JPH0489009A - Surface lumbar support device of seat for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the conventional feeling of physical disorder and to improve the seat riding feeling so as to reduce fatigue by stretching springs on an operating shaft and a free shaft to form a lumbar surface, and providing a turning means for the operating shaft. CONSTITUTION:When a knob is turned in the direction of an arrow (b), a sector gear 13 meshed with a pinion gear 14 is turned in the direction of an arrow (c) so that an operating shaft 4 is turned in the same direction (c). Accordingly, a retainer 10 is also turned in the same direction so that the torsional moment is generated in an S-shaped spring 9. Thus, a free shaft 8 is moved in the direction of an arrow (e) and the lumbar surface A indicated by a one-dot chain line changes into a parabolic lumber surface A' indicated by a two-dot chain line in section so as to apply the force for pushing out the lumbar part of a seat screw forward. The supporting force of the lumbar surface A' becomes large in the maximum deflection portion and is gradually decreased as it approaches the upper end portion. The forward and backward movement of the upper end portion of the S-shaped spring is softened by a tension spring 9 for urging the free shaft 8 forward. Further, the seat riding surface C to the seat riding posture B is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a lumbar support device provided in a vehicle seat, particularly in the seat of an automobile.

``Prior Art'' When a car occupant sits in a seat for a long time, the lumbar vertebrae above the pelvis tend to rotate in a direction that creates an uncomfortable posture. It is necessary to support the lumbar vertebrae to prevent rotation.

A lumbar support is used as a device to support the lumbar region. This conventional lumbar support device is configured to support the lumbar vertebrae and prevent the rotation by moving vertical belt-like support members provided on the left and right sides back and forth.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' Conventional lumbar support devices support the lumbar vertebrae in a so-called linear manner, and cannot support the entire lumbar vertebrae, giving the occupant a sense of discomfort.

``Means for Solving the Problems'' Therefore, the present invention eliminates the discomfort by supporting the lumbar vertebrae with a surface, and also changes the shape of the seat riding surface with respect to the seat riding posture, so that the seat riding surface can be adjusted when riding. The purpose is to improve the riding feeling of the seat and reduce fatigue.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operating shaft 4 rotatably supported;
By tensioning a plurality of springs, for example, an S-shaped spring 9, to a free shaft 8 provided above the operating shaft 4, the lumbar surface A
form. The lower end of the S-shaped spring 9 is fixed to the actuating shaft 4 via a retainer 10, for example. This free axis 8 is
It is urged forward by a tension spring 7, that is, in the direction a in the figure.

A rotating means 12 is provided to rotate the operating shaft 4. The rotation means 12 includes, for example, a sector gear 13 fixed to an operating shaft, a pinion gear 14 that meshes with the sector gear 13, and a knob 18 that rotates the pinion gear 14.
It can be constructed from

"Operation" When the knob 18 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, the sector gear 13 meshing with the pinion gear 14 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and the operating shaft 4 is also rotated in the same direction C.

Therefore, the retainer 10 also rotates in the same direction and the S-shaped spring 9
A torsional moment is generated. Due to this torsional moment, the free shaft 8 moves in the direction e, and the lumbar surface A indicated by the dashed-dotted line changes to a parabolic lumbar surface A' whose cross section is indicated by the dashed-dotted line, pushing the lumbar vertebrae of the seat occupant forward. Force acts.

The supporting force of the lumbar surface A' becomes strong at the maximum deflection portion and becomes weaker as it approaches the upper end. Further, the back and forth movement of the upper end of the S-shaped spring 9 is alleviated by the tension spring 9 that urges the free shaft 8 forward.

Furthermore, the seat riding surface C relative to the seat riding posture B also changes.

