Seat back

Abstract

The present invention provides a seat back 5 with improved support rigidity of the belt guide. [Solution] The seat back 5 comprises a right seat back frame 12R, a first belt guide 51 having one end 51a and the other end 51b supported by the right seat back frame 12R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the right seat back frame 12R, which guides the belt 41 unwound from the seat belt winding device 42, and a support member 53 that supports the intermediate portion 51d between the one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51 from below.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat back frame for a vehicle seat. The seat back frame forms the skeleton of the seat back that serves as a backrest and is covered with a padding material made of a cushioning material and a skin material. The seat back frame includes a pipe frame, a back panel frame, a support bracket for a seat belt retractor, a mounting bracket for a locking device, a first belt guide for guiding a seat belt fed out from the seat belt retractor, a second belt guide, and the like. The pipe frame includes a first pipe member having a left frame portion, a right frame portion, and an upper frame portion, and the first belt guide and the second belt guide are attached to the upper frame portion of the first pipe member. The first belt guide and the second belt guide are each made of a wire formed in a substantially U shape, and a pair of arm portions formed from one end portion and the other end portion of each wire are bent in an arc shape and joined to the peripheral surface of the upper frame by welding.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the seat back frame of Patent Document 1, the first belt guide and the second belt are only joined to the peripheral surface of the upper frame by the arc-shaped portions of the pair of arm portions, and improvement in the support rigidity of the belt guide is desired.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat back with improved support rigidity of a belt guide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a seat back (5) comprising: a seat back frame (12R); a first belt guide (51) having one end (51a) and the other end (51b) supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the seat back frame, for guiding a belt (41) unwound from a seat belt winding device (42); and a support member (53) supporting the intermediate portion (51d) between the one end and the other end of the first belt guide from below.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the intermediate portion of the first belt guide is supported from below by a support member, thereby improving the support rigidity of the first belt guide. Therefore, a seat back with improved support rigidity of the first belt guide can be provided.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the support member has a first fixing portion (53a) and a second fixing portion (53b) that are fixed to the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, wherein the first fixing portion is positioned further outward in the width direction than one end of the first belt guide, and the second fixing portion is positioned further outward in the width direction than the intermediate portion of the other end of the first belt guide.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the support rigidity of the support member is improved, and therefore the support rigidity of the first belt guide supported by the support member is also improved.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the support member may include a wire member (54) which includes at least a first wire portion (54a) and a second wire portion (54b) extending in the vertical direction, and at least a connecting wire portion (54d) extending in the width direction and connecting the first wire portion and the second wire portion, and a connecting bracket (55) which connects the first wire portion and the second wire portion.

[0011] Here, "extending at least vertically" means that the extension direction of each line section has a vertical component, and does not limit each line section to extending vertically. Also, "extending at least in the width direction" means that the extension direction of the connecting line section has a width component, and does not limit the connecting line section to extending in the width direction. According to this embodiment, the weight of the support member can be reduced by using line members, and the rigidity of the support member can be improved by using connecting brackets.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the connecting bracket may be connected to the first belt guide.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the support rigidity of the first belt guide is further improved.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the connecting bracket may include a fixing portion (55b) for fixing the outer cover (8, 11) of the seat back.

[0015] In this embodiment, the connecting bracket functions not only as a stiffening member for the support member, but also as a fixing member for securing the garnish. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate fixing member for the garnish, and the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the seat back frame is formed in common for a central seat (2C) to which the belt is to be attached and for which the first belt guide is positioned offset in the width direction from the center of the seat, and for a side seat (2R) positioned on the side offset from the central seat from the first belt guide, and the seat back frame may include a headrest support portion (36) that supports the headrest (7R) of the side seat, and the connecting bracket may be connected to the headrest support portion.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the first belt guide is connected to the headrest support via a connecting bracket, thereby further improving the support rigidity of the first belt guide.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the lower end of the first fixing portion and the lower end of the second fixing portion of the support member may be positioned lower than the upper end of the seat belt retractor.

[0019] In this embodiment, the seat belt retractor is positioned at a high location that overlaps with the support member in the height direction. This makes it possible to make the seat back more compact.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the first belt guide is made of a wire, and one end and the other end of the first belt guide may be bent to extend in the width direction along the seat back frame.

[0021] According to this embodiment, even if the first belt guide is made of wire, the first belt guide can be fixed to the seat back frame, which extends in the width direction, at one end and the other end over a predetermined length in the width direction. Therefore, the support rigidity of the first belt guide can be improved.

