Cushion pad

Provided is a cushion pad, in which a seating body portion of a seating portion has a bottomless or bottomed first hole arranged at a position at which the first hole overlaps a pair of ischial bones of a seated person in a horizontal projection plane and three or more bottomless or bottomed second holes with areas that are smaller than an area of the first hole in a horizontal projection plane, a center point O51 of the first hole is on or inside a triangle TR obtained by connecting center points of any three second holes from among the three or more second holes in the horizontal projection plane and in the seating portion, the inside of the first hole is a void space, or a soft material portion is arranged inside the first hole.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cushion pad that is suitably used in a seat pad for a vehicle.

The present application claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-177925, filed in Japan on Sep. 21, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

As a cushion pad in the related art, there is a cushion pad provided with a bottomed recessed portion or a through hole at a position in a seating portion for supporting a seated person, the position corresponding to a pair of ischial bones of the seated person (Patent Literature 1, for example).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

However, there is still room for further improvement in sitting comfort of the cushion pad in Patent Literature 1.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cushion pad capable of improving sitting comfort.

Solution to Problem

A cushion pad according to the present disclosure includes: a seating portion configured to support a seated person, in which the seating portion has a seating body portion formed of a first resin foam body, the seating body portion includes a bottomless or bottomed first hole arranged at a position at which the first hole overlaps a pair of ischial bones of the seated person in a horizontal projection plane, and three or more bottomless or bottomed second holes with areas that are smaller than an area of the first hole in a horizontal projection plane, a center point of the first hole is located on or inside a triangle obtained by connecting center points of any three second holes from among the three or more second holes in a horizontal projection plane, and in the seating portion, inside of the first hole is a void space, or a soft material portion formed of a second resin foam body that is softer than the first resin foam body is arranged inside the first hole.

Advantageous Effect

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cushion pad capable of improving sitting comfort.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A cushion pad according to the present disclosure can be suitably used for a seat pad for a vehicle. Also, the cushion pad according to the present disclosure can be used for an arbitrary type of vehicle.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the cushion pad according to the present disclosure will be described as examples with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference signs are applied to common components. Hereinafter, a seat pad for a vehicle will also simply be referred to as a “seat pad”.

FIG.1illustrates a seat for a vehicle100including a cushion pad1aaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The seat for a vehicle100includes a seat pad1. As represented by the dashed line inFIG.1, the seat pad1includes the cushion pad1aaccording to the embodiment configured to seat a seated person and a back pad1bconfigured to support the back of the seated person. The seat for a vehicle100includes, in addition to the seat pad1, a surface skin101configured to cover the seat pad1on the front side (the side of the seated person), a frame (not illustrated) configured to support the cushion pad1afrom the lower side, a frame (not illustrated) placed on the back side of the back pad1b, and a headrest102placed above the back pad1band configured to support the head part of the seated person, for example. The surface skin101is configured with a material (such as a cloth) with satisfactory air permeability, for example. Each of the cushion pad1aand the back pad1bis formed with a resin foam body. The resin foam body (including a first resin foam body and a second resin foam body, which will be described later) configuring the cushion pad1aand the back pad1bis preferably a soft resin foam body and is more preferably soft polyurethane foam. The cushion pad1aand the back pad1bcan be configured as members separated from each other.

In the specification, directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “back” when seen from the seated person who is being seated in the cushion pad1awill be simply referred to as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “back”, respectively as illustrated in each drawing.

Hereinafter, the cushion pad1arather than the back pad1bin the seat pad1will be described.

FIG.2is a plan view illustrating how the cushion pad1aof the seat pad1inFIG.1looks like when seen from the upper side, in other words, a horizontal projection diagram illustrating how the cushion pad1aprojected to a horizontal projection plane looks like. As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the cushion pad1ahas a seating portion (also referred to as a “main pad portion”)10configured to support the seated person from the lower side, a pair of side pad portions20located on both left and right sides of the seating portion10, projecting upward beyond the seating portion10, and configured to support the seated person from both left and right sides, and a back pad facing portion30located on the back side beyond the seating portion10and configured to be arranged to face the back pad1bin an up-down direction.

The seating portion10includes a below-thigh portion11configured to support the thigh parts of the seated person from the lower side and a below-buttocks portion12located on the back side relative to the below-thigh portion11and configured to support the buttocks of the seated person from the lower side.

In the example inFIG.2, a groove40aextending substantially in the front-back direction between the seating portion10and the side pad portions20, a groove40bextending substantially in the left-right direction between the seating portion10and the back pad facing portion30, and a groove40cextending substantially in the left-right direction inside the seating portion10are respectively provided in an upper surface (front surface) US of the cushion pad1a. Attachment tools (not illustrated) to attach the surface skin101(FIG.1) to the cushion pad1aare arranged inside the grooves40a,40b, and40c. In the example inFIG.2, a boundary line between the seating portion1and the side pad portions20is a groove width center line of the groove40atherebetween, and a boundary line between the seating portion10and the back pad facing portion30is a groove width center line of the groove40btherebetween, in a horizontal projection plane.

However, the grooves40aand40bmay be located at positions different from the boundary line between the seating portion10and the side pad portions20and the boundary line between the seating portion10and the back pad facing portion30. However, the grooves40ato40cmay not be provided in the upper surface US of the cushion pad1a.

In the embodiment, the seating portion10is configured only with a seating body portion10M formed of the first resin foam body.

Note that the seating body portion10M is distinguished from a soft material portion10S formed of the second resin foam body, which will be described later in a seventh embodiment (FIG.13) and an eighth embodiment (FIG.14). However, the first resin foam body configuring the seating body portion10M is not limited to a case in which the composition and the foaming rate are uniform, and the composition and the foaming rate may be different depending on parts of the seating body portion10M.

