Vehicle seat

Abstract

A vehicle seat (1), in which a seatback can be assuredly moved up and down, comprises: a base member (4) that is supported on a floor (F) of a vehicle; a cushion frame (11) that is supported on the base member (4) via a link (11A) so as to be movable up and down; a drive device (18) that is connected to the base member (4) and the cushion frame (11), and that moves the cushion frame (11) up and down relative to the base member (4); and a plate-like pressure-receiving member (13) that is stretched over the cushion frame (11) to support the load of a seated person. The pressure-receiving member (13) has a cutout (51B) that is spaced away from the drive device (18) at the outer periphery of the drive device (18).

Description

Vehicle seats

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

[0002] Vehicle seats with a seat cushion that can be moved up and down are known. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP-A-2005-102626) describes a vehicle seat having a drive device that moves a cushion frame up and down. Here, the drive device is attached to the cushion frame.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2024 / 0140275

[0004] However, the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 does not include any cushion pad or other support member for supporting the seated occupant. In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, the cushion pad or other support member for supporting the seated occupant may inhibit the drive device from moving the cushion frame up and down. Therefore, in the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, the seat cushion may not be able to move up and down reliably.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which the seat cushion can be reliably moved up and down.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising: a base member (4) supported on a floor (F) of the vehicle; a cushion frame (11) supported on the base member via a link (11A) so as to be movable up and down; a drive device (18) connected to the base member and the cushion frame and for moving the cushion frame up and down relative to the base member; and a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member (13) hung across the cushion frame and for supporting the weight of a seated occupant, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a cutout portion (51B) on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device.

[0007] According to this aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a notch on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device. Therefore, the pressure-receiving member is reliably spaced apart from the drive device. This prevents the pressure-receiving member from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device. Consequently, the pressure-receiving member is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion. This allows the seat cushion to be reliably moved up and down. Therefore, a vehicle seat can be provided in which the seat cushion can be reliably moved up and down.

[0008] In the above aspect, the cutout portion may receive at least a part of the drive device.

[0009] According to this aspect, the cutout portion is disposed on the outer periphery of the drive device, and when a load is applied to the outer periphery of the drive device, the pressure-receiving member can appropriately receive the load.

[0010] In the above aspect, the drive device has a case (61) supported on the cushion frame, a nut (62) rotatably supported on the case, an actuator (63) connected to the case and generating a driving force to rotate the nut, and a screw shaft (64) threadedly engaged with the nut, extending vertically, and rotatably connected at its lower end to the base member, and the cutout portion may receive at least a portion of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

[0011] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the gap between the cushion frame and the pressure-receiving member, while preventing the pressure-receiving member from coming into contact with the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device.

[0012] In the above aspect, the cutout portion may receive all of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

[0013] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the gap between the cushion frame and the pressure-receiving member, while preventing the pressure-receiving member from coming into contact with the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device.

[0014] In the above aspect, the cushion frame has left and right cushion side members (21) extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front member (23) extending left and right and connecting the front ends of the left and right cushion side members, and a rear member (24) extending left and right and connecting the rear ends of the left and right cushion side members, the case is supported by the rear member, the pressure-receiving member includes a pressure-receiving plate (51) and an elastic member (52) stretched between the front member and the rear member and supporting the pressure-receiving plate, and the case and the elastic member are preferably spaced apart from each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0015] According to this aspect, the case and the elastic member are supported by the rear member. Since the case and the elastic member of the pressure-receiving member are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, the force that the rear member receives from the case and the elastic member is dispersed. This allows the rear member to more stably support the case and the elastic member.

[0016] In the above aspect, the vehicle seat further includes a blower device (15) having a blower fan (15A) that blows air and a duct (15B) extending from the blower fan, and at least one of the blower fan or the duct is arranged on one of the left and right sides of the pressure-receiving member, and the drive device is arranged on the other of the left and right sides of the pressure-receiving member.

[0017] According to this aspect, the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit are disposed in a dispersed manner, which distributes the force applied to the cushion frame to support the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit, thereby stably supporting the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit on the cushion frame.

[0018] In the above aspect, at least a portion of the duct may be disposed outward in the seat width direction from the blower fan.

[0019] According to this aspect, the duct is disposed on the outer side of the blower fan in the seat width direction, which makes it easy to attach the duct.

