Vehicle seats
The vehicle seat design addresses poor assembly issues by using a mounting member with multiple temporary fastening points and a guide portion to enhance fixing accuracy and holding force, resulting in improved assembly quality and a more compact layout.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TS TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle seats with functional components like blowers face issues with low temporary fixing accuracy and holding force due to single locking claws, leading to poor assembly quality.
The vehicle seat design incorporates a mounting member with multiple temporary fastening points arranged to sandwich the functional component, featuring a guide portion between adjacent fastening points and positioned on both sides of the component, along with fastening members and grommets to enhance stability and ease of assembly.
This configuration improves temporary fixing accuracy and holding force, ensuring better assembly quality and a more compact arrangement of functional components, while also facilitating easier installation of connectors and grommets.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and particularly to a vehicle seat provided with functional components such as a blower.
Background Art
[0002] A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back, and a headrest, and seat frames forming respective skeletons are provided in the seat back and the seat cushion. In recent years, vehicle seats have been developed that include functional components such as a blower for blowing air to the seated person in the seat cushion. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a seat that holds a blower (referred to as a blowing device in the same document) using a bracket bolted to a cushion pan frame.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] [[ID=3,6]] In the seat disclosed in Patent Document 1, before fastening the bracket holding the blower with bolts or the like, it is temporarily fixed to the cushion pan frame using one locking claw. However, with one locking claw, the temporary fixing accuracy and holding force when temporarily fixing the bracket are low, and the assembling property may deteriorate.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat that improves the assembling property by enhancing the temporary fixing accuracy and holding force when temporarily fixing a mounting member for mounting a functional member.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which comprises a seat frame, a functional component attached to the seat frame, and a mounting member fixed to the functional component and for attaching the functional component to the seat frame, wherein the mounting member has a plurality of temporary fastening parts for temporarily fastening the mounting member to the seat frame, and the plurality of temporary fastening parts are arranged to sandwich the functional component. The mounting member has a guide portion that guides the plurality of temporary fastening portions, the guide portion is positioned between two adjacent temporary fastening portions and near at least one of them, and protrudes more than the two adjacent temporary fastening portions. This will resolve the issue.
[0007] The vehicle seat has multiple temporary fastening points for temporarily securing mounting members to the seat frame, and these multiple temporary fastening points are arranged to sandwich functional components. For example, the temporary fastening accuracy and holding force centered on the functional components are improved, making it possible to provide a vehicle seat with improved ease of assembly. Furthermore, the guide section is positioned between two adjacent temporary fastening sections and near at least one of them, and protrudes more than the two adjacent temporary fastening sections, making temporary fastening easier.
[0008] Furthermore, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the multiple temporary fastening parts be arranged on the left and right sides of the functional component in the sheet width direction. By positioning the temporary fastening points on both sides of the functional component, the accuracy of the temporary fastening can be further improved, and a more compact arrangement can be achieved.
[0009] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the multiple temporary fastening parts are preferably arranged in the front-to-back direction or the up-and-down direction of the sheet. The arrangement of multiple temporary fastening points in the front-to-back or up-to-down direction of the sheet improves the accuracy of temporary fastening.
[0010] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members, and it is preferable that the plurality of fastening members are positioned to sandwich at least one of the plurality of temporary fastening portions. By positioning the fastening member to sandwich one of the temporary fastening points, the mounting member can be more securely fixed to the frame.
[0011] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members, and the plurality of temporary fastening portions are preferably positioned to sandwich at least one of the plurality of fastening members. The placement of multiple temporary fastening points between the fastening members improves the accuracy of the temporary fastening.
[0012] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting member has a connector support portion that supports a connector connected to the functional component, and the connector support portion is preferably provided in a position that avoids the plurality of temporary fastening portions. By positioning the connector support portion away from the temporary fastening portion, the ease of installing the connector can be improved.
[0013] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting member has an opening, and the multiple temporary fastening parts are preferably positioned to sandwich the opening. By arranging the aforementioned multiple temporary fastening parts on either side of the opening, the accuracy of the temporary fastening is improved, and the strength around the opening is also enhanced.
[0014] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the multiple temporary fastening parts that sandwich the opening are preferably arranged on the left and right sides of the opening in the sheet width direction. By placing multiple temporary fastening points on both sides of the opening, a more compact arrangement can be achieved.
[0015] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members, and it is preferable that a grommet be provided between each of the plurality of fastening members and the mounting member. The addition of grommets improves the fixing strength provided by the fastening members.
[0016] Furthermore, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the multiple temporary fastening parts be positioned to avoid the grommets. By arranging the temporary fixing portion at a position avoiding the grommet, the workability of attaching the grommet is improved.
[0017] Also, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the attachment member has an opening formed therein, and the attachment member has a rib surrounding the opening on the lower surface of the attachment member. By having a rib surrounding the opening, the rigidity of the attachment member is improved.
