Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that can adequately protect occupants when subjected to external impact. [Solution] The vehicle seat includes a seat back that is rotatably mounted relative to the vehicle body. The seat back is provided with a mounting bracket 23 that transmits the load acting on the vehicle seat to the vehicle body, and the vehicle body is provided with a load-receiving pin 34 that receives the load transmitted via the mounting bracket 23 in the event of a vehicle collision. The load-receiving pin 34 is positioned in a region that does not intersect with the rotational trajectory of the mounting bracket 23 when the seat back rotates.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat has been known that prevents the seat from being deformed by inertial forces generated when an impact acts on the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat described in Patent Document 1 includes a skeletal member extending laterally from the lower end of the seat frame, and a buckle of a seat belt is attached to the skeletal member. The skeletal member has a lower panel that is connected to the vehicle floor by a load from the seat belt during a vehicle collision, thereby suppressing the deformation of the entire seat so as to lift up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a skeletal member extending laterally from the lower end of the seat frame is provided as in the seat described in Patent Document 1 above, the position of the skeletal member changes as the seat rotates (for example, folds), and the skeletal member may interfere with other components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat comprising a movable member rotatably mounted on a vehicle body, wherein the movable member is provided with a load transmission unit that transmits the load acting on the vehicle seat to the vehicle body, and the vehicle body is provided with a load receiving unit that receives the load transmitted via the load transmission unit in the event of a collision with the vehicle, and the load receiving unit is positioned in a region that does not intersect with the rotation trajectory of the load transmission unit when the movable member rotates. With this configuration, since the load transmission unit does not interfere with the load receiving unit when the movable member rotates, the load from the movable member can be effectively transmitted to the load receiving unit via the load transmission unit when an impact acts on the vehicle.

[0006] Preferably, the vehicle seat further includes a holding part that holds a movable member in a first position where the occupant is seated, the movable member is rotatably provided to move from the first position to a second position different from the first position, and the load transmission part is provided so as to be able to contact a load receiving part while the movable member is held by the holding part. This allows the displacement of the movable member to be effectively suppressed by the load receiving part during a vehicle collision.

[0007] Preferably, the vehicle body is provided with a support bracket that rotatably supports a movable member via a rotating shaft extending in the seat width direction, and preferably the load-bearing portion is provided on the support bracket and extends substantially parallel to the rotating shaft. This allows the load-bearing portion to be efficiently arranged in a narrow space.

[0008] The load-receiving portion is preferably provided to protrude inward from the support bracket in the seat width direction, and the tip of the load-receiving portion is preferably located outward in the seat width direction than the inner end of the load-transmission portion in the seat width direction. This reduces the amount of inward protrusion of the load-receiving portion in the seat width direction, allowing the load-receiving portion to be positioned without obstructing the occupant's seating area.

[0009] The movable member is provided to rotate forward from a first position to a second position, and the load-bearing portion is preferably positioned behind the axis of rotation. This allows the load-bearing portion to be positioned without obstructing the occupant's seating area.

[0010] The load-receiving portion is preferably positioned between the inner end face in the sheet width direction and the outer end face in the sheet width direction of the load-transmitting portion. This allows the load-receiving portion to be compactly positioned within the range of the load-transmitting portion.

[0011] It is preferable that the load-receiving section be positioned forward of the rear end of the load-transmitting section. This allows the load-receiving section to be compactly positioned in the area that overlaps with the load-transmitting section when viewed from the side.

[0012] Preferably, the load transmission section includes a first plate portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet width direction and fixed to the rotation axis, and a second plate portion extending from the edge of the first plate portion in the sheet width direction and provided to be able to contact the load receiving portion when a vehicle collides with it. This ensures that the load is reliably transmitted to the load receiving portion via the plate portion when a vehicle collides with it.

[0013] The second plate portion is preferably composed of a flange portion provided along the periphery of the first plate portion. This allows the load to be effectively transmitted to the load-receiving portion via the high-strength flange portion.

[0014] The vehicle seat further includes an airbag module located on the side of the seating area, and preferably the load-bearing portion is positioned below the lower end of the airbag module. This prevents the deployment of the airbag module from being hindered by the load-bearing portion during a vehicle collision.

