JP7623581B2 - Vehicle seats - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and in particular to a vehicle seat that has a wire member protruding from a side frame.

In vehicle seats, the strength required for the side frames of the seatback frame varies in different parts, so a technique is known for thickening parts of the side frames (Patent Document 1).

More specifically, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the side frame of the seat back frame is composed of a side frame main body and a side frame that is formed thicker than the side frame main body and welded to the lower part of the side frame main body, thereby ensuring the strength of the hinge connection part of the lower part of the side frame of the seat back frame to the seat cushion frame.

Patent No. 5691769

To prevent the weight of the side frame from increasing while still maintaining the necessary strength, it is desirable to vary the thickness of the side frame more finely, but if a wire member protruding from the side frame is provided, it is necessary to position the wire member appropriately.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle seat in which wire members can be appropriately positioned relative to a seat frame having side frames with different plate thicknesses.

The above problem is solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which provides a vehicle seat including a seat frame, the seat frame including a pair of side frames arranged on sides of the vehicle seat, and a wire member protruding from the side frames, ends of the side frames on the seating surface side protrude in the seat width direction, the protruding portions of the side frames have a thick-walled portion of a first plate thickness, a medium-walled portion of a second plate thickness formed continuously with the thick-walled portion and thinner than the thick-walled portion, and a thin-walled portion of a third plate thickness formed continuously with the medium-walled portion and thinner than the medium-walled portion, the thick-walled portion and the medium-walled portion are continuous at a first boundary portion, and the medium-walled portion and the thin-walled portion are continuous at a second boundary portion, the wire member extends in the extension direction of the side frames, and a fixing portion of the wire member fixed to the protruding portion of the side frame is arranged at a position avoiding the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion.

The vehicle seat of the present invention configured as described above makes it possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to side frames with different plate thicknesses by avoiding the boundary areas where strength is reduced.

In the vehicle seat described above, the wire member may be welded to the protruding portion of the side frame at the fixing portion.
In the above configuration, the wire member is appropriately fixed to the side frame by being welded.

In the vehicle seat described above, the wire member may be fixed to the protruding portion of the side frame at the fixing portion by a fastening member.
In the above configuration, the wire member is appropriately fixed to the side frame by the fastening member.

In the above-mentioned vehicle seat, the fixing portion has a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, and one of the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion is preferably arranged at the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion.
In the above configuration, by arranging one of the multiple fixing parts at the boundary part, the options for the position at which the fixing part is set increase, improving designability.

In the above-mentioned vehicle seat, an opening penetrating in the seat width direction is formed in the side frame, and the opening is preferably positioned at a position avoiding the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion.
In the above-described configuration, by providing the openings while avoiding the boundary portions where the strength is reduced, it becomes possible to appropriately position the openings for side frames having different plate thicknesses.

In the above vehicle seat, the opening may have a first opening and a second opening, and one of the first opening or the second opening may be positioned across the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion.
In the above configuration, by arranging one of the plurality of openings at a position straddling the boundary portion, the options for the position at which the opening is to be set are increased, improving designability.

In the above vehicle seat, at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion may be disposed between the first opening and the second opening in the extending direction of the side frame.
In the above configuration, by avoiding positions in the side frames where openings are provided and strength is reduced, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to side frames having different plate thicknesses.

In the vehicle seat described above, one of the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion may be disposed at a position overlapping with the first opening or the second opening in the extending direction of the side frame.
In the above configuration, by arranging one of the multiple fixing parts at a position overlapping the opening, the options for the position at which the fixing part is set are increased, improving designability.

In the above vehicle seat, the seat frame may be a seat cushion frame.
In the above configuration, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to the side frames having different plate thicknesses of the seat cushion frame.

The vehicle seat may further include a padding member placed on the seat frame, and a cover material covering the padding member.
With the above configuration, in a vehicle seat including side frames with different plate thicknesses, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to the side frames.

According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to side frames having different plate thicknesses by avoiding boundary portions where strength is reduced.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the wire members are appropriately fixed to the side frames by being welded.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the wire member is appropriately fixed to the side frame by the fastening member.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, by locating one of the multiple fixing parts at the boundary part, the options for the position at which the fixing part is set increase, improving designability.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the openings can be provided in a manner that avoids the boundary portions where strength is reduced, making it possible to appropriately position the openings with respect to side frames having different plate thicknesses.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, by arranging one of the plurality of openings at a position that straddles the boundary portion, the options for the position at which the opening is to be set increase, improving design flexibility.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to side frames having different plate thicknesses by avoiding positions where openings would reduce strength.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, by arranging one of the multiple fixing parts at a position overlapping with the opening, the options for the position at which the fixing part is set increase, improving design flexibility.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to the side frames having different plate thicknesses that are provided in the seat cushion frame.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, in a vehicle seat equipped with side frames having different plate thicknesses, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to the side frames.