In this example, the cushion pad1ahas a thinner thickness than a general cushion pad in the related art. Specifically, a maximum value (a thickness T at a portion where the thickness in the up-down direction becomes a maximum value) of the thickness T (FIG.3B) of the cushion pad1ain the up-down direction is 60 mm or less.

It is thus possible to reduce the weight. The weight reduction of the cushion pad1aleads to an improvement in fuel efficiency of the vehicle and thus energy saving.

In terms of weight reduction, the maximum value of the thickness T of the cushion pad1ain the up-down direction is preferably 55 mm or less.

On the other hand, in terms of securing sitting comfort, the maximum value of the thickness T of the cushion pad1ain the up-down direction is preferably 40 mm or more and is more preferably 45 mm or more.

However, the cushion pad1amay not be thin, and the maximum value of the thickness T in the up-down direction may exceed 60 mm.

FIG.3Ais a perspective view illustrating a part of a back surface BS of the cushion pad1ainFIG.2, andFIG.3Bis an A-A sectional view illustrating a part of the cushion pad inFIG.2from the section along the line A-A inFIG.2. As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the seating body portion10M has a plurality of bottomless or bottomed holes50.

In regard to the holes50, “bottomless” means that the holes50are through holes, that is, “bottomless” means that the holes50penetrate through the seating body portion10M. Also, in regard to the holes50, “bottomed” means that the holes50are dents, that is, “bottomed” means that ends of the holes50on one side are opened in any one of the surfaces of the seating body portion10M while ends (bottom portions) of the hole50on the other side are not opened in both surfaces of the seating body portion10M and end inside the seating body portion10M.

Since the seating body portion10M has the plurality of holes50, it is possible to reduce the weight, to improve air permeability, and to reduce heat storage and the like of the cushion pad1aas compared with a case in which the seating body portion10M does not have the holes50. The weight reduction of the cushion pad1aleads to an improvement in fuel efficiency of the vehicle and thus energy saving. The improvement in air permeability and the reduction of heat storage of the cushion pad1alead to an improvement in effectiveness of air conditioner inside the vehicle and thus energy saving.

In the example illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the plurality of holes50provided in the seating body portion10M includes one or two (two in the example in the drawings) bottomless or bottomed (bottomed in the example in the drawings) first holes51, three or more bottomless or bottomed (bottomless in the example in the drawings) second holes52, one or multiple (multiple in the example in the drawings) bottomless or bottomed (bottomless in the example in the drawings) third holes53, and one or multiple (multiple in the example in the drawings) bottomless or bottomed (bottomless in the example in the drawings) fourth holes54. However, it is only necessary for the seating body portion10M to have at least the first holes51and the second holes52, and the seating body portion10M may not have the third holes53and the fourth holes54.

In a horizontal projection plane, the two first holes51are separated from each other in the left-right direction at the below-buttocks portion12of the seating portion10and are located on both sides of a virtual line (hereinafter, referred to as a “center line in the left-right direction”) C passing through the center of the seating portion10in the left-right direction. More specifically, the two first holes51are arranged at positions at which the first holes51overlaps a pair of ischial bones of the seated person when the seated person is seated in the seating portion10, in the horizontal projection plane.

In the specification, the positions of the “pair of ischial bones of the seated person” in the horizontal projection plane are positions of parts at which the highest sitting pressure is applied in the cushion pad in the horizontal projection plane when a 3D mannequin (a three-dimensional sitting position human body model for measuring dimensions inside vehicle (3DM-JM 50)) defined by JIS D 4607 is seated on a cushion pad in which all the plurality of holes50provided in the seating body portion10M of the cushion pad1aare filled with the first resin foam body.

As illustrated inFIG.3, each first hole51is a bottomed dent that is opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in this example. The inside of the first holes51is void spaces, and nothing is provided therein. As illustrated inFIG.2, an outer edge51eof each first hole51has a circular shape in the horizontal projection plane. As illustrated inFIG.3, each first hole51has a curved shape projecting upward in the section in the vertical direction (up-down direction). Each first hole51has an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS to the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M.

However, the first hole51may have an arbitrary shape in the section in the vertical direction, may have, for example, a substantially triangular shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape projecting upward, and may have an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS to the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M. Alternatively, the first hole51may have a substantially square shape in the section in the vertical direction and may thus have uniform (constant) area and diameter in the up-down direction.

As illustrated inFIG.2, a center point O51of each first hole51is surrounded by at least any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52provided in the seating portion10in the horizontal projection plane. More specifically, the center point O51of each first hole51is on (on the boundary line of a triangle TR) or inside (inside the boundary line of the triangle TR) of the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52provided in the seating portion10, in the horizontal projection plane. Although the first holes51are on or inside the plurality of triangles TR, respectively, in the example inFIG.2, only one triangle TR is illustrated inFIG.2for convenience.

Note that in the specification, the “center points” of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) indicate center points of circumscribed circles of the holes50in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the holes50have non-circular shapes in the horizontal projection plane.

As illustrated inFIG.2, three or more second holes52are arranged in each annular region AR with a width W surrounding the outside of the outer edge51eof each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane. In the specification, the second holes52are assumed to be the holes50located inside the annular regions AR from among the plurality of holes50provided in the seating body portion10M. The holes50located on the outer edges51eof the annular regions AR are also assumed to be the second holes52. The annular regions AR are annular regions between the outer edges51eof the first holes51and virtual annular lines (outer edges of the annular regions AR) ARe separated outward from the outer edge51eof the first holes51by the width W. One annular region AR is provided for one first hole51. In the example inFIG.2, two annular regions AR are provided. The width W of the annular regions AR is measured along a vertical line to the outer edges51eof the first holes51. The width W of the annular regions AR is uniform over the entire annular regions AR.

The width W of the annular regions AR (first annular regions) is 80 mm.

