JP2634542B2 - Seat equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seat apparatus which can be adjusted to a thorax support position which does not impose a burden on the spine of an automobile driver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many studies have been made on the shape of a seat for providing a comfortable sitting feeling to a occupant. As shown in FIG. 7, the back of the person M when standing upright has a so-called S-shape with the upper and lower parts of the waist inside. Considering that it is the most natural to keep this posture and the spine is not over-compensated, as shown in FIG. 8, a seat 1 is generally provided with a lumbar support 2 for holding the back of the waist forward. And it was believed that it alone provided comfort and reduced fatigue.

On the basis of such a concept, attempts have been made to provide the seated person with as much freedom as possible, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-168816 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-159768. Various seat devices have been proposed.

[0004]

However, according to the study of the inventors, such a conventional technique is a theory biased to static observation in which the user merely sits, It has been found that it is not always adaptable to dynamic situations, such as a driver driving a car.

That is, since the driver grasps the steering wheel and operates the steering wheel, it is general that the driver raises his / her upper body as shown by an arrow in FIG. If it becomes stooped, the abdomen will be compressed and it will be painful, so the so-called ass shift phenomenon that brings the buttocks forward will occur, the back of the buttocks will separate from the seat back, and the body will hit too strongly against the lumbar support 2 There was a problem that it would compress the spine.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned theory of keeping the back of the person M in an S-shape when standing upright, in the case of the driver, the body is not supported and becomes unstable, or the conventional lumbar support is used. However, there is a problem that the spine is adversely affected, the spine is supported in a natural state, a stable seating feeling is obtained, and the driver cannot drive the vehicle.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. Even when a driver sits for a long time and performs a driving operation, the spine is not overloaded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat device that has a stable seating feeling and is hard to be tired.

[0008]

According to the research and research by the inventors, when the driver takes a driving posture for a long time, the back is rounded, and the posture in which the buttocks are slightly shifted forward is most difficult for the spine. Verification has been obtained that it is natural.
In other words, the seating sensation varies from person to person, and there are also time factors. Even if it is comfortable at first, the comfort does not always last.
According to the old theory, a driver is not always comfortable, and an unnatural posture continues for a long time to accumulate fatigue.

[0009] Then, as a result of studying what kind of posture is natural and does not impose a force on the spine, the driver finds that the hip point C is at the illustrated position as shown in FIG. 5 showing the curve of the vertebra of the seated person. In this case, it is comfortable to raise the upper body as shown in the range A at the upper part and become a stoop, and to lower the buttocks forward as shown at the range B at the lower part, and to put the person M in this state. It has been concluded that holding as shown in FIG. 6 is the posture that is least likely to cause fatigue, and this state is called a thorax support posture.

Note that the curve of the vertebrae of the seated person shown in FIG.
The case of the angle line D of the seat back having an angle most likely to be used most commonly is shown, and ranges A and B indicated by hatching are shown.
Indicates the range of the thorax support posture. The scale of the vertical and horizontal axes is 50 mm. This curve shows the curve at the most commonly used seatback angle.

In an actual use state, the angle of the seat back is used in a range of about 20 to 45 degrees from vertical, and FIG.
When the seat back falls down from the state of FIG. 5, the range of the thorax support posture becomes a more raised state at the upper part, a more protruding state at the lower part, and vice versa when the seat back occurs from the state of FIG. Becomes

Based on this conclusion, the gist of the present invention for achieving the above object is a seat device (10) that can be adjusted to a thorax support position without burdening the spine of a motor vehicle driver. And the seat back (2
The back contact portion (30) of the cushion body of (0) includes an upper back portion (31) with which the upper part of the driver's back abuts, a lower back portion (34) corresponding to the back of the driver's hips, and an upper back portion. (31) and a center back portion (37) between the lower back portion (34) and the upper back portion (3).
The lower frame holding the lower back portion (34) by pivotally supporting the upper end of the upper frame (32) holding the 1) to the back frame (40) so as to swing around the horizontal upper back adjustment support shaft (32a). The lower frame (40) is swingable around the lower end adjusting support shaft (35a) at the lower end of the (35).
And a lower end of the upper frame (32) is connected to the center back portion (3) via an upper tension spring member (33).
7) is pivotally connected to the upper end of the center frame (38) holding the lower frame (35) via the lower extension spring member (36).
8) pivotally connected to the lower end of the center back portion (37).
When the is pushed backward, the upper back portion (31) and the lower back portion (34) swing relatively to be displaceable to the thorax support position, and the upper back portion (31)
And a lower frame (35) of a lower back portion (34) of the seat device (10).

[0013]

The seat device (10) can be adjusted to a thorax support position that does not place a burden on the spine of the driver of the vehicle, and the driver can drive with minimal fatigue even for a long time. Normally, the lock mechanism (50) engages with the upper frame (32) of the upper back portion (31) and the lower frame (35) of the lower back portion (34) to restrain the seat back (20). When the state is held.

