Vehicle seat

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a space for installing another device in a vehicle seat having a movable frame. [Solution] A vehicle seat 1 has a seat cushion frame 8 forming a skeleton of a seat cushion 3. The seat cushion frame includes: a pair of left and right side members 12 extending in the front-rear direction; a middle member 15 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members; and a movable frame 40 provided on the middle member and movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the middle member. The movable frame includes: a pair of left and right sliders 41 respectively supported on the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction; and a connection member 42 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front sections of the left and right sliders.

Description

Vehicle seats

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat in which the length of the seat cushion can be adjusted by moving the front end of the seat cushion to support the lower legs of a seated occupant according to the body shape of the seated occupant. The vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 has a fixed frame including a pair of left and right side frames and a plate-shaped pan frame connecting the left and right side frames, and a movable frame that is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed frame. The movable frame is provided above the center of the pan frame in the left-right direction.

[0003] US Patent No. 10710472 JP 2022-154045 A

[0004] The vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that, due to the provision of a movable frame, it is difficult to provide space for providing an ottoman and other devices such as an actuator for driving the ottoman.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a space for providing other devices in a vehicle seat having a movable frame.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having a pair of left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a middle member (15) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) provided on the middle member and movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the middle member, the movable frame having a pair of left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a connecting member (42, 403) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders.

[0007] According to this aspect, a space is formed between the sliders, and this space can be used to place other components, thereby providing space for installing other devices.

[0008] In the above aspect, the left and right sliders may protrude forward from the middle member, and the connecting member may be disposed forward of the middle member.

[0009] According to this embodiment, a space S1 is defined by the left and right sliders, the middle member, and the connecting member. This space S1 can be used to place other devices.

[0010] In the above aspect, the movable frame has a reinforcing member (230), and the reinforcing member has left and right vertical portions (230A) extending in the front-to-rear direction and provided on the left and right inner sides of the corresponding slider, and a horizontal portion (230B) extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting the front ends of the left and right vertical portions, and when viewed in the up-down direction, spaces (S1, S2) may be formed by the left and right vertical portions and the horizontal portions.

[0011] According to this aspect, this space can be used to place other devices.

[0012] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the lateral portion is positioned closer to the connecting member than the middle member when viewed from above.

[0013] According to this aspect, the space can be increased.

[0014] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the movable frame in the forward and backward directions, and the movable frame actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0015] According to this aspect, the actuator for the movable frame can be arranged compactly.

[0016] In the above aspect, the movable frame is provided with an ottoman device (100), which has an ottoman body (101) formed in a plate shape, and the ottoman body may be rotatably attached to the connecting member.

[0017] According to this aspect, the ottoman body is movable in the front-rear direction together with the movable frame, so that even when the ottoman body rotates, it does not interfere with the movable frame.

[0018] In the above aspect, the ottoman device has an ottoman actuator (103) attached to the connecting member and rotating the ottoman body, and the ottoman actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0019] According to this aspect, the ottoman actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0020] In the above aspect, the ottoman device may have a bracket (134) extending rearward from the connecting member, the rear end of the bracket being located rearward of the lateral portion, and the ottoman actuator may be attached to the rear end of the bracket.

[0021] According to this aspect, the second actuator can be disposed in the space.

[0022] In the above aspect, each of the side members is connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), and the slide rail device has left and right lower rails (161) provided on the floor, corresponding left and right upper rails (162) supported so as to be slidable on the left and right lower rails, a base member (164) extending left and right and connected to the left and right upper rails, and a rail actuator (163) attached to the base member and moving the upper rails back and forth, and when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0023] According to this aspect, the rail actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0024] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator may overlap with the movable frame actuator when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0025] According to this aspect, the distance between the rail actuator and the movable frame actuator can be made relatively narrow, allowing the rail actuator and the movable frame actuator to be arranged in a compact manner.

[0026] The vehicle seat described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,0710,472 includes a fixed frame, a movable frame mounted on the fixed frame so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a seat cushion pad disposed on the fixed frame and the movable frame. The vehicle seat described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,0710,472 also includes a drive source for driving the movable frame. There is a need to provide an ottoman device for the vehicle seat described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,0710,472. In this case, the ottoman device needs to be positioned on the seat cushion so as not to interfere with the movement of the movable frame. In view of the above background, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an ottoman device.

[0027] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3) and an ottoman device (100) provided in the front of the seat cushion frame, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction and a movable frame (40, 400) provided in front of the left and right side members so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and the ottoman device being provided on the movable frame.

[0028] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an ottoman device can be provided.

[0029] In the above aspect, the ottoman device may have an ottoman body (101) formed in a plate shape, and the ottoman body may be rotatably provided on the movable frame.

[0030] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can move back and forth together with the movable frame, so that even when the ottoman body rotates, it does not interfere with the movable frame.

[0031] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, the movable frame has left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a connecting member (42) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders, and the ottoman main body may be rotatably supported on the connecting member.

[0032] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can be supported by utilizing the connecting member.

[0033] In the above aspect, the ottoman device has left and right mounting portions (102) provided on both the left and right sides of the ottoman body and rotatably supported on the connecting member, and the connection portions between the left and right sliders and the connecting members may be positioned left and right inward of the corresponding mounting portions on the left and right.

[0034] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can be stably supported by the connecting member.

[0035] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the slider in the forward / backward direction, and the ottoman device has a first ottoman actuator (103) attached to the connecting member that rotates the ottoman body, and when viewed in the forward / backward direction, the lower end of the movable frame actuator is positioned below the upper end of the first ottoman actuator, and the upper end of the movable frame actuator is positioned above the lower end of the first ottoman actuator.

[0036] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the first ottoman actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0037] In the above aspect, each of the side members is connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), and the slide rail device has left and right lower rails (161) provided on the floor, corresponding left and right upper rails (162) supported so as to be slidable on the left and right lower rails, a base member (164) extending left and right and connected to the left and right upper rails, and a rail actuator (163) attached to the base member and moving the upper rail back and forth relative to the lower rails, and a portion of the movable frame actuator is arranged above the rail actuator.

[0038] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the rail actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0039] In the above aspect, a height adjustment device (180) is provided between the left and right side members and the upper rail, and the height adjustment device has a plurality of links (181A, 181B) connecting the left and right upper rails to the corresponding side members, and a height adjustment actuator (182) attached to one of the side members and rotating the links, and when the seat cushion frame is at the lowest position, the lower end of the height adjustment actuator is located lower than the upper end of the rail actuator when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0040] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the height adjustment actuator can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0041] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, the rear end of the first ottoman actuator may be located rearward of the front end of the movable frame actuator when viewed in the vertical direction, and when the movable frame is at its forwardmost position, the rear end of the first ottoman actuator may be located forward of the front end of the movable frame actuator when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0042] According to this aspect, the movable frame can be moved in the front-rear direction by a relatively large amount.

[0043] In the above aspect, the movable frame actuator may be attached to the lower surface of the middle member.

[0044] According to this aspect, the actuator for the movable frame can be arranged compactly by utilizing the space below the middle member.

[0045] In the above aspect, when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the lower end of the actuator for the movable frame may be positioned lower than the upper end of the actuator for height adjustment, and the upper end of the actuator for the movable frame may be positioned higher than the lower end of the actuator for height adjustment.

[0046] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the height adjustment actuator can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0047] In the vehicle seat described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,0472, a step is formed between the top surface of the pan frame and the top surface of the movable frame. This step may cause discomfort to the seated occupant. Therefore, a resin plate extending from the top surface of the pan frame to the top surface of the movable frame is provided to cover the step. However, the resin plate increases the number of parts in the vehicle seat and complicates the structure. One aspect of the present invention aims to attach a movable frame to a vehicle seat using a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seated occupant.

[0048] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a front member (13) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the left and right side members, the movable frame being positioned below the front members, and when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, a portion of the movable frame overlaps with the front members when viewed from above.

[0049] According to this aspect, the step caused by the upper surface of the movable frame and the upper surface of the front member is formed in the front where the weight of the seated person is less likely to act. Therefore, there is no need to provide a member to fill this step. Therefore, the movable frame can be attached with a simple structure while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seated person.

[0050] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the side members, and a front member (13) that extends in the left-and-right direction and is attached to the movable frame.

[0051] According to this aspect, since the front member can move back and forth together with the movable frame, it is possible to reduce the step caused by the upper surface of the movable frame and the upper surface of the front member. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a member to fill the step. Therefore, it is possible to attach the movable frame with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seat occupant.

[0052] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, and a rear member (14) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear portions of the left and right side members, and the movable frame is supported by the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a support member (28) may be provided between the middle member and the rear member.

[0053] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the movable frame, and therefore the movable frame can be attached with a simple configuration.

[0054] In the above aspect, the middle member has a plate-like portion (19) extending in the left-right direction and formed in a plate-like shape facing the up-down direction, and a tubular portion (20) formed in a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction and provided on the plate-like portion, and the support member may have a locking claw that locks the tubular portion from above.

[0055] According to this aspect, when a load acts on the support member from above, a portion of this load is transmitted to the tubular portion of the middle member via the locking claw. Because the tubular portion of the middle member is supported by the plate-like portion of the middle member, this load can be transmitted effectively to each side member via the plate-like portion of the middle member.

[0056] In the above aspect, the movable frame may have left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the plate-shaped portion so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions, and a connecting member (42, 403) extending in the left and right directions and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders.

[0057] According to this aspect, the left and right sliders move in the front-rear direction by moving the connecting member in the front-rear direction, so there is no need to prepare multiple members for moving the left and right sliders in the front-rear direction, which simplifies the movable frame.

[0058] In the above aspect, an actuator (64) for moving the movable frame in the front-rear direction may be provided between the left and right sliders on the plate-shaped portion of the middle member.

[0059] According to this aspect, the movable frame can be easily moved in the front-rear direction.

[0060] In the above aspect, the front member may be formed in a plate shape and coupled to the left and right sliders.

[0061] According to this aspect, the front member can move in the front-rear direction together with the left and right sliders.

[0062] In the above aspect, a portion of the middle member may be disposed below the front member.

[0063] According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step caused by the upper surface of the middle member and the upper surface of the front member, thereby suppressing the formation of a step in the rear where the weight of a seated occupant is relatively likely to act.

