JP7760385B2 - Vehicle seats - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicle seats.

A vehicle seat with an armrest provided on the side of the seat cushion is known (see Patent Document 1). The armrest has an armrest frame connected to the cushion frame in a cantilevered manner.

China Utility Model Publication No. 212313363

In the cantilever-shaped armrest frame described above, the upper end of the armrest frame is significantly displaced by vehicle vibrations transmitted through the cushion frame. This increases the vibrations at the parts of the armrest that the occupant's hands touch.

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress vibration of the armrest.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat cushion (2), a seat back (3), an armrest (5), and a cushion frame (6) that supports the seat cushion (2). The armrest (5) has an arm holder (51) that forms the upper surface of the armrest (5), and an armrest frame (52) that is positioned below the arm holder (51).

The armrest frame (52) extends vertically and has a first frame (521) connected to the cushion frame (6). The first frame (521) extends vertically and has a first side wall (53) and a second side wall (54) that face each other in the seat width direction, and a plurality of reinforcing plates (55) that connect the first side wall (53) and the second side wall (54) in the seat width direction. The thickness direction of the multiple reinforcing plates (55) intersects with the seat's fore-and-aft direction.

With this configuration, the stiffness of the first frame (521), which extends in the vertical direction, in the seat width direction is increased by the multiple reinforcing plates (55). This allows the armrest frame (52) to be made lighter while suppressing vibration of the armrest (5).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple reinforcing plates (55) may form a truss structure together with the first side wall (53) and the second side wall (54). This configuration can enhance the effect of improving the rigidity of the first frame (521) in the seat width direction.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the armrest frame (52) may have a second frame (522) that extends in the vertical direction and is connected to the cushion frame (6) behind the first frame (521). The rigidity of the first frame (521) against vibration in the seat width direction may be greater than the rigidity of the second frame (522) against vibration in the seat width direction. With this configuration, the displacement due to vibration of the first frame (521) located in front of the seat is smaller than that of the second frame (522) located behind the seat, thereby suppressing vibration of the front portion of the arm holding portion (51) that is in contact with the hands of a seated occupant.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first frame (521) may be connected to the cushion frame (6) at a connecting portion (521A) and an auxiliary connecting portion (521B) provided above the connecting portion (521A). With this configuration, the first frame (521) is fixed to the cushion frame (6) at two locations, top and bottom, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first frame (521) against vibration with a relatively simple structure.

Note that the symbols in parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. indicated by the symbols in parentheses above.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cushion frame and the armrest frame of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the cushion frame and the armrest frame of FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second armrest of FIG. 1. FIG. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are schematic front views of the first reinforcing portion of the first armrest of FIG. 4. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
1. First embodiment
[1-1. Configuration]
The vehicle seat 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, a first armrest 4, a second armrest 5, a cushion frame 6, and a back frame 7.

The vehicle seat 1 is used as a seat for a passenger vehicle. Note that the directions in the following description and in each drawing refer to the directions when the vehicle seat 1 is assembled to the vehicle (i.e., the passenger vehicle). In this embodiment, the seat width direction coincides with the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the front of the seat coincides with the front of the vehicle.

The seat cushion 2 is a part that supports the buttocks of the seated occupant. The seat back 3 is a part that supports the back of the seated occupant. The first armrest 4 is a part that supports the right arm of the seated occupant. The second armrest 5 is a part that supports the left arm of the seated occupant. The cushion frame 6 supports the seat cushion 2. The back frame 7 supports the seat back 3.

<Cushion frame>
As shown in Figure 2, the cushion frame 6 has a first side frame 61, a second side frame 62, a front frame 63, a rear frame 64, a first connecting bracket 65, a second connecting bracket 66, a third connecting bracket 67, a fourth connecting bracket 68, and a fifth connecting bracket 69.

The first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 each extend in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and are spaced apart in the width direction of the seat. The first side frame 61 is located to the left of the second side frame 62. The first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 are each configured to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle in which the vehicle seat 1 is installed.

The front frame 63 is a cylindrical member extending in the seat width direction. The front frame 63 connects the front end of the first side frame 61 and the front end of the second side frame 62 in the seat width direction.

The rear frame 64 is a cylindrical member that extends in the seat width direction. The rear frame 64 connects the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 in the seat width direction, behind the front frame 63.

