JP7607396B2 - Seat structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat structure equipped with an assist grip.

The vehicle seat structure of Patent Document 1 includes a seat cushion, a side finisher, and an assist grip. The side finisher is a cover that covers the reclining device. The side finisher is provided on the side of the seat cushion. The assist grip is used as a handle that the occupant directly grasps when getting in and out of the seat. The assist grip is attached to the outer surface of the side finisher so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the side finisher.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-127275

It is hoped that the assist grip can be used effectively in ways other than as a handle that passengers can directly grasp when getting on and off the car.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a seat structure that allows effective use of the assist grip.

A seat structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises:
a vehicle seat cushion having a cushion frame and a cushion pad;
an assist grip attached to the cushion frame so as to protrude outward in a vehicle width direction from the cushion frame,
The cushion pad has a protruding portion protruding outward in a vehicle width direction from the cushion frame,
The assist grip is disposed below the protruding portion.

The seat structure described above has an assist grip disposed below the overhang, so that even if an occupant places their hand on the upper surface of the overhang or places an object on the seat cushion when getting in and out of the vehicle or adjusting their seating position, the overhang is prevented from bending. This allows the seat structure to make effective use of the assist grip. In the seat structure described above, the assist grip is attached so as to protrude outward, so that in the event of a side collision, a vehicle component such as a deformed door panel comes into contact with the assist grip before it plunges into the occupant. This makes it easier to protect the occupant, as the load can be transmitted to the cushion frame via the assist grip before the deformed vehicle component plunges into the occupant.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the assist grip provided in the seat structure according to the embodiment, as viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a view of the assist grip provided in the seat structure according to the embodiment, as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. FIG. 4A is a view of the seat structure from the left side of the vehicle before the seat back is folded onto the seat cushion. FIG. 4B is a view from the left side of the vehicle showing the folded seat structure in the middle of being stored in the space around the occupant's feet. FIG. 4C is a view from the left side of the vehicle showing the folded seat structure stored in the space under the occupant's feet.

An embodiment of the seat structure of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4A to 4C. In the figures, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle equipped with the seat structure 1 according to the embodiment, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LH" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RH" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "LWR" indicates the bottom of the vehicle. "OUT" indicates the outside of the vehicle, and "IN" indicates the inside of the vehicle. The front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is the vehicle length direction. The left-to-right direction of the vehicle is the vehicle width direction. The up-down direction of the vehicle is the vehicle height direction.

<<Embodiment>>
[Seat structure]
The seat structure 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and an assist grip 7. The seat cushion 2 has a cushion frame 21 and a cushion pad 22. The assist grip 7 is attached to the cushion frame 21 so as to protrude outward from the cushion frame 21. One of the features of the seat structure 1 of this embodiment is that, as shown in Fig. 2, the cushion pad 22 has a specific protruding portion 221, and the assist grip 7 is disposed below the protruding portion 221. The following description will be given in the order of an overview of the seat structure 1, and details of each component of the seat structure 1.

[overview]
The seat structure 1 is disposed on a floor 100. The seat structure 1 in this example is a rear seat. The floor 100 in this example is a rear floor. The seat structure 1 in this example is a bench seat having a width that allows multiple people to sit on it. Unlike this example, the seat structure 1 may be a separate seat for one person. The seat structure 1 may be a retractable seat or a fixed seat. The retractable seat is a seat that can be folded so that the seat back 3 is retracted forward and overlaps the seat cushion 2. The retractable seat may be a seat that can move forward in a folded state, or a seat that cannot move in a folded state. The movable seat may be a dive-down seat or a tumble seat, as described later. The fixed seat is a seat in which the seat back 3 cannot be retracted forward. The seat structure 1 in this example is a dive-down seat.

The dive-down type seat is a seat that can store the seat structure 1 in a folded state in the space around the passenger's feet as shown in Figures 4A to 4C by the following operations. The lever 91 on the side of the seat cushion 2 is operated to move the back lock (not shown) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The back lock fixes and releases the back frame to and from the cushion frame 21, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 4A, the seat back 3 is tilted forward and placed on top of the seat cushion 2. The strap 95 on the rear of the seat cushion 2 is pulled to move the seat hook (not shown) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The seat hook fixes and releases the seat hook to and from the attachment target of the cushion frame 21. In this example, the attachment target is the bulkhead 120. By gripping the strap 95 and the assist grip 7 described later, the rear side of the seat cushion 2 is rotated forward and upward around the rotation mechanism 41L on the lower end side of the left front leg 41 described later and the rotation mechanism on the lower end side of the right front leg (not shown) as the rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4C, the rear side of the seat cushion 2 is rotated downward around the rotation mechanism 41U on the upper end side and the rotation mechanism 41L on the lower end side of the left front leg 41 described later and the rotation mechanism on the upper end side and the rotation mechanism on the lower end side of the right front leg (not shown) as the rotation axis.

A tumble seat is a seat that, although not shown in the figures, can be folded and placed upright in the space around the passenger's feet by the following action. Specifically, the rear side of the folded seat cushion is rotated forward around the front side of the seat cushion as the axis of rotation. This rotation positions the seat back at the front side. The seat cushion at the rear side. The front side of the seat cushion is positioned downward. The rear side of the seat cushion is positioned upward.

