Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a pad member at a left or right outer side of an airbag module in a vehicle seat including the airbag module coupled to a left or right outer side of a seat back frame part.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat includes: a seat back frame part 19; a frame bracket 34; a module bracket 36 supporting an airbag module 23 and fastened to the frame bracket; and a pad member 21. The pad member includes: a front pad member 70; a side pad member 71 which is coupled to an outer end as seen in a lateral direction of the front pad member and extends rearward; and a rear pad member 72 extending from a rear end of the side pad member to the inner side as seen in the lateral direction. The rear pad member is provided with a slit 75 which extends from an inner edge of the rear pad member to the outer side as seen in the lateral direction and reaches the rear of the airbag module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat equipped with an airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle seat in which an airbag module equipped with an airbag and an inflator is fixed to the outer surface of a seatback frame is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the vehicle seat of Patent Document 1, the outer surface of the seatback frame is provided with a side pad portion that is part of a cushion pad. An opening is formed in the side pad portion, and an airbag module is stored in the opening. The airbag module is fastened to the seatback frame and is covered from the outside of the seat by a trim cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6211839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle seat of Patent Document 1, no cushion pad is provided between the seat outer surface of the airbag module and the trim cover, making it difficult to provide sufficient elasticity to the seat outer surface of the seat back.

[0005] In view of the above background, the present invention provides a vehicle seat equipped with an airbag module connected to the left and right outer sides of a seatback frame portion (seatback frame), and an object of the present invention is to provide pad members on the left and right outer sides of the airbag module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle seat (1, 401, 501) according to the present invention includes a seatback frame (19), a frame bracket (34) coupled to the outer side of the seatback frame (19) in the left-right direction, a module bracket (36) that supports an airbag module (23) and is to be fastened to the frame bracket, and a pad member (21) that covers the seatback frame (19) and the airbag module, the pad member being a front pad that covers the seatback frame (19) and the airbag module from the front. and a rear pad member (72) extending inward in the left-right direction from the rear end of the side pad member and covering the seat back frame portion and the airbag module from the rear, wherein the rear pad member is provided with a slit (75, 475) extending outward in the left-right direction from the inner edge of the rear pad member and reaching the rear of the airbag module.

[0007] According to this aspect, the airbag module can be inserted between the seatback frame and the side pad members via a slit. This allows the airbag module to be assembled to the seatback frame with the side pad members provided on the left and right outer sides of the airbag module. This increases the elasticity of the left and right outer surfaces of the seatback. Furthermore, since a rear pad member is provided behind the airbag module, the elasticity of the rear surface of the seatback can be increased. In this way, the increased elasticity of the left and right outer surfaces and the rear surface of the seatback can improve the comfort of the vehicle seat.

[0008] In the above aspect, the slit is preferably linear.

[0009] According to this aspect, the slit configuration is simplified.

[0010] In the above aspect, the slit is preferably substantially horizontal.

[0011] According to this aspect, the slit can be easily opened by pushing the lower end of the rear pad member outward to the left and right, which makes it easier to assemble the airbag module.

[0012] In the above aspect, it is preferable that an auxiliary slit (76, 576) penetrating from front to rear is provided in the upper part of the rear pad member.

[0013] According to this aspect, the lower portion of the rear pad member can easily move outward to the left and right, which facilitates the creation of a gap between the pad member and the seatback frame. This allows a worker assembling the vehicle seat to easily insert the airbag module into the gap between the seatback frame and the pad member, thereby facilitating the assembly of the airbag module.

[0014] In the above aspect, preferably, the pad member includes an upper pad member (73) that connects the upper ends of the front pad member and the rear pad member, respectively, and covers the seatback frame portion and the airbag module from above, and an auxiliary slit (76) that penetrates from front to rear is provided at the joint between the rear pad member and the upper pad member.

[0015] According to this aspect, the rear pad member can be provided in a position where a load is easily applied when the worker moves the lower part of the rear pad member outward to the left or right, which makes it easier for the lower part of the rear pad member to move outward to the left or right, and therefore makes it easier for a gap to open between the pad member and the seatback frame.

[0016] In the above aspect, the auxiliary slits are preferably inclined upward from the inner edge of the upper end of the rear pad member outwardly to the left and right.

[0017] According to this aspect, the lower portion of the rear pad member can move outward to the left and right more easily, so that the gap between the pad member and the seatback frame portion can easily open up.

[0018] In the above aspect, the frame bracket and the module bracket are preferably fastened to each other at fastening points (P1, P2), and the fastening points are preferably located below the auxiliary slit in rear view.

[0019] According to this aspect, by moving the lower end of the rear pad member outward to the left or right, the pad member deforms at the portion where the auxiliary slit is provided, exposing the fastening point, which makes it easier to fasten the frame bracket and the module bracket.

[0020] In the above aspect, the slit is preferably provided on the lower side of the frame bracket.

[0021] According to this aspect, by moving the airbag module upward, the module bracket can be aligned with the frame bracket, which makes it easier to assemble the airbag module.

[0022] In the above aspect, the slits preferably extend from the inner edge of the rear pad member to the left and right outer edges thereof.

[0023] According to this aspect, the slit is easier to open than when the slit does not extend from the inner edge of the rear pad member to the left and right outer edges, which makes it easier to insert the airbag module and assemble the airbag module.

[0024] In the above aspect, preferably, the side pad members are provided with deployment holes (77) penetrating in the left-right direction on the left and right outer sides of the airbag module, and the deployment holes are located in front of the slits.

[0025] According to this aspect, the slits and the deployment holes are provided at different positions in the front and rear, which makes it difficult for the pad member to deform in the vicinity of the deployment holes and slits compared to when the slits and the deployment holes are provided at the same positions in the front and rear, and makes it easier for the pad member to maintain its shape.

[0026] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cover member (22) includes a rear cover member (93) covering the rear surface of the pad member and an outer cover member (92) covering the left and right outer sides of the pad member, the left and right outer edges of the rear cover member and the rear edge of the outer cover member are connected to each other by vertically extending linear fasteners (97), the side pad members are recessed inwardly to the left and right at positions corresponding to the linear fasteners, and accommodating recesses (98) for accommodating the linear fasteners are provided, and the accommodating recesses are provided at positions different from the opening ends (75A) of the slits.

[0027] According to this aspect, the opening end of the slit and the accommodating recess are located at different positions, thereby increasing the rigidity of the portion of the rear pad member where the opening end of the slit is located compared to when the opening end of the slit and the accommodating recess are located at overlapping positions.

[0028] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the seatback frame has a molded member (80) connected to the outer side in the left-right direction of the seatback frame portion, the airbag module is located in front of the molded member, and the rear pad member is located behind the molded member.

[0029] According to this aspect, even when a molded member is provided, the airbag module can be moved forward of the molded member by opening the slit and inserting the airbag module into the slit.

[0030] In the above aspect, preferably, the slit extends in the left-right direction, and the left-right width (L1) of the slit is equal to or greater than the left-right width (L2) of the airbag module.

[0031] According to this aspect, the airbag module can be easily inserted into the slit.

[0032] In the above aspect, the slit is preferably located below the upper end (Q1) of the molded member and above the lower end (Q2) of the molded member.

[0033] According to this aspect, the airbag module can be inserted near the molded member through the slit.

