Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which enables a back frame to stand by itself when the back frame is connected to a cushion frame.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the disclosure is a vehicle seat including a cushion frame and a first lower arm and a second lower arm which are disposed spaced apart from each other. The cushion frame has: a first leg to which the first lower arm is fastened; and a second leg to which the second lower arm is fastened. The first lower arm has: a first arm body overlapping with the first leg; and an engagement part which engages with the first leg. The second lower arm has: a second arm body overlapping with the second leg; and a support part protruding in a direction away from an overlapping portion of the second leg and the second arm body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle seats. [Background technology]

[0002] In a vehicle seat, a structure in which a back frame is connected to the vehicle body by two lower arms on the left and right to allow the seat back to swing back and forth is known (see Patent Document 1). In this structure, flange-shaped folded portions are provided at the lower ends of the two lower arms so that the back frame to which the lower arms are connected can stand on its own when the vehicle seat is assembled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5169864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When connecting the back frame to the cushion frame instead of the vehicle body, the two lower arms must be overlapped with the connected portions of the cushion frame in the seat width direction. Therefore, the back frame connected to the lower arms as described above cannot stand on its own during assembly and be positioned properly relative to the cushion frame.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle seat that allows the back frame to stand on its own when connected to the cushion frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat (1) including a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3), a cushion frame (4) that supports the seat cushion (2), a back frame (5) that supports the seat back (3), and a first lower arm (6) and a second lower arm (7) that are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction and connect the cushion frame (4) and the back frame (5). The cushion frame (4) has a first leg (41) to which the first lower arm (6) is fastened in the seat width direction, and a second leg (42) to which the second lower arm (7) is fastened in the seat width direction.

[0007] The first lower arm (6) has a first arm body (61) overlapped on the first leg (41) in the seat width direction, and an engagement portion (62) provided on the first arm body (61) and engaging with the first leg (41). The second lower arm (7) has a second arm body (71) overlapped on the second leg (42) in the seat width direction, and a support portion (72) protruding from a lower end of the second arm body (71) in a direction away from the overlapping portion of the second leg (42) and the second arm body (71) in the seat width direction.

[0008] According to this configuration, when assembling the vehicle seat (1), the back frame (5) can be positioned relative to the cushion frame (4) by engaging the engaging portion (62) of the first lower arm (6) with the first leg (41) and overlapping the second lower arm (7) with the second leg (42). At this time, the support portion (72) of the second lower arm (7) comes into contact with other members such as the cushion frame (4) or the floor surface of the vehicle, causing the back frame (5) to stand on its own. Therefore, the back frame (5) can be connected to the cushion frame (4) while standing on its own.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may include a seat belt (10), a retractor (11) fixed to a back frame (5) and winding up the seat belt (10), and a buckle (12) fixed to a second lower arm (7) and to which a metal fitting of the seat belt (10) can be attached or detached. The second lower arm (7) may have a fastening hole (74) to which the buckle (12) is fastened. The support portion (72) may be located forward of the seat with respect to the center of the fastening hole (74). With this configuration, when a load due to tension of the seat belt (10) is input to the second lower arm (7) via the buckle (12), the load can be released from the support portion (72) to another member or the vehicle. As a result, the load on the fastener fastening the second lower arm (7) and the second leg (42) can be reduced.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second leg 42 and the buckle 12 may be fastened together to the fastening hole 74. This configuration increases the degree of freedom in designing the second lower arm 7.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second leg (42) may have a bottom wall (422) having an upper surface that intersects the vertical direction. The support portion (72) may be disposed so as to overlap the bottom wall (422) from above. With this configuration, the contact between the bottom wall (422) and the support portion (72) can increase the stability of the back frame (5) when assembled.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a reinforcing rod (9) connecting the first lower arm (6) and the second lower arm (7) in the seat width direction. With this configuration, the frame strength of the vehicle seat (1) can be increased while enabling the back frame (5) to which the first lower arm (6) and the second lower arm (7) are connected to be connected to the cushion frame (4).

[0013] Note that the symbols in the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a leg and a lower arm in the vehicle seat of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first leg and the first arm. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the legs, lower arms, and reinforcing rods of the vehicle seat of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the second leg and the second arm. 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 vehicle seat 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, a cushion frame 4, a back frame 5, a first lower arm 6, a second lower arm 7, a first recliner 8A, a second recliner 8B, a reinforcing rod 9, a seat belt 10, a retractor 11, and a buckle 12.

