Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which is guaranteed to be rigid while also being lightweight.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat S comprising, as a skeleton, a seat back frame F1 being a substantially rectangular framework configured to have at least a lower member frame 50 as a bridge in the vehicle width direction between the lower ends of two side frames 10, 10. A waist support member 70 formed of a resin is arranged on the lower member frame 50. The waist support member 70 is a rectangular member extending along the vehicle width direction and is configured such that the length thereof in the vehicle width direction is less than the length of the lower member frame 50 in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat having a seat frame as a skeleton, which is lighter than conventional seats. [Background technology]

[0002] To reduce the weight of a vehicle seat, it is generally considered to thin the various parts of the seat frame or reduce the amount of space occupied by each part (shortening long members, forming holes, etc.). However, the thinner the thickness of each part of the seat frame, the lower the rigidity of that part. For this reason, efforts have been made to achieve weight reduction and to reinforce the lightened portions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The technology described in Patent Document 1 discloses a back frame formed in a rectangular frame shape by two side frames that define both sides, an upper frame that bridges the upper ends of these side frames and defines the upper part, and a lower frame that bridges the lower ends of these side frames and defines the lower part. The lower frame has a flange portion extending forward from the lower end, and a resin bracket having dimensions spanning the entire width of the flange portion (length in the seat width direction) is attached to the flange portion. With this configuration, the flange portion extending forward from the lower end side of the lower frame is reinforced from the inside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-003598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The seat back frame, particularly the lower frame, plays a role in supporting the lumbar region of a seated occupant and therefore needs to be rigid enough to withstand the load exerted by the seated occupant. Meanwhile, as mentioned above, there is a demand for reducing the weight of the seat frame itself, including the seat back frame. In order to satisfy these conflicting requirements, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses brackets for reinforcement. However, there is a need for technology that can achieve both further weight reduction and improved rigidity.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that is lightweight and at the same time ensures high rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the vehicle seat according to the present invention, which is a vehicle seat including a seat back frame of a substantially rectangular frame body as a skeleton, which is configured to have at least side frames provided at both widthwise ends of the vehicle seat and lower member frames bridging lower ends of both side frames in the vehicle width direction, wherein at least one notch portion is formed in the lower member frame, and the side frame is configured to have a side frame main body portion that defines a side surface of the seat back frame in the width direction, and a side frame inward extension portion that extends from an end of the side frame main body portion to an inside of the seat back frame, and the end portions of the lower member frame that sandwich the notch portion are in contact with the side frame inward extension portion. Lamination This problem is solved by arranging the end of the notch of the lower member frame on the seat inward side at a position where it does not overlap with the inward extending portion of the side frame. In this way, in the present invention, since the cutout portion is formed in the lower member frame, it is possible to reduce the weight of this lower member frame.

[0008] In this case, as described in claim 2, at least one side frame cutout portion is formed in the side frame, and the side frame inward extending portion is spaced apart with the side frame cutout portion interposed therebetween, The end portions of the side frame inwardly extending portions that sandwich the side frame notch portion are connected to the end portions of the lower member frame that sandwich the notch portion. This is preferable. Specifically, as described in claim 3, in the lower member frame, a lower forward extension portion extending toward the front of the seat is formed on the lower edge portion of the seatback frame, and it is preferable that at least a portion of the side frame inward extension portion is in contact with the lower forward extension portion.

[0009] Also, as described in claim 4, The notch portion of the lower member frame is preferably provided at an end of the lower member frame. As a specific configuration, as described in claim 5, The notch portion of the lower member frame are preferably provided at both ends of the lower member frame.

[0010] Furthermore, as set forth in claim 6 ,before The notch is preferably formed from an end portion in the width direction of the lower member frame toward the inside in the width direction. Moreover, as described in claim 7 ,before The side edges of the notch are preferably flat.

