Seat back panel, seat back frame and vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a seat back panel, a seat back frame and a vehicle seat which increases an amount of intrusion into a seat back of the back of a seating person upon rear-end collision of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A seat back panel 36 includes a panel main body 38 which is arranged on a back part of a seat back 14 of a vehicular seat 10, constitutes a part of a main body part 19 of a seat back frame 18 and is formed of an opening 40 on a portion opposite to the back of a seating person P and a separate panel 42 which is attached to the main body part 19 and closes the opening 40. The separate panel 42 receives a load from the back of the seating person P upon rear-end collision of a vehicle and is relatively displaced to the rear side of the seat back 14 with respect to the panel main body 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a seat back frame provided on a seat back and a seat back panel that constitutes a part of the seat back frame. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a seatback structure for a rear seat of a vehicle. In this seatback structure, a cushioning material is arranged on the seating surface side of a seatback frame. The seatback frame is composed of a frame (frame main body) and a seatback panel. The frame main body is made of metal pipe material and has a frame shape when viewed in the front-to-rear direction of the seat. The seatback panel is made of a metal plate material and is arranged on the seat rear side of the frame main body and fixed to the frame main body by means of welding or the like. This seatback panel functions as a loading surface (i.e., a floor of the luggage compartment) on which luggage can be placed when the seatback is folded forward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-197038 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, a seatback panel is provided behind the seatback, making it difficult for the back of the seated occupant, who is inertially moving toward the rear of the vehicle during a rear-end collision, to sink into the seatback. As a result, the timing at which the occupant's head is supported by the headrest provided at the top of the seatback is delayed (the so-called contact time is lengthened). Reducing this contact time contributes to reducing the occurrence of whiplash injuries to the seated occupant.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a seat back panel, a seat back frame, and a vehicle seat that can increase the amount of penetration of the back of a seated occupant into the seat back during a rear-end collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The seat back panel of the first embodiment is arranged on the back of the seat back of a vehicle seat, forms part of the main body of the seat back frame, and comprises a panel main body having an opening formed in a position facing the back of the seat occupant, and a separate panel attached to the main body to close the opening, and receives a load from the back during a rear-end collision of the vehicle and is displaced relative to the panel main body toward the rear of the seat back.

[0007] In the seat back panel of the first embodiment, the panel main body is disposed on the back of the seat back of a vehicle seat and constitutes part of the main body of the seat back frame. The panel main body has an opening formed in a position facing the back of the seat occupant. This opening is closed by a separate panel attached to the main body of the seat back frame. In the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, this separate panel receives a load from the back of the seat occupant and displaces relative to the panel main body toward the rear of the seat back. This allows the amount of penetration of the seat occupant's back into the seat back to be increased.

[0008] The seat back panel of the second aspect is the seat back panel of the first aspect, wherein the separate panel has an abutting portion that abuts against the edge of the opening from the rear side of the seat back.

[0009] In the seat back panel of the second aspect, the abutment portion provided on the separate panel abuts against the edge of the opening in the panel main body from the rear side of the seat back, thereby preventing the separate panel from accidentally falling off the panel main body toward the front side of the seat back when the seat back is in the normal use position, for example.

[0010] The seat back panel of a third aspect is the seat back panel of the first or second aspect, wherein the separate panel is connected to the main body portion via an elastic member.

[0011] In the seat back panel of the third aspect, when a load from the back of a seated occupant is applied to the separate panel during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the elastic member connecting the separate panel to the main body of the seat back frame elastically deforms. This causes the separate panel to be displaced toward the rear of the seat back relative to the main body of the seat back frame. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel, the elastic member elastically returns to its original position. This allows the separate panel to return to its original position.

[0012] The seat back panel of the fourth aspect is the same as that of the first or second aspect, in which one end of the separate panel is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the other end of the separate panel is connected to the main body portion via an elastic member.

