Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicular seat configured so that an airbag module can be arranged outside the seat and at a center side of the seat, with one type of seat frame and a bracket.SOLUTION: A bracket 20 comprises a storage part 23 formed in a concave shape so as to be able to store at least a portion of an inflator, and a plate part 21 that acts as a mounting part which is mounted on a side frame 10. The side frame 10 comprises an opening part 13 into which the storage part 23 is inserted, a first joining surface 11 on which the plate part 21 can be mounted on the outside of a seat of the side frame 10 and a second joining surface 12 on which the plate part 21 can be mounted on the center side of the seat of the side frame 10. When the storage part 23 of the bracket 20 is inserted into the opening part 13 of the side frame 10 to be mounted thereon, an airbag module can be arranged outside the seat and at the center side of the seat, just by reversing an insertion direction thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat provided with a side frame to which an airbag module is attached.

Background Art

[0002] A side airbag device for restraining the side portion of an occupant during a side collision of a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 6A, an airbag module 30 constituting this type of side airbag device includes an inflater 32 and an airbag cushion 31 that expands and deploys by the inflation gas jetted from the inflater 32, and is housed inside a side support portion 40 of a backrest portion 2 of a vehicle seat 1.

[0003] The vehicle seat 1 includes a side frame 101 to which the airbag module 30 is attached. The side frame 101 is provided with a through hole 110 through which a stud bolt 33 of the inflater 32 is inserted. The airbag module 30 is disposed outside the seat of the side frame 101.

[0004] There are various shapes of vehicle seats 1, but in the future, it is considered that one of the trends is a thin seat in which the thickness of the side support portion 40 in the vehicle width direction is reduced. In a thin seat, the space for arranging the airbag module 30 becomes narrow at the outer seat portion of the side frame 101. In FIGS. 6B and 6C, the shape indicated by the imaginary line is the shape of the side support portion 40 in the thin seat. Conventionally, as countermeasures for a thin seat, the following two configurations have been proposed.

[0005] The first configuration, as shown in Figure 6B, involves changing the shape of the side frame 102 and providing a recess 103 that bulges toward the center of the seat in the rear portion of the side frame 102. In this case, the inflator 32 is attached to the side frame 102 from the outside of the seat. Since the inflator 32 can be fitted into the recess 102, the thickness of the outer portion of the side support 40 can be reduced accordingly.

[0006] The second configuration, as shown in Figure 6C, uses the same shape side frame 101 as in Figure 6A, but the airbag module 30 is positioned on the outside of the seat of the side frame 101 (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this case, the inflator 32 is attached to the side frame 101 from the seat center side. Since the airbag module 30 is positioned on the outside of the seat of the side frame 101, the thickness of the outer portion of the side support section 40 can be reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-101297 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-58433 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] There is a desire to use the two configurations described above interchangeably, depending on performance and other factors. However, because the shapes of side frame 101 and side frame 102 are different, it is impossible to realize both configurations with a single side frame. The conventional method requires preparing and reassembling two types of side frames, which presents challenges in terms of manufacturing costs and work efficiency.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to realize a vehicle seat that can accommodate even when the thickness of the side support portion is thin, does not require the use of two types of side frames, and allows the airbag module to be placed on either the outside of the seat or the center of the seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle seat of the present invention is a vehicle seat comprising a side frame, in which an airbag module having an airbag cushion and an inflator that injects gas to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion is attached to the side frame via a bracket, wherein the bracket comprises a recessed storage portion that can accommodate at least a part of the inflator and a plate portion that serves as an attachment portion when attaching to the side frame, the side frame comprises an opening into which the storage portion is inserted, a first joining surface on the outside of the seat of the side frame to which the plate portion can be attached and a second joining surface on the seat center side of the side frame to which the plate portion can be attached, and the shape of the bracket is formed such that the storage portion can be inserted into the opening in either the outward direction of the seat or the center direction of the seat.

[0011] In the present invention, the side frame may be provided with a through hole that penetrates between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, and the bracket may be attached to the side frame by fasteners that pass through the first mounting hole formed in the plate portion and the through hole.

[0012] In the present invention, a second mounting hole may be formed in the storage section, and the airbag module may be attached to the storage section by a fastener inserted through the second mounting hole.

[0013] In the present invention, a bracket may be attached to the first joint surface, and the main part of the airbag module may be mounted so that it is located on the outside of the seat on the side frame.

