Vehicle seats
The vehicle seat's dual-actuator system with fluid pouches addresses the inefficiency of existing designs by reducing the driving force required for seat extension and contraction, improving operational efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021565638
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-12-20
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle seat designs require a large driving force to expand and contract the seat cushion due to the opposing forces of the spring and fluid bag, making the process inefficient.
The vehicle seat incorporates a dual-actuator system with fluid pouches, where one actuator generates a biasing force while the other prevents resistive force, reducing the overall driving force required for extension and contraction.
This design significantly reduces the driving force needed to extend and contract the seat cushion, enhancing efficiency and ease of operation while maintaining the seat's functionality.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion frame, a front plate provided to form a bag chamber between the seat cushion frame and a front end thereof, a fluid bag provided in the bag chamber and expanding and contracting according to the amount of fluid injected therein, and a spring provided between the seat cushion frame and the front plate and constantly biasing the bag chamber to shorten the front-to-rear length. When air is supplied to the fluid bag, the fluid bag expands and the front-to-rear length of the seat cushion increases, and when the supply of air to the fluid bag is stopped, the fluid bag is compressed by the spring and the front-to-rear length of the seat cushion decreases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-47384 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, in order to extend the seat cushion, air must be supplied to the fluid bag against the spring force, which poses the problem that a large driving force is required to extend or contract the seat.
[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to reduce the driving force for extending and contracting a vehicle seat. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle seat (1) comprising a first frame (15), a second frame (16) supported so as to be movable relative to the first frame toward a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and an actuator (30) that moves the second frame toward the first side and the second side relative to the first frame, the actuator comprising a first actuator (31) that urges the second frame toward the first side, a second actuator (32) that urges the second frame toward the second side, and a control device (33) that controls the urging forces generated by each of the first actuator and the second actuator.
[0007] According to this aspect, when one actuator generates a biasing force, the other actuator does not generate a resisting force, thereby making it possible to reduce the driving force for expanding and contracting the sheet.
[0008] In the above aspect, each of the first actuator and the second actuator may have a fluid bag (35, 36) to which compressed air is supplied and discharged by the control device.
[0009] According to this aspect, the first and second actuators can be formed simply and inexpensively.
[0010] In the above aspect, the first frame has a first wall (51) and a second wall (52) arranged on the first side of the first wall, the second frame has a pressure plate (53) arranged between the first wall and the second wall, the first actuator has a first fluid bag (35) arranged between the first wall and the pressure plate, and the second actuator has a second fluid bag (36) arranged between the second wall and the pressure plate, and compressed air is supplied to and discharged from the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag by the control device.
[0011] According to this aspect, the actuator can be formed simply.
[0012] In the above aspect, the first actuator may have a guide member (80) that is in sliding contact with the first fluid bag and restricts the direction of expansion and contraction of the first fluid bag to the first side and the second side.
[0013] According to this embodiment, the expansion of the first fluid bag can be efficiently converted into the movement of the second frame.
[0014] In the above aspect, the first actuator may have a rail (84) extending from the first side to the second side, and a slider (85) slidably supported on the rail and connected to the first fluid bag.
[0015] According to this embodiment, the expansion of the first fluid bag can be efficiently converted into the movement of the second frame.
[0016] In the above aspect, the first side end of the first fluid bag and the second side end of the second fluid bag may be connected by a connecting member (87) that penetrates the pressure-receiving plate.
[0017] According to this aspect, the positions of the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag relative to the pressure-receiving plate are constant, which makes it possible to efficiently convert the expansion of the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag into the movement of the second frame.
[0018] In the above aspect, the lower part of the first wall and the lower part of the second wall may be connected by a bottom wall, and the first wall, the bottom wall, and the second wall may cooperate to form a groove structure that is open upward.
[0019] According to this aspect, the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag can be housed inside the groove structure.
[0020] In the above aspect, the first frame is a frame that constitutes the seat cushion and has left and right side members (17) and a front member (18) that connects the front ends of the left and right side members, and the second frame has an upper plate (22) that is provided on the upper surface of the front members and supported so as to be movable forward and rearward relative to the front members, and a front plate (23) that hangs down from the front end of the upper plate and is positioned in front of the front members.
[0021] According to this aspect, the front portion of the seat cushion can be expanded and contracted back and forth.
[0022] In the above aspect, the front member may have an opening (71) penetrating vertically and extending forward and backward, and the pressure plate may protrude downward from the front member through the opening from the upper plate.
