Cushion struct

Abstract

A cushion structure is disclosed, wherein the cushion structure comprises: a cushion body provided on the front surface of a vehicle seat; and a plurality of support members provided at intervals in the height direction of the cushion body within the cushion body, wherein the plurality of support members are provided in the portion where the protrusions are formed such that a protrusion protruding forward is formed on the cushion body, and a recessed portion recessed backward is formed between the plurality of protrusions.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion structure. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, vehicle seats installed in automobiles are designed to allow the driver or passenger to sit comfortably. Such vehicle seats consist of a main body that includes a base where the buttocks and thighs of the occupant (such as the driver) come into contact, a backrest where the lumbar region leans backward, and a headrest that protects the neck and head.

[0003] Conventional automotive seats provide cushioning and surface texture by finishing the cushion with materials such as fabric, artificial leather, or leather. Consequently, when driving for long periods while seated in the car seat, discomfort due to sweat is felt, and the cushioning effect deteriorates, resulting in a slight loss of comfort.

[0004] As a result, prolonged car rides put a strain on the body, so many drivers and passengers prepare cushions or other items separately from the seat to support their lower backs.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional car seats are designed with backrests featuring appropriate curves to provide good lumbar support. However, even if the backrest shape is changed to a curved surface, a gap still occurs between the backrest and the lower back depending on the occupant's body type and driving posture.

[0006] Accordingly, if the aforementioned backrest does not adequately support the driver's upper body, strain is placed on the lower back during prolonged vehicle travel, leading to back pain. Therefore, drivers or passengers generally prepare pillows or cushions separately from the seat to support their lower backs.

[0007] However, since conventional cushions focus on supporting the lumbar region of the occupant, there has also been a need for cushions that focus on supporting the neck and back.

[0008] Prior art related to the present invention is disclosed in Published Utility Model Publication No. 20-2024-0000708. The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the aforementioned conventional technology by providing a cushion structure capable of supporting the neck and back of a person seated in a vehicle seat.

[0010] However, the technical problems that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may exist. means of solving the problem

[0011] As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned technical problem, a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cushion body provided on the front surface of a vehicle seat; and a plurality of support members provided at intervals in the height direction of the cushion body within the cushion body, wherein the plurality of support members may be provided in the portion where the protrusions are formed such that a protrusion protruding forward is formed on the cushion body, and a recessed portion recessed backward is formed between the plurality of protrusions.

[0012] In a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of protrusions may be provided to support the neck of a person seated in a vehicle seat, and another of the plurality of protrusions may be provided to support the back of the person seated.

[0013] A cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a rail structure that guides the relative vertical movement of each of the plurality of support members with respect to the cushion body.

[0014] A cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a coupling portion for coupling the cushion body to the vehicle seat, wherein the coupling portion may include a first fixing member extending rearward from the left end of the rear of the cushion body and a second fixing member extending rearward from the right end of the rear of the cushion body and coupled to the first fixing member. Effects of the invention

[0015] According to the means for solving the problem of the present invention described above, a plurality of protrusions are formed by a plurality of support members, and the plurality of protrusions can support the neck and back of a seated person, thereby enabling the realization of a cushion structure capable of supporting the neck and back of a seated person.

[0016] In addition, since the support part can move up and down, the height of the protrusion can be adjusted to fit the individual's body. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a conceptual perspective view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a right side view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual right side view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a part of the interior shown. FIG. 7 is a rear view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention equipped with a rail structure. FIG. 8 is a conceptual side view of the rail structure portion of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a conceptual right side view of a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a part of the interior shown. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and similar parts throughout the specification are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0019] Throughout this specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "electrically connected" with other elements interposed between them.