[Seat cushion]
1, the seat cushion 2 includes a cushion frame 21 and a cushion pad 22. The cushion frame 21 forms a framework of the seat cushion 2. The cushion frame 21 will be described in detail later. The cushion pad 22 forms a seating surface of the seat cushion 2.

The front side of the seat cushion 2 is supported on the floor 100 via the left front leg 41 and the right front leg. In this example, the rear side of the seat cushion 2 is supported on the floor 100 via a bulking material 120 shown in FIG. 4A. The bulking material 120 is connected to the floor 100. Unlike this example, the rear side of the seat cushion 2 may be supported on the floor 100 without using the bulking material 120. Examples that differ from this example include the following two configurations. As a first example, there is a configuration in which the seat cushion 2 is supported on a flat floor using front and rear legs. As a second example, there is a configuration in which the front side of the seat cushion 2 is supported on the lower step by the front legs, and the rear side is supported on the upper step without using legs, for a stepped floor having a lower step and an upper step.

(Cushion frame)
The cushion frame 21 in this example includes a main frame 21M and a sub-frame (not shown). The main frame 21M constitutes the outer shape of the cushion frame 21. The main frame 21M is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The sub-frame reinforces the main frame 21M, for example. The sub-frame is disposed inside the main frame 21M.

The main frame 21M has a front frame 21F, a left frame 21L, a right frame, and a rear frame. For ease of explanation, part of the left frame 21L, the entire right frame, and the entire rear frame are not shown in the figures. The front frame 21F is disposed on the front side. The front frame 21F extends in the vehicle width direction. The left frame 21L is disposed on the left side. The left frame 21L extends in the vehicle length direction. The right frame is disposed on the right side. The right frame extends in the vehicle length direction. The rear frame is disposed on the rear side. The rear frame extends in the vehicle width direction.

In this example, the left frame 21L, the right frame, and the front frame 21F are formed as a continuous piece without any seams. That is, the front frame 21F, the left frame 21L, and the right frame are formed by bending a single pipe or rod. Unlike this example, the left frame 21L, the right frame, and the front frame 21F may be welded. The left frame 21L, the right frame, and the rear frame may be formed as a continuous piece or may be welded.

The shapes of the front frame 21F, the left frame 21L, the right frame, and the rear frame can be at least one of a rod shape, a tube shape, and a plate shape. The front frame 21F, the left frame 21L, the right frame, and the rear frame may be configured by combining two or more shapes of a rod shape, a tube shape, and a plate shape. In this example, the shapes of the front frame 21F, the left frame 21L, the right frame, and the rear frame are cylindrical.

(Cushion pad)
The cushion pad 22 covers the upper part of the cushion frame 21. The cushion pad 22 includes a cover material that forms the surface of the cushion pad 22, and a cushion material provided inside the cover material. For example, fabric or leather is used as the cover material. For example, urethane foam is used as the cushion material. The cushion pad 22 has an overhanging portion 221.

<Protruding part>
The overhanging portion 221 is a portion that overhangs outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the cushion frame 21. The overhanging portion 221 in this example is configured by a portion of a side portion of the cushion pad 22 overhanging outward. Unlike this example, the overhanging portion 221 may be configured by the entire side portion of the cushion pad 22 overhanging outward. The overhanging portion 221 in this example is provided on the left front portion of the cushion pad 22. Unlike this example, the overhanging portion 221 may be provided on the right front portion of the cushion pad 22, or may be provided on both the left front portion and the right front portion of the cushion pad 22.

(Assist grip)
The assist grip 7 can be used as a handle that the occupant can grasp when getting in and out of the vehicle, when moving the retractable seat forward, or when driving on rough roads. The assist grip 7 is attached to the cushion frame 21 so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the cushion frame 21. Since the assist grip 7 is attached so as to protrude outward, in the event of a side collision, a deformed vehicle component comes into contact with the assist grip 7 before it plunges into the occupant. The seat structure 1 equipped with this assist grip 7 can transmit a load to the cushion frame 21 via the assist grip 7 before the deformed vehicle component plunges into the occupant, making it easier to protect the occupant.

