Seat cushions and vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a seat cushion and a vehicle seat which enable inhibition of bottoming even when a pad material is further made thinner.SOLUTION: On a seat lower side of the buttocks P1 of a seated occupant P, an opening 26 is formed on a seat cushion pad 16. Also a bottoming inhibition member 28 is disposed in the opening 26, a cavity part 30 is disposed between the bottoming inhibition member 28 and the seat cushion pad 16, and an impact on the seated occupant P is cushioned by the cavity part 30. In other words, an impact force is inputted to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, and when the seat cushion pad 16 bends toward a seat lower side, the impact on the seated occupant P is cushioned by the cavity part 30, the impact on the seated occupant P is absorbed by the bottoming inhibition member 28, and bottoming of the seat cushion 12 is inhibited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that can eliminate the bottoming-out feeling even when the seat cushion pad is thinned. In this prior art, by incorporating polyol as a raw material of the seat cushion pad, the rebound resilience is increased, sufficient rebound feeling is obtained, and bottoming-out feeling (bottoming) can be reduced.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in recent automobiles, electric vehicles (EV) and the like have a higher floor position due to mounting of batteries and the like, while it is necessary to secure interior space, so further thinning of seat cushion pads (pad materials) is required.

[0005] In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a seat cushion and a vehicle seat that can suppress bottoming even when the pad material is further thinned.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The seat cushion according to the first embodiment comprises a pad material constituting at least the upper side of the seat of the seat cushion body that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant; a bottoming-out suppression member provided spaced apart on the lower side of the seat of the seated occupant's buttocks and on the lower side of the seat of the pad material to suppress bottoming out of the seat cushion body; and a cushioning portion provided on the lower side of the seat of the seated occupant's buttocks and between the pad material and the bottoming-out suppression member, capable of mitigating impact on the seated occupant.

[0007] The seat cushion according to the first embodiment comprises a pad material, a bottoming-preventing member, and a cushioning portion, and the pad material constitutes at least the upper part of the seat cushion body (seat cushion) that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant.

[0008] On the other hand, the bottoming-out suppression member is provided spaced apart on the lower side of the seat below the seated occupant's buttocks and on the lower side of the pad material below the seat, and this bottoming-out suppression member prevents the seat cushion from bottoming out. In addition, the cushioning portion is provided on the lower side of the seat below the seated occupant's buttocks and between the pad material and the bottoming-out suppression member, and this cushioning portion can mitigate the impact on the seated occupant.

[0009] For example, if an impact load is applied to a seated occupant due to a frontal collision of a vehicle, stress may concentrate on the occupant's buttocks (especially the ischial tuberosity). Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower side of the seat cushion where the seated occupant's buttocks rest is made of a three-layer structure consisting of a pad material, a cushioning portion, and a bottoming-out suppression member.

[0010] The pad material absorbs impacts to the seated occupant. In addition, a bottoming-out suppression member is provided on the lower side of the pad material and on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant's buttocks rest, and this member prevents the seat cushion from bottoming out.

[0011] In this configuration, a buffer is provided between the pad material and the bottoming-out suppression member, which helps to mitigate the impact on the seated occupant. As a result, bottoming out of the seat cushion can be further suppressed in this embodiment. Consequently, the pad material can be made even thinner.

[0012] The seat cushion according to the second embodiment is provided in the seat cushion according to the first embodiment, wherein a support member is provided on the seat cushion body and supports the pad material from the lower side of the seat, an opening is formed on the lower side of the support member where the seated occupant's buttocks are located, and the cushioning portion and the bottoming-preventing member are provided inside the opening.

[0013] In the seat cushion according to the second embodiment, a support member is provided on the seat cushion body, and the pad material is supported from below the seat by the support member. Furthermore, an opening is formed on the support member on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant's buttocks are located, and a cushioning portion and a bottoming-preventing member are provided inside the opening.

[0014] Here, since the pad material is supported by a support member, when an impact force is applied to the pad material via the seated occupant, the pad material receives a reaction force from the support member and deforms in the compression direction, thereby absorbing the impact on the seated occupant.

[0015] On the other hand, an opening is formed in the support member on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant's buttocks rest. Therefore, when an impact force is applied to the pad material through the seated occupant, the pad material is allowed to deform (bend) further toward the lower side of the seat within the opening. A cushioning section and a bottoming-out suppression member are provided inside the opening.