[0015] The load-bearing portion is preferably provided protruding from the airbag module on the side opposite to the seat width direction. This allows the airbag module to be easily positioned without interfering with the load-bearing portion. Furthermore, it prevents the deployment of the airbag module from being hindered by the load-bearing portion during a vehicle collision. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, since the load transmission unit does not interfere with the load receiving unit when the movable member rotates, the load from the movable member can be effectively transmitted to the load receiving unit via the load transmission unit when an impact is applied to the vehicle. According to the present invention, the vehicle seat further includes a holding part that holds the movable member in a first position where the occupant is seated, the movable member is rotatably provided to move from the first position to a second position different from the first position, and the load transmission part is provided so that the movable member can contact the load receiving part while being held by the holding part, so that the displacement of the movable member can be effectively suppressed by the load receiving part in the event of a collision with the vehicle. According to the present invention, it is preferable that a support bracket is provided that rotatably supports a movable member via a rotating shaft extending in the sheet width direction, and the load-receiving portion is provided on the support bracket and extends substantially parallel to the rotating shaft, so that the load-receiving portion can be efficiently arranged in a narrow space. According to the present invention, the load-receiving portion is provided to protrude inward from the support bracket in the seat width direction, and the tip of the load-receiving portion is located outward in the seat width direction than the inner end of the load-transmission portion in the seat width direction. As a result, the amount of inward protrusion of the load-receiving portion in the seat width direction is suppressed, and the load-receiving portion can be positioned without obstructing the occupant's seating area. According to the present invention, the movable member is provided to rotate forward from a first position to a second position, and the load-bearing portion is positioned behind the axis of rotation, so that the load-bearing portion can be positioned without obstructing the seating area of ​​the occupant. According to the present invention, the load-receiving portion is positioned between the inner end face in the sheet width direction and the outer end face in the sheet width direction of the load-transmitting portion, so that the load-receiving portion can be compactly positioned within the range of the load-transmitting portion. According to the present invention, since the load-receiving portion is positioned in front of the rear end of the load-transmitting portion, the load-receiving portion can be compactly arranged in the region that overlaps with the load-transmitting portion in a side view. According to the present invention, the load transmission portion has a first plate portion that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the seat width direction and is fixed to the rotation axis, and a second plate portion that extends in the seat width direction from the edge of the first plate portion and is provided so as to be able to abut on the load receiving portion during a vehicle collision. Therefore, during a vehicle collision, the load can be reliably transmitted to the load receiving portion through the plate portion. According to the present invention, since the second plate portion is constituted by a flange portion provided along the peripheral edge of the first plate portion, the load can be favorably transmitted to the load receiving portion through the high-strength flange portion. According to the present invention, the vehicle seat further includes an airbag module provided on the side of the seating portion thereof, and since the load receiving portion is disposed below the lower end of the airbag module, it is possible to prevent the deployment of the airbag module from being inhibited by the load receiving portion during a vehicle collision. According to the present invention, since the load receiving portion protrudes on the opposite side of the seat width direction with respect to the airbag module, the airbag module can be easily arranged without interfering with the load receiving portion. Further, during a vehicle collision, it is possible to prevent the deployment of the airbag module from being inhibited by the load receiving portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view schematically showing the configuration of the right seat back of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Side view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the configuration of a support portion that supports the right seat back of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a support portion that supports the right seat back of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] View VI as seen in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] View VII as seen in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] Arrow view IX of FIG. 4 [Figure 10] Front view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The vehicle seat according to the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various vehicles. Hereinafter, an example of applying the vehicle seat as a vehicle seat to a vehicle will be described. The vehicle seat may sometimes be simply referred to as a seat.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle seat 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This seat 100 is a rear seat of a vehicle, and a luggage compartment is provided behind the rear seat. Hereinafter, as shown in the drawing, the front-rear direction (length direction), the left-right direction (width direction), and the up-down direction (height direction) are defined in accordance with the vehicle, and the configuration of each part will be described according to this definition.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 100 has a left seat portion 100L, a center seat portion 100C, and a right seat portion 100R, and is configured such that three passengers can be seated in the left-right direction. The left seat portion 100L, the center seat portion 100C, and the right seat portion 100R all have a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks of the passenger, a seat back 2 that supports the back of the passenger, and a headrest 3 that supports the head of the passenger.

[0021] The seat cushion 1 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, that is, extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The seat cushion 1 has a seat cushion frame 10 that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 1. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the seat cushion frame 10 has, for example, a pair of left and right vertical frames extending in the front-rear direction, and extends in the left-right direction from the left end of the left seat portion 100L to the right end of the right seat portion 100R, and connects the front ends and the rear ends of the pair of left and right vertical frames respectively. It has a pair of front and rear horizontal frames, and the whole has a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view.

[0022] A roughly plate-shaped pressure-receiving member (not shown) is positioned inside the seat cushion frame 10. Around the seat cushion frame 10, an elastic cushion pad 11 made of, for example, urethane foam is provided, and the surface of the cushion pad 11 is covered with a skin 12. The seat cushion 1 is provided without being divided in the left-right direction.

[0023] On the other hand, seatback 2 is divided into right seatback 2R and left seatback 2L. Right seatback 2R is longer in the left-right direction than left seatback 2L, and the seatback 2 of the right seat portion 100R and the center seat portion 100C are provided on the right seatback 2R. The ratio of the left-right lengths of seatbacks 2R and 2L is a predetermined ratio (for example, 7:3). Hereafter, the right seatback 2R and seat cushion 1, and the left seatback 2L and seat cushion 1 will be treated as separate vehicle seats (seats) 100. That is, not only will the entire rear seat be referred to as vehicle seat 100, but also a part of the rear seat will be referred to as vehicle seat 100.

[0024] The right seat back 2R and the left seat back 2L have identical or similar configurations, except that their lengths in the left-right direction differ. The right seat back 2R and the left seat back 2L are sometimes simply referred to as seat back 2. Seat back 2 has a seat back frame 20 that forms the skeleton of seat back 2. Detailed illustrations are omitted, but the seat back frame 20 is formed, for example, in a roughly rectangular plate shape that extends in the vertical, horizontal, and vertical directions. An elastic back pad 21, made of, for example, urethane foam, is provided around the seat back frame 20, and the surface of the back pad 21 is covered with a skin 22.

[0025] Retaining members 4 (also called bolsters) are provided on the left and right outer sides of the seat back 2, that is, on the right side of the right seat back 2R and on the left side of the left seat back 2L. The retaining members 4 protrude forward from the front of the seat back 2. The retaining members 4 hold the sides of the occupant and suppress lateral movement of the occupant.