[0020] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cushion frame further includes a cover member (14) that covers a portion of the surface of the cushion frame, and the cover member has a cover cutout portion (14C) that is spaced apart from the drive device on the outer periphery of the drive device.

[0021] According to this aspect, the cover member is prevented from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device, and the cover member is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion, thereby ensuring the up and down movement of the seat cushion.

[0022] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the device further includes a cushion pad (5A) supported by the cushion frame, and the cushion pad has a pad cutout portion (5C) on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device.

[0023] According to this aspect, the cushion pad is prevented from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device, and therefore the cushion pad is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion, so that the seat cushion can be reliably moved up and down.

[0024] In the above aspect, the seat may further include a pressure sensor (4A) provided under the base member for detecting the load of the seated occupant, and the drive device may be positioned so as not to overlap with the pressure sensor when viewed from above.

[0025] According to this aspect, since the load from the cushion frame is concentrated on the drive unit, if the pressure sensor and the drive unit were positioned to overlap when viewed from above, an error in the detection by the pressure sensor may occur. However, since the drive unit is positioned so as not to overlap with the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor can properly detect the load of the seated person.

[0026] In the above aspect, the pressure sensor has a connector (4H) connected to a wire harness (4G) extending from the pressure sensor, and the connector is preferably positioned at a position away from the side of the pressure sensor on which the drive device is located.

[0027] According to this aspect, the connector is disposed at a position on the pressure sensor away from the side where the drive device is disposed, which allows the wire harness to be attached to the connector on the side of the pressure sensor where the drive device is not present, making it easy to attach the wire harness to the pressure sensor.

[0028] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) comprising: a base member (4) supported on a floor (F) of the vehicle; a cushion frame (11) supported on the base member via a link (11A) so as to be movable up and down; a drive device (18) connected to the base member and the cushion frame and for moving the cushion frame up and down relative to the base member; and a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member (13) hung across the cushion frame and for supporting the weight of a seated occupant, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a cutout portion (51B) on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device.

[0029] According to this aspect, the pressure-receiving member has a notch on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device. Therefore, the pressure-receiving member is reliably spaced apart from the drive device. This prevents the pressure-receiving member from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device. Consequently, the pressure-receiving member is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion. This allows the seat cushion to be reliably moved up and down. Therefore, a vehicle seat can be provided in which the seat cushion can be reliably moved up and down.

[0030] In the above aspect, the cutout portion may receive at least a part of the drive device.

[0031] According to this aspect, the cutout portion is disposed on the outer periphery of the drive device, and when a load is applied to the outer periphery of the drive device, the pressure-receiving member can appropriately receive the load.

[0032] In the above aspect, the drive device has a case (61) supported on the cushion frame, a nut (62) rotatably supported on the case, an actuator (63) connected to the case and generating a driving force to rotate the nut, and a screw shaft (64) threadedly engaged with the nut, extending vertically, and rotatably connected at its lower end to the base member, and the cutout portion may receive at least a portion of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

[0033] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the gap between the cushion frame and the pressure-receiving member, while preventing the pressure-receiving member from coming into contact with the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device.

[0034] In the above aspect, the cutout portion may receive all of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

[0035] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the gap between the cushion frame and the pressure-receiving member, while preventing the pressure-receiving member from coming into contact with the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device.

[0036] In the above aspect, the cushion frame has left and right cushion side members (21) extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front member (23) extending left and right and connecting the front ends of the left and right cushion side members, and a rear member (24) extending left and right and connecting the rear ends of the left and right cushion side members, the case is supported by the rear member, the pressure-receiving member includes a pressure-receiving plate (51) and an elastic member (52) stretched between the front member and the rear member and supporting the pressure-receiving plate, and the case and the elastic member are preferably spaced apart from each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0037] According to this aspect, the case and the elastic member are supported by the rear member. Since the case and the elastic member of the pressure-receiving member are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, the force that the rear member receives from the case and the elastic member is dispersed. This allows the rear member to more stably support the case and the elastic member.

[0038] In the above aspect, the vehicle seat further includes a blower device (15) having a blower fan (15A) that blows air and a duct (15B) extending from the blower fan, and at least one of the blower fan or the duct is arranged on one of the left and right sides of the pressure-receiving member, and the drive device is arranged on the other of the left and right sides of the pressure-receiving member.

[0039] According to this aspect, the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit are disposed in a dispersed manner, which distributes the force applied to the cushion frame to support the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit, thereby stably supporting the blower fan, the duct, and the drive unit on the cushion frame.