[0064] In the above aspect, left and right end portions of the front member may be disposed above the corresponding left and right side members.

[0065] According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress steps caused by the upper surfaces of the side members and the front member.

[0066] In the above aspect, a front end of the front member may be disposed rearward of the connecting member.

[0067] According to this aspect, the length of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction can be effectively adjusted.

[0068] Airbag units for preventing submarining during a frontal collision of a vehicle are known. Such airbag units are mounted on the upper surface of a pan frame in front of the seat cushion. However, the vehicle seat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,0472 has a problem in that a movable frame is mounted on the pan frame, leaving no space for an airbag unit. In view of the above background, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an airbag unit.

[0069] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) comprising a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3) and an airbag unit (220, 500) supported by the seat cushion frame, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction and a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the left and right side members, the airbag unit having an airbag (221, 503) and an inflator (222, 501) that supplies gas to the inside of the airbag, the inflator being attached to the movable frame.

[0070] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an airbag unit can be provided.

[0071] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a front member (13) that extends in the left-right direction and connects the front portions of the left and right side members, the movable frame is positioned lower than the front member, and a notch (302) that is recessed toward the rear and penetrates in the vertical direction is formed at the front end of the front member, and when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the inflator is positioned in a position that overlaps with the notch when viewed from above.

[0072] According to this aspect, the inflator can be arranged compactly.

[0073] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, the movable frame has left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a support bracket (402) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right sliders, and the inflator may be attached to the support bracket.

[0074] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the inflator, and therefore the airbag unit is simplified.

[0075] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a rear member (14) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear portions of the left and right side members, a support member (28) is arranged between the middle member and the rear member, the airbag extends upward and rearward from the inflator and is arranged on the upper surface of the front member, and the rear end of the airbag may be connected to the support member by an attachment portion (505).

[0076] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0077] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plurality of through holes (29A) extending in the vertical direction, and the mounting portion may have a plurality of locking claws (506) that hook onto the edges of the plurality of through holes.

[0078] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0079] In the above aspect, the mounting portion may have a plurality of biasing members (508) that connect the plurality of locking claws to the airbag, and the biasing members may bias the airbag toward the locking claws.

[0080] According to this aspect, even if the airbag moves rearward after moving forward, the airbag can be moved rearward so as to return to its original position.

[0081] In the above aspect, one of the plurality of locking claws and the plurality of biasing members may be formed to be breakable when the airbag is inflated.

[0082] According to this aspect, when the airbag is inflated, the biasing force that biases the airbag downward is no longer applied, so the airbag can be deployed appropriately.

[0083] In the above aspect, the airbag may extend upward and rearward from the inflator and be disposed on an upper surface of the front member, and a rear end of the airbag may be coupled to a rear end of the front member by an attachment portion.

[0084] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0085] In the above aspect, the movable frame has connecting members (42, 403) extending left and right in front of the support bracket and connected to the left and right sliders, and the ottoman body (101) of the ottoman device (100) is rotatably supported by the connecting members, and the inflator may be positioned rearward of the ottoman body.

[0086] According to this aspect, even when the ottoman body rotates, interference between the ottoman body and the inflator is suppressed.

[0087] In the above aspect, the front member may be formed in a plate shape, and an upper end of the inflator may be disposed below the front member.

[0088] According to this aspect, the inflator can be arranged compactly.

[0089] A seat cushion having an air blower that blows air onto the seating surface using a blower is known. The blower is sometimes mounted on a pan frame that forms the front of the seat cushion. However, when a movable frame is mounted on the pan frame, it is difficult to mount the blower on the pan frame. One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat having a movable frame and a blower.

[0090] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the framework of a seat cushion (3) and a blower (211) that blows air toward a seated occupant, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a middle member (15) that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects the left and right side members, a rear member (14) that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects the rear portions of the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) supported on the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, a support member (28) arranged between the middle member and the rear member, and the blower supported by the support member.

[0091] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and a blower can be provided.

[0092] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the movable frame in the forward and backward directions, and the lower end of the movable frame actuator may be positioned below the upper end of the blower, and the upper end of the movable frame actuator may be positioned above the lower end of the blower.

[0093] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the movable frame actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made relatively small, thereby enabling the blower and the movable frame actuator to be arranged in a compact manner.

[0094] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plate-shaped portion (29) whose surfaces face up and down, and the blower may be provided on the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion.

[0095] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the blower, and therefore the blower can be attached with a simple configuration.

[0096] In the above aspect, the blower may have a duct (212) connected to the outlet of the blower and extending along the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion, the lower end of the duct being positioned below the upper end of the blower, and the upper end of the duct being positioned above the lower end of the blower.

[0097] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the blower to the lower end of the duct can be made relatively small, and therefore the blower and duct can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0098] In the above aspect, the plate-shaped portion has an inclined portion (34) formed in a plate shape and inclining downward toward the rear, and a flat portion (35) extending rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion, and the blower may be attached to the underside of the inclined portion.

[0099] According to this aspect, the height from the upper surface of the first actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made smaller, thereby enabling the blower and the first actuator to be arranged more compactly.

[0100] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plurality of core members (33) spanning the middle member and the rear member, and the plate-like portion may be integrally joined to the plurality of core members.

[0101] According to this aspect, the weight of the seated person can be effectively supported.

[0102] In the above aspect, a plate-shaped ottoman body (101) is rotatably mounted on the movable frame, and an ottoman actuator (103) for rotating the ottoman body is also provided, and the lower end of the blower may be positioned below the upper end of the ottoman actuator, and the upper end of the blower may be positioned above the lower end of the ottoman actuator.

[0103] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the second actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made relatively small, thereby enabling the blower and the second actuator to be arranged compactly.

[0104] In the above aspect, an upper end of the blower may be disposed lower than a lower end of the middle member.

[0105] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0106] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame may be connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), the slide rail device having a lower rail (161) connected to the floor and an upper rail (162) slidably supported on the lower rail, and the blower may be positioned above the upper end of the lower rail.

[0107] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0108] In the above aspect, a height adjustment device (180) is provided between the left and right side members and the upper rail, and the height adjustment device has a plurality of links (181A, 181B) connecting the left and right upper rails to the corresponding side members, and a height adjustment actuator (182) attached to one of the side members and rotating the links, and when the seat cushion frame is at the lowest position, the lower end of the blower is positioned below the upper end of the link, and the upper end of the blower is positioned above the lower end of the link.

[0109] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0110] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having a pair of left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a middle member (15) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) provided on the middle member and movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the middle member, the movable frame having a pair of left and right sliders (41, 402) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a connecting member (42, 403) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders.

[0111] According to this aspect, a space is formed between the sliders, and this space can be used to place other components, thereby providing space for installing other devices.

[0112] In the above aspect, the left and right sliders may protrude forward from the middle member, and the connecting member may be disposed forward of the middle member.

[0113] According to this embodiment, a space S1 is defined by the left and right sliders, the middle member, and the connecting member. This space S1 can be used to place other devices.

[0114] In the above aspect, the movable frame has a reinforcing member (230), and the reinforcing member has left and right vertical portions (230A) extending in the front-to-rear direction and provided on the left and right inner sides of the corresponding slider, and a horizontal portion (230B) extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting the front ends of the left and right vertical portions, and when viewed in the up-down direction, spaces (S1, S2) may be formed by the left and right vertical portions and the horizontal portions.

[0115] According to this aspect, this space can be used to place other devices.

[0116] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the lateral portion is positioned closer to the connecting member than the middle member when viewed from above.

[0117] According to this aspect, the space can be increased.

[0118] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the movable frame in the forward and backward directions, and the movable frame actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0119] According to this aspect, the actuator for the movable frame can be arranged compactly.

[0120] In the above aspect, the movable frame is provided with an ottoman device (100), which has an ottoman body (101) formed in a plate shape, and the ottoman body may be rotatably attached to the connecting member.

[0121] According to this aspect, the ottoman body is movable in the front-rear direction together with the movable frame, so that even when the ottoman body rotates, it does not interfere with the movable frame.

[0122] In the above aspect, the ottoman device has an ottoman actuator (103) attached to the connecting member and rotating the ottoman body, and the ottoman actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0123] According to this aspect, the ottoman actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0124] In the above aspect, the ottoman device may have a bracket (134) extending rearward from the connecting member, the rear end of the bracket being located rearward of the lateral portion, and the ottoman actuator may be attached to the rear end of the bracket.

[0125] According to this aspect, the second actuator can be disposed in the space.

[0126] In the above aspect, each of the side members is connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), and the slide rail device has left and right lower rails (161) provided on the floor, corresponding left and right upper rails (162) supported so as to be slidable on the left and right lower rails, a base member (164) extending left and right and connected to the left and right upper rails, and a rail actuator (163) attached to the base member and moving the upper rails back and forth, and when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator may be arranged in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0127] According to this aspect, the rail actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0128] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator may overlap with the movable frame actuator when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0129] According to this aspect, the distance between the rail actuator and the movable frame actuator can be made relatively narrow, allowing the rail actuator and the movable frame actuator to be arranged in a compact manner.

[0130] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3) and an ottoman device (100) provided in the front of the seat cushion frame, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction and a movable frame (40, 400) provided in front of the left and right side members so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and the ottoman device being provided on the movable frame.

[0131] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an ottoman device can be provided.

[0132] In the above aspect, the ottoman device may have an ottoman body (101) formed in a plate shape, and the ottoman body may be rotatably provided on the movable frame.

[0133] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can move back and forth together with the movable frame, so that even when the ottoman body rotates, it does not interfere with the movable frame.

[0134] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, the movable frame has left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a connecting member (42) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders, and the ottoman main body may be rotatably supported on the connecting member.

[0135] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can be supported by utilizing the connecting member.

[0136] In the above aspect, the ottoman device has left and right mounting portions (102) provided on both the left and right sides of the ottoman body and rotatably supported on the connecting member, and the connection portions between the left and right sliders and the connecting members may be positioned left and right inward of the corresponding mounting portions on the left and right.

[0137] According to this aspect, the ottoman body can be stably supported by the connecting member.

