Vehicle seats

Abstract

To facilitate positioning a lock device to a back frame.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12, a seat back 14, and a lock device 16. A back frame 22 constituting a skeleton of the seat back 14 includes a pair of right and left side frame parts 26, and a connection frame part 28 for connecting the pair of right and left side frame parts 26 in a seat width direction. The lock device 16 has a frame fitting part 34D into which an end 28B of the connection frame part 28 is fit, and a lock part 36 which is engaged with a vehicle body side engagement part 24 provided on a vehicle body side in a state where the seat back 14 is arranged at a support position P1. The lock device 16 is fixed to the side frame part 26 in a state in which the end 28B of the connection frame part 28 is fit into the frame fitting part 34D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a locking device for a rear seat back. The locking device described in this document includes a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism, and is attached to the back frame of the rear seat back via a bracket. When the rear seat back is in an upright position, the locking mechanism of the locking device engages with a catch provided on the vehicle body, thereby restricting the displacement of the seat back. Furthermore, by operating the unlocking mechanism of the locking device to release the engagement between the locking mechanism and the catch, the displacement of the seat back is permitted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 64-22543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when attaching the locking device to the back frame of the rear seat back, it is difficult to easily position the locking device relative to the back frame.

[0005] In consideration of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat in which the locking device can be easily positioned relative to the back frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle seat of the first embodiment comprises a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below the seat, a seat back that is displaceable relative to the seat cushion and supports the back of the seated occupant from below the seat when positioned in a support position, a pair of left and right side frame portions spaced apart in the seat width direction, and a connecting frame portion that connects the pair of left and right side frame portions in the seat width direction, and is equipped with a back frame that forms the skeleton of the seat back, a frame fitting portion into which an end of the connecting frame portion fits, and a lock portion that engages with a vehicle body side engaging portion provided on the vehicle body side when the seat back is positioned in the support position, and a lock device that is fixed to the side frame portion when the end of the connecting frame portion is fitted into the frame fitting portion.

[0007] According to the vehicle seat of the first aspect, the seat back can be displaced relative to the seat cushion. Furthermore, when the seat back is in the support position and the locking portion of the locking device is engaged with the vehicle body-side engaging portion, displacement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion is restricted. Here, the locking device has a frame engaging portion into which the end of the connecting frame portion is engaged. The locking device is fixed to the side frame portion with the end of the connecting frame portion engaged with the frame engaging portion. By configuring the locking device to engage with two points, namely the connecting frame portion and the side frame portion, the positioning of the locking device relative to the seat back frame can be easily performed.

[0008] The vehicle seat of the second aspect is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, wherein the locking device includes an outer shell portion that forms the outer shell of the locking device and is formed using a resin material and in which the frame fitting portion is formed, and the locking portion attached to the outer shell portion.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the vehicle seat, the locking device includes an outer shell and a locking portion attached to the outer shell. The outer shell is formed using a resin material. This allows the frame fitting portion to be easily formed on the outer shell when the outer shell is formed by injection molding, for example.

[0010] A vehicle seat of a third aspect is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, wherein an end of the connection frame portion protrudes outward in the seat width direction relative to the side frame portion.

[0011] According to the vehicle seat of the third aspect, the end of the connecting frame protrudes outward in the seat width direction relative to the side frame, which makes it easier to fit the end of the connecting frame into the frame fitting portion of the locking device, thereby improving the workability when attaching the locking device to the back frame.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the vehicle seat is a vehicle seat as described in claim 1, wherein the shape of the end of the connecting frame portion when viewed from the seat width direction is formed to narrow toward the opposite side from the end of the side frame portion, and the surface of the end of the connecting frame portion on the end side of the side frame portion is a flat abutment surface, and the end of the side frame portion and the end of the connecting frame portion are joined by welding while the end of the side frame portion is abutting against the abutment surface.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the vehicle seat, the shape of the end of the connecting frame portion when viewed from the seat width direction is formed to taper toward the side opposite the end of the side frame portion. Furthermore, the surface of the end of the connecting frame portion facing the end of the side frame portion is a flat abutment surface, and the end of the side frame portion and the end of the connecting frame portion are joined by welding while the end of the side frame portion is in abutment with the abutment surface. This configuration facilitates welding the end of the side frame portion and the end of the connecting frame portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle seat according to the present invention has the excellent effect of allowing the locking device to be easily positioned relative to the back frame. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a seat back is disposed in a support position. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the seat back is disposed in a stowed position. [Figure 3] 10 is a perspective view showing a portion of the back frame to which the locking device is attached and a locking portion of the locking device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a locking device. [Figure 5] 10 is a side view showing an example in which the inner portion of the frame fitting portion is a rib formed in a cross shape. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example in which the inner portion of the frame fitting portion is a rib having a honeycomb structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A vehicle seat 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the arrows FR, UP, RH, and LH shown in the figures indicate the front, upper, right, and left sides of the seat, respectively, as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10 with the seat back 14 set to a support position P1, which will be described later. Hereinafter, when the terms "front-rear," "up-down," and "left-right" are used in the description, they will refer to the front-rear direction of the seat, the up-down direction of the seat, and the left-right direction of the seat, unless otherwise specified. The left-right direction of the seat coincides with the width direction of the seat.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below, a seat back 14 that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear, and a locking device 16 provided on the seat back 14.

