Vehicle seat

A vehicle seat includes: a chamber in which at least a seat-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat through the pad; a fan configured to send air into the chamber; and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the surface of the seat. The chamber includes a first region and a second region, and the first region and the second region are configured to allow subduction of the chamber independently of each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-237303, filed on Dec. 19, 2018, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-063694, filed on Mar. 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

A seat cushion of a seat installed in a vehicle such as an automobile includes a pad and a frame which supports the pad. The frame typically includes a pair of side frames, a front frame and a rear frame connecting the pair of side frames, and a plurality of springs suspended between the front frame and the rear frame. Also known is an air conditioning seat which further includes a chamber covered with a pad and a fan sending air into the chamber and blows air from a surface of the seat cushion through the pad (see JP-A-2003-165325 and JP-A-2012-105816, for example).

The load applied to a rear side of the seat cushion which supports the buttocks of a seated person is greater than the load applied to a front side of the seat cushion which supports the thighs of the seated person. Whereas the pad is supported by the front frame on the front side of the seat cushion, the pad is supported by the plurality of springs on the rear side of the seat cushion where a relatively great load is applied. For this reason, the rear side of the seat cushion sinks below rather than the front part side of the seat cushion.

The chamber provided in the air conditioning seat described in JP-A-2003-165325 and JP-A-2012-105816 is relatively rigid. Due to a difference in the amount of sedimentation between the front and rear sides of the seat cushion, the chamber pivots around the front frame. As a result, the front portion of the chamber is lifted and the thighs of a seated person are pressed, and thus sitting comfort may be reduced.

In the seat described in JP-A-2003-165325, the air flow path is formed by a cushion pad. In this case, the cushion pad is deformed when the weight of an occupant is loaded and the air flow path is crushed due to the deformation of the cushion pad, and thus there is a possibility that the air flow is delayed.

On the contrary, in the seat described in JP-A-2015-105816, the air flow path is formed by a duct made of a resin tubular member. In this case, the air flow path is maintained even when the weight of an occupant is loaded. However, the presence of a rigid chamber such as a duct inside the cushion pad may impair sitting comfort. For example, in the seat cushion, when an occupant puts weight on one of the left and right sides, one side of the chamber sinks, but due to the rigidity of the chamber, the other side of the chamber may be lifted and the other side of the occupant may be pushed up by the chamber.

SUMMARY

The invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat which can enhance seating comfort of a vehicle seat including a chamber for air conditioning.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat, including: a chamber in which at least a seat-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat through the pad; a fan configured to send air into the chamber; and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the surface of the seat, wherein: the chamber includes a first region and a second region; and the first region and the second region are configured to allow subduction of the chamber independently of each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat, including: a chamber in which at least a seat-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat through the pad; a fan which sends air into the chamber; and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the surface of the seat, wherein: the chamber includes: a first region located on one side in a seat width direction; and a second region located on the other side in the seat width direction; and the first region and the second region are configured to bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

According to a still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat, including: a chamber in which at least a seat-cushion-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat cushion through the pad; a fan which sends air into the chamber; and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the front surface of the seat cushion, wherein: the chamber includes: a front region located on a front portion of the seat cushion; and a rear region located on a rear portion of the seat cushion; and the front region and the rear region are configured to bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

According to a still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat, including: a chamber in which at least a seat-back-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat back through the pad; a fan which sends air into the chamber; and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the front surface of the seat back, wherein: the chamber includes: an upper region located on an upper portion of the seat back; and a lower region located on a lower portion of the seat back; and the upper region and the lower region can bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

According to a still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle seat, including: a chamber in which at least a front-surface side of a seat cushion is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a surface of the seat cushion through the pad; a fan which sends air into the chamber; and a frame which supports the pad and the chamber, wherein: the frame includes: a front frame disposed below the pad and the chamber on a front side of the seat cushion; and a plurality of springs disposed below the pad and the chamber on a rear side of the seat cushion; and the chamber includes: a front chamber disposed on the front side of the seat cushion; a rear chamber disposed on the rear side of the seat cushion; and a first movable portion which is provided between the front chamber and the rear chamber and allows the rear chamber to sink with regard to the front chamber.

According to the invention, the seating comfort of a vehicle seat including a chamber for air conditioning can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a vehicle seat for explaining an embodiment of the invention.