[0016] Therefore, when an impact force is applied to the pad material via the seated occupant, the pad material flexes downwards towards the seat, mitigating the impact on the seated occupant through the cushioning section, while the bottoming-out suppression member absorbs the impact on the seated occupant, thus preventing the seat cushion from bottoming out.

[0017] The seat cushion according to the third embodiment is configured such that, in the seat cushion according to the first or second embodiment, the rebound modulus of the pad material, the cushioning portion, and the bottoming-preventing member are lower in the cushioning portion than in the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member.

[0018] In the seat cushion according to the third embodiment, the rebound elastic modulus of the pad material, the cushioning portion, and the bottoming-preventing member are set such that the cushioning portion has a lower rebound elastic modulus than the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member, and among the pad material, the cushioning portion has the lowest rebound elastic modulus.

[0019] In other words, the hardness of the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member is higher than that of the cushioning portion. By increasing the hardness of the pad material, in this embodiment, compared to the case where the hardness of the pad material is low, the seated occupant is given a sense of being held by the pad material, preventing body wobbling and ensuring a good seating comfort.

[0020] The seat cushion according to the fourth embodiment is a seat cushion according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the cushioning portion is a cavity formed between the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member.

[0021] In the seat cushion according to the fourth embodiment, the cavity formed between the pad material and the bottoming-out suppression member serves as a buffer. When an impact force is applied to the pad material via the seated occupant, the pad material can flex downwards through the cavity. In other words, the cavity allows for a deformation stroke of the pad material, thereby absorbing the impact on the seated occupant.

[0022] The fifth embodiment of the seat cushion is a seat cushion according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein a spring member capable of absorbing impact on the seated occupant is further provided within the cavity.

[0023] In the seat cushion according to the fifth aspect, a spring member is provided in the hollow portion, and the spring member can further absorb impact to a seated occupant.

[0024] The seat cushion according to a sixth aspect is the seat cushion according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the buffer portion is formed of a soft member having a smaller rebound resilience than the bottoming restraining member.

[0025] In the seat cushion according to the sixth aspect, the buffer portion is formed of a soft member having a smaller rebound resilience than the bottoming restraining member. When an impact force is input to the pad material via a seated occupant and the pad material deflects toward the lower side of the seat, the impact is absorbed by the pad material, and the soft member deforms in the compression direction, which also absorbs the impact applied to the seated occupant.

[0026] The seat cushion according to a seventh aspect is the seat cushion according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the pad material is supported from the lower side of the seat by a cushion pan attached to a cushion frame that serves as a frame member of a front seat.

[0027] In the seat cushion according to the seventh aspect, the supporting member is the cushion pan. Since the cushion pan is attached to the cushion frame that serves as the frame member of the front seat, a favorable body pressure distribution can always be obtained, and seating comfort is improved.

[0028] A vehicle seat according to an eighth aspect includes the seat cushion according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and a seat back that supports a back portion of a seated occupant from a rear side of the seat.

[0029] In the vehicle seat according to claim 8, it is possible to obtain the effect obtained by using the seat cushion according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a seat cushion and a vehicle seat that can suppress bottoming out even when the pad material is made even thinner. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing a rear seat to which the seat cushion of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state after being cut along the line A-A' shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts for illustrating a comparative example, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts for illustrating the function of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, showing a modified example 1 of the seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the front seat showing a modified example 3 of the seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state after cutting along the line B-B'. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The following description of a vehicle seat to which an embodiment of the present invention's seat cushion is applied will be illustrated with reference to the drawings. In these drawings, arrows FR indicate the forward direction of the vehicle seat (the direction the occupant faces), arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle seat, arrow RH indicates the right direction of the vehicle seat, and arrow LH indicates the left direction of the vehicle seat. In the following description, when simply referring to the front / back, up / down, and left / right directions, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the front / back of the vehicle seat, the up / down direction of the vehicle seat, and the left / right direction of the vehicle seat when facing the direction of travel.

[0033] <Vehicle seat configuration> First, the configuration of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment will be described.

[0034] For example, the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is applied to a rear seat located further back in the vehicle's longitudinal direction than the front seat (not shown), and Figure 1 shows a plan view of the seat cushion (seat cushion body) 12.

[0035] The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion (seat cushion body) 12 that supports the buttocks P1 (see Figure 2) and thighs P2 (see Figure 2) of the seated occupant P from below the seat, a seat back that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear of the seat (not shown), and a headrest that supports the head of the seated occupant from the rear of the seat.