[0026] The retaining member 4 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 101 (Figure 2). Therefore, when a component is fixed to the retaining member 4, that component is supported or fixed to the vehicle body frame 101 via the retaining member 4. Taking this into consideration, in the following, when a component is supported to the vehicle body frame 101 via the retaining member 4, it may be simply described as being supported by the vehicle body frame 101 or fixed to the vehicle body frame 101.

[0027] In the following, the left-right outer side of each seat back 2R, 2L will be referred to as the seat width outer side, and the left-right inner side will be referred to as the seat width inner side. The seat width outer side is the side away from the width center of each seat back 2R, 2L, and the seat width inner side is the side closer to the width center of each seat back 2R, 2L. Mounting brackets 23 are provided at both left-right ends of the lower end of the seat back frame 20. The mounting brackets 23 constitute a support part SP1 that rotatably supports the seat back 2.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the right seat back 2R. Although not shown in the figure, the left seat back 2L is configured to be roughly symmetrical to the right seat back 2R. As shown in Figure 2, support parts SP1 are provided at the lower end and both left and right ends of the right seat back 2R. The support part SP1 has a support bracket 30 positioned on the outside of the mounting bracket 23 in the seat width direction, facing the mounting bracket 23. The mounting bracket 23 is rotatably supported by the support bracket 30 via a rotating shaft 31 that extends in the left-right direction.

[0029] The support bracket 0 is fixed to the vehicle frame 101. Thus, the seat back 2 is supported on the vehicle frame 101 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction via the mounting bracket 23 and the support bracket 30. In other words, the seat back frame 20 is supported independently of the seat cushion frame 10 (Figure 1).

[0030] Seat 100 is equipped with a seat belt 40 (seat belt assembly). The seat belt 40 in the right seat 100R is a three-point seat belt that secures the occupant's right shoulder and both sides of their waist. Similarly, the seat belt 40 in the center seat 100C is also a three-point seat belt that secures the occupant's right shoulder and both sides of their waist. Figure 2 shows the seat belt 40 in use.

[0031] First, the configuration of the seat belt 40 for the right seat will be described. The seat belt 40 has a strap 41 (also called webbing) made of, for example, polyester in a strip shape. An anchorage (not shown) is attached to the vehicle frame 101 to the right of the lower end of the right seat back 2R. One end of the strap 41 is fixed to the anchorage. A strap guide 42 is provided to the right of the upper end of the right seat back 2R, and a retractor 43 is provided below the strap guide 42. The strap guide 42 and the retractor 43 are fixed to the vehicle frame 101 (for example, a retaining member 4). The vehicle frame 101 includes the retaining member 4 as described above. Either the strap guide 42 or the retractor 43 (for example, the strap guide 42) or both may be fixed to the right end of the seat 100.

[0032] The other end of the strap 41 is connected to the retractor 43 via the strap guide 42. The retractor 43 has a built-in spring and is configured to retract the strap 41 by spring force. Under normal circumstances, the strap 41 can be pulled out from the retractor 43 against the spring force, thereby putting the seat belt 40 into use. On the other hand, the retractor 43 locks when it detects an impact, preventing the strap 41 from being pulled out.

[0033] A slip guide (not shown) is provided on the strap 41 so as to slide along the strap 41, and a tongue is integrally attached to the slip guide. A buckle 44 is provided on the lower left end of the right seat section. The buckle 44 is supported by the seat back frame 20 or the vehicle frame 101. When the tongue is inserted into the buckle 44, the tongue is locked and the seat belt 40 is put into use. The buckle 44 is provided with a release mechanism. When the release mechanism is operated, the lock is released and the tongue can be detached from the buckle 44.

[0034] The seat belt 40 of the center seat 100C is supported in much the same way as the seat belt 40 of the right seat 100R. However, unlike the seat belt 40 of the right seat 100R, the right shoulder of the seat belt 40 of the center seat 100C is equipped with a retractor 43 instead of a strap guide 42. This retractor 43 is fixed to the seat back frame 20, not the vehicle body frame 101.

[0035] The seat back 2 is equipped with electrical components 15. These components include, for example, a speaker unit positioned on the top of the seat back 2. The electrical components 15 are fixed to the seat back frame 20 and covered by the back pad 21. Although not shown in the diagram, the seat back frame 20 is constructed robustly by joining multiple plate members to prevent deformation from rear impacts. Furthermore, the seat back 2 is equipped with electrical components 15. Therefore, the seat back 2 tends to become heavier.

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view (viewed from the right) showing the schematic configuration of the seat 100. Part of Figure 3 (part A) is shown as a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 3, a spiral spring 238 is provided around the pivot axis 31 at the lower end of the seat back 2 (see Figure 7). The seat back 2 is constantly biased forward by the spiral spring 238. As shown in part A of Figure 3, a locking mechanism 45 is provided on the rear surface of the seat back 2 to lock the seat back 2 in a usable position where an occupant can sit. The locking mechanism 45 includes a latch 451 attached to the seat back frame 20 (not shown in Figure 3), a striker 452 fixed to the vehicle body frame 101 and provided to engage with the latch 451, and a lever 453 for operating the latch 451.