[0022] In the above embodiment, a second belt guide (52) is further provided, having one end (52a) and the other end (52b) supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and guiding the belt on the side of the seat belt rewinder than the first belt guide, wherein the one end and the other end of the second belt guide are positioned adjacent to the one end and the other end of the first belt guide in a rearward direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the force transmitted from the belt to the first belt guide is reduced by the provision of the second belt guide. Therefore, deformation and damage to the first belt guide can be suppressed when a large load is applied to the belt, such as during a frontal collision of a vehicle. In addition, by arranging one end and the other end of the second belt guide adjacent to one end and the other end of the first belt guide, the support rigidity of both belt guides can be improved.

[0024] In the above aspect, the seat back frame includes a panel structure (17R) composed of a front panel (23) and a rear panel (24) that are coupled to each other, a pair of pivot connection parts (18) provided at lower portions of both sides in the width direction of the panel structure and rotatably supported, and a reinforcing member (31) attached to the panel structure so as to extend from near the pivot connection part on one side in the width direction of the panel structure to the upper portion of the other side. The support member may be coupled to the reinforcing member.

[0025] According to this aspect, since the support member is coupled to the highly rigid reinforcing member, the support rigidity of the support member and the first belt guide is improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] One aspect of the present invention is a seat back (5), including a seat back frame (12R), a first belt guide (51) having one end (51a) and the other end (51b) supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the seat back frame, and guiding a belt (41) fed out from a seat belt winding device (41), and a support member (53) supporting an intermediate portion (51d) between the one end and the other end of the first belt guide from below.

[0027] According to this aspect, since the intermediate portion of the first belt guide is supported from below by the support member, the support rigidity of the first belt guide is improved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a seat back with improved support rigidity of the belt guide.

[0028] In the above aspect, the support member has a first fixing portion (53a) and a second fixing portion (53b) fixed to the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first fixing portion is disposed outside the one end of the first belt guide in the width direction, and the second fixing portion may be disposed outside the intermediate portion in the width direction with respect to the other end of the first belt guide.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the support rigidity of the support member is improved, and therefore the support rigidity of the first belt guide supported by the support member is also improved.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the support member may include a wire member (54) which includes at least a first wire portion (54a) and a second wire portion (54b) extending in the vertical direction, and at least a connecting wire portion (54d) extending in the width direction and connecting the first wire portion and the second wire portion, and a connecting bracket (55) which connects the first wire portion and the second wire portion.

[0031] Here, "extending at least vertically" means that the extension direction of each line section has a vertical component, and does not limit each line section to extending vertically. Also, "extending at least in the width direction" means that the extension direction of the connecting line section has a width component, and does not limit the connecting line section to extending in the width direction. According to this embodiment, the weight of the support member can be reduced by using line members, and the rigidity of the support member can be improved by using connecting brackets.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the connecting bracket may be connected to the first belt guide.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the support rigidity of the first belt guide is further improved.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the connecting bracket may include a fixing portion (55b) for fixing the outer cover (8, 11) of the seat back.

[0035] In this embodiment, the connecting bracket functions not only as a stiffening member for the support member, but also as a fixing member for securing the garnish. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate fixing member for the garnish, and the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the seat back frame is formed in common for a central seat (2C) to which the belt is to be attached and for which the first belt guide is positioned offset in the width direction from the center of the seat, and for a side seat (2R) positioned on the side offset from the central seat from the first belt guide, and the seat back frame may include a headrest support portion (36) that supports the headrest (7R) of the side seat, and the connecting bracket may be connected to the headrest support portion.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the first belt guide is connected to the headrest support via a connecting bracket, thereby further improving the support rigidity of the first belt guide.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the lower end of the first fixing portion and the lower end of the second fixing portion of the support member may be positioned lower than the upper end of the seat belt retractor.

[0039] In this embodiment, the seat belt retractor is positioned at a high location that overlaps with the support member in the height direction. This makes it possible to make the seat back more compact.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the first belt guide is made of a wire, and one end and the other end of the first belt guide may be bent to extend in the width direction along the seat back frame.

[0041] According to this embodiment, even if the first belt guide is made of wire, the first belt guide can be fixed to the seat back frame, which extends in the width direction, at one end and the other end over a predetermined length in the width direction. Therefore, the support rigidity of the first belt guide can be improved.