[0016] The vehicle seat 1 is used as a seat for a passenger vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle seat 1 constitutes, for example, a right seat and a center seat arranged in the second or subsequent rows of the passenger vehicle.

[0017] In the following description and in each drawing, the directions refer to the directions when the vehicle seat 1 is assembled to a vehicle (i.e., a passenger car). In this 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 seat cushion 2 is a portion for supporting the buttocks of a seated person. The seat back 3 is a portion for supporting the back of a seated person. The cushion frame 4 supports the seat cushion 2. The back frame 5 supports the seat back 3.

[0019] The seat belt 10 is unwound from a retractor 11 fixed to the center of the back frame 5. The seat belt 10 is configured to extend across the right seating portion of the seat back 3 (i.e., the right seat) in the seat width direction and to extend toward a buckle 12 provided in the center of the seat cushion 2.

[0020] The retractor 11 is configured to retract the seat belt 10 and store the seat belt 10 therein. The seat belt 10 stored in the retractor 11 is discharged to the outside of the seat back 3 from the shoulder of the seat back 3.

[0021] The buckle 12 is a device to which the metal fittings of the seat belt 10 can be attached and detached. The buckle 12 is fixed to the second lower arm 7. The metal fittings attached to the seat belt 10 are inserted into the buckle 12, so that the seat belt 10 is fastened to the seated occupant.

[0022] <Cushion frame> The cushion frame 4 has a first leg 41, a second leg 42, a base frame 43, and a reinforcing member 44.

[0023] The first leg 41 and the second leg 42 are each fixed to the floor surface of the vehicle. The first leg 41 and the second leg 42 are arranged apart from each other in the seat width direction. A first lower arm 6 is fixed to the first leg 41. A second lower arm 7 is fixed to the second leg 42.

[0024] 2, the first leg 41 has a first side wall 411 and a first bottom wall 412. The first side wall 411 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction of the seat. The thickness direction of the first side wall 411 is parallel to the seat width direction. In other words, the plate surface of the first side wall 411 is perpendicular to the seat width direction.

[0025] A first lower arm 6 is fastened in the seat width direction to the first side wall 411. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the first lower arm 6 is overlapped from the outside in the seat width direction with respect to the plate surface on the outside in the seat width direction (i.e., the right side) of the first side wall 411. In addition, the first lower arm 6 is fastened to the first side wall 411 by a first bolt 15A and a second bolt 15B.

[0026] The first bottom wall 412 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction of the seat. The first bottom wall 412 protrudes from the lower end of the first side wall 411 toward the inside in the seat width direction (i.e., the left side). The first bottom wall 412 has an upper surface that intersects with (specifically, is perpendicular to) the up-down direction. The first bottom wall 412 is configured to be fastened to the floor surface of the vehicle.

[0027] 4, the second leg 42 has a second side wall 421 and a second bottom wall 422. The second side wall 421 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the seat front-rear direction. The thickness direction of the second side wall 421 is parallel to the seat width direction. In other words, the plate surface of the second side wall 421 is perpendicular to the seat width direction.

[0028] A second lower arm 7 is fastened in the seat width direction to the second side wall 421. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the second lower arm 7 is overlapped from the outside in the seat width direction with respect to the plate surface on the outside in the seat width direction (i.e., the left side) of the second side wall 421. In addition, the second lower arm 7 is fastened to the second side wall 421 by a third bolt 15C and a fourth bolt 15D.

[0029] The second bottom wall 422 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction of the seat. The second bottom wall 422 protrudes outward in the seat width direction (i.e., left side) from the lower end of the second side wall 421. The second bottom wall 422 has an upper surface that intersects with (specifically, is perpendicular to) the up-down direction. The second bottom wall 422 is configured to be fastened to the floor surface of the vehicle.

[0030] 1 is a frame-shaped member that is disposed above the first leg 41 and the second leg 42 and supports the seat cushion 2. The rear end of the base frame 43 is swingably connected to the back frame 5. The front end of the base frame 43 is connected to the first leg 41 and the second leg 42 via a reinforcing member 44.

[0031] The reinforcing member 44 is configured by connecting a plurality of brackets. An upper end of the reinforcing member 44 is swingably connected to the base frame 43. A lower end of the reinforcing member 44 is swingably connected to each of the first leg 41 and the second leg 42.