[0138] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the slider in the forward / backward direction, and the ottoman device has a first ottoman actuator (103) attached to the connecting member that rotates the ottoman body, and when viewed in the forward / backward direction, the lower end of the movable frame actuator is positioned below the upper end of the first ottoman actuator, and the upper end of the movable frame actuator is positioned above the lower end of the first ottoman actuator.

[0139] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the first ottoman actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0140] In the above aspect, each of the side members is connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), and the slide rail device has left and right lower rails (161) provided on the floor, corresponding left and right upper rails (162) supported so as to be slidable on the left and right lower rails, a base member (164) extending left and right and connected to the left and right upper rails, and a rail actuator (163) attached to the base member and moving the upper rail back and forth relative to the lower rails, and a portion of the movable frame actuator is arranged above the rail actuator.

[0141] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the rail actuator can be arranged compactly.

[0142] In the above aspect, a height adjustment device (180) is provided between the left and right side members and the upper rail, and the height adjustment device has a plurality of links (181A, 181B) connecting the left and right upper rails to the corresponding side members, and a height adjustment actuator (182) attached to one of the side members and rotating the links, and when the seat cushion frame is at the lowest position, the lower end of the height adjustment actuator is located lower than the upper end of the rail actuator when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0143] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the height adjustment actuator can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0144] In the above aspect, when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, the rear end of the first ottoman actuator may be located rearward of the front end of the movable frame actuator when viewed in the vertical direction, and when the movable frame is at its forwardmost position, the rear end of the first ottoman actuator may be located forward of the front end of the movable frame actuator when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0145] According to this aspect, the movable frame can be moved in the front-rear direction by a relatively large amount.

[0146] In the above aspect, the movable frame actuator may be attached to the lower surface of the middle member.

[0147] According to this aspect, the actuator for the movable frame can be arranged compactly by utilizing the space below the middle member.

[0148] In the above aspect, when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the lower end of the actuator for the movable frame may be positioned lower than the upper end of the actuator for height adjustment, and the upper end of the actuator for the movable frame may be positioned higher than the lower end of the actuator for height adjustment.

[0149] According to this aspect, the movable frame actuator and the height adjustment actuator can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0150] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a front member (13) extending in the left-and-right direction and connecting the front portions of the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the left and right side members, the movable frame being positioned below the front members, and when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, a portion of the movable frame overlaps with the front members when viewed from above.

[0151] According to this aspect, the step caused by the upper surface of the movable frame and the upper surface of the front member is formed in the front where the weight of the seated person is less likely to act. Therefore, there is no need to provide a member to fill this step. Therefore, the movable frame can be attached with a simple structure while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seated person.

[0152] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3), the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the side members, and a front member (13) that extends in the left-and-right direction and is attached to the movable frame.

[0153] According to this aspect, since the front member can move back and forth together with the movable frame, it is possible to reduce the step caused by the upper surface of the movable frame and the upper surface of the front member. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a member to fill the step. Therefore, it is possible to attach the movable frame with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seat occupant.

[0154] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, and a rear member (14) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear portions of the left and right side members, and the movable frame is supported by the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a support member (28) may be provided between the middle member and the rear member.

[0155] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the movable frame, and therefore the movable frame can be attached with a simple configuration.

[0156] In the above aspect, the middle member has a plate-like portion (19) extending in the left-right direction and formed in a plate-like shape facing the up-down direction, and a tubular portion (20) formed in a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction and provided on the plate-like portion, and the support member may have a locking claw that locks the tubular portion from above.

[0157] According to this aspect, when a load acts on the support member from above, a portion of this load is transmitted to the tubular portion of the middle member via the locking claw. Because the tubular portion of the middle member is supported by the plate-like portion of the middle member, this load can be transmitted effectively to each side member via the plate-like portion of the middle member.

[0158] In the above aspect, the movable frame may have left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the plate-shaped portion so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions, and a connecting member (42, 403) extending in the left and right directions and connecting the front portions of the left and right sliders.

[0159] According to this aspect, the left and right sliders move in the front-rear direction by moving the connecting member in the front-rear direction, so there is no need to prepare multiple members for moving the left and right sliders in the front-rear direction, which simplifies the movable frame.

[0160] In the above aspect, an actuator (64) for moving the movable frame in the front-rear direction may be provided between the left and right sliders on the plate-shaped portion of the middle member.

[0161] According to this aspect, the movable frame can be easily moved in the front-rear direction.

[0162] In the above aspect, the front member may be formed in a plate shape and coupled to the left and right sliders.

[0163] According to this aspect, the front member can move in the front-rear direction together with the left and right sliders.

[0164] In the above aspect, a portion of the middle member may be disposed below the front member.

[0165] According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step caused by the upper surface of the middle member and the upper surface of the front member, thereby suppressing the formation of a step in the rear where the weight of a seated occupant is relatively likely to act.

[0166] In the above aspect, left and right end portions of the front member may be disposed above the corresponding left and right side members.

[0167] According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress steps caused by the upper surfaces of the side members and the front member.

[0168] In the above aspect, a front end of the front member may be disposed rearward of the connecting member.

[0169] According to this aspect, the length of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction can be effectively adjusted.

[0170] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) comprising a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion (3) and an airbag unit (220, 500) supported by the seat cushion frame, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction and a movable frame (40, 400) that is movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the left and right side members, the airbag unit having an airbag (221, 503) and an inflator (222, 501) that supplies gas to the inside of the airbag, the inflator being attached to the movable frame.

[0171] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and an airbag unit can be provided.

[0172] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a front member (13) that extends in the left-right direction and connects the front portions of the left and right side members, the movable frame is positioned lower than the front member, and a notch (302) that is recessed toward the rear and penetrates in the vertical direction is formed at the front end of the front member, and when the movable frame is at the rearmost position, the inflator is positioned in a position that overlaps with the notch when viewed from above.

[0173] According to this aspect, the inflator can be arranged compactly.

[0174] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a middle member (15) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members, the movable frame has left and right sliders (41, 401) supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a support bracket (402) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right sliders, and the inflator may be attached to the support bracket.

[0175] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the inflator, and therefore the airbag unit is simplified.

[0176] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame has a rear member (14) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the rear portions of the left and right side members, a support member (28) is arranged between the middle member and the rear member, the airbag extends upward and rearward from the inflator and is arranged on the upper surface of the front member, and the rear end of the airbag may be connected to the support member by an attachment portion (505).

[0177] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0178] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plurality of through holes (29A) extending in the vertical direction, and the mounting portion may have a plurality of locking claws (506) that hook onto the edges of the plurality of through holes.

[0179] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0180] In the above aspect, the mounting portion may have a plurality of biasing members (508) that connect the plurality of locking claws to the airbag, and the biasing members may bias the airbag toward the locking claws.

[0181] According to this aspect, even if the airbag moves rearward after moving forward, the airbag can be moved rearward so as to return to its original position.

[0182] In the above aspect, one of the plurality of locking claws and the plurality of biasing members may be formed to be breakable when the airbag is inflated.

[0183] According to this aspect, when the airbag is inflated, the biasing force that biases the airbag downward is no longer applied, so the airbag can be deployed appropriately.

[0184] In the above aspect, the airbag may extend upward and rearward from the inflator and be disposed on an upper surface of the front member, and a rear end of the airbag may be coupled to a rear end of the front member by an attachment portion.

[0185] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the airbag from being offset in an unintended direction.

[0186] In the above aspect, the movable frame has connecting members (42, 403) extending left and right in front of the support bracket and connected to the left and right sliders, and the ottoman body (101) of the ottoman device (100) is rotatably supported by the connecting members, and the inflator may be positioned rearward of the ottoman body.

[0187] According to this aspect, even when the ottoman body rotates, interference between the ottoman body and the inflator is suppressed.

[0188] In the above aspect, the front member may be formed in a plate shape, and an upper end of the inflator may be disposed below the front member.

[0189] According to this aspect, the inflator can be arranged compactly.

[0190] One aspect is a vehicle seat (1, 300) having a seat cushion frame (8) that forms the framework of a seat cushion (3) and a blower (211) that blows air toward a seated occupant, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members (12) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a middle member (15) that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects the left and right side members, a rear member (14) that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects the rear portions of the left and right side members, and a movable frame (40, 400) supported on the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, a support member (28) arranged between the middle member and the rear member, and the blower supported by the support member.

[0191] According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a movable frame and a blower can be provided.

[0192] In the above aspect, the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator (64) that moves the movable frame in the forward and backward directions, and the lower end of the movable frame actuator may be positioned below the upper end of the blower, and the upper end of the movable frame actuator may be positioned above the lower end of the blower.

[0193] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the movable frame actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made relatively small, thereby enabling the blower and the movable frame actuator to be arranged in a compact manner.

[0194] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plate-shaped portion (29) whose surfaces face up and down, and the blower may be provided on the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion.

[0195] According to this aspect, there is no need to provide any other member for supporting the blower, and therefore the blower can be attached with a simple configuration.

[0196] In the above aspect, the blower may have a duct (212) connected to the outlet of the blower and extending along the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion, the lower end of the duct being positioned below the upper end of the blower, and the upper end of the duct being positioned above the lower end of the blower.

[0197] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the blower to the lower end of the duct can be made relatively small, and therefore the blower and duct can be arranged in a compact manner.

[0198] In the above aspect, the plate-shaped portion has an inclined portion (34) formed in a plate shape and inclining downward toward the rear, and a flat portion (35) extending rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion, and the blower may be attached to the underside of the inclined portion.

[0199] According to this aspect, the height from the upper surface of the first actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made smaller, thereby enabling the blower and the first actuator to be arranged more compactly.

[0200] In the above aspect, the support member may have a plurality of core members (33) spanning the middle member and the rear member, and the plate-like portion may be integrally joined to the plurality of core members.

[0201] According to this aspect, the weight of the seated person can be effectively supported.

[0202] In the above aspect, a plate-shaped ottoman body (101) is rotatably mounted on the movable frame, and an ottoman actuator (103) for rotating the ottoman body is also provided, and the lower end of the blower may be positioned below the upper end of the ottoman actuator, and the upper end of the blower may be positioned above the lower end of the ottoman actuator.