[0040] In the above aspect, at least a portion of the duct may be disposed outward in the seat width direction from the blower fan.

[0041] According to this aspect, the duct is disposed on the outer side of the blower fan in the seat width direction, which makes it easy to attach the duct.

[0042] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cushion frame further includes a cover member (14) that covers a portion of the surface of the cushion frame, and the cover member has a cover cutout portion (14C) that is spaced apart from the drive device on the outer periphery of the drive device.

[0043] According to this aspect, the cover member is prevented from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device, and the cover member is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion, thereby ensuring the up and down movement of the seat cushion.

[0044] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the device further includes a cushion pad (5A) supported by the cushion frame, and the cushion pad has a pad cutout portion (5C) on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device.

[0045] According to this aspect, the cushion pad is prevented from contacting the drive device and inhibiting the drive of the drive device, and therefore the cushion pad is prevented from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion, so that the seat cushion can be reliably moved up and down.

[0046] In the above aspect, the seat may further include a pressure sensor (4A) provided under the base member for detecting the load of the seated occupant, and the drive device may be positioned so as not to overlap with the pressure sensor when viewed from above.

[0047] According to this aspect, since the load from the cushion frame is concentrated on the drive unit, if the pressure sensor and the drive unit were positioned to overlap when viewed from above, an error in the detection by the pressure sensor may occur. However, since the drive unit is positioned so as not to overlap with the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor can properly detect the load of the seated person.

[0048] In the above aspect, the pressure sensor has a connector (4H) connected to a wire harness (4G) extending from the pressure sensor, and the connector is preferably positioned at a position away from the side of the pressure sensor on which the drive device is located.

[0049] According to this aspect, the connector is disposed at a position on the pressure sensor away from the side where the drive device is disposed, which allows the wire harness to be attached to the connector on the side of the pressure sensor where the drive device is not present, making it easy to attach the wire harness to the pressure sensor.

[0050] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; a perspective view of a frame; a side view of a base member, a cushion frame, and a drive device; a perspective view of the drive device; side views of a portion of the cushion frame and the drive device, (A) a side view of a portion of the cushion frame and the drive device when the cushion frame is positioned on the lower side, and (B) a side view of a portion of the cushion frame and the drive device when the cushion frame is positioned on the upper side; a plan view of a cushion frame, a first pressure-receiving member, and the drive device; a plan view of a first pressure-receiving member, a cover member, and the drive device; a plan view of a cushion pad and the drive device; a plan view of a cushion frame, a first pressure-receiving member, and the drive device according to a modified example; a plan view of a cushion pad and the drive device according to a modified example; a plan view of a cushion frame, a cushion pad, and the drive device according to a modified example.

[0051] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which a vehicle seat 1 according to the present invention is applied to an automobile (vehicle) will be described. An automobile is one example of a vehicle, and the vehicle seat 1 may also be applied to vehicles such as an airplane or a ship. In the drawings and the following description, the front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction are directions defined based on the position of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 1. Furthermore, the inward direction of the seat (or the seat inner side) is the direction toward the center of the vehicle seat 1 in the left-to-right direction (also referred to as the seat width direction) when viewed from the front. The outward direction of the seat (or the seat outer side) is the direction away from the center of the vehicle seat 1 in the left-to-right direction.

[0052] <Configuration of Vehicle Seat 1 of Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat 1 is provided on a floor F of an automobile. Slide rails 3 are coupled to the floor F. The vehicle seat 1 includes a base member 4 (see Fig. 2) supported on the slide rails 3, a seat cushion 5 supported on the base member 4, a seat back 6 extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion 5, and a headrest 7 provided on an upper portion of the seat back 6. The vehicle seat 1 also includes a frame 8 (see Fig. 2) that forms the framework of the seat cushion 5 and the seat back 6. The seat cushion 5 supports the buttocks of a seated occupant. The seat back 6 supports the back of the seated occupant. The headrest 7 supports the head of the seated occupant.

[0053] The seat cushion 5 has a cushion frame 11 (see FIG. 2) forming a skeleton, a cushion pad 5A (see FIG. 8) supported by the cushion frame 11, and a cover material 5B covering the surface of the pad. The cushion pad 5A has a pad cutout portion 5C (see FIG. 8).

