Vibration reduction device and vehicle seat

Abstract

In the present invention, a vibration reduction device comprises a weight set to a determined heaviness, and a fixed bag which is formed using a cloth-form member and to which the weight is attached. The fixed bag has an insertion part into which an attachment-receiving portion in the vehicle seat is inserted, and is attached to the attachment-receiving portion in a state in which the attachment-receiving portion is inserted into the insertion part.

Description

Vibration reduction device and vehicle seat

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration reduction device and a vehicle seat.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-68295 discloses a vibration damping device (vibration reduction device) including a first weight and a second weight. The vibration reduction device described in this document includes a base and a first weight and a second weight that can vibrate relative to the base. The first weight and the second weight are arranged in a multiplexed manner so as to overlap in the radial direction. The base and the first weight are connected by a connecting member, and the first weight and the second weight are connected by a connecting member. The first weight and the second weight are capable of vibrating in different directions from each other. This makes it possible to suppress vibrations in multiple directions.

[0003] However, in a vibration reduction device and a vehicle seat equipped with the same, it is desirable that the vibration reduction device can be easily attached to the attachment portion of the vehicle seat, but the vibration reduction device described in JP 2013-68295 A does not take this point into consideration.

[0004] In consideration of the above, the present disclosure has an object to be achieved by easily attaching a vibration reduction device to an attachment target portion of a vehicle seat.

[0005] The vibration reduction device of the first aspect comprises a weight set to a predetermined weight, and a weight holding portion formed using a cloth-like material and having an insertion portion to which the weight is attached and into which a target portion of a vehicle seat to be attached is inserted, and which is attached to the target portion with the target portion inserted into the insertion portion.

[0006] The vibration reduction device of the first aspect is configured such that a weight set to a predetermined weight is attached to a weight holding portion formed using a cloth-like member. In this vibration reduction device, the weight holding portion is attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat by inserting the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat into an insertion portion provided in the weight holding portion. In other words, the vibration reduction device is attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat. In this way, the vibration reduction device of the first aspect can be easily attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat.

[0007] A vibration reduction device of a second aspect is the vibration reduction device of the first aspect, wherein the insertion portion is a slit formed in the weight holding portion.

[0008] In the vibration reduction device of the second aspect, the insertion portion into which the mounting portion of the vehicle seat is inserted is a slit formed in the weight holding portion. In this configuration, the insertion portion can be formed, for example, by making a cut in the weight holding portion or by removing a portion of the weight holding portion.

[0009] A vibration reduction device of a third aspect is the vibration reduction device of the first or second aspect, further comprising a stiffening member that stiffens a portion of the weight holding portion adjacent to the insertion portion.

[0010] In the vibration reduction device of the third aspect, the portion of the weight holding portion adjacent to the insertion portion is stiffened by a stiffening member, thereby making it possible to suppress unnecessary bending of the portion of the weight holding portion adjacent to the insertion portion.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the vehicle seat includes a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from the underside of the seat, a seat back that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear side of the seat, an attachment portion provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back, and a vibration reduction device of any one of the first to third aspects attached to the attachment portion.

[0012] A vehicle seat of a fourth aspect includes the vibration reduction device of any one of the first to third aspects. The vibration reduction device of any one of the first to third aspects is configured such that a weight set to a predetermined weight is attached to a weight holding portion formed using a cloth-like member. In this vibration reduction device, the weight holding portion is attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat by inserting the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat into an insertion portion provided in the weight holding portion. In other words, the vibration reduction device is attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat. In this way, in the vehicle seat of the fourth aspect, the vibration reduction device can be easily attached to the attachment target portion of the vehicle seat.

[0013] A fifth aspect of the vehicle seat is the vehicle seat of the fourth aspect, wherein the attachment portion is provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back, and is a seat spring that flexes and deforms when pressed from the seated occupant side.

[0014] In the vehicle seat of the fifth aspect, the vibration damping device is attached to the seat spring, which eliminates the need for a bracket or the like to mount the vibration damping device.

[0015] The vibration reduction device and vehicle seat according to the present disclosure have the excellent effect of allowing the vibration reduction device to be easily attached to the vehicle seat.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a back frame and the like as seen from an obliquely front side; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the back frame and the like as seen from an obliquely rear side; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a vibration reduction device as seen from an obliquely front side; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the vibration reduction device;

[0017] A vehicle seat 12 equipped with a vibration damping device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0018] 1 shows a side view of a vehicle seat 12 equipped with a vibration reduction device 10 according to this embodiment, as viewed from the left side of the seat. In the drawing, arrow FR indicates the front side of the seat, arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat, arrow RH indicates the right side in the width direction of the seat, and arrow LH indicates the left side in the width direction of the seat. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front-rear," "up-down," and "left-right" refer to front-rear in the front-rear direction of the seat, up-down in the up-down direction of the seat, and left-right in the width direction of the seat.