[0034] In the above aspect, preferably, the slit and the molded member overlap front to back, and the distance (L3) between the outer left-right end (R2) of the portion of the molded member that overlaps with the slit and the outer left-right end (R1) of the slit is equal to or greater than the left-right width of the airbag module.

[0035] According to this aspect, by opening the slit, an insertion opening wider than the airbag module is formed between the outer left-right end of the slit and the outer left-right end of the molded member, which makes it easier to insert the airbag module toward the front of the molded member.

[0036] In the above aspect, preferably, the molded member is joined to the upper part of the outer side edge of the seatback frame portion in the left-right direction and comprises an upper molded member part (81) extending outward in the left-right direction, a central molded member part (82) extending downward from the outer left-right end part of the upper molded member, and a lower molded member part (83) extending in a direction sloping downward toward the inner left-right direction from the lower end of the central molded member, and the slit is provided in a position overlapping the lower molded member part in the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] According to this aspect, when the airbag module is inserted from the lower side of the slit, the movement of the airbag module is less likely to be hindered by the molded member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] To solve the above problems, a vehicle seat according to the present invention includes a seatback frame, a frame bracket coupled to the left-right outer side of the seatback frame, a module bracket supporting an airbag module and to be fastened to the frame bracket, and a pad member covering the seatback frame and the airbag module. The pad member includes a front pad member covering the seatback frame and the airbag module from the front, side pad members coupled to the left-right outer ends of the front pad member and extending rearward to cover the seatback frame and the airbag module from the outside, and a rear pad member extending inward from the rear ends of the side pad members to cover the seatback frame and the airbag module from the rear. According to an embodiment, the rear pad member has a slit extending outward from the inner edge of the rear pad member to the rear of the airbag module. This allows the airbag module to be inserted between the seatback frame and the side pad member through the slit. This allows the airbag module to be assembled to the seatback frame with the side pad members attached to the outside left and right sides of the airbag module. This increases the elasticity of the left and right outer surfaces of the seatback. Furthermore, since a rear pad member is provided behind the airbag module, the elasticity of the rear surface of the seat back can be increased. In this way, the elasticity of the left and right outer surfaces and the rear surface of the seat back can be increased, thereby improving the comfort of the vehicle seat.

[0039] In the above aspect, if the slit is configured to be linear, the configuration of the slit is simplified.

[0040] In the above aspect, if the slit is configured to be substantially horizontal, the slit can be easily opened by pushing the lower end of the rear pad member outward to the left and right, making it easier to assemble the airbag module.

[0041] In the above-described aspect, if an auxiliary slit penetrating from front to rear is provided in the upper part of the rear pad member, the lower part of the rear pad member can easily move outward to the left and right, which makes it easier to open a gap between the pad member and the seatback frame. This allows a worker assembling the vehicle seat to easily insert the airbag module into the gap between the seatback frame and the pad member. This makes assembly of the airbag module easier.

[0042] In the above aspect, the pad member connects the upper ends of the front and rear pad members, respectively, and includes an upper pad member that covers the seatback frame and the airbag module from above, and in which an auxiliary slit penetrating from front to rear is provided at the joint between the rear pad member and the upper pad member, the rear pad member can be provided in a position where a load is easily applied when an operator moves the lower part of the rear pad member outward to the left or right. This makes it easier for the lower part of the rear pad member to move outward to the left or right, and therefore makes it easier for a gap to open between the pad member and the seatback frame.

[0043] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, if the auxiliary slit is inclined upward from the inner edge of the upper end of the rear pad member toward the left and right outward, the lower part of the rear pad member becomes easier to move toward the left and right outward, making it easier for a gap to open between the pad member and the seatback frame portion.

[0044] In the above-described aspect, the frame bracket and the module bracket are fastened to each other at fastening points that are located below the auxiliary slits in rear view. By moving the lower end of the rear pad member outward to the left or right, the pad member deforms in the area where the auxiliary slits are provided, exposing the fastening points. This makes it easier to fasten the frame bracket and the module bracket.

[0045] In addition, in the above-mentioned aspect, if the slit is provided on the underside of the frame bracket, the module bracket can be aligned with the frame bracket by moving the airbag module upward, making it easier to assemble the airbag module.

[0046] In the above aspect, if the slits extend from the inner edge of the rear pad member to the left and right outer edges, the slits are easier to open than if the slits do not extend from the inner edge of the rear pad member to the left and right outer edges, which makes it easier to insert the airbag module and assemble the airbag module.

[0047] In the above aspect, the side pad members are provided with deployment holes penetrating in the left-right direction on the left and right outer sides of the airbag module, and the deployment holes are located in front of the slits, so that the slits and deployment holes are provided in different positions in the front and rear. This makes it less likely for the pad members to deform near the deployment holes and slits, and makes it easier for the pad members to maintain their shape, compared to when the slits and deployment holes are provided in the same positions in the front and rear.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above aspect, the skin members include a rear skin member that covers the rear surface of the pad member and an outer skin member that covers the left and right outer sides of the pad member, the left and right outer edges of the rear skin member and the rear edge of the outer skin member are connected to each other by linear fasteners that extend up and down, the side pad members are provided with accommodating recesses that are recessed inward to the left and right at positions corresponding to the linear fasteners and that accommodate the linear fasteners, and the accommodating recesses are provided in positions different from the opening ends of the slits.As a result, the opening ends of the slits and the accommodating recesses are provided in different positions, and therefore the rigidity of the portion of the rear pad member where the opening ends of the slits are provided can be increased compared to when the opening ends of the slits and the accommodating recesses are provided in positions where they overlap.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in which the seat back frame has a molded member joined to the left-right outer side, the airbag module is positioned in front of the molded member, and the rear pad member is positioned behind the molded member, even when a molded member is provided, the airbag module can be moved in front of the molded member by opening a slit and inserting the airbag module into the slit.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above aspect, according to an aspect in which the slit extends in the left-right direction and the left-right width of the slit is equal to or greater than the left-right width of the airbag module, the airbag module can be easily inserted into the slit.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described aspect, if the slit is located below the upper end of the molded member and above the lower end of the molded member, the airbag module can be inserted near the molded member through the slit.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the slit and the molded member overlap front to back, and the distance between the outer left and right edges of the molded member where the overlap with the slit is equal to or greater than the width of the airbag module, opening the slit forms an insertion opening wider than the airbag module between the outer left and right edges of the slit and the outer left and right edges of the molded member, which makes it easier to insert the airbag module toward the front of the molded member.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above-described aspect, the molded member is connected to the upper part of the outer side edge of the seatback frame portion in the left-right direction and includes an upper molded member portion extending outward in the left-right direction, a central molded member portion extending downward from the outer left-right end portion of the upper molded member, and a lower molded member portion extending in a direction sloping downward toward the inside in the left-right direction from the lower end of the central molded member, and according to an aspect in which the slit is provided in a position overlapping the lower molded member in the front-to-rear direction, when the airbag module is inserted from below the slit, the movement of the airbag module is less likely to be hindered by the molded member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle seat with a padding member and a cover member removed; [Figure 3] III-III cross section of Figure 1 [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper left portion of a vehicle seat with the padding member and the cover member removed; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of an airbag module to a side frame, as viewed from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the airbag module to the side frame as viewed from the rear. [Figure 7] (A) A front view and (B) a rear view of the upper left part of the vehicle seat when the padding member and the cover member are removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle seat with a padding member and a cover member removed; [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of the upper left portion of a vehicle seat with the padding member, the cover member, and the airbag module removed; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle seat with the cover member removed; [Figure 11] Illustrative diagrams showing the airbag module (A) before assembly, (B) during assembly, and (C) after assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the vehicle seat according to the second embodiment when the cover member is removed; [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing a first modified example and a second modified example of a webbing; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the present invention applied to a rear seat of an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will be described with reference to the front of the automobile.

