Vehicle seat

Abstract

This vehicle seat includes a plurality of spring members which are bridged between a front part and a rear part of a seat cushion frame and are arranged in a seat width direction, and support plates provided on respective outer sides of the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction so to be capable of imparting a reaction force to a load directed in the downward direction of the seat, the support plates respectively supporting opposite outer ends of the cushion pad in the seat width direction.

Description

Vehicle seats

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle seats.

[0002] Vehicle seats equipped with a stabilizer that links the right first spring and right second spring on the right side and the left first spring and left second spring on the left side on the rear side of the seat cushion have been known for some time (see, for example, JP 2019-64574 A).

[0003] The seat cushion is provided with multiple spring members extending in the front-rear direction of the seat and aligned in the seat width direction. The cushion pad of the seat cushion is supported from the underside of the seat by the multiple spring members. However, the spring members supporting the cushion pad are not located on either side of the seat cushion (i.e., on both outer ends in the seat width direction). Therefore, when the cushion pad becomes thinner, as in vehicle seats for electric vehicles and the like, the support force of the seat cushion on both sides for the seated occupant decreases.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction even if the thickness of the cushion pad is reduced.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle seat of the first aspect includes a plurality of spring members that are spanned between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame and aligned in the seat width direction, and support plates that are arranged on the outer sides of the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction so as to be able to apply a reaction force against a load directed toward the lower side of the seat, and that support both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction.

[0006] According to the vehicle seat of the first aspect, a plurality of spring members are arranged in the seat width direction, spanning between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame. Support plates supporting both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction are provided on the outer sides of the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction so as to apply a reaction force against a load acting toward the lower side of the seat. Therefore, even if the cushion pad is thin, a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction is suppressed.

[0007] In addition, the vehicle seat of the second aspect is a vehicle seat of the first aspect, and is provided with a frame-shaped wire member extending in the seat width direction and attached to the plurality of spring members, and the support plates are each provided at the outer end of the wire member in the seat width direction.

[0008] According to the vehicle seat of the second aspect, a frame-shaped wire member extending in the seat width direction is attached to a plurality of spring members. Each support plate is provided at an outer end of the frame-shaped wire member in the seat width direction. That is, each support plate is supported by the plurality of spring members via the wire members. Therefore, both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction are effectively supported by the support plates.

[0009] A vehicle seat according to a third aspect is the vehicle seat according to the second aspect, wherein the support plate is integrally joined to the wire member.

[0010] According to the vehicle seat of the third aspect, the support plate is integrally connected to the wire member, which reduces the number of parts and makes the vehicle seat easier to manufacture than when the support plate is not integrally connected to the wire member.

[0011] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle seat is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, wherein the support plates are respectively provided on a pair of support spring members spanning between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the vehicle seat, a pair of support spring members is spanned between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame, and each support plate is provided on each of the pair of support spring members, so that both outer end portions of the cushion pad in the seat width direction are effectively supported by each support plate.

[0013] In this disclosure, the term "pair" means that the number of support spring members spanning between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame is two. Therefore, when two support spring members are provided independently, even if the rear end of the seat is connected together to form a single support spring member that is roughly U-shaped in plan view, this is still included in the term "pair," since there are still two support spring members spanning between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle seat is the fourth aspect of the vehicle seat, wherein the support spring member is bent in an approximately "C" shape in a plan view so as to follow the front edge portion of the support plate, the upper edge portion of the seat, and the rear edge portion of the seat.

[0015] According to the vehicle seat of the fifth aspect, the support spring member is bent in a generally C-shape in plan view so as to follow the seat front, upper, and rear edges of the support plate. Therefore, compared to a case in which the support spring member is not bent in a generally C-shape in plan view so as to follow the seat front, upper, and rear edges of the support plate, both outer ends of the cushion pad in the seat width direction are more effectively supported by the support plates.

[0016] As described above, according to the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure, even if the thickness of the cushion pad is reduced, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction.