[0023] According to this aspect, the pressure plate can be disposed at a position that does not affect the legs of the occupant.
[0024] In the above aspect, the first wall and the second wall may be disposed below the front member.
[0025] According to this aspect, the first wall and the second wall can be disposed at positions that do not affect the legs of the occupant. Effect of the Invention
[0026] The vehicle seat (1) includes a first frame (15), a second frame (16) supported to be movable to a first side and a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the first frame, and an actuator (30) for moving the second frame to the first side and the second side with respect to the first frame, the actuator including a first actuator (31) for biasing the second frame to the first side, a second actuator (32) for biasing the second frame to the second side, and a control device (33) for controlling the biasing forces generated by the first actuator and the second actuator. According to this aspect, when one actuator generates a biasing force, the other actuator can be prevented from generating a resistance force. This can reduce the driving force for expanding and contracting the seat.
[0027] In the above aspect, each of the first actuator and the second actuator may have a fluid bag (35, 36) to which compressed air is supplied and discharged by the control device. According to this aspect, the first and second actuators can be formed simply and inexpensively.
[0028] In the above aspect, the first frame has a first wall (51) and a second wall (52) arranged on the first side of the first wall, the second frame has a pressure-receiving plate (53) arranged between the first wall and the second wall, the first actuator has a first fluid bag (35) arranged between the first wall and the pressure-receiving plate, the second actuator has a second fluid bag (36) arranged between the second wall and the pressure-receiving plate, and compressed air is supplied to and discharged from the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag by the control device. According to this aspect, the actuator can be formed simply.
[0029] In the above aspect, the first actuator may have a guide member (80) that slides against the first fluid bag and restricts the direction of expansion and contraction of the first fluid bag to the first side and the second side. According to this aspect, the expansion of the first fluid bag can be efficiently converted into the movement of the second frame.
[0030] In the above aspect, the first actuator may have a rail (84) extending from the first side to the second side, and a slider (85) slidably supported on the rail and connected to the first fluid bag. According to this aspect, the expansion of the first fluid bag can be efficiently converted into the movement of the second frame.
[0031] In the above aspect, the first end of the first fluid bag and the second end of the second fluid bag may be connected by a connecting member (87) that penetrates the pressure-receiving plate. According to this aspect, the positions of the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag relative to the pressure-receiving plate are constant. This makes it possible to efficiently convert the expansion of the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag into the movement of the second frame.
[0032] In the above aspect, the lower portion of the first wall and the lower portion of the second wall may be connected by a bottom wall, and the first wall, the bottom wall, and the second wall may cooperate to form a groove structure that opens upward. According to this aspect, the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag can be housed inside the groove structure.
[0033] In the above aspect, the first frame is a frame constituting the seat cushion and includes left and right side members (17) and a front member (18) connecting front ends of the left and right side members, and the second frame includes an upper plate (22) provided on an upper surface of the front member and supported so as to be movable forward and rearward relative to the front member, and a front plate (23) hanging down from the front end of the upper plate and disposed in front of the front member. According to this aspect, the front part of the seat cushion can be extended and contracted back and forth.
[0034] In the above aspect, the front member may have an opening (71) penetrating vertically and extending forward and backward, and the pressure plate may protrude downward from the upper plate through the opening. According to this aspect, the pressure plate can be disposed at a position that does not affect the legs of an occupant.
[0035] In the above aspect, the first wall and the second wall may be disposed below the front member. According to this aspect, the first wall and the second wall can be disposed at a position that does not affect the legs of an occupant. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] A perspective view of a seat cushion frame [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of the front part of the seat cushion frame (cross-sectional view taken along III-III in FIG. 2) [Figure 4] Bottom view of the front of the seat cushion frame [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view of the front part of the seat cushion frame (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2) [Figure 6] Actuator and control device configuration diagram [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the actuator; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the fluid bag. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing (A) a first example, (B) a second example, and (C) a third example of cells constituting a fluid bag; [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a front portion of a seat cushion frame according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a vehicle seat according to the present invention is applied to an automobile seat will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the seat 1 has a seat cushion 3 provided on a floor 2 of an automobile, and a seat back 4 supported on a rear portion of the seat cushion 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the seat cushion 3 may be provided on the floor 2 via slide rails 6. The slide rails 6 have left and right lower rails 6A connected to the floor 2, and left and right upper rails 6B slidably supported on the left and right lower rails 6A, respectively. The seat cushion 3 is connected to the left and right upper rails 6B. A lifting device may be interposed between the seat cushion 3 and the upper rails 6B.
