Vehicle seats

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle seat in which a support case, a circuit board and a side finisher can be attached to a side frame so that a substrate connection cable connected to the circuit board is hard to contact a component positioned around the same, and after the support case, the circuit board and the side finisher are attached to the side frame, work for electrically connecting an electric cable for supplying electric power to an electric actuator to the circuit board can be easily executed.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat comprises: a support case 65 which is fixed to a side finisher 45 while supporting a circuit board 60; and a substrate connection cable 80 having a connector 86 which can be connected to a cable body 81 extending from one end part 85 connected to the circuit board and an electric cable for supplying electric power to an electric actuator. The support case comprises a cable protection part 73 which covers at least a part of the cable body and exposes at least the connector in a side view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a seat cushion frame having a side frame, a side finisher (reclining cover), a support case (base cover), a switching unit, and a cable (substrate connection cable) connected to the switching unit. The side finisher is a member provided on one side portion of the seat cushion. The support case is located between the side frame and the side finisher and supports the switching unit.

[0003] The support case is fixed to the inner surface of the side finisher. Further, an engagement hole is provided in the side frame, and an engagement protrusion is provided in the support case. By inserting the engagement protrusion of the support case integrated with the switching unit and the side finisher into the engagement hole, the support case, the switching unit, and the side finisher are attached to the side frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A cable for supplying power to an electric actuator is connected to the switching unit of Patent Document 1 above. However, it is not easy to connect the cable to the switching unit by using the gap between the support case attached to the side frame and the side finisher.

[0006] On the other hand, it is not difficult to connect the cables to the switching unit using the gap mentioned above before the support case is attached to the side frame. However, in this case, when the support case is attached to the side frame, the cables may come into contact with the components of the seat cushion, potentially causing the cables to deteriorate.

[0007] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat in which a support case, circuit board, and side finisher can be mounted on a side frame in such a way that the board connection cables connected to the circuit board are less likely to come into contact with surrounding components, and in which the work of electrically connecting the electrical cables for supplying power to the electric actuator to the circuit board can be easily performed after the support case, circuit board, and side finisher have been mounted on the side frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle seat according to claim 1 is a skeletal member of a seat cushion and comprises a seat cushion frame having a side frame, a side finisher provided on the side of the seat cushion, a circuit board located between the side frame and the side finisher, a support case located between the side frame and the side finisher while supporting the circuit board, and a board connection cable having one end connected to the circuit board, a flexible cable body extending from the one end, and the other end being a connector connectable to an electrical cable for supplying power to an electric actuator, wherein one of the side frame and the support case is provided with an engagement hole, and the other of the side frame and the support case is provided with an engagement projection that allows the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher, to be attached to the side frame by being inserted into the engagement hole, and the support case is provided with a cable protection portion that covers at least a part of the cable body and exposes at least the connector in a side view.

[0009] According to the vehicle seat described in claim 1, the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher and circuit board, can be attached to the side frame by inserting an engaging projection provided on the other side frame into an engaging hole provided on the other side frame and support case.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat described in claim 1, when the side finisher and support case are mounted on the side frame, the cable protection portion of the support case covers at least a portion of the cable body in a side view. Therefore, the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher and circuit board, can be mounted on the side frame in such a way that the board connection cable connected to the circuit board is less likely to come into contact with surrounding components.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat described in claim 1, when the side finisher and support case are mounted on the side frame, the cable protection portion of the support case exposes the connector of the circuit board connection cable in a side view. Therefore, it is easy to connect the end of the electrical cable for supplying power to the electric actuator to the connector of the circuit board connection cable. In other words, with the vehicle seat described in claim 1, the work of electrically connecting the electrical cable to the circuit board can be easily performed after the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher and circuit board, is mounted on the side frame.

[0012] The vehicle seat according to claim 2 has the configuration according to claim 1, wherein it has a first connector connected to the circuit board, one end of the board connection cable is a second connector that is detachable from the first connector, and in a side view the support case covers the second connector.

[0013] According to the vehicle seat described in claim 2, the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher and the circuit board, can be mounted on the side frame so that the second connector, which is connected to the first connector connected to the circuit board, is less likely to come into contact with surrounding components.

[0014] The vehicle seat according to claim 3 comprises, in the configuration according to claim 1 or claim 2, a riser and a lift arm rotatably connected to the front of the riser and the side frame, respectively, around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, wherein the cable protection portion constitutes the front of the support case, and the cable body comprises a first component in which, in a side view, a portion is located on the outer circumference side of the support case and to the side of the lift arm, and a second component extending in the seat width direction and located in front of the movable range of the lift arm.

