Vehicle seat

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle seat having excellent mounting workability in terms of a cable support member for supporting a cable such as an electric wire. [Solution] The present invention comprises a frame 20, a pressure-receiving member 21 that is supported by the frame 20 and supports a seated person, and a cable support member 52 that is provided on the pressure-receiving member 21 and supports a cable 50. The cable support member 52 is formed by causing flexible sheet-shaped members 53, 54 to overlap each other so as to sandwich the cable 52.

Description

Vehicle seats

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

[0002] A vehicle seat is known in which electric wires for supplying power to an electrical device incorporated in the vehicle seat or transmitting electric signals are attached to a spring structure of a seat cushion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The spring structure has a synthetic material plate in which the electric wires are embedded by insert molding.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-137066

[0004] In the vehicle seat described above, the synthetic material plate supporting the electric wires is hard, which makes it difficult to attach the synthetic material plate to the seat cushion.The synthetic material plate is an injection-molded product with the electric wires inserted, which requires a molding die for manufacturing, which results in high production costs.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which a cable support member for supporting cables such as electric wires can be easily attached.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) having a frame (7), a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, and a cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50), the cable support member being formed by overlapping flexible sheet-like members (53, 54) so ​​as to sandwich the cable.

[0007] According to this aspect, the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is facilitated.

[0008] In the above aspect, the cable support member may be provided on a rear surface (32B) of the pressure-receiving member opposite the front surface that supports the seated occupant.

[0009] According to this aspect, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member.

[0010] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have an outer edge (52A) that follows the outer edge (32C) of the pressure-receiving member.

[0011] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be easily made larger, the area in which the cables can be arranged is increased, and the degree of freedom for arranging the cables in the cable support member is improved.

[0012] In the above aspect, the cable support member may be formed into a flat bag shape by joining outer edges (53A, 54A) of two of the sheet-like members together.

[0013] According to this aspect, the structure is simple, and the cable support member is prevented from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the pressure-receiving member.

[0014] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have fixing portions (43, 45) for fixing to the pressure-receiving member at a plurality of positions spaced apart from one another, and may be flexible when fixed to the pressure-receiving member.

[0015] According to this aspect, the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is facilitated.

[0016] In the above aspect, each of the fixing portions has a first through hole (57, 59), and the cable support member is fixed to the pressure-receiving member by a fixing device (63) that passes through the first through hole and is connected to the pressure-receiving member.

[0017] According to this aspect, the structure of the fixing portion is simple, and the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is simplified.

[0018] In the above aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a recess (61) recessed from the surface supporting the seated occupant toward the back surface, and a second through hole (62) formed at the bottom of the recess, and the fixing device has a locking portion (63B) that locks onto the edge of the second through hole and is accommodated in the recess.

[0019] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be attached to the pressure-receiving member without creating a protrusion on the surface that supports the seated occupant, and interference between the cable support member and devices mounted on the surface that supports the seated occupant can be avoided.

[0020] In the above aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, and the cable support member is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the wire when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate.

[0021] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the cable support member and the wire from interfering with each other.

[0022] In the above aspect, the two sheet-like members preferably have a nonwoven fabric (53) and a resin film (54), and the outer edge (53A) of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge (54A) of the film are welded to each other.

[0023] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be given the required strength, and since the cable support member has appropriate flexibility, it is easy to handle.

[0024] In the above aspect, the film may be made of a transparent resin that is transmissive to visible light.

[0025] According to this aspect, the position of the cable in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0026] A vehicle seat is known in which electric wires for supplying power to an electrical device incorporated in the vehicle seat or transmitting electric signals are attached to a spring structure of the seat cushion (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-137066). The spring structure has a synthetic plate with electric wires embedded therein by insert molding.

[0027] It is preferable to arrange the synthetic material plate so as to avoid interference with the electrical device so as not to increase the thickness of the seat cushion or seat back, but in this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the electrical device and the synthetic material plate is reduced, which reduces the degree of freedom in designing the vehicle seat.

[0028] In view of the above background, an object of one aspect is to provide a vehicle seat that allows a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of members that support electrical devices and cables, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0029] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a frame (20), a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, an electrical device (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to a device coupling portion (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, and the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion.

[0030] This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of the electrical devices and the cable support member.

[0031] In the above aspect, the cable support member may include an extension portion (A, B) extending between the one surface of the plate and the electrical device, and an opening may be formed in the extension portion to allow the device coupling portion to pass through.

[0032] According to this configuration, the opening prevents interference between the electrical device and the cable support member.

[0033] In the above aspect, the device coupling portion may pass through the opening and protrude toward the electrical device.

[0034] This configuration avoids interference between the electrical device and the cable support member in a direction perpendicular to the plate.

[0035] In the above aspect, the one surface of the plate may be a back surface (32B) opposite to the front surface (32A) that supports the seated occupant.

[0036] According to this aspect, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member.

[0037] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have a plurality of fixed portions (43, 45) fixed to the plate and spaced apart from each other, and the device coupling portion may be arranged between two adjacent fixed portions.

[0038] This configuration prevents the cable support member from shifting relative to the plate.

[0039] In the above aspect, the cable support member is formed into a flat bag shape by joining the outer edges of two sheet-like members (53, 54) together.

[0040] This configuration simplifies the structure and prevents the cable support member from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the pressure-receiving member.

[0041] In the above aspect, the two sheet-like members preferably have a nonwoven fabric (53) and a resin film (54), and the outer edge (53A) of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge (54A) of the film are welded to each other.

[0042] According to this aspect, the cable support member can have the required strength and also have a suitable degree of flexibility that makes it easy to handle.

[0043] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film may be welded to each other at the edge of the opening.

[0044] With this configuration, the edges of the openings in the nonwoven fabric and film are reinforced.

[0045] In the above aspect, the film may transmit visible light.

[0046] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0047] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat (1), the vehicle seat (1) comprising: a frame (20); a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting a seated occupant; an electrical device (40, 41) provided on the pressure-receiving member; and a sheet-like cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50) connected to the electrical device, the pressure-receiving member having a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, the electrical device being coupled to a device coupling portion (43, 45) provided on one surface (32B) of the plate, the cable support member being provided on the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion, the method comprising: a first step of attaching the sheet-like cable support member supporting the cable connected to the electrical device to the one surface of the plate so as not to overlap with the device coupling portion; and a second step of coupling the electrical device to the device coupling portion after the first step.

[0048] According to this configuration, the cable support member and the electrical device can be attached to the plate in an orderly and appropriate manner.

[0049] A headrest mounting structure for a vehicle seat is known (for example, JP 10-99160 A). The headrest mounting structure includes a cylindrical stay member provided on an upper portion of a seat back frame and a headrest guide member supported by the stay member. A headrest pillar extending from the headrest is inserted into the headrest guide member.

[0050] The headrest guide member has a semi-cylindrical fixed body portion and a spring-biased semi-cylindrical movable body portion whose vertical middle portion is pivotally supported on the fixed body portion. The fixed body portion and the movable body portion cooperate to define a pillar support hole into which the headrest pillar is inserted. A locking claw is formed at the lower end of the fixed body portion and the movable body portion. The locking claw is biased by a spring force and locks onto the edge of the stay member, thereby fixing the headrest guide member to the stay member. To remove the headrest guide member from the stay member, a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted from the upper end of the pillar support hole and the tool is used to push the upper end of the movable body portion against the spring force. This causes the locking claw to move away from the edge of the stay member.

[0051] In the prior art, the structure of the headrest guide member is complicated. Because the fixed side body portion and the movable side body portion of the headrest guide member are in the front-to-rear direction, the load supporting the user's head from behind acts in the direction of engaging and disengaging the locking claw. For this reason, the locking claw needs to be strong to achieve the required durability. When removing the headrest guide member from the stay member, a tool must be inserted into the narrow pillar support hole, which makes the work difficult.

[0052] In view of the above background, an object of one aspect is to provide a vehicle seat in which the headrest guide member can be easily removed.

[0053] In one embodiment to solve the above problem, a vehicle seat (101) includes a seat back frame (105) that forms the framework of a seat back (102) that supports the back of an occupant, a cylindrical stay member (111) that is attached to the seat back frame and extends in the vertical direction, a headrest guide member that has a cylindrical portion (119) that is inserted into the stay member and a pillar support hole (127) that extends in the vertical direction through the cylindrical portion, and a headrest pillar (111) that is inserted into the pillar support hole. The headrest guide member has a cantilever (132) that extends upward at the side (119A) of the tubular portion and is elastically deformable toward the inside of the headrest guide member, the cantilever having a locking claw portion (133) that protrudes outward from the cantilever and a release piece portion (135) provided at the upper end of the cantilever, the stay member has a locking hole (139) that can lock the locking claw, and the release piece portion protrudes upward from the stay member.

[0054] According to this aspect, the operator can release the locking claw from the locking hole by pressing the release piece that protrudes upward from the stay member. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that makes it easy to remove the headrest guide member. In addition, the headrest guide member has a simple structure.

[0055] In the above aspect, a recess (141) recessed downward may be provided on the upper edge of the stay member, and the recess may face the release piece portion.

[0056] According to this aspect, the operation of removing the headrest guide member from the stay member can be performed with even greater ease.

[0057] In the above aspect, a pair of sets of the stay member and the headrest guide member may be provided on the left and right, and the left and right cantilevers and the engagement holes may be provided on opposing side portions (113A, 119A) of the left and right stay members and headrest guide members.

[0058] According to this aspect, the load applied to the locking claw portion is reduced.

[0059] In the above aspect, a slot communicating with the pillar support hole may be formed on the side of the tubular portion, the cantilever piece may extend upward within the slot from the lower edge of the slot, and the outer surface of the tubular portion may be provided with a plurality of first ribs (125) extending laterally and a plurality of second ribs (137) connected to the first ribs and extending along the edge of the slot.

[0060] According to this aspect, the rigidity of the cylindrical portion is improved.

[0061] In the above aspect, an inner rib (147) extending in the vertical direction may be provided on the inner surface of the cantilever piece on the pillar support hole side.

[0062] According to this aspect, the rigidity of the cantilever is improved.

[0063] In the above aspect, the inner rib may extend to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, passing through the lower end of the cantilever.

[0064] According to this aspect, the rigidity of the cantilever is further improved.

[0065] In the above aspect, a seat back pad (106) is supported on the seat back frame, and the seat back pad has a stay receiving hole (108) that penetrates vertically and receives the stay member, and a groove portion (150) that is recessed downward from the upper end surface of the seat back pad and is connected to the stay receiving hole, and the groove portion may face the release piece portion.

[0066] According to this aspect, the release piece portion can be easily accessed from the outside, improving the workability of removing the headrest guide member from the stay member.

[0067] In the above aspect, a pad-side rib (152) protruding toward the stay member may be provided at the boundary between the groove and the stay-receiving hole.

[0068] According to this aspect, the rigidity of the seat back pad around the groove portion is improved.

[0069] In the above aspect, the headrest guide member may have an enlarged head portion provided at the upper end of the tubular portion, and a mark (122) indicating the presence of the locking claw portion may be provided on the outer surface of the enlarged head portion on the same side as the locking claw portion.

[0070] According to this aspect, the workability of removing the headrest guide member from the stay member is improved.

[0071] In the above aspect, when the headrest pillar is inserted into the pillar support hole, the cantilever piece may come into contact with the headrest pillar, thereby preventing displacement of the cantilever piece into the pillar support hole.

[0072] According to this aspect, the headrest guide member is less likely to fall off the stay member when the headrest is in use.

[0073] Vehicle seats are known in which electrical wires, such as power lines for supplying power to electrical devices incorporated in the vehicle seat and signal transmission lines for transmitting electrical signals, are routed to a spring structure of the seat cushion (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-137066). This spring structure has a synthetic material plate in which the electrical wires are embedded by insert molding. In the vehicle seat shown in Patent Document 1, the entire synthetic material plate for the wiring needs to be positioned so as to avoid interference with the electrical devices incorporated in the vehicle seat.

[0074] Therefore, in the conventional technology in which a synthetic material plate is used for wiring, the degree of freedom in the relative arrangement of the electrical device and the synthetic material plate is low, and the arrangement position of these is restricted. In other words, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the electrical device and the wiring is low. This causes a decrease in the degree of freedom in the design of the vehicle seat.

[0075] When a vehicle seat is provided with a pressure-receiving member for supporting a seated occupant and an electric fan unit, an opening may be provided in the pressure-receiving member at the portion facing the air outlet of the electric fan unit so as not to obstruct the flow of air. In such a case, it is preferable that a plate-shaped wiring retaining member, such as a synthetic plate, provided on the pressure-receiving member is configured so as not to obstruct the function of the opening provided in the pressure-receiving member.

[0076] In view of the above background, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that allows a high degree of freedom in the placement and wiring of electrical devices, and in which the wiring holding member does not interfere with the function of the opening provided in the pressure-receiving member.

[0077] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment is a vehicle seat (201) comprising a frame (210), a pressure-receiving member (211) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, an electrical device (226) provided on the pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable holding member (240) provided on the pressure-receiving member and holding a cable (245) connected to the electrical device, wherein the electrical device includes a portion (227A) facing a first opening (228) formed in the pressure-receiving member, and the cable holding member has a second opening (247) including a portion overlapping the first opening.