[0039] The seat cushion 3 has a seat cushion frame 11 forming a skeleton, a pad 12 supported by the seat cushion frame 11, and a skin material 13 covering the surface of the pad 12. The seat cushion frame 11 has a first frame 15 and a second frame 16 supported movably to a first side and a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the first frame 15. The second frame 16 is movable with respect to the first frame 15, and may be referred to as a movable frame. In this embodiment, the second frame 16 is movable with respect to the first frame 15 to the front side as the first side and to the rear side as the second side.
[0040] In this embodiment, the first frame 15 has left and right side members 17 extending in the front-rear direction, and a front member 18 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front ends of the left and right side members 17. The first frame 15 may also have a rear member 19 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear ends of the left and right side members 17. The left and right side members 17 and the front member 18 are formed by bending a metal plate. The front member 18 has a plate-shaped portion 21 in the center in the left-right direction whose surface faces up and down. The plate-shaped portion 21 has a predetermined width in the front-rear direction.
[0041] The second frame 16 has an upper plate 22 that is provided on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 21 of the front member 18 and is supported so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the front member 18, and a front plate 23 that extends downward from the front end of the upper plate 22 and is positioned in front of the front member 18.
[0042] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the plate-shaped portion 21 of the front member 18 is formed with an accommodating recess 25 recessed downward. The accommodating recess 25 is provided in the front portion of the plate-shaped portion 21. The front end of the accommodating recess 25 reaches the front end of the front member 18. Meanwhile, the rear end of the accommodating recess 25 is disposed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 21. A pair of left and right support members 26 extending in the front-rear direction are provided on the upper surface of the bottom portion 25A of the accommodating recess 25. Each support member 26 is formed from a resin material. Each support member 26 is preferably formed from a resin material with a low friction coefficient. The upper plate 22 of the second frame 16 is placed on the upper surfaces of the left and right support members 26 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
[0043] The upper plate 22 is formed with a plurality of elongated holes 27 penetrating in the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, two pairs of elongated holes 27 are provided on the left and right, and are provided at positions overlapping with the support member 26 in a plan view. The upper plate 22 is attached to the support member 26 and the front member 18 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by a plurality of bolts 28 and nuts 29 passing through the elongated holes 27, the support member 26, and the bottom 25A of the accommodating recess 25. With the upper plate 22 placed on the support member 26, the upper surface of the upper plate 22 is disposed at the same height as the upper surface of the other portions of the front member 18 excluding the accommodating recess 25.
[0044] 3, edge walls 22A extending downward are provided on the left and right side edges and the rear edge of the upper plate 22. The edge walls 22A may be formed by bending the side edges of the upper plate 22. In addition, a reinforcing rib 22B protruding upward and extending forward and backward is provided in the center of the upper plate 22.
[0045] 2, 4, and 5, the front plate 23 is formed into a curved surface that is convex forward when viewed from the left and right sides. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 23A extending vertically are formed on the front plate 23. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 23A may be aligned horizontally. The second frame 16 may be formed by bending a metal plate.
[0046] As the upper plate 22 is displaced forward and backward relative to the bolts 28 disposed in the long holes 27, the second frame 16 moves between the initial position and the protruding position relative to the front member 18 of the first frame 15. The second frame 16 reaches the protruding position by moving from the initial position to the front side as the first side. Also, the second frame 16 returns to the initial position by moving from the protruding position to the rear side as the second side.
[0047] The pad 12 is disposed so as to cover the upper surface and the front surface of the second frame 16. When the second frame 16 moves from the initial position to the extended position, the second frame 16 slides relative to the pad 12. The pad 12 has a sufficient length so as to be able to cover the front plate 23 of the second frame 16 even when the second frame 16 is in the extended position. It is preferable that the front edge of the pad 12 extends below the lower edge of the front plate 23 of the second frame 16 when the second frame 16 is in the initial position.
[0048] The vehicle seat 1 further has an actuator 30 that moves the second frame 16 forward and rearward relative to the first frame 15. The actuator 30 has a first actuator 31 that urges the second frame 16 forward, a second actuator 32 that urges the second frame 16 rearward, and a control device 33 that controls the urging forces generated by each of the first actuator 31 and the second actuator 32.