[0018] The seat cushion 12 is configured such that a cushion pad 18 covered with a skin material is attached to a cushion frame (not shown) that forms the framework of the seat cushion 12. The seat cushion 12 is fixed to the floor of the vehicle body, for example.

[0019] The seat back 14 has a structure in which a back pad 20 covered with a skin material is attached to a back frame 22 (see FIG. 3 ) that forms the framework of the seat back 14. The seat back 14 is supported at the rear end of the seat cushion 12. A reclining mechanism (not shown) is provided between the seat back 14 and the seat cushion 12. This allows the seat back 14 to be displaced (tilted) relative to the seat cushion 12 between a support position P1 shown in FIG. 1 and a storage position P2 shown in FIG. 2. When the seat back 14 is positioned at the support position P1, a locking device 16 provided on the seat back 14 is engaged with a vehicle body-side engaging portion 24 provided on the vehicle body. This restricts the displacement of the seat back 14 relative to the seat cushion 12. Note that the engagement between the locking device 16 and the vehicle body-side engaging portion 24 is released by operating a release operating portion (not shown). This allows the seat back 14 to be displaced relative to the seat cushion 12.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the back frame 22 that forms the framework of the seat back 14 includes a pair of left and right side frame portions 26 that are spaced apart in the seat width direction, and a connecting frame portion 28 that connects the pair of left and right side frame portions 26 in the seat width direction. Note that Fig. 3 shows only the right side frame portion 26.

[0021] The pair of left and right side frame portions 26 are cylindrically formed using a metal material and extend vertically when the seat back 14 is positioned at the support position P1 (see FIG. 1). The following description of the back frame 22 and the locking device 16 will be given assuming that the seat back 14 is positioned at the support position P1. A connecting frame portion 28 (described later) spans the upper ends 26A of the pair of left and right side frame portions 26. A bracket 30 is fixed to the upper end of the right side frame portion 26. The bracket 30 is formed using a metal plate and includes a base portion 30A extending vertically with its thickness direction coincident with the seat width direction, and a pair of leg portions 30B extending leftward from the upper and lower ends of the base portion 30A. The left ends of the pair of leg portions 30B are joined by welding to the upper end of the right side frame portion 26. A pair of weld nuts (not shown) are joined to the base portion 30A of the bracket 30. Then, by threading a pair of bolts 32 inserted through the locking device 16 into a pair of weld nuts, the locking device 16 is fixed to the upper end side of the right side frame portion 26 via the bracket 30.

[0022] The connection frame portion 28 is formed into a cylindrical shape using a metal material. The left-right central portion 28A of the connection frame portion 28 is formed into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the right end portion 28B of the connection frame portion 28, when viewed from the right side, is formed into a generally triangular shape that narrows toward the side opposite the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26. The right end portion 28B of the connection frame portion 28 is formed into the above-described shape by applying a drawing process or the like to the right end portion 28B of the connection frame portion 28. Here, the portion of the right end portion 28B of the connection frame portion 28 that faces the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26 in the vertical direction is referred to as a bottom wall portion 28B1. Furthermore, the portion of the right end portion 28B of the connection frame portion 28 that extends upward from the front end of the bottom wall portion 28B1 is referred to as a front inclined wall portion 28B2. The front inclined wall portion 28B2 is inclined rearward as it extends upward. The portion of the right end 28B of the connecting frame 28 that extends upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 28B1 will be referred to as the rear inclined wall 28B3. The rear inclined wall 28B3 slopes forward as it extends upward. The upper ends of the front inclined wall 28B2 and the rear inclined wall 28B3 are connected at the center of the right end 28B of the connecting frame 28 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the surface of the bottom wall portion 28B1 on the side of the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26 is a flat contact surface S. With the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26 abutting against the contact surface S, the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26 and the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 are joined by welding. Furthermore, with the upper end portion 26A of the side frame portion 26 and the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 joined by welding, a portion of the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 protrudes outward (to the right) from the side frame portion 26 in the seat width direction.