[0054] The seat back 6 has a seat back frame 12 (see FIG. 2 ) that forms the skeleton, a seat back pad (not shown) supported by the seat back frame 12, and a covering material 6A that covers the surface of the seat back pad. The headrest 7 is provided on the upper part of the seat back 6. The frame 8 includes a cushion frame 11 and the seat back frame 12.

[0055] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame 8. As shown in Fig. 2, the cushion frame 11 and the seat back frame 12 are joined together.

[0056] The slide rail 3 includes left and right lower rails 3A connected to the floor F, left and right upper rails 3B slidably supported on the left and right lower rails 3A, respectively, and an actuator (not shown) that moves the left and right upper rails 3B back and forth. The left and right upper rails 3B support a base member 4.

[0057] The base member 4 includes left and right base side members 4B extending longitudinally and supported on the left and right upper rails 3B via front and rear pressure sensors 4A, respectively, and a front cross member 4D and a rear cross member 4F (see FIG. 3) extending laterally and connecting the left and right base side members 4B. Each pressure sensor 4A is provided between the base side member 4B and the upper rail 3B. Each pressure sensor 4A is provided below the base member 4 and detects the load of a seated occupant. Each pressure sensor 4A is connected to a wire harness 4G (see FIG. 3), and the wire harness 4G extends from each pressure sensor 4A. Each pressure sensor 4A has a connector 4H (see FIG. 3) connected to the wire harness 4G.

[0058] A plate-shaped first pressure-receiving member 13 that supports the weight of a seated occupant is suspended across the cushion frame 11. A cover member 14 (see FIG. 7) that covers part of the surface of the cushion frame 11, and an air blower 15 (see FIG. 6) are attached to the cushion frame 11.

[0059] A plate-shaped second pressure-receiving member 16 that supports the weight of a seated occupant is suspended across the seat back frame 12. The cushion frame 11 and the seat back frame 12 are connected to each other via a reclining device 17. The reclining device 17 can change the seat back angle θb, which is the angle of the seat back 6 relative to the seat cushion 5. The reclining device 17 has an angle detection device 17A that detects the seat back angle θb.

[0060] The seat back 6 is also movable up and down relative to the floor F. To enable the seat back 6 to move up and down, the cushion frame 11 is supported on the base member 4 via front and rear links 11A so that it can move up and down. More specifically, the cushion frame 11 is connected to base side members 4B of the base member 4 via the front and rear links 11A. The cushion frame 11 moves up and down as the front and rear links 11A rotate. A drive device 18 that moves the cushion frame 11 up and down relative to the base member 4 is connected to the base member 4 and the cushion frame 11.

[0061] The cushion frame 11 has left and right cushion side members 21, a pan frame 22, a front member 23, and a rear member 24. The left and right cushion side members 21 extend in the front-to-rear direction. Each of the left and right cushion side members 21 is connected to a base side member 4B of the base member 4 via a front and rear link 11A. The pan frame 22 and the front member 23 connect the front sides of the left and right cushion side members 21 together. The front member 23 extends in the left and right directions. The rear member 24 extends in the left and right directions and connects the rear ends of the left and right cushion side members 21 together.

[0062] The seatback frame 12 has left and right back side members 31, an upper member 32, a lower member 33, and a middle member 34. The left and right back side members 31 extend vertically. The upper member 32 extends horizontally and is connected to the upper ends of the left and right back side members 31, respectively. The lower member 33 extends horizontally and is connected to the lower portions 31A of the left and right back side members 31, respectively. The middle member 34 extends horizontally between the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 and is connected to the left and right back side members 31, respectively.

[0063] Each of the left and right back side members 31 is formed by connecting a lower portion 31A formed of a sheet metal member with its surface facing left and right to an upper portion 31B formed of a pipe material. The upper member 32 is also formed of a pipe material. The upper portions 31B of the left and right back side members 31 and the upper member 32 are formed integrally.

[0064] A pair of left and right headrest support members 35 are connected to the front surface of the upper member 32. Each headrest support member 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends vertically. A resin collar (not shown) is attached to each headrest support member 35. A pair of left and right pillars extending from the headrest 7 are inserted into the headrest support members 35 via the collars and are supported by the headrest support members 35.

[0065] An armrest 41 is rotatably provided on the right side surface of the right back side member 31. An airbag unit 42 is provided on the left side surface of the left back side member 31. The airbag unit 42 extends vertically.

