JP7633499B2 - Seat hanging structure and assembly method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a hanging structure and an assembly method for a seat that includes a pad and a covering material that covers the pad and has a hanging section.

In seats such as vehicle seats that have a pad and a covering material that covers the pad, a linear recessed hanging portion may be provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion and seat back to maintain the external shape. The covering material is hung on this hanging portion and fixed to an engagement member that is fixed to the pad.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a hanging member that includes a cloth-like connecting part that extends in the same direction as a hanging groove provided in the pad and is fixed to the end of the skin material, and an engaged part that extends in the same direction and is connected to the tip of the connecting part so as to bulge in the thickness direction of the connecting part. The skin material is hung on the pad by engaging the engaged part with multiple clips that are fixed to the bottom of the groove of the pad.

JP 2020-1559 A

In a seat having a hanging portion, it may be desired to provide an uneven surface in the seating surface in the direction along the hanging portion at a portion adjacent to the hanging groove of the pad. In such a case, if the bottom height of the hanging groove is constant, unevenness will occur at the edge of the covering material to be hung. The hanging member described in Patent Document 1 has an engaged portion that resists bending deformation, so it is difficult to bend the hanging member along the uneven edge of the covering material and fix it to the covering material by sewing or the like. For this reason, the hanging member is only connected to the portion where the edge of the covering material extends in a straight line. Therefore, hanging cannot be performed in a place where there is no hanging member, and the uneven design of the seat surface cannot be fully reproduced. In addition, since the hanging member is arranged to avoid the bent or curved portion of the edge of the covering material, a large number of relatively short hanging members are required, and the number of parts increases.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a sheet hanging structure with an uneven hanging edge and an assembly method that allows the hanging edge to be properly and easily connected to the hanging member.

The hanging structure of the seat (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention (8) comprises a pad (5) having a hanging groove (9), a plurality of engagement members (10) arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove (9) at the bottom of the hanging groove (9) and fixed to the pad (5), a skin material (6) including a hanging edge portion (11) extending in the longitudinal direction within the hanging groove (9) and covering the surface of the pad (5), and a hanging edge portion (12) and a cover material (6) covering the surface of the pad (5). The hanging member (10) has a first edge (12) connected to the hanging edge (11) and a second edge (13) that engages with the engaging member (10) to engage the hanging groove (9) with the engaging member (10), and the hanging groove (9) extends in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove (9). The end edge of the hanging edge (11) has a convex or concave curved contour, and the hanging member (14) has an easily deformable portion (17) on the first edge (12) side.

With this configuration, the easily deformable portion makes it easier for the hanging member to deform, making it easier to attach the hanging member in an appropriately deformed state to the hanging edge portion having a convex or concave curved contour. In addition, with this configuration, there is no need to position the hanging member to avoid the bent or curved portion of the edge of the skin material, which helps prevent an increase in the number of parts.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the easily deformable portion (17) includes a notch portion cut into the first edge portion (12) so as to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction.

With this configuration, the easily deformable portion is a cutout portion, so the easily deformable portion can be easily formed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in any of the above configurations, the hanging member (14) is characterized in that the first edge (12) side is substantially easier to bend and deform than the second edge (13) side.

With this configuration, the first edge portion connected to the hanging edge portion is easier to bend and deform than the second edge portion, making it easier to connect the hanging edge portion to the first edge portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in any of the above configurations, the first edge portion (12) and the hanging edge portion (11) are provided with matching marks (18, 19) on both sides of the easily deformable portion (17).

With this configuration, the marks are provided so that they sandwich the easily deformable portion, so that by aligning the marks, the hanging member is bent and deformed into the appropriate shape and positioned in the appropriate position.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that in the above configuration, the first edge (12) is connected to the hanging edge (11) by sewing along a predetermined sewing line (20), the edge of the first edge (12) of the hanging member is aligned with the edge of the hanging edge (11), and the first edge (12) is folded back at the sewing line (20).

