JP7711568B2 - Vehicle seats - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicle seats.

In a vehicle seat that is placed in a vehicle, etc., a structure is known in which a recliner is provided between a back frame and a lower arm connected to a cushion frame to allow the seat back to sway relative to the seat cushion (see Patent Document 1).

U.S. Pat. No. 1,075,2138

In a vehicle seat with a recliner attached to the lower arm, the load applied to the back frame during a vehicle collision is transmitted to the recliner as torque. If this torque continues to be input to the recliner, it can cause damage to the recliner or the joint between the recliner and the back frame. This can result in the back frame tilting.

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle seat that can reduce the torque applied to the recliner during a collision.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat (1) including a seat cushion (2), a seat back (3) that can swing in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the seat cushion (2), a cushion frame (4) that supports the seat cushion (2), a back frame (5) that supports the seat back (3), a lower arm (6) attached to the cushion frame (4), and a recliner (7) that is connected to the back frame (5) and the lower arm (6) and is configured to swing the back frame (5) in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the lower arm (6).

The lower arm (6) has a plate-shaped recliner plate (61) to which the recliner (7) is fixed and which is fixed to the cushion frame (4) at a plurality of fixing parts (611, 612), and an impact absorbing hole (62) provided in the recliner plate (61). When viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation of the recliner (7), the impact absorbing hole (62) is located between the central axis of rotation of the recliner (7) and the fixing part (611) which is located at the lowest of the plurality of fixing parts (611, 612).

With this configuration, the shock absorbing hole (62) is placed on the load transmission path from the recliner (7) to which torque is input to the cushion frame (4). Therefore, a distortion that absorbs energy can be induced near the shock absorbing hole (62) of the lower arm (6). This reduces the torque applied to the recliner (7).

As a result, damage to the recliner (7) is suppressed, and deformation of the cushion frame (4) is suppressed. Furthermore, distortion that occurs when the recliner (7) and the back frame (5) are joined is absorbed by the shock absorbing holes (62). Therefore, damage to the joint between the recliner (7) and the back frame (5) is suppressed when torque is input to the recliner (7).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the lower arm (6) may further include a bent portion (63) that is provided in continuity with the shock absorbing hole (62) behind the seat and that is curved in the thickness direction of the recliner plate (61) so as to deform starting from the shock absorbing hole (62), and a first bead (64) that extends starting from the shock absorbing hole (62) in the seat front of the shock absorbing hole (62) and protrudes in the thickness direction of the recliner plate (61). With this configuration, energy can be absorbed by actively deforming the bent portion (63) when torque is input to the recliner (7). In addition, the first bead (64) can propagate distortion in the lower arm (6) to the front of the seat. As a result, the torque reduction effect in the recliner (7) is promoted. In addition, the first bead (64) suppresses bending of the lower arm (6) in the thickness direction.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the width of the first bead (64) in the thickness direction of the recliner plate (61) may be greater than the width of the bent portion (63) in the thickness direction of the recliner plate (61). With this configuration, deformation of the bent portion (63) is induced preferentially over deformation of the first bead (64). This promotes the torque reduction effect in the recliner (7).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the end of the first bead (64) at the front of the seat may be located further forward than the joints (71A, 71B, 71C) between the recliner (7) and the recliner plate (61). This configuration can suppress the propagation of strain to the joints (71A, 71B, 71C), thereby suppressing damage to the joints (71A, 71B, 71C).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the lower arm (6) may further have a second bead (65) above the bent portion (63), extending from the end of the recliner plate (61) toward the inside of the recliner plate (61) and protruding in the thickness direction of the recliner plate (61). With this configuration, the second bead (65) deforms when a load is input to the lower arm (6), thereby improving the energy absorption function of the lower arm (6).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal direction of the first bead (64) may intersect with the longitudinal direction of the second bead (65) when viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation of the recliner (7). With this configuration, the second bead (65) generates a reaction force against the energy absorption of the first bead (64). Therefore, damage to the lower arm (6) can be suppressed.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the shock absorbing hole (62) may have a first edge (62A) to which the bent portion (63) is connected, a second edge (62B) to which the first bead (64) is connected, an upper protrusion (62C) located above the first edge (62A) and the second edge (62B), and a lower protrusion (62D) located below the first edge (62A) and the second edge (62B). This configuration can promote strain propagation from the shock absorbing hole (62) to the bent portion (63) and the first bead (64).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the shock absorbing hole (62) may have a shape in which the width decreases downward. With this configuration, the efficiency of absorbing energy in the vicinity of the shock absorbing hole (62) can be increased.