[0042] In the above embodiment, a second belt guide (52) is further provided, having one end (52a) and the other end (52b) supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and guiding the belt on the side of the seat belt rewinder than the first belt guide, wherein the one end and the other end of the second belt guide are positioned adjacent to the one end and the other end of the first belt guide in a rearward direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, the force transmitted from the belt to the belt guide is reduced by the provision of the second belt guide. Therefore, deformation and damage to the first belt guide can be suppressed when a large load is applied to the belt, such as during a frontal collision of a vehicle. In addition, by arranging one end and the other end of the second belt guide adjacent to one end and the other end of the first belt guide, the support rigidity of both belt guides can be improved.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the seat back frame comprises a panel structure (17R) composed of a front panel (23) and a rear panel (24) connected to each other, a pair of rotatable connecting parts (18) provided at the lower part of both sides of the panel structure in the width direction and supported to be rotatable, and reinforcing members (31, 32) attached to the panel structure from the vicinity of the rotatable connecting part on one side of the panel structure in the width direction to the upper part of the other side, wherein the support members may be connected to the reinforcing members.

[0045] According to this embodiment, since the support member is connected to a highly rigid reinforcing member, the support rigidity of the support member and the first belt guide is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the sheet according to the embodiment [Figure 2] Perspective view of the seat showing the seat back frame. [Figure 3] Schematic exploded view of the right panel structure of the right seat back. [Figure 4]Perspective view of the right panel structure of the right seat back. [Figure 5] Front view of the upper part of the seat back frame of the right seat back. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the key part of the right seat back, seen from the front. [Figure 7] View of the right seatback from the rear. [Figure 8] Perspective view of the upper part of the right seatback, seen from the rear and above. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the right seatback along the IX-IX line in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle seat 1 will be described.

[0048] The seat 1 according to this embodiment is a three-seater rear seat applied to the second row of a vehicle. Hereinafter, with reference to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the three seats 2 (2R, 2C, 2L) will be referred to as the right seat 2R, the center seat 2C, and the left seat 2L. The center seat 2C is located in the center in the width direction of the vehicle, and the right seat 2R and the left seat 2L are side seats located laterally to the center seat 2C. When referring to them collectively or without distinction, they will simply be referred to as seats 2.

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the seat 1 is supported by the body of the automobile (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle body 3) and has a seat cushion 4 that supports the occupant's buttocks from below and a seat back 5 that supports the occupant's back from behind. The seat cushion 4 is a single piece manufactured in common for the three seats 2 and includes a right cushion portion 4R for the right seat 2R, a center cushion portion 4C for the center seat 2C, and a left cushion portion 4L for the left seat 2L. The seat cushion 4 is fixed to the floor, which is part of the vehicle body 3.

[0050] The seatback 5 is a two-part type, divided into right and left sides in a 6:4 ratio, and includes a right seatback 5R and a left seatback 5L. The right seatback 5R integrates the right seatback section for the right seat 2R and the center seatback section 5C for the center seat 2C. In other words, the right seatback 5R is formed in common for both the right seat 2R and the center seat 2C. The left seatback 5L is configured as the left seatback section for the left seat 2L. The right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are rotatably supported.

[0051] The right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L rotate between the upright position for seating shown in Figure 1 and the folded position, which is rotated forward from the upright position. When the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are in the upright position, their upper parts are fixed to the vehicle body 3 to prevent them from rotating forward. When the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are in the folded position, the space above the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L can be used as a cargo compartment expansion section that extends the cargo compartment located behind the seat 2 forward.

[0052] The front of the central seatback section 5C of the right seatback 5R has a recessed area for housing the armrest 6, which is recessed towards the rear. The armrest 6 is positioned in the recessed area and is supported by the right seatback 5R so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends left and right at its lower part. The armrest 6 has a base end supported by the seatback 5 and a tip end located away from the base end, and rotates between a housing position (position in Figure 1) where the tip end is located above the recessed area and a usage position (see Figure 2) where the tip end is located in front of the base end. The armrest 6 constitutes almost the entire surface of the central seatback section 5C.

[0053] The upper part of the right seatback 5R is equipped with a right headrest 7R for the right seat 2R and a center headrest 7C for the center seat 2C, both of which are adjustable in height. The upper part of the left seatback 5L is equipped with a left headrest 7L for the left seat 2L, which is also adjustable in height. Figure 1 shows each headrest in its lowest position. In this position, the right headrest 7R and the left headrest 7L protrude relatively significantly upward from the upper edge of the corresponding seatback 5. The center headrest 7C is configured not to protrude from the upper edge of the right seatback 5R.