[0056] <<First Embodiment>> As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 1 according to the present invention forms the left side of the second-row rear seat in an automobile with two rows of seats. The vehicle seat 1 is installed on the floor 2 of the automobile and has a seat cushion 4 that supports the buttocks of the seated occupant, a seat back 5 that is supported on the rear of the seat cushion 4 and functions as a backrest, and a headrest 6 installed on the upper part of each seat back 5.

[0057] The seat cushion 4 extends left and right and forms a seating surface 9 for two occupants. A pair of left and right lower rails 10, which are connected to the upper surface of the floor 2 and extend in the front-to-rear direction, are provided below the seat cushion 4. An upper rail is connected to each of the lower rails 10 so as to be slidable along the extension direction of the lower rails 10. The seat cushion 4 is supported on the floor 2 via the lower rails 10 and the upper rails so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0058] The seat back 5 extends vertically and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with a surface facing forward. A support surface 12 that supports the backs of two occupants is formed on the front of the seat back 5. The lower end of the seat back 5 is rotatably connected to the rear end of a frame that constitutes the seat cushion 4 via a known reclining mechanism.

[0059] Two headrests 6 are provided side by side on the upper end of the seat back 5. The headrests 6 are preferably connected at their lower ends to the seat back 5 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the left-right direction. The vehicle seat 1 may also be an under-floor storage seat in which the seat back 5 is tilted forward by operating a predetermined strap and stored in a storage space formed in the floor 2.

[0060] Next, we will explain the structure of the seat back 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seat back 5 has a seat back frame 18 (see Figure 2) as a skeleton, a pad member 21 (see Figure 3) supported by the seat back frame 18, a skin member 22 (see Figure 3) provided on the front of the pad member 21 and constituting the outer surface of the seat back 5, and an airbag module 23 (see Figures 2 and 3) supported by the seat back frame 18.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2 , the seatback frame 18 forms the framework of the seatback 5 and includes a seatback frame portion 19 having a generally rectangular frame shape and a pan frame 20 (plate) disposed behind the seatback frame portion 19. The seatback frame portion 19 includes a pair of left and right side frames 26 (side members) extending vertically, an upper frame 27 extending laterally and connecting to the upper ends of the left and right side frames 26, and a lower frame (not shown) extending laterally and connecting to the lower parts of the left and right side frames 26. The upper side frame portions 26U and the upper frame 27, which respectively constitute the upper parts of the left and right side frames 26, are formed by bending a single circular pipe member 28 into an inverted U-shaped gate shape. The lower side frame portions 26D, which respectively constitute the lower parts of the left and right side frames 26, are formed by sheet metal members 29 having surfaces facing left and right. The upper parts of the sheet metal members 29 are welded to the ends of the pipe members 28 on the inner surfaces of the seat. The front and rear edges of the sheet metal member 29 are each bent toward the inside of the seat. The lower ends of the left and right side frames 26 are rotatably connected to a frame that constitutes the seat cushion 4 via a reclining mechanism. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the side frame lower part 26D is formed by two sheet metal members 29 that are arranged opposite each other on the left and right and connected to each other.

[0062] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the left side frame lower part 26D is bent inward in the left-right direction (i.e., right side) at approximately the center in the up-down direction, and is provided with a frame bent part 30 that is bent inward in the left-right direction (right side).

[0063] Pan frame 20 is a metal plate-like member, and is disposed on the rear sides of two side frames 26 and upper frame 27, with its surface facing forward and backward. As shown in FIG. 6, pan frame 20 includes pan frame base 31 that covers the rear portions of side frames 26, upper frame 27, and lower frame, and pan frame extension 32 that extends from pan frame base 31 to the left of side frame 26 on the vehicle exterior side (left side). Pan frame 20 is welded at its upper edge to upper frame 27, at its lower edge to lower frame, and at its left and right side edges to appropriate positions on left and right side frames 26. As shown in FIG. 3, pan frame base 31 may be provided with a plurality of reinforcing beads 31A and lightening holes 31B at appropriate positions.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, one frame bracket 34 is directly connected to the left side frame 26. One module bracket 36 (retainer) that holds the airbag module 23 is fastened to the frame bracket 34. The airbag module 23 is connected to the side frame 26 via the module bracket 36 and the frame bracket 34. The airbag module 23 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends along the extension direction of the side frame 26, and is disposed so that its outer surface faces in the left-right direction.

[0065] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the frame bracket 34 is a bent sheet metal member and has a bracket base 42 that is a substantially square plate facing generally in the left-right direction, a bracket front piece 43 (see Figure 5) connected to the front edge of the bracket base 42, and a bracket inclined piece 44 (see Figure 6) connected to the rear end of the bracket base 42.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 5, the bracket front piece 43 has a plate shape extending rightward from the front end of the bracket base 42. As shown in Fig. 7(A), the bracket front piece 43 is welded to the front surface of the sheet metal member 29 that forms the left side frame lower part 26D. In this embodiment, the bracket front piece 43 is welded to the front surface of the sheet metal member 29 at both the upper and lower right edges. Note that in Figs. 7(A) and 7(B), the welded portions are colored with dotted hatching.

[0067] 3 and 6, the bracket inclined piece 44 has a plate shape that inclines to the right (toward the vehicle interior) as it faces rearward. As shown in Fig. 7(B), the rear edge of the bracket inclined piece 44 is bent to the right and welded to the rear surface of the sheet metal member 29. In this embodiment, the bracket inclined piece 44 has its right upper and right lower ends welded to the rear surface of the sheet metal member 29. In this way, the frame bracket 34 is joined to the seatback frame portion 19 on one side in the left-right direction (the left side in this embodiment).

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the frame bracket 34 and the sheet metal member 29 may each be provided with positioning holes 45, 46. In this embodiment, the bracket base 42 is provided with two positioning holes 45, and the sheet metal member 29 is also provided with two positioning holes 46 at corresponding positions. During welding, inserting a jig into the positioning holes 45 in the bracket base 42 and the corresponding positioning holes 46 in the sheet metal member 29 makes it easy to maintain the frame bracket 34 in an appropriate position relative to the sheet metal member 29. This makes it easy to weld the frame bracket 34 to the sheet metal member 29 in an appropriate position. To facilitate welding the frame bracket 34 to the sheet metal member 29, the pan frame 20 is provided with a welding hole 47 that penetrates from front to back at the rear of the frame bracket 34, as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0069] 6, two stud bolts 48 are provided on the bracket inclined piece 44. More specifically, the stud bolts 48 are fixed to the bracket inclined piece 44 by being passed through through holes provided in the bracket inclined piece 44 and being welded.