[0078] This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in the placement and wiring of the electrical devices, and the cable holding member does not block the first opening and does not impede the function of the first opening.

[0079] In the above aspect, preferably, the electrical device is an electric fan unit (226) including an air duct (227), the air duct having an air outlet (227A) opening toward the pressure-receiving member, and the air outlet including a portion facing the first opening.

[0080] With this configuration, the air blowing out from the air outlet is not hindered by the pressure-receiving member and the cable holding member.

[0081] In the above aspect, the cable holding member preferably has at least one fixing portion (246) near the outer edge of the second opening for fixing the cable holding member to the pressure-receiving member.

[0082] With this configuration, the outer peripheral edge of the second opening of the cable holding member is prevented from being separated from the pressure-receiving member.

[0083] In the above aspect, the cable holding member preferably has a third opening (248) at a position corresponding to the mounting portion of the electrical device relative to the pressure-receiving member.

[0084] With this configuration, the cable holding member does not interfere with the mounting portion of the electrical device.

[0085] In the above aspect, the cable holding member preferably has a different hue or a different density of hue from that of the pressure-receiving member.

[0086] According to this configuration, the cable holding member and the pressure receiving member are clearly distinguished from each other by their colors.

[0087] In the above aspect, the cable holding member is preferably formed by joining the outer edges of two flexible sheet-like members (241, 242) to each other, and is in the shape of a substantially flat bag capable of accommodating the cable.

[0088] According to this configuration, the structure of the cable holding member is simple, and the productivity of the cable holding member is excellent.

[0089] In the above aspect, preferably, the two sheet-like members have a nonwoven fabric (241) and a resin film (242), and the outer edges of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edges of the film are welded to each other.

[0090] According to this configuration, the cable support member has a required bending rigidity and is provided with an appropriate degree of flexibility that makes the cable support member easy to handle.

[0091] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film are preferably welded together at the edge of the second opening.

[0092] According to this configuration, the edge of the second opening is reinforced.

[0093] In the above aspect, the film preferably transmits visible light.

[0094] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0095] In recent years, vehicle seats have become more multifunctional to improve safety and relaxation, which has led to an increase in the number of electrical devices provided in vehicle seats and the wiring for the electrical devices in vehicle seats.

[0096] In view of the above background, an object of one aspect is to provide a vehicle seat that can easily accommodate an increase in electrical devices and wiring in the vehicle seat.

[0097] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment is a vehicle seat (201) comprising a frame (210, 260), a pressure-receiving member (211, 261) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, an electrical device (220, 226, 270) provided on the pressure-receiving member, and a sheet-like cable holding member (240, 280) provided on the pressure-receiving member and holding a cable (245, 271) connected to the electrical device, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a support wire (217, 263) attached to the frame and a pressure-receiving plate (216, 262) supported by the support wire, the cable holding member being provided on one side of the pressure-receiving plate, and the electrical device being attached to the other side of the pressure-receiving plate and including a portion overlapping with the electrical device.

[0098] This configuration increases the effective area over which the cable holding member holds the cable.

[0099] In the above aspect, the electrical device may preferably be a seating sensor (220).

[0100] According to this configuration, the effective area in which the cable holding member holds the cable is increased in the portion corresponding to the area where the seating sensor is disposed.

[0101] In the above aspect, preferably, the cable held by the cable holding member includes a portion that overlaps the electrical device with the pressure-receiving plate in between.

[0102] This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in arranging the cables in the cable holding member.

[0103] In the above aspect, preferably, the cable held by the cable holding member does not include a portion where the cable overlaps the electrical device with the pressure receiving plate in between.

[0104] This configuration improves the integrity of the cable in the cable holding member.

[0105] In the above aspect, the cable holding member preferably has a fixing portion (246) for fixing to the pressure-receiving member in an area outside the area corresponding to the electrical device.

[0106] With this configuration, the fixing portion for the pressure-receiving member does not interfere with the electrical device.

[0107] In the above aspect, the cable holding member preferably has a different hue or a different density of hue from that of the seating sensor.

[0108] According to this configuration, the cable holding member and the seating sensor are clearly distinguished from each other by their colors.

[0109] In the above aspect, preferably, the cable holding member is formed by joining the outer edges of two flexible sheet-like members (241, 242, 281, 282) to each other, and is in the shape of a substantially flat bag capable of accommodating the cable.

[0110] According to this configuration, the structure of the cable holding member is simple, and the productivity of the cable holding member is excellent.

[0111] In the above aspect, preferably, the two sheet-like members have a nonwoven fabric (241, 281) and a resin film (242, 282), and the outer edges of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edges of the film are welded to each other.

[0112] According to this configuration, the cable support member has a required bending rigidity and is provided with an appropriate degree of flexibility that makes the cable support member easy to handle.

[0113] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film are preferably welded together at the edge of the second opening.

[0114] According to this configuration, the edge of the second opening is reinforced.

[0115] In the above aspect, the film preferably transmits visible light.

[0116] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0117] In recent years, vehicle seats have become more multifunctional to improve safety and relaxation. Accordingly, various electrical devices are provided in the seat cushion and seat back of the vehicle seat, and wiring for these electrical devices is sometimes routed across the seat cushion and seat back.

[0118] In view of the above background, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that can easily accommodate wiring for electrical devices installed in the vehicle seat that spans the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0119] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect is a vehicle seat including a seat cushion frame (210), a seat cushion pressure-receiving member (211) supported by the seat cushion frame and supporting a seated occupant, a seat back frame (260) connected to the seat cushion frame, a seat back pressure-receiving member (61) supported by the seat back frame and supporting the seated occupant, electrical devices (220, 226, 270) provided on the seat cushion pressure-receiving member and the seat back pressure-receiving member, and a cable holding gap (244) provided on the seat cushion pressure-receiving member and holding a cable (245) connected to the electrical device. a seat-shaped seat cushion side cable holding member (240), a seat-shaped seat back side cable holding member (280) provided on the seat back pressure receiving member and including a cable holding gap (284) for holding a cable (271) connected to the electrical device, and a connecting portion cable holding member (290) connecting the seat cushion side cable holding member and the seat cushion side cable holding member to each other and including a cable holding gap (294) for holding the cable, and the cable holding gap of the seat cushion side cable holding member, the cable holding gap of the seat back side cable holding member, and the cable holding gap of the connecting portion cable holding member are connected to each other.

[0120] According to this configuration, wiring for electrical devices provided in the vehicle seat can be easily routed across the seat cushion and the seat back.

[0121] In the above aspect, the connecting portion cable holding member is preferably flexible.

[0122] According to this configuration, the connecting portion cable holding member is easily deformed in response to the tilting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and a large load is not applied to the connecting portion cable holding member.

[0123] In the above aspect, preferably, the connector cable holding member has an opening (295).

[0124] According to this configuration, the flexibility of the connecting portion cable holding member is adjusted, and a large load is not applied to the connecting portion cable holding member when the seat back tilts relative to the seat cushion.

[0125] In the above aspect, preferably, the connecting portion cable holding member has slack between the seat cushion side cable holding member and the seat back side cable holding member.

[0126] With this configuration, no tension is applied to the connecting portion cable holding member when the seat back tilts relative to the seat cushion.

[0127] In the above aspect, preferably, the connecting portion cable holding member is integral with the seatback side cable holding member and the seat cushion side cable holding member.

[0128] This configuration reduces the number of parts in the cable holding member.

[0129] In the above aspect, preferably, the seat back side cable holding member, the seat cushion side cable holding member and the connecting portion cable holding member are formed by joining the outer edges of two flexible sheet-like members (241, 242, 281, 282, 291, 292) to each other, and are formed into an approximately flat bag shape that can accommodate the cables.

[0130] According to this configuration, the structure of each cable holding member is simple, and the productivity of the cable holding members is excellent.

[0131] In the above aspect, preferably, the two sheet-like members have a nonwoven fabric (241, 281, 291) and a resin film (242, 282, 292), and the outer edges of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edges of the film are welded to each other.

[0132] According to this configuration, the cable support member has a required bending rigidity and is provided with an appropriate degree of flexibility that makes the cable support member easy to handle.

[0133] In the above aspect, the nonwoven fabric and the film are preferably welded together at the edge of the second opening.

[0134] According to this configuration, the edge of the second opening is reinforced.

[0135] In the above aspect, the film preferably transmits visible light.

[0136] According to this aspect, the arrangement of the cables in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0137] Push nuts have traditionally been used to secure components attached to shaft members and prevent them from falling off. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2016-013726 A) discloses a push nut with multiple pawls formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction from the inner periphery. When a shaft member is inserted into the push nut, the pawls elastically deform so that they protrude in a direction away from the axis of the shaft member. This engages the shaft member and the push nut.

[0138] After attaching a push nut to a shaft member, it may need to be removed from the shaft member. In such cases, a worker inserts a tool such as a pick tool or thin pliers between the pawl of the push nut and the shaft member and repeatedly bends the tip of the pawl away from the shaft member to release the engagement between the push nut and the shaft member. However, repeatedly inserting a tool into the small gap between the pawl and the shaft member to bend multiple pawls while the push nut is engaged takes time.

[0139] In view of the above background, an object of one aspect is to provide a push nut that is easy to remove.

[0140] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect is a push nut (360) that can be engaged with an axial member (337), and includes an annular portion (361) into which the axial member is inserted, and a plurality of claws (362) that extend from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion toward the axis of the annular portion and have a beam portion (363) at their tip edge (363a) that can be engaged with the axial member, and at least one of the plurality of claws further has a tab (364) protruding laterally from the beam portion.

[0141] According to this aspect, when removing the push nut from the shaft member, the worker can grip the tab with a tool to bend the pawl without inserting a tool into the gap between the pawl and the shaft member, making it easy to remove the push nut from the shaft member.

[0142] In the above aspect, the plurality of claws may be formed in a rotational symmetry shape centered on the axis.

[0143] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the tabs from interfering with each other.

[0144] In the above aspect, the tab may be provided at the tip end (363A) of the beam portion.

[0145] According to this aspect, the distance between the tip portion, which is the point of application of force, and the base portion of the beam portion, which is the fulcrum, can be increased, so that the worker can bend the claw with less force.

[0146] In the above aspect, the tab, the base (363B) of the beam portion, and the annular portion may form a recess (365) recessed in the circumferential direction around the axis.

[0147] According to this aspect, the circumferential width of the base of the beam is reduced, so that the rigidity of the base is lower than that of the tip, allowing the worker to easily bend the base of the beam.

[0148] In the above aspect, the beam portions may be arranged on an imaginary conical surface centered on the axis, and the tabs may protrude outward from the imaginary conical surface.

[0149] According to this aspect, since the tab protrudes outward from the imaginary conical surface, it is easy for an operator to grasp the tab with a tool.

[0150] In the above aspect, the tip edges of the plurality of beam portions may be recessed in an arc shape.

[0151] According to this aspect, when the push nut is attached to the shaft member, the tip edge of the beam portion engages with the shaft member over a wide area, thereby enabling the push nut and the shaft member to be firmly engaged with each other.

[0152] In the above aspect, the length of each of the beam portions in the extension direction may be longer than the width of the annular portion in the radial direction.

[0153] According to this aspect, the beam portion and the tab can have a predetermined length, so that the worker can easily bend the claw.

[0154] In one embodiment to solve the above problem, the vehicle seat (301) has the push nut, and includes a seat cushion frame (313A), a seat back frame (313B), left and right reclining devices (336) fixed to the seat cushion frame and the seat back frame and supporting the angle of the seat back frame so as to be changeable relative to the seat cushion frame, an electric actuator (335) provided on the seat back frame, and a drive unit (345) extending left and right and connected to an output portion (345) of the electric actuator and left and right reclining devices (336). The transmission shaft (337) serves as the axial member that passes through the input portion (355) of the reclining device, engages with the output portion and the left and right input portions so as not to rotate, and transmits the driving force of the electric actuator to the left and right input portions, the left and right ends of the transmission shaft protruding outward to the left and right from the left and right reclining devices, and a push nut is attached to each of the left and right ends of the transmission shaft, and the left and right push nuts abut against the left and right reclining devices, thereby restricting axial movement of the transmission shaft.

[0155] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that is easy to disassemble. Specifically, a worker can remove the transmission shaft from the seat cushion, the seat back, and the reclining device by gripping the tab with a tool and removing the push nut.

[0156] In the above aspect, the tab may be spaced apart from the transmission shaft.

[0157] According to this aspect, since the tab is separated from the transmission shaft, it is easy for an operator to grasp the tab with a tool.

[0158] In the above aspect, the tab may protrude in a direction away from the transmission shaft.

[0159] According to this aspect, since the tab protrudes in a direction away from the transmission shaft, it is easier for an operator to grasp the tab with a tool.

[0160] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) having a frame (7), a pressure-receiving member (21) supported by the frame and supporting an occupant, and a cable support member (52) provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable (50), the cable support member being formed by overlapping flexible sheet-like members (53, 54) so ​​as to sandwich the cable.

[0161] According to this aspect, the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is facilitated.

[0162] In the above aspect, the cable support member may be provided on a rear surface (32B) of the pressure-receiving member opposite the front surface that supports the seated occupant.

[0163] According to this aspect, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member.

[0164] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have an outer edge (52A) that follows the outer edge (32C) of the pressure-receiving member.