Note that the three or more second holes52are preferably arranged near the first holes51. In this regard, the three or more second holes52are preferably arranged inside the annular regions (second annular regions; not illustrated) with a width of 60 mm surrounding the outside of the outer edges51eof the first holes51, and the three or more second holes52are more preferably arranged inside the annular regions (third annular regions; not illustrated) with a width of 40 mm surrounding the outside of the outer edges51eof the first holes51.

As illustrated inFIG.3, each second hole52is a through hole penetrating through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction in this example. As illustrated inFIG.2, each second hole52has a circular shape in the horizontal projection plane in this example. As illustrated inFIG.3, each second hole52linearly extends in parallel to the up-down direction in the section in the vertical direction. Each second hole52has uniform (constant) area and diameter in the up-down direction.

In the horizontal projection plane in the example inFIG.2, each second hole52has an area that is smaller than the area of each first hole51. Here, the “areas” of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) in the horizontal projection plane are areas of the regions occupied by the holes50when the horizontal projection plane is seen rather than the areas of the holes50at a specific position (such as at the upper surface US or the back surface BS) in the up-down direction unless particularly indicated otherwise. For example, the area of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane corresponds to the area of each first hole51in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIG.2.

Similarly, each second hole52has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane in the example inFIG.2.

Here, the “diameters” of the holes50(the first hole51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) in the horizontal projection plane are diameters of the regions occupied by the holes50when the horizontal projection plane is seen rather than the diameters of the holes50at a specific position (such as at the upper surface US or the back surface BS) in the up-down direction unless particularly indicated otherwise. For example, the diameter of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane corresponds to the diameter of each first hole in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIG.2.

The holes50arranged on the front side beyond the annular regions AR in the horizontal projection plane from among the plurality of holes50provided in the seating body portion10M are the third holes53.

The holes50arranged on both left and right sides or on the back side beyond the annular regions AR in the horizontal projection plane from among the plurality of holes50provided in the seating body portion10M are the fourth holes54.

In the example inFIG.2, the third holes53and the fourth holes54have similar configurations as the configuration of the second holes52. In other words, each third hole53and each fourth hole54are through holes penetrating through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction. As illustrated inFIG.2, each third hole53and each fourth hole54have circular shapes in the horizontal projection plane in this example. Although illustration is omitted, each third hole53and each fourth hole54linearly extend in parallel to the up-down direction in the section in the vertical direction. Each third hole53and each fourth hole54have uniform (constant) areas and diameters in the up-down direction.

Note that the areas, the diameters, the shapes, and the like of the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54in the horizontal projection plane may be different from each other.

Although each of the shapes of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) in the horizontal projection plane is a circular shape (perfect circle) in the example inFIG.2, the shapes may be any other arbitrary shapes such as oval shapes, or polygonal shapes such as triangular shapes, square shapes, rhomboidal shapes, or trapezoidal shapes, for example.

The arrangement pattern and the number of second holes52, and the diameters, the areas, the shapes, and the like thereof in the horizontal projection plane may be arbitrarily set as long as the area of each second hole52is set to be smaller than the area of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane. Also, the arrangement patterns and the numbers of the third holes53and the fourth holes54, and the diameters, the areas, the shapes, and the like thereof in the horizontal projection plane may be arbitrarily set. In terms of an improvement in sitting comfort, the areas and the diameters of the third holes53and the fourth holes54in the horizontal projection plane are preferably set to be smaller than the areas and the diameters of the first holes51. Also, in terms of an improvement in sitting comfort, the arrangement pattern of the holes50is preferably symmetric with respect to the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction.

Note that in the specification, the “diameters” of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) indicate the diameters of the circumscribed circles of the holes50in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the holes50have non-circular shapes in the horizontal projection plane.

As a method for forming the holes50in the seating body portion10M, a method of providing projections in at least one of mold surfaces of an upper mold piece for molding the back surface BS of the cushion pad1aand a lower mold piece for molding the upper surface US of the cushion pad1aof a mold for foam-molding the cushion pad1asuch that the holes50are molded by the surfaces of the projections in a state in which the upper mold piece and the lower mold piece are attached, for example, is suitably used. However, the holes50may be formed by a method that is different from this method.

Next, operational effects of the first embodiment will be described.

Generally, the sitting pressure increases at and around the ischial bones of the seated person as compared with the other parts, and in particular, the sitting pressure becomes the highest at the positions of the ischial bones, in sitting pressure distribution when the seated person is seated in a cushion pad with no holes provided therein.

In the embodiment, since the first holes51are arranged at the positions at which the first holes51overlaps the pair of ischial bones of the seated person in the horizontal projection plane, it is possible to significantly reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the pair of ischial bones where the sitting pressure is most likely to increase when the seated person is seated as compared with a case in which there are no first holes51(a case in which the first holes51are filled with the first resin foam body). It is thus possible to improve sitting comfort.

Also, in a case in which the first holes51are provided while no second holes52are provided (a case in which the second holes52are filled with the first resin foam body) as in Patent Literature 1, for example, large tension is applied to the side of the upper surface US in the vicinity of the outer edges51eof the first holes51when the seated person is seated, the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones of the seated person increases, and as a result, the seated person is likely to have a feeling of tension in the surroundings of the ischial bones.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment, since each first hole51is surrounded by at least any three second holes52in the horizontal projection plane, and specifically, the center point O51of the first hole51is on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52, a load applied to the surroundings of the pair of ischial bones of the seated person is dispersed, and it is possible to reduce the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and thus the feeling of tension and to further improve sitting comfort. Also, it is possible to improve the void space rate of the cushion pad1aby the second holes52provided as compared with a case in which there are no second holes52and thereby to achieve weight reduction, an improvement in air permeability, reduction of heat storage, and the like. The weight reduction of the cushion pad1aleads to an improvement in fuel efficiency of the vehicle and thus energy saving. The improvement in air permeability and reduction of heat storage of the cushion pad1alead to improvement in effectiveness of the air conditioner in the vehicle and thus energy saving.

