Vehicle seat

Abstract

This vehicle seat comprises: a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated person; a height adjustment mechanism that has a first support part which supports the seat cushion and which is provided on one side of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction and a second support part which is provided on the other side; and an air conditioning device (40) that is attached to one side of the seat cushion. The first support part has a sector link (22R) that is connected to the seat cushion and a front link (21R) that is pivotably connected to the sector link (22R). The height adjustment mechanism is capable of changing the orientation of the seating surface of the seat cushion, via the first support part, to a work mode in which one side of the seat cushion is lower than the other side. The air conditioning device (40) is attached such that an end thereof on one side is higher than an end thereof on the other side in the work mode.

Description

Vehicle seats

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat to be installed in various vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicle seat with an adjustable seating height.

[0002] Conventionally, vehicle seats equipped with a blower on a pan frame that forms the front of the seat cushion are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a vehicle seat that allows the height of the front and rear sides of the seat cushion to be adjusted using a link structure with two links in the front and two links in the rear (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] International Publication No. 2015 / 156218 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-075051

[0004] In recent years, due to the diversity of vehicle interior spaces, various seat arrangements are required for vehicle seats. The link structure described in Patent Document 2 can accommodate multiple seat arrangements with different seating positions, but if parts such as a blower are provided under the seat cushion as in the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the parts will interfere with the floor or other parts when the position is changed.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat that includes a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant, a height adjustment mechanism that supports the seat cushion and has a first support portion provided on one side of the seat cushion in the fore-and-aft direction and a second support portion provided on the other side, and electrical components attached to one side of the seat cushion. The first support portion has a first link connected to the seat cushion and a second link connected to the first link. The first link and the second link are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about their respective connecting portions. The height adjustment mechanism can change the posture of the seat cushion's seat surface via the first support portion between a first state in which one side and the other side of the seat cushion are substantially the same height, and a second state in which one side of the seat cushion is lower than the other side. The electrical components are attached so that, in the second state, an end of one side is higher than an end of the other side.

[0006] According to the present invention, electrical components can be arranged compactly below the position-adjustable seat cushion while minimizing interference with the floor.

[0007] 12 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of a seat cushion frame. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the structure of the seat cushion frame. FIG. 15 is a side view showing the lifting mechanism of the right side frame from the inside. FIG. 16 is a side view of the lower end of the front part of the side frame as seen from the inside in the width direction. FIG. 17 is a side view showing the lifting mechanism of the left side frame as seen from the inside. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the seat cushion frame. FIG. 19 is a rear view of the seat cushion frame. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an end cap. FIG. 19 is a side view of the cushion side frame as seen from the inside in the width direction. FIG. 19 is a side view of the cushion side frame as seen from the inside in the width direction. FIG. 19 is a side view of the air conditioning unit as seen from the left side. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cover member attached to a front pipe. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the cover member attached to the front pipe. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a seat control device. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU of the controller of FIG.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various vehicles, but the following describes an example in which the vehicle seat is applied to a vehicle, particularly a vehicle with an automatic driving function, i.e., an automatic driving vehicle. A vehicle to which the vehicle seat according to this embodiment is applied can travel not only in an automatic driving mode in which no driver operation is required, but also in a manual driving mode in which the driver operates the vehicle. Note that the vehicle to which the vehicle seat according to this embodiment is applied may be an engine vehicle having an internal combustion engine (engine) as a driving source, an electric vehicle having a driving motor as a driving source, or a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a driving motor as driving sources.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view (viewed diagonally from the front) of a vehicle seat (hereinafter simply referred to as "seat") 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front-to-rear direction in Fig. 1 corresponds to the length of the vehicle, the up-to-down direction corresponds to the height of the vehicle, and the left-to-right direction corresponds to the width of the vehicle. In other words, the front of the front-to-rear direction in Fig. 1 is the direction in which an occupant in a riding position faces, the left-to-right direction is the seat width direction, and the up-to-down direction is the seat height direction.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , the seat 100 is a vehicle seat used as a driver's seat or passenger seat in a vehicle, and includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks of an occupant, a seat back 2 that supports the back of the occupant, and a headrest 3 that is provided on the upper part of the seat back 2 and supports the head of the occupant. The seat cushion 1 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a generally rectangular shape. The seat back 2 extends in the top-down and left-right directions and has a generally rectangular shape. The lower end of the seat back 2 is supported on the rear end of the seat cushion 1 via a pair of left and right reclining mechanisms 4 so that it can tilt in the front-rear direction around a shaft 4a that extends left-right. The reclining mechanisms 4 include a reclining actuator 4b, which will be described later. A controller 60, which will be described later, is provided under the cover of the seat cushion 1.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a part of the seat frame inside the seat 100, more specifically, the structure of a frame (hereinafter referred to as the seat cushion frame) 10 corresponding to the seat cushion 1. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the structure of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame removed. The seat cushion frame 10 is formed to fit the outer shape of the seat cushion 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cushion 1 is formed by attaching a seat cushion pad made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam to the seat cushion frame 10, and further covering the outside of the seat cushion with a covering material made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like. The seat cushion pad is supported by the seat cushion frame 10 and functions as a pressure-receiving portion that receives the load from the buttocks of the occupant.

[0012] The seat 100 further includes a lifting / lowering device (hereinafter also referred to as a changing device) 20 that changes the tilt angle of the seat cushion frame 10 so that the posture of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 can be switched among three posture modes (drive mode, work mode, and relax mode) described below, and a sliding device 30 that serves as a base member that supports the seat cushion frame 10 so that it can move in the front-rear direction. Details of the lifting / lowering device 20 and the sliding device 30 will be described later.

[0013] 2A, the slide device 30 is provided on the floor (body floor) below the seat 100, extending in the front-rear direction. The seat cushion frame 10 is slidably engaged with the slide device 30, thereby allowing the seat cushion 1 to move in the front-rear direction along the slide device 30 relative to the vehicle body.

[0014] The seat cushion frame 10 includes a pair of cushion side frames (hereinafter simply referred to as side frames) 11 (11L, 11R) aligned on the left and right, a cushion pan frame 12 connecting the front ends of the side frames 11L, 11R and covering the front of the side frames 11L, 11R, a metal front pipe 13 connecting the front ends of the side frames 11L, 11R rearward of the front ends of the cushion pan frame 12, more preferably rearward of the front end of the cushion pan frame 12 and forward of the rear end of the cushion pan frame 12, a metal rear pipe 14 connecting the rear ends of the side frames 11L, 11R, and a pressure-receiving member 15 spanning the front pipe 13 and the rear pipe 14 and receiving a load from above due to the weight of an occupant (seat occupant) or the like. End caps 13a are attached to the right and left ends of the front pipe 13. Torsion springs (not shown) are provided at the right and left ends of the rear pipe 14, at positions inward in the seat width direction from the side frames 11 when viewed in a plane, as biasing members that bias the rear links 22L, 23R (described later) in the forward rotation direction.

[0015] The slide device 30 has a pair of slide rails (hereinafter referred to as upper rails) 31 (31L, 31R) arranged side by side on the left and right, and a pair of slide rails (hereinafter referred to as lower rails) 32 (32L, 32R) that are connected to the floor (vehicle body floor) via feet 19L, 19R and support the upper rails 31L, 31R so that they can move in the fore-and-aft direction. The slide device 30 also has a pair of upper rail brackets 28 (28L, 28R) that are provided on the upper surfaces of the upper rails 31L, 31R and connect the upper rails 31L, 31R to the side frames 11L, 11R. Furthermore, the slide device 30 has a rail connecting member 33 that connects the front ends of the lower rails 32L, 32R, a slide actuator (hereinafter also referred to as the rail actuator) 34 that is supported by the rail connecting member 33, a screw shaft 35 that rotates by the driving force of the slide actuator 34, and a set of shaft support members 36 (36L, 36R) that are provided at the outer end of the screw shaft 35 in the seat width direction and support the screw shaft 35.

