Vehicle seat, and method for manufacturing vehicle seat

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle seat capable of holding a wire harness such as a cable by a support member, which supports a load from an occupant, while reducing a load applied to the wire harness, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat. [Solution] Provided is a vehicle seat 1 comprising: a frame 8; a support member 17 supported by the frame; a pad member 9A supported on a front side of the support member; and an electrical component 24 connected to a wire harness 27. The support member has a plate-like body part 18, and a holding structure 50 for holding the wire harness on the body part. The holding structure includes: a first holding part 51 that joins the wire harness to the body part so as to be movable in a first direction, and restricts the movement in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a second holding part 52 that joins the wire harness to the body part so as to be movable in the second direction, and restricts the movement in the first direction. The holding structure is integrally formed with the body part.

Description

Vehicle seat and method for manufacturing vehicle seat

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat. The seat cushion of the vehicle seat includes a frame and a support member supported by the frame to resiliently support the weight of an occupant. The support member includes a plate-shaped main body extending substantially parallel to the frame and an inclined portion extending outward from a side edge of the main body. The inclined portion has a cylindrical portion formed with an attachment hole through which a clip for attaching other members, such as a wire harness or a linear member such as a cable, to the support member is inserted.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses a cable fixing element for a spring mat for a vehicle seat, which includes a holding area and an arm that applies a resiliently load to the cable to press it against the holding area and fix it.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-124976

[0005] A support member (also called a pressure-receiving member) provided in a vehicle seat moves when subjected to the weight of a seated occupant. Therefore, there is a need for a vehicle seat that can hold a linear member such as a cable on the support member while reducing the strain that may be placed on the linear member when the support member moves.

[0006] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat and a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat that includes a support member that supports the load from an occupant and electrical equipment to which a linear member is connected, and that can hold the linear member on the support member while reducing the load applied to the linear member such as a cable when the support member moves.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (8), a support member (17) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, a pad member (9A) supported on the front side of the support member, and a wire harness (27) to be connected to electrical equipment (24), wherein the support member has a plate-shaped main body portion (18) and a retaining structure (50) for retaining the wire harness on the main body portion, wherein the retaining structure includes a first retaining portion (51) that connects the wire harness to the main body portion so as to be movable in a first direction and restricts movement in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second retaining portion (52) that connects the wire harness to the main body portion so as to be movable in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction, and the retaining structure is integrally formed with the main body portion.

[0008] According to this aspect, the wire harness is held by the coupling member at the first holding portion so as to be movable in a first direction, and is held by the coupling member at the second holding portion so as to be movable in a second direction. This allows the wire harness to move, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness when the support member moves. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that allows the wire harness to be held by the support member while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0009] In the above aspect, preferably, the first retaining portion has a pair of first base portions (53) each protruding from the rear surface of the main body portion and aligned in the second direction, the second retaining portion has a pair of second base portions (55) each protruding from the rear surface of the main body portion and aligned in the first direction, and the wire harness passes between the first base portions and between the second base portions.

[0010] According to this aspect, the first holding portion can restrict movement of the wire harness in the second direction while allowing movement of the wire harness in the first direction, and the second holding portion can restrict movement of the wire harness in the first direction while allowing movement of the wire harness in the second direction.

[0011] In the above aspect, preferably, at least one of the first base portions and at least one of the second base portions are joined to each other.

[0012] According to this aspect, movement of the wire harness can be more strongly restricted than when the first base portion and the second base portion are not coupled.

[0013] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion and the second base portion are disposed apart from each other.

[0014] According to this aspect, the wire harness is more easily deformed between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion than when the first base portion and the second base portion are connected, thereby preventing stress from concentrating on the wire harness in the portion between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0015] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, and the second base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, the first holding portion can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness in the first direction, and the second holding portion can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness in the second direction.

[0017] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the second base portion in the first direction and the second direction.

[0018] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce stress that may be applied to the wire harness between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, the protruding end of the first base portion and the protruding end of the second base portion are provided with restricting pieces (54, 56) that restrict the wire harness from being separated from the main body portion.

[0020] According to this aspect, movement of the wire harness in a direction away from the main body can be restricted.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, and two or more regulating pieces are provided on at least one of the first bases, and the regulating pieces provided on one of the first bases and the regulating pieces provided on the other of the first bases are staggered along the first direction.

[0022] According to this aspect, the wire harness can be easily inserted between the two first base portions, improving the workability of assembling the wire harness to the support member.

[0023] In the above aspect, preferably, the second base is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction, and two or more regulating pieces are provided on at least one of the second bases, and the regulating pieces provided on one of the second bases and the regulating pieces provided on the other of the second bases are staggered along the second direction.

[0024] According to this aspect, the wire harness can be easily inserted between the two second base portions, improving the workability of assembling the support member for the wire harness.

[0025] In the above aspect, preferably, the opposing surfaces of the first base are provided with protrusions (70) that protrude in opposing directions, at least one of the first bases is provided with a plurality of the protrusions, the protrusions are arranged in a staggered pattern along the first direction, and the protrusion amounts of the protrusions each increase in a direction away from the support member.

[0026] According to this aspect, the protrusion increases in amount as the distance from the support member increases, so that when the vibration generator is pulled and the wire harness is pressed against the support member, the movement of the wire harness in the second direction is less likely to be restricted, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0027] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (1), comprising the steps of: installing a pad member (9A) on the front side of a support member (17) supported by a frame (8); and arranging electrical equipment (24) on the pad member (9A), wherein the electrical equipment is connected by a wire harness (27), the support member having a plate-shaped main body (18) extending along the frame; and a holding structure (50) provided on the back side of the main body and fixing the wire harness to the main body, wherein the holding structure includes a first holding portion (51) that allows the wire harness to move in a first direction and restricts movement in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second holding portion (52) that allows the wire harness to move in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction, and the step of arranging the electrical equipment includes a step of holding the wire harness in the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

[0028] According to this aspect, the wire harness is held by the coupling member at the first holding portion so as to be movable in a first direction, and is held by the coupling member at the second holding portion so as to be movable in a second direction. This allows the wire harness to move, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness when the support member moves. Therefore, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method for a vehicle seat that can hold the wire harness on the support member while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0029] Furthermore, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (JP 2020-124976 A) discloses a vehicle seat in which a vibration device is provided within the seat back. A pair of recesses, each of which is open on the rear side and closed on the front side, is formed side by side in the left-right direction of the seat in a back pad constituting the seat back. The vibration device is held in the back pad by being fitted into the pair of recesses from the rear side.

[0030] The vibration device in Patent Document 1 is fitted into a recess provided in the back pad and is held to the back pad by frictionally engaging with the wall surface that defines the recess. Therefore, for example, if the wall surface that defines the recess is deformed by the load from the occupant, there is a risk that the vibration device will move relative to the back pad.

[0031] In view of the above background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat that can stably hold electrical equipment, a seat pad to be provided in the vehicle seat, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat.

[0032] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) having a pad member (9A) with a recess (22), an electrical component (24) inserted into the recess, and an engaging member (30) that engages with the electrical component inside the recess, the recess being defined by a bottom wall (22B) and a standing wall (22S) erected from the bottom wall, the engaging member being fixed to the pad member on the opening side of the recess relative to the bottom wall, and the engaging member having higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0033] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a vehicle seat can be provided that can hold the electrical equipment more stably than when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0034] In the above aspect, preferably, the pad member further includes a covering member (42) for covering the front side of the electrical equipment, the recess opens toward the front side of the pad member, the covering member is housed inside the recess, and the surface of the covering member is flush with the surface of the peripheral portion of the recess of the pad member.

[0035] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent a step from occurring between the surface of the covering member and the surface of the pad member in the area surrounding the recess, thereby preventing a seat occupant from feeling a foreign body sensation in the area surrounding the recess of the pad member.

[0036] In the above aspect, the engaging member is preferably provided with a locking claw that resiliently engages with a side surface of the electrical component.

[0037] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment can be engaged with the engaging member with a simple configuration.

[0038] In the above aspect, the electrical component is preferably provided with a locking recess (37A) for receiving the locking claw.

[0039] According to this aspect, the engaging member and the electrical component can be engaged more firmly.

[0040] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member comprises an engaging member main body (31) that supports the locking claw, the engaging member main body has a frame shape into which the electrical equipment is inserted, and a cutout portion (40) is provided in at least a part of the engaging member main body.

[0041] According to this aspect, the engaging member is easily deformed, which makes it easier to assemble the electrical equipment to the engaging member.

[0042] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member body is in the shape of a square frame having four corners (33), and the notches are provided at the corners.

[0043] According to this aspect, the engaging member is easily deformed.

[0044] In the above aspect, the locking claw is preferably provided at a position adjacent to the notch.

[0045] According to this aspect, the engaging member is more easily deformed than when the locking claw is provided at a position away from the notch.

[0046] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member is insert-molded into the pad member.

[0047] According to this aspect, the engagement member can be coupled to the pad member.

[0048] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a seat pad (9) for constituting a vehicle seat (1) equipped with electrical equipment (24), comprising: a pad member (9A) having a recess (22) into which the electrical equipment is to be inserted; and an engaging member (30) fixed to a wall surface defining the recess and engaging with the electrical equipment, wherein the recess is defined by a bottom wall (22B) and a standing wall (22S) standing upright from the bottom wall, the engaging member is fixed to the pad member on the opening side of the recess relative to the bottom wall, and the engaging member has higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0049] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a seat pad can be provided that can hold the electrical equipment more stably than when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0050] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (1), which includes the steps of insert-molding an engaging member (30) to engage with an electrical component (24) into a pad member (9A), molding the pad member, and fixing it to a wall surface that defines a recess (22) for accommodating the electrical component; inserting the electrical component into the recess and fixing the electrical component to the pad member; covering the electrical component with a covering member (42); attaching the pad member to a frame (8); and covering the surface of the pad member and the surface of the covering member with a skin material (10), wherein the engaging member has higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0051] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat can be provided that can stably hold the electrical equipment compared to when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0052] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2018-070075 discloses a vehicle seat having a vibrating member (vibration device) and an air bag. The vibrating member is provided on the surface (back surface) of a seat pad provided inside the seat body, opposite the surface (front surface) that supports the occupant. The air bag is provided on the surface of the seat pad that supports the occupant so as to face the vibrating member.

[0053] When the air bladders and the vibration device are arranged on the surface of the seat pad, there is a risk that the air bladders and the vibration device will be arranged scattered around. Because the surface area of ​​the seat pad is limited, it is difficult to arrange the air bladders and the vibration device on the surface of the seat pad.

[0054] Therefore, in a vehicle seat, it is an issue to arrange the vibration device and the air bag on the surface of the seat pad.

[0055] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a vehicle seat (101) comprising a frame (111), a pad (112) supported by the frame, at least one vibration device (107) arranged on the front side of the pad, and at least one air bag (108) arranged on the front side of the pad, wherein the air bag and the vibration device overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad.

[0056] According to this aspect, the vibration devices and the air bags are arranged close together when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad, and therefore the air bags and the vibration devices can be arranged on the surface of the pad.

[0057] In the above aspect, the pad has at least one first recess (141) recessed from the surface of the pad to the back side to accommodate the vibration device, and the air bag may be positioned on the front side of the pad rather than the vibration device.

[0058] According to this aspect, the vibration device is less likely to come into contact with the occupant, reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0059] In the above aspect, the air bladder may be fixed to the pad by a fixing member (143).

[0060] According to this aspect, the air bag is fixed to the pad.

[0061] In the above aspect, at least one of the air bags may have two air bags arranged at a distance from each other, a spacer (144) may be arranged between the two air bags, and the vibration device may overlap with the spacer and the two vibration devices when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad.

[0062] According to this aspect, the spacer fills the space between the two air bags, making it easier for the vibrations of the vibration device to be transmitted to the occupant.

[0063] In the above aspect, each of the plurality of air bags may expand when fluid is supplied thereto and contract when fluid is discharged therefrom, and the surface of the spacer may be flush with the surface of the contracting air bag.

[0064] According to this aspect, the step between the spacer and the air bag is reduced, thereby further reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0065] In the above aspect, the vehicle seat may further include a blower (109), the blower having a blower main body (131) and a duct (132) connected to the blower main body, the pad further including an air vent (134) penetrating the pad in the thickness direction and connected to the duct, and an air vent groove (135) connected to the air vent, recessed from the front surface of the pad to the back side, and extending along the surface direction of the pad, and at least one of the first recesses may be connected to the air vent groove.

[0066] According to this aspect, the vibration devices and the ventilation grooves are arranged close together when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad, so that in addition to the air bags and the vibration devices, the ventilation grooves can also be arranged on the surface of the pad.

[0067] In the above aspect, the width of the ventilation groove may be narrower than the width of the first recess.

[0068] According to this aspect, when the vibration device is housed in the first recess, the vibration device blocks a portion of the opening of the ventilation groove, thereby preventing air passing through the ventilation groove from leaking out of the first recess.

[0069] In the above aspect, a cover pad (146) is arranged on the front side of the pad, and the cover pad is arranged to cover the ventilation groove, and the cover pad may have a plurality of through holes (148) that overlap the ventilation groove when viewed from the thickness direction of the pad.

[0070] According to this aspect, the cover pad cooperates with the pad to form a flow path for air sent out from the blower main body.

[0071] In the above aspect, the cover pad may have a plurality of second recesses (151) recessed from the back surface of the cover pad to the front surface, and each of the two air bags may be accommodated in the second recess (151).

[0072] According to this aspect, the air bladders are prevented from moving in the surface direction of the pad.

[0073] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (101), the vehicle seat having a frame (111), a pad (112) supported by the frame, at least one vibration device (107) arranged on the front side of the pad, two air bags (108) arranged spaced apart from each other on the front side of the pad, a spacer (144) arranged between the two air bags, and a fixing member (143) for fixing each of the two air bags to the pad, the pad having at least one first recess (141) recessed from the front surface of the pad to the back side, the method comprising a first step of accommodating the vibration device in the first recess, a second step of arranging the fixing member on the front side of the pad, a third step of fixing each of the two air bags to the fixing member so that they overlap with the vibration device when viewed from the thickness direction of the pad, and a fourth step of arranging the spacer between the two air bags.

[0074] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat is manufactured in which the vibration device and the air bag are disposed on the surface of the pad.

[0075] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2019-167115 discloses an automatic driving control device that notifies an occupant when the driving mode is switched from an automatic driving mode to a manual driving mode. As an example of the notification, the seat in which the occupant sits is vibrated.

