Vehicle seats

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle seat which can suppress the occurrence of wrinkling or looseness on the surface of a seat body.　This vehicle seat S comprises: a seat back (2); and a movable body (40) which is attached to the inside of the seat back (2), and disposed at a position more outward than the center portion (2A) of the seat back 2, and which can move in order to cause a side portion (2B) of the seat back (2) to protrude to a seated person side (seat front side). The movable body (40) is disposed on the rear surface of a cushion material (2a) at the side portion (2B). The end (rear end) of the movable body (40) on the side opposite from the seated person side is disposed more on the seated person side (seat front side) than a seating surface of the center portion of the seat back (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0004] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat provided with a movable body that moves to project a part of a seat body toward the occupant side from a normal position.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat is known that is attached inside a seat body on which an occupant sits and includes a movable body (for example, a side support member) that moves to project a part of the seat body (for example, a side portion) toward the occupant side from a normal position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By providing the movable body, the holding performance of the vehicle seat can be enhanced according to the physique and preferences of the occupant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a vehicle seat such as that of Patent Document 1, when the movable body projects a part of the seat body toward the occupant side, wrinkles or doubling may inadvertently occur on the surface of the seat body (specifically, on the skin material), and if so, there is a risk of impairing the appearance of the vehicle seat. For example, assume a case where a vehicle seat includes a side support member that projects the side portion of the seat back toward the occupant side, and the side support member is disposed at a position behind the seat with respect to the seating surface at the center of the seat back. Then, with the operation of the side support member, there is a risk that wrinkles or doubling of the skin material will prominently occur at the boundary portion between the central portion and the side portion of the seat back (specifically, the portion corresponding to the suspension groove).

[0005] For example, consider a vehicle seat that includes a lumbar support member that causes the central part of the seat back to protrude forward, and side support members that cause the side of the seat body to protrude toward the occupant, with these support members arranged side by side in the width direction of the seat. In this case, the movement of these support members would cause forces to be applied to the surface of the seat body from multiple directions, which could easily lead to wrinkles and sagging.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat body, even when a part of the seat body protrudes toward the seated person. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and looseness of the surface material at the boundary between the central and side portions of the seat body (the portion corresponding to the suspension groove). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The aforementioned problem is solved by providing a seat body on which a person sits, and a movable body attached inside the seat body and positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, which moves to cause the side of the seat body to protrude toward the person sitting than its normal position, wherein the seat body comprises a seat frame which forms the skeleton, and the seat frame has side frames positioned on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, and the movable body is positioned toward the person sitting than the side frames and comprises a base member supported by the side frames, and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is positioned toward the person sitting than the seating surface in the center of the seat body The seat body has a seat back which forms the backrest, the seat back has a cushioning material and a surface material covering the cushioning material, the movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion in the seat width direction of the seat back and is movable to make the side portion protrude toward the front of the seat, the surface of the cushioning material has a suspension hole for suspending the end of the surface material, the suspension hole is provided at a position that divides the central portion and the side portion of the seat back and extends in the vertical direction, the end of the surface material has a surface suspension portion attached which passes through the suspension hole and is hooked onto a fastening portion provided inside the seat back, the surface suspension portion is hooked onto the fastening portion while being pulled outward in the seat width direction by a pull-in portion provided inside the seat back This will be resolved by doing so. The above configuration makes it possible to create a vehicle seat that can suppress wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat itself. Specifically, the end of the movable part opposite to the seated person is positioned closer to the seated person than the seating surface in the center of the seat body. Therefore, even when the movable part moves, wrinkles and looseness of the surface material at the boundary between the center and outer parts of the seat body can be suppressed more effectively than in conventional designs.

[0008] Also, Moving objects , On the side of the seatback in the width direction Teku Placed on the back of the cushioning material ,sa The side section is movable to protrude forward from the seat. Therefore, This prevents wrinkles and other damage from occurring in the seatback's surface material. Specifically, even when the movable parts are in motion, it is possible to prevent wrinkles and other damage from occurring in the surface material at the boundary between the central and side parts of the seatback (corresponding to the suspension groove). Furthermore, as described above, the upholstery attachment point is secured to the fastening point while being pulled outwards in the seat width direction by a retraction point provided inside the seat back. Therefore, the tension of the upholstery material can be increased, and wrinkles in the upholstery material can be suppressed even when the movable parts are in motion. In particular, the tension in the width direction of the seat can be increased in the central part of the seat back's surface material, further suppressing wrinkles and other damage to the surface material at the boundary between the central and side parts of the seat back.

[0009] At this time, before It is preferable that the rear end of the rotating member is positioned forward of the seat, relative to the seating surface in the center of the seat back. As described above, the inclusion of a rotating member further stabilizes the movement of the movable body. Furthermore, as described above, since the rear end of the rotating member is positioned forward of the seat compared to the seating surface in the center of the seat back, wrinkles and other issues in the surface material at the boundary between the center and side portions of the seat back can be further suppressed.

[0010] In this case, the seat back is equipped with a back frame that forms the skeleton, and the back frame is positioned on the left and right sides in the seat width direction and extends in the vertical direction. The aforementioned The movable body has a side frame, and the movable body is positioned in front of the seat relative to the side frame. ru That would be good. With the above configuration, the movable body is suitably supported by the side frame. As a result, the movement of the movable body can be stabilized. Furthermore, by stabilizing the movement of the movable body, it is possible to adjust it in a way that suppresses wrinkles and other damage to the seat back surface material.

[0011] At this time, before In the side portion, the back surface of the cushioning material is the side portion thrust The inclined surface is formed to conform to the protruding surface, the movable body is positioned in the internal space formed between the cushioning material and the side frame in the side portion, and the portion of the base member corresponding to the cushioning material in the side portion extends inclined along the back surface of the cushioning material in the side portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the portion of the rotating member facing the cushioning material on the side extends in a sloping manner along the back surface of the cushioning material on the side. With the above configuration, the movable body can suitably make the side portion of the seat back protrude. In other words, the movable body can apply more uniform pressure to the cushioning material on the side portion of the seat back.

[0012] At this time, a suspension groove is formed on the surface of the cushioning material for suspending the end of the surface material, and the suspension groove is provided at a position that divides the central part and the side part of the seat back and extends in the vertical direction, and on the back surface of the cushioning material, in the part corresponding to the suspension groove, A resin plate is attached. That would be good. As described above, the cushion deformation suppression section is provided to suppress deformation of the cushioning material in a predetermined area of ​​the seat back, thereby preventing wrinkles and other damage from occurring in the seat back's surface material. In particular, when the movable body causes the side portion of the seat back to protrude toward the occupant, it has been found that wrinkles and looseness occur significantly in the surface material at the boundary between the central and side portions of the seat back (corresponding to the suspension groove). Therefore, measures can be taken to prevent wrinkles and other issues from occurring in the surface material at this boundary.

[0013] At this time, the movable body has a plurality of bags that bulge by enclosing fluid, the plurality of bags are arranged at different positions in the front-rear direction of the seat, and it is preferable that they are arranged on the front side of the seat rather than the seating surface at the center of the seat back. Further, the movable body has a plurality of bags that bulge by enclosing fluid, the plurality of bags are arranged at different positions in the front-rear direction of the seat, and among the plurality of bags, it is preferable that the first bag located on the frontmost side of the seat has the smallest capacity among the other bags. With the above configuration, by bulging a plurality of bags having different positions and sizes, the protruding direction and protruding amount of the seat back by the movable body can be adjusted. Also, with the above configuration, by adjusting the protruding direction and protruding amount of the side portion of the seat back, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles or the like on the skin material of the seat back.

[0015] At this time, it is preferable that the hanging hole and the pulling-in portion are arranged at positions overlapping in the front-rear direction of the seat inside the seat back. With the above configuration, the pulling-in portion (the portion that raises the tension of the skin material) is arranged at a position relatively close to the surface of the seat back in the front-rear direction of the seat back. Therefore, the tension of the skin material can be efficiently raised, and the occurrence of wrinkles or the like on the skin material can be efficiently suppressed.

[0016] At this time, the movable body is arranged in an internal space formed on the back surface of the cushion material at the side portion, and through holes penetrating from the outer surface of the cushion material to the internal space are formed on the outer surface of the cushion material at the side portion. The through holes are arranged at positions overlapping the movable body in the front-rear direction of the seat and preferably extend in the vertical direction. As described above, by forming through holes in the cushion material of the side portion, the cushion material of the side portion becomes more easily deformable. Therefore, the movable body can more easily project the cushion material of the side portion, and no excessive force is applied to the skin material of the seat back. As a result, it becomes easier to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles or the like in the skin material.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforementioned problem is solved by comprising a seat body on which a person sits, a movable body attached inside the seat body and positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and movable to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude toward the person sitting than its normal position, wherein the seat body comprises a seat frame which forms the skeleton, the seat frame has side frames positioned on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, the movable body comprises a base member positioned toward the person sitting than the side frame and supported by the side frame, and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, the pivot axis positioned toward the person sitting than the seat surface in the center of the seat body, the seat body has a seat back which forms the backrest, the seat back comprises a cushioning material and a surface material covering the cushioning material, and the movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat back in the seat width direction and movable to cause the side portion to protrude toward the front of the seat. A lumbar support member is provided which is attached inside the seat back and is movable to project the central portion of the seat back in the seat width direction toward the seated person side more than the normal position. When the lumbar support member projects the central portion of the seat back most forward in the seat front direction, the rear end portion of the movable body is disposed on the seat front side of the seating surface of the central portion of the seat back. This will resolve the issue. With the above configuration, the movable body and the lumbar support member are arranged at different positions in the seat width direction and at different positions in the seat front-rear direction. Therefore, even when the movable body and the lumbar support member move simultaneously, the directions and positions of the forces applied to the surface of the seat back can be made different. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles or the like on the surface of the seat back.

[0018] Furthermore, the aforementioned problem is solved by comprising a seat body on which a person sits, a movable body attached inside the seat body and positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and movable to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude toward the person sitting than its normal position, wherein the seat body comprises a seat frame which forms the skeleton, the seat frame has side frames positioned on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, the movable body comprises a base member positioned toward the person sitting than the side frame and supported by the side frame, and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, the pivot axis positioned toward the person sitting than the seat surface in the center of the seat body, the seat body has a seat back which forms the backrest, the seat back comprises a cushioning material and a surface material covering the cushioning material, and the movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat back in the seat width direction and movable to cause the side portion to protrude toward the front of the seat. A lumbar support member is provided which is attached inside the seat back and is movable to project the central portion of the seat back in the seat width direction toward the seated person side more than the normal position, and a drive device is provided which is attached inside the seat back and drives the lumbar support member. The movable body is disposed on the seat front side of the drive device. This will resolve the issue. With the above configuration, it is possible to create a vehicle seat that, like the vehicle seats mentioned earlier, can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat body. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and other issues on the upholstery material of the seat back. With the above configuration, the movable body, the lumbar support member, and the drive device are attached at different positions inside the seat back. Therefore, it becomes possible to operate the movable body and the lumbar support member suitably. In particular, since the movable body is positioned in front of the seat relative to the drive unit in the seat's front-to-back direction, the movable body can move appropriately to cause the side portion of the seat back to protrude forward of the seat. Furthermore, the above configuration makes it possible to arrange each component of the vehicle seat as compactly as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a vehicle seat that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat body. Specifically, even when the movable parts are in motion, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and the like in the surface material at the boundary between the central and outer parts of the seat body more effectively than in conventional designs. Furthermore, according to the present invention, even when the movable body is in motion, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and the like in the surface material at the boundary between the central and side parts of the seat back (the part corresponding to the suspension groove). Furthermore, according to the present invention, the movement of the movable body can be made even more stable. By stabilizing the movement of the movable body, it is also possible to adjust it in a way that suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and the like in the seat back surface material. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the movable body can apply pressure more uniformly to the cushioning material on the side of the seat back. Furthermore, according to the present invention, deformation of the cushioning material in a predetermined part of the seat back can be suppressed, and wrinkles and the like can be prevented from occurring in the surface material of the seat back. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the direction and amount of protrusion of the seat back can be adjusted by the movable body. As a result, wrinkles and other defects in the seat back surface material can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the tension of the surface material can be increased, and even when the movable body moves, wrinkles and other defects in the surface material can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cushioning material on the sides becomes more flexible. As a result, the movable body can more easily cause the cushioning material on the sides to protrude, and no unnecessary force is applied to the surface material of the seat back. Consequently, it becomes easier to suppress the formation of wrinkles and other defects in the surface material. Furthermore, according to the present invention, even when the movable body and the lumbar support member move simultaneously, the direction and position of the forces applied to the surface of the seat back can be made different. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles and the like on the surface of the seat back can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to suitably operate the movable body and the lumbar support member. In addition, it becomes possible to arrange the various components of the vehicle seat as compactly as possible. Furthermore, according to the present invention, deformation of the movable body can be suppressed even when a load is applied to the movable body by a seated person. As a result, the movable body can be operated stably. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 1, illustrating the state in which the movable body and the second movable body are in motion. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the movable body, the second movable body, and the operating mechanism. [Figure 5A] This is a cross-sectional view of a seatback, illustrating a state where the movable parts are not moving and the side sections of the seatback are in their "normal position". [Figure 5B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the movable part is in motion and the side portion of the seat back is in the "protruding position". [Figure 6] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 7] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, part 2, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 8]This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, part 3, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 9] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, part 4, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 10] This is an external perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI, which is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 12A] This figure shows a modified example 5 of the movable body, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the side portion of the seat back is in the "normal position". [Figure 12B] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the side portion of the seat back is in the "protruding position". [Figure 13] This figure shows a modified example 6 of the movable body, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 14] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, part 7, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 15] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, part 8, and is a cross-sectional view of the seat back. [Figure 16] This is an external perspective view of a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 18] This is a schematic diagram showing the movable parts and operating mechanisms. [Figure 19A] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view from XIX-XIX, illustrating the state where the side portion of the seat back is in the "normal position". [Figure 19B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the movable part is in motion and the side portion of the seat back is in the "protruding position". [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of a vehicle seat. [Figure 21] This is a view from arrow XXI in Figure 20, and is an enlarged view of the main part showing the slit section. [Figure 22A] This is a side view showing the side frame and side support members. [Figure 22B] This is a perspective view of the side support member. [Figure 22C] This is a cross-sectional view of the side frame and side support member. [Figure 23] This is an external perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat, showing the cushion's front-to-back adjustment mechanism, air piping, and operating mechanism. [Figure 25] This is a plan view of the seat frame, showing the cushion front / back adjustment device and air piping. [Figure 26A] This diagram shows a cushion length adjustment device, illustrating the state in which the protruding body is in its "normal position". [Figure 26B] This diagram illustrates the state in which a protruding object is in a "protruding position". [Figure 27A] This diagram illustrates the state where the seat cushion is in the "normal position" and the cushion length adjustment device (rotating body) is in the "disengaged position". [Figure 27B] This diagram illustrates the state where the seat cushion is in the "normal position" and the rotating body is in the "engaged position". [Figure 27C] This diagram illustrates the state where the seat cushion is in the "protruding position" and the rotating body is in the "engaged position". [Figure 28] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 29] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view between XXIX and XXIX, illustrating the positional relationship between the movable body, the second movable body, and the third movable body. [Figure 30] This is a front view showing the seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 31A] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of line XXXI-XXXI, illustrating the state in which the side portion of the seat back is in its "normal position". [Figure 31B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the movable part is in motion and the side portion of the seat back is in the "protruding position". [Figure 32] This is an external perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 33] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 34] This is a schematic diagram showing the lumbar support, air control unit, and air pump. [Figure 35] This is a perspective view showing the movable parts and drive mechanisms. [Figure 36] This is a magnified view of the main part showing the movable body. [Figure 37] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 38] This is an external perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 39] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 40] This is a front view showing the seat frame. [Figure 41] This is a front view of a vehicle seat, illustrating the positional relationship between the movable body and connecting member and the upholstery suspension groove. [Figure 42A] Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of XLII-XLII, illustrating the state where the side portion of the seat back is in the "normal position". [Figure 42B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the movable part is in motion and the side portion of the seat back is in the "protruding position". [Figure 43A] This figure shows a modified example of the movable body, illustrating the state in which the side portion of the seat back is in the "normal position". [Figure 43B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the side portion of the seatback is in a "protruding position". [Figure 44A] This figure shows a modified example 10 of the movable body, illustrating the state in which the side portion of the seat back is in the "normal position". [Figure 44B] This diagram illustrates the state in which the side portion of the seatback is in a "protruding position". [Figure 45] This is an external perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to the 10th embodiment. [Figure 46] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 47A]This is a cross-sectional view of the seatback (XLVII-XLVII cross-section in Figure 45), showing the side sections in their "normal position". [Figure 47B] This diagram shows the state in which the movable member (air cell) is moved, and the side portion moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". [Figure 48] This is an external perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to the 11th embodiment. [Figure 49] This is an external perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to the 12th embodiment. [Figure 50] This is a perspective view showing the seat frame, which forms the skeleton of the structure. [Figure 51] Figure 49 is an LI-LI cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship of the side supports. [Figure 52] This is an external view of a vehicle seat according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 53] This is a perspective view of the seat frame of a vehicle seat. [Figure 54] This is a side view of the seat back side frame. [Figure 55] Figure 54 is an LV-LV cross-sectional view. [Figure 56] This is a perspective view of the seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the 14th embodiment. [Figure 57] This is a side view of the seat back side frame. [Figure 58] Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of LVIII-LVIII. [Figure 59] This is a perspective view of the seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the 15th embodiment. [Figure 60] This is a side view of the seat cushion side frame. [Figure 61] Figure 60 is a cross-sectional view of the LXI-LXI line. [Figure 62] This is a side view of a vehicle seat according to the 16th embodiment, showing the normal state. [Figure 63] This diagram shows the tip-up state. [Figure 64]This is a bottom view of the seat frame, showing the cushion frame, support legs, and leg rotation mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 64. This embodiment relates to an invention of a vehicle seat, which comprises a seat body and a movable body attached inside the seat body and positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and which moves to cause the side of the seat body to protrude toward the seated person (forward side of the seat), and the main feature of the movable body is that the end opposite to the seated person (rear end) is positioned toward the seated person (forward side of the seat) than the seating surface of the center of the seat body. In vehicle seats, the side where the occupant sits is considered the front of the seat relative to the seatback.