[0016] The slide actuator 34 has a built-in electric motor and generates a driving force via the electric motor to rotate the screw shaft 35. The shaft support member 36 has a gearbox and transmits the rotational power of the screw shaft 35 via the gearbox to a screw shaft (not shown) that is provided inside the upper rail 31 and extends along the front-rear direction. The screw shaft of the upper rail 31 is provided so as to pass through a ball screw (not shown) provided in the lower rail 32, and rotation of the screw shaft of the upper rail 31 moves the upper rail 31 relative to the lower rail 32 in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the slide device 30 functions as a slide mechanism.

[0017] 2B, the seat cushion frame 10 further includes a gear cover portion 16 that covers a portion of the lifting device 20 (sector link 22R) in the seat width direction below the cushion pan frame 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, the seat 100 includes an air conditioning unit 40 that sends air to the seating surface of the seat cushion frame 10 or draws air into the seating surface side.

[0018] The gear cover portion 16 and the sector link 22R have insertion holes formed therein for inserting the front pipe 13. The front portion of the gear cover portion 16 is attached to the right side frame 11R via the front pipe 13, and the rear end portion is joined to the inner wall surface of the side frame 11R. The sector link 22R is rotatably supported on the side frame 11R via the front pipe 13. The gear cover portion 16 is arranged so that the sector link 22R is disposed in a gap formed between the side frame 11R and the gear cover portion 16 in the seat width direction, i.e., so that the gear cover portion 16 is located widthwise inward of the sector link 22R.

[0019] The air conditioning device 40 includes a main body having a blower 41 and a wire harness (not shown) that energizes the blower 41, a blower bracket 42 that attaches the main body to the underside of the front of the seat cushion 1 (more specifically, the cushion pan frame 12), and a duct 43 that extends from the blower 41 toward the seating surface and forms an airway that guides air from the blower 41 to the seating surface or from the seating surface to the blower 41. An end (supply / exhaust section) 43S of the duct 43 on the seating surface side is attached to a mounting port formed in the pressure-receiving member 15.

[0020] The configuration of the lifting device 20 will now be described. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the lifting mechanism of the right side frame 11R from the inside. Fig. 4 is a side view of the lower front end of the side frame 11R as viewed from the inside in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the lifting device 20 includes a front link 21R having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28R by a front support shaft 28Rf, a sector link 22R connected to the other end of the front link 21R by a link connecting shaft 22Rc and connected to the front portion of the side frame 11R via a front pipe (frame connecting shaft) 13, a pinion gear 24 engageable with a sector gear 22Rg formed on the rear surface of the sector link 22R, and a rear link 23R having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28R by a rear support shaft 28Rr and the other end connected to the rear portion of the side frame 11R via a rear pipe (rear connecting shaft) 14. In FIG. 3 , the gear cover portion 16 is indicated by a dashed line for ease of viewing. A stopper pin 22Rs is inserted into an opening 22Ro provided in the sector link 22R. When the end of the opening 22Ro abuts against the stopper pin 22Rs, the rotation of the sector link 22R is restricted. By inserting the stopper pin 22Rs into the opening 22Ro, the rotation range of the sector link 22R is restricted. As shown in FIG. 4 , a bent flange portion BF extending in a crank shape is formed at the lower end of the front portion of the side frame 11R. The insertion hole SH, into which the stopper pin 22Rs is inserted and joined, is formed at a position overlapping and adjacent to the bent flange portion BF in the vertical direction (more specifically, in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the side frame 11R in a side view). The insertion hole PH is an insertion hole for the front pipe 13. The front link 21R is connected so that its front end is located rearward of the front end of the side frame 11R regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1. The front link 21L is connected so that its front end is located rearward of the front end of the side frame 11L regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1.In addition, the front link 21R and the sector link 22R are connected so that the link connecting shaft 22Rc is positioned above the front pipe 13 regardless of the posture mode of the seat cushion 1, that is, so that the link connecting shaft 22Rc moves above the front pipe 13 in a side view.

[0021] 5 is a side view showing the lifting mechanism of the left side frame 11L from the inside. As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting device 20 includes a front link 21L having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28L by a front support shaft 28Lf, a support link 29 connected to the other end of the front link 21L by a link connecting shaft 29c and connected to the front portion of the side frame 11L via a front pipe (frame connecting shaft) 13, a rear link (sector link) 22L having one end rotatably connected to the upper rail bracket 28L by a rear support shaft 28Lr and the other end connected to the rear portion of the side frame 11R via a rear pipe (rear connecting shaft) 14, and a pinion gear 27 engageable with a sector gear 22Lg formed on the front surface of the sector link 22L.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame 12 removed. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the seat cushion frame 10 with the cushion pan frame 12 removed. FIGS. 6 and 7 show plan views of the seat cushion frame 10 when the upper rail 31 is in its forwardmost position, i.e., when the seat cushion 1 is at the frontmost position of its slidable range (hereinafter referred to as the slidable range or simply the movable range). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lifting device 20 further includes a front lifting actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as the lifting actuator) 25 attached to the outer surface of the front portion of the side frame 11R in the seat width direction, and a rear lifting actuator 26 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the lifting actuator) attached to the outer surface of the rear portion of the side frame 11L in the seat width direction. The lifting actuator 25 incorporates an electric motor and generates a driving force for rotating the pinion gear 24 via the electric motor. Similarly, the lifting actuator 26 includes an electric motor, and generates a driving force for rotating the pinion gear 27 via the electric motor.

[0023] The lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 of the lifting device 20 and the slide actuator 34 of the slide device 30 are connected to a controller 60 via a wire harness (not shown) (hereinafter simply referred to as the harness), and the built-in motors are stopped or activated based on control signals from the controller 60 received via the harness. On the other hand, when the controller 60 is provided on the left side of the seat cushion 1 as shown in FIG. 1 , the harness must be routed from the controller 60 to the lifting / lowering actuator 25 provided on the right side of the seat cushion 1, using the space below the seat cushion frame 10. However, routing the harness in this manner may cause the harness to be pulled or bent if the distance between the controller 60 and the lifting / lowering actuator 25 changes due to, for example, the sliding movement of the seat cushion frame 10. Furthermore, the bent harness may interfere with a part of the seat cushion frame 10. One possible way to avoid such an effect on the harness is to route the harness by inserting the front pipe 13 from the controller 60 to the lifting / lowering actuator 25. However, the edge of the front pipe 13 may have unwanted protrusions, or so-called burrs, generated during processes such as cutting. Therefore, when a harness is inserted through the front pipe 13, the burrs on the edge of the front pipe 13 may wear the surface of the harness or, in some cases, cause the harness to be cut. To address this issue, end caps 13a are attached to the ends (right and left ends) of the front pipe 13, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , to enable the harness to be routed through the front pipe 13. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap 13a. The end cap 13a includes a wall portion 13a1 extending along the cap axial direction (left-right direction) and abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, a wall portion 13a2 extending along the cap axial direction and abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, and a wall portion 13a3 connecting the wall portion 13a1 and the wall portion 13a2 so as to cover the edge of the front pipe 13 in a side view. By attaching an end cap 13a as shown in FIG. 8 to the end of the front pipe 13, it is possible to prevent burrs on the end of the front pipe 13 from coming into contact with the harness.This allows the harness to be routed from one side to the other side of the seat cushion frame 10 in the seat width direction via the front pipe 13.

[0024] Next, referring to Figures 9A to 9C, the position change of the seat cushion 1 by the lifting device 20 will be described. Figures 9A to 9C are side views of the side frame 11R as viewed from the inside in the width direction. Note that Figures 9A to 9C show side views of the side frame 11R when the seat cushion 1 is at the front end position of its movable range. For simplicity of explanation, Figures 9A to 9C omit the illustration of the cushion pan frame 12 and gear cover portion 16. The seat 100 can be positioned in multiple modes, including a drive mode that places the occupant in a position suitable for driving during normal vehicle operation, a work mode that places the occupant in a position that makes it easy to work during parking or autonomous driving, and a relax mode that tilts the seat back 2 to place the occupant in a position that makes it easy to lie down.