[0070] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the module bracket 36 is a bent sheet metal member and includes a plate-shaped retainer base 50 that extends forward and backward and up and down, and a plate-shaped retainer inclined piece 51 that is connected to the rear edge of the retainer base 50 and inclined to the right as it faces rearward.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, the retainer inclined piece 51 has a bolt hole 52 that penetrates through it in the thickness direction. The retainer inclined piece 51 is arranged along the rear surface of the bracket inclined piece 44. The module bracket 36 is fastened to the frame bracket 34 by passing the stud bolts 48 through the bolt holes 52 and tightening nuts 49 (fasteners) onto the stud bolts 48. In this embodiment, a cap nut is used as the nut 49. Hereinafter, the point where the frame bracket 34 and the module bracket 36 are fastened to each other, i.e., the center position of the bolt hole 52, will be referred to as fastening point P as necessary.

[0072] The module bracket 36 has bolt holes 52 at positions corresponding to the stud bolts 48 of the bracket inclined pieces 44. As a result, the frame bracket 34 and the module bracket 36 are fastened together at two fastening points P1 and P2 (see FIG. 7).

[0073] 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the vertical width of the module bracket 36 is substantially the same as the vertical width of the frame bracket 34. More specifically, the vertical width of the bracket base 42 is roughly the same as the vertical width of the retainer base 50, and when the frame bracket 34 and the module bracket 36 are fastened together, the upper edges of the bracket base 42 and the retainer base 50 and the lower edges of the bracket base 42 and the retainer base 50 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0074] 3, the airbag module 23 includes an airbag 61, an inflator 62 that releases gas into the airbag 61 to inflate and deploy the airbag 61, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 63 that houses the airbag 61 and the inflator 62. The inflator 62 is substantially cylindrical, and has a male thread portion 64 that protrudes radially outward from its outer circumferential surface.

[0075] The case 63 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 63 includes a case body 63A that opens outward to the left and right, and a lid 63B that closes the opening of the case body 63A. An airbag 61 and an inflator 62 are housed inside the case body 63A. As shown in FIG. 6, the airbag 61 is housed inside the case 63 in a folded state. A tear portion 65 that tears open and opens when the airbag 61 inflates and deploys is provided at the left front edge of the lid 63B. A through-hole 66 that penetrates the bottom wall of the case body 63A in the thickness direction is provided at a predetermined position.

[0076] The male thread portion 64 protrudes from the inside of the case 63 to the outside through a through hole 66. As shown in FIG. 5 , the retainer base 50 has a bolt hole 56 penetrating through it in the thickness direction, and the male thread portion 64 is inserted into the bolt hole 52. The case 63 is fastened to the retainer base 50 by tightening a nut 67 onto the male thread portion 64. As a result, the airbag module 23 is coupled to the module bracket 36 and held on the left side surface of the retainer base 50. In this embodiment, two through holes 58 are formed in the bracket base 42 to prevent interference between the male thread portion 64 and the frame bracket 34 when the module bracket 36 is fastened to the frame bracket 34. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the through hole 58 and the positioning hole 45 may be connected and integrated.

[0077] 2 and 8, pan frame extension 32 extends to the left of left side frame 26 and reaches the left rear end of airbag module 23 in rear view. As shown in Fig. 9, pan frame extension 32 is located at a distance rearward from airbag module 23, and a gap S is provided between pan frame 20 and airbag module 23 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0078] 8, pan frame extension 32 overlaps the upper half of airbag module 23 in rear view, and the upper half of airbag module 23 is covered from behind by pan frame extension 32. The upper edge of pan frame extension 32 is positioned approximately aligned in the up-down direction with the upper edge of airbag module 23, and the lower edge of pan frame extension 32 is positioned between the upper and lower edges of airbag module 23 in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the lower edge of pan frame extension 32 is positioned approximately in the center of airbag module 23 in the up-down direction.

[0079] The pad member 21 is made of a flexible cushioning material such as polyurethane foam. As shown in Figures 3 and 10, the pad member 21 includes a front pad member 70 (see Figure 3) that covers the seatback frame portion 19 and the airbag module 23 from the front, a side pad member 71 (see Figure 3) that is connected to the outer (i.e., left) end of the front pad member 70 and extends rearward, a rear pad member 72 (see Figures 3 and 10) that extends inward (i.e., right) from the rear end of the side pad member 71, and an upper pad member 73 (see Figure 10) that connects the upper end of the front pad member 70, the upper end of the rear pad member 72, and the upper end of the side pad member 71. The rear pad member 72 covers the seatback frame portion 19 and the airbag module 23 from the rear, and the upper pad member 73 covers the seatback frame portion 19 and the airbag module 23 from above.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10 , the rear pad member 72 has a slit 75 extending from its inner edge (right edge) outward (left side) in the left-right direction. The slit 75 is a hole that penetrates the rear pad member 72 and is provided below the frame bracket 34. As shown in FIG. 8 , the slit 75 extends linearly and substantially horizontally (i.e., extends in the left-right direction) and reaches the rear of the airbag module 23. In this embodiment, the slit 75 extends leftward from the right edge of the rear pad member 72 along the lower end of the airbag module 23 in a rear view, reaching the rear of the lower left end of the airbag module 23. As shown in FIG. 8 , the left-right width L1 of the slit 75 is set to be equal to or greater than the left-right width L2 of the airbag module 23. The slit 75 extends rightward from approximately the center of the rear pad member 72 in the left-right direction and reaches the right end of the rear pad member 72 to form an opening end 75A. That is, the right edge of the slit 75 has an opening end 75A that opens to the right.

[0081] As shown in Figure 10, an auxiliary slit 76 penetrating from front to back is provided at the joint between the rear pad member 72 and the upper pad member 73. The auxiliary slit 76 is also a hole penetrating from front to back. In this embodiment, the auxiliary slit 76 extends outwardly to the left and right (i.e., leftward) from the inner edge (right edge) at the upper end of the rear pad member 72. In this embodiment, the auxiliary slit 76 is linear and inclined upward from the upper right edge of the rear pad member 72 toward the left. In this case, it is preferable that the angle formed by the extending direction of the auxiliary slit 76 and the horizontal direction is approximately 45 degrees.

[0082] 10, the slit 75 is located below both of the two fastening points P1 and P2 in rear view, and the auxiliary slit 76 is located above both of the two fastening points P1 and P2. In other words, the two fastening points P1 and P2 are located between the slit 75 and the auxiliary slit 76 in rear view.

[0083] The side pad member 71 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending vertically on the left and right outer sides (i.e., the left side) of the airbag module 23, and covers the airbag module 23 from the left outer side. As shown in FIG. 3, a deployment hole 77 is provided in the front part of the side pad member 71. The deployment hole 77 is a hole that penetrates the side pad member 71 in the left and right direction, and is formed on the left and right outer sides (i.e., the left side) of the airbag module 23. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the deployment hole 77 is formed to extend vertically along the extension direction of the seat back 5, and as shown in FIG. 3, the deployment hole 77 is located in front of the slit 75.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle seat 1 includes a molded member 80 connected to the seatback frame portion 19, more specifically, to the left side frame 26. The molded member 80 is formed from a bent wire member, and as shown in Fig. 7(A), both ends of the molded member 80 are welded to the left side frame 26. As shown in Fig. 9, the molded member 80 is disposed behind the airbag module 23, and a gap T is formed between the airbag module 23 and the molded member 80 in the front-to-rear direction. By configuring the molded member 80 from a wire member in this way, the weight of the molded member 80 can be reduced, and the structure of the molded member 80 can be simplified.