[0066] The first pressure-receiving member 13 includes a plate-shaped pressure-receiving plate 51 and a plurality of elastic members 52 that are hung across the cushion frame 11 and support the plate-shaped pressure-receiving plate 51 .

[0067] The pressure plate 51 is made of flexible resin and has a plurality of ribs 51A extending laterally on its underside and notches 51B. Each elastic member 52 is stretched between the front member 23 and the rear member 24, and is coupled to the pressure plate 51 to support it.

[0068] As will be described later, the cover member 14 (see FIG. 7) protects the left and right cushion side members 21 and the rear member 24 of the cushion frame 11. The cover member 14 has cover side portions 14A (see FIG. 7) that cover the upper portions of the left and right cushion side members 21, and a cover rear portion 14B (see FIG. 7) that covers the upper portion of the rear member 24. A cover cutout portion 14C (see FIG. 7) is provided in the cover rear portion 14B.

[0069] As will be described later, the blower device 15 (see FIG. 6 ) includes a blower fan 15A (see FIG. 6 ) that blows air and a duct 15B (see FIG. 6 ) extending from the blower fan 15A. The blower fan 15A may be a centrifugal fan. The blower fan 15A is supported by the front member 23. The duct 15B extends in the front-rear direction and is connected to an air passage (not shown) formed in a seat back pad (not shown). Air discharged from the blower fan 15A flows through the duct 15B and the air passage and flows out through an opening (not shown) in the air passage formed in the seat back pad (not shown).

[0070] The second pressure-receiving member 16 includes a plate-shaped pressure-receiving plate 56 and a plurality of elastic members 57 that are hung across the seat back frame 12 and support the pressure-receiving plate 56 .

[0071] The pressure receiving plate 56 has a plurality of ribs 56A extending laterally on the rear surface thereof. The pressure receiving plate 56 is made of a flexible resin.

[0072] The elastic member 57 is a U-shaped wire spring that is stretched across the middle member 34 and the lower member 33. The left and right upper ends of the elastic member 57 are connected to the left and right ends of the middle member 34. The lower end of the elastic member 57 is connected to the lower member 33. The elastic member 57 is connected to the rear surface of the pressure plate 56. The pressure plate 56 is supported by the elastic member 57 from its rear surface.

[0073] The drive unit 18 is attached to the right end of the rear member 24. The drive unit 18 may also be attached to the left end of the rear member 24.

[0074] Fig. 3 is a side view of the base member 4, cushion frame 11, and drive device 18. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the drive device 18. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the drive device 18 has a case 61, a nut 62, an actuator 63, and a screw shaft 64. As described below, the case 61 is supported by the cushion frame 11. The nut 62 is rotatably supported by the case 61. The actuator 63 is coupled to the case 61 and generates a driving force to rotate the nut 62. The screw shaft 64 is threadedly engaged with the nut 62, extends vertically, and is rotatably connected at its lower end to the base member 4.

[0075] 4 , the case 61 is supported by the rear member 24 of the cushion frame 11. The case 61 may also be supported by one of the left and right cushion side members 21. The case 61 has a connecting portion 66 connected to the rear member 24, a connecting portion 67 rotatably supported by the connecting portion 66, and a box body 68 connected to a lower portion of the connecting portion 67.

[0076] The connecting portion 66 is disposed behind the rear member 24 and has a plate portion 66A formed in a plate shape with its surface facing forward and backward, and a pair of left and right connecting plate portions 66B extending forward from the left and right edges of the plate portion 66A. Each of the pair of left and right connecting plate portions 66B has a through hole 66C through which the rear member 24 is inserted and which is connected to the rear member 24, and a through hole 66D formed in the front end portion of the connecting plate portion 66B.

[0077] The connecting portion 67 has a pair of left and right rotating plates 67A rotatably connected to a pair of left and right connecting plate portions 66B, and a connecting portion 67B connecting the lower sides of the pair of left and right rotating plates 67A. The pair of left and right rotating plates 67A are formed like plates with surfaces facing left and right. The pair of left and right rotating plates 67A are connected to the pair of left and right connecting plate portions 66B. The pair of left and right rotating plates 67A rotate back and forth around a through hole 66D. The connecting portion 67B has a screw hole that threads onto the screw shaft 64. The lower portion of the connecting portion 67B is connected to the box body 68.

[0078] The screw shaft 64 is inserted into the box body 68, and the nut 62 is disposed inside the box body 68. The box body 68 is connected to the actuator 63.

