Armrest

Abstract

To provide an armrest that can reduce a flexure load on a heating wire of a heater.SOLUTION: An armrest 1 includes: a base material 2 to be a bone; a cushion pad 3 to be provided on the base material 2; a cover 4 for covering the base material 2 together with the pad 3; and a planar heater 5 arranged in a manner that a heating wire 5B is laid down between the pad 3 and the cover 4. An outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 has a bend surface 2E that bends downward from a top face 2D. The pad 3 has a bend cover part 3C that covers the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 by striding over the top face 2D and the bend surface 2E. The heater 5 has a curved part 5C that is arranged in a manner that the heating wire 5B is laid down between the bend cover part 3C and the cover 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest, and more particularly to an armrest equipped with a heater that uses an electric heating wire as a heat source inside. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a planar heater is incorporated into the armrest of a vehicle seat. The heater is configured by sewing an electric heating wire onto a planar base fabric. The heater is sandwiched between a pad inside the armrest and a cover that covers its surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5603466 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when an arm or hand is placed on the armrest, the heater's heating wire is pressed against the base material inside the armrest. Therefore, if the surface of the base material is uneven, there is a risk of excessive bending load being applied to the heater's heating wire. Therefore, the present invention provides an armrest that can reduce the bending load applied to the heater's heating wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems, the armrest of the present invention employs the following means.

[0006] That is, the first invention of the present invention is an armrest comprising a base material that forms a skeleton, a cushion pad provided on the base material, a cover that encases the base material together with the pad, and a planar heater that is arranged so that a heating wire is laid between the pad and the cover, wherein the outer surface of the base material has a curved surface that bends downward from the upper surface, the pad has a curved covering portion that covers the outer surface of the base material across the upper surface and the curved surface, and the heater has a curved portion that is arranged so that the heating wire is laid between the curved covering portion and the cover.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the bent portion of the heating wire laid on the curved surface of the base material is elastically supported by the curved covering portion of the pad interposed between the base material and the curved surface, thereby reducing the bending load applied to the bent portion of the heating wire when an arm or hand is placed on the armrest.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is an armrest according to the first invention, wherein the curved covering portion is an outer corner between a top plate area that forms a cushion on the upper surface of the pad and a side plate area that forms a cushion on the side surface in the width direction, and the heater is arranged so that the heating wire is laid across the top plate area and the side plate area of ​​the pad.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the heating wire of the heater can be laid over a wide area spanning the upper surface and side surfaces of the armrest without being subjected to an excessive bending load.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is an armrest according to the second invention, wherein the pad comprises a top panel pad that forms a cushion for the top panel area, and a side pad that is adjacent to the top panel pad in the width direction and forms a cushion for the side panel area including the outer corner portion, and the top panel pad is softer than the side pad.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the softness of the top surface can be enhanced while the side surfaces, including the outer corners, can be appropriately shaped. In addition, since the top pad is supported laterally by the adjacent side pads in the width direction, the stability of support for the arms and hands placed on the top surface can be improved.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an armrest according to the third aspect, wherein a fitting recess into which the top board pad is fitted is formed in a top board portion of the base that supports the top board pad.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the top board pad can be assembled in a state where it is positioned on the top board portion, thereby further improving the stability of support for the arms and hands placed on the top surface.

[0014] The fifth invention of the present invention is an armrest according to the second invention, wherein the pad comprises a main pad that forms a cushion for the top panel area and the side panel area including the outer corners, and a laminated pad that is laminated in a recess that is recessed from the pad surface side formed in the top panel area of ​​the main pad and forms a cushion for the top panel area together with the main pad, and the laminated pad is softer than the main pad.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by overlaying a laminated pad that is softer than the main pad on the main pad, it is possible to appropriately adjust the cushioning of the upper surface. In addition, since the laminated pad is supported from all sides by the main pad, it is possible to improve the stability of support for the arm or hand placed on the upper surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an armrest according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, illustrating a deformation state when an arm or hand is placed on the upper surface of the armrest. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustrating the configuration of an armrest according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustrating the configuration of an armrest according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustrating the configuration of an armrest according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (First embodiment) <Outline of armrest 1 configuration> First, the configuration of an armrest 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the directions shown in each drawing. In the following description, when no specific reference drawing is shown or when no reference drawing has a corresponding reference symbol, any of Figures 1 to 5 will be referenced as appropriate.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, an armrest 1 according to this embodiment is applied to an automobile seat 10. The seat 10 is configured as a so-called captain seat for one person. Specifically, the seat 10 includes a seat back 11 that serves as a backrest for the seated occupant, a seat cushion 12 that serves as a seating area, and a headrest 13 that serves as a headrest. The seat back 11 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12 via a recliner (not shown) so that the backrest angle can be adjusted.