[0036] Furthermore, this headrest may be applied to vehicle seats of the left and right separate type, or to vehicle seats of the bench type. Therefore, the shape of the headrest can be appropriately changed depending on the seat to which it is applied. Of course, a headrest is not always necessary.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the seat cushion 12 in this embodiment is composed of a seat cushion frame (not shown), which is a skeletal member, a seat cushion pad (pad material) 16 provided on the upper side of the seat cushion 12, and a seat cushion surface 18 that covers the seat cushion pad 16.

[0038] The seat cushion frame is made of a metal such as steel plate or aluminum alloy, and the seat cushion pad 16 is made of a foamed material such as urethane foam, and elastically supports the buttocks P1 and thighs P2 of the seated occupant P. On the other hand, the seat cushion surface 18 is made of a material such as cloth, leather, synthetic leather or PVC, and the seat cushion pad 16 is covered by the seat cushion surface 18.

[0039] Here, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat cushion 12 is configured to include a main portion 20 provided in the center in the seat width direction and supporting the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 and thighs P2 from below, and side portions 22 provided on both sides in the seat width direction centered on the main portion 20, enabling support for the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 and thighs P2 from the sides.

[0040] In the main section 20, a structural member (support member) 24 is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion pad 16, formed in accordance with the shape of the lower surface of the seat cushion pad 16 and constituting the lower end of the seat cushion 12. In other words, the structural member 24 is provided up to the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rest. The structural member 24 is made of, for example, EPP (expanded polypropylene) or other resins.

[0041] The structural member 24 has an opening 26 formed in a part corresponding to the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rest. Inside the opening 26, a bottoming-out suppression member 28, which is thinner than the thickness of the structural member 24, is placed. This bottoming-out suppression member 28 is a cushioning member, and for example, a sheet-like member made of a gel (such as α-gel), foamed urethane, soft rubber, etc., is used. With such a bottoming-out suppression member 28, the impact on the seated occupant P can be absorbed and the bottoming out of the seat cushion 12 can be suppressed.

[0042] Incidentally, the seat cushion pad 16 and the structural member 24 can be integrated, for example, by integral molding, welding, or retrofitting with adhesive. Therefore, the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is attached to the structural member 24 when the seat cushion pad 16 and the structural member 24 are integrated.

[0043] For example, although not shown in the figures, the bottoming-out suppression member 28 may have fins on its back surface that protrude from the outer shape of the bottoming-out suppression member 28, and these fins may be stapled to the structural member 24 to integrate the bottoming-out suppression member 28 with the structural member 24. In this state, the seat cushion pad 16 and the structural member 24 are integrated, and the structural member 24 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 are integrated, and a cavity (cushioning portion) 30 is formed between the seat cushion pad 16 and the structural member 24.

[0044] In other words, in this embodiment, the lower side of the seat cushion 12 where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rests is made up of a three-layer structure consisting of a seat cushion pad 16, a cavity 30, and a bottoming-out suppression member 28. The rebound elasticity of the seat cushion pad 16, the cavity 30, and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is lower for the cavity 30 than for the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28. More precisely, the rebound elasticity is such that seat cushion pad 16 ≥ bottoming-out suppression member 28 > cavity 30, and the hardness of the cavity 30 is lower than that of the other members.

[0045] Here, the rebound modulus is the rebound modulus in the direction of the applied load. The rebound modulus is an index indicating rebound elasticity, stiffness, or strength, and represents the degree of elasticity and resilience. In other words, the lower the rebound modulus, the better the absorption of shocks and vibrations. This rebound modulus is a value measured according to the method conforming to the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 6400-3.

[0046] <Function and Effects of Vehicle Seats> Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment will be described.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a structural member 24 is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion pad 16, and an opening 26 is formed in the structural member 24 in a portion corresponding to the lower side of the seat of the seated occupant P's buttocks P1. A cavity 30 and a bottoming-preventing member 28 are provided inside the opening 26.

[0048] The seat cushion pad 16 constitutes the upper part of the seat cushion 12 that supports the buttocks P1 and thighs P2 of the seated occupant P, and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion pad 16 and on the lower side of the seat below the buttocks P1 of the seated occupant P, and suppresses bottoming out of the seat cushion 12.

[0049] In this embodiment, as described above, an opening 26 is formed in the seat cushion pad 16 below the seat of the seated occupant P's buttocks P1, and a bottoming-out suppression member 28 is provided inside the opening 26. A cavity 30 is provided between the bottoming-out suppression member 28 and the seat cushion pad 16, and this cavity 30 cushions the impact on the seated occupant P.