[0023] <First Embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle seat S1 of the first embodiment is a vehicle seat comprising: a seat body having a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, and a headrest 3; a lumbar support member 30 attached inside the seat back 2 and movable to cause the central part 2A of the seat back 2 to protrude toward the occupant from its normal position; a movable body 40 (side support member) attached inside the seat body and movable to cause the side part 2B of the seat back 2 to protrude toward the occupant from its normal position; and an actuator 50 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the lumbar support member 30 and the movable body 40.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the seat cushion 1 is a seating portion that supports the occupant from below, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 1a on a cushion frame 10, which serves as the skeleton, as shown in Figure 2, and covering it with a surface material 1b. The seat cushion 1 consists of a central part 1A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side parts 1B (side bolster parts) located outside the central part 1A in the seat width direction. The cushioning material 1a is a pad component made of foamed urethane or the like. On the surface of the cushioning material 1a, left and right suspension grooves 1aa are formed, extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat to separate the central part 1A from the left and right side parts 1B.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the seat back 2 is a backrest that supports the seated person's back from behind, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 2a on a back frame 20, which forms the skeleton, as shown in Figure 2, and covering it with a surface material 2b. The seat back 2 consists of a central section 2A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side sections 2B (side bolster sections) located outside the central section 2A in the seat width direction. On the surface of the cushioning material 2a, left and right suspension grooves 2aa are formed, extending vertically to separate the central part 2A from the left and right side parts 2B. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the surface (seat surface) of the central part 2A and the surface (protruding surface) of the side part 2B are formed in a continuous manner. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5A, the back surface of the cushioning material 2a of the side part 2B forms an inclined surface that follows the surface (protruding surface) of the side part 2B.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the headrest 3 is a headrest that supports the seated person's head from behind, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 3a on a pillar 3c which serves as the core material and covering it with a surface material 3b. Furthermore, a pillar mounting member 26 for attaching the pillar 3c that supports the main body of the headrest 3 is assembled to the upper part of the back frame 20.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the cushion frame 10 consists of a rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of cushion side frames 11 arranged on the left and right sides, a plate-shaped pan frame 12 (erecting frame) installed on the front end portion of each cushion side frame 11, a rear connecting frame 13 that connects the rear portions of each cushion side frame 11, and a plurality of elastic members 14 (elastic springs) that are attached to the pan frame 12 and the rear connecting frame 13 and extend in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0028] The cushion side frame 11 is a long, plate-shaped frame in the front-to-back direction of the seat. A reclining device 4 is attached to the rear portion of the cushion side frame 11, and a rail device 6 is attached to its lower portion via a height link device 5.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the back frame 20 consists of a rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of back side frames 21 arranged on the left and right sides, an inverted U-shaped upper frame 22 connecting the upper ends of each back side frame 21, a plate-shaped lower frame 23 connecting the lower ends of each back side frame 21, a plurality of wire members 24 (elastic wires) that are hooked onto each back side frame 21 and extend in a snake-like manner in the seat width direction, and a support plate 25 that is held by the plurality of wire members 24 and supports the seated person. The back frame 20 is attached to the central part of the upper frame 22 in the seat width direction and further includes a pillar mounting member 26 for attaching the pillar 3c of the headrest 3.

[0030] The backside frame 21 is a sheet metal member that extends vertically and has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, and its lower end is connected to the rear end of the cushion side frame 11 via a reclining device 4. In the above configuration, the back frame 20 is capable of relative rotation with respect to the cushion frame 10.

[0031] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 2, a lumbar support member 30 is attached to the front surface of the lower portion of the support plate 25. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, left and right movable bodies 40 are attached to the front of the lower portion of the left and right backside frames 21.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 5A and B, the lumbar support member 30 has a bag-like structure (air cell) that expands when a fluid is sealed inside. When compressed air is sealed inside as the fluid, it expands towards the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position), and when the sealed compressed air is released, it contracts (returns to the normal position). Specifically, the lumbar support member 30 is a member that supports the lumbar region of the seated person, and is positioned between the cushioning material 2a and the support plate 25 in the central part 2A of the lower portion of the seat back 2. It is a movable member that causes the central part 2A (cushioning material 2a) to protrude toward the seated person. The lumbar support member 30 is attached to the front of the support plate 25 in a folded state.

[0033] The lumbar support member 30 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the sheet width direction, and mainly consists of a base member 31 (base plate) supported by a support plate 25, and a bag body 32 supported on the front surface of the base member 31. The bag 32 can expand towards the front of the sheet by being filled with compressed air from its folded state.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 to 5A and B, the movable body 40 has a bag-like structure (air cell) that expands toward the seated person when compressed air is sealed inside (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position), and contracts when the sealed compressed air is released (returning to the normal position). Specifically, the movable body 40 is a side support member that supports the seated person from the side, and is positioned between the cushioning material 2a and the backside frame 21 in the side portion 2B of the lower part of the seat back 2. It is a movable member that causes the side portion 2B (cushioning material 2a) to protrude toward the seated person (towards the front of the seat and inward in the seat width direction). The movable body 40 is attached to the front of the backside frame 21 in a folded state.

[0035] The movable body 40 has a roughly pentagonal shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and mainly consists of a base member 41 supported by the back side frame 21, a rotating member 43 positioned in front of the seat of the base member 41 and attached to the base member 41 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 42, and a plurality of bag bodies 44 positioned between the base member 41 and the rotating member 43 and supported on the front surface of the base member 41.

[0036] The base member 41 is attached to the front of the backside frame 21 and extends along the front of the backside frame so as to protrude in the seat width direction. The pivot shaft 42 is attached to the inner end of the front surface of the base member 41 in the width direction of the sheet. The rotating member 43 is mounted to the base member 41 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat, and by rotating toward the front of the seat, it can cause the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 to protrude (push out) toward the front of the seat. The rotating member 43 is positioned towards the base member 41 when the seat back 2 is in its normal position. It may also be biased towards the base member 41 by a biasing spring (biasing member) not shown.

[0037] Multiple bag bodies 44 are supported by a base member 41, and when compressed air is sealed inside, they expand toward the front of the sheet, pushing the rotating member 43 toward the front of the sheet. In other words, the rotating member 43 can be rotated toward the front of the sheet.

[0038] Multiple bag bodies 44 are arranged at different positions in the front-to-back direction and the width direction of the sheet, and each is made up of a different size. More specifically, the multiple bags 44 are composed of three bags, with the first bag 44a, located furthest forward on the sheet, having the smallest capacity compared to the other bags. The second bag 44b has the largest capacity, and the third bag 44c has a medium capacity. With the above configuration, the direction and amount of protrusion of the seat back 2 (side portion 2B) can be adjusted by inflating multiple bag bodies 44 of different positions and sizes. Furthermore, by adjusting the direction and amount of protrusion of the side portion 2B of the seat back 2, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and sagging in the surface material 2b of the seat back 2.

[0039] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 5A, the movable body 40 is positioned in the internal space formed between the cushioning material 2a and the back side frame 21 in the side portion 2B. Furthermore, the portion of the base member 41 that corresponds to the cushioning material 2a of the side portion 2B extends in a sloping manner along the back surface of the cushioning material 2a. Furthermore, the portion of the rotating member 43 that faces the cushioning material 2a on the side portion 2B extends inclined along the back surface of the cushioning material 2a. Therefore, the movable body 40 can apply pressure more uniformly to the cushioning material 2a of the side portion 2B of the seat back 2. In other words, the movable body 40 can suitably make the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 protrude.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the actuator 50 is a fluid supply device installed inside the seat body that supplies compressed air to the lumbar support member 30 (bag body 32) and the movable body 40 (bag body 44). The actuator 50 mainly consists of an air control unit 51 attached to the outer surface of the backside frame 21, an air pump 52 attached to the back surface of the cushion frame 10 (pan frame 12) for supplying (intake) and discharging (exhaust) compressed air, and an air piping 53 connecting the air pump 52 and the lumbar support member 30 (movable body 40).

[0041] The air control unit 51, for example, receives a predetermined user operation selection by a seated person, receives a predetermined control signal, and controls the air pump 52 to supply compressed air to the bags 32 and 44, or to discharge compressed air from the bags 32 and 44. By doing so, the range of motion of the lumbar support member 30 and the movable body 40 can be adjusted according to the physique of the person sitting.

[0042] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 3, when the lumbar support member 30 protrudes the central portion 2A of the seat back 2 to its maximum extent towards the front of the seat, the rear end of the movable body 40 is positioned further forward of the seat than the seating surface of the central portion 2A of the seat back 2. In other words, the multiple bag-like structures 44 are positioned forward of the seat, beyond the seating surface of the central part 2A of the seat back 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and looseness in the surface material 2b of the seat back 2. More specifically, the lumbar support member 30 and the movable body 40 are positioned at different locations in the seat width direction and at different locations in the seat front-to-back direction. This ensures that even when the lumbar support member 30 and the movable body 40 move simultaneously, the direction and location of the forces applied to the upholstery material 2b of the seat back 2 are different. As a result, wrinkles and other damage to the upholstery material 2b of the seat back 2 can be suppressed.

[0043] Next, the operation of the movable body 40 will be described in detail based on Figures 5A and 5B. The movable body 40 can move (bulge out) the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 from the "normal position" shown in Figure 5A to the "protruding position" shown in Figure 5B.

[0044] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the seat back 2, showing the seat back 2 with its side portion 2B in the "normal position". The movable body 40 is positioned between the back frame 20 and the upholstery material 2b in the front-rear direction of the seat. Specifically, it is attached to the front of the back side frame 21 and is positioned opposite the back surface of the cushioning material 2a.

[0045] Figure 5B shows the state in which the movable body 40 (rotating member 43) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 50, the folded bag body 44 expands and unfolds toward the front of the sheet, pushing the rotating member 43 toward the front of the sheet, causing the side portion 2B to move toward the front of the sheet. As a result, the side portion 2B moves to the "protruding position". Furthermore, the compressed air inside the bag 44 is discharged by the actuator 50, causing the inflated bag 44 to contract and the side portion 2B to move backward towards the seat. As a result, the side portion of the seat back 2 returns from the "protruding position" to the "normal position".

[0046] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 5B, the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 is configured to protrude forward of the seat and inward in the seat width direction as the movable body 40 (bag body 44) moves. By doing so, the seating experience for the person sitting can be improved.

[0047] <<Modified Examples 1-4 of the Movable Body>> Next, we will explain four modified examples of the movable body based on Figures 6 to 9. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seat S1 described above will be omitted.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, the movable body 40 of the modified example 1 consists of a base member 41 supported by a backside frame 21 and a plurality of bag bodies 44 supported on the front surface of the base member 41. Multiple bag bodies 44 are supported by a base member 41 and can expand towards the front of the sheet when compressed air is sealed inside from a folded state. The multiple bags 44 are attached to the base member 41 by attachment members 45 provided on the inner end of the front surface of the base member 41 in the sheet width direction.

[0049] Figure 6 shows the state in which the movable body 40 (bag body 44) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 50, the folded bag body 44 expands and unfolds towards the front of the seat, directly pushing the side portion 2B forward. As a result, the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 moves to the "protruding position".

[0050] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 6, a cushion deformation suppression part 46 is attached to the portion of the back surface of the cushion material 2a that corresponds to the suspension groove 2aa, in order to suppress deformation of the cushion material 2a around the suspension groove 2aa. More precisely, "the area around the suspension groove 2aa" refers to a location outside the suspension groove 2aa in the sheet width direction. The cushion deformation suppression part 46 is a resin plate attached to the back surface of the cushion material 2a, and is positioned behind the rear end of the movable body 40 and inside the inner end of the movable body 40 in the seat width direction. Therefore, wrinkles and sagging of the surface material 2b of the seat back 2 can be suppressed. In particular, wrinkles and sagging of the surface material 2b can be suppressed at the boundary between the central part 2A and the side part 2B of the seat back 2 (the part corresponding to the suspension groove 2aa). Furthermore, the cushion deformation suppression section 46 may be a fabric-like material such as nonwoven fabric instead of a resin plate.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the movable body 40 of the modified example 2 consists of a base member 41, a rotating member 43 attached to the base member 41 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 42, and a single bag-shaped body 44 positioned between the base member 41 and the rotating member 43 and supported on the front surface of the base member 41. Furthermore, the rotating member 43 is a plate body with a slightly curved shape. As a result, the contact area between the rotating member 43 and the cushioning material 2a is somewhat reduced, and the pushing force of the rotating member 43 is efficiently transmitted to the cushioning material 2a.

[0052] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 7, a cushion deformation suppression part 46 is attached to the portion of the back surface of the cushion material 2a that corresponds to the suspension groove 2aa, in order to suppress deformation of the cushion material 2a around the suspension groove 2aa. The cushion deformation suppression portion 46 is a cushion thickness portion provided on the back surface of the cushion material 2a, and is positioned behind the seat relative to the movable body 40, and is positioned inward in the seat width direction relative to the movable body 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and looseness of the surface material 2b at the boundary between the central part 2A and the side part 2B of the seat back 2 (the part corresponding to the suspension groove 2aa). Furthermore, the cushion deformation suppression portion 46 may be formed as a portion with high hardness (high-hardness cushion portion) instead of the cushion thickness portion.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the movable body 40 of the modified example 3 consists of a base member 41 and a plurality of bag-shaped bodies 44 supported on the front surface of the base member 41. Figure 8 shows the state in which the movable body 40 (bag body 44) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position".

[0054] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 8, a high-hardness cushion portion 47, which is harder than the cushion material 2a, is provided on the back surface of the cushion material 2a facing the movable body 40. The high-hardness cushion portion 47 is integrally molded with the cushion material 2a on the back surface of the cushion material 2a, and is positioned in front of the seat of the seat back 2, beyond the seating surface of the central portion 2A of the seat back 2, and is the portion that is directly pressed by the movable body 40. Therefore, the movable body 40 can push out the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 in a suitable manner. Furthermore, by appropriately protruding the side portion 2B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and the like in the surface material 2b of the seat back 2.

[0055] As shown in Figure 9, the movable body 40 of the modified example 4 consists of a base member 41, a rotating member 43 attached to the base member 41 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 42, and a single bag-shaped body 44 positioned between the base member 41 and the rotating member 43 and supported on the front surface of the base member 41.

[0056] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 9, a cushion deformation promoting portion 48 is formed on the back surface of the cushion material 2a in a portion located outside the movable body 40, in order to promote the deformation of the cushion material 2a. The cushion deformation promoting portion 48 is a thin cushion portion provided on the back surface of the cushion material 2a, positioned slightly forward of the seat than the movable body 40, and positioned further outward in the seat width direction than the movable body 40. Therefore, the cushioning material 2a of the side section 2B becomes more flexible, and the movable body 40 can more easily cause the cushioning material 2a of the side section 2B to protrude. As a result, no unnecessary force is applied to the surface material 2b of the seat back 2, and wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 2b can be suppressed.

[0057] <> In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the lumbar support member 30 is attached to the seat back 2, but it is not particularly limited and may also be attached to the seat cushion 1.

[0058] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the lumber support member 30 is configured as a bag (air cell) and the actuator 50 as a fluid supply device, but these can be modified without any particular limitations. For example, the "movable body" and the "actuator" may be composed of mechanical mechanisms. Specifically, the "movable body" may be configured to move by linkage mechanisms, hinge mechanisms, etc., and the "actuator" may be composed of motor-driven or hydraulic drive devices, etc.

[0059] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the lumbar support member 30 is positioned on the back side of the cushioning material 2a, but it is not particularly limited and may be positioned on the front side of the cushioning material 2a.

[0060] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 5B, the movable body 40 causes the side portion 2B of the seat back 2 to protrude forward of the seat and inward in the seat width direction. However, it is not particularly limited, and it may protrude only forward of the seat, or only inward in the seat width direction.

[0061] <Second embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seat S1 described above will be omitted. As shown in Figure 10, the vehicle seat S2 comprises a seat body having a seat cushion 101, a seat back 102, and a headrest 103, and a movable body 140 (side support member).

[0062] On the surface of the cushioning material 102a of the seat back 102, left and right suspension grooves 102aa and left and right suspension holes 102ab are formed, extending vertically to separate the central part 102A from the left and right side parts 102B. The suspension hole 102ab is a through-hole that penetrates the cushioning material 102a in the front-rear direction of the seat, and is formed at a position corresponding to (overlapping with) the movable body 140 in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the seat, and extends to be elongated in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the suspension groove 102aa is formed at positions above and below the suspension hole 102ab, and the suspension groove 102aa and the suspension hole 102ab are formed continuously in the vertical direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 11, the movable body 140 consists of a base member 141 supported by the back side frame 121, a rotating member 143 attached to the base member 141 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 142, and a single bag-shaped body 144 positioned between the base member 141 and the rotating member 143 and supported on the front surface of the base member 41. Figure 11 shows the state in which the movable body 140 (bag body 144) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 102B of the seat back 102 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position".

[0064] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 11, the suspension hole 102ab is formed to become wider from the back surface to the front surface of the cushioning material 102a. More specifically, of the inner surfaces of the suspension hole 102ab, the inner surface located on the outer side in the sheet width direction widens and slopes as it moves from the back surface to the front surface of the cushioning material 102a. In other words, the cushioning material 102a (surface material 102b) of the central part 102A of the seat back 102 and the cushioning material 102a (surface material 102b) of the side part 102B are positioned at a distance from each other. By doing so, when the movable body 140 causes the side portion 102B to protrude forward of the seat, unintended contact between the cushioning materials 102a and the surface material 102b can be suppressed. As a result, wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 102b at the boundary between the central portion 102A and the side portion 102B can be suppressed. Furthermore, the cushioning material 102a can be made more flexible without reducing the rigidity of the seat back 2.

