JP7480669B2 - Seat device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seat device equipped with multiple centrifugal blowers.

A seat device is known in which two centrifugal fans are arranged side by side under the seat cushion (Patent Document 1).

DE 102011122124 A1

If the distance between the two centrifugal fans is too close, the air blown from each fan may collide with each other, resulting in a decrease in fan performance. Therefore, the present invention provides a seat device that is less likely to experience a decrease in fan performance even when multiple centrifugal fans are placed close to each other.

To solve the above problems, the seat device of the present invention takes the following measures.

That is, the seat device of the present invention is a seat device equipped with multiple centrifugal blowers. This seat device has a blower mounting section to which multiple centrifugal blowers are mounted in a row, and a partition member that separates the respective openings for intake or exhaust that open in the centrifugal direction of adjacent centrifugal blowers.

Here, examples of the "blower mounting portion" include the seat frame, the backing material of the seat pad, and the contact mat that supports the seat pad from the back side. In addition, examples of the "partition member" include members such as boards and cloth that can separate the openings and suppress interference between the wind blown out of or sucked in from each opening.

According to the above configuration, the partition member suppresses interference between the wind blown out or drawn in from each opening that opens in the centrifugal direction of adjacent centrifugal blowers. Therefore, even if multiple centrifugal blowers are placed close to each other, it is possible to prevent a decrease in blowing performance.

The seat device of the present invention may also be configured as follows: Each opening faces each other with a partition member between them.

With the above configuration, even if adjacent centrifugal fans are positioned in a way that makes it easy for their winds to interfere with each other, the partition member can adequately suppress interference between the winds.

The seat device of the present invention may be further configured as follows: The fan mounting portion is attached to the seat frame, and is a bracket to which multiple centrifugal fans are attached to the top plate portion that faces the support portion constituting the seat frame from the seating surface side. A partition member abuts against both the top plate portion and the support portion to separate the openings.

According to the above configuration, the partition member can more appropriately separate the openings of adjacent centrifugal blowers. In addition, the partition member can transmit the load applied from the outside to the top plate portion to the support portion of the seat frame, allowing the load to be appropriately distributed.

The seat device of the present invention may be further configured as follows: The partition member is welded to the top plate portion and is provided so as to abut directly or indirectly against the support portion.

Here, an example of the partition member indirectly contacting the support portion is when the partition member contacts the support portion via a cushioning material such as felt. With the above configuration, the partition member can be set in an appropriately fixed position within the narrow gap between adjacent centrifugal blowers.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a seat device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a further exploded perspective view of FIG. 3. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which air is blown out from the air outlets of adjacent centrifugal fans. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the centrifugal blower and the partition member are attached to the bracket. FIG.

Below, the form for implementing the present invention is explained with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
(General Configuration of Seat Device 1)
First, the configuration of a seat device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each figure. Furthermore, when the term "seat width direction" is used, it refers to the left and right direction of the seat device 1, which will be described later. Furthermore, in the following description, when no specific reference figure is indicated or when the reference figure does not have a reference number, any of Figures 1 to 7 will be appropriately referenced.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seat device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a rear seat of an automobile. More specifically, the seat device 1 is configured as a bench seat that can seat three people on the left and right. The seat device 1 includes a seat back 2 that forms the backrest for the seated person, a seat cushion 3 that forms the seating area, and a headrest (not shown) that serves as a headrest.

The seat cushion 3 has a metal cushion frame 10 that forms the internal framework. The seat cushion 3 also has a urethane foam cushion pad 3P that is attached to the upper part of the cushion frame 10 and elastically supports the weight of a seated person.

The seat cushion 3 also has a fabric cushion cover 3C that covers the entire surface of the cushion pad 3P and forms the exterior surface of the seat cushion 3. Here, the cushion frame 10 corresponds to the "seat frame" of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 2 to 7, a pair of rectangular plate-shaped centrifugal fans 20 that suck in air from the seating surface of the seat cushion 3 and discharge it downward are attached to the front center in the seat width direction, which corresponds to the front part of the central seat part of the cushion frame 10, on the left and right. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, each centrifugal fan 20 is configured such that a duct D is connected to each of its suction ports 21 that open upward.