[0011] Furthermore, as described in claim 8, the lower member frame has a narrowed portion formed in a direction perpendicular to the width direction so as to be narrower than both end portions on the side, and the narrowed portion is formed at both ends of the lower member frame. The notch It is preferable that the insulating film is formed between the insulating film and the insulating film.

[0012] Also, as described in claim 9, The rear surface of the lower member frame is disposed forward of the rear surface of the side frame inward extension portion and stacked thereon. This is preferable. Furthermore, as set forth in claim 10, The seat cushion comprises a seat cushion frame connected to the seat back frame via a reclining device, a seat cushion configured by placing a pad material on the seat cushion frame and covering the surface of the pad material with a skin material, a headrest supported at the upper end of the seat back frame, and a slide rail device disposed below the seat cushion frame. and is suitable 。

[0013] Further, as described in claim 11, a rotation shaft that passes through the center of the reclining device and connects the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame is provided, and the rotation shaft is The notch It is preferable that the second electrode 14 is disposed in a position opposite to the first electrode 14. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Book The present invention can provide a vehicle seat that is lightweight and also ensures high rigidity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a seat frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a seat back frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged view of a portion where a lower member-frame arrangement member is disposed according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is an explanatory view of one end side of a lower member-frame arrangement member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory view of the other end side of the lower member frame arrangement member according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a lower member frame arrangement member according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a lower member; [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after placement of a lower member frame placement member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, in the following description, the content regarding the materials, shapes, and sizes of each device and its components is merely a specific example and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the materials, shapes, and sizes of each device and its components can be freely designed as long as they satisfy the specific requirements of the present invention.

[0017] In the following description, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat, specifically the direction that coincides with the vehicle's traveling direction, and the "width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat, specifically the direction that coincides with the vehicle width direction (left-right direction).

[0018] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given assuming that the vehicle seat is in use (a state in which an occupant can sit). That is, in the following description, the posture, position, and positional relationship of each part of the vehicle seat with other members will be those when the vehicle seat is in use.

[0019] <<Basic Structure of Vehicle Seats and Seat Frames>> First, the basic configuration of a vehicle seat according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the seat S) and its frame F will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat S has a seat back S1, a seat cushion S2, and a headrest S3. The seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2 are constructed by placing a padding material P on the seat frame shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, and covering the surface of the padding material P with a skin material W. The headrest S3 is constructed by placing a padding material P on a core material (not shown) and covering the surface of the padding material P with a skin material W. A pair of headrest pillars (not shown) extending downward are provided below the headrest S3. The headrest S3 is supported by the upper end of the seat back S1 (strictly speaking, the seat back frame F1) via the pair of headrest pillars.

[0020] 2 and 3, the seat S has a seat back frame F1 provided in the seat back S1 and a seat cushion frame F2 provided in the seat cushion S2. The seat cushion frame F2 is connected to an upper rail RU of a slide rail device R disposed below the seat cushion frame F2. With this configuration, when the upper rail RU moves along the lower rail RL fixed to the vehicle floor, the entire seat S, including the seat cushion frame F2, slides.

[0021] In this embodiment, the seat cushion frame F2 is connected to the upper rails RU via pivot links XL as shown in Fig. 2. The pivot links XL are link members disposed on both sides of the seat cushion S2 in the width direction and pivot about pivot axes along the width direction. The pivot links XL rotate together with the seat cushion S2, thereby adjusting the position of the seat cushion S2 in the up-down direction.

[0022] The lower end of the seatback frame F1 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion frame F2 via a reclining device 80. The seatback S1 including the seatback frame F1 is connected to the seat cushion S2 by this reclining device 80 in a state in which the tilt angle relative to the seat cushion S2 can be adjusted. In other words, the seatback S1 can rotate relatively to the seat cushion S2 around a reclining shaft 81 along the width direction.

[0023] The seat S differs from conventional general vehicle seats in the structure of the seat frame. The configuration of the seat back frame F1 as the seat frame of the seat S will be described in detail below.