[0054] A resin exterior cover member 8 is provided on the upper part of the right seat back 5R and the left seat back 5L. A right seat back release lever 9R is provided to the right of the right headrest 7R at the upper end of the right seat back 5R for releasing the right seat back 5R from the vehicle body 3 when it is in the upright position. A left seat back release lever 9L is provided to the left of the left headrest 7L at the upper end of the left seat back 5L for releasing the left seat back 5L from the vehicle body 3 when it is in the upright position.

[0055] On the left side of the right headrest 7R at the upper end of the right seatback 5R, there is a resin belt garnish 11, which is an exterior cover forming the belt outlet 11a of the seat belt device 10 for the center seat 2C. The configuration of the seat belt device 10 will be described later.

[0056] The belt outlet 11a of the seat belt device 10 for the right seat 2R is formed in an interior plastic component (not shown) located on the right side of the right seat back 5R and functioning as a bolster. The belt retractor for the right seat 2R is located inside the interior plastic component and is fixed to the vehicle body 3 via a bracket. The configuration for the seat belt for the left seat 2L differs from that for the right seat 2R in that it is symmetrical, but otherwise is the same.

[0057] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat 1 showing the frame of the seat back 5 (hereinafter referred to as the seat back frame 12 (12R, 12L)). As shown in conjunction with Figure 2, the seat back 5 has a seat back frame 12, a flexible pad (not shown) supported by the seat back frame 12, and a surface material 13 (see Figure 1) covering the pad. The pad may be made of, for example, urethane foam. The surface material 13 may be made of a flexible seat material such as artificial leather, genuine leather, or fabric.

[0058] Speaker devices 14 are built into the upper part of the right seat back 5R and the left seat back 5L. Each speaker device 14 has a pair of speakers 14a located on either side of the corresponding right headrest 7R or left headrest 7L. A speaker grille 15 (Figure 1) is provided on the front of the pair of speaker devices 14.

[0059] The seat back frame 12 of the right seat back 5R (hereinafter referred to as the right seat back frame 12R) is formed in common for the center seat 2C and the right seat 2R which is positioned to the right of the center seat 2C. The right seat back frame 12R comprises a rectangular plate-shaped right panel structure 17R and left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 integrally provided on both sides of the lower part of the right panel structure 17R, specifically at the right and left ends. The left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 are pivotally supported by a vehicle body-side support member 19 fixed to the vehicle body 3, thereby supporting the right seat back frame 12R so as to be able to rotate around an axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] The seat back frame 12 of the left seat back 5L (hereinafter referred to as the left seat back frame 12L) comprises a vertically elongated rectangular plate-shaped left panel structure 17L and left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 integrally provided at the lower right and left ends of the left panel structure 17L. The left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 are pivotally supported by a vehicle-side support member 19 fixed to the vehicle body 3, thereby supporting the left seat back frame 12L so as to be rotatable around an axis in the vehicle width direction. The left rotatable connecting part 18 of the right seat back frame 12R and the right rotatable connecting part 18 of the left seat back frame 12L are arranged so as to sandwich a single vehicle-side support member 19 and are supported by a common vehicle-side support member 19.

[0061] At the lower part of the central seat back section 5C of the right seat back frame 12R, left and right armrest brackets 21 are integrally provided to support the frame of the armrest 6 (hereinafter referred to as the armrest frame 20). The armrest frame 20 has a vertically elongated rectangular frame shape and is supported at its lower or rear end by the left and right armrest brackets 21 so as to be rotatable around the axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of the right panel structure 17R of the right seat back 5R. As shown in Figure 3, the right panel structure 17R mainly consists of a front panel 23 (see Figure 3(A)) and a rear panel 24 (see Figure 3(B)), both made of steel, and the structure is formed by joining the two panels together in an overlapping state. The front panel 23 and the rear panel 24 have roughly the same outer contour. The front panel 23 and the rear panel 24 may be joined to each other by, for example, laser welding, gas welding, spot welding, etc. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "joined" means joined by one of these methods.

