cushion body

Abstract

To provide a cushion that can appropriately distribute the seating load. [Solution] The cushion body 2 that elastically supports the seated person is configured to be divided into three dividing elements: a main top plate that forms the central part in the seat width direction, and each top plate side 5 that forms the side parts in the seat width direction. The top plate side 5 has a base material 5B that serves as a support base assembled from the seat surface to the corresponding lower arm 3A and tilt arm 3E of the cushion frame 3, and a seat cover that directly or indirectly covers the base material 5B from the seat surface. The base material 5B has a base material inner B2 that extends to the seat surface so as to cover the lower arm 3A and tilt arm 3E from the inside in the seat width direction, and a slit B3 formed in the base material inner B2 as a deformation promoting part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion body. More specifically, it relates to a cushion body that elastically supports a seated person.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cushion body composed of a seat pad and a seat cover that wraps around it, where the seat is divided into three parts in the seat width direction. Specifically, the cushion body is divided into a top plate main part forming the central part in the seat width direction and each top plate side part forming both side parts in the seat width direction.

[0003] The top plate main part and each top plate side part are configured such that each terminal of the seat cover that wraps around the individual seat pads is fixed to a resin base material laid on the back surface of the pad. As a result, the top plate main part and each top plate side part are configured such that the individual seat pads are wrapped between the seat cover and the base material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the base material is shaped such that it extends with a substantially constant cross-section. Therefore, when a seating load is applied to the cushion body, stress tends to concentrate on a part of the base material. Thus, the present invention provides a cushion body capable of appropriately dispersing the seating load.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As means for solving the above problems, the cushion body of the present invention takes the following means.

[0007] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a cushion body that elastically supports a seated person, wherein the cushion body is divided into three dividing elements: a main top plate that forms the central part in the seat width direction, and each top plate side that forms the side portions on both sides in the seat width direction, and the top plate side has a base material that serves as a support base assembled to the corresponding frame side of the seat frame from the seat front side, and a seat cover that directly or indirectly covers the base material from the seat front side, and the base material has a base material inner portion that extends to the back side of the seat so as to cover the frame side from the inside in the seat width direction, and a deformation promoting portion formed in the base material inner portion.

[0008] According to the first invention, the inner portion of the base material can be deflected in response to the input of a seating load, such that the deformation-promoting portion is preferentially deformed. This allows the seating load to be properly distributed without being concentrated on a part of the base material.

[0009] The second invention of the present invention is a cushion body in which the deformation promoting portion is formed over the entire area in the extending direction of the base material inner portion, in the first invention described above.

[0010] According to the second invention, the base material inner portion can bend more flexibly over a wider range in response to the input of a seating load. This allows for a more appropriate distribution of the seating load.

[0011] The third invention of the present invention is the cushion body in the first or second invention described above, wherein the cushion body is applied to a seat cushion, and the deformation promoting portion is formed in the area directly above the rotation center when adjusting the tilt angle of the seat frame, or in the area behind the seat than the rotation center.

[0012] According to the third invention, the base material can be made to flex in a way that appropriately follows the tilting motion of the sheet frame.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a cushion in which, in the first or second invention described above, the cushion body is applied to a seat cushion, and the deformation promoting portion is formed in a position where its arrangement in the front-rear direction of the seat coincides with the rear end surface of a tilt arm that is moved to adjust the tilt angle of the seat frame.

[0014] According to the fourth invention, the base material can be made to flex in a way that appropriately follows the tilting motion of the sheet frame. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the cushion body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view showing the cushion removed from the cushion frame. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view showing the sheet pads on the sides of the tabletop detached from the base material. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the base material assembled onto the cushion frame. [Figure 5] This is a view from arrow V in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 《First Embodiment》 First, the configuration of the cushion body 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each figure.

[0018] In addition, when indicating the "sheet" in each direction such as the "sheet width direction", it shall refer to the direction based on the seat cushion 1 described later. Further, in the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown, or when there is no reference sign corresponding to the reference figure, any one of FIGS. 1 to 6 shall be appropriately referred to.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the cushion body 2 according to the present embodiment is applied to the seat cushion 1 forming the seating portion of an automotive seat. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion 1 has a cushion body 2 that elastically supports the buttocks of the seated person, and a cushion frame 3 that supports the cushion body 2 from the back side (lower side) of the seat.