[0079] The nut 62 rotates around the axis of the screw shaft 64 and moves up and down, and comes into contact with the box body 68 .

[0080] The actuator 63 has an electric motor 63A and a shaft 63B connected to the electric motor 63A. The shaft 63B is threadedly engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the nut 62. When the electric motor 63A rotates the shaft 63B, the driving force of the electric motor 63A is transmitted from the shaft 63B to the nut 62, causing the nut 62 to rotate around the axis of the screw shaft 64 and move up and down.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the screw shaft 64 is threadedly engaged with the nut 62, extends vertically, and is connected at its lower end to the rear cross member 4F of the base member 4 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.

[0082] 3, the left and right cushion side members 21 of the cushion frame 11 are connected to the base side members 4B of the base member 4 via the front and rear links 11A. The cushion frame 11 moves up and down as the front and rear links 11A rotate.

[0083] 5A and 5B are side views of a portion of the cushion frame 11 and the drive device 18. Fig. 5A is a side view of a portion of the cushion frame 11 and the drive device 18 when the cushion frame 11 is positioned on the lower side. Fig. 5B is a side view of a portion of the cushion frame 11 and the drive device 18 when the cushion frame 11 is positioned on the upper side. As will be described below, the cushion frame 11 is moved up and down by the drive device 18.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4 , when the electric motor 63A of the actuator 63 rotates the nut 62 together with the shaft 63B, the nut 62 moves up and down along the screw shaft 64 and presses the box body 68 of the case 61 up and down. As a result, the rear member 24 moves up and down together with the case 61. Here, the up and down movement of the rear member 24 causes the cushion frame 11 to move up and down. As a result, the cushion frame 11 moves up and down, as shown in FIG. 5(A) when the cushion frame 11 is positioned on the lower side, and as shown in FIG. 5(B) when the cushion frame 11 is positioned on the upper side. Here, as the cushion frame 11 moves up and down, the front and rear links 11A and the screw shaft 64 rotate back and forth relative to the base member 4. In response to the forward and backward rotation of the screw shaft 64, the actuator 63 and the nut 62 rotate back and forth together with the box body 68 relative to the joint portion 66 of the case 61 (see FIG. 4 ). As a result, the angle of the shaft 63B of the actuator 63 relative to the nut 62 is kept constant regardless of the up and down movement of the cushion frame 11 (seat cushion 5), and the threaded engagement between the nut 62 and the shaft 63B is maintained.

[0085] <Method of Manufacturing Vehicle Seat 1> The method of manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 includes a slide rail preparation step of preparing the slide rail 3, a base member assembling step of assembling the pressure sensor 4A and the base member 4 to the slide rail 3, a base assembling step of assembling the cushion frame 11 to the base member 4, a pressure-receiving member assembling step of assembling the first pressure-receiving member 13 to the cushion frame 11, a drive device assembling step of assembling the drive device 18 to the base member 4 and the cushion frame 11, a cover member assembling step of assembling the cover member 14 to the cushion frame 11, a cushion pad assembling step of assembling the cushion pad 5A to the cushion frame 11, and an air blower assembling step of assembling the air blower 15 to the seat cushion 5. The order in which these steps are performed can be changed.

[0086] <Configuration Accommodating Up-and-Down Movement of the Cushion Frame 11> FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cushion frame 11, the first pressure-receiving member 13, and the drive unit 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the first pressure-receiving member 13 (pressure-receiving member) has a notch 51B on the outer periphery of the drive unit 18, spaced apart from the drive unit 18. The notch 51B accommodates the case 61, the nut 62, the actuator 63, and the screw shaft 64. The case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 of the first pressure-receiving member 13 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. When viewed from above, the drive unit 18 is positioned so as not to overlap with the pressure sensor 4A. A wire harness 4G extends from the pressure sensor 4A, and the pressure sensor 4A has a connector 4H connected to the wire harness 4G. The connector 4H is also positioned on the rear pressure sensor 4A, away from the side where the drive unit 18 is located.

[0087] 7 is a plan view of the first pressure-receiving member 13, the cover member 14, and the drive unit 18. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover member 14 has a cover side portion 14A (see FIG. 7) that covers the upper portions of the left and right cushion side members 21, and a cover rear portion 14B (see FIG. 7) that covers the upper portion of the rear member 24. A cover cutout portion 14C (see FIG. 7) is provided in the cover rear portion 14B. In this way, the cover member 14 has the cover cutout portion 14C that is spaced apart from the drive unit 18 on the outer periphery of the drive unit 18.