[0076] However, JP 2019-167115 A does not specifically disclose the manner in which the seat vibrates, so there is a risk that the occupant will not be able to recognize the change in driving mode due to the mere vibration of the seat.

[0077] Therefore, it is an issue to make the occupants of a vehicle aware of the change in driving mode by using seat vibrations.

[0078] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle (201) having a vehicle control unit (226) that switches the driving mode between an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode, a first seat (22A) that forms a driver's seat and is equipped with a plurality of vibration devices (220), and a seat control unit (225) that controls the plurality of vibration devices, and when the vehicle control unit executes automatic driving termination control that switches the driving mode from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, the seat control unit executes notification control that vibrates the plurality of vibration devices in order, starting with the one located at the rear.

[0079] According to this aspect, the vibration devices vibrate in order from the rearmost one among the plurality of vibration devices, thereby alerting the occupant to the direction ahead. As a result, in the vehicle, the vibration of the first seat can make the occupant aware of the change in driving mode.

[0080] In the above aspect, the first seat is provided on the floor (204) via a rotation device (211), the rotation device supports the first seat rotatably around a rotation axis extending vertically relative to the floor, and the seat control unit may obtain the front-to-rear positions of the multiple vibration devices based on the rotation angle of the first seat around the rotation axis.

[0081] According to this aspect, even when the seat is rotated by the rotation device, the front-rear position of each vibration device can be reliably obtained.

[0082] In the above aspect, the first seat may have a seat cushion (205) and a seat back (206) extending upward from a rear portion of the seat cushion, and the plurality of vibration devices may be provided on the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0083] According to this aspect, the distance between the frontmost vibration device and the rearmost vibration device can be increased, and the movement distance of the vibration position can be increased.

[0084] In the above aspect, when the first seat faces rearward and the vehicle control unit executes the automatic driving termination control, the seat control unit may drive the rotation device so that the first seat faces forward.

[0085] According to this aspect, when switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, the first seat faces forward, allowing the occupant to prepare for manual driving.

[0086] In the above aspect, the seat control unit may have an input device (253) for accepting manual driving operations, and may stop vibration of the multiple vibration devices when a predetermined input operation is applied to the input device while the notification control is being executed.

[0087] According to this aspect, it is possible to estimate whether the occupant is ready to switch to the manual driving mode based on the input from the occupant to the input device. Furthermore, when the occupant is ready to switch to the manual driving mode, it is possible to stop the vibration of the vibration device and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

[0088] In the above aspect, the vehicle control unit may wait for the manual driving mode to start while the multiple vibration devices are vibrating due to the notification control, and may start the manual driving mode after the multiple vibration devices have stopped vibrating.

[0089] According to this aspect, the driving mode is switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode after the occupant has completed preparation for the manual driving mode, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.

[0090] In the above aspect, the vehicle may have a second seat (202B) provided with another vibration device, and the seat control unit may vibrate the other vibration device of the second seat when vibration of the multiple vibration devices continues for a predetermined period of time during the notification control.

[0091] According to this aspect, if the occupant seated in the first seat does not respond to the switching of the driving mode, the occupant seated in the second seat can be notified.

[0092] In the above aspect, the seat control unit has an audio control unit (227) that controls a speaker (255) based on audio information, and the seat control unit executes additional control to control the plurality of vibration devices based on the audio information, and the seat control unit may reduce the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices by the additional control when the notification control is executed compared to when the notification control is not executed.

[0093] According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the amplitude due to the additional control is suppressed, making it easier for the occupant to recognize the vibration due to the notification control.

[0094] In the above aspect, the vehicle may have an obstacle sensor (251) that detects obstacles around the vehicle, and the seat control unit may execute obstacle control that controls the plurality of vibration devices depending on the position of the obstacle, and the seat control unit may prohibit the obstacle control when executing the notification control.

[0095] According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the obstacle control is prohibited, making it possible for the occupant to easily recognize the vibration caused by the notification control.

[0096] In the above aspect, the plurality of vibration devices may include an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor and a linear resonant actuator.

[0097] According to this aspect, the occupant can distinguish between the vibrations caused by the first vibrating device and the vibrations caused by the second vibrating device.

[0098] In the above aspect, the seat control unit may execute a preliminary control, before executing the notification control, to vibrate the plurality of vibration devices at an amplitude smaller than the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices in the notification control.

[0099] According to this aspect, the occupant can recognize that the driving mode is being switched by the vibration based on the preliminary control.

[0100] In the above aspect, the seat back is supported so as to be tiltable relative to the seat cushion, and in the notification control, the seat control unit may increase the amplitude of the multiple vibration devices when the reclining angle, which is the angle of the seat back with respect to a vertical plane, is equal to or greater than a predetermined first judgment value, compared to when the reclining angle is less than the first judgment value.

[0101] According to this aspect, a larger vibration can be applied to a passenger who may be asleep, making the passenger aware of the change in driving mode.

[0102] In the above aspect, the seat cushion is provided with a load sensor that measures the load received from the occupant, and in the notification control, the seat control unit may increase the amplitude of the multiple vibration devices when the load measured by the load sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined second judgment value compared to when the load measured by the load sensor is less than the second judgment value.

[0103] According to this aspect, it is possible to apply a larger vibration to a larger occupant.

[0104] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat comprising a frame, a support member supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, a pad member supported on the front side of the support member, and a wire harness to be connected to electrical equipment, wherein the support member has a plate-shaped main body portion and a holding structure for holding the wire harness on the main body portion, and the holding structure includes a first holding portion that connects the wire harness to the main body portion so that it can move in a first direction and restricts movement in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a second holding portion that connects the wire harness to the main body portion so that it can move in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction, and the holding structure is integrally formed with the main body portion.

[0105] According to this aspect, the wire harness is held by the coupling member at the first holding portion so as to be movable in a first direction, and is held by the coupling member at the second holding portion so as to be movable in a second direction. This allows the wire harness to move, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness when the support member moves. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that allows the wire harness to be held by the support member while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0106] In the above aspect, preferably, the first retaining portion has a pair of first base portions each protruding from the rear surface of the main body portion and aligned in the second direction, the second retaining portion has a pair of second base portions each protruding from the rear surface of the main body portion and aligned in the first direction, and the wire harness passes between the first base portions and between the second base portions.

[0107] According to this aspect, the first holding portion can restrict movement of the wire harness in the second direction while allowing movement of the wire harness in the first direction, and the second holding portion can restrict movement of the wire harness in the first direction while allowing movement of the wire harness in the second direction.

[0108] In the above aspect, preferably, at least one of the first base portions and at least one of the second base portions are joined to each other.

[0109] According to this aspect, movement of the wire harness can be more strongly restricted than when the first base portion and the second base portion are not coupled.

[0110] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion and the second base portion are disposed apart from each other.

[0111] According to this aspect, the wire harness is more easily deformed between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion than when the first base portion and the second base portion are connected, thereby preventing stress from concentrating on the wire harness in the portion between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0112] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, and the second base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction.

[0113] According to this aspect, the first holding portion can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness in the first direction, and the second holding portion can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness in the second direction.

[0114] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the second base portion in the first direction and the second direction.

[0115] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce stress that may be applied to the wire harness between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

[0116] In the above aspect, preferably, a restricting piece is provided at the protruding end of the first base portion and the protruding end of the second base portion to restrict the wire harness from being separated from the main body portion.

[0117] According to this aspect, movement of the wire harness in a direction away from the main body can be restricted.

[0118] In the above aspect, preferably, the first base is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, and two or more regulating pieces are provided on at least one of the first bases, and the regulating pieces provided on one of the first bases and the regulating pieces provided on the other of the first bases are staggered along the first direction.

[0119] According to this aspect, the wire harness can be easily inserted between the two first base portions, improving the workability of assembling the wire harness to the support member.

[0120] In the above aspect, preferably, the second base is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction, and two or more regulating pieces are provided on at least one of the second bases, and the regulating pieces provided on one of the second bases and the regulating pieces provided on the other of the second bases are staggered along the second direction.

[0121] According to this aspect, the wire harness can be easily inserted between the two second base portions, improving the workability of assembling the support member for the wire harness.

[0122] In the above aspect, preferably, opposing surfaces of the first base are provided with protrusions that protrude in opposing directions, at least one of the first bases is provided with a plurality of the protrusions, the protrusions are arranged in a staggered pattern along the first direction, and the protrusion amounts of the protrusions each increase in a direction away from the support member.

[0123] According to this aspect, the protrusion increases in amount as the distance from the support member increases, so that when the vibration generator is pulled and the wire harness is pressed against the support member, the movement of the wire harness in the second direction is less likely to be restricted, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0124] One aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of: placing a pad member on the front side of a support member supported by a frame; and arranging electrical equipment on the pad member, wherein the electrical equipment is connected by a wire harness; the support member having a plate-shaped main body extending along the frame; and a retaining structure provided on the back side of the main body and fixing the wire harness to the main body; the retaining structure including a first retaining portion that allows the wire harness to move in a first direction and restricts movement in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a second retaining portion that allows the wire harness to move in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction; and the step of arranging the electrical equipment includes a step of holding the wire harness in the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0125] According to this aspect, the wire harness is held by the coupling member at the first holding portion so as to be movable in a first direction, and is held by the coupling member at the second holding portion so as to be movable in a second direction. This allows the wire harness to move, thereby reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness when the support member moves. Therefore, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method for a vehicle seat that can hold the wire harness on the support member while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness.

[0126] In response to the above problem, one embodiment is a vehicle seat having a pad member with a recess, electrical equipment inserted into the recess, and an engaging member that engages with the electrical equipment inside the recess, wherein the recess is defined by a bottom wall and a standing wall erected from the bottom wall, the engaging member is fixed to the pad member on the opening side of the recess relative to the bottom wall, and the engaging member has higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0127] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a vehicle seat can be provided that can hold the electrical equipment more stably than when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0128] In the above aspect, preferably, the electrical equipment further includes a covering member for covering the front side of the electrical equipment, the recess opens toward the front side of the pad member, the covering member is housed inside the recess, and the surface of the covering member is flush with the surface of the peripheral portion of the recess of the pad member.

[0129] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent a step from occurring between the surface of the covering member and the surface of the pad member in the area surrounding the recess, thereby preventing a seat occupant from feeling a foreign body sensation in the area surrounding the recess of the pad member.

[0130] In the above aspect, the engaging member is preferably provided with a locking claw that resiliently engages with a side surface of the electrical component.

[0131] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment can be engaged with the engaging member with a simple configuration.

[0132] In the above aspect, the electrical component is preferably provided with a locking recess for receiving the locking claw.

[0133] According to this aspect, the engaging member and the electrical component can be engaged more firmly.

[0134] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member has an engaging member main body that supports the locking claw, the engaging member main body has a frame shape into which the electrical equipment is inserted, and a cutout portion is provided in at least a portion of the engaging member main body.

[0135] According to this aspect, the engaging member is easily deformed, which makes it easier to assemble the electrical equipment to the engaging member.

[0136] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member main body has a rectangular frame shape with four corners, and the notches are provided at the corners.

[0137] According to this aspect, the engaging member is easily deformed.

[0138] In the above aspect, the locking claw is preferably provided at a position adjacent to the notch.

[0139] According to this aspect, the engaging member is more easily deformed than when the locking claw is provided at a position away from the notch.

[0140] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging member is insert-molded into the pad member.

[0141] According to this aspect, the engagement member can be coupled to the pad member.

[0142] In response to the above problem, one embodiment is a seat pad for constructing a vehicle seat equipped with electrical equipment, comprising a pad member having a recess into which the electrical equipment is inserted, and an engaging member fixed to a wall surface defining the recess and engaging with the electrical equipment, wherein the recess is defined by a bottom wall and a standing wall erected from the bottom wall, the engaging member is fixed to the pad member on the opening side of the recess relative to the bottom wall, and the engaging member has higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0143] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a seat pad can be provided that can hold the electrical equipment more stably than when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0144] In response to the above-described problems, one embodiment is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, which includes the steps of insert-molding an engaging member to engage with an electrical component into a pad member, molding the pad member, and fixing the pad member to a wall surface that defines a recess for accommodating the electrical component; inserting the electrical component into the recess and fixing the electrical component to the pad member; covering the electrical component with a covering member; attaching the pad member to a frame; and covering the surface of the pad member and the surface of the covering member with a skin material, wherein the engaging member has higher rigidity than the pad member.

[0145] According to this aspect, the electrical equipment is coupled to the pad member via the engaging member. The engaging member has higher rigidity and is less likely to deform than the pad member, so a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat can be provided that can stably hold the electrical equipment compared to when the pad member is in direct contact with the electrical equipment.

[0146] In response to the above problem, one embodiment is a vehicle seat (101) having a frame (111), a pad (112) supported by the frame, at least one vibration device (107) arranged on the front side of the pad, and at least one air bag (108) arranged on the front side of the pad, and the air bag and the vibration device overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad.

[0147] According to this aspect, the vibration device and the air bag overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad, and are therefore arranged to fit within the surface of the pad.

[0148] In the above aspect, the pad has at least one first recess (141) recessed from the surface of the pad to the back side to accommodate the vibration device, and the air bag may be positioned on the front side of the pad rather than the vibration device.

[0149] According to this aspect, the vibration device is less likely to come into contact with the occupant, reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0150] In the above aspect, the air bladder may be fixed to the pad by a fixing member (143).

[0151] According to this aspect, the air bag is fixed to the pad.

[0152] In the above aspect, at least one of the air bags may have two air bags arranged at a distance from each other, a spacer (144) may be arranged between the two air bags, and the vibration device may overlap with the spacer and the two vibration devices when viewed in the thickness direction of the pad.

[0153] According to this aspect, the spacer makes it more difficult for the vibration device to come into contact with the occupant, thereby further reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0154] In the above aspect, each of the plurality of air bags may expand when fluid is supplied thereto and contract when fluid is discharged therefrom, and the surface of the spacer may be flush with the surface of the contracting air bag.

[0155] According to this aspect, the step between the spacer and the air bag is reduced, thereby further reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0156] In the above aspect, the vehicle seat may further include a blower (109), the blower having a blower main body (131) and a duct (132) connected to the blower main body, the pad further including an air vent (134) penetrating the pad in the thickness direction and connected to the duct, and an air vent groove (135) connected to the air vent, recessed from the front surface of the pad to the back side, and extending along the surface direction of the pad, and at least one of the first recesses may be connected to the air vent groove.