[0049] As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the first actuator 31 and the second actuator 32 each have a fluid bag 35, 36 that expands when compressed air is supplied and contracts when the compressed air is discharged. The first actuator 31 has at least one first fluid bag 35, and the second actuator 32 has at least one second fluid bag 36. The control device 33 has a compressor 38 that generates compressed air, a first connecting pipe 39 that connects the compressor 38 and the first fluid bag 35 of the first actuator 31, a second connecting pipe 40 that connects the compressor 38 and the second fluid bag 36 of the second actuator 32, a first control valve 41 provided in the first connecting pipe 39, a second control valve 42 provided in the second connecting pipe 40, an electronic control device 43 (ECU) that controls the compressor 38, the first control valve 41, and the second control valve 42, and an operation switch 44 that inputs a signal to the electronic control device 43. The operation switch 44 has an extend button and a retract button, and outputs a signal to the electronic control device 43 according to the operation state of the extend button and the retract button.
[0050] The first control valve 41 and the second control valve 42 can be in a supply state connecting the compressor 38 and the fluid bags 35, 36, a holding state blocking the fluid bags 35, 36, and a discharge state connecting the fluid bags 35, 36 and the outside. When the control valves 41, 42 are in the supply state, compressed air is supplied to the corresponding fluid bags 35, 36, and the fluid bags 35, 36 expand. When the control valves 41, 42 are in the holding state, the flow of air to the corresponding fluid bags 35, 36 is blocked, and the fluid bags 35, 36 maintain their size. When the control valves 41, 42 are in the discharge state, the compressed air in the corresponding fluid bags 35, 36 is discharged to the outside, and the fluid bags 35, 36 contract.
[0051] The first frame 15 has a first wall 51 and a second wall 52 arranged in front of the first wall 51. The second frame 16 has a pressure plate 53 arranged between the first wall 51 and the second wall 52. The first fluid bag 35 is arranged between the first wall 51 and the pressure plate 53, and the second fluid bag 36 is arranged between the second wall 52 and the pressure plate 53. As the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 expand and contract, the pressure plate 53 moves relative to the first wall 51 and the second wall 52, and the second frame 16 moves back and forth relative to the first frame 15.
[0052] In this embodiment, the first wall 51 and the second wall 52 are configured by a case 55 attached to the plate-shaped portion 21 of the front member 18. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a reinforcing member 56 extending in the left and right directions is attached to the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 21. The reinforcing member 56 is formed in a groove shape that opens upward. The reinforcing member 56 forms a closed cross-sectional structure in cooperation with the plate-shaped portion 21. The reinforcing member 56 is disposed rearward of the accommodating recess 25 in the plate-shaped portion 21. The reinforcing member 56 may extend along a rear wall portion 25B that forms a rear edge of the accommodating recess 25, and the rear wall portion 25B may form a part of the closed cross-sectional structure.
[0053] The case 55 has a rear flange 58 extending left and right and fastened to the reinforcing member 56, a first wall 51 extending downward from the front edge of the rear flange 58 and having a surface facing forward and backward, a bottom wall 59 extending forward from the lower edge of the first wall 51 and having a surface facing up and down, and a second wall 52 extending upward from the front edge of the bottom wall 59 and having a surface facing forward and backward. The first wall 51 and the second wall 52 face each other with a gap in the front and rear. The bottom wall 59 connects the lower part of the first wall 51 and the lower part of the second wall 52. The first wall 51, the bottom wall 59, and the second wall 52 cooperate to form a groove structure that opens upward and extends left and right. The first wall 51, the bottom wall 59, and the second wall 52 are preferably disposed below the front member 18, specifically below the bottom part 25A of the accommodation recess 25 of the plate-shaped part 21.
[0054] The right ends of the first wall 51, the bottom wall 59, and the second wall 52 may be connected to each other by an end wall 61 whose faces face left and right. Similarly, the left ends of the first wall 51, the bottom wall 59, and the second wall 52 may be connected to each other by an end wall 61 whose faces face left and right. The first wall 51, the bottom wall 59, the second wall 52, and the left and right end walls 61 cooperate with each other to form a box structure that opens upward. The upper ends of each end wall 61 may be provided with left and right lateral flanges 62 that are fastened to the lower surface of the plate-like portion 21 of the front member 18. The lateral flanges 62 may be fastened to the lower surface of the bottom 25A of the accommodation recess 25 of the plate-like portion 21. Some of the multiple bolts 28 and nuts 29 may fasten the lateral flanges 62, the upper plate 22, the support member 26, and the bottom 25A of the accommodation recess 25 together.