The first connecting bracket 65 is a plate member fixed, for example by welding, to the outer peripheral surface of the front frame 63, located outside the first side frame 61 in the seat width direction (i.e., on the left side). The first connecting bracket 65 extends upward from the front frame 63.

The second connecting bracket 66 is a plate member fixed, for example by welding, to the outer peripheral surface of the rear frame 64, located outside the first side frame 61 in the seat width direction (i.e., on the left side). The second connecting bracket 66 extends upward from the rear frame 64.

The third connecting bracket 67 is a plate member fixed, for example by welding, to the outer surface of the second side frame 62 in the seat width direction. The third connecting bracket 67 is positioned below the front frame 63.

The fourth connecting bracket 68 is positioned so as to overlap the front end of the second side frame 62 from above. The fourth connecting bracket 68 is a plate material fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the front frame 63, for example, by welding. The fourth connecting bracket 68 protrudes outward in the seat width direction (i.e., to the right) beyond the second side frame 62.

The fifth connecting bracket 69 is a plate member fixed, for example by welding, to the outer surface of the second side frame 62 in the seat width direction. The fifth connecting bracket 69 is positioned further rearward of the seat than the fourth connecting bracket 68.

<First armrest>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the first armrest 4 has an arm holding portion 41 and an armrest frame 42 .

The arm holder 41 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and forms the upper surface of the first armrest 4 (i.e., the surface on which the arm is placed). The arm holder 41 is located above the seat cushion 2 and supports the left arm of the seated occupant from below. The arm holder 41 has an elastic pad and a leather cover that covers the pad.

The armrest frame 42 is positioned below the arm holder 41 and supports the arm holder 41 from below. The armrest frame 42 is made of a metal such as iron, aluminum, or magnesium. As shown in FIG. 2, the armrest frame 42 is connected to the cushion frame 6 by a first connecting bracket 65 and a second connecting bracket 66.

<Second armrest>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the second armrest 5 has an arm holding portion 51 and an armrest frame 52 .

(Arm holding part)
The arm holding portion 51 extends in the front-rear direction of the seat and forms the upper surface of the second armrest 5 .

The arm holder 51 is located above the seat cushion 2 and supports the occupant's right arm from below. The arm holder 51 has an elastic pad and a leather cover that covers the pad.

(Armrest frame)
The armrest frame 52 is disposed below the arm holding portion 51 and supports the arm holding portion 51 from below.

The armrest frame 52 is made of a metal such as iron, aluminum, or magnesium. As shown in FIG. 3, the armrest frame 52 has a first frame 521, a second frame 522, a third frame 523, and a fourth frame 524.

The first frame 521 is a member that extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the first frame 521 is located further rearward in the seat than the upper end of the first frame 521. The first frame 521 is positioned further outward in the seat width direction than the second side frame 62 of the cushion frame 6. The first frame 521 is supported by the cushion frame 6 at two points: the first connecting portion 521A and the auxiliary connecting portion 521B.

Specifically, the first frame 521 is fixed to the third connecting bracket 67 of the cushion frame 6 at the first connecting portion 521A with a bolt and nut. The fastening direction of the bolt and nut at the first connecting portion 521A is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

The first frame 521 is fixed to the fourth connecting bracket 68 of the cushion frame 6 at the auxiliary connecting portion 521B with a bolt and nut. The fastening direction of the bolt and nut at the auxiliary connecting portion 521B is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

The auxiliary connecting portion 521B is located higher than the first connecting portion 521A and in front of the seat. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the first frame 521, the auxiliary connecting portion 521B is located closer to the lower end of the first frame 521 than to the upper end.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first frame 521 has a first reinforcing portion 521D provided along a portion of its longitudinal length. The first reinforcing portion 521D is positioned above the first connecting portion 521A of the first frame 521 and below the first frame connecting portion 521C (i.e., the third frame 523).

The auxiliary connecting portion 521B is provided on the first reinforcing portion 521D. Furthermore, the portions of the first frame 521 below the first reinforcing portion 521D and above the first reinforcing portion 521D are each composed of a rectangular cylindrical member.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the first reinforcing portion 521D has a first side wall 53, a second side wall 54, and multiple reinforcing plates 55. The first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54 are plate members that extend in the vertical direction and face each other in the seat width direction. The first side wall 53 is positioned further outward in the seat width direction (i.e., to the right) than the second side wall 54.

