Vehicle seat
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022004159
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-01-14
AI Technical Summary
When a sheet elastic body like a cloth spring is used for a vehicle seat cushion, it can sink excessively under the buttocks, leading to reduced sitting comfort.
A vehicle seat design that incorporates a planar elastic body with a rigidity reinforcing portion to suppress excessive sinking, achieved through various configurations such as sewing threads or folded elastic layers, which enhance the rigidity of the elastic body in the region corresponding to the buttocks.
The design effectively limits excessive sinking of the seat cushion, thereby improving sitting comfort without increasing the number of parts and reducing weight.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a technology that is effective when applied to a vehicle seat having a seat cushion using a planar elastic body.
Background Art
[0002] A vehicle seat that employs a planar elastic body such as a cloth spring for the seat cushion is known. As proposals for this type of vehicle seat, for example, there are International Publication No. 2016 / 098672, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-328858, and the like.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] When a planar elastic body such as a cloth spring is employed for the seat cushion, the planar elastic body is provided so as to support the lower side of the cushion pad. In this case, since the cloth spring itself has elasticity, sagging (sinking) may occur in the portion corresponding to the buttocks of the cloth spring. If the sagging (sinking) is large, the sitting comfort may deteriorate.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat capable of suppressing excessive sinking in a region corresponding to the buttocks of an occupant of a planar elastic body while reducing the number of parts in a seat cushion employing the planar elastic body.
[0006] Other problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] A brief overview of some of the representative aspects of this invention is as follows.
[0008] A vehicle seat according to one embodiment is: Seat cushion and, The seat cushion includes a seat back that is tiltably connected to the seat cushion, The aforementioned seat cushion is Cushion pad and Left side frame and, Right side frame and, A front frame provided between the front portion of the right side frame and the front portion of the left side frame, A rear frame provided between the rear portion of the right side frame and the rear portion of the left side frame, It includes a planar elastic body provided between the front frame and the rear frame, which supports the cushion pad from below, The planar elastic body includes a rigidity-enhancing portion that suppresses the amount of expansion and contraction of the planar elastic body in the front-rear direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] According to the above vehicle seat, it is possible to suppress the sinking of the part corresponding to the buttocks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the fixing wires shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates a planar elastic body of the first configuration example provided on a seat cushion frame. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a planar elastic body of a second configuration example provided in a seat cushion frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a first modification example of the rigidity reinforcement portion in FIG. 5. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining a second modification example of the rigidity reinforcement portion in FIG. 5. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a third modification example of the rigidity reinforcement portion in FIG. 5. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a diagram for explaining a fourth modification example of the rigidity reinforcement portion in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a planar elastic body of a third configuration example provided in a seat cushion frame. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a first cross-sectional structure of the planar elastic body in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second cross-sectional structure of the planar elastic body in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a planar elastic body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a planar elastic body of a fourth configuration example provided in a seat cushion frame.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012] It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment in order to clarify the explanation, but this does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, in this specification and each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for elements similar to those described above in previously shown drawings, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate. In the drawings, an arrow forward indicates the front of the vehicle, an arrow backward indicates the rear of the vehicle, an arrow left indicates the left side of the vehicle, an arrow right indicates the right side of the vehicle, an arrow up indicates the top of the vehicle, and an arrow down indicates the bottom of the vehicle. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right of the vehicle. [Examples]
[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment.
[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3 tiltably attached to the seat cushion 2, a headrest 4 attached to the upper side of the seat back 3, and a pair of left and right seat rails 5 attached to the lower side of the seat cushion 2. The seat cushion 2 constitutes the seat surface, and the seat back 3 constitutes the backrest. The vehicle seat 1 has a reclining mechanism (not shown / omitted) that allows angle adjustment between the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3, and the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3 are connected by the reclining mechanism.
[0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fixing wires 50 and 51 in Figure 2.