Each duct D extends from the connection point with each intake port 21 to the left and right, and is connected to ventilation holes (not shown) formed in the left and right back surfaces of the cushion pad 3P in the thickness direction. With the above connection, each centrifugal blower 20 draws air from the left and right seating surfaces of the seat cushion 3 via each duct D. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, each centrifugal blower 20 discharges the above-mentioned drawn air in the centrifugal direction from each elongated air outlet 22 formed on the surrounding side surfaces on all four sides.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plate-shaped partition member 30 is attached between the left and right centrifugal blowers 20 of the cushion frame 10 to form a vertical wall-like partition between the air outlets 22 of each centrifugal blower 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the partition member 30 prevents interference between the air blown out from each air outlet 22 of the centrifugal blowers 20 adjacent to each other on the left and right.

Therefore, even if the centrifugal blowers 20 are arranged close to each other on the left and right, the air blown out from them is rectified so that it does not collide with each other, and each blowing function is not easily deteriorated. Here, each blowing port 22 of each centrifugal blower 20 that opens in a direction facing each other corresponds to the "opening" of the present invention.

(Specific configuration of each part)
The specific configuration of each of the above-mentioned components will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, the cushion frame 10 has a pipe frame 11 that forms a framework in a frame shape in a plan view along the peripheral side surface of the seat cushion 3. The cushion frame 10 also has a reinforcing pipe 12 that is integrally bridged between the left and right side frames of the pipe frame 11 and reinforces the pipe frame 11.

The cushion frame 10 also has a pair of left and right panel-like cushion pans 13 that are integrally spanned between the front and rear frames of the pipe frame 11. Each cushion pan 13 supports from below the right and left seat portions of the cushion pad 3P that is attached to the upper part of the cushion frame 10. The cushion frame 10 also has four legs 14 that support the left and right four points of the front frame of the pipe frame 11 from below against a floor (not shown).

The cushion frame 10 also has a long, panel-like protective frame 15 in the front-rear direction that protects from above a battery (a battery for a hybrid vehicle) that is placed on the floor (not shown). The protective frame 15 is connected to the floor (not shown) and is also integrally bridged across the center of the front and rear frames of the pipe frame 11 in the seat width direction to reinforce the pipe frame 11. Here, the protective frame 15 corresponds to the "support portion" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cushion frame 10 has a bracket 16 that spans between the inner edges of the left and right cushion pans 13 in the seat width direction. The bracket 16 has a flat top plate portion 16A to which each centrifugal blower 20 is attached from below. The bracket 16 also has leg portions 16B that extend downward from the left and right edges of the top plate portion 16A and are welded to abut against each cushion pan 13. Here, the bracket 16 corresponds to the "blower mounting portion" of the present invention.

The bracket 16 is attached with its top plate portion 16A elevated above each cushion pan 13 by each leg portion 16B. As a result, the bracket 16 is positioned with its top plate portion 16A spaced upward from the protective frame 15 that extends in the front-to-rear direction between each cushion pan 13. Accordingly, each centrifugal blower 20 attached to the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16 is also positioned upward from the left and right cushion pans 13 and the protective frame 15.

A pair of centrifugal fans 20 are attached integrally to the underside of the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16. With this attachment, each centrifugal fan 20 is set in a state in which its upwardly opening suction port 21 is connected to each of the corresponding circular connection ports 16C opened in the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16.

The cushion frame 10 also has a flat reinforcing panel 17 that is set in an overlapping manner on the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the reinforcing panel 17 is set in an overlapping manner on the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16, and the left and right edges of the reinforcing panel 17 are integrally fastened to the top plate portion 16A by screws (not shown).

The left and right edges of the reinforcing panel 17 are welded to abut against a wire frame (not shown) that is integrally joined to the cushion frame 10. With the above assembly, the reinforcing panel 17 is set in a state in which the circular connection ports 17A drilled at two locations on the left and right sides of the panel are overlapped and communicated with the corresponding connection ports 16C formed in the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16. Then, the connection ports of the ducts D are inserted from above into the overlapped connection ports 17A, 16C, and connected to the intake ports 21 of the centrifugal blowers 20.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the partition member 30 has a flat upright portion 31 that faces in the seat width direction. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the partition member 30 has a first seat portion 32 that is bent at a right angle in the horizontal direction at its upper edge and abuts against and welded to the underside of the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16.