[0085] As shown in Figure 4, the molded member 80 is welded to the upper part of the left side frame 26 and comprises a molded upper part 81 (upper part of the molded member) extending outward to the left from the left side frame 26, a molded central part 82 (central part of the molded member) extending downward from the left end of the molded upper part 81, and a molded lower part 83 (lower part of the molded member) extending downward and to the right from the lower end of the molded central part 82 and welded to the lower part of the left side frame 26.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 5, the inner left and right ends (right ends in this embodiment) of the molded upper portion 81 are provided with bent portions 81A formed by bending them downward along the upper portion of the left side frame 26. As a result, the molded upper portion 81 is formed with a main body portion 81B extending in the left-right direction and an extension portion 81C extending downward from the inner left and right ends (right ends) of the main body portion 81B at its inner end. As shown in FIG. 7(A), an upper mounting portion 85 is provided at the bent portion 81A, more specifically, at the extension portion 81C, and the molded upper portion 81 is welded to the upper left side surface of the left side frame 26 at the upper mounting portion 85. The upper mounting portion 85 is located on the front upper edge of the pan frame extension portion 32. As a result, the upper mounting portion 85 is covered from behind by the pan frame extension portion 32, thereby protecting the upper mounting portion 85 from loads from behind. The central and left end portions of the molded upper portion 81 are positioned to be aligned front to back with the upper edge of the pan frame extension portion 32, and when viewed from behind, the central portion of the molded upper portion 81 extends left to right along the upper edge of the pan frame extension portion 32.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 4, the molded central portion 82 includes an upper half portion 82A that extends downward from the left end of the molded upper portion 81 and extends along the left and right outer edges (i.e., the left edges) of the pan frame extension portion 32, and a lower half portion 82B that extends downward from the lower end of the upper half portion 82A. The upper half portion 82A is a portion that is provided in a range from the upper end of the left edge of the pan frame extension portion 32 to the lower end of the left edge, when viewed from behind, and the lower end of the upper half portion 82A, i.e., the upper end of the lower half portion 82B, is positioned so as to align with the lower end of the left edge of the pan frame extension portion 32 in the front-to-rear direction. The upper half portion 82A and the lower half portion 82B are respectively positioned outward on the left and right sides (i.e., to the left) of the left side frame 26, and as shown in Fig. 8, a gap W is formed in the left-right direction between the lower half portion 82B and the left side surface of the left side frame 26.

[0088] In this embodiment, the upper half 82A of the molded central portion 82 is joined to the left edge of the pan frame extension 32. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(B), the upper half 82A is joined to the left edge of the pan frame extension 32 by welding at two locations.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the lower molded portion 83 includes a main body portion 86 extending generally linearly downward and to the right from the lower end of the molded central portion 82, and a lower mounting portion 87 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 86 and welded to the left surface of the left side frame 26. The main body portion 86 slopes downward toward the right (inward in the left-right direction). A molded bent portion 88 is formed in the molded member 80 between the lower half portion 82B of the molded central portion 82 and the main body portion 86, bending inward in the left-right direction. The lower mounting portion 87 is formed by bending the lower end of the molded member 80 slightly downward along the left side frame 26. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7(B), and 8, the molded bent portion 88 is located above the frame bent portion 30, and the lower mounting portion 87 is located below the frame bent portion 30. The upper portion of the main body portion 86 is located to the left of the left side frame 26, and a gap V is formed between the upper portion of the main body portion 86 and the left side frame 26.

[0090] 7(B) and 8, the lower half 82B of the molded central portion 82 and the molded lower portion 83 connect the lower edge of the pan frame extension portion 32 and the lower portion of the left side frame 26. In other words, the molded member 80 includes a portion extending between the lower edge of the pan frame extension portion 32 and the lower portion of the left side frame 26. In addition, a through-hole X that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction is defined by the right edge of the lower half 82B of the molded central portion 82, the right edge of the molded lower portion 83, the lower edge of the pan frame extension portion 32, and the lower left edge of the left side frame 26.

[0091] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, at least a portion of the molded central portion 82 (in this embodiment, substantially the entire area of ​​the molded central portion 82 including the upper half portion 82A and the lower half portion 82B) extends along the left and right outer edges (i.e., the left edges) of the airbag module 23 when viewed from behind.

[0092] The pan frame extension 32 covers the upper portion (the upper half in this embodiment) of the airbag module 23 from the rear. Therefore, when the padding member 21 and the cover member 22 are not provided, the lower portion (lower half) of the airbag module 23 is visible from the rear through the through-hole X, as shown in FIGS. 7(B) and 8. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower edge of the pan frame extension 32 is located higher than both of the two fastening points P1 and P2. When at least the padding member 21 and the cover member 22 are not provided, both of the two fastening points P1 and P2 are visible through the through-hole X and can both be accessed from the rear through the through-hole X using a fastener (e.g., a universal wrench).

[0093] Furthermore, when the pad member 21 and the cover member 22 are not provided, the upper or lower edge of the module bracket 36 can be seen from behind through the gaps V, W between the left side frame 26 and the molded member 80. In this embodiment, the upper and lower edges of the module bracket 36 can be seen from behind through the through-holes X.

[0094] 5, the left side frame 26 is provided with a strip-like bead 89 extending vertically to increase its rigidity. The lower mounting portion 87 is joined to the left side frame 26 behind the bead 89. In this embodiment, the bead 89 is formed as a side frame recess 89A that is recessed inward on the left and right sides, and the lower mounting portion 87 is welded to the vicinity of an edge 89B of the side frame recess 89A. As a result, the joined portion between the molded member 80 and the side frame 26 is located near the edge 89B of the bead 89, which is a portion with increased rigidity, and the molded member 80 is firmly supported by the side frame 26.

[0095] 9, the forming member 80 is generally flush with the pan frame 20. That is, the forming member 80 and the pan frame 20 are disposed on generally the same plane. The lower end of the forming member 80, more specifically, the rear end of the lower mounting portion 87, is located close to the pan frame 20 in a side view.

[0096] The side pad members 71 are connected at their front edges to the front pad members 70 and at their rear edges to the rear pad members 72. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pad members 21 are assembled, the front pad members 70 are located in front of the molded member 80, and the rear pad members 72 are located behind the molded member 80. The side pad members 71 are pulled inwardly to the left and right (i.e., to the right) by the front pad members 70 and the rear pad members 72, and come into contact with the molded member 80 from the left side. The molded member 80 comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the side pad members 71, i.e., the right side surfaces, and restricts the rightward movement of the side pad members 71. This determines the position of the side pad members 71 and shapes the outer shape of the seat back 5. When a load is applied to the left side surface of the seat back 5 in the right direction, the side pad members 71 are supported by the molded member 80 from the inner sides to the left and right, preventing deformation of the seat back 5. In other words, the molded member 80 defines the outer shape of the seat back 5 and functions to form the shape of the seat back 5.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, the molded member 80 is located behind the airbag module 23, and a gap R is formed between the molded member 80 and the airbag module 23 in the front-rear direction.

[0098] Furthermore, when the pad member 21 is assembled to the seatback frame portion 19, the slit 75 is positioned below the upper end of the molded member 80 and above the lower end of the molded member 80. At this time, the slit 75 and the molded member 80 overlap in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the slit 75 overlaps with the molded lower portion 83 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance L3 between the left end R1 (outer end in the left-right direction) of the portion of the molded lower portion 83 that overlaps with the slit 75 and the left end R2 (outer end in the left-right direction) of the slit 75 is set to be equal to or greater than the width L2 of the airbag module 23 in the left-right direction.