[0063] The rear panel 24 has three relatively small openings 25 in the upper center, and on the left and right sides at the midpoint in the height direction. The rear panel 24 has two large oblique ribs 27 that continuously incline from the lower right to the upper left. Multiple small oblique ribs 28 are formed on the upper right and lower left of the rear panel 24, inclined in the opposite direction to the large oblique ribs 27. The large oblique ribs 27 and small oblique ribs 28 are formed in a forward-convex shape by press forming of steel plates.

[0064] The front panel 23 has four relatively large openings 25 in the upper center, lower center, and on the left and right sides at intermediate positions in the height direction. The front panel 23 has two large oblique ribs 27 that continuously incline from the lower right to the upper left. Two small oblique ribs 28 are formed on the lower left of the front panel 23, inclined in the opposite direction to the large oblique ribs 27. The large oblique ribs 27 and small oblique ribs 28 are formed to be convex forward by press forming of steel plate.

[0065] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the right panel structure 17R of the right seat back 5R. As shown in Figure 4, the right panel structure 17R further includes a first reinforcing plate 31 and a second reinforcing plate 32 as reinforcing members, in addition to the front panel 23 and the rear panel 24. The first reinforcing plate 31 covers the diagonal large rib 27 of the front panel 23 and has a size and shape that surrounds the lower part of the opening 25 in the upper center of the front panel 23. That is, the first reinforcing plate 31 is attached to the right panel structure 17R so as to extend from one side of the right panel structure 17R, specifically from the vicinity of the pivoting connecting part 18 (Figure 2) at the lower right end to the upper left side of the other side. The first reinforcing plate 31 is joined to the front surface of the front panel 23. The second reinforcing plate 32 surrounds the upper part of the opening 25 in the upper center of the front panel 23 and has a size and shape that, in cooperation with the first reinforcing plate 31, surrounds this opening 25 all around. The second reinforcing plate 32 is joined to the front surface of the front panel 23 and the front surface of the first reinforcing plate 31.

[0066] Figure 5 is a front view of the upper part of the seat back frame 12 of the right seat back 5R. As shown in Figure 5, the upper part of the right panel structure 17R is provided with a pair of right headrest guides 34R for supporting the pillar of the right headrest 7R, and a pair of center headrest guides 34C for supporting the center pillar 35 of the center headrest 7C. The pair of right headrest guides 34R and the pair of center headrest guides 34C are made of resin.

[0067] A pair of right headrest guides 34R are supported on the right panel structure 17R via a steel headrest support 36. The headrest support 36 comprises a support wire 38, a connecting plate 39, and a pair of cylindrical stays 40 that hold the right headrest guides 34R. The support wire 38 is inverted U-shaped and fixed to the upper part of the right panel structure 17R. The connecting plate 39 connects both legs of the support wire 38. The pair of stays 40 are fixed to the connecting plate 39. Meanwhile, a pair of central headrest guides 34C are fixed to the upper part of the right panel structure 17R and are supported on the right panel structure 17R via a pair of steel cylindrical stays 40 that hold the central headrest guides 34C.

[0068] Next, the seat belt device 10 will be described. The seat belt device 10 includes a seat belt retractor 42 for winding up the belt 41. The seat belt retractor 42 is positioned to align with the rear and upper central opening 25 of the right panel structure 17R and is attached to the right panel structure 17R via a support bracket 43. A belt guide mechanism 50 for guiding the belt 41 is provided at the top of the right panel structure 17R and at a position aligned with the seat belt retractor 42 in the width direction of the seat back frame 12. The belt guide mechanism 50 is positioned offset to the right in the width direction from the seat center of the central seat 2C to which the belt 41 is to be attached.

[0069] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the right seat back 5R along the line IX-IX in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 9, the belt 41 is pulled upward from the seat belt retractor 42, extends upward behind the right panel structure 17R, then bends forward, and is pulled downward in front of the right panel structure 17R. The seat belt retractor 42 is fixed to the right seat back frame 12R via a support bracket 43 and passes through the opening 25 in the upper center of the right panel structure 17R from front to back. This prevents the seat belt retractor 42 from protruding backward.

[0070] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main part of the right seat back 5R viewed from the front, and Figure 7 is a view of the right seat back 5R viewed from the rear. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the belt guide mechanism 50 includes a first belt guide 51 and a second belt guide 52 that guide the belt 41 respectively, and a support member 53 that supports the first belt guide 51. The first belt guide 51 supports the belt 41 above the right panel structure 17R. The second belt guide 52 supports the belt 41 behind the right panel structure 17R. The support member 53 supports the first belt guide 51 from below.