[0088] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cushion pad 5A and the driving device 18. As shown in Fig. 8, the cushion pad 5A has a pad cutout portion 5C that is spaced apart from the driving device 18 on the outer periphery of the driving device 18. The pad cutout portion 5C is a recess that is recessed upward from the bottom of the cushion pad 5A.

[0089] <Effects of the Vehicle Seat 1> As shown in Fig. 6 , the first pressure-receiving member 13 (pressure-receiving member) has a notch 51B on the outer periphery of the drive device 18 that is spaced apart from the drive device 18. Therefore, the first pressure-receiving member 13 is reliably spaced apart from the drive device 18. This prevents the first pressure-receiving member 13 from contacting the drive device 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive device 18. Ultimately, this prevents the first pressure-receiving member 13 from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion 5. This ensures that the seat cushion 5 can be moved up and down reliably. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that ensures that the seat cushion 5 can be moved up and down reliably.

[0090] 6, the notch 51B receives at least a part of the drive device 18. As a result, the notch 51B is disposed on the outer periphery of the drive device 18. When a load is applied to the outer periphery of the drive device 18, the first pressure-receiving member 13 can appropriately receive the load.

[0091] 6, the drive device 18 has a case 61, a nut 62, an actuator 63, and a screw shaft 64, and the cutout portion 51B receives at least a portion of the case 61, the nut 62, the actuator 63, and the screw shaft 64. This reduces the gap between the cushion frame 11 and the first pressure-receiving member 13, and prevents the first pressure-receiving member 13 from coming into contact with the drive device 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive device 18.

[0092] The cutout portion 51B receives all of the case 61, the nut 62, the actuator 63, and the screw shaft 64. This reduces the gap between the cushion frame 11 and the first pressure-receiving member 13, and prevents the first pressure-receiving member 13 from contacting the drive device 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive device 18.

[0093] 6 , the case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 of the first pressure-receiving member 13 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 are supported by the rear member 24. Because the case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 of the first pressure-receiving member 13 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, the force that the rear member 24 receives from the case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 is dispersed. This allows the rear member 24 to support the case 61 and the multiple elastic members 52 more stably.

[0094] As shown in Figure 6, at least one of the blower fan 15A and the duct 15B is disposed on the left side (one side) of the first pressure-receiving member 13 (pressure-receiving member), and the drive unit 18 is disposed on the right side (the other side) of the first pressure-receiving member 13 (pressure-receiving member). Therefore, the blower fan 15A, the duct 15B, and the drive unit 18 are disposed in a dispersed manner. This distributes the force applied to the cushion frame 11 to support the blower fan 15A, the duct 15B, and the drive unit 18. This allows the blower fan 15A, the duct 15B, and the drive unit 18 to be stably supported by the cushion frame 11.

[0095] 6, at least a portion of the duct 15B is disposed further outward in the seat width direction than the blower fan 15A. This makes it easier to attach the duct 15B, since the duct 15B is disposed further outward in the seat width direction than the blower fan 15A.

[0096] 7, the cover member 14 has a cover cutout 14C that is spaced apart from the drive unit 18 on the outer periphery of the drive unit 18. This prevents the cover member 14 from coming into contact with the drive unit 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive unit 18. This in turn prevents the cover member 14 from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion 5. This ensures that the seat cushion 5 can be moved up and down.

[0097] 8, the cushion pad 5A has a pad cutout 5C that is spaced apart from the drive unit 18 on the outer periphery of the drive unit 18. This prevents the cushion pad 5A from coming into contact with the drive unit 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive unit 18. This in turn prevents the cushion pad 5A from inhibiting the up and down movement of the seat cushion 5. This allows the seat cushion 5 to be reliably moved up and down.

[0098] 6, the drive unit 18 is disposed in a position where it does not overlap with the pressure sensor 4A when viewed from above. Because the load from the cushion frame 11 is concentrated on the drive unit 18, if the pressure sensor 4A and the drive unit 18 were positioned to overlap when viewed from above, an error may occur in the detection of the pressure sensor 4A. Because the drive unit 18 is disposed in a position where it does not overlap with the pressure sensor 4A, the pressure sensor 4A can properly detect the load of the seated occupant.