[0025] The lifting device 20 rotates the pinion gears 24, 27 via lifting actuators 25, 26 to change the posture of the seat cushion 1 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the posture of the seat cushion 1) to correspond to each mode. More specifically, it changes the inclination angle of the seat cushion 1. When the pinion gear 24 rotates, the meshing position between the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg changes. This causes the sector link 22R to swing, and in conjunction with this, the front link 21R connected to the sector link 22R rotates about the front support shaft 28Rf. Furthermore, the front link 21L connected to the support link 29, which is journaled via the front pipe (frame connecting shaft) 13 at a position opposite the sector link 22R in the seat width direction, rotates. Furthermore, when the pinion gear 27 rotates, the meshing position between the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg changes. This causes the sector link 22L to swing, which in turn causes the rear link 23R, which is rotatably supported via the rear pipe (rear connecting shaft) 14 at a position opposite the sector link 22L in the seat width direction, to rotate. The tilt angle of the sitting surface of the seat cushion 1 is adjusted by the above-mentioned movements of the links 21R, 21L, 22R, 22L, 23R, and 29.

[0026] 9A is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the drive mode. FIG. 9B is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the work mode. FIG. 9C is a side view of the seat cushion 1 in the relax mode. In the drive mode, as shown in FIG. 9A , the lifting device 20 adjusts the meshing position between the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg and the meshing position between the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg so that the posture of the seat cushion 1 is approximately horizontal or slopes downward toward the rear, more specifically, so that the side frame 11 is approximately parallel to the upper rail 31 of the slide device 30 in a side view. In the drive mode, the upper rail 31 is moved in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 32 via the slide actuator 34 to adjust the position (front-rear direction position) of the seat cushion 1 so that the seat occupant can easily operate the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, etc.

[0027] In the work mode, the lifting device 20 adjusts the meshing position between the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg and the meshing position between the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg so that the posture of the seat cushion 1 slopes upward toward the rear as shown in Fig. 9B , more specifically, so that the height of the front portions of the side frames 11 relative to the upper rails 31 is lower than in the drive mode and the height of the rear portions of the side frames 11 relative to the upper rails 31 is higher than in the drive mode. Also, in the work mode, the upper rails 31 are moved rearward via the slide actuator 34 relative to the drive mode to adjust the position (front-rear direction) of the seat cushion 1 so that sufficient space is secured for the feet of the seated occupant, more specifically, so that sufficient space is secured between the legs (thighs) of the seated occupant and the bottom of the vehicle dashboard when the posture of the seat cushion 1 is as shown in Fig. 9B .

[0028] However, if the height of the front portion of the side frame 11 relative to the upper rail 31 is lowered as shown in FIG. 9B , i.e., if the front side of the seat cushion 1 is arranged lower than the rear side, there is a risk that the air conditioning unit 40 provided below the seat cushion 1 may interfere with the floor (vehicle body floor). To avoid such interference, the air conditioning unit 40 is mounted so that its front end is higher than its rear end in the work mode, as shown in FIG. 9B . Specifically, the air conditioning unit 40 is mounted so that the front lower end of the blower 41 is higher than the rear lower end of the blower 41 in the work mode. To enable such mounting of the blower 41, the lower surface of the blower bracket 42 (more specifically, the mounting surface on which the blower 41 is mounted) is formed so that it slopes downward toward the rear. FIG. 10 is a side view of the air conditioning unit 40 as viewed from the left side. As shown in FIG. 10 , the blower bracket 42 has an installation surface 44 and a wall portion (hereinafter referred to as a holding portion) 45 extending upward from the rear end of the installation surface 44. As shown in FIG. 10 , the holding portion 45 holds the rear end of the blower 41. The holding portion 45 also has claws 45t that hold the upper surface of the blower 41 so that the blower 41 can be stably held on the installation surface 44. The blower bracket 42 further has a wall portion 46 extending upward from the front end of the installation surface 44. As shown in FIG. 10 , the wall portion 46 is formed so that the distance from the holding portion 45 increases upward in a side view so that the blower 41 can be easily placed on the blower bracket 42 provided with the claws 45t.

[0029] Furthermore, when the front side of the seat cushion 1 is arranged lower than the rear side as shown in FIG. 9B , depending on the position of the slide device 30 (more specifically, the rail connecting member 33, the slide actuator 34, the screw shaft 35, and the shaft support member 36), there is a risk of interference between the front end of the air conditioner 40 and the slide device 30. To avoid such interference, the air conditioner 40 is attached to the cushion pan frame 12 so that, in the work mode, its front end is positioned rearward of at least the rear end of the rail connecting member 33 in the longitudinal direction, more specifically, in the extension direction of the upper rail 31 (or the lower rail 32). On the other hand, if the air conditioner 40 is arranged rearward to avoid interference between the front end of the air conditioner 40 and the rear end of the rail connecting member 33, there is a risk of interference between the duct 43 and the front pipe 13. However, as described above, because the installation surface 44 of the blower bracket 42 is formed to slope downward toward the rear, a sufficient gap can be provided between the duct 43 and the front pipe 13 in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to position the blower bracket 42 rearward of the rear end of the rail connecting member 33 while avoiding interference between the duct 43 and the front pipe 13. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9B , in the work mode, the lower end of the duct 43 is positioned lower than the upper ends of the slide rails 31 and 32, so that a portion of the air conditioning unit 40 overlaps the slide rails 31 and 32 in the vertical direction in a side view. However, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the air conditioning unit 40 is positioned more inward in the width direction than the slide rails 31 and 32, so that the front portion of the side frame 11 can be lowered to the height shown in FIG. 9B without interfering with the air conditioning unit 40 and the slide rails 31 and 32. It is preferable that the blower bracket 42 be attached to the cushion pan frame 12 so that the link connecting shaft 22Rc is positioned higher than the blower bracket 42 in the work mode, as shown in FIG.

[0030] 9C , the elevation device 20 adjusts the meshing position between the pinion gear 24 and the sector gear 22Rg and the meshing position between the pinion gear 27 and the sector gear 22Lg so that the posture of the seat cushion 1 is tilted rearward at a greater angle than in the drive mode, more specifically, so that the height of the front portions of the side frames 11 relative to the upper rails 31 is higher than in the drive mode and the height of the rear portions of the side frames 11 relative to the upper rails 31 is lower than in the drive mode. Also, in the relax mode, the upper rails 31 are moved rearward via the slide actuator 34 relative to the drive mode to adjust the position (fore-aft direction) of the seat cushion 1 so that sufficient foot space is secured, more specifically, so that the knees and feet of the occupant do not come into contact with the steering wheel or the lower part of the dashboard of the vehicle when the occupant reclines the seat back 2 and lies down.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the sector link 22R is covered by the gear cover 16 in the seat width direction but is not completely covered in the vertical direction. Specifically, a portion of the sector link 22R is exposed above the gear cover 16. This exposed portion may come into contact with the seat cushion pad attached to the seat cushion frame 10. In particular, in the drive mode ( FIG. 9A ) and the relax mode ( FIG. 9C ), the sector gear 22Rg is positioned above the sector link 22R, so a portion of the sector gear 22Rg is exposed. If the sector link 22R oscillates in this state, the sector gear 22Rg may catch on the seat cushion pad. Therefore, a cover member 50 that covers the sector link 22R in the vertical direction is attached to the right portion of the front pipe 13. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the cover member 50 attached to the front pipe 13. FIG. 11B is a plan view of the cover member 50 attached to the front pipe 13. The cover member 50 is molded from resin or the like and has a side wall portion 52 that covers the sector link 22R from the inside in the seat width direction and an upper wall portion 53 that covers the sector link 22R from above. As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, a bearing portion 51 that engages with the front pipe 13 is formed on the left side of the front part of the cover member 50. When attaching the cover member 50 to the front pipe 13, the bearing portion 51 is pushed into the front pipe 13 from above to engage the bearing portion 51 with the front pipe 13.

[0032] On the other hand, when the cover member 50 is attached, as shown in FIG. 11B , the distance between the cover member 50 and the front wing portion 15Rf on the right side of the pressure-receiving member 15 in the seat width direction becomes shorter, and if the pressure-receiving member 15 is displaced in the seat width direction, there is a risk of interference between the cover member 50 and the front wing portion 15Rf. To avoid such interference, as shown in FIG. 11B , a step portion (cutout portion) CT is formed in the front portion of the front wing portion 15Rf. Note that the step portion CT is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 11B and may have other shapes. For example, if another cover member having a different shape from the cover member 50 is attached instead of the cover member 50, the step portion CT may be formed to match the planar shape of the exterior portion of that cover member.

