WO2004113115A1

WO2004113115A1 - Seat cushion spring-retaining structure and seat cushion device for motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2004113115A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/008340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koji Korechika
Original assignee: Autoliv Development Ab
Priority date: 2003-06-24
Filing date: 2004-06-15
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Also published as: JP4130206B2; JPWO2004113115A1

Abstract

When an inflator is actuated in rapid retardation occurring in a frontal collision etc. of a motor vehicle, a high-pressure gas is jetted from the inflator into an inflator bag (15). The inflator bag (15) is inflated and expanded when the jetted high-pressure gas is filled in it and pushes up a seat cushion spring (14) and a seat cushion body. This causes both end portions of the seat cushion spring (14) to leave the deepest portion of a guide and to be displaced obliquely upward along a wall surface of the guide. The inflator bag (15) is further inflated and expanded, and pushes up the seat cushion spring (14) and the seat cushion body. As a result, both end portions of the seat cushion spring (14) jump out of an entrance portion of the guide, released from an engaged state, and coming out. The inflator bag (15) lifts up the front portion of the seat cushion body and applies a restraining force to a motor vehicle occupant.

Description

Specification

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a seat cushion spring holding structure for a vehicle and a seat cushion device.

The present invention is characterized by, for example, a vehicle seat cushion spring holding structure for holding an end of a seat cushion spring that naturally supports a seat cushion of a vehicle seat. In particular, the present invention relates to a seat cushion device having a waist restraint function for restraining and protecting an occupant in a seat in the event of a vehicle collision.

Conventional technology

When a vehicle collides forward, an occupant tries to move forward due to inertia. When the occupant wears a seat belt, the forward movement of the occupant is suppressed to some extent by the restraining action of the shoulder belt and the waist belt of the seat belt device, but it is often insufficient.

[0003] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14, in order to prevent the occupant from moving forward, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates due to a frontal collision, the front end of the seat cushion is instantaneously raised and the occupant is moved forward. There has been proposed a lumbar restraint device to which a Pelvis Restraint Cushion (PRC) technology that restricts movement is applied. On the other hand, attachment of a conventional seat cushion spring to a seat frame is shown, for example, in FIG.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-229378

Patent Document 2: JP-A-10-217818

Patent Document 3: UK Patent GB2357466

Disclosure of the invention

Problems the invention is trying to solve

[0005] In the prior art, in order to prevent the inflator bag 5 from being inflated and deployed by the seat cushion spring 8, as shown in Fig. 14, the seat cushion spring 8 is disposed at a position where the inflator bag 5 is disposed. could not. That is, the seat cushion spring 8 is disposed behind the inflator bag 5. As a result, the cushioning function of the seat cushion 7 becomes insufficient, and the occupant M has a problem that the sitting comfort in the seat deteriorates. [0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle seat cushion device that can maintain a comfortable sitting comfort in a seat for an occupant.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a vehicle seat cushion device including a seat frame having one left and right horizontal frame member, a front frame member, and a rear frame member. A seat-tension spring spanned between the pair of left and right horizontal frame members of the seat frame; provided at positions of the pair of left and right horizontal frame members facing each other, and holding an end of the seat cushion spring. A holding portion; and an inflator bag disposed below the seat cushion spring. The spring holding portion includes a guide to which an end of the seat cushion spring is movable, and the horizontal frame of the guide is provided. A vehicle seat cushion device protruding upward inward of the seat frame with at least a partial force S of a wall closer to the member.

[0008] According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, the entrance portion of the guide is arranged upward relative to the deepest portion of the guide.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 3, the spring holding portion is formed as a body with the pair of left and right lateral frame members.

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 4, the spring holding portion is an independently molded member, and has a mounting portion for mounting to the pair of left and right horizontal frame members.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is the substantially square-shaped seat frame having a pair of left and right lateral frame members to which a seat cushion of a vehicle can be attached, a front frame member, and a rear frame member; A seat cushion spring for sexually supporting the seat cushion from below; and a holding member provided on a pair of the lateral frame members arranged to oppose each other at both ends of the seat cushion spring. A seat cushion spring holding structure for a vehicle, wherein the seat cushion spring is held by the holding member. The seat cushion spring is filled with a high-pressure gas below the seat cushion spring and expanded and deployed. An inflator bag for pushing up a seat cushion is disposed, and the holding portion is provided with the seat cushion spring and the inflation bag. By inflation and deployment of the Tabaggu, downward Force Holds the end of the seat cushion spring in the holding state when an upward external force is applied, and releases the seat cushion spring for a vehicle provided with a gap that allows the end to be displaced upward. Structure.