[0050] For example, if an impact load is applied to a seated occupant P due to a frontal collision of a vehicle, stress may concentrate on the buttocks P1 (especially the ischial tuberosity) directly below the so-called hip point HP of the seated occupant P. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower side of the seat cushion 12 where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rests is made up of a three-layer structure consisting of a seat cushion pad 16, a cavity 30, and a bottoming-out suppression member 28.

[0051] In other words, since the seat cushion pad 16 is made of a shock-absorbing material such as polyurethane foam as described above, when an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, the impact on the seated occupant P is absorbed (mitigated) by the seat cushion pad 16.

[0052] Furthermore, the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is made of EPP, resin, etc., and is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion pad 16 and on the lower side of the seat of the seated occupant P's buttocks P1. Therefore, when an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, the seat cushion pad 16 receives a reaction force from the bottoming-out suppression member 28 and deforms in the compression direction, thereby absorbing the impact on the seated occupant P and avoiding stress concentration on the seated occupant P's buttocks P1.

[0053] On the other hand, an opening 26 is formed in the bottoming-out suppression member 28 on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rest. When an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, the seat cushion pad 16 deforms in the compression direction on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rests due to the reaction force of the bottoming-out suppression member 28, but the seat cushion pad 16 flexes downwards towards the seat where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rests.

[0054] A cavity 30 and a bottoming-out suppression member 28 are provided inside the opening 26. Therefore, when an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, and the seat cushion pad 16 flexes downward toward the seat, the impact to the seated occupant P is mitigated by the cavity 30, and the impact to the seated occupant P is absorbed by the bottoming-out suppression member 28, thereby preventing the seat cushion 12 from bottoming out.

[0055] Specifically, in this embodiment, a cavity 30 is provided between the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28. When an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, the seat cushion pad 16 can bend downwards through the cavity 30. In other words, the cavity 30 allows for a deformation stroke of the seat cushion pad 16, thereby absorbing the impact on the seated occupant P.

[0056] Furthermore, when an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P, causing the seat cushion pad 16 to bend downward, the air inside the cavity 30 is compressed, thereby absorbing (damping) the impact on the seated occupant P.

[0057] With the above configuration, this embodiment makes it possible to further suppress bottoming out of the seat cushion 12. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to make the seat cushion pad 16 even thinner. In other words, in this embodiment, even if the seat cushion pad 16 is thin, the deformation stroke of the seat cushion pad 16 is increased by the cavity 30, making it possible to suppress bottoming out of the seat cushion 12.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rebound modulus of the seat cushion pad 16, the cavity 30, and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is lower for the cavity 30 than for the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 (strictly speaking, seat cushion pad 16 ≥ bottoming-out suppression member 28 > cavity 30). In other words, the hardness of the cavity 30 is lower than that of the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28, making the cavity 30 the softest layer among the others.

[0059] Therefore, even if a material with a high rebound modulus (hardness) is used as the seat cushion pad 16, it is possible to ensure sufficient deflection through the cavity 30. Furthermore, instead of EPP, a so-called soft shock-absorbing material such as resin or silicone rubber, a soft rubber sheet such as low-rebound chloroprene rubber, foamed urethane, or a foamed resin sheet (foamed polyethylene, etc.) may be used as the bottoming-out suppression member 28. In this case, the hardness of the seat cushion pad 16 can be further increased.

[0060] In this embodiment, by increasing the hardness of the seat cushion pad 16, compared to the case where the hardness of the seat cushion pad 16 is low, the seated occupant P is able to feel more supported by the seat cushion pad 16, preventing body wobbling and ensuring a good seating experience. On the other hand, in the event of an impact load (so-called large input), the impact is absorbed when the seat cushion pad 16 comes into contact with the bottoming-out suppression member 28, which has a low rebound modulus (low hardness), allowing the seated occupant P to be gently supported.

[0061] For example, as a comparative example (not shown in the diagram), if the seat cushion pad 16 alone were to absorb the impact, it would be necessary to ensure sufficient deformation stroke for the seat cushion pad 16. In this case, the hardness of the seat cushion pad 16 would be lowered to make it softer. However, in this case, the comfort of sitting on the seat cushion pad 16 would be compromised. Conversely, if the hardness of the seat cushion pad 16 is too high, the comfort of sitting would also be compromised.

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, a cavity 30 is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion pad 16. Since the cavity 30 has a lower rebound elasticity than the seat cushion pad 16, the cavity 30 makes it possible to secure the deformation stroke of the seat cushion pad 16. Furthermore, when the seat cushion pad 16 bends toward the cavity 30, the air inside the cavity 30 is compressed, thereby cushioning (damping) the impact on the seated occupant P.