[0033] Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a seat control device (hereinafter simply referred to as the control device) 6 provided in the seat 100. As shown in Fig. 12, the seat control device 6 includes a controller 60 and a slide position detection sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as the position sensor) 63. The seat control device 6 also includes lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26, a slide actuator 34, and a reclining actuator 4b as part of the reclining mechanism 4. The seat control device 6 also includes an operation unit 64.

[0034] The reclining actuator 4b has a built-in electric motor, and generates a driving force via the electric motor to rotate the shaft 4a provided at the lower end of the seatback frame, thereby rotating the seatback 2 in the front-rear direction relative to the seat cushion 1.

[0035] The position sensor 63 is attached to the upper rail 31 of the slide device 30 and detects the position of the upper rail 31 in the fore-and-aft direction. The operation unit 64 is configured as, for example, a switch that can be manually operated by an occupant and includes a manual / automatic changeover switch and a mode selection switch. The manual / automatic changeover switch is provided, for example, near the instrument panel or on the steering wheel. The manual / automatic changeover switch outputs a changeover command (hereinafter referred to as a driving mode changeover command) to an automatic driving mode in which the automatic driving function is enabled or a manual driving mode in which the automatic driving function is disabled in response to switch operation. A command to change from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode or from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode may be issued when a predetermined driving condition is met, regardless of operation of the manual / automatic changeover switch. In other words, the manual / automatic changeover switch may be automatically switched, thereby performing mode changeover automatically rather than manually. The mode selection switch is provided, for example, on the side surface of the seat 100 on the door side. The mode selection switch outputs a switching command (hereinafter referred to as a posture mode switching command) to switch the posture of the seat cushion 1 to one of a drive mode, a work mode, and a relax mode in response to a switch operation.

[0036] The controller 60 communicates with a position sensor 63, the actuators 25, 26, 34, 4b, and an operation unit 64, which are communicably connected via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), via a communication unit (not shown).

[0037] The controller 60 includes a computer having a calculation unit 61 such as a CPU, a storage unit 62 such as a ROM and a RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I / O interface. The calculation unit 61 executes programs stored in advance in the storage unit 62, thereby functioning as a sensor value acquisition unit 611, a command input unit 612, and an actuator control unit 613.

[0038] The sensor value acquisition unit 611 acquires sensor values ​​from the position sensor 63. The command input unit 612 inputs various commands, including an operation mode switching command and an attitude mode switching command, via the operation unit 64. The actuator control unit 613 controls each of the actuators 25, 26, 34, and 4b. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 outputs control signals to each of the actuators 25, 26, 34, and 4b based on the sensor values ​​acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 611 and in response to the command input to the command input unit 612.

[0039] Here, the posture mode switching operation of the seat cushion 1 in response to a posture mode switching command will be described using as an example a case where a switching command to the work mode is input.

[0040] When a command to switch to the work mode is input to the command input unit 612, the actuator control unit 613 first controls the slide actuator 34 so that the position of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction becomes a predetermined set position SP1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 recognizes the position of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as the slide position) based on the sensor value of the position sensor 63 acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 611. Based on the difference between the recognized slide position and the set position SP1, the actuator control unit 613 controls the slide actuator 34 so as to reduce the difference. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly controls the slide actuator 34 until the slide position becomes the set position SP1.

[0041] Next, the actuator control unit 613 controls the lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 so that the inclination angle of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 (hereinafter referred to as the seat surface inclination angle) becomes the set angle CA1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 calculates the rotation angle of the front links 21L, 21R corresponding to the set angle CA1 (hereinafter referred to as the set front link angle) and the rotation angle of the rear links 22L, 23R corresponding to the set angle CA1 (hereinafter referred to as the set rear link angle). The actuator control unit 613 obtains information indicating the motor rotation speed from the lifting / lowering actuator 25 (electric motor), and calculates the rotation angle of the front links 21L, 21R (hereinafter referred to as the front link angle) based on that information. The actuator control unit 613 also obtains information indicating the motor rotation speed from the lifting / lowering actuator 26 (electric motor), and calculates the rotation angle of the rear links 22L, 23R (hereinafter referred to as the rear link angle) based on that information. Based on the difference between the front link angle and the set front link angle and the difference between the rear link angle and the set rear link angle, the actuator control unit 613 controls the lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 so as to reduce these differences. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly calculates the front link angle and the rear link angle and controls the lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 until the front link angle becomes the set front link angle and until the rear link angle becomes the set rear link angle. Note that the set angle CA1 and the rotation angle calculated by the actuator control unit 613 may be angles based on the horizontal direction or angles based on the extension direction of the upper rail 31 (or lower rail 32).

[0042] Finally, the actuator control unit 613 controls the reclining actuator 4b so that the tilt angle of the seat back 2 about the axis 4a (hereinafter referred to as the reclining angle) becomes the set angle BA1. More specifically, the actuator control unit 613 acquires information indicating the motor rotation speed from the reclining actuator 4b (electric motor) and calculates the reclining angle of the seat back 2 based on that information. Based on the difference between the calculated reclining angle and the set angle BA1, the actuator control unit 613 controls the reclining actuator 4b so that the difference becomes smaller. The actuator control unit 613 repeatedly calculates the reclining angle and controls the reclining actuator 4b until the reclining angle becomes the set angle BA1.

[0043] The set angles CA1 and BA1 are determined in advance and stored in the storage unit 62 so as to place the seated occupant in a position that is easy for work or the like. The set position SP1 is determined in advance and stored in the storage unit 62 so as to ensure sufficient legroom for the seated occupant when the seat inclination angle and reclining angle are changed in accordance with the set angles CA1 and BA1. The set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 may be stored for each occupant. Specifically, the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 may be associated with information (user ID) that can identify the occupant and stored in the storage unit 62. The operation unit 64 may include a user interface (such as a button or a touch panel) for changing the values ​​of the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 so that the set position SP1 and the set angles CA1 and BA1 can be changed by the occupant or the like.

[0044] While the above description has been given with reference to an example in which a command to switch to the work mode is input, the same applies to the operation of switching the posture mode of the seat cushion 1 when a command to switch to the drive mode or the relax mode is input. Specifically, the memory unit 62 stores a set position SP0 and set angles CA0 and BA0 corresponding to the drive mode, and when a command to switch to the drive mode is input to the command input unit 612, the actuator control unit 613 controls the actuators 25, 26, 34, and 4b based on the set position SP0 and set angles CA0 and BA0 read from the memory unit 62. Similarly, the memory unit 62 stores a set position SP2 and set angles CA2 and BA2 corresponding to the relax mode, and when a command to switch to the relax mode is input to the command input unit 612, the actuator control unit 613 controls the actuators 25, 26, 34, and 4b based on the set position SP2 and set angles CA2 and BA2 read from the memory unit 62. The set position SP0 and set angles CA0 and BA0 are determined in advance and stored in the memory unit 62 so that the seat occupant can assume a driving posture that makes it easy to operate the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, etc. The set angles CA2 and BA2 are determined in advance and stored in the memory unit 62 so that the seat occupant can easily lie down. The set position SP2 is determined in advance and stored in the memory unit 62 so that sufficient space is secured for the seat occupant's feet when the seat inclination angle and reclining angle are changed in accordance with the set angles CA2 and BA2. The set position SP0 and set angles CA0 and BA0, as well as the set position SP2 and set angles CA2 and BA2, may be stored in the memory unit 62 for each occupant, similar to the set position SP1 and set angles CA1 and BA1. They may also be changeable by the occupant, etc.

[0045] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU of the controller 60 in accordance with a pre-stored program. The processing shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the seat control device 6 (controller 60) is powered on, and is repeated at predetermined intervals.