[0016] The seat cushion 2 comprises a surface covering 20 provided on the surface of the seat cushion 2, and a cushion pad 21 covered by the surface covering 20. The seat cushion 2 further comprises a seat cushion frame (27), which will be described later. The seat cushion frame (27) comprises a front pipe frame 22, a rear pipe frame 23, a right side frame (24), which will be described later, and a left side frame (25), which will be described later. The front pipe frame 22 is provided between the front portion of the right side frame (24) and the front portion of the left side frame (25). The rear pipe frame 23 is provided between the rear portion of the right side frame (24) and the rear portion of the left side frame (25). The cushion pad 21 is provided on the upper side of the front pipe frame 22, the rear pipe frame 23, the right side frame (24), and the left side frame (25). Note that the front pipe frame 22 and the rear pipe frame 23 may be front and rear frames that do not utilize pipes.
[0017] The seat cushion 2 further includes a planar elastic body 30 provided to support the underside of the cushion pad 21. The planar elastic body 30 can also be described as a fabric spring, a planar elastic support, a flexible planar member, or a planar support. The planar elastic body 30 is fixed between a front fixing component 221 provided on the front pipe frame 22 and a rear fixing component 231 provided on the rear pipe frame 23 by a front fixing wire (core wire) 50 and a rear fixing wire (core wire) 51. This allows the planar elastic body 30 to support the underside of the cushion pad 21.
[0018] Because the planar elastic body 30 is inherently elastic, sinking (sagging) may occur in the region 30H of the planar elastic body 30 corresponding to the occupant's buttocks. If the sinking (sagging) is excessive, the seating comfort may deteriorate. In the planar elastic body 30 of Figure 2, a rigidity-enhancing section 31 is provided at least in region 30H to increase the rigidity of the planar elastic body 30 in region 30H, that is, to suppress excessive sinking in the region 30H of the planar elastic body 30 corresponding to the occupant's buttocks.
[0019] Next, before explaining the rigidity-enhancing section 31 that suppresses sinking using Figures 4 to 10, we will explain an example of the configuration of the planar elastic body 30 described in Figures 4 to 10 using Figure 11.
[0020] Figure 11 illustrates an example of the configuration of a planar elastic body. Figure 11 shows a planar elastic body 30 as viewed from above. The planar elastic body 30 is provided between the front pipe frame 22 on the front side (indicated as FR) of the seat cushion frame 27 and the rear pipe frame 23 on the rear side (indicated as RR) of the seat cushion frame 27.
[0021] As shown in Figure 11, the planar elastic body 30 has a plurality of first threads ST1 with high elasticity and a plurality of second threads ST2 with lower elasticity compared to the first threads ST1. Of course, the first threads ST1 may be composed of elastic threads and the second threads ST2 may be composed of non-elastic threads.
[0022] Multiple first threads ST1 are arranged parallel to each other along a first direction A, and multiple second threads ST2 are arranged parallel to each other along a second direction B that intersects with the first direction A. The multiple first threads ST1 are, for example, warp threads, and the multiple second threads ST2 are, for example, weft threads, and the weft threads are woven into the warp threads to form a planar elastic body 30. In this example, the first direction A is the front-to-back direction of the vehicle seat 1. In this example, the second direction B is the left-to-right direction of the vehicle seat 1.
[0023] Therefore, the first thread ST1 provided along the first direction A is configured to be long. When a load such as the weight of the occupant is applied to the area 30H indicated by the dashed line corresponding to the occupant's buttocks, for example, when the occupant presses a pedal such as the accelerator pedal or brake pedal, the first thread ST1 provided along the first direction A is long, so the first thread ST1 will stretch in direction C (the front-to-back direction of the vehicle seat 1) which is parallel to the first direction A. If the amount of stretching in direction C is large, the occupant's buttocks may sink in. And if the occupant's buttocks sink in is large, the seating comfort will also deteriorate.
[0024] Therefore, a rigidity-enhancing portion 31 is provided on the planar elastic body 30 to increase the rigidity of the planar elastic body 30 in region 30H, that is, to suppress excessive sinking in region 30H.
[0025] (Example of configuration 1) Figure 4 illustrates a planar elastic body of a first configuration example provided on a seat cushion frame. In the configuration example of Figure 4, the rigidity reinforcing portion 31 is provided in the region 30H of the planar elastic body 30. As shown in the enlarged plan view of the planar elastic body 30, in this example, the rigidity reinforcing portion 31 is composed of a first sewing thread 31a provided in a rectangular shape and a pair of second and third sewing threads 31b and 31c provided on the diagonals of the rectangular shape. The sewing threads 31a, 31b, and 31c can be rephrased as stitches. The sewing threads 31a, 31b, and 31c can be formed by a sewing machine such as a sewing machine.