When operating for a long time, the lock mechanism (50) is unlocked once. When the lock is released, the upper tension spring member (33) and the lower tension spring member (3) are released.
6), the upper frame (32), the back frame (40) and the lower frame (35) try to be aligned, and the upper back part (31) and the lower back part (3)
4) and the center back portion (37) try to be flat.

When the driver pushes the center back portion (37) and moves it rearward against the tension of the upper tension spring member (33) and the lower tension spring member (36), the upper back portion (31). The upper frame (32) for holding the oscillates around the horizontal upper back adjustment support shaft (32a) at the upper end,
Lower frame (35) holding lower back part (34)
Swings around the horizontal buttocks adjusting support shaft 35a at the lower end, and the upper back portion (31) and the lower back portion (34) swing relatively to displace to the thorax support posture.

Therefore, when the upper frame (32) and the lower frame (35) are restrained by the lock mechanism 50, the backrest (30) of the cushion body of the seat back (20) is held in the thorax support position. In this thorax support position, the driver can take a position that places the least burden on the spine, and even if driving for a considerably long time, there is little fatigue, and as a result, comfortable driving can be achieved.

When it is not desired to take the thorax support position after a short operation, once the lock mechanism (50) is unlocked, the tension between the upper tension spring member (33) and the lower tension spring member (36) is increased. Upper frame (3
2), back frame (40) and lower frame (35)
And the upper back portion (31), the lower back portion (34), and the center back portion (37) tend to be flat, so that the lock mechanism 50 allows the upper frame ( If the lower frame (32) and the lower frame (35) are constrained, the back contact portion (30) of the cushion body of the seat back (20) is maintained in the state at that time.

[0018]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. The seat device 10 can be adjusted to a thorax support position that does not impose a burden on the spine of the driver of the vehicle.
Is an upper back part 31 with which the upper part of the driver's back abuts
And a lower back portion 34 corresponding to the back of the driver's buttocks,
It comprises a center back portion 37 between the upper back portion 31 and the lower back portion 34. As shown in FIG. 3, a bellows 39 for blindfolding may be provided between the center back portion 37 and the lower back portion 34.

The upper end of the upper frame 32 holding the upper back portion 31 is pivotally supported by the tip of an upper support column 41 erected on the upper end of the back frame 40 so as to be swingable around a horizontal upper back adjustment support shaft 32a. Have been. Lower back part 34
The lower end of the lower frame 35 holding the lower frame 35 is pivotally supported by a lower support column 42 erected at the lower end of the back frame 40 so as to be swingable around a horizontal tail adjusting support shaft 35a.

The lower end of the upper frame 32 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a center frame 38 holding a center back portion 37 via an upper tension spring member 33 by a connection shaft 33a. Spring member 3
6, a connecting shaft 36a is attached to the lower end of the center frame 38.
Are pivotally connected. Thus, when the center back portion 37 is pushed backward, the upper back portion 31 and the lower back portion 34 are relatively swung so that the seat back 20 can be displaced to the thorax support posture.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a lock mechanism 50 for engaging and disengaging and holding the upper frame 32 of the upper back portion 31 and the lower frame 35 of the lower back portion 34 is provided. Is composed of an upper lock portion 50a, a lower lock portion 50b, and a lock operation portion 55.

The upper lock portion 50a pivotally connects the engaging and disengaging claw member 51a to the upper support column 41 of the back frame 40, and has an upper back adjustment support having a tooth portion 53a for engaging and disengaging the claw portion 52a of the engaging and disengaging claw member 51a. A sector 54a centered on the shaft 32a is fixed to the upper frame 32.

The lower lock portion 50b is connected to the back frame 4
The lower frame 35 includes a sector 54b centered on a buttocks adjusting support shaft 35a having a tooth 53b with which a claw 52b of the engaging and disengaging claw member 51b is disengaged. It is fixed to.

The lock operation section 55 is connected to the back frame 40.
An operation shaft 57 having an operation handle 56 at an end thereof is pivotally supported by the side pillar 43 of the crank link member 5 fixed to the operation shaft 57.
8, connecting rods 58a and 58b extend vertically,
Respective tips are connected to ends of engaging and disengaging claw members 51a and 51b of the upper lock portion 50a and the lower lock portion 50b.

The crank link member 58 is urged by a spring 59 in a direction in which the claw portions 52a and 52b of the engaging and disengaging claw members 51a and 51b engage with the tooth portions 53a and 53b of the sectors 54a and 54b.

The seat device 10 can be adjusted to a thorax support position that does not impose a burden on the spine of the driver of the automobile, and the driver can drive with a minimum of fatigue even for a long time. Normally, in the upper lock portion 50a and the lower lock portion 50b of the lock mechanism 50, the claw portions 52a and 52b of the engagement and disengagement claw members 51a and 51b are connected to the sectors 54a and 54b.
The seat back 2 is engaged with the teeth 53a, 53b of the seat back 54b.
0 is held in the state at that time.

