Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that can properly cover the support frame. [Solution] The 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 to support the armrest 4, and a front cover 7 that covers the support frame 5 from the front of the seat. The front cover 7 has a first fixing part 7C that is wrapped around and fixed to the support frame 5 with a cable tie T, and an overhanging part 7B that covers the gap between the support frame 5 and the seat back 2 and seat cushion 3 from the front of the seat.

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 three seats are integrated side by side in a row. Support frames (spreaders) that support the 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 an inverted L shape in side view along the side portion of each seat. An armrest is connected to the upper end portion of each support frame so that it can be rotated forward or backward.

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, each support frame is provided in a state where it can be seen from the front without being covered by a cover or the like. Therefore, when a harness is routed along each support frame, there is a possibility that a seated occupant may touch the harness, which is not preferable. Thus, the present invention provides a vehicle seat capable of appropriately covering the support frame.

Means for Solving the Problems

[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 cover that covers the support frame from the front or back of the seat, the cover having a fixing portion that is wrapped around and fixed to the support frame with a wrapping member, and an overhang that covers the gap between the support frame and the seat back and / or the seat cushion from the front or back of the seat.

[0008] According to the first invention, the cover that covers the gap between the support frame and the seat back and / or seat cushion makes it difficult for a seated occupant to touch the harness even if the harness is routed along the support frame. Furthermore, by configuring the cover to be fixed to the support frame with a wrapping member, the cover can be easily fixed to the support frame without setting fastening points such as screw parts on the support frame.

[0009] The second invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which, in the first invention described above, the support frame has through holes through which the winding member passes in the sheet width direction.

[0010] According to the second invention, the wrapping member can be wrapped around the support frame via a shorter route without having to wrap it around the entire support frame. Furthermore, by making the through-holes penetrate in the sheet width direction, it is possible to reduce the structural strength of the support frame more effectively compared to having the holes penetrate in the front-to-back direction.

[0011] The third invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which, in the first or second invention described above, the cover has a covering portion that extends in a substantially U-shape in cross-section so as to cover the support frame from the front side of the seat and both sides in the width direction of the seat, and the overhang portion extends in the width direction of the seat from the edge of the U-shaped extension of the covering portion.

[0012] According to the third invention, the protruding portion of the cover can be positioned in a recessed location within the gap between the support frame and the seat back and / or seat cushion, so as not to interfere with riding comfort.

[0013] The fourth invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat in the third invention described above, wherein the vehicle seat further comprises a back shaft that rotatably supports the seat back with respect to the support frame about an axis extending in the seat width direction, and the fixing portion comprises a first fixing portion that fixes the cover portion to the support frame by the wrapping member by applying it against the support frame from the seat surface side, and a second fixing portion that fixes the protruding portion to the curved outer surface of the portion of the back shaft that protrudes from the support frame in the seat width direction by applying it against the curved outer surface of the back shaft from the seat surface side so as to follow the curve, and fixing it with the wrapping member.

[0014] According to the fourth invention, the wrapping member that secures the second fixing part can be provided in a position that is inconspicuous to and difficult for a seated occupant to touch.

[0015] The fifth invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat in which, in the fourth invention described above, the first fixing part is positioned lower than the top surface of the seat cushion.

[0016] According to the fifth invention, the wrapping member that secures the first fixing part can be provided in a position that is inconspicuous to and difficult to touch by a seated occupant.

[0017] The sixth invention of the present invention is a vehicle seat in the first or second invention described above, wherein the cover has a band groove that recesses the winding surface of the winding member.

[0018] According to the sixth invention, the wrapping member can be wrapped around the cover in a manner that prevents misalignment. Furthermore, the wrapping member can be positioned in a location that is inconspicuous to and difficult for seated occupants to touch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view showing an outline of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a front view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view with the cover removed from the spreader. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the state where the cover is attached to the spreader as seen from the rear side. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view visualizing the internal structure of the armrest shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view with the armrest stored from FIG. 5.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] 《First Embodiment》 (Schematic Configuration of Seat 1) First, the configuration of a seat (vehicle seat) 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the following description, when indicating directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right, the respective directions shown in each figure shall be referred to. The directions shown in each figure are the directions as seen from the seated occupant of the seat 1. Also, when indicating each direction with "seat" attached, such as "seat width direction", it shall refer to the direction based on the seat 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a side-by-side seat row mounted on an aircraft. Specifically, the seat 1 is configured as a seat row in which seats for three passengers are integrated side by side. The seat 1 has a seat back 2 that forms the backrest of each seat and a seat cushion 3 that forms the seating part.

