GB2321401A

GB2321401A - Construction of an automotive seat

Info

Publication number: GB2321401A
Application number: GB9726999A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki; Hirotsugu Hosoda
Original assignee: Suzuki Motor Corp
Current assignee: Suzuki Motor Corp
Priority date: 1997-01-20
Filing date: 1997-12-23
Publication date: 1998-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-23
Also published as: DE19758398A1; DE19758398B4; GB2321401B; GB9726999D0

Abstract

An automotive seat 1 having a seat cushion frame 2 and a seat back frame 5 which is configured by joining a main frame 7 bent into a rectangular shape on a plane to a back panel 6 and is provided with an anchor 12 to which a lashing belt for securing baggage is attached. A reinforcing member 13 extends laterally and is attached to both side portions 10, 11 of the main frame 7 so as to be positioned near anchor 12. The seat cushion frame 2 has a main frame (26, Fig. 3) of rectangular shape formed on three sides by a formed pipe and on the fourth (26a, Fig. 3) by a pressed frame (27, Fig. 3). The seat has increased lateral strength, reinforces the lashing belt anchor and prevents discomfort to a passenger from the seat cushion frame.

Description

2321401

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUTOMOTIVE SEAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a construction of an automotive seat.

Conventionally, a an automotive rear seat used. Such a rear seat main frame 53 formed by to a pressed back panel construction of a seat back frame for as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has been back frame 51 is formed by welding a using a pipe, as a strength member, 52. One end of a reclining mechanism 54 is attached to an outer frame portion 53a of the main frame 53, and a free hinge 55 is attached to an inner frame portion 53b. The rear seat back frame 51 is connected to a rear seat cushion frame 56 via a rear seat cushion stay outer 60 and a rear seat cushion stay inner 61.

Therefore, the rear seat back frame 51 is attached to the rear seat cushion frame 56 rotatably so as to be tilted back and forth with respect to the rear seat cushion frame 56, and it deflects when the free hinge 55 side is pushed. For this reason, a first reinforcing member 57 is installed to the rear seat back frame 51 in such a manner as to connect the upper and lower parts of the main frame 53 with each other in order to increase the stiffness. Also, the seat back frame 51 is provided with a lashing belt anchor (nut) 58 for fixing a lashing belt (not shown) to hold a baggage when is the rear seat is stored. In the vicinity of the lashing belt anchor 58, a second reinforcing member 59 is installed to the back panel 52 by spot welding in order to increase the strength.

With the conventional construction of the automotive seat, however, when the rear seat accommodates three passengers and the width of seat back is increased, the reinforcement system in which the first and second reinforcing members 57 and 59 are disposed at the aforementioned positions provides insufficient stiffness, and a great deflection occurs when the free hinge 55 side is pushed, resulting in an unstable seat. Also, for the conventional construction of the automotive seat, since the reinforcement system uses two parts of the first and second reinforcing members 57 and 59, the number of parts and welding places increase, which leads to a high cost.

Also, conventionally, a construction of a seat cushion frame for accommodating two passengers for an automotive rear seat as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 has been used. Such a rear seat cushion frame 71 is provided with a main frame 72 formed by bending a pipe into a rectangular shape on a plane. A side frame portion 72a of the main frame 72 is provided with spring retainers 74 for attaching the ends of a plurality of seat springs 73, and a bracket 76 for attaching a cushion rubber 75 is fixed to the inner lower surface of the side frame portion 72a. A rear seat back frame 79 is attached to the rear end of the rear seat cushion frame 71 via a rear seat cushion stay outer 77 and a rear seat cushion stay inner 78. The rear seat back frame 79 is connected to the rear seat cushion frame 71 rotatably so as to be tilted back and forth by a reclining mechanism 83 and an inner hinge 84.

For the rear seat cushion frame 71, in the case where three passengers are seated on a rear seat cushion 80, if the seat construction is of a separate type, the inner side of the main frame 72 must be formed so that a passenger 81 does not have a sense of foreign substance when he/she sits at the center. For this purpose, a crushed portion 82, which is formed by fabricating the pipe, is provided on the inner side of the main frame 72. The crushed portion 82 can accommodate the buttocks of the center passenger 81.

Thus, for the conventional construction of the automotive seat, the main frame 72 of the rear seat cushion frame 71 is formed integrally by using a pipe, and the pipe is crushed locally so as to accommodate the buttocks of the center passenger 81. However, since the crushed portion 82 is provided at the rounded portion at the frame corner, the forming of the pipe is difficult, and the strength of the crushed portion 82 is decreased.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a construction of an automotive seat, which can increase the lateral stiffness of a seat frame, can assure the strength of a lashing belt anchor, and can lower the cost by reducing the number of parts and welding places. Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a construction of an automotive seat in which a passenger seated at the center does not feel an inner frame portion of a main frame of a seat cushion frame to be a foreign substance, a special crushing operation of pipe is not needed, a spring retainer, cushion rubber attaching bracket, and the like need not be used, and a decrease in the strength of seat cushion frame is not caused.