[0046] First, in step S1, the calculation unit 61 determines whether an attitude mode switching command has been input from the operation unit 64 (mode selection switch). If the result in step S1 is negative, the calculation unit 61 terminates the processing. If the result in step S1 is positive, the calculation unit 61 determines in step S2 whether the attitude mode switching command is a command to switch to drive mode. If the result in step S2 is positive, the processing proceeds to step S5. If the result in step S2 is negative, the calculation unit 61 determines in step S3 whether the vehicle is traveling. For example, when the shift position of the vehicle's transmission is set to a position other than the parking position, the calculation unit 61 determines that the vehicle is traveling, and when the shift position is set to the parking position, the calculation unit 61 determines that the vehicle is not traveling. If the result in step S3 is negative, the processing proceeds to step S5. If the result in step S3 is positive, the calculation unit 61 determines in step S4 whether the vehicle is in automatic driving mode, more specifically, whether the vehicle's automatic driving function is enabled. For example, the calculation unit 61 acquires information on the currently set driving mode from a vehicle control system (not shown) equipped in the vehicle and determines whether the vehicle's autonomous driving function is enabled. In step S4, it is determined whether the autonomous driving function is enabled at a level (autonomous driving level) that does not require driver monitoring. If the result in step S4 is affirmative, in step S5, the calculation unit 61 controls the actuators 25, 26, 34, and 4b based on the posture mode switching command input in step S1. On the other hand, if the result in step S4 is negative, the calculation unit 61 terminates the processing. In this way, if the posture mode switching command input in step S1 is a switching command to the work mode or the relax mode, and the vehicle is traveling in the manual driving mode, the calculation unit 61 terminates the processing without controlling the actuators to change the posture of the seat cushion 1.

[0047] The above-described embodiment provides the following advantageous effects. (1) The seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant, a height adjustment mechanism that supports the seat cushion 1 and has a first support portion (front link 21L and support link 29, and front link 21R and sector link 22R) provided in front of the seat cushion 1 and a second support portion (rear link 22L and rear link 23R) provided in the rear of the seat cushion 1, and an air conditioning unit 40 attached to the front of the seat cushion 1. The first support portion includes a first link (support link 29 and sector link 22R) connected to the seat cushion 1 and a second link (front links 21L and 21R) connected to the first link. The first link and the second link are connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other about their connection portions (link connecting shafts 22Rc and 29c). The height adjustment mechanism can change the posture of the seat cushion 1 between a first state (state shown in FIG. 9A ) in which the front and rear sides of the seat cushion 1 are substantially the same height, and a second state (state shown in FIG. 9B ) in which the front side of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the rear side, via a first support portion and a second support portion. The air conditioning unit 40 is mounted so that its front end is higher than its rear end in the second state. More specifically, the air conditioning unit 40 is mounted at an angle so that its front side is higher than its rear side in the second state. This configuration allows the air conditioning unit 40 to be compactly arranged in the fore-and-aft direction in a seat cushion with an adjustable seat posture, and also reduces interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the floor (vehicle body floor) when the posture is changed.

[0048] (2) The air conditioning unit 40 includes a main body and a blower bracket 42 that mounts the main body to the front underside of the seat cushion 1. The blower bracket 42 has an installation surface 44 on which the upper or lower surface of the main body can be installed. The installation surface 44 is inclined relative to the underside of the seat cushion 1 so that the front side is higher than the rear side. This configuration allows the air conditioning unit 40 to be easily installed at an angle.

[0049] (3) In the second state, the installation surface 44 is inclined so that the front side is higher than the rear side with respect to the underside of the seat cushion 1. This configuration allows the air conditioning unit 40 to be easily installed at an angle and also prevents interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the floor when changing its position.

[0050] (4) The main body of the air conditioner 40 includes a blower 41 and a wire harness that energizes the blower 41. The blower 41 is installed at an angle so that the front lower end is higher than the rear lower end. This configuration allows the blower 41 to be positioned compactly in the front-to-rear direction and reduces interference between the air conditioner 40 and the floor.

[0051] (5) In the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support portion and raises the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support portion. This configuration allows the front side of the seat cushion 1 to be further lower than the rear side while suppressing interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the floor.

[0052] (6) The seat 100 further includes a slide device 30 that can move the seat cushion 1 in the front-to-rear direction. In the second state, the slide device 30 (more specifically, the rail connecting member 33, the slide actuator 34, the screw shaft 35, and the shaft support member 36) is disposed forward of the air conditioning unit 40 and at approximately the same height as the air conditioning unit 40. With this configuration, the height position of the air conditioning unit 40 in the work mode can be lowered to approximately the same height as the slide device 30 while suppressing interference with the slide device 30.

[0053] (7) The blower bracket 42 has a holding portion 45 formed rearward of the installation surface 44. The holding portion 45 holds the rear end of the air conditioner 40. This configuration allows the main body of the air conditioner 40 to be stably held on the inclined installation surface 44.

[0054] (8) The holding portion 45 has the claw portions 45t that hold the upper surface of the air conditioner 40. With this configuration, the main body of the air conditioner 40 can be stably held on the inclined installation surface 44.

[0055] (9) The holding portion 45 is a first wall portion that stands upright from the installation surface 44 on the rear side of the installation surface 44. The blower bracket 42 further has a second wall portion that stands upright from the installation surface 44 on the front side of the installation surface 44. The second wall portion is formed so that the distance from the first wall portion increases upward in a side view. With this configuration, the main body of the air conditioner 40 can be easily placed on the blower bracket 42 (holding portion 45) that is provided with the claw portion 45t.

[0056] In the seat 100, the lift-down actuator 25 provided on the right side of the seat cushion 1 and the controller 60 (FIG. 1) that drives the lift-down actuator 25 provided on the left side of the seat cushion 1 are located at separate locations. When the electric mechanism and its drive unit are located at separate locations like this, the routing of the wire harness used to supply power to the drive unit and for signal communication with the drive unit may become complicated. To address this problem, the above embodiment further provides the following advantageous effects.

[0057] (10) A seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks of an occupant, a seat cushion frame 10 having a pair of left and right side frames 11 (11L, 11R) that supports the seat cushion 1, a lifting device 20 that can raise and lower ends of the pair of left and right side frames 11, and a guide portion that guides a cable (wire harness) used for at least one of supplying power to the lifting device 20 and communicating signals with the lifting device 20 from one side to the other side of the pair of left and right side frames 11. The guide portion is a front pipe 13 that connects the pair of left and right side frames, and an end cap 13a having a through hole that communicates between the inside and outside of the front pipe 13 is fitted to the end of the front pipe 13.

[0058] Because the position of the front pipe 13 relative to the side frames 11 does not change, the wire harness inserted through the front pipe 13 is not pulled or bent even if the position (fore-and-aft position) of the seat cushion 1 or the posture of the seat cushion changes. Therefore, by using the front pipe 13 as a guide for the wire harness as described above, the wire harness can be safely guided from one side of the side frames 11 to the other side, regardless of changes in the position of the seat cushion 1 or the posture of the seat cushion. Furthermore, by using the front pipe 13 as a guide for the wire harness, the wire harness can be guided from one side of the side frames 11 to the other side via the shortest route. Furthermore, by guiding the wire harness from the inside to the outside of the front pipe 13 through the through-hole in the end cap 13a, the wire harness can be protected from burrs on the edge of the front pipe 13. This configuration enables efficient and appropriate wiring of the wire harness using the space below the seat cushion.

[0059] The end cap 13a has a wall portion 13a1 that extends along the cap axial direction and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, a wall portion 13a2 that extends along the cap axial direction and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the front pipe 13, and a wall portion 13a3 that connects the wall portion 13a1 and the wall portion 13a2 so as to cover the edge of the front pipe 13 in a side view. With this configuration, the wire harness can be protected from friction and cuts caused by burrs on the edge of the front pipe 13.

[0060] The seat 100 also includes a seat control device 6 (controller 60) disposed on the left or right side of the seat cushion 1 and configured to transmit a control signal to the lifting device 20. The pair of left and right side frames 11 includes a side frame 11L as a first side frame and a side frame 11R as a second side frame. The lifting device 20 includes a lifting actuator 25 as a first lifting actuator attached to the side frame 11R and configured to drive the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 11 to lift and lower in accordance with a control signal from the controller 60, and a lifting actuator 26 as a second lifting actuator attached to the side frame 11L and configured to drive the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames to lift and lower in accordance with a control signal from the controller 60. A cable (wire harness) connecting the controller 60 to the lifting actuator 25 or the lifting actuator 26 is guided from one side of the pair of left and right side frames 11 to the other side via the front pipe 13. 1 , when the controller 60 is provided on the left side of the seat cushion 1, the cable connecting the controller 60 and the lift-down actuator 25 is guided from one side to the other side of the pair of left and right side frames 11 via the front pipe 13. On the other hand, when the controller 60 is provided on the right side of the seat cushion 1, the cable connecting the controller 60 and the lift-down actuator 26 is guided from one side to the other side of the pair of left and right side frames 11 via the front pipe 13. With this configuration, even when actuators that are driven based on control signals from the controller 60 are provided on both sides of the pair of left and right side frames 11, the wire harnesses between the controller 60 and each actuator can be routed efficiently and appropriately.