Here, the terms “up” and “down” mean that the near side with respect to the plane of FIG. 1 is upward, upward, upward, etc. I do. In FIG. 1, the side or the direction of the front frame member 21 from the center of the seat frame 12 is the front or the front, and the opposite side (the side or direction of the rear frame member 22) is the rear or the rear. Further, it is assumed that the line is divided into right and left sides with a line connecting the centers of the front frame member 21 and the rear frame member 22 on the paper surface of FIG. In addition, the plane parallel to the paper surface in Fig. 1 is called the horizontal plane.

Embodiment of the Invention

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be made specifically using an example.

[0014] First Example

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a seat cushion device with a waist restraining function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the seat cushion device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a holding structure of a seat cushion spring of the seat cushion device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a retainer that holds the seat cushion spring. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the retainer. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the retainer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inflator bag of the seat cushion device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the seat cushion device. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a vehicle seat cushion device 11 having a waist restraining function according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat frame 12 of the vehicle includes a pair of left and right horizontal frame members 17, 17, a front frame member 21, and a rear frame member 22. The seat cushion body 13 is attached to a vehicle seat frame. The three cushion springs (seat cushion springs) 14, 14, and 14 support the seat cushion body 13 from below. The inflator bag 15 is disposed at the front lower portion of the seat cushion body 13 via a cushion spring 14, and can be inflated and deployed by filling with high-pressure gas. A substantially cylindrical inflator (not shown) A high-pressure gas is blown into the inside of the bag 15 to inflate and deploy the inflator bag 15. Retainers (holding portions) 18 and 18 for holding the seat cushion springs 14 are fixed to horizontal frame members (side members) 17 and 17 constituting the seat frame 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the cushion spring of this embodiment, the cushion spring 14 is detached at both ends by retainers 18, 18 fixed to horizontal frame members (side members) 17, 17. It is held so that it can be dropped. That is, each of the seat cushion springs 14 is held by the retainers 18 and 18 so that the seat cushion springs 14 can be dropped together with the deployment of the inflation tab 15. In this example, the seat cushion spring 14 disposed at the forefront is interposed between the inflator bag 15 and the seat cushion 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cushion spring 14 is formed by processing a linear member made of metal having a predetermined diameter into, for example, a continuous substantially sinusoidal shape (continuous S-shape), and when no load is applied, The upper or lower end of the member is formed so as to be entirely flat. The cushion spring 14 is formed so as to be line-symmetric with respect to a symmetry axis along the width direction as a whole.

[0017] Both ends of the seat cushion spring 14 are locked by retainers 18, 18 fixed to the horizontal frame members 17, 17, and are disposed on the lower surface side of the seat cushion body 13. The seat cushion spring 14 is bent so that the seat cushion body 13 is deformed due to the weight of the occupant and a load (external force) is applied from above, so that the entire body is convex downward. As a result, a restoring force acts on the seat cushion spring 14 so as to push the seat cushion 13 back.

[0018] The retainer 18 includes a guide 18b as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6. The retainer 18 is made of, for example, a metal member having a substantially mountain-shaped cross section. The retainer 18 is formed by, for example, a mounting surface 18a for mounting on the vertical wall surface of the horizontal frame member 17, and a notch process or a press molding. A guide 18b whose depth direction crosses the mounting surface 18a obliquely from the surface on the opposite side of the mounting surface 18a to a predetermined depth. The distal end portion of the seat cushion spring 14 is held at the deepest portion 18c of the guide 18b. At least a part of the upper wall 18d of the guide 18b projects upward and inwardly toward the inside of the seat frame 12 (toward the center portion of each frame member of the seat frame 12 as a boundary). When the inflator bag 15 is deployed, the guide 18b functions as a gap (Gap) or a groove for releasing the force holding the seat cushion spring 14. Process of inflator bag 15 expanding and deploying Thus, the seat cushion spring 14 also receives an external force as well as a downward force. Then, the end of the seat cushion spring 14 moves upward along the upper wall surface 18d of the guide 18b from the deepest portion 18c of the guide 18b. Then, the seat cushion spring 14 is released from the locked state.