To solve the problems with the aforementioned prior art, the present invention in claim 1 provides a construction of an automotive seat having a seat back frame which is configured by joining a main frame bent into a rectangular shape on a plane to a back panel and is provided with a lashing belt anchor to which a lashing belt is attached, characterized in that the ends of a reinforcing member extending laterally are attached to both side frame portions of the main frame so as to be positioned near the lashing belt anchor.

In the present invention in claim 2, a part common to a lower frame portion of the main frame is used as the is reinforcing member in claim 1.

As described above, the construction of the automobile seat in accordance with the present invention, having the seat back frame which is configured by joining the main frame bent into a rectangular shape on a plane to the back panel and is provided with the lashing belt anchor to which a lashing belt is attached, is characterized in that the ends of the reinforcing member extending laterally are attached to both side frame portions of the main frame so as to be positioned near the lashing belt anchor. Therefore, the stiffness in the lateral direction of the seat back frame can be increased, and the deflection caused when the free hinge side is pushed is kept small, by which the stability of seat can be enhanced. Also, the strength of the lashing belt anchor can be ensured. Moreover, since the reinforcing member exists in the horizontal direction in such a manner as to connect the side frame portions located at the right and left of the main frame with each other, the shape of seat can be held by this reinforcing function even when a baggage placed in a baggage compartment is moved to the front direction of vehicle body.

Also, in the construction of the automotive seat in accordance with the present invention, only one kind of the reinforcing member is used for the construction of the automotive seat in accordance with the present invention, and - a part common to the lower frame portion of the main frame can be used, so that a new production facility is not needed, and the number of parts and welding places can be decreased, resulting in a reduced cost.

Further, to solve the problems with the aforementioned prior art, the present invention in claim 3 provides a construction of an automotive seat having a seat cushion frame in which a main frame is formed by bending a pipe into a rectangular shape on a plane, characterized in that only an inner frame portion of the main frame, which is located on the center side in the lateral direction of the seat cushion frame, is formed by using a pressed member.

In the present invention in claim 4, the inner frame portion of the main frame in claim 3 is provided with a depressed portion, and also is provided integrally with a seat spring attaching portion and a cushion rubber attaching portion.

As described above, the construction of the automobile seat in accordance with the present invention, having the seat cushion frame in which the main frame is formed by bending a pipe into a rectangular shape on a plane, is characterized in that only the inner frame portion of the main frame, which is located on the center side in the lateral direction of the seat cushion frame is formed by using the pressed member. Therefore, a depressed portion for - 6 is accommodating the buttocks of a passenger can be formed easily, so that a passenger seated at the center of the seat cushion does not feel the inner frame portion of main frame to be a foreign substance, which gives an upgraded riding quality to the passenger. Moreover, since the inner frame portion of main frame used for the automotive seat in accordance with the present invention is a pressed member, the cross sectional area thereof can be increased, so that the strength of the seat cushion frame is not decreased.

Also, in the construction of the automotive seat in accordance with the present invention, the inner frame portion of the main frame, which is formed by using the pressed member, can be provided integrally with the seat spring attaching portion and the cushion rubber attaching portion, so that a special crushing operation of pipe is not needed, and a spring retainer, cushion rubber attaching bracket, and the like need not be used, whereby the cost can be lowered by reducing the fabrication manpower and the number of parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear seat back frame and rear seat cushion frame used for an automotive seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the rear seat back frame shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear of a vehicle; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear seat back frame and rear seat cushion frame used for an automotive seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rear seat cushion frame shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a side view of the rear seat cushion frame shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4; is FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which seat springs are attached to an inner frame portion of a main frame of the rear seat cushion frame in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a side view showing the relationship between the inner frame portion of the main frame of the rear seat cushion frame in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and a passenger seated on a rear seat cushion; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rear seat back frame and rear seat cushion frame used for a conventional automotive seat; FIG. 10 is a front view of the rear seat back frame shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the rear of a vehicle; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rear seat back frame and rear seat cushion frame used for another conventional automotive seat; FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which seat springs are attached to the inner side of a main frame of another conventional rear seat cushion frame; and FIG. 13.is a side view showing the relationship between the inner side of the main frame of another conventional rear seat cushion frame and a passenger seated on a rear seat cushion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a construction of an automotive seat in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rear seat frame for a rear seat disposed at the rear in an automotive cabin. This rear seat frame 1 is formed so as to have an increased lateral width so that a rear seat accommodates three passengers, as compared with the conventional one.