[0015] According to the vehicle seat described in claim 3, in a side view, a portion of the first component and the second component that are not covered by the support case do not come into contact with the lift arm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the vehicle seat of the present invention has the excellent effect that the support case, circuit board, and side finisher can be mounted on the side frame in such a way that the circuit board connection cable connected to the circuit board is less likely to come into contact with surrounding components, and that after the support case, circuit board, and side finisher are mounted on the side frame, the work of electrically connecting the electrical cable for supplying power to the electric actuator to the circuit board can be easily performed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view from the front of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a vehicle seat, showing the side finisher, inner case, circuit board, switch case, and operating lever separated. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the side finisher, inner case, circuit board, switch case, and board connection cables, viewed from the left side. [Figure 4]Exploded perspective view when seen from the right side of the side finisher, inner case, circuit board, switch case, and substrate connection cable. [Figure 5] Perspective view seen from the front of the left side of the seat cushion when the side finisher is removed. [Figure 6] Perspective view seen from the front of the left side of the seat cushion when the side finisher, inner case, and operation lever are removed. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 7-7 in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 8-8 in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] Side view when seen from the right side of the inner case, circuit board, switch case, and substrate connection cable.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The vehicle seat 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these figures, the arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the front side of the seat, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the seat width direction (left-right direction).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 20 is provided on a vehicle body floor 11 which is a part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 10. The vehicle seat 20 is the front seat on the left side. The vehicle seat 20 includes a lower rail 21, an upper rail 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 5), a riser 23 (see FIG. 5), a connecting member 32, and a seat body 33.

[0020] A pair of lower rails 21, extending in the front-rear direction and positioned horizontally, are fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle floor 11. A pair of upper rails 22 are slidably supported on each lower rail 21. Furthermore, each upper rail 22 is provided with a slide lock device (not shown) that restricts or allows the upper rail 22 to slide relative to the lower rail 21. In addition, the vehicle seat 20 is equipped with a first electric motor (electric actuator) M1 (see Figure 1) that generates the driving force to slide the upper rail 22 relative to the lower rail 21.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, risers 23 are fixed to each upper rail 22. Lifter mechanisms are provided on the left and right risers 23. The lifter mechanism consists of a pair of left and right front lift arms (lift arms) 27, a connecting pin (rotating axis) 28, a rear lift arm 29, and a connecting pin 30. The lower ends of the left and right front lift arms 27 are rotatably connected to the front ends of the left and right risers 23, respectively, via connecting pins 28 that extend in the seat width direction (left-right direction). Also, as shown in Figure 6, the lower ends of the left and right rear lift arms 29 are rotatably connected to the rear ends of the left and right risers 23, respectively, via connecting pins 30 that extend in the seat width direction.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the connecting member 32 located between the left and right upper rails 22 is fixed to the left and right upper rails 22. The front-rear position of the front end of the connecting member 32 is approximately the same as the front-rear position of the front end of the upper rails 22.

[0023] The upper part of the lifter mechanism supports the seat body 33. The seat body 33 has a seat cushion 35, a seat back 95, and a headrest 99.

[0024] The seat cushion 35 comprises a seat cushion frame 40, cushion pads 44, side finishers 45, an inner case 50, a circuit board 60, an operating lever 63, a switch case (support case) 65, a circuit board connection cable 80, and an electrical cable 90 (see Figure 3).

[0025] The metal seat cushion frame 40 comprises a pair of left and right side frames 41, a front frame (not shown) connecting the front ends of the left and right side frames 41, and a rear frame (not shown) connecting the rear ends of the left and right side frames 41.

[0026] The upper ends of the left and right front lift arms 27 are rotatably connected to the front of the left and right side frames 41 via a pivot axis (not shown) parallel to the connecting pin 28. Similarly, the upper ends of the left and right rear lift arms 29 are rotatably connected to the rear of the left and right side frames 41 via a pivot axis (not shown) parallel to the connecting pin 30. The risers 23, front lift arms 27, rear lift arms 29, and side frames 41 constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. Furthermore, the vehicle seat 20 is equipped with a second electric motor (electric actuator) M2 (see Figure 1) that provides driving force to the lifter mechanism. The driving force of the second electric motor M2 operates the four-bar linkage mechanism, causing the seat cushion 35 to move up and down relative to the left and right risers 23.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, an engagement hole 42 is formed as a through-hole in the left side frame 41. The side shape of the engagement hole 42 is approximately rectangular.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, a cushion pad 44 is attached to the upper part of the seat cushion frame 40. The lower side surface of the cushion pad 44 is located above the lower edge of the side frame 41.