Note that since the cushion pad1ais formed to be thin as described above in the embodiment, the sitting pressures at and around the ischia bones of the seated person himself/herself are particularly likely to increase, and the seated person is particularly likely to have a feeling of bottoming when the seated person is seated in a case in which the holes50are not provided in the cushion pad1aas compared with a general cushion pad in the related art which is not formed to be thin. Therefore, in a case in which the cushion pad la is formed to be thin as in the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the feeling of bottoming and to improve sitting comfort due to a sitting pressure reduction effect exhibited by the first holes51and the second holes52as described above, and the first holes51and the second holes52are thus particularly advantageous.

Also, since each second hole52has the area that is smaller than the area of each first hole51, it is possible to prevent the below-buttocks portion12of the seating portion10from becoming excessively soft as compared with the case in which each second hole52has an area that is equal to or greater than the area of each first hole51, thereby to prevent the buttocks of the seated person from sinking therein, and to firmly support the buttocks of the seated person. It is thus possible to improve sitting comfort. Also, since the center point O51of each first hole51is on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52in the horizontal projection plane, it is possible to uniformly reduce the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones of the seated person in a further unbiased manner as compared with a case in which the center point O51of the first hole51is outside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the three second holes52.

Also, since the three or more second holes52are arranged in the annular region AR in the surrounding of each first hole51in the example inFIG.2, a load applied to the surroundings of the pair of ischial bones of the seated person is dispersed, and it is possible to reduce the sitting pressure and thus a feeling of tension in the surroundings of the ischial bones and to further improve sitting comfort as compared with a case in which only two or less second holes52are provided inside each annular region AR.

From a similar viewpoint, the center point O51of each first hole51is preferably located on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52in the annular region (first annular region) AR in the surroundings of each first hole51as in the example inFIG.2. Also, the center point O51of each first hole51is more preferably located on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52in the second annular region in the surroundings of each first hole51. Moreover, the center point O51of each first hole51is further preferably located on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52in the third annular region in the surroundings of each first hole51.

In the example inFIG.2, the first holes51are bottomed dents which are opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M as described above. In other words, the first holes51are not opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M, and the bottom portions of the first holes51are located between the upper surface US and the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M. Also, the inside of the first holes51is void spaces. It is also possible to reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones of the seated person by the first holes51in this case as well similarly to a case in which the first holes51are bottomed holes which are opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M and a case in which the first holes51are bottomless holes which penetrate through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction.

In this case, the seated person is more unlikely to have a feeling of discomfort due to the presence of the first holes51when the seated person is seated as compared with the case in which the first holes51are bottomed holes which are opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M or the case in which the first holes51are bottomless holes which penetrate through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction. It is thus possible to improve sitting comfort.

However, the first holes51may be bottomed holes which are opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M, or the first holes51may be bottomless holes which penetrate through seating body portion10M in the up-down direction.

In the example inFIG.2, since the seating body portion10M further includes the third holes53arranged on the front side beyond the annular regions AR and the fourth holes54arranged on both left and right sides or the back side beyond the annular regions AR in the horizontal projection plane, it is possible to more uniformly arrange the holes50over the entire seating body portion10M, thereby to improve a balance between hardness of the parts outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10and hardness of the parts inside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10, and to further improve sitting comport as compared with a case in which there are neither third holes53nor the fourth holes54.

More specifically, it is possible to soften the below-thigh portion11of the seating portion10, to reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the pair of thighs of the seated person, and to improve sitting comfort by including the third holes53.

Also, it is possible to soften an outer edge-side part of the below-buttocks portion12of the seating portion10, to reduce the sitting pressure immediately below outer edge-side parts of the buttocks of the seated person, and to improve sitting comfort by including the fourth holes54.

As described above, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54are bottomless holes, that is, through-holes penetrating through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction in the example inFIG.2. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the sitting pressure, to improve sitting comfort, and to realize weight reduction, an improvement in air permeability, reduction of heat storage, and the like as compared with a case in which the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54are bottomed holes. However, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54may be bottomed holes, and in that case, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54may be opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M or may be opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M.

Hereinafter, second to ninth embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The second to ninth embodiments are different from the first embodiment mainly in the shape of first holes51. Since the other configurations (second holes52, third holes53, fourth holes54, and the like) are similar to those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. In the second to ninth embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, each center point O51of each first hole51is located on or inside a triangle TR obtained by connecting center points of at least any three second holes52in a horizontal projection plane. Also, the three or more second holes52are arranged in an annular region AR in the surroundings of each first hole51. In addition, the center point O51of each first hole51is located on or inside the triangle TR obtained by connecting the center points of the at least any three second holes52from among the three or more second holes52located in the annular region (first annular region) AR in the surroundings of each first hole51.

In the second embodiment illustrated inFIGS.4and5, the first holes51are bottomless holes which are through-holes penetrating through a seating body portion10M in the up-down direction.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the hitting pressure immediately below ischial bones of a seated person, to increase a void space rate, and thereby to realize weight reduction, an improvement in air permeability, reduction of heat storage, and the like as compared with a case in which the first holes51are bottomed holes as in the first embodiment illustrated inFIGS.2and3, for example.

Note that although the shape of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane is a circular shape (perfect circular) in the example inFIGS.4and5, the shape may be any other arbitrary shape such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape, a square shape, a rhomboidal shape, or a trapezoidal shape, for example, in the second embodiment.

Also, in the example inFIG.5, a wall surface of the first hole51in a section in the vertical direction is parallel to the vertical direction. Therefore, the first hole51has constant area and diameter in the up-down direction. However, the wall surface of the first hole51in the section in the vertical direction may be inclined or curved with respect to the vertical direction, for example. In that case, the first holes51may have areas and diameters gradually decreasing or may have areas and diameters gradually increasing from the back surface BS toward the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M.