The rear seat frame 1 includes a rear seat cushion frame 2 disposed on the upper surface of a rear floor panel (not shown) and a rear seat back frame 5 pivotally installed to the rear end of the rear seat cushion frame 2 via a reclining mechanism 3 and a free hinge 4 so as to be tilted back and forth.

The aforesaid rear seat back frame 5, which has a back 9 - panel 6 pressed into a rectangular shape and a main frame 7 formed by bending a pipe used as a strength member into a rectangular shape on a plane, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is configured by joining the main frame 7 to the peripheral portion of the back panel 6 by welding.

The main frame 7 is composed of an upper frame portion 8, a lower frame portion 9, and right and left side frame portions 10 and 11. The outer side frame portion 10 is fitted with a reclining mechanism 3, and the inner side frame portion 11 is fitted with a free hinge 4.

Also, the outer side frame portion 10 of the main frame 7 is provided with a lashing belt anchor 12 extending in the vertical direction. This lashing belt anchor 12 is used to attach a lashing belt (not shown) for holding a baggage when is the rear seat is stored. Moreover, a reinforcing member 13 extending laterally is installed at a position near the lashing belt anchor 12 so as to connect the side f rame portions 10 and 11 of the main frame 7 with each other. This reinforcing member 13 not only increases the stiffness of the rear seat back frame 5 but also reinforces the lashing belt anchor 12, and a part common to the lower frame portion 9 of the main frame 7 (a similar member) is used as the reinforcing member 13.

Moreover, the reinforcing member 13 and the lower frame portion 9 of the main frame 7 are formed into a flatly crushed shape to upgrade the riding quality of a seated passenger.

For the construction of the rear seat of this embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the ends of the reinforcing member 13, which is positioned near the lashing belt anchor 12 and extends laterally, are attached to the side frame portions 10 and 11 of the main frame 7 so as to connect these side frame portions 10 and 11 with each other.. so that the lateral stiffness of the rear seat back frame 5 can be improved. Thereby, the deflection caused when the free hinge 4 side is pushed can be kept small, and the strength of the lashing belt anchor 12 can be increased.

Also, only one kind of the reinforcing member 13 is used for the construction of this embodiment in accordance with the present invention, and a part common to the lower frame portion 9 of the main frame 7 is used, so that a new production facility is not needed, and the number of parts and welding places can be decreased as compared with the conventional construction. by which the rear seat can be manufactured at a low cost. Further, when a baggage placed in a baggage compartment is moved to the front direction of vehicle body by sudden braking etc., the reinforcing member 13 serves a function of reinforcing the rear seat.

FIGS. 3 to 8 show another embodiment of a construction of an automotive seat in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a rear seat frame for a rear seat disposed at the rear in an automotive cabin. This rear seat frame 21 is formed so as to have an increased lateral width so that a rear seat accommodates three passengers, as compared with the conventional one.

The rear seat frame 21 includes a rear seat cushion frame 22 disposed on the upper surface of a rear floor panel (not shown) and a rear seat back frame 25 pivotally installed to the rear end of the rear seat cushion frame 22 via a rear seat cushion stay outer 23 and a rear seat cushion stay inner 24 so as to be tilted back and forth by a reclining mechanism 39 and an inner hinge 40.

The rear seat cushion frame 22 has a main frame 26 formed by bending a pipe into a rectangular shape on a plane as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For the main frame 26, only an inner frame portion 26a located on the center side in the lateral direction of the rear seat cushion frame 22 is formed by welding a pressed frame 27.

The pressed frame 27 is formed in a substantially U shape in cross section by bending a panel so that the opening is disposed in the inner transverse direction as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. At the rear portion of the pressed frame 27, a depressed portion 30, which is formed by depressing the pressed frame 27, is provided at a place that accommodates - 12 the buttocks of a passenger 29 seated at the center of a rear seat cushion 28.

On the upper face of the pressed frame 27, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, spring attaching portions 32 for hooking the ends of a plurality of S-shaped seat springs 31, which are arranged along the lateral direction, are disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

These spring attaching portions 32 are formed by partially bending the pressed frame 27, and are provided at the depressed portion 30 as well.

Moreover, the lower face of the pressed frame 27, which is formed into a flat shape, serves as a rubber attaching portion 34 for a cushion rubber 33. The cushion rubber 33 is installed to be used as a member for preventing the is interference with a rear floor (not shown) and as a stopper member when the rear seat is stored. One end of the rear seat cushion stay inner 24 is attached to the rear end of the pressed frame 27.