[0165] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be easily made larger, the area in which the cables can be arranged is increased, and the degree of freedom for arranging the cables in the cable support member is improved.

[0166] In the above aspect, the cable support member may be formed into a flat bag shape by joining outer edges (53A, 54A) of two of the sheet-like members together.

[0167] According to this aspect, the structure is simple, and the cable support member is prevented from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the pressure-receiving member.

[0168] In the above aspect, the cable support member may have fixing portions (43, 45) for fixing to the pressure-receiving member at a plurality of positions spaced apart from one another, and may be flexible when fixed to the pressure-receiving member.

[0169] According to this aspect, the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is facilitated.

[0170] In the above aspect, each of the fixing portions has a first through hole (57, 59), and the cable support member is fixed to the pressure-receiving member by a fixing device (63) that passes through the first through hole and is connected to the pressure-receiving member.

[0171] According to this aspect, the structure of the fixing portion is simple, and the work of attaching the cable support member to the pressure-receiving member is simplified.

[0172] In the above aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a recess (61) recessed from the surface supporting the seated occupant toward the back surface, and a second through hole (62) formed at the bottom of the recess, and the fixing device has a locking portion (63B) that locks onto the edge of the second through hole and is accommodated in the recess.

[0173] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be attached to the pressure-receiving member without creating a protrusion on the surface that supports the seated occupant, and interference between the cable support member and devices mounted on the surface that supports the seated occupant can be avoided.

[0174] In the above aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a wire (31) attached to the frame and a plate (32) supported by the wire, and the cable support member is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the wire when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate.

[0175] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the cable support member and the wire from interfering with each other.

[0176] In the above aspect, the two sheet-like members preferably have a nonwoven fabric (53) and a resin film (54), and the outer edge (53A) of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edge (54A) of the film are welded to each other.

[0177] According to this aspect, the cable support member can be given the required strength, and since the cable support member has appropriate flexibility, it is easy to handle.

[0178] In the above aspect, the film may be made of a transparent resin that is transmissive to visible light.

[0179] According to this aspect, the position of the cable in the cable support member can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0180] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along V-V in FIG. 1; a perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment; a perspective view of a main part of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to another embodiment; a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle seat; a side view of a mounting portion of a headrest according to a third embodiment; a mounting portion; 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle seat according to the sixth embodiment, as seen from above; 13 is an enlarged side view of a main portion of the headrest guide member, as seen from the left; 14 is a sectional view showing an example of the removal operation of the headrest guide member; 15 is an enlarged side view of a main portion of the mounting portion of the headrest according to the fourth embodiment, as seen from the left; 16 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 13; 17 is a plan sectional view of the mounting portion of the headrest according to the fifth embodiment; 18 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat according to the sixth embodiment, as seen from above; 19 is a perspective view showing the skeletal structure of the vehicle seat according to the sixth embodiment, as seen from above; 10 is an exploded perspective view seen from above; a plan view of a main part including a pressure-receiving member of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a sixth embodiment; a perspective view of a main part of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat according to a sixth embodiment seen from below; a cross-sectional view of a seat cushion-side cable holding member used in a vehicle seat according to a sixth embodiment; a cross-sectional view of a seat back-side cable holding member used in a vehicle seat according to a sixth embodiment; a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a seventh embodiment seen from above; a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat according to a seventh embodiment; a cross-sectional view of a connecting cable holding member used in a vehicle seat according to a seventh embodiment; a perspective view showing a modified example of a connecting portion cable holding member used in a vehicle seat according to a seventh embodiment; a perspective view of a seat according to an eighth embodiment; a front view of the periphery of a reclining mechanism according to an eighth embodiment; a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a reclining device according to an eighth embodiment; a side view of the periphery of a reclining device according to an eighth embodiment; a plan view of a push nut according to an eighth embodiment; a side view and a cross-sectional view of a push nut according to an eighth embodiment; a perspective view of a push nut according to an eighth embodiment.

[0181] The vehicle seat according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the left-right direction is defined based on the position of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat. The up-down direction is defined as the direction along the vertical direction. The front-rear direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the left-right direction.

[0182] <First embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 provided on a floor F of an automobile, a seat back 3 extending upward from a rear portion of the seat cushion 2, and a headrest 4 provided on an upper portion of the seat back 3.

[0183] The seat cushion 2 has a seat surface 5 facing substantially upward. The seat cushion 2 supports the buttocks of a user seated on the seat surface 5 from below. The seat back 3 has a backrest surface 6 facing substantially forward. The seat back 3 supports the back of a user leaning against the backrest surface 6 from behind. The headrest 4 supports the head of a seated user from behind.

[0184] The skeletal structure of the vehicle seat 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The seat cushion 2 has a seat cushion frame 7 and a seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 that is supported by the seat cushion frame 7 and that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant.

[0185] The seat cushion frame 7 has left and right cushion side members 9 each extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a front cross member 10 and a rear cross member 11 each extending in the front-to-rear direction. The front cross member 10 has both ends connected to the front portion 9A of the corresponding cushion side members 9, connecting the front portions 9A of the left and right cushion side members 9 to each other. The rear cross member 11 has both ends connected to the rear portions 9B of the corresponding cushion side members 9, connecting the rear portions 9B of the left and right cushion side members 9 to each other.

[0186] The seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 includes a plurality of wires 13 and a plate 14. Each wire 13 extends in the front-to-rear direction, with a front end 13A fixed to the front cross member 10 and a rear end 13B fixed to the rear cross member 11. Each wire 13 has elasticity in the vertical direction. The plate 14 is a press-formed product of steel plate, has a substantially rectangular shape, and is supported by the wires 13. In other words, the wires 13 elastically support the plate 14 in the vertical direction from the seat cushion frame 7 at their longitudinal intermediate portions.

[0187] Left and right slide rails 15 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the floor F. Left and right sliders 16 are provided on the left and right slide rails 15 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Left and right front connecting members 17 and rear connecting members 18 are attached to the lower portions of the left and right cushion side members 9, respectively. The left and right front connecting members 17 and rear connecting members 18 are connected to the corresponding sliders 16. The sliders 16 are fixed to any position on the slide rails 15 by a known latch mechanism or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the sliders 16 are driven and fixed to any position on the slide rails 15 by a known electric mechanism. These mechanisms allow the vehicle seat 1 to be repositioned in the front-rear direction on the floor F.

[0188] The seat back 3 has a seat back frame 20 and a seat back pressure-receiving member 21 that is supported by the seat back frame 20 and supports the back of a seated occupant.

[0189] The seatback frame 20 has left and right seatback side members 22 that extend in the vertical direction, and an upper member 23 that connects upper portions 22A of the left and right seatback side members 22. The upper member 23 has left and right side portions 23A that extend generally in the vertical direction, and an upper portion 23B that extends in the left-right direction and connects the upper ends of the left and right side portions 23A to each other, forming a generally staple shape (a generally upside-down U-shape). The seatback frame 20 further has an upper cross member 24 that extends in the left-right direction and connects the left and right side portions 23A of the upper members 23 to each other, and a lower cross member (lower member) 25 that extends in the left-right direction and connects the lower portions 22B of the left and right seatback side members 22 to each other.

[0190] Two cylindrical headrest stays 26 are attached to the upper portion 23B of the upper member 23, one on each side, for attaching the headrest 4 to the seat back 3.

[0191] A blower 27 is attached to the upper cross member 24 by a mounting plate 27A. A duct 28 is connected to the blower 27. The airflow generated by the blower 27 is guided by the duct 28 toward the backrest surface 6 of the seat back 3 (see FIG. 1 ) and is ejected forward from a mesh portion (not shown) or the like provided on the backrest surface 6.

[0192] A lower portion 22B of the seatback side member 22 is rotatably supported on the rear portion 9B of the cushion side member 9 via a reclining device 29.

[0193] The reclining device 29 arbitrarily sets the rotation angle of the seat back frame 20 relative to the seat cushion frame 7, that is, the tilt angle of the seat back frame 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the seat cushion frame 7.

[0194] The seat back pressure-receiving member 21 has a wire 31 and a plate 32. The wire 31 has a generally U-shape, with an upper end 31A fixed to the upper cross member 24 and a lower portion 31B fixed to the lower cross member 25. The wire 31 has elasticity in the front-to-rear direction, and a plate 32 is attached to a middle portion 31C.

[0195] The plate 32 is supported by the middle portion 31C of the wire 31. The plate 32 is a press-formed product of a steel plate. The plate 32 is in the shape of a plate and has a surface (front surface) 32A (see FIG. 2) that supports the back of the seated occupant, and a back surface (rear surface) 32B (see FIG. 4) opposite the surface 32A.

[0196] 3 and 4, the left and right intermediate portions 31C of the wire 31 extend in the up-down direction on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 and are connected to the plate 32. The wire 31 elastically supports the plate 32 in the front-rear direction from the seat back frame 20.

[0197] 2, a planar heater 33 is attached to a surface 32A of the plate 32. The heater 33 generates heat when energized, and warms the back of a seated occupant.

[0198] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an electric vibration generator 40 and a control device 41 are disposed on the rear surface 32B of the plate 32.

[0199] The vibration generator 40 massages the seated occupant or notifies the seated occupant by vibrating. The vibration generator 40 may be configured to rotate an unbalanced mass using an electric motor, or may be configured to reciprocate the mass using a solenoid. The vibration generator 40 has a rectangular frame-shaped mounting flange 40B that extends outward from the outer periphery of the device body 40A. The mounting flange 40B has through-holes 40C formed in each of its four corners.

[0200] Four device connecting members 43 (device connecting portions) are fixed by welding or the like to the bottom left corner of the back surface 32B of the plate 32 when viewed from the back surface 32B side as fixing portions for the vibration generator 40. The device connecting members 43 have a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length and protrude rearward from the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A screw hole (not shown) is formed at the tip of each device connecting member 43.

[0201] Each device coupling member 43 is provided to avoid the placement portion of the wire 31 in order to avoid interference with the wire 31. Specifically, all of the device coupling members 43 are disposed outward and to the left of the left intermediate portion 31C of the wire 31 when viewed from the rear surface 32B side.

[0202] A bolt 44 passes through each through-hole 40C in the mounting flange 40B. Each bolt 44 is threadedly engaged with a threaded hole in the corresponding device connecting member 43. As a result, the vibration generator 40 is connected to the tip of the device connecting member 43 by the bolt 44 and fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A gap 34 (see FIG. 5) in the front-to-rear direction is formed between the vibration generator 40 and the back surface 32B of the plate 32, the gap being equal to the axial length of the device connecting member 43.

[0203] The control device 41 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the heater 33 and the vibration generator 40. The control device 41 has a device main body 41A that houses hardware such as a CPU and memory, and mounting ears 41B that extend outward from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the outer edge of the device main body 41A. Each mounting ear 41B has a through hole 41C formed therein.

[0204] Four device coupling members 45 (device coupling portions) are fixed by welding or the like to the lower right side of the back surface 32B of the plate 32 when viewed from the back surface 32B side as fixing portions for the control device 41. The device coupling members 45 have a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length and protrude rearward from the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A screw hole (not shown) is formed at the tip of the device coupling members 45. The device coupling members 43, 45 have the same axial length.

[0205] Each device coupling member 45 is provided to avoid the placement portion of the wire 31 to avoid interference with the wire 31. Specifically, the device coupling members 45 are arranged so that the right-side intermediate portion 31C of the wire 31, as viewed from the rear surface 32B side, passes vertically between adjacent device coupling members 45 on the left and right.

[0206] A bolt 46 passes through the through-hole 41C of each mounting ear 41B. Each bolt 46 is threadedly engaged with a corresponding device coupling member 45. As a result, the control device 41 is coupled to the tip of the device coupling member 45 by the bolt 46 and fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32. A gap 35 (see FIG. 5) in the front-to-rear direction is formed between the control device 41 and the back surface 32B of the plate 32, the gap being equal to the axial length of the device coupling member 45.

[0207] The control device 41 is disposed adjacent to the vibration generator 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 41 is electrically connected to the vibration generator 40 by an electric cable 48A and is also electrically connected to the heater 33 by an electric cable 48B.

[0208] A cable support member 52 that supports a plurality of cables 50 is provided on the rear surface 32B of the plate 32. The cables 50 supported by the cable support member 52 include power lines that supply power to the heater 33, the vibration generator 40, and the control device 41, and signal transmission lines that transmit control signals.

[0209] As shown in Fig. 5 , the cable support member 52 is formed by overlapping two flexible sheet-like members 53, 54 so as to sandwich the cable 50. The sheet-like member 53 is made of nonwoven fabric. The sheet-like member 54 is a resin film. Hereinafter, the sheet-like member 53 may be referred to as the nonwoven fabric 53, and the sheet-like member 54 may be referred to as the film 54. The film 54 is made of a transparent resin such as transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is transmissive to visible light. The cable support member 52 is arranged with the nonwoven fabric 53 facing the plate 32.

[0210] The nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 have the same shape and are overlapped with each other, with the outer edges 53A, 54A welded (bonded) to each other along the entire periphery at a welding portion 58 (see FIG. 5 ). As a result, the cable support member 52 is formed into a flat bag shape, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

[0211] The cable support member 52 has an outer edge 52A (same as the outer edges 53A and 54A) that generally follows the outer edge 32C of the plate 32. As a result, the cable support member 52 has an outer shape that is generally the same as the outer shape of the plate 32 and extends in a planar form over substantially the entire plate 32.