[0071] The first belt guide 51 is made of wire and is formed by bending the wire into a predetermined shape. The first belt guide 51 has a right end 51a and a left end 51b that are supported on the upper surface of the right panel structure 17R (specifically the upper surface of the second reinforcing plate 32) at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first belt guide 51 also has a pair of legs 51c extending upward from the one end 51a and the other end 51b, and an intermediate part 51d that connects the pair of legs 51c. The intermediate part 51d extends generally horizontally above the one end 51a and the other end 51b and contacts and guides the belt 41 pulled out from the seat belt retractor 42. However, in order to guide the belt 41 across the center seat 2C, that is, to be pulled out diagonally from the upper right to the lower left of the center seat back 5C, the middle section 51d of the first belt guide 51 is inclined downward to the right.

[0072] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the upper part of the right seat back 5R, viewed from the rear upper side. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second belt guide 52 is made of wire and is formed by bending the wire into a predetermined shape. The second belt guide 52 has one end 52a on the right side and one end 52b on the left side, which are supported by the right panel structure 17R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The second belt guide 52 also has a pair of legs 52c that curve diagonally downward and rearward from one end 52a and the other end 52b, and an intermediate part 52d that connects the pair of legs 52c. The intermediate part 52d extends generally horizontally behind the one end 52a and the other end 52b and contacts and guides the belt 41 pulled out from the seat belt retractor 42. However, for the same reasons as the intermediate part 51d of the first belt guide 51, the intermediate part 52d of the second belt guide 52 is inclined downward to the right.

[0073] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support member 53 comprises a wire member 54 made of wire and a connecting bracket 55 made of steel plate. The wire member 54 is formed by bending a wire into a predetermined shape. The wire member 54 has a lower end that is fixed to the front surface of the right panel structure 17R (specifically, the front surface of the second reinforcing plate 32) at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and comprises at least a first wire portion 54a and a second wire portion 54b extending in the vertical direction, and a connecting wire portion 54d that connects the two wire portions. The connecting wire portion 54d extends at least in the width direction and in this embodiment extends parallel to the intermediate portion 51d of the first belt guide 51. The connecting wire portion 54d is positioned below the intermediate portion 51d of the first belt guide 51 and is joined to the intermediate portion 51d in contact with it. The lower ends of the first line portion 54a and the second line portion 54b of the support member 53 form the first fixing portion 53a and the second fixing portion 53b, which fix the support member 53 to the right seat back frame 12R.

[0074] The connecting bracket 55 is formed by press working of a steel plate. The connecting bracket 55 is joined to the first wire portion 54a and the second wire portion 54b of the wire member 54, connecting them together. As shown in Figure 9, the connecting bracket 55 has a main portion 55a that extends in the vertical and widthwise directions, and a fixing portion 55b that extends forward from the upper part of the main portion 55a and fixes other parts. A through hole is formed in the fixing portion 55b of the connecting bracket 55, and the exterior cover member 8 and the belt garnish 11 are fixed to the fixing portion 55b by fastening members 56 inserted into the through hole, and are supported by the left panel structure 17L via the connecting bracket 55. In this embodiment, the fastening members 56 are composed of bolts and nuts. The fastening members 56 may also be fasteners or clips.

[0075] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the connecting bracket 55 has a left extension portion 55c that extends rearward from the left end of the main portion 55a. The left extension portion 55c is joined to the left leg portion 51c of the first belt guide 51. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting bracket 55 has a right extension portion 55d that extends rearward from the right end of the main portion 55a. The right extension portion 55d is joined to the support wire 38 of the headrest support portion 36 of the right seat 2R.

[0076] The seat 1 according to this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the effects of the seat back 5 configured in this manner will be explained.

[0077] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first belt guide 51 has one end 51a and the other end 51b supported by the right seat back frame 12R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the right seat back frame 12R, and guides the belt 41 (Figure 9) unwound from the seat belt winding device 42. The seat back 5 is also provided with a support member 53 that supports the intermediate portion 51d between the one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51 from below. As a result, the intermediate portion 51d of the first belt guide 51 is supported from below by the support member 53, thereby improving the support rigidity of the first belt guide 51.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, the support member 53 has a first fixing portion 53a and a second fixing portion 53b that are fixed to the right seat back frame 12R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first fixing portion 53a is positioned further outward in the width direction from the intermediate portion 51d of the first belt guide 51 than one end 51a, and the second fixing portion 53b is positioned further outward in the width direction from the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51. As a result, the support rigidity of the support member 53 is improved, and therefore the support rigidity of the first belt guide 51 supported by the support member 53 is also improved.