In the present example, the guide 18b is formed such that the entrance 18e is arranged upward relative to the deepest portion 18c in a state where the retainer 18 is attached to the horizontal frame member 17. ing. In this example, the width of the guide 18b is set substantially equal to the diameter of the seat cushion spring 14. The end of the seat cushion spring 14 is locked by a guide 18b, and is fitted and fixed to a deepest portion 18c in the guide 18b. The depth of the guide 18b and the angle of the guide 18b in the depth direction with respect to the mounting surface 18a received an external force (push-up force) of a predetermined value or more in the process of expanding and deploying the seat cushion spring 14 force S inflator bag 15. In this case, the seat cushion spring 14 is optimally set so that the end of the seat cushion spring 14 is pulled out from the back of the guide 18b, moves on the wall surface, and the seat cushion spring 14 is released from the locked state and falls off from the retainer. .

The retainer 18 has a mounting surface 18a joined to a side surface inside the horizontal frame member 17 (center side of the seat frame 12), and is fixed to the side frame member 17 by, for example, welding.

[0021] The inflator bag 15 has, for example, a hermetic structure that expands and expands by filling with a high-pressure gas, as shown in Fig. 7 (a), and is made of, for example, a molded product of a metal sheet or a resin sheet. It is composed of a square box-shaped bag body 15a and a bottom plate 15c for closing a bottom surface of the bag body 15a facing the top plate 15b. The bottom plate 15c is formed integrally with the bag body 15a, or is joined to the bag body 15a by caulking or welding. The expanded inflator bag 15 greatly expands in its thickness direction as shown in FIG. 7 (b).

Next, the operation of the seat cushion device of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the inflator is not operating, the inflator bag 15 remains folded as shown in FIG. 7 (a), and does not apply a pressing force to the seat cushion spring 14 as shown in FIG. 8 (a). . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, both ends of the seat cushion spring 14 are held in a state where they are arranged at the deepest portions of the guides 18a of the retainers 18, 18. When the seat cushion 13 is deformed due to the weight of the occupant and an external force is applied from above, the seat cushion spring 14 is supported at the deepest portion of the guide 18a, and deflects so that the whole becomes convex downward. . As a result, the seat cushion spring 14 generates a restoring force that pushes the seat cushion 13 back.

When the inflator is operated at the time of sudden deceleration due to a forward collision of the vehicle, high-pressure gas is blown from the inflator into the inflator bag 15. The inflator bag 15 is inflated and deployed as shown in FIG. 8 (b) when the jetted high-pressure gas is filled therein, and pushes up the seat cushion spring 14 and the seat cushion body 13. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), both ends of the seat cushion spring 14 are separated from the deepest portion of the guide 18a, and obliquely upward along the wall surface of the guide 18a. Move. The inflation bag 15 is further expanded and deployed to push up the seat cushion spring 14 and the seat cushion body 13 as shown in FIG. 8 (c). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 (c) and 9 (c), both ends of the seat cushion spring 14 protrude from the entrance of the guide 18a, are released from the locking state, and fall off. Thus, the inflator bag 15 lifts the seat cushion 13 and gives a restraining force to the occupant.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 11 and 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a holding portion (retainer) of the seat cushion spring of the seat cushion device having a waist restraining function. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are cross-sectional views showing the holding portion (retainer). In this example, a retainer made of a synthetic resin is attached to the horizontal frame member using a fixing portion formed on the retainer body. In the following description, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0025] The retainer (holding portion) 18A of this example uses a synthetic resin, and has a right-angled corner in a part of the outer shape. This retainer can be formed by injection molding or the like. The guide 18b is formed obliquely upward. The seat cushion spring 14 has a deepest portion 18c for locking the distal end portion, a fixing portion 18g provided on the bottom surface, and a positioning pin 18i. The fixing portion 18g includes a shaft portion 18s having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the insertion hole 17m formed in the horizontal frame member 17A, and a deformable tapered taper portion 18t formed at the tip side of the shaft portion 18s. Have. A step is provided at the joint between the shaft portion 18s and the tapered portion 18t. As a result, when the fixing portion 18 g is inserted into the insertion hole 17 m, it cannot be easily removed. The retainer 18A is a horizontal frame member 1 The fixing portion 18g and the positioning pin 18i are inserted into the insertion holes 17m and 17η formed in the horizontal frame member 17A, respectively, and fixed so that the entrance of the guide 18b faces the inside of the seat frame 12 in 7A. I have.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and the design may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is also included in the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the process of inflating and expanding the inflator bag, it is not always necessary to drop the force inflator bag unless the inflating and expanding of the force inflator bag is described as if the seat cushion spring comes off from the retainer. Is also good.

[0027] Also, the case where a retainer made of metal or synthetic resin is used has been described. In addition, the retainer may be attached to the seat frame by welding or the like, or may be formed in advance integrally with the seat frame to reduce the cost. In addition, cushion springs other than the cushion spring interposed between the inflator bag and the seat cushion need not necessarily be held so that they can be dropped off. The number of the attachment springs to be arranged is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more.