[0063] In other words, in this embodiment, the deformation stroke of the seat cushion pad 16 can be shortened compared to the case where the cavity 30 is not provided. To put it another way, in this embodiment, it is possible to use a cushioned, hard seat cushion pad 16 while ensuring a sufficient deformation stroke.

[0064] In this embodiment, the impact on the seated occupant P is absorbed and the bottoming out of the seat cushion pad 16 is suppressed by the deflection deformation of the seat cushion pad 16, the compression of the air in the cavity 30, and the compression deformation of the bottoming-out suppression member 28. Therefore, in this embodiment, bottoming out can be suppressed even if the seat cushion pad 16 is made thinner.

[0065] Furthermore, as a comparative example, as shown in Figure 3(A), if, for example, the cavity 30 (see Figure 3(B)) does not exist, that is, if the seat cushion pad 100 and the bottoming-out suppression member 102 are in contact, then under a large input, the input in the sliding direction (arrow A direction) along the contact surface where the seat cushion pad 100 and the bottoming-out suppression member 102 are in contact due to the load F causes a so-called phase shift due to the frictional force generated between the seat cushion pad 100 and the bottoming-out suppression member 102, which can cause unexpected deformation, such as generating a force that lifts the bottoming-out suppression member 102. In such a case, it will cause discomfort to the occupants and the ride comfort will deteriorate.

[0066] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(B), a cavity 30 is provided between the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28. Therefore, when a large input occurs, only the input portion 20A deformed by the load F contacts the bottoming-out suppression member 28, allowing the load to move smoothly in the direction of arrow A. As a result, it is possible to ensure a comfortable ride without causing discomfort to the occupants.

[0067] <Modified form of this embodiment> In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the lower side of the seat cushion 12 where the seated occupant P's buttocks P1 rests is a three-layer structure consisting of a seat cushion pad 16, a cavity 30, and a bottoming-out suppression member 28. The cavity 30 is set to have a lower rebound modulus than the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28, but this structure is not the only one. In the following description of modified examples, the same reference numerals are used for components that are substantially the same as in this embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] (Variation 1) For example, in Modification 1, as shown in Figure 4, a soft member (cushioning part) 38 is provided within a cavity 30 (see Figure 2) in an opening 26 formed in the structural member 24 of the seat cushion 36. For example, foamed urethane, soft rubber, cotton, or fabric can be used as this soft member 38, and the rebound modulus of the soft member 38 is set to be lower than that of the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 (strictly speaking, seat cushion pad 16 ≥ bottoming-out suppression member 28 > soft member 38).

[0069] In other words, a soft member 38 may be used in the cavity 30 (see Figure 2) as long as it has a lower rebound modulus than the bottoming-suppressing member 28. In modified example 1, the buffer portion is formed by a soft member 38 with a lower rebound modulus than the bottoming-suppressing member.

[0070] In this way, by providing a soft member 38 within the cavity 30, when an impact force is applied to the seat cushion pad 16 via the seated occupant P and the seat cushion pad 16 bends downward, the seat cushion pad 16 absorbs the impact, and the soft member 38 deforms in the compression direction, thereby also absorbing the impact on the seated occupant P.

[0071] Since the soft member 38 has a higher rebound elasticity than the hollow portion 30, its hardness is higher than that of the hollow portion 30. However, because the soft member 38 itself can absorb impact, the amount of deformation when seated in the seat cushion pad 16 can be adjusted, allowing for more precise posture adjustment and adjustment of seating comfort.

[0072] (Modification 2) Furthermore, in this embodiment shown in Figure 2, the rebound modulus of the seat cushion pad 16, the cavity 30, and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 are set such that seat cushion pad 16 ≥ bottoming-out suppression member 28 > cavity 30, but this is not the only possible configuration.

[0073] For example, in a modified example 2, the bottoming-out suppression member 28 may be set to be greater than or equal to the seat cushion pad 16, and the cavity portion 30 may be set to be greater than or equal to the seat cushion pad 16. For example, by setting the rebound elastic modulus of the seat cushion pad 16 to be lower than that of the bottoming-out suppression member 28, the seat cushion pad 16 can be made softer than the bottoming-out suppression member 28.

[0074] In other words, the seat cushion 12 can be made softer on the seating surface side to improve vibration absorption. This improves the distribution of body pressure and the softness of the surface, and even under high load conditions, the seat cushion pad 16 can flex softly, preventing bottoming out.