[0212] The cable support member 52 may have the same outer shape as the outer shape of the plate 32. In this case, the cable support member 52 extends in a planar shape over the entire plate 32.

[0213] The cable support member 52 has two first through holes 57 spaced apart in the left-right direction at its upper portion and two first through holes 59 spaced apart in the left-right direction at its lower portion, as fixing portions for the plate 32. In other words, the cable support member 52 has the first through holes 57, 59 near each of the top, bottom, left, and right corners.

[0214] Each of the first through holes 57, 59 penetrates through both the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. The nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 are welded (bonded) to each other by welded portions 81 (see FIG. 5 ) at the edges of each of the first through holes 57, 59. This reinforces the edges of each of the first through holes 57, 59.

[0215] The plate 32 has a plurality of recesses 61 recessed from the front surface 32A toward the back surface 32B, and second through holes 62 formed in the bottoms of the recesses 61. Each recess 61 is a protrusion when viewed from the back surface 32B of the plate 32, and serves as a mounting seat for the cable support member 52. Each recess 61 is provided in a position facing the first through holes 57, 59. In other words, each first through hole 57, 59 is provided in a position corresponding to the recess 61.

[0216] The cable support member 52 is fixed to the back surface 32B of the plate 32 by clips 63, which are fasteners, at positions corresponding to each recess 61. As shown in FIG. 5 , each clip 63 has a head 63A and a non-return-shaped locking portion 63B extending from the head 63A. Each locking portion 63B passes through the corresponding first through-hole 57, 59 and locks onto the edge of the second through-hole 62 of the corresponding recess 61. As a result, the cable support member 52 is fixed at each of the four corners to the back surface 32B of the plate 32 by the clips 63. The cable support member 52 can be attached to the plate 32 easily using the clips 63 without using any tools.

[0217] The locking portion 63B that passes through the second through-hole 62 is entirely housed in the recess 61 and does not protrude forward from the surface 32A of the plate 32. This allows the cable support member 52 to be attached to the plate 32 by the clip 63 without creating a protrusion on the surface 32A of the plate 32 that supports the seated occupant. In other words, the clip 63 does not interfere with devices such as the heater 33 that are mounted on the surface 32A of the plate 32.

[0218] As shown by the phantom lines in Fig. 5 , when the cable support member 52 is in a flat state and not attached to the plate 32, the distance L1 between the adjacent lower left and right first through holes 59 on the left and right is greater than the distance L2 between the corresponding adjacent second through holes 62 on the left and right. As a result, when the cable support member 52 is attached to the plate 32 by the clips 63 inserted into the second through holes 62 corresponding to each first through hole 59, the cable support member 52 bends due to slack, as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 5 . The same applies to the adjacent upper first through holes 57 on the left and right.

[0219] This allows the installation work to be carried out more easily and efficiently than when the cable support member 52 is attached to the fixing parts of two adjacent plates 32 with tension applied, and also improves the durability of the cable support member 52.

[0220] The structure for attaching the cable support member 52 to the plate 32 only requires that the cable support member 52 has the first through holes 57 and 59, which simplifies the structure for attaching the cable support member 52 to the plate 32.

[0221] As shown in Fig. 5 , the cable support member 52 has a cable accommodating space 64 between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 arranged in the cable accommodating space 64 by sandwiching the cable 50 between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 , the cable support member 52 has a cable entrance portion 65 at its upper outer edge for introducing the cable 50 into the cable accommodating space 64. The cable support member 52 has a cable exit portion 66 at its lower portion adjacent to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 for taking the cable 50 out of the cable accommodating space 64 to the outside.

[0222] The cable 50 is inserted into the cable accommodating space 64 from the cable inlet 65, passes through the cable accommodating space 64 to the cable outlet 66, and one end is taken out from the cable outlet 66 to the outside. The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 in a planar manner over a wide area by accommodating the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64. This allows the cable 50 to be supported on the plate 32 by a single cable support member 52, without the need for numerous cable supports. The cable 50 accommodated in the cable accommodating space 64 is preferably fixed to the film 54 by vibration fusion or the like.

[0223] Connectors 67 and 68 are attached to one end of the cable 50 that extends to the outside from the cable outlet 66. The cable 50 is electrically connected to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 by the connectors 67 and 68.

[0224] Because the cable support member 52 is provided on the rear surface 32B of the plate 32, the load supporting the seated occupant does not act directly on the cable support member 52 and the cable 50 housed in the cable housing space 64. This improves the durability of the cable support member 52 and protects the cable 50 from the load supporting the seated occupant.

[0225] The cable accommodating space 64 is a flat space defined by the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54, which prevents the cable support member 52 from becoming bulky in the direction perpendicular to the plate 32. The flat cable accommodating space 64 is wide in planar form, so the path of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64 can be set with a large degree of freedom.

[0226] Because the cable support member 52 has roughly the same shape as the plate 32 and extends in a planar manner over substantially the entire plate 32, the cable support member 52 does not protrude outward from the plate 32, thereby providing a large cable accommodating space 64. This improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement (route) of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64. Furthermore, the cable inlet 65 and the cable outlet 66 can be appropriately provided at required locations on the cable support member 52 by knife cutting or the like. This also improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement (route) of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64.

[0227] These features allow for a high degree of freedom in arranging the cable 50 relative to the seat back 3, and also make it possible to install (wire) the cable 50 in the seat back 3 with good workability and reliability.

[0228] Since the film 54 is made of a transparent resin that allows visible light to pass through, the arrangement of the cable 50 in the cable accommodating space 64 can be visually confirmed from the outside. This allows for easy and reliable inspection of the wiring of the cable 50.

[0229] The cable support member 52 supports the cable 50 by sandwiching it between two sheet members, the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54. Therefore, unlike a synthetic material plate into which electric wires or the like are insert-molded, the cable support member 52 and the cable 50 can be easily separated during dismantling, etc. This makes it easy to separate the materials required for resource recycling.

[0230] The cable support member 52 includes an overlapping portion (extension) A (see FIG. 4) that extends through the gap 34 between the rear surface 32B of the plate 32 and the vibration generator 40 and overlaps with the vibration generator 40. The cable support member 52 includes an overlapping portion (extension) B (see FIG. 4) that extends through the gap 34 between the rear surface 32B of the plate 32 and the control device 41 and overlaps with the control device 41.

[0231] The overlapping portion A has openings 70 having circular cross sections through which the device coupling members 43 can pass, formed at positions that overlap with the device coupling members 43 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32 (front-rear direction). In other words, each device coupling member 43 is provided at a position that overlaps with the corresponding opening 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. Each device coupling member 43 passes through the corresponding opening 70 and protrudes toward the vibration generator 40, facing the outer edge of the through-hole 40C of the vibration generator 40. Each device coupling member 43 may contact the edge of the corresponding opening 70.

[0232] This allows the bolt 44 passing through the through hole 40C to be threadedly engaged with the tip of the device connecting member 43 at the overlapping portion A of the cable support member 52. In this manner, the vibration generator 40 can be attached to the plate 32 without interfering with the cable support member 52. This avoids interference between the vibration generator 40 and the cable support member 52 in both the extending direction of the plate 32 and the direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0233] In the overlapping portion B, openings 71 through which the device coupling members 45 can pass are formed at positions overlapping with the device coupling members 45 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. In other words, each device coupling member 45 is provided at a position overlapping with the corresponding opening 71 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. Each device coupling member 45 passes through the corresponding opening 71 and protrudes toward the control device 41, facing the outer edge of the through-hole 41C of the control device 41.

[0234] This allows the bolt 46 passing through the through hole 41C to be threadedly engaged with the tip of the device coupling member 45 at the overlapping portion B of the cable support member 52. In this manner, the control device 41 can be attached to the plate 32 without interfering with the cable support member 52. This avoids interference between the control device 41 and the cable support member 52 in both the extending direction of the plate 32 and the direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0235] As shown in Figure 5, one of the lower device coupling members 43 and two of the lower device coupling members 45 are arranged between two adjacent recesses 61 on the lower left and right (fixing portions of the cable support member 52 relative to the plate 32).

[0236] The device coupling members 43, 45 between the recesses 61 also pass through the openings 70, 71 of the cable support member 52, making it difficult for the cable support member 52 to slip relative to the plate 32 and improving the attachment strength of the cable support member 52 to the plate 32.

[0237] Nonwoven fabric 53 and film 54 are welded (bonded) to each other at welded portions 82 (see FIG. 5 ) at the edges of each of openings 70 and 71. This reinforces the edges of openings 70 and 71 and prevents cable 50 from protruding outside from the edges of openings 70 and 71.

[0238] Because the cable support member 52 is not an injection-molded product in which the cable 50 is insert-molded, no molding die is required for its manufacture. Therefore, the production cost of the cable support member 52 is lower than that of an injection-molded product. Because the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 that make up the cable support member 52 are softer than injection-molded products, the first through holes 57, 59 and the openings 70, 71, 75 provided in the cable support member 52 can be easily formed with a high degree of freedom by cutting the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54 with a cutting blade or the like.

[0239] Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 will be described.

[0240] This manufacturing method includes a first step of arranging the cable support member 52 on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 so that each of the first through holes 57, 59 is aligned with a corresponding recess 61 in the plate 32, and attaching the cable support member 52 to the recess 61 with a clip 63 at each of the first through holes 57, 59. Prior to the first step, the cable 50 is sandwiched between the nonwoven fabric 53 and the film 54, and the edge of the nonwoven fabric 53 and the edge of the film 54 are welded together. This forms the cable support member 52.

[0241] In the first step, the device coupling members 43 and 45 pass through the corresponding openings 70 and 71 of the cable support member 52 , so that the cable support member 52 does not overlap with the device coupling members 43 and 45 .

[0242] This manufacturing method includes, after the first step described above, a second step of connecting the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the device connecting members 43 and 45 with bolts 44 and 46 .

[0243] Since the first step occurs before the second step of connecting the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the device connecting members 43 and 45 with the bolts 44 and 46, the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the cable support member 52 can be easily positioned in their predetermined positions without interfering with each other.

[0244] In this way, the attachment of the cable support member 52 to the plate 32 and the attachment of the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41 to the plate 32 are performed in an orderly and appropriate manner. This allows the vehicle seat 1 to be manufactured efficiently.

[0245] It is preferable that the cable support member 52 is provided so as not to overlap the wires 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32. This prevents the cable support member 52 and the wires 31 from interfering with each other.

[0246] <Second embodiment> As shown in Figure 6, the cable support member 52 is provided on the back surface 32B of the plate 32 in an area that does not overlap with the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31, which are electrical devices, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32.

[0247] In the second embodiment, the cable support member 52 is arranged in an area where it does not overlap with the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate 32, so that the cable support member 52 does not interfere with the vibration generator 40, the control device 41, and the wire 31.

[0248] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cable support member 52 is easily attached to the plate 32. The use of the cable support member 52 provides a high degree of freedom in wiring the cable 50 relative to the seat back 3, and also makes it possible to install (wire) the cable 50 in the seat back 3 with ease and reliability.

[0249] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified in a wide variety of ways.

[0250] For example, the two sheet-like members 53, 54 of the cable support member 52 may both be made of resin film or may be made of the same material. In this case, one sheet-like member may be folded so that it overlaps the other, and the outer edges may be welded together. In any embodiment, the entire outer edges of the sheet-like members do not need to be welded together, and the outer edges of the sheet-like members may be welded together only partially.

[0251] The openings 70, 71 provided in the cable support member 52 do not necessarily need to be formed individually for each bolt 44, 46, but may be openings through which multiple bolts 44, 46 pass collectively. For example, as shown in Fig. 7 , the openings may be openings 75 through which four bolts 46 for attaching the control device 41 pass collectively. The openings 75 are notches that reach the outer edge 52A of the cable support member 52.

[0252] The electrical devices provided on the plate 32 are not limited to the vibration generator 40 and the control device 41, and may be an electric motor for a lumbar support, etc. The cable support member 52 is applicable to the seat cushion 2, and may be provided on the seat cushion pressure-receiving member 8 to support a cable arranged in the seat cushion 2.

[0253] 8, a seat 101 includes a seat cushion 102, a seat back 103, and a headrest 104. The seat cushion 102 supports the buttocks of a user from below.

[0254] The seat back 103 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 102 and supports the back of the user from behind. The seat back 103 has a seat back frame 105 that forms the framework of the seat back 103, and a seat back pad 106 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) made of urethane sponge or the like that is supported by the seat back frame 105. The surface of the seat back pad 106 is covered with a skin 107 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0255] The headrest 104 is provided on the upper part of the seat back 103 and supports the user's head from behind. The headrest 104 has two headrest pillars 111, one on the left and one on the right, which extend in the vertical direction, and a headrest main body 112 attached to the upper part of the headrest pillars 111.

[0256] The seat back 103 supports the back of the user from behind. The headrest 104 is provided above the seat back 103. The headrest 104 supports the user's head from behind. The headrest 104 has two headrest pillars 111, one on the left and one on the right, protruding upward from the top of the seat back 103, and a headrest main body 112 attached to the top of the headrest pillars 111.