Note that although illustration will be omitted, the areas of the first holes51in the back surface BS of the seating portion10are preferably larger than the areas thereof in the upper surface US of the seating portion10in the horizontal projection plane. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and to improve sitting comfort by the first holes51, and to reduce a feeling of discomfort that the seated person may have due to the presence of the first holes51, as compared with a case in which the areas of the first holes51in the back surface BS of the seating portion10is equal to or greater than the area thereof in the upper surface US of the seating portion10.

Here, the “areas in the back surface BS of the seating portion10(or the seating body portion10M)” of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) in the horizontal projection plane are areas of opening of the holes50in the back surface BS of the seating portion10(or the seating body portion10M) in the horizontal projection plane. Similarly, the “areas in the upper surface US of the seating portion10(or the seating body portion10M)” of the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) in the horizontal projection plane are areas of openings of the holes50in the upper surface US of the seating portion10(or the seating body portion10M) in the horizontal projection plane.

In the third embodiment illustrated inFIGS.6and7, first holes51have bottomed portions51rthat have bottoms and bottomless portions51tthat are bottomless.

The bottomed portions51rare opened in an upper surface US or a back surface BS (the back surface BS in the illustrated example) of a seating body portion10M. The bottomless portions51thave areas that are smaller than the areas of the regions of the bottomed portions51rsurrounded by outer edges51e, in the horizontal projection plane and are disposed inside the outer edges51eof the bottomed portions51r. Therefore, the outer edges51eof the bottomed portions51rare also the outer edges51eof the first holes51. Although one bottomless portion51tis provided inside the outer edge51eof one bottomed portion51rin the horizontal projection plane in the example inFIGS.6and7, a plurality of bottomless portions51tmay be provided inside the outer edge51eof one bottomed portion51r.

According to the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce a sitting pressure immediately below ischial bones of a seated person, to increase a void space rate, and thereby to achieve weight reduction, an improvement in air permeability, reduction of heat storage, and the like as compared with the case in which the entire first holes51are bottomed holes as in the first embodiment illustrated inFIGS.2and3, for example.

Also, since the bottomed portions51rof the first holes51are opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIGS.6and7, the first holes51have larger areas in the back surface BS of the seating portion10than in the upper surface US of the seating portion10in the horizontal projection plane. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and to improve sitting comfort by the first holes51and to reduce a feeling of discomfort that the seated person may have due to the presence of the first holes51, as compared with the case in which the areas of the first holes51in the back surface BS of the seating portion10is equal to or greater than the area in the upper surface US of the seating portion10.

However, in the third embodiment, the bottomed portions51rmay be opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M, and thus, the first holes51may have smaller areas in the back surface BS of the seating portion10than in the upper surface US of the seating portion10in the horizontal projection plane.

Note that although the shapes of the bottomed portion51rand the bottomless portion51tof each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane are circular shapes (perfect circles) in the example inFIGS.6and7, the shapes may be any other arbitrary shapes such as oval shapes or polygonal shapes such as triangular shapes, square shapes, rhomboidal shapes, or trapezoidal shape, for example, in the third embodiment.

Also, the bottomed portions51rof the first holes51have a curved shape projecting upward in the section in the vertical direction and have an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS toward the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIGS.6and7. However, the bottomed portions51rof the first holes51may have an arbitrary shape in the section in the vertical direction, may have, for example, a substantially triangular shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape projecting upward, and may have an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS toward the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M. Alternatively, the bottomed portions51rof the first holes51may have a substantially square shape in the section in the vertical direction and may thus have uniform (constant) area and diameter in the up-down direction.

In the fourth embodiment illustrated inFIGS.8and9, first holes51extend to be long in the front-back direction, and in other words, a dimension la thereof in the front-back direction is longer than a dimension1bthereof in the left-right direction (1a>1b) in the horizontal projection plane.

Generally, in sitting pressure distribution when a seated person is seated in a cushion pad with no holes provided therein, a region with a relatively high sitting pressure at and around ischial bones of the seated person has a shape extending to be long in the front-back direction.

According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to form the shape of the first holes51into a shape along the shape of the region where the sitting pressure is relatively high in the sitting pressure distribution in the horizontal projection plane, thereby to more effectively reduce the sitting pressure immediately below and in the vicinity of the ischial bones, and to improve sitting comfort as compared with a case in which the dimension1aof the first holes51in the front-back direction is set to be the same as the dimension1bthereof in the left-right direction (1a=1b) or a case in which the dimension1aof the first holes51in the front-back direction is set to be smaller than the dimension1bthereof in the left-right direction (1a<1b).

Note that although the shape of each first hole51in the horizontal projection plane is an oval shape in the example inFIGS.8and9, the shape may be any other arbitrary shape such as a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape, a square shape, a rhomboidal shape, or a trapezoidal shape, for example, in the fourth embodiment.

Also, the first holes51have a curved shape projecting upward in the section in the vertical direction and have an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS to the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIGS.8and9. However, the first holes51may have an arbitrary shape in the section in the vertical direction, may have, for example, a substantially triangular shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape projecting upward, and may have an area and a diameter gradually decreasing from the back surface BS toward the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M. Alternatively, the first holes51may have a substantially square shape in the section in the vertical direction and may thus have a uniform (constant) area and diameter in the up-down direction.

Also, each first hole51is a bottomed hole which is opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIGS.8and9. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce a feeling of discomfort that the seated person may have due to the presence of the first holes51. However, the first holes51may be bottomed holes which are opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M or may be bottomless holes which penetrate through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction in the fourth embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment illustrated inFIGS.10and11, first holes51are bottomless holes and include portions extending in substantially a U shape in the horizontal projection plane.

