JP7627543B2 - Cushion frame for vehicle seat - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a cushion frame for use in a vehicle seat.

For example, the lower arm of the cushion frame for a vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as the cushion frame) described in Patent Document 1 has a weak part that induces deformation of the lower arm. The lower arm is an example of a cushion side frame that constitutes part of the cushion frame.

When a large rearward load acts on the back frame, the lower arm deforms starting from the weak part of the cushion frame, preventing the back frame from falling excessively backward.

JP 2007-30583 A

When a large downward load acts on the cushion side frame, if the cushion side frame is deformed so that it collapses outward, it may be difficult to properly absorb the load.

The "outside" refers to the side opposite the center of the cushion frame in the seat width direction, when sandwiched between the cushion side frame. The "inside" refers to the same side as the center of the seat width direction, when sandwiched between the cushion side frame.

In view of the above, the present disclosure discloses an example of a cushion frame in which, when a large downward load acts on the cushion side frame, deformation may be induced such that the cushion side frame collapses inward.

It is desirable for a cushion frame used in a vehicle seat to have at least one of the following configuration requirements, for example.
That is, the constituent features include a first cushion side frame (11) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat, and a second cushion side frame (12) disposed at a position shifted in the seat width direction with respect to the first cushion side frame (11), the second cushion side frame (12) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat, and a connecting member (14) extending in the seat width direction, the connecting member (14) connecting a rear side of the first cushion side frame (11) to a rear side of the second cushion side frame (12), one end side in the extension direction of the connecting member (14) is connected to a weak portion (16) provided in the first cushion side frame (11), the weak portion (16) is located above the fixed wall portion (16A) and is connected to a back frame (7). the lower fixed wall portion (16C) is located below the fixed wall portion (16A) and is fixed directly or indirectly to the vehicle, the lower fixed wall portion (16C) being located on the opposite side of the second cushion side frame (12) with the fixed wall portion (16A) in the seat width direction, an upper connecting wall portion (16D) connecting the fixed wall portion (16A) and the upper connecting wall portion (16B), and a lower connecting wall portion (16E) connecting the fixed wall portion (16A) and the lower fixed wall portion (16C), and further, the lower fixed wall portion (16C) is provided with a wall-shaped flange portion (11A) protruding toward the second cushion side frame (12).

As a result, when a large downward load acts on the cushion side frame, a moment acts on the first cushion side frame (11) inducing deformation such that it falls toward the second cushion side frame (12), i.e., inward.

At this time, the connecting member (14) restricts the deformation of the first cushion side frame (11) such that it falls outward. Therefore, when a large downward load acts on the first cushion side frame (11), the deformation of the first cushion side frame (11) such that it falls inward can be induced.

In addition, if the first cushion side frame (11) were to deform and fall outward, large tensile stress would be likely to occur in the flange portion (11A), which could cause the flange portion (11A) to break prematurely.

The cushion frame may have the following configuration, for example.
That is, it is desirable that the lower fixed wall portion (16C) is farther away from the fixed wall portion (16A) than the upper connecting wall portion (16B) in the seat width direction, so that a moment that induces deformation such as inwardly collapsing acts reliably on the first cushion side frame (11).

The other end side of the connecting member (14) in the extension direction is connected to a second weak portion (17) provided on the second cushion side frame (12), and the second weak portion (17) is a second fixed wall portion (17A) to which the connecting member (14) is connected and fixed, a second upper connecting wall portion (17B) located above the second fixed wall portion (17A) and to which the back frame (8) is connected, and a second upper connecting wall portion (17B) located on the opposite side of the second fixed wall portion (17A) to the first cushion side frame (11) in the seat width direction, a second lower portion (17B) located above the second fixed wall portion (17A) and connected to the vehicle The fixed wall portion (17C) is configured to include a second lower fixed wall portion (17C) located on the opposite side of the first cushion side frame (11) in the seat width direction across the second fixed wall portion (17A), a second upper connecting wall portion (17D) connecting the second fixed wall portion (17A) and the second upper connecting wall portion (17B), and a second lower connecting wall portion (17E) connecting the second fixed wall portion (17A) and the second lower fixed wall portion (17C). Furthermore, it is preferable that the second lower fixed wall portion (17C) is provided with a wall-shaped flange portion (12A) protruding toward the first cushion side frame (11).

As a result, when a large downward load acts on the cushion side frame, a moment acts on the second cushion side frame (12) inducing deformation such that it falls toward the first cushion side frame (11), i.e., inward.