[0026] Here, "stitch" refers to the visible threads of a sewing machine, and is different from "inside stitching."
[0027] The first sewing thread 31a is composed of a first side 31a1, a second side 31a2 opposite the first side 31a1, a third side 31a3 provided between the first side 31a1 and the second side 31a2, and a fourth side 31a4 opposite the third side 31a3. The second sewing thread 31b is provided between the intersection of the first side 31a1 and the fourth side 31a4 and the intersection of the second side 31a2 and the third side 31a3. The third sewing thread 31c is provided between the intersection of the first side 31a1 and the third side 31a3 and the intersection of the second side 31a2 and the fourth side 31a4.
[0028] In other words, in the example shown in Figure 4, by providing sewing threads 31a, 31b, and 31c in region 30H, the elasticity of the multiple first threads ST1 provided within the range of region 30H is suppressed. This allows for the suppression of excessive sinking in region 30H at low cost, simply by adding sewing threads 31a, 31b, and 31c, without increasing the number of parts. As a result, the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 30 in direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1, see Figure 11) can be limited, thereby limiting excessive sinking and improving seating comfort.
[0029] The stitches (31a, 31b, 31c) are not limited to the configuration example shown in Figure 4. By changing the configuration of the stitches, the amount of elongation of the planar elastic body 30 in direction C can be adjusted, and the seating comfort can also be adjusted.
[0030] (Second example configuration) Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a planar elastic body of a second configuration example provided on a seat cushion frame. As shown in the enlarged plan view of the planar elastic body 30, the rigidity reinforcement portion 31 provided in the region 30H of the planar elastic body 30 is, in this example, composed of a plurality of sewing threads (also called stitches) 31d provided parallel to each other in direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1). In this example, the length of the sewing threads 31d is longer than the length of the region 30H in direction C, and is approximately the length of the planar elastic body 30 in direction C.
[0031] In this example, the elasticity of multiple first threads ST1 is restricted throughout the entire direction C of the planar elastic body 30 by multiple sewing threads 31d arranged parallel to each other along direction C. This limits the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 30 throughout the entire direction C, thereby limiting excessive sinking and improving seating comfort. By changing the number of multiple sewing threads 31d in the second direction B, the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 30 in direction C can be adjusted, and seating comfort can also be adjusted.
[0032] (First variation) Figure 6 illustrates a first modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, in the first modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section 31 provided on the planar elastic body 30A, multiple sewing threads (also called stitches) 31d1, which are arranged parallel to each other in direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1), are arranged in dense and sparse areas in the left-right direction of the vehicle seat 1. In other words, the sewing threads 31d1 can be densely arranged in areas of the planar elastic body 30A that are subjected to large loads (stresses), such as the buttocks and thighs, and sparsely arranged in areas that are not subjected to large loads, such as the buttocks and thighs. This can limit excessive sinking of the buttocks and improve seating comfort.
[0033] (Second variation) Figure 7A illustrates a second modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7A, in the second modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section 31 provided on the planar elastic body 30B, a plurality of sewing threads 31d2, arranged parallel to each other along direction C, are provided only within the region 30H of the planar elastic body 30B. In Figure 7A, the length of the sewing threads 31d2 is shorter compared to the sewing threads 31d in Figure 5. Therefore, in Figure 7A, the creation of the plurality of sewing threads 31d2 on the planar elastic body 30B can be done in a shorter time compared to the sewing threads 31d in Figure 5.
[0034] (Third variation) Figure 7B illustrates a third modified example of the rigidity reinforcement section of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7B, in this third modified example of the rigidity reinforcement section 31 provided on the planar elastic body 30C, two rigidity reinforcement sections 31 are provided on the planar elastic body 30C. One rigidity reinforcement section 31 is provided inside region 30H of the planar elastic body 30C. The other rigidity reinforcement section 31 is provided outside region 30H. In this example, the other rigidity reinforcement section 31 is provided between region 30H and the front pipe frame 22. Multiple sewing threads 31d3 are provided parallel to each other along direction C in each rigidity reinforcement section 31. Even with this configuration, the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 30C in direction C can be limited, thereby limiting excessive sinking and improving seating comfort.