When driving for a long time, the operation handle 56
Is operated to unlock the lock mechanism 50 once.
When the operating shaft 57 is rotated by the operating handle 56, the connecting rods 58a and 58b are pulled by the crank link member 58, and the claw portions 52a and 52b of the engaging and disengaging claw members 51a and 51b in the upper lock portion 50a and the lower lock portion 50b are sectored. When the seat back 20 is released from the tooth portions 53a, 53b of the 54a, 54b and the seat back 20 is unlocked, the upper frame 32, the back frame 40, and the lower frame 35 are tensioned by the upper tension spring member 33 and the lower tension spring member 36.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper back portion 31, the lower back portion 34, and the center back portion 37 try to be flat.

When the driver pushes the center back portion 37 and moves it rearward against the tension of the upper extension spring member 33 and the lower extension spring member 36, the upper frame 32 holding the upper back portion 31 is moved to the upper end portion. The lower frame 35 that swings around the horizontal upper back adjustment support shaft 32a and holds the lower back portion 34 swings around the horizontal bottom adjustment support shaft 35a at the lower end, and the upper back portion 31 and the lower back portion 34 The upper back part 3 swings relatively, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 abuts on the upper back of the driver, and the lower back portion 34 is displaced to a thorax support posture in which it abuts on the buttocks of the driver.

When the operating handle 56 is released, the operating shaft 57 is returned and rotated by the urging force of the spring 59, and the connecting rods 58a and 58b pulled by the crank link member 58 return.
In the upper lock portion 50a and the lower lock portion 50b, the claw portions 52a and 52b of the engagement and disengagement claw members 51a and 51b engage with the tooth portions 53a and 53b of the sectors 54a and 54b, the seat back 20 is locked, and the upper frame 32 and the lower frame. The frame 35 is restrained.

Then, the back contact portion 30 of the cushion body of the seat back 20 is held in the thorax support position. In this thorax support position, the driver can take a position that places the least burden on the spine, and even if driving for a considerably long time, there is little fatigue, and as a result, comfortable driving can be achieved.

When the operation is a short time and it is not desired to take the thorax support position, once the lock mechanism 50 is unlocked, the upper frame 32 and the back frame are moved by the tension of the upper tension spring member 33 and the lower tension spring member 36. Since the upper frame 40 and the lower frame 35 are about to be aligned, and the upper back section 31, the lower back section 34 and the center back section 37 are about to be flat, the lock mechanism 50 allows the upper frame 32 or If the lower frame 35 is restrained, the seat back 20
The back contact portion 30 of the cushion body is kept in the state at that time.

In order to know that the user has attained the thorax support position, it is preferable to provide an index or a scale at the bent portion and confirm it. You may make it electronically display and know using a sensor.

[0033]

According to the seat device of the present invention, the backrest portion of the cushion body of the seatback is provided with the upper back portion where the upper portion of the back of the driver comes into contact and the lower back portion corresponding to the back of the driver's hips. The center back part between the upper back part and the lower back part is divided into two parts, and the center back part can be pressed to adjust to the Soluxe support position. Can be easily adjusted to the thorax support position where the vehicle does not accumulate, and the driver can comfortably sit and drive the vehicle in the thorax support position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a lock mechanism of the seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the cushion body of the seat device according to the embodiment of the present invention is flat.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the cushion body of the seat device according to the embodiment of the present invention is adjusted to a thorax support posture.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a thorax support posture.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a seated state in a thorax support posture.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a spine of a human body in an upright posture.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a support posture in a conventional seat device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a support posture in a conventional seat device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Seat apparatus 10 20 ... Seat back 30 ... Back contact part 31 ... Upper back part 32 ... Upper frame 32a ... Upper back adjustment support shaft 33 ... Upper tension spring member 34 ... Lower back part 35 ... Lower frame 35a ... Butt adjustment support shaft 36 lower tension spring member 37 center back portion 38 center frame 40 back frame 50 locking mechanism

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A seat device which can be adjusted to a thorax support position in which a load is not applied to a spine of a driver of an automobile, wherein a back portion of a cushion body of a seat back is in contact with an upper portion of an upper back of the driver. A back portion, a lower back portion corresponding to the back of the driver's hips, and a center back portion between the upper back portion and the lower back portion, wherein the upper end portion of the upper frame holding the upper back portion is leveled. The lower frame supporting the lower back is pivotally supported on the back frame so as to be swingable about the upper back adjustment support shaft, and the lower end portion of the lower frame holding the lower back is pivotally supported on the back frame so as to be swingable about the horizontal buttocks adjustment support shaft. The lower end of the upper frame is pivotally connected to the upper end of the center frame holding the center back portion via a spring member, and the lower end of the upper frame is connected via a lower tension spring member. When the upper end portion of the upper frame is pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the center frame and the center back portion is pushed backward, the upper back portion and the lower back portion swing relatively to be displaced to the thorax support position. A seat device, wherein the lock mechanism is configured so as to be capable of engaging and disengaging and holding the upper frame of the upper back portion and the lower frame of the lower back portion, respectively.