[0203] According to this aspect, the height from the upper end of the second actuator to the lower end of the blower can be made relatively small, thereby enabling the blower and the second actuator to be arranged compactly.

[0204] In the above aspect, an upper end of the blower may be disposed lower than a lower end of the middle member.

[0205] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0206] In the above aspect, the seat cushion frame may be connected to the floor (2) via a slide rail device (160), the slide rail device having a lower rail (161) connected to the floor and an upper rail (162) slidably supported on the lower rail, and the blower may be positioned above the upper end of the lower rail.

[0207] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0208] In the above aspect, a height adjustment device (180) is provided between the left and right side members and the upper rail, and the height adjustment device has a plurality of links (181A, 181B) connecting the left and right upper rails to the corresponding side members, and a height adjustment actuator (182) attached to one of the side members and rotating the links, and when the seat cushion frame is at the lowest position, the lower end of the blower is positioned below the upper end of the link, and the upper end of the blower is positioned above the lower end of the link.

[0209] According to this aspect, the blower can be arranged compactly.

[0210] a perspective view of a seat according to an embodiment; a perspective view of a seat cushion according to a first embodiment; a plan view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment, viewed from above; a perspective view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment, with the front member removed; a plan view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment, with the front member removed, viewed from above; a bottom view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment, viewed from below; a front cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment; a side cross-sectional view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment; an exploded perspective view of a part of the movable frame according to the first embodiment; an exploded perspective view of a part of the movable frame and ottoman device according to the first embodiment; a perspective view of the periphery of a connecting member; an exploded perspective view of an ottoman body; a perspective view of the ottoman body, viewed from the back side; 1 is a plan view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment in a state in which the movable frame is moved forward, the ottoman body is rotated, and the front member is removed; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment in a state in which the movable frame is moved forward, the ottoman body is rotated, and the front member is removed; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a modified version of the seat cushion according to the first embodiment in a state in which the movable frame is moved forward and the ottoman body is rotated;

[0211] An example of a vehicle seat according to the present invention applied to a seat 1 mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction of travel of the vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction, and the left-right and up-down directions are defined.

[0212] As shown in Figure 1, seat 1 is provided facing forward on floor 2, which defines the bottom of the vehicle cabin. Seat 1 has a seat cushion 3, a seat back 4, and a headrest 5. Seat cushion 3 supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below. Seat back 4 extends upward from the rear of seat cushion 3. Seat back 4 supports the back of the seated occupant from behind. Headrest 5 supports the head of the seated occupant from behind.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 1 includes an ottoman device 100, a slide rail device 160, a height adjustment device 180, an airbag unit 220 (see FIG. 14), and an air blower device 210 (see FIG. 6).

[0214] The seat cushion 3 has a seat cushion frame 8 that forms the framework of the seat cushion 3. The seat cushion 3 also has a seat cushion pad 9 that is supported by the seat cushion frame 8, and a cover material 10 that covers the seat cushion frame 8 and the seat cushion pad 9.

[0215] 2 to 5 , the seat cushion frame 8 includes left and right side members 12 extending in the front-rear direction, a front member 13 extending in the left-right direction and connecting front portions of the left and right side members 12, and a rear member 14 extending in the left-right direction and connecting rear portions of the left and right side members 12. The seat cushion frame 8 also includes a middle member 15 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side members 12. The seat cushion frame 8 also includes a movable frame 40 provided in front of the left and right side members 12 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Each of the side members 12, the front member 13, the middle member 15, and the rear member 14 may be formed from metal.

[0216] Each side member 12 has a main portion 16 formed in a plate shape facing the left-right direction, and an upper flange 17 extending left and right inward from the upper edge of the main portion 16. The front member 13 is formed in a plate shape facing the up-down direction. The front member 13 is also called a pan frame. The left and right ends of the front member 13 are disposed above the corresponding side members 12 on the left and right. The front member 13 is fastened to the upper flange 17 of each side member 12 by fastening members such as screws or rivets. The rear member 14 is formed in a tubular shape.

[0217] The front portion of the middle member 15 is disposed below the front member 13 with a gap therebelow. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the middle member 15 has a plate-like portion 19 extending in the left-right direction and formed in a plate shape facing the up-down direction, and a tubular portion 20 formed in a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction and provided on the plate-like portion 19. The tubular portion 20 is joined to the rear portion of the plate-like portion 19. The tubular portion 20 is preferably disposed rearward of the front member 13. When viewed in the up-down direction, the plate-like portion 19 is preferably overlapped with the front member 13.

[0218] The plate-shaped portion 19 is joined to each side member 12 by, for example, welding. The left and right ends of the plate-shaped portion 19 have a longer longitudinal length than the longitudinal length of a central portion of the plate-shaped portion 19 in the left and right direction. A plurality of through holes 21 (see FIG. 9 ) penetrating in the up-down direction are formed in each of the left and right ends of the plate-shaped portion 19. The plate-shaped portion 19 has recesses 23 (see FIG. 9 ) that are recessed downward. The recesses 23 are formed in left and right outer portions of the plate-shaped portion 19 in the left-right direction. The plate-shaped portion 19 also has reinforcing portions 24 (see FIG. 9 ) that are recessed downward and extend in the left-right direction.

[0219] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 , a support member 28 is provided between the middle member 15 and the rear member 14. In this embodiment, the support member 28 is made of flexible resin. A plurality of core members 33 (see FIG. 8 , only one of which is shown in FIG. 8 ) extending in the front-rear direction are insert-molded inside the support member 28. The core member 33 may be a metal wire. The support member 28 has a plate-like portion 29 formed in a plate shape facing the up-down direction. The support member 28 also has a plurality of first locking claws 31 that lock onto the middle member 15. The support member 28 also has a plurality of second locking claws 32 that lock onto the rear member 14.

[0220] As shown in Figure 8, the plate-shaped portion 29 is disposed lower than the middle member 15 and the rear member 14 in a left-right view. The plate-shaped portion 29 has an inclined portion 34 that slopes downward toward the rear, and a flat portion 35 that extends rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion 34. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the plate-shaped portion 29 has a plurality of through holes 29A, 29B that penetrate in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of through holes 29A, 29B includes a plurality of through holes 29A formed in the inclined portion 34 and a plurality of through holes 29B formed in the flat portion 35.

[0221] Each first locking claw 31 is provided at the front end of the inclined portion 34 of the plate-shaped portion 29. When viewed in the left-right direction, each first locking claw 31 is formed in an arc shape that is open downward. Each first locking claw 31 locks the tubular portion 20 of the middle member 15 from above. When a load acts on the plate-shaped portion 29 from above, a portion of this load is transmitted to the tubular portion 20 of the middle member 15 via each first locking claw 31. Because the tubular portion 20 of the middle member 15 is supported by the plate-shaped portion 19 of the middle member 15, the load can be transmitted effectively to each side member 12 via the plate-shaped portion 19 of the middle member 15.

[0222] 4 and 5, the movable frame 40 is disposed below the front member 13. The movable frame 40 has left and right sliders 41 supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member 15 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a connecting member 42 extending in the left-right direction and connecting front portions of the left and right sliders 41. When the movable frame 40 is at its rearmost position, a portion of the movable frame 40 overlaps with the front member 13 when viewed from above.

[0223] Since the left and right sliders 41 have the same configuration, only one of the left and right sliders 41 will be described below.

[0224] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the slider 41 may be formed from a single press-formed or roll-formed metal plate. The slider 41 has a main surface portion 44 facing the vertical direction and a connection portion 45 extending forward from the front end of the main surface portion 44. The connection portion 45 of the slider 41 forms the front portion of the slider 41. The main surface portion 44 is formed with a plurality of elongated holes 46A, 46B penetrating in the vertical direction. Each of the elongated holes 46A, 46B extends in the front-rear direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, each of the elongated holes 46A, 46B overlaps with a corresponding through hole 21 formed in the plate-shaped portion 19 of the middle member 15. In this embodiment, the main surface portion 44 is formed with two elongated holes 46A, 46B spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. The front ends of the elongated holes 46A formed on the left and right outer sides are located rearward of the front ends of the elongated holes 46B formed on the left and right inner sides. The front ends of the elongated holes 46A formed on the left and right outer sides are positioned forward of the rear ends of the elongated holes 46B formed on the left and right inner sides.

[0225] The connecting portion 45 is formed in a groove shape that is open downward in a front cross section viewed in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 45 is formed with a pair of through holes 47 that penetrate in the left-right direction.

[0226] As shown in Figure 10, the connecting member 42 is formed in a tubular shape. The connecting member 42 is disposed so as to pass through each through-hole 47 formed in the connection portion 45 of each slider 41. The connecting member 42 has a first pipe 49 and left and right second pipes 51 attached to left and right ends of the first pipe 49. In this embodiment, the length of the first pipe 49 in the left-right direction is shorter than the distance between the left and right sliders 41. The outer diameters of the left and right ends of the first pipe 49 are smaller than the outer diameter of the center portion of the first pipe 49 in the left-right direction.

[0227] Each second pipe 51 is disposed so as to pass through a through-hole 47 formed in the connection portion 45 of the corresponding slider 41. The inner diameter of each second pipe 51 is larger than the outer diameter of the left and right ends of the first pipe 49 and is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the first pipe 49 at its center in the left-right direction.

[0228] The left second pipe 51 passes through the through holes 47 formed in the connecting portion 45 of the left slider 41 and is fitted into the left end portion of the first pipe 49. The right second pipe 51 passes through the through holes 47 formed in the connecting portion 45 of the right slider 41 and is fitted into the right end portion of the first pipe 49.

[0229] When the connecting members 42 are attached to the left and right sliders 41, the outer left and right ends of the left second pipe 51 are positioned laterally outward from the through holes 47 formed in the connecting portion 45 of the left slider 41. In addition, the outer left and right ends of the right second pipe 51 are positioned laterally outward from the through holes 47 formed in the connecting portion 45 of the right slider 41.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 9 , a corresponding spacer 52 is provided between each slider 41 and the plate-like portion 19 of the middle member 15. Because the left and right spacers 52 have the same configuration, only one of the left and right spacers 52 will be described below. The spacer 52 supports the slider 41 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction. The spacer 52 is preferably made of a resin material with a relatively low coefficient of friction. The spacer 52 prevents contact between each slider 41 and the middle member 15.