[0157] According to this aspect, when the vibration device is housed in the first recess, the vibration device blocks the opening of the ventilation groove, thereby preventing air passing through the ventilation groove from leaking out of the first recess.

[0158] In the above aspect, the width of the ventilation groove may be narrower than the width of the first recess.

[0159] According to this aspect, air passing through the ventilation groove is prevented from leaking out from the first recess.

[0160] In the above aspect, a cover pad may be disposed on the front side of the pad, and the cover pad may cover the two air bladders and the spacer.

[0161] According to this aspect, the gap between the pad and each air bag and the spacer can be filled, thereby further reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0162] In the above aspect, the cover pad may have a plurality of second recesses (151) recessed from the back surface of the cover pad to the front surface, and each of the two air bags may be accommodated in the second recess (151).

[0163] According to this aspect, the air bladders are prevented from moving in the surface direction of the pad.

[0164] In response to the above-mentioned problems, one aspect is a manufacturing method for a vehicle seat (101), the vehicle seat having a frame (111), a pad (112) supported by the frame, at least one vibration device (117) arranged on the front side of the pad, two air bags (118) arranged spaced apart from each other on the front side of the pad, a spacer (144) arranged between the two air bags, and a fixing member (143) for fixing each of the two air bags to the pad, the pad having at least one first recess (141) recessed from the front surface of the pad to the back side, and the method has a first step of accommodating the vibration device in the first recess, a second step of arranging the fixing member on the front side of the pad, a third step of fixing each of the two air bags to the fixing member so that they overlap with the vibration device when viewed from the thickness direction of the pad, and a fourth step of arranging the spacer between the two air bags.

[0165] In response to the above problem, one aspect is a vehicle (201) having a vehicle control unit (226) that switches the driving mode between an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode, a first seat (202A) that forms a driver's seat and is equipped with a plurality of vibration devices (220), and a seat control unit (25) that controls the plurality of vibration devices, and when the vehicle control unit executes automatic driving termination control that switches the driving mode from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, the seat control unit executes notification control that vibrates the plurality of vibration devices in order, starting with the one located at the rear.

[0166] According to this aspect, the vibration devices vibrate in order from the rearmost one among the plurality of vibration devices, thereby alerting the occupant to the direction ahead. As a result, the vibration of the first seat in the vehicle can reliably make the occupant aware of the change in driving mode.

[0167] In the above aspect, the first seat is provided on the floor (204) via a rotation device (211), the rotation device supports the first seat rotatably around a rotation axis extending vertically relative to the floor, and the seat control unit may obtain the front-to-rear positions of the multiple vibration devices based on the rotation angle of the first seat around the rotation axis.

[0168] According to this aspect, even when the seat is rotated by the rotation device, the front-rear position of each vibration device can be reliably obtained.

[0169] In the above aspect, the first seat may have a seat cushion (205) and a seat back (206) extending upward from a rear portion of the seat cushion, and the plurality of vibration devices may be provided on the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0170] According to this aspect, the distance between the frontmost vibration device and the rearmost vibration device can be increased, and the movement distance of the vibration position can be increased.

[0171] In the above aspect, when the first seat faces rearward and the vehicle control unit executes the automatic driving termination control, the seat control unit may drive the rotation device so that the first seat faces forward.

[0172] According to this aspect, when switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, the first seat faces forward, allowing the occupant to prepare for manual driving.

[0173] In the above aspect, the seat control unit may have an input device (253) for accepting manual driving operations, and may stop vibration of the multiple vibration devices when a predetermined input operation is applied to the input device while the notification control is being executed.

[0174] According to this aspect, it is possible to estimate whether the occupant is ready to switch to the manual driving mode based on the input from the occupant to the input device. Furthermore, when the occupant is ready to switch to the manual driving mode, it is possible to stop the vibration of the vibration device and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

[0175] In the above aspect, the vehicle control unit may wait for the manual driving mode to start while the multiple vibration devices are vibrating due to the notification control, and may start the manual driving mode after the multiple vibration devices have stopped vibrating.

[0176] According to this aspect, the driving mode is switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode after the occupant has completed preparation for the manual driving mode, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.

[0177] In the above aspect, the vehicle may have a second seat (202B) provided with another vibration device, and the seat control unit may vibrate the other vibration device of the second seat when the vibration of the multiple vibration devices continues for a predetermined period of time during the notification control.

[0178] According to this aspect, if the occupant seated in the first seat does not respond to the switching of the driving mode, the occupant seated in the second seat can be notified.

[0179] In the above aspect, the seat control unit has an audio control unit (227) that controls a speaker (255) based on audio information, and the seat control unit executes additional control to control the plurality of vibration devices based on the audio information, and the seat control unit may reduce the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices by the additional control when the notification control is executed compared to when the notification control is not executed.

[0180] According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the amplitude due to the additional control is suppressed, making it easier for the occupant to recognize the vibration due to the notification control.

[0181] In the above aspect, the vehicle may have an obstacle sensor (251) that detects obstacles around the vehicle, and the seat control unit may execute obstacle control that controls the plurality of vibration devices depending on the position of the obstacle, and the seat control unit may prohibit the obstacle control when executing the notification control.

[0182] According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the obstacle control is prohibited, making it possible for the occupant to easily recognize the vibration caused by the notification control.

[0183] In the above aspect, the plurality of vibration devices may include an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor and a linear resonant actuator.

[0184] According to this aspect, the occupant can distinguish between the vibrations caused by the first vibrating device and the vibrations caused by the second vibrating device.

[0185] In the above aspect, the seat control unit may execute a preliminary control, before executing the notification control, to vibrate the plurality of vibration devices at an amplitude smaller than the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices in the notification control.

[0186] According to this aspect, the occupant can recognize that the driving mode is being switched by the vibration based on the preliminary control.

[0187] In the above aspect, the seat back is supported so as to be tiltable relative to the seat cushion, and in the notification control, the seat control unit may increase the amplitude of the multiple vibration devices when the reclining angle, which is the angle of the seat back with respect to a vertical plane, is equal to or greater than a predetermined first judgment value, compared to when the reclining angle is less than the first judgment value.

[0188] According to this aspect, a larger vibration can be applied to a passenger who may be asleep, making the passenger aware of the change in driving mode.

[0189] In the above aspect, the seat cushion is provided with a load sensor that measures the load received from the occupant, and in the notification control, the seat control unit may increase the amplitude of the multiple vibration devices when the load measured by the load sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined second judgment value compared to when the load measured by the load sensor is less than the second judgment value.

[0190] According to this aspect, it is possible to apply a larger vibration to a larger occupant.

[0191] 5A ) and (D) a bottom view of a second retaining portion according to the first embodiment. English: A perspective view of a seat according to the first embodiment. A perspective view of a seat cushion frame according to the first embodiment. (A) A top view of a seat pad, (B) a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion taken along line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A, (C) a side view of an engaging member, and (D) a top view showing a modified example of the engaging member. A bottom view of a seat cushion frame, electrical equipment, and a wire harness according to the first embodiment. (A) A bottom view of a first retaining portion, (B) a cross-sectional view of line VB-VB of FIG. 5A, (C) a cross-sectional view of line VC-VC of FIG. 5A, and (D) a bottom view of a second retaining portion. 9A , (A) a bottom view of the first retaining portion, (B) a bottom view of the second retaining portion, and (C) a IXC-IXC cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A according to a fourth embodiment; (A) a bottom view of the first retaining portion, (B) a XB-XB cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A according to a fifth embodiment; (C) a bottom view of the second retaining portion, and (D) a perspective view of the first retaining portion;

[0192] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a vehicle seat according to the present invention is applied to a driver's seat or a passenger seat of an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0193] 1, a vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, and a headrest 4. The seat cushion 2 may be supported by a pair of left and right slide rails 6 fixed to a floor 5 of a vehicle compartment so as to be slidable forward and backward.

[0194] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat cushion 2 has a seat cushion frame 8 that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 2, a seat pad 9 supported by the seat cushion frame 8, and a cover material 10 that covers at least a portion of the seat pad 9.

[0195] 2, the seat cushion frame 8 includes left and right side members 12 extending in the front-rear direction, a front member 13 extending left and right and joined to the front portions of the left and right side members 12, and a rear member 14 extending left and right and joined to the rear portions of the left and right side members 12. In this embodiment, the seat cushion frame 8 further includes a leading edge member 15 connecting the upper edges of the front ends of the pair of left and right side members 12. The leading edge member 15 is made of a bent sheet metal member, and its upper surface has a shape that generally follows the front portion of the seat surface.

[0196] A support member 17 extending in the front-rear direction spans between the front member 13 and the rear member 14. The support member 17 includes a plate-shaped support member main body 18 (main body portion) extending substantially horizontally along the seat cushion frame 8 (specifically, the left and right side members 12), a front mounting portion 19 extending forward from the front edge of the support member main body 18 and engaging with the front member 13, and a rear mounting portion 20 extending rearward from the rear edge of the support member main body 18 and engaging with the rear member 14. The support member 17 may be formed, for example, from resin with a metal wire insert-molded therein. A pad member 9A is placed on the upper surface of the support member 17, and a cover material 10 is placed on the upper surface of the pad member 9A. When an occupant sits in the seat, the support member 17 bends under the weight of the occupant and elastically supports the occupant.

[0197] The seat pad 9 includes a pad member 9A for providing cushioning to the seat cushion 2. The pad member 9A is made of a flexible material such as a foamed resin material (e.g., urethane foam). The pad member 9A may be formed, for example, by foaming and curing the foamed resin material in a cavity defined by an upper mold and a lower mold. The cover material 10 is a fabric member and is arranged to cover at least a portion of the pad member 9A.

[0198] As shown in Figures 2 and 3A, a pad member recess 22 is formed on each of the left and right side portions of the pad member 9A, recessing downward. As shown in Figure 3B, the pad member recess 22 is recessed from the front surface toward the back surface of the pad member 9A. The pad member recess 22 is defined by a bottom wall 22B that defines the boundary on the back surface side (the side opposite the opening direction) and a standing wall 22S (also referred to as a peripheral wall) that stands from the bottom wall 22B toward the opening direction. A vibration generator 24 is provided inside each pad member recess 22.

[0199] The vibration generator 24 is one of the electrical components mounted on a vehicle and is an electric / electronic device for generating vibrations. The vibration generator 24 is used, for example, to notify a seat occupant by generating vibrations. In this embodiment, the vibration generator 24 includes a device main body 25 and a movable part 26 supported so as to be displaceable relative to the device main body 25. The movable part 26 reciprocates in a predetermined direction relative to the device main body 25 to generate vibrations, and is configured as a device, such as a voice coil motor. However, the configuration of the vibration generator 24 is not limited to this embodiment and may be configured as an eccentric motor or the like. A wire harness 27 for supplying power and signals is connected to the vibration generator 24.

[0200] In this embodiment, the vibration generator 24 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The vibration generator 24 is configured to generate strong vibrations on one of its faces. The wire harness 27 is a bendable, linear member that includes one or more electric wires 27A for supplying power to the vibration generator 24 and transmitting signals. In this embodiment, the wire harness 27 has two electric wires 27A and a sheath 27B made of a resin insulator. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the wire harness 27 may have any shape as long as it is a linear, extending member.

[0201] In the present invention, the vibration generator 24 is configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and therefore the pad member recess 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that matches the vibration generator 24. In this embodiment, the vibration generator 24 is disposed in the pad member recess 22 so that the surface that generates stronger vibrations faces upward (i.e., so that the movable part 26 reciprocates in the front-to-back direction). As a result, the vibration generator 24 generates vibrations mainly in the front-to-back direction of the seat cushion 2 (i.e., in the approximately up-and-down direction).

[0202] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the seat pad 9 includes, in addition to a pad member 9A, an engagement member 30 for connecting the vibration generator 24 to the pad member 9A. The engagement member 30 engages with the vibration generator 24 to support the vibration generator 24 on the pad member 9A, and the vibration generator 24 is connected to the pad member 9A via the engagement member 30. As shown in Figure 3(A), the pad member recesses 22 are provided symmetrically on the seat cushion 2, and the engagement members 30 are provided inside the left and right pad member recesses 22, respectively, and are arranged symmetrically on the left and right. The engagement member 30 includes an engagement member main body 31 and at least one locking claw 32 provided on the engagement member main body 31.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 3A , the engagement member body 31 has a frame shape that matches the vibration generator 24. In this embodiment, the engagement member body 31 has a square frame shape with four corners 33. More specifically, the engagement member body 31 has a pair of vertical portions 34 having opposing surfaces and a pair of horizontal portions 35 having opposing surfaces, forming a rectangular frame shape. The vertical portions 34 are plate-shaped and extend along the longitudinal direction of the engagement member body 31. The horizontal portions 35 are plate-shaped and extend along the lateral direction of the engagement member body 31. The vertical portions 34 and the horizontal portions 35 are connected to each other via the corners 33.

[0204] One locking claw 32 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the vertical portion 34 and the opposing surfaces of the horizontal portion 35. The pair of locking claws 32 provided on the vertical portion 34 protrude in opposing directions, and the pair of locking claws 32 provided on the horizontal portion 35 protrude in opposing directions. It is preferable that each locking claw 32 is configured to be elastically deformable with respect to the engaging member main body 31.

[0205] The engaging member 30 is configured to have higher rigidity than the pad member 9A. The engaging member 30 may be made of a resin material such as polyethylene. The engaging member 30 may also be made of a material that is made harder by having a smaller foaming ratio than the pad member 9A. Because the engaging member 30 is configured to have higher rigidity than the pad member 9A, the engaging member 30 is less likely to deform than the pad member 9A due to the load applied when an occupant sits on the vehicle seat 1.

[0206] The engaging member 30 is fixed to the pad member 9A closer to the opening of the pad member recess 22 than the bottom wall 22B of the pad member recess 22. The engaging member 30 may be disposed inside or outside the standing wall 22S. However, from the viewpoint of ease of assembly of the vibration generator 24, it is preferable that at least a portion of the engaging member 30 is exposed inside the pad member recess 22. For example, the engaging member 30 may be fixed to the standing wall 22S at the outer surface of the engaging member main body 31. The engaging member 30 may be insert-molded into the pad member 9A, and fixed to the wall surface defining the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A. That is, when the pad member 9A is molded by foaming and curing a foamed resin material in a cavity, the engaging member 30 (in this embodiment, the outer surface of the engaging member main body 31) is preferably disposed so as to be exposed in the cavity, and the foamed resin material is then foamed and cured to mold the pad member 9A. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the engaging member 30 may be adhered, for example, by an adhesive or the like to the wall surface that defines the pad member recess 22 on the outer surface of the engaging member main body 31 .