[0029] The side finisher 45, a one-piece molded resin product, is a hollow body with its entire right side open. The side finisher 45 comprises a main plate 46 having a roughly V-shaped side profile and forming the left side of the side finisher 45, and an outer flange 47 provided on the outer edge of the main plate 46. Furthermore, a recess 46a is formed on the left side of the main plate 46, and a through hole 48 is formed in the bottom surface of the recess 46a. As shown in Figure 4, three first support protrusions 46b and five second support protrusions 46c are projected to the right from the right side of the main plate 46. Female screw grooves are formed on the tip surfaces of the first support protrusions 46b and the second support protrusions 46c.

[0030] The inner case 50, a one-piece molded resin product, has a main body 51 and a connector (first connector) 52, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The main body 51 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with its entire right side open. The connector 52 is connected to the front end face of the main body 51. The male connector 52 is a cylindrical body with a rectangular cross-section and an open front. Although not shown, multiple metal contact pins are fixed to the front wall of the main body 51. The front part of each contact pin is located in the internal space of the connector 52, and the rear part of each contact pin is located in the internal space of the main body 51. Furthermore, three projections 53 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 51, and through holes are formed in each projection 53. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a support pin 55 is fixed to the left side of the main body 51, and two movable members 56 and 57 are supported so as to be able to move relative to each other (not shown in Figures 2 and 3).

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an electronic circuit (not shown) is formed on the left side of a roughly rectangular circuit board 60 using a conductive material. Furthermore, numerous electronic components are provided on the left side of the circuit board 60. The circuit board 60 is inserted into the main body 51 such that the electronic circuit faces the bottom surface of the main body 51, and is fixed to the main body 51 by fixing means. Furthermore, the rear ends of each contact pin fixed to the front wall of the main body 51 are soldered to the electronic circuit.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the inner case 50, which is integrated with the circuit board 60, is inserted into the internal space of the side finisher 45 in such a manner that each projection 53 contacts the tip surface of the corresponding first support projection 46b. In addition, screws 61 inserted from the right side into the through holes of each projection 53 are inserted into the female screw holes of the first support projection 46b, and each projection 53 is fixed to the corresponding first support projection 46b by each screw 61.

[0033] Furthermore, a connecting portion (not shown) protruding to the right from the base end (lower end) of the operating lever 63 is connected to the support pin 55 through a through hole 48 in the side finisher 45.

[0034] The switch case 65, a one-piece molded resin product shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7-9, is a hollow body with an open left side. The switch case 65 includes a base plate 66 that forms the right side of the switch case 65. The base plate 66 further includes a rear component 66A that forms the rear of the base plate 66 and a front component 66B that forms the front of the base plate 66. The front component 66B is located one level above the rear component 66A. The switch case 65 also has an upper flange 67 provided on the upper edge of the base plate 66 and a lower flange 68 provided on the lower edge of the base plate 66. The vertical distance between the lower surface of the upper flange 67 and the upper surface of the lower flange 68 is slightly greater than the vertical distance between the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 51 of the inner case 50. Furthermore, five projections 69 are provided on the left edge of the outer surface of the upper flange 67 and the lower flange 68, and a through hole is formed in each projection 69. Furthermore, an engaging projection 70 is provided projecting to the right from the rear of the right side of the rear component 66A. The cross-sectional shape of the engaging projection 70 is substantially the same as that of the engaging hole 42. The switch case 65 is further divided into two parts. Specifically, the switch case 65 consists of a substrate protection section 71 located behind the boundary between the rear component 66A and the front component 66B, and a cable protection section 73 located in front of the said boundary.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 7-9, the circuit board protection portion 71 of the switch case 65 is placed over the inner case 50 from the right side. At this time, the upper flange 67 of the circuit board protection portion 71 contacts the upper surface of the inner case 50, the lower flange 68 of the circuit board protection portion 71 contacts the lower surface of the inner case 50, and the connector 52 is located at the front end of the internal space of the circuit board protection portion 71. Furthermore, once the switch case 65 is placed over the inner case 50 in this manner, as shown in Figure 8, each projection 69 of the switch case 65 contacts the tip surface of the corresponding second support projection 46c. Furthermore, screws 62 inserted from the right side into the through holes of each projection 69 are inserted into the female screw holes of the second support projection 46c, and each projection 69 is fixed to the corresponding second support projection 46c by each screw 62.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the board connection cable 80 has a flexible cable body 81 and female connectors 85 and 86 fixed to both ends of the cable body 81, respectively. The cable body 81 comprises a number of harnesses 82 made of a conductive material and covered with an insulating material on its circumferential surface, and a covering tube 83 made of an insulating material that covers the circumferential surface of the harness group, which is an assembly of all the harnesses 82. The connector (one end) (second connector) 85 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped insulator 85A with a plurality of holes formed on its tip surface, and a plurality of metal contacts (not shown) provided inside the insulator 85A and connected to the harness 82. Similarly, the connector (other end) 86 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped insulator 86A with a plurality of holes formed on its tip surface, and a plurality of metal contacts (not shown) provided inside the insulator 86A and connected to the harness 82.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the connector 85 of the board connection cable 80 is connected to the connector 52 of the inner case 50 from the front. As a result, each contact pin on the connector 52 makes contact with each contact of the connector 85 through the holes in the insulator 85A. With the connector 85 connected to the connector 52 in this way, there is little risk of the connector 85 coming out of the connector 52 unless a certain amount of forward force is applied to the connector 85. Furthermore, the rear of the cable body 81 is located to the left of the cable protection section 73.