[0037] Lever 453 is mounted on the upper end of the seat back 2 so as to be movable upward. Latch 451 is connected to lever 453 via wire 454. Initially, latch 451 is biased to the locked position by a spring (not shown). This causes striker 452 to engage with latch 451, fixing seat back 2 in the use position shown in Figure 3. When lever 453 is operated upward, latch 451 is pulled via wire 454 and moves (e.g., rotates) against the biasing force of the spring to the unlocked position. This releases the locking mechanism 45, and seat back 2 rotates forward due to the biasing force of the spiral spring 238 to the non-use position. As a result, the posture of seat back 2 changes from an upright position to a horizontal position approximately parallel to seat cushion 1.

[0038] Incidentally, as mentioned above, the seat back 2 is equipped with electrical components 15 (Figure 2), and the seat back 2 is also constructed to be robust. For this reason, the seat back 2 tends to become heavier, and a relatively large gravitational force F1 constantly acts on the seat back 2. Now, let's consider a scenario where an occupant is seated in the seat 100, and an obstacle collides with the vehicle from the front. When an obstacle collides with the vehicle, an impact load F2 acts on the seat back 2 as an inertial force, pushing it forward.

[0039] At this time, the seatback 2 is prevented from rotating forward by the locking mechanism 45. As a result, a downward-sloping load F3 acts on the support SP1 due to the resultant force of gravity F1 and impact load F2, and the seatback 2 is displaced downward-sloping while maintaining its engagement state with the locking mechanism 45. In this case, if an occupant is seated in the center seat 100C, the occupant's inertial force during a vehicle collision acts on the left side of the seatback 2 via the seat belt 40. As a result, the impact load F2 increases, and the amount of downward displacement of the seatback 2 (especially the amount of downward displacement of the right support SP1) becomes even larger.

[0040] As described above, if the seat back 2 is displaced by the impact load during a vehicle collision, there is a risk that the occupant may not be adequately protected. Therefore, in order to effectively suppress the downward displacement of the seat back 2, this embodiment configures the support part SP1 of the vehicle seat 100 as follows.

[0041] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the right support part SP of the right seat back 2R that supports the seat back 2, and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support part SP1 has a support bracket 30 fixed to a vehicle frame (not shown) and a mounting bracket 23 rotatably supported by the support bracket 30. The support bracket 30 and the mounting bracket 23 are made of high-strength metal. The mounting bracket 23 is provided integrally with the seat back frame 20.

[0042] The support bracket 30 has a vertical plate portion 301 that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions, and a horizontal plate portion 302 that extends from the lower end of the vertical plate portion 301, which slopes upward toward the rear, and bends to the left (inward in the sheet width direction). The periphery of the vertical plate portion 301 is provided with a flange portion 303 that bends toward the right (outward in the sheet width direction), and the periphery of the horizontal plate portion 302 is provided with a flange portion 304 that bends toward the rear or downward. The flange portions 303 and 304 are formed continuously along the periphery of the support bracket 30, thereby increasing the rigidity of the support bracket 30.

[0043] Figure 6 is a side view of the support portion SP1 viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction (direction VI in Figure 4), and Figure 7 is a side view of the support portion SP1 viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction (direction VII in Figure 4). Figure 7 also shows the lower end of the seat back 2 and the rear end of the seat cushion 1. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the vertical plate portion 301 of the support bracket 30 has an upper edge portion 301a that extends forward from the center in the front-rear direction with a gentle downward slope, and a lower edge portion 301b that extends backward from the front end of the vertical plate portion 301 with a steeper downward slope than the upper edge portion 301a. Therefore, the angle of inclination of the lower edge portion 301b with respect to the horizontal is greater than the angle of inclination of the upper edge portion 301a with respect to the horizontal. The front end portion 301c that connects the upper edge portion 301a and the lower edge portion 301b has a shape that protrudes forward in a roughly arc shape.

[0044] The horizontal plate portion 302 extends from the lower end of the lower edge portion 301b of the vertical plate portion 301, inclined diagonally backward and upward. The horizontal plate portion 302 is fixed to the vehicle body frame in contact with the vehicle body frame. Therefore, the inclination angle of the horizontal plate portion 302 with respect to the horizontal line is set according to the shape of the vehicle body frame. As shown in Figure 7, the support bracket 30 protrudes further backward than the seat back 2 and is formed to be elongated in the front-rear direction. This increases the area of ​​the horizontal plate portion 302 that contacts the vehicle body frame, allowing the support bracket 30 to be stably fixed to the vehicle body frame.

[0045] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the centerline of the rotation shaft 31 (a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 4). As shown in Figures 6-8, a substantially circular through-hole 300 is opened near the front end 301c of the vertical plate portion 301, penetrating the vertical plate portion 301 in the left-right direction. The front end 301c is formed in a substantially arc shape with the through-hole 300 as the center. A substantially cylindrical rotation shaft 31 is inserted through the through-hole 300 via a washer 36 that abuts against the right side of the support bracket 30 (vertical plate portion 301). In Figure 8, the spiral spring 238 (Figure 3) around the rotation shaft 321 is shown by a dashed line.

