Frame of a vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a frame of a vehicle seat which enables a frame body and a resin component to be easily disassembled during recycling while improving rigidity.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a frame of a vehicle seat including: a metal frame body; a reinforcement material; and a wedge which fixes the reinforcement material to the frame body. The frame body has: a base part; and a first wall part and a second wall part which protrude from the base part and face each other. The reinforcement material has: a first resin member which is arranged so as to contact with the first wall part from the inner side; and a second resin member which is arranged so as to contact with the second wall part from the inner side. The wedge is press-fitted into a space between the first member and the second member to press the first member to the first wall part and press the second member to the second wall part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a frame for a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle seat, from the viewpoint of weight reduction, a frame in which a metal frame body is reinforced with resin is known (see Patent Document 1). In this frame, the resin is joined to the frame body by joining means such as insert molding and adhesives.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described frame, since the resin is joined to the frame body, it is not easy to disassemble the vehicle seat during recycling. On the other hand, by connecting the resin to the frame body by mechanical means such as bolts, screws, and rivets, the resin can be easily disassembled from the frame body. However, when mechanical means are used, it is inevitable to increase the cost due to a decrease in the rigidity of the connection part and an increase in the number of working hours.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a frame for a vehicle seat that can be easily disassembled from the frame body and resin parts during recycling while increasing rigidity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a frame (1) for a vehicle seat, which includes a metal frame body (2), a reinforcing member (3), and a wedge (4) for fixing the reinforcing member (3) to the frame body (2). The frame body (2) has a base portion (21), a first wall portion (22) and a second wall portion (23) that protrude from the base portion (21) and face each other.

[0007] The reinforcing member (3) has a first resin member (31) arranged to contact the first wall portion (22) from the inside and a second resin member (32) arranged to contact the second wall portion (23) from the inside. By being press-fitted between the first member (31) and the second member (32), the wedge (4) presses the first member (31) against the first wall portion (22) and presses the second member (32) against the second wall portion (23).

[0008] According to such a configuration, the first member (31) and the second member (32), which are resin parts, can be crimped to the frame body (2) by press-fitting the wedge (4) without using joining means such as insert molding or adhesion. Therefore, while increasing the rigidity of the frame (1), it is possible to easily disassemble the frame body (2) and the resin parts during recycling.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing member (3) may further have a hinge (33) that connects the second member (32) to the first member (31) so as to be swingable. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to arrange the first member (31) and the second member (32) inside the frame body (2). Therefore, the man-hours for assembling the frame (1) are reduced.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the wedge (4) includes a wedge body (41) sandwiched between a first member (31) and a second member (32), a support portion (42) extending from a base portion opposite to the tip of the wedge body (41) and overlapping at least one outer surface of the first member (31) and the second member (32), and an engaging portion (43, 44) protruding from the support portion (42) and engaging with the first member (31) or the second member (32). According to such a configuration, detachment of the wedge (4) from the reinforcing member (3) is suppressed. As a result, the fixing strength of the reinforcing member (3) to the frame body (2) can be increased.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the wedge (4) is disposed between the first member (31) and the second member (32) and may have press-fitting surfaces (41A, 41B) provided with irregularities. The pressure-receiving surface (313A) of the first member (31) that contacts the press-fitting surfaces (41A, 41B) may be provided with irregularities. The pressure-receiving surface (323A) of the second member (32) that contacts the press-fitting surfaces (41A, 41B) may be provided with irregularities. According to such a configuration, the friction coefficient between the wedge (4) and the first member (31) and the second member (32) increases. As a result, detachment of the wedge (4) is suppressed, and the fixing strength of the reinforcing member (3) to the frame body (2) can be increased.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing member (3) may have a positioning portion (325) that engages with the frame body (2). According to such a configuration, positioning of the reinforcing member (3) and the frame body (2) during assembly of the frame (1) becomes easy.

[0013] Note that the reference numerals in the above parentheses are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations and the like described in the embodiments to be described later, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations and the like indicated by the reference numerals in the above parentheses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The frame 1 of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "frame 1") constitutes the right side frame of the back frame 10 of the vehicle seat.

[0016] The back frame 10 is a member that supports the seat back. The back frame 10 includes a frame 1, a left side frame 11, an upper panel 12, and a lower panel 13.