[0032] <Back frame> The back frame 5 has a first side frame 51 , a second side frame 52 , a third side frame 53 , an upper frame 54 , and a lower frame 55 .

[0033] The first side frame 51, the second side frame 52, and the third side frame 53 each extend in the up-down direction and are spaced apart from one another in the seat width direction. Specifically, the first side frame 51 is located on the rightmost side of the three side frames. The second side frame 52 is located on the left side of the first side frame 51. The third side frame 53 is located on the left side of the second side frame 52.

[0034] The base frame 43 is swingably connected to the first side frame 51. Furthermore, the first lower arm 6 is swingably connected to the first side frame 51 via a first recliner 8A.

[0035] The second lower arm 7 is swingably connected to the second side frame 52 via the second recliner 8B. The base frame 43 is swingably connected to the third side frame 53.

[0036] The first recliner 8A and the second recliner 8B are known devices that pivotally connect the back frame 5 to the first lower arm 6 or the second lower arm 7. The first recliner 8A and the second recliner 8B each have a locking mechanism that restricts the pivoting of the back frame 5 and a pivoting force generating mechanism that applies a pivoting force to the back frame 5.

[0037] The upper frame 54 connects the upper ends of the first side frame 51, the second side frame 52, and the third side frame 53 in the seat width direction. The lower frame 55 is located below the upper frame 54 and connects the first side frame 51, the second side frame 52, and the third side frame 53 in the seat width direction.

[0038] <First lower arm> The first lower arm 6 connects the first leg 41 of the cushion frame 4 and the first side frame 51 of the back frame 5 via the first recliner 8A. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first lower arm 6 has a first arm body 61, an engagement portion 62, a first recliner fixing portion 63, a first fastening hole 64, and a second fastening hole 65.

[0039] The first arm body 61 is a plate-shaped member that is overlapped in the seat width direction on the first side wall 411 of the first leg 41. The thickness direction of the first arm body 61 is parallel to the seat width direction. In other words, the plate surface of the first arm body 61 is perpendicular to the seat width direction.

[0040] The engagement portion 62 has a first protrusion 621 and a second protrusion 622 provided on the first arm body 61. The first protrusion 621 and the second protrusion 622 are each a cylinder that protrudes toward the first side wall 411 from a plate surface that is superimposed on the first side wall 411 of the first arm body 61.

[0041] The first protrusion 621 is inserted into a first recess 411A provided in the first side wall 411, thereby engaging with the first side wall 411. The second protrusion 622 is inserted into a second recess 411B provided in the first side wall 411, thereby engaging with the first side wall 411.

[0042] The first protrusion 621 and the second protrusion 622 are disposed rearward of the seat from the first fastening hole 64 and forward of the seat from the second fastening hole 65. The second protrusion 622 is disposed rearward of the seat from the first protrusion 621.

[0043] The first recess 411A and the second recess 411B are each a hole that penetrates the first side wall 411 in the thickness direction. However, the first recess 411A and the second recess 411B may also be a depression recessed inward in the seat width direction (i.e., on the left side).

[0044] The first recliner fastening portion 63 is an opening to which the first recliner 8A is fastened. The first recliner fastening portion 63 is provided on the first arm body 61 above the engagement portion 62, the first fastening hole 64, and the second fastening hole 65.

[0045] The first fastening hole 64 and the second fastening hole 65 are provided in the first arm body 61. A first bolt 15A or a second bolt 15B that fastens the first lower arm 6 to the first side wall 411 is inserted into the first fastening hole 64 or the second fastening hole 65, respectively.

[0046] <Second lower arm> The second lower arm 7 shown in FIG. 4 connects the second leg 42 of the cushion frame 4 and the second side frame 52 of the back frame 5 via the second recliner 8B.

[0047] The second lower arm 7 is disposed apart from the first lower arm 6 in the seat width direction. The second lower arm 7 is disposed on the right side of the first lower arm 6. As shown in FIG. 5 , the second lower arm 7 has a second arm body 71, a support portion 72, a second recliner fixing portion 73, a third fastening hole 74, a fourth fastening hole 75, and a patch 76.

[0048] The second arm body 71 is a plate-shaped member that is overlapped in the seat width direction on the second side wall 421 of the second leg 42. The thickness direction of the second arm body 71 is parallel to the seat width direction. In other words, the plate surface of the second arm body 71 is perpendicular to the seat width direction.