[0257] The mounting structure of the headrest 104 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0258] The seatback frame 105 has an upper horizontal portion 105A (see FIG. 8) that extends substantially horizontally in the left-right direction. Left and right stay members 113 are joined to the upper horizontal portion 105A by welding or the like at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. Each stay member 113 is received in a stay-receiving hole 108 formed in the seatback pad 106.

[0259] Each stay member 113 is a cylindrical body having a substantially rectangular cross section, and has a guide mounting hole 115 extending through it in the vertical direction.

[0260] Left and right headrest guide members 117 are attached to the corresponding guide mounting holes 115 of the left and right stay members 113. Each headrest guide member 117 is a molded product made of synthetic resin by injection molding or the like. Each headrest guide member 117 has a tubular portion 119 that is inserted into the guide mounting hole 115 and an enlarged head portion 121 that is integrally molded at the upper end of the tubular portion 119.

[0261] A plurality of longitudinal ribs 123 extending in the axial direction and a plurality of transverse ribs 125 (first ribs) extending in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) are formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 119 (see FIG. 11).

[0262] The enlarged head portion 121 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 119. The enlarged head portion 121 protrudes above the skin 107 and is exposed to the outside.

[0263] Each headrest guide member 117 has a pillar support hole 127 formed therein, which passes vertically through the tubular portion 119 and the expanded head portion 121. The lower portion of the corresponding headrest pillar 111 is inserted into each pillar support hole 127 (see FIG. 9 ). A known height adjustment mechanism (not shown) is incorporated between the headrest guide member 117 and the headrest pillar 111 to change and fix the axial position of the headrest pillar 111 relative to the headrest guide member 117 in order to adjust the height of the headrest main body 112.

[0264] 11 , a slot 131 that communicates with the pillar support hole 127 is formed in one of the left and right side portions 119A near the upper ends of the tubular portions 119 of the left and right headrest guide members 117. The slot 131 may be provided in opposing side portions of the pair of left and right headrest guide members 117. For example, the slot 131 may be formed in the left side surface of the right headrest guide member 117.

[0265] A rectangular cantilever 132 is formed inside the slot 131, extending upward from the lower edge of the slot 131, i.e., extending in the up-down direction. The cantilever 132 is formed on the side portion 119A of each headrest guide member 117, on the side where the pair of left and right headrest guide members 117 face each other.

[0266] The cantilever 132 has its upper and both side edges surrounded by slots 131. The cantilever 132 has a base end 132A on its lower side that is continuous with the tubular portion 119. The cantilever 132 has a free end 132B on its upper side that is opposite the base end 132A. The cantilever 132 is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the tubular portion 119, that is, the left-right direction as viewed in FIG. 10 . In other words, the cantilever 132 is elastically deformable inward of the headrest guide member 117, i.e., toward the pillar support hole 127.

[0267] The cantilever 132 has a locking claw 133 on the base end 132A side, and a release piece 135 on the free end 132B side, i.e., the upper end.

[0268] 10, each of the locking claws 133 has a check claw shape that protrudes outward. Each of the locking claws 133 has an upwardly inclined surface 133A provided on the free end 132B side of the cantilever 132, and a downwardly inclined surface 133B provided on the base end 132A side of the cantilever 132 and continuing to the top of the steeply inclined surface 133A.

[0269] The cylindrical portion 119 has outer ribs 137 (second ribs) extending along the outer edge of the slot 131 on both sides of the locking claw portion 133. The outer ribs 137 are continuous with the transverse ribs 125. The outer ribs 137, together with the transverse ribs 125, reinforce the cylindrical portion 119 around the slot 131.

[0270] The release piece 135 has a flat plate shape that extends further toward the free end 132B of the cantilever piece 132 than the steeply inclined surface 133A of the locking claw 133, that is, upward than the steeply inclined surface 133A of the locking claw 133, and is formed integrally with the locking claw 133. The release piece 135, together with the locking claw 133, can be elastically displaced radially inward of the tubular portion 119.

[0271] The headrest guide member 117, which has the cantilever 132 integrally formed with the locking claw 133 and the release piece 135, is a single molded product and has a simple structure.

[0272] A mark 122 like a "-" is provided on the same surface of the enlarged head portion 121 of the headrest guide member 117 as the side portion 119A of the tubular portion 119 to indicate the side on which the locking claw portion 133 is located. The mark 122 like a "-" corresponds to the symbol mark of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver used to disengage the locking claw portion 133.

[0273] The stay member 113 has a side portion 113A that faces the locking claw portion 133 in the left-right direction. The side portion 113A is the side portion on which the pair of left and right headrest guide members 117 face each other.

[0274] A rectangular locking hole 139 into which the corresponding locking claw 133 can be engaged is formed in the side portion 113A of each stay member 113. Each headrest guide member 117 is locked to the stay member 113 so as not to slip out upward from the guide mounting hole 115 of the stay member 113 by the steeply inclined surface 133A of the locking claw 133 resiliently abutting against the downward-facing upper hole surface 139A of the corresponding locking hole 139.

[0275] The stay member 113 and the headrest guide member 117 are engaged with each other by the engagement between the locking claws 133 and the locking holes 139 on the side portions 113A and 119A that face each other in the left-right direction, so that the load supporting the user's head from behind does not act in the direction of engagement or disengagement between the locking claws 133 and the locking holes 139. This prevents the load supporting the user's head from behind from acting in the direction in which the cantilever 132 can elastically deform, improving the durability of the cantilever 132.

[0276] The cantilever 132 may be prevented from being displaced into the pillar support hole 127 by abutting against the headrest pillar 111 inserted into the pillar support hole 127. This makes it difficult for the headrest guide member 117 to fall off the stay member 113 when the headrest 104 is in use.

[0277] Each headrest guide member 117 is restricted from moving downward relative to the stay member 113 by abutting a downward engaging surface 119B formed near the upper end of the tubular portion 119 against an upper end surface 113B of the stay member 113.

[0278] A downwardly recessed recess (notch) 41 is formed on the upper edge of the side portion 113A of the stay member 113. The recess 141 is located opposite the vicinity of the free end 132B of the cantilever 132, faces the release piece 135, and exposes the release piece 135 to the outside. In other words, the release piece 135 includes a portion that is located at the same vertical position as the recess 141, and is accessible from the outside through the recess 141.

[0279] The locking holes 139 and recesses 141 of the stay member 113 are formed symmetrically in the vertical direction. This prevents incorrect assembly when joining the stay member 113 to the seat back frame 105 even if the stay member 113 is joined upside down to the stay member 113. As shown in Figure 9, when the vertical length of the locking hole 139 is L1, the vertical length (depth) of the recess 141 is L2, and the vertical length of the vertical distance between the locking hole 139 and the recess 141 is L3, the relationship L1 > L2 > L3 holds.

[0280] When removing the headrest guide member 117 from the stay member 113 during maintenance or disassembly, as shown in Figure 12, the tip 145A of the tool 145 is inserted between the underside of the enlarged head 121 of the headrest guide member 117 and the cover 107 of the seat back pad 106, and the tip 145A of the tool 145 is brought close to the upper recess 141 of the stay member 113 while compressing and deforming the seat back pad 106.

[0281] When the tip 145A of the tool 145 is further inserted, the tip 145A of the tool 145 passes through the upper recess 141 of the stay member 113 and abuts against the release piece 135 of the cantilever piece 132, pressing the release piece 135 toward the inside of the tubular portion 119.

[0282] This pressure causes the cantilever 132 to elastically deform radially inward of the tubular portion 119, and the steeply inclined surface 133A of the locking claw 133 disengages from the upper hole surface 139A of the locking hole 139. This allows the headrest guide member 117 to be pulled out and removed from the stay member 113.

[0283] This operation is performed using the mark 122 as a guide, which improves the reliability with which the tip 145A of the tool 145 passes through the recess 141 on the upper side of the stay member 113 and reaches the release piece 135. This improves the workability of removing the headrest guide member 117 from the stay member 113.

[0284] The locking claw portion 133 and release piece portion 135 of the headrest guide member 117 and the locking hole 139 and recess 141 of the stay member 113 are provided on the side portions of the pair of left and right headrest guide members 117 that face each other, so even if the skin 107 is damaged by using a tool 145 during removal work, it is not noticeable.

[0285] 13 and 14 , a plurality of inner ribs 147 extending in the vertical direction are formed on the inner surface 132C of the cantilever 132 of the headrest guide member 117 on the pillar support hole 127 side. The inner ribs 147 extend linearly from near the free end 132B of the cantilever 132, passing through the base end 132A, to the inner surface of the tubular portion 119.

[0286] The inner rib 147 can appropriately increase the rigidity of the cantilever 132, thereby improving the strength and durability of the cantilever 132. The inner rib 147 extends vertically, passing through the base end 132A of the cantilever 132, thereby increasing the rigidity of the cantilever 132.

[0287] The inner rib 147 resiliently abuts against the outer peripheral surface 111A of the headrest pillar 111 inserted into the pillar support hole 127 of the headrest guide member 117. This suppresses radial rattle of the headrest pillar 111 inserted into the pillar support hole 127 relative to the headrest guide member 117.

[0288] 15 , a groove 150 is formed in the seat back pad 106, recessed downward from the upper surface thereof and connected to the stay receiving hole 108. The groove 150 faces the cantilever 132.

[0289] A pad-side rib 152 that protrudes toward the stay member 113 is provided at the boundary between the groove 150 and the stay receiving hole 108 of the seat back pad 106. The groove 150 serves as a passage for the tool 145 when the tip 145A of the tool 145 is brought close to the stay member 113 and the cantilever 132. This allows the tip 145A of the tool 145 to be brought close to the stay member 113 and the cantilever 132 with good workability without damaging the seat back pad 106.

[0290] The pad-side rib 152 suppresses a decrease in rigidity around the stay receiving hole 108 of the seat back pad 106 due to the provision of the groove portion 150 .

[0291] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified in a wide variety of ways.

[0292] For example, this embodiment can also be applied to a vehicle seat in which the headrest body 112 is attached to the seat back pad 106 by a single headrest pillar 111. The stay member 113 preferably has a vertically and horizontally symmetrical shape, so that the locking hole 139 is positioned appropriately even if the stay member 113 is connected to the seat back frame 105 in the wrong orientation.

[0293] Sixth Embodiment FIGS. 16 to 21 show a vehicle seat 201 according to a sixth embodiment.

[0294] As shown in Figure 16, the vehicle seat 201 of the sixth embodiment has a seat cushion 202 provided on the floor F of the automobile, a seat back 203 extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion 202, and a headrest 204 provided on the upper part of the seat back 203.

[0295] The seat cushion 202 includes a pad member 205 made of urethane foam or the like. The pad member 205 is covered with a surface 205A and has a seating surface 206 that faces substantially upward. The seat cushion 202 supports the buttocks of an occupant seated on the seating surface 206 from below. The seat back 203 includes a pad member 207 made of urethane foam or the like. The pad member 207 is covered with a surface 207A and has a backrest surface 208 that faces substantially forward. The seat back 203 supports the back of the occupant leaning against the backrest surface 208 from behind.

[0296] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the seat cushion 202 includes a seat cushion frame 210 that forms the framework of the seat cushion 202 , and a seat cushion pressure-receiving member 211 attached to the seat cushion frame 210 .

[0297] The seat cushion frame 210 includes left and right cushion side members 212 extending parallel to each other in the front-to-rear direction, a front cross member 213 connecting front portions 212A of the left and right cushion side members 212 to each other, and a rear cross member 214 connecting rear portions 212B of the left and right cushion side members 212 to each other. Each cushion side member 212 is formed by pressing steel plate and has a generally U-shaped cross section. The front cross member 213 and the rear cross member 214 are each formed by a straight metal round pipe.

[0298] The seat cushion frame 210 further includes a front pan 215 that is provided to connect the front portions of the left and right cushion side members 212 to each other. The front pan 215 is a press-formed product made of steel plate, and forms the front portion of the seat cushion frame 210.

[0299] 17 , left and right slide rails 230 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the floor F. A slider 231 is provided on each of the left and right slide rails 230 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The left and right sliders 231 are connected to the corresponding cushion side members 212 by front link members 232 and rear link members 233.

[0300] The slider 231 is fixed to any desired position in the front-rear direction on the slide rail 230 by a known latch mechanism or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the slider 231 is driven to and fixed to any desired position in the front-rear direction on the slide rail 230 by a known electric mechanism. These mechanisms allow the position of the vehicle seat 201 on the floor F to be changed in the front-rear direction.

[0301] The front link member 232 and the rear link member 233 constitute a height mechanism that displaces the seat cushion frame 210 in the up and down direction relative to the slider 231 .

[0302] The seat cushion pressure-receiving member 211 is a member that is disposed between the left and right cushion side members 212 and receives the weight of a seated occupant. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the seat cushion pressure-receiving member 211 includes a pressure-receiving plate 216 that is a resin molded product, and a plurality of metal support wires 217 (four in the illustrated embodiment) that constitute support members for the pressure-receiving plate 216.

[0303] The pressure plate 216 has a substantially flat rectangular main portion 216A, left and right side extension portions 216B extending outward from the left and right side edges of the main portion 216A, and a rear extension portion 216C extending rearward from the rear edge of the main portion 216A.