[0013] In the seat back panel of the fourth aspect, when a load from the back of a seated occupant is applied to the separate panel during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the elastic member connecting the other end of the separate panel to the main body of the seat back frame elastically deforms. As a result, the separate panel is displaced toward the rear of the seat back relative to the main body of the seat back frame around one end as the center of rotation. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel, the elastic member elastically returns to its original position. This allows the separate panel to return to its original position.

[0014] The seat back panel of the fifth aspect is the first or second aspect, wherein the separate panel has a hinge portion that bends the separate panel, and one end in a direction perpendicular to the hinge portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the other end in a direction perpendicular to the hinge portion is connected to the main body portion so as to be relatively displaceable toward the one end side.

[0015] In the seat back panel of the fifth aspect, when a load from the back of a seated occupant is applied to the separate panel during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the separate panel bends at the hinge portion provided in the separate panel. At this time, one end of the separate panel perpendicular to the hinge portion rotates with respect to the main body portion of the seat back frame, and the other end of the separate panel perpendicular to the hinge portion displaces relative to the main body portion of the seat back frame toward the one end. This allows the separate panel to be displaced relative to the main body portion of the seat back frame toward the rear of the seat back.

[0016] The seat back panel of the sixth aspect is the first or second aspect, in which the separate panel is divided into one side portion and the other side portion, the end portion of the one side portion opposite the other side portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, the end portion of the other side portion opposite the one side portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the one side portion and the other side portion are connected via an elastic member.

[0017] In the seat back panel of the sixth aspect, when a load from the back of a seated occupant is applied to the separate panel during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the elastic member connecting one side portion and the other side portion of the separate panel elastically deforms, causing the one side portion to rotate around an end portion opposite to the other side portion relative to the main body portion of the seat back frame, and the other side portion to rotate around an end portion opposite to the one side portion relative to the main body portion of the seat back frame, thereby displacing the separate panel toward the rear of the seat back relative to the main body portion of the seat back frame.

[0018] The seat back frame of the seventh aspect is provided on the seat back of a vehicle seat and comprises a frame body that is frame-shaped when viewed in the front-to-rear direction of the seat back, and a seat back panel of any one of the first to sixth aspects that is arranged rearward of the seat back relative to the frame body and has the panel body fixed to the frame body to form the main body portion.

[0019] In the seat back frame of the seventh aspect, the frame main body is provided on the seat back of a vehicle seat and has a frame shape when viewed in the front-rear direction of the seat back. The seat back panel is disposed on the rear side of the seat back relative to the frame main body, and the panel main body is fixed to the frame main body to form the main body of the seat back frame. This seat back panel is one of the first to sixth aspects, and therefore provides the above-mentioned functions and effects.

[0020] The vehicle seat of the eighth aspect comprises a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, and a seat back whose framework is formed by the seat back frame of the seventh aspect and against which the occupant rests.