[0020] The seat 10 also has a pair of side walls 14 that rise like walls from both the left and right sides of the seat cushion 12. The seat 10 also has armrests 1 on the upper portions of the pair of side walls 14, on which a seated occupant can place their arms and hands. Each armrest 1 has cushioning properties that enable it to gently support the arms and hands of the seated occupant.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, each armrest 1 is provided with a planar heater 5 capable of warming its upper surface U. Each heater 5 is provided so as to straddle the upper surface U and each of the left and right side surfaces S of each armrest 1. This allows each armrest 1 to warm not only the arms and hands placed on the upper surface U, but also the fingertips of the left and right hands that are extended to grasp each of the side surfaces S of each armrest 1.

[0022] More specifically, each heater 5 is provided so as to straddle the upper surface U and each side surface S over substantially the entire area in the front-to-rear direction of each armrest 1. Therefore, even if the position where the arms and hands of the seated occupant are placed on each armrest 1 shifts rearward due to the rearward tilt of the seatback 11, each heater 5 can widely warm the arms, hands, and fingertips of the seated occupant.

[0023] Furthermore, even when the arms and hands of a seated occupant are lowered inward from each armrest 1, the heaters 5 arranged on the inner side surface S of each armrest 1 can warm the arms of the seated occupant over a wide area in the front-to-rear direction. The specific configuration of each part of each armrest 1 will be described in detail below. Note that each armrest 1 has substantially the same basic configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the left armrest 1 shown in Figure 2 will be described in detail below as a representative example.

[0024] <Armrest 1 component configuration> The armrest 1 is formed in the shape of a flat plate that extends longitudinally in the front-to-rear direction along the upper portion of the side wall 14. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the armrest 1 has a base material 2 that forms the framework, a cushion pad 3 provided on the base material 2, and a cover 4 that encases the base material 2 together with the pad 3. The armrest 1 also has a planar heater 5 that is disposed between the pad 3 and the cover 4.

[0025] The base material 2 is made of an injection-molded, plate-shaped resin part. The base material 2 is attached along the upper end of the side wall 14. Specifically, the base material 2 has a flat top plate 2A that forms a framework along the upper surface U of the armrest 1. The base material 2 also has flat side plate portions 2B that extend downward from the left and right side edges of the top plate 2A. Each side plate portion 2B forms a framework along each side surface S of the armrest 1. The base material 2 also has fin portions 2C that extend outward in the width direction (toward the sides spaced apart from each other) from the downwardly extending ends of each side plate portion 2B.

[0026] With the above configuration, the base material 2 has a curved surface 2E formed at each outer corner between the top plate 2A and each side plate 2B extending downward from each side edge of the top plate 2A. As shown in Fig. 4, each curved surface 2E is configured as a surface that curves downward from the upper surface 2D of the top plate 2A.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, a rectangular mating recess A1, slightly recessed downward, is formed on the top surface of the top plate 2A across substantially the entire left-right area. The mating recess A1 is a slight recess that is recessed to less than half the thickness of the top plate 2A. In conjunction with the formation of the mating recess A1, bent surfaces 2F are also formed at both upper corners of the mating recess A1 on the top plate 2A. As shown in Figure 4, each curved surface 2F is configured as a surface that bends downward from the top surface 2D of the top plate 2A.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the pad 3 is composed of a top pad 3A made of slab urethane and a pair of left and right side pads 3B made of chip urethane. The pad 3 is set on the base material 2 so that the top pad 3A and the pair of left and right side pads 3B tightly cover the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2. Specifically, the top pad 3A is set on the top plate portion 2A of the base material 2, and each side pad 3B is set so as to cover each side plate portion 2B from the outside in the width direction.

[0029] Specifically, the top panel pad 3A is cut into a rectangular plate shape in plan view that conforms to the recessed shape of the fitting recess A1 formed in the top panel portion 2A. The entire lower area of ​​the top panel pad 3A is fitted into the fitting recess A1 from above, and the entire upper area is set so that it bulges upward from the fitting recess A1. As a result, the top panel pad 3A forms the top panel area of ​​the pad 3 that forms a cushion for the upper surface U of the armrest 1.