It is desirable that the second lower fixed wall portion (17C) be farther away from the second fixed wall portion (17A) in the seat width direction than the second upper connecting wall portion (17B) is.
As a result, a moment is reliably applied to the second cushion side frame (12) to induce deformation such that the second cushion side frame (12) falls inward.

Furthermore, the cushion frame used in the vehicle seat comprises a first cushion side frame (11) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat, and a second cushion side frame (12) disposed at a position offset in the seat width direction from the first cushion side frame (11), and the second cushion side frame (12) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat and a connecting member (14) extending in the seat width direction, which connects the rear side of the first cushion side frame (11) to the rear side of the second cushion side frame (12). (14), one end side in the extension direction of the connecting member (14) is connected to a first weak part (16) provided on the first cushion side frame (11), and the first weak part (16) is a part including a recessed portion recessed on the second cushion side frame (12), and the other end side in the extension direction of the connecting member (14) is connected to a second weak part (17) provided on the second cushion side frame (12), and the second weak part (17) is a part including a recessed portion recessed on the first cushion side frame (11).

As a result, a moment that induces deformation such that the first cushion side frame (11) and the second cushion side frame (12) fall inward is surely applied to them.
Incidentally, the symbols in the above parentheses 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. shown by the symbols in the above parentheses.

1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cushion frame according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing a connection structure between a second connecting member and a weak portion in the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing a connection structure between a second connecting member and a weak portion in the first embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a connection structure between the first cushion side frame and the second cushion side frame and between the second connecting member and the second connecting member;

The following "embodiment of the invention" shows an example of an embodiment that falls within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiment below.

This embodiment is an example in which the cushion frame according to the present disclosure is applied to a seat (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat) mounted on a vehicle such as a car. The arrows and diagonal lines indicating directions in each figure are provided to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of the components or parts.

Therefore, the cushion frame is not limited to the orientation shown in each figure. The orientation shown in each figure is the orientation when the vehicle seat according to this embodiment is installed in a vehicle. The figures with diagonal lines do not show cross-sectional views.

At least one of each of the components or parts described with a reference number is provided, unless otherwise specified by "one". In other words, unless otherwise specified by "one", two or more of the component may be provided. The cushion frame shown in this disclosure includes at least the components or parts described with a reference number.

First Embodiment
1. Overview of the Vehicle Seat As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat 1 at least includes a seat cushion 3 and a seat back 5. The seat cushion 3 is a portion for supporting the buttocks of a seated occupant. The seat back 5 is a portion for supporting the back of the seated occupant.

The seat frame 6 that constitutes the framework of the vehicle seat 1 includes a back frame 7 and a cushion frame 9. The back frame 7 constitutes the framework of the seat back 5. The cushion frame 9 constitutes the framework of the seat cushion 3.

The back frame 7 has at least a first back side frame 7A, a second back side frame 7B, and a connecting frame 7C. The first back side frame 7A and the second back side frame 7B are members that extend substantially in the vertical direction.

The second back side frame 7B is positioned offset in the seat width direction (to the right in this embodiment) relative to the first back side frame 7A. The connecting frame 7C is a member that extends in the seat width direction.

The connecting frame 7C connects the upper end side of the first back side frame 7A to the upper end side of the second back side frame 7B. The lower end sides of the first back side frame 7A and the second back side frame 7B are connected to the cushion frame 9.

2. Details of Cushion Frame As shown in FIG. 1 , the cushion frame 9 includes at least a first cushion side frame 11, a second cushion side frame 12, a first connecting member 13, and a second connecting member 14.

The first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12 are members that extend in the front-rear direction of the seat. The second cushion side frame 12 is positioned offset in the seat width direction from the first cushion side frame 11.

The first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12 are generally symmetrical. The first back side frame 7A is connected to the rear end of the first cushion side frame 11.

The second back side frame 7B is connected to the rear end side of the second cushion side frame 12. The first back side frame 7A is connected to the first cushion side frame 11 via the recliner 10A (see Figure 3).

The second back side frame 7B is connected to the second cushion side frame 12 via the recliner 10B (see Figure 4). The recliners 10A and 10B switch between allowing the back frame 7 to rotate relative to the cushion frame 9 and not allowing it to rotate.

The first connecting member 13 and the second connecting member 14 are members that extend in the seat width direction and connect the first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12. In this embodiment, the first connecting member 13 and the second connecting member 14 are made of round steel pipes.