[0207] 3B, when the vibration generator 24 is inserted into the engaging member body 31, the locking claws 32 resiliently engage with the side of the electrical equipment, and the vibration generator 24 is locked to the engaging member 30. As a result, the vibration generator 24 is supported by the pad member 9A via the engaging member 30.

[0208] In this embodiment, the vibration generator 24 has, on each of its left and right side surfaces, a locked portion 37 that engages with the locking pawl 32. The locked portion 37 is configured as a locking recess 37A that is recessed inward on the side surface of the vibration generator 24. The tip of the locking pawl 32 protrudes into the locked portion 37 of the vibration generator 24, so that the vibration generator 24 is more strongly coupled to the engaging member 30 than if the locked portion 37 were not provided.

[0209] When the vibration generator 24 is inserted into the engaging member body 31, the locking claws 32 resiliently engage with the side surfaces of the vibration generator 24, and the vibration generator 24 is assembled to the engaging member 30. To facilitate assembly of the vibration generator 24 to the engaging member 30, the engaging member body 31 is preferably provided with an easily deformable portion 39 for facilitating deformation of the engaging member body 31 during assembly.

[0210] 3A, in this embodiment, the deformable portion 39 is configured by a notch 40 provided in one corner 33 of the engaging member main body 31. The notch 40 has a slit shape formed in the corner 33 and separates the vertical portion 34 from the horizontal portion 35. This gives the engaging member main body 31 a generally C-shape. In this embodiment, the pair of left and right engaging members 30 are each disposed inside the pad member recess 22 so that the notch 40 is located on the outer side of the seat in the left-right direction, and are coupled to the pad member 9A.

[0211] However, the cutout portion 40 is not limited to one that separates the vertical portion 34 and the horizontal portion 35, but may be a portion where the engaging member main body 31 is cut out to the extent that the vertical portion 34 and the horizontal portion 35 are not separated, and the easily deformable portion 39 may be provided in the vertical portion 34 or the horizontal portion 35 instead of the cutout portion 40, and may be composed of a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the other portions.

[0212] 3C, the locking claws 32 are provided at approximately the center of the inner circumferential surfaces of the vertical portion 34 and the horizontal portion 35. However, this is not limiting, and the locking claws 32 provided on the vertical portion 34 and the horizontal portion 35 connected to the corner portion 33 where the notch 40 is formed may be provided at positions biased toward the notch 40.

[0213] 3(A), the notch 40 is provided in one of the corners 33, but as shown in FIG. 3(D), the notch 40 may be provided in a position adjacent to the locking claw 32 on the vertical portion 34 or the horizontal portion 35. By providing the locking claw 32 in a position adjacent to the notch 40 in this way, the portion where the locking claw 32 is provided becomes more easily deformed than when the locking claw 32 is provided at a position away from the notch 40. This makes it easier to insert the vibration generator 24 into the engaging member main body 31 and assemble the vibration generator 24 to the engaging member 30.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 3B , the seat pad 9 includes a covering member 42 (also referred to as a buffer material or slab) provided on the upper surface (surface side) of the vibration generator 24. The covering member 42 reduces the foreign body sensation that may be felt by the seat occupant due to the vibration generator 24 being provided on the pad member 9A, and serves as a buffer material that reduces the vibrations generated by the vibration generator 24 so that they are not too strong. The covering member 42 is preferably made of a material that is more flexible than the pad member 9A. Alternatively, the covering member 42 may be made of a material that is less flexible than the pad member 9A.

[0215] The covering member 42 is disposed inside the pad member recess 22 and above (on the front side of) the vibration generator 24. In this embodiment, an expanded portion 22A having an opening larger than the remaining portions of the pad member recess 22 is provided at the upper end of the pad member recess 22, and the covering member 42 is housed in the expanded portion 22A. The engaging member 30 is fixed below (on the back side of) the expanded portion 22A to the wall surface that defines the pad member recess 22. As a result, the vibration generator 24 is fixed to the top of the pad member recess 22 via the engaging member 30, and its upper surface (on the front side) is covered by the covering member 42.

[0216] The surface of the covering member 42 is flush with the surface of the peripheral portion of the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A. This prevents a step from occurring between the surface of the covering member 42 and the surface of the peripheral portion of the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A. This reduces the foreign body sensation that a seat occupant may feel in the peripheral portion of the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A. The skin material 10 is arranged so as to cover the surface of the pad member 9A and the surface of the covering member 42.

[0217] The pad member 9A is provided with a through-hole 44 that extends downward (toward the back surface) from the bottom surface of the pad member recess 22 and reaches the lower surface (back surface) of the pad member 9A. The through-hole 44 is a hole that penetrates from the bottom surface of the pad member recess 22 to the back surface of the pad member 9A, and defines a passage therein for passing the wire harness 27. The wire harness 27 passes through the through-hole 44 from the vibration generator 24 and reaches the back surface of the pad member 9A.

[0218] 4, the vibration generators 24 overlap the seat-outer edge portions of the support members 17 in a top view. Recesses 17A that are recessed inward of the seat are formed on the seat-outer edge portions of the support members 17. The wire harness 27 passes through the through-holes 44 and extends downward, passes through the recesses 17A, extends inward of the seat, and reaches the rear surface (lower surface) of the support members 17.

[0219] A retaining structure 50 for retaining the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 is provided on the back surface (lower surface) of the support member 17. The retaining structures 50 are each integrally molded with the support member main body 18. The retaining structures 50 serve to prevent the wire harness 27 from separating from the support member 17 and to connect the wire harness 27 to the support member 17 while allowing the wire harness 27 to be movable in its extension direction. The wire harness 27 is connected to the back surface of the support member 17 by the retaining structure 50 and is held by the support member 17. It is preferable that a retaining structure 50 is provided on the support member 17 for each wire harness 27.

[0220] As shown in Fig. 4, each holding structure 50 includes a first holding portion 51 and a second holding portion 52. Both the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 are integrally molded with the support member main body 18. However, Fig. 4 only shows the positions and an outline of the structure of the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52, and Figs. 5(A) to (D) show the details of the structure of the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52.

[0221] 5(A) and 5(B), the first holding portion 51 includes a pair of first base portions 53 aligned in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 5(B), the first base portions 53 each protrude downward from the rear surface of the support member 17. In this embodiment, the first base portions 53 are each shaped like a plate having a surface facing in the left-right direction.

[0222] The wire harness 27 passes between the two first base portions 53. As a result, the first holding portion 51 holds the wire harness 27 so that it can move in the front-rear direction while restricting movement in the left-right direction. In other words, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member main body 18 so that it can move in the front-rear direction while its movement in the left-right direction is restricted by the first holding portion 51.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 5B , at least one of the protruding ends (lower ends) of the pair of left and right first base portions 53 is provided with a first restricting piece 54 extending toward the other first base portion 53. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A , the front-to-rear width of the base end of the first restricting piece 54 is equal to the front-to-rear width of the protruding end of the first base portion 53, and the first restricting piece 54 protrudes from the entire protruding end of the first base portion 53 toward the other protruding end of the first base portion 53. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C , the first restricting piece 54 restricts movement of the wire harness 27 in a direction away from the support member main body 18 (i.e., downward, toward the back). In this embodiment, the first restricting piece 54 is provided at the protruding end of the first base portion 53 located outside the seat.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 5B, it is preferable that the distance between the extending end of the first restricting piece 54 and the tip of the other first base portion 53 is configured to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27.

[0225] 5(D), the second holding portion 52 includes a pair of second base portions 55 aligned in the front-rear direction. The second base portions 55 each protrude downward from the rear surface of the support member 17. In this embodiment, the second base portions 55 each have a plate shape with a surface facing approximately in the front-rear direction.

[0226] The wire harness 27 passes between the two second base portions 55. As a result, the second holding portion 52 holds the wire harness 27 so that it can move in the left-right direction while restricting movement in the front-rear direction. In other words, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member main body 18 so that it can move in the front-rear direction, while its movement in the left-right direction is restricted by the second holding portion 52.

[0227] At least one of the protruding ends (lower ends) of the second base portion 55 is provided with a second restricting piece 56 extending toward the other protruding end. The second restricting piece 56 restricts movement of the wire harness 27 in a direction away from the support member main body 18 (i.e., downward, toward the rear side). In this embodiment, the second restricting pieces 56 are provided at the protruding ends of the second base portions 55 located at the rear.

[0228] In this embodiment, the support member 17 is manufactured by combining an upper mold and a lower mold. Therefore, in this embodiment, to facilitate demolding, demolding holes (mold removal holes 58) are provided at positions that vertically align with the first restricting pieces 54 of the support member 17 and at positions that vertically align with the second restricting pieces 56, as shown in Figures 5(B) and 5(D).

[0229] As shown in Fig. 5(A), the die-cut hole 58 is preferably configured to be larger than the first restriction piece 54 (or the second restriction piece 56) in top view. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5(C), the end P of the first restriction piece 54 and the edge Q of the die-cut hole 58 are horizontally offset from each other. By configuring the die-cut hole 58 to be larger than the first restriction piece 54 (or the second restriction piece 56) in top view in this way, the manufacture of the support member 17 becomes easier and the support member 17 becomes more easily deformable.

[0230] 4, the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other. The second retaining portion 52 may be provided at a position spaced apart from the first retaining portion 51 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the second retaining portion 52 is disposed on the inner side of the seat (more specifically, on the inner side of the seat in the left-right direction) and shifted rearward from the first retaining portion 51.

[0231] More specifically, each of the first bases 53 is located further outward from the outer ends of the second bases 55 and is provided in a position close to the recess 17A in the left-right direction relative to each of the second bases 55. Furthermore, each of the first bases 53 is located forward from the front ends of the second bases 55 and is provided in a position close to the recess 17A in the front-rear direction relative to each of the second bases 55. In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 51 is provided inward from the inner ends of the recess 17A.

[0232] The wire harness 27 extends from the through-hole 44 toward the recess 17A, passes through the seat-inner end of the recess 17A, and extends inward of the seat. The wire harness 27 then passes between the first base portions 53, bends rearward, then bends further inward of the seat, passes between the second base portions 55, and extends further inward of the seat. The wire harness 27 is connected to a control device (not shown) that controls the driving of the vibration generator 24. The control device may be fixed to a lower portion of the seat cushion 2, or may be fixed to a vehicle body on which the vehicle seat 1 is mounted.

[0233] Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 configured as above will be described.

[0234] An operator manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 first places the engaging member 30 in the cavity and insert-moldes it into the pad member 9A. This forms the pad member recess 22 in which the vibration generator 24 is to be housed in the pad member 9A, and at the same time, fixes the engaging member 30 to the pad member 9A.

[0235] Thereafter, the worker places the pad member 9A, to which the engaging member 30 is fixed, on the upper side (front side) of the support member 17, which is supported by the seat cushion frame 8. Next, the worker passes the wire harness 27 through the through hole 44, inserts the vibration generator 24 into the pad member recess 22, and engages the vibration generator 24 with the engaging member 30. As a result, the vibration generator 24 is disposed in the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A and is coupled to the pad member 9A via the engaging member 30. Furthermore, the worker pulls out the wire harness 27 from the lower side of the through hole 44 and fixes the wire harness 27 to the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52, respectively. Thereafter, when assembling the vehicle seat 1 to the vehicle body, the worker performing the assembling work connects the wire harness 27 to the control device.

[0236] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured as above and the method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 will be described.

[0237] As a result, the wire harness 27 extends in the front-rear direction (first direction) at the first holding portion 51 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Also, the wire harness 27 extends in the left-right direction (second direction) at the second holding portion 52 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Therefore, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member 17 so as to be movable in the extending direction.

[0238] When a seated person sits in the vehicle seat 1, the load from the seated person moves the vibration generator 24. Because the wire harness 27 is movable in its extension direction, the wire harness 27 can move in its extension direction so that the wire harness 27 is pulled out in response to the movement of the vibration generator 24. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 and a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat 1 that can hold the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27.

[0239] The first holding portion 51 includes a pair of first base portions 53 arranged side by side, and the wire harness 27 is disposed between the first base portions 53. Thus, with a simple configuration, the wire harness 27 can be held by the first holding portion 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction and be movable in the extending direction.

[0240] The second holding portion 52 includes a pair of second base portions 55 arranged in the front-rear direction, and the wire harness 27 is disposed between the second base portions 55. Thus, with a simple configuration, the wire harness 27 can be held by the second holding portion 52 so as to extend in the left-right direction and be movable in the extending direction.

[0241] The first base 53 is plate-shaped with a surface facing the front-rear direction. Therefore, a contact area between the first base 53 and the wire harness 27 in the front-rear direction can be secured, and the first holding portion 52 can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness 27 in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the second base 55 is plate-shaped with a surface facing the left-right direction. Therefore, a contact area between the second base 55 and the wire harness 27 in the left-right direction can be secured, and the second holding portion 52 can effectively restrict movement of the wire harness 27 in the left-right direction.

[0242] In Fig. 4, the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other, but as shown in a modified example in Fig. 6, the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 may be provided at positions connected to each other. However, when the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other, the wire harness 27 can be curved more gently to be connected to the support member 17 compared to when the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are connected to each other. This makes it possible to prevent stress from concentrating on the wire harness 27 in the portion between the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52.

[0243] The second retaining portion 52 is provided at a position offset in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction (i.e., at a position spaced apart in each direction) with respect to the first retaining portion 51. Therefore, stress that may be applied to the wire harness 27 between the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 can be effectively reduced.

[0244] As shown in Fig. 5(B) , a first restricting piece 54 is provided at the tip of the first base portion 53 on the outer side of the seat (the outer side of the seat in the left-right direction). This prevents the wire harness 27 from moving downward in the first holding portion 51 and separating from the support member 17. Similarly, a second restricting piece 56 is also provided at the tip of the rear second base portion 55. This prevents the wire harness 27 from moving downward in the second holding portion 52 and separating from the support member 17.

[0245] Second Embodiment The vehicle seat 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the retaining structure 50, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the configurations other than the retaining structure 50 will be omitted.