[0065] Furthermore, the suspension hole 102ab does not necessarily have to be formed as a through hole; for example, it may be formed as a hole that is deeper than the suspension groove 102aa.

[0066] <<Modified examples of the movable body 5-8>> Next, we will explain variations 5 to 8 of the movable body based on Figures 12A, B to 15. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seat S2 mentioned above will be omitted.

[0067] As shown in Figure 12A, the movable body 140 of the modified example 5 consists of a base member 141, a rotating member 143 attached to the base member 141 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 142, and a bag-shaped body 144 positioned between the base member 141 and the rotating member 143. Figure 12B shows the state in which the movable body 140 protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 102B of the seat back 102 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position".

[0068] In the cross-sectional positions shown in Figures 12A and 12B (the cross-sectional positions where the suspension holes 102ab are formed), a cloth-like guide member 146 is attached to the back surface of the surface material 102b of the side portion 102B to guide the protruding direction of the side portion 102B. The guide member 146 is constructed such that one end is attached to the back surface of the outer material 102b by sewing, passes through the suspension hole 102ab of the cushioning material 102a, and the other end is attached to the movable body 140 (rotation axis 142). By doing so, when the side portion 102B of the seat back 102 protrudes toward the front of the seat in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 140, it is possible to prevent the side portion 102B from unintentionally protruding toward the central portion 102A (inward in the seat width direction). As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 102b at the boundary between the central part 102A and the side part 102B.

[0069] As shown in Figure 13, the movable body 140 of the modified example 7 consists of a base member 141, a rotating member 143 attached to the base member 141 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 142, and a bag-shaped body 144 positioned between the base member 141 and the rotating member 143. In the cross-sectional position shown in Figure 13, the surface material 102b of the central part 102A and the surface material 102b of the side part 102B are formed separately. In other words, the surface material 102b of the central portion 102A is formed to independently cover the cushioning material 102a of the central portion 102A, and the surface material 102b of the side portion 102B is formed to independently cover the cushioning material 102a of the side portion 102B. Furthermore, the portion of the surface material 102b that passes through the suspension holes 102ab of the cushioning material 102a and wraps around to the back surface of the cushioning material 102a may be substituted with a cloth-like guide member 146 instead of the surface material 102b.

[0070] By doing so, when the side portion 102B of the seat back 102 protrudes toward the front of the seat in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 140, it is possible to prevent the side portion 102B from unintentionally protruding toward the central portion 102A. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 102b at the boundary between the central part 102A and the side part 102B. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid effects such as the end portion of the surface material 102b protruding from the design surface at the boundary between the central portion 102A and the side portion 102B.

[0071] As shown in Figure 14, the movable body 140 of the modified example 8 consists of a base member 141, a rotating member 143 attached to the base member 141 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 142, and a bag-shaped body 144 positioned between the base member 141 and the rotating member 143. At the cross-sectional position shown in Figure 14, a skin suspension part 147 is attached to the end of the skin material 102b, which passes through the suspension hole 102ab and is secured to a fastening wire 102ac (fastening part) provided inside the seat back 102.

[0072] The upholstery suspension portion 147 is pulled outward in the seat width direction by a pull-in wire 102ad (pull-in portion) provided inside the seat back 102 and is then hooked onto a fastening wire 102ac. Specifically, the skin suspension section 147 includes a cloth-like suspension body 147a attached to the end of the skin material 102b and extending from the end through the suspension hole 102ab, and a suspension hook 147b attached to the extended end of the suspension body 147a. The suspension body 147a is supported by a pull-in wire 102ad located inside the cushioning material 102a and is pulled outward in the width direction of the sheet. The suspension hook 147b is positioned behind the seat compared to the pull-in wire 102ad and is secured to the fastening wire 102ac, which is located on the inside in the width direction of the seat.

[0073] With the above configuration, the tension of the surface material 102b can be increased, and even when the movable body 140 moves, the occurrence of wrinkles in the surface material 102b can be suppressed. In particular, the tension in the sheet width direction can be increased in the surface material 102b of the central part 102A, and the occurrence of wrinkles in the surface material 102b at the boundary between the central part 102A and the side part 102B can be further suppressed.

[0074] As shown in Figure 15, the movable body 140 of the modified example 9 consists of a base member 141, a rotating member 143 attached to the base member 141 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 142, and a bag-shaped body 144 positioned between the base member 141 and the rotating member 143. In the cross-sectional position shown in Figure 15, a skin suspension portion 147 is attached to the end portion of the skin material 102b, similar to the modification 8. Furthermore, in the side portion 102B, a through hole 148 is formed on the outer surface of the cushioning material 102a, extending from the outer surface of the cushioning material 102a to the internal space. The through-hole 148 is positioned to overlap with the movable body 140 in the front-rear direction of the seat, and extends to be elongated in the vertical direction.

[0075] As described above, the formation of the through-hole 148 makes it easier for the cushioning material 102a of the side portion 102B to flex appropriately. Therefore, the movable body 140 makes it easier to make the cushioning material 102a of the side portion 102B protrude, and no unnecessary force is applied to the surface material 102b of the seat back 102. As a result, it becomes easier to suppress the formation of wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 102b.

[0076] <Third embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S3 of the third embodiment will be described based on Figures 16 to 22C. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1 and S2 mentioned above will be omitted.

[0077] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the vehicle seat S3 comprises a seat body having a seat cushion 201, a seat back 202, and a headrest 203; a lumbar support member 230 mounted inside the seat back 202 and movable to cause the central part 202A of the seat back 202 to protrude toward the occupant beyond its normal position; a drive device 231 (actuator) that drives the lumbar support member 230; a movable body 240 (shoulder support member) mounted inside the seat back 202 and movable to cause the side part 2B of the seat back 2 to protrude toward the occupant beyond its normal position; and an actuator 250 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the movable body 240. Furthermore, the vehicle seat S3 includes side support members 260 positioned on the left and right sides of the seat back 202 to support the occupant from the sides in the width direction of the seat, a sheet-shaped seat sensor 270 mounted inside the seat cushion 201 to detect electrical signals (biosignals) corresponding to the occupant's biopotential, and a control device 280 that receives the biosignals detected by the seat sensor 270 and transmits the received biosignals to the outside.

[0078] As shown in Figure 17, the back frame 220 consists of a rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of back side frames 221 arranged on the left and right sides, an inverted U-shaped upper frame 222 connecting the upper ends of each back side frame 221, a plate-shaped lower frame 223 connecting the lower ends of each back side frame 21, a plate-shaped connecting frame 227 (cross member) connecting the left and right extensions of the upper frame 222, left and right wire members 224 (elastic wires) that are hooked onto the connecting frame 227 and the lower frame 223 respectively and extend in the vertical direction, and a support plate 225 that is held by the left and right wire members 224 and supports the seated person.

[0079] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 17, a lumbar support member 230 is attached to the front surface of the support plate 225, and a drive device 231 for driving the lumbar support member 230 is attached to the inner surface of the right-side back frame 221. Furthermore, left and right movable bodies 240 are attached to the front of the upper portion of the left and right wire members 224, and an actuator 250 for moving the movable body 240 is attached to the outer surface of the left backside frame 221. Furthermore, left and right side support members 260 are attached to the front of the left and right back side frames 221.

[0080] As shown in Figure 17, the lumbar support member 230 is positioned in the lower part of the seat back 202 and is a lumbar support member that supports the lower back of the seated person. The lumbar support member 230 is positioned between the cushioning material 202a and the support plate 225, and is a movable member that causes the central part 202A (cushioning material 202a) of the seat back 202 to protrude toward the seated person. Specifically, the lumbar support member 230 is a roughly rectangular movable plate supported on the front surface of the support plate 225, which can be curved to protrude forward from the seat. The lumbar support member 230 is flat and attached to the front of the support plate 225. When the drive unit 231 is driven, it curves to flex vertically, allowing the central part 202A of the seat back 202 to protrude forward of the seat.

[0081] As shown in Figure 17, the drive unit 231 is fixed to the inner surface of the backside frame 221 and is an actuator that drives the movable body 240 to move in the front-rear and up-down directions of the seat. Specifically, the drive unit 231 includes a drive body 232 and a plurality of cables 233, 234, and 235 that connect the drive body 232 and the lumbar support member 230, and act to move the lumbar support member 230 in accordance with the operation of the drive body 232.

[0082] The first cable 233 extends upward from the upper end of the drive body 232, bends to wrap around the back surface of the support plate 225, extends downward and connects to the back surface of the lower end of the lumber support member 230. As the drive unit 232 is driven, the first cable 233 is pulled, causing the lumbar support member 230 to bend vertically and move toward the front of the seat. When the pull on the first cable 233 is released, the lumbar support member 230 can return to its flat shape.

[0083] The second cable 234 extends from the upper end of the drive body 232 toward the rear of the seat, bends to wrap around to the back surface of the support plate 225, extends inward in the width direction of the seat, and connects to the back surface of the upper end of the lumbar support member 230. Furthermore, the third cable 235 extends from the lower end of the drive body 232 toward the rear of the seat, bends to wrap around to the back surface of the support plate 225, extends inward in the width direction of the seat, and is connected to the back surface of the upper end of the lumbar support member 230. As the drive unit 232 is driven, the second cable 234 and the third cable 235 are pulled, allowing the lumbar support member 230 to move upward. Conversely, when the pulling of the second and third cables 234 and 235 is released, the lumbar support member 230 can move downward.

[0084] As shown in Figures 17 to 19A and B, the movable body 240 has a bag-like structure (air cell), and compressed air as a fluid is sealed inside the bag, causing it to expand toward the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position), and the sealed compressed air is released from the bag, causing it to contract (return to the normal position). Specifically, the movable body 240 is a shoulder support member that is attached to the back surface of the cushioning material 202a at the side portion 202B of the upper part of the seat back 202, and is movable to cause the side portion 202B to protrude toward the seated person.

[0085] The movable bodies 240 are arranged on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them in the seat width direction, and are attached to the front surfaces of the wire member 224 and the upper frame 222, respectively. The movable body 240 is installed in a folded state.

[0086] The movable body 240 has a roughly pentagonal shape that is elongated in the sheet width direction and extends outward from the wire member 224 in the sheet width direction. More specifically, the movable body 240 mainly consists of a base member 241 supported by a wire member 224 and an upper frame 222, a rotating member 243 positioned in front of the base member 241 and attached to the base member 241 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 242, and a bag body 244 supported on the front surface of the base member 241.

[0087] The base member 241 is a plate member that is elongated in the width direction of the sheet, and is spanned (connected) between the front surface of the wire member 224 and the front surface of the upper frame 222. The pivot shaft 242 is attached to the inner end of the front surface of the base member 241 in the sheet width direction. In other words, it is attached to the portion where the base member 241 and the wire member 224 overlap. The rotating member 243 is mounted to the base member 241 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat, and by rotating toward the front of the seat, the side portion 202B of the seat back 202 can be made to protrude toward the front of the seat. The bag body 244 is supported by the base member 241, and when compressed air is sealed inside, it expands toward the front of the sheet, pushing the rotating member 243 toward the front of the sheet.

[0088] Figure 19B shows the state in which the movable body 240 (rotating member 243) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 202B of the seat back 202 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 250, the folded bag body 244 expands and unfolds toward the front of the seat, pushing the rotating member 243 toward the front of the seat, causing the side portion 202B to move toward the front of the seat. As a result, the side portion 202B moves to the "protruding position". As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the operating device 250 mainly consists of an air control unit 251 attached to the outer surface of the backside frame 21, an air pump 252, and an air piping 253 connecting the air pump 252 and the movable body 240.

[0089] In the above configuration, as shown in Figures 19A and 19B, a cushion deformation promoting portion 248 (thin-walled cushion portion) is formed on the back surface of the cushion material 202a in front of the movable body 240 to promote the deformation of the cushion material 202a. The cushion deformation promoting portion 248 is a thin cushion portion provided on the back surface of the cushion material 202a, positioned in front of the movable body 240 and slightly outward in the seat width direction compared to the movable body 240. Therefore, the cushioning material 202a of the side portion 202B becomes more flexible, and the movable body 240 can more easily cause the cushioning material 202a of the side portion 202B to protrude. As a result, no unnecessary force is applied to the surface material 202b of the seat back 202, and wrinkles and other defects in the surface material 202b can be suppressed.

[0090] The cushion deformation promoting portion 248 is formed at a position corresponding to (overlapping with) the extended end of the rotating member 243, and is formed to follow the extended end of the rotating member 243. Therefore, the degree of freedom of deformation of the portion of the cushioning material 202a facing the rotating member 243 can be locally increased. As a result, the shape of the seat back 202 can be adjusted to accommodate differences in the occupant's physique. In particular, by forming a cushion deformation promoting section 248 on the side section 202B, where gaps tend to occur due to differences in the sitter's physique, the movable body 240 can be moved to suitably absorb differences in the sitter's physique.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above configuration, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, a slit hole 249 is formed on the back surface of the cushioning material 202a at a position corresponding to (opposite to) the movable body 240 (rotating member 243), so as to conform to the outer shape of the rotating member 243. Multiple slit holes 249 are formed along the outer edge of the rotating member 243 at predetermined intervals. In other words, they extend discontinuously along the outer edge of the rotating member 243. Therefore, the degree of freedom of deformation of the portion of the cushioning material 202a facing the rotating member 243 can be locally increased. As a result, the shape of the seat back 202 can be adjusted to accommodate differences in the occupant's physique. In addition, the movable body 240 can be moved to accommodate differences in the occupant's physique.

[0092] As shown in Figures 17, 22A, B, and C, the side support member 260 extends vertically along the back side frame 221 and is a member for holding the occupant against external forces applied from the side in the seat width direction. It is formed from, for example, a resin material.

[0093] The side support member 260 mainly consists of an inner wall portion 261 positioned inside the back side frame 221 and the upper frame 222, an outer wall portion 262 positioned outside the back side frame 221 and the upper frame 222, a connecting wall portion 263 positioned in front of the back side frame 221 and the upper frame 222 and connecting the inner wall portion 261 and the outer wall portion 262, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 264 surrounded by the inner wall portion 261, the outer wall portion 262 and the connecting wall portion 263 and connecting the inner wall portion 261, the outer wall portion 262 and the connecting wall portion 263.

[0094] The inner wall portion 261 has a curved shape, and is formed such that the gap between it and the outer wall portion 262 widens from its front end to its rear end. In other words, it extends toward the rear of the seat while inclining inward in the seat width direction. The outer wall portion 262 has a substantially flat shape and extends longer in the vertical direction than the inner wall portion 261. The connecting wall portion 263 has a curved shape that curves toward the front of the sheet and is arranged to connect the front end of the inner wall portion 261 and the front end of the upper portion of the outer wall portion 262.

[0095] The reinforcing ribs 264 have a flat plate shape and are arranged in multiples at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction within the region enclosed by the inner wall portion 261, the outer wall portion 262, and the connecting wall portion 263. Furthermore, the length of the reinforcing rib 264 in the front-rear direction of the sheet is shorter than that of the inner wall portion 261 and the outer wall portion 262. A predetermined space is formed between the inner wall portion 261 and the outer wall portion 262 at the rear position of the reinforcing rib 264. The portion to which the back side frame 221 and the upper frame 222 are connected will be housed in this space.

[0096] As shown in Figures 22A, B, and C, the side surface of the inner wall portion 261 has a frame mounting hole 261a for attachment to a mounting hole 222a (overlay portion) provided on the inner surface of the back frame 220 (upper frame 222). Multiple frame mounting holes 261a are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. More specifically, the mounting member 265 is assembled with the mounting hole 222a and the frame mounting hole 261a in communication with each other. Similarly, frame mounting holes 262a are formed on the outer surface of the outer wall portion 262 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction.

[0097] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 17, the movable body 240 and the side support member 260 are positioned at different locations (non-overlapping positions) in the vertical direction, and are positioned at overlapping positions in the sheet width direction. This prevents interference between the movable body 240 and the side support member 260 when the movable body 240 moves. In addition, the side portion 202B of the seat back 202 can effectively hold the occupant.

[0098] In addition to the positional relationship described above, the positional relationship between the movable body 240 and the side support member 260 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the movable body 240 and the side support member 260 may be positioned at different locations (non-overlapping positions) in the seat width direction, and at overlapping positions in the vertical direction. Even in that case, interference between the movable body 240 and the side support member 260 can be avoided, and the seated person can be comfortably held by the side portion 202B. In this case, it is preferable that the front surface of the movable body 240 and the front surface of the side support member 260 are configured to be approximately equal in protruding surfaces (projecting surfaces) to the back frame 220. In other words, it is preferable that the front surface of the movable body 240 and the front surface of the side support member 260 form the same plane. This makes it possible to hold the seated person more comfortably.

[0099] As shown in Figure 17, the seating sensor 270 is a sheet-shaped pressure sensor that detects the seating pressure applied to the seating surface of the seat cushion 201 when a person sits on the seat body, and is installed between the cushion material 201a and the surface material 201b. Multiple seating sensors 270 are attached to the center of the central part 201A of the cushion at predetermined intervals.

[0100] Specifically, the seating sensor 270 includes a sensor detection unit 271 that detects the seating pressure applied by a person sitting on it, and a transmission line 272 that outputs a detection signal when the sensor detection unit 271 detects the seating pressure. The sensor detection unit 271 is a pressure-sensitive switch that is bonded to a conductive sheet. The transmission line 272 consists of conductive wires that serve as transmission lines, which are bonded to a conductive sheet.

[0101] As shown in Figure 17, the control device 280 is a device that processes the detection signal detected by the seating sensor 270, and is mounted on the bottom surface of the cushion frame 210 via a holder (not shown). The control device 280 includes a communication unit for receiving a detection signal detected by the seating sensor 270 and transmitting it wirelessly to the outside, and a control unit for processing the detection signal detected by the seating sensor 270 and transmitting it to the communication unit. The communications unit uses wireless communication technology to connect with external terminals and transmit and receive electrical signals (data signals). The control unit is equivalent to a microcomputer and comprehensively performs electrical control.