On the other hand, The aforesaid rear seat back frame 25, which has a back panel 35 pressed into a rectangular shape and a main frame 36 formed by bending a pipe used as a strength member into a rectangular shape on a plane, as shown in FIG. 3, is configured by joining the main frame 36 to the peripheral portion of the back panel 35 by welding. A reclining attaching bracket 37 is provided on the outer side - 13 of the main frame 36, and the ends of a reinforcing member 38 extending laterally are attached the side frame portions of the main frame 36 at a position near the reclining attaching bracket 37 so as to connect the side frame portions with each other.

In the construction of the rear seat of this embodiment in accordance with the present invention, since only the inner frame portion 26a of the main frame 26 is formed by using the pressed frame rear seat cushion frame cross sectional area of 27, a decrease in the strength of the 22 can be prevented by making the the pressed frame 27 large even if the depressed portion 30 is provided so that the passenger 29 seated at the center of the rear seat cushion 28 does not have a sense of foreign substance. Also, since the spring attaching portions 32, which are the attaching positions of the seat springs 31, are formed on the upper face of the pressed frame 27, the pad thickness of the rear seat cushion 28 can be increased, by which the riding quality of the rear seat cushion 28 can be improved.

Further, since the lower face of the pressed frame 27 of this embodiment in accordance with the present invention serves as the rubber attaching portion 34, the cushion rubber 33 can be attached directly to the lower face of frame, so that a cushion rubber attaching bracket, which has so far been used, is not needed. Therefore, the rear seat cushion 14 - frame 22 can be manufactured at a low cost because of the reduction in the number of parts.

The above is a description of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention. The construction of the automotive seat in accordance with the present invention can be applied not only to the rear seat back frame for the rear seat but also to a front seat back frame for a front seat.

Also the shape of the pressed frame 27 can be changed variously depending on the rear seat cushion frame 22 etc. for the rear seat.

Claims

1. A construction of an automotive seat having a seat back frame which is configured by joining a main frame bent into a rectangular shape on a plane to a back panel and is provided with a lashing belt anchor for attaching a lashing belt wherein the ends of a reinforcing member extending laterally are attached to both side frame portions of said main frame so as said lashing belt anchor.

to be positioned near

2. A construction of an automotive seat according to claim 1, wherein a part common to a lower frame portion of said main frame is used as said reinforcing member.

3. A construction of an automobile seat having a seat cushion frame in which a main frame is formed by bending a pipe into a rectangular shape on a plane, characterised in that only an inner frame portion of said main frame, which is located on the center side in the lateral direction of said seat cushion frame, is formed by using a pressed member.

4. A construction of an automotive seat according to claim 3, wherein the inner frame portion of said main frame is provided with a depressed portion, and also is provided integrally with a seat spring attaching portion and a cushion rubber attaching portion.

5. A construction of an automotive seat having a seat cushion frame in which a main frame is generally rectangular in shape, wherein said main frame is formed on three sides by a formed pipe and a fourth side of said frame is formed of a pressed member.

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6. An automobile seat construction according to claim 5 wherein said pressed member forms a part of said frame extending in the longitudinal direction of said automobile.

7. An automobile seat construction according to claim 5 wherein said pressed member forms a lateral member of said main frame.

8. An automobile seat construction according to any one of preceding claims 5 to 7 wherein said pressed member is generally 'U' shaped in cross section.

9. An automobile seat construction according to claim 8 wherein said pressed member is formed from sheet metal.

10. An automobile seat construction according to any one preceding claim from 5 to 9 wherein a rear portion of said pressed member is provided with a depressed portion.

11. An automobile seat construction according to any one preceding claim from 5 to 10 wherein said pressed member is provided with integral spring attaching portions.

12. An automobile seat construction according to any one preceding claim from 5 to 11 wherein said pressed member is provided with a cushion rubber attaching portion.

13. An automobile seat construction according to any one preceding claim from 10 to 12 wherein integral spring attaching portions are provided at the depressed portion.

14. An automobile seat construction according to any one preceding claim from 5 to 13 wherein a portion of a lower 17 horizontal face of said pressed member is substantially f lat.

15. A construction of an automobile seat back frame according to claim 1 wherein said main frame comprises two generally upright side frame portions and an upper and a lower generally transverse frame portion wherein said reinforcing member is positioned intermediate the upper and lower frame portions.

16. A construction of an automobile seat back frame according to any one of preceding claims 1, 2 or 15 wherein said lashing belt anchor is an elongate member fixed along an edge to an upright portion of said main frame.

17. A construction of an automobile seat back frame according to either claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said lashing belt anchor is joined to said seat back frame between said reinforcing member and said lower transverse portion of said main frame.

18. A construction of an automobile seat back frame according to any one of preceding claims 15 to 17 wherein said reinforcing member is substantially the same as the lower frame portion in construction.

19. A back frame of an automobile seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

20. A seat cushion frame of an automotive seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and Figures 3 to 8 of the drawings.

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