More specifically, the first holes51have bottomed portions51rthat have bottoms and bottomless portions51tthat are bottomless in the example inFIGS.10and11. The bottomless portions51tare slits penetrating through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction and extend in a substantially U shape opened on the front side and projecting on the back side in the horizontal projection plane. The bottomed portions51rare located in regions inside the substantially U shapes formed by the bottomless portions51tin the horizontal projection plane and are opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M. Also, one-side portions60configured with the first resin foam body are sectioned inside the substantially U shapes formed by the bottomless portions51tand above the bottomed portions51r. The one-side portions60are coupled only at front ends thereof to remaining parts of the first resin foam body configuring the seating body portion10M. As illustrated inFIGS.11B, the bottomed portions51rare formed to have a depth d51rgradually increasing toward the back side in the section in the vertical direction. In this manner, the one-side portions60have a thickness t60in the up-down direction gradually decreasing toward the back side. Note that the “depth d51r”of the bottomed portions51ris measured in parallel to the up-down direction. The one-side portions60configured in this manner can be deformed substantially independently from the first resin foam body around the one-side portions50, and more specifically, the one-side portions60fall down with the front ends of the one-side portions60caused to serve as fixed ends like cantilevers, by the ischial bones of the seated person placed on the one-side portions60when the seated person is seated.

It is possible to effectively reduce the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and to improve sitting comfort by the first holes51in the fifth embodiment as well.

Note that in the fifth embodiment illustrated inFIGS.10and11, projecting portions Up with substantially the U shapes formed by the bottomless portions51tare curved (curved to project on the back side in the example inFIG.10) in the horizontal projection plane. However, the projecting portions Up with substantially the U shapes formed by the bottomless portions51tmay linearly extend (extend in parallel to the left-right direction in the example inFIG.12) in the horizontal projection plane as in the sixth embodiment illustrated inFIG.12instead.

Since the bottomed portions51rare opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M in the example inFIGS.10and11and the example inFIG.12, it is possible to reduce a feeling of discomfort that the seated person may have due to the presence of the first holes51.

Although wall surfaces of the bottomed portions51rlinearly extend in the sections in the vertical direction in the example inFIGS.10and11and the example inFIG.12, the wall surfaces may extend in a curved shape projecting downward or in a curved shape projecting upward instead. Also, although the bottomed portions51rare formed to have the depth d51rgradually increasing toward the back side in the example inFIGS.10and11and the example inFIG.12, the depth d51rof the bottomed portions51rmay be uniform over the entire bottomed portions51r.

Also, although the bottomless portions51textend substantially in the U shapes opened on the front side and projecting on the back side in the horizontal projection plane in the example inFIGS.10and11and the example inFIG.12, the direction of the substantially U shapes formed by the bottomless portions51tin the horizontal projection plane may be an arbitrary direction, may project on the front side, and may be opened on the back side, for example.

In the example inFIGS.10and11and the example inFIG.12, the first holes51may have only the bottomless portions51twithout the bottomed portions51r.

In each of the aforementioned examples, the inside of the first holes51is void spaces. However, in each of the aforementioned examples, the soft material portions10S formed of a second resin foam body that is softer than the first resin foam body configuring the seating body portion10M may be arranged inside the first holes51in the seating body portion10M as in the seventh embodiment illustrated inFIG.13and the eight embodiment illustrated inFIG.14. In this case, the seating portion10includes the seating body portion10M and the soft material portion10S. In the example illustrated inFIG.13, first holes51are bottomed holes which are opened in the back surface BS of the seating body portion10M, and the soft material portions10S are arranged inside the first holes51. In the example illustrated inFIG.14, first holes51are bottomless holes which penetrate through the seating body portion10M in the up-down direction, and the soft material portion10S are arranged inside the first holes51. However, the first holes51may be bottomed holes which are opened in the upper surface US of the seating body portion10M, and the soft material portion10S may be arranged inside the first holes51.

Note that in a case in which the first resin foam body configuring the seating body portion10M has different compositions and foaming rates (and thus hardness) depending on parts of the seating body portion10M, the second resin foam body is softer than the softest part of the first resin foam body.

The hardness of each of the first resin foam body and the second resin foam body is measured in accordance with the “method D” in “JIS K 6400-2: 2012 6.1 Test Types”.

The soft material portion10S may be configured separately from the seating body portion10M or may be configured integrally with the seating body portion10M.

It is possible to reduce the sitting pressure and to improve sitting comfort in this case as well similarly to the first to sixth embodiments in which the inside of the first holes51is void spaces though there may be some level differences.

In each of the aforementioned examples, the seating body portion10M has the two first holes51that are separated from each other in the left-right direction and are arrange on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction. However, the seating body portion10M may have only one first hole51as in the ninth embodiment illustrated inFIG.15. In this case, it is only necessary for the first hole51to be arranged to lie across the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction (that is, to be located on the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction).

More specifically, in the example inFIG.15, the first hole51includes two bottomless or bottomed large region portions51L arranged on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction and a bottomless or bottomed coupling portion51ccoupling the two large region portions51L and extending in the left-right direction to lie across the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction. Each large region portion51L preferably has a configuration that is similar to that of the first holes51in the aforementioned first to eighth embodiments. In the example inFIG.15, a width w51C of the coupling portion51C is set to be smaller than the diameter of the large region portions51L. In this manner, it is possible to curb excessive sinking of the buttocks of the seated person and to improve sitting comfort as compared with a case in which the width w51C of the coupling portion51C is set to be equal to or greater than the diameter of the large region portions51L.

Here, the “diameter” of the large region portions51L indicates the diameter of the circumscribed circles of the large region portions51L in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the large region portions51L have a non-circular shape in the horizontal projection plane.

Also, a center point O51L of each large region portion51L is preferably located on or inside a triangle TRL obtained by connecting center points of any three second holes52(preferably, any three second holes52in the annular region AR).

Here, the “center point” of the large region portion51L indicates the center point of the circumscribed circle of the large region portion51L in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the large region portion51L has a non-circular shape in the horizontal projection plane.