[0024] 3 and 4, the locking device 16 is configured to include an outer shell portion 34 that forms the outer shell of the locking device 16, and a locking portion 36 attached to the outer shell portion 34. Note that the outer shell portion 34 is not shown in Fig. 1. Also, Fig. 4 shows a simplified configuration of the outer shell portion 34 and the locking portion 36.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer shell portion 34 is formed using a resin material. Here, the outer shell portion 34 of this embodiment is configured to have a release operation portion (not shown). The outer shell portion 34 includes a right-side covering portion 34A that covers the locking portion 36 from the right side, a front covering portion 34B that extends leftward from the front end of the right-side covering portion 34A, and a rear covering portion 34C that extends leftward from the rear end of the right-side covering portion 34A. The locking portion 36 is fixed to the lower end of the right-side covering portion 34A. Furthermore, a frame fitting portion 34D is formed at the upper end of the right-side covering portion 34A, into which the right end portion 28B (see FIG. 3) of the connecting frame portion 28 fits. The frame fitting portion 34D is a recess formed in the right-side covering portion 34A. The frame fitting portion 34D has a substantially triangular shape corresponding to the shape of the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28. Here, the dimensions of the frame fitting portion 34D may be set so that the frame fitting portion 34D and the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 are press-fitted together. Alternatively, the dimensions of the frame fitting portion 34D may be set so that the frame fitting portion 34D and the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 are fitted together with a predetermined clearance. In this embodiment, the inner portion 34E of the frame fitting portion 34D (the portion inserted into the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28) is shaped like a solid block.

[0026] The locking portion 36 includes a locking portion main body 38 and a locking piece 40 supported by the locking portion main body 38 .

[0027] A pair of bolt insertion holes 38A are formed in the locking portion main body 38. The pair of bolt insertion holes 38A are arranged at a distance in the up-down direction. A pair of bolts 32 (see FIG. 3) are inserted into these bolt insertion holes 38A. Furthermore, a first recess 38B that is open on the rear side is formed in the center of the locking portion main body 38 in the up-down direction.

[0028] The lock piece 40 is formed in a plate shape and is supported by the locking section main body 38 so as to be tiltable. The lock piece 40 also has a second recess 40A that is open on one side. When the vehicle-body-side locking portion 24 provided on the vehicle body side is disposed in the first recess 38B formed in the locking section main body 38 and in the second recess 40A formed in the locking piece 40, the locking section 36 (locking device 16) and the vehicle-body-side locking portion 24 are kept engaged with each other. When the locking piece 40 tilts relative to the locking section main body 38 and the vehicle-body-side locking portion 24 is released from the second recess 40A formed in the locking piece 40, the vehicle-body-side locking portion 24 can be released from the first recess 38B formed in the locking section main body 38. In this state, the locking section 36 (locking device 16) and the vehicle-body-side locking portion 24 are released from engagement with each other.

[0029] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] 1 and 2, according to the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the seat back 14 can be displaced between a support position P1 and a storage position P2 relative to the seat cushion 12. In addition, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, when the locking portion 36 of the locking device 16 is engaged with the vehicle body side engaging portion 24 while the seat back 14 is positioned at the support position P1, the displacement of the seat back 14 relative to the seat cushion 12 is limited.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the outer shell portion 34 of the locking device 16 is formed with a frame fitting portion 34D into which the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 fits. In this embodiment, with the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 fitted into the frame fitting portion 34D of the outer shell portion 34, a pair of bolts 32 inserted through the locking portion 36 are threaded into a pair of weld nuts joined to the bracket 30. This fixes the locking device 16 to the upper end side of the right side frame portion 26 via the bracket 30. By configuring the locking device 16 to engage with two locations, the connecting frame portion 28 and the side frame portion 26, the locking device 16 can be easily positioned relative to the back frame 22. Furthermore, by configuring the locking device 16 to engage with two locations, the connecting frame portion 28 and the side frame portion 26, strength against loads generated during a vehicle collision can be ensured.