[0038] Once the side finisher 45, inner case 50, circuit board 60, switch case 65, and board connection cable 80 are integrated in this manner, the engaging projection 70 provided on the right side of the switch case 65 is pressed into the engaging hole 42 provided on the left side frame 41. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the integrated unit comprising the side finisher 45, inner case 50, circuit board 60, switch case 65, and board connection cable 80 is mounted on the left side of the side frame 41.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, a predetermined portion of the cable body 81 that is part of the cable body 81 and located in front of the front end of the switch case 65 (cable protection portion 73) in a side view is defined as the intermediate portion 81M. Furthermore, the portion of the cable body 81 located on the connector 85 side of the intermediate portion 81M is the first component 81A, and the portion of the cable body 81 located on the connector 86 side of the intermediate portion 81M is the second component 81B. As shown in Figure 9, when viewed from the right side, the cable protection portion 73 covers the portion of the first component 81A except for the front part. In other words, when viewed from the right side, the front part of the first component 81A is located on the outer circumference side of the cable protection portion 73 in a side view.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the intermediate section 81M is bent, and as shown in Figure 5, the intermediate section of the second component 81B is supported by a bracket 88 fixed to the upper surface of the front end of the connecting member 32. This makes the second component 81B parallel or approximately parallel to the left-right direction. Furthermore, the second component 81B is located to the right of the intermediate section 81M. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, in a plan view, the first component 81A is located to the left of the left front lift arm 27, and the second component 81B is located directly in front of the left front lift arm 27. The position of the front lift arm 27 shown in Figure 7 is the position when the front lift arm 27 is rotated to its furthest forward position. That is, the second component 81B is located in front of the movable range of the left front lift arm 27.

[0041] The electrical cable 90 shown in Figure 3 has a flexible cable body 91 and a male connector 92 fixed to one end of the cable body 91. The cable body 91 comprises a harness made of a conductive material and a covering tube made of an insulating material that covers the circumferential surface of the harness. The connector 92 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped insulator 92A and a plurality of contact pins (not shown) supported by the insulator 92A and connected to the harness. A first electric motor M1 and a second electric motor M2 are connected to the other end of the electrical cable 90. The insulator 92A of the electrical cable 90 is connected to the connector 86 of the board connection cable 80, and each contact pin of the connector 92 contacts each contact pin of the connector 86 through a hole in the insulator 86A.

[0042] The lower end of the seat back 95 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 35 via a reclining mechanism (not shown). A lumbar support mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the seat back 95. Furthermore, a reclining electric motor (not shown) for operating the reclining mechanism is provided inside the seat cushion 11. Furthermore, a lumbar support electric motor (not shown) for operating the lumbar support mechanism is provided inside the seat back 95. Furthermore, a reclining operation lever and a lumbar support operation lever, which are movable members not shown, are provided on the left side of the inner case 50. The left ends of the reclining operation lever and the lumbar support operation lever are located in the recess 46a of the side finisher 45, passing through a through hole (not shown) provided in the side finisher 45.

[0043] Furthermore, a headrest 99 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 95. This completes the vehicle seat 20 shown in Figure 1.

[0044] When the operating lever 63 moves in the forward / backward or up / down direction relative to the support pin 55, the movable members 56 and 57 pushed by the operating lever 63 are activated, thereby switching a switch (not shown) provided in the electronic circuit of the circuit board 60. When the operating lever 63 moves in the forward / backward direction, the first electric motor M1 is controlled by the electronic circuit. This causes the seat body 33 (upper rail 22) to move relative to the lower rail 21 in the forward / backward direction. When the operating lever 63 moves in the up / down direction, the second electric motor M2 is controlled by the electronic circuit. This causes the seat cushion 35 to move up and down relative to the left and right risers 23.