[0231] The spacer 52 has a bottom wall 53 formed in a plate shape facing the vertical direction and a plurality of standing walls 54A, 54B formed in a plate shape facing the left-right direction and extending upward from the bottom wall 53. In this embodiment, three standing walls 54A, 54B are provided on the bottom wall 53. Specifically, two of the three standing walls 54A, 54B are provided on both left and right edges of the bottom wall 53. The remaining standing wall 54B of the three standing walls 54A, 54B is provided in the left-right center of the bottom wall 53. Each standing wall 54A provided on both left and right edges of the bottom wall 53 has an upper edge provided with a protruding portion 55 that protrudes outward to the left and right. The upper surface of each protruding portion 55 and the upper surface of each standing wall 54A, 54B are arranged on the same plane.

[0232] A plurality of through holes 56 are formed in the bottom wall 53, penetrating the bottom wall 53 in the up-down direction. Each through hole 56 is formed between adjacent upright walls 54A, 54B when viewed in the up-down direction. When viewed in the up-down direction, each through hole 56 overlaps with a corresponding through hole 21 formed in the plate-like portion 19 and a corresponding long hole 46A, 46B formed in the slider 41.

[0233] A corresponding sliding contact member 57 is inserted into each of the elongated holes 46A, 46B. The sliding contact member 57 may be made of, for example, resin. The sliding contact member 57 has a cylindrical portion 58 extending in the up-down direction and a flange portion 59 protruding radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 58. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 58 is aligned with the central axis of the corresponding through hole 56 formed in the bottom wall 53 and the central axis of the corresponding through hole 21 formed in the plate-like portion 19. Each cylindrical portion 58 is inserted into the corresponding elongated hole 46A, 46B from above. At this time, the lower surface of the flange portion 59 of each sliding contact member 57 abuts against a portion of the peripheral upper surface of the main surface portion 44 of the slider 41 that defines the corresponding elongated hole 46A, 46B.

[0234] The slider 41 is supported on the plate-shaped portion 19 of the middle member 15 via the spacer 52 by a plurality of fasteners 60. Each fastener 60 has a bolt 61 and a nut 62 that threads onto the bolt 61. Each bolt 61 passes through a corresponding sliding contact member 57, a corresponding through-hole 56 formed in the bottom wall 53, and a corresponding through-hole 21 formed in the plate-shaped portion 19. A nut 62 is threaded onto the lower end of each bolt 61. With each bolt 61 inserted into the corresponding elongated hole 46A, 46B, the slider 41 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the middle member 15 and the spacer 52.

[0235] The lower surface of the main surface portion 44 of the slider 41 between the two elongated holes 46A, 46B abuts against the upper surface of a standing wall 54B provided in the left-right central portion of the bottom wall 53. The standing wall 54B provided in the left-right central portion of the bottom wall 53 supports the central portion of the main surface portion 44 of the slider 41.

[0236] Each cylindrical portion 58 of the sliding contact member 57 is inserted from above into the corresponding elongated hole 46A, 46B, thereby preventing the bolt 61 from coming into contact with the elongated hole 46A, 46B.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 5 , the left and right sliders 41 protrude forward from the middle member 15. The connecting member 42 is disposed forward of the middle member 15. A space S1 is formed between the left and right sliders 41 when viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, the space S1 is defined by the left and right sliders 41 and the connecting member 42 when viewed in the vertical direction. The rear end of the space S1 may be defined by an imaginary line passing through the rear ends of the left and right sliders 41. In other embodiments, the rear end of the space S1 may be defined by the rear edge of the middle member 15. The front end of the front member 13 is disposed rearward of the connecting member 42.

[0238] The middle member 15 is provided with a movable frame actuator 64 that moves the left and right sliders 41 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 9 , the movable frame actuator 64 includes an electric motor 65 and a conversion mechanism 67 that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor 65 to an output shaft 66 that moves linearly in the front-rear direction. The conversion mechanism 67 may be, for example, a feed screw or a ball screw. The rotation shaft of the electric motor 65 extends in the left-right direction. The electric motor 65 is fastened to the bottom surface of a recess 23 formed in the plate-shaped portion 19 of the middle member 15 by a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt. As shown in FIG. 5 , the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed in the space S1 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. "The movable frame actuator 64 is disposed in the space S1 when viewed from the top-bottom direction" means that the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed inside each imaginary plane that defines the space S1. In this embodiment, the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed in the space S1 when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

[0239] As shown in FIG. 9 , the output shaft 66 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the output shaft 66 is formed in a plate shape facing the left-right direction. A through-hole 68 is formed in the front end of the output shaft 66, penetrating in the left-right direction. A coupling portion 70 that couples to the connecting member 42 is attached to the front end of the output shaft 66. The coupling portion 70 may be formed, for example, from a metal plate-like member. The coupling portion 70 has an upper wall 71 (see FIG. 11 ) facing in the up-down direction and left and right side walls 72 facing in the left-right direction and extending downward from the left and right side edges of the upper wall 71. Each side wall 72 has a through-hole 73 formed therein, penetrating in the left-right direction. The front edge of each side wall 72 is formed in an arc shape when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0240] A bolt 75 passes through a through-hole 68 formed in the front end of the output shaft 66 and a corresponding through-hole 73 formed in each side wall 72. The coupling portion 70 is fastened to the front end of the output shaft 66 by threading a nut 76 onto the bolt 75.

[0241] The front edge of each side wall 72 may be welded to a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe 49 of the connecting member 42. In this way, the connecting portion 70 is connected to the connecting member 42.

[0242] By driving the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64, the front end of the output shaft 66 moves in the front-rear direction. Since the front end of the output shaft 66 is connected to the left and right sliders 41 via the joints 70 and the connecting members 42, each of the left and right sliders 41 moves in the front-rear direction together with the front end of the output shaft 66.

[0243] When the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, at least a portion of the movable frame 40 overlaps with the front member 13 in a vertical view. As shown in Fig. 3 , in this embodiment, when the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, a portion of the connection portion 45 of each slider 41 is exposed from the front member 13 in a vertical view. In other embodiments, when the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, the entirety of each slider 41 may overlap with the front member 13 in a vertical view. As shown in Fig. 14 , when the movable frame 40 is at the frontmost position, a portion of the connection portion 45 and the main surface portion 44 of each slider 41 is exposed in front of the front member 13 in a vertical view.

[0244] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 , the ottoman device 100 is provided in front of the seat cushion frame 8. The ottoman device 100 is provided on the movable frame 40. The ottoman device 100 has a plate-shaped ottoman main body 101. The ottoman main body 101 is rotatably provided on the movable frame 40. The ottoman main body 101 is rotatably supported by the connecting member 42 of the movable frame 40. The ottoman device 100 also has left and right mounting portions 102 provided on both the left and right sides of the ottoman main body 101 for mounting the ottoman main body 101 to the connecting member 42. The ottoman device 100 also has a first ottoman actuator 103 (see FIG. 10 ) attached to the movable frame 40 and configured to rotate the ottoman main body 101.

[0245] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the ottoman main body 101 has a first main body 104 supported on the connecting member 42 via an attachment portion 102, and a second main body 105 supported on the first main body 104 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0246] The width in the left-right direction of the upper part of the first main body 104 is greater than the width in the left-right direction of the lower part of the first main body 104. A plurality of through holes 106 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right sides of the lower part of the first main body 104. A recess 108 recessed toward the rear is formed in the center of the left-right direction of the first main body 104. In addition, an opening 110 opening in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the left-right direction of the lower part of the first main body 104.

[0247] The second body 105 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The left-to-right width of the second body 105 is approximately equal to the left-to-right width of the lower part of the first body 104. A plurality of elongated holes 112A, 112B penetrating in the front-to-rear direction are formed on each of the left and right sides of the second body 105. In this embodiment, two elongated holes 112A, 112B are formed on each of the left and right sides of the second body 105. Because the two elongated holes 112A, 112B formed on each of the left and right sides of the second body 105 are identical, the following description will only focus on the elongated holes 112A, 112B provided on one side of the second body 105.

[0248] Each of the elongated holes 112A, 112B extends in the vertical direction. The lower ends of the elongated holes 112A formed on the left and right outer sides are located higher than the lower ends of the elongated holes 112B formed on the left and right inner sides. Furthermore, the lower ends of the elongated holes 112A formed on the left and right outer sides are located lower than the upper ends of the elongated holes 112B formed on the left and right inner sides. A support shaft 107 is coupled to each of the through holes 106 of the first body 104. Each support shaft 107 is inserted through the corresponding elongated hole 112A or elongated hole 112B. The second body 105 is supported by each support shaft 107 so as to be slidable on the first body 104.

[0249] A recess 113 recessed forward is formed in the center of the second body 105 in the left-right direction. The recess 113 extends in the up-down direction. The recess 113 faces the recess 108 and opening 110 formed in the first body 104. In addition, a fastening hole 114 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed above the recess 113 of the second body 105.

[0250] Left and right spacers 116 are provided between the second body 105 and the first body 104. Since the left and right spacers 116 have the same configuration, only one of the left and right spacers 116 will be described below.

[0251] The spacer 116 has a rear wall 117 formed in a plate shape facing the front-rear direction and a plurality of side walls 118A, 118B formed in a plate shape facing the left-right direction and extending forward from the rear wall 117. In this embodiment, the rear wall 117 is provided with three side walls 118A, 118B. Specifically, two of the three side walls 118A, 118B are provided on both left and right edges of the rear wall 117. The remaining side wall 118B of the three side walls 118A, 118B is provided in the left-right center of the rear wall 117. Each of the side walls 118A provided on both left and right edges of the rear wall 117 has a front edge provided with a protruding portion 119 that protrudes outward to the left and right. The front surfaces of the protruding portions 119 and the front surfaces of the side walls 118A, 118B are arranged on the same plane.

[0252] A plurality of through holes 121 are formed in the rear wall 117, penetrating the rear wall 117 in the front-rear direction. Each through hole 121 is formed between the adjacent side walls 118A and 118B when viewed in the front-rear direction. The central axis of each through hole 121 is aligned with the central axis of the corresponding through hole 106 formed in the first body 104.