[0055] The case 55 may have a plurality of reinforcing ribs 64 at the boundary between the first wall 51 and the rear flange 58, which connect the first wall 51 and the rear flange 58. The reinforcing ribs 64 are formed in the shape of a triangular plate with faces facing left and right. The reinforcing ribs 64 suppress the inclination of the first wall 51 with respect to the rear flange 58.
[0056] As shown in Fig. 5, the pressure plate 53 extends downward from the lower surface of the upper plate 22 of the second frame 16. The pressure plate 53 may be formed by a plate-shaped member 66 fastened to the upper plate 22. The plate-shaped member 66 has a flange 67 fastened to the lower surface of the upper plate 22. The pressure plate 53 extends downward from the edge of the flange 67, with its surface facing forward and backward. The plate-shaped member 66 may be formed into an L-shape by the flange 67 and the pressure plate 53.
[0057] The plate-shaped portion 21 of the front member 18 has an opening 71 that penetrates vertically and extends forward and backward. The opening 71 is formed in the bottom portion 25A of the accommodation recess 25. The opening 71 extends forward and backward, reaching the front edge of the front member 18. The pressure receiving plate 53 passes through the opening 71 and protrudes downward from the plate-shaped portion 21, and is disposed between the first wall 51 and the second wall 52. The lower end of the pressure receiving plate 53 faces the bottom wall 59 via a gap. The front-rear length of the opening 71 is set so that the pressure receiving plate 53 can move forward and backward in response to the forward and backward movement of the second frame 16.
[0058] The first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 are formed by bonding edges of a plurality of sheet materials together. The sheet materials may be made of a resin such as vinyl or urethane. The sheet materials may be bonded together by, for example, thermal welding. Each of the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 may have a plurality of cells 73. The plurality of cells 73 may be independent of each other and connected to the first connecting pipe 39 or the second connecting pipe 40. The plurality of cells 73 may be connected to each other so as to allow air to flow therebetween, and one of the plurality of cells 73 may be connected to the first connecting pipe 39 or the second connecting pipe 40.
[0059] Each of the plurality of cells 73 constituting the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 may be formed in a disk shape and may be expandable and scalable in the axial direction. The plurality of disk-shaped cells 73 may be arranged side by side in the axial direction and connected to each other. This allows the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 to expand and scalable in the front-rear direction.
[0060] 3 and 7, in this embodiment, the first actuator 31 has two first fluid bags 35 arranged side by side, and each of the first fluid bags 35 has a plurality of cells 73 arranged side by side. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one connection piece 74 is provided at the rear end of each first fluid bag 35, and the connection piece 74 is connected to the first wall 51 by a fastening member 75 such as a clip or a rivet. The front end of each first fluid bag 35 abuts against the rear surface of the pressure receiving plate 53. A connection piece may be provided at the front end of each first fluid bag 35, and the connection piece may be connected to the pressure receiving plate 53 by a fastening member such as a clip or a rivet.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the second actuator 32 has two second fluid bags 36 arranged side by side, and each of the second fluid bags 36 has a plurality of cells 73 arranged side by side, from front to back. As shown in Fig. 5, at least one connection piece 76 is provided at the front end of each second fluid bag 36, and the connection piece 76 is connected to the second wall 52 by a fastening member 77 such as a clip or a rivet. The rear end of each second fluid bag 36 abuts against the front surface of the pressure-receiving plate 53. A connection piece may be provided at the rear end of each second fluid bag 36, and the connection piece may be connected to the pressure-receiving plate 53 by a fastening member such as a clip or a rivet.