[0061] Furthermore, the lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 are configured to change the tilt angle so that the posture of the seat cushion 1 is switched between a first posture (posture shown in FIG. 9A ) in which the seat cushion is substantially horizontal or slopes downward toward the rear, and a second posture (posture shown in FIG. 9B ) in which the seat cushion is sloped upward toward the rear, in accordance with a control signal from the controller 60. The lifting / lowering actuators 25, 26 are also configured to change the tilt angle so that the posture of the seat cushion is switched between the first posture, the second posture, and a third posture (posture shown in FIG. 9C ) in which the seat cushion is sloped downward toward the rear at a tilt angle greater than the tilt angle in the first posture. With this configuration, the posture of the seat cushion 1 can be switched not only to the drive mode (posture shown in FIG. 9A ) but also to a work mode (posture shown in FIG. 9B ) or a relax mode (posture shown in FIG. 9C ) without complicating the routing of the wire harness.

[0062] On the other hand, when the height link mechanism, which changes the position of the seat cushion, is located on the inner side of the pair of left and right seat cushion frames in the seat width direction, if the pressure-receiving member is located between the seat cushion frames, there is a risk that the pressure-receiving member will interfere with the height link mechanism.

[0063] (11) The seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1, a seat cushion frame 10 having a pair of left and right side frames 11 (11L, 11R) and supporting the seat cushion 1, a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member 15 disposed between the pair of left and right side frames 11 and receiving a load from an occupant, and a lifting / lowering device 20 attached to inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames 11 in the seat width direction and having support portions (links 21R, 21L, 22R, 22L, 23R, 29) that support the pair of left and right side frames 11 so that they can be raised and lowered, and serving as a changing device for changing the tilt angle of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 via the support portions. A step portion CT recessed inward in the seat width direction is formed on the side of the pressure-receiving member 15 in an area facing the support portions.

[0064] This configuration can suppress interference between the pressure-receiving member 15 and the link attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction. In particular, even when a link that can switch the posture of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 to the work mode (the posture in FIG. 9B ) is attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction, interference between the pressure-receiving member 15 and the link can be suppressed.

[0065] The lifting device 20 is configured to change the tilt angle so that the seat position can be switched between a first position (position shown in FIG. 9A ) in which the seat is substantially horizontal or slopes downward toward the rear, and a second position (position shown in FIG. 9B ) in which the seat position slopes upward toward the rear. The lifting device 20 is also configured to change the tilt angle so that the seat position can be switched between the first position, the second position, and a third position (position shown in FIG. 9C ) in which the seat position slopes downward toward the rear at a tilt angle greater than the tilt angle in the first position. This configuration prevents interference between the pressure-receiving member 15 and the link, even when the link is attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction, and can switch the seat position of the seat cushion 1 between a work mode (position shown in FIG. 9B ) and a relax mode (position shown in FIG. 9C ).

[0066] The support portion also includes a drive link that adjusts the height of the ends of the pair of left and right side frames 11. The drive link has multiple links (front links 21R, 22R) connected to each other so as to be rotatable in the seat width direction. More specifically, the support portion includes a first support portion (front link 21L, front link 21R, and sector link 22R) that supports the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 11 so as to be able to move up and down, and a second support portion (rear links 22L, 23R) that supports the rear ends of the pair of left and right side frames so as to be able to move up and down. The drive link is included in the first support portion and adjusts the height of the front ends of the pair of left and right side frames 11. A step portion CT recessed toward the inside in the seat width direction is formed in a region of the side of the pressure-receiving member 15 facing the first support portion. This configuration prevents interference between the pressure-receiving member 15 and the link, even when the link connected in the seat width direction is attached to the inner surface of the side frame 11 in the seat width direction.

[0067] The seat 100 also includes a protective member (gear cover portion 16 or cover member 50) that is provided between the drive link and the pressure-receiving member 15 in the seat width direction and covers at least a portion of the drive link on the inner side in the seat width direction. A step portion CT is formed in an area of ​​the side of the pressure-receiving member 15 that faces the protective member so as to provide a predetermined gap between the protective member and the pressure-receiving member 15 in the seat width direction. With this configuration, when the gear cover portion 16 or cover member 50 is provided between the sector link 22R and the pressure-receiving member 15, interference between the protective member and the pressure-receiving member 15 can be suppressed.

[0068] The lifting device 20 further includes a pinion gear 24 that rotates about a rotation axis extending along the seat width direction. The drive link includes a sector link 22R having a sector gear 22Rg formed on a portion of its outer circumferential surface. The sector gear 22Rg engages with the pinion gear 24 so as to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion gear. The cover member 50 includes an upper wall portion 53 that covers the sector link 22R from above and a side wall portion 52 that covers the sector link 22R from the inside in the seat width direction. A step portion CT is formed in an area of ​​the side of the pressure-receiving member 15 that faces the side wall portion 52 of the cover member 50, providing a predetermined gap between the cover member 50 and the side wall portion 52 in the seat width direction. This configuration allows the cover member 50, which prevents the sector gear 22Rg from catching the seat cushion pad, to be positioned without interfering with the pressure-receiving member 15.

[0069] In recent years, the diversity of vehicle interior spaces has led to a demand for various seat arrangements for vehicle seats. However, if components such as an air conditioning unit are attached to the bottom of the seat cushion, there is a risk that these components will interfere with slide rails or the like fixed to the vehicle floor when the position of the seat cushion is changed, limiting the seat arrangements. To address this problem, the above-described embodiment further provides the following advantageous effects.

[0070] (12) The seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1, a slide device 30 extending in the front-rear direction and attached to the vehicle body floor to support the seat cushion 1, a height adjustment mechanism that can change the posture of the seat cushion 1 between a first state (the state in FIG. 9A ) in which the front and rear sides of the seat cushion 1 are substantially the same height, and a second state (the state in FIG. 9B ) in which the front side is lower than the rear side, and an air conditioning unit 40 attached to a lower front side of the seat cushion 1. The slide device 30 is provided below both end portions of the seat cushion 1 in the seat width direction. The air conditioning unit 40 is disposed inward in the seat width direction from the slide device 30 (more specifically, slide rails 31, 32).

[0071] In the work mode, when the front end of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the rear end as shown in Fig. 9B, the vertical positions of the air conditioning unit 40 and the sliding device 30 overlap. However, by arranging the air conditioning unit 40 on the inner side of the sliding device 30 in the seat width direction as described above, it is possible to suppress interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the sliding device 30 while switching the sitting surface of the seat cushion 1 to the position shown in Fig. 9B.

[0072] The seat 100 further includes a first support portion (front link 21L and support link 29, and front link 21R and sector link 22R) provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1, and a second support portion (rear link 22L and rear link 23R) provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The first support portion includes a first link (support link 29 and sector link 22R) connected to a slide device 30 and a second link (front links 21L and 21R) connected to the first link ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The first link and the second link are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about their respective connection portions (link connecting shafts 22Rc and 29c) ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The height adjustment mechanism changes the posture of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 between a first state and a second state via the first support portion and the second support portion. In the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support portion and raises the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support portion. With this configuration, the front side of the seat cushion 1 can be further lowered relative to the rear side while suppressing interference between the air conditioning device 40 and the slide device 30.

[0073] The air conditioning unit 40 is also attached so that the position of its front end in the second state is rearward of the front end of the base member and so that its height in the second state is approximately the same as that of the base member. This configuration allows the front side of the seat cushion 1 to be lower than the rear side while suppressing interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the sliding device 30. This configuration allows the height position of the air conditioning unit 40 in the work mode to be lowered to approximately the same position as that of the sliding device 30 while suppressing interference with the sliding device 30.