[0049] The support portion 72 is a flange-shaped portion that protrudes from the lower end of the second arm body 71 in the seat width direction in a direction away from the overlapping portion between the second side wall 421 and the second arm body 71 (i.e., the plate surface on the right side of the second arm body 71). The support portion 72 is formed by bending (i.e., folding back) the end of the plate material that constitutes the second arm body 71.

[0050] Specifically, the support portion 72 protrudes outward in the seat width direction (i.e., leftward) from a portion of the lower end of the second arm body 71 that is located further forward in the seat than the third fastening hole 74. In other words, the support portion 72 is located further forward in the seat than the center of the third fastening hole 74.

[0051] The support portion 72 is disposed so as to overlap from above the second bottom wall 422 of the second leg 42. When no collision load is applied to the vehicle seat 1, the support portion 72 may be in contact with the upper surface of the second bottom wall 422, or may be slightly spaced apart from the upper surface of the second bottom wall 422.

[0052] The second recliner fastening portion 73 is an opening to which the second recliner 8B is fastened. The second recliner fastening portion 73 is provided on the second arm body 71 above the support portion 72, the third fastening hole 74, and the fourth fastening hole 75.

[0053] The third fastening hole 74 and the fourth fastening hole 75 are provided in the second arm body 71. A third bolt 15C and a fourth bolt 15D that fastens the second lower arm 7 to the second side wall 421 are inserted into the third fastening hole 74 and the fourth fastening hole 75, respectively.

[0054] The third bolt 15C inserted through the third fastening hole 74 is inserted through the buckle 12 as well as the second side wall 421. That is, the third fastening hole 74 fastens the second leg 42 and the buckle 12 together by the third bolt 15C.

[0055] The third fastening hole 74 is located further forward of the seat than the fourth fastening hole 75. The center of the third fastening hole 74 is located further forward of the seat than the center of the second recliner fixing portion 73 (i.e., the central axis of the second recliner 8B).

[0056] The patch 76 is a plate material that reinforces the first arm body 61. The patch 76 is fixed by, for example, welding to the plate surface of the first arm body 61 on the outer side in the seat width direction (that is, on the left side).

[0057] <Reinforcement Rod> The reinforcing rod 9 shown in FIG. 4 is a pipe member that connects the first lower arm 6 and the second lower arm 7 in the seat width direction.

[0058] The central axis of the reinforcing rod 9 is parallel to the seat width direction. The reinforcing rod 9 is fixed to the rear end of the first lower arm 6 and the rear end of the second lower arm 7 by, for example, welding. The reinforcing rod 9 is disposed below the first recliner 8A and the second recliner 8B.

[0059] <How to assemble the frame> A method for assembling the frame of the vehicle seat 1 (that is, a method for connecting the cushion frame 4 and the back frame 5) will be described below.

[0060] First, the first lower arm 6 and the second lower arm 7 are connected to the back frame 5 via the first recliner 8A and the second recliner 8B, respectively, thereby obtaining an upper frame.

[0061] Next, the upper frame is positioned relative to the cushion frame 4 so that the first lower arm 6 is positioned outside the first side wall 411 of the first leg 41 in the seat width direction, and the second lower arm 7 is positioned outside the second side wall 421 of the second leg 42 in the seat width direction.

[0062] At this time, the engaging portion 62 of the first lower arm 6 is engaged with the first side wall 411, and the support portion 72 of the second lower arm 7 is placed on the upper surface of the second bottom wall 422 of the second leg 42. This positions the upper frame relative to the cushion frame 4, and the upper frame becomes self-supporting.

[0063] After the upper frame is positioned, the first lower arm 6 and the second lower arm 7 are fastened to the first leg 41 and the second leg 42, respectively. Furthermore, the base frame 43 of the cushion frame 4 is connected to the back frame 5. In this way, the frame of the vehicle seat 1 is assembled.

[0064] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) When assembling the vehicle seat 1, the back frame 5 (i.e., the upper frame) can be positioned relative to the cushion frame 4 by engaging the engagement portion 62 of the first lower arm 6 with the first leg 41 while overlapping the second lower arm 7 with the second leg 42.

[0065] At this time, the support portion 72 of the second lower arm 7 comes into contact with the second bottom wall 422 of the second leg 42, causing the back frame 5 to stand on its own. Therefore, the back frame 5 can be connected to the cushion frame 4 while standing on its own.