Advantages of the Invention
[0019] According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, there are a plurality of temporary fixing portions for temporarily fixing the attachment member to the seat frame, and by arranging the plurality of temporary fixing portions with a functional component sandwiched therebetween, for example, the temporary fixing accuracy and holding force centered on the functional component are increased, and a vehicle seat with improved assembly property can be provided. Also, by arranging the temporary fixing portions on the left and right sides of the functional component, the temporary fixing accuracy can be further improved, and a compact arrangement can be achieved. By arranging the plurality of temporary fixing portions side by side in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction of the seat, the temporary fixing accuracy can be improved. By arranging the fastening member at a position sandwiching one of the temporary fixing portions, the attachment member can be more firmly fixed to the frame. By arranging the plurality of temporary fixing portions at positions sandwiching the fastening member, the temporary fixing accuracy can be improved. By providing the connector support portion at a position avoiding the temporary fixing portion, the workability of attaching the connector can be improved. By arranging the plurality of temporary fixing portions with the opening sandwiched therebetween, the temporary fixing accuracy is improved and the strength around the opening is improved. By arranging the plurality of temporary fixing portions on the left and right sides of the opening, a more compact arrangement can be achieved. By providing the grommet, the fixing strength by the fastening member is improved. By arranging the temporary fixing portion at a position avoiding the grommet, the workability of attaching the grommet is improved. By having ribs surrounding the opening, the rigidity of the mounting member is improved. By arranging the guide portion in the vicinity of the temporary fixing portion, the temporary fixing becomes easier. Further, by arranging the guide portion between two adjacent temporary fixing portions, the temporary fixing becomes even easier.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view seen from the obliquely front showing the appearance of the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the seat frame seen from the obliquely front. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the seat frame. [Figure 4] It is a rear view of the seat frame. [Figure 5] It is a top view of the seat frame. [Figure 6] It is a bottom view of the seat frame. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3. [Figure 9] It is a front view showing the upper frame to which the first mounting bracket is fixed. [Figure 10] It is an exploded perspective view of the first mounting bracket. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the rail device seen from the obliquely front. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the rail device seen from the inside of the vehicle seat. [Figure 13] It is a top view showing the tip of the lower rail. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view showing the tip of the lower rail. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] It is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion of the lower rail. [Figure 17]This is an explanatory diagram showing the engagement between the tip of the lower rail and the cover member. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the pan frame with the second blower attached. [Figure 19] This is a magnified perspective view showing an enlarged view of part A of Figure 18. [Figure 20] This diagram shows a bottom view of the pan frame with the second mounting bracket attached, and the second blower removed. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view showing the upper side of the second mounting bracket. [Figure 22] This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the second mounting bracket. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0021] The configuration of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and do not limit it. That is, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and of course, equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Furthermore, the descriptions below regarding the material, shape, and size of the seat components are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.
[0022] In the following, we will describe an example of a vehicle seat, specifically a vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle seat S") installed in a vehicle, and explain its configuration. Furthermore, in the following explanation, "front-to-back direction" refers to the front-to-back direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the direction of travel when the vehicle is moving, and may also be referred to as the "seat front-to-back direction." Also, "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the left-to-right direction as seen from the perspective of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat S. Also, "up-down direction" refers to the up-and-down direction of the vehicle seat, which coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. Furthermore, when simply referred to as "outside," it refers to the side closer to the outside when moving outward from the center of the vehicle seat S, and when referred to as "inside," it refers to the side closer to the center when moving from the outside of the vehicle seat S towards the center.
[0023] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the shapes, positions, and orientations of each part of the vehicle seat S described below will be explained assuming the vehicle seat S is in the seated position described later.
[0024] <Vehicle seat S> The basic configuration of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat S, and for illustrative purposes, a portion of the vehicle seat S in Figure 1 is shown with the surface material T and pad member P removed.
[0025] The vehicle seat S is a seat placed on the floor of a vehicle, on which the vehicle's occupants (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "occupants") sit. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S is used as a front seat, corresponding to the front seats of the vehicle. However, it is not limited to this, and the vehicle seat S can also be used as a rear seat, and in a vehicle equipped with three rows of seats in the front-to-back direction, it can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row.
[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat S mainly consists of a seat back 1, which is the backrest portion that supports the occupant's back; a seat cushion 2, which is the seat portion that supports the occupant's buttocks; and a headrest 3, which is positioned above the seat back 1 and supports the occupant's head. The seat back 1, seat cushion 2, and headrest 3 are sometimes collectively referred to as the seat body Sh. The seat back 1 and the seat cushion 2 are connected by sandwiching the reclining mechanism 7 (see Figure 2). The reclining mechanism 7 allows the seat back 1 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 2, and its tilt angle can be adjusted. A headrest stay 3a extends downward from the headrest 3 and connects to the upper end of the seatback 1.
[0027] Furthermore, the vehicle seat S is equipped with a first blower 30 and a second blower 130 that supply air to the occupant (see Figure 2). A first air outlet 40 is formed on the seating surface of the seat back 1 to release air supplied from the first blower, and a second air outlet 140 is formed on the seating surface of the seat cushion 2 to release air supplied from the second blower 130.
[0028] <Seat frame F> The basic structure of the seat frame F, which forms the skeleton of the vehicle seat S, will be explained using Figures 2 to 6. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat frame F seen from the front at an angle, Figure 3 is a front view of the seat frame F, Figure 4 is a rear view of the seat frame F, Figure 5 is a top view of the seat frame F, and Figure 6 is a bottom view of the seat frame F. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, a seat frame F is provided inside the vehicle seat S, and the seat frame F consists of a seat back frame 10 which forms the skeleton of the seat back 1 and a seat cushion frame 20 which forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 2.