[0253] A corresponding sliding contact member (not shown) is inserted into each of the elongated holes 112A, 112B. The sliding contact member has a configuration similar to that of the sliding contact member 57 inserted into the elongated holes 46A, 46B formed in the slider 41. The central axis of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the sliding contact member is aligned with the central axis of the corresponding through hole 121 formed in the rear wall 117 and the central axis of the corresponding through hole 106 formed in the first main body 104. The rear surface of the flange portion (not shown) of the sliding contact member abuts against a part of the front surface around the periphery of the second main body 105 that defines the corresponding elongated hole 112A, 112B.

[0254] The second body 105 is supported on the first body 104 via spacers 116 and multiple fasteners (not shown). In this embodiment, each fastener includes a bolt (not shown) and a nut (not shown) threaded onto the bolt. Each bolt passes through a sliding contact member, a corresponding through-hole 121 formed in the rear wall 117, and a corresponding through-hole 106 formed in the first body 104. By threading the corresponding nut onto each bolt, the second body 105 is supported on the first body 104 via the left and right spacers 116 so as to be movable up and down. The spacers 116 slidably support the second body 105. The spacers 116 are preferably made of a resin material with a relatively low coefficient of friction. The spacers 116 prevent contact between the first body 104 and the second body 105.

[0255] As shown in Figures 6 and 10, the left and right mounting portions 102 are formed integrally with the first main body 104. Each mounting portion 102 is formed in the shape of a plate facing in the left-right direction. The mounting portions 102 are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper part of the first main body 104. Each mounting portion 102 has a through hole 122 (see Figure 6) that penetrates in the left-right direction. A corresponding second pipe 51 of the connecting member 42 passes through each through hole 122.

[0256] As shown in Figure 6, when the ottoman body 101 and the slider 41 are supported by the connecting member 42, the left mounting portion 102 of the ottoman body 101 is positioned laterally outward from the left slider 41. Similarly, the right mounting portion 102 of the ottoman body 101 is positioned laterally outward from the right slider 41. In other words, the front portions of the left and right sliders 41 are positioned laterally inward from the corresponding mounting portions 102. This allows the ottoman body 101 to be stably supported by the connecting member 42.

[0257] 10 , the first ottoman actuator 103 has an electric motor 125 and a conversion mechanism 128 that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor 125 to an output shaft 126 that moves linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The conversion mechanism 128 may be, for example, a feed screw or a ball screw. The rotation shaft of the electric motor 125 extends in the left-to-right direction.

[0258] The output shaft 126 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the output shaft 126 is formed in the shape of a plate facing in the left-right direction. A through-hole 127 penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in the front end of the output shaft 126. An abutment portion 129 that abuts against the first main body 104 of the ottoman body 101 is attached to the front end of the output shaft 126. The abutment portion 129 may be formed, for example, from a metal plate-like member. The abutment portion 129 has a side wall 130 facing in the left-right direction and a front wall 131 facing in the front-rear direction and extending outward to the left and right from the front edge of the side wall 130. A through-hole 132 penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in the side wall 130.

[0259] A bolt 133 passes through a through hole 127 formed in the front end of the output shaft 126 and a corresponding through hole 132 formed in the side wall 130. By screwing a nut (not shown) onto this bolt 133, the abutment portion 129 is fastened to the front end of the output shaft 126.

[0260] The front wall 131 may be fastened to the first body 104 using fasteners (not shown) such as bolts, for example. In this way, the abutment portion 129 is coupled to the ottoman body 101.

[0261] 10 and 11 , the first ottoman actuator 103 is supported on the movable frame 40 via a bracket 134. Specifically, the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 is supported on the connecting member 42 of the movable frame 40 via the bracket 134.

[0262] The bracket 134 may be formed from a single press-formed or roll-formed metal plate. The bracket 134 has a bottom wall 136 facing up and down, and left and right side walls 137 extending upward from left and right side edges of the bottom wall 136. A plurality of through holes 138 penetrating in the up and down direction are formed in the bottom wall 136. Notches 139 penetrating in the left and right direction are formed in the front edges of the left and right side walls 137, respectively.

[0263] The bracket 134 is cantilevered by the connecting member 42. Specifically, the front edges of the side walls 137 that define each notch 139 are welded to part of the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe 49 of the connecting member 42. The bracket 134 is disposed laterally inward of the coupling portion 70 that is fastened to the output shaft 66 of the movable frame actuator 64.

[0264] The electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 is fastened to the bracket 134 by a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, passing through a through-hole 138 formed in the rear part of the bottom wall 136 of the bracket 134. As shown in Figure 5, the first ottoman actuator 103 is disposed in the space S1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 is disposed in the space S1 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0265] By driving the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103, the front end of the output shaft 126 moves in the front-rear direction. The front end of the output shaft 126 abuts against the first main body 104 of the ottoman main body 101 via an abutment portion 129. Therefore, the ottoman main body 101 rotates about the central axis of the connecting member 42 in accordance with the movement of the front end of the output shaft 126. Because the ottoman main body 101 can move in the front-rear direction together with the movable frame 40, the rotation of the ottoman main body 101 does not interfere with the movable frame 40.

[0266] 7, the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed at the same height as the first ottoman actuator 103 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the lower end of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed below the upper end of the first ottoman actuator 103, and the upper end of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed above the lower end of the first ottoman actuator 103. This allows the movable frame actuator 64 and the first ottoman actuator 103 to be disposed compactly.

[0267] As shown in Fig. 5 , when the movable frame 40 is at its rearmost position, the first ottoman actuator 103 is disposed at the same front-to-rear position as the movable frame actuator 64 in a vertical view. Specifically, the front end of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed forward of the rear end of the first ottoman actuator 103, and the rear end of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed rearward of the front end of the first ottoman actuator 103. As shown in Fig. 15 , when the movable frame 40 is at its forwardmost position, the first ottoman actuator 103 is disposed forward of the movable frame actuator 64 in a vertical view. Specifically, the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 is disposed forward of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 in a vertical view. This allows the movable frame 40 to move a relatively large distance in the front-to-rear direction.

[0268] 12 and 13, the ottoman main body 101 is provided with a second ottoman actuator 141 that moves the second main body 105 up and down relative to the first main body 104. The second ottoman actuator 141 has an electric motor 142 and a conversion mechanism 145 that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor 142 to an output shaft 143 that moves linearly. The conversion mechanism 145 may be, for example, a feed screw or a ball screw. The rotation shaft of the electric motor 142 extends in the left-right direction.

[0269] The second ottoman actuator 141 is disposed through an opening 110 formed in the first main body 104 of the ottoman body 101. Specifically, the electric motor 142 of the second ottoman actuator 141 is attached to the back surface (rear surface) of the first main body 104. The electric motor 142 may be fastened to the back surface of the first main body 104 by a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt. The output shaft 143 of the second ottoman actuator 141 is disposed in front of the first main body 104. The output shaft 143 of the second ottoman actuator 141 is received in a recess 113 formed in the second main body 105 and a recess 108 formed in the first main body 104.

[0270] The output shaft 143 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the output shaft 143 is formed in a plate shape facing the front-rear direction. A through hole 144 is formed in the upper end of the output shaft 143, penetrating in the front-rear direction. The central axis of the through hole 144 is aligned with the central axis of the fastening hole 114 formed in the second main body 105. A bolt (not shown) passes through the through hole 144 formed in the upper end of the output shaft 143 and the fastening hole 114 formed in the second main body 105. The output shaft 143 is coupled to the second main body 105 by screwing a nut (not shown) onto the bolt.

[0271] By driving the electric motor 142 of the second ottoman actuator 141, the upper end of the output shaft 143 moves up and down. Since the upper end of the output shaft 143 is connected to the second body 105 of the ottoman body 101, the second body 105 moves up and down together with the upper end of the output shaft 143.

[0272] As shown in Figure 2, the slide rail device 160 is connected to the left and right side members 12 and the floor 2. The slide rail device 160 may have a known configuration including left and right lower rails 161 provided on the floor 2, corresponding left and right upper rails 162 slidably supported on the left and right lower rails 161, and a rail actuator 163 (see Figure 6) that moves the upper rails 162 back and forth. The slide rail device 160 also has a base member 164 (see Figure 6) that extends left and right, is connected to the left and right upper rails 162, and supports the rail actuator 163.

[0273] 7, the lower rail 161 has a groove-shaped cross section that opens upward. Threaded engagement portions (not shown) are formed on the left and right sides of the lower rail 161. The upper rail 162 has a groove-shaped cross section that opens downward.

[0274] 6 , the rail actuator 163 includes an electric motor 166, a rotary shaft 167 of the electric motor 166, and left and right feed screw mechanisms (not shown) connected to the rotary shaft 167. The feed screw mechanisms preferably include screw shafts disposed in the left and right lower rails 161 and nuts threaded onto the screw shafts. The nuts are preferably rotatably supported on the upper rails 162 and rotate by receiving the rotational force of the rotary shafts 167.

[0275] The base member 164 is formed in a plate shape facing the vertical direction. The electric motors 166 of the rail actuators 163 are supported on the left and right outer ends of the base member 164. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, the rail actuators 163 are disposed in the space S1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, the electric motors 166 of the rail actuators 163 are disposed in the space S1 when viewed in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 7 , the lower end of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed below the upper end of the rail actuator 163. A portion of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed above the rail actuator 163.

[0276] 2, the height adjustment device 180 is provided between the left and right side members 12 and the slide rail device 160. The height adjustment device 180 has a plurality of links 181A, 181B that connect the left and right upper rails 162 to the corresponding side members 12, and a height adjustment actuator 182 that is attached to one of the side members 12 and rotates the link 181A. The rear link 181A, the front link 181B, the upper rails 162, and the side members 12 form a four-bar link.

[0277] The height adjustment actuator 182 is attached to one of the side members 12. The height adjustment actuator 182 has an electric motor 186, a speed reduction mechanism 187 connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 186, and a pinion gear 184 provided on the output shaft of the speed reduction mechanism 187. The pinion gear 184 is meshed with a sector gear (not shown) connected to a link 181A. As the pinion gear 184 rotates in response to the rotation of the electric motor 186, the sector gear meshing with the pinion gear 184 rotates, and the link 181A rotates. This changes the height of the side member 12 relative to the upper rail 162.