[0102] In the above configuration, the control device 280 is connected to the drive unit 231 and the actuator 250 via a network, receives detection signals from the seating sensor 270, and controls the drive of the drive unit 231 and the operation of the actuator 250. The control device 280 can adjust the amount of movement (protrusion) of the lumbar support member 230 by controlling the drive device 231. Furthermore, by controlling the actuator 250, the amount of movement (protrusion) of the movable body 240 can be adjusted.

[0103] Specifically, if the control device 280 determines, based on the detection signal from the seating sensor 270, that the person is not seated in the seat body, it adjusts the range of motion of the movable body 240 to limit it (reduces the range of motion of the movable body 240, or returns the movable body 240 to its normal position). Furthermore, if the control device 280 determines that the occupant is not seated in the seat body, it limits the range of motion of at least one (or both) of the lumbar support member 230 and the movable body 240.

[0104] When the control device 280 determines, based on the detection signal from the seating sensor 270, that a seated person has performed an entry or exit motion, it limits the amount of movement of at least one (or both) of the lumbar support member 230 and the movable body 240. Furthermore, if the control device 280 determines, based on the detection signal from the seating sensor 270, that the person is not seated in the seat body, and the lumbar support member 230 has already moved forward towards the seat, the control device 280 limits the amount of movement of the movable body 240 compared to when the lumbar support member 230 is not moving (making the amount of movement of the movable body 240 even smaller, and returning the movable body 240 to its normal position). Furthermore, if the control device 280 determines, based on the detection signal from the seating sensor 270, that a seated person has performed an entry or exit motion, and the lumbar support member 230 has already moved toward the front of the seat, it limits the amount of movement of the movable body 240 compared to the case where the lumbar support member 230 is not moving. As described above, the control device 280 controls the drive unit 231 and the actuator 250, thereby further enhancing the seating comfort for the occupant.

[0105] <Fourth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S4 of the fourth embodiment will be described based on Figures 23 to 27A and 27B. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S3 mentioned above will be omitted.

[0106] Conventionally, vehicle seats equipped with a cushion length adjustment device that allows adjustment of the seat cushion's length in the front-to-back direction are known. For example, a vehicle seat described in a patent document (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-47384) is disclosed to have a cushion length adjustment device that has a plurality of bags (air cells) and can adjust the length of the seat cushion by sealing compressed air in the bags or releasing compressed air from the bags. In such cases, it was necessary to appropriately arrange air piping for supplying and discharging compressed air to the bag body inside the sheet body. For example, it was necessary to suppress damage to the air piping and the generation of contact noise due to contact between the air piping and other components.

[0107] Therefore, the vehicle seat S4 realizes a vehicle seat equipped with a cushion length adjustment device that allows for the optimal arrangement of air piping inside the seat body.

[0108] As shown in Figure 23, the vehicle seat S4 comprises a seat body having a seat cushion 301, a seat back 302, and a headrest 303; a movable body 340 (shoulder support member) attached inside the seat back 302 that moves to cause the side portion 302B of the seat back 302 to protrude toward the occupant beyond its normal position; a cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​attached inside the seat cushion 301 that can adjust the length of the seat cushion 301 in the seat front-rear direction; and an actuator 350 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the movable body 340 and the cushion length adjustment device 360. The movable body 340 has the same configuration as the movable body 240 described above, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0109] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the cushion frame 310 consists of a rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of cushion side frames 311 arranged on the left and right sides, a plate-shaped pan frame 312 installed on the front end portion of each cushion side frame 311, a pipe-shaped front connecting frame 315 connecting the front portions of each cushion side frame 311, a pipe-shaped rear connecting frame 313 connecting the rear portions of each cushion side frame 311, and a support plate 314 that is attached to the front connecting frame 315 and the rear connecting frame 313 to support the seated person. Furthermore, a cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​is attached to the top surface of the pan frame 312.

[0110] As shown in Figure 25, the support plate 314 is a rectangular plate body and has a front fastening portion 314a provided at a distance in the sheet width direction at its front end portion and fastened to the front connecting frame 315, and a rear fastening portion 314b provided at a distance in the sheet width direction at the rear end portion of the support plate 314 and fastened to the rear connecting frame 313. In the above configuration, an opening 316 that is open in the vertical direction is formed in the area enclosed by the main body of the support plate 314, the multiple front fastening portions 314a, and the front connecting frame 315.

[0111] The back frame 320, like the back frame 220 described above (see Figure 17), mainly consists of left and right back side frames 321, an upper frame 322, a lower frame 323, a plate-shaped connecting frame 327 that connects the left and right extensions of the upper frame 322, left and right wire members 324 (elastic wires) that are hooked onto the connecting frame 327 and the lower frame 323 respectively and extend in the vertical direction, and a support plate 325 that is held by the left and right wire members 324 and supports the seated person.

[0112] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the actuator 350 is installed inside the seat body and is a fluid supply device for supplying compressed air to the movable body 340 (bag body 344) and the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​(bag bodies 361 and 362).

[0113] The actuator 350 mainly consists of an air control unit 351 mounted on the back surface of the back frame 320, an air pump 352, a first air pipe 353 connecting the air control unit 351 and the movable body 340, and a second air pipe 354 connecting the air control unit 351 and the cushion length adjustment device 360. The air pump 352 may be installed outside the seat body, or it may be located adjacent to the air control unit 351. Alternatively, it may be located in a predetermined position on the seat body.

[0114] As shown in Figure 24, the air control unit 351 is fixed to the back surface of the left and right wire members 324 and support plate 325 of the back frame 320 by being hooked onto them. By doing so, even if an impact is applied to the vehicle seat S4, the support plate 325 can adequately support the occupant. In other words, the air control unit 351 does not obstruct the movement of the support plate 325 in the seat-forward direction. To put it another way, the air control unit 351 moves together with the support plate 325, allowing the support plate 325 to suitably support the seated person. Based on the above, compared to conventional vehicle seats (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-243012), it is possible to realize a vehicle seat S4 in which the operating device 350 (air control unit 351) does not affect the seating posture of the occupant even when an impact is applied from the outside.

[0115] As shown in Figure 24, the first air piping 353 extends upward from the upper end of the air control unit 351 and is connected to the left and right movable bodies 340. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the second air pipe 354 extends downward from the lower end of the air control unit 351, bends toward the front of the seat at the rear end of the seat cushion 301, extends toward the front of the seat along the seat cushion 301, and is connected to the cushion length adjustment device 360. More specifically, the second air pipe 354 passes behind the rear connecting frame 313 within the seat cushion, extends forward of the seat while passing below the support plate 314, passes through the opening 316, and passes above the support plate 314 and the front connecting frame 315, and is connected to the cushion length adjustment device 360.

[0116] By arranging the second air pipe 354 as described above, the second air pipe 354 can be suitably positioned inside the seat body. Specifically, this makes it possible to suppress damage to the second air pipe 354 and the generation of contact noise that may occur when the second air pipe 354 comes into contact with other components. Furthermore, the second air pipe 354 can be positioned appropriately by passing it through the opening 316.

[0117] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​is attached to the upper surface of the cushion frame 310 (pan frame 312) and is a movable device for adjusting the length of the seat cushion 301. As shown in Figures 26A and B, the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​expands toward the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position) by filling the expansion bag with compressed air, and contracts (returning to the normal position) by filling the storage bag with compressed air.

[0118] Specifically, the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​mainly consists of a first bag 361 for storage, a second bag 362 for deployment, a housing 363 that houses the first bag 361 and the second bag 362, a protruding body 364 housed in the housing 363 and positioned to partition the first bag 361 and the second bag 362, and partially protruding from the housing 363, and a cover body 365 integrally attached to the rear surface of the housing 363 and covering the first bag 361, the second bag 362 and the protruding body 364 from above. These components 361 to 365 are elongated members in the direction of the sheet.

[0119] The first bag 361 and the second bag 362 are arranged so as to be aligned in the front-to-back direction of the sheet. The protruding body 364 has a partition wall portion 364a that separates the first bag body 361 and the second bag body 362, an upper wall portion 364b that extends forward from the upper end of the partition wall portion 364a and partially protrudes from the housing 363, and a contact wall portion 364c that protrudes downward in a curved manner from the extended end of the upper wall portion 364b and contacts the sheet cushion 301 (cushion material 301a).

[0120] The cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​moves the protruding body 364 from the "normal position" shown in Figure 26A to the "protruding position" shown in Figure 26B. Specifically, as shown in Figure 26A, when the first bag 361 expands and the second bag 362 contracts due to the supply of compressed air from the actuator 350, the protruding body 364 is positioned in its "normal position". In other words, the protruding body 364 is housed in the housing 363. On the other hand, when the compressed air inside the first bag 361 is discharged by the actuator 350 and the second bag 362 is inflated, the protruding body 364 is positioned in the "protruding position". In other words, the protruding body 364 is protruding from the housing 363.

[0121] With the above configuration, as shown in Figure 27A, when the protruding body 364 is in the "normal position," the seat cushion 301 is positioned in the "normal position." That is, the length of the seat cushion 301 in the front-to-back direction is its normal length. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 27C, when the protruding body 364 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position," the protruding body 364 presses against the front end of the seat cushion 301 (cushion material 301a), causing the seat cushion 301 to move from the "normal position" to the "protruding position." In other words, the seat cushion 301 extends in the front-to-back direction of the seat.

[0122] Incidentally, in conventional vehicle seats equipped with a cushion length adjustment device (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-118114), a winding device was attached to the end of the surface material in order to maintain the tension of the surface material when the seat cushion was extended or retracted. As a result, the inside of the seat cushion had a relatively complex structure, and the cost was high. Therefore, a simple mechanism was needed that would operate in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the seat cushion and effectively maintain the tension of the surface material.

[0123] To address the above, the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​is further equipped with a surface retraction member 366, as shown in Figures 27A-C, which is capable of maintaining the tension of the surface material 301b in conjunction with the expansion and contraction movement of the seat cushion 301.

[0124] The surface retraction member 366 is attached to the bottom surface of the front portion of the protruding body 364 and has a pivot shaft 366a that is elongated in the seat width direction, and left and right pivot bodies 366b that are positioned to sandwich the protruding body 364 in the seat width direction and are attached to the protruding body 364 so as to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 366a. The rotating body 366b is a flat plate-shaped member that can rotate between the "disengaged position" shown in Figure 27A and the "engaged position" shown in Figure 27B. The rotating body 366b is biased to the "disengaged position" by a biasing spring (not shown), and when it is rotated to the "engaged position" against the biasing force of the biasing spring, it engages with the engaging portion 364d provided on the bottom surface of the rear portion of the protruding body 364.

[0125] On the inner surface of the lower end portion of the rotating body 366b, a surface retraction portion 366c is formed, which protrudes inward in the sheet width direction and is used to retract the end portion of the surface material 201b. Furthermore, a surface fastening portion 363a is formed on the bottom surface of the front portion of the housing 363, extending in the width direction of the sheet, for fastening the end portion of the surface material 201b.

[0126] The following describes how to fasten the end portion of the surface material 201b. First, as shown in Figure 27A, the end portion of the skin material 201b is passed between the skin pull-in portion 366c and the skin fastening portion 363a, and the end portion is fastened to the skin fastening portion 363a. Then, with the end portion of the skin material 201b secured, the rotating body 366b is rotated from the "disengaged position" to the "engaged position" shown in Figure 27B, allowing the skin retracting portion 366c to retract the end portion of the skin material 201b. By doing so, the tension of the surface material 201b can be suitably maintained.

[0127] To elaborate further, Figure 27B illustrates the state in which the seat cushion 201 is in the "normal position" and the rotating body 366b is in the "engaged position". At this time, the surface material 201b is pulled in by the rotating body 366b (surface retraction part 366c), and the tension of the surface material 201b is properly maintained. Then, when the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​moves and the protruding body 364 moves from the "normal position" shown in Figure 27B to the "protruding position" shown in Figure 27C, the seat cushion 201 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". At this time, the rotating body 366b moves forward of the seat in conjunction with the protruding body 364, and the pulling force on the surface material 201b by the surface material retraction part 366c decreases. As a result, even when the seat cushion 201 moves to the "protruding position", the tension of the surface material 201b is properly maintained.

[0128] With the above configuration, the cushion length adjustment device 360 ​​(surface pull-in member 366) operates in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the seat cushion 301, and can suitably maintain the tension of the surface material 301b. Furthermore, the tension of the surface material 301b can be maintained with a simple configuration without the need to separately provide stretchable or contractible components such as rubber material to the surface material 301b.

[0129] <Fifth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S5 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 28 and 29. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S4 mentioned above will be omitted. The S5 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that can suppress wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat body, even when a part of the seat body protrudes toward the occupant.

[0130] The vehicle seat S5 comprises a seat body, a lumbar support member 430, a movable body 440 (side support member), an actuator 450 (fluid supply device), a shoulder support member 460 that moves to cause the upper part of the seat back 402 to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, and a drive device 470 that drives the shoulder support member 460.

[0131] The shoulder support member 460 is a movable body for supporting the shoulders of a seated person. Specifically, the shoulder support member 460 comprises a movable main body 461 positioned in the upper part of the back frame 420, and a pivot shaft 462 that connects the movable main body 461 and the back frame 420 and is rotatably mounted to the back frame 420 together with the movable main body 461. The drive unit 470 is an actuator fixed to the back surface of the backside frame 421 and driven to rotate the pivot shaft 462. With the above configuration, the shoulder support member 460 can be rotated in the seat-forward direction relative to the back frame 420 by driving the drive unit 470.

[0132] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 29, the movable body 440 is positioned further forward of the seat than the shoulder support member 460. In other words, the movable body 440 is positioned forward of the seat relative to the pivot axis 462 of the shoulder support member 460. Therefore, interference between the movable body 440 and the shoulder support member 460 can be suppressed, allowing these movable bodies 440 and 460 to operate stably.

[0133] <Sixth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S6 of the sixth embodiment will be described based on Figures 30 to 31A and 31B. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S5 mentioned above will be omitted. The S6 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that allows for the compact arrangement of each component of the vehicle seat, and even when a part of the seat body protrudes toward the occupant, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and sagging on the surface of the seat body.

[0134] The vehicle seat S6 comprises a seat body, a lumbar support member 530, a drive unit 531 (actuator), a movable body 540, an operating device 550 (fluid supply device), and a side airbag device 570 attached to the outer surface of the seat back 502 in the seat width direction to mitigate impacts applied from the side of the vehicle.

[0135] The movable body 540 is attached to the front of the lumbar support member 530 in a folded state. Specifically, the movable body 540 mainly consists of a base member 541 supported at the outer end of the lumbar support member 530 in the seat width direction, a rotating member 543 positioned in front of the base member 541 and attached to the base member 541 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 542, and a single bag-like body 544 positioned between the base member 541 and the rotating member 543 and supported on the front surface of the base member 541.

[0136] The side airbag unit 570 is mounted on the outer surface of the backside frame 521 and extends vertically along the backside frame 521. In this case, the movable body 540 is mounted on the back side frame 521 at a different position from the part to which the side airbag device 570 is attached, and is positioned further forward of the seat than the side airbag device. Therefore, interference between the movable body 540 and the side airbag device 570 is suppressed, and the movable body 540 can be operated more effectively.

[0137] In the above configuration, as shown in Figures 30, 31A, and 31B, a linear member 580 is attached to the front surface of the backside frame 521 at a position that overlaps with the movable body 540 in the vertical direction, and which protrudes further forward than the backside frame 521. The linear member 580 is a wire member that is long in the vertical direction. In this case, the movable body 540 is positioned inward of the linear member 580 in the sheet width direction. This ensures that the movable body 540 is protected from external elements by the linear member 580. As a result, the movable body 540 can be operated effectively. Alternatively, a plate-shaped plate made of metal or resin material may be used instead of the linear member 580.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above configuration, as shown in Figures 31A and 31B, a predetermined internal space is formed between the linear member 580 and the cushioning material 502a located outside the linear member 580 in the sheet width direction. By doing so, when the movable body 540 protrudes toward the front of the seat (more precisely, toward the front of the seat and toward the inside in the seat width direction) and the cushioning material 502a is pushed toward the front of the seat, interference between the linear member 580 and the cushioning material 502a (the cushioning material 502a located toward the outside in the seat width direction relative to the linear member 580) can be suppressed. In other words, the linear member 580 will no longer hinder the deformation of the cushioning material 502a. As a result, the movable body 540 can effectively push out the side portion 502B (cushioning material 502a) of the seat back 502.

[0139] <Seventh embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S7 of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 32 to 36. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S6 mentioned above will be omitted. The S7 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that can enhance the occupant's hold when a movable element attached to the seat body is activated. Furthermore, this invention provides a vehicle seat that allows for a compact arrangement of its components.

[0140] As shown in Figure 32, the vehicle seat S7 is a vehicle seat comprising a seat body having a seat cushion 601, a seat back 602, and a headrest 603; a lumbar support member 630 mounted inside the seat back 602 and movable to cause the lower portion of the seat back 602 to protrude toward the occupant beyond its normal position; an actuator 640 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the lumbar support member 630; a movable body 650 (shoulder support) mounted inside the seat back 602 and movable to cause the upper portion of the seat back 602 to protrude toward the occupant beyond its normal position; and a drive device 660 (actuator) that drives the movable body 650.

[0141] As shown in Figure 32, the seat cushion 601 is a seating portion that supports the occupant from below, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 601a on a cushion frame 610, which serves as the skeleton, as shown in Figure 33, and covering it with a surface material 601b. The seat cushion 601 consists of a central part 601A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side parts 601B (side bolster parts) located outside the central part 601A in the seat width direction. The cushioning material 601a is a pad component made of foamed urethane or the like. On the surface of the cushioning material 601a, left and right suspension grooves 601aa are formed, extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat to separate the central part 601A from the left and right side parts 601B.