[0029] <Seat back frame 10> As shown in Figure 2, the seat back frame 10 is formed in a rectangular frame shape as a whole, and comprises a pair of back side frames 11, 11 arranged on the left and right sides, an upper frame 12, and a lower frame 13. The upper frame and lower frame 13 correspond to the connecting frame of the present invention. The upper frame 12 is formed in a plate shape and is arranged between the pair of back side frames 11, 11, connecting the upper ends of the pair of back side frames 11, 11. The lower frame 13 is arranged between the pair of back side frames 11, 11, connecting the lower ends of the pair of back side frames 11. In addition, a connecting frame (not shown) may be provided between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 to connect the pair of back side frames 11, 11.
[0030] The upper frame 12 is provided with a pair of headrest holders 14 through which the headrest stays 3a of the headrest 3 are inserted. The headrest holders 14 are formed as high-strength metal components to maintain the holding strength of the headrest 3 and suppress rattling. Note that the headrest holders 14 are not limited to metal and may be made of resin. Furthermore, the first blower 30 is attached to the upper frame 12 via a first mounting bracket 31. The configuration for attaching the first blower 30 to the upper frame 12 and the first mounting bracket 31 will be described in detail after the other configurations have been explained.
[0031] The pair of backside frames 11,11 are positioned on the left and right sides of the seat back frame 10, as described above, and are basically symmetrical components. The pair of backside frames 11,11 extend in the vertical direction of the seat. The width of each of the pair of backside frames 11,11 in the front-to-back direction of the seat is formed to widen from the upper side of the seat to the lower side of the seat. The peripheral edges on the front side of the seat and the peripheral edges on the rear side of the seat are formed in a curved shape so as to be convex toward the front of the seat.
[0032] <Seat cushion frame 20> As shown in Figure 3, the seat cushion frame 20 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above, and a pair of cushion side frames 21, 21 (a pair of side frames) are provided on the left and right sides. The pair of cushion side frames 21, 21 are basically symmetrical components and are provided extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat.
[0033] The seat cushion frame 20 also includes a front connecting frame 22 that connects a pair of cushion side frames 21, 21 at the front, and a rear connecting frame 23 that connects them at the rear. The front connecting frame 22 and the rear connecting frame 23 are made of round pipes. Furthermore, a plate-shaped pan frame 24 is provided in front of the front connecting frame 22. A second blower 130 is attached to the pan frame 24 via a second mounting bracket 131. Details of the second blower 130 and the second mounting bracket 131 will be described in detail after the other components have been explained. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the seat cushion frame 20 is provided with a pressure-receiving member 25 that bridges the gap between the front connecting frame 22 and the rear connecting frame 23, and the pressure-receiving member 25 is capable of supporting the buttocks of the person sitting.
[0034] <Rail device 4> Furthermore, a rail device 4 is installed beneath the vehicle seat S, as shown in Figure 2. This rail device 4 allows the vehicle seat S to be attached to the vehicle floor FL in a manner that allows the seat body Sh to slide in the front-to-back direction.
[0035] The rail system 4 consists of a lower rail 5 fixed to the vehicle body floor FL and an upper rail 6 that can slide relative to the lower rail 5. The configuration for fixing the lower rail 5 to the vehicle body floor FL will be described later.
[0036] <Pad component P and surface material T> The seat back 1 and seat cushion 2 are formed by providing a pad member P and a surface material T (cushion cover) on the outside of the seat back frame 10 and the seat cushion frame 20. The pad member P is a urethane base material molded by foam molding using, for example, urethane foam, and the surface material T is made of, for example, cloth, synthetic leather, or genuine leather.
[0037] The seat back frame 10 of the vehicle seat S of this embodiment will now be described in more detail. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 3, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 3. Figure 9 is a front view of the upper frame 12 to which the first mounting bracket 31 is fixed, showing the state with the first blower 30 removed. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the first mounting bracket 31.
[0038] As described above, the seat back frame 10 includes a plate-shaped upper frame 12. A first blower 30 is attached to the upper frame 12, which is mounted on the surface 12a facing the seated person.
[0039] Conventionally, when attaching functional components such as blowers to the upper frame, the blowers were mounted below the upper frame to prevent them from protruding forward (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-6392). This resulted in the problem of limited mounting positions for the blowers.
[0040] In the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a recess 15 is formed on the seated side surface 12a of the upper frame 12, which causes the first blower 30 to sink in a direction away from the seated person. In other words, the upper frame 12 has a recess 15 that positions the first blower 30 further rearward. The recess 15 corresponds to the relief portion of the present invention. The recess 15 is formed by bending the plate-shaped upper frame 12, and the first blower 30 is positioned within the recess 15. This allows the first blower 30 to be compactly positioned without protruding forward, even when it overlaps with the upper frame 12 in the front-rear direction.
[0041] The first blower 30 is fixed to the upper frame 12 via a plate-shaped first mounting bracket 31 (mounting member) in a recess 15 of the upper frame 12. A first bracket fixing portion 16 for fixing the first mounting bracket 31 is formed in the recess 15 of the upper frame 12. The first bracket fixing portion 16 corresponds to the mounting member fixing portion of the present invention.
[0042] The first bracket fixing portion 16 consists of an upper bracket fixing portion 16a located on the upper side and a lower bracket fixing portion 16b located on the lower side. The upper bracket fixing portion 16a and the lower bracket fixing portion 16b have forward-projecting flat portions that serve as bases for attaching the first mounting bracket 31. The upper bracket fixing portion 16a is fastened and fixed to the upper connection portion 38a of the first mounting bracket 31 by a bolt 39. The lower bracket fixing portion 16b is fastened and fixed to the lower connection portion 38b of the first mounting bracket 31 by a bolt 39. Although a bolt 39 is used as the fastening member, a tapping screw may also be used.