In a case in which the seating body portion10M has the two first holes51that are separated from each other in the left-right direction and are arranged on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction as in each of the examples inFIGS.2to12, the diameter of the first holes51is preferably 30 to 100 mm and is more preferably 40 to 80 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort. From a similar viewpoint, the area of the first holes51is preferably 706 to 7850 mm2and is more preferably 1256 to 5024 mm2in the horizontal projection plane.

Similarly, in a case in which the seating body portion10M has only the one first hole51arranged to lie across the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction, and the first hole51has the two large region portions51L that are separated from each other in the left-right direction and are arranged on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction and the coupling portion51C that couples the two large region portions51L as in the example inFIG.15, the diameter of the large region portions51L is preferably 30 to 100 mm and is more preferably 40 to 80 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort. From a similar viewpoint, the area of the large region portions51L is preferably 706 to 7850 mm2and is more preferably 1256 to 5024 mm2in the horizontal projection plane.

In a case in which the seating body portion10M has the two first holes51that are separated from each other in the left-right direction and are arranged on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction as in each of the examples inFIGS.2to12, a distance p51(FIG.2) between the centers of the first holes51in the left-right direction is preferably 60 to 160 mm and is more preferably 70 to 150 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort. Here, the “centers” of the first holes51indicate the centers of the circumscribed circles of the first holes51in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the first holes51have a non-circular shape in the horizontal projection plane.

Similarly, in a case in which the seating body portion10M has only one first hole51arranged to lie across the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction, and the first hole51has the two large region portions51L that are separated from each other in the left-right direction and are arranged on both sides of the center line C of the seating portion10in the left-right direction and the coupling portion51C coupling the two large region portions51L as in the example inFIG.15, a distance p51L (FIG.15) between the centers of the large region portions51L in the left-right direction is preferably 60 to 160 mm and is more preferably 70 to 150 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

Here, the “centers” of the large region portions51L indicate the centers of the circumscribed circles of the large region portions51L in the horizontal projection plane in a case in which the large region portions51L have a non-circular shape in the horizontal projection plane.

In a case in which the first holes51are bottomed holes as in each of the examples inFIGS.2and3,FIGS.8and9,FIG.13, andFIG.15, the depth d51(FIG.3B) of the first holes51is preferably 20% or more, and is more preferably 30% or more of the maximum value of the thickness T (FIG.3B) of the cushion pad1ain the up-down direction in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure immediately below the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort. On the other hand, the depth d51of the first holes51is preferably 80% or less, and is more preferably 70% or less of the maximum value of the thickness T of the cushion pad1ain the up-down direction in terms of prevention of breakage such as hole opening from the first holes51during utilization of the cushion pad1a.

Note that the “depth d51” of the first holes51indicates the depth at a deepest position of the first holes51when the depth is measured in parallel to the up-down direction.

In each of the aforementioned examples, the diameter of the second holes52is preferably 5 to 35 mm and is more preferably 10 to 30 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort. From a similar viewpoint, the area of the second holes52is preferably 19 to 962 mm2and is more preferably 78 to 707 mm2in the horizontal projection plane.

In a case in which the third holes53and/or the fourth holes54are provided in the seating body portion10M in each of the aforementioned examples, the diameters of the third holes53and the fourth holes54are preferably 5 to 35 mm and are more preferably 10 to 30 mm in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure when the seated person is seated and an improvement in sitting comfort. From a similar viewpoint, the areas of the third holes53and the fourth holes54are preferably 19 to 962 mm2and are more preferably 78 to 707 mm2in the horizontal projection plane.

The holes50are preferably provided more densely inside the annular regions AR than outside the annular regions AR as illustrated inFIG.2and the like in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

From such a viewpoint, a distance152(FIG.2) between a pair of second holes52that are located closest to each other from among the three or more second holes52is preferably smaller than a distance153(FIG.2) between a pair of third holes53that are located closest to each other from among the plurality of third holes53(152<153) in the horizontal projection plane as illustrated inFIG.2and the like.

Here, the “distance152” between the second holes52is the distance between outer edges of the pair of second holes52at the position at which the outer edges of the pair of second holes52that are adjacent to each other are located closest to each other in the horizontal projection plane. The “distance153” between the third holes53is the distance between outer edges of the pair of third holes53at the position at which the outer edges of the pair of third holes53that are adjacent to each other are located closest to each other in the horizontal projection plane.

Also, a ratio RAR (RAR=A52×100/AAR [%]) of the total area A52of the second holes52with respect to the entire area AAR of the annular regions AR is preferably higher than a ratio RO (RO=A534×100/AO [%]) of a total area A534of the third holes53and the fourth holes54with respect to the entire area AO of the region outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10(RAR>RO) in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

Here, the “entire area AAR of the annular areas AR” in the horizontal projection plane indicates the area of the entire regions sectioned between the outer edges51eof the first holes51and outer edges ARe of the annular regions AR in the horizontal projection plane and also includes the area occupied by the second holes52. In a case in which there are two annular regions AR as in the examples inFIG.2and the like, the ratio RAR is calculated for only one of the annular regions AR. The “total area A52of the second holes52” also includes the entire area of the second holes52on the outer edges ARe of the annular regions AR.

The “entire area AO of the region outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10” in the horizontal projection plane indicates the area of the entire region sectioned between the outer edge of the seating portion10and the outer edges ARe of the annular regions AR in the horizontal projection plane and also includes the areas occupied by the third holes53and the fourth holes54. In a case in which there are two annular regions AR as in the examples inFIG.2and the like, the “entire area AO of the region outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10” is calculated for only the region outside the outer edges ARe of both the annular regions AR.

