5 from both the back side of the sheet and both sides in the sheet width direction.

[0035] The back cover 8 is assembled to the support frame 5 by fitting it into the inner sides of each side of the covering portion 7A that protrudes toward the back of the sheet of the front cover 7. As a result, the back cover 8 surrounds the support frame 5 between itself and the front cover 7.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the release cable 9, which is routed through the inside of the armrest 4 described above, is routed through a guide groove 5B formed on the upper side surface of the support frame 5 so as to extend downward along the side of the support frame 5. As shown in Figure 6, the guide groove 5B has a shape that includes a first groove B1 that extends vertically in the area behind the rotation axis 4R of the armrest 4 on the support frame 5, and a second groove B2 that extends downward from the lower end of the first groove B1 so as to gradually expand the front-to-back width of the groove.

[0037] The first groove B1 is bent to extend diagonally upward and forward at a position above the rotation axis 4R of the armrest 4, and is formed to open diagonally upward and forward directly above the rotation axis 4R. As a result, the opening of the first groove B1, which opens diagonally upward and forward, communicates with the interior of the armrest 4. The first groove B1 is formed in the region of the support frame 5 that fits inside the armrest 4. The second groove B2 is formed in the region of the support frame 5 that protrudes downward from the armrest 4.

[0038] The release cable 9 is drawn in from inside the armrest 4, through the opening of the first groove B1 described above, and into the interior of the first groove B1. The release cable 9 is then routed to extend downward along the first groove B1 and be drawn into the second groove B2. The release cable 9 is then routed to gradually emerge from the middle of the second groove B2 and exit the groove downward.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the portion of the release cable 9 that extends downward along the first groove B1 (see Figure 6) is held in place from the side by the armrest 4 to prevent it from coming out of the first groove B1. As a result, the release cable 9 is routed so that it protrudes from the middle of the second groove B2, which extends from below the first groove B1, and comes out of the groove. Note that, for convenience, the back cover 8 (see Figure 1) is not shown in Figure 5.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, since the first groove B1 opens diagonally upward and forward as described above, it maintains communication with the inside of the armrest 4 even when the armrest 4 is pulled up to a retracted state along the side of the seat back 2. Therefore, the release cable 9 is held in a state where its routing path is appropriately guided by the guide groove 5B when the armrest 4 is switched between the retracted state shown in Figure 7 and the usage state shown in Figure 6.

[0041] More specifically, the release cable 9 is designed so that the sag of the excess length that is fed downward as the armrest 4 is retracted is permitted in the second groove B2, which has a wide front-to-back width in the guide groove 5B. As a result, even if the armrest 4 is repeatedly deployed and retracted, the release cable 9 is guided to a state in which appropriate sag is permitted so that it does not get caught or pinched between the support frame 5 and the front cover 7.

[0042] Furthermore, the release cable 9 is properly guided by the first groove B1, which is narrower in front-to-back width than the second groove B2, so as not to flap excessively even when the armrest 4 rotates. In addition, the portion of the release cable 9 that extends downward beyond the second groove B2 is properly covered by the front cover 7 and the back cover 8 so as not to come into contact with the seated occupant.

[0043] In summary, Sheet 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

[0044] In other words, the vehicle seat (1) has a support frame (5) that extends upward from the side of the seat cushion (3) along the side of the seat back (2) and supports the armrest (4). The vehicle seat (1) has a release cable (9) that extends upward along the side of the support frame (5) and is routed inside the armrest (4), and a guide groove (5B) formed on the side of the support frame (5) to guide the routing path of the release cable (9).

[0045] The guide groove (5B) has a first groove (B1) that extends vertically in a region behind the pivot axis (4R) that rotatably supports the armrest (4) and opens diagonally upward and forward to communicate with the inside of the armrest (4), and a second groove (B2) that extends downward from the first groove (B1) and expands the front-to-back width of the groove. The release cable (9) is routed through the first groove (B1) and the second groove (B2) and exits from the second groove (B2) to the outside of the groove.

[0046] With the above configuration, the first groove (B1), which is narrower in front-to-back width than the second groove (B2), can guide the release cable (9) so that it does not flap excessively even when the armrest (4) rotates. In addition, the second groove (B2), which is wider in front-to-back width than the first groove (B1), can appropriately allow the release cable (9) to bend and tighten within the groove due to the rotation of the armrest (4). As a result, the release cable (9) can be properly guided.

[0047] Furthermore, the vehicle seat (1) has covers (7,8) that surround and cover the support frame (5). The first groove (B1) is covered from the side by the armrest (4), and the second groove (B2) is covered by the covers (7,8). With the above configuration, the portion of the release cable (9) that passes through the first groove (B1) can be properly covered by the armrest (4) regardless of its rotational position. Also, the portion of the release cable (9) that exits out through the second groove (B2) can be properly covered by the covers (7,8) regardless of the rotational position of the armrest (4).

[0048] Regarding other embodiments: Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than those described above.

[0049] 1. The vehicle seat of the present invention may be used not only for aircraft seats, but also for seats used in other vehicles such as automobiles, trains, and ships. Furthermore, the vehicle seat may be configured as a row of seats arranged in a single row, or as individual seats. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 seat (vehicle seat) 2 seatbacks 3 Seat cushions 4 Armrests 4R rotation axis 5. Support frame 5A Band pass-through hole 5B Guide groove B1 1st groove B2 2nd groove 6 Back Shaft 7. Front cover (cover) 7A Cover 7B Overhang 7C 1st fixed part 7D 2nd fixed part 7E band groove 7F band hole 8. Back cover (cover) 9. Release Cable T-Tie Wrap

Claims

1. A vehicle seat having a support frame that extends upward from the side of the seat cushion along the side of the seat back to support the armrest, A release cable extending upward along the side of the support frame and routed inside the armrest, The support frame has a guide groove formed on its side surface to guide the routing path of the release cable, The guide groove has a first groove that extends vertically in a region behind the axis of rotation that rotatably supports the armrest and opens diagonally upward and forward to communicate with the inside of the armrest, and a second groove that extends downward from the first groove, expanding the front-to-back width of the groove. A vehicle seat in which the release cable is routed to pass through the first groove and the second groove and exit from the second groove to the outside of the groove.

2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, The support frame further has a cover that surrounds and covers it, A vehicle seat in which the first groove is covered from the side by the armrest, and the second groove is covered by the cover.

Images