A vehicle seat (hereinafter also simply referred to as a seat)1illustrated inFIG. 1is a seat installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The seat1includes a seat cushion2which supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant seated on a seat and a seat back (not illustrated) which supports the waist and back of the occupant.

The seat cushion2includes a pad21made of a foam material such as urethane foam, a chamber4, a fan5for sending air into the chamber4, and a frame22which supports the pad21and the chamber4. The air sent into the chamber4by the fan5flows inside the chamber4and is blown out from the surface of the seat cushion2through the pad21which covers a seat-cushion-front-surface-side of the chamber4. By blowing air from the surface of the seat cushion2, the temperature and humidity of the surface of the seat cushion2in contact with an occupant are adjusted. The pad21is covered with a trim cover made of leather, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, knitted fabric, or the like, and among those, when the trim cover is made of leather, the trim cover is provided with a large number of air holes and the air permeability of the trim cover is ensured.

The frame22includes a pair of side frames (not illustrated), a front frame23and a rear frame24which connect the pair of side frames, and a plurality of springs25which are suspended between the front frame23and the rear frame24. The spring25is a metal wire member bent into a wave shape and a planar shape. The chamber4includes a front region4fdisposed in the front portion of the seat cushion which supports the thighs of an occupant and a rear region4rdisposed in the rear portion of the seat cushion which supports the buttocks of the occupant. The front frame23is disposed below the front region4fof the chamber4and the springs25are disposed below the rear region4rof the chamber4.

The back surface of the chamber4, which is the surface on an opposite side to the seat-cushion-front-surface side, is covered with the pad21. The front region4fof the chamber4is supported by the front frame23via the pad21which covers the back surface of the chamber4. The rear region4rof the chamber4is supported by the springs25via the pad21which covers the back surface of the chamber4. When a load of an occupant is applied to the seat cushion2, the front region4fof the chamber4sinks with the compression of the pad21. The rear region4rof the chamber4sinks with the deflection of the springs25in addition to the compression of the pad21. From the viewpoint of suppressing an increase in the thickness of the seat cushion2associated with the installation of the chamber4, it is preferable that the back surface of the rear region4rof the chamber4is exposed.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 1, a part of the back surface of the chamber4is exposed and the fan5is directly attached to the exposed back surface of the chamber4. However, the attachment location of the fan5is not particularly limited. The fan5may be connected to the chamber4via a tube. In this case, the fan5may be attached to the front frame23or the rear frame24, for example.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate an example of the chamber4.

The chamber4illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3includes a first member40disposed on the seat-cushion-front-surface side and a second member41disposed on the seat-cushion-rear-surface side. The first member40and the second member41are plate-like members made of a resin material such as polypropylene, for example. The first member40and the second member41are combined to form an air circulation space between the first member40and the second member41.

The first member40disposed on the seat-cushion-front-surface side is provided with a plurality of air holes42. The air flowing through the circulation space is blown out from the air hole42and blown out from the surface of the seat cushion2through the pad21covering the seat-cushion-surface side of the chamber4.

A boss is provided on at least one of the first member40and the second member41so that the circulation space is maintained even when a load of an occupant is applied to the seat cushion2. In an example illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of bosses43are provided on the first member40on the seat-cushion-front-surface side. The boss43protrudes from the first member40in an opposing direction of the first member40and the second member41and the circulation space is maintained by the boss43abutting on the second member41.

The rear region4rof the chamber4is provided with a first region4adisposed on one side in a seat width direction and a second region4bdisposed on the other side in the seat width direction. The first region4ais located below a left part of the buttocks and the second region4bis located below a right part of the buttocks of the occupant. The first region4aand the second region4bare curved in a concave shape in which a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the seat is lowered with respect to both end portions along the buttocks. The first region4aand the second region4bare configured to be able to bend and deform independently from each other toward a downward direction which is an acting direction in which the load of the occupant acts on the seat cushion2.

First, the first member40on the seat-cushion-front-surface side is provided with slits44to46extending in the front-rear direction of the seat with an interval in the seat width direction. The slit44and the slit45interpose the first region4ain the seat width direction and the slit45and the slit46interpose the second region4bin the seat width direction. The slit45is commonly used for the pair of first slits interposing the first region4aand the pair of second slits interposing the second region4b. However, the configuration of the slit45may be different.