[0099] The cover member 22 is formed by connecting a plurality of sheet-like members such as cloth or leather. As shown in Fig. 3, the cover member 22 includes a front cover member 91 that covers the front surface of the front pad member 70 and the front portion of the left side surface of the side pad member 71, a left cover member 92 (outer cover member) that covers the rear portion of the left side surface of the side pad member 71, a rear cover member 93 that covers the rear surface of the rear pad member 72 and the rear surface of the pan frame 20, and an upper cover member 94 (see Fig. 8) that covers the upper surface of the upper pad member 73. The front edge of the upper cover member 94 is sewn to the upper edge of the front cover member 91, the left edge of the upper cover member 94 is sewn to the upper edge of the left cover member 92, and the rear edge of the upper cover member 94 is sewn to the upper edge of the rear cover member 93.

[0100] 3, the left edge of the front skin member 91 and the front edge of the left skin member 92 are sewn together to form a seam 95. This seam 95 functions as a weakened part in the skin member 22 that breaks under a smaller load than other seamed parts (for example, the seam between the front edge of the upper skin member 94 and the upper edge of the front skin member 91). The seam 95 extends vertically and is housed inside a deployment hole 77 provided in the front part of the side pad member 71.

[0101] The rear edge of the left cover member 92 and the left edge of the rear cover member 93 are connected to each other by a vertically extending linear fastener 97. More specifically, the side pad member 71 is recessed inward (i.e., to the right) at the rear edge of its left surface, and the rear pad member 72 is recessed forward at the left edge of its rear surface. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 , a fastener accommodating recess 98 recessed inward of the pad member 21 is formed in the connecting portion between the side pad member 71 and the rear pad member 72. The fastener accommodating recess 98 is the connecting portion between the side pad member 71 and the rear pad member 72, and extends vertically at a position corresponding to the linear fastener 97. The linear fastener 97 is accommodated in the fastener accommodating recess 98.

[0102] 10, the fastener accommodating recess 98 is provided to the left of the opening end 75A. In other words, the fastener accommodating recess 98 does not reach the right edge of the rear pad member 72, and the fastener accommodating recess 98 and the opening end 75A are provided at different positions. This increases the rigidity of the rear pad member 72 near the portion where the opening end 75A of the slit 75 is provided, compared to when the fastener accommodating recess 98 and the opening end 75A overlap, and prevents the pad member 21 from breaking.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 5 , the upper and lower parts of the bracket base 42 each have a hooking hole 100 that penetrates the bracket in the thickness direction, i.e., the left-right direction. A webbing wire 102 is coupled to the hooking hole 100. The webbing wire 102 is formed from a metal round bar that has been bent into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 3 , the webbing wire 102 is provided with a pair of upper and lower hooks 104 at both ends thereof, each hooked into the hooking hole 100; a pair of upper and lower connecting portions 106 that extend forward from each of the hooks 104 and reach the front of the airbag module 23; and a hooking portion 108 that vertically connects the front ends of the two connecting portions 106 to each other. The webbing wire 102 is engaged with the frame bracket 34 by having the hooks 104 at both ends hooked into the respective hooking holes 100 of the frame bracket 34. The connecting portions 106 are each coupled to the hook 104 at its rear end, pass between the bracket base 42 and the retainer base 50, reach the right front of the airbag module 23, and bend leftward at its front end. As shown in Figure 9, the connecting portions 106 are pressed against the bracket base 42 by the airbag module 23 between the bracket base 42 and the retainer base 50. As a result, the webbing wire 102 is clamped between the frame bracket 34 and the module bracket 36, and its movement is restricted.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle seat 1 is provided with webbing 110 for ripping open the cover member 22 when the airbag 61 inflates and deploys. The webbing 110 is formed from a sheet-like member that is less stretchable than the cover member 22. One end of the webbing 110 is sewn to the front cover member 91 and the left cover member 92 at seams 95. The webbing 110 extends from one end toward the hooking portion 108 of the webbing wire 102. A J-shaped hook 112 is provided at the other end of the webbing 110, and the hook 112 is hooked onto the hooking portion 108 of the webbing wire 102.

[0105] In this embodiment, the hooking portion 108 includes a portion located in front of the through hole X, and at least a portion of the webbing 110 is coupled to the webbing wire 102 in front of the through hole X. This allows the operator to visually confirm the coupled portion of the webbing 110 and the webbing wire 102 from behind through the through hole X by moving the rear pad member 72, as shown in Figures 11(A) and 11(B).

[0106] Next, we will explain the operation of the vehicle seat 1. When it is necessary to deploy the airbag 61 to protect the occupant, for example, in the event of a frontal collision, the inflator 62 is activated by a signal from a known control device mounted on the vehicle, and gas is supplied to the inside of the airbag 61. This causes the airbag 61 to inflate, and the case 63 opens at the left front edge.

[0107] The airbag 61 is inflated to the left by gas supplied from the inflator 62, and a load is applied to the webbing 110. The load applied to the webbing 110 causes the seam 95 to rupture, forming an opening in the cover member 22. The airbag 61 passes through the deployment hole 77 and the opening formed in the cover member 22, and inflates to the left of the seat back 5. This causes the airbag 61 to inflate and deploy between the occupant seated in the vehicle seat 1 and the side wall of the vehicle interior.

[0108] Next, we will explain how to assemble the vehicle seat 1. After welding the frame bracket 34 and the molded member 80 to the seatback frame portion 19, as shown in Figure 11(A), an operator covers the seatback frame portion 19, the frame bracket 34, and the molded member 80 with the pad member 21. At this time, it is recommended that the rear surface of the front skin member 91 be bonded (adhered) to the front surface of the front pad member 70, and the right surface of the left skin member 92 be bonded (adhered) to the left surface of the side pad member 71 in advance.

[0109] When the pad member 21 is placed over the seatback frame frame 19, the frame bracket 34 and the molded member 80, the front pad member 70 is positioned in front of the seatback frame frame 19, the bracket and the molded member 80, the side pad member 71 is positioned on the left side of the seatback frame frame 19, the bracket and the molded member 80, and the rear pad member 72 is positioned behind the seatback frame frame 19, the bracket and the molded member 80.

[0110] 3, the back surface of the front pad member 70 abuts against the left side frame 26. As a result, the front pad member 70 and the molded member 80, more specifically, the back surface of the front pad member 70 and the right end portion of the molded member 80, are positioned apart in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, the left end of the molded member 80 abuts against the right side surface of the side pad member 71, and the right side surface of the side pad member 71 and the left side surface of the left side frame 26 are spaced apart in the left-to-right direction. As a result, a storage space Y is defined between the front pad member 70, the side pad member 71, the molded member 80, and the left side frame 26.

[0111] Next, the worker grasps the lower end of the rear pad member 72 and pulls it outward to the left and right, opening the slit 75. At this time, as shown in Figure 11(B), the load applied to the rear pad member 72 also opens the auxiliary slit 76. As a result, the pad member 21 bends at the portions where the slit 75 and auxiliary slit 76 are provided.

[0112] By bending the rear pad member 72 at the slit 75, a through hole Z1 wider than the width of the airbag module 23 in the left-right direction is formed in the rear pad member 72. At the same time, an insertion opening Z2 wider than the width L2 of the airbag module 23 in the left-right direction is formed between the left end R2 of the slit 75 and the molded member 80 (molded lower part 83).