"Embodiments" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

3 is a hack frame, which has a horizontal frame 2 at its lower end and is attached to a seat frame (not shown). It is optional to attach a known reclining device to this hack frame.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an operating shaft support bracket, which is fixed near the base of the horizontal frame 2, that is, at both ends, and at the rear (on the left side in Figs. 1 and 3), the operating shaft 4 is rotated via a bushing. It is freely supported.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a pair of left and right free shaft supporting brackets, which are fixed to the bank frame 1 above the operating shaft 4. 6 is an opening. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the ends of the free shafts 8 inserted through the openings 6 are respectively locked to the tension springs 7 provided inside. This tension spring 7 urges the free shaft 8 forward, that is, in the direction a.

Reference numeral 9 denotes three S-shaped springs, each of which has its lower end fixed to a retainer 10 fixed to the front surface of the actuating shaft 4, and its upper end fixed to the front surface of the free shaft 8 via a mounting tube 11. These three S-shaped springs 9 form a Lancia surface A. Note that the spring forming the lumbar surface A is not limited to the S-shaped spring 9;
For example, it is also possible to use deformed springs, leaf springs, Plumaflex springs, etc. Of course, the number of ribs is not limited to the examples.

Next, the rotating means 12 of the operating shaft 4 will be explained.

13 is a sector gear whose base is fixed to the operating shaft 4. A pinion gear 14 meshes with the sector gear 13, and is fixed to a rotation shaft 16 pivotally attached to a rotation means supporting bracket 15.

A spring brake 17 as a brake mechanism and a knob 18 for rotating the pinion gear 14 are attached to the rotation shaft 16, respectively. Therefore, when the knob 18 is rotated, the operating shaft 4 is rotated, and as a result, the sector gear 13 that meshes with the pinion gear 14 is rotated, and the operating shaft 4 is rotated. If the sector gear 13 and pinion gear 14 are used as in the embodiment, there is an advantage that the rotating means 12 can be formed compactly.

A stopper 19 restricts rotation of the sector gear 13.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a horizontal spring using an S-shaped spring, which is stretched across the hack frame, and the biasing force of the tension spring 7 is set to be equal to the force with which the S-shaped spring 9 bends in the d direction when riding. (See Figure 1).

Note that instead of manually operating the rotating means 12 as in the embodiment, it is also possible to drive the rotating means 12 by a motor, and a link mechanism or the like may be used instead of gears.

Therefore, by rotating the knob 18 as described above,
The cross section of the lumbar surface A can be changed steplessly into a parabolic shape. In the case of the embodiment, the position where the amount of deflection is maximum is set in the range of 120 to 15 ON from the hip point, which is the design standard.

``Effects'' Since the lumbar region is supported by a planar beam, there is no discomfort unlike the conventional support by a linear beam.

In addition, by changing the supporting force of the lumbar surface depending on the seat posture, it is possible to improve the seat riding feeling and reduce fatigue.

Moreover, since it has a simple mechanical configuration, it operates reliably and has no risk of failure, and can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the action. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view, FIG. 3 is a side view of the hack frame as seen from inside, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of essential parts. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the free shaft is attached. A, A' B ・ ・ ・ C ・ ・ 1 ・ ・ ・ 4 ・ ・ 7 ・ ・ 8 ・ ・ 9 ・ ・ 12 ・ ・ l 3 ・ ・ 14 ・ ・ 17 ・ ・ 18 ・ ・ Lumber surface, seat riding position, seat riding surface, hack frame, operating shaft, tension spring, free shaft, S-shaped spring, rotation means, sector gear, pinion gear, spring brake, knob Agent, patent attorney Masaharu Yamagami Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A lumbar system in which a plurality of springs are tensioned between an operating shaft that is rotatably supported and a free shaft that is provided above the operating shaft and is biased forward by a tension spring. A surface lumbar support device for a vehicle seat, which forms a surface and is provided with means for rotating an operating shaft. 2. The surface lumbar support device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the spring is an S-shaped spring. 3. Claim 1, wherein the driving means comprises a sector gear fixed to the rotation shaft, a pinion gear equipped with a spring brake and meshing with the sector gear, and a knob for rotating the pinion gear.
Or the surface lumbar support device for a vehicle seat according to 2.