[0246] Similar to the first embodiment, the retaining structure 50 according to the second embodiment includes a first retaining portion 51 and a second retaining portion 52. As shown in Fig. 7A, the first retaining portion 51 couples the wire harness 27 to the support member main body 18 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction while restricting movement of the wire harness 27 in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 7B, the second retaining portion 52 couples the wire harness 27 to the support member main body 18 so as to be movable in the left-right direction while restricting movement of the wire harness 27 in the front-rear direction. The first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are provided at positions on the support member main body 18 that are generally similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0247] As in the first embodiment, the first holding portion 51 includes a pair of left and right first base portions 53, and the second holding portion 52 includes a pair of front and rear second base portions 55. However, in the second embodiment, a first restricting piece 54 is provided on each of the two first base portions 53, and a second restricting piece 56 is provided on each of the two second base portions 55.

[0248] The first restricting pieces 54 are coupled at their base ends to one of the first base portions 53 and extend horizontally toward the other first base portion 53. As shown in FIG. 7C , the extending ends of the first restricting pieces 54 are tapered relative to their base ends. This allows each of the first restricting pieces 54 to have a claw-like shape. The first restricting pieces 54 provided on one of the first base portions 53 and the first restricting pieces 54 provided on the other first base portion 53 extend in directions opposite to each other in a horizontal view, and the distance between the two extending ends is set to be smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27 in a horizontal view.

[0249] The second restricting pieces 56 are connected at their base ends to one of the second base portions 55 and extend horizontally toward the other second base portion 55. The second restricting pieces 56 are tapered and claw-shaped. The second restricting pieces 56 provided on one of the second base portions 55 and the second restricting pieces 56 provided on the other second base portion 55 extend in directions opposite to each other in a horizontal view, and the distance between the two extending ends is set to be smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27 in a horizontal view.

[0250] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in order to facilitate demolding, the support member 17 is provided with demolding holes 58. The demolding holes 58 are provided at positions aligned with the first restricting pieces 54 of the first base 53 in the up-down direction, and at positions aligned with the second restricting pieces 56 in the up-down direction.

[0251] The plate thickness of the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 may be thinner than that of the first embodiment, so that the first base portion 53 can be flexibly deformed in the left-right direction, and the second base portion 55 can be flexibly deformed in the front-rear direction.

[0252] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0253] As in the first embodiment, the wire harness 27 extends in the front-rear direction at the first holding portion 51 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. The wire harness 27 extends in the second direction at the second holding portion 52 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Therefore, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member 17 so as to be movable in the extending direction.

[0254] When a seated person sits in the vehicle seat 1, the load from the seated person moves the vibration generator 24. Because the wire harness 27 is movable in its extension direction, the wire harness 27 can move in its extension direction so that the wire harness 27 is pulled out in response to the movement of the vibration generator 24. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that can hold the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27.

[0255] In the second embodiment, when the wire harness 27 is inserted from below until it is positioned above the first restricting piece 54 and the second restricting piece 56, the wire harness 27 is held by the support member 17. In this way, the wire harness 27 can be assembled to the support member 17 by inserting the wire harness 27 upward, which makes assembly of the wire harness 27 easy.

[0256] <<Third Embodiment>> The vehicle seat 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the retaining structure 50, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the configurations other than the retaining structure 50 will be omitted.

[0257] Similar to the first embodiment, the retaining structure 50 according to the third embodiment includes a first retaining portion 51 and a second retaining portion 52. As shown in Fig. 8A, the first retaining portion 51 couples the wire harness 27 to the support member main body 18 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction while restricting movement of the wire harness 27 in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 8B, the second retaining portion 52 couples the wire harness 27 to the support member main body 18 so as to be movable in the left-right direction while restricting movement of the wire harness 27 in the front-rear direction. The first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 are provided at positions on the support member main body 18 that are generally similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0258] 8A, similarly to the first embodiment, the first holding portion 51 has a pair of left and right first base portions 53, and the second holding portion 52 has a pair of front and rear second base portions 55. However, in the holding structure 50 according to the third embodiment, a first restricting piece 54 is provided at each end of the pair of left and right first base portions 53, extending toward the opposing other first base portion 53. However, two or more first restricting pieces 54 are provided at the end of one of the left and right first base portions 53.

[0259] The first restricting pieces 54 provided on one first base portion 53 and the first restricting pieces 54 provided on the other first base portion 53 are provided at positions that do not overlap when viewed in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the first restricting pieces 54 provided on one first base portion 53 and the first restricting pieces 54 provided on the other first base portion 53 are arranged in a staggered configuration along the front-rear direction.

[0260] 8(B) , second restricting pieces 56 are provided at the respective protruding ends of the pair of front and rear second base portions 55. Each of the second restricting pieces 56 extends toward the opposing other second base portion 55. Similar to the first restricting pieces 54, the second restricting pieces 56 provided on one second base portion 55 and the second restricting pieces 56 provided on the other second base portion 55 are provided in positions that do not overlap when viewed in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the second restricting pieces 56 provided on one second base portion 55 and the second restricting pieces 56 provided on the other second base portion 55 are arranged in a staggered configuration along the left-right direction.

[0261] 8C, in the same manner as in the second embodiment, the extending ends of the first restricting piece 54 and the second restricting piece 56 are each tapered into a claw shape, so that the first restricting piece 54 and the second restricting piece 56 each function as a restricting claw that restricts the downward movement of the wire harness 27.

[0262] The distance between the tip of the first restricting piece 54 provided on one of the left and right first base portions 53 and the tip of the first restricting piece 54 provided on the other first base portion 53 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27 when viewed in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the distance between the tip of the second restricting piece 56 provided on one of the front and rear second base portions 55 and the tip of the second restricting piece 56 provided on the other second base portion 55 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27 when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0263] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0264] As in the first embodiment, the wire harness 27 extends in the front-rear direction at the first holding portion 51 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. The wire harness 27 extends in the second direction at the second holding portion 52 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Therefore, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member 17 so as to be movable in the extending direction.

[0265] When a seated person sits in the vehicle seat 1, the load from the seated person moves the vibration generator 24. Because the wire harness 27 is movable in its extension direction, the wire harness 27 can move in its extension direction so that the wire harness 27 is pulled out in response to the movement of the vibration generator 24. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that can hold the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27.

[0266] In the present embodiment, the first restricting pieces 54 and the second restricting pieces 56 are configured to be arranged in a staggered manner, so that an operator can easily insert the wire harness 27 between the two first base portions 53 or the two second base portions 55, thereby improving the workability of assembling the wire harness 27 to the support member 17.

[0267] <<Fourth Embodiment>> The vehicle seat 1 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the retaining structure 50, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configurations other than the retaining structure 50 will be omitted.

[0268] Similar to the first embodiment, the holding structure 50 according to the fourth embodiment includes a first holding portion 51 and a second holding portion 52. The first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 are provided at positions on the support member main body 18 that are generally similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0269] Each of the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 includes a main portion 60 that holds the wire harness 27 and a sub-portion 61 that prevents the wire harness 27 from coming off the main portion 60 .

[0270] 9A, the main portion 60 of the first retaining portion 51 (hereinafter referred to as the first main portion 60A) is provided on the seat outer side of the sub-portion 61 of the first retaining portion 51 (hereinafter referred to as the first sub-portion 61A). As shown in FIG. 9B, the main portion 60 of the second retaining portion 52 (hereinafter referred to as the second main portion 60B) is provided behind the sub-portion 61 of the second retaining portion 52 (hereinafter referred to as the second sub-portion 61B).

[0271] 9(C), the main portion 60 has a horizontal surface and includes a plate-like portion 62 that protrudes downward, and a claw portion 63 provided at the tip of the plate-like portion 62. The claw portion 63 includes an extending portion 64 that extends horizontally, and a locking portion 65 that protrudes upward from the extending end of the extending portion 64. As a result, the claw portion 63 is formed so that it can be wrapped upward at the extending end. The plate-like portion 62 and the claw portion 63 form a receiving recess 66 that is recessed downward and receives the wire harness 27.

[0272] In this embodiment, the distance between the plate-shaped portion 62 and the locking portion 65 is configured to match the diameter of the wire harness 27 or to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire harness 27. As a result, the wire harness 27 is received in the receiving recess 66 while being sandwiched between the plate-shaped portion 62 and the locking portion 65.

[0273] The plate-shaped portion 62 of the first main portion 60A has a plate-like shape with a surface facing the left-right direction. The extension portion 64 of the first main portion 60A extends toward the seat interior (specifically, toward the seat inner side in the left-right direction). The locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A is located closer to the seat interior than the plate-shaped portion 62 of the first main portion 60A. Like the plate-shaped portion 62 of the first main portion 60A, the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A also has a plate-like shape with a surface facing the left-right direction. This allows the wire harness 27 to be held by the first holding portion 51 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction but not in the left-right direction. In this way, the plate-shaped portion 62 and the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A each restrict movement of the wire harness 27 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (left-right direction), thereby performing a function similar to that of the first base portion 53 of the first embodiment.

[0274] The plate-like portion 62 of the second main portion 60B has a plate-like shape with a surface facing the front-rear direction. The locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B also has a plate-like shape with a surface facing the front-rear direction. This allows the wire harness 27 to be held by the second holding portion 52 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction but not in the left-right direction. In this way, the plate-like portion 62 and the locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B each restrict movement of the wire harness 27 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (left-right direction), thereby performing the same function as the first base portion 53 of the first embodiment.

[0275] The first sub-portion 61A extends in the front-rear direction inside the seat of the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A. In this embodiment, the first sub-portion 61A forms a protrusion that bulges downward inside the seat of the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A. A step portion 67 is formed at the boundary between the first sub-portion 61A and the support member main body 18. The amount of protrusion of the first sub-portion 61A is greater than the vertical distance between the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A and the support member main body 18, and the first sub-portion 61A seals the gap between the locking portion 65 of the first main portion 60A and the support member main body 18. This prevents the wire harness 27 from coming off the first main portion 60A.

[0276] The second sub-portion 61B extends laterally behind the locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B. In this embodiment, the second sub-portion 61B forms a protrusion that bulges downward behind the locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B. A step 67 is formed at the boundary between the second sub-portion 61B and the support member main body 18. The amount of protrusion of the second sub-portion 61B is greater than the vertical distance between the locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B and the support member main body 18, and the second sub-portion 61B seals the gap between the locking portion 65 of the second main portion 60B and the support member main body 18. This prevents the wire harness 27 from coming off the second main portion 60B.

[0277] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0278] As in the first embodiment, the wire harness 27 extends in the front-rear direction at the first holding portion 51 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. The wire harness 27 extends in the second direction at the second holding portion 52 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Therefore, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member 17 so as to be movable in the extending direction.

[0279] When a seated person sits in the vehicle seat 1, the load from the seated person moves the vibration generator 24. Because the wire harness 27 is movable in its extension direction, the wire harness 27 can move in its extension direction so that the wire harness 27 is pulled out in response to the movement of the vibration generator 24. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that can hold the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27.

[0280] <<Fifth Embodiment>> The vehicle seat 1 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the retaining structure 50, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the configurations other than the retaining structure 50 will be omitted.

[0281] The holding structure 50 according to the fifth embodiment includes a first holding portion 51 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) and a second holding portion 52 (see FIG. 10C), similar to the first embodiment. The first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 are provided at positions on the support member main body 18 that are generally similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0282] 10(A) and 10(B), the first holding portion 51 includes a pair of first base portions 53 each having a surface facing in the left-right direction, and protrusions 70 (hereinafter referred to as first protrusions 70A) provided on opposing surfaces of the first base portions 53. The first base portions 53 are plate-shaped with opposing surfaces. The first protrusions 70A protrude from the opposing surfaces of one of the first base portions 53 toward the other first base portion 53.

[0283] In this embodiment, two first protrusions 70A are provided on one first base portion 53, and one first protrusion 70A is provided on the other first base portion 53. The first protrusions 70A provided on one first base portion 53 and the first protrusions 70A provided on the other first base portion 53 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Figures 10(B) and 10(D) , the protrusion amounts of the first protrusions 70A are configured to increase in the direction away from the support member main body 18.

[0284] As shown in FIG. 10C , the second holding portion 52 includes a pair of second base portions 55 each having a surface facing left and right, and second protrusions 70B provided on opposing surfaces of the second base portions 55. The second base portions 55 are plate-shaped with opposing surfaces. The second protrusions 70B protrude from the opposing surfaces of one second base portion 55 toward the other second base portion 55. The second protrusions 70B have the same shape as the first protrusions 70A, and the second protrusions 70B provided on one second base portion 55 of the second holding portion 52 and the second protrusions 70B provided on the other second base portion 55 are arranged in a staggered configuration. Like the first protrusions 70A, the protrusion amounts of the second protrusions 70B are configured to increase in the direction away from the support member main body 18.

[0285] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0286] As in the first embodiment, the wire harness 27 extends in the front-rear direction at the first holding portion 51 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. The wire harness 27 extends in the second direction at the second holding portion 52 and is held by the engaging member 30 so as to be movable in the extending direction. Therefore, the wire harness 27 is coupled to the support member 17 so as to be movable in the extending direction.

[0287] When a seated person sits in the vehicle seat 1, the load from the seated person moves the vibration generator 24. Because the wire harness 27 is movable in its extension direction, the wire harness 27 can move in its extension direction so that the wire harness 27 is pulled out in response to the movement of the vibration generator 24. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that can hold the wire harness 27 on the support member 17 while reducing the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27.

[0288] 10(B) and 10(C), the protrusion amounts of the protrusions 70 (first protrusion 70A and second protrusion 70B) increase with increasing distance from the support member 17 (main body). Therefore, when the vibration generator 24 is pulled and the wire harness 27 is pressed against the support member 17, the first holding portion 51 is less likely to restrict left-right movement of the wire harness 27, and the second holding portion 52 is less likely to restrict front-rear movement of the wire harness 27. Therefore, even when the vibration generator 24 is pulled and the wire harness 27 is pressed against the support member 17, the load that may be applied to the wire harness 27 can be reduced compared to when the protrusion amounts of the protrusions 70 are constant.

[0289] <<Sixth Embodiment>> The vehicle seat 1 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the manner in which the engagement member 30 and the vibration generator 24 are engaged, but the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the configuration other than the engagement member 30 and the vibration generator 24 will be omitted.

[0290] 11 , similarly to the first embodiment, the engaging member 30 according to the fifth embodiment is housed in the pad member recess 22 of the pad member 9A and fixed to the wall surface that defines the pad member recess 22. Similar to the first embodiment, the engaging member 30 includes an engaging member main body 31 in the shape of a rectangular frame with a cutout 40, and a locking claw 32 provided on the engaging member main body 31.

