Vehicle seat

A vehicle seat includes: a seat back frame that is provided with a pair of side frame portions that are located on both left and right sides in the seat transverse direction; an outer-side load transmitting block that is located further to an outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame than the side frame portion of the seat back frame, and that transmits an impact load that is input from a side of the vehicle body to the seat back frame; a protruding portion that protrudes from a side surface of the side frame portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame towards the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame; a side airbag apparatus that is located on a front surface of the protruding portion; and an engaging portion that is formed in the outer-side load transmitting block, and that receives the protruding portion. The protruding portion is formed in a box shape that has a supporting surface on a surface thereof that faces the side airbag apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a seat back frame structure that are provided with structural elements that transmit an impact load that is input from the side of the vehicle towards an area on the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2010-129222, filed Jun. 4, 2010 and 2010-129223, filed Jun. 4, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

A structure is known that transmits an impact load that is input from a side of a vehicle during a collision or the like towards the vehicle floor via the seats (see, for example, Patent document 1). Specifically, in the vehicle seat described in Patent document 1, framework portions of the seat (i.e., the plate components and the top cross member) extend towards an outer side in the vehicle transverse direction beyond the seat back frame, and a load transmitting block is mounted such that it covers this extended portion.

In this seat back frame, when an impact load is input from the vehicle side portion, this load is transmitted to a side frame portion on an outer side in the vehicle transverse direction via the load transmitting components. Furthermore, the load is also transmitted from this side frame portion to a side frame portion on an inner side in the vehicle transverse direction via the plate components on the rear side and via the top cross member.

In addition to this, a structure is also known that transmits an impact load that is input from a side of the vehicle during a collision or the like towards the vehicle floor via the seats (see, for example, Patent document 3).

Specifically, the seat back frame described in Patent document 3 is provided with a pair of side frame portions that are placed on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction, a load transmitting piece that protrudes from a side frame portion on the outer side in the vehicle transverse direction towards the outer side in the vehicle transverse direction, and a load transmitting component that extends from substantially the same height as the load transmitting pieces on the side frame portion on the outer side in the vehicle transverse direction at an inclined attitude towards a bottom portion of a side frame portion on the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction. Moreover, a reclining shaft that is placed so as to bridge the gap between the side frame portions, and so as to support the side frame portions such that they are able to pivot is provided at a bottom end portion of the side frame portions.

According to this structure, while an impact load that is input into a bottom portion of a vehicle side wall is transmitted from the side frame portion on the outer side in the vehicle transverse direction to the side frame portion on the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction via the reclining shaft, in contrast, an impact load that is input into a top portion of a vehicle side wall is transmitted from the load transmitting piece to the side frame portion on the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction via the load transmitting component.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

A structure for a vehicle seat is also known that is provided with a side air bag apparatus that causes a bag body to unfold between a vehicle occupant who is sitting in a seat and a vehicle side wall when an impact is input (see, for example, Patent document 2). In this side air bag apparatus, an inflator that senses an impact and generates gas, and a folded bag that unfolds after receiving gas pressure from the inflator are assembled into a module, and this module is mounted on a side frame portion of a seat back frame.

In addition, in recent years structures have been examined in which, in vehicle seats in which a load transmitting block is fitted in the side frame portion of a seat back frame, a side air bag apparatus is installed in combination with the load transmitting block in the side frame portion.

Here, when a side air bag apparatus is being installed in the structure of the above-described Patent document 1, the positioning of the load transmitting block that receives the vehicle body side portion that moves towards the inner side of the vehicle compartment in a vehicle side-surface collision, and of the side air bag apparatus that unfolds between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle body side portion that moves towards the inner side of the vehicle compartment is crucial.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat that makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the load transmission from the side of a vehicle body towards a seat back frame, and that also makes it possible to install a load transmitting component and a side air bag apparatus on a side portion of a seat back frame.