[0020] The cushion body 2 is configured to be divided into three divided elements: a top plate main body 4 forming the central portion in the sheet width direction, and left and right top plate sides 5 forming both side portions in the sheet width direction. The cushion frame 3 is composed of metal members assembled in a frame shape in plan view. Here, the cushion frame 3 corresponds to the "seat frame" of the present invention.

[0021] Specifically, the cushion frame 3 has a pair of left and right lower arms 3A that form a skeleton along each side portion of the left and right of the seat cushion 1. The cushion frame 3 also has a front pipe 3B integrally bridged between the front portions of the respective lower arms 3A. The cushion frame 3 further has a rear pipe 3C integrally bridged between the rear portions of the respective lower arms 3A.

[0022] The cushion frame 3 also has a tilt panel 3D that forms a skeleton along the front portion of the seat cushion 1. The cushion frame 3 further has a pair of left and right tilt arms 3E that extend rearward from each side portion of the tilt panel 3D and are rotatably connected to the corresponding lower arms 3A.

[0023] Each tilt arm 3E is connected at its rear end to the corresponding lower arm 3A so as to be rotatable around an axis (rotation center 3R) extending in the seat width direction. Each tilt arm 3E rotates around the rotation center 3R by a rotational driving force transmitted from a drive unit (not shown). This adjusts the tilt angle of the tilt panel 3D relative to each lower arm 3A.

[0024] As described above, the cushion body 2 is divided into the main top panel 4 and each top panel side panel 5, allowing for the replacement of parts according to the specifications for each divided element. The main top panel 4 and each top panel side panel 5 are assembled into separate components for each divided element, and then individually attached to the cushion frame 3.

[0025] Specifically, each tabletop side 5 is integrally fixed to the cushion frame 3 by fitting with clips (not shown) or fastening with bolts. The main tabletop 4 is snap-fitted into place from above between each tabletop side 5 after they have been assembled to the cushion frame 3.

[0026] The main top panel 4 and each top panel side panel 5 share a common basic structure. The main top panel 4 and each top panel side panel 5 are configured to flex in order to appropriately follow the tilt movement that adjusts the tilt angle of the cushion frame 3 described above. The configuration of each divided element of the cushion body 2 will be explained in detail below, using the right top panel side panel 5 as an example.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the top panel side 5 has a foamed urethane sheet pad 5A and a resin base material 5B laid on the back surface of the sheet pad 5A. The top panel side 5 also has a fabric sheet cover 5C that covers the sheet pad 5A from the pad surface side. The cover ends of the sheet cover 5C are pulled in and secured to the back surface of the base material 5B.

[0028] As a result, the seat cover 5C is integrated with the base material 5B so as to enclose the seat pad 5A between the seat cover 5C and the base material 5B. Consequently, the top panel side 5 is assembled to form a single module.

[0029] The base material 5B on the underside of the top panel side 5 is integrally fixed to the right tilt arm 3E of the cushion frame 3 shown in Figure 2 from above the seat by fitting with clips (not shown) and fastening with bolts. As a result, the base material 5B is assembled so that it covers the right edge of the tilt panel 3D, the tilt arm 3E and the lower arm 3A from above the seat.

[0030] The base material 5B is bent into a shape that rises up above the seat in a levee-like manner, so as to cover the right tilt arm 3E and lower arm 3A from both the inside and outside in the seat width direction (see Figure 3). The seat pad 5A is also formed to rise along the levee shape of the base material 5B. The seat pad 5A is assembled so that the back surface of the pad, which is recessed in the levee shape, matches the raised surface of the base material 5B.

[0031] Subsequently, the seat cover 5C is placed over the seat pad 5A on the base material 5B from above. The cover ends at the periphery of the seat cover 5C are then pulled into the back surface of the base material 5B and secured. In this way, the top panel side 5 is assembled to form a single module.