The second member41on the seat-cushion-back-surface side is more flexible than the first member40. As illustrated inFIG. 4, on the outer surface of the second member41, a large number of concave grooves55extending in the front-rear direction of the seat are formed at intervals in the seat width direction, and the flexibility is enhanced by those concave grooves55. In addition, the second member41may be formed more flexible than the first member40by making the second member41relatively thin or by making the second member41of a relatively flexible resin material.

In addition, slits48are provided at end portions47on both sides in the seat width direction of the first member40and end portions49on both sides in the seat width direction of the second member41are inserted into the slits48. The end portion49of the second member41inserted into the slit48is engaged with the end portion47of the first member40so as to be displaceable in the seat width direction with respect to the end portion47of the first member40.

FIG. 5illustrates an operation of the chamber4.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 5, the occupant puts weight on the left buttock and the load of the occupant is mainly input to the first region4ain the rear region4rof the chamber4. The load input to the first region4ais transmitted to the second member41through the bosses43of the first member40. Based on the load transmitted to the second member41, among the end portions49of the second member41on both sides in the seat width direction, the end portion49on the first region4aside is drawn toward the center in the seat width direction. By drawing the end portion49of the second member41on the first region4aside, the second member41sinks downward in the first region4aand the first member40also sinks downward in the first region4a. The second region4bseparated from the first region4aby the slit45of the first member40is not dragged by the sinking of the first region4aand the first region4abends independently of the second region4b.

Thus, since the first region4aand the second region4bcan bend and deform independently of each other, lifting of the second region4bin conjunction with the sinking of the first region4ais suppressed, and thus the right buttock of the occupant is also suppressed from being pushed up by the second region4b. Thus, the sitting comfort of the seat1is increased.

In the example described above, it is described such that the plurality of springs25are arranged below chamber4and the chamber4is supported by the springs25so as to be able to sink downward. However, the support mode of the chamber4is not particularly limited. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the plurality of springs27may be stretched between a pair of side frames26and the chamber4and the chamber4may be hung by the springs27. Also, in this case, the chamber4can be supported to sink downward.

FIGS. 7 to 9illustrate other examples of the chamber4.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 7, the front region4fand the rear region4rof the chamber4are configured to be able to bend and deform independently of each other toward a downward direction which is an acting direction in which the load of the occupant acts on the seat cushion2.

The first member40on the seat-cushion-front-surface side is provided with slits50to52extending in the seat width direction with an interval in the front-rear direction of the seat. The slit50and the slit51interpose the front region4fin the front-rear direction of the seat and the slit51and the slit52interpose the rear region4rin the seat width direction.

The second member41on the seat-cushion-back-surface side is more flexible than the first member40. In addition, the end portions of the second member41on both sides in the front-rear direction of the seat engage with the end portions of the first member40on both sides in the front-rear direction of the seat to be displaced in the front-rear direction of the seat with respect to the end portions of the first member40on both sides in the front-rear direction of the seat.

For example, when the occupant puts weight on the buttocks and the load of the occupant is mainly input to the rear region4rof the chamber4, the load input to the rear region4ris transmitted to the second member41through the bosses43of the first member40. Therefore, among the end portions of the second member41on both sides in the front-rear direction of the seat, the end portion on the rear region4rside is drawn toward the center in the seat width direction. Thus, the second member41sinks downward in the rear region4rand the first member40also sinks downward in the rear region4r. The front region4fseparated from the rear region4rby the slit51of the first member40is not dragged by the sinking of the rear region4rand the rear region4rbends independently of the front region4f.

Since the front region4fand the rear region4rcan bend and deform independently of each other, lifting of the front region4fin conjunction with the sinking of the rear region4ris suppressed, and thus the thighs of the occupant are also prevented from being pushed up by the front region4fThus, the sitting comfort of the seat1is increased.