[0030] Each side pad 3B is formed in a plate shape with an inverted L-shaped cross section. Specifically, each side pad 3B has a continuous inverted L-shaped cross section, consisting of a portion that is set adjacent to the top plate pad 3A in the width direction on the upper surface 2D of the top plate 2A, and a portion that is set to cover each side plate 2B from the outside in the width direction. Each side pad 3B is set along the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 so that the vertical sides of the L-shape abut against the upper surfaces of the fin portions 2C and the outer surfaces 2G of the side plates 2B, respectively.

[0031] Each side pad 3B is set so that its horizontal side portion of the L-shape abuts against the upper surface 2D of the top panel portion 2A of the base material 2 and is applied to the top panel pad 3A from the outside in the width direction. As a result, each side pad 3B forms each side panel area of ​​the pad 3 that forms a cushion for each side surface S of the armrest 1. Furthermore, each side pad 3B, together with the top panel pad 3A, forms a cushion for part of the upper surface U of the armrest 1 (each side edge in the width direction).

[0032] With the above configuration, the corners connecting the vertical and horizontal sides of each L-shaped side pad 3B are configured as curved covering portions 3C that cover the curved surfaces 2E of both outer corners of the base material 2. As shown in Fig. 4, each curved covering portion 3C continuously covers each curved surface 2E across the upper surface 2D of the top plate portion 2A and the outer surfaces 2G of each side plate portion 2B.

[0033] Additionally, in the top plate portion where each side pad 3B and top plate pad 3A are adjacently butted against each other, the pad 3 forms a curved covering portion 3D that covers the curved surfaces 2F of both upper corners of the fitting recess A1 of the base material 2. Specifically, each curved covering portion 3D continuously covers each curved surface 2F across the upper surface 2D of the top plate portion 2A and each inner side surface of the fitting recess A1.

[0034] With the above-described configuration, the pad 3 tightly covers the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2, reducing the sensation of a foreign object when the curved surfaces 2E and 2F, which form convex edges, are used. The pad 3 is configured such that the top panel pad 3A, made of slab urethane and forming a cushion for the top surface U, is softer than the side pads 3B, made of chip urethane and forming cushions for the side surfaces S. This allows the pad 3 to enhance the soft feel of the top surface U with the relatively soft top panel pad 3A, while the relatively hard side pads 3B allow the appropriate shaping of the side surfaces S and outer corners of the armrest 1.

[0035] Furthermore, the pad 3 is configured so that the top board pad 3A is fitted into the fitting recess A1 of the top board portion 2A of the base material 2, so that the top board pad 3A is less likely to shift in position in the width direction relative to the base material 2. The pad 3 is also configured so that the top board pad 3A is pressed against both outer sides in the width direction by the relatively hard side pads 3B. As a result, when an arm or hand is placed on the upper surface U of the pad 3, the top board pad 3A is less likely to move left and right, and the pad 3 is configured so that the arm or hand can be properly supported in a fixed position.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, the cover 4 is made up of multiple cover pieces sewn together, each formed to fit the shape of the upper surface U and each side surface S of the armrest 1. After the pad 3 is assembled on the base material 2, the cover 4 is placed over the outer peripheral surface of the pad 3 from above.

[0037] Then, each end of the cover 4 is pulled to the rear (lower side) of the base material 2 and fastened to the rear surface of the base material 2. As a result, the cover 4 is stretched in a state in which it is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pad 3 over a wide area, and the pad 3 is maintained in a state in which it is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 over a wide area.

[0038] The heater 5 has a planar structure in which a nichrome wire heating wire 5B is widely laid in a zigzag pattern on a nonwoven fabric sheet 5A. The heating wire 5B is laid in a zigzag pattern along the back surface of the fabric sheet 5A and is fixed by sewing in various places to the fabric sheet 5A. The heater 5 is arranged as follows so that it can heat not only the top surface U of the armrest 1 but also each of the left and right side surfaces S.

[0039] That is, the heater 5 is expanded to a size that allows it to be laid across the top plate pad 3A and each side pad 3B, and is disposed so as to be laid between the top plate pad 3A, each side pad 3B, and the cover 4 that encases them. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, the heater 5 is configured to have curved portions 5C that are laid so that the heating wire 5B is bent between the curved covering portions 3C at both outer corners of the pad 3 and the cover 4. That is, the heater 5 is configured to have curved portions 5C that are arranged so that the heating wire 5B is placed over the curved surfaces 2E at both outer corners of the base material 2.