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 show the base material 5B assembled to the tilt arm 3E. As shown in these figures, the base material 5B has a base material top plate B1 that covers the right tilt arm 3E and lower arm 3A from above the seat, and a base material inner portion B2 that extends downward (towards the back of the seat) from the inner edge of the base material top plate B1. The base material inner portion B2 extends downward from the inner edge of the base material top plate B1 and is shaped to bend diagonally inward in the width direction of the seat. Here, the tilt arm 3E and lower arm 3A correspond to the "frame side portion" of the present invention.

[0033] The base inner portion B2 extends to cover the right tilt arm 3E and lower arm 3A from the inside in the seat width direction. More specifically, the base inner portion B2 extends to cover the right tilt arm 3E and lower arm 3A from the inside over substantially the entire area in the front-rear direction of the seat. More specifically, the rear region of the base inner portion B2 covers the inner shield 6, which is fitted over the lower arm 3A from the inside in the seat width direction, from the inside in the seat width direction.

[0034] A slit B3 is formed in the middle of the base material inner portion B2 in the front-to-back direction of the sheet, dividing the base material inner portion B2 into two in the front-to-back direction of the sheet. The slit B3 is made in the base material inner portion B2 so as to open downwards (towards the back of the sheet). The slit B3 is formed to cut straight across the entire height direction (extension direction) of the base material inner portion B2 (see Figure 6). Here, the slit B3 corresponds to the "deformation promoting portion" of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the slit B3 is formed in a region slightly behind the tilt rotation center 3R of the base material inner portion B2. More specifically, the slit B3 is formed at a position where the rear end surface of the tilt arm 3E of the base material inner portion B2 coincides with the arrangement of the sheet in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the slit B3 is formed at a position where the arrangement of the sheet in the front-rear direction coincides with the front end surface of the inner shield 6, which faces the rear end surface of the tilt arm 3E from the rear.

[0036] The base material 5B is able to flex in a way that allows it to appropriately follow the tilting motion of the cushion frame 3, due to the slit B3 formed in the base material inner portion B2. Specifically, the base material 5B flexes in a way that opens the lower opening of the slit B3 in accordance with the movement of the tilt panel 3D being pulled up around the rotation center 3R.

[0037] Furthermore, the base material 5B flexes in conjunction with the movement of the tilt panel 3D as it is lowered from the raised position, thereby closing the lower opening of the slit B3. This flexing mechanism allows the base material 5B to appropriately follow the tilt movement without hindering the tilt movement of the cushion frame 3.

[0038] Furthermore, the slit B3 allows the base material 5B to flex and open the slit B3 when a seating load is applied. This allows the seating load to be properly distributed without being concentrated on a part of the base material 5B.

[0039] In summary, the cushion body 2 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

[0040] In other words, the cushion body (2) that elastically supports the seated person is configured to be divided into three dividing elements: a main top plate (4) that forms the central part in the seat width direction, and each top plate side (5) that forms the side parts in the seat width direction. The top plate side (5) has a base material (5B) that serves as a support base and is assembled from the seat surface to the corresponding frame side parts (3A, 3E) of the seat frame (3), and a seat cover (5C) that directly or indirectly covers the base material (5B) from the seat surface.

[0041] The base material (5B) has a base material inner portion (B2) that extends to the back side of the sheet so as to cover the frame sides (3A, 3E) from the inside in the sheet width direction, and a deformation-promoting portion (B3) formed on the base material inner portion (B2). With the above configuration, the base material inner portion (B2) can be deflected in response to the input of a seating load so as to preferentially deform the deformation-promoting portion (B3). As a result, the seating load can be appropriately distributed without concentrating it on a part of the base material (5B).

[0042] Furthermore, the deformation-promoting portion (B3) is formed over the entire area in the direction of extension of the base material inner portion (B2). With the above configuration, the base material inner portion (B2) can be flexibly deflected over a wider area in response to the input of a seating load. As a result, the seating load can be distributed more appropriately.

[0043] Furthermore, the cushion body (2) is applied to the seat cushion (1). The deformation-promoting portion (B3) is formed in the area directly above the rotation center (3R) when adjusting the tilt angle of the seat frame (3), or in the area behind the seat from the rotation center (3R). With the above configuration, the base material (5B) can be flexed to appropriately follow the tilt movement of the seat frame (3).