1 is an external view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a perspective view of a seat frame included in the vehicle seat; FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat cushion side frame. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

Hereinafter, a vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. As the vehicle seat according to this embodiment, a vehicle seat mounted in a vehicle will be described as an example.

The embodiment described below is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the shape, dimensions, arrangement, etc. of the components described below may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents.

In this specification, the terms indicating directions are defined as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, in the following description, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction as seen by a person sitting in the vehicle seat, and is the same as the direction in which the vehicle travels. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat, and is the same as the left-right direction as seen by a person sitting in the vehicle seat. Additionally, the "up-down direction" refers to the height direction of the vehicle seat, and is the same as the up-down direction as seen from the front of the vehicle seat.

[1. Configuration of the vehicle seat S]
The vehicle seat S according to the present embodiment has an appearance as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a part of the vehicle seat S is shown with a trim cover removed for convenience of illustration. The vehicle seat S has as its main components a seat back S1 which is a backrest portion supporting the back of a seated occupant, a seat cushion S2 which is a seating portion supporting the buttocks of the seated occupant, and a headrest S3 which is disposed on the upper part of the seat back S1 and supports the head of the seated occupant. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle seat S has a seat frame F as a skeleton, the main components of which are a seat back frame F1 and a seat cushion frame F2.

The seat back S1 is constructed by placing a seat back pad S11 on a seat back frame F1, which is then covered with a trim cover S12. The seat cushion S2 is constructed by placing a seat cushion pad S21 on the seat cushion frame F2, which serves as the framework, which is then covered with a trim cover S22. The headrest S3 is formed by placing a headrest pad S31 on a core material (not shown) and covering it with a trim cover S32. The seat back pad S11 of the seat back S1 and the seat cushion pad S21 of the seat cushion S2 are urethane base materials molded by foam molding using urethane foam material.

The seat cushion frame F2 is connected to the upper rail RU of the slide rail device R located below it. With this configuration, when the upper rail RU moves along the lower rail RL fixed to the vehicle floor, the entire vehicle seat S, including the seat cushion frame F2, slides.

[2. Configuration of the seat frame F]
(Seat back frame F1)
As shown in FIG. 2 , the seatback frame F1 has a pair of seatback side frames 10 extending in the vertical direction and aligned at a distance from each other in the seat width direction, an upper frame 15 attached to the upper part of the pair of seatback side frames 10 to connect the pair of seatback side frames 10, and a lower frame 16 attached to the lower ends of the pair of seatback side frames 10 to connect the pair of seatback side frames 10.

The seatback side frame 10 is integrally formed with a side plate portion 10a, a front flange portion 10b that protrudes inward from the front edge of the side plate portion 10a, and a rear flange portion 10c that protrudes inward from the rear edge of the side plate portion 10a. The seatback side frame 10 has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens inward, and is formed by press molding of a metal plate material.

The upper frame 15 is formed into a downward U-shape when viewed from the front, and is made of a hollow metal pipe member. Both free ends (lower ends) of the upper frame 15 are joined to the upper parts of the pair of seatback side frames 10. A square pillar guide 15a that supports the headrest pillar is attached to the front of the horizontal part located above the upper frame 15.

(Seat cushion frame F2)
2, the seat cushion frame F2 has a pair of seat cushion side frames 20 extending in the front-rear direction so as to be aligned at positions spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction, a pan frame 21 connecting front ends of the pair of seat cushion side frames 20, and a rear pipe 22 connecting rear ends of the pair of seat cushion side frames 20, which are integrally joined by welding or the like to form a frame. The seat cushion side frames 20 and the pan frame 21 are formed by pressing a metal plate or the like, and the rear pipe 22 is formed from a metal pipe.

Between the pan frame 21 and the rear pipe 22, a seat spring 23 is stretched as a pressure-receiving member that elastically deforms when it receives the load of a seated person via the seat cushion pad S21. The seat cushion frame F2 has a plurality of seat springs 23 (three in this embodiment) that are made of metal wire bent in a zigzag pattern so as to snake left and right. The front ends of the plurality of seat springs 23 are engaged with locking portions 21a provided on the pan frame 21. The rear ends of the seat springs 23 are engaged with the rear pipe 22 and are connected by a resin rear end connecting member 24 that is molded integrally with the seat springs 23 by insert molding, and the rear end connecting member 24 is formed to cover the rear pipe 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3, the seat cushion side frame 20 has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens inward, and is formed by press molding a metal plate into a shape in which the plate thickness changes at plate thickness boundaries (plate thickness boundary lines) that are arranged at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction (approximately the front-rear direction). In this embodiment, a first boundary line L1 (first plate thickness boundary line) and a second boundary line L2 (second plate thickness boundary line) are set in the seat cushion side frame 20.