[0043] By providing the first bracket fixing portion 16 on the upper frame 12, the ease of installation of the first blower 30 is improved. In addition, a bead portion 18 protruding to the rear is formed between the upper bracket fixing portion 16a and the lower bracket fixing portion 16b, reinforcing the recess 15 of the upper frame 12.
[0044] <First mounting bracket 31> A first mounting bracket 31 is used to fix the first blower 30 to the recess 15 of the upper frame 12. The first mounting bracket 31 is made of resin and, as shown in Figure 10, has a storage recess 31c and an opening 31d for housing the first blower 30. The first mounting bracket 31 has a first frame connection portion 38 that connects to the first bracket fixing portion 16 of the upper frame 12.
[0045] More specifically, the upper end portion 31a of the first mounting bracket 31 has one upper connecting portion 38a which connects to the upper bracket fixing portion 16a of the upper frame 12. Furthermore, the storage recess 31c of the first mounting bracket 31 has two lower connecting portions 38b formed therein, which connect to the lower bracket fixing portion 16b of the upper frame 12. The two lower connecting portions 38b are located at the left and right ends of the storage recess 31c. The upper connecting portion 38a corresponds to the first connecting portion of the present invention, and the lower connecting portion 38b corresponds to the second connecting portion of the present invention. The first mounting bracket 31 is attached to the upper frame 12 by three points: one point on the upper connection portion 38a and two points on the lower connection portion 38b. Therefore, it can be firmly fixed in a simple manner.
[0046] <Grommet 51> As described above, the first mounting bracket 31 has its upper connection portion 38a and lower connection portion 38b fastened to the first bracket fixing portion 16 of the upper frame 12 by bolts 39. Since the first mounting bracket 31 is made of resin, it may be damaged if the bolts 39 come into direct contact with it. For this reason, grommets 51 are attached to the upper connection portion 38a and the lower connection portion 38b.
[0047] As shown in Figure 10, the grommet 51 is a clip-shaped member that is attached by clamping onto the upper connecting portion 38a or the lower connecting portion 38b. The grommet 51 has a through hole 51a that communicates with the insertion hole into which the bolt 39 is inserted when it is attached to the upper connecting portion 38a or the lower connecting portion 38b. By fitting the grommet 51 around the bolt insertion hole, the upper connecting portion 38a and the lower connecting portion 38b can be protected. In addition, the grommet 51 strengthens the fixing force of the upper connecting portion 38a and the lower connecting portion 38b, making assembly easier. Since the grommet 51 is inserted from the outside of the first mounting bracket 31 and is configured to be attached by clamping onto the upper connecting portion 38a and the lower connecting portion 38b, the grommet 51 is easy to attach and detach.
[0048] <Positioning section 34> As shown in Figure 10, positioning portions 34 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper connection portion 38a in the seat width direction. The positioning portion 34 is formed in a T-shape in cross-section and is erected facing rearward. A T-shaped insertion hole 17 is formed in the upper bracket fixing portion 16a of the upper frame 12 at a position corresponding to the positioning portion 34 (see Figure 4). After inserting the head portion 34a of the positioning portion 34 into the insertion hole 17, the support portion 34b of the positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess of the insertion hole 17, thereby temporarily fixing the first mounting bracket 31 to the upper frame 12 before fastening it with bolts 39. Temporary fixing makes it easier to position the first mounting bracket 31 and improves the workability of installation.
[0049] The upper portion of the first mounting bracket 31 is positioned between the headrest holders 14, 14 of the upper frame 12, as shown in Figure 9. In other words, the size W of the first mounting bracket 31 body in the seat width direction is formed to fit between the headrest holders 14, 14. By positioning the first mounting bracket 31 between the pair of headrest holders 14, 14, the first mounting bracket 31 does not protrude forward of the seat, thereby making the vehicle seat S (more specifically, the seat back 1) more compact.
[0050] Furthermore, the upper connection portion 38a of the first mounting bracket 31 is sandwiched between the headrest holders 14, 14 in the seat width direction. On the other hand, the lower connection portion 38b is not sandwiched between the headrest holders 14, 14 in the seat width direction. By positioning the upper connection portion 38a between the headrest holders 14, 14, the fixing strength can be improved. With the lower connection portion 38b, the grommet 51 is attached from the side, and since the lower connection portion 38b is not positioned between the headrest holders 14, 14, the headrest holders 14, 14 do not interfere with the attachment of the grommet 51, making it easier to assemble the first mounting bracket 31.
[0051] <Connector support part 33> The first mounting bracket 31 has a connector support portion 33 at its lower end 31b that supports a connector 49 connected to the first blower 30. The connector support portion 33 is provided on both the left and right sides of the lower end 31b of the first mounting bracket 31. More specifically, the connector support portion 33 is provided in a tongue shape that extends outward and diagonally downward from both the left and right sides of the lower end 31b of the first mounting bracket 31. The connector support portion 33 is configured to be located below the lower end of the upper frame 12 by extending outward and diagonally downward.
[0052] By providing the connector support portion 33 on the first mounting bracket 31, the connector 49 can be easily attached, improving the ease of installation of the first blower 30. Furthermore, by providing the connector support portion 33 on both the left and right sides, the connector 49 can be attached using the connector support portion 33 located close to the harness 50, regardless of whether the passenger seat S is positioned on the left or right side of the vehicle, thus allowing the first mounting bracket 31 to be shared between the left and right seats. In addition, by positioning it below the lower end of the upper frame 12, interference with the upper frame 12 is suppressed.