[0079] The support member 53 comprises a wire member 54 and a connecting bracket 55. The wire member 54 includes at least a first wire portion 54a and a second wire portion 54b extending in the vertical direction, and a connecting wire portion 54d extending at least in the width direction and connecting the first wire portion 54a and the second wire portion 54b. The connecting bracket 55 connects the first wire portion 54a and the second wire portion 54b. By using the wire member 54 in this way, the weight of the support member 53 can be reduced, and by using the connecting bracket 55, the rigidity of the support member 53 can be improved.

[0080] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the connecting bracket 55 is connected to the first belt guide 51. This further improves the support rigidity of the first belt guide 51.

[0081] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the connecting bracket 55 includes a fixing portion 55b for fixing exterior covers such as the exterior cover member 8 of the seat back 5 and the belt garnish 11. In other words, the connecting bracket 55 functions not only as a stiffening member for the support member 53, but also as a fixing member for fixing the garnish. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate fixing member for the garnish, and the increase in the number of parts is suppressed.

[0082] As shown in Figure 2, the right seat back frame 12R is formed in common for the center seat 2C to which the belt 41 is to be attached, and for the right seat 2R which is positioned on the side offset from the center seat 2C to which the first belt guide 51 is located. As shown in Figure 5, the right seat back frame 12R includes a headrest support portion 36 that supports the right headrest 7R of the right seat 2R. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting bracket 55 is connected to the headrest support portion 36. In this way, since the first belt guide 51 is connected to the headrest support portion 36 via the connecting bracket 55, the support rigidity of the first belt guide 51 is further improved.

[0083] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the lower ends of the first fixing portion 53a and the second fixing portion 53b of the support member 53 are positioned lower than the upper end of the seat belt retractor 42. In other words, the seat belt retractor 42 is positioned at a higher position that overlaps with the support member 53 in the height direction. This makes it possible to make the seat back 5 more compact.

[0084] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first belt guide 51 is made of wire, and one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51 are bent to extend in the width direction along the right seat back frame 12R. Therefore, even though the first belt guide 51 is made of wire, the first belt guide 51 can be fixed to the right seat back frame 12R, which extends in the width direction, at one end 51a and the other end 51b over a predetermined length in the width direction. Consequently, the support rigidity of the first belt guide 51 is improved.

[0085] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the seat back 5 is equipped with a second belt guide 52 that guides the belt 41 on the side of the seat belt retractor 42 rather than the first belt guide 51. The second belt guide 52 has one end 52a and the other end 52b that are supported by the right seat back frame 12R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first end 52a and the other end 52b of the second belt guide 52 are positioned adjacent to the first end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51, and are positioned rearward. By providing the second belt guide 52 in this way, the force transmitted from the belt 41 to the first belt guide 51 is reduced. Therefore, when a large load is applied to the belt 41, such as during a frontal collision of the vehicle, deformation and damage to the first belt guide 51 are suppressed. In addition, by positioning the first end 52a and the other end 52b of the second belt guide 52 adjacent to the first end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51, the support rigidity of both belt guides is improved.

[0086] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the right panel structure 17R is composed of a front panel 23 and a rear panel 24 that are connected to each other, and a pair of rotatably supported pivoting connectors 18 are provided at the lower part of both sides of the right panel structure 17R in the width direction. The right seat back frame 12R includes a first reinforcing plate 31 and a second reinforcing plate 32, which are reinforcing members attached to the right panel structure 17R so as to extend from the vicinity of the pivoting connector 18 on one side of the right panel structure 17R in the width direction to the upper part of the other side. As shown in Figure 5, the support member 53 is connected to the second reinforcing plate 32. In this way, because the support member 53 is connected to the highly rigid second reinforcing plate 32, the support rigidity of the support member 53 and the first belt guide 51 is improved.

[0087] This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be broadly modified and implemented.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the first reinforcing plate 31 and the second reinforcing plate 32, which are reinforcing members attached to the right panel structure 17R, are made of separate members, but they may be made as a single plate member. Also, one end 52a and the other end 52b of the second belt guide 52 may be positioned spaced apart from one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51. The second belt guide 52 may not be provided at all. Also, the seat belt retractor 42 may be positioned lower than the lower end of the support member 53.