[0017] 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat relating to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat relating to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic front sectional view taken along the arrows X-X in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat relating to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat relating to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic front sectional view taken along the arrows Y-Y in FIG.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are mentioned, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0019] 1 to 3, a vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment includes a seat cushion frame 12. The seat cushion frame 12 includes a pair of left and right metal side frames 14, a metal support frame 16 mounted on front ends of the side frames 14 (i.e., the front portion of the seat cushion frame 12), and a cylindrical metal rod member 18 mounted on rear ends of the side frames 14 (i.e., the rear portion of the seat cushion frame 12) with the seat width direction as its axial direction.

[0020] Additionally, multiple (e.g., three) linear spring members 24 are suspended between the support frame 16 and the rod member 18. The spring members 24 are made of metal and are aligned in the seat width direction so as to be positioned on the same plane. One end 24A of each spring member 24 is attached to the rear end of the support frame 16 by being engaged from the left and right directions.

[0021] A resin base member 22 is provided on the rod member 18. The length of the base member 22 in the seat width direction is shorter than the length of the rod member 18 in the axial direction. The other ends 24B of the spring members 24 are integrally attached to both end portions (i.e., one end and the other end) and the center of the base member 22 in the seat width direction.

[0022] The cushion pad 20 (see FIG. 3), which constitutes the seat cushion together with the seat cushion frame 12, is supported from below by a plurality of spring members 24. A bent portion 26 is formed in the middle of each spring member 24, and is bent in a generally "S" shape or an inverted "S" shape in a plan view. This allows at least the middle portion of each spring member 24 (i.e., the portion where the bent portion 26 is formed) to be elastically deformable in a stable manner.

[0023] Additionally, metal wire members 28 of a predetermined diameter extending in the seat width direction are attached to the undersides of the bent portions 26 of the multiple spring members 24. The wire members 28 are formed in a generally rectangular frame shape in plan view with the seat width direction as the longitudinal direction. A front end 28A and a rear end 28B of the wire members 28 are attached to the front end 26A and the rear end 26B of each bent portion 26, respectively, by clip members 27 formed in a generally C-shaped cross section.

[0024] The wire member 28 functions as a stabilizer that synchronizes the multiple spring members 24, thereby suppressing lateral movement of the seated occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10. Furthermore, outer end portions 28D of the wire member 28 in the seat width direction are bent so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ (see FIG. 3 ) upward and outward in the seat width direction with respect to the horizontal direction when viewed from the front. Support plates 30 are provided on the outer end portions 28D of the wire member 28 inclined at the predetermined angle θ (including the bent portions 28C of the wire member 28), respectively.

[0025] Each support plate 30 is formed in a generally rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction. Each support plate 30 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape in a front view, with the inner end in the seat width direction bent to match the bent portion 28C of the wire member 28, and is integrally joined to the outer end 28D of the wire member 28 in the seat width direction.

[0026] That is, each support plate 30 is made of resin and is integrated with the seat width direction outer end 28D of the wire member 28 (including the bent portion 28C of the wire member 28) by insert molding or the like, and is arranged at a predetermined angle θ when viewed from the front (see Figure 3).

[0027] As a result, each support plate 30 is located outside the multiple spring members 24 in the seat width direction and inside the side frames 14 in the seat width direction, and is able to apply a reaction force against a load acting downward by the multiple spring members 24 via the wire members 28. In other words, each support plate 30 is able to support both outer end portions of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction from below.

[0028] Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0029] As described above, the plurality of spring members 24 are arranged in the seat width direction, spanning between the support frame 16 of the seat cushion frame 12 and the rod member 18. The support plates 30, which support both outer end portions of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction, are provided on the outer sides of the plurality of spring members 24 in the seat width direction so as to be able to apply a reaction force against a load acting downward.