[0024] <<Details of the seatback frame structure>> The configuration of the seatback frame F1 of the present seat S will be described with reference to the previously mentioned Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the seatback frame F1 forms a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the seatback frame F1 is lighter than the seatback frames of conventional vehicle seats. Specifically, the seatback frame F1 is made of a material (e.g., the steel plate constituting the side frame 10, described below) that is lighter than the material used for conventional seatback frames. Furthermore, when fastening and connecting the components of the seatback frame F1, the components are fastened and connected by laser welding, without using fasteners such as bolts, nuts, or screws. By adopting such a configuration, the seatback frame F1 of this embodiment is lighter in weight.

[0025] 2 and 3, the seatback frame F1 has a pair of side frames 10 provided at both ends in the width direction. Also, as shown in the figures, the seatback frame F1 has an upper frame 30 that is attached to the upper ends of each side frame 10 to connect the side frames 10 together. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the seatback frame F1 has a lower member frame 50 that is attached to the lower end of each side frame 10 to connect the side frames 10. Furthermore, an S-spring 60 that supports the back of the occupant from behind is installed between the side frames 10.

[0026] The upper frame 30 is a component formed in a downward U-shape when viewed from the front, and is made of a hollow metal pipe member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper frame 30 may be made of a solid member. Both free ends of the upper frame 30 are joined to the upper parts of the side frames 10, 10, respectively. A square-tube pillar guide 34 that supports a headrest pillar is attached to the front surface of the upper horizontal portion of the upper frame 30. A pair of pillar guides 34 are provided with a gap in the width direction.

[0027] Next, the side frame 10 has a spindle-shaped external shape in a side view. That is, when the side frame 10 is viewed from the side, the front end of the side frame 10 bulges out in an arc shape from a midpoint in the vertical direction. When the seat S is in use (more precisely, when the seat back S1 is in the standard position), the side frame 10 extends long in a direction slightly inclined (tilted backward) relative to the vertical direction. As described above, the free end of the upper frame 30 is joined to one end (upper end) of the side frame 10 in the extension direction. In this embodiment, the side frames 10 are made of thin steel plates, more specifically, ultra-high tensile steel plates with a thickness of 1 mm or less, which contributes to weight reduction.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the lower member frame 50. The lower member frame 50 is formed by processing a metal plate, and is installed between the lower ends of the side frames 10. The upper and lower edge portions of the lower member frame 50 are each formed to have a shape that is bent forward (hereinafter, these flange portions will be referred to as "upper and lower flanges 50d, 50d"). The detailed structure of this lower member frame 50 will be described later, as it is the main structure of this embodiment.

[0029] A waist support member 70 is disposed on the front surface of the lower member frame 50. The lumbar support member 70 is a long member made of resin, and is disposed along the lower member frame 50 which extends in the width direction, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction. The material may be, for example, a resin foam material such as urethane foam, polypropylene foam, or polyethylene foam, and its hardness should be configured to be higher than that of the pad material P that covers the seat back frame F1. This results in good moldability and improved molding flexibility.

[0030] It is also preferable that the lumbar support member 70 has the same amount of deflection as the metal steel plate brackets that have been used conventionally. At this position, the lumbar support member 70 functions as a reinforcing member for reinforcing the strength of the lower member frame 50, and also functions as a lumbar support member for supporting the lumbar region of a seated occupant.

[0031] 1 to 4 show the final installation position of lumbar support member 70 for the purpose of explanation, and lumbar support member 70 according to this example is not incorporated into seatback frame F1 during assembly, nor is it used independently. In other words, lumbar support member 70 is manufactured integrally with padding P, and is later attached to seatback frame F1. This configuration is the main configuration of the present invention and will be described in detail later.