The outer and inner surfaces of the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54 are each parallel to the seat front-to-rear direction. The outer surface of the first side wall 53 (i.e., the surface opposite the second side wall 54) forms the side surface of the first reinforcing portion 521D on the outer side in the seat width direction. The outer surface of the second side wall 54 (i.e., the surface opposite the first side wall 53) forms the side surface of the first reinforcing portion 521D on the inner side in the seat width direction.

Multiple reinforcing plates 55 connect the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54 in the seat width direction. The reinforcing plates 55 are flat plates that are not curved or bent.

The plate surface of the reinforcing plate 55 is parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the seat. In other words, the thickness direction of the reinforcing plate 55 intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the front-to-rear direction of the seat. Furthermore, the thickness of the reinforcing plate 55 is smaller than the thickness of the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54.

In the first reinforcing portion 521D in Figures 5A and 5B, the ends of adjacent reinforcing plates 55 in the sheet width direction are connected to each other. In this case, one end of one reinforcing plate 55 is simultaneously connected to one end of the adjacent reinforcing plate 55 above and to one of the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54.

As such, the first reinforcing portion 521D in Figures 5A and 5B has a truss structure in which three plates are connected at one location. In other words, the multiple reinforcing plates 55, together with the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54, form a truss structure.

The first reinforcing section 521D, which has a truss structure, has multiple triangular prism-shaped spaces aligned along the extension direction of the first frame 521. The axial direction of the triangular prism-shaped spaces is parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

Furthermore, in the first reinforcing portion 521D shown in Figure 5B, reinforcing plates 55 are connected to the upper end E of the curved portion of the second side wall 54 and to the vertex C of the curved portion (i.e., the part with the smallest radius of curvature). This distributes stress at the vertex C, improving the strength of the first reinforcing portion 521D.

On the other hand, the first reinforcing portion 521D in Figures 5C and 5D has a rigid frame structure in which multiple reinforcing plates 55 are arranged at a distance from each other along the extension direction of the first frame 521. In other words, the multiple reinforcing plates 55, together with the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54, form a rigid frame structure.

The first reinforcing section 521D, which has a rigid frame structure, has multiple rectangular prism-shaped spaces aligned along the extension direction of the first frame 521. The axial direction of the rectangular prism-shaped spaces is parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the vertical spacing between the multiple reinforcing plates 55 may be greater than the width of the first reinforcing portion 521D (i.e., the distance between the outer surface of the first side wall 53 and the outer surface of the second side wall 54). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5D, the vertical spacing between the multiple reinforcing plates 55 may be smaller than the width of the first reinforcing portion 521D.

The first reinforcing portion 521D may be entirely or partially a truss structure. The first reinforcing portion 521D may also have a composite structure that combines a truss structure and a rigid frame structure.

When the first reinforcing portion 521D is made of aluminum, it can be formed by extrusion molding, for example. This allows for the formation of shapes with high rigidity in the seat width direction, such as truss structures and rigid frame structures, using thin plate. Furthermore, cutting the extruded, elongated molded product to specified dimensions improves the quality stability and productivity of the first frame 521.

The second frame 522 shown in Figure 3 is a member extending in the vertical direction. The lower end of the second frame 522 is located further forward in the seat than the upper end of the second frame 522. The second frame 522 is positioned further outward in the seat width direction than the second side frame 62 of the cushion frame 6. The second frame 522 is connected to the cushion frame 6 at the second connecting portion 522A.

The second connecting portion 522A is located rearward of the seat relative to the first frame 521. Specifically, the second frame 522 is fixed to the fifth connecting bracket 69 of the cushion frame 6 at the second connecting portion 522A with a bolt and nut.

The fastening direction of the bolt and nut at the second connecting portion 522A is perpendicular to the seat front-rear direction. The second frame 522 is supported by the cushion frame 6 only at the second connecting portion 522A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first connecting portion 521A of the first frame 521 is located lower than the second connecting portion 522A of the second frame 522. Furthermore, the auxiliary connecting portion 521B of the first frame 521 is located higher than the second connecting portion 522A of the second frame 522.