The partition member 30 also has a second seat portion 33 that is bent at a right angle horizontally at its lower edge and abuts against the upper surface of the protective frame 15 via felt F. As a result, the partition member 30 is erected in a state of contact with both the lower surface of the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16 and the upper surface of the protective frame 15 to form a stop between them.

Assembled as described above, the partition member 30 forms a vertical wall-like partition between the inner air outlets 22 of the left and right centrifugal blowers 20 that open toward each other, over a wide range in the front-to-rear direction. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the partition member 30 is configured such that the vertical plate portion 31 that serves as the partition separates the opposing air outlets 22 of the centrifugal blowers 20 over a wide range from a position that projects forward of the air outlets 22 to a position that projects rearward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the vertical plate portion 31 has a bent portion 31A in which the middle portion in the front-to-rear direction is bent in a wavy shape from side to side over the entire height direction. The bent portion 31A increases the rigidity of the vertical plate portion 31 against bending and twisting.

The partition member 30 is provided between the underside of the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16 and the upper surface of the protective frame 15 in contact with both, so that the air blown out from the inner air outlets 22 of each centrifugal blower 20 is appropriately partitioned over the entire height direction. Also, even if a load is applied from above to the reinforcing panel 17 and bracket 16 due to a seated person kneeling, the partition member 30 acts as a support rod and appropriately transmits the load applied to the bracket 16 to the protective frame 15, dispersing the load.

Therefore, downward deflection of the bracket 16 due to the load input can be appropriately suppressed, and each centrifugal blower 20 can be appropriately prevented from contacting each cushion pan 13 or the protective frame 15. At that time, the partition member 30 abuts against the protective frame 15 indirectly via the felt F, so that it abuts against the protective frame 15 without generating abnormal noise due to metal-to-metal contact.

As shown in FIG. 7, the partition member 30 is configured such that the first seat portion 32 on the upper edge side thereof is welded to the top plate portion 16A of the bracket 16 and is attached to the bracket 16 side. Therefore, the partition member 30 can be set in an appropriately fixed position relative to the bracket 16 so that there is no wobbling that would cause contact with each centrifugal blower 20 due to vibration, even in the narrow gap between adjacent centrifugal blowers 20.

(summary)
To sum up, the seat device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: In the following description, the reference characters in parentheses correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

That is, the seat device (1) is a seat device (1) equipped with a plurality of centrifugal fans (20). This seat device (1) has a fan mounting portion (16) to which the plurality of centrifugal fans (20) are mounted in a line, and a partition member (30) that separates each of the openings (22) for intake or exhaust that open in the centrifugal direction of adjacent centrifugal fans (20).

According to the above configuration, the partition member (30) suppresses interference between the winds blown out or drawn in from the openings (22) that open in the centrifugal direction of adjacent centrifugal blowers (20). Therefore, even if multiple centrifugal blowers (20) are placed close to each other, it is possible to prevent a decrease in blowing performance.

In addition, each opening (22) faces each other with a partition member (30) in between. With the above configuration, even if adjacent centrifugal blowers (20) are arranged in a direction that makes it easy for their winds to interfere with each other, the partition member (30) can appropriately suppress interference between the winds.

The blower mounting portion (16) is attached to the seat frame (10), and is a bracket (16) to which multiple centrifugal blowers (20) are attached to a top plate portion (16A) that faces the support portion (15) constituting the seat frame (10) from the seating surface side. A partition member (30) abuts against both the top plate portion (16A) and the support portion (15) to separate the openings (22).

According to the above configuration, the partition member (30) can more appropriately separate the openings (22) of the adjacent centrifugal fans (20). In addition, the partition member (30) can transmit the load applied from the outside to the top plate portion 16A to the support portion (15) of the seat frame (10) to appropriately distribute the load.