[0032] <Detailed configuration of the lumbar support member> The configuration of the lumbar support member 70 will now be described in detail. The lumbar support member 70 is a long, three-dimensional rod-shaped member, and is formed in an approximately rectangular column shape with arrangement member bottom surfaces 71, 71 that define the left and right ends in the width direction, and side surfaces 70A that define the side surfaces extending between these two arrangement member bottom surfaces 71, 71. In addition, this side surface 70A is configured to have an installation member mounting surface 72 facing the lower member frame 50, a front surface 73 that defines the front side, an upper surface 74 that defines the upper side, and a lower surface 75 that defines the lower side. The installation member mounting surface 72 is formed with a groove-shaped alignment groove 72a extending in the width direction near the approximate center in the vertical direction. In addition, in this example, two upper surface recesses 74a, which are substantially rectangular recesses, are formed on the upper surface 74. Furthermore, the front surface 73 is a gently curved surface, and in this example, two front surface recesses 73a, which are substantially rectangular recesses, are formed below the front surface 73.

[0033] <Detailed configuration of the lower member frame> Next, the detailed structure of the lower member frame 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. The lower member frame 50 is formed as a rectangular steel plate that is long in the width direction. The lower member frame 50 is formed with an alignment protrusion 50a that is driven from the rear surface so as to protrude toward the front surface. The alignment protrusion 50a is formed in a shape that conforms to the shape of the inner wall surface of the alignment groove 72a so as to align with the alignment groove 72a. In other words, the alignment protrusion 50a is configured to be aligned with the alignment groove 72a for positioning. This "alignment" need only be sufficient to specify the position, and may be a loose fit or an engaged state that provides a temporary fastening function. In this example, the alignment protrusion 50a is formed so as to be elongated in the width direction. However, the formation state is not limited to this, and two alignment protrusions 50a may be formed, that is, near both ends of the lower member frame. As will be described later, in this example, it is possible to position the waist support member 70 by aligning the alignment protrusion 50a with the alignment groove 72a, and by forming this alignment protrusion 50a (i.e., by forming an uneven shape on a flat plate), it is possible to increase the strength of the lower member frame 50 and contribute to making the lower member frame thinner.

[0034] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the position, number, and method of forming the alignment protrusion 50a are not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured so as to protrude forward so as to extend longitudinally in the width direction near approximately the center in the up-down direction of the lower member frame 50, or one may be formed in the center in the width direction. Also, instead of being configured to be cast from the back surface, for example, it may be configured so as to weld a protrusion made of a lightweight material to the front side of the lower member frame 50. Furthermore, as an optimal application configuration, as in this embodiment, the alignment protrusion 50a is formed to be elongated in the width direction, and is configured so that the width direction length of the alignment protrusion 50a is longer than the width direction length of the lumbar support member 70 described below. This configuration makes it possible to efficiently position the waist support member 70 on the alignment protrusion 50a.

[0035] Further, at both widthwise ends of the lower member frame 50, there are formed inwardly cutout portions 50b, 50b. An end flange 50c stands upright forward from the periphery of this notch 50b. The formation of the cutouts 50b, 50b in this manner allows for a reduction in the weight of the lower member frame 50, and the end flanges 50c, 50c standing up from the periphery increase the strength of those portions. In other words, it is possible to achieve both weight reduction and ensuring rigidity.

[0036] <Method of arranging the lumbar support member> First, the lumbar support member 70 will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 7, 8, etc. The lumbar support member 70 is made of a hard foam resin material. The waist support member 70 thus formed is inserted when the pad material P is foamed in a mold, and is formed integrally. At this time, since upper surface recess 74a and front surface recess 73a are formed in lumbar support member 70, a large contact area with pad material P can be secured, improving integration. In other words, lumbar support member 70 is preferably formed with a higher hardness than pad material P, but in order to integrate hard and soft members, the contact area is made large to further improve integration efficiency.