[0304] The support wires 217 are spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction and extend parallel to one another in the front-rear direction along the undersides of the main portion 216A and rear extension portion 216C of the pressure plate 216. Each support wire 217 has a front hook portion 217A with an arc shape at its front end, which extends forward beyond the front edge of the main portion 216A. Each support wire 217 has a rear hook portion 217B with an arc shape at its rear end, which extends rearward beyond the rear edge of the rear extension portion 216C.

[0305] The front hook portion 217A of each support wire 217 is hooked onto the front cross member 213. The rear hook portion 217B of each support wire 217 is hooked onto the rear cross member 214. As a result, each support wire 217 supports the pressure plate 216 with elasticity in the vertical direction from the seat cushion frame 210. In other words, the seat cushion frame 210 is supported by the plurality of support wires 217 with elasticity in the vertical direction from the seat cushion frame 210.

[0306] The pressure plate 216 has a front semi-cylindrical portion 216D connected to the front edge of the main portion 216A. The front semi-cylindrical portion 216D, together with the front hook portion 217A, engages with the front cross member 213. The pressure plate 216 has a linear portion 216E extending rearward from the rear extension portion 216C along the support wire 217, and a rear semi-cylindrical portion 216F curved from the tip of the linear portion 216E along the rear hook portion 217B. The rear semi-cylindrical portion 216F, together with the rear hook portion 217B, engages with the rear cross member 214.

[0307] The pressure plate 216 and the support wire 217 may be joined to each other by adhesion, welding, etc. Alternatively, the pressure plate 216 may be molded by an insert molding method including the support wire 217.

[0308] An occupancy sensor 220 (occupant detection sensor) is attached as an electrical device to the upper surface of the main portion 216A of the pressure plate 216.

[0309] 20, two screw fastening projections 218 are formed on the left and right sides of the underside of the main portion 216A of the pressure receiving plate 216 along the front edge of the main portion 216A. A device mounting plate 222 is attached to the screw fastening projections 218 with screws 221. Screw fastening projections 223, 225 are formed at one location on the underside of the main portion 216A of the pressure receiving plate 216 near the front edge and at two locations on the left and right sides of the underside of the device mounting plate 222 near the front edge.

[0310] A housing 226A of an electric fan unit 226 is attached to the pressure plate 216 in a suspended manner using screws 224 on the screw fastening projections 223 and 225. A cylindrical fan 226B and an electric motor 226C that rotates and drives the fan 226B are provided in the housing 226A. The electric fan unit 226 has an air duct 227 connected to the housing 226A. The air duct 227 is hook-shaped and bent upward, and has an air outlet 227A that opens upward, i.e., toward the main portion 216A of the pressure plate 216.

[0311] The electric fan units 226 connected to the air ducts 227 are provided on the left and right sides of the main portion 216A of the pressure plate 216, as shown in FIGS.

[0312] First openings 228 are formed in the main portion 216A of the pressure-receiving plate 216, including positions that correspond vertically to (overlap with) the air outlets 227A of the left and right air ducts 227. In other words, the air outlets 227A include a portion that faces the first openings 228, which are positioned higher than the air outlets 227A.

[0313] A seat cushion side cable holding member 240 is detachably attached to the underside of the pressure plate 216 by a plurality of attachments 246 (fixing portions) such as clips. The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 is configured in a sheet shape and extends along the underside of the pressure plate 216. The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 holds electric wires (cables) 45 (see FIG. 21 ) connected to electrical devices such as the seating sensor 220 and the electric fan unit 226.

[0314] The fixing portions of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 to the pressure receiving plate 216 by the mounting fixtures 246 are all provided outside the area where the seating sensor 220 is disposed. This prevents the fixing portions of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 from interfering with the seating sensor 220.

[0315] 21 , the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 includes two overlapping flexible sheet-like members 241, 242. The sheet-like members 241, 242 are welded (bonded) to each other by a welding portion 243 around the entire outer periphery. As a result, the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 is formed in a flat bag shape, and a cable holding gap 244 (cable holding space) is defined between the sheet-like members 241, 242. This seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has a simple structure and is highly manufacturable.

[0316] The sheet-like member 241 is made of nonwoven fabric. The sheet-like member 242 is a resin film. Hereinafter, one sheet-like member 241 may be referred to as the nonwoven fabric 241, and the other sheet-like member 242 may be referred to as the transparent film 242. The transparent film 242 is made of a transparent resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is transmissive to visible light. Due to its material configuration, the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has the required bending rigidity and appropriate flexibility for easy handling.

[0317] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has its nonwoven fabric 241 disposed on the lower surface side of the pressure receiving plate 216. The transparent film 242 is disposed below the nonwoven fabric 241.

[0318] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has an outer edge that roughly follows the outer edge of the pressure receiving plate 216. As a result, the cable holding gap 244 extends in a planar manner over substantially the entire pressure receiving plate 216 with a large area (volume).

[0319] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has a plurality of electric wires 245 placed in a cable holding gap 244, and holds each electric wire 245 by sandwiching it between a nonwoven fabric 241 and a transparent film 242. The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 holds the plurality of electric wires 245 housed in the cable holding gap 244 simply by sandwiching it between the nonwoven fabric 241 and the transparent film 242, and does not restrict the arrangement position of each electric wire 245.

[0320] This allows the position of each electric wire 245 held by the seat cushion-side cable holding member 240 to be easily changed on the surfaces of the nonwoven fabric 241 and the transparent film 242. In addition, the electric wires 245 housed in the cable holding gap 244 can be easily added, removed, or removed.

[0321] For these reasons, the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has a simple structure and is flexible, providing excellent versatility in holding the electric wires 245 .

[0322] The cable holding gap 244 extends in a planar manner over substantially the entire pressure-receiving plate 216 with a large area (volume), following the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 which extends in a planar manner over substantially the entire pressure-receiving plate 216. This allows for a high degree of freedom in setting and changing the number and wiring pattern of the electric wires 245 in the seat cushion side cable holding member 240.

[0323] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 includes a portion that overlaps with the seating sensor 220 across the pressure receiving plate 216. In other words, the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 does not have an opening in the portion that overlaps with the seating sensor 220 across the pressure receiving plate 216. This allows the cable holding gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 to extend to the area corresponding to the seating sensor 220, further increasing the degree of freedom in the number of wirings and arrangement pattern of the electric wires 245 in the seat cushion side cable holding member 240.

[0324] 19 , the electric wires 245 held by the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 may or may not include a portion that overlaps with the seating sensor 220 across the pressure receiving plate 216. This further increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement pattern of the electric wires 245 held by the seat cushion side cable holding member 240.

[0325] Since the electric wire 245 held by the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 includes a portion that overlaps with the seating sensor 220 across the pressure receiving plate 216, the degree of freedom in arranging the electric wire 245 in the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 is increased.

[0326] Since the electric wire 245 held by the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 does not include a portion that overlaps with the seating sensor 220 across the pressure receiving plate 216, the integrity of the electric wire 245 in the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 is improved.

[0327] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has the transparent film 242 disposed below the nonwoven fabric 241 on the underside of the pressure-receiving plate 216. This allows an operator to easily see the state of the electric wires 245 in the cable holding gap 244 and the arrangement of the electric wires 245 from the underside of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 through the transparent film 242.

[0328] The nonwoven fabric 241 is colored in a different hue or a different density from the pressure receiving plate 216 and the seat occupancy sensor 220. This allows the pressure receiving plate 216 and the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 to be clearly distinguished by hue even if they have similar shapes. As a result, the pressure receiving plate 216 and the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 can be clearly distinguished even if they have approximately the same shape, preventing incorrect assembly and improving assembly workability. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 241 and the seat occupancy sensor 220 can be clearly distinguished by hue.

[0329] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240 extends between the pressure receiving plate 216 and the air outlet 227A and along the underside of the pressure receiving plate 216. As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has a second opening 247 including a portion that overlaps with the air outlet 227A of each electric fan unit 226. The second opening 247 includes a portion that overlaps with the first opening 228 on the upper side and a portion that overlaps with the air outlet 227A on the lower side.

[0330] This prevents the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 from interfering with the air blown out from the electric fan device 226, and prevents the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 from obstructing the flow of air blown out from the air outlet 227A.

[0331] 19 , the fixing portion of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 to the pressure receiving plate 216 using the mounting fixture 246 is also provided on the outer periphery of the second opening 247. This prevents the outer periphery of the second opening 247 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 from sagging away from the pressure receiving plate 216. This makes it possible to firmly attach the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 to the pressure receiving plate 216.

[0332] The nonwoven fabric 241 and the transparent film 242 are welded to each other at a welding portion 247A at the outer edge of the second opening 247. This reinforces the periphery of the second opening 247 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and prevents the electric wire 245 from protruding out of the second opening 247.

[0333] 20 , the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 has third openings 248 at positions corresponding to the screw fastening protrusions 218, 223. The screws 221, 224 pass through the third openings 248, thereby preventing interference between the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and the screws 221, 224.

[0334] The second opening 247 and the third opening 248 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 can be easily formed using a punch press, a blade, or the like. The formation of the second opening 247 and the third opening 248 prevents the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 from interfering with the electric fan unit 226. This reduces the restriction imposed by the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 on the arrangement of electrical devices provided in the seat cushion 202, such as the electric fan unit 226, and increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of electrical devices, such as the electric fan unit 226, in the seat cushion 202.

[0335] 17, the seat back 203 has a seat back frame 260 and a seat back pressure-receiving member 261 attached to the seat back frame 260. The seat back pressure-receiving member 261 supports the pad member 207 (see FIG. 16).

[0336] The seatback frame 260 has left and right seatback side members 264 extending in the vertical direction, a connecting member 265 that connects the upper parts of the left and right seatback side members 264 to each other, and a lower member 266 made of steel plate that connects the lower parts of the left and right seatback side members 264 to each other. Each seatback side member 264 is made of a press-formed steel plate and has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

[0337] The connecting member 265 is a bent metal round pipe, and has left and right side portions 265A that extend substantially in the vertical direction and whose lower portions are joined to the upper portions of the corresponding seatback side members 264, and an upper portion 265B that extends in the horizontal direction and joins the upper ends of the left and right side portions 265A to each other, forming a substantially staple shape (a substantially upside-down U-shape). Two cylindrical left and right headrest stays 267 for attaching the headrest 204 (see FIG. 16 ) to the seatback 203 are joined to the upper portion 265B.

[0338] The seat back frame 260 further includes an upper member 268 made of steel plate that connects the left and right side portions 265A of the connecting member 265. The upper member 268 is formed by pressing a steel plate.

[0339] The seatback frame 260 has lower portions of left and right seatback side members 264 connected to rear portions of the left and right cushion side members 212 by reclining devices 275 and connecting rods 276 of the reclining devices 275 so as to be able to tilt.

[0340] The seatback pressure-receiving member 261 is a member that is arranged between the left and right seatback side members 264 and receives the weight of the seated occupant, and includes a pressure-receiving plate 262 made of molded resin and a metal support wire 263 that forms a support member for the pressure-receiving plate 262.

[0341] The pressure plate 262 has a substantially rectangular main portion 262A with multiple openings, and multiple upper and lower side extensions 262B that extend outward to the left and right from the left and right edges of the main portion 262A. The pad member 207 (see FIG. 16) of the seat back 203 is attached to the front surface of the main portion 262A.

[0342] The support wire 263 is formed in a substantially U-shape, and has its upper end secured to an upper member 268 and its lower end secured to a lower member 266 by a clip 269 .

[0343] The support wires 263 support the pressure plate 262 with elasticity in the front-rear direction from the seat back frame 260. In other words, the pressure plate 262 is supported by the support wires 263 from the seat back frame 260 with elasticity in the front-rear direction.

[0344] The pressure plate 262 and the support wire 263 may be joined to each other by adhesion, welding, etc. Alternatively, the pressure plate 262 may be molded by insert molding including the support wire 263.

[0345] An electrical device 270 such as an electric air pressure regulating valve or an electromagnetic switching valve for an air pressure device (not shown) that changes the shape of the pad member 207 (see Figure 16) of the seat back 203 in accordance with the body shape of the seated person, etc., is attached to the main part 262A of the pressure plate 262.

[0346] A rectangular seatback side cable holding member 280 that supports the electric wires 271 (see Figure 21) of the electrical device 270 is removably attached to the back surface (rear surface) of the main portion 262A of the pressure plate 262 using multiple mounting fixtures 286 such as clips.

[0347] The seatback-side cable retaining member 280 has the same structure as the seat cushion-side cable retaining member 240, and as shown in Fig. 21 , includes two flexible sheet-like members, namely, a nonwoven fabric 281 and a transparent film 282. The nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282 are welded (bonded) to each other around the entire outer edge by a welding portion 283. As a result, the seatback-side cable retaining member 280 is formed in a flat bag shape, and a cable retaining gap 284 is defined between the nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282.

[0348] The seatback side cable holding member 280 has a plurality of electric wires 271 placed in a cable holding gap 284, and holds each electric wire 271 by sandwiching it between the nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282. The seatback side cable holding member 280 holds the plurality of electric wires 271 housed in the cable holding gap 284 simply by sandwiching it between the nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282, and therefore does not restrict the arrangement position of each electric wire 271.

[0349] As a result, the position of each electric wire 271 held by the seatback-side cable holding member 280 can be easily changed on the surfaces of the nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282. In addition, the electric wires 271 housed in the cable holding gap 284 can be easily added, removed, or removed.