[0046] A substantially circular through hole 34a is opened in the vertical plate portion 301, behind and below the rotating shaft 31, and a substantially cylindrical load-receiving pin 34 is fitted into the through hole 34a. The load-receiving pin 34 is made of high-strength metal and is fixed (joined) to the vertical plate portion 301 by welding. The load-receiving pin 34 extends in the left-right direction substantially parallel to the rotating shaft 31 and protrudes a predetermined length to the left from the left surface of the vertical plate portion 301.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, a through hole 30a is opened in the vertical plate portion 301, located behind and above the rotation axis 31, and passing through the vertical plate portion 301 in the left-right direction. A through hole 30b is opened in the horizontal plate portion 302, passing through the horizontal plate portion 302 in the left-right direction. The support bracket 30 can be fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts that pass through these through holes 30a and 30b. A claw portion 30c is provided projecting upward from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 301. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a claw portion 30d is provided projecting downward from the left end of the horizontal plate portion 302. When the support bracket 30 is installed, these claw portions 30c and 30d engage with engagement holes (not shown) in the vehicle frame 101, thereby restricting the position of the support bracket 30.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the mounting bracket 23 has a vertical plate portion 231 that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions, and a horizontal plate portion 232 that bends to the left (inward in the sheet width direction) from the rear end of the vertical plate portion 231. As shown in Figure 5, a flange portion 233 that bends to the left (inward in the sheet width direction) is provided on the periphery of the vertical plate portion 231. A flange portion 234 that bends forward is provided on the periphery (upper and lower edges) of the horizontal plate portion 232. Therefore, the mounting bracket 23 is surrounded by the flange portions 233 and 234 except for the left end, and the entire structure is formed in a substantially concave shape.

[0049] The horizontal plate portion 232 is provided with a bulging portion 235 that protrudes forward between the upper and lower flange portions 234. A through hole 23a is opened in the bulging portion 235, penetrating the horizontal plate portion 232 in the front-rear direction. The bulging portion 235 extends from the horizontal plate portion 232 to the vertical plate portion 231, passing through the intersection of the horizontal plate portion 232 and the vertical plate portion 231. As a result, a concave groove portion 236 (see Figure 6) extends in the left-right direction between the flange portion 234 and the bulging portion 235 at the upper and lower ends of the horizontal plate portion 232.

[0050] A support plate 201 is provided at the lower end of the seat back frame 20. The support plate 201 protrudes to the right from the right end of the seat back frame 20. The support plate 201 has a flat plate portion 202 and a substantially cylindrical cylindrical portion 203 formed above and below the plate portion 202. The cylindrical portion 203 extends in the left-right direction corresponding to the groove portion 236, and as shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical portion 203 is housed and held in the groove portion 236.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, a through hole 201a is opened in the plate portion 202 at a position corresponding to the through hole 23a, and the through hole 202 penetrates the plate portion 202 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 4, the mounting bracket 23 and the support plate 201 are integrally connected via a connecting member 205 inserted through the through holes 23a and 201a. The connecting member 205 is, for example, a bolt. As shown in Figure 5, a through hole 230 is opened near the front end portion 231c of the mounting bracket 23, and the vertical plate portion 231 penetrates in the left-right direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, a roughly cylindrical collar 35 is positioned around the rotating shaft 31. The collar 35 is positioned to the left (inward in the seat width direction) of the support bracket 30 via a washer 37. The left end of the rotating shaft 31 is inserted into the through hole 230 of the mounting bracket 23. More specifically, the left end of the rotating shaft 31 is formed in a stepped shape and has an end face 311 which is a vertical surface extending in the vertical direction, and a projection 312 which protrudes to the left from the end face 311.

[0053] The projection 312 has a roughly hexagonal outer surface, and the through hole 230 also has a roughly hexagonal shape corresponding to the projection 312. The right side of the mounting bracket 23, which is fitted along the projection 312, abuts against the end face 311 of the rotating shaft 31, and in this state, the area around the projection 312 is welded. As a result, the mounting bracket 23 is integrated with the rotating shaft 31, and the rotating shaft 31 and the mounting bracket 23 rotate together with respect to the support bracket 30. The collar 35 is also welded to the mounting bracket 23 and integrated with it.

[0054] Figure 6 shows the seat back 2 (seat back frame 20) in use position P1, where an occupant is seated on the seat back 2, and the seat back 2 in non-use position P2, where the seat back is tilted forward, as indicated by dashed lines. The mounting bracket 23 rotates around the pivot axis 31 as the seat back 2 rotates. When the seat back 2 is in use position P1, the mounting bracket 23 is in its initial position (solid line), and when the seat back 2 is in non-use position P2, the mounting bracket 23 is in a protruding position (dashed line) that extends forward beyond the support bracket 30.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6, in the initial position of the mounting bracket 23 (solid line), the vertical plate portion 231 of the mounting bracket 23 has an upper edge portion 231a that extends forward with a downward slope, and a lower edge portion 231b that extends backward from the front end of the vertical plate portion 231 with a gentler downward slope than the upper edge portion 231a. The angle of inclination of the upper edge portion 231a with respect to the horizontal is greater than the angle of inclination of the lower edge portion 231b with respect to the horizontal. The front end portion 231c that connects the upper edge portion 231a and the lower edge portion 231b is formed in a substantially arc shape that protrudes forward.