Note that the symbols in parentheses above are examples showing the corresponding relationship with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. shown 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 a lower arm and a recliner in the vehicle seat of FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of the lower arm of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a schematic rear view of the lower arm of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a schematic right side view of the lower arm and the recliner of FIG. 2 .

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 cushion frame 4, a back frame 5, a lower arm 6, and a recliner 7.

The vehicle seat 1 is used as a seat for a passenger vehicle. Note that the directions in the following explanation and in each drawing refer to the directions when the vehicle seat 1 is installed in 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 for supporting the buttocks of a seated person. The seat back 3 is a part for supporting the back of a seated person. The seat back 3 can swing in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the seat cushion 2.

<Cushion frame>
The cushion frame 4 supports the seat cushion 2. The cushion frame 4 has a first side frame 41, a second side frame 42, and a front panel 43.

The first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 are panel-like members that extend in the front-rear direction of the seat and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the seat. The first side frame 41 is disposed to the left of the second side frame 42. The thickness direction of the first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 is parallel to the width direction of the seat. The front panel 43 is disposed so as to straddle the front end of the first side frame 41 and the front end of the second side frame 42.

<Back frame>
The back frame 5 supports the seat back 3 and is capable of swinging in the front-rear direction together with the seat back 3. The back frame 5 has a third side frame 51, a fourth side frame 52, an upper panel 53, and a lower panel .

The third side frame 51 and the fourth side frame 52 extend in the vertical direction and are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction. The third side frame 51 is disposed to the left of the fourth side frame 52. The thickness direction of the third side frame 51 and the fourth side frame 52 is parallel to the seat width direction.

The upper panel 53 connects the upper end of the third side frame 51 to the upper end of the fourth side frame 52 in the seat width direction. The lower panel 54 connects the third side frame 51 to the fourth side frame 52 in the seat width direction below the upper panel 53.

<Lower arm>
The lower arm 6 is a plate-shaped frame attached to the first side frame 41 of the cushion frame 4 .

The lower arm 6 is connected to the lower end of the third side frame 51 of the back frame 5 via the recliner 7. In other words, the third side frame 51 is connected to the cushion frame 4 by the lower arm 6. The lower arm 6 is disposed further outboard in the seat width direction than the first side frame 41 and the third side frame 51. The features of the lower arm 6 will be described later.

<Recliner>
The recliner 7 is connected to the third side frame 51 of the back frame 5 and the lower arm 6 .

The recliner 7 is a known device configured to rock the back frame 5 in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the lower arm 6 and the cushion frame 4. The recliner 7 rocks the back frame 5 about a rotation axis parallel to the seat width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the recliner 7 has a recliner body 71, an operating pin 72, and a return spring 73.

The recliner body 71 has a first joint 71A, a second joint 71B, and a third joint 71C. The first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C are each convex parts that protrude outward in the seat width direction and are inserted into one of the first opening 614, the second opening 615, and the third opening 616 provided in the lower arm 6. The first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C are each joined to the lower arm 6 by welding.

The recliner body 71 has a locking mechanism that switches between restricting (i.e., locking) the rocking of the third side frame 51. The locking of the recliner body 71 is controlled by rotating an operating pin 72. The operating pin 72 rotates about its axis, for example, by input from an operating lever (not shown) connected to the operating pin 72.

A return spring 73 is attached to the operating pin 72. One end of the return spring 73 is fixed to the operating pin 72. The other end of the return spring 73 is fixed to the engagement portion 66 of the lower arm 6.

The return spring 73 biases the operating pin 72 in a direction that locks the recliner body 71. Therefore, when the input to the operating pin 72 is released, the operating pin 72 rotates in a direction that locks the recliner body 71.

In this embodiment, a member equivalent to the lower arm 6 and the recliner 7 is also provided between the second side frame 42 of the cushion frame 4 and the fourth side frame 52 of the back frame 5 shown in FIG. 1.

<Features of the lower arm>
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , the lower arm 6 has a recliner plate 61 , a shock absorbing hole 62 , a bent portion 63 , a first bead 64 , a second bead 65 , and a locking portion 66 .