[0075] In the modified example 2, the hardness of the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is higher than that of the seat cushion pad 16, making it possible to secure the hip point HP of the seated occupant P. Furthermore, by making the rebound modulus of the bottoming-out suppression member 28 higher (stronger rebound) than that of the seat cushion pad 16, the phase shift that occurs between the seat cushion pad 16 and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 during large inputs is reduced, thereby reducing the discomfort transmitted to the seat cushion 12 when the vehicle goes over bumps or other obstacles.

[0076] (Variation 3) Furthermore, although an example of the vehicle seat 10 in this embodiment being applied to a rear seat has been described, it may also be applied to a front seat 40, as shown in Figure 5. In the case of a front seat 40, as shown in Figure 6, a cushion pan 46 may be attached to the cushion frame 44 at the lower end of the seat cushion 42.

[0077] The cushion pan 46 is made of a metal such as steel plate or aluminum alloy, and is formed as a shallow, rectangular dish. By providing the cushion pan 46 in this way, a good pressure distribution is always obtained in the front seat 40, improving seating comfort. However, the cushion pan 46 is not always necessary for the front seat 40.

[0078] In the modified example 3, a bottoming-out suppression member 28 is provided on the cushion pan 46. In this case, the cushion pan 46 is provided with a projection 46C or the like that protrudes inward on the bottom surface 46B side of the side wall 46A of the cushion pan 46, and the bottoming-out suppression member 28 is set to fit between the projection 46C and the bottom surface 46B, thereby making it possible to suppress displacement of the bottoming-out suppression member 28.

[0079] A cavity 30 is provided between the bottoming-out suppression member 28 and the seat cushion pad 16 on the upper side of the seat. This allows the deformation stroke of the seat cushion pad 16 to be increased in the cavity 30 even when the seat cushion pad 16 is thin, and enables the hip point to be aligned while arbitrarily setting the rebound force of the seat cushion pad 16. Furthermore, bottoming out can be suppressed during high input.

[0080] Furthermore, a spring member (not shown) capable of absorbing impacts to the seated occupant P may be provided within the cavity 30. This spring member makes it possible to further absorb impacts to the seated occupant P. Here, the spring member may be a rubber-coated metal spring, a mesh spring, etc., to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to metal-to-metal contact.

[0081] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, felt or the like may be provided on the back surface of the seat cushion pad 16. By providing felt in this way, friction with the seat cushion pad 16 can be reduced, and the rigidity of the seat cushion pad 16 can be improved.

[0082] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Vehicle seats 12 Seat cushion (seat cushion body) 16. Seat cushion pad (pad material) 24 Structural members (support members) 26 Opening 28 Bottoming-prevention member 30 Cavity part (buffer part) 36 Seat Cushions 38. Soft material (cushioning part) 40 Front Seats 42 Seat Cushions 44 Cushion Frame 46 Cushion Pans P Seated occupant P1 buttocks P2 thigh

Claims

1. A pad material that constitutes at least the upper part of the seat cushion body that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant, A bottoming-out suppressing member is provided at a distance from the seat below the seat of the seated occupant's buttocks and from the seat below the pad material, and the bottoming-out suppressing member is provided to suppress the bottoming out of the seat cushion body. A cushioning portion is provided below the seat of the seated occupant's buttocks and between the pad material and the bottoming-out suppression member, which is capable of mitigating the impact on the seated occupant. A support member provided on the seat cushion body supports the pad material from the lower side of the seat, Equipped with, The cushioning portion and the bottoming-preventing member are provided inside the opening formed on the lower side of the seat where the seated occupant's buttocks rest in the support member. The rebound modulus of the pad material, the cushioning portion, and the bottoming-preventing member are set such that the cushioning portion is lower than that of the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member. The cushioning portion is a cavity formed between the pad material and the bottoming-preventing member. The pad material is capable of bending downwards into the opening of the support member through the cavity, and is capable of deforming in the compression direction by receiving a reaction force from the bottoming-out suppression member as the pad material bends downwards into the seat cushion.

2. The seat cushion according to claim 1, wherein a spring member capable of absorbing impact to the seated occupant is further provided in the cavity.

3. The seat cushion according to claim 1, wherein the pad material is supported from below the seat by a cushion pan attached to a cushion frame which serves as a skeletal member of the front seat.

4. A seat cushion according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, A seatback that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear side of the seat, A vehicle seat equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

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