Moreover, in the structure of the above-described Patent document 3, because the load transmitting component is provided so as to bridge the gap between side frame portions while remaining independent of the seat back frame, the structure has low bending rigidity and the efficiency of the load transmission to the seat back frame has not been sufficiently high.

In response to this, improvements such as making the plate thickness of the seat reinforcing components thicker in order to ensure bending rigidity in the seat reinforcing components might be considered, however, the problem arises that this leads both to an increase in the vehicle weight and to a greater complexity of the structure.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat back frame structure that makes it possible to improve the efficiency of a load transmission from a side of a vehicle body towards the seat back frame by means of a simple structure that is light in weight.

Means for Solving the Problems

(1) A vehicle seat according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a seat back frame that is provided with a pair of side frame portions that are located on both left and right sides in the seat transverse direction; an outer-side load transmitting block that is located further to an outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame than the side frame portion of the seat back frame, and that transmits an impact load that is input from a side of the vehicle body to the seat back frame; a protruding portion that protrudes from a side surface of the side frame portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame towards the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame; a side airbag apparatus that is located on a front surface of the protruding portion; and an engaging portion that is formed in the outer-side load transmitting block, and that receives the protruding portion, wherein the protruding portion is formed in a box shape that has a supporting surface on a surface thereof that faces the side airbag apparatus.

(2) The above-described vehicle seat may also be structured in the following manner: namely, there may also be further provided a bottom reinforcing plate that connects together bottom portions of the pair of side frame portions.

(3) The above-described vehicle seat may also be structured in the following manner: namely, there may be further provided a supporting plate that is located above the bottom reinforcing plate, and that has an inclined reinforcing portion that is diagonally inclined from the side frame portion that is located on the outer side from among the pair of side frame portions downwards and also inwards in the seat transverse direction.

(4) The above-described vehicle seat may also be structured in the following manner: namely, an end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the inclined reinforcing portion of the supporting plate may be connected to the side frame portion on the outer side, and a bottom edge of the supporting plate may be connected to the bottom reinforcing plate over substantially the entire length thereof in the seat transverse direction.

(5) The inclined reinforcing portion of the supporting plate may be provided with a reinforcing plate.

(6) The inclined reinforcing portion and the reinforcing plate may form a closed cross-sectional shape.

(7) There may be further provided a bottom reinforcing portion that extends in the seat transverse direction, and the supporting plate and the bottom reinforcing plate may form a closed cross-sectional shape.

(8) The inclined reinforcing portion of the supporting plate may be provided with a reinforcing plate, and the supporting plate may be provided with: the inclined reinforcing portion, which is formed by the supporting plate and the reinforcing plate in a closed cross-sectional shape; and with the bottom reinforcing portion, which is formed by the supporting plate and the bottom reinforcing plate in a closed cross-sectional shape, and which extends in the seat transverse direction.

Effects of the Invention

According to the invention described above in (1), it is possible to fix an outer-side load transmitting block in a state in which a box-shaped protruding portion is housed in an engaging portion of the outer-side load transmitting block. By doing this, even if an impact load is input into the outer-side load transmitting block, for example, from a direction diagonally forward of or a direction diagonally rearward of the vehicle body (i.e., from a direction that intersects the transverse direction), any shifting of the outer-side load transmitting block or any deformation or the like of the protruding portion can be suppressed. Accordingly, not only collision loads from directly side-on to the vehicle, but collision loads from diagonal directions and the like as well can be rapidly transmitted towards the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction irrespective of the input direction of the collision load.

Moreover, by placing the side airbag apparatus on the front surface of the protruding portion, because the reaction force when the bag body of the side airbag apparatus is unfolded can be reliably received by the protruding portion, an even faster unfolding of the bag body can be achieved. As a result, an even faster unfolding of the bag body can be achieved.