[0030] Specifically, a frame-shaped wire member 28 extending in the seat width direction is attached to bent portions 26 of the plurality of spring members 24, and each support plate 30 is provided at an outer end 28D in the seat width direction of the frame-shaped wire member 28. In other words, each support plate 30 is supported by the plurality of spring members 24 via the wire member 28. Therefore, even if the thickness T (see FIG. 3) of the cushion pad 20 is thin (for example, even if T = 50 mm), it is possible to suppress a decrease in the support force for the seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction.

[0031] Specifically, when an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10 sways to either the left or right (i.e., sways sideways), a downward load is applied to the outer end of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction. However, because the outer end of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction is effectively supported by the support plate 30, a reaction force can be effectively applied to the load. Therefore, the feeling of unsteadiness (so-called bouncy feeling) and wobbling in the up and down direction of the seated occupant can be effectively suppressed.

[0032] Furthermore, each support plate 30 is integrally joined to the seat width direction outer end 28D of the wire member 28. Therefore, it is possible to prevent each support plate 30 from falling off the wire member 28 compared to when each support plate 30 is not integrally joined to the seat width direction outer end 28D of the wire member 28, for example, when each support plate 30 is joined to the seat width direction outer end 28D of the wire member 28 with an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, since the number of parts can be reduced, it becomes easier to manufacture the vehicle seat 10.

[0033] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0034] 4 to 6 , a pair of left and right metallic support spring members 34 are bridged between the support frame 16 and the rod member 18 on the outer side in the seat width direction of the plurality of (e.g., three) spring members 24 and on the inner side in the seat width direction of each side frame 14. The vehicle seat 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that each support plate 32 is provided on the pair of left and right support spring members 34 rather than on the wire member 28.

[0035] Each support plate 32 in the second embodiment is formed in a generally C-shaped plan view, with a notch 32A cut out in a generally rectangular shape in plan view at the approximate center in the front-to-rear direction of the inner end of the support plate 32 in the seat width direction. The size of the notch 32A is set to a size that does not interfere with (i.e., does not hit) the outer end 28D of the wire member 28 in the seat width direction even when the support plate 32 moves up and down due to elastic deformation of the support spring member 34.

[0036] Each support spring member 34 is formed in a linear shape that is thicker than the spring member 24. The middle portion of each support spring member 34 is bent in a generally C-shape in plan view so as to fit along the front edge 32B, upper edge 32C, and rear edge 32D of each support plate 32. In other words, each support plate 32 is integrally joined to the upper surface of a bent portion 34A that is bent in a generally C-shape in plan view at the middle portion of each support spring member 34 (see FIG. 5).

[0037] That is, each support plate 32 is made of resin and is integrally joined with an adhesive or the like to the bent portion 34A of each support spring member 34. The bent portion 34A of each support spring member 34 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ when viewed from the front. Therefore, each support plate 32 is also disposed at an inclination at the predetermined angle θ when viewed from the front (see FIG. 6).

[0038] The support spring member 34 is not limited to a configuration in which two independent support spring members 34 are provided, and may be configured, for example, in such a manner that a rear end portion 34B (see FIG. 5) that is engaged and attached to the rod member 18 is integrally connected in the left-right direction (i.e., the axial direction of the rod member 18). In other words, the support spring member 34 may be configured as a single member that is roughly U-shaped in plan view with the front side open.

[0039] However, even in this case, the number of support spring members 34 spanning between the support frame 16 and the rod member 18 is still two, so they are referred to as a pair of support spring members 34. In other words, the term "pair" in this embodiment means that the number of support spring members 34 spanning between the support frame 16 and the rod member 18 is two.

[0040] Alternatively, the base member 22 may be extended outward in the seat width direction, and the rear end portions 34B of the support spring members 34 may be integrally attached to both end portions in the seat width direction, which are the extended portions of the base member 22, in the same manner as the spring members 24. Alternatively, the rear end portions 34B of the support spring members 34 may be attached to the rod member 18 by welding.