[0053] <First blower fixing part 32> As shown in Figure 9, the first mounting bracket 31 is provided with four first blower fixing portions 32 on the side facing the seated person. The first blower fixing portions correspond to the functional component fixing portions of the present invention. The first blower fixing portions 32 are located near the four corners of the first mounting bracket 31, and the two upper blower fixing portions 32a located on the upper side are positioned to sandwich the upper connection portion 38a. In other words, the upper connection portion 38a is sandwiched between the two upper blower fixing portions 32a. Furthermore, the two lower blower fixing portions 32b, which are located below the first mounting bracket 31, are positioned near the lower connection portion 38b. In other words, the two lower connection portions 38b are positioned adjacent to the lower blower fixing portion 32b. By positioning the upper connection portion 38a and the lower connection portion 38b in this manner, the fixing strength is improved.
[0054] In this embodiment, a recess 15 was formed in the upper frame 12 as the relief portion of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this, and the relief portion may be a through hole formed in the upper frame 12. By inserting the first blower 30 into the through hole and sinking it in to fix it, it is possible to suppress the first blower 30 from protruding forward.
[0055] Furthermore, the frame in which the recess 15 (relief portion) for mounting the first blower 30 is formed is not limited to the upper frame 12, but may be the lower frame 13 located below the seat back frame 10, or a connecting frame (not shown) provided in the center. Also, the functional component attached to the recess 15 is not limited to the first blower 30, but may be a sensor that acquires the seated person's biometric information, or it may be a vibrator, heater, speaker, or air cell.
[0056] Next, the rail device 4 of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 17. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rail device 4 seen from the front at an oblique angle, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the front end of the rail device 4 seen from the inside of the vehicle seat S. Figure 13 is a top view showing the tip portion of the lower rail 5, Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the tip portion of the lower rail 5, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view along the line XV-XV in Figure 13, and Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion of the lower rail 5. Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the engagement between the tip of the lower rail 5 and the cover member 57.
[0057] As described above, the rail device 4 consists of a lower rail 5 fixed to the vehicle floor FL and an upper rail 6 attached to the seat frame F and slidably engaged with the lower rail 5. The upper rail 6 is also provided with a connecting bracket 60 that connects to the seat frame F, and the seat body Sh of the vehicle seat S moves in the front-rear direction by sliding the upper rail 6 in the front-rear direction.
[0058] Conventionally, the lower rail was fixed to the vehicle floor by directly attaching fastening members such as bolts to the bottom of the lower rail (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-160408). However, because the bolt heads were located at the bottom of the lower rail, interference between the upper rail and the bolt heads sometimes occurred, limiting the range of motion of the upper rail. Furthermore, since through holes were to be formed at the bottom of the lower rail, improving the rail and surrounding components was also an issue.
[0059] As shown in Figure 15, the lower rail 5 of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment is fixed to the vehicle body floor FL by bolts 52 (fastening members), and the lower rail 5 has a recess 54 (relief portion) formed directly below it, which allows the bolts 52 to sink in from the bottom 5a of the lower rail 5. In other words, the lower rail 5 is provided with a recess 54 that positions the bolts 52 below the bottom 5a of the lower rail 5.
[0060] More specifically, as shown in Figure 13, an opening 5b is formed at the bottom 5a of the tip portion of the lower rail 5 through which the head 52a of the bolt 52 is inserted. The opening 5b is circular in shape, and the diameter R1 of the opening 5b is larger than the diameter R2 of the head of the bolt 52.
[0061] Below the bottom portion 5a, a retaining member 53 is attached to hold the head 52a of the inserted bolt 52. A recess 54 is formed in the bottom portion 53a of the retaining member 53, and when the lower rail 5 is fixed, the head 52a of the bolt 52 is positioned within the recess 54. As the head portion 52a is positioned within the recess 54, the bolt 52 sinks below the bottom portion 5a of the lower rail 5, and the top portion 52b of the bolt 52 is positioned below the upper surface of the bottom portion 5a of the lower rail 5.
[0062] <Holding member 53> The retaining member 53 is a metal member formed by bending a plate-shaped member. As shown in Figure 15, a circular recess 54 is formed in the center of the bottom 53a of the retaining member 53 when viewed from above. A through hole 54a is formed in the center of the recess 54 through which the shaft of the bolt 52 is inserted.
[0063] The retaining member 53 is formed in a U-shape overall, and the lower rail 5 is sandwiched between the bent side portions 53b, 53b, allowing the retaining member 53 to be attached to the bottom portion 5a of the lower rail 5 in this state. The retaining member 53 attached to the bottom 5a of the lower rail 5 is fixed to the side 5c of the lower rail 5 by welding. In other words, both sides 53b, 53b of the retaining member 53 are fixed to both sides 5c, 5c of the lower rail 5 by retaining member fixing parts 56 that are welded together. By arranging the retaining member fixing parts 56 in this way, the lower rail 5 can be made more compact and its strength can be improved.
[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the two retaining member fixing parts 56 are positioned to sandwich the bolt 52 when viewed from above. By positioning the two retaining member fixing parts 56 to sandwich the bolt 52, the strength around the bolt 52 is improved.