[0089] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the right seat back frame 12R is formed in common for the center seat 2C and the right seat 2R. In other embodiments, the right seat back frame 12R may be formed for the right seat 2R, and the left seat back frame 12L may be formed in common for the center seat 2C and the left seat 2L. In this case, the seat belt retractor 42 and the belt guide mechanism 50 may be located to the right of the headrest support portion 36 that supports the left headrest 7L on the left seat back frame 12L, rather than on the right seat back frame 12R.

[0090] Furthermore, the support member 53 that supports the first belt guide 51 from below comprises a wire member 54 and a connecting bracket 55, but it may consist only of the wire member 54, or it may consist only of a plate member without the wire member 54. In this case as well, the support member 53 may have a first fixing portion 53a and a second fixing portion 53b that are fixed to the right seat back frame 12R at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. However, the first fixing portion 53a and the second fixing portion 53b of the support member 53 may be positioned further inward in the width direction than one end 51a and the other end 51b of the first belt guide 51. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1: Seat (vehicle seat) 2: Seats 2C: Center seat 2L: Left seat 2R: Right seat 3: Vehicle body 5: Seat back 5C: Center seat back section 5R: Right seatback 7R: Right headrest 8: Exterior cover component (exterior cover) 10: Seat belt device 11: Belt garnish (exterior cover) 12R: Right seat back frame 17R: Right panel structure 18: Rotating coupling section 23: Front Panel 24: Rear panel 31: First reinforcing plate (reinforcing member) 32: Second reinforcing plate (reinforcing member) 36: Headrest support 41: Belt 42: Seat belt retractor 43: Support bracket 50: Belt guide mechanism 51: First Belt Guide 51a: one end 51b: Other end 51d: Middle part 52: Second belt guide 52a: one end 52b: Other end 52d: Middle part 53: Support member 53a: 1st fixed part 53b:Second fixed part 54: Wire member 54a: 1st line section 54b: 2nd line section 54d: Connecting line part 55: Connecting bracket 55b: Fixed part

Claims

1. Seat back frame and A first belt guide has one end and the other end supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the seat back frame, and guides the belt unwound from the seat belt retractor, A seat back comprising a support member that supports the intermediate portion between the one end and the other end of the first belt guide from below.

2. The support member has a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that are fixed to the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The first fixing portion is positioned outside the widthwise direction of one end of the first belt guide, The seat back according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing portion is positioned outward in the width direction relative to the intermediate portion than the other end of the first belt guide.

3. The aforementioned support member is A line member including at least a first line portion and a second line portion extending in the vertical direction, and a connecting line portion extending at least in the width direction and connecting the first line portion and the second line portion, The seat back according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connecting bracket that connects the first line portion and the second line portion.

4. The seat back according to claim 3, wherein the connecting bracket is connected to the first belt guide.

5. The seat back according to claim 3, wherein the connecting bracket includes a fixing portion for fixing the outer cover of the seat back.

6. The seat back frame is formed in common for the central seat to which the belt is to be attached, the central seat to which the first belt guide is positioned at a position offset in the width direction from the center of the seat, and for the side seats to which the first belt guide is positioned on the side offset from the central seat. The seat back frame includes a headrest support portion that supports the headrest of the side seat, The seat back according to claim 3, wherein the connecting bracket is connected to the headrest support portion.

7. The seat back according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of the first fixing portion and the lower end of the second fixing portion of the support member are positioned lower than the upper end of the seat belt retractor.

8. The seat back according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first belt guide is made of a wire, and one end and the other end of the first belt guide are bent to extend in the width direction along the seat back frame.

9. The system further includes a second belt guide having one end and the other end supported by the seat back frame at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and guiding the belt on the side of the seat belt retractor than the first belt guide, The seat back according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end and the other end of the second belt guide are positioned adjacent to the one end and the other end of the first belt guide in a rearward direction.

10. The aforementioned seat back frame is A panel structure composed of a front panel and a rear panel that are joined together, A pair of rotatable connecting parts are provided at the lower part of both sides in the width direction of the panel structure and are rotatably supported, The panel structure comprises a reinforcing member attached to the panel structure so as to extend from the vicinity of the pivoting connecting portion on one side in the width direction of the panel structure to the upper part of the other side, The seat back according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member is connected to the reinforcing member.

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