[0142] As shown in Figure 32, the seat back 602 is a backrest that supports the seated person's back from behind, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 602a on a back frame 620, which forms the skeleton, as shown in Figure 33, and covering it with a surface material 602b. The seat back 602 consists of a central section 602A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side sections 602B (side bolster sections) located outside the central section 602A in the seat width direction. On the surface of the cushioning material 602a, there are left and right suspension groove side portions 602aa (surface suspension grooves) that extend vertically to separate the central portion 602A from the left and right side portions 602B, and an upper suspension groove portion 602ab (surface suspension groove) that extends in the sheet width direction to connect the upper parts of the left and right suspension groove side portions 602aa. The upper part 602ab of the suspension groove is formed in the center of the seat back 602 in the vertical direction, or slightly above the center.

[0143] As shown in Figure 32, the headrest 603 is a headrest that supports the occupant's head from the rear, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 603a on a pillar 603c which serves as the core material, and covering it with a surface material 603b. Furthermore, a pillar mounting member 626 for attaching the pillar 603c that supports the main body of the headrest 603 is assembled to the upper part of the back frame 620.

[0144] As shown in Figure 33, the cushion frame 610 consists of a roughly rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of cushion side frames 611 arranged on the left and right sides, a plate-shaped pan frame 612 (erecting frame) erected on the front end portion of each cushion side frame 611, a rear connecting frame 613 that connects the rear portions of each cushion side frame 611, and a plurality of elastic springs 614 (elastic support members) that are hooked onto the pan frame 612 and the rear connecting frame 613 and extend in a snake-like manner in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0145] The cushion side frame 611 is a long, plate-shaped frame in the front-to-back direction of the seat. A reclining device 604 is attached to the rear portion of the cushion side frame 611, and a rail device 606 is attached to its lower portion via a height link device 605.

[0146] As shown in Figure 33, the back frame 620 consists of a roughly rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of back side frames 621 arranged on the left and right sides, an inverted U-shaped upper frame 622 connecting the upper ends of each back side frame 621, a plate-shaped lower frame 623 connecting the lower ends of each back side frame 621, a plurality of wire members 624 (elastic wires) that are hooked onto each back side frame 621 and extend in a snake-like manner in the seat width direction, and a support plate 625 that is held by the plurality of wire members 624 and supports the seated person. The back frame 620 is attached to the central part of the upper frame 622 in the seat width direction and further includes a pillar mounting member 626 for attaching the pillar 603c of the headrest 603.

[0147] The back side frame 621 is a sheet metal member that extends vertically and has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, and its lower end is connected to the rear end of the cushion side frame 611 via a reclining device 604. In the above configuration, the back frame 620 is capable of relative rotation with respect to the cushion frame 610.

[0148] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 33, a lumbar support member 630 is attached to the front surface of the support plate 625, and an actuator 640 is attached to the outer surface of the backside frame 621. Furthermore, a movable body 650 is attached to the upper part of the back frame 620, and a drive unit 660 is attached to the rear surface of the back side frame 21.

[0149] As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the lumbar support member 630 has a bag-like structure (air cell) that expands when a fluid is sealed inside. When compressed air is sealed inside as the fluid, it expands towards the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position), and when the sealed compressed air is released, it contracts (returns to the normal position). Specifically, the lumbar support member 630 is a member that supports the lumbar region of the seated person, and is positioned between the cushioning material 602a and the support plate 625 in the central part 602A of the lower portion of the seat back 602. It is a movable member that causes the central part 602A (cushioning material 602a) to protrude toward the seated person. The lumbar support member 630 is attached to the front of the support plate 625 in a folded state.

[0150] The lumber support member 630 has a roughly rectangular shape that is elongated in the sheet width direction, and mainly consists of a base member 631 (base plate) supported by a support plate 625, and a bag body 632 supported on the front surface of the base member 631. The bag 632 can expand towards the front of the sheet by being filled with compressed air from its folded state.

[0151] As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the actuator 640 is installed inside the seat body and is a fluid supply device for supplying compressed air to the lumbar support member 630 (bag body 632). The actuator 640 mainly consists of an air control unit 641 attached to the outer surface of the backside frame 621, an air pump 642 attached to the back surface of the cushion frame 610 (pan frame 612) for supplying and discharging compressed air, and an air piping 643 connecting the air pump 642 and the lumbar support member 630.

[0152] The air control unit 641, for example, receives a predetermined user operation selection by a seated person, receives a predetermined control signal, and controls the air pump 642 to supply compressed air to the bag 632 or to discharge compressed air from the bag 632. By doing so, the range of motion of the lumbar support member 630 can be adjusted according to the physique of the person sitting.

[0153] As shown in FIGS. 33 and 35, the movable body 650 is a shoulder support member that is disposed above the upper part of the seat back 602 inside the seat back 602 and supports the shoulders of the seated person. Specifically, the movable body 650 includes a movable main body portion 651 attached to an upper portion of the back frame 620, and a rotation shaft 652 that connects the movable main body portion 651 and the back frame 620 and is rotatably attached to the back frame 620 together with the movable main body portion 651.

[0154] The movable main body portion 651 is formed of a curved resin plate, and has a central movable portion 651a disposed at the center in the seat width direction of the movable main body portion 651, and side movable portions 651b and 651c respectively attached to both left and right ends in the seat width direction of the central movable portion 651a. The central movable portion 651a is a plate body that is long in the seat width direction, and is formed such that the total length in the seat width direction becomes shorter from the upper end portion to the lower end portion. The side movable portions 651b and 651c are attached to the central movable portion 651a via an attachment shaft 651d so as to be rotatable. The side movable portions 651b and 651c extend so as to protrude outward and downward in the seat width direction from the central movable portion 651a. The attachment shaft 651d extends so as to incline inward in the seat width direction from above downward in a front view of the seat.

[0155] The rotation shaft 652 has a substantially inverted U shape and extends to be long in the seat width direction. Specifically, the rotation shaft 652 includes a shaft main body portion 652a connected to the lower end portion of the movable main body portion 651 (central movable portion 651a) and extending in the seat width direction, left and right first shaft extension portions 652b respectively bent downward from both left and right end portions of the shaft main body portion 652a, and left and right second shaft extension portions 652c respectively bent from the left and right first shaft extension portions 652b and extending outward in the seat width direction. And the extension end portions of the second shaft extension portions 652c are connected to the drive device 660.

[0156] The drive device 660 is an actuator that is fixed to the rear surface of the backside frame 621 and performs a driving operation to rotate the rotation shaft 652. When the drive device 660 is driven in the forward direction, the rotation shaft 652 rotates so as to fall forward of the seat, and the movable main body portion 651 rotates toward the front side of the seat together with the rotation shaft 652. Also, when the drive device 660 is driven in the reverse direction, the rotation shaft 652 rotates so as to return to the rear side of the seat, and the movable main body portion 651 rotates toward the rear side of the seat together with the rotation shaft 652.

[0157] <<Flexure promotion part of the movable body>> As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, flexure promotion parts 653 and 654 for facilitating the flexure of the movable body 650 when the seated person sits on the seat body are formed on the central movable part 651a, the side movable parts 651b, and 651c. The flexure promotion parts 653 and 654 are slit grooves formed on the outer edge parts of the central movable part 651a and the side movable parts 651b, respectively.

[0158] The flexure promotion part 653 is formed on the left and right with a predetermined interval in the seat width direction, and is formed as a notch so as to extend upward from the lower end of the central movable part 651a. Specifically, the flexure promotion part 653 extends upward beyond the intermediate part in the vertical direction from the lower end of the central movable part 651a. The flexure promotion part 654 is formed as a notch so as to extend upward from the lower ends of the side movable parts 651b and 651c. Specifically, the flexure promotion part 654 extends from the lower ends of the side movable parts 651b and 651c to a position reaching the lower end part of the central movable part 651a. Alternatively, it extends upward beyond the lower end part of the central movable part 651a. Therefore, when the movable body 650 is acted on the seated person, a seating load corresponding to the physique of the seated person is applied to the movable body 650, and the movable body 650 can be preferably flexed (moved). As a result, the holdability of the seated person can be enhanced.

[0159] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 36, the deflection-promoting portion 654 extends along the extension direction of the pivot shaft 652 (first axial extension portion 652b). Therefore, the deflection-promoting portion 654 (slit groove) is formed along the extension direction of the relatively rigid pivot shaft 652, and the deflection-promoting portion 654 can stabilize the deflection direction of the movable body 650.

[0160] Furthermore, in the above configuration, as shown in Figure 36, in the outer edges of the central movable part 651a and the side movable parts 651b and 651c, where the deflection-promoting parts 653 and 654 (slit grooves) are formed, a notch portion 655 (recessed portion) is formed to suppress interference when the part is partially deflected with respect to the slit groove. The notch 655 is formed at the base end of the deflection-promoting sections 653 and 654, and is designed to become narrower from the base end towards the extended end. Specifically, the notch 655 is a roughly triangular shape. Therefore, it is possible to suppress partial interference when the central movable part 651a and the side movable parts 651b and 651c partially bend at the boundary of the slit.

[0161] Furthermore, in the above configuration, as shown in Figure 33, the deflection-promoting sections 653 and 654 are located in an area enclosed by the rectangular frame-shaped back frame 620. Therefore, the movable body 650 can be flexed more effectively with a simpler configuration. As a result, the seater's hold can be improved.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above configuration, as shown in Figure 32, the movable main body portion 651 is positioned above the upper suspension groove portion 602ab (skin suspension groove). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and sagging in the surface material 602b of the seat back 602. To explain in more detail, when the movable body 650 causes the seat back 602 to protrude toward the seated person, it is generally known that wrinkles and looseness occur significantly in the upholstery material 602b around the upholstery suspension groove. Therefore, care can be taken to prevent wrinkles and looseness from occurring in the upholstery material 602b in that area.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the deflection-promoting portions 654 formed on the side movable portions 651b and 651c are positioned outward from the left and right surface suspension grooves (suspension groove side portions) in the seat width direction. Therefore, it becomes easier to make the movable body 650 follow the body of the person sitting.

[0164] The vehicle seat S7 of the present invention comprises a seat body on which a person sits, and a movable body attached inside the seat body that moves to cause a part of the seat body to protrude toward the person sitting, wherein the movable body has a central movable part located in the center of the movable body in the seat width direction, and side movable parts attached to both the left and right ends of the central movable part in the seat width direction, and preferably a flexure promoting part is formed in at least one of the central movable part and the side movable parts to make the movable body more flexible when the person sits on the seat body. By doing so, it becomes possible to create a vehicle seat that enhances the occupant's hold when the movable parts attached to the seat body are activated. Specifically, the movable parts (central movable part and side movable parts) are formed with flex-enhancing parts to facilitate flexing of the movable parts when a sitter sits on the seat body. Therefore, when the movable parts are applied to a sitter, a seating load corresponding to the sitter's physique is applied to the movable parts, allowing the movable parts to flex appropriately. As a result, the sitter's hold can be improved. Furthermore, the increased flexibility of the movable parts allows the occupant's body to sink into the seat itself when excessive load is applied to the occupant from the outside.

[0165] In this case, the movable body is a support member attached to the upper part of the seat back inside the seat back, for supporting the occupant from the rear, and when the occupant sits on the seat body, the central movable part and the left and right side movable parts move in accordance with the seating load applied to the seat body. By doing so, when the movable body is applied to a seated person, the movable body can be appropriately flexed to match the seated person's physique, allowing it to follow the seated person's body shape.

[0166] <> In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 32, the movable body 650 is attached to the seat back 602, but it is not particularly limited and may also be attached to the seat cushion 601.

[0167] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 33 and 34, the lumber support member 630 is configured as a bag (air cell) and the actuator 640 is configured as a fluid supply device, but these can be modified without particular limitation. For example, the "lumbar support member" and the "actuator" may be composed of mechanical mechanisms. Specifically, the "lumbar support member" may be configured to be movable by a link mechanism or a hinge mechanism, and the "actuator" may be composed of a motor-driven or hydraulic drive device.

[0168] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, the lumbar support member 630 and the movable body 650 are arranged on the back side of the cushioning material 602a, but they may also be arranged on the front side of the cushioning material 602a without any particular limitation.

[0169] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 35, the central movable part 651a and the side movable parts 651b and 651c are each formed with a deflection-promoting part 653 and 654, respectively, but this is not particularly limited, and they may be formed on only one of them.

[0170] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the bending promotion portions 653 and 654 are formed as slit grooves, but they are not particularly limited and may be other than slit grooves. For example, the bending promotion portions 653 and 654 may be slits consisting of simple cuts, or may be thin-wall portions with a partially reduced wall thickness. Alternatively, they may be low-hardness portions with a partially reduced hardness or (flexible portions) with a partially softened state.

[0171] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the side movable portions 651b and 651c are rotatably attached to the central movable portion 651a via the attachment shaft 651d, but they are not particularly limited and may not have the attachment shaft 651d. In that case, it is preferable that a bending promotion portion (for example, a slit groove) is formed at the connecting portion between the central movable portion 651a and the side movable portions 651b and 651c. By doing so, with a simple configuration, the side movable portions 651b and 651c can be configured to bend suitably with respect to the central movable portion 651a.

[0172] In addition to the above embodiment, a plurality of through-holes penetrating in the front-rear direction of the seat may be formed in the portion of the cushion material 602a facing the movable body 650. At this time, it is preferable that the plurality of through-holes and the bending promotion portions 653 and 654 of the movable body 650 are arranged at height positions overlapping in the vertical direction. By doing so, it becomes easier for the movable body 650 to follow the body of the seated person.

[0173] <Eighth Embodiment of Vehicle Seat> Next, the vehicle seat S8 of the eighth embodiment will be described based on FIG. 37. Note that descriptions of the content overlapping with the above-described vehicle seats S1 to S7 will be omitted.

[0174] The vehicle seat S8 comprises a seat body, a movable body 750 (shoulder support) that moves to make the upper part of the seat back 702 protrude toward the occupant, a drive device 760 (actuator) that drives the movable body 750, and a side airbag device 770 attached to the outer surface of the seat back 702 in the seat width direction to mitigate impacts applied from the side of the vehicle.

[0175] The side airbag unit 770 is mounted on the outer surface of the backside frame 721 and extends vertically along the backside frame 721. In this configuration, the movable main body 751 is positioned above the side airbag device 770 and is positioned inward from the side airbag device 770 in the seat width direction. Therefore, interference between the movable body 750 and the side airbag device 770 is suppressed, and the movable body 750 can be operated effectively.

[0176] The side airbag device 770 has a reinforcing fabric that guides the inflation direction of the airbag module. A reinforcing fabric mounting part (not shown) for attaching the reinforcing fabric is fixed to a predetermined position on the back side frame 721. In this case, the movable main body 751 is positioned above the reinforcing fabric attachment portion. By doing so, the movable body 750 can be appropriately flexed.

[0177] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 37, a pillar mounting member 726 for attaching the pillar of the headrest is attached to the front of the movable body 750. Furthermore, the movable body 750, together with the headrest, is configured to be able to rotate in the front-to-back direction of the seat about a pivot axis 752 relative to the back frame 720. Therefore, the headrest can be rotated appropriately relative to the back frame.

[0178] <Ninth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S9 of the ninth embodiment will be described based on Figures 38 to 44A and 44B. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S8 mentioned above will be omitted. The S9 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that allows the movable parts attached to the seat body to operate stably. Furthermore, this invention provides a vehicle seat that allows for a compact arrangement of its components.

[0179] As shown in Figure 38, the vehicle seat S9 is a vehicle seat and comprises a seat body having a seat cushion 801, a seat back 802, and a headrest 803; a movable body 830 (shoulder support member) attached inside the seat back 802 and movable to move the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 between a "normal position" and a "protruding position" which protrudes further toward the occupant than the normal position; and an actuator 840 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the movable body 830.

[0180] As shown in Figure 38, the seat cushion 801 is a seating portion that supports the occupant from below, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 801a on a cushion frame 810, which serves as the skeleton, as shown in Figure 39, and covering it with a surface material 801b. The seat cushion 801 consists of a central part 801A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side parts 801B (side bolster parts) located outside the central part 801A in the seat width direction. The cushioning material 801a is a pad component made of foamed urethane or the like. On the surface of the cushioning material 801a, left and right suspension grooves 801aa are formed, extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat to separate the central part 1A from the left and right side parts 1B.

[0181] As shown in Figures 38 and 41, the seat back 802 is a backrest that supports the seated person's back from behind, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 802a on a back frame 820, which forms the skeleton, as shown in Figure 39, and covering it with a surface material 802b. The seat back 802 consists of a central section 802A located in the center of the seat width direction, and left and right side sections 802B (side bolster sections) located outside the central section 802A in the seat width direction. On the surface of the cushioning material 802a, there are left and right suspension groove side portions 802aa (suspension grooves) that extend vertically to separate the central portion 802A from the left and right side portions 802B, and an upper suspension groove portion 802ab (suspension groove) that extends in the sheet width direction to connect the upper parts of the left and right suspension groove side portions 802aa.

[0182] As shown in Figures 38 and 41, the headrest 803 is a headrest that supports the occupant's head from the rear, and is constructed by placing a cushioning material 803a on a pillar 803c which serves as the core material, and covering it with a surface material 803b. As shown in Figure 41, a pillar mounting member 829 for attaching the pillar 803c that supports the main body of the headrest 803 is assembled to the upper part of the back frame 820.

[0183] As shown in Figure 39, the cushion frame 810 consists of a roughly rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of cushion side frames 811 arranged on the left and right sides, a plate-shaped pan frame 812 (erecting frame) erected on the front end portion of each cushion side frame 811, a rear connecting frame 813 connecting the rear portions of each cushion side frame 811, and a plurality of elastic springs 814 (elastic support members) that are hooked onto the pan frame 812 and the rear connecting frame 813 and extend in a snake-like manner in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0184] The cushion side frame 811 is a long, plate-shaped frame in the front-to-back direction of the seat. A reclining device 804 is attached to the rear portion of the cushion side frame 811, and a rail device 806 is attached to its lower portion via a height link device 805.