[0065] Furthermore, a stepped portion 53c is formed by a notch on the side portion 53b of the retaining member 53 at a position corresponding to the cover engagement portion 5d of the lower rail 5. By forming the stepped portion 53c, the cover engagement portion 5d is not covered by the side portion 53b, and engagement with the cover member 57, which will be described later, is not hindered.
[0066] Furthermore, the retaining member fixing portion 56 is provided near the cover engagement portion 5d. By providing the retaining member fixing portion 56 near the cover engagement portion 5d, the strength can be improved. In addition, the retaining member fixing portion 56 and the cover engagement portion 5d are provided at approximately the same height, allowing for a compact arrangement.
[0067] <Cover member 57> The tip of the lower rail 5 is provided with a cover member 57 that covers the portion of the lower rail 5 to which the retaining member 53 is attached. The cover member 57 is made of resin and is formed so that its cross-section is roughly U-shaped. A through hole 57c is formed in the bottom of the cover member 57 into which the recess 54 of the retaining member 53 is inserted.
[0068] Furthermore, a claw-shaped engaging portion 57a is formed on the inside of the cover member 57, extending from the tip toward the rear. Also, a cover engagement portion 5d is formed on the tip of the lower rail 5 at a position corresponding to the engaging portion 57a. As shown in Figure 17, when the cover member 57 is attached, the engaging portion 57a engages with the cover engagement portion 5d of the lower rail 5, thereby fixing the cover member 57 in place.
[0069] Furthermore, the side surface of the cover member 57 has a bulge that extends outward to accommodate the retaining member fixing portion 56. A rib 57b is formed on the inside of the bulge. The rib 57b is positioned so that when the cover member 57 is attached, its tip contacts the side surface of the lower rail 5. The rib 57b is also positioned above the retaining member fixing portion 56. The position of the retaining member fixing portion 56 below the rib 57b improves the strength of the cover member 57.
[0070] <Connecting bracket 60 and link 61> As shown in Figure 11, a connecting bracket 60 is provided on the upper rail 6, which slides on the lower rail 5. Also, as shown in Figure 12, a number of links 61 are rotatably attached to the connecting bracket 60, which connect to the cushion side frames 21, 21 of the seat cushion frame 20. The height of the seat cushion 2 can be changed by rotating the links 61.
[0071] The connecting bracket 60 in this embodiment consists of a bottom portion 60a that connects to the upper rail 6 and a wall portion 60b that rises from around the bottom portion 60a. Furthermore, a flange 60c is formed at the upper end of the wall portion 60b, extending outward in the sheet width direction. The formation of the flange 60c improves the strength around the rail. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the link 61 also has a flange 61b that extends inward in the sheet width direction from the side of the link body 61a, thereby improving the strength around the rail.
[0072] Next, the seat cushion frame 20 of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 22. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the pan frame 24 to which the second blower 130 is attached, and Figure 19 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged portion A of Figure 18. Figure 20 is a bottom view of the pan frame to which the second mounting bracket 131 is attached, showing the state in which the second blower 130 has been removed. Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the top side of the second mounting bracket 131, and Figure 22 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the second mounting bracket 131.
[0073] Conventionally, when attaching functional components such as blowers to a seat cushion frame, the functional components are not attached directly but via a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is fastened to the seat frame using fastening members such as bolts, but is usually temporarily secured to the seat frame using locking claws or the like before fastening. In the vehicle seat disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-112586, the mounting bracket is temporarily secured using one locking claw before being fastened. However, with only one locking claw, the temporary fastening accuracy and holding force when temporarily securing the mounting bracket were low, potentially leading to poor assembly.
[0074] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 19, the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment is equipped with a second blower 130. The second blower 130 is attached to the pan frame 24. The second blower 130 is a device that delivers air to the seated person and corresponds to a functional component of the present invention. The air delivered from the second blower 130 is sent through a duct 130a provided inside the seat cushion 2 to the second air outlet 140 of the seat cushion 2.
[0075] The vehicle seat S is fixed to the second blower 130 and includes a second mounting bracket 131 for attaching the second blower 130 to the pan frame 24. The second mounting bracket 131 is a resin member formed in a plate shape overall, and as shown in Figures 21 and 22, it has an opening 137 in the center through which a duct 130a extending from the second blower 130 is inserted.
[0076] The second mounting bracket 131 is fastened and secured to the pan frame 24 of the seat cushion frame 20 by multiple bolts 139 (multiple fastening members). Although bolts 139 are used as fastening members, tapping screws may also be used for fastening. As shown in Figure 21, the second mounting bracket 131 has a plurality of temporary fastening parts 135 for temporarily fastening the second mounting bracket 131 to the pan frame 24, and as shown in Figure 18, the plurality of temporary fastening parts 135 are positioned to sandwich the second blower 130. The second mounting bracket 131 is temporarily fastened to the pan frame 24 by the plurality of temporary fastening parts 135 before being fastened and fixed to the pan frame 24 with bolts 139. By arranging the plurality of temporary fastening parts 135 in such a way that the second blower 130 is sandwiched between them, the accuracy of temporary fastening and the holding force around the second blower 130 are improved, and the ease of assembly can be improved.
[0077] As shown in Figure 21, the temporary fastening portion 135 has a claw-shaped tip. By inserting the temporary fastening portion 135 into the insertion hole of the pan frame 24 formed at the corresponding position and hooking the tip, the second mounting bracket 131 can be temporarily fastened to the pan frame 24.