[0035] Furthermore, one rigidity-reinforced section 31 and the other rigidity-reinforced section 31 may be made of stitches (sewing threads 31a, 31b, 31c) as shown in Figure 4.
[0036] (Fourth variation) Figure 7C illustrates a fourth modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7C, the fourth modified example of the rigidity-enhancing section 31 provided on the planar elastic body 30D is a modification of the third modified example of the two rigidity-enhancing sections 31 shown in Figure 7B. In one of the rigidity-enhancing sections 31 provided in region 30H of the planar elastic body 30D, multiple sewing threads 31d4 are provided in a sparse and dense manner along direction C. In the other rigidity-enhancing section 31 provided between region 30H and the front pipe frame 22, multiple sewing threads 31d5 are provided in a sparse and dense manner along direction C, similar to the first rigidity-enhancing section 31.
[0037] Furthermore, in this example, the number of sewing threads 31d4 provided in the other rigid reinforcement section 31 is less than the number of sewing threads 31d5 provided in the one rigid reinforcement section 31. In other words, the sewing threads 31d4 of the one rigid reinforcement section 31 provided in region 30H are densely arranged, while the sewing threads 31d5 provided in the one rigid reinforcement section 31 are more sparsely arranged compared to the sewing threads 31d4 of the one rigid reinforcement section 31.
[0038] By configuring it in this way, the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 30D in direction C can be adjusted, which limits excessive sinking (backward movement) and improves seating comfort.
[0039] (Third example configuration) Figure 8 illustrates a planar elastic body of a third configuration example provided on a seat cushion frame. Figure 9 illustrates the first cross-sectional structure of the planar elastic body in Figure 8. Figure 10 illustrates the second cross-sectional structure of the planar elastic body in Figure 8.
[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the rigidity-enhancing portion 31 provided in region 30H of the planar elastic body 30E is constructed by folding and stitching the planar elastic body 30E. In other words, in region 30H of the planar elastic body 30E, two planar elastic bodies are stacked on top of each other, increasing the thickness of the planar elastic body 30E. Therefore, the rigidity-enhancing portion 31 improves the rigidity of region 30H of the planar elastic body 30E by increasing the thickness of the planar elastic body 30E.
[0041] As shown in Figure 9, the planar elastic body 30E is bent downwards on the rear side of region 30H. Then, on the front side of region 30H, the two planar elastic bodies 30E are sewn together with sewing thread 40 to form the rigidity reinforcement section 31.
[0042] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the planar elastic body 30E is bent upward on the rear side of region 30H. Then, on the front side of region 30H, it is sewn to the rigidity reinforcement portion 31 with sewing thread 40 to form the rigidity reinforcement portion 31.
[0043] This allows the amount of extension of the planar elastic body 30E in direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1, see Figure 11) to be limited without increasing the number of parts, thereby limiting excessive sinking and improving seating comfort.
[0044] Furthermore, by folding and sewing the material, fixing members (51) and other components become unnecessary, making it possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle seat 1.
[0045] (Fourth example configuration) Figure 12 illustrates a fourth example of a planar elastic body provided on a seat cushion frame.
[0046] In the fourth configuration example of the planar elastic body 60, the rigidity-enhancing portion 31 is configured by inclining the first direction A, which runs along the multiple highly elastic first threads ST1 of the planar elastic body 60, from direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1, see Figure 11).
[0047] As shown in Figure 12, the planar elastic body 60 has a plurality of first threads ST1 with high elasticity and a plurality of second threads ST2 with lower elasticity compared to the first threads ST1. The first threads ST1 may be composed of elastic threads, and the second threads ST2 may of course be composed of non-elastic threads.
[0048] Multiple first threads ST1 are provided in parallel along the first direction A, and multiple second threads ST2 are provided in parallel along the second direction B, which intersects with the first direction A. The first direction A and the second direction B are directions that intersect with direction C (the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 1, see Figure 11).
[0049] Therefore, when a large load (stress) such as the buttocks and thighs is applied to the region 30H of the planar elastic body 60, the first thread ST1 stretches, but the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 60 is shorter compared to the case shown in Figure 11 where the length of the first thread ST1 is the same as the length of the planar elastic body 30 in the front-to-back direction (direction C). In other words, since the length of the first thread ST1 of the planar elastic body 60 is shorter than the length of the first thread ST1 of the planar elastic body 30, the amount of stretching of the first thread ST1 of the planar elastic body 60 is shorter than the amount of stretching of the first thread ST1 of the planar elastic body 30.