With this configuration, when the hanging edge and the first edge are connected to each other by sewing, the hanging edge and the first edge can be sewn in an overlapping state so that their edges are aligned, making it easy to align the marks when the hanging member is bent.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the marks (18, 19) on the first edge (12) and the hanging edge (11) include notches cut into the first edge (12) and the hanging edge (11), and the sewing line (20) is provided at a position that avoids the marks (18, 19).

With this configuration, the sewing line avoids the mark, so even if the mark is a notch, the connection strength between the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 is not compromised.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that in any of the configurations including the marks described above, the engagement member (10) is provided in a position that aligns with the marks (18, 19).

With this configuration, the mark is positioned to match the engagement member, so the hanging edge can be inserted into the appropriate position of the hanging groove.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the above configurations, the engaging member (10) is provided at a position shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the easily deformable portion (17).

The second edge portion deforms to bend most at the position that matches the easily deformable portion, and with this configuration, the second edge portion engages with the engaging member while avoiding the most deformed portion, making it easier to engage the second edge portion with the engaging member.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, instead of the above configuration, one of the engagement members (10) is provided at a position that aligns with the easily deformable portion (17).

With this configuration, the most curved part of the hanging edge engages with the engagement member via the hanging member, making it easier to reproduce the unevenness of the seating surface of the seat as designed.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a pad (5) having a hanging groove (9), a plurality of engagement members (10) arranged at a bottom of the hanging groove (9) along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove (9) at intervals from each other and fixed to the pad (5), and a hanging edge portion (11) extending in the longitudinal direction within the hanging groove (9) and defining a convex or concave curved profile, and a skin covering a surface of the pad (5). The method for assembling a hanging structure (8) for a seat (1) includes a hanging member (14) that has a first edge portion (12) connected to the hanging edge portion (11) and a second edge portion (13) that engages with the engaging member (10) so as to engage the hanging edge portion (11) with the engaging member (10), and extends within the hanging groove (9) in its longitudinal direction, the method including providing an easily deformable portion (17) on the first edge portion (12). the steps of providing marks (18, 19) on the first edge portion (12) and the hanging edge portion (11) on both sides of the easily deformable portion (17) so as to coincide with each other when the first edge portion (12) and the hanging edge portion (11) are connected to each other; bending the hanging member (14) along the hanging edge portion (11) to align the marks (18, 19) on the first edge portion (12) and the hanging edge portion (11) with each other; connecting the first edge portion (12) and the hanging edge portion (11) to each other; and engaging the second edge portion (13) with the engaging member (10), wherein the easily deformable portion (17) and the engaging member (10) are arranged so as to be positioned at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction when the second edge portion (13) is engaged with the engaging member (10) .

With this configuration, the presence of the easily deformable portion makes the hanging member easier to bend, and by aligning the marks on both sides of the easily deformable portion at the first edge with the marks on the hanging member, the hanging member takes on the appropriate shape and is positioned in the appropriate position, making assembly easier.

The sheet hanging structure of the present invention allows the hanging member to be easily connected to the hanging edge in an appropriate bent state by the easily deformable portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the easily deformable portion includes a cutout portion, which makes it easy to form the easily deformable portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first edge side is substantially easier to bend than the second edge side, which facilitates the connection between the first edge and the hanging edge.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the markings ensure that the hanging member is properly shaped and properly positioned.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first edge is folded back, which makes it easier to connect the first edge and the hanging edge to each other before folding back.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sewing lines avoid the marks formed by the cuts, so even if the marks are made by cuts, the strength of the connection between the first edge and the hanging edge is not compromised.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement member is positioned to align with the mark, allowing the hanging edge to be inserted into the appropriate position of the hanging groove.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engaging member is positioned offset from the easily deformable portion, facilitating the operation of engaging the second edge portion with the engaging member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement member is positioned in alignment with the easily deformable portion, making it easier to reproduce the unevenness of the seating surface of the seat as designed.