[0278] When the seat cushion frame 8 is at its lowest height relative to the floor 2, the height adjustment actuator 182 is disposed at the same height as the movable frame actuator 64 in a front-to-rear view. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the seat cushion frame 8 is at its lowest position, the lower end of the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182 is positioned lower than the upper end of the electric motor 166 of the rail actuator 163. The upper surface of the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182 is disposed higher than the lower surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 in a front-to-rear view. Furthermore, the lower surface of the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182 is disposed lower than the upper surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 in a front-to-rear view. This allows the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 and the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182 to be disposed compactly.

[0279] When the movable frame 40 is at its rearmost position, the rear end of the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 should be located rearward of the front end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64. When the movable frame 40 is at its frontmost position, the rear end of the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 should be located forward of the front end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64. The lower end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 should be located lower than the upper end of the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182, and the upper end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 should be located higher than the lower end of the electric motor 186 of the height adjustment actuator 182.

[0280] The air blower 210 blows air toward a seated occupant. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the air blower 210 is disposed behind the movable frame 40. The air blower 210 is supported by the support member 28. The air blower 210 has a blower 211 supported by the support member 28 and a duct 212 connected to the blower 211.

[0281] The blower 211 may be, for example, a sirocco fan, and includes an impeller (not shown), a motor for rotating the impeller, and a rectangular parallelepiped casing 213 that houses the impeller and the motor. The blower 211 is attached to the lower surface of the inclined portion 34 of the support member 28. The blower 211 is disposed at the same height as the movable frame actuator 64 when viewed in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed below the upper end of the blower 211, and the upper end of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 is disposed above the lower end of the blower 211. Specifically, the upper surface of the casing 213 is disposed above the lower surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 when viewed in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the lower surface of the casing 213 is disposed below the upper surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 when viewed in the front-rear direction. This allows the blower 211 and the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 to be arranged compactly.

[0282] The duct 212 has a rectangular shape in cross section. The duct 212 is connected to the outlet of the blower 211 and extends along the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 29. The lower end of the duct 212 is located below the upper end of the blower 211, and the upper end of the duct 212 is located above the lower end of the blower 211. Of the ends of the duct 212, the end opposite the side connected to the blower 211 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "other end") is received in one of a plurality of through holes 29B formed in the flat portion 35 of the support member 28. The portion of the duct 212 located below the support member 28 is located at the same height as the movable frame actuator 64 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the upper surface of the duct 212 is located above the lower surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, the lower surface of the duct 212 is disposed lower than the upper surface of the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64. This allows the duct 212 and the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 to be disposed in a compact manner.

[0283] The lower end of the blower 211 is preferably located below the upper end of the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103, but above the lower end of the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103. The upper end of the blower 211 is preferably located below the lower end of the middle member 15. The blower 211 is preferably located above the upper end of the lower rail 161. When the seat cushion frame 8 is at its lowest position, the lower end of the blower 211 is preferably located below the upper ends of the links 181A, 181B, but above the lower ends of the links 181A, 181B.

[0284] The blower device 210 may have a heating source or a cooling source on either the air inlet side or the air outlet side of the blower 211. The heating source may be, for example, a heat sink or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. The cooling source may be, for example, a Peltier element.

[0285] The airbag unit 220 suppresses the submarine phenomenon in which the lower body of a seated occupant slides forward off the seat cushion 3 when a large acceleration acts in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 14, the airbag unit 220 is supported by the seat cushion frame 8.

[0286] The airbag unit 220 has an airbag 221 disposed on the front member 13, and an inflator 222 that introduces gas into the interior of the airbag 221. The airbag 221 may be disposed on the front member 13 with a portion of it folded. The inflator 222 is attached to the front of the airbag 221. The inflator 222 is fixed onto the front member 13.

[0287] In the seat 1 configured as described above, the ottoman device 100, the air blower device 210, and the airbag unit 220 can be installed together with the movable frame 40. Because the ottoman main body 101 can be supported using the connecting members 42 of the movable frame 40, there is no need to prepare any other members to support the ottoman main body 101. Therefore, the ottoman device 100 can be installed with a simple configuration.

[0288] At least when the movable frame 40 is located forward of its rearmost position, a portion of the movable frame 40 overlaps with the front member 13 when viewed in the vertical direction. As a result, a step caused by the movable frame 40 and the front member 13 is formed in the front, where the weight of the seated person is less likely to act. Therefore, there is no need to provide a member to fill this step. Therefore, the movable frame 40 can be attached with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seated person.

[0289] A space S1 is formed between the left and right sliders 41. This space S1 can be used to arrange the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64, the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103, and the electric motor 166 of the rail actuator 163. This allows the movable frame 40 to be made compact.

[0290] 16 , the front member 13 may be attached to the movable frame 40 instead of each side member 12. The front member 13 may be fastened to each slider 41 of the movable frame 40 by fastening members such as screws or rivets. Alternatively, the front member 13 may be joined to each slider 41 of the movable frame 40 by welding or the like. This allows the front member 13 to move in the front-rear direction together with the movable frame 40. Therefore, since steps caused by the movable frame 40 and the front member 13 are suppressed, the movable frame 40 can be attached with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in the seating comfort felt by the seat occupant.

[0291] The movable frame 40 may have a reinforcing member 230, as shown in, for example, Figures 17 and 18. The reinforcing member 230 is formed from a metal tubular member. The reinforcing member 230 has left and right vertical portions 230A extending in the front-rear direction and a horizontal portion 230B extending in the left-right direction and connecting the front ends of the left and right vertical portions 230A. Each vertical portion 230A is provided on the left and right inner sides of the corresponding slider 41. Each slider 41 is formed with a recess 232 (see Figure 18) that receives the corresponding vertical portion 230A.

[0292] The horizontal portion 230B is disposed between the connecting member 42 and the middle member 15 in a vertical view. More specifically, the horizontal portion 230B is disposed closer to the connecting member 42 than the middle member 15 in a vertical view. A space S2 is defined by the left and right vertical portions 230A and the horizontal portion 230B in a vertical view. In this space S2, the electric motor 65 of the movable frame actuator 64 and a portion of the electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 are disposed in a vertical view. The rear end of the bracket 134 is located rearward of the horizontal portion 230B. The electric motor 125 of the first ottoman actuator 103 is attached to the rear end of the bracket 134.

[0293] When the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, the lateral portion 230B is positioned closer to the connecting member 42 than the middle member 15 in a vertical view. When the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator 163 is positioned in the space S2 in a vertical view. When the movable frame 40 is at the rearmost position, the rail actuator 163 overlaps with the movable frame actuator 64 in a vertical view.

[0294] For example, when a local load acts on the seat cushion 3, such as when a seated occupant kneels on the seat cushion 3, the reinforcing member 230 can support the load. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 230 connects the left and right sliders 41 together, like the connecting member 42, the amount of displacement of the left and right sliders 41 in the forward and backward directions can be made more equal.

[0295] A seat 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 21. The seat 300 according to the second embodiment differs from the seat 1 according to the first embodiment only in terms of a front member 301, a movable frame 400, and an airbag unit 500. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0296] 19, a notch 302 that is recessed rearward and penetrates vertically is formed in the front end of the front member 301. The notch 302 is formed in the center of the front part of the front member 301 in the left-right direction.

[0297] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, the movable frame 400 has support brackets 402 that extend in the left-right direction and connect the left and right sliders 401. The support brackets 402 are formed rearward of the connecting members 403. As shown in Figure 20, the support brackets 402 are formed in the shape of a plate that faces the up-down direction. A recess 404 is formed in the support bracket 402. The recess 404 is formed so as to be recessed downward. The bottom of the recess 404 is located below the main surface portions 44 of each slider 401. The support brackets 402 may be made of the same material as each slider 401 and may be formed integrally with each slider 401.

[0298] When the movable frame 400 is at the rearmost position, the support bracket 402 overlaps with the notch 302 of the front member 301 in a vertical view. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 19 , when the movable frame 400 is at the rearmost position, the recess 404 formed in the support bracket 402 overlaps with the notch 302 of the front member 301 in a vertical view.

[0299] As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 , the inflator 501 of the airbag unit 500 is attached to the movable frame 400. The inflator 501 is attached to the support bracket 402. The inflator 501 is received in a recess 404 formed in the support bracket 402. That is, as shown in FIG. 19 , when the movable frame 400 is at its rearmost position, the inflator 501 overlaps the notch 302 of the front member 301 in a vertical view. As shown in FIG. 20 , the inflator 501 is disposed at the same height as the slider 401 in a front-rear view. The upper surface of the inflator 501 may be disposed on the same plane as the upper surface of the main surface portion 408 of the slider 401 in a front-rear view, or may be disposed lower than the upper surface of the main surface portion 408 of the slider 401. This allows the inflator 501 to be disposed compactly. The inflator 501 is movable forward and backward together with the movable frame 400. The inflator 501 is preferably disposed rearward of the ottoman body 101. This allows the inflator 501 to be disposed in a position that does not interfere with the ottoman body 101. The upper end of the inflator 501 is preferably disposed below the front member 301. This makes it possible to suppress the effect of the inflator 501 on the shape of the seating surface.

[0300] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 , the airbag unit 500 includes an airbag 503 connected to an inflator 501 and an attachment portion 505 that attaches the rear of the airbag 503 to the support member 28. The airbag 503 extends upward and rearward from the inflator 501 and is disposed on the upper surface of the front member 301. The attachment portion 505 includes a plurality of locking claws 506 that lock onto the support member 28, a plurality of clips 507 that are attached to the airbag 503, and a biasing member 508 (see FIG. 21 ) that connects the clips 507 to the corresponding locking claws 506 and biases the clips 507 toward the locking claws 506. The attachment portion 505 prevents the airbag 503 from being offset in an unintended direction. The locking claws 506 hook onto the front edge that defines the through-hole 29A formed in the support member 28. Specifically, the locking claw 506 hooks onto the front edge that defines the through-hole 29A formed in the inclined portion 34 of the support member 28. The biasing member 508 may be, for example, rubber or a coil spring. As shown in FIG. 21 , when the movable frame 400 is positioned forward of its rearmost position, the biasing member 508 biases the clip 507 toward the locking claw 506 (rearward). This allows the airbag 503 to return to its original position even if it moves rearward after moving forward.