[0185] As shown in Figures 39 to 41, the back frame 820 consists of a roughly rectangular frame-like body and is mainly composed of back side frames 821 arranged on the left and right sides, an inverted U-shaped upper frame 822 connecting the upper ends of each back side frame 821, a plate-shaped lower frame 823 connecting the lower ends of each back side frame 821, a plurality of wire members 824 (elastic wires) extending in the vertical direction and hooked onto the lower frame 823, and a support plate 825 held by the plurality of wire members 824 to support the seated person. Furthermore, the back frame 820 is positioned at a different location from the upper frame 822 in the extension direction of the back side frame 821 and includes a second connecting frame 826 (cross member) that connects the upper portions of the left and right back side frames 821, a connecting member 827 (connecting bracket) that connects the upper frame 822 and the second connecting frame 826, and a second wire member 828 that extends in the vertical direction and connects the second connecting frame 826 and the support plate 825. Furthermore, the back frame 820 is attached to the central portion of the upper frame 822 in the seat width direction and further includes a pillar mounting member 829 for attaching the pillar 803c of the headrest 803.

[0186] The back side frame 821 is a sheet metal member that extends vertically and has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, and its lower end is connected to the rear end of the cushion side frame 811 via a reclining device 804. In the above configuration, the back frame 820 is capable of relative rotation with respect to the cushion frame 810.

[0187] The connecting member 827 is a bracket that extends vertically and has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and is spanned between the front surface of the upper frame 822 and the front surface of the second connecting frame 826. The connecting members 827 are arranged on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them in the sheet width direction. The left and right movable bodies 830 are attached to the front surfaces of the left and right connecting members 827, respectively.

[0188] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 40, the connecting member 827 is positioned outside the pillar mounting member 829 in the seat width direction. Therefore, interference between the movable body 830 attached to the connecting member 827 and the pillar 803c attached to the pillar mounting member 829 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the front-to-back size of the vehicle seat S9.

[0189] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 40, the connecting member 827 is positioned inward of the second wire member 828 in the sheet width direction. Therefore, interference between the movable body 830 attached to the connecting member 27 and the second wire member 828 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the front-to-back size of the vehicle seat S9.

[0190] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 41, the connecting member 827 is positioned above the upper part 802ab of the suspension groove. Therefore, the movable body 830 attached to the connecting member 827 and the surface suspension groove (upper part of the suspension groove 802ab) are positioned at different locations in the vertical direction. As a result, wrinkles and looseness in the surface material 802b of the seat back 802 can be suppressed. To explain in more detail, when the movable body 830 causes the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 to protrude forward towards the seat, it is generally known that wrinkles and looseness occur significantly in the upholstery material 802b around the upholstery suspension groove. Therefore, care can be taken to prevent wrinkles and looseness from occurring in the upholstery material 802b in that area.

[0191] As shown in Figures 39 to 42A and B, the movable body 830 has a bag-like structure (air cell) that expands when a fluid is sealed inside. When compressed air is sealed inside as the fluid, it expands towards the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position), and when the sealed compressed air is released, it contracts (returns to the normal position). Specifically, the movable body 830 is a shoulder support member that is attached to the back surface of the cushioning material 802a at the side portion 802B of the upper part of the seat back 802, and is movable to cause the side portion 802B to protrude toward the seated person. The movable bodies 830 are arranged on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them in the seat width direction, and are each attached to the front surface of the connecting member 827. More specifically, they are attached to the overlapping portion of the front surface of the connecting member 827 where the second connecting frame 826 is connected. The movable body 830 is installed in a folded state.

[0192] The movable body 830 has a roughly pentagonal shape that is elongated in the seat width direction and extends outward from the connecting member 827 in the seat width direction. More specifically, the movable body 830 mainly consists of a base member 831 supported by a connecting member 827, and a plurality of bag-shaped bodies 834 positioned in front of the base member 831 and supported on the front surface of the base member 831.

[0193] The base member 831 is a plate member that is elongated in the width direction of the sheet, and is spanned (connected) between the front surface of the connecting member 827 and the front surface of the back side frame 821. Multiple bag bodies 834 are supported by a base member 831 and can expand towards the front of the sheet when compressed air is sealed inside from a folded state. The multiple bags 834 are attached to the base member 831 by attachment members 832 provided on the inner end of the front surface of the base member 831 in the sheet width direction.

[0194] Multiple bag bodies 834 are arranged at different positions in the front-to-back direction and the width direction of the sheet, and each is made up of a different size. More specifically, the multiple bags 834 are composed of three bags, with the first bag 834a, located furthest forward on the sheet, having the smallest capacity compared to the other bags. The second bag 834b has the largest capacity, and the third bag 834c has a medium capacity. With the above configuration, the direction and amount of protrusion of the seat back 802 (side portion 802B) can be adjusted by inflating multiple bag bodies 834 of different positions and sizes. Furthermore, by adjusting the direction and amount of protrusion of the side portion 802B of the seat back 802, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and sagging in the surface material 802b of the seat back 802.

[0195] In the above configuration, the movable body 830 can move (bulge out) the side portion 802B (shoulder portion) of the seat back 802 from the "normal position" shown in Figure 42A to the "protruding position" shown in Figure 42B. This will be explained in detail below.

[0196] Figure 42A is a cross-sectional view of the seat back 802, showing the seat back 802 with its side portion 802B in the "normal position". The movable body 830 is positioned between the back frame 820 and the upholstery material 802b in the front-rear direction of the seat. Specifically, it is attached to the front of the connecting member 827 and is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material 802a.

[0197] Inside the seat back 802, behind the cushioning material 802a, is an actuator 840 (fluid supply device) that supplies compressed air to a plurality of bag bodies 834 (air cells). The actuator 840 is mounted in a predetermined position in the central part of the back frame 820. Specifically, it mainly consists of an air pump 841 capable of supplying (intake) and discharging (exhaust) compressed air, and an air pipe 842 connecting the air pump 841 and the movable body 830 (bag body 834).

[0198] The actuator 840 can, for example, supply compressed air to the bag 834 or discharge compressed air from the bag 834 by receiving a predetermined control signal from a control device (not shown). In this case, the control device should accept the selection of a predetermined user operation by the seated person and transmit the control signal. By doing so, it becomes possible to adjust the range of motion of the movable body 830 according to the physique of the person sitting.

[0199] Figure 42B shows the state in which the movable body 830 (bag body 834) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 840, the folded bag body 834 expands and unfolds forward of the seat, causing the side portion 802B to move forward of the seat. As a result, the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 moves to the "protruding position". Furthermore, the actuator 840 releases the compressed air inside the bag 834, causing the inflated bag 834 to contract and the side portion 802B to move backward towards the seat. As a result, the side portion of the seat back 802 returns from the "protruding position" to the "normal position".

[0200] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 42B, the movable body 830 (bag body 834) is configured to cause the side portion of the seat back 802 to protrude forward of the seat and inward in the seat width direction. In particular, the left and right shoulder portions of the seatback 802 are configured to protrude forward of the seat and diagonally downward in the seat width direction. By doing so, the seating experience for the person sitting can be improved.

[0201] The vehicle seat S9 of the present invention comprises a seat body on which a person sits, and a movable body attached inside the seat body that moves to cause a part of the seat body to protrude toward the person sitting, wherein the seat body comprises a seat frame that serves as the skeleton, the seat frame comprises side frames arranged on the left and right sides in the seat width direction and extending in a predetermined direction, a connecting frame that connects the ends of the left and right side frames in the extension direction, a second connecting frame that is positioned at a different position from the connecting frame in the extension direction of the side frames and connects the left and right side frames, and a connecting member that connects the connecting frame and the second connecting frame, and the movable body is preferably attached to the connecting member. By doing so, it becomes possible to create a vehicle seat that allows the movable parts attached to the seat body to operate stably. Specifically, the movable part is attached to a connecting member, which is a relatively rigid component of the seat frame. Therefore, even when a load is applied to the movable part by a seated person, deformation of the movable part can be suppressed. As a result, the movable part can be operated stably.

[0202] In this case, the seat body is constructed by placing a cushioning material on the seat frame and covering it with a surface material, and the movable body is provided on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat body in the seat width direction, and is movable to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude toward the seated person, and is preferably attached to the portion of the connecting member to which the second connecting frame is connected. With the above configuration, the movable part is attached to a part of the seat frame that has higher rigidity. Therefore, the movable part can be operated more stably.

[0203] <<Modified examples of the movable body 9 and 10>> Next, modified examples 9 and 10 of the movable body will be explained based on Figures 43A, B and 44A, B. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seat S9 mentioned above will be omitted.

[0204] The movable body 830 of the modified example 9, as shown in Figures 43A and B, mainly consists of a base member 831, a rotating member 833 positioned in front of the base member 831 and attached to the base member 831 so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft 832, and a single bag body 834 positioned between the base member 831 and the rotating member 833 and supported on the front surface of the base member 831.

[0205] The base member 831 spans the front of the connecting member 827 and the front of the back side frame 821. The pivot shaft 832 is attached to the inner end of the front surface of the base member 831 in the width direction of the sheet. In other words, it is attached to the part where the base member 831 and the connecting member 827 overlap. The rotating member 833 is mounted to the base member 831 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the seat, and by rotating toward the front of the seat, it can cause the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 to protrude (push out) toward the front of the seat. The rotating member 833 is positioned towards the base member 831 when the seat back 802 is in its normal position. It may also be biased towards the base member 831 by a biasing spring (biasing member) not shown.

[0206] The bag body 834 is supported by the base member 831, and when compressed air is sealed inside, it expands toward the front of the sheet, pushing the rotating member 833 toward the front of the sheet. In other words, the rotating member 833 can be rotated toward the front of the sheet.

[0207] Figure 43B shows the state in which the movable body 830 (rotating member 833) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 840, the folded bag body 834 expands and unfolds toward the front of the seat, pushing the rotating member 833 toward the front of the seat, causing the side portion 802B to move toward the front of the seat. As a result, the side portion 802B moves to the "protruding position".

[0208] As shown in Figures 44A and 44B, the movable body 830 of the modified example 10 is composed of a plurality of bag-shaped bodies 834 supported on the front surface of the connecting member 827. Multiple bag bodies 834 are stretched across the front of the connecting member 827 and the front of the back side frame 821. In this configuration, the connecting member 827 has a support surface 827a that supports the movable body 830 (bag body 834), and the support surface 827a extends along the direction of extension of the bag body 834 to support the bag body 834. In other words, the support surface 827a and the bag body 834 are arranged to overlap along the sheet width direction.

[0209] The multiple bag bodies 834 consist of three bag bodies, which are arranged at different positions in the front-to-back direction and the width direction of the sheet, and each is made up of a different size. The multiple bags 834 are attached to the connecting member 827 by attachment members 832 provided on the inner end of the support surface 827a of the connecting member 827 in the sheet width direction.

[0210] Figure 44B shows the state in which the movable body 830 (bag body 834) protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, as the folded bag body 834 expands and unfolds toward the front of the seat, the side portion 802B moves toward the front of the seat. As a result, the side portion 802B of the seat back 802 moves to a "protruding position".

[0211] <> In addition to the above embodiment, the portion of the cushioning material 802a facing the movable body 830 may have multiple through holes that penetrate in the front-to-back direction of the seat. In this case, it is preferable that the multiple through holes and the connecting member 827 are located in positions that overlap in the sheet width direction. Alternatively, it is preferable that the multiple through holes are located outside the connecting member 827 in the sheet width direction. By doing so, the cushioning material 802a becomes more flexible, allowing the movable body 830 to operate stably.

[0212] In addition to the above embodiment, it is preferable that the left and right connecting members 827 and the left and right surface lifting grooves (lifting groove side portions 802aa) are positioned to overlap in the sheet width direction. Alternatively, it is preferable that the left and right connecting members 827 are positioned outward from the left and right surface lifting grooves (lifting groove side portions 802aa) in the sheet width direction. By doing so, the cushioning material 802a becomes more flexible, allowing the movable body 830 to operate stably.

[0213] <Tenth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S10 of the 10th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 45 to 47A and 47B. Please note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S9 mentioned above will be omitted. The S10 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that can ensure close contact between the occupant and the biosensor. Furthermore, this invention provides a vehicle seat that can enhance the sensing performance of biosensors by utilizing existing components.

[0214] As shown in Figure 45, the vehicle seat S10 is a vehicle seat and mainly consists of a seat body comprising a seat cushion 901, a seat back 902, and a headrest 903; sheet-shaped biosensors 930 and 940 mounted inside the seat body that detect electrical signals (biosignals) corresponding to the biopotential of the person sitting on the seat body; and a control device 950 that receives the biosignals detected by the biosensors 930 and 940 and transmits the received biosignals to an external location (for example, a mobile terminal owned by the person sitting on the seat). Furthermore, the vehicle seat S10 includes a movable member 960 (bag body) that is installed inside the seat body and moves the side portion of the seat body between a "normal position" and a "protruding position" that protrudes further toward the occupant than the normal position, and an actuator 980 (fluid supply device) that operates to move the movable member 960.

[0215] As shown in Figure 45, the biosensor 930 is a sheet-shaped pressure sensor that detects the seating pressure applied to the seating surface of the seat cushion 901 when a person sits on the seat, and is installed between the cushion material 901a and the surface material 901b. Specifically, it is installed in the center of the central part 901A of the cushion, in the center of the left and right side parts 901B of the cushion, and in the front part (front section) of the central part 901A of the cushion. Furthermore, the biosensor 940 is a pressure sensor that detects the seating pressure applied to the seating surface of the seat back 902, and is installed between the cushioning material 902a and the surface material 902b. Specifically, it is installed in the center of the central part 902A of the cushion, in the center of the left and right cushion side parts 902B, and at the upper ends (shoulder parts) of the left and right cushion side parts 902B, respectively. Here, "seating pressure" refers to a value that changes periodically in accordance with the physiological activity of a person sitting on the seat cushion 901, specifically breathing, and is the target value detected by the pressure sensor.

[0216] The biosensor 930 consists of multiple components, including a front biosensor 930a positioned in the central part of the cushion's central section 901A, a rear biosensor 930b positioned in the rear part of the cushion's central section 901A, a right biosensor 930c and a left biosensor 930d positioned on the left and right cushion side sections 901B respectively, and a front biosensor 930e positioned in the front part of the cushion's central section 901A. The biosensors 930a to 930d are positioned at or near the hip point of the seated person. The front biosensor 930e is positioned at or near the thigh of the seated person. Each sensor independently detects seating pressure and outputs a detection signal based on the detected seating pressure.

[0217] As shown in Figures 46, 47A, and 47B, the movable members 960 and 970 are bags that expand when a fluid is sealed inside them. Specifically, they are air cells that expand toward the seated person (protruding from the normal position to the protruding position) when compressed air is sealed inside them as a fluid, and then contract (return to the normal position) when the sealed compressed air is released.

[0218] The movable member 960 is mounted on the cushion frame 910 and is mainly composed of a first movable member 961 and a second movable member 962 positioned on the upper surfaces of the left and right cushion side frames 911, and a third movable member 963 and a fourth movable member 964 positioned on the upper surface of the upper end of the pan frame 912. In other words, the first movable member 961 and the second movable member 962 are located inside the left and right side portions of the seat cushion 901, and are positioned on the back surface (bottom surface) of the left and right cushion side portions 901B. The third movable member 963 and the fourth movable member 964 are located inside the front end of the central portion of the seat cushion 901, and are positioned on the back surface of the front end of the central portion 901A of the cushion. The movable members 961 to 964 are installed in a folded state. The first movable member 961 and the second movable member 962 have a roughly rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction of the seat, while the third movable member 963 and the fourth movable member 964 have a roughly pentagonal shape that is elongated in the width direction of the seat.

[0219] The movable member 970 is mounted on the back frame 920 and is mainly composed of a first movable member 971 and a second movable member 972 positioned on the front of the left and right back side frames 921, and a third movable member 973 and a fourth movable member 974 positioned on the front of both the left and right ends of the upper frame 922. In other words, the first movable member 971 and the second movable member 972 are located inside the left and right side portions of the seat back 902 and are positioned on the back (rear) surfaces of the left and right cushion side portions 902B. The third movable member 963 and the fourth movable member 964 are located inside the upper ends (shoulder portions) of the left and right side portions of the seat back 902 and are positioned on the bottom surfaces of the upper ends of the left and right cushion side portions 902B. The movable members 971 to 974 are installed in a folded state. The first movable member 961 and the second movable member 962 have a roughly rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction of the seat, while the third movable member 963 and the fourth movable member 964 have a roughly pentagonal shape that is elongated in the width direction of the seat.

[0220] The movable members 960 and 970 (air cells) are movable (bulge out) members that move the side, shoulder, and front end portions of the seat body from the "normal position" to a "protruding position" that protrudes further toward the occupant than the normal position. The following explanation will use the movable members 970 (third and fourth movable members 973 and 974) located on the shoulder portion of the seat back 902 as a representative example, based on Figures 47A and 47B.

[0221] Figure 47A is a cross-sectional view of the seat back 902, showing the seat back 902 in its "normal position". The movable member 970 is positioned between the back frame 920 and the upholstery material 902b in the front-rear direction of the seat. Specifically, it is attached to the front of the back side frame 921 and is positioned on the back surface of the cushion side portion 902B. In this case, the biosensor 940 is positioned on the surface side (front side) of the sheet body than the movable member 970, and it can be seen that the sensor detection unit 941 and the movable member 970 are positioned to overlap in the front-to-back direction of the sheet (the direction in which the movable member 970 protrudes).

[0222] Inside the seat back 902, a actuator 980 (fluid supply device) that supplies compressed air to a movable member 970 (air cell) is positioned behind the cushioning material 902a (central part of the cushion 902A). The actuator 980 is mounted in a predetermined position in the central part of the back frame 920. Specifically, it mainly consists of an air pump 981 capable of supplying (intake) and discharging (exhaust) compressed air, and an air pipe 982 connecting the air pump 981 and the movable member 970.

[0223] Furthermore, the actuator 980 can, for example, supply compressed air to the movable member 970 or discharge compressed air from the movable member 970 by receiving a predetermined control signal from the control device 950. The control device 950 may transmit the above control signal after receiving a predetermined user operation selection by the seated person. By doing so, the range of motion of the movable member 970 can be adjusted according to the physique of the person sitting.