The method of assembling the seat hanging structure of the present invention allows the hanging member to be easily connected to the hanging edge in the appropriate shape and position by using the easily deformable portion and the mark.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hanging structure according to an embodiment; 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a seat cushion pad according to an embodiment taken along a line perpendicular to the left-right direction (A: left-right central portion, B: portion adjacent to a hanging portion extending forward and backward on the left and right side portions). FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a hanging procedure of a hanging structure according to an embodiment (A: skin material, B: hanging member) FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the hanging procedure of the hanging structure according to the embodiment (a state in which the hanging member is overlapped and sewn onto the skin material); An explanatory diagram of the hanging procedure of the hanging structure according to the embodiment (the state in which the cover material is folded back along the sewing line (upper diagram) and the hanging groove of the pad (lower diagram))

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "seat 1") according to an embodiment. The seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 supported by a vehicle body, a seat back 3 connected to the seat cushion 2, and a headrest 4 connected to the seat back 3. Each of the seat cushion 2, the seat back 3, and the headrest 4 includes a pad 5 (see FIG. 2) made of a foamed resin such as urethane foam, and a skin material 6 covering the seating side of the pad 5. The seating side surfaces of the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3 are formed with a plurality of linearly recessed hanging portions 7 in the vertical and horizontal directions by hanging the skin material 6 inside the pad 5.

Figure 2 shows the hanging structure 8 of the seat 1 according to the embodiment. The hanging structure 8 includes a pad 5 having a hanging groove 9, a plurality of engagement members 10 that are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the hanging groove 9 at the bottom of the hanging groove 9 and are fixed to the pad 5, a skin material 6 that includes a hanging edge portion 11 that extends within the hanging groove 9 in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9 and covers the surface of the pad 5, and a hanging member 14 that extends within the hanging groove 9 in the longitudinal direction thereof and has a first edge portion 12 connected to the hanging edge portion 11 to engage the hanging edge portion 11 with the engagement member 10 and a second edge portion 13 (engaged portion) that engages with the engagement member 10.

The pad 5 is made of foamed resin such as urethane foam. The hanging grooves 9 are open toward the seating surface and include those that extend vertically (front-to-back in the seat cushion 2, and up-down in the seat back 3) and those that extend horizontally (left-to-right). The bottom surface of the hanging groove 9 extends on a substantially flat surface at a constant position in the thickness direction.

The engaging member 10 is a clip that includes a base plate 15 embedded in the bottom of the hanging groove 9 and a pair of engaging claws 16 that extend from the base plate 15 into the hanging groove 9. The engaging member 10, which is a clip, is embedded in the pad 5 when the pad 5 is foamed.

The hanging edge 11 of the skin material 6 is formed by abutting the ends of two skin materials 6 so that their surfaces match and connecting them by sewing or the like. The hanging edge 11 may also be formed by folding one skin material 6 so that the surface side forms a valley and connecting the abutting parts by sewing or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the pad 5 has an uneven surface and the bottom surface of the hanging groove 9 extends to a fixed position in the thickness direction of the pad 5, so that the edge of the hanging edge 11 has a curved contour that is convex or concave, as shown in FIG. 4.

