JP4301014B2 - Seat back side support structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a side support structure for a seat back, and more particularly, to a seat back that can change the holding state of both sides of a seated person by changing the position of the seat side on both sides of the seat back of an automobile or the like. Regarding the side support structure.

When traveling on a vehicle such as an automobile, the lateral acceleration (centrifugal direction) applied to the vehicle when traveling on a rough road or turning a curve, etc., urges the occupant to swing. Always be careful to maintain a normal seating posture against the urging. Therefore, not only is the passenger's sitting comfort uncomfortable, but the driver also feels extra fatigue.
In order to cope with such a problem, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 described later, a side support device is disclosed in which both sides of an occupant are held to suppress lateral displacement. In this disclosure, support stays that can be rotated by a link structure are provided on both sides of the seat back frame, and when necessary, the support stays are opened from the open position where the support stays away from the upper body of the seated person. Devices have been proposed that can be adjusted to a closed position that supports the side. Here, the seat back is configured to include a top plate portion that supports the back surface of the seated person and side supports that are provided on both sides of the top plate part and support the seated person from both sides. Therefore, in this disclosure, by adjusting the position of the support stay that supports the side support from the rear side, the side support is directed inward and the collapse of the sitting posture is suppressed.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-110647

However, with the above-described conventional technology, the sitting posture of the seated person can be suppressed to some extent, but the support state is not always suitable, and in some cases, the sitting comfort is uncomfortable. It was something to do.
That is, in this disclosure, the support stay is arranged to face the seat back frame (link rigidly coupled to the seat back frame), and both sides of these are rotatably connected by the links (main drive and follower). It is a so-called four-bar link structure. Specifically, the main link of the four-bar link is arranged on the inner side of the seat back, the follower (formed longer than the main drive) is arranged on the outer side, and the seat back frame side of the main drive The support stay was moved inward by applying a driving force to the knot and turning it. More specifically, the main kinematics has rotated so as to rise (protrude) in the front direction (front direction of the seat) as the support stay is moved to the closed position (supported position). In other words, since the support stay is at the reference position (normal position) when it is used, the support stay is closer to the reference position depending on the length of the main kinematics when it reaches the closed position (position where the support is in the support state). It will protrude forward. This causes the side support to protrude forward with respect to the top plate portion (a step is generated at the boundary portion between the top plate portion and the side support), which makes sitting comfort uncomfortable. Or, depending on the closed position, the position of the side support does not reach the position of the top plate, and a gap is generated between them. Or, the position of the side support bites and presses more than the position of the top plate portion, and a surplus portion is generated between them. In addition, as the support stay approaches the close position, the support stay moves inward to narrow the support width, and further increases the level difference between the side support and the top plate. Therefore, in particular, when a seated person with a small body shape uses it, the discomfort is further increased.

Further, in this apparatus, a rotational driving force is applied to a node on the seat back frame side of the main moving node. Therefore, when the support stay is moved to the closed position, a rising force against the load in the back direction of the seated person must be applied to the center of rotation. Therefore, depending on the case, the load concerning a drive mechanism may become large, and operation | movement may not be performed smoothly.
In order to solve the above-described problems, for example, if the main drive node is formed too short, the displacement amount of the support stay is reduced, and the support effect by the side support is hardly obtained.

The present invention was created to solve the above-described problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the support position of the side portion of the seat back that side-supports the back of the seated person can be changed smoothly. In addition, it is possible to reduce discomfort given to the seated person by reducing steps, gaps, and excess meat that may occur at the boundary between the side portion and the top plate portion .