According to the invention described above in (2), (3), and (4), by connecting the supporting plate to the bottom reinforcing plate over substantially the entire length thereof in the seat transverse direction, the impact load that is transmitted via the side frame portion on the outer side to the inclined reinforcing portion is transmitted via the bottom reinforcing plate to the side frame portion on the inner side while also being transmitted to substantially the entire length of the load pass structure including to the supporting plate and the bottom reinforcing plate. Namely, once an impact load that is input into the inclined reinforcing portion has been received over substantially the entire length of the load pass structure and has been dispersed over the entire length of the load pass structure, it is transmitted via the bottom reinforcing plate to the side frame portion on the inner side.

As a result of this, a collision load can be rapidly transmitted towards the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction, and the efficiency of the load transmission to the seat back frame structure can be improved. In this case, because the load transmission efficiency can be improved, it is not necessary to make the plate thickness and the like of the load pass structure thicker in order to ensure bending rigidity. Because of this, it is possible to provide a load pass structure having a simple structure in which the plate thickness is comparatively thin and in which a reduction in weight has been achieved.

According to the invention described above in (5), by providing the reinforcing plate in the inclined reinforcing portion, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity of the inclined reinforcing portion, and to suppress deformation of the seat back frame structure. Because of this, an impact load can be transmitted effectively to the side frame portion on the inner side.

According to the invention described above in (6), by forming the closed cross-sectional structure shape from the inclined reinforcing portion and the reinforcing plate, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity of the load pass structure, and to more reliably suppress deformation of the seat back frame structure.

According to the invention described above in (7), by providing the bottom reinforcing portion that is formed in the closed cross-sectional structure shape from the supporting plate and the bottom reinforcing plate, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity of the load pass structure, and to more reliably suppress deformation of the seat back frame structure.

According to the invention described above in (8), by forming the two closed cross-sectional structures between the side frame portions, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity of the load pass structure, and to more reliably suppress deformation of the seat back frame structure.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Note that this first embodiment specifically describes the purpose of the invention in order to facilitate an understanding thereof, and unless otherwise specified, is in no way intended to limit the present invention.

FIG. 1is a rear view of a front seat on the left-hand side of a vehicle compartment. Note that in the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, while the arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

As is shown inFIG. 1, a floor tunnel12that protrudes upwards is formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in a center portion in the vehicle transverse direction of a vehicle body floor9. A pair of left and right front seats1and1are placed individually on both side portions of this floor tunnel12.

Side sills10having a closed cross-sectional structure that are joined to both side edges of the vehicle body floor9are provided extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the vehicle compartment outer sides of the left and right seats1and1. A bottom portion of a center pillar11is connected to each side sill10. Here, inFIG. 1, in order to simplify the description, only the top framework portion of the seat1is shown (this also applies in the following drawings as well).

A console box5in whose top surface is provided a recessed storage portion5ais fixed between the left and right seats1and1on top of the floor tunnel12.

FIG. 2is a perspective view looking from a direction diagonally in front showing a vehicle seat1that is installed on the front seat side of a vehicle.FIG. 3is a perspective view also looking, in the same way, from a direction diagonally in front and showing framework portions of this vehicle seat1. Note that in the following description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the transverse direction is the same direction as the vehicle transverse direction (i.e., the seat transverse direction).

As is shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle seat1is provided with a seat cushion2that supports the posterior of a vehicle occupant, a seat back3that is continuous with a rear end portion of the seat cushion2and that supports the hip and back portions of the vehicle occupant, and a headrest4that is supported on a top portion of the seat back3and that supports the head and neck portions of the vehicle occupant (only the framework is shown inFIG. 3).

As is shown inFIG. 3, the seat cushion2is provided with a seat cushion frame7to which is attached a rear cross member6that extends in the transverse direction at the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame7. The seat cushion frame7is mounted via seat rails8and8such that it is able to slide backwards and forwards on the vehicle floor9.

The seat cushion frame7is a component that is formed in a U shape, and left and right rear end portions thereof extend slightly diagonally upwards. Cushion springs17are stretched under tension inside the cushion seat frame7(seeFIG. 3).

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back3.