[0291] 11 , the locking claw 32 is provided on the edge on the front side of the engaging member main body 31. The locking claw 32 abuts on the edge on the front side of the side of the vibration generator 24, pressing the vibration generator 24 against the bottom surface of the pad member recess 22. As in the first embodiment, the vibration generator 24 is fixed to the wall surface that defines the pad member recess 22, and therefore the vibration generator 24 is locked to the pad member 9A between the locking claw 32 and the bottom surface of the pad member recess 22.

[0292] The covering member 42 is housed in the expansion portion 22A and is disposed on the front side of the vibration generator 24. As a result, the covering member 42 is disposed so as to cover the vibration generator 24 from the front side, similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the back surface of the covering member 42 abuts against the edge portion on the front side of the engaging member 30, and a gap is formed between the front surface of the vibration generator 24 and the back surface of the covering member 42. The front surface of the covering member 42 is the front surface of the pad member 9A and is flush with the peripheral portion of the pad member recess 22.

[0293] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described. The vibration generator 24 engages with the engagement member 30, which is fixed to the pad member 9A. The engagement member 30 is made of a harder material than the pad member 9A, and is therefore less likely to deform than the pad member 9A when a load from a seated occupant is applied. Therefore, the vibration generator 24 is less likely to move relative to the pad member 9A than if the vibration generator 24 were fitted into the pad member recess 22 provided in the pad member 9A and frictionally locked.

[0294] Although the first to sixth embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description and can be widely modified and implemented.

[0295] In the first to sixth embodiments, the first retaining portion 51 is described as being positioned outside and forward of the seat relative to the second retaining portion 52, but the arrangement of the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 is not limited to this form.

[0296] 12 shows a modified example of the arrangement of the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52. As shown in Fig. 12, the second retaining portion 52 may be provided outward and rearward of the seat with respect to the first retaining portion 51. In this case, although the required length of the wire harness 27 increases, the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 are spaced apart from each other, and therefore, the stress that may be applied to the wire harness 27 between the first retaining portion 51 and the second retaining portion 52 can be reduced.

[0297] 6, the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 may be joined to each other, and the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 may be connected to each other. As a result, the groove 80 between the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 is configured to be generally continuous.

[0298] In this way, even when the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 are connected and configured as a continuous body, the wire harness 27 can be connected to the support member main body 18 while restricting movement in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. Furthermore, when at least one of the first base portions 53 and at least one of the second base portions 55 are connected, movement of the wire harness 27 can be more strongly restricted than when the first base portion 53 and the second base portion 55 are not connected. Furthermore, since rigidity is increased by connecting the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52, the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 are less likely to deform than when they are separated.

[0299] In the first to sixth embodiments, the vibration generator 24 is provided in the seat cushion 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the vibration generator 24 may be provided in the seat back 3. In the above embodiments, the vibration generator 24 is provided as an electrical component in the vehicle seat 1. However, the electrical component may be other electrical or electronic devices (e.g., a blower, a seat heater, etc.). In addition, in the above embodiments, the vibration generator 24, which is an electrical component, is completely housed inside the pad member recess 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the electrical component may be at least partially inserted into the pad member recess 22 and partially engage with the engaging member 30. Furthermore, the shape of the engaging member 30 is not limited to a frame shape, and may be any shape that matches the shape of the electrical component. For example, the engaging member 30 may be hook-shaped to match the shape of the electrical component. Furthermore, as long as the engaging member 30 is fixed to the pad member 9A on the opening side of the bottom wall 22B (above the bottom wall 22B if provided on the seat cushion 2, and forward of the bottom wall 22B if provided on the seat back 3), the engaging member 30 may be positioned in any position.

[0300] In the first to sixth embodiments, the first retaining portion 51 is configured to restrict the movement of the wire harness 27 in the left-right direction (first direction), and the second retaining portion 52 is configured to restrict the movement of the wire harness 27 in the front-rear direction (second direction). However, the direction in which the movement of the wire harness 27 is restricted by the first retaining portion 51 and the direction in which the movement of the wire harness 27 is restricted by the second retaining portion 52 may be any direction as long as they are orthogonal to each other. Also, in the above embodiments, the support member main body 18 extends along the seat cushion frame 8, but this is not limited to this. For example, the support member main body 18 may be configured to bend downward at approximately the center in the front-rear direction and extend in a direction slightly offset from the extension direction of the seat cushion frame 8.

[0301] Seventh Embodiment An example in which a vehicle seat according to a seventh embodiment is applied to a seat 101 mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the traveling direction of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, and the left-right and up-down directions are defined.

[0302] 13, a seat 101 is provided facing forward on a floor 102 that defines the bottom of the vehicle interior. In this embodiment, the seat 101 constitutes a front row seat.

[0303] The seat 101 has a seat cushion 104 connected to a floor 102, a seat back 105 connected to the rear of the seat cushion 104, and a headrest 106 provided on the upper side of the seat back 105. The seat cushion 104 supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The seat back 105 supports the lumbar region and back of the occupant from behind.

[0304] The seat 101 also includes a plurality of vibration devices 107 for applying vibrations to the occupant, a plurality of air bags 108, and an air blower 109. Each air bag 108 expands when fluid is supplied thereto and contracts when the fluid is discharged therefrom. The air blower 109 blows air toward the occupant. In another embodiment, the seat 101 may include an air intake device that draws in air toward the occupant instead of the air blower 109.

[0305] 14 , the seat back 105 has a seat back frame 111 that forms a skeleton, and a seat back pad 112 that is supported by the seat back frame 111. The seat back 105 also has a covering material 113 that covers the seat back pad 112 and the seat back frame 111. Each of the plurality of vibration devices 107 and each of the plurality of air bags 108 are disposed between the seat back pad 112 and the covering material 113.

[0306] 14 , the seatback frame 111 may have a known configuration including a pair of left and right seatback side members 114 extending vertically, an upper member 116 connected to the upper ends of the left and right seatback side members 114, a lower member 118 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the lower ends of the left and right seatback side members 114, and a middle member 120 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the left and right seatback side members 114. The middle member 120 may be disposed between the upper member 116 and the lower member 118. The seatback frame 111 may be made of, for example, metal.

[0307] The seat back 105 further includes a pressure-receiving member 121 supported by the seat back frame 111. The pressure-receiving member 121 may have a known configuration, for example, including a metal wire 122 stretched across the seat back frame 111 and a plate-shaped member 123 supported by the wire 122 and facing forward and backward. In this embodiment, an upper end of the wire 122 is connected to the middle member 120, and a lower end of the wire 122 is connected to the lower member 118. The plate-shaped member 123 is connected to a front portion of the wire 122. The plate-shaped member 123 may be formed from, for example, a resin material.

[0308] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the seatback pad 112 is disposed on the front side of the pressure-receiving member 121, i.e., on the front side facing the occupant (the seated person side). The back side of the seatback pad 112, i.e., a part of the rear surface facing away from the occupant, may abut against the front surface of the plate-like member 123. As a result, a load from the front applied to the seatback pad 112 via the cover material 113 is transmitted to the seatback frame 111 via the pressure-receiving member 121. The seatback pad 112 may be formed from a foamed resin such as urethane foam. Note that Figure 15 corresponds to the XV-XV cross-sectional view in Figure 18, and Figure 16 corresponds to the XVI-XVI cross-sectional view in Figure 18.

[0309] 17 , the seat back pad 112 may have a plurality of hanging grooves 126 for hanging the upholstery material 113. Each of the plurality of hanging grooves 126 is recessed rearward from the front surface of the seat back pad 112 and extends along the surface direction of the seat back pad 112. In this embodiment, the seat back pad 112 has a pair of left and right vertical hanging grooves 128 extending in the up-down direction, and horizontal hanging grooves 129 extending in the left-right direction and intersecting with each vertical hanging groove 128.

[0310] Each hanging groove 126 may be provided with a plurality of clip portions (not shown) for holding the upholstery material 113 to the seat back 105. Each clip portion may have a known configuration, for example, including a substrate embedded in the seat back pad 112 and a pair of locking pieces that protrude from the substrate into each hanging groove 126 from the bottom of the substrate. The upholstery material 113 is held to the seat back 105 by a plurality of locking portions provided on the upholstery material 113 being locked by the corresponding locking pieces.

[0311] 14 , the air blower 109 has an air blower main body 131 supported by the seat back frame 111, and a duct 132 connected to the air blower main body 131. The air blower main body 131 is disposed between the upper member 116 and the middle member 120. The air blower main body 131 may be coupled to, for example, a bracket 133 coupled to at least one of the upper member 116 and the middle member 120. The air blower main body 131 may be, for example, a centrifugal fan or a sirocco fan.

[0312] A heating source or a cooling source may be provided on either the air inlet side or the air outlet side of the air blower main body 131. The heating source may be, for example, a heat sink or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. The cooling source may be, for example, a Peltier element. This allows the air blower 109 to blow warm air or cool air from the side of the seated occupant.

[0313] The duct 132 may be formed with a rectangular cross section. One end of the duct 132 is connected to the blower main body 131. The other end of the duct 132 passes from rear to front between the upper member 116 and the middle member 120. The opening at the other end of the duct 132 is arranged to face forward.

[0314] As shown in Figure 17, the seat back pad 112 further has an air vent 134 penetrating in the front-rear direction and an air vent groove 135 connected to the air vent 134. In this embodiment, the air vent 134 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The air vent 134 is provided below the horizontal hanging groove 129 and to the left of the right-side vertical hanging groove 128. A duct 132 is connected to the air vent 134. More specifically, the other end of the duct 132 may be inserted into the air vent 134.

[0315] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 , the ventilation groove 135 is recessed rearward from the surface of the seat back pad 112 and extends along the surface of the seat back pad 112. The ventilation groove 135 is connected to the ventilation holes 134. Specifically, the ventilation holes 134 are formed in a portion of the bottom of the ventilation groove 135. The ventilation groove 135 has a plurality of horizontal grooves 136 extending in the left-right direction and a plurality of vertical grooves 137 extending in the up-down direction and connecting the plurality of horizontal grooves 136. In this embodiment, five horizontal grooves 136 are provided spaced apart from one another in the up-down direction. Each of the plurality of vertical grooves 137 is provided so as to connect adjacent horizontal grooves 136. Each vertical groove 137 is provided in the left-right center of the horizontal groove 136. The ventilation hole 134 is formed at the right end of the uppermost horizontal groove 136.

[0316] As shown in Figure 18, each of the multiple vibration devices 107 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each vibration device 107 may have a known configuration including, for example, a coil, a magnet, and a yoke. The magnetic field generated by the coil changes as the direction of current flowing through the coil changes periodically. This causes the yoke to which the magnet is connected to vibrate in response to the change in the magnetic field. The vibration device 107 is preferably arranged so that the direction of its vibration is perpendicular to the front surface of the seatback pad 112, but it may also be arranged so that the direction of its vibration is parallel to the front surface of the seatback pad 112.

[0317] Each of the multiple vibration devices 107 is disposed on the front side of the seat back pad 112. As shown in Figures 15 to 17, the seat back pad 112 has multiple first recesses 141 for accommodating each of the multiple vibration devices 107. Each of the multiple first recesses 141 is a recess with a bottom that recesses rearward from the front surface of the seat back pad 112. Each of the first recesses 141 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. Each of the first recesses 141 makes it difficult for the vibration devices 107 to come into contact with the occupant, thereby reducing the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0318] As shown in FIG. 15 , each of the multiple first recesses 141 is connected to the ventilation groove 135. The width of the ventilation groove 135 is narrower than the width of the first recess 141. Each of the multiple first recesses 141 is disposed forward of the ventilation groove 135. That is, the bottom surface of each first recess 141 is located forward of the bottom surface of the ventilation groove 135. A portion of the opening of the ventilation groove 135 is provided on the bottom surface of the first recess 141. In this embodiment, each first recess 141 is connected to each of the three lateral grooves 136, excluding the uppermost and lowermost lateral grooves 136. More specifically, each first recess 141 is provided at each of the left and right ends of the three lateral grooves 136. When each vibration device 107 is housed in the corresponding first recess 141, the vibration device 107 blocks a portion of the opening of the ventilation groove 135 provided on the bottom surface of the first recess 141. Therefore, the air passing through the ventilation groove 135 is prevented from leaking out from the first recess 141 .

[0319] 15, 16, and 18, each of the multiple air bags 108 is disposed on the front side of the seat back pad 112. More specifically, each of the multiple air bags 108 is disposed on the front side of each vibrating device 107. In this embodiment, each air bag 108 is disposed on the front surface of the seat back pad 112 between vertically adjacent lateral grooves 136. In other words, the multiple air bags 108 are disposed on the seat back pad 112 at a distance from each other.

[0320] When each vibration device 107 is housed in the corresponding first recess 141, the vibration device 107 is disposed between two air bags 108 that are adjacent to each other vertically when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. At this time, the air bags 108 and the vibration device 107 overlap each other when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, when viewed from the front, the upper end of each vibration device 107 overlaps the lower end of the upper air bag 108. Furthermore, the lower end of each vibration device 107 overlaps the lower air bag 108.

[0321] Each of the multiple air bladders 108 is fixed to the seat back pad 112 by a fixing member. In this embodiment, the fixing member is a multiple of double-sided tapes 143. Each of the double-sided tapes 143 is disposed on the front surface of the seat back pad 112. Specifically, one surface of each of the double-sided tapes 143 is adhered to the front surface of the seat back pad 112 between adjacent lateral grooves 136 in the vertical direction. The rear surface of each of the air bladders 108 is adhered to the other surface of each of the double-sided tapes 143. This fixes each of the air bladders 108 to the seat back pad 112. Some of the multiple double-sided tapes 143 may extend in the vertical direction. In this case, the upper end of each of the vibration devices 107 may be adhered to the lower end of the upper double-sided tape 143, and the lower end of each of the vibration devices 107 may be adhered to the upper end of the lower double-sided tape 143. This allows each of the vibration devices 107 to be more stably fixed to the seat back pad 112.