[0044] Furthermore, the deformation-promoting portion (B3) is formed in a position where its rear end surface overlaps with the arrangement of the seat in the front-rear direction, which is moved to adjust the tilt angle of the seat frame (3). With the above configuration, the base material (5B) can be flexed to appropriately follow the tilt movement of the seat frame (3).

[0045] Regarding other embodiments: Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than those described above.

[0046] 1. The cushioning material of the present invention can be applied to seats in vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, aircraft, and ships. Furthermore, the cushioning material can be applied to seats for non-vehicle use installed in various facilities such as sports facilities, theaters, concert venues, and event venues.

[0047] Furthermore, the cushioning material can be applied to seat structures other than seat cushions, such as seat backs, headrests, ottomans, and armrests. The cushioning material may not have a seat pad, and the seat cover may directly cover the base material. Alternatively, instead of a seat pad, the cushioning material may have a thin under-surface cushion made of elastomer or urethane on the surface of the base material.

[0048] The cushioning material may be applied to seat cushions that do not have a mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle. Even with such a configuration, by forming a deformation-promoting section in the inner part of the base material on the side of the top plate, the inner part of the base material can be deflected so that the deformation-promoting section is preferentially deformed in response to the input of a seating load. This allows the seating load to be properly distributed without being concentrated on a part of the base material.

[0049] When a cushioning material is applied to a seat back with an adjustable folding angle, the deformation-promoting portion formed on the inner part of the base material on the side of the top panel should be formed near the center of rotation when adjusting the folding angle. This allows the base material on the side of the top panel to flex appropriately to follow the folding motion.

[0050] When the cushioning material is applied to a seat cushion with an adjustable tilt angle, the deformation-promoting portion may be formed in the area directly above the center of rotation when adjusting the tilt angle (the position where the center of rotation and the front-to-back orientation of the seat coincide).

[0051] 2. The deformation-promoting section may be formed in multiple locations on the inner part of the base material on the side of the top plate. The deformation-promoting section only needs to weaken a part of the inner part of the base material so that it preferentially flexes in response to an externally applied load. Specifically, the deformation-promoting section may be a slit that removes material from a part of the inner part of the base material, or it may be made easier to flex by thinning or bending a part of the inner part of the base material. The deformation-promoting section does not necessarily have to be formed over the entire area in the direction in which the inner part of the base material extends. If the deformation-promoting section is a slit, it may be a straight cut into the inner part of the base material, or it may be a curved or bent cut. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1 seat cushion 2 cushion body 3. Cushion frame (seat frame) 3A Lower arm (frame side) 3B Front Pipe 3C Rear Pipe 3D Tilt Panel 3E Tilt Arm (Frame Side) 3R Rotation Center 4. Main top panel 5. Side of the tabletop 5A Seat Pad 5B Base material B1 Base material top plate B2 Substrate inner part B3 Slit (deformation acceleration section) 5C Seat Covers 6 Inner Shield

Claims

1. A cushion body that elastically supports the seated person, The cushion body is divided into three dividing elements: a main top plate that forms the central part in the width direction of the seat, and two side top plate sections that form the sides in the width direction of the seat. The top panel side comprises a base material that serves as a support base assembled from the front side of the seat to the corresponding frame side of the seat frame, and a seat cover that directly or indirectly covers the base material from the front side of the seat. The cushion body comprises a base material inner portion extending to the back side of the sheet so as to cover the frame side portion from the inside in the sheet width direction, and a deformation promoting portion formed in the base material inner portion.

2. A cushion body according to claim 1, The deformation-promoting portion is formed over the entire area in the direction of extension of the base material inner portion.

3. A cushion body according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cushion body is applied to the seat cushion, The deformation-promoting portion is a cushion body formed in the area directly above the rotation center when adjusting the tilt angle of the seat frame, or in the area behind the seat that is further back than the rotation center.

4. A cushion body according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cushion body is applied to the seat cushion, The deformation-promoting portion is a cushion body formed at a position where its arrangement in the front-rear direction of the seat coincides with the rear end surface of the tilt arm, which is moved to adjust the tilt angle of the seat frame.

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