In the example shown inFIG. 8, similar to the example illustrated inFIG. 7, the front region4fand the rear region4rof the chamber4are configured to be able to bend and deform independently of each other, and further, similar to the example illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the first region4aand the second region4bin the rear region4rare configured to be able to bend and deform independently of each other.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 9, the second member41is made of an airtight sheet material having elasticity. Such a sheet material is a sheet material made of a rubber material such as chloroprene rubber, for example. For example, when the occupant puts weight on the left buttock and the load of the occupant is mainly input to the first region4aof the chamber4, the load input to the first region4ais transmitted to the second member41through the bosses43of the first member40and the second member41sinks downward in the first region4abased on its elasticity. The first member40also sinks downward in the first region4aand the first region4aof the chamber4bends independently of the second region4b. Since the second member41bends based on its elasticity, the end portion49of the second member41in the seat width direction can be fixed to the end portion47of the first member40in the seat width direction, and thus the structure of the chamber4can be simplified.

A case where the chamber4is provided in the seat cushion2has been described so far, but the chamber may be provided in a seat back3of the seat1as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11.

At least the seat-back-front-surface side of the chamber6provided in the seat back3is covered with a pad made of a foam material such as urethane foam. In addition, the rear side opposite to the seat-back-front-surface side of the chamber6is supported by a support body such as a spring. When the load of the upper body of an occupant is applied to the seat back3, the chamber6can sink to the rear of the seat, which is the direction of load application.

The chamber6includes a first member60disposed on the seat-back-front-surface side and a second member61disposed on the seat-back-rear-surface side. The first member60and the second member61are plate members made of a resin material such as polypropylene. The first member60and the second member61are combined and an air circulation space is formed between the first member60and the second member61. The first member60is provided with a plurality of air holes62which serve as outlets for air flowing through the circulation space. In addition, a boss63is provided on at least one of the first member60and the second member61so that the circulation space is maintained even when the load of the upper body of the occupant is applied to the seat back3. In the example illustrated inFIG. 11, a plurality of bosses63are provided on the first member60on the seat-back-front-surface side.

A lower region61of the chamber6located behind the occupant's waist is provided with a first region6adisposed on one side in the seat width direction and a second region6bdisposed on the other side in the seat width direction. The first region6ais located behind the occupant's left waist and the second region6bis located behind the occupant's right waist. The first region6aand the second region6bare configured to be able to bend and deform independently of each other toward the rear of the seat, which is the acting direction of the load of the upper body of the occupant with respect to the seat back3.

First, the first member60of the chamber6on the seat-back-front-surface side is provided with slits64to66extending in the up-down direction with an interval in the seat width direction. The slit64and the slit65interpose the first region6ain the seat width direction and the slit65and the slit66interpose the second region6bin the seat width direction.

The second member61on the seat-back-rear-surface side is more flexible than the first member60. In addition, slits68are provided at end portions67of the first member60on both sides in the seat width direction and end portions69of the second member61on both sides in the seat width direction are inserted into the slits68. The end portion69of the second member61inserted into the slit68is engaged with the end portion67of the first member60so as to be displaceable in the seat width direction with respect to the end portion67of the first member60.

For example, when the occupant puts weight on the left waist and the load of the upper body of the occupant is mainly input to the first region6ain the lower region61of the chamber6, the load input to the first region6ais transmitted to the second member61through the bosses63of the first member60. Based on the load transmitted to the second member61, among the end portions69of the second member61on both sides in the seat width direction, the end portions69on the first region6aside is drawn toward the center in the seat width direction. As a result, the second member61sinks toward the rear of the seat in the first region6aand the first member60also sinks toward the rear of the seat in the first region6a. The second region6bseparated from the first region6aby the slit65of the first member60is not dragged by the sinking of the first region6aand the first region6abends independently of the second region6b.

In this way, since the first region6aand the second region6bcan be bent and deformed independently of each other, lifting of the second region6bin conjunction with the sinking of the first region6ais suppressed, and thus the right waist of the occupant is also suppressed from being pushed out by the second region6b. Thus, the sitting comfort of the seat1is increased.

The lower region61(first region6aand second region6b) of the chamber6and an upper region6uof the chamber6as a third region arranged adjacent to the lower region61may be configured to be able to bend and deform in the acting direction of the load independently of each other. In this case, the first member60is provided with a pair of slits which interpose the lower region61in the up-down direction of the seat and a pair of slits which interpose the upper region6uin the up-down direction of the seat.

The second member61may be an airtight sheet material having elasticity. In this case, since the second member61bends based on its elasticity, the end portion of the second member61can be fixed to the end portion of the first member60, and thus the structure of the chamber6can be simplified.

The invention has been described above by taking the seat installed in a vehicle such as an automobile as an example. However, the invention is also applicable to a vehicle seat other than the automobile such as a ship or an aircraft.