[0062] The first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 are housed in a groove structure (box structure) of the case 55. This restricts the directions of expansion and contraction of the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36, and the expansion and contraction of the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 is efficiently converted into the movement of the pressure-receiving plate 53.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the first actuator 31 may have a guide member 80 that slides against the first fluid bag 35 and restricts the expansion and contraction direction of the first fluid bag 35 to the front and rear. The guide member 80 may be provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 59. The guide member 80 may have a guide wall 81 that protrudes upward from the bottom wall 59 and extends forward and backward. The guide wall 81 may be disposed between the left and right first fluid bags 35. The guide member 80 may also have left and right guide grooves 82 that are recessed downward and extend forward and backward. The lower part of the corresponding first fluid bag 35 is disposed in each guide groove 82. The shape of the cross section of the guide groove 82 preferably matches the shape of the lower part of the first fluid bag 35. In this embodiment, since the first fluid bag 35 has a circular cross section, the cross section of the guide groove 82 may be formed in a semicircular shape. The guide member 80 is disposed between the lower end of the pressure-receiving plate 53 and the bottom wall 59 so as not to interfere with the pressure-receiving plate 53. A cutout may be formed in the pressure-receiving plate 53 to avoid interference with the guide member 80. The guide member 80 keeps the direction in which the first fluid bag 35 expands and contracts constant, allowing the first fluid bag 35 to efficiently press the pressure-receiving plate 53.
[0064] The second actuator 32, like the first actuator 31, may have a guide member that restricts the expansion and contraction direction of the second fluid bag 36 to the front and rear. The configuration of the guide member of the second actuator 32 may be similar to the configuration of the guide member 80 of the first actuator 31.
[0065] The first actuator 31 may have a rail 84 extending from the front side to the rear side, and a slider 85 slidably supported on the rail 84 and connected to the first fluid bag 35. The slider 85 may be connected to the front end of the first fluid bag 35. The rail 84 may be provided on the bottom wall 59. The rail 84 and the slider 85 allow the front end of the first fluid bag 35 to move along the rail 84. This keeps the direction of expansion and contraction of the first fluid bag 35 constant, allowing the first fluid bag 35 to efficiently press the pressure plate 53.
[0066] The first actuator 31 may include at least one of a rail 84, a slider 85, a guide wall 81, and a guide groove .
[0067] Similar to the first actuator 31, the second actuator 32 may have a rail extending from the front side to the rear side, and a slider slidably supported on the rail and connected to the second fluid bag 36. The slider may be connected to the rear end of the second fluid bag 36. The configuration of the rail and slider of the second actuator 32 may be similar to the configuration of the rail and slider of the first actuator 31.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the front end, which is the end on the first side of the first fluid bag 35, and the rear end, which is the end on the second side of the second fluid bag 36, may be connected by a connecting member 87 penetrating the pressure receiving plate 53. The connecting member 87 may be, for example, an axial member penetrating the pressure receiving plate 53 and extending forward and backward. The pressure receiving plate 53 has a through hole 88 formed therein through which the connecting member 87 passes. The through hole 88 may be a slit extending to the side edge of the pressure receiving plate 53. According to this embodiment, the relative positions of the front end of the first fluid bag 35 and the rear end of the second fluid bag 36 with respect to the pressure receiving plate 53 are restricted, and the positions of the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 when expanding and contracting are constant.
[0069] 9, the first fluid bag 35 may have a through hole 91 penetrating in the front-rear direction in the center. That is, the first fluid bag 35 may be formed in an annular or cylindrical shape centered on an axis extending in the front-rear direction. A support shaft 92 extending in the front-rear direction may be inserted into the through hole 91 of the first fluid bag 35. According to this embodiment, the first fluid bag 35 expands and contracts along the support shaft 92, so that the pressure plate 53 can be pressed efficiently.