[0041] Furthermore, the front end 34C (see FIG. 5) of the support spring member 34 is attached by welding to the support frame 16, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a panel member (not shown) having a plurality of engaging portions to which one end 24A of each spring member 24 is respectively engaged may be provided at the rear end of the support frame 16. Therefore, the front end 34C of the support spring member 34 may be attached by welding or by engaging with both ends of the panel member in the seat width direction. Furthermore, the front end 34C of the support spring member 34 may be attached by directly engaging with the rear end of the support frame 16.

[0042] Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. Note that the explanation of the same operations as those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] As described above, in the second embodiment, a pair of support spring members 34 is spanned between the support frame 16 of the seat cushion frame 12 and the rod member 18, and each support plate 32 is provided on the pair of support spring members 34. That is, each support plate 32 is supported by the support spring member 34. Therefore, even if the thickness T (see FIG. 6) of the cushion pad 20 is thin (for example, even if T = 50 mm), a decrease in the support force for a seated occupant at both outer end portions of the seat cushion in the seat width direction can be suppressed.

[0044] Specifically, when an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10 sways to either the left or right (i.e., sways sideways), a downward load is applied to the outer end of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction. However, because the outer end of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction is effectively supported by the support plate 32, a reaction force can be effectively applied to the load. Therefore, the feeling of unsteadiness (so-called bouncing sensation) and wobbling in the up and down direction of the seated occupant can be effectively suppressed.

[0045] Furthermore, each support spring member 34 is bent in a generally C-shape in plan view so as to follow the front edge portion 32B, the upper edge portion 32C, and the rear edge portion 32D of the support plate 32. Therefore, when each support spring member 34 is not bent in a generally C-shape in plan view so as to follow the front edge portion 32B, the upper edge portion 32C, and the rear edge portion 32D of the support plate 32, the outer both end portions of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction can be more effectively and stably supported by each support plate 32 than when each support spring member 34 is formed in a straight line along the front-rear direction, for example.

[0046] Furthermore, the support plate 32 in this second embodiment is not provided at the seat width direction outer end 28D of the wire member 28 attached to each spring member 24, as is the support plate 30 in the first embodiment, but is configured to be provided independently of each spring member 24 and wire member 28.

[0047] Therefore, each support plate 32 is free from the drawback of being affected by the flexural deformation of each spring member 24 by the seated occupant (i.e., the drawback of moving together with each spring member 24), and can more effectively receive the load applied to the outer end of the cushion pad 20 in the seat width direction. In other words, in the case of the second embodiment, the feeling of wobbling in the up and down direction (the so-called bouncy feeling) and wobbling that the seated occupant experiences can be more effectively suppressed than in the case of the first embodiment.

[0048] While the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings and may be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the wire members 28 may be joined to the bent portions 26 of the spring members 24 by welding, adhesive, or the like, instead of by the clip members 27.

[0049] Furthermore, the support plates 30 and 32 are not limited to being made of resin, and may be made of metal, such as steel plate. In that case, the support plates 30 and 32 may be joined to the wire member 28 and the support spring member 34, respectively, by welding, adhesive, or the like. Furthermore, the thickness of the support spring member 34 is not limited to being thicker than the thickness of the spring member 24, and may be the same thickness as the spring member 24, for example.

[0050] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-205543 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a plurality of spring members arranged in the seat width direction and spanning between the front and rear of a seat cushion frame; and support plates arranged on the outer sides of the plurality of spring members in the seat width direction so as to be capable of applying a reaction force against a load acting toward the lower side of the seat, and supporting both outer end portions of a cushion pad in the seat width direction.

2. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising a frame-shaped wire member extending in the seat width direction and attached to the plurality of spring members, and the support plates are provided on the outer ends of the wire members in the seat width direction, respectively.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the support plate is integrally joined to the wire member.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support plates are provided on a pair of support spring members that are bridged between the front and rear portions of the seat cushion frame.

5. A vehicle seat as described in claim 4, wherein the support spring member is bent in an approximate "C" shape in a plan view so as to follow the seat front edge portion, the seat upper edge portion and the seat rear edge portion of the support plate.

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