[0350] For these reasons, the seatback side cable holding member 280 has a simple structure and is flexible, providing excellent versatility in holding the electric wires 271 .

[0351] In the seatback-side cable holding member 280, the transparent film 282 is disposed rearward of the nonwoven fabric 281 behind the pressure-receiving plate 262. This allows an operator to easily see the state of the electric wires 271 in the cable holding gap 284 and the arrangement of the electric wires 271 from the rear side of the seatback-side cable holding member 280 through the transparent film 282.

[0352] The nonwoven fabric 281 is colored in a different hue or a different density of hue from the pressure plate 262. This allows the pressure plate 262 and the seatback side cable holding member 280 to be clearly distinguished by hue even if they have similar shapes. This makes it easy to distinguish between the pressure plate 262 and the seatback side cable holding member 280 even if they have roughly the same shape, preventing incorrect assembly and improving assembly workability.

[0353] The seatback side cable holding member 280 has a fourth opening 285 at a position corresponding to the electrical device 270. This prevents the seatback side cable holding member 280 from overlapping with the electrical device 270. By providing the fourth opening 285 in the seatback side cable holding member 280, the seatback side cable holding member 280 does not hinder the degree of freedom in arranging the electrical device 270 on the pressure receiving plate 262.

[0354] The fourth opening 285 of the seatback-side cable holding member 280 can be easily formed using a punch press, a blade, or the like, and the formation of this fourth opening 285 prevents the seatback-side cable holding member 280 from interfering with the electrical device 270. This reduces the restriction imposed by the seatback-side cable holding member 280 on the arrangement of the electrical device 270 provided in the seatback 203, and increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the electrical device 270 in the seatback 203.

[0355] The fixing portion of the seatback side cable holding member 280 to the pressure receiving plate 262 using the mounting fixture 286 is also provided on the outer circumferential edge of the fourth opening 285. This prevents the outer circumferential edge of the fourth opening 285 of the seatback side cable holding member 280 from separating from the pressure receiving plate 262, and the attachment of the seatback side cable holding member 280 to the pressure receiving plate 216 is strengthened.

[0356] 22 , the nonwoven fabric 281 and the transparent film 282 are welded to each other by a welding portion 285A at the outer edge of the fourth opening 285. This reinforces the periphery of the fourth opening 285 of the seatback side cable holding member 280 and prevents the electric wire 271 from protruding out of the fourth opening 285.

[0357] Seventh Embodiment Figures 23 to 25 show a vehicle seat 201 according to a seventh embodiment. In Figures 23 to 25, parts corresponding to those in Figures 16 to 22 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in Figures 16 to 22, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0358] The vehicle seat 201 according to the seventh embodiment has a connecting cable holding member 290 that connects the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and the seat back side cable holding member 280. The seat cushion side cable holding member 240, the seat back side cable holding member 280, and the connecting cable holding member 290 have an integral structure.

[0359] The seat cushion side cable holding member 240, the seat back side cable holding member 280, and the connecting portion cable holding member 290 are integrally formed, which reduces the number of parts.

[0360] As shown in FIG. 25 , the connection portion cable holding member 290 has a nonwoven fabric 291 and a transparent film 292 welded to each other at both side edges by welding portions 293, and defines a cable holding gap 294 between the nonwoven fabric 291 and the transparent film 292.

[0361] The cable retention gap 294 is in communication with both the cable retention gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable retention member 240 and the cable retention gap 284 of the seat back side cable retention member 280. In other words, the cable retention gap 294 connects the cable retention gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable retention member 240 and the cable retention gap 284 of the seat back side cable retention member 280 in communication with each other.

[0362] The cable retaining gap 294 accommodates the electric wires 245 and 271 extending from the cable retaining gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable retaining member 240 and the cable retaining gap 284 of the seat back side cable retaining member 280 .

[0363] The connecting portion cable holding member 290 is flexible, extends slackly from the rear edge of the seatback side cable holding member 280 behind the rear cross member 214 and the connecting rod 276, and is connected to the lower edge of the seatback side cable holding member 280. This prevents tension from acting on the connecting portion cable holding member 290 when the seatback 203 tilts relative to the seat cushion 202.

[0364] The connecting portion cable holding member 290 is formed with a fifth opening 295 (see FIG. 25 ) for adjusting the flexibility of the connecting portion cable holding member 290. The nonwoven fabric 291 and the transparent film 292 are welded to each other at a welding portion 295A around the outer edge of the fifth opening 295. This reinforces the periphery of the fifth opening 295 of the connecting portion cable holding member 290 and prevents the electric wires 245, 271 from protruding outside through the fifth opening 295.

[0365] The electric wires 245, 271 housed in the cable holding gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and the cable holding gap 284 of the seat back side cable holding member 280 can pass through the cable holding gap 294 of the connecting portion cable holding member 290 to reach one of the cable holding gaps 244, 284 or the other.

[0366] This allows wiring to be easily performed even when wiring for the electrical devices 270 and the like provided on the seat cushion 202 and the seat back 203 spans the seat cushion 202 and the seat back 203. In other words, wiring for the electrical devices 270 and the like provided on the vehicle seat 201 can be easily performed across the seat cushion 202 and the seat back 203.

[0367] As shown in Figure 25, the connection cable holding member 290 may be separate from the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and the seat back side cable holding member 280, and may be joined to the seat cushion side cable holding member 240 and the seat back side cable holding member 280 by adhesive tapes 298, 299, etc.

[0368] In this case as well, the cable holding gap 244 of the seat cushion side cable holding member 240, the cable holding gap 284 of the seat back side cable holding member 280, and the cable holding gap 294 of the connecting portion cable holding member 290 are in communication with each other.

[0369] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified in a wide variety of ways.

[0370] For example, the two sheet-like members of each of the cable holding members 240, 280, 290 may both be made of resin film or may be made of the same material. In this case, one sheet-like member may be folded so as to overlap and welded at the outer edges.

[0371] The electrical devices provided in the seat cushion 202 and the seat back 203 are not limited to electrical devices 270 such as the seating sensor 220, the electric fan device 226, the electric air pressure regulating valve, the electromagnetic switching valve, etc., but may also be temperature control devices, sound devices, massage devices, etc.

[0372] <Seat 301> First, the seat 301 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 30. The seat 301 is mounted in an automobile. As shown in Figure 27, the seat 301 has slide rails 303 connected to the floor 302 of the automobile and a seat body 304 supported by the slide rails 303. The slide rails 303 have left and right rails 306 (lower rails) connected to the floor 302, and left and right sliders 307 (upper rails) slidably supported on the left and right rails 306, respectively. Each rail 306 extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0373] The seat body 304 has a seat cushion 311 that supports the buttocks of the occupant from below, a seat back 312 that supports the back of the occupant from behind, and a headrest provided on the upper part of the seat back 312.

[0374] The seat body 304 includes a seat frame 313, a pad supported by the seat frame 313, and a cover material covering the surface of the pad. The seat frame 313 includes a seat cushion frame 313A that constitutes the seat cushion 311, and a seat back frame 313B that constitutes the seat back 312.

[0375] The seat cushion frame 313A includes left and right seat cushion side members 321 extending in the front-rear direction, a front member 322 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the front ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 321, and a rear member 323 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the rear ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 321. The front member 322 may be a pan frame formed in a flat plate shape. The left and right seat cushion side members 321 are connected to the corresponding sliders 307 on the left and right.

[0376] The seatback frame 313B has left and right seatback side members 326 that extend vertically, an upper member 327 that extends horizontally and is joined to the upper ends of the left and right seatback side members 326, a lower member 328 that extends horizontally and is joined to the lower ends of the left and right seatback side members 326, and an intermediate member 329 that extends horizontally below the upper member 327 and is joined to intermediate portions of the left and right seatback side members 326. The upper member 327 is provided with a pair of headrest guides 330 for supporting headrest pillars (not shown).

[0377] <Reclining Mechanism R> As shown in FIG. 28 , the lower ends of the left and right seatback side members 326 are supported by the rear ends of the corresponding left and right seat cushion side members 321 via the reclining mechanism R. The reclining mechanism R has a known structure. The reclining mechanism R includes an electric actuator 335 provided on the seatback frame 313B, a pair of reclining devices 336 fixed to the seat cushion frame 313A and the seatback frame 313B, and a transmission shaft 337 that transmits the driving force of the electric actuator 335 to the left and right reclining devices 336. As shown in FIG. 29 , a first through-hole 326a is provided at the lower end of each seatback side member 326. A second through-hole 321a is also provided at the rear end of each seat cushion side member 321 at a position aligned with the corresponding first through-hole 326a. The transmission shaft 337 is an example of a shaft member.

[0378] <Electric Actuator 335> As shown in FIG. 28 , the electric actuator 335 has an electric motor 340 that generates power in response to the supply of electric power, and a reduction gear 341 that reduces the speed of the rotational output output from the electric motor 340 and applies a driving force to the transmission shaft 337.

[0379] The reduction gear 341 includes, for example, a worm provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 340, a wheel that meshes with the worm, an output portion 345 that meshes with the wheel, and a case 346 that rotatably houses the worm, the wheel, and the output portion 345. The output portion 345 may be formed by a spur gear. In another example, the wheel may constitute the output portion 345, or the wheel and the output portion 345 may be connected via a gear mechanism or the like.

[0380] The output portion 345 is provided with an insertion hole 345a into which the transmission shaft 337 is inserted. The insertion hole 345a passes through the output portion 345 along the rotation axis of the output portion 345. The transmission shaft 337 is fitted into the insertion hole 345a so as not to rotate. For example, splines that fit into each other may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 345a and the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft 337.

[0381] The case 346 is fixed to the seatback frame 313B with fasteners such as bolts (not shown). In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 27 and 28, the electric actuator 335 is provided on the inner surface of one of the seatback side members 326. In other embodiments, the electric actuator 335 may be provided on the outer surface of the seatback side member 326.

[0382] <Reclining Device 336> The reclining device 336 supports the seat back frame 313B relative to the seat cushion frame 313A. The reclining device 336 is configured to be able to change the angle of the seat back frame 313B relative to the seat cushion frame 313A (hereinafter referred to as the tilt angle). The reclining device 336 may be, for example, a Taumel-type reclining mechanism R. The reclining device 336 will be described with reference to Figures 29 and 30. The reclining device 336 includes an external gear 350 fixed to the seat back frame 313B, an internal gear 351 fixed to the seat cushion frame 313A, a presser member 352 fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear 351 and sandwiching the external gear 350 together with the internal gear 351, and a plate 353 for transmitting the biasing force of a push nut 360 (described later) to the internal gear 351. The internal gear 351 has internal teeth formed on its inner wall that mesh with the external teeth of the external gear 350. As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the seat back frame 313B and the external gear 350, and the seat cushion frame 313A and the internal gear 351 are each fixed by welding. The external gear 350, the internal gear 351, the pressing member 352, and the plate 353 all have a substantially circular disk-shaped outer shape. The pressing member 352 and the plate 353 are each formed with a first opening 352a and a second opening 353a through which the transmission shaft 337 passes in the thickness direction.

[0383] A cylindrical portion 350a extending toward the internal gear 351 is formed at the center of the external gear 350. An insertion hole 351a is formed at the center of the internal gear 351. The cylindrical portion 350a of the external gear 350 is inserted into the insertion hole 351a of the internal gear 351.

[0384] A cam member 355 is disposed within a cylindrical hole 350b of the cylindrical portion 350a of the external gear 350. The cam member 355 includes a cylindrical portion 355a and a flange portion 355b extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion 355a. The flange portion 355b further includes an extension portion 355c, the peripheral edge of which extends in the direction of extension of the cylindrical portion 355a. A coupling hole 355d into which the transmission shaft 337 is inserted is formed in the cylindrical portion 355a of the cam member 355. The cam member 355 and the transmission shaft 337 are non-rotatably engaged with each other. That is, the driving force of the electric actuator 335 is input to the cam member 355 via the transmission shaft 337. For example, the inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 355d of the cam member 355 and the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft 337 may be formed with splines that fit together. The cam member 355 is an example of an input portion.

[0385] The cam member 355 is configured so that the position of the external gear 350 relative to the internal gear 351 can be changed via a cam mechanism (not shown) by inputting a driving force from the electric actuator 335. Specifically, in normal operation, the external gear 350 and the internal gear 351 of the reclining device 336 are meshed with each other, thereby prohibiting relative movement between the internal gear 351 and the cam member 355. Therefore, the tilt angle is fixed. In other words, the reclining device 336 is in a locked state.

[0386] On the other hand, when the driving force of the electric actuator 335 is input to the cam member 355 via the transmission shaft 337, the extension 355c of the cam member 355 transmits the power to the external gear 350 via the cam mechanism, changing the position of the external gear 350 relative to the internal gear 351. This causes the meshing position between the internal gear 351 and the external gear 350 to move, causing relative motion between the internal gear 351 and the cam member 355, thereby changing the tilt angle. In other words, the reclining device 336 enters an unlocked state.

[0387] <Transmission Shaft 337> The transmission shaft 337 extends left and right and passes through the output portion 345 of the electric actuator 335 and the cam members 355 of the left and right reclining devices 336. As shown in Figure 29, the transmission shaft 337 is a splined shaft with a plurality of grooves on its outer periphery, and is non-rotatably engaged with the output portion 345 of the electric actuator 335 and the cam members 355 of the left and right reclining devices 336.