[0040] The heater 5 also has curved portions 5D arranged so that the heating wire 5B can be laid between the cover 4 and each curved covering portion 3D formed at the butt portion between the top plate pad 3A and each side pad 3B of the pad 3. That is, the heater 5 has curved portions 5D arranged so that the heating wire 5B can be laid on the curved surfaces 2F of both upper corners of the fitting recess A1 of the base material 2.

[0041] 5, when a seated occupant places their arms or hands on the upper surface U of the armrest 1, a bending load may be applied to the curved portions 5C, 5D of the heater 5. However, the curved portions 5C, 5D of the heater 5 are elastically supported in a wide planar manner from the back side by the curved covering portions 3C, 3D of the pad 3, respectively.

[0042] Therefore, even if the heater 5 receives a load that bends the curved portions 5C, 5D around the curved surfaces 2E, 2F of the base material 2 as fulcrums, the elastic support provided by the curved covering portions 3C, 3D of the pad 3 interposed between the curved surfaces 2E, 2F limits deformation to a gentle overall curvature without local bending. Therefore, even if the heating wire 5B of the heater 5 is laid over a wide area spanning the upper surface U and each side surface S of the armrest 1, an excessive bending load can be prevented from being applied to the curved portions 5C, 5D.

[0043] The heater 5 has a heating wire 5B laid on the back surface of a base fabric 5A, and is disposed so that the base fabric 5A faces the cover 4 and the heating wire 5B faces the pad 3. This configuration makes it difficult for highlight lines caused by the protrusion of the heating wire 5B to be exposed on the surface of the cover 4. In addition, when an arm or hand is placed on the upper surface U, it is difficult for a foreign body sensation caused by the protrusion of the heating wire 5B to be felt.

[0044] To summarize the above, the armrest 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0045] That is, the armrest (1) has a base material (2) that serves as a framework, a cushion pad (3) provided on the base material (2), a cover (4) that encases the base material (2) together with the pad (3), and a planar heater (5) that is disposed so that a heating wire (5B) is laid between the pad (3) and the cover (4). The outer peripheral surface of the base material (2) has curved surfaces (2E, 2F) that bend downward from the upper surface (2D). The pad (3) has curved covering portions (3C, 3D) that cover the outer peripheral surface of the base material (2) across the upper surface (2D) and the curved surfaces (2E, 2F). The heater (5) has curved portions (5C, 5D) that are disposed so that a heating wire (5B) is laid between the curved covering portions (3C, 3D) and the cover (4).

[0046] According to the above configuration, the curved portions (5C, 5D) of the heating wire (5B) laid on the curved surfaces (2E, 2F) of the base material (2) are elastically supported by the curved covering portions (3C, 3D) of the pad (3) interposed between the curved surfaces (2E, 2F). As a result, the bending load applied to the curved portions (5C, 5D) of the heating wire (5B) when an arm or hand is placed on the armrest (1) can be reduced.

[0047] The curved covering portion (3C) is located at the outer corner between the top plate region forming the cushion on the upper surface (U) of the pad (3) and the side plate region forming the cushion on the side surface (S) in the width direction. The heater (5) is disposed so that the heating wire (5B) is laid across the top plate region and the side plate region of the pad (3). With this configuration, the heating wire (5B) of the heater (5) can be laid across a wide area spanning the upper surface (U) and the side surface (S) of the armrest (1) without applying an excessive bending load.

[0048] The pad (3) includes a top panel pad (3A) that forms a cushion for the top panel area, and side pads (3B) that are adjacent to the top panel pad (3A) in the width direction and form cushions for the side panel areas including the outer corners. The top panel pad (3A) is softer than the side pads (3B). This configuration enhances the softness of the upper surface (U) while allowing the side surface (S) including the outer corners to be appropriately shaped. Furthermore, because the top panel pad (3A) is supported laterally by the side pads (3B) that are adjacent in the width direction, the stability of support for arms and hands placed on the upper surface (U) can be improved.

[0049] In addition, the top panel portion (2A) that supports the top panel pad (3A) of the base material (2) has a fitting recess (A1) formed therein into which the top panel pad (3A) is fitted. With this configuration, the top panel pad (3A) can be assembled in a state where it is positioned on the top panel portion (2A). This further improves the stability of support for the arms and hands placed on the upper surface (U).

[0050] (Second embodiment) Next, the configuration of an armrest 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, the armrest 1 according to this embodiment differs from the configuration shown in the first embodiment in that the pad 3 is composed of a main pad 3E made of slab urethane and a laminated pad 3F made of chip urethane. In addition, the top plate portion 2A of the base material 2 has a smooth upper surface shape that does not have the fitting recess A1 (see Figure 3) shown in the first embodiment.