The first connecting member 13 connects the front side of the first cushion side frame 11 to the front side of the second cushion side frame 12. The second connecting member 14 connects the rear side of the first cushion side frame 11 to the rear side of the second cushion side frame 12.

In this embodiment, the front end of the first cushion side frame 11 and the front end of the second cushion side frame 12 are connected by a third connecting member 15. The third connecting member 15 is a member having a panel-shaped plate surface on the upper surface.

2.1 Connection structure between the second connecting member and the first cushion side frame <Outline of the connection structure>
One end side in the extension direction of the second connecting member 14 (the left end side in this embodiment) is connected to a weak portion 16 shown in Fig. 2. The weak portion 16 is provided in the first cushion side frame 11. The weak portion 16 is a portion that includes a recess that is recessed toward the second cushion side frame 12 side.

<Details of the connection structure>
As shown in FIG. 3, the fragile portion 16 is configured to have at least a fixed wall portion 16A, an upper connecting wall portion 16B, a lower fixed wall portion 16C, an upper connecting wall portion 16D, and a lower connecting wall portion 16E.

The fixed wall portion 16A is the portion to which the second connecting member 14 is connected and fixed. The second connecting member 14 is welded and fixed to the fixed wall portion 16A in a state where it passes through a through hole provided in the fixed wall portion 16A.

The upper connecting wall portion 16B is located above the fixed wall portion 16A and is the portion to which the first back side frame 7A is connected. The upper connecting wall portion 16B is located on the opposite side of the fixed wall portion 16A from the second cushion side frame 12 in the seat width direction, that is, on the outer side of the fixed wall portion 16A.

The lower fixed wall portion 16C is located below the fixed wall portion 16A and is fixed directly or indirectly to the vehicle. The lower fixed wall portion 16C is located on the opposite side of the second cushion side frame 12 across the fixed wall portion 16A in the seat width direction, that is, on the outer side of the fixed wall portion 16A.

The lower fixed wall portion 16C is farther away from the fixed wall portion 16A in the seat width direction than the upper connecting wall portion 16B. In other words, the lower fixed wall portion 16C is located outward from the fixed wall portion 16A than the upper connecting wall portion 16B.

In this embodiment, the lower fixed wall portion 16C is fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle via a slide device (not shown). The slide device is a support device that supports the vehicle seat 1 so that it can slide.

The upper connecting wall 16D is a portion that connects the fixed wall 16A and the upper connecting wall 16B. The lower connecting wall 16E is a portion that connects the fixed wall 16A and the lower fixed wall 16C. Furthermore, the lower fixed wall 16C is provided with a wall-shaped flange portion 11A (see FIG. 5) that protrudes toward the second cushion side frame 12, i.e., inward.

In this embodiment, the flange portion 11A is a wall-like portion that protrudes inward over substantially the entire rear end of the first cushion side frame 11 (see FIG. 2). The fragile portion 16 and the flange portion 11A, i.e., the first cushion side frame 11, are integrally formed by pressing a single metal plate.

2.2 Connection structure between second connection member and second cushion side frame <Outline of connection structure>
The other end side in the extension direction of the second connecting member 14 (the right end side in this embodiment) is connected to a weak portion 17 shown in Fig. 2. The weak portion 17 is provided on the second cushion side frame 12. The weak portion 17 is a portion that includes a recess that is recessed toward the first cushion side frame 11 side.

<Details of the connection structure>
As shown in FIG. 4, the fragile portion 17 is configured to have at least a fixed wall portion 17A, an upper connecting wall portion 17B, a lower fixed wall portion 17C, an upper connecting wall portion 17D, and a lower connecting wall portion 17E.

The fixed wall portion 17A is the portion to which the second connecting member 14 is connected and fixed. The second connecting member 14 is welded and fixed to the fixed wall portion 17A in a state in which it passes through a through hole provided in the fixed wall portion 17A.

The upper connecting wall portion 17B is located above the fixed wall portion 17A and is the portion to which the second back side frame 7B is connected. The upper connecting wall portion 17B is located on the opposite side of the fixed wall portion 17A from the first cushion side frame 11 in the seat width direction, that is, on the outer side of the fixed wall portion 17A.