[0021] In the vehicle seat of the eighth aspect, an occupant sits on the seat cushion and the seat back serves as a back support for the occupant. Since the framework of this seat back is formed by the seat back frame of the seventh aspect, the above-mentioned functions and effects can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] As described above, the seat back panel, seat back frame, and vehicle seat according to the present invention can increase the amount of penetration of the back of a seated occupant into the seat back during a rear-end collision of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a seat back frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the rear side of the seat back. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F5-F5 in FIG. [Figure 6]4 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustrating a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of the seat back frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 7, illustrating a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a situation in which a vehicle seat according to a comparative example is subjected to a rear-end collision. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a rear-end collision occurs in a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a first modified example of the seat back panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F12-F12 in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a second modified example of the seat back panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line F14-F14 in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a part of a seat back frame according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 15, illustrating a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a portion of a seat back frame according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 17, illustrating a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a part of a seat back frame according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] 20 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 19, illustrating a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. FIG. [Figure 21]FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a hinge provided on a separate panel in the third embodiment. [Figure 22] 22 is a side view showing a state in which the separate panel is bent in the hinge shown in FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another example of a hinge provided on a separate panel in the third embodiment. [Figure 24] 24 is a side view showing a state in which the separate panel is bent in the hinge shown in FIG. 23. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a part of a seat back frame according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a part of the seat back frame according to the fourth embodiment, showing a state in which the separate panel is displaced relatively to the panel main body toward the rear side of the seat back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] First Embodiment A vehicle seat 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that the arrows FR and UP shown as appropriate in each figure indicate the front and top of the vehicle in which the vehicle seat 10 is mounted, respectively. Also, in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to read.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 12 on which a vehicle occupant P sits, and a seat back 14 against which the occupant P rests. The vehicle seat 10 is a second- or third-row seat in the vehicle, and is, for example, a three-seater seat. The seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10 is, for example, a 6:4 split folding type, and a luggage compartment LR is provided behind the seat back 14 in the vehicle. Arrows BFR, BLH, and BUP, which are appropriately depicted in each drawing, indicate the front, left, and top of the seat back 14, respectively. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions are used simply, they refer to directions relative to the seat back 14.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the seatback frame 18 that forms the framework of the seatback 14 is divided into a left frame 18L and a right frame 18R. In this embodiment, as an example, the right frame 18R is set to have a larger left-right dimension than the left frame 18L. Seatback pads (not shown) that are cushioning materials are attached to the front sides of the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R, and the left frame 18L, right frame 18R and each seatback pad are each covered with a seatback skin 20 (see Fig. 1).

[0027] The left frame 18L and the right frame 18R are each rotatably connected to the floor of the vehicle body via hinges (not shown). A locking mechanism (not shown) is attached to the upper left end of the left frame 18L and the upper right end of the right frame 18R. These locking mechanisms engage with latches provided on the vehicle body to hold the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R in the normal use position (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, when the locking mechanisms are unlocked, the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R can be folded forward to a forward-folding position where they overlap the seat cushion 12. When the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R are in the normal use position, the front-to-back, left-to-right, up-to-down directions of the seat back 14 are approximately aligned with the front-to-back, left-to-right, up-to-down directions of the vehicle.

[0028] The left frame 18L and the right frame 18R each include a frame main body 22 that is frame-shaped when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, and a seat back panel 36 that is disposed rearward of the frame main body 22 and fixed to the frame main body 22. The frame main body 22 of the left frame 18L includes a pair of left and right side frames 24 that extend vertically and are spaced apart in the left-to-right direction, an upper frame 26 that connects upper ends of the left and right side frames 24 in the left-to-right direction, and a lower frame 28 that connects lower ends of the left and right side frames 24 in the left-to-right direction. A pair of left and right headrest support brackets 32 are fixed to the left-to-right intermediate portion of the upper frame 26 of the left frame 18L.

[0029] The frame main body 22 of the right frame 18R has a pair of left and right side frames 24 extending vertically and spaced apart in the left-right direction, an upper frame 26 connecting upper ends of the left and right side frames 24 in the left-right direction, a lower frame 28 connecting lower ends of the left and right side frames 24 in the left-right direction, and a center frame 30 connecting left-right intermediate portions of the upper frame 26 and the lower frame 28 in the up-down direction. A pair of left and right headrest support brackets 32 are fixed to the right and left portions of the upper frame 26 of the right frame 18R, respectively. The side frames 24, the upper frame 26, the lower frame 28, the center frame 30, and the headrest support bracket 32 ​​are formed, for example, from metal pipe material.

[0030] 1, a headrest 16 that supports the head H of a seated occupant P seated on the right side of the three-seater vehicle seat 10 is connected via a headrest support 34 to left and right headrest support brackets 32 fixed to a right portion of the upper frame 26 of the right frame 18R. In addition, a headrest 16 that supports the head of a seated occupant (not shown) seated in the center of the three-seater vehicle seat 10 is connected via a headrest support 34 to left and right headrest support brackets 32 fixed to a left portion of the upper frame 26 of the right frame 18R. In addition, a headrest 16 that supports the head of a seated occupant (not shown) seated at the left end of the three-seater vehicle seat 10 is connected via a headrest support 34 to left and right headrest support brackets 32 fixed to the upper frame 26 of the left frame 18L.