[0019] 1, the vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14 that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below, a seat back 16 that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear side of the seat, and a headrest 18 that supports the head of the seated occupant from the rear side of the seat. The seat back 16 is attached to the rear end of the seat cushion 14 and can be tilted in the front-to-rear direction. The headrest 18 is attached to the upper end of the seat back 16. The vibration reduction device 10 is provided inside the middle part of the seat back 16 in the up-down direction.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the seat back 16 includes a back frame 20 that forms the framework of the seat back 16 , and two seat springs 22 attached to the back frame 20 .

[0021] The back frame 20 comprises a pair of left and right side frame portions 20A spaced apart in the left-right direction, an upper frame portion 20B connecting the upper ends of the pair of left and right side frame portions 20A in the left-right direction, and a lower frame portion 20C connecting the lower ends of the pair of left and right side frame portions 20A in the left-right direction.

[0022] The seat spring 22 is formed, for example, using a steel rod and is formed in a shape that is repeatedly folded in the up-down direction from one side to the other in the seat width direction. This allows the seat spring 22 to bend and deform when pressed by a seated occupant. More specifically, the seat spring 22 includes a plurality of first U-shaped portions 22A that are formed in a generally U-shape with an open lower side, and a plurality of second U-shaped portions 22B that are also formed in a generally U-shape with an open upper side. The seat spring 22 is configured such that the first U-shaped portions 22A and the second U-shaped portions 22B are alternately arranged from one side to the other in the seat width direction.

[0023] One seat spring 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "first seat spring 22S1") is suspended between one side frame portion 20A and the other side frame portion 20A below the upper frame portion 20B. The other seat spring 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "second seat spring 22S2") is suspended between one side frame portion 20A and the other side frame portion 20A below the first seat spring 22S1 and above the lower frame portion 20C. The vibration reduction device 10 is attached to the first seat spring 22S1 and the second seat spring 22S2, which serve as attachment portions.

[0024] The vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Note that Figures 4 and 5 show the vibration reduction device 10 attached to the first seat spring 22S1 and the second seat spring 22S2.

[0025] The vibration reduction device 10 includes a fixed bag 24 formed in a bag shape as a weight holding portion, a weight 26 attached to the fixed bag 24, and a sheet 28 that wraps around the weight 26. The vibration reduction device 10 also includes a stiffening plate 30 as a stiffening member that stiffens a portion of the fixed bag 24, and a hook-and-loop fastener 32 that closes the open end of the fixed bag 24.

[0026] The fixed bag 24 is formed using a cloth-like material such as nonwoven fabric. Specifically, the fixed bag 24 includes a pair of cloth members 34 formed by cutting nonwoven fabric or the like into a rectangular shape. Note that one cloth member 34 and the other cloth member 34 have the same configuration.

[0027] Three upper slits 34S1 serving as insertion portions and slits are formed in the upper portion of the pair of cloth members 34. These three upper slits 34S1 are formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. Furthermore, two lower slits 34S2 serving as insertion portions and slits are formed in the lower portion of the pair of cloth members 34. These two lower slits 34S2 are formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction.

[0028] The pair of cloth members 34 are then sewn together in an overlapping state. Specifically, the right end portions 34R of the pair of cloth members 34 are sewn in the vertical direction, the left end portions 34L of the pair of cloth members 34 are sewn in the vertical direction, and the lower end portions 34A of the pair of cloth members 34 are sewn in the horizontal direction. As a result, the pair of cloth members 34 are formed into a bag shape with an open upper side. The sewn portion for forming the pair of cloth members 34 into a bag shape with an open upper side is indicated by a two-dot chain line L1. The pair of cloth members 34 are also sewn in a U-shaped trajectory with an open upper side at the center in the horizontal direction between the three upper slits 34S1 and the two lower slits 34S2. As a result, a pocket 34C with an open upper side is formed between one cloth member 34 and the other cloth member 34. A weight 26, described below, is inserted into this pocket 34C. The sewn portion for forming the pocket 34C is indicated by a two-dot chain line L2.

[0029] The stiffening plate 30 is formed, for example, from a resin material into a rectangular plate shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. The stiffening plate 30 is disposed between the lower ends 34A of the pair of cloth members 34 and fixed to the lower ends 34A of the pair of cloth members 34. In this embodiment, the stiffening plate 30 is fixed to the lower ends 34A of the pair of cloth members 34 by stitching portions L1. As a result, the lower end of the fixed bag 24 (the lower ends 34A of the pair of cloth members 34) is stiffened by the stiffening plate 30, and portions of the fixed bag 24 (the pair of cloth members 34) adjacent to the two lower slits 34S2 are also stiffened by the stiffening plate 30.