The lower fixed wall portion 17C is located below the fixed wall portion 17A and is fixed directly or indirectly to the vehicle. The lower fixed wall portion 17C is located on the opposite side of the fixed wall portion 17A from the first cushion side frame 11 in the seat width direction, that is, on the outer side of the fixed wall portion 17A.

The lower fixed wall portion 17C is farther away from the fixed wall portion 17A in the seat width direction than the upper connecting wall portion 17B. In other words, the lower fixed wall portion 17C is positioned further outward from the fixed wall portion 17A than the upper connecting wall portion 17B.

In this embodiment, the lower fixed wall portion 17C is fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle via a slide device (not shown). The slide device is a support device that supports the vehicle seat 1 so that it can slide.

The upper connecting wall 17D is a portion that connects the fixed wall 17A and the upper connecting wall 17B. The lower connecting wall 17E is a portion that connects the fixed wall 17A and the lower fixed wall 17C. Furthermore, the lower fixed wall 17C is provided with a wall-shaped flange portion 12A (see FIG. 5) that protrudes toward the first cushion side frame 11, i.e., inward.

In this embodiment, the flange portion 12A is a wall-like portion that protrudes inward over substantially the entire rear end of the second cushion side frame 12 (see FIG. 2). The fragile portion 17 and the flange portion 12A, i.e., the second cushion side frame 12, are integrally formed by pressing a single metal plate.

3. Features of the vehicle seat (particularly, the cushion frame) according to this embodiment One end side in the extension direction of the second connecting member 14 is connected to a weak portion 16 provided on the first cushion side frame 11. Of the weak portion 16, a fixed wall portion 16A to which the second connecting member 14 is connected and fixed is located inside the upper connecting wall portion 16B and the lower fixed wall portion 16C.

As a result, when a large downward load acts on the first cushion side frame 11, a moment acts on the first cushion side frame 11, inducing deformation that causes it to fall toward the second cushion side frame 12, i.e., inward.

At this time, the second connecting member 14 restricts the deformation of the first cushion side frame 11 such that it falls outward. Therefore, when a large downward load acts on the first cushion side frame 11, the deformation of the first cushion side frame 11 such that it falls inward can be induced.

The lower fixed wall portion 16C is farther away from the fixed wall portion 16A in the seat width direction than the upper connecting wall portion 16B. In other words, the lower fixed wall portion 16C is located outside the upper connecting wall portion 16B. This ensures that a moment that induces deformation such as inward collapse acts on the first cushion side frame 11.

The other end of the second connecting member 14 in the extension direction is connected to a weak portion 17 provided on the second cushion side frame 12. The fixed wall portion 17A of the weak portion 17 to which the second connecting member 14 is connected and fixed is located inside the upper connecting wall portion 17B and the lower fixed wall portion 17C.

As a result, when a large downward load acts on the second cushion side frame 12, a moment acts on the second cushion side frame 12, inducing deformation that causes it to fall toward the first cushion side frame 11, i.e., inward.

The lower fixed wall portion 17C is farther away from the fixed wall portion 17A in the seat width direction than the upper connecting wall portion 17B. In other words, the lower fixed wall portion 17C is located outboard of the upper connecting wall portion 17B. This ensures that a moment that induces deformation such as inward collapse acts on the second cushion side frame 12.

Other Embodiments
In the above embodiment, the left end side and the right end side of the second connecting member 14 are connected to the weak portions 16, 17, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure may be configured such that either one of the left end side and the right end side of the second connecting member 14 is connected to the weak portion. In other words, the cushion frame 9 may be configured such that only one of the left end side and the right end side is provided with a weak portion.

In the above-described embodiment, the lower fixed wall portions 16C, 17C are configured to be located outside the upper connecting wall portions 16B, 17B. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the present disclosure may be configured as follows, for example: (1) or (2).

(1) A configuration in which the lower fixed wall portions 16C, 17C are located inside the upper connecting wall portions 16B, 17B. (2) A configuration in which the lower fixed wall portions 16C, 17C and the upper connecting wall portions 16B, 17B are in the same position in the seat width direction.

The fragile portions 16, 17 in the above-described embodiment are portions including recesses recessed inward. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the upper connecting wall portions 16B, 17B and the fixed wall portions 16A, 17A are in the same position in the sheet width direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the lower connecting wall portions 16E, 17E are partially curved in a wavy shape (see FIGS. 3 and 4). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be such that, for example, the lower connecting wall portions 16E, 17E are simply configured as inclined surfaces similar to the upper connecting wall portions 16D, 17D.