[0056] The upper edge portion 231a extends below the upper edge portion 301a of the support bracket 30, approximately parallel to the upper edge portion 301a. The lower edge portion 231b extends above the lower edge portion 301b of the support bracket 30, at a gentler angle than the lower edge portion 301b. The front end portion 231c is located behind the front end portion 301c of the support bracket 30. Therefore, in the initial position of the mounting bracket 23, the entire mounting bracket 23 is located inside the support bracket 30. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, when the support bracket 30 is viewed from the outside in the seat width direction, the mounting bracket 23 is hidden inside the support bracket 30. However, in the initial position of the mounting bracket 23, a part of the mounting bracket 23 may protrude outside the support bracket 30 in a side view.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, in the initial position of the mounting bracket 23, the load-receiving pin 34 is located below the lower edge 231b of the mounting bracket 23. Furthermore, the load-receiving pin 34 is located behind the front end 231c and behind the rotation axis 31. Therefore, there is a gap of a predetermined length between the lower edge 231b and the load-receiving pin 34. In the initial position of the mounting bracket 23, the lower edge 231b is closest to the load-receiving pin 34. Then, as the mounting bracket 23 rotates, the lower edge 231b moves away from the load-receiving pin 34. Therefore, the load-receiving pin 34 is located outside the rotation trajectory of the mounting bracket 23.

[0058] Figure 9 is a front view of the support section SP1 (viewpoint IX in Figure 4). As shown in Figure 9, the load-receiving pin 34 is located inside the region AR1 between the right end face 305 and the left end face 306 of the support bracket 30. The left end face 34b of the load-receiving pin 34 is located to the left of the right end face of the mounting bracket 23 (right end face 233b of the flange section 233) and to the right of the left end face 233c of the flange section 233. More specifically, the length from the left end face 34b of the load-receiving pin 34 to the right end face 233b of the flange section 233 is longer than the length from the left end face 34b to the left end face 233c of the flange section 233.

[0059] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the left end of the load-receiving pin 34 does not protrude to the left of the flange portion 233, but faces the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 233 for a predetermined length or more in the seat width direction. With this configuration, when the seat back 2 in the usage position is displaced downward during a vehicle frontal collision, the flange portion 233 of the mounting bracket 23 comes into contact with the load-receiving pin 34. This suppresses the downward displacement of the seat back 2, thereby providing good protection for the occupant.

[0060] Figure 10 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle seat 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 10, the airbag module 46, which is a side airbag unit, is positioned on the left and right outer sides of the seat back 2, inside the retaining members 4 on both the left and right sides of the seat back 2. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the airbag module 46 is constructed by housing an inflator and the airbag body within a housing.

[0061] The airbag module 46 is positioned on the outer side in the seat width direction and above the support section SP1 (support bracket 30, mounting bracket 23). In other words, the load-receiving pin 34 fixed to the support bracket 30 is positioned below the lower end of the airbag module 46. Furthermore, the direction in which the load-receiving pin 34 protrudes is inward in the seat width direction, and the airbag module 46 is positioned on the opposite side from the side in which the load-receiving pin 34 protrudes. This allows the side airbag to deploy forward and upward without being obstructed by the support section SP1 during a vehicle collision.

[0062] The characteristic operation of the vehicle seat 100 according to this embodiment will now be described. The end of the seat back 2 (mounting bracket 23) is rotatably supported from the vehicle frame 101 via a support bracket 30 and a pivot shaft 31, independently of the seat cushion 1. Therefore, the seat back 2 can rotate between an upright position in which the occupant is seated and a horizontal position in which it is tilted forward and not in use. A load-receiving pin 34 is provided on the support bracket 30, but the load-receiving pin 34 is located outside the rotation trajectory of the mounting bracket 23. Therefore, when the seat back 2 rotates, the mounting bracket 23 does not come into contact with the load-receiving pin 34.

[0063] When the front of the vehicle collides with an obstacle (frontal collision) while an occupant is seated in the center seat portion 100C of seat 100, the seat back 2 is subjected to a forward impact load F2 due to inertia in addition to gravity F1. Even when an occupant is not seated in the center seat portion 100C, a forward impact load acts on the seat back 2 due to its inertia. Therefore, a load F3, which is the resultant force of gravity F1 and impact load F2, acts on the support portion SP1 (Figure 3). At this time, the forward rotation of the seat back 2 is prevented by the locking mechanism 45, so the seat back 2 is displaced downward while maintaining an upright position due to the locking mechanism 45, deforming a part of the support portion SP1.

[0064] As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 233 of the mounting bracket 23 comes into contact with the load-receiving pin 34. The flange portion 233 and the load-receiving pin 34 are constructed to be of high strength. Therefore, the contact of the flange portion 233 with the load-receiving pin 34 can suppress the downward displacement of the seat back 2. As a result, the amount of downward displacement of the seat back 2 is suppressed, and the occupant can be well protected. In other words, in this embodiment, the load from the seat back 2 can be supported by the load-receiving pin 34, which is located at a position separate from the rotation axis 31, and the displacement of the seat back 2 can be well suppressed.

[0065] Even when the seatback 2 is rotated to a horizontal, unused position, a forward impact load F2 due to inertia acts on the seatback 2 during a vehicle collision. In this case as well, the load-receiving pin 34 can similarly support the load from the seatback 2. Therefore, the displacement of the seatback 2 can be effectively suppressed not only when the seatback 2 is in use, but also when it is in unused position, thanks to the load-receiving pin 34, which is provided separately from the rotation axis 31.