[0020] Throughout the entire specification, when a component is described as being located "on," "on top," "on top," "under," "on bottom," or "on bottom" of another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0021] Throughout this specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0022] In addition, terms related to direction or position (upper side, upper, top, lower side, lower, bottom, front, front, rear, left, right, etc.) in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are set based on the arrangement state of each component shown in the drawings. For example, when viewed in FIG. 1, the direction generally facing the 12 o'clock direction is the upper side, the part generally facing the 12 o'clock direction is the upper side, the end generally facing the 12 o'clock direction is the top side, the direction generally facing the 6 o'clock direction is the lower side, the part generally facing the 6 o'clock direction is the lower side, the end generally facing the 6 o'clock direction is the bottom side, the generally facing the 8 o'clock direction is the front, the generally facing the 8 o'clock direction is the front, the generally facing the 2 o'clock direction is the rear, the generally facing the 2 o'clock direction is the rear, the generally facing the 4 o'clock direction is the left, and the generally facing the 10 o'clock direction is the right, etc.

[0023] The present invention relates to a cushion structure.

[0024] Hereinafter, a cushion structure according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the 'present structure') will be described.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the present structure includes a cushion body (1) provided on the front surface of a vehicle seat.

[0026] Additionally, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the present structure includes a plurality of support members (2, 3) spaced apart in the height direction of the cushion body (1) inside the cushion body (1).

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, the cushion body (1) may have a protrusion (11) that protrudes forward and a recess (12) that is recessed backward between the protrusions (11).

[0028] Additionally, a plurality of support members (2, 3) may be provided in the part where the protrusion (11) is formed inside the cushion body (1).

[0029] Accordingly, a plurality of support members (2, 3) may be provided in the portion where the protrusion (11) is formed, such that a protrusion (11) protruding forward is formed on the cushion body and a recess (12) recessed backward is formed between the plurality of protrusions (11). In other words, the plurality of support members (2, 3) can form the protrusion (11).

[0030] By means of a plurality of support members (2, 3), the portion where each of the plurality of support members (2, 3) of the cushion body (1) is located can be protruded further forward than other portions to form a protrusion (11).

[0031] One of the multiple protrusions (11) may be provided to support the neck of the seated person in the vehicle seat.

[0032] In addition, another of the multiple protrusions (11) may be provided to support the back of the seated person.

[0033] Accordingly, according to the present structure, a seated person in a vehicle seat can have their neck and back supported by each of the plurality of protrusions (11, 12).

[0034] Additionally, referring to FIG. 5, the structure may include a coupling part (4) for coupling the cushion body (1) to a vehicle seat. The coupling part (4) may include a first fixing member (41) extending rearward from the left end of the rear of the cushion body (1) and a second fixing member (42) extending rearward from the right end of the rear of the cushion body (1) and fastened to the first fixing member (41).

[0035] That is, the cushion body (1) is positioned at the front of the vehicle seat, the first fixing member (41) is extended from the cushion body (1) past the left side of the vehicle seat to the rear of the vehicle seat, and the second fixing member (42) is extended from the cushion body (1) past the right side of the vehicle seat to the rear of the vehicle seat, so that the end (rear end) of the first fixing member (41) and the rear end of the second fixing member (42) are connected, thereby allowing the cushion body (1) to be coupled to the vehicle seat.

[0036] The combination of the first fixing member (41) and the second fixing member (42) can be implemented by various methods, and since this is obvious to a person skilled in the art, a detailed description is omitted.

[0037] In addition, in the present structure, each of the plurality of support members (2, 3) can move up and down relative to the cushion body (1). Accordingly, the height of the protrusion (11) can be adjusted. Thus, the position of the protrusion (11) can be adjusted to fit the body size of the seated person.

[0038] For example, the present structure may include a rail structure (6) that guides the relative up-and-down movement of each of the plurality of support members (2, 3) to the cushion body (1).

[0039] Specifically, the rail structure (6) may include a rail (61) extending vertically from the rear of a plurality of support members (2, 3), and a connecting member (62) extending vertically from each of the plurality of support members (2, 3) and configured to be movable along the rail (61). At this time, the connecting member (62) may be provided for each of the plurality of support members (2, 3) and may be configured to be movable vertically within a preset range so as not to interfere with each other.