The second frame 522 has a second reinforcing portion 522D provided along part of its longitudinal length. The second reinforcing portion 522D is positioned below the second frame connecting portion 522B (i.e., the third frame 523) and includes the lower end of the second frame 522.

The second connecting portion 522A is provided on the second reinforcing portion 522D. Furthermore, the portion of the second frame 522 above the second reinforcing portion 522D is composed of a rectangular cylindrical member.

The second reinforcing portion 522D has the same configuration as the first reinforcing portion 521D. That is, the second reinforcing portion 522D has a first side wall 53, a second side wall 54, and multiple reinforcing plates 55 as shown in Figures 5A-5D. Like the first reinforcing portion 521D, the second reinforcing portion 522D is constructed using either a truss structure, a rigid frame structure, or a composite structure combining a truss structure and a rigid frame structure.

The rigidity of the first frame 521 against vibration in the seat width direction is greater than the rigidity of the second frame 522 against vibration in the seat width direction. In other words, when vibration is applied to the cushion frame 6 to which the armrest frame 52 is connected, the amount of displacement in the seat width direction of the vibration generated in the first frame 521 is smaller than the amount of displacement in the seat width direction of the vibration generated in the second frame 522.

The third frame 523 shown in Figure 4 is a rectangular cylindrical member extending in the seat's fore-and-aft direction. In other words, the third frame 523 has a closed cross section. The third frame 523 connects the first frame 521 and the second frame 522 in the seat's fore-and-aft direction.

Specifically, the front end of the third frame 523 is fixed to the first frame 521 at the first frame connecting portion 521C, for example by welding. The first frame connecting portion 521C is located higher than the auxiliary connecting portion 521B of the first frame 521.

The rear end of the third frame 523 is fixed to the second frame 522 at the second frame connecting portion 522B, for example by welding. The second frame connecting portion 522B is located higher than the second connecting portion 522A of the second frame 522.

The fourth frame 524 is a member that extends in the front-to-rear direction of the seat. The fourth frame 524 connects the first frame 521 and the second frame 522 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat below the third frame 523.

Specifically, the fourth frame 524 has a front portion 524A that connects the first frame 521 and the second frame 522 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat, and a rear portion 524B that protrudes further rearward than the second frame 522.

The front portion 524A of the fourth frame 524 is a rectangular cylindrical portion. The two side walls of the front portion 524A that face each other in the seat width direction are respectively integrated with the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54 of the first reinforcing portion 521D of the first frame 521. The two side walls of the front portion 524A are also respectively integrated with the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54 of the second reinforcing portion 522D of the second frame 522.

The front portion 524A forms part of a U-shaped hub frame 525. The hub frame 525 has the front portion 524A, a first reinforcing portion 521D extending upward from the front end of the seat of the front portion 524A, and a second reinforcing portion 522D extending upward from the rear end of the seat of the front portion 524A.

The hub frame 525 has multiple reinforcing plates sandwiched between two side walls. In other words, the hub frame 525 has an internal truss structure and/or rigid frame structure. The hub frame 525 is also connected to the cushion frame 6 at two locations: the auxiliary connecting portion 521B and the front and rear of the second connecting portion 522A.

The rear portion 524B of the fourth frame 524 is fixed to the second frame 522 (i.e., the hub frame 525) by, for example, welding. The rear end of the fourth frame 524 is located further forward of the seat than the upper end of the second frame 522.

[1-2. Effects]
According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(1a) The stiffness of the first frame 521 extending in the up-down direction in the seat width direction is increased by the multiple reinforcing plates 55. Therefore, the armrest frame 52 can be made lighter while suppressing vibration of the second armrest 5.

(1b) The reinforcing plate 55, together with the first side wall 53 and the second side wall 54, forms a truss structure, which enhances the rigidity of the first frame 521 in the seat width direction.

(1c) Because the rigidity of the first frame 521 against vibration in the seat width direction is greater than the rigidity of the second frame 522 against vibration in the seat width direction, the displacement due to vibration of the first frame 521 located in the front of the seat is smaller than that of the second frame 522 located in the rear of the seat. As a result, vibration of the front portion of the arm holding portion 51, which is in contact with the hands of a seated occupant, is suppressed.

(1d) The first frame 521 is fixed to the cushion frame 6 at two locations, top and bottom, by the first connecting portion 521A and the auxiliary connecting portion 521B, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first frame 521 against vibration with a relatively simple structure.