[0066] This embodiment can provide the following effects and advantages. (1) The vehicle seat 100 includes a seat back 2 that is rotatably mounted on the vehicle frame 101 (Figure 1). The seat back 2 is provided with a mounting bracket 23 that transmits the load acting on the seat 100, especially the load during a frontal collision, to the vehicle frame 101 (Figure 4). The vehicle frame 101 is provided with a support bracket 30 having a load receiving pin 34 that receives the load transmitted via the mounting bracket 23 during a frontal collision of the vehicle (Figure 4). The load receiving pin 34 is positioned in a region that does not intersect with the rotational trajectory of the mounting bracket 23 when the seat back 2 rotates (Figure 6).

[0067] As a result, the load-receiving pin 34 does not interfere with other parts when the seat back 2 rotates, allowing the load-receiving pin 34 to fully perform its function of suppressing the displacement of the seat back 2 when an impact is applied to the vehicle. In other words, when the vehicle collides with an obstacle, the mounting bracket 23 comes into contact with the load-receiving pin 34, and the load from the seat back 2 can be effectively received by the load-receiving pin 34. Furthermore, since the position of the load-receiving pin 34 remains unchanged regardless of whether the seat back 2 rotates or not, the load-receiving pin 34 can be easily positioned in the optimal location for suppressing the displacement of the seat back 2.

[0068] (2) The seat 100 is further equipped with a locking mechanism 45 that holds the seat back 2 in the usage position P1 where the occupant is seated (Figure 3). The seat back 2 is rotatably mounted from the usage position P1 to the non-usage position P2 (Figure 6). The mounting bracket 23 is mounted so as to be able to contact the load receiving pin 34 while the seat back 2 is held in place by the locking mechanism 45. As a result, in the event of a vehicle collision, the seat back 2 remains in an upright position while the mounting bracket 23 is displaced downward. As a result, the mounting bracket 23 contacts the load receiving pin 34, and the displacement of the seat back 2 can be effectively suppressed.

[0069] (3) The vehicle frame 101 is provided with a support bracket 30 that rotatably supports the seat back 2 via a rotating shaft 31 that extends in the seat width direction (Figure 4). The load-receiving pin 34 is provided on the support bracket 30 and extends substantially parallel to the rotating shaft 31 (Figure 5). This allows the load-receiving pin 34 to be efficiently positioned in the narrow space below the mounting bracket 23.

[0070] (4) The load-receiving pin 34 protrudes inward from the support bracket 30 in the seat width direction, and the tip of the load-receiving pin 34 is located outward (to the right) in the seat width direction from the left end face 233c on the inside of the flange portion 233 of the mounting bracket 23 (Figure 9). This reduces the amount of inward protrusion of the load-receiving pin 34 in the seat width direction, allowing the load-receiving pin 34 to be positioned well without obstructing the occupant's seating area.

[0071] (5) The seat back 2 is provided to rotate forward from the usage position P1 to the non-usage position P2 (Figure 6). The load-receiving pin 34 is positioned behind the rotation axis 31 (Figure 6). This allows the load-receiving pin 34 to be positioned well without obstructing the occupant's seating area.

[0072] (6) The load-receiving pin 34 is positioned between the left end face 306 on the inside in the sheet width direction and the right end face 305 on the outside in the sheet width direction of the support bracket 30 (Figure 9). This allows the load-receiving pin 34 to be compactly positioned within the range of the support bracket 30.

[0073] (7) The load-receiving pin 34 is positioned in front of the rear end of the support bracket 30 (Figure 6). This allows the load-receiving pin 34 to be compactly positioned in the area that overlaps with the support bracket 30 in a side view.

[0074] (8) The mounting bracket 23 has a vertical plate portion 231 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seat width direction, i.e., in the front-rear and up-down directions and is fixed to the rotation shaft 31, and a plate portion (flange portion 233) that extends in the seat width direction from the edge of the vertical plate portion 231 and is provided so as to be able to contact the load receiving pin 34 when the vehicle collides (Figure 9). This ensures that the load is reliably transmitted to the load receiving pin 34 via the plate portion when the vehicle collides.

[0075] (9) The plate portion, which is provided so as to be able to contact the load receiving pin 34 when a vehicle collides with it, is composed of a flange portion 233 provided along the periphery of the vertical plate portion 231 (Figure 5). This allows the load to be transmitted effectively to the load receiving pin 34 via the high-strength flange portion 233.

[0076] (10) The seat 100 further includes an airbag module 46 provided on the side of the seat back 2, which is the seating portion of the seat 100 (Figure 10). The load-receiving pin 34 is positioned below the lower end of the airbag module 46 (Figure 10). This prevents the deployment of the airbag module 46 from being hindered by the support part SP1 such as the load-receiving pin 34 during a vehicle collision.