[0045] Furthermore, when the reclining lever or the lumbar support lever moves relative to the inner case 50, a movable member (not shown) provided in the inner case 50 operates, thereby switching a switch in the electronic circuit. When the reclining lever is moved, the reclining electric motor is controlled by the electronic circuit. This causes the seat back 95 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 35. When the lumbar support lever is moved, the lumbar support electric motor is controlled by the electronic circuit. This activates the lumbar support mechanism.

[0046] As described above, in the vehicle seat 20 of this embodiment, when the side finisher 45, inner case 50, circuit board 60 and switch case 65 are mounted on the left side frame 41, the cable protection portion 73 of the switch case 65 covers a part of the first component 81A of the board connection cable 80 in a side view, and the board protection portion 71 covers the connector 85. Therefore, the switch case 65 integrated with the side finisher 45 can be mounted on the left side frame 41 so that the connector 85 and a part of the first component 81A of the board connection cable 80 connected to the circuit board 60 do not come into contact with surrounding components. In other words, the switch case 65 integrated with the side finisher 45 can be mounted on the left side frame 41 so that the board connection cable 80 connected to the circuit board 60 does not easily come into contact with surrounding components.

[0047] Furthermore, when the side finisher 45 and the switch case 65 are mounted on the left side frame 41, the switch case 65 exposes the connector 86 of the board connection cable 80 in a side view. Therefore, the process of connecting the connector 92 of the electrical cable 90 to the connector 86 of the board connection cable 80 can be easily performed.

[0048] Furthermore, in a plan view, the first component 81A of the board connection cable 80 is located to the left of the left front lift arm 27, and the second component 81B is located in front of the movable range of the left front lift arm 27. Therefore, when the front lift arm 27 operates, there is almost no risk of the front lift arm 27 coming into contact with the cable body 81 and causing deterioration of the cable body 81.

[0049] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0050] For example, the side frame 41 may have an engagement projection 70 instead of an engagement hole 42, and the switch case 65 may have an engagement hole 42 instead of an engagement projection 70.

[0051] After connecting the connector 85 of the circuit board connection cable 80 to the connector 52 of the inner case 50, the switch case 65 may be fixed to the side finisher 45.

[0052] The inner case 50 and the circuit board 60 may be integrally molded.

[0053] The board connection cable 80 does not need to have a connector 85, and the inner case 50 does not need to have a connector 52. In other words, one end of the harness 82 of the board connection cable 80 may be soldered to the electronic circuit of the circuit board 60. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 20 Vehicle seats 23 Riser 27 Front lift arm (lift arm) 35 Seat Cushion 40 Seat Cushion Frame 41 Side Frame 42 Engagement holes 45 Side Finisher 52 Connector (First Connector) 60 Circuit boards 65 Switch Case (Support Case) 70 Engagement protrusion 73 Cable protection section 80 board connection cables 81 Cable body 81A First component 81B 2nd component 85 Connector (one end) (second connector) 86 Connector (other end) 90 Electrical Cables M1 First electric motor (electric actuator) M2 Second electric motor (electric actuator)

Claims

1. A seat cushion frame is a skeletal component of a seat cushion, and has side frames. A side finisher provided on the side of the aforementioned seat cushion, A circuit board located between the side frame and the side finisher, A support case located between the side frame and the side finisher while supporting the circuit board, A board connection cable having one end connected to the circuit board, a flexible cable body extending from the one end, and the other end being a connector that can be connected to an electrical cable for supplying power to an electric actuator, Equipped with, The side frame and the support case are provided with engagement holes. The other of the side frame and the support case is provided with an engaging projection that allows the support case, which is integrated with the side finisher, to be attached to the side frame by being inserted into the engaging hole. A vehicle seat comprising a support case having a cable protection portion that covers at least a part of the cable body and exposes at least the connector in a side view.

2. Having a first connector connected to the circuit board, The one end of the board connection cable is a second connector that is detachable from the first connector. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support case covers the second connector in a side view.

3. Riser and, The riser and the front of the side frame are each connected to a lift arm that is rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the seat width direction, Equipped with, The cable protection section constitutes the front part of the support case. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable body comprises a first component that, in a side view, is located on the outer circumference of the support case and to the side of the lift arm, and a second component that extends in the width direction of the seat and is located in front of the movable area of ​​the lift arm.

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