[0040] Additionally, referring to FIG. 7, the rear end of the connecting part (62) may be exposed to the rear from the cushion body (1), and a button (621) is provided in the rear exposed part. When the button (621) is pressed, it becomes capable of vertical movement, allowing the user to move the connecting part (62) up and down to adjust the position of the supporting part (2, 3). Additionally, when the button (621) is released, the movement of the connecting part (62) may be restricted, and accordingly, the position of the supporting part (2, 3) may be fixed.

[0041] This rail structure (6), including the connecting part (62), the rail (61), and the button (621), is obvious to a person skilled in the art, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0042] In addition, the structure can be implemented so that the height of the support members (2, 3) can be adjusted in various ways.

[0043] Additionally, referring to FIG. 8, the support portion (2, 3) may include a support member (21) made of a material including a thermoplastic elastomer. The support member (21) can support a seated person inside the cushion body (1).

[0044] Additionally, the support member (21) may be made of a material including a thermoplastic elastomer. When the temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer rises, the polymer chains become free and can become rubbery, and when the temperature falls, the movement of the polymer chains is restricted and can become glassy.

[0045] Accordingly, when the temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer rises above the glass transition temperature (Tg), the thermoplastic elastomer becomes rubbery, and the support portion (2, 3) becomes soft, providing a soft sensation to the seated person; and when the temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer falls below the glass transition temperature, the thermoplastic elastomer becomes glassy, ​​and the support portion (2, 3) becomes hard, providing a hard sensation to the seated person.

[0046] To this end, the support member (2, 3) may include a Peltier element (22) provided inside the support member (21).

[0047] The Peltier element (22) can have the front side facing forward heat up and the rear side facing backward cool down, or the front side cool down and the rear side heat up.

[0048] Accordingly, the support member (21) may be provided to surround the Peltier element (22), and the temperature of the portion of the support member (21) located in front of the Peltier element (22) may be determined by the front surface of the Peltier element (22). The front surface of the Peltier element (22) may be heated above a first preset temperature or cooled below a second preset temperature.

[0049] For example, the thermoplastic elastomer may be a SEBS-based TPE. In this case, the first preset temperature may be 50°C or higher and 70°C or lower, and the second preset temperature may be set to 10°C or lower.

[0050] Accordingly, when the front surface of the Peltier element (22) reaches a first preset temperature, the portion of the support member (21) located in front of the Peltier element (22) can be heated to 50°C or higher and 70°C or lower, and can be converted into a rubbery state and become soft. In this case, the seated person can be provided with softness.

[0051] Additionally, when the front of the Peltier element (22) reaches a second preset temperature, the portion of the support member (21) located in front of the Peltier element (22) can be cooled to 10°C and converted into a glassy state and hardened. In this case, the seated person can be provided with hardness.

[0052] Heating and cooling of the front surface of the Peltier element (22) can be achieved by setting the current direction of the Peltier element, which is obvious to a person skilled in the art, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0053] Additionally, referring to FIG. 8, the support member (2, 3) may include a mounting member (24, 25) that connects the support member (21) to the connecting member (62). Additionally, a control unit (23) that controls a Peltier element (22) may be provided inside the mounting member (24, 25). A Bluetooth module may be provided in the control unit (23), and the control unit (23) may heat or cool the front surface of the Peltier element according to a command transmitted via a Bluetooth signal.

[0054] Accordingly, the present structure may include a remote control. The remote control can transmit and receive signals to and from the control unit (23) via Bluetooth.

[0055] According to the above description, the user can adjust the hardness of the part that supports him / her by the support member (2, 3). For example, if necessary, the user can input a command signal to the control unit via a remote control to heat the front of the Peltier element (22). In this case, at least a portion of the part of the support member (21) located in front of the Peltier element (22), which is made of a material including a thermoplastic elastomer, can be heated and its hardness reduced, and accordingly, the degree of softness that the seated person (user) can feel can be increased.

[0056] Additionally, if necessary, the user can input a command signal to the control unit via a remote control to cool the front of the Peltier element (22). In this case, at least a portion of the part of the support member (21) located in front of the Peltier element (22), which is made of a material including a thermoplastic elastomer, can be cooled and its hardness increased, and accordingly, the degree of softness that the seated person (user) can feel can be reduced.