[0077] (11) The load-receiving pin 34 is provided protruding from the airbag module 46 on the opposite side in the seat width direction (Figure 10). This allows the airbag module 46 to be easily positioned without interfering with the support part SP1 such as the load-receiving pin. In addition, it prevents the deployment of the airbag module 46 from being hindered by the support part SP1 in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0078] The above embodiment can be modified into various forms. Several modifications are described below. In the above embodiment, a mounting bracket 23 is provided on the seat back 2 as a load transmission unit that transmits the load acting on the vehicle seat 100 to the vehicle frame 101 (vehicle body). However, the load transmission unit may be provided on a movable member other than the seat back. For example, a seat cushion, armrest, ottoman, headrest, etc. may be used as a movable member. Therefore, the configuration of the load transmission unit is not limited to that described above.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a load-receiving pin 34 is provided on the vehicle frame 101 (vehicle body) as a load-receiving part that receives the load transmitted via the mounting bracket 23 when the vehicle collides. However, the configuration of the load-receiving part is not limited to that described above. That is, the load-receiving part may be made of something other than a pin (for example, a plate member). In the above embodiment, the load-receiving pin 34 is provided below and behind the rotating shaft 31. However, the installation position of the load-receiving part is not limited to that described above, as long as it is provided in a region that does not intersect with the rotational trajectory of the load transmission part.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the seat back 2 is provided to be rotatable from the usage position P1 (first position) where the occupant is seated to the non-usage position P2 (second position) via a locking mechanism 45, but the configuration of the holding part is not limited to that described above. In the above embodiment, a load receiving pin 34 is provided on the support bracket 30, extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis 31. More specifically, the tip of the load receiving pin 34 is positioned outside in the seat width direction of the inner end face in the seat width direction of the flange portion 233 (load transmission part) of the mounting bracket 23, but it may also be positioned at the same position in the seat width direction as the inner end face in the seat width direction.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the mounting bracket 23 has a vertical plate portion 231 (first plate portion) fixed to the rotating shaft 31 and a flange portion 233 (second plate portion) extending in the seat width direction from the edge of the vertical plate portion 231. However, the second plate portion may be made of something other than the flange portion. In the above embodiment, the airbag module 46 is placed inside the retaining member 4, but the airbag module 46 may also be placed at the seat width end of the seat back 2.

[0082] In the above embodiment, a support part SP1 having a mounting bracket 23 having a load transmission part and a support bracket 30 having a load receiving part was applied to the rear seat of the vehicle, but the support part SP1 can also be applied to the front seat. In the above embodiment, the seat belt 40 (for example, the seat belt 40 of the right seat part 100R) was supported by the vehicle body frame 101, but it may also be supported by the seat frame. In the above embodiment, load receiving pins 34 were provided as load receiving parts on the support parts SP1 on both the left and right sides of the seat back 2, but it is also possible to provide a load receiving part on one support part SP1 in the left-right direction (for example, the right support part SP1 of the right seat back 2R) and omit the load receiving part from the other support part SP1 in the left-right direction.

[0083] The above describes an example of applying the vehicle seat 100 to a vehicle, but the vehicle seat of the present invention can be applied not only to vehicles but also to other vehicles such as aircraft and ships.

[0084] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and modifications described above, as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiments and modifications, and to combine modifications with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 2 Seat back, 23 Mounting bracket, 30 Support bracket, 31 Rotating shaft, 34 Load-bearing pin, 46 Airbag module, 100 Vehicle seat, 101 Vehicle frame, 231 Vertical plate section, 233 Flange section, 233c Left end face, 305 Right end face, 306 Left end face, P1 Usage position, P2 Non-usage position, SP1 Support section

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a movable member rotatably mounted on the vehicle body, The movable member is provided with a load transmission unit that transmits the load acting on the vehicle seat to the vehicle body. The vehicle body is provided with a load receiving section that receives the load transmitted via the load transmission section during a collision of the vehicle. The seat for a vehicle is characterized in that the load-receiving portion is positioned in a region that does not intersect with the rotational trajectory of the load-transmission portion when the movable member rotates.

2. In the vehicle seat according to claim 1, The movable member is further provided with a holding part that holds it in a first position where the occupant is seated, The movable member is provided so as to be rotatable from the first position to a second position different from the first position, The load transmission section is characterized in that the movable member is provided so as to be able to contact the load receiving section while being held by the holding section, in a vehicle seat.

3. In the vehicle seat according to claim 2, The vehicle body is provided with a support bracket that rotatably supports the movable member via a rotating shaft extending in the seat width direction. The load-receiving portion is provided on the support bracket and extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis, characterized in that it is a seat for a vehicle.

4. In the vehicle seat according to claim 3, The load-receiving portion is provided to protrude inward from the support bracket in the seat width direction, and the tip of the load-receiving portion is located outward in the seat width direction from the inner end of the load-transmitting portion in the seat width direction.

5. In the vehicle seat according to claim 3, The movable member is provided to rotate forward from the first position to the second position, A vehicle seat characterized in that the load-bearing portion is positioned behind the rotation axis.

6. In the vehicle seat according to claim 5, The load-receiving portion is characterized by being positioned between the inner end face in the seat width direction and the outer end face in the seat width direction of the support bracket.

7. In the vehicle seat according to claim 6, A vehicle seat characterized in that the load-receiving portion is positioned forward of the rear end of the support bracket.

8. In the vehicle seat according to claim 3, The load transmission section is characterized by having a first plate portion that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the sheet and is fixed to the rotation shaft, and a second plate portion that extends from the edge of the first plate portion in the width direction of the sheet and is provided so as to be able to contact the load receiving portion when the vehicle collides with it.

9. In the vehicle seat according to claim 8, A vehicle seat characterized in that the second plate portion is composed of a flange portion provided along the periphery of the first plate portion.

10. In the vehicle seat according to claim 3, The vehicle seat further comprises an airbag module provided on the side of the seating area, The load-receiving portion is positioned below the lower end of the airbag module, characterized in that it is a seat for a vehicle.

11. In the vehicle seat according to claim 10, The load-receiving portion is characterized in that it protrudes from the airbag module on the side opposite to the seat width direction.

Images