[0078] The temporary fastening parts 135 are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides of the second blower 130 in the sheet width direction. The two temporary fastening parts 135 located on the left side of the second blower 130 are arranged side by side in the sheet front-to-back direction. The two temporary fastening parts 135 located on the right side of the second blower 130 are also arranged side by side in the sheet front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, two temporary fastening portions 135 are provided on each side of the second blower 130, but the invention is not limited to this. One temporary fastening portion 135 may be provided on each side, or three or more temporary fastening portions 135 may be provided on each side. By arranging them left and right, a compact layout can be achieved. Furthermore, arranging them in a front-to-back direction improves the accuracy of temporary fastening.
[0079] The pan frame 24 has a duct insertion section 24a through which the duct 130a of the second blower 130 is inserted. The duct insertion section 24a is a through hole formed in the pan frame 24. Furthermore, the pan frame 24 is provided with a second bracket fixing portion 26 for fixing the second mounting bracket 131. The second bracket fixing portion 26 consists of a left bracket fixing portion 26a formed on the left side of the duct insertion portion 24a and a right bracket fixing portion 26b formed on the right side. The left bracket fixing portion 26a and the right bracket fixing portion 26b are formed as recesses that are recessed downwards. Multiple temporary fixing portions 135 of the second mounting bracket 131 are inserted into through holes formed in the second bracket fixing portion 26 and secured.
[0080] The second mounting bracket 131 has a second frame connection portion 138 that connects to the second bracket fixing portion 26 of the pan frame 24. More specifically, as shown in Figure 20, the right side of the second mounting bracket 131 is provided with one right-side connection portion 138b that connects to the right-side bracket fixing portion 26b of the pan frame 24. Additionally, the left side of the second mounting bracket 131 is provided with two left-side connection portions 138a that connect to the left-side bracket fixing portion 26a of the pan frame 24, arranged in the front-to-back direction of the seat. The second mounting bracket 131 is attached to the pan frame 24 at three points: one point on the right-side connection portion 138b and two points on the left-side connection portion 138a. Therefore, it can be firmly fixed in a simple manner.
[0081] <Grommet 151> As described above, the second mounting bracket 131 has its left-side connection portion 138a and right-side connection portion 138b fastened to the second bracket fixing portion 26 of the pan frame 24 by bolts 139. Since the second mounting bracket 131 is made of resin, it may be damaged if the bolts 139 come into contact with it. For this reason, grommets 151 are attached to the left-side connection portion 138a and the right-side connection portion 138b. The configuration of the grommet 151 is the same as that of the grommet 51 provided on the first mounting bracket 31, so a detailed explanation is omitted.
[0082] The grommet 151 protects the left-side connector 138a and the right-side connector 138b by being placed around the bolt insertion holes of the left-side connector 138a and the right-side connector 138b. It also strengthens the fixing force of the left-side connector 138a and the right-side connector 138b, making assembly easier. Furthermore, the temporary fastening portion 135 is positioned to avoid the grommet 151, that is, in a position where the grommet 151 is not provided. This improves ease of installation.
[0083] As shown in Figure 18, the temporary fastening portion 135 on the right side of the second mounting bracket 131 is positioned to sandwich the bolt 139 that is fastened at the right-side connection portion 138b. This arrangement improves the accuracy of the temporary fastening. Furthermore, the temporary fastening portion 135 located on the left side is positioned between the two bolts 139 that are fastened at the left-side connecting portion 138a. By positioning the temporary fastening portion 135 in this way, a more secure fixation can be achieved.
[0084] <Connector support part 133> As shown in Figure 20, the second mounting bracket 131 has a connector support portion 133 at the rear end 131b of the first mounting bracket 31 that supports a connector 49 connected to the second blower 130. The connector support portion 133 is provided on both the left and right sides of the rear end 131b of the second mounting bracket 131. The connector 49 is attached to the connector support portion 133, and the harness 50 extending from the connector 49 is connected to the vehicle's power supply, ECU, etc. The harness 50 is fixed to the lower surface of the second mounting bracket 131 by a clip 58.
[0085] By providing the connector support portion 33 on the second mounting bracket 131, the installation of the connector 49 becomes easier, improving the ease of installation of the second blower 130. Furthermore, by providing the connector support portion 33 on both the left and right sides, the connector 49 can be installed using the connector support portion 33 located close to the harness 50 extending from the power supply, regardless of whether the passenger seat S is positioned on the left or right side of the vehicle. Therefore, the second mounting bracket 131 can be shared between the left and right seats. In addition, the connector support portion 133 is positioned to avoid the temporary fixing portion 135. This improves ease of installation.
[0086] As described above, the second mounting bracket 131 has an opening 137 in the center through which the duct 130a of the second blower 130 is inserted. The multiple temporary fastening portions 135 provided on the second mounting bracket 131 are positioned to straddle the opening 137. By arranging multiple temporary fastening portions 135 in this way, the accuracy of the temporary fastening can be improved, as well as the strength can be enhanced. Furthermore, by providing the temporary fastening portions 135 on both the left and right sides of the duct insertion portion 24a, a compact arrangement can be achieved.
[0087] <Rib 131d> As shown in Figure 21, the lower surface 131c of the second mounting bracket 131 is provided with a rib 131d that protrudes downward. In particular, a portion of the rib 131d is formed in a circular shape to surround the opening 137, thereby improving the rigidity around the opening 137.
[0088] <Second blower fixing part 132> Furthermore, as shown in Figures 19 and 21, the lower surface 131c of the second mounting bracket 131 is provided with a second blower fixing portion 132 (functional component fixing portion) for fixing the second blower 130 to the second mounting bracket 131. In this embodiment, four second blower fixing portions 132 are provided around the opening 137.