[0023] Furthermore, each seat 1 has an armrest 4 that serves as an elbow rest for each seat. Each armrest 4 is positioned on both sides of each seat. Specifically, one armrest 4 is positioned on the outside of the seats at both ends and between two adjacent seats. In other words, the armrests 4 positioned between two adjacent seats are intended to be used in common by the occupants of each seat.

[0024] Each armrest 4 is connected to the upper end of each support frame 5 (spreader), which extends in an inverted L-shape in a side view, along the side of the seat cushion 3 of each seat and along the side of the seat back 2. Specifically, the base ends of each armrest 4 are connected to the upper end of each support frame 5 so that they can rotate on a pivot axis 4R whose axis extends in the seat width direction.

[0025] As a result, each armrest 4 can be manually switched between a state of use where it is tilted forward around the axis mentioned above, and a state of storage where it is pulled back along the side of the seatback 2. Each seatback 2 is connected to a pair of left and right support frames 5 located on both sides of each seatback so that the backrest angle can be adjusted.

[0026] Specifically, each seat back 2 is connected to each support frame 5 located on both sides of the seat back by a back shaft 6 whose axis extends in the seat width direction, allowing it to rotate. Each back shaft 6 is positioned lower than each rotation axis 4R, which is the rotation center of each armrest 4.

[0027] Each seatback 2 is normally held in a fixed position at its backrest angle. The fixed position of each seatback 2 can be released by pressing a release button (not shown) located on the inside of the corresponding armrest 4. This allows each seatback 2 to adjust its backrest angle around the aforementioned axis.

[0028] The release operation, performed by pressing the release button (not shown) mentioned above, is carried out through the operation of a release cable 9 routed through the inside of each armrest 4. Each release cable 9 is routed from inside each armrest 4 through the side of each support frame 5 to the rear and lower side. Each release cable 9 is then routed to the bottom of the seat cushion 3 and connected to an actuator of a reclining adjuster (not shown).

[0029] Each support frame 5 is routed to extend along its side, along with the release cable 9 mentioned above, as well as a wire harness (not shown) that is drawn in from the seat back 2 and seat cushion 3. Each support frame 5 is fitted with a front cover 7 that covers the release cable 9 and the wire harness (not shown) from the front of the seat and a back cover 8 that covers them from the back of the seat, so that they do not come into contact with the seated occupant.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each front cover 7 is fixed to the corresponding support frame 5 from the front side of the sheet using cable ties T. Similarly, each back cover 8 is fixed to the corresponding support frame 5 from the back side of the sheet using screws (not shown). By fixing each front cover 7 to the corresponding support frame 5 using cable ties T, it can be easily fixed to each support frame 5 without setting fastening points such as screw threads on each support frame 5. Here, each front cover 7 corresponds to the "cover" of the present invention, and the cable tie T corresponds to the "wrapping member" of the present invention.

[0031] The following describes in detail the specific configuration of each front cover 7 and its fixing structure to each support frame 5. Each front cover 7 has the same basic structure as the others. Therefore, the following description will focus on the configuration of the front cover 7 and support frame 5 positioned between the center seat and the left-hand seat, as shown in Figure 1, as a representative example.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The front cover 7 has a first fixing part 7C which secures the covering part 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 part 7D which secures each protruding part 7B to the curved outer surface of each part 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 parts to the curved surface from the front side of the sheet using a cable tie T. Here, the first fixing part 7C and each of the second fixing parts 7D correspond to the "fixing part" of the present invention.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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. Here, the band through holes 5A of the support frame 5 correspond to the "through holes" of the present invention.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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) to support the armrest (4), and a cover (7) that covers the support frame (5) from the front or back of the seat. The cover (7) has fixing parts (7C, 7D) that are wrapped around and fixed to the support frame (5) with a wrapping member (T), and protruding parts (7B) that cover the gap between the support frame (5) and the seat back (2) and / or seat cushion (3) from the front or back of the seat.

[0053] With the above configuration, the cover (7) that covers the gap between the support frame (5) and the seat back (2) and / or seat cushion (3) makes it difficult for a seated occupant to touch harnesses and cables (release cables (9)) even if they are routed along the support frame (5). Furthermore, by fixing the cover (7) to the support frame (5) with a wrapping member (T), the cover (7) can be easily fixed to the support frame (5) without setting fastening points such as screws on the support frame (5).