In the above-described embodiment, the upper connecting wall portions 16D, 17D are simply configured as inclined surfaces (see Figs. 3 and 4). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the upper connecting wall portions 16D, 17D are partially curved in a wavy shape, similar to the lower connecting wall portions 16E, 17E.

The second connecting member 14 in the above-described embodiment was welded to the first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12 while passing through each of the first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the present disclosure may have the following configuration (1) or (2), for example.
(1) A configuration in which the second connecting member 14 is fixed to each of the first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12 by a bolt. (2) A configuration in which the second connecting member 14 is fixed to each of the first cushion side frame 11 and the second cushion side frame 12 by crimping.

In the above-described embodiment, the second connecting member 14 is made of a pipe material. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure also includes, for example, a case in which the second connecting member 14 is made of a panel material.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed in this specification is not limited to this, and the invention can also be applied to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships, and aircraft, as well as stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-mentioned embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the constituent elements illustrated or the constituent elements described with reference numerals in the above-mentioned embodiments are eliminated.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... Vehicle seat 3... Seat cushion 5... Seat back 6... Seat frame 7... Back frame 7A... First back side frame 7B... Second back side frame 7C... Connecting frame 9... Cushion frame 10A, 10B... Recliner 11... First cushion side frame 11A... Flange portion 12... Second cushion side frame 12A... Flange portion 13... First connecting member 14... Second connecting member 15... Third connecting member 16... Weak portion 16A... Fixed wall portion 16B... Upper connecting wall portion 16C... Lower fixed wall portion 16D... Upper connecting wall portion 16E... Lower connecting wall portion 17... Weak portion 17A... Fixed wall portion 17B... Upper connecting wall portion 17C... Lower fixed wall portion 17D... Upper connecting wall portion 17E... Lower connecting wall

Claims (4)

In a cushion frame used in a vehicle seat,
A first cushion side frame extending in a seat front-rear direction, the first cushion side frame being provided with a weak portion and a flange portion;
a second cushion side frame disposed at a position shifted in a seat width direction with respect to the first cushion side frame and extending in a seat front-rear direction;
a connecting member extending in a seat width direction, the connecting member connecting a rear side of the first cushion side frame and a rear side of the second cushion side frame, and having one end in an extension direction connected to the weak portion,
The fragile portion is
a fixed wall portion to which the connecting member is connected and fixed;
an upper connecting wall portion located above the fixed wall portion and to which a back frame is connected, the upper connecting wall portion being located on the opposite side of the second cushion side frame with the fixed wall portion in between in the seat width direction;
a lower fixed wall portion located below the fixed wall portion and directly or indirectly fixed to a vehicle, the lower fixed wall portion being located on the opposite side of the second cushion side frame with the fixed wall portion therebetween in the seat width direction;
an upper connecting wall portion connecting the fixed wall portion and the upper connecting wall portion, and a lower connecting wall portion connecting the fixed wall portion and the lower fixed wall portion,
the lower fixed wall portion is spaced apart from the fixed wall portion in the seat width direction by a greater distance than the upper connecting wall portion;
Furthermore, the flange portion provided on the first cushion side frame is a portion provided on the lower fixed wall portion and is a wall-shaped portion protruding toward the second cushion side frame. The other end side of the connecting member in the extension direction is connected to a second weak portion provided on the second cushion side frame,
The second weak portion is
a second fixed wall portion to which the connecting member is connected and fixed;
a second upper connecting wall portion located above the second fixed wall portion, to which a back frame is connected, the second upper connecting wall portion being located on the opposite side to the first cushion side frame across the second fixed wall portion in the seat width direction;
a second lower fixed wall portion located below the second fixed wall portion and connected to a vehicle, the second lower fixed wall portion being located on an opposite side to the first cushion side frame across the second fixed wall portion in the seat width direction;
a second upper connecting wall portion connecting the second fixed wall portion and the second upper connecting wall portion, and a second lower connecting wall portion connecting the second fixed wall portion and the second lower fixed wall portion,
2. The cushion frame for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a wall-shaped flange portion protruding toward the first cushion side frame on the second lower fixed wall portion. The cushion frame for a vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the second lower fixed wall portion is farther away from the second fixed wall portion in the seat width direction than the second upper connecting wall portion is. The cushion frame for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower fixed wall portion is a wall portion that is substantially parallel in the vertical direction and parallel to the fixed wall portion.

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