[0017] The vehicle seat using the frame 1 of the present embodiment is used as a seat seat in an automobile. In the following description and in each drawing, the directions refer to the directions in a state where the vehicle seat is assembled to a vehicle (that is, an automobile). Also, in the present embodiment, the seat width direction coincides with the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the front of the seat coincides with the front of the vehicle.

[0018] The left side frame 11 is arranged spaced apart from the frame 1 in the seat width direction. The upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 connect the frame 1 and the left side frame 11 in the seat width direction, respectively.

[0019] Frame 1 extends in the vertical direction. That is, the frame 1 has a length in the vertical direction that is greater than the length in the front-rear direction of the sheet and the length in the width direction of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 1 includes a frame body 2, a reinforcing member 3, and a wedge 4.

[0020] <Frame body> The frame body 2 is a plate-shaped member made of metal. The frame body 2 extends from the lower end to the upper end of the frame 1 (that is, from the upper region A1 to the lower region A3 in FIG. 1). The frame body 2 has a base portion 21, a first wall portion 22, and a second wall portion 23.

[0021] The base portion 21 constitutes the outermost surface in the width direction of the sheet of the frame 1 (that is, the right end surface). The base portion 21 is arranged such that the thickness direction intersects the front-rear direction of the sheet. The first wall portion 22 is connected to the front end portion of the base portion 21. The second wall portion 23 is connected to the rear end portion of the base portion 21.

[0022] The first wall portion 22 protrudes from the front end portion of the base portion 21 in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the base portion 21 (the left direction in this embodiment). The tip portion 22A on the side opposite to the base portion 21 of the first wall portion 22 is curved in the direction toward the second wall portion 23 (the rear of the sheet in this embodiment).

[0023] The second wall portion 23 protrudes from the rear end portion of the base portion 21 in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the base portion 21 (the left direction in this embodiment). The tip portion 23A on the side opposite to the base portion 21 of the second wall portion 23 is curved in the direction toward the first wall portion 22 (the front of the sheet in this embodiment).

[0024] The first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 face each other in the front-rear direction of the sheet. The second wall portion 23 has a greater amount of protrusion from the base portion 21 (that is, the length in the width direction of the sheet) than the first wall portion 22.

[0025] The first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 are integrated with the base portion 21. That is, the frame body 2 is formed by bending a single metal plate rightward at positions that become the front end portion and the rear end portion of the base portion 21. The frame body 2 has a C-shaped cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction. That is, the frame body 2 has an open cross section.

[0026] <Reinforcing member> The reinforcing member 3 is attached to the frame body 2. The reinforcing member 3 includes a first member 31, a second member 32, and a hinge 33.

[0027] The reinforcing member 3 is disposed in at least the central region A2 (see FIG. 1) in the vertical direction of the frame 1. The reinforcing member 3 may be disposed in the upper region A1 or the lower region A3 of the frame 1.

[0028] <First member> The first member 31 is a resin member disposed so as to contact the first wall portion 22 from the inside.

[0029] The first member 31 includes a first base 311, a first contact portion 312, a first pressure-receiving portion 313, and a plurality of first ribs 314. The first base 311 is a plate-like portion facing the base portion 21 of the frame body 2 in the sheet width direction. The first base 311 is disposed such that the thickness direction intersects the sheet front-rear direction.

[0030] The first contact portion 312 is a plate-like portion protruding from the front end of the first base 311 in the sheet direction toward the base portion 21. The first contact portion 312 is pressed against the inner surface (i.e., the rear plate surface) of the first wall portion 22 of the frame body 2.

[0031] The first pressure-receiving portion 313 is a plate-like portion protruding from the rear end of the first base 311 in the sheet direction toward the base portion 21. The first pressure-receiving portion 313 faces the first contact portion 312 in the sheet front-rear direction. The wedge body 41 of the wedge 4 is in contact with the first pressure-receiving portion 313.

[0032] The first rib 314 is a plate-shaped part connected to the inner surfaces of the first base 311, the first close contact part 312, and the first pressure-receiving part 313 respectively. The plate surface of the first rib 314 intersects the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of first ribs 314 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The first base 311, the first close contact part 312, the first pressure-receiving part 313, and the plurality of first ribs 314 are integrally formed by resin.

[0033] <Second member> The second member 32 shown in FIG. 2 is a resin member arranged to contact the second wall part 23 from the inside.