As described above, a vehicle seat disclosed in the specification includes a chamber in which at least a seat-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat through the pad, a fan which sends air into the chamber, and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the surface of the seat, where the chamber includes a first region located on one side in a seat width direction and a second region located on the other side in the seat width direction and the first region and the second region can bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the chamber includes a first member of a plate shape disposed on the seat-front-surface side and a second member which is disposed on a seat-rear-surface side and forms an air circulation space with the first member, and the first member includes a pair of first slits provided to interpose the first region in the seat width direction and a pair of second slits provided to interpose the second region in the seat width direction.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the second member is a plate-shaped member which is more flexible than the first member, and end portions of the second member on both sides in the seat width direction engage with end portions of the first member on both sides in the seat width direction so as to be displaceable in the seat width direction with respect to the end portions of the first member on both sides in the seat width direction.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the second member is a sheet material having elasticity, and the end portions of the second member on both sides in the seat width direction are fixed to the end portions of the first member on both sides in the seat width direction.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the chamber further includes a third region disposed adjacent to the first region and the second region, and the first region, the second region, and the third region can bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

A vehicle seat disclosed in the specification includes a chamber in which at least a seat-cushion-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat cushion through the pad, a fan which sends air into the chamber, and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the front surface of the seat cushion, where the chamber includes a front region located on a front portion of the seat cushion and a rear region located on a rear portion of the seat cushion, and the front region and the rear region can bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

A vehicle seat disclosed in the specification includes a chamber in which at least a seat-back-front-surface side is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a front surface of a seat back through the pad, a fan which sends air into the chamber, and a support body which supports the chamber so as to be able to sink in an acting direction of a load applied to the front surface of the seat back, where the chamber includes an upper region located on an upper portion of the seat back and a lower region located on a lower portion of the seat back, and the upper region and the lower region can bend and deform independently of each other in the acting direction of the load.

FIG. 12illustrates an example of a vehicle seat for explaining an embodiment of the invention.

A vehicle seat (hereinafter also simply referred to as a seat)101A illustrated inFIG. 12is a seat101A installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The vehicle seat101A includes a seat cushion102which supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant (hereinafter referred to as a seated person) seated on the seat101A and a seat back (not illustrated) which supports the waist and back of the seated person.

The seat cushion102includes a pad121made of a foam material such as urethane foam, a chamber103A in which at least a front-surface side of the seat cushion102is covered with a pad, a fan104for sending air into the chamber103A, and a frame105which supports the pad121and the chamber103A. The air sent into the chamber103A by the fan104flows through the chamber103A and is blown out from the surface of the seat cushion102through the pad121. By blowing air from the surface of the seat cushion102, the temperature and humidity of the surface of the seat cushion102in contact with a seated person are adjusted. The pad121is covered with a trim cover made of leather, fabric, knitted fabric, or the like, and among those, when the trim cover is made of leather, the trim cover is provided with a large number of air holes and the air permeability of the trim cover is ensured.

The frame105includes a front frame151and a rear frame153which connect a pair of side frames (not illustrated) and a plurality of springs152suspended between the front frame151and the rear frame153. The front frame151is disposed below the pad121and the chamber103A on a front portion side of the seat cushion102and front portions of the pad121and the chamber103A are supported by the front frame151. The plurality of springs152are disposed below the pad121and the chamber103A on a rear portion side of the seat cushion102and rear portions of the pad121and the chamber103A are supported by the plurality of springs152. The spring152is formed by bending a metal wire member into a wave shape and a planar shape and can be expanded and contracted in a front-rear direction of the seat cushion102.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 12, a part of a lower surface facing a spring152side at a rear portion of the chamber103A is exposed and the fan104is directly attached to the exposed lower surface of the chamber103A. However, the attachment location of the fan104is not particularly limited. The fan104may be connected to the chamber103A via a tube. In this case, the fan104can be attached to a lower portion of the front frame151or the rear frame153, for example.

The chamber103A includes a front chamber131disposed on a front side of the seat cushion102and a rear chamber141disposed on a rear side of the seat cushion102. Between the front chamber131and the rear chamber141, a first movable portion M1which allows the rear chamber141to sink with respect to the front chamber131is provided. The front chamber131and the rear chamber141are separate members and are connected via the first movable part M1.