[0031] The seat back panels 36 of the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R have a panel main body 38 and a separate panel 42. The panel main body 38, together with the frame main body 22, constitutes the main body portion 19 (main body portion 19 of the seat back frame 18) of the left frame 18L and the right frame 18R. The panel main body 38 and the separate panel 42 are made of, for example, metal, resin, or corrugated plastic plate material, and are arranged with their thickness direction in the front-to-rear direction. An opening 40 is formed in the panel main body 38 of the right frame 18R at a location facing the back B of an occupant P seated on the right side of the three-seater vehicle seat 10. An opening 40 is formed in the panel main body 38 of the left frame 18L at a location facing the back B of an occupant seated on the left side of the three-seater vehicle seat 10. Each opening 40 is closed by a separate panel 42.

[0032] Since the seat back panel 36 of the left frame 18L and the seat back panel 36 of the right frame 18R have basically the same configuration around the separate panel 42, the following description will mainly focus on the right seat back panel 36, with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the opening 40 formed in the panel main body 38 has an elongated rectangular shape with its longitudinal axis extending in the up-down direction when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The opening 40 is disposed directly below the headrest 16 that supports the head H of the seated occupant P and directly behind the back B of the seated occupant P. The seated occupant P has a physique equivalent to, for example, an AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) dummy. The left-right dimension of the opening 40 is set to be equivalent to, for example, the dimension between the upper corners of the left and right shoulder blades of the seated occupant P. The up-down dimension of the opening 40 is set to be equivalent to, for example, the dimension from the first thoracic vertebra to the twelfth thoracic vertebra of the seated occupant P. The opening 40 faces the back B of the seated occupant P from the rear of the vehicle, with a width equivalent to the dimension between the upper corners of the left and right shoulder blades of the seated occupant P, within the height range from the first thoracic vertebra to the twelfth thoracic vertebra of the seated occupant P.

[0034] The separate panel 42 has a long rectangular shape similar to the opening 40 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, and fits inside the opening 40. This separate panel 42 is disposed in an area of ​​the seat back panel 36 where a load from the back of the seated occupant P is first input in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle. A flange portion 44 is formed on the outer periphery of the separate panel 42, abutting against the edge of the opening 40 from the rear side. This flange portion 44 restricts relative displacement of the separate panel 42 toward the front side with respect to the panel main body 38. This flange portion 44 corresponds to the "abutment portion" in this invention.

[0035] Brackets 46 are fixed to both left and right ends of the lower end (one end) of the separate panel 42. Left and right brackets 48 are fixed to the lower frame 28 corresponding to the left and right brackets 46. The upper ends of the left and right brackets 48 face the left and right brackets 46 from the outside in the left-right direction. A shaft 54 ​​with its axis directed in the left-right direction passes through these brackets 46, 48. This connects the lower end of the separate panel 42 to the panel main body 38 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 54. Note that a rivet or the like may be used instead of the shaft 54. Note that the bracket 48 may be configured to be fixed to the panel main body 38.

[0036] Brackets 50 are fixed to both left and right ends of the upper end (other end) of the separate panel 42. Left and right brackets 52 are fixed to the panel main body 38 corresponding to the left and right brackets 50. These brackets 52 face the bracket 50 from the outside in the left-right direction. A tension coil spring 56, which is an elastic member, is stretched between the bracket 52 and the bracket 50. As a result, the upper end of the separate panel 42 is connected to the panel main body 38 via the left and right tension coil springs 56. Note that the elastic members are not limited to the tension coil springs 56, and may be other types of springs or rubber.

[0037] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the separate panel 42 is normally held in the normal position shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 7 by the left and right tension coil springs 56. In this state, the separate panel 42 fits into the opening 40 of the panel main body 38, thereby closing the opening 40.