2, the hanging member 14 is made of a cloth-like material such as nonwoven fabric, and includes a first edge 12 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9 and is connected to the hanging edge 11 by sewing or the like, and a second edge 13 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9 and is connected to the end of the first edge 12 on the hanging groove 9 side. The hanging member 14 extends linearly when no force is applied, but is bendable. The second edge 13 bulges out on both sides of the thickness direction of the first edge 12 relative to the first edge 12 so as to be engaged with the locking claws 16 of the engagement member 10, and has a rigidity to the extent that the locking claws 16 can be engaged. The second edge 13 has a bending rigidity higher than that of the first edge 12. In other words, the first edge 12 is more easily bent than the second edge 13. The second edge 13 is formed by injection molding, and the first edge 12 is connected to the second edge 13 by being attached to a cavity of a mold when the second edge 13 is molded. If the first edge 12 and the second edge 13 are formed from the same resin, the hanging member 14 may be formed by extrusion molding. The first edge 12 is folded back along the connection portion with the hanging edge 11. Instead of a resin that bulges in the thickness direction as the second edge 13, a first wire that extends along the hanging groove 9 and is held by the first edge 12 and a C-ring engaged with the first wire may be used, and instead of a clip as the engaging member 10, a second wire engaged with the C-ring may be used (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, the first edge 12 is provided with an easily deformable portion 17, and the hanging member 14 is more easily bent and deformed at the easily deformable portion 17 than at other portions. The easily deformable portion 17 is formed by a notch cut out from the edge on the side connected to the skin material 6. The notch constituting the easily deformable portion 17 has a predetermined length on the edge side of the first edge 12. Instead of a notch, the easily deformable portion 17 may be formed by a portion thinner than the other portions of the first edge 12. The easily deformable portion 17 shown in the figure is rectangular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the cloth-like first edge 12, but may be of other shapes such as a triangle, a circle, or a semicircle. It is preferable that the first edge 12 is more easily deformed than the second edge even in a portion shifted from the easily deformable portion 17 in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9. As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement member 10 is preferably provided at a position shifted from the easily deformable portion 17 in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the engaging member 10 may be provided at a position that aligns with the easily deformable portion 17. The easily deformable portion 17 is provided at a position that corresponds to a part of the convex or concave curved portion of the hanging edge portion 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first edge 12 has a plurality of marks 18 on the edge thereof on the side to which the second edge is not attached. At least one mark 18 is provided on each side of the easily deformable portion 17. Also, the hanging edge 11 of the skin material 6 has a mark 19 provided at a position that matches the mark 18. The marks 18, 19 are preferably cutouts having shapes that match each other, but may be marks written with a pen or the like, and may be erased after the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 are connected to each other. At least a portion of the marks 18, 19 are provided at a position that matches the engaging member 10.

The hanging method of the hanging structure 8 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the worker cuts out the first edge 12 to provide an easily deformable portion 17, and provides multiple marks 18 on the edge of the first edge 12 of the hanging member 14 on the side to which the second edge is not attached. The easily deformable portion 17 is provided at a position corresponding to a part of the convex or concave curved portion of the hanging edge 11. The worker also provides marks 19 at positions that match the marks 18 on the hanging edge 11 of the skin material 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the worker bends the hanging member 14 along the hanging edge 11 so that the mark 19 on the hanging edge 11 and the mark 18 on the first edge 12 match each other, and the edge of the hanging edge 11 and the edge of the first edge 12 opposite the second edge are aligned with each other, and the hanging member 14 is overlapped on the skin material 6. The worker sews the overlapping first edge 12 of the hanging member 14 and the hanging edge 11 of the skin material 6 together. The dashed line in FIG. 5 indicates the sewing line 20. The sewing line 20 is provided at a position that avoids the marks 18 and 19 that are formed by cutouts. The first edge 12 and the hanging edge 11 may be connected to each other by means other than sewing, such as by gluing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the worker folds back the first edge 12 along the sewing line 20 so that the skin material 6 moves to the opposite side of the second edge 13 relative to the first edge 12. The worker inserts the second edge 13 into the hanging groove 9 and engages it with the engagement member 10.

The effects of the above embodiment will be described.
The provision of the easily deformable portion 17 makes it easy to maintain the hanging member 14 bent along the hanging edge 11, and facilitates the connection of the hanging member 14 to the hanging edge 11 having the convexly or concavely curved edge. The provision of the marks 18, 19 on both sides of the easily deformable portion 17 also facilitates the connection of the hanging member 14 to the hanging edge 11 having the convexly or concavely curved edge. The connection of the hanging member 14 to the hanging edge 11 having the convexly or concavely curved edge makes it easy to reproduce the unevenness of the seating surface of the seat 1 as designed, because the hanging member 14 is connected to the hanging edge 11 having the convexly or concavely curved edge.

The first edge 12 is easier to bend and deform than the second edge 13, making it easier to connect the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12, such as by sewing them together.

When the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 are connected to each other by sewing, the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 are sewn in an overlapping state so that their edges are aligned, so that it is easier to align the marks 18, 19 when the hanging member 14 is bent compared to when the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 are connected so that their edges butt against each other.

At least a portion of the marks 18, 19 are provided in a position that aligns with the engaging member 10, so that the hanging edge 11 can be inserted into the appropriate position of the hanging groove 9. The sewing line 20 is provided in a position that avoids the marks 18, 19 that are formed by the notches, so that the strength of the connection between the hanging edge 11 and the first edge 12 is not compromised.