[0050] This allows the amount of elongation of the planar elastic body 60 in direction C to be limited without increasing the number of parts, thereby limiting excessive sinking and improving seating comfort.
[0051] The angle between the first direction A and direction C is preferably in the range of 30 to 70 degrees, more preferably in the range of 45 to 60 degrees. However, since the amount of stretching of the first thread ST1 also changes depending on the material of the first thread ST1, it is best to set the angle between the first direction A and direction C optimally according to the material of the first thread ST1. This allows the amount of stretching of the planar elastic body 60 in direction C to be adjusted, thereby adjusting the sinking (backward movement) and thus the sitting comfort.
[0052] As a variation of the planar elastic body 60, it is also possible to combine the planar elastic body 60 with the rigidity-enhancing section 31 described in Figures 4 to 10. The same effects as described above can be obtained with this configuration as well.
[0053] The present invention has been described in detail above based on examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples, and can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]
[0054] 1: Vehicle seats 2: Seat cushion 3: Seat back 20: Epidermis 21: Cushion pad 22: Front pipe frame 23: Rear pipe frame 24: Right side frame 25: Left side frame 27: Seat cushion frame 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 60: Planar elastic body (cloth spring) 30H: Region of the planar elastic body corresponding to the occupant's buttocks. 31: Rigidity reinforcement part
Claims
1. Seat cushion and a seat back tiltably connected to the seat cushion, The seat cushion is Cushion pad and The left side frame and Right side frame and a front frame provided between a front portion of the right side frame and a front portion of the left side frame; a rear frame provided between a rear portion of the right side frame and a rear portion of the left side frame; a planar elastic body provided between the front frame and the rear frame and supporting the cushion pad from below, The sheet-like elastic body includes a rigidity reinforcing portion that suppresses the amount of expansion and contraction of the sheet-like elastic body in the front-rear direction. Vehicle seat.
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The planar elastic body is A plurality of first threads provided along the front-rear direction; a plurality of second yarns arranged along a left-right direction intersecting the front-rear direction and woven into the plurality of first yarns; The stretchability of the first yarn is made higher than the stretchability of the second yarn, The vehicle seat, wherein the stiffness reinforcement portion includes a plurality of sewing threads arranged to suppress an amount of stretch of the first thread.
3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, the plurality of sewing threads include first to third sewing threads, the first sewing thread is configured with a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side provided between the first side and the second side, and a fourth side opposite to the third side, the second sewing thread is provided between an intersection of the first side and the fourth side and an intersection of the second side and the third side, The third sewing thread is provided between an intersection of the first side and the third side and an intersection of the second side and the fourth side.
4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, The plurality of sewing threads are arranged parallel to one another along the front-rear direction.
5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, The length of the plurality of sewing threads is approximately the same as the length of the sheet elastic body in the front-rear direction.
6. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, the sheet-like elastic body has a region on the rear side of the sheet-like elastic body that corresponds to the buttocks of the occupant, The vehicle seat, wherein the rigidity reinforcement portion is provided in the region.
7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The planar elastic body is A plurality of first threads provided along the front-rear direction; a plurality of second yarns arranged along a left-right direction intersecting the front-rear direction and woven into the plurality of first yarns; The stretchability of the first yarn is made higher than the stretchability of the second yarn, the sheet-like elastic body has a region on the rear side of the sheet-like elastic body that corresponds to the buttocks of the occupant, The rigidity reinforcement portion is configured by folding and stitching the sheet-shaped elastic body in the region.
8. Seat cushion and a seat back tiltably connected to the seat cushion, The seat cushion is Cushion pad and The left side frame and Right side frame and a front frame provided between a front portion of the right side frame and a front portion of the left side frame; a rear frame provided between a rear portion of the right side frame and a rear portion of the left side frame; a planar elastic body provided between the front frame and the rear frame and supporting the cushion pad from below, The planar elastic body is a plurality of first threads provided along a first direction intersecting the front-rear direction; a plurality of second yarns arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction and woven into the plurality of first yarns; The stretchability of the first yarn is higher than the stretchability of the second yarn. Vehicle seat.