The partition member (30) is welded to the top plate portion (16A) and is provided so as to indirectly abut against the support portion (15). With the above configuration, the partition member (30) can be set in a state in which it is appropriately positioned and fixed within the narrow gap between the adjacent centrifugal blowers (20).

Other embodiments
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms as described below in addition to the above embodiment.

1. The seat device of the present invention is applicable not only to automobile seats, but also to vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, and to vehicles other than vehicles, such as aircraft and ships. The seat device is also applicable to a variety of facilities, such as sports facilities, theaters, movie theaters, amusement facilities such as pachinko parlors and game centers, concert venues, event venues, and for uses other than vehicles, such as massage seats. The seat device may be a three-seater bench seat or a one-seater seat.

2. The blower mounting part may be provided on the seat cushion or on the seat back. The blower mounting part may consist of a bracket attached to the seat frame, or it may consist of the backing material of the seat pad, or an elastic support member such as a contact mat or cloth spring that supports the seat pad from the back side.

3. If the blower mounting portion is made of the backing material of the seat pad or an elastic support member, the partition member may be configured to be attached to this backing material or elastic support member. In addition, the partition member does not necessarily have to be attached to the blower mounting portion, but may be attached to another member that faces the blower mounting portion, such as a protective frame (support portion). The partition member may be made of a metal plate, a resin plate, or a fabric material.

The partition member may be attached with a gap between it and the blower mounting portion. The partition member may be indirectly abutting against the support portion via a cushioning member such as felt as shown in the above embodiment, or may be directly abutting against the support portion. The partition member may be welded to the support portion and abut directly against the blower mounting portion or indirectly against the blower mounting portion via a cushioning member such as felt.

The partition member may be connected to the blower mounting portion and/or support portion by a connecting means other than welding, such as screws or snap-fit engagement. The partition member may be provided between the openings to partition them, even if the openings for intake or exhaust of adjacent centrifugal blowers are configured to open only parallel to each other. Even in such a case, the partition member can appropriately suppress interference between the winds sucked in or blown out from each opening.

4. The centrifugal blowers may be configured to consist of three or more units. The centrifugal blowers may be arranged in the seat width direction, the front-to-rear direction of the seat cushion, or the height direction of the seat back. The centrifugal blowers may be configured such that the air intakes open in the centrifugal direction, and a partition member separates the air intakes (corresponding to the "opening" of the present invention) of adjacent centrifugal blowers. Even in such a configuration, the partition member can suppress interference between the air intakes of the centrifugal blowers.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seat device 2 seat back 3 seat cushion 3P cushion pad 3C cushion cover 10 cushion frame (seat frame)
11 Pipe frame 12 Reinforcement pipe 13 Cushion pan 14 Leg 15 Protective frame (support part)
16 Bracket (blower mounting part)
16A Top plate portion 16B Leg portion 16C Connection port 17 Reinforcement panel 17A Connection port 20 Centrifugal blower 21 Intake port 22 Air outlet (opening)
30 Partition member 31 Standing plate portion 31A Bent portion 32 First seat portion 33 Second seat portion D Duct F Felt

Claims (3)

A seat device including a plurality of centrifugal fans,
a blower mounting portion to which the centrifugal blowers are mounted in a line; and a partition member that separates the openings for intake or exhaust of the adjacent centrifugal blowers, the openings opening in the centrifugal direction of the adjacent centrifugal blowers ;
the blower mounting portion is a bracket having: a top plate portion extending in the seat width direction so as to face a support portion constituting a seat frame from the seating surface side, and to which the centrifugal blowers are attached; and leg portions extending from both edge portions of the top plate portion in the seat width direction to the rear side of the seat, and attached to the support portion so as to form a space between the top plate portion and the support portion in which the centrifugal blowers can be disposed,
A seat device in which the partition member abuts against both the table top portion and the support portion to separate the openings so as to transmit the load applied to the table top portion from the seating surface side to the support portion . 2. The seat device according to claim 1,
A seat device in which the openings face each other with the partition member therebetween. 3. The seat device according to claim 2,
The partition member is welded to the top plate portion and is provided so as to directly or indirectly abut against the support portion.

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