[0224] Figure 47B shows the state in which the movable member 970 protrudes forward of the seat, and the side portion of the seat back 902 moves from the "normal position" to the "protruding position". Specifically, by receiving compressed air from the actuator 980, the folded movable member 970 expands and unfolds forward of the seat, and the cushion side portion 902B moves forward of the seat. As a result, the side portion of the seat back 902 moves to the "protruding position". Furthermore, the actuation device 980 discharges the compressed air inside the movable member 970, causing the inflated movable member 970 to contract, and the cushion side portion 902B to move backward towards the rear of the seat. As a result, the side portion of the seat back 902 returns from the "protruding position" to the "normal position".

[0225] In the above configuration, as shown in Figures 47A and 47B, the movable member 970 and the sensor detection unit 941 are positioned so that they overlap in the direction of protrusion of the movable member 970 (in the front-to-back direction of the seat). Furthermore, the movable member 960 and the sensor detection unit 931 are positioned so that they overlap in the direction of protrusion of the movable member 960 (in the vertical direction). Therefore, the movable members 960 and 970 can suitably support the multiple sensor detection units 931 and 941. As a result, close contact between the seated person and the biosensors 930 and 940 can be ensured.

[0226] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 47B, the movable member 970 is configured to cause the side portion of the seat back 902 to protrude forward of the seat and inward in the seat width direction. In particular, the third movable member 973 (fourth movable member 974) is configured to cause the left and right shoulder portions of the seat back 902 to protrude forward of the seat and diagonally downward in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the movable member 960 is configured to cause the side portion of the seat cushion 901 to protrude upward and inward in the seat width direction. In particular, the third movable member 963 (fourth movable member 964) is configured to cause the front end of the central part of the seat cushion 901 to protrude forward of the seat and diagonally upward in the seat width direction. This enhances the seating experience for the occupant. It also improves the contact between the occupant and the biosensors 930 and 940.

[0227] The vehicle seat S10 of the present invention comprises a seat body on which a person sits, a biosensor mounted inside the seat body and having a sensor detection unit for detecting the person's biological signals, and a movable member mounted inside the seat body and movable to move a part of the seat body between a normal position and a protruding position which protrudes further toward the person sitting than the normal position, wherein the biosensor is positioned on the surface side of the seat body than the movable member, and the sensor detection unit and the movable member are positioned to overlap in the protruding direction of the movable member. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize a vehicle seat that ensures close contact between the occupant and the biosensor (sensor detection unit). Specifically, the sensor detection unit and the movable member are positioned so that they overlap in the direction of the movable member's protrusion. Therefore, the movable member can suitably support the sensor detection unit, ensuring close contact between the seated person and the biosensor. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a vehicle seat that can enhance the sensing performance of biosensors by utilizing existing components (movable parts).

[0228] In this case, the seat body is constructed by placing a cushioning material on a seat frame that serves as the skeleton and covering it with a surface material, the biosensor is mounted between the cushioning material and the surface material, and the movable member is attached to the seat frame and positioned on the back side of the cushioning material. With the above configuration, the biosensor and movable members can be attached in a simple manner.

[0229] <Eleventh embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S11 of the 11th embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 48. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S10 mentioned above will be omitted. The vehicle seat S11 provides a vehicle seat that can ensure close contact between the occupant and the biosensor. Furthermore, this invention provides a vehicle seat in which decorative parts (decorative stitching) are formed on the surface, which ensures the sensing performance of a biosensor and enhances the aesthetic appeal.

[0230] As shown in Figure 48, the vehicle seat S11 is a vehicle seat and mainly consists of a seat body comprising a seat cushion 1001, a seat back 1002, and a headrest 1003; sheet-shaped biosensors 1030 and 1040 mounted inside the seat body that detect electrical signals (biosignals) corresponding to the biopotential of the person sitting on the seat body; and a control device 1050 that receives the biosignals detected by the biosensors 1030 and 1040 and transmits the received biosignals to an external location (for example, a mobile terminal owned by the person sitting on the seat). Furthermore, decorative stitching 1060 is formed on the surfaces of the seat cushion 1001 and the seat back 1002, respectively.

[0231] As shown in Figure 48, the decorative stitching portion 1060 is a decorative portion formed on the surface of the upholstery material 1001b of the seat cushion 1001 and on the surface of the upholstery material 1002b of the seat back 1002. More specifically, the decorative stitch section 1060 is a decorative seam formed by partially sewing it to the surface material 1001b and 1002b with thread. The decorative stitching section 1060 has a first stitching section 1061, a second stitching section 1062, and a third stitching section 1063 in the seat cushion 1001, and is positioned between the left and right upholstery hanging grooves in the seat width direction, and each extends in a long length along the seat width direction on the seating surface.

[0232] According to the vehicle seat S11 of the present invention, the vehicle seat comprises a cushioning material, a surface material covering the cushioning material, and a biosensor installed between the cushioning material and the surface material for detecting the biological signals of a seated person, wherein the surface material has a decorative portion formed on the surface of the surface material on the seating surface of the vehicle seat, and the biosensor has a sensor detection portion for detecting the biological signals of the seated person, and the sensor detection portion is preferably positioned on the seating surface to avoid the decorative portion. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize a vehicle seat that ensures close contact between the occupant and the biosensor (sensor detection unit). Specifically, it is possible to ensure the sensing performance of the biosensor in a vehicle seat with decorative parts formed on its surface.

[0233] <Twelfth embodiment of a vehicle seat> Next, the vehicle seat S12 of the 12th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 49 to 51. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S11 mentioned above will be omitted. The vehicle seat S12 provides a vehicle seat that can ensure close contact between the occupant and the biosensor. Furthermore, this invention provides a vehicle seat that can enhance the sensing performance of biosensors by utilizing existing components.

[0234] As shown in Figure 49, the vehicle seat S12 is a vehicle seat and mainly consists of a seat body comprising a seat cushion 1101, a seat back 1102, and a headrest 1103; sheet-shaped biosensors 1130 and 1140 mounted inside the seat body that detect electrical signals (biosignals) corresponding to the biopotential of the person sitting on the seat body; and a control device 1150 that receives the biosignals detected by the biosensors 1130 and 1140 and transmits the received biosignals to an external location (for example, a mobile terminal owned by the person sitting on the seat). Furthermore, the vehicle seat S12 is shown in Figures 49 and 50. As shown,It is equipped with left and right support members 1160 and 1170 configured to support the seated person from the sides in the width direction of the seat.

[0235] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 51, the support member 1170 is configured to protrude convexly toward the seating surface, and the protruding tip of the support member 1170 and the biosensor 1140 are positioned to overlap in the direction of protrusion of the support member 1170. Furthermore, the support member 1170 is configured to protrude while curving toward the seating surface, and the inner surface of the curved support member 1170 in the seat width direction and the biosensor 1140 are positioned to overlap in the direction of protrusion of the support member 1170. Therefore, the support member 1170 can more effectively support the biosensor 1140, ensuring close contact between the seated person and the biosensor 1140.

[0236] According to the vehicle seat S12 of the present invention, the vehicle seat is constructed by placing a cushioning material on a seat frame which forms the skeleton and covering it with a surface material, and is equipped with a biosensor having a sensor detection unit for detecting the biological signals of the occupant, the seat frame having side frames arranged on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, and a support member attached to the side frame and protruding from the side frame toward the seating surface where the occupant sits, and it is preferable that the sensor detection unit and the support member are positioned to overlap in the direction of protrusion of the support member. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize a vehicle seat that ensures close contact between the occupant and the biosensor (sensor detection unit). Specifically, the sensor detection unit and the support member are positioned so that they overlap in the direction of the support member's protrusion. Therefore, the sensor detection unit can be suitably supported by the support member, and close contact between the seated person and the biosensor can be ensured. Furthermore, the above configuration makes it possible to realize a vehicle seat that can enhance the sensing performance of biosensors by utilizing existing components (support members). That would be good.

[0237] <13th Embodiment of a Vehicle Seat> Next, the vehicle seat S13 of the 13th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 52 to 55. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1 to S12 mentioned above will be omitted. The S13 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that allows for the appropriate placement of mounting members on a seat frame equipped with side frames of different thicknesses.

[0238] The vehicle seat S13 has the appearance shown in Figure 52. The vehicle seat S13 mainly consists of a seat back 1202 which is a backrest that supports the back of the sitter, a seat cushion 1201 which is a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the sitter, and a headrest 1203 which is positioned above the seat back 1202 and supports the head of the sitter. As shown in Figure 53, the vehicle seat S13 has a seat frame as its framework, with a back frame 1220 and a cushion frame 1210 as its main components.

[0239] As shown in Figure 54, the side plate portion 1221a of the back side frame 1221 is provided with recesses 1225, which are reinforcing portions that are recessed inward or outward in the sheet width direction, namely a first recess 1225a, a second recess 1225b, and a third recess 1225c. The first recess 1225a is provided extending vertically along the rear edge of the side plate portion 1221a. The second recess 1225b and the third recess 1225c extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the back side frame 1221 (in other words, the front-to-back direction), and the second recess 1225b is provided on the side plate portion 1221a, extending forward from the vertical middle part of the first recess 1225a.

[0240] The third recess 1225c is provided in the side plate portion 1221a so as to extend forward while inclining upward from the lower end of the first recess 1225a toward the front. In this embodiment, the first recess 1225a, the second recess 1225b, and the third recess 1225c are formed to protrude inward during the press working of the back side frame 1221.

[0241] The first recess 1225a is provided in the side plate portion 1221a, crossing the second boundary portion L2. The second recess 1225b and the third recess 1225c are provided in positions that avoid the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2. In other words, the second recess 1225b and the third recess 1225c are provided in the side plate portion 1221a so as to be positioned between the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2 in the vertical direction.

[0242] On the inside of the side plate portion 1221a of the backside frame 1221, fixing portions (first fixing portion K1, second fixing portion K2, and third fixing portion K3) are formed for attaching the ends of the first wire member W1 (first bridging member), the second wire member W2 (second bridging member), and the third wire member W3 (third bridging member).

[0243] A first fixing part K1, which is a hook for attaching the first wire member W1 (first bridging member) to the side plate portion 1221a, is provided on the side plate portion 1221a in the thick portion 1222 below the first boundary portion L1, that is, in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1. In addition, a second fixing part K2, which is a hook for attaching the second wire member W2 (second bridging member) to the side plate portion 1221a, is provided on the side plate portion 1221a in the medium portion 1223 above the first boundary portion L1 and below the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position that avoids both the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2. Furthermore, a third fixing portion K3, which is a hook portion for attaching the third wire member W3 (third bridging member) to the side plate portion 1221a, is provided on the side plate portion 1221a in the thin-walled portion 1224 above the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position that avoids the second boundary portion L2.

[0244] According to the vehicle seat S13 of the present invention, the vehicle seat is equipped with a seat frame, the seat frame comprises a pair of side frames disposed on the side of the vehicle seat, a first bridging member, a second bridging member, and a third bridging member installed between the pair of side frames, the side frame having a thick portion of a first plate thickness, a medium portion of a second plate thickness that is continuous with the thick portion and thinner than the thick portion, and a thin portion of a third plate thickness that is continuous with the medium portion and thinner than the medium portion, the first fixing portion of the first bridging member to the side frame is formed in the thick portion, the second fixing portion of the second bridging member to the side frame is formed in the medium portion, and the third fixing portion of the third bridging member to the side frame is formed in the thin portion. This allows for a balanced distribution of load across side frames with varying thicknesses.

[0245] <14th Embodiment of a Vehicle Seat> Next, the vehicle seat S14 of the 14th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 56-58. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S13 mentioned above will be omitted. The S14 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that allows for the appropriate placement of recesses as reinforcing parts in a seat frame equipped with side frames of different thicknesses.

[0246] The vehicle seat S14 mainly consists of a seat back 1302 which is a backrest that supports the back of the sitter, a seat cushion 1301 which is a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the sitter, and a headrest 1303 which is positioned above the seat back 1302 and supports the head of the sitter. As shown in Figure 56, the vehicle seat S14 has a seat frame as its framework, with a back frame 1320 and a cushion frame 1310 as its main components.

[0247] As shown in Figure 57, the side plate portion 1321a of the back side frame 1321 is provided with recesses 1325, which are reinforcing portions that are recessed inward or outward in the sheet width direction, namely a first recess 1325a, a second recess 1325b, and a third recess 1325c. The first recess 1325a, the second recess 1325b, and the third recess 1325c are provided continuously and extend in the longitudinal direction of the back side frame 1321. In this embodiment, the first recess 1325a, the second recess 1325b, and the third recess 1325c are formed to protrude inward during the press working of the back side frame 1321.

[0248] The first recess 1325a (wide portion) is provided in the side plate portion 1321a, crossing the first boundary portion L1. In other words, the first recess 1325a is provided in the thick portion 1322 and the medium portion 1323 of the back side frame 1321, straddling the first boundary portion L1.

[0249] The second recess 1325b (narrow portion) is provided in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2. In other words, the second recess 1325b is provided in the medium-weight portion 1323 of the back side frame 1321 so as to be positioned between the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2 in the vertical direction.

[0250] The third recess 1325c (in the middle of the width) is provided in the side plate portion 1321a, crossing the second boundary portion L2. In other words, the third recess 1325c is provided in the medium-weight portion 1323 and the thin-weight portion 1324 of the back side frame 1321, straddling the second boundary portion L2.

[0251] On the inside of the side plate portion 1321a of the back side frame 1321, fixing portions (first fixing portion K1, second fixing portion K2, and third fixing portion K3) are formed for attaching the ends of the first wire member W1 (first bridging member), the second wire member W2 (second bridging member), and the third wire member W3 (third bridging member).

[0252] A first fixing portion K1, which is a hook portion for attaching the first wire member W1 (first bridging member) to the side plate portion 1321a, is provided in the first recess 1325a (wide portion) in the thickened portion 1322 below the first boundary portion L1, that is, in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1.

[0253] Furthermore, a second fixing portion K2, which is a hook portion for attaching the second wire member W2 (second bridging member) to the side plate portion 1321a, is provided in the second recess 1325b (narrow portion) in the medium-thickness portion 1323, above the first boundary portion L1 and below the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2.

[0254] Furthermore, a third fixing portion K3, which is a hook portion for attaching the third wire member W3 (third bridging member) to the side plate portion 1321a, is provided in the thin-walled portion 1324 above the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position avoiding the second boundary portion L2, in the third recess 1325c (middle of the width).

[0255] According to the vehicle seat S14 of the present invention, the vehicle seat is equipped with a seat frame, the seat frame comprises a pair of side frames disposed on the side of the vehicle seat, the side frames having a thick portion with a first thickness, a medium portion with a second thickness that is continuous with the thick portion and thinner than the thick portion, and a thin portion with a third thickness that is continuous with the medium portion and thinner than the medium portion, the side of the side frame is provided with a recess that extends in the direction of extension of the side frame, and the recess preferably extends across the thick portion, the medium portion and the thin portion. By doing so, it becomes possible to evenly position the recessed areas that serve as reinforcements for side frames with different plate thicknesses.

[0256] <15th Embodiment of a Vehicle Seat> Next, the vehicle seat S15 of the 15th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 59 to 61. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S14 mentioned above will be omitted. The S15 vehicle seat provides a vehicle seat that allows for the appropriate placement of wire members on a seat frame equipped with side frames of different thicknesses.

[0257] The vehicle seat S15 mainly consists of a seat back 1402 which is a backrest that supports the back of the sitter, a seat cushion 1401 which is a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the sitter, and a headrest 1403 which is positioned above the seat back 1402 and supports the head of the sitter. As shown in Figure 59, the vehicle seat S15 has a seat frame as its framework, with a back frame 1420 and a cushion frame 1410 as its main components.

[0258] As shown in Figure 60, a wire member W is attached to the cushion side frame 1411, protruding upward from the cushion side frame 1411 (i.e., toward the seating surface). The wire member W (linear member) is a linear member that is bent downward in a roughly U-shape when viewed from the side, and is a reinforcing member (support member) for maintaining the shape of the raised portions (embankments) on both sides of the seat cushion 1401.

[0259] The wire member W extends in the direction of extension of the cushion side frame 1411, that is, in the front-to-back direction, between the rear end W10 and the front end W20, and is fixed to the cushion side frame 1411 at the rear end fixing part W10a and the front end fixing part W20a. The rear end fixing part W10a and the front end fixing part W20a are positioned to avoid the first boundary part L1 and the second boundary part L2. In other words, in the direction of extension of the cushion side frame 1411, the rear end fixing part W10a and the front end fixing part W20a are positioned differently from the first boundary part L1 and the second boundary part L2.

[0260] Specifically, the rear end fixing portion W10a is positioned in the medium-weight portion 1413 in front of the first boundary portion L1 and behind the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2. The front end fixing portion W20a is positioned in the thin-weight portion 1414 in front of the second boundary portion L2, that is, in a position that avoids the second boundary portion L2. In the vehicle seat S15 of this embodiment, the fixing portions of the wire member W are positioned in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2, where the strength is reduced, thereby improving the fixation of the wire member W to the cushion side frame 1411, which has a different plate thickness.

[0261] The wire member W is welded to the cushion side frame 1411 at the rear end fixing portion W10a and the front end fixing portion W20a. In this configuration, the wire member W is properly fixed to the cushion side frame 1411 by welding.

[0262] According to the vehicle seat S15 of the present invention, the vehicle seat is equipped with a seat frame, the seat frame comprises a pair of side frames disposed on the side of the vehicle seat, and a wire member provided protruding from the side frame, the side frame having a thick portion with a first thickness, a medium portion with a second thickness that is continuous with the thick portion and thinner than the thick portion, and a thin portion with a third thickness that is continuous with the medium portion and thinner than the medium portion, the thick portion and the medium portion are continuous at a first boundary, the medium portion and the thin portion are continuous at a second boundary, the wire member extends in the extending direction of the side frame, and the fixing portion of the wire member to the side frame is preferably positioned to avoid the first boundary or the second boundary. By doing so, it becomes possible to improve the fixation of wire members to side frames with different plate thicknesses by avoiding boundary areas where strength is reduced. That would be good.