[0051] The main pad 3E is formed in the shape of an inverted U-shaped plate in cross section that conforms to the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2. The main pad 3E is set along the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 so as to abut against the upper surfaces of the fin portions 2C of the base material 2, the outer surfaces 2G of the side plate portions 2B, and the upper surface 2D of the top plate portion 2A. As a result, the main pad 3E forms the top plate region of the pad 3 that forms the cushion for the upper surface U of the armrest 1, and also forms each side plate region of the pad 3 that forms the cushion for each side surface S of the armrest 1.

[0052] With the above configuration, the main pad 3E is configured such that both outer corners of the inverted U-shape serve as curved covering portions 3G that cover the curved surfaces 2E of both outer corners of the base material 2. As shown in Fig. 7, each curved covering portion 3G continuously covers each curved surface 2E across the upper surface 2D of the top plate portion 2A and the outer surfaces 2G of each side plate portion 2B.

[0053] The laminated pad 3F is fitted into a recess E1 formed in the top plate region, which is the region on the top plate portion 2A of the main pad 3E, and is provided in a laminated state. The recess E1 is formed in a shape recessed into a rectangular shape in a plan view from the pad surface side (upper side). The laminated pad 3F is cut into a rectangular plate shape in a plan view that follows the recessed shape of the recess E1.

[0054] The laminated pad 3F is fitted into the recessed portion E1 from above, so that its upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the periphery of the recessed portion E1 of the main pad 3E. As a result, the laminated pad 3F, together with the main pad 3E laminated underneath, forms the top plate region of the pad 3, which forms the cushion for the upper surface U of the armrest 1. The boundary lines between both side surfaces of the recessed portion E1 and both side surfaces of the laminated pad 3F may rise vertically from the top plate portion 2A of the base material 2 as shown in the figure, or may rise diagonally in the width direction. It is preferable that the boundary lines be located widthwise inward of the seam allowances of the seams where the cover pieces of the cover 4 are sewn together at both outer corners.

[0055] With the above configuration, the pad 3 tightly covers the outer peripheral surface of the base material 2 with the main pad 3E, reducing the sensation of a foreign object when using each of the curved surfaces 2E that form convex edges. In addition, the pad 3 has a top panel area that forms a cushion on the upper surface U of the armrest 1, which has a laminated structure of a soft laminated pad 3F and an even harder main pad 3E, so that the cushioning of the upper surface U of the armrest 1 can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the thickness of these.

[0056] The pad 3 is configured such that the relatively soft laminated pad 3F enhances the soft feel of the upper surface U of the armrest 1, while the relatively hard main pad 3E allows for appropriate shaping of each side surface S and outer corners of the armrest 1. In addition, since the laminated pad 3F is supported from all sides by the main pad 3E, the stability of support for the arm or hand placed on the upper surface U can be improved.

[0057] The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the first embodiment, so the same components as those shown in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] To summarize the above, the armrest 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0059] That is, the pad (3) has a main pad (3E) that forms a cushion for the top plate region and side plate region including the outer corners, and a laminated pad (3F) that is laminated in a recess (E1) recessed from the pad surface side formed in the top plate region of the main pad (3E) and forms a cushion for the top plate region together with the main pad (3E). The laminated pad (3F) is softer than the main pad (3E).

[0060] According to the above configuration, by stacking the main pad (3E) on the laminated pad (3F), which is softer than the main pad (3E), it is possible to appropriately adjust the cushioning of the upper surface (U). In addition, since the laminated pad (3F) is supported from all sides by the main pad (3E), it is possible to improve the stability of support for the arm or hand placed on the upper surface (U).

[0061] Other Embodiments Although the present invention has been described above using two embodiments, the present invention can be embodied in various forms other than the above embodiments.

[0062] 1. The armrest of the present invention may be fixed to the side of the seat, or may be attached to the side of the seat back so that it can be deployed and stored by rotating back and forth. The armrest may also be configured in such a way that the center of the seat back of a so-called bench seat can be tilted forward to allow arms and hands to be placed on it.

[0063] In addition to seats, the armrest may be provided on the upper part of a center console or on a door trim of an automobile. The armrest may also be provided for seats in vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, and in vehicles other than automobiles, such as airplanes and ships. The armrest may also be provided for seats other than vehicles, such as seats installed in various facilities, such as sports facilities, theaters, concert halls, and event venues, or massage seats.