(Recliner plate)
The recliner plate 61 is a flat plate-shaped portion to which the recliner 7 is fixed. The recliner plate 61 is disposed so as to overlap the recliner main body 71 from the outer side in the seat width direction.

The thickness direction of the recliner plate 61 is parallel to the seat width direction. The recliner plate 61 has a first fixing portion 611, a second fixing portion 612, an insertion hole 613, a first opening 614, a second opening 615, and a third opening 616.

The first fixing portion 611 and the second fixing portion 612 are holes through which the first bolt 81 and the second bolt 82 (see FIG. 2) are inserted, respectively. The first bolt 81 and the second bolt 82 fasten the recliner plate 61 to the first side frame 41, respectively. In other words, the recliner plate 61 is fixed to the cushion frame 4 at the first fixing portion 611 and the second fixing portion 612.

The first fixing portion 611 is located below the second fixing portion 612 and behind the seat. The first fixing portion 611 is also located below the impact absorbing hole 62, the bent portion 63, and the first bead 64.

The insertion hole 613 is located at a position surrounded by the first opening 614, the second opening 615, and the third opening 616. The insertion hole 613 overlaps with the recliner 7 in the seat width direction. An operating pin 72 is inserted into the insertion hole 613.

The first joint 71A of the recliner body 71 is inserted and joined into the first opening 614. The second joint 71B of the recliner body 71 is inserted and joined into the second opening 615. The third joint 71C of the recliner body 71 is inserted and joined into the third opening 616.

The first opening 614 is located in front of the insertion hole 613 and is the furthest forward of the three openings 614, 615, and 616. The second opening 615 is located below the insertion hole 613. The third opening 616 is located behind the insertion hole 613 and is the furthest rearward of the three openings 614, 615, and 616.

(shock absorbing holes)
The impact absorbing hole 62 is an opening provided in a region of the recliner plate 61 that is below the insertion hole 613 and the second opening 615 and above the first fixing portion 611 .

As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation O of the recliner 7 (i.e., the seat width direction), the shock absorbing hole 62 is located between the central axis of rotation O of the recliner 7 and the first fixing part 611, which is located at the lowest of the multiple fixing parts 611, 612.

The central axis of rotation O of the recliner 7, the second joint 71B of the recliner body 71, the shock absorbing hole 62, and the first bolt 81 (i.e., the first fixing portion 611) are arranged in this order from top to bottom.

The shock absorbing hole 62 has a first edge 62A, a second edge 62B, an upper protrusion 62C, and a lower protrusion 62D. A bent portion 63 is connected to the first edge 62A. The first edge 62A constitutes the rear edge of the shock absorbing hole 62. A first bead 64 is connected to the second edge 62B. The second edge 62B constitutes the front edge of the shock absorbing hole 62.

The upper protrusion 62C is a space located above the first edge 62A and the second edge 62B. A portion of the upper protrusion 62C faces the second bead 65 in the vertical direction. The lower protrusion 62D is a space located below the first edge 62A and the second edge 62B. The lower protrusion 62D faces the first fixing portion 611 in the vertical direction.

The impact absorbing hole 62 has a shape in which the width in the seat front-rear direction decreases toward the bottom. Specifically, the impact absorbing hole 62 has a wedge shape in which the distance between the first edge 62A and the second edge 62B in the seat front-rear direction decreases toward the bottom.

(Bent section)
The bent portion 63 is provided continuous with the impact absorbing hole 62 behind the seat rear of the impact absorbing hole 62. Specifically, the bent portion 63 extends from a first edge 62A of the impact absorbing hole 62 to the rear end of the recliner plate 61. The bent portion 63 is located above the first fixed portion 611.

3A and 3B, the bent portion 63 is curved in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61 so as to deform starting from the shock absorbing hole 62. Specifically, the bent portion 63 protrudes outward in the seat width direction (i.e., to the left) and is curved so as to be compressively deformable in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the center line L1 of the bend of the bent portion 63 intersects with the vertical direction and extends to connect the shock absorbing hole 62 and the rear end of the recliner plate 61.

(First bead)
The first bead 64 is a convex portion extending from the impact absorbing hole 62 at a position in front of the seat from the impact absorbing hole 62. Specifically, the first bead 64 extends from the second edge 62B of the impact absorbing hole 62 to a position between the first fixing portion 611 and the second fixing portion 612. The first bead 64 is located below the first joint portion 71A and the second joint portion 71B.