[0263] <16th Embodiment of a Vehicle Seat> Next, the vehicle seat S16 of the 16th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 62 to 64. Note that explanations that overlap with the vehicle seats S1-S15 mentioned above will be omitted.

[0264] Conventionally, vehicle seats are known that can be switched from a "normal state" in which an occupant can sit to a "tip-up state" in which the seat body (seat cushion) is flipped upward. In this case, it is preferable that the state of the seat itself can be automatically switched according to the usage status and planned usage of the vehicle seat. Specifically, it is preferable that the system can detect whether or not an occupant is seated, or whether or not an occupant is about to sit down, and automatically switch the state of the seat itself according to the detection result.

[0265] Therefore, the S16 vehicle seat is designed to automatically switch the state of the seat cushion according to the seat's usage status (or planned usage).

[0266] The vehicle seat S16 of the present invention is a vehicle seat comprising a seat body having a seat back and a seat cushion, which is switchable between a "normal state" in which the seat cushion can be sat on and a "tip-up state" in which the seat cushion is rotated upward from the normal state, and preferably comprises a support leg that supports the seat cushion from below and is configured to be rotatable between a "storage position" in which it is stored on the seat cushion side and an "extended position" in which it is extended on the vehicle floor side, a detection sensor provided on the seat body for detecting the usage status of the vehicle seat, and a control device that controls the rotational movement of the seat cushion based on the detection result of the detection sensor. By doing so, it becomes possible to create a vehicle seat that can automatically switch the state of the seat body (seat cushion) according to the seat's usage status and planned usage.

[0267] As shown in Figures 62-64, the vehicle seat S16 includes a seat body comprising a seat cushion 1501 and a seat back 1502, a support member 1510 mounted on the vehicle floor and supporting the seat body (seat back 1502), a reclining device 1520 that rotatably connects the seat back 1502 to the support member 1510 and locks the rotational movement of the seat back 1502, and a cushion locking device 1530 that rotatably connects the seat cushion 1501 to the seat back 1502 and locks the rotational movement of the seat cushion 1501.

[0268] Furthermore, the vehicle seat S16 includes a support leg 1540 that moves between a "storage position" where it is stored on the back of the seat cushion 1501 and a "deployed position" where it is deployed on the vehicle floor and supports the seat cushion 1501; a leg rotation device 1550 that rotatably connects the support leg 1540 to the seat cushion 1501 and locks the rotational movement of the support leg 1540; and a leg engagement hook 1560 provided on the vehicle floor that detachably engages with the support leg 1540 when it is deployed towards the vehicle floor.

[0269] Furthermore, the vehicle seat S16 includes a sheet-shaped detection sensor 1570 mounted inside the seat body to detect the occupant's biosignals, and a control device 1580 (ECU) that determines the usage status of the seat S16 based on the biosignals detected by the detection sensor 1570 and controls the rotational movement of the seat cushion 1501 and support legs 1540. "Determining seat occupancy" means, for example, determining whether or not an occupant is seated in the seat. Furthermore, the detection sensor 1570 may be installed not only inside the seat body (for example, the seat cushion 1501), but also in multiple locations around the seat body. In that case, the control device 280 may determine the planned use of the seat S16 based on the detection results of the multiple detection sensors 1570 and control the rotational movement of the seat cushion 1501 and the support legs 1540. "Determining the seat's intended use" means, for example, determining whether or not a passenger is about to sit in the seat. Specifically, based on the detection results of the detection sensor 1570, it is determined whether or not a passenger is about to sit in the seat by determining whether or not a passenger has unlocked the vehicle door, opened the vehicle door, boarded the vehicle, or applied seating load to the side of the seat. Alternatively, in a vehicle equipped with multiple seats that allows for ride-sharing by passengers, a user who wishes to sit in a seat may send reservation information, including their intended use of the seat, to an external server via the network using a reservation application on their communication terminal, the external server may determine the seat's intended use based on the reservation information, and the vehicle's control device may receive the seat's intended use via the network to determine the seat's intended use.

[0270] The reclining device 1520 is pivotally supported by a support member 1510 provided on the vehicle floor and includes a back pivot shaft 1521 that rotatably connects to the seat back 1502, and a first drive motor 1522 that rotates the back pivot shaft 1521. The cushion locking device 1530 includes a cushion pivot shaft 1531 that is pivotally supported on the seat back 1502 and rotatably connects to the seat cushion 1501, and a second drive motor 1532 that rotates the cushion pivot shaft 1531. The leg rotation device 1550 has a leg rotation shaft 1551 that is pivotally supported on the seat cushion 1501 and rotatably connects to the support leg 1540, and a third drive motor 1552 that rotates the leg rotation shaft 1551.

[0271] The back pivot axis 1521 is located at the lower end of the seat back 1502, or more precisely, below the seat back 1502. The back pivot axis 1521, the cushion pivot axis 1531, and the leg pivot axis 1551 are each positioned at different locations in the vertical direction and the seat front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the first drive motor 1522, the second drive motor 1532, and the third drive motor 1552 are each positioned at different locations in the vertical direction and the seat front-to-back direction. The back pivot shaft 1521 may also be located at the upper end of the seat back 1502. In that case, the back pivot shaft 1521 is preferably pivotally supported by the support member 1510 rising from the vehicle floor and the seat back 1502.

[0272] When the control device 1580 determines, based on the detection results of the detection sensor 1570, that no occupant is seated, or that no occupant is expected to be seated, it controls the cushion lock device 1530 and the leg rotation device 1550 to switch the seat cushion 1501 and support leg 1540 from the "normal state" shown in Figure 62 to the "tip-up state" shown in Figure 63. Specifically, the control device 1580 rotates the seat cushion 1501 upward to bring it into contact with the seat back 1502, and then locks the rotational movement of the seat cushion 1501. Furthermore, the control device 1580 rotates and retracts the support leg 1540 toward the back surface of the seat cushion 1501, and then locks the rotational movement of the support leg 1540. Alternatively, the control device 1580 may control the reclining device 1520 when the seat cushion 1501 switches to the "tip-up state," rotating and locking the seat back 1502 from the upright position to a predetermined position. The control device 1580 may also be configured to retract the leg engagement hook 1560 into the vehicle floor when the seat body switches to the "tip-up state".

[0273] In the above configuration, as shown in Figure 64, the vehicle seat S16 may further include a display 1590 on the back surface of the seat cushion 1501 at a position different from the support legs 1540. Specifically, the display 1590 is preferably positioned in an area surrounded by roughly U-shaped support legs 1540. This allows the occupant to see the image displayed on the 1590 display while the seat itself is in the "tip-up state".

[0274] In the above embodiments, a vehicle seat used in an automobile was described as a specific example, but it is not particularly limited and can also be used for various other seats such as motorcycle seats, seats in trains and buses, seats in airplanes and ships, as well as office chairs for work, wheelchairs, and children's seats in shopping carts.

[0275] The above embodiments mainly described a vehicle seat according to the present invention. However, the embodiments described above are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit it. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and of course, equivalents thereof are included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0276] S1-S16 Vehicle Seats Sa seat frame 1, 101, 201, 301, 601, 801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1201, 1301, 1401, 1501 Seat cushion 1A, 2A, 102A, 201A, 202A, 601A, 602A, 801A, 802A, 901A, 902A Center 1B, 2B, 102B, 202B, 502B, 601B, 602B, 801B, 802B, 901B, 902B Side section 1a, 2a, 3a, 102a, 201a, 202a, 301a, 502a, 601a, 603a, 801a, 802a, 803a, 901a, 902a, 1001a, 1002a Cushioning material 1aa, 2aa, 102aa, 202aa, 601aa, 801aa Suspension groove 102ab Suspension hole 102ac fastening wire 102ad pull-in wire 802aa Suspension groove side section 802ab Upper part of the suspension groove 1b, 2b, 3b, 102b, 201b, 202b, 301b, 601b, 603b, 801b, 802b, 803b, 901b, 902b, 1001b, 1002b Surface material 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 1502 Seat back 3, 103, 303, 803, 903, 1003, 1103, 1203, 1303, 1403 Headrest 3c, 603c, 803c pillar 4, 604, 804 Reclining device 5, 605, 805 Height Link Device 6, 606, 806 Rail Equipment 10, 210, 310, 610, 810, 910, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410 Cushion Frame 11, 311, 611, 811, 911, 1411 Cushion side frame 12, 312, 612, 812, 912 Pan frames 13, 313, 613, 813 Rear connecting frame 14, 614, 814 Elastic spring (elastic support member) 314 Support Plate 314a Front fastening part 314b Rear fastening section 315 Front connecting frame 316 Opening 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420 Back frame 21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621, 721, 821, 921, 121, 1321, 1421 Backside Frame 1221a, 1321a side plate part 22, 222, 322, 622, 822, 922 Upper frame (connecting frame) 222a Mounting holes 23, 223, 323, 623, 823 Lower frame 24, 224, 324, 624, 824 wire components 25, 225, 325, 625, 825 Support Plates 26, 626, 726, 829 Pillar mounting parts 227, 327 connecting frame 826 Second connecting frame 827 Connecting member 827a Support surface 828 Second wire member 30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630 Lumbar support members 31, 631 Base member 32, 632 Bag body 231, 531 Drive unit 232 Drive unit 233-235 Cable 1-3 40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 830 Movable parts (side support members, shoulder support members) 41, 141, 241, 541, 831 Base members 42, 142, 242, 542, 832 Pivot shaft (mounting member) 43, 143, 243, 543 Rotating members 44, 144, 244, 544, 834 Bag body 44a~44c, 434a~834c 1st bag ~ 3rd bag 45 Mounting components 46 Cushion deformation suppression part 47 Cushion High Hardness Section 48, 248 Cushion deformation promotion section 146 Guide member 147 Skin suspension section 147a Suspension Unit 147b Hanging hook 148 Through holes 249 Slit holes 50, 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 640, 840 Actuator (fluid supply device) 51, 251, 351, 641 Air control units 52, 252, 352, 642, 841 air pumps 53, 253, 353, 643, 842 Air piping (First air piping) 354 Second air piping 260 Side support member 261 Inner wall 261a, 262a Frame mounting holes 262 Outer wall 263 Connecting wall section 264 Reinforcement Ribs 265 Mounting components 270 Seat sensor 271 Sensor detection unit 272 transmission lines 280 Control device 360 Cushion Length Adjustment Device 361 1st bag body 362 Second bag body 363 cabinets 363a Surface fastening part 364 Projection body 364a Partition wall section 364b Upper wall 364c Abutting wall part 364d Engagement part 365 Cover Body 366 Skin-retracting member 366a Rotary shaft 366b Rotating body 366c Skin pull-in section 460 Shoulder support component 461 Movable body part 462 Rotary shaft 470 Drive unit 570 Side airbag system 580 Linear member 650, 750 Movable body 651, 751 Movable body part 651a Central moving part 651b, 651c Side movable parts 651d Mounting shaft 652, 752 pivot shafts 652a Shaft body part 652b 1st axis extension part 652c 2nd axis extension part 653, 654 Flexure promotion section 655 Notch 660, 760 drive unit (actuator) 770 Side airbag system 930, 940, 1030, 1040, 1130, 1140 Biosensors 930a Front-facing biosensor (first biosensor) 930b Rear biosensor (second biosensor) 930c Right-side biosensor (Third biosensor) 930d Left-side biosensor (4th biosensor) 930e Front-facing biosensor (5th biosensor) 931, 941 Sensor detection unit 950, 1050, 1150 control unit 960, 970 Movable parts (bag body, air cell) 961, 971 First movable member 962, 972 Second movable member 963, 973 Third movable member 964, 974 Fourth movable member 980 Actuator 981 Air pump 982 Air Piping 1060 Decorative stitching section (decorative part) 1061-1063 1st-3rd stitch section 1160, 1170 Support members (side support members) 1222, 1322, 1412 Thick wall part 1223, 1323, 1413 Medium build 1224, 1324, 1414 Thin-walled section 1225, 1325 recessed area (mid-width) 1225a~1225c, 1325a~1325c: 1st to 3rd recesses L1~L2 1st~2nd boundary W, W1-W3 wire members, 1st-3rd wire members (1st-3rd bridging members) W10 rear end W10a Rear end fixing part (first fixing part) W20 front end W20a Front end fixing part (second fixing part) K1~K3 1st~3rd fixed part 1510 Support member 1520 Reclining device 1521 Back pivot axis 1522 First drive motor 1530 Cushion locking device 1531 Cushion pivot shaft 1532 Second drive motor 1540 Support leg 1550 Leg rotation device 1551 Leg pivot axis 1552 Third drive motor 1560 Leg Engagement Hook 1570 Detection Sensor 1580 Control device 1590 displays

Claims

1. The seat itself on which the occupant sits, The seat body is equipped with a movable body that is mounted inside the seat body, positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and moves to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, The aforementioned seat body is equipped with a seat frame that forms the skeleton, The aforementioned seat frame has side frames arranged on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, The aforementioned movable body is It is positioned closer to the seated person than the aforementioned side frame, It has a base member supported by the side frame and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, The pivot shaft is positioned on the side of the seated person that is closer to the seated person than the seating surface in the center of the seat body. The aforementioned seat body has a seat back which serves as the backrest, The seat back comprises a cushioning material and a covering material that covers the cushioning material. The movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat back in the seat width direction, and is movable to cause the side portion to protrude towards the front of the seat. The surface of the cushioning material has suspension holes formed therein for suspending the ends of the surface material. The aforementioned suspension hole is provided in the seat back at a position that separates the central portion and the side portion, and extends in the vertical direction. A skin suspension part is attached to the end of the skin material, which passes through the suspension hole and is secured to a fastening part provided inside the seat back. The aforementioned skin suspension portion is, A vehicle seat characterized in that it is retracted outward in the width direction of the seat by a retraction portion provided inside the seat back and is then fastened to the fastening portion.

2. A seat body on which a person sits, The seat body is equipped with a movable body that is mounted inside the seat body, positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and moves to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, The aforementioned seat body is equipped with a seat frame that forms the skeleton, The aforementioned seat frame has side frames arranged on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, The aforementioned movable body is It is positioned closer to the seated person than the aforementioned side frame, It has a base member supported by the side frame and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, The pivot shaft is positioned on the side of the seated person that is closer to the seated person than the seating surface in the center of the seat body. The aforementioned seat body has a seat back which serves as the backrest, The seat back comprises a cushioning material and a covering material that covers the cushioning material. The movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat back in the seat width direction, and is movable to cause the side portion to protrude towards the front of the seat. The seat back is equipped with a lumbar support member that is mounted inside the seat back and is movable to cause the central part of the seat back in the seat width direction to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, A vehicle seat characterized in that, when the lumbar support member causes the central portion of the seat back to protrude most far forward towards the front of the seat, the rear end of the movable body is positioned further forward than the seating surface of the central portion of the seat back.

3. A seat body on which a person sits, The seat body is equipped with a movable body that is mounted inside the seat body, positioned outside the center of the seat body in the seat width direction, and moves to cause the side portion of the seat body to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, The aforementioned seat body is equipped with a seat frame that forms the skeleton, The aforementioned seat frame has side frames arranged on the left and right sides in the seat width direction, The aforementioned movable body is It is positioned closer to the seated person than the aforementioned side frame, It has a base member supported by the side frame and a rotating member attached to the base member so as to be rotatable via a pivot axis, The pivot shaft is positioned on the side of the seated person that is closer to the seated person than the seating surface in the center of the seat body. The aforementioned seat body has a seat back which serves as the backrest, The seat back comprises a cushioning material and a covering material that covers the cushioning material. The movable body is positioned on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion of the seat back in the seat width direction, and is movable to cause the side portion to protrude towards the front of the seat. A lumbar support member is attached inside the seat back and is movable to cause the central part of the seat back in the seat width direction to protrude further toward the occupant than its normal position, The seat back is equipped with a drive device that is mounted inside the seat back and drives the lumbar support member, A vehicle seat characterized in that the movable body is positioned in front of the seat than the drive device.

4. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear end of the rotating member is positioned forward of the seat compared to the seating surface in the center of the seat back.

5. The aforementioned seat back is equipped with a back frame that forms the skeleton, The aforementioned back frame has side frames positioned on the left and right sides in the seat width direction and extending in the vertical direction, The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable body is positioned in front of the seat relative to the side frame.

6. In the side portion, the back surface of the cushioning material forms an inclined surface that follows the protruding surface of the side portion. The movable body is positioned in the internal space formed between the cushioning material and the side frame in the side portion. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized in that the portion of the base member corresponding to the cushioning material on the side extends in a sloping manner along the back surface of the cushioning material on the side.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the portion of the rotating member facing the cushioning material on the side extends inclined along the back surface of the cushioning material on the side.

8. The surface of the cushioning material has suspension grooves formed therein for suspending the ends of the surface material. The aforementioned suspension groove is provided in the seat back at a position that separates the central portion and the side portion, and extends in the vertical direction. The vehicle seat according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a resin plate is attached to the portion of the back surface of the cushioning material that corresponds to the suspension groove.

9. The movable body has a plurality of bags that expand when a fluid is sealed inside, The aforementioned plurality of bags are They are positioned at different locations in the front-to-back direction of the seat. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is positioned forward of the seat from the seating surface in the center of the seat back.

10. The movable body has a plurality of bags that expand when a fluid is sealed inside, The plurality of bag bodies are arranged at different positions in the front-to-back direction of the sheet. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, among the plurality of bag bodies, the first bag body located furthest forward of the seat has the smallest capacity compared to the other bag bodies.

11. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension hole and the retraction portion are positioned to overlap in the front-to-back direction of the seat within the interior of the seat back.

12. The movable body is positioned in the internal space formed on the back surface of the cushioning material at the side portion. In the side portion, through holes are formed on the outer surface of the cushioning material, extending from the outer surface of the cushioning material to the internal space. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the through hole is positioned to overlap with the movable body in the front-rear direction of the seat and extends in the vertical direction.

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