Also, as shown in FIG. 10, instead of holding and holding the tip of the cushion spring 14 at the deepest part of the guide of the retainer 18, for example, the tip of the cushion spring 14 may be slanted downward. It is also possible to bend toward, and insert and retain it in the hole 18f formed in the retainer 18. The shape of the seat cushion spring 14 is not limited to a substantially sinusoidal wave shape, but may be a rectangular wave shape or a triangular wave shape. Not only the end of the seat cushion spring is held by a single retainer, but also a ladder-like end may be held by a plurality of retainers.

[0029] The seat cushion spring may be formed so that the surface including the linear member is not limited to a flat surface as a whole but becomes a curved surface even when no load is applied. In other words, the cushion spring may be formed in a state where no external force is applied, for example, so that the whole is convex upward. Further, the case where the high-pressure gas from the inflator is supplied through the ejection hole has been described, but the inflator may be provided inside the inflator bag.

[0030] The seat cushion spring 14 is detachably held by a retainer 18. The inflator bag 15 can be arranged below the seat cushion 13. Also, the inflator The bag 15 can be expanded and deployed without being disturbed by the seat cushion spring 14. Therefore, the waist restraint function can be reliably performed, and the occupant can maintain a comfortable sitting comfort in the seat.

Since the seat cushion spring 14 can be easily removed, it can be easily replaced, for example, in the case of repair.

[0031] As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the entire seat can be improved. The guide 18b of the retainer 18 is formed in a direction in which the depth direction crosses the mounting surface 18a obliquely. The entrance of the guide 18b is located relatively higher than the deepest part. For this reason, when the inflator is not operated, the seat cushion spring 14 does not easily come off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a seat cushion device with a waist restraining function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a holding structure of a seat cushion spring of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a retainer that holds the seat cushion spring.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of the retainer.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the retainer.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inflator bag of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the seat cushion device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another configuration example of the retainer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a holding structure of a seat cushion spring of a seat cushion device with a waist restraint function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the retainer.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the retainer.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional technique.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional technique. Explanation of reference numerals

1 Lumbar restraint

2 Sheet frame

3 Inflator bag

4 Inflator

5 Seat cushion

6 sea f

7 Retainer

11 sea f

12 Seat frame

13 Seat cushion body (seat cushion)

14 Seat cushion spring

15 inflator bag

17 Horizontal frame members

18, 18A Retainer (holding member)

18b guide

18c Deepest part of guide

18d guide upper wall

18e Guide entrance

21 Front frame member (front frame member) 22 Rear frame member (rear frame member)

M

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A vehicle seat cushion device including a seat frame having one left and right horizontal frame member, a front frame member, and a rear frame member,

A seat cushion spring bridged between the pair of left and right horizontal frame members of the seat frame;

A holding portion provided at a position of the pair of left and right horizontal frame members facing each other, and holding an end of the seat cushion spring;

An inflator bag disposed below the seat cushion spring, wherein the spring holding portion includes a guide to which an end of the seat cushion spring is movable, and a portion of the guide closer to the horizontal frame member. A seat cushion for a vehicle characterized by projecting upward at least partially from the wall inward of the seat frame.

2. The vehicle seat cushion device according to claim 1, wherein an entrance of the guide is disposed relatively upward with respect to a deepest portion of the guide.

3. The vehicle seat cushion device according to claim 1, wherein the spring holding portion is formed integrally with the pair of left and right horizontal frame members.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the spring holding portion is an independently molded member, and has a mounting portion for mounting to the pair of left and right horizontal frame members. Seat cushion device.

[5] A substantially square-shaped seat frame having a pair of left and right horizontal frame members to which a seat cushion of a vehicle can be attached, a front frame member, and a rear frame member;

A seat cushion spring that is bridged between the two horizontal frame members and elastically supports the seat cushion from below;

Holding members provided on a pair of the lateral frame members arranged so that both end portions of the seat cushion spring face each other,

A vehicle seat cushion spring holding structure for holding the seat cushion spring by the holding member,

The lower part of the seat cushion spring is filled with high-pressure gas to expand and deploy. An inflator bag for pushing up the seat cushion; and, in the holding portion, when an external force upward from below is applied to the seat cushion spring by expansion and deployment of the inflator bag, the seat cushion spring is A seat cushion spring holding structure for a vehicle, characterized in that a gap is provided for releasing the end from the holding state and allowing the end to be displaced upward.