[0322] A spacer 144 is disposed between each pair of vertically adjacent air bags 108. That is, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, each vibration device 107 overlaps with the adjacent air bags 108 and the spacer 144. The spacer 144 is formed in a plate shape with its surface facing the front-to-rear direction. Each of the multiple spacers 144 is preferably disposed in the vertical center of the corresponding vibration device 107. This allows the spacer 144 to fill the space between the adjacent air bags 108, thereby facilitating transmission of vibrations from the vibration device 107 to the occupant. The front surface of the spacer 144 is preferably disposed flush with the front surface of the deflated air bag 108. This minimizes any step between the spacer 144 and the air bag 108. This further reduces the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant. Each spacer 144 may be formed, for example, from the same foam resin as the seatback pad 112, or from a foam resin softer than the seatback pad 112. Each spacer 144 may be fixed to the corresponding vibration device 107 by double-sided tape 143. Note that in another embodiment, the multiple spacers 144 may extend in the left-right direction along the corresponding lateral grooves 136. In this case, the left and right ends of each spacer 144 may overlap the left and right vibration devices 107 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0323] A cover pad 146 is disposed on the front side of the seat back pad 112. The cover pad 146 is disposed between the seat back pad 112 and the upholstery material 113. The cover pad 146 covers the ventilation groove 135. The cover pad 146 is formed in a plate shape with its surface facing the front-rear direction. The cover pad 146 may be formed, for example, from the same foam resin as the seat back pad 112, or may be formed from a foam resin that is harder than the seat back pad 112. The cover pad 146 can fill in the gaps between the air bags 108 and the spacers 144 and the seat back pad 112. This further reduces the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant.

[0324] The cover pad 146 has a plurality of through holes 148 (see FIG. 18 ) penetrating in the front-rear direction. Each of the plurality of through holes 148 overlaps with the ventilation groove 135 when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, each through hole 148 overlaps with the left and right ends of each lateral groove 136. Specifically, each through hole 148 is provided at a position that does not overlap with each of the first recesses 141 when viewed from the front-rear direction. Each through hole 148 allows the blower device main body 131 to blow air toward the front side (occupant side) of the seat back pad 112 via the duct 132, the ventilation hole 134, the ventilation groove 135, and the plurality of through holes 148. Therefore, the cover pad 146 cooperates with the seat back pad 112 to form a flow path for air sent out from the blower device main body 131.

[0325] The cover pad 146 may have at least one protrusion 149 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the cover pad 146. The protrusion 149 extends along the surface of the cover pad 146. Specifically, the protrusion 149 is provided so as to overlap a portion of the ventilation groove 135 when viewed from the front-rear direction. The protrusion 149 is provided so as to avoid each of the through holes 148. Furthermore, the protrusion 149 is provided at a position that does not overlap each of the first recesses 141 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0326] When the cover pad 146 is placed over the seat back pad 112, the convex portions 149 provided on the cover pad 146 may protrude into the ventilation grooves 135. At this time, the upper and lower side surfaces of the convex portions 149 that protrude into each of the multiple lateral grooves 136 may abut against the upper and lower side surfaces of the lateral grooves 136. Furthermore, the left and right side surfaces of the convex portions 149 that protrude into each of the multiple vertical grooves 137 may abut against the left and right side surfaces of the vertical grooves 137. This allows the convex portions 149 to block the openings at the front ends of the ventilation grooves 135. Therefore, air passing through the ventilation grooves 135 is sent out toward the occupant through each of the through holes 148 provided in the cover pad 146. The convex surface of the convex portions 149 facing rearward may be disposed on the same plane as the bottom surface of the first recess 141.

[0327] In other embodiments, the seat back 105 may have a plate-like member disposed between the seat back pad 112 and the cover pad 146. The ventilation groove 135 may be formed in the plate-like member. In this case, the ventilation groove 135 may be formed to penetrate the plate-like member in the thickness direction and extend along the surface direction of the plate-like member. In this case, a first recess 141 that accommodates the vibrating device 107 may be provided in the plate-like member. By changing the plate-like member, the shape of the ventilation groove 135 and the arrangement of each vibrating device 107 can be changed. This increases the degree of freedom in the shape of the ventilation groove 135 and the arrangement of each vibrating device 107.

[0328] A method for manufacturing the seat 101 configured as above, particularly a method for manufacturing the seat back 105, will be described in detail. Each step in the following description can be performed by a worker who manufactures the seat 101.

[0329] First, the seat back pad 112 is prepared. The seat back pad 112 may be formed by injection foam molding or extrusion foam molding of a foam resin such as urethane foam. At this time, the seat back pad 112 may be formed with a plurality of hanging grooves 126, a plurality of first recesses 141, ventilation holes 134, and ventilation grooves 135. Each of the hanging grooves 126 may be provided with a plurality of clip portions.

[0330] Next, each of the multiple vibration devices 107 is accommodated in a corresponding first recess 141 (first step). Next, each of the multiple double-sided tapes 143 is placed on the front surface of the seat back pad 112 (second step). Specifically, one side of each double-sided tape 143 is adhered to the front surface of the seat back pad 112 between adjacent lateral grooves 136 in the vertical direction. At this time, the upper end of each vibration device 107 may be adhered to the lower end of the upper double-sided tape 143, and the lower end of each vibration device 107 may be adhered to the upper end of the lower double-sided tape 143.

[0331] Next, each of the multiple air bladders 108 is fixed to double-sided tape 143 (third step). Specifically, the rear surface of each air bladders 108 is adhered to the other surface of each double-sided tape 143. Each air bladders 108 is disposed on the front surface of the seat back pad 112 between adjacent lateral grooves 136 in the vertical direction. At this time, each vibrating device 107 overlaps with each of the adjacent air bladders 108 in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0332] Next, each of the plurality of spacers 144 is placed between adjacent air bags 108 in the vertical direction (fourth step). Specifically, each spacer 144 is placed in front of the corresponding vibration device 107. Next, the cover pad 146 is placed over the front of the seat back pad 112. At this time, it is preferable that the protrusions 149 provided on the cover pad 146 are inserted into the ventilation grooves 135.

[0333] Next, the blower device main body 131 of the blower device 109 is attached to the seat back frame 111. The blower device main body 131 may be attached to a bracket 133 that is joined to at least one of the upper member 116 and the middle member 120, for example. A duct 132 connected to the blower device main body 131 passes from the rear to the front between the upper member 116 and the middle member 120. The opening at the other end of the duct 132 is positioned to face forward.

[0334] Next, the seat back pad 112 is placed on the front of the seat back frame 111. At this time, a part of the rear surface of the seat back pad 112 may abut against the front surface of the pressure-receiving member 121. In addition, the other end of the duct 132 of the air blower 109 may be inserted into the air vent 134 provided in the seat back pad 112.

[0335] Next, the cover material 113 is placed over the front of the seat back pad 112. The cover material 113 is held on the seat back pad 112 by locking a locking portion provided on the cover material 113 with a locking portion of a clip provided in the hanging groove 126. In this manner, the seat back 105 is manufactured, with the vibration devices 107 and the air bags 108 arranged on the surface thereof.

[0336] The vibration devices 107 and the air bags 108 overlap each other when viewed from the front, and are therefore arranged closely together when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the vibration devices 107 and the air bags 108 can be arranged on the surface of the seat back pad 112. Furthermore, because each of the multiple first recesses 141 is connected to the ventilation groove 135, the vibration devices 107 and the ventilation groove 135 are arranged closely together when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, even if the seat 101 is provided with an air blower 109, the vibration devices 107, the air bags 108, and the ventilation groove 135 can also be arranged on the surface of the seat back pad 112.

[0337] The shape of the cover pad 146 may be modified. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the cover pad 146 may have a plurality of second recesses 151 recessed from the back surface of the cover pad 146 to the front surface. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of second recesses 151 is provided so as to recess forward from the rear surface of the cover pad 146. Each second recess 151 accommodates a corresponding air bag 108. This prevents each air bag 108 from moving in the planar direction of the seat back pad 112. Furthermore, since the difference in level between each air bag 108 and the seat back pad 112 is reduced, the foreign body sensation felt by the occupant is further reduced.

[0338] In other embodiments, each second recess 151 may be provided in the seat back pad 112. That is, each second recess 151 may be provided so as to recess rearward from the front surface of the seat back pad 112. Each second recess 151 may be connected to the first recess 141 that houses the vibration device 107. Specifically, each second recess 151 may be provided so as to protrude outward in the vertical direction from the upper and lower edges of the first recess 141. The bottom surface of each second recess 151 may be located closer to the front than the bottom surface of each first recess 141.

[0339] Although the seventh embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description and can be modified in a wide variety of ways. For example, although the air bags 108, the vibration devices 107, and the air blower 109 are provided in the seat back 105, they may also be provided in the seat cushion 104.

[0340] Eighth Embodiment An eighth embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, front, rear, left, right, up and down are defined based on the vehicle.

[0341] As shown in Figure 20, a vehicle 201 has a plurality of seats 202 provided in its cabin. The plurality of seats 202 include a front right seat 202A (first seat), a front left seat 202B, a middle right seat 202C, a middle left seat 202D, and a rear seat 202E. The front right seat 202A, the front left seat 202B, the middle right seat 202C, and the middle left seat 202D are single seats. The rear seat 202E is a two-seater seat. The front right seat 202A constitutes a driver's seat. The front right seat 202A, the front left seat 202B, the middle right seat 202C, and the middle left seat 202D may be of the same configuration.

[0342] 20 and 21 , the seat 202 has a seat cushion 205 provided on a floor 204, a seat back 206 extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion 205, and a headrest 207 connected to the upper part of the seat back 206. The seat back 206 is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 205 via a reclining device 208. That is, the seat back 206 is supported so as to be able to tilt relative to the seat cushion 205. The seat cushion 205 and the seat back 206 constitute a seat body 209.

[0343] The seat body 209 is rotatably mounted on the floor 204 via a rotation device 211. Specifically, the seat cushion 205 is supported on the floor 204 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis A extending in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the floor 204). The rotation device 211 may include an actuator that generates a driving force to rotate the seat body 209. The seat cushion 205 may also be supported on the floor 204 via a slide device so as to be movable back and forth. In this case, the rotation axis A may be arranged so as to be movable back and forth. The slide device may be interposed between the floor 204 and the rotation device 211.

[0344] The seat cushion 205 has a seat cushion frame, a pad supported by the seat cushion frame, and a cover material covering the pad. The seat back 206 has a seat back frame, a pad supported by the seat back frame, and a cover material covering the pad. The seat back 206 is supported on the seat cushion 205 via a reclining device 208 so as to be rotatable (also referred to as tiltable) around an axis extending left and right.

[0345] The seat 202 is provided with a plurality of vibrating devices 220. The vibrating devices 220 may include first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D. Each of the first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D may be provided in a left-right pair. The left-right pair of first vibrating devices 220A and the left-right pair of second vibrating devices 220B may be provided on the seat cushion 205. The left-right pair of third vibrating devices 220C and the left-right pair of fourth vibrating devices 220D may be provided on the seat back 206.

[0346] The second vibrating device 220B is provided closer to the seat back 206 than the first vibrating device 220A. That is, the left and right first vibrating devices 220A are provided in the front part of the seat cushion 205, and the left and right second vibrating devices 220B are provided in the rear part of the seat cushion 205. The first vibrating device 220A and the second vibrating device 220B may each be disposed in a recess formed in the upper surface of a pad that constitutes the seat cushion 205. The first vibrating device 220A and the second vibrating device 220B may each be disposed in a recess formed in the lower surface of a pad that constitutes the seat cushion 205.

[0347] The left and right third vibrating devices 220C are provided in the lower part of the seat back 206, and the left and right fourth vibrating devices 220D are provided in the upper part of the seat back 206. The third vibrating device 220C and the fourth vibrating device 220D are preferably disposed in recesses formed in the front surface of a pad constituting the seat back 206. The third vibrating device 220C and the fourth vibrating device 220D may also be disposed in recesses formed in the rear surface of a pad constituting the seat back 206.

[0348] Each of the vibration devices 220 may be an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor or a linear resonant actuator. The eccentric rotating mass vibration motor includes an electric motor and an eccentric weight coupled to the rotating shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor rotates the eccentric weight to generate vibration. The linear resonant actuator may include a coil, a magnet, and a yoke. The magnetic field generated by the coil changes as the direction of current flowing through the coil periodically changes. This causes the yoke to which the magnet is coupled to vibrate in response to the change in the magnetic field. Each of the eccentric rotating mass vibration motors may be mounted on the seat cushion 205 or the seat back 206 so that the vibration direction is perpendicular to the seat surface.

[0349] One of the first vibration device 220A and the second vibration device 220B may be an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, and the other of the first vibration device 220A and the second vibration device 220B may be a linear resonant actuator. In this embodiment, the left and right first vibration device 220A is an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, and the left and right second vibration device 220B is an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor.

[0350] As shown in FIG. 22 , the vehicle 201 includes a seat control unit 225, a vehicle control unit 226, and a voice control unit 227. Each of the seat control unit 225, the vehicle control unit 226, and the voice control unit 227 is an electronic control unit (ECU) including a processor such as a CPU, a non-volatile memory (ROM), and a volatile memory (RAM). The seat control unit 225, the vehicle control unit 226, and the voice control unit 227 execute various applications by executing arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the non-volatile memory in the processor. The seat control unit 225, the vehicle control unit 226, and the voice control unit 227 may be configured as a single piece of hardware, or may be configured as a unit consisting of multiple pieces of hardware. When the seat control unit 225, the vehicle control unit 226, and the voice control unit 227 are independent pieces of hardware, the seat control unit 225, the vehicle control unit 226, and the voice control unit 227 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0351] The seat control unit 225 controls the multiple vibration devices 220. The seat control unit 225 is connected to a rotation angle sensor 231, a reclining angle sensor 232, and a load sensor 233. The rotation angle sensor 231 detects the rotation angle of the seat body 209 relative to the floor 204 around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The rotation axis may be set to extend in a direction perpendicular to the floor 204. The rotation angle is defined as 0 degrees when the seat body 209 faces forward of the vehicle 201, with positive angles (0 degrees to 180 degrees) in the clockwise direction and negative angles (0 degrees to -180 degrees) in the counterclockwise direction. The rotation angle sensor 231 may be provided in the rotation device 211. The reclining angle sensor 232 detects the reclining angle, which is the angle of the seat back 206 relative to the vertical plane. Note that the vertical plane here may be defined as a plane perpendicular to the floor 204. The reclining angle sensor 232 may also detect the rotation angle of the seat back 206 relative to the seat cushion 205. The reclining angle sensor 232 may be provided between the seat cushion 205 and the seat back 206. The rotation angle sensor 231 and the reclining angle sensor 232 may be well-known rotation angle sensors 231 such as potentiostats or rotary encoders. The load sensor 233 is provided on the seat cushion 205 and measures the load applied by the occupant. The load sensor 233 may be, for example, a piezoelectric element.