[0038] During a rear-end collision of the vehicle, a load from the back B of the seated occupant P, which is inertially moving toward the rear of the vehicle, is input to the separate panel 42. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , the separate panel 42 is configured to be displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38. Specifically, when a load from the back B of the seated occupant P is applied to the separate panel 42 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the left and right tension coil springs 56, which connect the upper end of the separate panel 42 to the panel main body 38, elastically deform in the tension direction. As a result, the separate panel 42 is configured to be displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38 around the shaft 54, which is provided at the lower end of the separate panel 42, as the center of rotation. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel 42, the left and right tension coil springs 56 elastically return to their original positions. As a result, the separate panel 42 is configured to return to its original position. Note that the above rear-end collision is similar to a rear-end collision in a rear-end neck injury protection test specified by the China National Standard for Vehicle Safety (CNCAP), for example.

[0039] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0040] In this embodiment, a seat back panel 36, which constitutes a part of the main body 19 of the seat back frame 18, is disposed behind the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10. An opening 40 is formed in a panel main body 38 of the seat back panel 36 at a location facing the back B of the seated occupant P. This opening 40 is closed by a separate panel 42 attached to the main body 19. This separate panel 42 receives a load from the back B of the seated occupant P during a rear-end collision of the vehicle and is displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38. This increases the amount of penetration of the back B of the seated occupant P into the seat back 14. As a result, the timing at which the head H of the seated occupant P is supported by the headrest 16 is accelerated (the so-called contact time is shortened), which contributes to reducing the occurrence of whiplash injury in the seated occupant P.

[0041] The above-mentioned effect will be further explained with reference to a comparative example shown in Fig. 9. In this comparative example, the seat back panel 36 is not divided into the panel main body 38 and the separate panel 42, so that in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the back B of the occupant P does not easily enter the seat back, and the timing at which the head H of the occupant P is supported by the headrest 16 is delayed. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the separate panel 42 is pushed rearward by the back B of the occupant P, which promotes the entry of the back B of the occupant P into the seat back 14, and the head H of the occupant P is supported by the headrest 16 at an earlier stage.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a flange portion 44 provided on the outer periphery of the separate panel 42 abuts against the edge of the opening 40 of the panel main body 38 from the rear side. This prevents the separate panel 42 from accidentally falling off the panel main body 38 toward the front side of the seat back 14 when the seat back 14 is in the normal use position. Furthermore, if the vehicle experiences a frontal collision while the seat back 14 is in the normal use position, luggage placed in the luggage compartment LR may collide with the seat back 14 from the rear side. Even in such a case, the separate panel 42 can be prevented from accidentally falling off the panel main body 38 toward the front side of the seat back 14.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a load from the back B of the seated occupant P is applied to the separate panel 42 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the left and right tension coil springs 56, which connect the upper end of the separate panel 42 to the main body 19, elastically deform. As a result, the separate panel 42 is displaced rearward relative to the main body 19 around the shaft 54, which is provided at the lower end of the separate panel 42, as the center of rotation. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel 42, the left and right tension coil springs 56 elastically return to their original position. This allows the separate panel 42 to return to its original normal position, eliminating the need to repair the seat back 14.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the lower end of the separate panel 42 is rotatably connected to the main body 19, and the upper end of the separate panel 42 is connected to the main body 19 via the tension coil spring 56 (elastic member), but this is not limiting. A configuration may also be adopted in which the upper end, left end, or right end of the separate panel 42 is rotatably connected to the main body 19, and the lower end, right end, or left end of the separate panel 42 is connected to the main body 19 via an elastic member.

[0045] In the above embodiment, when a tether anchor (tether wire) for anchoring the top tether of the child car seat is provided on the seat back frame 18, it is preferable to provide the tether anchor below the separate panel .

[0046] In the above embodiment, the flange portion 44 (contact portion) provided on the outer periphery of the separate panel 42 contacts the edge of the opening 40 of the panel main body 38 from the rear side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured as in a first modified example shown in Figures 11 and 12 or a second modified example shown in Figures 13 and 14.