[0074] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 40 has a blower 41 and a duct 43 that forms an airway that guides air from the blower 41 to the seating surface or from the seating surface to the blower 41. The air conditioning unit 40 is further attached so that the lower end of the duct 43 in the second state is lower than the upper end of the slide device 30. With this configuration, even when the front part of the duct 43 is formed so as to slope rearward and downward from the blower 41 as shown in Figure 10, the height position of the blower 41 in the work mode can be lowered to approximately the same position as the slide device 30.

[0075] On the other hand, if components such as an air conditioning unit are mounted on the bottom surface of the seat cushion, these components may interfere with other components mounted below the seat cushion when the seat position is changed. This also limits the seat arrangement. To address this problem, the above-described embodiment further provides the following advantageous effects.

[0076] (13) The seat 100 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 1, a slide device 30 that supports the seat cushion 1 so that it can move in the fore-and-aft direction, a height adjustment mechanism that can change the posture of the seat cushion 1 between a first state (the state in FIG. 9A ) in which the front and rear sides of the seat cushion are substantially the same height, and a second state (the state in FIG. 9B ) in which the front side is lower than the rear side, and an air conditioning unit 40 attached to a lower front side of the seat cushion 1. The slide device 30 includes a slide actuator 34 that is arranged below the front side of the seat cushion 1 and a drive mechanism that moves the seat cushion 1 in the fore-and-aft direction using the drive force of the slide actuator 34. In the second state, the front end of the air conditioning unit 40 is arranged rearward of the rear end of the slide actuator 34.

[0077] In the work mode, when the front end of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the rear end as shown in Fig. 9B, the vertical positions of the air conditioning unit 40 and the slide actuator 34 overlap. However, by arranging the air conditioning unit 40 behind the slide actuator 34 as described above, the sitting surface of the seat cushion 1 can be switched to the position shown in Fig. 9B while suppressing interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the slide actuator 34.

[0078] The drive mechanism also includes a pair of slide rails 31, 32 extending in the front-rear direction and provided below both ends of the seat cushion 1 in the seat width direction. A slide actuator 34 supports the seat cushion 1 so that it can slide. In the second state, when the seat cushion 1 is at the frontmost position of its slidable range, the front end of the air conditioning unit 40 is located rearward of the rear end of the slide actuator 34. With this configuration, the sitting surface of the seat cushion 1 can be switched to the position shown in Figure 9B while suppressing interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the slide actuator 34, regardless of the position (front-rear direction) of the seat cushion 1.

[0079] The drive mechanism further includes a rail connecting member 33 that connects the front ends of the pair of slide rails 31, 32, and the slide actuator 34 is disposed on the left side of the rail connecting member 33 (FIGS. 6 and 7). The left end of the air conditioning unit 40 is disposed to the right of the right end of the slide actuator 34 in the seat width direction (FIGS. 6 and 7). This configuration further reduces interference between the air conditioning unit 40 and the slide actuator 34.

[0080] Additionally, the air conditioning unit 40 is positioned so that the position of its front end in the second state is rearward of the rear end of the slide actuator 34, and so that its height position in the second state is substantially the same as that of the slide actuator 34. With this configuration, the height position of the air conditioning unit 40 in the work mode can be lowered to substantially the same position as that of the slide actuator 34 while suppressing interference with the slide actuator 34.

[0081] The seat 100 further includes a first support portion (front link 21L and support link 29, and front link 21R and sector link 22R) provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1, and a second support portion (rear link 22L and rear link 23R) provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The first support portion includes a first link (support link 29 and sector link 22R) connected to a slide device 30 and a second link (front links 21L and 21R) connected to the first link ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The first link and the second link are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about their respective connection portions (link connecting shafts 22Rc and 29c) ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The height adjustment mechanism changes the posture of the seat surface of the seat cushion 1 between a first state and a second state via the first support portion and the second support portion. In the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support portion and raises the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support portion. With this configuration, the front side of the seat cushion 1 can be further lowered relative to the rear side while suppressing interference between the air conditioning device 40 and the slide actuator 34.

[0082] The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways. Modifications will be described below. In the above-described embodiment, the first support portions (front link 21L and support link 29, and front link 21R and sector link 22R) are provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1, and the second support portions (rear link 22L and rear link 23R) are provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1. However, as long as the first support portions are provided on one side of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction and the second support portions are provided on the other side of the seat cushion 1 in the front-rear direction, the first support portions may be provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 1 and the second support portions may be provided on the front side of the seat cushion 1.

[0083] In this case, the posture of the seat surface in which the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the front side is defined as the second state. An air conditioning unit 40 serving as an electrical component is provided at the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The air conditioning unit 40 (blower 41) is mounted so that its rear end is higher than its front end in the second state. A blower bracket 42 serving as a mounting part is configured to mount the air conditioning unit 40 to the underside of the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The installation surface 44 of the blower bracket 42 is inclined relative to the underside of the seat cushion 1 so that the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is higher than the front side. Even in the second state, the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is inclined relative to the underside of the seat cushion 1 so that the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is higher than the front side. The height adjustment mechanism lowers the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via a first support part and raises the front side of the seat cushion 1 via a second support part. In addition, in the second state, the slide device 30 (more specifically, the rail connecting member 33, the slide actuator 34, the screw shaft 35, and the shaft support member 36) is disposed rearward of the air conditioning unit 40 and at approximately the same height as the air conditioning unit 40. Furthermore, the holding portion 45 is a third wall portion erected in front of the installation surface 44 and facing upward from the installation surface 44, and the blower bracket 42 has a fourth wall portion erected in rear of the installation surface 44 and facing upward from the installation surface 44 instead of the second wall portion. Note that the electrical component may be something other than the air conditioning unit 40.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the link structure has been exemplified as having two links (front link 21R and sector link 22R, or front link 21L and support link 29) on the front side of the seat cushion 1 and one link (rear link 23R or rear link (sector link) 22L) on the rear side. However, it is sufficient if the seat cushion 1 can be changed to a posture mode in which the front end portion is lower than the rear end portion. Specifically, it is sufficient if the seat cushion 1 has two links on either the front or rear side and at least one link on the other side. Therefore, the seat cushion 1 may have a link structure having two links on the front side and two links on the rear side of the seat cushion 1.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the connecting pipe (front pipe 13) connecting the front portions of the side frames 11L to each other is used as a guide for the wire harness. However, the connecting pipe (rear pipe 14) connecting the rear portions of the side frames 11L to each other may also be used as a guide for the wire harness. In this case, end caps as shown in FIG. 8 are fitted to the right and left ends of the rear pipe 14. Note that both the front pipe 13 and the rear pipe 14 may also be used as guides for the wire harness. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the end cap 13a includes a wall portion 13a1 serving as a first wall portion that extends along the cap axis direction and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the front pipe 13, a wall portion 13a2 serving as a second wall portion that extends along the cap axis direction and abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the front pipe 13, and a wall portion 13a3 serving as a third wall portion that connects the wall portion 13a1 and the wall portion 13a2 so as to cover the edge of the front pipe 13 in a side view. However, the end cap may have any other structure or shape as long as it can prevent contact between the edge of the front pipe 13 and the wire harness.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the front end of the seat cushion frame 10 has three height levels (first front end height ( FIG. 9A ), second front end height ( FIG. 9B ), and third front end height ( FIG. 9C )). Also, an example has been shown in which the rear end of the seat cushion frame 10 has three height levels (first rear end height ( FIG. 9A ), second rear end height ( FIG. 9B ), and third rear end height ( FIG. 9C )). However, the heights of the front and rear ends of the seat cushion frame 10 may be changed in a number of levels other than three, for example, more than three. That is, the sitting surface of the seat cushion 1 may be switchable to a posture mode other than the three posture modes shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C .