The ratio RAR of the total area A52of the second holes52in the annular regions AR with respect to the entire area AAR of the annular regions AR is preferably 5 to 25% and is more preferably 8 to 23% in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

The ratio RO of the total area A534of the third holes53and the fourth hole54with respect to the entire area AO of the region outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10is preferably 1 to 20% and is more preferably 3 to 18% in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure outside the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

A density DAR (DAR=N52/AAR [holes/mm2]) of the number N52of the second holes52with respect to the entire area AAR of the annular regions AR is preferably higher than a density DO (DO=N534/A0[holes/mm2]) of the total number N534of the third holes53and the fourth holes54with respect to the entire area A0of the region outside the annular regions AR in the seating portion10(DAR>DO) in the horizontal projection plane in terms of reduction of the sitting pressure in the surroundings of the ischial bones and an improvement in sitting comfort.

Here, the “number N52of the second holes52” include the number of second holes52located on the outer edges ARe of the annular regions AR.

In the examples illustrated inFIG.2and the like, the second holes52are arranged in non-uniform arrangement patterns in the horizontal projection plane. However, the arrangement pattern of the second holes52may be an arbitrary arrangement pattern and may be a uniform arrangement pattern, for example, and more specifically, the second holes52may be aligned at constant pitch intervals in each of the left-right direction and the front-back direction, in the horizontal projection plane.

In the examples illustrated inFIG.2and the like, the third holes53and the fourth holes54are arranged in uniform arrangement patterns and are aligned at constant pitch intervals in each of the left-right direction and the front-back direction in the horizontal projection plane. However, each of the arrangement patterns of the third holes53and the fourth holes54may be an arbitrary arrangement pattern and may be a non-uniform arrangement pattern in the horizontal projection plane.

Here, the “pitch intervals” between the holes50(the first holes51, the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54) are intervals between centers of a pair of holes50that are adjacent to each other in the horizontal projection plane.

In each of the aforementioned examples, a ratio RW (RW=W2×100/W1[%]) of a total weight W2of the actual cushion pad1aincluding the holes50(and further the soft material portions10S in a case in which the soft material portions10S are included) with respect to a total weight W1of the cushion pad1ain a case in which there are no holes50in the cushion pad la (the holes50are filled with the first resin foam body) is preferably 97% or less and is more preferably 92% or less in terms of an improvement in sitting comfort, weight reduction, an improvement in air permeability, and reduction of heat storage. On the other hand, the aforementioned ratio RW is preferably 70% or more and is more preferably 75% or more in terms of an improvement in sitting comfort.

In a case in which each of the second holes52, the third holes53, or the fourth holes54that may be provided in the seating body portion10M is a bottomed hole in each of the aforementioned examples, the depth (the length in the up-down direction) of the second holes52, the third holes53, or the fourth holes54is preferably 30% or more and less than 100% of the thickness (the length in the up-down direction) of the seating body portion10M.

EXAMPLES

Next, an example and comparative examples of the cushion pad according to the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.16and17.

Comparative Example 1 and Example 1

FIG.16illustrates results (compression deflection curves) of carrying out a compression test on cushion pads according to Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 of the present disclosure. As for the compression deflection curves inFIG.16, the horizontal axis represents deflection (mm) in the up-down direction, and the vertical axis represents a load (N). In the compression test, a load was applied to each of test pieces in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 in the up-down direction (thickness direction) to compress the test pieces.

The test pieces in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 had the same dimensions of the outer shapes and the same material. The material of configuring both the test pieces in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 was polyurethane foam. The maximum value of the thickness of each of the test pieces in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 in the up-down direction was 50 mm, that is, the test pieces were formed to be thin.

The test piece in Comparative Example 1 did not have any holes50at all.

On the other hand, the test piece in Example 1 had a plurality of holes50, and the plurality of holes50were arranged in the arrangement pattern in the example inFIG.2. In other words, the test piece in Example 1 had two first holes51, three or more second holes52in the annular regions AR, and third holes53and fourth holes54outside the annular regions AR. Also, each first hole51was located inside a triangle TR obtained by connecting the centers of any three second holes52.

As for the compression deflection curves inFIG.16, the upper curve represents a curve during compression while the lower curve represents a curve at the time of restoration. As can be ascertained fromFIG.16, the test piece in Example 1 can be largely deflected during the compression, and inclination during application of a high load is mild as compared with Comparative Example 1. Therefore, Example 1 provides less feeling of bottoming, more satisfactory feeling of stroke, and more excellent sitting comfort as compared with Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 2 and Example 1

FIG.17illustrates sitting pressure distribution obtained when the same testing person was seated in each of cushion pads according to Comparative Example 2 and Example 1 of the present disclosure.

FIG.17Aillustrates sitting pressure distribution in Comparative Example 2 whileFIG.17Billustrates sitting pressure distribution in Example 1. InFIG.17, the sitting pressure distribution is illustrated by a plurality of types of hatching, and each type of hatching indicates a mutually different pressure range (rather than a pressure value at one point).

The test pieces in Comparative Example 2 and Example 1 had the same dimensions of outer shapes and the same material.

The test piece in Example 1 is the same as that in Example 1 used in the test inFIG.16, and the configuration thereof is as described above.

The test piece in Comparative Example 2 was different from that in Example 1 in that, of the holes50, the test piece in Comparative Example 2 had only a pair of first holes51and did not have the second holes52, the third holes53, and the fourth holes54.

As can be ascertained fromFIG.17, Example 1 can further disperse the load applied to the surroundings of the pair of ischial bones of the seated person, can reduce the sitting pressure and thus a feeling of tension in the surroundings of the ischial bones, and can improve sitting comfort as compared with Comparative Example 2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The cushion pad according to the present disclosure can be suitably used in a seat pad for a vehicle. Also, the cushion pad according to the present disclosure can be used in an arbitrary type of vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10M Seating body portion

10S Soft material portion

20Side pad portion

30Back pad facing portion

O51Center point of first hole

51eOuter edge of first hole

51L Large region portion

O51L Center point of large region portion

100Seat for vehicle

US Upper surface

BS Back surface

C Center line in left-right direction

AR Annular region

ARe Outer edge of annular region

W Width of annular region

Up projecting portion with substantially U shape formed by first hole in horizontal projection plane