[0070] Each cell 73 constituting the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 may be configured as in the first to third examples as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10(A), the cell 100 according to the first example has a circular front sheet material 101, a circular rear sheet material 102, and an outer peripheral sheet material 103 formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral portion of the rear surface 101B of the front sheet material 101 is heat-welded to the front end of the inner peripheral surface 103A of the outer peripheral sheet material 103. In addition, the outer peripheral portion of the front surface 102A of the rear sheet material 102 is heat-welded to the rear end of the inner peripheral surface 103A of the outer peripheral sheet material 103. Since the cell 100 has the outer peripheral sheet material 103, the flexibility of the outer peripheral portion is higher than that of a cell in which the outer peripheral portion of the rear surface 101B of the front sheet material 101 and the outer peripheral portion of the front surface 102A of the rear sheet material 102 are directly heat-welded, and the cell 100 is easily stretched forward and backward even in the outer peripheral portion. This makes it easier to stabilize the expansion and contraction directions of the first fluid bag 35 and the second fluid bag 36 formed by the multiple cells 100. As a modification of the first example, the outer periphery of the rear surface 101B of the front sheet material 101 may be heat-welded to the front end of the outer periphery 103B of the outer peripheral sheet material 103, and the outer periphery of the front surface 102A of the rear sheet material 102 may be heat-welded to the rear end of the outer periphery 103B of the outer peripheral sheet material 103.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 10(B), the cell 110 according to the second example has, in addition to the cell 100 of the first example, a connecting sheet material 111 that connects the center of the rear surface 101B of the front sheet material 101 and the center of the front surface 102A of the rear sheet material 102. The connecting sheet material 111 has a front end welded to the center of the rear surface 101B of the front sheet material 101 and a rear end welded to the center of the front surface 102A of the rear sheet material 102. When the cell 110 expands, the connecting sheet material 111 regulates the center of the front sheet material 101 and the center of the rear sheet material 102 not to be greater than a predetermined distance. This prevents the cell 110 from expanding only at the center, and reduces the difference in the amount of expansion between the center and the outer periphery.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 10(C), the cell 120 according to the third example has a cylindrical inner sheet material 121 and a cylindrical outer sheet material 122 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the inner sheet material 121. The length of the inner sheet material 121 in the axial direction is longer than the length of the outer sheet material 122 in the axial direction. The front end of the outer peripheral surface 121A of the inner sheet material 121 is heat-welded to the front end of the inner peripheral surface 122B of the outer peripheral sheet material 122 over the entire circumference. In addition, the rear end of the outer peripheral surface 121A of the inner sheet material 121 is heat-welded to the rear end of the inner peripheral surface 122B of the outer peripheral sheet material 122 over the entire circumference. In addition, the central portions 121C in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 121B of the inner sheet material 121 are heat-welded to each other. The cell 120 according to the third example can reduce the difference in the amount of expansion between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion.
[0073] The operation of the seat 1 according to the embodiment will be described. While the occupant continues to press the extension button of the operation switch 44, the electronic control device 43 drives the compressor 38 to generate compressed air, sets the first control valve 41 to a supply state, and sets the second control valve 42 to a discharge state based on a signal from the operation switch 44. As a result, the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 is supplied to the first fluid bag 35 of the first actuator 31, and the first fluid bag 35 expands to urge the pressure plate 53 forward. Meanwhile, the second fluid bag 36 of the second actuator 32 is pushed by the pressure plate 53, and the air in the second fluid bag 36 is discharged from the second control valve 42. As a result, the pressure plate 53 is pushed forward by the first fluid bag 35 of the first actuator 31 and moves forward relative to the front member 18.
[0074] While the occupant continues to press the contraction button of the operation switch 44, the electronic control device 43 drives the compressor 38 to generate compressed air, sets the first control valve 41 to a discharge state, and sets the second control valve 42 to a supply state based on a signal from the operation switch 44. As a result, the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 is supplied to the second fluid bag 36 of the second actuator 32, and the second fluid bag 36 expands to urge the pressure plate 53 rearward. Meanwhile, the first fluid bag 35 of the first actuator 31 is pushed by the pressure plate 53, and the air in the first fluid bag 35 is discharged from the first control valve 41. As a result, the pressure plate 53 is pushed rearward by the second fluid bag 36 of the second actuator 32 and moves rearward relative to the front member 18.
[0075] When the occupant has not pressed either the extend button or the retract button of the operation switch 44, the electronic control device 43 stops the compressor 38 and holds the first control valve 41 and the second control valve 42 in the hold state based on a signal from the operation switch 44. This maintains the extended and retracted states of the first fluid bag 35 of the first actuator 31 and the second fluid bag 36 of the second actuator 32, and maintains the position of the second frame 16 relative to the front member 18.
[0076] As described above, the occupant can operate the operation switch 44 to expand and contract the front portion of the seat cushion 3 back and forth.
[0077] The sheet 1 according to the embodiment can prevent one of the first actuator 31 and the second actuator 32 from generating a resistance force when the other of the first actuator 31 and the second actuator 32 generates a biasing force. This can reduce the driving force for expanding and contracting the sheet 1. The first actuator 31 and the second actuator 32 are formed by the fluid bags 35, 36, and therefore can be formed simply and inexpensively.
[0078] Since the pressure plate 53, the actuator 30, and the case 55 are disposed under the seat cushion 3, it is possible to prevent these components from affecting the legs of the occupant.