[0032] In this embodiment, the locking device 16 includes an outer shell portion 34 and a locking portion 36 attached to the outer shell portion 34. The outer shell portion 34 is formed using a resin material. This allows the frame fitting portion 34D to be easily formed in the outer shell portion 34 when the outer shell portion 34 is formed by injection molding.

[0033] In this embodiment, a portion of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 protrudes outward in the seat width direction relative to the side frame portion 26. This makes it easier to fit the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 into the frame fitting portion 34D of the outer shell portion 34 of the locking device 16. As a result, the workability when attaching the locking device 16 to the back frame 22 can be improved.

[0034] In this embodiment, the shape of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28, as viewed from the right side, is formed into a generally triangular shape that narrows toward the side opposite the upper end 26A of the side frame portion 26. The surface of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 facing the upper end 26A of the side frame portion 26 is a flat abutment surface S. With the upper end 26A of the side frame portion 26 abutting against the abutment surface S, the upper end 26A of the side frame portion 26 and the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 are joined by welding. This configuration facilitates joining the upper end 26A of the side frame portion 26 and the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 by welding.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 is formed in a substantially triangular shape as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 may be set appropriately taking into consideration the configuration of the joint with the side frame portion 26, etc. For example, the shape of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 may be other shapes, such as a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle.

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, an example has been described in which the inner portion 34E of the frame fitting portion 34D (the portion inserted into the right end portion 28B of the connecting frame portion 28) is a solid block, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the inner portion 34E of the frame fitting portion 34D may be configured with ribs 34F that are hollowed out. The inner portion 34E of the frame fitting portion 34D shown in Fig. 5 has ribs 34F formed in a cross shape, and the inner portion 34E of the frame fitting portion 34D shown in Fig. 6 has ribs 34F with a honeycomb structure.

[0037] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a portion of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 protrudes outward in the seat width direction relative to the side frame portion 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a configuration in which the frame fitting portion on the locking device 16 side is formed in a rod shape and this frame fitting portion is fitted in a state in which it is inserted into the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28, it is not necessary for a portion of the right end 28B of the connecting frame portion 28 to protrude outward in the seat width direction relative to the side frame portion 26.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the locking device 16 is configured to include the outer shell portion 34 and the locking portion 36 attached to the outer shell portion 34, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the locking device 16 may be configured without the outer shell portion 34. In this case, a frame fitting portion may be provided in a portion of the locking device 16 corresponding to the locking portion 36.

[0039] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 16 Locking device 22 Back Frame 24 Vehicle body side locking part 26 Side frame part 28 Connection frame part 28A End of connection frame 34 Outer shell 34D Frame fitting part 36 Rock Club P1 support position S Contact surface

Claims

1. a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below the seat; a seat back that is displaceable relative to the seat cushion and supports the back of a seated occupant from below the seat when the seat back is disposed at a support position; a back frame that includes a pair of left and right side frame portions that are spaced apart in the seat width direction and a connecting frame portion that connects the pair of left and right side frame portions in the seat width direction, and that constitutes a framework of the seat back; a locking device having a frame fitting portion into which an end of the connecting frame portion is fitted, and a locking portion that is engaged with a vehicle body side engaging portion provided on the vehicle body side when the seat back is placed at the support position, the locking device being fixed to the side frame portion when the end of the connecting frame portion is fitted with the frame fitting portion; Equipped with The end of the connecting frame portion, as viewed from the seat width direction, is formed into a shape that narrows toward the opposite side from the end of the side frame portion, the end of the connecting frame portion has a surface on the end side of the side frame portion that is a flat contact surface, The end of the side frame portion and the end of the connecting frame portion are joined by welding in a state where the end of the side frame portion is in contact with the contact surface. Vehicle seat.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the locking device includes an outer shell portion that forms an outer shell of the locking device, is made of a resin material, and has the frame fitting portion formed therein, and the locking portion is attached to the outer shell portion.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the connecting frame portion protrudes outward in a seat width direction relative to the side frame portion.

Images