[0066] (1b) By positioning the support portion 72 further forward of the seat than the center of the third fastening hole 74, when a load caused by the pulling of the seat belt 10 is input to the second lower arm 7 via the buckle 12, the load can be released from the support portion 72 to the second leg 42. As a result, the load on the fasteners (i.e., the third bolt 15C and the fourth bolt 15D) that fasten the second lower arm 7 and the second leg 42 can be reduced.

[0067] (1c) By fastening the second leg 42 and the buckle 12 together to the third fastening hole 74, the degree of freedom in designing the second lower arm 7 can be increased. (1d) The contact between the second bottom wall 422 and the support portion 72 can increase the stability of the back frame 5 when it is self-standing during assembly.

[0068] (1e) The reinforcing rod 9 enables the back frame 5, to which the first lower arm 6 and the second lower arm 7 are connected, to be connected to the cushion frame 4, while increasing the frame strength of the vehicle seat 1.

[0069] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take on various forms.

[0070] (2a) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the position of the support portion on the second lower arm is not limited to that described above. For example, the support portion may be provided in a position that overlaps the third fastening hole or in a position behind the third fastening hole.

[0071] (2b) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the buckle does not necessarily have to be fastened together with the second leg and the second lower arm. Also, the vehicle seat does not necessarily have to include a seat belt, a retractor, and a buckle.

[0072] (2c) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the first leg and the second leg do not necessarily have to have a bottom wall. That is, the support portion of the second lower arm may be in direct contact with the floor surface of the vehicle.

[0073] (2d) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the engaging portion of the first lower arm does not necessarily have to have a protrusion. For example, the engaging portion of the first lower arm may have a recess into which a protrusion provided on the first leg is inserted.

[0074] (2e) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the first lower arm may overlap the first side wall of the first leg from the inner side in the seat width direction. Similarly, the second lower arm may overlap the second side wall of the second leg from the inner side in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the first lower arm may be disposed on the left side of the second lower arm.

[0075] (2f) The vehicle seat of the above embodiment can also be applied to seats used in automobiles other than passenger cars, and seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as railway cars, ships, and aircraft.

[0076] (2g) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified by the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...vehicle seat, 2...seat cushion, 3...seat back, 4...Cushion frame, 5...Back frame, 6...First lower arm, 7...second lower arm, 8A, 8B...recliner, 9...reinforcement rod, 10...seat belt, 11...retractor, 12...buckle, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D...Bolt, 41...First leg, 42...Second leg, 51, 52, 53... Side frame, 61... First arm body, 62... Engagement portion, 63...first recliner fixing portion; 64, 65...fastening holes; 71...second arm body; 72...support portion, 73...second recliner fixing portion, 74, 75...fastening holes, 76...patch, 411...first side wall, 411A...first recess, 411B...second recess, 412...first bottom wall, 421...second side wall, 422...second bottom wall, 621...first convex portion, 622...second convex portion.

Claims

1. a seat cushion and a seat back; a cushion frame supporting the seat cushion; a back frame supporting the seat back; a first lower arm and a second lower arm that are spaced apart from each other in a seat width direction and connect the cushion frame and the back frame; Seat belts and a retractor fixed to the back frame and adapted to retract the seat belt; a buckle fixed to the second lower arm and to which the metal fitting of the seat belt can be detachably attached; Equipped with The cushion frame is a first leg to which the first lower arm is fastened in a seat width direction; a second leg to which the second lower arm is fastened in the seat width direction; and The first lower arm a first arm body that is overlapped with the first leg in the seat width direction; an engaging portion provided on the first arm body and engaging with the first leg; and The second lower arm a second arm body that is overlapped with the second leg in the seat width direction; a support portion protruding from a lower end portion of the second arm body in a direction away from an overlapping portion between the second leg and the second arm body in the seat width direction; a fastening hole for fastening the buckle; and The support portion is located only in front of the center of the fastening hole.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, The vehicle seat, wherein the second arm body has a recess that is recessed upward and is located rearward of the support portion.

3. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, The vehicle seat, wherein the second leg and the buckle are fastened together to the fastening hole.

4. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the second leg has a bottom wall with an upper surface that intersects with the vertical direction; The support portion is arranged to overlap the bottom wall from above.

5. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The vehicle seat further includes a reinforcing rod connecting the first lower arm and the second lower arm in a seat width direction.

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