The number of assist grips 7 can be selected appropriately. In this example, the number of assist grips 7 is one. This number is the number of assist grips on either the left or right side of the vehicle. Unlike this example, the number of assist grips 7 may be two. The assist grip 7 is arranged below the protruding portion 221 as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, even if the occupant places his/her hand on the upper surface of the protruding portion 221 or places an object on the seat cushion 2 when getting on/off or adjusting the seating posture, the assist grip 7 is arranged below the protruding portion 221, so that the deflection of the protruding portion 221 can be suppressed. The assist grip 7 in this example is attached to the front portion of the left frame 21L. Unlike this example, when the protruding portion 221 is provided on the right front portion of the cushion pad 22, the assist grip 7 can be attached to the front portion of the right frame. Also, unlike this example, if there are two assist grips 7 and the protrusions 221 are provided on both the left and right front parts of the cushion pad 22, each of the assist grips 7 can be attached to the front part of the left frame 21L and the front part of the right frame.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the assist grip 7 is viewed from above the vehicle, the outer edge of the assist grip 7 may be located on the inside of the vehicle relative to the outer edge of the protruding portion 221, or a portion of the outer edge of the assist grip 7 may protrude outward from the outer edge of the protruding portion 221. If a portion of the outer edge of the assist grip 7 protrudes, in the event of a side collision, the load can be transmitted to the cushion frame 21 via the assist grip 7 before the cushion pad 22, making it easier to protect the occupant.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the assist grip 7 is C-shaped in this example. One end and the other end of the assist grip 7 are attached to the lower part of the left frame 21L via a bracket 70. The bracket 70 is U-shaped in this example. The bracket 70 is fixed so as to extend downward from the left frame 21L. The assist grip 7 is attached to the lower side of this bracket 70. The assist grip 7 and the bracket 70 and the bracket 70 and the left frame 21L can be attached by bolts, welding, or the like. In this example, as shown in Fig. 3, the assist grip 7 viewed from the side is attached so as to surround the pivot mechanism 41U on the upper end side of the left front leg 41 described later. That is, the assist grip 7 is attached so as to incline downward as it goes outward. This assist grip 7 appears C-shaped whether viewed from above as shown in Fig. 2 or from the side as shown in Fig. 3. The assist grip 7, which surrounds the upper end side pivot mechanism 41U, is likely to protect the upper end side pivot mechanism 41U. Therefore, it is easy to prevent a large load from being input to the upper end side pivot mechanism 41U, which is easily deformed, during a side collision.

(Seat back)
As shown in Fig. 1, the seat back 3 includes a back frame and a back pad 32. The back frame is not shown. The back frame forms the framework of the seat back 3. The back pad 32 covers the front of the back frame. The back pad 32 forms the rear surface of the seat back 3.

[Left front leg/right front leg]
The left front leg 41 supports the left front part of the cushion frame 21 from below. The right front leg supports the right front part of the cushion frame 21 from below. The configurations of the left front leg 41 and the right front leg are as follows: The left front leg 41 and the right front leg extend generally in the vehicle height direction.

As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4(A) to 4(C), the lower end of the left front leg 41 in this example is connected to the floor 100 via a pivot mechanism 41L and a base 41B. The floor 100 is omitted in Figure 3. The upper end of the left front leg 41 in this example is connected to the left front part of the left frame 21L via a pivot mechanism 41U. In this example, the pivot mechanisms 41L and 41U are composed of pins. The base 41B is fixed to the floor 100 with bolts or the like.

The lower end of the right front leg in this example is connected to the floor 100 via a pivot mechanism and a base. The upper end of the right front leg in this example is connected to the right front part of the light frame via a pivot mechanism. In this example, the pivot mechanism is composed of a pin. The base is fixed to the floor 100 with a bolt or the like.

Unlike this example, the lower end of the left front leg 41 and the lower end of the right front leg may be directly connected to the floor 100 without going through a pivot mechanism and a base. The upper end of the left front leg 41 and the upper end of the right front leg may be directly connected to the cushion frame 21 without going through a pivot mechanism.

[Cross beam]
1 reinforces the left and right front legs 41 and 42. The cross beam 5 extends in the vehicle width direction. The cross beam 5 bridges between the middle of the left front leg 41 and the middle of the right front leg 42.

[Action and Effect]
By disposing the assist grip 7 below the overhanging portion 221, even if an occupant places their hand on the upper surface of the overhanging portion 221 when getting in and out of the vehicle or adjusting their seating posture, or places an object on the seat cushion 2, the deflection of the overhanging portion 221 can be suppressed. Therefore, the seat structure 1 can make effective use of the assist grip 7.

The assist grip 7 is attached so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction, so that in the event of a side collision, it comes into contact with the deformed vehicle component before it plunges into the occupant. Therefore, the seat structure 1 can transmit the load to the cushion frame 21 via the assist grip 7 before the deformed vehicle component plunges into the occupant, making it easy to protect the occupant. In particular, the assist grip 7 is provided so as to surround the pivot mechanism 41U on the upper end side of the left front leg 41, making it easy to protect the pivot mechanism 41U on the upper end side. Therefore, it is easy to prevent a large load from being input to the pivot mechanism 41U on the upper end side, which is easily deformed, in the event of a side collision.

The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seat structure 2 seat cushion 21 cushion frame 21M main frame 21F front frame 21L left frame 22 cushion pad 221 extension 3 seat back 32 back pad 41 left front leg 41U, 41L pivot mechanism 41B base 5 cross beam 7 assist grip 70 bracket 91 lever 95 strap 100 floor 120 height raising material

Claims (1)

a vehicle seat cushion having a cushion frame and a cushion pad;
an assist grip fixed to the cushion frame so as to protrude outward in a vehicle width direction from the cushion frame,
The cushion pad has a protruding portion protruding outward in a vehicle width direction from the cushion frame,
The shape of the assist grip when viewed from above the vehicle has a space therein,
When viewed from above the vehicle, the entire inner side of the assist grip is disposed outward from the cushion frame and below the protruding portion.
Seat structure.

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