[0099] 6, the pressure sensor 4A has a connector 4H connected to a wire harness 4G. The connector 4H is located at a position on the pressure sensor 4A away from the side where the drive device 18 is located. This allows the wire harness 4G to be attached to the connector 4H on the side of the pressure sensor 4A where the drive device 18 is not located, making it easy to attach the wire harness 4G to the pressure sensor 4A.

[0100] <Modification> Fig. 9 is a plan view of the cushion frame 11, the first pressure-receiving member 13, and the drive device 18 according to a modification. As shown in Fig. 9, the vehicle seat 1 according to the modification differs from the vehicle seat 1 according to the embodiment in that the drive device 18 is disposed in the center in the left-right direction. In the following description of the modification, components that are the same as or similar to those in the vehicle seat 1 according to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate detailed description will be omitted.

[0101] 10 is a plan view of the first pressure-receiving member 13, the cover member 14, and the drive device 18 according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 10, the cover cutout portion 14C of the cover member 14 is spaced apart from the drive device 18 on the outer periphery of the drive device 18. This prevents the cover member 14 from coming into contact with the drive device 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive device 18.

[0102] 11 is a plan view of a cushion pad 5A according to a modified example and a drive device 18. As shown in Fig. 8 , the pad cutout portion 5C of the cushion pad 5A is spaced apart from the drive device 18 on the outer periphery of the drive device 18. This prevents the cushion pad 5A from coming into contact with the drive device 18 and inhibiting the drive of the drive device 18.

[0103] This concludes the description of the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above configuration and can be widely modified. Furthermore, the specific configuration, arrangement, and quantity of each component and part can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, some or all of the configurations of the above embodiments may be combined with each other. Meanwhile, not all of the components shown in the above embodiments are necessarily required, and can be selected as appropriate.

[0104] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle seat 4: Base member 4A: Pressure sensor 4G: Wire harness 4H: Connector 5A: Cushion pad 5C: Pad notch 8: Frame 11: Cushion frame 11A: Link 13: First pressure-receiving member (pressure-receiving member) 14: Cover member 14C: Cover notch 15: Blower device 15A: Blower fan 15B: Duct 18: Drive device 21: Cushion side member 23: Front member 24: Rear member 51: Pressure-receiving plate 51B: Notch 52: Elastic member 61: Case 62: Nut 63: Actuator 64: Screw shaft F: Floor

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a base member supported on the floor of the vehicle; a cushion frame supported on the base member via a link so as to be movable up and down; a drive device connected to the base member and the cushion frame and for moving the cushion frame up and down relative to the base member; and a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member hung across the cushion frame and supporting the weight of a seated occupant, wherein the pressure-receiving member has a notch on the outer periphery of the drive device that is spaced apart from the drive device.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein said cutout receives at least a portion of said drive mechanism.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the drive device comprises: a case supported by the cushion frame; a nut rotatably supported by the case; an actuator coupled to the case and generating a drive force to rotate the nut; and a screw shaft threadedly engaged with the nut, extending vertically, and rotatably connected at its lower end to the base member; and the cutout portion receives at least a portion of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the cutout receives all of the case, the nut, the actuator, and the screw shaft.

5. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cushion frame has left and right cushion side members extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front member extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting front ends of the left and right cushion side members, and a rear member extending in the left-to-right direction and connecting rear ends of the left and right cushion side members, the case is supported by the rear member, the pressure receiving member includes a pressure receiving plate and an elastic member stretched between the front member and the rear member and supporting the pressure receiving plate, and the case and the elastic member are spaced apart from each other in the left-to-right direction.

6. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, further comprising a blower device having a blower fan that blows air and a duct extending from said blower fan, wherein at least one of said blower fan or said duct is disposed on one of the left and right sides of said pressure-receiving member, and said drive device is disposed on the other of the left and right sides of said pressure-receiving member.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the duct is disposed outward in the seat width direction from the blower fan.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member that covers a portion of the surface of the cushion frame, the cover member having a cover cutout portion that is spaced apart from the drive device on the outer periphery of the drive device.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a cushion pad supported by the cushion frame, the cushion pad having a pad cutout portion spaced apart from the drive device on the outer periphery of the drive device.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor provided below the base member for detecting the load of the seated occupant, wherein the drive device is positioned so as not to overlap the pressure sensor when viewed from above.

11. The vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor has a connector connected to a wire harness extending from the pressure sensor, and the connector is located at a position away from the side of the pressure sensor on which the drive device is located.

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