The first bead 64 protrudes in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61. The protruding direction of the first bead 64 is toward the outside in the seat width direction, which is the same as the protruding direction of the bent portion 63. Like the bent portion 63, the first bead 64 is curved so that it can be compressed and deformed in the vertical direction.

The longitudinal direction of the first bead 64 (i.e., the center line L2) intersects with the vertical direction. Also, when viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation O of the recliner 7, the longitudinal direction of the first bead 64 is parallel to the center line L1 of the bend of the bent portion 63.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the width W2 of the first bead 64 in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61 is greater than the width W1 of the bent portion 63 in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61. Note that the "width in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61" refers to the difference in distance between the most protruding portion and the most recessed portion in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61 (i.e., the seat width direction).

As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the first bead 64 at the front of the seat is located further forward of the first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C that join the recliner 7 and the recliner plate 61.

However, the first bead 64 does not reach the end of the recliner plate 61, and the end of the first bead 64 at the front of the seat is located inside the recliner plate 61. The length of the first bead 64 along the center line L2 is greater than the length of the bent portion 63 along the bending center line L1.

(Second bead)
The second bead 65 is a protruding portion that extends from the rear end portion of the recliner plate 61 toward the inside of the recliner plate 61 above the bent portion 63. The second bead 65 is located below the second joint portion 71B and the third joint portion 71C.

The second bead 65 protrudes in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61. The protruding direction of the second bead 65 is toward the outside in the seat width direction, which is the same as the protruding direction of the first bead 64. The second bead 65 is curved so that it can be compressed and deformed in the vertical direction.

The longitudinal direction of the second bead 65 (i.e., the center line L3) intersects with the up-down direction. Also, when viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation O of the recliner 7, the longitudinal direction of the second bead 65 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first bead 64.

The second bead 65 has a shape that widens and becomes deeper (i.e., the amount of recess) as it approaches the rear end of the recliner plate 61 from the inside of the recliner plate 61 (i.e., toward the rear). When viewed from the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61, the second bead 65 has a triangular shape with its apex located inside the recliner plate 61 and its base formed by the rear end of the recliner plate 61.

The tip of the second bead 65 (i.e., the inner end of the recliner plate 61) is located above the impact absorbing hole 62. In addition, the tip of the second bead 65 is located rearward of the first bead 64. In other words, the second bead 65 does not overlap with the first bead 64 in the vertical direction.

(Latching portion)
The locking portion 66 protrudes outward in the seat width direction from an upper end portion of the recliner plate 61. A return spring 73 is attached to the locking portion 66.

[1-2. Effects]
According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(1a) The shock absorbing holes 62 are disposed on a load transmission path from the recliner 7 to which torque is input to the cushion frame 4. Therefore, a distortion that absorbs energy can be induced in the vicinity of the shock absorbing holes 62 of the lower arm 6. This makes it possible to reduce the torque applied to the recliner 7.

As a result, damage to the recliner 7 is suppressed, and deformation of the cushion frame 4 is suppressed. Furthermore, distortion that occurs when the recliner 7 and the back frame 5 are joined is absorbed by the shock absorbing holes 62. Therefore, damage to the joint between the recliner 7 and the back frame 5 when torque is input to the recliner 7 is suppressed.

(1b) When torque is applied to the recliner 7, the bent portion 63 is actively deformed to absorb energy. The first bead 64 also allows distortion in the lower arm 6 to propagate forward of the seat. As a result, the torque reduction effect of the recliner 7 is promoted. The first bead 64 also suppresses bending of the lower arm 6 in the thickness direction.

(1c) The width of the first bead 64 in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61 is greater than the width of the bent portion 63 in the thickness direction of the recliner plate 61, so that deformation of the bent portion 63 is preferentially induced over deformation of the first bead 64. This promotes the torque reduction effect in the recliner 7.

(1d) The end of the first bead 64 at the front of the seat is located further forward than the first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C, which can suppress the propagation of strain to the first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C. This can suppress damage to the first joint 71A, the second joint 71B, and the third joint 71C.

(1e) The second bead 65 deforms when a load is applied to the lower arm 6, thereby improving the energy absorption function of the lower arm 6.