[0057] Also, for reference, with reference to FIG. 9, the rail structure (6) that guides the vertical movement of the support members (2, 3) may be formed as follows.

[0058] The rail structure (6) may include a connecting part (62) that is provided on the rear of the mounting (25) and is capable of moving up and down. A rack gear may be formed on the rear of the connecting part (62). Additionally, the rail structure (6) may include a pinion gear (61) with a portion exposed to the rear. The pinion gear (61) may be connected to the cushion body (1) by a connecting shaft that passes through the pinion gear (61) and extends left and right. Additionally, the pinion gear (61) may be provided to be rotatable relative to the connecting shaft. Accordingly, when a user rotates the pinion gear (61), the connecting part (62) with the rack gear formed thereon can be moved up and down. At this time, although not shown in the drawing, a left frame and a right frame may be provided on the left and right sides, respectively, of the vertical movement path of the connecting part (62), and the connecting part (62) can be moved up and down between the left frame and the right frame. Accordingly, stable movement of the connecting part (62) is possible. Additionally, the space between the left frame and the right frame can be closed at the upper and lower sides. Accordingly, the range of movement of the connecting part (62) to the upper and lower sides can be limited.

[0059] Additionally, for reference, with reference to FIG. 9, in the present structure, the cushion body (1) may include a housing (19) and a filling material (17) disposed in at least a part inside the housing (19). The filling material (17) may be provided so as not to interfere with the rail structure (6) and the support parts (2, 3). The housing (19) may include one or more of leather, cotton fabric, etc. Since the filling material (17) and the housing (19) are obvious to a person skilled in the art, a detailed description is omitted.

[0060] As described above, the present structure can be mounted on a vehicle seat in place of a conventional neck cushion (e.g., can be provided between a back support and a headrest) to support the back, neck, and head of a seated person.

[0061] The filling material (17) may include one or more of memory foam, polyurethane, latex foam, etc., and the housing (19) may be one or more of natural leather, artificial leather, synthetic resin, fiber, etc.

[0062] As described above, the support members (2, 3) that support the neck and back can be moved up and down (height adjusted) to fit the body of the seated person.

[0063] Of the pair of support members (2, 3), the upper support member (2) can support the C-curve portion of the seated person's neck, and the lower support member (2) can support the back horizontally.

[0064] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without altering the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single unit may be implemented in a distributed manner, and components described as distributed may likewise be implemented in a combined form.

[0065] The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of equivalents thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0066] 1: Cushion body 11: Protrusion 12: Depression 17: Filler 19: Housing 2: Support 21: Support member 22: Peltier element 23: Control unit 24, 25: Mounting 3: Support 4: Joint 41: First fixing member 42: Second fixing member 6: Rail structure 61: Pinion gear, rail 62: Connection 621: Button

Claims

Claim 1 A body support cushion structure for a vehicle seat, comprising: a cushion body provided on the front surface of the vehicle seat; and a plurality of support members provided at intervals in the height direction of the cushion body within the cushion body, wherein the plurality of support members are provided in the portion where the protrusions are formed such that a protrusion protruding forward is formed on the cushion body and a recessed portion recessed backward is formed between the plurality of protrusions. Claim 2 A cushion structure according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of protrusions is provided to support the neck of a person seated in a vehicle seat, and another of the plurality of protrusions is provided to support the back of the person seated. Claim 3 A cushion structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of support members is configured to be capable of moving up and down relative to the cushion body. Claim 4 A cushion structure according to claim 1, further comprising a rail structure that guides the relative vertical movement of each of the plurality of support members relative to the cushion body. Claim 5 A cushion structure according to claim 1, comprising a coupling portion for coupling the cushion body to the vehicle seat, wherein the coupling portion comprises a first fixing member extending rearward from the left end of the rear of the cushion body and a second fixing member extending rearward from the right end of the rear of the cushion body and coupled to the first fixing member.

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