[0014] In the present invention, a bracket may be attached to the second joint surface, and the main part of the airbag module may be mounted so that it is located on the seat-center side of the side frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] In the vehicle seat of the present invention, the bracket includes a storage portion formed in a concave shape so as to be able to accommodate at least a part of the inflator, and a plate portion which serves as a mounting portion when attaching to the side frame.

[0016] The side frame has an opening into which the storage unit is inserted, a first joint surface on the outside of the seat of the side frame to which the plate can be attached, and a second joint surface on the seat-center side of the side frame to which the plate can be attached. The shape of the bracket is determined such that the storage unit and the plate can be inserted into the opening of the side frame both in the direction toward the outside of the seat and toward the seat center.

[0017] In this invention, the airbag module can be positioned on the outside of the seat on the side frame. When positioned on the outside of the seat, the storage portion of the bracket is inserted into the opening of the side frame toward the seat center, and the plate portion of the bracket is attached to the first joint surface of the side frame. Attachment to the first joint surface is performed by fasteners that pass through a first mounting hole formed in the plate portion and a through hole in the side frame. Then, with the inflator portion of the airbag module abutting against the storage portion, the stud bolt of the inflator is inserted through a second mounting hole formed in the storage portion and fastened with a nut to attach the airbag module to the storage portion. This allows the airbag module to be attached so that its main portion is positioned on the outside of the seat on the side frame.

[0018] In the present invention, the airbag module can also be disposed on the seat center side of the side frame. When disposing on the seat center side, the storage portion of the bracket is inserted in the seat outer direction with respect to the opening of the side frame, and the plate portion of the bracket is attached to the second joint surface of the side frame. The attachment to the second joint surface is performed by a fastener that passes through the first attachment hole formed in the plate portion and the through hole of the side frame. Then, with the inflator portion of the airbag module abutted against the storage portion, the stat bolt of the inflator is inserted into the second attachment hole formed in the storage portion and fastened and fixed with a nut, thereby attaching the airbag module to the storage portion. As a result, the main part of the airbag module can be disposed on the seat center side of the side frame, and the airbag module can be attached.

[0019] According to the present invention, the above-described two types of attachments of the airbag module can be realized with one type of side frame and bracket. The present invention can attach the airbag module either to the seat outer side or the seat center side of the side frame even in the case of a seat having a small thickness in the vehicle width direction of the side support portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat frame in a state before attaching a bracket to the vehicle seat according to the embodiment as viewed obliquely from a direction. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross section of an end portion in the seat width direction cut along line A-A in FIG. 1 in a state before assembling the airbag module. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3A and is a view in which the insertion direction of the bracket is reversed. [Figure 4A]FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the side frame and bracket of FIG. 3A, cut at the positions where the through hole, the first mounting hole, and the second mounting hole appear. FIG. 4A(a) shows the state before the bracket is attached, and FIG. 4A(b) shows the state after the bracket is attached. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the side frame and bracket of FIG. 3B, cut at the positions where the through hole, the first mounting hole, and the second mounting hole appear. FIG. 4B(a) shows the state before the bracket is attached, and FIG. 4B(b) shows the state after the bracket is attached. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-section at the end in the seat width direction, with the airbag module arranged outside the seat and the inflator attached to the bracket, for the vehicle seat according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-section at the end in the seat width direction, with the airbag module arranged on the seat center side and the inflator attached to the bracket, for the vehicle seat according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a conventional vehicle seat. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example in which the airbag module is arranged outside the seat of the seat frame in a conventional vehicle seat. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example in which the airbag module is arranged on the seat center side of the seat frame in a conventional vehicle seat.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0022] In this invention, "occupant" refers, for example, to a dummy used for frontal crash testing (Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standard [49CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]), who has a physique equivalent to an average American male, with approximate dimensions of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in sitting height, and 78 kg in weight. However, this invention is also applicable to other human dummies.

[0023] In this specification, "upper" and "upper side" may mean the direction of the head of an occupant seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "down" and "lower side" may mean the direction of the occupant's feet. Here, "regular position" refers to the position where the occupant's back is in contact with the backrest 2 both vertically and horizontally, at the center of the seat cushion 3 in the left-right direction of seat 1. Furthermore, "front" and "front side" may mean the direction in front of an occupant seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "rear" and "rear side" may mean the direction in front of the occupant's back. Furthermore, "left" and "left side" may mean the direction to the left of an occupant seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "right" and "right side" may mean the direction to the right of an occupant.