In order to solve the above problems, the seat support side support structure of the present invention takes the following means.
First, a first aspect of the invention is a seat back side support structure in which the holding state of both sides of a seated person is changed by changing the front and back positions of the side parts formed on both sides of the top plate at the center of the seat back. It is. Each side portion is configured such that a movable support plate is integrally provided on the rear surface of the pad. Each pad is configured to bend and rotate forward with respect to the top plate portion as the support plates rotate forward in a direction inward with respect to the top plate portion. The support plates on each side are configured to rotate while drawing an arcuate rotation locus with the boundary point between the front surface of the pad disposed on the front surface and the front surface of the top plate as the rotation center. . With this configuration, even if each support plate rotates forward, each pad is not pressed against the top plate portion.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support plate on each side is configured to rotate forward about the boundary point between the front surface of the pad on each side and the front surface of the top plate portion as the rotation center. Even if each support plate rotates forward, each pad is pressed against the top plate to create a surplus, create a gap away from the top plate, or create a step between it and the top plate. Each side portion (seat side) can be switched to the side support state without causing it. In addition, the switching of each side portion to the side support state is performed without pressing each pad against the top plate portion, so that the switching movement can be performed smoothly.

Next, according to a second invention, in the first invention described above, the guide structure for guiding the rotational movement of each support plate is a rotation in which a slide pin provided in each support plate is formed on a seat back. It is configured to be slidably guided along a guide groove having a curved shape around the center.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the structure for rotating each support plate about the boundary point between the front surface of the pad on each side and the front surface of the top plate portion has the sliding pin as a curved guide groove. It is embodied by a configuration adapted to be slid along.

Next, according to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect described above, the rotational movement of each support plate is performed by being electrically operated by a driving means.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the rotational movement of each support plate is performed by an electric operation by the driving means, so that each support plate can be moved or moved as compared with the configuration performed by a manual operation. The operation of retaining the position is simplified.

The present invention can obtain the following effects by taking the above-described means.
First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the side portion of the seat back is bent and rotated around the boundary portion between the front surface of the pad and the front surface of the top plate portion, thereby supporting the side portion. The position can be changed smoothly, and the step, gap, and excess meat that can occur at the boundary portion between the side portion and the top plate portion can be reduced to reduce discomfort given to the seated person.
Next, according to the second aspect of the invention, the structure for changing the support position by rotating each side portion can be realized by a simple configuration in which the slide pin is slid along the guide groove.
Next, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotational movement of each support plate is performed by the driving means, so that the operation of moving the side portion and the operation of keeping the moved position can be easily performed. Can do.

Embodiments of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show an embodiment of the side support structure of the seat back 11. 1 is a perspective view of a side support structure of the seat back 11, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a view from the direction A in FIG. 2 (normal state), and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a side support state when the airbag is further deployed in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a use state of the seat 10. In the present embodiment, the direction indicating “front” is the front direction of the vehicle, and the direction indicating “rear” is the rear direction of the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 1, the side support structure of the seat back 11 of the present embodiment changes the position state of the side portions 70 constituting both sides of the seat back 11 of the vehicle seat 10 such as an automobile, The holding state of both sides of the seated person can be changed. Reference numeral 12 denotes a seat cushion. Specifically, the side portion 70 is configured to be movable between an open position that is located in a direction away from both sides of the upper body of the seated person and a closed position that supports both sides of the seated person .

Specifically, the side support structure of the seat back 11 is configured as follows.
First, as well shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat back 11 is provided with a seat back frame (hereinafter, referred to as a frame 20) formed with a flat plate surface 21. A pair of upper and lower brackets 30 are fixed to the left and right at predetermined positions on the flat plate surface 21. Here, the bracket 30 corresponds to the guide portion of the present invention.
On the other hand, the seat back 11 has a support plate 40 (up and down) having sliding pins 41 and 43 at pads 71 (see FIG. 3) in the side portion 70 formed on both sides sandwiching the top plate portion 60. The auxiliary tool 42 having the sliding pin 43 is integrally formed). Specifically, as well shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the rear side of the pad 71 of the side portion 70 has a hollow shape, and the support plate 40 is fitted therein. The pad 61 in the top plate portion 60 and the pad 71 on the side portion 70 (the pads 61 and 71 are made of urethane resin or the like) are formed separately from each other.