[0388] The left and right ends of the transmission shaft 337 protrude outward to the left and right from the left and right reclining devices 336, and a push nut 360 is attached to each of the left and right ends of the transmission shaft 337. The left and right push nuts 360 are positioned so as to abut against the plates 353 of the left and right reclining devices 336. In addition, circumferential engagement grooves 337a are formed near the left and right ends of the transmission shaft 337, into which the push nuts 360 engage.

[0389] <Push Nut 360> Next, a push nut 360 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The push nut 360 is configured to be able to engage with the transmission shaft 337, which is an axial member. Specifically, the push nut 360 includes an annular portion 361 into which the transmission shaft 337 is inserted, and a plurality of pawls 362 extending from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 361 toward the axis of the annular portion 361. The push nut 360 is made of metal, for example, iron.

[0390] The inner diameter of the annular portion 361 is larger than the diameter of the transmission shaft 337 (see FIG. 30). The multiple claws 362 are formed in a rotationally symmetrical shape centered on the axis of the annular portion 361. In this embodiment, three claws 362 are formed, but this is not limited to this, and the number of claws 362 is not particularly limited. Each claw 362 has a beam portion 363 that can engage with the transmission shaft 337 at its tip edge 363a, and a tab 364 that protrudes laterally from the beam portion 363.

[0391] The beam portion 363 has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and the length of the beam portion 363 in the extension direction is longer than the width of the annular portion 361 in the radial direction. Furthermore, the tip edge 363a of the beam portion 363 is recessed in an arc shape centered on the axis of the annular portion 361. As a result, when the push nut 360 is attached to the transmission shaft 337, the tip edge 363a of the beam portion 363 and the transmission shaft 337 engage over a wide range. This allows the push nut 360 and the transmission shaft 337 to be firmly engaged with each other.

[0392] The tab 364 is provided on the tip end 363A of the beam portion 363. Specifically, the tab 364 is integrally provided on the beam portion 363 so as to extend rightward from the tip edge 363a of the beam portion 363. Therefore, in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361, the length including the tip end 363A and the tab 364 is longer than the length of the base portion 363B. In other words, the push nut 360 has a gap between the pair of claws 362, and the length of this gap in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361 is longest between the base portions 363B. Meanwhile, the circumferential length between the tip end 363A and the tab 364 is shorter than the length between the base portions 363B. Furthermore, the beam portion 363 may be generally trapezoidal in plan view, with the side edge where the tab 364 is not formed widening in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361 toward the base portion 363B of the beam portion 363. In this case, the gap between the pair of claws 362 may be formed such that the length between the base portions 363B in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361 is shorter than the length between the tip portion 363A and the tab 364.

[0393] In this embodiment, the tab 364 has a tapered shape that narrows in the protruding direction in a plan view, but is not limited to this and may have a substantially rectangular shape. The tab 364 may also be provided between the tip 363A and the base 363B of the beam 363. Furthermore, the tab 364 may be provided so as to protrude from the left side of the beam 363, or each claw 362 may have a tab 364 that protrudes to a different side.

[0394] 31 , the tab 364, the base 363B of the beam 363, and the annular portion 361 form a recess 365 that is recessed in the circumferential direction around the axis. In this embodiment, the tip 363A and base 363B of the beam 363 have approximately the same width in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361. In other embodiments, the base 363B of the beam 363 may be formed shorter than the tip 363A in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 361. In this case, the recess 365 is formed so as to cut out the beam 363.

[0395] 32 , each beam portion 363 is arranged on an imaginary conical surface centered on the axis of the annular portion 361. The tip edges 363a of the multiple beam portions 363 are arranged on approximately the same circumference on the side surface. The diameter of the circle is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the transmission shaft 337. As a result, when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted, each claw is elastically deformed so as to protrude in a direction away from the axis of the transmission shaft 337. Therefore, the tip edges 363a of the multiple beam portions 363 engage with the transmission shaft 337 due to a restoring force.

[0396] 33, the tabs 364 protrude outward from the imaginary conical surface. That is, when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted, the tabs 364 are disposed so as to be spaced apart from the transmission shaft 337.

[0397] The push nut 360 is manufactured, for example, by performing a press process (punching and forming, etc.) on a plate-shaped metal material. In this case, it is preferable that each tab 364 is bent in a direction away from the transmission shaft 337 when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted. This allows the tab 364 to protrude in a direction away from the transmission shaft 337 when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted. Furthermore, it is preferable that the length of the tab 364 in the protruding direction during the press process is long enough so that the tab 364 does not come into contact with other adjacent claws 362. This allows the push nut 360 to be manufactured from a single metal plate.

[0398] <Method of Assembling Seat Frame 313> A method of assembling the seat frame 313 using the push nuts 360 will now be described. First, the worker places the reclining device 336 between the lower end of each of the left and right seatback side members 326 and the rear end of the corresponding seat cushion side member 321. Then, the worker fixes the seatback frame 313B and the external gear 350, and the seat cushion frame 313A and the internal gear 351 by welding (see FIG. 29 ).

[0399] Next, the worker temporarily fastens the electric actuator 335 to the seatback frame 313B using fasteners such as bolts. After that, the worker inserts the transmission shaft 337 so that it passes through one of the seat cushion side members 321, the reclining device 336, and the seatback side member 326. Specifically, the transmission shaft 337 is inserted into the second through-hole 321a of the seat cushion side member 321, the connecting hole 355d of the cam member 355, and the first through-hole 326a of the seatback side member 326.

[0400] Next, the worker inserts the transmission shaft 337 into the electric actuator 335. Specifically, the transmission shaft 337 is inserted into the insertion hole 345a of the output portion 345 of the electric actuator 335.

[0401] Next, the worker inserts the transmission shaft 337 so that it penetrates the other seatback side member 326, the reclining device 336, and the seat cushion side member 321. In this case, as shown in Figure 29, the transmission shaft 337 protrudes outward to the left and right from the left and right reclining devices 336. This connects the seat cushion frame 313A, the seatback frame 313B, and the pair of reclining devices 336 via the transmission shaft 337.

[0402] Next, the worker inserts push nuts 360 onto the left and right ends of the transmission shaft 337. Specifically, the worker inserts the push nut 360 into the transmission shaft 337 while elastically deforming the claws 362 of the push nut 360 so that they protrude outward to the left and right and away from the axis of the transmission shaft 337. As a result, the claws 362 engage with the transmission shaft 337 due to their restoring force. In this case, the push nut 360 is inserted to a position where it is in close contact with the outer surfaces of the left and right reclining devices 336, i.e., the plates 353. This restricts axial movement of the transmission shaft 337 of each reclining device 336, i.e., outward to the left and right. Furthermore, at this position, the tip edges 363a of the beam portions 363 of the push nut 360 engage with the engagement grooves 337a of the transmission shaft 337. This prevents the push nut 360 from falling off the transmission shaft 337. In this case, the tip edge 363a of the beam portion 363 fits into the engagement groove 337a of the transmission shaft 337, so the worker can get a sense of fitting the push nut 360, and the push nut 360 can be easily positioned.

[0403] Next, the worker fully tightens the electric actuator 335, which has been loosely fastened to the seat back frame 313B, to the seat back frame 313B, thereby completing the assembly of the seat frame 313.

[0404] <Method of Removing Push Nut 360> Next, a method of removing the push nut 360 engaged with the transmission shaft 337 will be described. First, the worker pinches the tab 364 of the push nut 360 with a tool capable of gripping an object, such as pliers, and then bends the claws 362 in a direction away from the transmission shaft 337. By performing this operation on each of the claws 362, the engagement between the transmission shaft 337 and the push nut 360 is released. The worker then removes the push nut 360 from the transmission shaft 337.

[0405] <Effects> At least one of the multiple claws 362 of the push nut 360 further has a tab 364 protruding laterally from the beam portion 363. This allows a worker to grip the tab 364 with a tool to bend the claw 362 when removing the push nut 360 from the transmission shaft 337. Therefore, the worker can easily remove the push nut 360 from the transmission shaft 337 without inserting a tool into the gap between the claw 362 and the transmission shaft 337. Furthermore, using the push nut 360 in a vehicle seat can provide a vehicle seat that is easy to dismantle. Specifically, the worker can remove the push nut 360 by gripping the tab 364 with a tool and removing the push nut 360, thereby extracting the transmission shaft 337 from the seat cushion frame 313A, the seat back frame 313B, and the reclining device 336.

[0406] The plurality of claws 362 are formed in a rotationally symmetrical shape about the axis, which prevents the tabs 364 from interfering with each other.

[0407] The tab 364 is provided at the tip 363A of the beam 363. This increases the distance between the tip 363A, which is the point of force, and the base 363B of the beam 363, which is the fulcrum, so that the operator can bend the claw 362 with less force.

[0408] The tab 364, the base 363B of the beam 363, and the annular portion 361 form a recess 365 that is recessed in the circumferential direction around the axis. This reduces the circumferential width of the base 363B of the beam 363, making the rigidity of the base 363B lower than the rigidity of the tip 363A. This allows an operator to easily bend the base 363B of the beam 363.

[0409] The beam portions 363 are arranged on an imaginary conical surface centered on the axis of the annular portion 361, and the tabs 364 protrude outward from the imaginary conical surface. That is, when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted, each tab 364 protrudes in a direction away from the transmission shaft 337. This makes it easy for an operator to grip the tab 364 with a tool.

[0410] The length of each beam portion 363 in the extension direction is longer than the width in the radial direction of the annular portion 361. This allows the beam portion 363 and the tab 364 to have a predetermined length, making it easy for an operator to bend the claw 362.

[0411] Each tab 364 is bent in a direction away from the transmission shaft 337 when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted. That is, each tab 364 is spaced apart from the transmission shaft 337. This makes it easy for an operator to grasp the tab 364 with a tool.

[0412] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, the transmission shaft 337 is not limited to a spline shaft and may have a hexagonal cross section. In this case, the insertion hole 345a of the output portion 345 of the electric actuator 335 and the coupling hole 355d of the cam member 355 may have a hexagonal shape corresponding to the transmission shaft 337. While the reclining device 336 has been described as employing a Taumel-type reclining mechanism R, it is not limited to this. The reclining device 336 may have a known reclining mechanism including a spiral spring.

[0413] Furthermore, the push nut 360 may be formed in a flat plate shape when not inserted into the transmission shaft 337. In this case, when the transmission shaft 337 is inserted into the annular portion 361, each beam portion 363 may be deformed to protrude in the insertion direction of the transmission shaft 337 and be arranged on an imaginary conical surface. In this embodiment, all of the claws 362 have the tabs 364, but in other embodiments, at least one claw 362 may have the tab 364 and the other claws may have only the beam portions 363.

[0414] In this embodiment, the seat 301 mounted in an automobile has been described as an example of a vehicle seat, but the vehicle seat is not limited to automobiles. For example, the vehicle seat may also be applied to a seat mounted in a ground-traveling vehicle having wheels, such as a train, or an aircraft or ship that moves other than on land.

[0415] In addition, the specific configuration, arrangement, quantity, material, etc. of each member or part can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the above embodiments are essential and can be selected as appropriate.

[0416] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle seat 2: Seat cushion 3: Seat back 7: Seat cushion frame 8: Seat cushion pressure-receiving member 20: Seat back frame 21: Seat back pressure-receiving member 31: Wire 32: Plate 32A: Surface 32B: Back 32C: Outer edge 33: Heater (electrical device) 40: Vibration generator (electrical device) 41: Control device (electrical device) 43: Device connecting member 45: Device connecting member 50: Cable 52: Cable support member 52A: Outer edge 53: Sheet-shaped member (nonwoven fabric) 53A: Outer edge 54: Sheet-shaped member (film) 54A: Outer edge 57: First through-hole (fixing portion) 59: First through-hole (fixing portion) 63: Clip (fixing device) 63B : Locking part

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a frame; a pressure-receiving member supported by the frame and supporting an occupant; and a cable support member provided on the pressure-receiving member and supporting a cable, wherein the cable support member is formed by overlapping flexible sheet-like members so as to sandwich the cable.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the cable support member is provided on the back surface of the pressure-receiving member opposite the front surface that supports the seated occupant.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable support member has an outer edge that follows the outer edge of the pressure-receiving member.

4. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable support member is formed into a flat bag shape by joining the outer edges of two of the sheet-like members together.

5. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable support member has fixing portions for fixing to the pressure-receiving member at a plurality of positions spaced apart from one another, and has a degree of flexibility when fixed to the pressure-receiving member.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein each of the fixing portions has a first through hole, and the cable support member is fixed to the pressure-receiving member by a fixing device that passes through the first through hole and is coupled to the pressure-receiving member.

7. A vehicle seat as described in claim 6, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a recess recessed from the surface supporting the seated occupant toward the back surface, and a second through-hole formed at the bottom of the recess, and the fixing device has a locking portion that locks onto the edge of the second through-hole and is housed in the recess.

8. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure-receiving member comprises a wire attached to the frame and a plate supported by the wire, and the cable support member is arranged so as not to overlap the wire when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate.

9. A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein the two sheet-like members comprise a nonwoven fabric and a resin film, and the outer edges of the nonwoven fabric and the outer edges of the film are welded together.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein the film is made of a transparent resin that is transparent to visible light.

Images