As is shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the seat back3is provided with a substantially rectangular frame-shaped seat back frame13that is formed by a top frame portion13a, left and right side frame portions13cand13d, and a bottom frame portion13b. A bottom end of this seat back frame13is tiltably joined to a rear end portion of the seat cushion frame7.

The top frame portion13ais provided with a substantially U-shaped pipe component, and supporting pipes44that support the head rest4such that the head rest4can be raised or lowered are attached to the center of a top piece portion thereof that extends in the transverse direction. In addition, a top cross member15is provided on the top frame portion13aso as to bridge the gap between both end sides in the transverse direction. The top cross member15curves from both sides in the transverse direction towards the rear in the center portion thereof, and base end sides of the aforementioned supporting pipes44are fixed thereto.

The left and right side frame portions13cand13dare provided with panel components whose cross-section in a horizontal direction is substantially U-shaped, and an area on the upper side thereof has a smaller front-rear width than a substantially central portion in the vertical direction thereof, while an area on the lower side thereof has a relatively larger front-rear width than the substantially central portion thereof. The areas on the upper side of the side frame portions13cand13dthat have a narrower front-rear width are fixed by welding to their corresponding side pieces of the top frame portion13asuch that the U-shaped cross-section portions of the side frame portion13cand13dwrap around the side pieces of the top frame portion13afrom the outer side in the transverse direction. In addition, hinge portions16that are connected to the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame7, and reclining mechanisms18that are used to adjust the tilt angle of the seat back frame13are attached to the bottom end sides of the side frame portions13cand13d. Note that the left and right reclining mechanisms18are connected by means of an operating rod45that extends in the transverse direction such that they are able to move in synchronization with each other.

The bottom frame portion13bis provided with a panel component whose cross-section in a vertical direction is substantially S-shaped (seeFIG. 8), and extends in a transverse direction such that a top half portion thereof surrounds the operating rod45from the rear side, while both end portions thereof are joined to bottom ends of the left and right side frame portions13cand13d.

In the left and right side frame portions13cand13d, a front wall31aand a rear wall31bthat each bend inwards in the transverse direction are connected to the front and rear respectively of a side wall30that is located on the outer side in the transverse direction, and the side wall30portions are formed such that, as is described above, the width of the upper side above a substantially central portion becomes narrower, while the width of the lower side below the substantially central portion becomes wider. Specifically, in the side walls30, the rear end side is formed substantially straight over the entire vertical length thereof, however, the front end side is formed substantially straight from the top portion thereof as far as the central area in a vertical direction, but from the central area downwards it curves so as to gradually protrude towards the front. Accordingly, a curved surface that follows the curved shape of the front-end side of the side wall30is provided in the front walls31aof the side frame portions13cand13d.

FIG. 5is an enlarged perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back3.

As is shown inFIG. 3throughFIG. 5, a back pan47that is formed, for example, from resin as a three-dimensionally curved plate component is placed between the side frame portions13cand13d. Specifically, the back pan47has a pelvis supporting body22whose cross-section in a horizontal direction is formed in a U shape, and distal end portions24that extend from both sides of the pelvis supporting body22and that are formed so as to bend around from the front wall31aside of the side frame portions13cand13das far as the outer surface of the side walls30.

The pelvis supporting body22extends across so as to bridge the gap between the side frame portions13cand13dat the rear portion side in the front-rear direction of the side frame portions13cand13d, and both sides thereof extend towards the front following the inside surfaces of the side walls30of the side frame portions13cand13d. Namely, the pelvis supporting body22supports the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is sitting in the seat1by enveloping the vehicle occupant from the rear from the pelvic region down to the vicinity of the lower lumbar region. A bottom edge portion of the central portion in the transverse direction of the pelvis supporting body22is fastened by screws or the like to the bottom frame portion13b.

Moreover, the distal end portions24are fastened by screws or the like to the outer surface sides of the side frame portions13cand13d.

FIG. 6is an enlarged perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back3from which the back pan47has been removed.FIG. 7is a perspective view showing the seatback3from the rear surface side thereof.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A inFIG. 6.