[0024] Furthermore, in this specification, directions may be defined with respect to the vehicle seat 1. For example, when describing the arrangement of the airbag module 30 housed in the side support portion 40 of the vehicle seat 1, "seat center side" means the direction toward the center of the vehicle seat 1, and "seat outside" means the direction toward the outside of the vehicle seat 1 (however, the direction toward the outside opposite to the seat center side). Also, when describing the shape of the side frame 10, "seat front" means the direction toward the front of the vehicle seat 1, and "seat rear" means the direction toward the rear of the vehicle seat 1.

[0025] [Structure of this embodiment] This embodiment is a vehicle seat 1 used as the driver's seat of a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 1 comprises a backrest 2 that supports the occupant's back and a seat cushion 3 that supports the occupant's buttocks and thighs. The backrest 2 is tiltably attached to the rear end of the seat cushion 3. A headrest 4 that supports the occupant's head is integrally formed at the upper end of the backrest 2. The headrest 4 may also be attached to the upper end of the backrest 2 via a rod-shaped support member.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, a seat frame 5 is provided inside the backrest 2, and a seating frame 6 is positioned on the bottom side of the seat cushion 3. The seat frame 5 and the seating frame 6 are connected via a reclining mechanism 7, forming the framework of the vehicle seat 1.

[0027] The seat frame 5 comprises a pair of side frames 10 extending vertically from the right and left ends in the seat width direction within the backrest portion 2, an upper frame 5a connecting the upper ends of the pair of side frames 10 in the seat width direction, and a lower frame 5b connecting the lower ends of the pair of side frames 10 in the seat width direction. The seat frame 5 is constructed in a frame shape by the side frames 10, the upper frame 5a, and the lower frame 5b. The side frames 10 are molded from, for example, metal or resin.

[0028] Figures 3A and 3B show the cross-sectional shape of the side frame 10 portion of the seat frame 5 and the cross-sectional shape of the bracket 20 attached to the side frame 10. The bracket 20 has a storage section 23 that houses the inflator 32. The bracket 20 is attached by inserting the storage section 23 into the opening 13 of the side frame 10. In this embodiment, the storage section 23 of the bracket 20 can be attached by inserting it into the opening 13 toward the seat center (see Figure 3A), and by reversing the insertion direction of the bracket 20, it can also be attached by inserting it toward the seat outward (see Figure 3B). In this embodiment, the airbag module 30, which has an airbag cushion 31 and an inflator 32 that injects gas to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion 31, is attached to the side frame 10 via the bracket 20.

[0029] The bracket 20 includes a recessed storage section 23, as shown in the enlarged views in Figures 4A and 4B, that can accommodate at least a portion of the inflator 32. The storage section 23 has an inner surface that is recessed in a roughly arc shape, and an outer surface that is curved and protrudes in a roughly arc shape. The bracket 20 also includes a plate section 21 that serves as a mounting section when attaching it to the side frame 10. The plate section 21 has a joining surface 21a that is joined to the side frame 10.

[0030] The side frame 10 has an opening 13 into which the storage section 23 is inserted. The opening 13 has a required width to allow the storage section 23 to be inserted. The side frame 10 has a first joining surface 11 to which the plate section 21 can be attached on the outside of the seat of the side frame 10, and a second joining surface 12 to which the plate section 21 can be attached on the seat center side of the side frame 10. The first joining surface 11 is located on one side of the side frame 10, and the second joining surface 12 is located on the other side of the side frame 10.

[0031] In this embodiment, the shape of the bracket 20 is determined such that the storage portion 23 can be inserted into the opening 13 both in the direction outward from the seat and in the direction towards the center of the seat. Specifically, the storage portion 23 is formed in a concave shape so that the inner surface facing the inflator 32 is an arc-shaped curved surface, following the shape of the outer surface of the cylindrical inflator 32.

[0032] The plate portion 21 is a plate-shaped component that is continuous with the edge of the storage portion 23. The plate portion 21 is formed integrally with the storage portion 23. The plate portion 21 is formed such that the joining surface 21a, which is fastened to the first joining surface 11 or the second joining surface 12 of the side frame 10, is a flat surface. The plate portion 21 has two surfaces, of which the surface on the side where the storage portion 23 protrudes becomes the joining surface 21a (see Figures 4A(a) and 4B(a)).