[0034] The second member 32 has a second base 321, a second close contact part 322, a second pressure-receiving part 323, a plurality of second ribs 324, and a positioning part 325. The second base 321 is a plate-shaped part facing the base part 21 of the frame body 2 in the sheet width direction.

[0035] The second base 321 is arranged such that its thickness direction intersects the sheet front-rear direction. The second base 321, together with the first base 311 of the first member 31, constitutes the inner surface (that is, the left side) of the frame 1 in the sheet width direction.

[0036] The second close contact part 322 is a plate-shaped part protruding from the rear end of the second base 321 in the sheet direction toward the base part 21. The second close contact part 322 is pressed against the inner surface (that is, the front plate surface) of the second wall part 23 of the frame body 2. The protruding amount of the second close contact part 322 from the second base 321 (that is, the length in the sheet width direction) is larger than the protruding amount of the first close contact part 312 from the first base 311.

[0037] The second pressure-receiving part 323 is a plate-shaped part protruding from the front end of the second base 321 in the sheet direction toward the base part 21. The second pressure-receiving part 323 faces the second close contact part 322 in the sheet front-rear direction. The wedge body 41 of the wedge 4 is in contact with the second pressure-receiving part 323.

[0038] The second pressure receiving part 323 is arranged at a position facing the first pressure receiving part 313 of the first member 31 with the wedge 4 interposed therebetween. The second pressure receiving part 323, together with the first pressure receiving part 313, defines a triangular prism-shaped gap into which the wedge body 41 is fitted. This gap becomes smaller in width in the front-rear direction of the seat as it approaches the base part 21.

[0039] The second rib 324 is a plate-shaped part connected to the inner surfaces of the second base 321, the second close contact part 322, and the second pressure receiving part 323 respectively. The plate surface of the second rib 324 intersects the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of second ribs 324 are arranged apart in the vertical direction. The second base 321, the second close contact part 322, the second pressure receiving part 323, and the plurality of second ribs 324 are integrally formed by resin.

[0040] The positioning part 325 is a convex part protruding from the outer surface of the second close contact part 322. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning part 325 determines the vertical position of the second member 32 with respect to the frame body 2 by engaging with a hole provided in the second wall part 23 of the frame body 2.

[0041] <Hinge> The hinge 33 connects the second member 32 to the first member 31 so as to be swingable. As the hinge 33, an integral hinge made of resin integrated with the first member 31 and the second member 32 can be used. Note that the hinge 33 may be a metal member fixed to each of the first member 31 and the second member 32.

[0042] The hinge 33 is connected to the first pressure receiving part 313 of the first member 31 and the second pressure receiving part 323 of the second member 32. The central axis of the hinge 33 (that is, the swing axis of the second member 32) is parallel to the plate surfaces of the first pressure receiving part 313 and the second pressure receiving part 323. Further, the hinge 33 is in contact with the inner surface of the base part 21 of the frame body 2.

[0043] The second member 32 swings with respect to the first member 31 such that the distance between the first pressure receiving part 313 and the second pressure receiving part 323 (that is, the size of the gap between these members) changes by the hinge 33.

[0044] <Wedge> The wedge 4 is a resin or metal member that fixes the reinforcing member 3 to the frame body 2. The wedge 4 has a wedge body 41, a support portion 42, a first engaging portion 43, and a second engaging portion 44.

[0045] The wedge body 41 is a triangular prism-shaped portion sandwiched between the first member 31 and the second member 32. By being press-fitted between the first member 31 and the second member 32, the wedge body 41 presses the first member 31 against the first wall portion 22 and presses the second member 32 against the second wall portion 23.

[0046] Specifically, the wedge body 41 is press-fitted between the first pressure-receiving portion 313 of the first member 31 and the second pressure-receiving portion 323 of the second member 32 toward the base portion 21 (that is, from the right side to the left side).

[0047] By pressing the first pressure-receiving portion 313 in a direction away from the second pressure-receiving portion 323, the first contact portion 312 of the first member 31 comes into close contact with the first wall portion 22. At the same time, by pressing the second pressure-receiving portion 323 in a direction away from the first pressure-receiving portion 313, the second contact portion 322 of the second member 32 comes into close contact with the second wall portion 23.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the wedge body 41 is disposed between the first member 31 and the second member 32 and has a first press-fitting surface 41A and a second press-fitting surface 41B provided with irregularities respectively. The first press-fitting surface 41A contacts the first pressure-receiving surface 313A which is the outer surface of the first pressure-receiving portion 313. The second press-fitting surface 41B contacts the second pressure-receiving surface 323A which is the outer surface of the second pressure-receiving portion 323.