[0089] <Guide section 136> The second mounting bracket 131 is equipped with guide portions 136 that guide the temporary fastening portions 135 when the bracket is temporarily fastened by the multiple temporary fastening portions 135. The guide portions 136 are columnar members that rise from the upper surface 131a of the second mounting bracket 131, and one guide portion 136 is provided on each side of the duct insertion portion 24a. Furthermore, the guide portion 136 is provided near at least one of the multiple temporary fastening portions 135. In particular, the guide portion 136 provided on the left side is positioned between two temporary fastening portions that are arranged front to back. By providing the guide portion 136 near the temporary fastening portions 135 or positioning it between the temporary fastening portions 135, temporary fastening is facilitated.
[0090] In this embodiment, the second mounting bracket 131 was attached to the pan frame 24 of the seat cushion frame 20, but the second mounting bracket 131 may also be attached to the upper frame 12 or lower frame 13 of the seat back frame 10. In this case, the multiple temporary fastening parts 135, which are located on the left or right side of the opening 137 through which the duct passes, will be aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat S.
[0091] Furthermore, the functional components attached to the pan frame 24 are not limited to the second blower 130, but may also be sensors that acquire the seated person's biometric information. The functional components may also be vibration devices, heaters, speakers, or air cells. [Explanation of symbols]
[0092] S Vehicle Seat F Seat Frame T Skin material P Pad Material FL vehicle floor 1 seat back 2 seat cushions 3 Headrests 3a Headrest Stay 4 Rail device 5 Lower Rail 5a bottom 5b opening 5c Side 5d Cover engagement portion 6 Upper Rail 7. Reclining mechanism 10 Seat back frame 11. Backside frame (side frame) 12 Upper frame (connecting frame) 12a The side facing the seated person 13 Lower Frame 14 Headrest holder 15 recesses 16. First bracket fixing part (mounting member fixing part) 16a Upper bracket fixing part 16b Lower bracket fixing part 17 Insertion hole 18 Bead section 20 Seat Cushion Frame 21 Cushion side frame (side frame) 22 Front connecting frame 23 Rear connection frame 24 Pan Frames 24a Duct insertion section 25 Pressure-receiving member 26. Second bracket fixing part (mounting member fixing part) 26a Left bracket fixing part 26b Right-side bracket fixing part 30. First blower (functional component) 31. First mounting bracket (mounting component) 31a Upper end 31b Lower end 31c Storage recess 31d opening 32. First blower fixing part (functional component fixing part) 32a Upper blower fixing part 32b Lower blower mounting section 33 Connector support section 34 Positioning section 34a head 34b Post section 38. Connection section of the first frame 38a Upper connection part (first connection part) 38b Lower connection part (second connection part) 39 Bolts (fastening components) 40 First air outlet 49 Connectors 50 Harness 51 Grommets 52 Bolts (fastening members) 52a head 52b Top 53 Retaining member 53a bottom 53b Side 53c Stepped section 54 Recess (relief area) 54a through hole 56 Retaining member fixing part 57 Cover component 57a Engagement part 57b Rib 57c through hole 58 clips 60 Connecting Brackets 60a Bottom 60b wall 60c flange 61 links 61a Link body 61b Flange 130 Second blower (functional part) 130a duct 131 Second mounting bracket (mounting component) 131a Top side 131b Rear end 131c Bottom side 131d Rib 132 Second blower fixing part (functional component fixing part) 133 Connector support section 135 Temporary fastening part 136 Guide Section 137 Opening 138 Connection section of the second frame 138a Left side connection 138b Right side connection 139 Bolts (fastening components) 140 Second air outlet
Claims
1. The seat frame and A functional component attached to the aforementioned seat frame, The system includes a mounting member that is fixed to the functional component and attaches the functional component to the seat frame, The mounting member has a plurality of temporary fastening parts for temporarily fastening the mounting member to the seat frame, The aforementioned plurality of temporary fastening parts are positioned to sandwich the functional component, The mounting member has a guide portion that guides the plurality of temporary fastening portions, The vehicle seat is characterized in that the guide portion is positioned between two adjacent temporary fastening portions among the plurality of temporary fastening portions and in the vicinity of at least one of them, and protrudes more than the two adjacent temporary fastening portions.
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening parts are arranged on the left and right sides of the functional component in the width direction of the seat.
3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening parts are arranged in the front-to-back direction or the up-and-down direction of the seat.
4. The mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of fastening members are arranged in positions that sandwich at least one of the plurality of temporary fastening portions.
5. The mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening portions are arranged to sandwich at least one of the plurality of fastening members.
6. The mounting member has a connector support portion that supports the connector to be connected to the functional component, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector support portion is provided in a position that avoids the plurality of temporary fastening portions.
7. The aforementioned mounting member has an opening formed therein. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening portions are arranged to sandwich the opening.
8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening portions sandwiching the opening are arranged on the left and right sides of the opening in the width direction of the seat.
9. The mounting member is fixed to the seat frame by a plurality of fastening members. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that a grommet is provided between each of the plurality of fastening members and the mounting member.
10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, characterized in that the plurality of temporary fastening parts are arranged in positions that avoid the grommets.
11. The aforementioned mounting member has an opening formed therein. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting member has ribs surrounding the opening on the lower surface of the mounting member.