[0113] While pulling the lower end of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right, the worker inserts the webbing wire 102 between the left side frame 26 and the side pad member 71 through the slit 75 and hooks the hook 104 of the webbing wire 102 into the hooking hole 100. The worker then pulls the webbing 110 toward the webbing wire 102 and hooks the hook 112 of the webbing 110 into the hooking portion 108 of the webbing wire 102. At this time, the hooking portion 108 of the webbing wire 102 is located in front of the through hole X and can be seen from behind through the through hole X. Therefore, when hooking the hook 112 into the hooking portion 108 of the webbing wire 102, the worker can visually check the connection portion between the webbing wire 102 and the webbing 110, more specifically, the connection portion between the hook 112 and the hooking portion 108, through the through hole X. This allows the hook 112 to be easily hooked to the hooking portion 108, making it easier to assemble the vehicle seat 1.

[0114] Thereafter, while pulling the lower end of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right, the worker inserts the airbag module 23 fastened to the module bracket 36 between the left side frame 26 and the pad member 21 through the slit 75. The worker then moves the airbag module 23 upward to place the airbag module 23 in the accommodation space Y.

[0115] Next, while pulling the lower end of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right, the worker positions the airbag module 23 so that the module bracket 36 and the frame bracket 34 are aligned, and inserts the stud bolts 48 into the bolt holes 52. As shown in FIG. 11(B) , the worker pulls the lower end of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right and bends the pad member 21 at the portions where the slits 75 and auxiliary slits 76 are provided. This opens the slits 75 and the auxiliary slits 76, making the two fastening points P1 and P2 more reliably visible and accessible via the through-holes X. The worker inserts a fastening tool into the through-holes X and operates the nuts 49 to fasten the module bracket 36 to the frame bracket 34. This connects the airbag module 23 to the left side frame 26 via the module bracket 36 and the frame bracket 34.

[0116] Thereafter, the worker places the rear cover member 93 along the rear surface of the rear pad member 72 and the rear surface of the pan frame 20, and joins the left and right side edges of the rear cover member 93 to the rear edge of the left cover member 92 using fasteners 97. This completes the assembly of the vehicle seat 1.

[0117] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 will be described.

[0118] As in this embodiment, an airbag module 23 containing an airbag 61 may be provided in the seat back 5 of the vehicle seat 1. The airbag module 23 is preferably fixed to the seat back frame portion 19 so as to be able to resist the reaction force when the airbag 61 is deployed.

[0119] Furthermore, in order to provide cushioning to the front, left and right sides, and back of the seat back 5, pad members 21 may be provided along the front, left and right sides, and back of the seat back frame portion 19. In such cases, once the assembly of the pad members 21 to the seat back frame portion 19 is complete, the seat back frame portion 19 is covered with the pad members 21, making it difficult to assemble the airbag module 23 to the seat back frame portion 19. When the molded member 80 is provided to the seat back frame portion 19 as in this embodiment, the airbag module 23 needs to be positioned in front of the molded member 80, making assembly of the airbag module 23 more difficult.

[0120] To solve this problem, the rear pad member 72 of this embodiment is provided with a slit 75. As shown in FIG. 11 , the worker can open the slit 75 by pulling the lower end of the rear pad member 72 leftward. This allows the worker to easily insert the airbag module 23 between the left side frame 26 and the pad member 21 through the slit 75. Even when the molded member 80 is provided as in this embodiment, by opening the slit 75 appropriately, the worker can move the airbag module 23 forward of the molded member 80 and insert the airbag module 23 between the left side frame 26 and the pad member 21. Thus, the slit 75 provided in the rear pad member 72 allows the worker to easily assemble the airbag module 23 to the side frame 26.

[0121] A rear pad member 72 is provided behind the airbag module 23, and the airbag module 23 is covered from behind by the rear pad member 72. This allows the rear surface of the seat back 5 to have cushioning properties, thereby improving the comfort of the vehicle seat 1.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 8 , the slit 75 has a linear shape, resulting in a simple configuration. Furthermore, the slit 75 is substantially horizontal, and is provided on the lower side of the frame bracket 34. This allows the airbag module 23 to be easily moved to the appropriate position by inserting the airbag module 23 perpendicular to the slit 75 and pushing the airbag module 23 upward. This simplifies the movement direction of the airbag module 23 during assembly. Furthermore, because the slit 75 extends horizontally, the slit 75 can be easily opened by pushing the lower end of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left or right. This improves the ease of assembly of the airbag module 23.

[0123] In this embodiment, the width L1 of the slit 75 in the left-right direction is set to be equal to or greater than the width L2 of the airbag module 23 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the airbag module 23 can be easily inserted into the slit 75. Furthermore, the distance L3 between the left end R1 (the outer end in the left-right direction) of the portion of the molded member 80 that overlaps with the slit 75 and the left end R2 (the outer end in the left-right direction) of the slit 75 is set to be equal to or greater than the width L2 of the airbag module 23 in the left-right direction. Therefore, by opening the slit 75, the worker can form an insertion opening Z2 that is wider than the airbag module 23 between the left end R1 of the portion of the molded member 80 that overlaps with the slit 75 and the left end R2 of the slit 75. This allows the worker to easily insert the airbag module 23 into the insertion opening Z2 and easily move the airbag module 23 toward the front of the molded member 80.

[0124] In addition, in this embodiment, the auxiliary slits 76 are provided in the pad member 21, so that the lower portion of the rear pad member 72 can easily move outward to the left and right. Furthermore, the auxiliary slits 76 are provided at the upper ends of the inner left and right edges of the rear pad member 72. As a result, when an operator moves the lower portion of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left or right, a load is easily applied to the auxiliary slits 76, making it easier for the auxiliary slits 76 to open. This makes it easier to open the gap between the pad member 21 and the side frame 26, making it easier to insert the airbag module 23 into the gap between the side frame 26 and the pad member 21. This makes it easier to assemble the airbag module 23.

[0125] Furthermore, because the auxiliary slits 76 are inclined upward from the inner edge of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right, the auxiliary slits 76 are easily opened by the movement of the lower part of the rear pad member 72 outward to the left and right. Therefore, the lower part of the rear pad member 72 is more easily moved outward to the left and right, making it easier to insert the airbag module 23 into the gap between the side frame 26 and the pad member 21.

[0126] Additionally, fastening points P1 and P2 are located below the auxiliary slit 76 in rear view. When the lower portion of the rear pad member 72 moves outward to the left or right, the pad member 21 bends near the auxiliary slit 76 as shown in Figure 11(B), exposing the fastening points P1 and P2 and making them easier to access. This makes it easier to fasten the frame bracket 34 and the module bracket 36 together.

[0127] Furthermore, because the slits 75 and the deployment holes 77 are provided at different positions in the front and rear, the pad member 21 is less likely to deform in the vicinity of the deployment holes 77 and the slits 75, and the shape of the pad member 21 is more easily maintained, compared to when the slits 75 and the deployment holes 77 are provided at the same positions in the front and rear. Furthermore, because the fastener accommodating recesses 98 are provided at a position different from the opening ends 75A of the slits 75, the rigidity of the portion of the rear pad member 72 where the opening ends 75A of the slits 75 are provided can be increased, compared to when the fastener accommodating recesses 98 and the opening ends 75A of the slits 75 are provided at positions where they overlap.