The first boundary L1 and the second boundary L2 are set at positions that avoid the connection of the pan frame 21 and the rear pipe 22 to the seat cushion side frame 20, with the first boundary L1 being located toward the rear of the seat cushion side frame 20 and the second boundary L2 being located in front of the first boundary L1 and at a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the seat cushion side frame 20.

The seat cushion side frame 20 has a thick portion 25 (first portion) that is a portion of plate thickness t1 rearward of the first boundary portion L1, a medium portion 26 (second portion) that is a portion of plate thickness t2 forward of the first boundary portion L1 and rearward of the second boundary portion L2, and a thin portion 27 (third portion) that is a portion of plate thickness t3 forward of the second boundary portion L2 (t3<t2<t1).

The thickness t2 of the intermediate portion 26 between the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2 is smaller than the thickness t1 of the thick portion 25 rearward of the first boundary portion L1, and the thickness t3 of the thin portion 27 forward of the second boundary portion L2 is smaller than the thickness t2 of the intermediate portion 26. In other words, the seat cushion side frame 20 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the front.

[3. Features of the seat frame F]
3, a wire member W is attached to the seat cushion side frame 20 so as to protrude upward (i.e., toward the seating surface) from the seat cushion side frame 20. The wire member W (linear member) is a linear member bent downward in a substantially U-shape in a side view, and is a reinforcing member (support member) for maintaining the shape of the raised portions (bank portions) on both sides of the seat cushion S2.

The wire member W extends in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20, i.e., in the front-rear direction, between the rear end W1 and the front end W2, and is fixed to the seat cushion side frame 20 at the rear rear end fixing part W1a and the front end fixing part W2a. The rear end fixing part W1a and the front end fixing part W2a are provided in positions that avoid the first boundary part L1 and the second boundary part L2. In other words, in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20, the rear end fixing part W1a and the front end fixing part W2a are disposed in positions different from the first boundary part L1 and the second boundary part L2.

Specifically, the rear end fixing portion W1a is disposed in the intermediate portion 26 forward of the first boundary portion L1 and rearward of the second boundary portion L2, i.e., in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2. The front end fixing portion W2a is disposed in the thin portion 27 forward of the second boundary portion L2, i.e., in a position that avoids the second boundary portion L2. In the vehicle seat S of this embodiment, the fixing portion of the wire member W is disposed in a position that avoids the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2, where the strength is reduced, thereby making it possible to improve the fixation of the wire member W to the seat cushion side frame 20 (side frame) having a different plate thickness.

The wire member W is welded to the seat cushion side frame 20 at the rear end fixing portion W1a and the front end fixing portion W2a. In this configuration, the wire member W is appropriately fixed to the seat cushion side frame 20 by being welded.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seat cushion side frame 20 has a first opening 28 and a second opening 29 that penetrate in the seat width direction. Harnesses for electrical components such as an occupancy sensor and a blower provided in the seat cushion S2 are inserted through the first opening 28 and the second opening 29.

The first opening 28 is disposed in the intermediate portion 26 forward of the first boundary L1 and rearward of the second boundary L2, i.e., in a position that avoids the first boundary L1 and the second boundary L2. In other words, in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20, the first opening 28 is disposed in a position different from the first boundary L1 and the second boundary L2. In this configuration, by providing the first opening 28 while avoiding the boundary portions where the strength is reduced, it becomes possible to appropriately position the opening for the seat cushion side frame 20 having a different plate thickness.

The second opening 29 is also provided across the second boundary L2. Specifically, the second opening 29 is formed across the medium thickness portion 26 and the thin thickness portion 27. In other words, in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20, the second opening 29 is arranged at a position that overlaps with the first boundary L1 and the second boundary L2. In this configuration, by arranging the second opening 29, which is one of the multiple openings, at a position that spans the boundaries, the options for the position at which the opening is set increase, improving designability.

The rear end fixing portion W1a is disposed between the first opening 28 and the second opening 29 in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20. In this configuration, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member W to the seat cushion side frame 20 having a different plate thickness by avoiding the position where the strength is reduced due to the opening being provided.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the seat cushion side frames 20 having different plate thicknesses are used as an example, but the above technical idea can also be applied to the seat back side frames 10. In other words, it is possible to improve the fixation of the wire member to the side frames having different plate thicknesses provided on the seat back frame F1 and the seat cushion frame F2.