[0049] The first pressure-receiving surface 313A and the second pressure-receiving surface 323A are each provided with irregularities. The irregularities of the first press-fitting surface 41A mesh with the irregularities of the first pressure-receiving surface 313A. Similarly, the irregularities of the second press-fitting surface 41B mesh with the irregularities of the second pressure-receiving surface 323A.

[0050] The support portion 42 shown in FIG. 2 extends from the base portion on the side opposite to the tip portion of the wedge body 41 (that is, the end portion close to the hinge 33), and is a plate-like portion that overlaps the outer surfaces (left surfaces in this embodiment) of the first member 31 and the second member 32. Specifically, the support portion 42 is overlapped from the outside of the frame 1 onto the first base 311 of the first member 31 and the second base 321 of the second member 32.

[0051] The first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 44 are claws that respectively project inwardly of the frame 1 from the support portion 42 toward the base portion 21 of the frame body 2. The first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 44 suppress the detachment of the wedge 4 from the reinforcing member 3.

[0052] The first engaging portion 43 is provided at a portion of the support portion 42 that overlaps the first base 311. The first engaging portion 43 engages with the first base 311 by passing through an opening provided in the first base 311.

[0053] The second engaging portion 44 is provided at a portion of the support portion 42 that overlaps the second base 321. The second engaging portion 44 engages with the second base 321 by passing through an opening provided in the second base 321.

[0054] <Manufacturing method of the frame> Next, a manufacturing method (that is, an assembling method) of the frame 1 will be described. The manufacturing method of the frame 1 includes an arranging step, a press-fitting preparation step, and a press-fitting step.

[0055] <Arranging step> In this step, the reinforcing member 3 is arranged inside the frame body 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, with the hinge 33 as the center, the reinforcing member 3 is arranged inside the frame body 2 in a state where the reinforcing member 3 is folded so that the first pressure-receiving portion 313 and the second pressure-receiving portion 323 overlap. At this time, the first close-contact portion 312 is inserted into the inside of the frame body 2 so as to contact the inner surface of the first wall portion 22.

[0056] <Press-fitting preparation step> In this project, the position of the reinforcing member 3 is adjusted to prepare a space for press-fitting the wedge 4. Specifically, inside the frame body 2, the reinforcing member 3 is deployed around the hinge 33 so that the second pressure-receiving part 323 moves away from the first pressure-receiving part 313.

[0057] By deploying the reinforcing member 3 in this way, the second close contact part 322 comes into contact with the inner surface of the second wall part 23. Also, a gap into which the wedge 4 can be inserted is formed between the first pressure-receiving part 313 and the second pressure-receiving part 323. At this time, the positioning part 325 of the reinforcing member 3 is engaged with the second wall part 23.

[0058] <Press-fitting process> In this process, the wedge 4 is press-fitted into the gap of the reinforcing member 3. Specifically, the wedge 4 is press-fitted toward the hinge 33 into the space formed between the first pressure-receiving part 313 and the second pressure-receiving part 323.

[0059] By press-fitting the wedge 4, the distance between the first pressure-receiving part 313 and the second pressure-receiving part 323 increases, and the reinforcing member 3 is pressed against the inner surface of the frame body 2. Also, when the wedge 4 is completely press-fitted, the first engaging part 43 and the second engaging part 44 are respectively engaged with the reinforcing member 3.

[0060] [1-2. Effect] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Without using joining means such as insert molding or adhesion, the first member 31 and the second member 32, which are resin parts, can be crimped to the frame body 2 by press-fitting the wedge 4. Therefore, while increasing the rigidity of the frame 1, it is possible to easily disassemble the frame body 2 and the resin parts during recycling.

[0061] (1b) The hinge 33 that connects the first member 31 and the second member 32 facilitates the arrangement of the first member 31 and the second member 32 inside the frame body 2. Therefore, the man-hours for assembling the frame 1 are reduced.

[0062] (1c) When the first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 44 engage with the first member 31 and the second member 32, the separation of the wedge 4 from the reinforcing member 3 is suppressed. As a result, the fixing strength of the reinforcing member 3 to the frame body 2 can be increased.