2. Other Embodiments
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take on various forms.

(2a) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the first frame does not necessarily have to have an auxiliary connecting portion. In other words, the first frame may be fixed to the cushion frame only at the connecting portion.

(2b) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the rigidity of the first frame against vibration in the seat width direction does not necessarily have to be greater than the rigidity of the second frame against vibration in the seat width direction.

(2c) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the second frame does not necessarily have to have a first side wall, a second side wall, and multiple reinforcing plates. For example, the second frame may be entirely composed of a cylindrical member.

(2d) The vehicle seat of the above embodiment can also be applied to seats used in automobiles other than passenger cars, and to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as railroad cars, ships, and aircraft.

(2e) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Furthermore, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included within the technical concept identified by the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

1...vehicle seat, 2...seat cushion, 3...seat back,
4...first armrest, 5...second armrest, 6...cushion frame,
7...back frame, 51...arm holder, 52...armrest frame,
53...first side wall, 54...second side wall, 55...reinforcing plate, 61...first side frame,
62... second side frame, 63... front frame, 64... rear frame,
65, 66, 67, 68, 69...connecting brackets, 521...first frame,
521A...first connecting portion, 521B...auxiliary connecting portion, 521C...first frame connecting portion,
521D...first reinforcing portion, 522...second frame, 522A...second connecting portion,
522B...second frame connecting portion, 522D...second reinforcing portion, 523...third frame,
524...fourth frame, 524A...front part, 524B...rear part, 525...hub frame.

Claims (6)

Seat cushion and
Seat back and
Armrest and
a cushion frame supporting the seat cushion;
Equipped with
The armrest is
an arm holding portion that forms an upper surface of the armrest;
an armrest frame disposed below the arm holding portion;
and
The armrest frame is
a first frame extending in the vertical direction and connected to the cushion frame ;
a second frame extending in the vertical direction and connected to the cushion frame at a position rearward of the first frame;
and
The first frame is
a first side wall and a second side wall extending in the vertical direction and facing each other in the sheet width direction;
a plurality of reinforcing plates connecting the first side wall and the second side wall in the seat width direction;
and
The thickness direction of the plurality of reinforcing plates intersects with the front-rear direction of the seat ,
The vehicle seat , wherein the rigidity of the first frame against vibration in the seat width direction is greater than the rigidity of the second frame against vibration in the seat width direction . Seat cushion and
Seat back and
Armrest and
a cushion frame supporting the seat cushion;
Equipped with
The armrest is
an arm holding portion that forms an upper surface of the armrest;
an armrest frame disposed below the arm holding portion;
and
The armrest frame includes a first frame extending in the vertical direction and connected to the cushion frame,
The first frame is
a first side wall and a second side wall extending in the vertical direction and facing each other in the sheet width direction;
a plurality of reinforcing plates connecting the first side wall and the second side wall in the seat width direction;
and
The first frame is connected to the cushion frame at a connecting portion and an auxiliary connecting portion provided above the connecting portion,
A vehicle seat, wherein a thickness direction of the plurality of reinforcing plates intersects with a front-rear direction of the seat. Seat cushion and
Seat back and
Armrest and
a cushion frame supporting the seat cushion;
Equipped with
The armrest is
an arm holding portion that forms an upper surface of the armrest;
an armrest frame disposed below the arm holding portion;
and
The armrest frame includes a first frame extending in the vertical direction and connected to the cushion frame,
The first frame is
a first side wall and a second side wall extending in the vertical direction and facing each other in the sheet width direction;
a plurality of flat reinforcing plates connecting the first side wall and the second side wall in the seat width direction;
and
A vehicle seat , wherein a thickness direction of the plurality of reinforcing plates intersects with a front-rear direction of the seat and is aligned with an extension direction of the first frame . The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The vehicle seat, wherein the plurality of reinforcing plates, together with the first side wall and the second side wall, form a truss structure. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
the armrest frame includes a second frame extending in the up-down direction and connected to the cushion frame at a position rearward of the first frame,
The vehicle seat, wherein the rigidity of the first frame against vibration in the seat width direction is greater than the rigidity of the second frame against vibration in the seat width direction. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 3 to 5 ,
The first frame is connected to the cushion frame at a connecting portion and an auxiliary connecting portion provided above the connecting portion.