[0079] Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, a connecting portion 68 for adjusting the position of the pressure plate 53 may be provided between the flange 67 and the pressure plate 53. The connecting portion 68 may extend downward from the front edge of the flange 67, and then bend and extend rearward. The pressure plate 53 may extend downward from the rear end of the connecting portion 68. [Explanation of symbols]
[0080] 1: Sheet 11: Seat cushion frame 15: First frame 16: Second frame 17: Side member 18: Former member 19: Next member 21: Plate-shaped part 22: Upper plate 23: Front panel 25: Storage recess 26: Support member 27: Long hole 29: Bolt 30: Actuator 31: First actuator 32: Second actuator 33: Control device 35: 1st fluid bag 36:Second fluid bag 38: Compressor 41: First control valve 42: Second control valve 43: Electronic control device 44: Operation switch 51: 1st wall 52:Second wall 53: Pressure plate 55: Case 59: Bottom wall 61: End wall 80: Guide member 81: Guide wall 82: Guide groove 84: Rail 85: Slider 87: Connection parts 88:Through hole
Claims
1. A vehicle seat, comprising: A first frame; a second frame supported movably on a first side and a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the first frame; an actuator that moves the second frame to the first side and the second side relative to the first frame, the actuator includes a first actuator that biases the second frame toward the first side, a second actuator that biases the second frame toward the second side, and a control device that controls the biasing forces generated by the first actuator and the second actuator, the first frame has a first wall and a second wall disposed on the first side with respect to the first wall, the second frame has a pressure plate disposed between the first wall and the second wall, the first actuator has a first fluid bag disposed between the first wall and the pressure plate, the second actuator has a second fluid bag disposed between the second wall and the pressure plate, The first fluid bag and the second fluid bag are supplied with compressed air and discharged therefrom by the control device, A vehicle seat, in which the first side end of the first fluid bag and the second side end of the second fluid bag are connected by a connecting member that penetrates the pressure plate.
2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator includes a guide member that is in sliding contact with the first fluid bag and that restricts a direction in which the first fluid bag expands and contracts to the first side and the second side.
3. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator has a rail extending from the first side to the second side, and a slider slidably supported on the rail and connected to the first fluid bag.
4. a bottom wall connects the lower portion of the first wall to the lower portion of the second wall; The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first wall, the bottom wall, and the second wall cooperate to form a groove structure that is open upward.
5. The first frame is a frame that constitutes a seat cushion, and includes left and right side members and a front member that connects front ends of the left and right side members to each other. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second frame has an upper plate provided on an upper surface of the front member and supported movably forward and rearward relative to the front member, and a front plate hanging down from a front end of the upper plate and positioned in front of the front member.
6. The front member has an opening extending vertically and longitudinally, 6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the pressure plate protrudes from the upper plate through the opening below the front member.
7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein the first wall and the second wall are disposed below the front member.
8. A vehicle seat, comprising: A first frame; a second frame supported movably on a first side and a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the first frame; an actuator that moves the second frame to the first side and the second side relative to the first frame, the actuator includes a first actuator that biases the second frame toward the first side, a second actuator that biases the second frame toward the second side, and a control device that controls the biasing forces generated by the first actuator and the second actuator, the first frame has a first wall and a second wall disposed on the first side with respect to the first wall, the second frame has a pressure plate disposed between the first wall and the second wall, the first actuator has a first fluid bag disposed between the first wall and the pressure plate, the second actuator has a second fluid bag disposed between the second wall and the pressure plate, The first fluid bag and the second fluid bag are supplied with compressed air and discharged therefrom by the control device, The first frame is a frame that constitutes a seat cushion, and includes left and right side members and a front member that connects front ends of the left and right side members to each other. the second frame includes an upper plate provided on an upper surface of the front member and supported movably forward and rearward with respect to the front member, and a front end of the upper plate is hung down from the front end of the upper plate and disposed in front of the front member, The front member has an opening extending vertically and longitudinally, The pressure plate protrudes from the upper plate through the opening below the front member.
9. A vehicle seat as described in Claim 8, wherein the first actuator has a guide member that slides against the first fluid bag and regulates the expansion and contraction direction of the first fluid bag to the first side and the second side.
10. A vehicle seat as described in Claim 8, wherein the first actuator has a rail extending from the first side to the second side, and a slider supported on the rail for sliding movement and connected to the first fluid bag.
11. The lower part of the first wall and the lower part of the second wall are connected by a bottom wall, 9. The vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein the first wall, the bottom wall, and the second wall cooperate to form an upwardly opening channel structure.
12. A vehicle seat as described in claim 8, wherein the first wall and the second wall are positioned below the front member.
Citation Information
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