The vehicle seat S also includes a seat cushion pad S21 (pad member) placed on the seat cushion frame F2, and a trim cover S22 (skin material) that covers the seat cushion pad S21. This configuration improves the fixation of the wire member W to the seat cushion side frames 20, which have different plate thicknesses.

<Modification>
Although the configuration of the vehicle seat S according to this embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and of course, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiment, the wire member W is welded to the seat cushion side frame 20, but the wire member W may be fixed to the seat cushion side frame 20 with fastening members at the rear end fixing portion W1a and the front end fixing portion W2a. In this configuration, the wire member W is appropriately fixed to the seat cushion side frame 20 by being fixed with the fastening members.

In the above embodiment, the rear end fixing portion W1a and the front end fixing portion W2a are provided at positions that avoid the first boundary portion L1 and the second boundary portion L2, but in the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the seat cushion side frame 20, either the rear end fixing portion W1a or the front end fixing portion W2a may be disposed at a position that overlaps (at the same front-rear position) with the first boundary portion L1 or the second boundary portion L2. In such a configuration, by disposing one of the multiple fixing portions at the boundary portion, the options for the position at which the fixing portion is set increase, improving designability.

In the above embodiment, the rear end fixing portion W1a and the front end fixing portion W2a are arranged at positions that do not overlap with the first opening 28 or the second opening 29 in the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the seat cushion side frame 20, but one of the first opening 28 or the second opening 29 may be arranged at a position that overlaps with the first opening 28 or the second opening 29 in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20. In other words, one of the first opening 28 or the second opening 29 may be arranged at a position that overlaps with the first boundary portion L1 or the second boundary portion L2 (the same front-rear position) in the extension direction of the seat cushion side frame 20. In such a configuration, by arranging one of the multiple fixing portions at a position that overlaps with the opening, the options for the position at which the fixing portion is set are increased, improving the designability.

The vehicle seat according to this embodiment has been described above using an example of a vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle seat according to this embodiment is not limited to a vehicle seat mounted on a ground-traveling vehicle having wheels, such as an automobile or train, but may also be a seat mounted on an aircraft, ship, or other vehicle that travels other than on the ground.

S Vehicle seats (vehicle seats)
S1 Seat back S2 Seat cushion S3 Headrest F Seat frame F1 Seat back frame F2 Seat cushion frame S11 Seat back pad (pad member)
S12 Trim cover (skin material)
S21 Seat cushion pad (pad member)
S22 trim cover (skin material)
S31 Headrest pad (pad member)
S32 trim cover (skin material)
R: slide rail device RU; upper rail RL: lower rail 10: seat back side frame 10a: side plate portion 10b: front flange portion 10c: rear flange portion 15: upper frame 15a: pillar guide 16: lower frame 20: seat cushion side frame (side frame)
21 pan frame 21a engaging portion 22 rear pipe 23 seat spring 24 rear end connecting member 25 thick portion 26 medium portion 27 thin portion 28 first opening (opening)
29 Second opening (opening)
L1: First boundary portion L2: Second boundary portion W: Wire member W1: Rear end portion W1a: Rear end fixing portion (first fixing portion)
W2 Front end part W2a Front end fixing part (second fixing part)

Claims (10)

A vehicle seat having a seat frame,
The seat frame includes:
A pair of side frames disposed on sides of the vehicle seat;
a wire member protruding from the side frame,
The end of the side frame on the seating surface side protrudes in the seat width direction,
the protruding portion of the side frame has a thick portion having a first plate thickness, a middle portion having a second plate thickness formed continuously with the thick portion and thinner than the thick portion, and a thin portion having a third plate thickness formed continuously with the middle portion and thinner than the middle portion,
the thick portion and the medium thickness portion are continuous at a first boundary portion,
the intermediate thickness portion and the thin thickness portion are continuous at a second boundary portion,
The wire member extends in an extending direction of the side frame,
A vehicle seat, characterized in that a fixing portion of the wire member that is fixed to the protruding portion of the side frame is positioned at a position that avoids the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the wire member is welded to the protruding portion of the side frame at the fixing portion. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the wire member is fixed to the protruding portion of the side frame at the fixing portion by a fastening member. The fixing portion has a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion,
4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is disposed at the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion. The side frame is formed with an opening penetrating in the seat width direction,
The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the opening is disposed at a position avoiding the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion. The opening includes a first opening and a second opening,
6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, wherein one of the first opening and the second opening is disposed across the first boundary portion or the second boundary portion. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is disposed between the first opening and the second opening in the extension direction of the side frame. The vehicle seat according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that one of the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion is disposed at a position overlapping the first opening or the second opening in the extension direction of the side frame. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seat frame is a seat cushion frame. A pad member placed on the seat frame;
10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a cover material that covers the pad member.