[0033] The side frame 10 is provided with a through hole 14 that penetrates between the first joining surface 11 and the second joining surface 12. As shown in Figures 4A(b) and 4B(b), the bracket 20 is attached to the side frame 10 by bolts 25 and nuts 26 that pass through the first mounting hole 22 formed in the plate portion 21 and the through hole 14. The bolts 25 and nuts 26 are fasteners.

[0034] Figures 5A and 5B show cross-sections of each component in the assembled state of the airbag module. Inside the backrest 2, a seat pad 52 made of, for example, urethane foam material is arranged. The backrest 2 has side support sections 40 that bulge forward of the seat on the sides in the vehicle width direction. The airbag module 30 is housed in the gaps inside these side support sections 40 where the seat pad 52 is not placed. The seat pad 52 is covered with a surface material 51. The surface material 51 is made of stretchable fabric or leather.

[0035] The vehicle seat 1 houses an airbag module 30 inside the side support section 40, which includes an airbag cushion 31 and an inflator 32 that injects gas to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion 31.

[0036] The airbag cushion 31 is a fabric bag constructed by preparing the required number of base fabrics of the desired shape in advance and sewing predetermined areas such as the outer periphery of these base fabrics. The airbag cushion 31 can be rolled up or folded in an accordion shape when laid flat to be stored in the vehicle seat 1. The periphery of the folded and contracted airbag cushion 31 is covered with a covering member 34.

[0037] A cylindrical inflator 32 is positioned inside the airbag cushion 31. When a side collision, oblique collision, or offset collision occurs, the inflator 32 receives a signal from a sensor and injects gas into the airbag cushion 31 through a nozzle on its outer surface, causing the airbag cushion 31 to inflate and deploy. In the event of a side collision or similar, the inflated and deployed airbag cushion restrains the shoulders, chest, upper arms, etc., of the occupant that are moving due to the impact, thereby suppressing the occupant's movement.

[0038] Stud bolts 33 are attached to the outer surface of the inflator 32 at appropriate intervals along its longitudinal direction, protruding outwards. The inflator 32 is fixed to the bracket 20 by the stud bolts 33. This fixing is done by inserting the stud bolts 33 through the second mounting holes 24 of the storage section 23. The airbag module 30 is fixed to the side frame 10 by fixing the part housing the inflator 32 to the side frame 10 via the bracket 20.

[0039] The seams of the upholstery material 51 of the backrest 2 are folded inward and connected by stitching. The front seam of the side support section 40 becomes a tear section 53 that tears when the airbag cushion 31 inflates and deploys. The tear section 53 is the starting point for the side support section to tear when the airbag cushion 31 inflates and deploys. This allows the airbag cushion 31 to inflate rapidly from between the seat center side portion 41 and the seat outer portion 42 of the side support section 40 when a signal is received from a sensor during a side collision, and to quickly deploy to the side of the occupant.

[0040] [Effects of this embodiment, etc.] In this embodiment, the optimal method for arranging the airbag module 30 and attaching it to the side frame 10 can be selected from the two methods described below.

[0041] The first configuration, as shown in Figure 5A, involves attaching a bracket 20 to the first joint surface 11, and mounting the main part of the airbag module 30 so that it is located on the outside of the seat on the side frame 10. Here, the main part of the airbag module 30 refers to the part of the airbag module 30 that is mainly occupied by the airbag cushion 31, excluding a part of the inflator 32 and the stud bolts 33.

[0042] When the airbag module 30 is positioned on the outside of the seat, the storage portion 23 of the bracket 20 is inserted into the opening 13 of the side frame 10 toward the center of the seat, as shown in Figures 4A(a) and 4A(b), and the plate portion 21 of the bracket 20 is attached to the first joining surface 11 of the side frame 10.

[0043] The bracket 20 is attached to the first joining surface 11 by fasteners (bolts 25 and nuts 26) that pass through the first mounting hole 22 formed in the plate portion 21 and the through hole 14 in the side frame 10.

[0044] In this embodiment, a second mounting hole 24 is formed in the storage section 23. With the inflator 32 portion of the airbag module 30 abutting against the storage section, the stud bolt 33 of the inflator 32 is inserted through the second mounting hole 24 of the storage section 23 and fastened with a nut 35 to attach the airbag module 30 to the storage section 23. The stud bolt 33 and nut 35 are fasteners. This allows the airbag module 30 to be attached so that its main portion is positioned on the outside of the seat on the side frame 10.