  Further, the bracket 30 described above is formed with the arc-shaped first groove 31 and the second groove 32, and the support plate 40 is arcuate by engaging the slide pins 41 and 43 of the support plate 40 respectively. Is slidably supported along. Specifically, the first groove 31 and the second groove 32 have a circular arc shape with the front end (left direction in FIG. 3) of the boundary portion B between the top plate portion 60 and the side portion 70 as the rotation center C. . That is, the support plate 40 slides around the rotation center C along the arc-shaped grooves 31 and 32.

  Further, the side portion 70 in which the support plate 40 is fitted is configured to respond to the rotation of the support plate 40 described above. That is, the pad 71 of the side portion 70 is formed separately from the pad 61 in the top plate portion 60, and when the pad 71 of the side portion 70 is pushed and pulled by the rotation of the support plate 40, the side portion 70 also rotates around the rotation center C and bends with respect to the top plate portion 60. At this time, since the side portion 70 always uses the front end of the boundary portion B with the top plate portion 60 as the stationary rotation center C, the side portion 70 and the front corner portion of the pad 71 of the side portion 70 (left direction in FIG. 3) The relative separation dimension between the top corner 60 and the front corner portion of the pad 61 (near the rotation center C) is constant throughout. Therefore, at the boundary portion B between the side portion 70 and the top plate portion 60, the side portion 70 is bent and rotated so as to be separated in the front-rear direction to form a step or a gap, or to bite each other to cause a surplus. There is nothing to do.

  That is, for example, when the rotation center C of the side portion 70 is not located at the front end of the boundary portion B between the top plate portion 60 and the side portion 70, when the side portion 70 is bent and rotated, the pad 71 of the side portion 70. Are spaced apart in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the pad 61 of the top plate portion 60, and a step or gap is generated between them. Or the pad 71 of the side part 70 presses the pad 61 of the top plate part 60, and a surplus is generated on the surface of the seat back 11. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the side portion 70 bends and rotates while maintaining the positional relationship in which the front corner portions of the pads 61 and 71 are substantially in contact with each other. And no gaps or excess meat.

As shown well in FIG. 3 and the like, a seat cover 80 is stretched on the surface of the seat back 11, and both extreme ends of the seat cover 80 can be extended by a spring 90 at the rear portion of the seat back 11. It is connected to. More specifically, in the seat cover 80, both extreme ends are respectively inserted between the board 100 and the frame 20 provided at the rear portion of the seat back 11, and these are connected by a spring 90.
Therefore, for example, when the side portion 70 is bent and rotated in the forward direction, the seat cover 80 that is insufficient on the rear side surface of the seat back 11 is necessary from a hidden position between the board 100 and the frame 20. Only minutes are sent out. Further, when this state (the side portion 70 is bent and rotated in the forward direction) and in the backward direction, the excess seat cover 80 is moved between the board 100 and the frame 20 by the elastic force of the spring 90. It is pulled back to a hidden position in between.

Accordingly, the seat cover 80 is not made of a stretchable material, and the seat cover 80 is always held in a tensioned state, and a load such as a tension is applied when the side portion 70 is bent and rotated in the front-rear direction. A smooth behavior is achieved without giving a large amount.
In addition, as described above, even if the side portion 70 is bent and rotated, no step, gap, or surplus occurs between the pads 61 and 71. Therefore, the tension state on the front surface side of the seat cover 80 is fixed, and no wrinkles are generated on the front surface side of the seat cover 80 due to bending and rotation.