[0037] In this example, in order to improve the integration, an upper surface recess 74a and a front surface recess 73a are formed, but this is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which holes or slits are formed in the waist support member 70 is also possible.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when positioning the padding material P1, the lumbar support member 70 is inserted between the upper and lower flanges 50d, 50d of the lower member frame 50, and the alignment protrusion 50a of the lower member frame 50 is aligned with the alignment groove 72a of the lumbar support member 70 to perform positioning. At this time, nonwoven fabric G is interposed between the waist support member 70 and the lower member frame 50. With this configuration, the lumbar support member 70 and the lower member frame 50 do not come into direct contact with each other, so that noise caused by friction during use can be effectively suppressed.

[0039] As a result of the above-described configuration, it is possible to maintain high rigidity even when the lower member frame 50 is made thinner to reduce its weight, and since the lumbar support member 70 is provided on the pad material P side and is positioned on the lower member frame 50 at the same time as the pad material P is assembled, installation workability is improved. The lumbar support member 70 of this example functions as a reinforcing member for the lower member frame 50, and also functions as a lumbar support member that supports the lumbar region of the occupant. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Side frame 13 Side wall 30 Upper frame 34 Pillar Guide 50 Lower member frame 50a Alignment protrusion (alignment part) 50b Notch 50c End Flange 50d upper and lower flanges 60 S spring 70 Lumbar support member 71 Bottom surface of installation member 70A side 72 Installation surface 72a Aligning groove (aligned part) 73 Front side 73a Front surface recess 74 Top surface 74a Upper surface recess 75 Bottom surface 80 Reclining device 81 Reclining axis Front seat frame F1 seat back frame F2 seat cushion frame R slide rail device RL lower rail RU Upper Rail S Original seat (vehicle seat) S1 seat back S2 seat cushion S3 Headrest P pad material G Nonwoven fabric W Skin material XL Rotating Link

Claims

1. A vehicle seat including a seat back frame as a skeleton, the seat back frame being a substantially rectangular frame body including at least side frames provided at both ends of the vehicle seat in a width direction and a lower member frame bridging lower ends of the side frames in the vehicle width direction, At least one notch is formed in the lower member frame, The side frame is a side frame main body portion that defines a width direction side surface of the seat back frame; a side frame inward extension portion extending from an end of the side frame main body portion toward the inside of the seat back frame, an end portion of the lower member frame sandwiching the notch portion is stacked on the inward extending portion of the side frame; The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the cutout portion of the lower member frame on an inward side of the seat is positioned so as not to overlap with the inward extending portion of the side frame.

2. At least one side frame notch is formed in the side frame, The side frame inward extending portions are spaced apart from each other with the side frame cutout portion therebetween, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an end of the side frame inward extension portion sandwiching the side frame notch and an end of the lower member frame sandwiching the notch are connected to each other.

3. In the lower member frame, a lower front extension portion extending toward the front of the seat is formed at a lower edge portion of the seatback frame, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the side frame inward extending portion is in contact with the lower front extending portion.

4. 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the notch of the lower member frame is provided at an end of the lower member frame.

5. 5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the notch of the lower member frame is provided at each of both end portions of the lower member frame.

6. 6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the cutout portion is cut out from an end portion in a width direction of the lower member frame toward an inner side in the width direction.

7. 7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein side edges of the notch are formed flat.

8. the lower member frame has a narrowed portion formed in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and narrower than both lateral end portions, 8. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the constricted portion is formed between the notches formed at both ends of the lower member frame.

9. 9. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a rear surface of the lower member frame is disposed forward of a rear surface of the inwardly extending portion of the side frame and is stacked thereon.

10. a seat cushion frame connected to the seat back frame via a reclining device; a seat cushion configured by placing a pad material on the seat cushion frame and covering a surface of the pad material with a skin material; a headrest supported at an upper end of the seatback frame; 10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising: a slide rail device disposed under the seat cushion frame.

11. a rotation shaft that passes through the center of the reclining device and connects the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame; The vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the rotation shaft is disposed at a position facing the notch.

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