The front chamber131and the rear chamber141are made of a relatively hard resin material and are formed in a substantially rectangular hollow plate shape. The internal space of the front chamber131and the rear chamber41circulates the air sent to the chamber103by the fan104(seeFIG. 12). In order to suppress the deformation of the front chamber131and the rear chamber141with respect to the load, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on one or both of an upper wall and a lower wall of the front chamber131so that the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall is maintained. Similarly, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on one or both of an upper wall and a lower wall of the rear chamber141so that the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall is maintained.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the front chamber131has a fitting portion132and the rear chamber141has a fitting portion142. The fitting portion132of the front chamber131is an opening provided at the rear end portion of the front chamber131and the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141is an opening provided at the front end portion of the rear chamber141. In the example illustrated inFIG. 14, the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141is accommodated in the fitting portion132of the front chamber131, but the fitting portion132may be accommodated in the fitting portion142. By fitting the fitting portions132and142to each other, the internal space of the front chamber131through which air is circulated and the internal space of the rear chamber141are communicated. A large number of ventilation holes H are formed in the upper walls of the front chamber131and the rear chamber141covered by the pad121. The air sent into the chamber103A by the fan104is blown out from those ventilation holes H, and then blown out from the surface of the seat cushion102through the pad121.

The first movable portion M1is constituted of the fitting portion132of the front chamber131and the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141which are fitted to each other. As illustrated inFIG. 14, in a cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion102, that is, a cross section perpendicular to a width direction, the fitting portion132of the front chamber131and the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141are formed in a concentric fan shape. The fitting portion142of the rear chamber141is pivotable in a circumferential direction around a center O of the fan shape inside the fitting portion132of the front chamber131. By pivoting the fitting portion142, the rear chamber141can be inclined independently of the front chamber131and the rear end portion of the rear chamber141is lowered according to the inclination of the rear chamber141.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 14, the fitting portion132of the front chamber131arranged on the outside has an annular recess portion133and the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141disposed on the inner side has an annular convex portion143which engages with the annular recess portion133. In a cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion102, the annular recess portion133and the annular convex portion143are formed in a concentric fan shape and the centers of the annular recess portion133and the annular convex portion143are the same as the center O of the fitting portion132of the front chamber131and the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141which are also formed in a fan shape.

The annular convex portion143moves the annular recess portion133integrally with the fitting portion142according to pivoting of the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141. The annular convex portion143abuts on a front end surface133aof the annular recess portion133located on one side in a moving direction or a rear end surface133bof the annular recess portion133located on the other side. The abutment between the annular convex portion143and the rear end surface133bof the annular recess portion133prevents the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141from falling off the fitting portion132of the front chamber131. Further, due to the abutment between the annular convex portion143and the front end surface133aor the rear end surface133bof the annular recess portion133, the airtightness of the first movable portion M1is enhanced, and thus the air flowing through the inner side of the front chamber131and the rear chamber141is prevented from leaking from the first movable portion M1.

FIG. 15illustrates the operation of the chamber103A.

The load applied to the rear side of the seat cushion102which supports the buttocks of a seated person is greater than the load applied to the front side of the seat cushion102which supports the thighs of the seated person. In addition, on the front side of the seat cushion102, the pad121and the chamber103A are rigidly supported by the front frame151, whereas on the rear side of the seat cushion102where a relatively large load is applied, the pad121and the chamber103A are elastically supported by the plurality of springs152. Therefore, the rear side of the seat cushion102sinks below the front side of the seat cushion102. In this case, the rear end portion of the rear chamber141disposed on the rear side of the seat cushion102is pushed down and the rear chamber141is inclined. However, the inclination of the rear chamber141is absorbed by the first movable portion M1located between the front chamber131and the rear chamber141, and the front end portion of the front chamber131is prevented from being lifted. Thus, the thighs of a seated person are prevented from being pressed by the front end portion of the front chamber131, and thus the sitting comfort is enhanced.

FIGS. 16A and 16Billustrate a modification example of the chamber103A.