[0301] One of the plurality of engaging claws 506 and the plurality of biasing members 508 may be formed to be breakable when the airbag 503 is inflated. This prevents the biasing force that biases the airbag 503 downward from acting when the airbag 503 is inflated, allowing the airbag 503 to deploy appropriately. The rear end of the airbag 503 may be connected to the rear end of the front member 301 by an attachment portion 505 instead of the support member 28.

[0302] The seat 1 may have a rotation device 600, for example, as shown in Figure 22. The rotation device 600 supports the seat cushion 3 rotatably around a rotation axis A perpendicular to the floor 2. The rotation device 600 has, for example, a base portion 600A provided on the upper rail 162 of the slide rail device 160, a rotation portion 600B supported on the base portion 600A rotatably about the rotation axis A, and a rotation actuator 601 (see Figure 23) that rotates the rotation portion 600B about the rotation axis A relative to the base portion 600A. The seat cushion 3 is connected to the rotation portion 600B via a height adjustment device 180.

[0303] As shown in FIG. 23 , the rotation device 600 includes a horizontal angle sensor 602 that detects the horizontal angle of the seat 1 relative to the floor 2, which is the angle around the rotation axis A. The ottoman device 100 also includes an ottoman angle sensor 604 that detects the ottoman angle, which is the angle of the ottoman main body 101 relative to the connecting member 42, and an ottoman position sensor 605 that detects the second ottoman position, which is the position of the second main body 105 relative to the first main body 104. The side member 12 or the middle member 15 is also provided with a movable frame position sensor 606 that detects the movable frame position, which is the position of the movable frame 40 relative to the side member 12. The ottoman angle is defined as 0 degrees when the first main body 104 is perpendicular to the floor 2, and its value increases as the first main body 104 rotates forward. The second ottoman position is defined as 0 degrees when the second main body 105 and the first main body 104 overlap most, and its value increases as the second main body 105 slides in a direction protruding from the first main body 104. The movable frame position is set to 0 when the movable frame 40 is at its rearmost position, and the value increases as the movable frame 40 moves forward.

[0304] The seat 1 includes a control device 610 connected to the ottoman device 100 and the rotation device 600. Specifically, the control device 610 is connected to the movable frame actuator 64, the movable frame position sensor 606, the first ottoman actuator 103, the second ottoman actuator 141, the ottoman angle sensor 604, the ottoman position sensor 605, the rotation actuator 601, and the horizontal angle sensor 602. The control device 610 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU or an MPU and memories such as a ROM or RAM, and configured to execute various processes. In this embodiment, the various processes include drive control of the movable frame actuator 64, the first ottoman actuator 103, the second ottoman actuator 141, and the rotation actuator 601. The control device 610 being configured to execute various processes means that a processing unit (processor) constituting the control device 610 reads necessary data and programs from a storage device (memory) and executes arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs.

[0305] The control device 610 obtains the ottoman angle based on a signal from the ottoman angle sensor 604, obtains the second ottoman position based on a signal from the ottoman position sensor 605, and obtains the position of the movable frame 40 based on a signal from the movable frame position sensor 606.

[0306] An input device 611 that receives operations for various processes is connected to the control device 610. The input device 611 is a device that is operated by a seated occupant, and may be provided on the seat cushion 3.

[0307] In other embodiments, the control device 610 may also be connected to the slide rail device 160, the height adjustment device 180, and the air blower device 210.

[0308] In response to an operation by the seat occupant, the input device 611 outputs a rotation command to the control device 610 to rotate the seat 1 about the rotation axis A. In response to an operation by the seat occupant, the input device 611 generates a rotation command including a rotation direction and a target rotation angle of the seat 1. Upon receiving the rotation command, the control device 610 starts rotation control to rotate the seat 1 about the rotation axis A.

[0309] 24 , first, the control device 610 determines whether the ottoman angle is equal to or greater than a first determination value (ST1). The first determination value is set as the angle at which the bottom end of the ottoman main body 101 is positioned above the lower rails 161. In other words, the first determination value is set as a value that prevents contact between the ottoman main body 101 and the lower rails 161 when the seat 1 rotates about the rotation axis A. If the ottoman angle is smaller than the first determination value (the determination result in ST1 is No), the control device 610 drives the first ottoman actuator 103 so that the ottoman angle becomes equal to the first determination value (ST2).

[0310] If the ottoman angle is equal to or greater than the first determination value (YES in ST1), the control device 610 determines whether the second ottoman position is equal to or less than the second determination value (ST3). The second determination value is set to a value that indicates that the length of the ottoman body 101 is sufficiently short. The second determination value may be, for example, 0. If the second ottoman position is greater than the second determination value (NO in ST3), the control device 610 drives the second ottoman actuator 141 until the second ottoman position reaches the second determination value (ST4).

[0311] If the second ottoman position is equal to or less than the second determination value (the determination result in ST3 is Yes), the control device 610 determines whether the movable frame position is equal to or less than a third determination value (ST5). The third determination value is set to a value that indicates that the movable frame 40 is in the retreated position. The second determination value may be, for example, 0. If the movable frame position is greater than the third determination value (the determination result in ST5 is No), the control device 610 drives the movable frame actuator 64 until the movable frame position reaches the third determination value (ST6).

[0312] If the movable frame position is equal to or less than the third determination value (the determination result in ST5 is Yes), the control device 610 drives the rotation actuator 601 until the horizontal angle reaches the target rotation angle (ST7). With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the ottoman body 101 from contacting the lower rails 161 when the seat 1 is rotated. It is also possible to prevent the ottoman body 101 and the movable frame 40 from contacting structures around the seat 1 when the seat 1 is rotated.

[0313] The manufacturing method of the seat 1 includes a step of attaching the slide rail device 160 to the height adjustment device 180 and a step of attaching the slide rail device 160 to the seat cushion frame 8. The manufacturing method of the seat 1 also includes a step of attaching the support member 28 to the seat cushion frame 8 and a step of attaching the air blower device 210 to the support member 28. The manufacturing method of the seat 1 also includes a step of attaching the movable frame 40 to the middle member 15 and a step of attaching the ottoman device 100 to the movable frame 40. The manufacturing method of the seat 1 also includes a step of attaching the airbag unit 220 to the seat cushion frame 8.

[0314] The process of attaching the movable frame 40 to the middle member 15 includes the steps of combining the left and right sliders 41 and the connecting member 42, attaching the left and right sliders 41 to the middle member 15, attaching the movable frame actuator 64 to the middle member 15, and connecting the movable frame actuator 64 to the connecting member 42.

[0315] The process of attaching the ottoman device 100 to the movable frame 40 includes the steps of rotatably attaching the first body 104 to the connecting member 42, slidably attaching the second body 105 to the first body 104, attaching the first ottoman actuator 103 to the connecting member 42, connecting the first ottoman actuator 103 to the first body 104, attaching the second ottoman actuator 141 to the first body 104, and connecting the second ottoman actuator 141 to the second body 105.

[0316] The process of attaching the airbag unit 220 to the seat cushion frame 8 includes the steps of attaching the inflator 501 to the movable frame 40, placing the airbag 503 on the front member 13, and engaging the rear end of the airbag 503 with the support member 28 using the attachment portion 505.

[0317] The step of attaching the air blowing device 210 to the support member 28 includes the steps of attaching the blower 211 to the support member 28 and connecting the duct 212 to the blower 211 and attaching it to the support member 28 .

[0318] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 300: Seat (vehicle seat) 3: Seat cushion 8: Seat cushion frame 12: Side member 15: Middle member (middle member) 40, 400: Movable frame 41, 401: Slider 42, 403: Connecting member 64: Movable frame actuator 100: Ottoman device 101: Ottoman body 103: First ottoman actuator (ottoman actuator) 134: Bracket 160: Slide device 161: Lower rail 162: Upper rail 163: Rail actuator 164: Base member 230: Reinforcing member 230A: Vertical portion 230B: Horizontal portion S1, S2: Space

Claims

1. A vehicle seat having a seat cushion frame that forms the skeleton of a seat cushion, the seat cushion frame having left and right side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a middle member that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects the left and right side members, and a movable frame that is attached to the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, the movable frame having left and right sliders that are supported on both the left and right sides of the middle member so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction, and a connecting member that extends in the left-and-right direction and connects front portions of the left and right sliders.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the left and right sliders protrude forward from the middle member, and the connecting member is disposed forward of the middle member.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the movable frame has a reinforcing member, the reinforcing member having left and right vertical portions extending in the front-to-rear direction and provided on the left and right inside of the corresponding slider, and a horizontal portion extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting the front ends of the left and right vertical portions, and a space is formed by the left and right vertical portions and the horizontal portions when viewed in the up-down direction.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, the lateral portion is positioned closer to the connecting member than the middle member when viewed from above.

5. A vehicle seat as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the middle member is provided with a movable frame actuator that moves the movable frame in the fore-and-aft direction, and the movable frame actuator is disposed in the space when viewed in the up-and-down direction.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein the movable frame is provided with an ottoman device, the ottoman device having an ottoman body formed in a plate shape, and the ottoman body is rotatably attached to the connecting member.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein the ottoman device has an ottoman actuator attached to the connecting member and configured to rotate the ottoman body, and the ottoman actuator is disposed in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the ottoman device has a bracket extending rearward from the connecting member, the rear end of the bracket being located rearward of the lateral portion, and the ottoman actuator being attached to the rear end of the bracket.

9. A vehicle seat as described in claim 8, wherein each of the side members is connected to the floor via a slide rail device, the slide rail device having left and right lower rails provided on the floor, corresponding left and right upper rails slidably supported on the left and right lower rails, a base member extending left and right and connected to the left and right upper rails, and a rail actuator attached to the base member for moving the upper rails back and forth, and wherein when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, the rail actuator is positioned in the space when viewed in the vertical direction.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein when the movable frame is at its rearmost position, the rail actuator overlaps with the movable frame actuator when viewed in the up-down direction.

Images