[0087] In the above embodiment, the driving force for rotating the pinion gears 24, 27 is generated by the electric motors of the lifting actuators 25, 26. However, the pinion gears 24, 27 may be rotated by manual operation using an operating lever or dial provided on the side of the seat 100. That is, the occupant (seat occupant) may operate the operating lever or dial to change the position of the seat cushion 1. In the above embodiment, the electric motor of the slide actuator 34 generates driving force for rotating the screw shaft 35 to slide the upper rail 31 relative to the lower rail 32. However, the upper rail 31 may be manually slidable relative to the lower rail 32. For example, the seat 100 may be configured to slide the upper rail 31 relative to the lower rail 32 by operating a slide operating lever (not shown) provided below the front portion of the seat 100. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rail connecting member 33 connects the front ends of the lower rails 32L, 32R, but the rail connecting member may connect the rear ends of the lower rails 32L, 32R. That is, the rail connecting member, the slide actuator, the screw shaft, and the shaft support member may be disposed at the rear ends of the lower rails 32L, 32R.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the air conditioning device 40 as an electrical component is attached to the lower front portion of the seat cushion 1. The slide device 30 as a base member has a slide actuator 34 as a drive source disposed below the front portion of the seat cushion 1. The height adjustment mechanism changes the posture of the seat cushion 1 between a first state (the state in FIG. 9A ) in which the front and rear sides of the seat cushion 1 are substantially the same height, and a second state (the state in FIG. 9B ) in which the front side is lower than the rear side. However, the electrical component may be disposed below one side of the seat cushion 1 in the fore-and-aft direction. That is, the electrical component may be disposed below the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The base member may have a drive source disposed below the rear side of the seat cushion 1. The second state may be a posture in which the rear side of the seat cushion 1 is lower than the front side.

[0089] In this case, the rear end of the air conditioner 40 as an electrical component is positioned forward of the front end of the drive source in the second state. More specifically, in the second state and when the seat cushion 1 is at the rearmost position of its slidable range, the rear end of the air conditioner 40 is positioned forward of the front end of the drive source. The air conditioner 40 is positioned so that its rear end in the second state is rearward of the rear end of the drive source and so that its height in the second state is substantially the same as that of the drive source. A first support member having a first link and a second link is provided at the rear of the seat cushion 1, and a second support member is provided at the front of the seat cushion 1. In the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the rear side of the seat cushion 1 via the first support member and raises the front side of the seat cushion 1 via the second support member. Furthermore, the air conditioner 40 as an electrical component is mounted so that the position of its rear end in the second state is forward of the rear end of the sliding device 30 and so that its height in the second state is approximately the same as that of the base member. More specifically, the air conditioner 40 is mounted so that the position of its rear end in the second state is forward of the rear end of the sliding device 30 and so that the lower end of the duct 43 in the second state is lower than the upper end of the sliding device 30.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the slide actuator 34 as the drive source is disposed on the left side of the rail connecting member 33, and the left end of the air conditioning unit 40 as the electrical component is disposed to the right of the right end of the slide actuator 34 in the seat width direction. However, the drive source may be disposed on one side of the rail connecting member in the seat width direction, and one end of the electrical component in the seat width direction may be disposed on the other side of the other end of the drive source in the seat width direction. In other words, the drive source may be disposed on the right side of the rail connecting member, and the right end of the electrical component may be disposed to the left of the left end of the drive source. Furthermore, the electrical component may be something other than the air conditioning unit.

[0091] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications, as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. One or more of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be arbitrarily combined, and modifications can also be combined with each other.

[0092] 1 seat cushion, 2 seat back, 3 headrest, 4 reclining mechanism, 6 seat control device, 10 seat cushion frame, 11L, 11R side frame, 13 front pipe, 14 rear pipe, 21L, 21R front link, 22R sector link, 22L, 23R rear link, 28L, 28R upper rail bracket, 31R, 31L upper rail, 32R, 32L lower rail, 25, 26 lifting actuator, 34 slide actuator, 40 air conditioning device, 41 blower, 42 blower bracket, 43 duct, 44 installation surface, 45 holding portion, 45t claw portion, 60 controller, 100 seat

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant; a height adjustment mechanism that supports the seat cushion and has a first support part provided on one side of the seat cushion in the fore-aft direction and a second support part provided on the other side; and electrical components attached to the one side of the seat cushion, wherein the first support part has a first link connected to the seat cushion and a second link connected to the first link, the first link and the second link are connected to be able to rotate relatively around their connection parts, the height adjustment mechanism is capable of changing the posture of the sitting surface of the seat cushion via the first support part and the second support part between a first state in which the one side and the other side of the seat cushion are substantially the same height, and a second state in which the one side of the seat cushion is lower than the other side, and the electrical components are attached so that in the second state, an end of the one side is higher than an end of the other side.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component is mounted at an angle such that the one side is higher than the other side in the second state.

3. A vehicle seat as described in claim 2, wherein the electrical component comprises a main body and an attachment portion for attaching the main body to the underside of the one side of the seat cushion, the attachment portion has an installation surface on which the upper or lower surface of the main body can be installed, and the installation surface is inclined in the second state so that the one side is higher than the other side with respect to the underside of the seat cushion.

4. A vehicle seat as described in claim 3, wherein the electrical component is an air conditioning unit, the main body has a blower and a wire harness for energizing the blower, and the blower is mounted at an angle so that the lower end on one side is higher than the lower end on the other side.

5. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the mounting portion has a retaining portion formed on the other side of the installation surface in the fore-and-aft direction, and the retaining portion retains the other side end of the electrical component.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the retaining portion has a claw portion for retaining an upper surface of the electrical component.

7. A vehicle seat as described in claim 6, wherein the retaining portion is a first wall portion erected upward from the installation surface on the other side of the installation surface in the fore-and-aft direction, and the mounting portion further has a second wall portion erected upward from the installation surface on the one side of the installation surface in the fore-and-aft direction, and the second wall portion is formed such that the distance from the second wall portion to the first wall portion increases upward in a side view.

8. A vehicle seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, in the second state, the height adjustment mechanism lowers the one side of the seat cushion via the first support portion and raises the other side of the seat cushion via the second support portion.

9. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a sliding device capable of moving the seat cushion in a fore-and-aft direction, wherein in the second state, the sliding device is positioned on the one side of the electrical components and at approximately the same height as the electrical components.

10. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, wherein the electrical component comprises a main body and an attachment portion for attaching the main body to the underside of the one side of the seat cushion, the attachment portion has an installation surface on which the upper or lower surface of the main body can be installed, and the installation surface is inclined relative to the underside of the seat cushion so that the one side is higher than the other side.

11. A vehicle seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a seat back; a reclining mechanism that allows the seat back to be rotated relative to the seat cushion; and a headrest attached to the seat back, wherein the seat back is provided on the other side of the seat cushion in the fore-and-aft direction.

12. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising: a seat cushion frame having a pair of left and right side frames and supporting the seat cushion; a lifting device capable of raising and lowering ends of the pair of left and right side frames; and a guide portion that guides a cable used for at least one of supplying power to the lifting device and communicating signals with the lifting device from one side of the pair of left and right side frames to the other side, wherein the guide portion is a connecting pipe that connects the pair of left and right side frames, and an end cap having a through hole formed therein that communicates between the inside and outside of the connecting pipe is fitted onto the end of the connecting pipe.

13. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising: a seat cushion frame having a pair of left and right side frames and supporting the seat cushion; a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member disposed between the pair of left and right side frames and receiving a load from an occupant; and a change device attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side frames in the seat width direction and having support parts that support the pair of left and right side frames so that they can be raised and lowered, and which changes the inclination angle of the sitting surface of the seat cushion via the support parts, wherein a notch recessed toward the inside in the seat width direction is formed in the side of the pressure-receiving member in the area facing the support parts.

14. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising a base member extending in the fore-and-aft direction and attached to a vehicle body floor to support the seat cushion, the electrical components being attached to the lower portion of the one side of the seat cushion, the base members being respectively provided below both ends of the seat cushion in the seat width direction, and the electrical components being positioned more inward in the seat width direction than the base member.

15. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising a base member supporting the seat cushion so that the seat cushion can be moved in the fore-and-aft direction, the base member having a drive source arranged below the one side of the seat cushion and a drive mechanism that uses the driving force from the drive source to move the seat cushion in the fore-and-aft direction, and the electrical component, in the second state, has an end on the one side that is arranged on the other side of the end on the other side of the drive source.

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