[0063] (1d) By providing unevenness on the first press-fitting surface 41A, the second press-fitting surface 41B, the first pressure-receiving surface 313A, and the second pressure-receiving surface 323A, respectively, the friction coefficient between the wedge 4 and the first member 31 and the second member 32 is increased. As a result, the separation of the wedge 4 is suppressed, and the fixing strength of the reinforcing member 3 to the frame body 2 can be increased.

[0064] (1e) The positioning portion 325 that engages with the frame body 2 facilitates the positioning of the reinforcing member 3 and the frame body 2 during the assembly of the frame 1.

[0065] [2. Other Embodiments] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. Needless to say, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can take various forms.

[0066] (2a) In the frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the reinforcing member does not necessarily have to have a hinge. For example, the first member and the second member may be separated. In this case, after the first member and the second member are individually disposed inside the frame body, the wedge is press-fitted between the first member and the second member.

[0067] (2b) In the frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the engaging portion of the wedge may be a concave portion (for example, a hole, a groove, etc.) that engages with a convex portion provided on the reinforcing member. Further, the wedge does not necessarily have to have a support portion and an engaging portion.

[0068] (2c) In the frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, unevenness does not necessarily have to be provided on the press-fitting surface of the wedge and the pressure-receiving surface of the reinforcing member. Further, unevenness may be provided only on a part of these surfaces.

[0069] (2d) In the frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the positioning portion may be provided on the first member. Further, the positioning portion may be a concave portion that engages with a convex portion provided on the frame body. Furthermore, the reinforcing member does not necessarily have to have a positioning portion.

[0070] (2e) The frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment is applicable to the left side frame of the back frame. Further, the frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment is applicable to frames other than the back frame.

[0071] (2f) The frame of the vehicle seat of the above embodiment can be applied not only to the vehicle seat used in the above-described automobile but also to vehicle seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as railway vehicles, ships, airplanes, etc.

[0072] (2g) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among a plurality of components, or the functions of a plurality of components may be integrated into one component. Further, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Further, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced with, etc., the configuration of other above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea specified from the language described in the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1... Frame, 2... Frame body, 3... Reinforcing member, 4... Wedge, 10... Back frame, 21... Base portion, 22... First wall portion, 22A... Tip portion, 23... Second wall portion, 23A... Tip portion, 31... First member, 32... Second member, 33... Hinge, 41... Wedge body, 41A... First press-fitting surface, 41B... Second press-fitting surface, 42... Support portion, 43... First engaging portion, 44... Second engaging portion, 311... First base, 312... First close contact portion, 313... First pressure receiving portion, 313A... First pressure receiving surface, 314... First rib, 321... Second base, 322…Second close contact part, 323…Second pressure-receiving part, 323A…Second pressure-receiving surface, 324…Second rib, 325…Positioning part.

Claims

1. A metal frame body, a reinforcing member, a wedge for fixing the reinforcing member to the frame body, and is provided with, the frame body, a base portion, a first wall portion and a second wall portion that protrude from the base portion and face each other, and has, the reinforcing member, a first resin member arranged to contact the first wall portion from the inside, a second resin member arranged to contact the second wall portion from the inside, and has, the wedge is press-fitted between the first member and the second member to press the first member against the first wall portion and the second member against the second wall portion, a frame for a vehicle seat.

2. A frame for a vehicle seat according to Claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member further has a hinge that connects the second member to the first member so as to be swingable relative to the first member, a frame for a vehicle seat.

3. A frame for a vehicle seat according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the wedge, a wedge body sandwiched between the first member and the second member, a support portion that extends from a base portion opposite to the tip portion of the wedge body and overlaps at least one outer surface of the first member and the second member, and an engaging portion that protrudes from the support portion and engages with the first member or the second member, and has, a frame for a vehicle seat.

4. A frame for a vehicle seat according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the wedge is arranged between the first member and the second member and has a press-fitting surface provided with irregularities, irregularities are provided on a pressure-receiving surface of the first member that contacts the press-fitting surface, irregularities are provided on a pressure-receiving surface of the second member that contacts the press-fitting surface, a frame for a vehicle seat.

5. A frame for a vehicle seat according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing member has a positioning portion that engages with the frame body, a frame for a vehicle seat.

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