Next, as well shown in FIG. 3, a drive device 50 for slidingly driving the support plate 40 is interposed between the bracket 30 and the support plate 40. Specifically, the driving device 50 converts the rotational driving force generated by the motor 51 into a linear driving force that pushes and pulls the push rod 54 that is rotatably connected to the sliding pin 43 of the support plate 40. It is converted and the support plate 40 is driven (push-pull). Specifically, the rotational driving force of the motor 51 is transmitted to the screw 52 by a bevel gear (not shown) or the like. Further, the rotational driving force transmitted to the screw 52 is converted into a driving force in the linear direction of the push rod 54 via a nut 53 provided with a pin 53a on the outer periphery. Specifically, a pin 53a is rotatably inserted in the through hole 54a on one end side of the push rod 54 (the pin 53a is secured by a C ring), and the through hole 54b on the other end side is inserted in the through hole 54b. The slide pin 43 of the support plate 40 is inserted through the support plate 40 so as to freely rotate.
Therefore, the support plate 40 can be slid along the second groove 32 (also along the first groove 31) by pushing and pulling the slide pin 43 with this rotational driving force. In the present embodiment, the driving device 50 is driven by a switch operation, and the support plate 40 can be easily and automatically rotated (automatically by a switch operation).

  In this embodiment, as well shown in FIG. 5, an air tube 110 is interposed between the pad 71 of the side portion 70 and the support plate 40. When necessary, the air tube 110 is expanded by receiving intake air from an inflator, a pump, or the like. Thus, when the air tube 110 is deployed in a state where the side portion 70 is rotated to the end of the first groove 31 and the second groove 32, the side portion 70 can be further bent and rotated in the forward direction. That is, the rotation range of the support plate 40 can be further expanded as necessary.

As described above, the side support structure of the seat back 11 of the present embodiment is configured. Then, the usage method for side-supporting a seated person is demonstrated based on FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 (the open side indicated by the two-dot chain line of the side portion 70), the support plate 40 is in the open position. In this state, the front surface of the side portion 70 is smooth and substantially flush with the top plate portion 60. Moreover, the level | step difference currently formed between the auxiliary tools 42 of the support plate 40 is formed to such an extent that a seated person does not feel discomfort.

Next, the drive device 50 is driven by a switch operation, and the support plate 40 is moved (slid) in the direction of the closed position. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 (solid line of the side portion 70), the side portion 70 responds to the movement of the support plate 40, and smoothly bends and rotates forward with respect to the top plate portion 60. Specifically, on the rear side surface of the seat back 11, the side portion 70 smoothly rotates around the rotation center C while the necessary seat cover 80 is sent out from the position between the board 100 and the frame 20 by a necessary amount. To do.
Accordingly, the positional relationship between the front corner portion of the top plate portion 60 of the side portion 70 and the front corner portion of the pad 61 of the top plate portion 60 is always maintained, and a step, a gap, or a surplus portion is generated between the pads 61 and 71. I will not let you. Further, the seat cover 80 is not wrinkled on the front side of the seat back 11.
And if the side part 70 arrives at the position which hold | maintains both sides of a seating person suitably, the drive of the drive device 50 will be stopped. In this way, the side portion 70 is smoothly moved from the open position to the closed position without causing the seated person to feel uncomfortable due to the unevenness.

  5 and 6 (the closed side indicated by the two-dot chain line of the side portion 70), the side portion 70 is rotated to the end of the first groove 31 and the second groove 32 by the driving operation described above. In this state, when the air tube 110 is deployed, the side portion 70 is further bent and rotated forward. Specifically, since the rotation further proceeds in the same manner as the rotation behavior of the side portion 70 described above, the rotation is smoothly performed without causing a step, a gap, or a surplus between the pads 61 and 71. That is, the rotatable region of the side portion 70 is further expanded. Therefore, for example, the side support can be suitably performed even when applied to a seated person with a thin body shape.