As is shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, a load pass plate25is provided between the back pan47and the bottom frame portion13bin the front-rear direction such that it overlaps with the back pan47in the front-rear direction. The load pass plate25is made, for example, from metal and is formed substantially in a triangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the load pass plate25is provided with a channel portion26whose cross-section in a vertical direction is formed in a U shape, and that extends substantially in a Y shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The channel portion26is provided with a bottom channel27whose cross-section is formed in a U shape and that is formed so as to bridge the gap between the side frame portions13cand13d, and with an inclined channel28whose cross-section is formed in a U shape and that splits off from the bottom channel27at a point partway along the lengthwise direction thereof.

As is shown inFIG. 4,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7, the bottom channel27is placed such that the aperture portion of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards the rear, and such that it engages with the top half portion of the bottom frame portion13b, and the entire lengths of the bottom edge portion and top edge portion thereof are fixed by welding to the bottom frame portion13b. Specifically, the top edge portion of the bottom channel27is fixed to the top edge portion of the bottom frame portion13b, and the bottom edge portion of the bottom channel27is fixed to the front surface of the bottom frame portion13b. As a result, the bottom channel27and the bottom frame portion13bform a closed cross-sectional structure portion H1that has a rectangular-shaped cross-section and that extends in the transverse direction between the side frame portions13cand13d, and that contributes to the load transmission between the side frame portions13cand13d.

Moreover, an end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel27is fixed by welding to the inner surface of the side wall30of the side frame portion13c, while an end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel27has a small gap between itself and the inner surface of the side wall30of the side frame portion13d. Specifically, the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel27extends further to the inner side than the central portion in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion13b, and is formed as far as a position where it overlaps with the rear wall31bof the side frame portion13dwhen viewed from the front-rear direction. Namely, the bottom channel27and the bottom frame portion13bare connected together over substantially the entire length in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion13b. Because of this, the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the above-described closed cross-sectional structure portion H1as well also abuts against the inner surface of the side wall30of the side frame portion13c, while the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction thereof has a slight gap between itself and the inner surface of the side wall30of the side frame portion13d. The bottom channel27and the bottom frame portion13bare connected together over a range that extends from the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion13bas far as the inner side beyond the central portion in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion13b. The bottom channel27and the bottom frame portion13boverlap in such a manner that the entire length in the transverse direction of the bottom end of the bottom channel27overlaps in the front-rear direction with the bottom frame portion13b.

The inclined channel28is formed so as to continue on from the bottom channel27, and extends diagonally upwards as it moves outwards in the transverse direction from a position K where it branches off from the bottom channel27. An attachment piece28b(seeFIG. 6) that is bent outwards is formed on an end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the inclined channel28, and this attachment piece28bis fixed to the inner surface of the side wall30of the side frame portion13c.

In this case, the end surface on the outer side in the transverse direction of the inclined channel28is located opposite a load transmitting block21(described below) with the side frame portion13csandwiched between them. The inclined channel28is formed such that the width thereof increases as it moves outwards in the transverse direction, and a bead28athat bulges outwards is formed in a circumferential surface of the inclined channel28.

Moreover, a flat plate portion29is formed between the bottom channel27and the top channel28integrally with the respective channels27and28so as to span across an area enclosed by the top edge portion of the bottom channel27and the bottom edge portion of the inclined channel28. As a result of this, the inclined channel28and the bottom frame portion13bare connected over the entire length in the lengthwise direction of the inclined channel28via the bottom channel27and the flat plate portion29.