[0030] A hook-and-loop fastener 32 is fixed by a stitching portion (not shown) to the upper end portion 34B of one of the pair of cloth members 34. The hook-and-loop fastener 32 is then engaged with the upper end portion 34B of the other cloth member 34, thereby closing the upper end portion of the fixed bag 24 (the upper end portion 34B of the pair of cloth members 34).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5 , the weight 26 is formed in a rectangular block shape and has a predetermined weight. The weight of the weight 26 is appropriately set depending on the target frequency for vibration reduction. The weight 26 is attached to the fixed bag 24 by being inserted into the pocket 34C of the fixed bag 24 together with the sheet 28. The sheet 28 functions as a spacer that fills the gap between the pocket 34C of the fixed bag 24 and the weight 26. The sheet 28 also functions as a member that suppresses abnormal noise when the weight 26 contacts another component via the fixed bag 24. The sheet 28 is stretchable and therefore functions as a member that restricts the movement of the weight 26 alone in the front-to-back, up-down, left-to-right directions. The sheet 28 also functions as a member that suppresses damage to another component (such as the padding or trim cover of the seat back 16) when the weight 26 contacts the other component via the fixed bag 24.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, in the vibration reduction device 10 described above, the three first U-shaped portions 22A of the first seat springs 22S1 are inserted into the three upper slits 34S1 of the pair of fabric members 34 that form the fixed bag 24, respectively. The two second U-shaped portions 22B of the second seat springs 22S2 are inserted into the two lower slits 34S2 of the pair of fabric members 34 that form the fixed bag 24, respectively. This allows the vibration reduction device 10 to be attached to the first seat springs 22S1 and the second seat springs 22S2. In this manner, in this embodiment, the vibration reduction device 10 can be easily attached to the first seat springs 22S1 and the second seat springs 22S2. Furthermore, the configuration of this embodiment eliminates the need for a bracket or the like to mount the vibration reduction device 10.

[0033] Furthermore, in the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment, the insertion portions into which portions of the seat spring 22 are inserted are slits (upper slit 34S1, lower slit 34S2) formed in the fixed bag 24 (pair of cloth members 34). In this configuration, the insertion portions can be formed, for example, by making cuts in the fixed bag 24 (pair of cloth members 34) or by removing portions of the fixed bag 24 (pair of cloth members 34).

[0034] Furthermore, in the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment, the lower end portion of the fixed bag 24 (the lower end portions 34A of the pair of cloth members 34) is stiffened by the stiffening plate 30, and the portions of the fixed bag 24 (the pair of cloth members 34) adjacent to the two lower slits 34S2 are also stiffened by the stiffening plate 30. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary bending of the lower end portion of the fixed bag 24 and the portions adjacent to the two lower slits 34S2.

[0035] Furthermore, in the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment, the weight 26 can be replaced by peeling off the hook-and-loop fastener 32 to open the upper end of the fixed bag 24 (the upper end 34B of the pair of fabric members 34). This makes it easy to adjust the weight by replacing the weight 26. As a result, in the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment, the characteristics as a dynamic damper corresponding to the vibration waveform of each vehicle can be adjusted by adjusting the weight of the weight 26. Furthermore, in the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment, the weight per unit volume of the components other than the weight 26 (the fixed bag 24) is extremely small compared to the weight per unit volume of the weight 26. As a result, the vibration reduction device 10 of this embodiment can be made lighter than a vibration reduction device in which most of the components are made of metal.

[0036] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the vibration reduction device 10 is attached to the seat spring 22 on the seat back 16 side, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the vibration reduction device 10 may be attached to the seat spring on the seat cushion 14 side. Also, another part of the vehicle seat 12 may be used as the attachment part of the vibration reduction device 10.

[0037] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a portion of the fixed bag 24 is stiffened by the stiffening plate 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Whether or not a portion of the fixed bag 24 is stiffened by the stiffening plate 30 can be determined appropriately taking into consideration the rigidity of the fabric member 34 that forms the fixed bag 24, etc.

[0038] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the portions of the fixed bag 24 into which the seat spring 22 is inserted are slits (the upper slit 34S1 and the lower slit 34S2), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the fixed bag 24 may be provided with an insertion portion configured like a pocket, and the seat spring 22 may be inserted into this insertion portion.

[0039] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0040] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-150984, filed on September 19, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A vibration reduction device comprising: a weight set to a predetermined weight; and a weight holding portion formed using a cloth-like material, to which the weight is attached, having an insertion portion into which a target portion of a vehicle seat is inserted, and which is attached to the target portion with the target portion inserted into the insertion portion.

2. A vibration reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insertion portion is a slit formed in said weight holding portion.

3. A vibration reduction device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a stiffening member for stiffening a portion of said weight holding portion adjacent to said insertion portion.

4. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from the underside of the seat; a seat back that supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear side of the seat; an attachment portion provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back; and a vibration reduction device as described in claim 1 attached to the attachment portion.

5. A vehicle seat as described in claim 4, wherein the attachment portion is a seat spring provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back, and which is flexibly deformed when pressed from the seated occupant side.

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