In an example illustrated inFIGS. 13 to 14B, the front chamber131and the rear chamber141are separate members, but as illustrated inFIGS. 16A and 16B, the front chamber131and the rear chamber141may be integrally formed. When the front chamber131and the rear chamber141are integrally formed, the first movable portion M1between the front chamber131and the rear chamber141is formed in a bellows shape. As the first movable portion M1expands and contracts in the front-rear direction and curves, the rear chamber141can sink with respect to the front chamber131. The first movable portion M1which can expand and contract in the front-rear direction and be bent may be formed integrally with the front chamber131and the rear chamber141made of a relatively soft resin material, for example, by two-color molding using a relatively soft resin material.

By forming the front chamber131and the rear chamber141integrally, the airtightness of the first movable portion M1is further enhanced. Further, since the front chamber131and the rear chamber141are integrally formed, the number of parts and the manufacturing cost of the chamber103A are reduced.

FIGS. 17 to 18Billustrate another example of a vehicle seat for explaining the embodiment of the invention.

The seat cushion of a vehicle seat101B illustrated inFIG. 17includes a chamber103B in which at least the surface side of the seat cushion is covered with a pad, similar to the vehicle seat101A illustrated inFIG. 12. The air sent into the chamber103B by a fan circulates through the chamber103B and is blown out from the surface of the seat cushion through the pad. The rear parts of the chamber103B and the pad are elastically supported by a plurality of springs suspended between the front frame and the rear frame of the seat cushion frame, and other portions except for the rear portions of the chamber103B and the pad are rigidly supported by the seat cushion frame.

The chamber103B includes a front chamber131and a rear chamber141, and further has a pair of side chambers161. Similar to the front chamber131and the rear chamber141, the side chamber161is made of a relatively hard resin material and is formed in a substantially rectangular hollow plate shape. The internal space of the side chamber161circulates the air sent to the chamber103B by the fan. The rear chamber141has a pair of extending portions144which extend upward from both sides of the rear chamber141. The side chamber161is provided above the extending portion144of the rear chamber141and a second movable portion M2which allows the rear chamber141to sink relative to the side chamber161is provided between the rear chamber141and the side chamber161. The rear chamber141and the side chambers161are separate members and are connected via the second movable portions M2.

As illustrated inFIGS. 18A and 18B, the side chamber161includes a fitting portion162and the rear chamber141includes a fitting portion145. The fitting portion162of the side chamber161is an opening provided at the lower end portion of the side chamber161and the fitting portion45of the rear chamber141is an opening provided at the upper end portion of the extending portion144of the rear chamber141. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 18A and 18B, the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141is accommodated in the fitting portion162of the side chamber161, but the fitting portion162may be accommodated in the fitting portion145. By fitting the fitting portions145and162to each other, the inner space of the rear chamber141through which air is circulated and the inner space of the side chamber161communicate with each other. A large number of ventilation holes H are formed in a side wall of the side chamber161covered with the pad. The air blown into the chamber103B by the fan is blown out from those ventilation holes H, and then blown out from the surface of the seat cushion through the pad.

The second movable portion M2is constituted of the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141and the fitting portion162of the side chamber161which are fitted to each other. As illustrated inFIGS. 18A and 18B, in the cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion102, that is, the cross section perpendicular to the width direction, the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141and the fitting portion162of the side chamber161are formed in a concentric fan shape. Inside the fitting portion162of the side chamber161, the fitting portion142of the rear chamber141is pivotable in the circumferential direction around the center O of the fan shape. By pivoting of the fitting portion145, the rear chamber141can be inclined independently of the side chamber161and the rear end portion of the rear chamber141is lowered according to the inclination of the rear chamber141.

Due to the load of a seated person, the rear side of the seat cushion sinks downward and the rear end portion of the rear chamber141disposed on the rear side of the seat cushion is pushed down, and thus the rear chamber141is inclined. However, the inclination of the rear chamber141is absorbed by the second movable portion M2located between the rear chamber141and the side chamber161, and thus the side chamber161is prevented from being dragged by the rear chamber141and sinking downward.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 18A and 18B, the fitting portion162of the side chamber161arranged on the outside includes an annular recess portion163and the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141disposed inside includes an annular convex portion146which engages with the annular recess portion163. In the cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion, the annular convex portion146and the annular recess portion163are formed in a concentric fan shape and the centers of the annular convex portion146and the annular recess portion163are the same as the center O of the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141and the fitting portion162of the side chamber161which are also formed in a fan shape.