[0128] In addition, the slit 75 is located below the upper end Q1 of the molded member 80 and above the lower end Q2 of the molded member 80. This allows the worker to insert the airbag module 23 near the molded member 80 through the slit 75, allowing the airbag module 23 to be quickly positioned in the appropriate position.

[0129] Furthermore, the slit 75 is provided at a position overlapping the molded lower portion 83 in the front-to-rear direction. The molded lower portion 83 is inclined (i.e., to the right) as it extends downward so as to approach the seatback frame portion 19. Therefore, when the airbag module 23 is inserted from below the slit 75, the upward movement of the airbag module 23 is less likely to be hindered by the molded member 80, compared to, for example, a case in which the molded lower portion 83 extends downward and then extends substantially horizontally to the right. This makes it easier to assemble the airbag module 23.

[0130] <<Second embodiment>> The vehicle seat 401 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the slit 475, but the other configurations are the same. In the following explanation, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the configurations other than the slit 475, and explanations of the configurations other than the slit 475 will be omitted.

[0131] 12(A), the slit 475 extends substantially horizontally from the inner edge (right edge) of the rear pad member 72 to the left and right outer edges (left edges) of the rear pad member 72. In other words, the outer end of the rear pad member 72 is located at the left edge of the rear pad member 72, and the rear pad member 72 is divided into upper and lower parts by the slit 475.

[0132] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 401 configured in this manner will be described. When the slit 475 extends from the right edge to the left edge of the rear pad member 72, the slit 475 opens more easily than when it does not extend to the left edge (for example, the first embodiment). This makes it easier to insert the airbag module 23, and simplifies assembly of the airbag module 23.

[0133] <<Third Embodiment>> The vehicle seat 501 according to the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in other respects, except for the shape of the auxiliary slit 576. In the following description, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the components other than the auxiliary slit 576, and description of the components other than the auxiliary slit 576 will be omitted.

[0134] 12(B), the auxiliary slit 576 is provided in the upper part of the rear pad member 72 and penetrates from front to rear. In this embodiment, the auxiliary slit 576 extends leftward from the upper right edge of the rear pad member 72 and reaches approximately the center of the rear pad member 72 in the left-right direction.

[0135] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 501 configured in this manner will be described. When the lower end of the rear pad member 72 is moved leftward, the auxiliary slit 576 opens, as in the first embodiment. This makes it easier to insert the airbag module 23 and assemble the airbag module 23.

[0136] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented. In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the rear seats of the second row, but is not limited to the second row and may be applied to the rear seats of the third row and beyond.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the hooks 112 are provided on the webbing 110, but this is not limiting. For example, one end of the webbing 110 may be sewn to form a loop, and the webbing wire 102 may be passed through the loop to connect the webbing wire 102 and the webbing 110.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the webbing 110 is provided with a J-shaped hook 112, but this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 13(A), the hook 612 may be configured to have a ring shape. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 13(B), one end of the webbing 110 may be folded back and sewn to form a ring shape, thereby forming a wire hole 613 in the webbing 110, and the webbing wire 102 may be passed through the wire hole 613, thereby connecting the webbing 110 to the webbing wire 102.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the airbag module 23 is provided on the left side of the seat back 5, but this is not limiting. For example, when the vehicle compartment side wall is provided on the right side of the vehicle seat 1, or for the purpose of deploying the airbag 61 between the vehicle seat 1 and an adjacent vehicle seat 1, the airbag module 23 may be provided on the right side of the seat back 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1: Vehicle seats 19: Seat back frame 21: Pad material 22: Cover material 23: Airbag module 34: Frame bracket 36: Module bracket 70: Front pad member 71: Side pad member 72: Rear pad member 73: Upper pad member 75: Slit 75A: Open end 76: Auxiliary slit 77: Deployment hole 80: Molded parts 81: Upper part of molding part 82: Center of molding part 83: Lower part of molding part 92: Left side skin member 93: Rear skin member 97: Wire fastener 98: Fastener receiving recess (receiving recess) 401: Vehicle seat according to the second embodiment 475: Slit 501: Vehicle seat according to the third embodiment 576: Auxiliary slit P: Fastening point P1: Fastening point P2: Fastening point

Claims

1. A seat back frame portion; a frame bracket coupled to the outer side of the seatback frame portion in the left-right direction; a module bracket for supporting an airbag module and to be fastened to the frame bracket; a pad member covering the seatback frame portion and the airbag module; the pad member includes a front pad member that covers the seatback frame portion and the airbag module from the front, side pad members that are coupled to outer ends of the front pad member in the left-right direction and extend rearward to cover the seatback frame portion and the airbag module from the outer left and right directions, and a rear pad member that extends inward in the left-right direction from rear ends of the side pad members to cover the seatback frame portion and the airbag module from the rear, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the rear pad member is provided with a slit extending from an inner edge of the rear pad member outward in the left-right direction and reaching a position rearward of the airbag module.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the slit is linear.

3. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the slit is substantially horizontal.

4. 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary slit penetrating from front to rear is provided in an upper portion of the rear pad member.

5. the pad member includes an upper pad member that connects upper ends of the front pad member and the rear pad member, respectively, and that covers the seatback frame portion and the airbag module from above, The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an auxiliary slit penetrating from front to rear is provided at the joint between the rear pad member and the upper pad member.

6. 6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary slits are inclined upward from the inner edge of the upper end of the rear pad member toward the left and right outward.

7. The frame bracket and the module bracket are fastened to each other at fastening points; 7. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the fastening point is disposed below the auxiliary slit in rear view.

8. 8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the slit is provided below the frame bracket.

9. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the slits extend from an inner edge of the rear pad member to left and right outer edges thereof.

10. The side pad members are provided with deployment holes penetrating in the left-right direction on the left and right outer sides of the airbag module, 10. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the deployment hole is located in front of the slit.

11. a cover member including a rear cover member covering a rear surface of the pad member and an outer cover member covering the left and right outer sides of the pad member; The left and right outer edges of the rear skin member and the rear edge of the outer skin member are connected to each other by vertically extending linear fasteners, The side pad members are provided with accommodating recesses that are recessed inwardly to the left and right at positions corresponding to the line fasteners and that accommodate the line fasteners, 11. The vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the accommodation recess is provided at a position different from an opening end of the rear pad member in the slit.

12. a molded member joined to an outer side of the seatback frame portion in the left-right direction, the airbag module being located in front of the molded member; 12. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the rear pad member is located rearward of the molded member.

13. The slit extends in the left-right direction, 13. The vehicle seat according to claim 12, wherein the width of the slit in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the width of the airbag module in the left-right direction.

14. 14. The vehicle seat according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the slit is positioned below an upper end of the molded member and above a lower end of the molded member.

15. The slit and the molding member overlap each other in the front and rear direction.

15. The vehicle seat according to claim 14, wherein the distance between the outer end of the portion of the molded member that overlaps with the slit and the outer end of the slit is equal to or greater than the width of the airbag module in the left-right direction.

16. The molded member is coupled to an upper portion of the outer side edge of the seatback frame portion in the left-right direction and includes a molded member upper portion extending outward in the left-right direction, a molded member central portion extending downward from an end portion of the molded member upper portion in the outer left-right direction, and a molded member lower portion extending in a direction inclined downward toward the inner left-right direction from a lower end of the molded member central portion, 16. The vehicle seat according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the slits are provided in the lower part of the molded member at positions overlapping in the front-rear direction.

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