The second edge 13 deforms so as to bend most at a position that matches the easily deformable portion 17. If the engaging member is provided only at a position that is offset in the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 9 from the easily deformable portion 17, the second edge 13 will engage with the engaging member 10 avoiding the most deformed portion, making it easier to engage the second edge 13 with the engaging member 10. If the engaging member 10 is provided at a position that matches the easily deformable portion 17, the most bent portion of the hanging edge 11 will engage with the engaging member 10 via the hanging member 14, making it easier to reproduce the unevenness of the seating surface of the seat 1 as designed.

Even if the edge of the hanging end is uneven, one long hanging member can be used without dividing the hanging member, which helps prevent an increase in the number of parts.

This concludes the explanation of the specific embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways. The present invention can be applied not only to vehicle seats, but also to seats for other vehicles and seats placed in houses, etc., as long as the seat has a pad and a cover material.

1: Sheet 5: Pad 6: Cover material 8: Hanging structure 9: Hanging groove 10: Engagement member 11: Hanging edge 12: First edge 13: Second edge 14: Hanging member 17: Easily deformable portion 18: Mark on hanging member 19: Mark on hanging edge 20: Sewing line

Claims (8)

A pad having a hanging groove;
a plurality of engagement members disposed at a bottom of the hanging groove along a longitudinal direction of the hanging groove at intervals from one another and fixed to the pad;
a skin material including a hanging edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction within the hanging groove and covering a surface of the pad;
a hanging member having a first edge portion connected to the hanging edge portion and a second edge portion engaging with the engaging member so as to engage the hanging edge portion with the engaging member, the hanging member extending in the hanging groove in the longitudinal direction thereof;
The edge of the hanging edge has a convex or concave curved profile,
An easily deformable portion is provided on the first edge portion side of the hanging member ,
A seat hanging structure , characterized in that the engaging member is provided at a position shifted in the longitudinal direction from the easily deformable portion . The sheet hanging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the easily deformable portion includes a notch cut into the first edge portion so as to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. The sheet hanging structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first edge side of the hanging member is substantially easier to bend and deform than the second edge side. The sheet hanging structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first edge and the hanging edge are provided with matching marks on both sides of the easily deformable portion. The first edge portion is connected to the hanging edge portion by sewing along a predetermined sewing line,
5. The seat hanging structure according to claim 4, wherein an end edge of the first edge portion of the hanging member is aligned with an end edge of the hanging edge portion, and the first edge portion is folded back at the sewing line. the markings on the first edge portion and the hanging edge portion include notches cut into the first edge portion and the hanging edge portion;
6. The seat hanging structure according to claim 5, wherein the sewing line is provided at a position that avoids the mark. The sheet hanging structure according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the engagement member is provided at a position that aligns with the mark. A pad having a hanging groove;
a plurality of engagement members disposed at a bottom of the hanging groove along a longitudinal direction of the hanging groove at intervals from one another and fixed to the pad;
a skin material including an inwardly extending edge portion that defines a convex or concave curved contour extending in the inwardly extending groove in the longitudinal direction and covering a surface of the pad;
A method for assembling a seat hanging structure comprising: a hanging member having a first edge portion connected to the hanging edge portion and a second edge portion engaging with the engaging member so as to engage the hanging edge portion with the engaging member, and extending in the hanging groove in a longitudinal direction thereof,
Providing an easily deformable portion on the first edge portion;
providing marks on the first edge portion and the hanging edge portion on both sides of the easily deformable portion, the marks being positioned to coincide with each other when the first edge portion and the hanging edge portion are connected to each other;
bending the hanging member along the hanging edge so that the indicia of the first edge and the hanging edge are aligned with one another;
connecting the first edge and the hanging edge to each other;
and engaging the second edge with the engagement member .
An assembly method according to claim 1, wherein the easily deformable portion and the engaging member are arranged so as to be positioned at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction when the second edge portion is engaged with the engaging member .

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