(1f) The longitudinal direction of the first bead 64 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second bead 65, so that the second bead 65 generates a reaction force against the energy absorption of the first bead 64. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the lower arm 6.

(1g) The shock absorbing hole 62 has an upper protrusion 62C located above the first edge 62A and the second edge 62B, and a lower protrusion 62D located below the first edge 62A and the second edge 62B, which can promote the propagation of strain from the shock absorbing hole 62 to the bent portion 63 and the first bead 64.

(1h) The impact absorbing hole 62 has a shape in which its width decreases downward, thereby improving the efficiency of energy absorption in the vicinity of the impact absorbing hole 62.

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 various forms.

(2a) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the width of the first bead in the thickness direction of the recliner plate may be equal to or smaller than the width of the bent portion in the thickness direction of the recliner plate. In addition, the end of the first bead at the front of the seat may be located rearward of the joint between the recliner and the recliner plate.

(2b) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the first bead and the longitudinal direction of the second bead may be parallel when viewed from a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation of the recliner.

(2c) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the impact absorbing hole does not necessarily have to have an upward protruding portion and a downward protruding portion. In addition, the impact absorbing hole does not necessarily have to have a shape that narrows downward.

(2d) In the vehicle seat of the above embodiment, the protruding directions of the bent portion, the first bead, and the second bead may be on the inner side in the seat width direction (i.e., the side where the recliner is located). In addition, the protruding directions of the bent portion, the first bead, and the second bead may be different from each other.

(2e) 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.

(2f) 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. In addition, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, 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 in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

1...vehicle seat, 2...seat cushion, 3...seat back,
4... cushion frame, 5... back frame, 6... lower arm, 7... recliner,
41...first side frame, 42...second side frame, 51...third side frame,
52...fourth side frame, 61...recliner plate, 62...shock absorbing hole,
62A: first edge, 62B: second edge, 62C: upper protrusion, 62D: lower protrusion,
63: bent portion, 64: first bead, 65: second bead, 66: engaging portion,
71... recliner main body, 71A... first joint part, 71B... second joint part,
71C...third joint portion, 72...operation pin, 73...return spring, 81...first bolt,
82... second bolt, 611... first fixing portion, 612... second fixing portion, 613... insertion hole,
614...first opening, 615...second opening, 616...third opening.

Claims (6)

Seat cushion and
a seat back that is pivotable in a front-rear direction relative to the seat cushion;
A cushion frame supporting the seat cushion;
A back frame supporting the seat back;
A lower arm attached to the cushion frame;
a recliner connected to the back frame and the lower arm and configured to swing the back frame relative to the lower arm in a seat front-rear direction;
Equipped with
The lower arm is
a recliner plate to which the recliner is fixed and which is fixed to the cushion frame at a plurality of fixing portions;
An impact absorbing hole provided in the recliner plate;
a bent portion that is provided continuously with the impact absorbing hole at a rear of the seat from the impact absorbing hole and that is curved in a thickness direction of the recliner plate so as to deform with the impact absorbing hole as a starting point;
a first bead extending from the impact absorbing hole at a seat front side of the impact absorbing hole and protruding in a thickness direction of the recliner plate;
a second bead extending from a rear end of the recliner plate toward the inside of the recliner plate above the bent portion and protruding in a thickness direction of the recliner plate;
having
The impact absorbing hole is disposed at a position between the rotation axis of the recliner and a lowermost fixing portion of the plurality of fixing portions when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the recliner ,
The second bead overlaps with the bent portion in the vertical direction, but does not overlap with the first bead in the vertical direction . 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 ,
A vehicle seat, wherein a width of the first bead in a thickness direction of the recliner plate is greater than a width of the bent portion in the thickness direction of the recliner plate. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A vehicle seat, wherein a front end portion of the first bead is located forward of the seat relative to a joint portion between the recliner and the recliner plate. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A vehicle seat, wherein a longitudinal direction of the first bead intersects with a longitudinal direction of the second bead when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation center axis of the recliner. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The shock absorbing hole is
a first edge to which the bent portion is connected; and
a second edge to which the first bead is connected; and
an upward protrusion located above the first edge and the second edge;
a downward protruding portion located below the first edge and the second edge;
A vehicle seat having the above features. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The impact absorbing hole has a shape that narrows downward.