As described above, in the side support structure of the seat back 11 according to the present embodiment, when the seated person is side-supported by the seat back 11, the side portion 70 is rotated about the front end of the boundary portion B with the top plate portion 60 as the rotation center C. It is moving. Specifically, the side portion 70 is placed in a suitable state (rotation center) by simply sliding the support plate 40 (sliding pins 41 and 43 thereof) along the arc-shaped first groove 31 and second groove 32. In a state of rotating around C).
Accordingly, the side portion 70 can be smoothly bent and rotated (changed in the position state) to a position sufficient for support without causing a step, a gap or a surplus between the top plate portion 60 from the beginning. . That is, it is preferable because a sufficient side support effect can be obtained without making the sitting comfort of the seated person uncomfortable.

Further, as described above, the structure for sliding the support plate 40 is only required to provide the bracket 30 with the grooves 31 and 32 that can engage the sliding pins 41 and 43 of the support plate 40. Therefore, the bracket 30 can be formed compactly, and such a configuration can be made very simple.
Further, the side portion 70 can be automatically rotated (by only a switch operation) by the driving device 50 (driving means). Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the rotation of the side portion 70 is performed manually, the operation is simple, and fine adjustment of the rotation amount of the support plate 40 and rotation regulation can be performed appropriately. .

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to one example, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than the above-described embodiment.
For example, in the present embodiment, the grooves 31 and 32 formed in the bracket 30 are formed in two places as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the like. There is no limitation, and the side portion 70 may be formed at a position where the side portion 70 can be rotated around the rotation center C in the same manner. That is, if the groove is formed corresponding to the position of the sliding pin attached to the support plate, the same operation and effect can be obtained.
Further, the material of the seat cover 80 is not particularly extensible, and the both ends of the seat cover 80 are connected to the rear side of the seat back 11 by a spring 90 so that the side cover 70 can be flexibly adapted to the rotation. However, it is not limited to the spring 90, and may be replaced with an elastic material such as rubber. Needless to say, when the seat cover is formed of an extensible material, the side cover can be flexibly accommodated without such a configuration.

It is a perspective view of the side support structure of the seat back which shows one Example of this invention. It is a partial expansion perspective view in FIG. It is the figure (normal state) seen from the A direction in FIG. It is a figure which shows the side support state of a side part. FIG. 5 is a view showing a side support state when the airbag is further deployed in FIG. 4. It is a schematic plan view which shows the use condition of a sheet | seat.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Seat 11 Seat back 12 Seat cushion 20 Frame 21 Flat plate surface 30 Bracket (guide part)
31 1st groove (guide groove)
32 Second groove (guide groove)
40 Support Plate 41 Slide Pin 42 Auxiliary Tool 43 Slide Pin 50 Drive Device (Drive Unit)
51 Motor 52 Screw 53 Nut 53a Pin 54 Push Rod 54a Through Hole 54b Through Hole 60 Top Plate Part 61 Pad 70 Side Part (Seat Side)
71 Pad 80 Seat cover 90 Spring 100 Board 110 Air tube B Boundary part C Center of rotation

Claims (3)

A seat back side support structure that changes the holding state of both sides of the seated person by changing the front and back positions of the side parts formed on both sides of the top plate part in the center of the seat back,
Each of the side portions has a structure in which a movable support plate is integrally provided on the rear surface of the pad, and each of the pads moves forward in a direction in which each of the support plates is inward with respect to the top plate portion. Along with the top plate part is bent and rotated forward,
The support plates on each side are configured to rotate while drawing an arcuate rotation trajectory centering on the boundary point between the front surface of the pad disposed on the front surface and the front surface of the top plate portion. In this configuration, the side support structure for the seat back is configured such that the pads are not pressed against the top plate even when the support plates rotate forward . The side support structure for a seat back according to claim 1,
The guide structure for guiding the rotational movement of each support plate is such that a slide pin provided on each support plate slides along a guide groove having a curved shape around the rotation center formed on the seat back. A side support structure for a seat back, characterized by being guided . A side support structure for a seat back according to claim 1 or 2,
The side support structure for a seat back, wherein the rotational motion of each support plate is electrically operated by a driving means .

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