[0064] 2. The pad may be made of slab urethane, chip urethane, or molded urethane. The pad may be a single piece that forms the cushion for the top and side panels. The cover may be made of synthetic leather, genuine leather, or fabric. The base material may be made of resin or metal.

[0065] 3. The heater may have no base fabric and only the heating wire is laid between the pad and the cover. The heater may also have the heating wire laid on the front surface of the base fabric rather than the back surface. The heating wire may also be laid separately on both the front and back surfaces of the base fabric.

[0066] 4. The curved surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate may be curved downward from the upper surface of the substrate at a right angle, or may be curved at an obtuse or acute angle. The curved surface serves as a surface that can apply a bending load to the heating wire of the heater depending on its curved shape, and the curved covering portion of the pad is provided to cover the outer peripheral surface across the curved surface and the upper surface of the substrate, thereby reducing the bending load applied to the heating wire of the heater via the pad.

[0067] 5. The heater may be provided over substantially the entire area of ​​the armrest in the fore-and-aft direction, or may be provided only in a partial area in the fore-and-aft direction. For example, in a type in which the armrest is connected to the side of the seatback so that it can be deployed and stored by rotating forward and backward, the armrest follows the seatback when it is tilted backward. Therefore, in such a type, the position where the arms and hands of a seated occupant rest on the armrest is unlikely to shift. Therefore, in such a type, it is sufficient to provide the heater only in the specific area on the armrest where the arms and hands are placed. In particular, even if the heater is provided on the side of the armrest only in the area where the seated occupant's hands rest, it is possible to appropriately warm the fingertips that are stretched out to grasp the side of the armrest.

[0068] 6. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cushion pad 3 provided on the base material 2 may be configured as a single component made of molded urethane. In this case, the top plate region of the pad 3 that overlaps the top surface 2D of the base material 2 may be provided with slits 3H (see FIG. 8) that cut the pad 3 from the surface side or a back recess 3J (see FIG. 9) that creates a space between the pad 3 and the top surface 2D of the base material 2 to soften the surface hardness of the top plate region of the pad 3. This enhances the soft feel of the top surface U of the armrest 1 on which the arms and hands are placed, while also enabling the appropriate shaping of each side surface S and outer corners of the armrest 1. Note that, instead of the slits 3H shown in FIG. 8, through-holes that penetrate the pad 3 in the thickness direction may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 armrest 2 Base material 2A Top plate A1 mating recess 2B Side plate part 2C Fin 2D top view 2E curved surface 2F curved surface 2G outer surface 3 Pad 3A Top Pad 3B side pad 3C curved cover 3D curved cover 3E Main body pad E1 recess 3F Laminated Pad 3G curved cover 3H slit 3J Back recess 4 Cover 5 Heater 5A Base fabric 5B Heating wire 5C Bent section 5D curved section U Top S side 10 sheets 11 Seat back 12 seat cushions 13 Headrest 14 Side wall

Claims

1. An armrest, A base material that serves as a skeleton, a cushion pad provided on the base material; a cover that encases the substrate together with the pad; a planar heater disposed between the pad and the cover such that a heating wire is laid therebetween; An armrest in which the outer surface of the base material has a curved surface that curves downward from the upper surface, the pad has a curved covering portion that covers the outer surface of the base material across the upper surface and the curved surface, the heater has a curved portion that is arranged so that the heating wire is laid between the curved covering portion and the cover, the curved covering portion is located at the outer corner of a top plate area that forms a cushion on the upper surface of the pad and a side plate area that forms a cushion on the side surface in the width direction, and the heater is arranged so that the heating wire is laid across the top plate area and the side plate area of ​​the pad.

2. 2. The armrest according to claim 1, The pad includes a top board pad that forms a cushion for the top board region, and a side pad that is adjacent to the top board pad in the width direction and forms a cushion for the side board region including the outer corner portion, The armrest wherein the top board pad is softer than the side pads.

3. 3. The armrest according to claim 2, An armrest in which a fitting recess into which the top panel pad is fitted is formed in a top panel portion of the base material that supports the top panel pad.

4. 2. The armrest according to claim 1, The pad has a main body pad that forms a cushion for the top plate region and the side plate region including the outer corner portion, and a laminated pad that is laminated in a recess that is recessed from the pad surface side formed in the top plate region of the main body pad and forms a cushion for the top plate region together with the main body pad, The armrest wherein the laminated pad is softer than the main pad.

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