The annular convex portion146moves the annular recess portion163integrally with the fitting portion145according to the pivoting of the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141. The annular convex portion146abuts on an upper end surface163aof the annular recess portion163located on one side in a moving direction or a lower end surface163bof the annular recess portion163located on the other side. The abutment between the annular convex portion146and the lower end surface163bof the annular recess portion163prevents the fitting portion145of the rear chamber141from falling off the fitting portion162of the side chamber161. Further, due to the abutment between the annular convex portion146and the upper end surface163aor the lower end surface163bof the annular recess portion163, the airtightness of the second movable portion M2is increased, and thus the air flowing through the rear chamber141and the side chamber161is prevented from leaking from the second movable portion M2.

FIGS. 19A and 19Billustrate a modification example of the chamber103B.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 17 to 18B, the rear chamber141and the side chamber161are separate members. However, as illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the rear chamber141and the side chamber161may be integrally formed. When the rear chamber141and the side chamber161are integrally formed, the second movable portion M2between the rear chamber141and the side chamber161is formed in a bellows shape. As the second movable portion M2expands and contracts in the up-down direction and curves, the rear chamber141can sink with respect to the side chamber161. The second movable portion M2which can be expanded and contracted in the up-down direction and bent can be formed integrally with the rear chamber141and the side chamber161made of a relatively soft resin material, for example, by two-color molding using a relatively soft resin material.

By forming the rear chamber141and the side chamber161integrally, the airtightness of the second movable portion M2is further enhanced. Further, since the rear chamber141and the side chamber161are integrally formed, the number of parts and the manufacturing cost of the chamber103B are reduced.

The invention has been described above by taking the seats101A and101B installed in a vehicle such as an automobile as an example. However, the invention can also be applied to a seat for a vehicle other than the automobile such as a ship or an aircraft.

As described above, a vehicle seat disclosed in the specification includes a chamber in which at least a front-surface side of a seat cushion is covered with a pad and which circulates the air blown from a surface of the seat cushion through the pad, a fan which sends air into the chamber; and a frame which supports the pad and the chamber, where the frame includes a front frame disposed below the pad and the chamber on a front side of the seat cushion and a plurality of springs disposed below the pad and the chamber on a rear side of the seat cushion, and the chamber includes a front chamber disposed on the front side of the seat cushion, a rear chamber disposed on the rear side of the seat cushion, and a first movable portion which is provided between the front chamber and the rear chamber and allows the rear chamber to sink with regard to the front chamber.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the front chamber and the rear chamber are formed separately and respectively includes fitting portions which fit to each other, and the first movable portion is constituted by the fitting portion of the front chamber and the fitting portion of the rear chamber, and further in a cross section perpendicular to a width direction of the seat cushion, the fitting portion of the front chamber and the fitting portion of the rear chamber are formed in a fan shape, and still further the fitting portion of the rear chamber is pivotable about a center of the fan shape with respect to the fitting portion of the front chamber.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, between the fitting portion of the front chamber and the fitting portion of the rear chamber, one fitting portion arranged on the outside includes an annular recess portion and the other fitting portion includes an annular convex portion which engages with the annular recess portion.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the first movable portion is formed in a bellows shape which can expand and contract in a front-rear direction, and the front chamber, the rear chamber, and the first movable portion are integrally formed.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the chamber further includes a pair of side chambers disposed on both sides of the seat cushion and a pair of second movable portions which are respectively provided in portions between the rear chamber and the side chambers and allow the rear chamber to sink with regard to the pair of side chambers.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the rear chamber and the side chambers are formed separately and respectively includes fitting portions which fit to each other, and the second movable portion is constituted by the fitting portion of the rear chamber and the fitting portion of the side chamber, and further in a cross section perpendicular to a width direction of the seat cushion, the fitting portion of the rear chamber and the fitting portion of the side chamber are formed in a fan shape, and still further the fitting portion of the rear chamber is pivotable about a center of the fan shape with respect to the fitting portion of the side chamber.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, between the fitting portion of the rear chamber and the fitting portion of the side chamber, one fitting portion arranged on the outside includes an annular recess portion and the other fitting portion includes an annular convex portion which engages with the annular recess portion.

In the vehicle seat disclosed in the specification, the second movable portion is formed in a bellows shape which can expand and contract in an up-down direction and the rear chamber, the pair of side chambers, and the pair of second movable portions are integrally formed.