[0352] The vehicle control unit 226 is capable of executing driving modes including an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode. In the automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit 226 controls the drive source 235, braking device 236, and steering device 237 of the vehicle 201 based on signals from various sensors to drive the vehicle 201. The drive source 235 may be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. In the manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit 226 controls the drive source 235, braking device 236, and steering device 237 of the vehicle 201 based on driving operations of the occupant to the steering wheel 241, accelerator pedal 242, and brake pedal 243 to drive the vehicle 201. The steering wheel 241 is provided with a steering angle sensor 245 that detects a steering angle. The accelerator pedal 242 is provided with an accelerator pedal sensor 246 that detects the position of the accelerator pedal 242. The brake pedal 243 is provided with a brake pedal sensor 247 that detects the position of the brake pedal 243. The steering angle sensor 245 , the accelerator pedal sensor 246 , and the brake pedal sensor 247 are connected to the vehicle control unit 226 .

[0353] The vehicle control unit 226 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 201 between an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The vehicle control unit 226 may switch the driving mode from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode when the position of the vehicle 201 is within a predetermined range from the end point of the autonomous driving. The end point of the autonomous driving may be set, for example, at an exit of a highway. Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 226 may set the end point of the autonomous driving to a position a predetermined distance from the current position when an abnormality is detected in various devices or occupants of the vehicle 201. The predetermined range may be set in advance.

[0354] The vehicle control unit 226 is connected to an obstacle sensor 251 that detects obstacles present around the vehicle 201 (vehicle body). The obstacle sensor 251 may be a radar, a lidar, a sonar, or the like. Based on a signal from the obstacle sensor 251, the vehicle control unit 226 acquires obstacle information including the positions of obstacles present around the vehicle 201.

[0355] The steering wheel 241 is provided with a grip sensor 252. The grip sensor 252 may be any of a capacitance sensor, a pressure sensor, and a membrane switch provided on the steering wheel 241. The vehicle control unit 226 and the seat control unit 225 determine whether the steering wheel 241 is being held based on a signal from the grip sensor 252. The steering angle sensor 245, the accelerator pedal sensor 246, the brake pedal sensor 247, and the grip sensor 252 constitute an input device 253 that receives manual driving operations from the occupant.

[0356] The audio control unit 227 controls the speaker 255 based on the audio information. The speaker 255 is provided in the vehicle 201. The audio control unit 227 may use audio information stored in a memory, or may acquire audio information from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or may acquire audio information from radio waves or TV waves, or may acquire audio information via the Internet. The audio control unit 227 may generate an audio output signal based on the audio information and control the speaker 255 using the audio output signal. The audio control unit 227 also outputs the audio output signal to the seat control unit 225.

[0357] The following describes the control executed by the seat control unit 225. When the vehicle control unit 226 executes autonomous driving termination control to switch the driving mode from autonomous driving mode to manual driving mode, the seat control unit 225 executes notification control to vibrate the multiple vibration devices 220 in order, starting with the one located at the rear. In the notification control, the seat control unit 225 acquires the fore-and-aft positions of the first vibration device 220A and the second vibration device 220B based on the rotation angle around the rotation axis of the front right seat 202A.

[0358] At the start of automatic driving termination control for switching the driving mode from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit 226 outputs a switching start signal to the seat control unit 225. Upon receiving the switching start signal, the seat control unit 225 starts the notification control shown in Fig. 23 .

[0359] 23 , the seat control unit 225 first acquires the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A based on a signal from the rotation angle sensor 231 of the front right seat 202A (ST1). The seat control unit 225 determines whether the front right seat 202A is facing forward based on the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A (ST2). The seat control unit 225 may determine that the front right seat 202A is facing forward when the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A is between −90 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0360] When the front row right seat 202A faces forward (the determination result in ST2 is Yes), the seat control unit 225 vibrates each of the vibrating devices 220 in the order of the fourth left and right vibrating device 220D, the third left and right vibrating device 220C, the second left and right vibrating device 220B, and the first left and right vibrating device 220A (ST3). That is, the seat control unit 225 vibrates the vibrating device 220 in the order from the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 201. Note that when the rotation angle is -90 degrees or 90 degrees, the first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D are arranged in the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 201. For example, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the fourth vibrating device 220D for a predetermined period of time and then stop the vibrations, then vibrate the third vibrating device 220C for a predetermined period of time and then stop the vibrations, then vibrate the second vibrating device 220B for a predetermined period of time and then stop the vibrations, and then continue vibrating the first vibrating device 220A. Alternatively, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the first vibrating device 220A for a predetermined period of time and then continue vibrating the left and right first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D.

[0361] When the front row right seat 202A faces rearward (the determination result in ST2 is No), the seat control unit 225 vibrates each of the vibrating devices 220 in the order of the first left and right vibrating devices 220A, the second left and right vibrating devices 220B, the third left and right vibrating devices 220C, and the fourth left and right vibrating devices 220D (ST4). That is, the seat control unit 225 vibrates the vibrating devices 220 in the order from the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 201. The seat control unit 225 may, for example, vibrate the first vibrating device 220A for a predetermined period and then stop it, then vibrate the second vibrating device 220B for a predetermined period and then stop it, then vibrate the third vibrating device 220C for a predetermined period and then stop it, and then continue vibrating the fourth vibrating device 220D. Furthermore, after vibrating the fourth vibrating device 220D for a predetermined period of time, the seat control section 225 may continue vibrating the first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D on the left and right sides.

[0362] Next, the seat control unit 225 drives the rotation device 211 so that the front right seat 202A faces forward (ST5). The seat control unit 225 may control the rotation device 211 until the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A becomes 0 degrees. Note that if the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A is already 0 degrees, the seat control unit 225 does not drive the rotation device 211. This allows the occupant seated in the front right seat 202A to perform manual driving operations and prepare for manual driving.

[0363] Next, the seat control unit 225 determines whether a predetermined input operation has been applied to the input device 253 (ST6). The predetermined input operation to the input device 253 may be a gripping operation of the steering wheel 241, a steering operation of the steering wheel 241, a depression operation of the accelerator pedal 242, or a depression operation of the brake pedal 243. The seat control unit 225 may determine whether a predetermined input operation has been applied to the input device 253 based on a signal from the grip sensor 252, the steering angle sensor 245, the accelerator pedal sensor 246, or the brake pedal sensor 247. The signal from the grip sensor 252, the steering angle sensor 245, the accelerator pedal sensor 246, or the brake pedal sensor 247 may be input directly to the seat control unit 225. Alternatively, the signal from the grip sensor 252, the steering angle sensor 245, the accelerator pedal sensor 246, or the brake pedal sensor 247 may be input to the seat control unit 225 via the vehicle control unit 226. For example, the vehicle control unit 226 may output a detection signal to the seat control unit 225 based on a signal from the grip sensor 252, the steering angle sensor 245, the accelerator pedal sensor 246, or the brake pedal sensor 247, and the seat control unit 225 may determine whether a predetermined input operation has been applied to the input device 253 based on the detection signal.

[0364] When a predetermined input operation is performed on the input device 253 (the determination result in ST6 is Yes), the seat control section 225 stops the vibration of the first to fourth vibrating devices 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D (ST7).

[0365] If a predetermined input operation has not been performed on the input device 253 (the determination result in ST6 is No), the seat control unit 225 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the vibration device 220 started vibrating (ST8). The seat control unit 225 may measure the time from the start of vibration of the vibration device 220 that last started vibrating among the vibration devices 220. Furthermore, instead of measuring the time from the start of vibration of the vibration device 220, the seat control unit 225 may measure the time from the start of notification control.

[0366] If a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the vibration device 220 started vibrating (the determination result in ST8 is Yes), the seat control unit 225 vibrates at least one of the vibration devices 220 of the seats 202B-2E (second seats) other than the front right seat 202A (ST9). For example, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the vibration device 220 of the front left seat 202B for a predetermined period of time. This allows the occupant seated in the front left seat 202B to be notified that the driving mode will be switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode. As a result, the occupant seated in the front left seat 202B can alert the occupant seated in the driver's seat.

[0367] If a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since the vibration device 220 started vibrating (the judgment result of ST8 is No), the seat control unit 225 repeatedly judges whether a predetermined input operation has been applied to the input device 253 (ST6).

[0368] According to the notification control, the vibration devices 220 vibrate in order from the rearmost one, thereby alerting the occupants to the road ahead. This allows the vibration of the front right seat 202A to reliably alert the occupants to the change in driving mode in the vehicle 201. Since the front-rear positions of the plurality of vibration devices 220 are obtained based on the rotation angle of the front right seat 202A, the front-rear positions of each vibration device 220 can be reliably obtained even when the front right seat 202A is rotated by the rotation device 211.

[0369] Since multiple vibration devices 220 are provided on the seat cushion 205 and the seat back 206 of the front row right seat 202A, it is possible to increase the distance between the frontmost vibration device 220 and the rearmost vibration device 220. This increases the movement distance of the vibration position, making it easier for the occupant to recognize that the vibration position is changing.

[0370] The seat control unit 225 can estimate that the occupant has completed preparation for the manual driving mode based on the occupant's input to the input device 253. Furthermore, when the occupant has completed preparation for the manual driving mode, the seat control unit 225 can stop the vibration of the vibration device 220 to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

[0371] The seat control unit 225 may execute additional control to control the plurality of vibration devices 220 based on audio information. That is, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the plurality of vibration devices 220 based on audio information in the same manner as the speaker 255. In this case, the seat control unit 225 may reduce the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices 220 due to the additional control when the notification control is being executed compared to when the notification control is not being executed. According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the amplitude due to the additional control is suppressed, making it easier for the occupant to recognize the vibration due to the notification control.

[0372] The seat control unit 225 may execute obstacle control, controlling the multiple vibration devices 220 according to the position of the obstacle. The driving control unit may acquire the position of the obstacle based on a signal from the obstacle sensor 251 and output the obstacle position information to the seat control unit 225. The seat control unit 225 may vibrate the vibration device 220 located closest to the obstacle based on the obstacle position information. For example, when the seat 202 faces forward and the obstacle is located in the front right of the vehicle 201, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the first vibration device 220A on the right side. When the seat 202 faces forward and the obstacle passes on the right side of the vehicle 201 from the front to the rear, the seat control unit 225 may vibrate the first vibration device 220A on the right side, the second vibration device 220B on the right side, the third vibration device 220C on the right side, and the fourth vibration device 220D on the right side in sequence. This allows the occupant to recognize the relative position of the obstacle with respect to the vehicle 201.

[0373] The seat control unit 225 may prohibit the obstacle control while executing the notification control. According to this aspect, when the driving mode is switched, the seat control unit 225 prohibits the obstacle control, making it easier for the occupant to recognize the vibration caused by the notification control.

[0374] Before performing the notification control, the seat control unit 225 may execute a preliminary control to vibrate the plurality of vibration devices 220 at an amplitude smaller than the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices 220 in the notification control. According to this aspect, the vibration based on the preliminary control allows the occupant to recognize that the driving mode is being switched.

[0375] In the notification control, the seat control unit 225 may increase the amplitude of the plurality of vibration devices 220 when the reclining angle of the seat back 206 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first determination value compared to when the reclining angle is less than the first determination value. According to this aspect, a larger vibration is applied to an occupant who may be asleep, making them aware of the change in driving mode.

[0376] In the notification control, when the load measured by the load sensor 233 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second determination value, the seat control unit 225 may increase the amplitude of the vibration devices 220 compared to when the load measured by the load sensor 233 is less than the second determination value. According to this aspect, it is possible to apply larger vibrations to occupants with larger physiques.

[0377] This concludes the description of the eighth embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways.

[0378] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle seat 8: Seat cushion frame 9A: Pad member 18: Support member main body (main body portion) 24: Vibration generator (electrical component) 27: Wire harness (linear member) 50: Retaining structure 51: First retaining portion 52: Second retaining portion 53: First base portion 54: First restricting piece (restricting piece) 55: Second base portion 56: Second restricting piece (restricting piece) 70: Protruding portion

Claims

1. [Correction based on Rule 91 03.10.2024] A vehicle seat comprising: a frame; a support member supported by the frame and supporting an occupant; a pad member supported on an upper side of the support member; and a wire harness to be connected to electrical equipment, wherein the support member has a plate-shaped main body and a retaining structure for retaining the wire harness on the main body, wherein the retaining structure includes a first retaining portion that couples the wire harness to the main body so as to be movably in a first direction and restricts movement of the wire harness in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second retaining portion that couples the wire harness to the main body so as to be movably in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction, wherein the retaining structure is integrally formed with the main body.

2. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, wherein the first retaining portions each protrude from the rear surface of the main body portion and comprise a pair of first base portions aligned in the second direction, the second retaining portions each protrude from the rear surface of the main body portion and comprise a pair of second base portions aligned in the first direction, and the wire harness passes between the first base portions and between the second base portions.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first base portions and at least one of said second base portions are joined to each other.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the first base portion and the second base portion are disposed apart from each other.

5. A vehicle seat as described in claim 2, wherein the first base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, and the second base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the first base portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the second base portion in both the first direction and the second direction.

7. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein a restricting piece is provided at each of the protruding ends of the first base portion and the second base portion to restrict the wire harness from moving away from the main body portion.

8. A vehicle seat as described in claim 7, wherein the first base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the second direction, at least one of the first base portions is provided with two or more regulating pieces, and the regulating piece provided on one of the first base portions and the regulating piece provided on the other of the first base portions are arranged in a staggered manner along the first direction.

9. A vehicle seat as described in claim 8, wherein the second base portion is plate-shaped having a surface perpendicular to the first direction, at least one of the second base portions is provided with two or more regulating pieces, and the regulating piece provided on one of the second base portions and the regulating piece provided on the other of the second base portions are arranged in a staggered manner along the second direction.

10. A vehicle seat as described in claim 2, wherein opposing surfaces of the first base are provided with protruding portions that protrude in opposing directions, at least one of the first bases is provided with a plurality of the protruding portions, the protruding portions are arranged in a staggered pattern along the first direction, and the protruding amounts of the respective protruding portions increase in a direction away from the support member.

11. A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of: installing a pad member on an upper side of a support member supported by a frame; and arranging electrical equipment on the pad member, wherein the electrical equipment is connected by a wire harness, the support member having a plate-shaped main body portion extending along the frame, and a retaining structure for holding the wire harness on the main body portion, wherein the retaining structure includes a first retaining portion that allows the wire harness to move in a first direction and restricts movement in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second retaining portion that allows the wire harness to move in the second direction and restricts movement in the first direction, and the step of arranging the electrical equipment includes a step of holding the wire harness in the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

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