[0047] In the first modified example, a pair of upper and lower hooking claws 60 are provided on both the left and right ends of the separate panel 42. These hooking claws 60 correspond to the "contact portions" of the present invention, and extend outward in the left-right direction from the separate panel 42 on the rear surface side (back surface side) of the panel main body 38. The tip of each hooking claw 60 is bent forward and inserted into a through-hole 62 formed in the panel main body 38. This allows the separate panel 42 to be firmly held to the panel main body 38 against a load applied to the separate panel 42 from the rear side.

[0048] In the second modified example, hook flange portions 64 having an L-shaped cross section are provided on the upper end and both left and right end portions of the separate panel 42. These hook flange portions 64 correspond to the "abutment portions" of the present invention. Corresponding to these hook flange portions 64, bent portions 66 that are bent rearward are provided on the edges of the opening 40 of the panel main body 38. Each hook flange portion 64 is hooked onto these bent portions 66. This allows the separate panel 42 to be firmly held to the panel main body 38 against loads applied to the separate panel 42 from the rear side.

[0049] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the configurations and operations that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] <Second embodiment> 15 and 16 show perspective views of a portion of a seat back frame 18 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Also, FIGS. 17 and 18 show side views of a portion of the seat back frame 18 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, tension coil springs 56, which are elastic members, are respectively suspended between left and right brackets 46 fixed to the lower end of the separate panel 42 and left and right brackets 48 fixed to the panel main body 38. As a result, the upper and lower ends of the separate panel 42 are respectively connected to the panel main body 38 via the left and right tension coil springs 56. Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, under normal circumstances, the separate panel 42 is held in the normal position shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 by the tension coil springs 56. During a rear-end collision of the vehicle, a load from the back B of the seated occupant P is applied to the separate panel 42, causing the tension coil springs 56 connecting the separate panel 42 to the panel main body 38 to elastically deform in the tension direction. This causes the separate panel 42 to be displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel 42, the tension coil springs 56 elastically return to their original position. This allows the separate panel 42 to return to its original normal position. This embodiment also provides essentially the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0052] <Third embodiment> 19 and 20 show side views of a portion of a seat back frame 18 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the upper end (one end) of a separate panel 42 is rotatably connected to the panel main body 38 via a shaft 54. A pin 68 protruding outward in the left-right direction is provided at the lower end (other end) of the separate panel 42, and the pin 68 is inserted into an elongated hole 70 formed in the panel main body 38. The elongated hole 70 has a longitudinal direction in the up-down direction, and the lower end of the separate panel 42 is connected to the panel main body 38 so as to be displaceable relative to the panel main body 38 in the up-down direction. A hinge portion 72 is provided at the vertical intermediate portion of the separate panel 42. The hinge portion 72 extends in the left-right direction. The hinge portion 72 may have a hinge shaft 74 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, or may be an integral hinge as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. The separate panel 42 is bendable at this hinge portion 72 (see FIGS. 20, 22 and 24).

[0053] That is, in this embodiment, the separate panel 42 has a hinge portion 72 that bends the separate panel 42, and one end (upper end) perpendicular to the hinge portion 72 is rotatably connected to the panel main body 38, while the other end (lower end) perpendicular to the hinge portion 72 is connected to the panel main body 38 so as to be relatively displaceable toward the one end (upper side). For example, the lower end of the separate panel 42 is biased downward by a biasing member (not shown). As a result, the separate panel 42 is normally held in the normal position shown in FIG. 19. In this embodiment, the configuration other than that described above is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, when a load from the back B of the seated occupant P is applied to the separate panel 42 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the separate panel 42 bends at the hinge portion 72. At this time, the upper end of the separate panel 42 rotates around the shaft 54 ​​relative to the panel main body 38, and the lower end of the separate panel 42 is displaced upward relative to the panel main body 38. This allows the separate panel 42 to be displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel 42, the separate panel 42 can be returned to its original normal position by the biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). This embodiment also provides essentially the same effects as the first embodiment. Note that the hinge portion 72 provided on the separate panel 42 is not limited to one extending in the left-right direction, but may also extend in the up-down direction.