[0054] Furthermore, the support frame (5) has through holes (5A) through which the wrapping member (T) passes in the sheet width direction. With the above configuration, the wrapping member (T) can be wrapped around the support frame (5) via a short route without having to wrap it around the entire support frame (5). In addition, by making the through holes (5A) penetrate in the sheet width direction, it is possible to reduce the structural strength of the support frame (5) more easily compared to having the holes penetrate in the front-to-back direction.

[0055] Furthermore, the cover (7) has a covering portion (7A) that extends in a substantially U-shape in cross-section so as to cover the support frame (5) from both the front side of the seat and both sides in the width direction of the seat. The protruding portion (7B) extends in the width direction of the seat from the edge of the U-shaped extension of the covering portion (7A). With the above configuration, the protruding portion (7B) of the cover (7) can be positioned in a recessed position in the gap between the support frame (5) and the seat back (2) and / or seat cushion (3) so as not to interfere with the ride comfort.

[0056] Furthermore, the vehicle seat (1) further includes a back shaft (6) that rotatably supports the seat back (2) relative to the support frame (5) about an axis extending in the seat width direction. The fixing parts (7C, 7D) include a first fixing part (7C) that fixes the cover part (7A) to the support frame (5) from the seat surface side with a wrapping member (T), and a second fixing part (7D) that fixes the protruding part (7B) to the curved outer surface of the portion of the back shaft (6) that protrudes from the support frame (5) in the seat width direction with a wrapping member (T) from the seat surface side so as to follow the curve. With the above configuration, the wrapping member (T) that fixes the second fixing part (7D) can be provided in a position that is inconspicuous to and difficult to touch by the seated occupant.

[0057] Furthermore, the first fixing part (7C) is positioned lower than the top surface of the seat cushion (3). With the above configuration, the wrapping member (T) that fixes the first fixing part (7C) can be provided in a position that is inconspicuous to and difficult to touch by the seated occupant.

[0058] Furthermore, the cover (7) has a band groove (7E) that recesses the winding surface of the winding member (T). With the above configuration, the winding member (T) can be wound around the cover (7) in a way that prevents misalignment. In addition, the winding member (T) can be positioned in a location that is inconspicuous to and difficult for seated occupants to touch.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 2. The cover may cover the support frame from the front of the seat, or it may cover it from the back of the seat. Also, the protruding portion of the cover may cover the gap between the support frame and the seat back and seat cushion, or it may cover only the gap between the support frame and either the seat back or the seat cushion. When the protruding portion of the cover covers the support frame on the outside of an end seat, it will only protrude on one side.

[0062] 3. In addition to cable ties, various band materials such as hook-and-loop fasteners, wire, buckle straps, hose clamps, nylon bands, and rubber bands can be used as wrapping members to secure the cover to the support frame. Furthermore, the support frame may not have through holes for the wrapping members, and the wrapping members may be wrapped around the cover to enclose the support frame.

[0063] The protruding portion of the cover may be configured to protrude flush with the covering portion of the cover. There may be any number of fixing points that secure the cover to the support frame using the cover wrapping member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 seat (vehicle seat) 2 seatbacks 3 Seat cushions 4 Armrests 4R rotation axis 5. Support frame 5A Band pass-through hole (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 (fixed part) 7D 2nd fixed part (fixed part) 7E band groove 7F band hole 8 Back cover 9. Release Cable T-shaped cable ties (wrapping material)

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, The support frame has a cover that covers it from the front or back side of the seat, A vehicle seat having a cover which includes a fixing portion that is wrapped around and secured to the support frame with a wrapping member, and an overhanging portion that covers the gap between the support frame and the seat back and / or the seat cushion from the front or back side of the seat.

2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, A vehicle seat having a support frame with through holes through which the winding member passes in the sheet width direction.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cover has a covering portion that extends in a substantially U-shape in cross-section so as to cover the support frame from the front side of the sheet and both sides in the width direction of the sheet, A vehicle seat in which the aforementioned protruding portion extends in the width direction of the seat from the edge of the U-shaped extension of the covering portion.

4. A vehicle seat according to claim 3, The vehicle seat further includes a back shaft that rotatably supports the seat back with respect to the support frame about an axis extending in the seat width direction, A vehicle seat having the following fixing parts: a first fixing part that applies the cover part to the support frame from the front side of the seat and fixes it with the wrapping member; and a second fixing part that applies the protruding part to the curved outer surface of the portion of the back shaft that protrudes from the support frame in the seat width direction from the front side of the seat and fixes it with the wrapping member.

5. A vehicle seat according to claim 4, A vehicle seat in which the first fixing part is positioned lower than the top surface of the seat cushion.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cover is a vehicle seat having a band groove that recesses the winding surface of the winding member.

Images