[0045] The second configuration, as shown in Figure 5B, involves attaching a bracket 20 to the second joining surface 12, and mounting the main part of the airbag module 30 so that it is located on the seat-center side of the side frame 10.

[0046] When the airbag module 30 is positioned towards the center of the seat, the storage portion 23 of the bracket 20 is inserted into the opening 13 of the side frame 10 toward the outside of the seat, as shown in Figures 4B(a) and 4B(b), and the plate portion 21 of the bracket 20 is attached to the second joining surface 12 of the side frame 10.

[0047] The bracket 20 is attached to the second joining surface 12 by fasteners (bolts 25 and nuts 26) that pass through the first mounting hole 22 formed in the plate portion 21 and the through hole 13 in the side frame 10.

[0048] Then, with the inflator 32 portion of the airbag module 30 abutting against the storage section 13, the stud bolt 33 of the inflator 32 is inserted through the second mounting hole 24 formed in the storage section 23, and the airbag module 30 is attached to the storage section 23 by fastening it with a nut 35. The stud bolt 33 and nut 35 are fasteners. In this way, the airbag module 30 can be attached so that the main part of the airbag module 30 is positioned on the seat center side of the side frame 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, one type of side frame 10 and side frame 20 is used, and when inserting the storage portion 23 of the bracket 20 into the opening 13 of the side frame 10 for installation, the airbag module 30 can be attached to either the outside of the seat or the center of the seat on the side frame 10 simply by reversing the insertion direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, even when the airbag module 30 is positioned on the outside of the seat on the side frame 10, the inflator 32 can be fitted into the concave portion of the storage section 23, thereby reducing the thickness of the outer portion of the side support section 40. Therefore, even with a thin seat that has a reduced thickness in the vehicle width direction of the side support section 40, the airbag module 30 can be positioned on the outside of the seat on the side frame 10, and can also be positioned towards the center of the seat if necessary.

[0051] [Modified examples of embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat 1 may be used as a passenger seat. The vehicle seat 1 is not limited to the front seat of the vehicle, but may also be a rear seat.

[0052] In the embodiments described above, the shapes of the side frame 10 and bracket 20 are not limited to the shapes, sizes, and arrangements shown in each drawing. The shape of the stored airbag cushion 31 constituting the airbag module 30 and the shape of the side support portion 40 are also not limited to the examples shown in each drawing.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a disc-shaped inflator 32 may be used. In this case, the shape of the housing portion 23 of the bracket 20 should be adjusted according to the shape of the inflator 32.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the plate portion 21 of the bracket 20 may be attached to the side frame 10 using the side opposite to the joining surface 21a shown in Figures 4A(a) and 4B(a), provided there are no problems with the mounting strength to the side frame 10. In this case as well, it is possible to choose whether to attach it to the first joining surface 11 or the second joining surface 12 of the side frame 10, and the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. [Industrial applicability]

[0055] This invention is applicable to all vehicle seats equipped with airbag modules. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1. Vehicle seat 10 Side Frames 11 First joint surface 12 Second joint surface 13 Opening 14 Through holes 20 brackets 21 Plate section 22 First mounting hole 23 Storage compartment 24 Second mounting hole 25 volts 26 nuts 30 Airbag Modules 31 Airbag cushion 32 Inflator 33 Stud bolts 35 nuts

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising a side frame, wherein an airbag module having an airbag cushion and an inflator that injects gas to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion is attached to the side frame via a bracket, The bracket comprises a recessed storage portion that can accommodate at least a part of the inflator, and a plate portion that serves as a mounting portion when attaching it to the side frame. The side frame comprises an opening into which the storage section is inserted, a first joining surface on the outside of the seat of the side frame to which the plate section can be attached, and a second joining surface on the seat-center side of the side frame to which the plate section can be attached. The bracket is shaped such that the storage portion can be inserted into the opening in either the outward direction of the seat or the center direction of the seat, in a vehicle seat.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the side frame is provided with a through hole that penetrates between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, and the bracket is attached to the side frame by a fastener that passes through a first mounting hole formed in the plate portion and the through hole.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a second mounting hole is formed in the storage portion, and the airbag module is attached to the storage portion by a fastener inserted through the second mounting hole.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket is attached to the first joint surface, and the main portion of the airbag module is mounted so as to be located on the outside of the seat of the side frame.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket is attached to the second joining surface, and the main portion of the airbag module is mounted so as to be located on the seat center side of the side frame.

Images