[0055] <Fourth embodiment> FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a portion of a seatback frame 18 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 shows a side view of a portion of the seatback frame 18. In this embodiment, the separate panel 42 is divided into two parts, an upper portion 42U (one side portion) and a lower portion 42L (the other side portion). A shaft 54, whose axis is in the left-right direction, passes through left and right brackets 50 fixed to the upper end of the upper portion 42U and left and right brackets 52 fixed to the panel main body 38. As a result, the upper end of the upper portion 42U is connected to the panel main body 38 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 54. A pair of left and right tension coil springs 56 (elastic members) spans between the upper portion 42U and the lower portion 42L. Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the upper and lower portions 42U, 42L of the separate panel 42 are normally held in their normal positions shown in FIG. 25 by the left and right tension coil springs 56. During a rear-end collision of the vehicle, a load from the back B of the seated occupant P is applied to the separate panel 42, causing the left and right tension coil springs 56 connecting the upper and lower portions 42U, 42L to elastically deform in the tension direction. As a result, the upper portion 42U rotates relative to the panel main body 38 around a shaft 54 ​​provided at the upper end (the end opposite the lower portion 42L) of the upper portion 42U, and the lower portion 42L rotates relative to the panel main body 38 around a shaft 54 ​​provided at the lower end (the end opposite the upper portion 42U). This allows the separate panel 42 to be displaced rearward relative to the panel main body 38. Furthermore, when the load is no longer applied to the separate panel 42, the left and right tension coil springs 56 elastically return to their original positions. This allows the upper portion 42U and the lower portion 42L to return to their original normal positions. This embodiment also provides essentially the same effects as the first embodiment. The separate panel 42 is not limited to being divided into two parts, top and bottom, but may also be divided into two parts, left and right.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to several embodiments and modifications, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 18 Seat back frame 19 Main body 22 Frame body 36 Seat back panel 38 Panel body 40 aperture 42 Separate panel 42U Upper part (one side) 42L Lower part (other side) 44 Flange part (contact part) 56 Tension coil spring (elastic member) 60 Grabbing claw (contact part) 64 Hook flange part (contact part) 72 Hinge part

Claims

1. a panel body that is disposed on the back of a seat back of a vehicle seat, that constitutes a part of a body of the seat back frame, and that has an opening formed in a position that faces the back of a seated occupant; a separate panel attached to the main body portion to close the opening, the separate panel being displaced relatively toward the rear of the seat back with respect to the panel main body when a load is applied from the back during a rear collision of the vehicle; Seat back panel with.

2. The seat back panel according to claim 1 , wherein the separate panel has an abutment portion that abuts against an edge of the opening from the rear side of the seat back.

3. 3. The seat back panel according to claim 1, wherein the separate panel is connected to the main body portion via an elastic member.

4. 3. The seat back panel according to claim 1, wherein one end of the separate panel is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the other end of the separate panel is connected to the main body portion via an elastic member.

5. 3. The seat back panel according to claim 1, wherein the separate panel has a hinge portion that bends the separate panel, and one end portion perpendicular to the hinge portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the other end portion perpendicular to the hinge portion is connected to the main body portion so as to be relatively displaceable toward the one end portion.

6. The separate panel is divided into one side portion and the other side portion, and an end portion of the one side portion opposite the other side portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and an end portion of the other side portion opposite the one side portion is rotatably connected to the main body portion, and the one side portion and the other side portion are connected via an elastic member.

7. a frame body provided on a seat back of a vehicle seat and having a frame shape when viewed in the front-rear direction of the seat back; 3. The seat back panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seat back panel is disposed rearward of the seat back with respect to the frame body, and the panel body is fixed to the frame body to form the main body portion; Seat back frame with.

8. a seat cushion on which an occupant sits; a seat back whose skeleton is formed by the seat back frame according to claim 7 and which serves as a backrest for the seated occupant; A vehicle seat comprising:

Images