Moreover, a reinforcing plate32is provided on the rear surface side of the load pass plate25so as to cover an aperture portion of the inclined channel28. The reinforcing plate32is a plate component whose cross-section in a vertical direction is formed in an L shape, and that is formed such that a top side thereof circles around as far as the top edge portion of the inclined channel28. Specifically, the reinforcing plate32is provided with a base portion32a(seeFIG. 7) whose base end portion is fixed by welding to the rear surface of the bottom frame portion13b, and with an inclined portion32bthat inclines so as to follow the inclined channel28as it moves towards the outer side in the transverse direction from the base portion32a. The top edge portion of the inclined portion32bis fixed by welding across the entire length of the top edge portion of the inclined channel28, and the bottom edge portion thereof is fixed by welding to the rear surface of the flat plate portion29. As a result of this, the reinforcing plate32and the inclined channel28form a closed cross-sectional structure portion H2(seeFIG. 8) that has a rectangular cross-section and that extends diagonally upwards as it moves from the branch position K outwards in the transverse direction, and that contributes to the load transmission between the side frame portions13cand13d.

Namely, in the present embodiment, between the side frame portions13cand13dthere are provided the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1, which extends in the transverse direction, and the closed cross-sectional structure portion H2, which branches off from the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1and which is inclined diagonally upwards as it moves outwards in the transverse direction, and the two closed cross-sectional structure portions H1and H2are provided in the vertical direction on the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat1. Note that a load pass structure is formed by the load pass plate25, the bottom frame portion13band the reinforcing plate32.

(Planar Elastic Body and Supporting Body Wire)

Here, as is shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, supporting body wires and a planar elastic body60are provided in an aperture portion14that is open in the front-rear direction between the back pan47and the top cross member15so as to bridge the gap between the back pan47and the top cross member15.

Firstly, the supporting body wire20is a metal wire that has been bent, for example, into a crank shape, and is provided so as to elastically bridge the gap between a hook19that is formed in the pelvis supporting body22of the back pan47and the side frame portions13cand13d. Specifically, the supporting body wire20is provided with an engaging portion35(seeFIG. 4) that engages with the hook19of the back pan47, extended portions36that extend in the transverse direction from both ends of the engaging portion35, and folded back portions37(seeFIG. 5) that are formed at the distal ends of the extended portions36and are linked to each of the side frame portions13cand13d.

Note that the above-described hook19of the back pan47is a tongue-shaped component that is formed by cutting open the top portion of the pelvis supporting body22, and that extends in a downward direction.

The engaging portion35is bent substantially in a U shape that is open towards the top, and the bottom side portion thereof is engaged with the hook19of the back pan47, while both ends of this bottom side portion are each bent in an upward direction.

Base end sides of the extended portions36extend respectively from the two ends of the engaging portion35towards the side frame portions13cand13d, and distal end sides thereof are bent towards the front and then extend along the internal surfaces of the side walls30of the side frame portions13cand13d.

The folded back portions37are formed such that the distal end sides of the extended portions36are folded back towards the rear, and encircle around the front walls31aof the side frame portions13cand13dand are then inserted into through holes41that are formed in the front walls31a. As a result, the two ends of the supporting body wire20are linked to the supporting frame portions13cand13d.

The planar elastic body60that elastically bridges the gap between the supporting body wire20and the top portion cross member15is provided in the aperture portion14between the supporting body wire20and the above-described top portion cross member15. The planar elastic body60is provided with wires that are made of metal or the like and are stretched in a lattice shape between the top portion cross member15and the supporting body wire20. Namely, the planar elastic body60is provided with a pair of bolster wires61that extend across the gap between the top portion cross member15and the supporting body wire20, a plurality of stringer wires62that extend between the bolster wires61, and a linking wire63that joins the respective stringer wires62together in a group.

The respective bolster wires61extend in parallel with each other in a vertical direction at both sides in the transverse direction of the seat1. A top end portion of each bolster wire61is inserted respectively into one of a pair of attaching pieces64that are formed in the top portion cross member15, and is fixed therein. In contrast, bottom end portions of each bolster wire61are bundled by a binding tool65together with the respective extended portions36of the supporting body wire20. At this time, the bolster wire61and the supporting body wire20are bundled inside the binding tool65such that they are able to pivot around the respective axes of the wires20and61.

Each stringer wire62extends in the transverse direction, and each of the two end portions thereof is wound respectively around one of the bolster wires61and is fixed thereto. The respective stringer wires62are arranged in parallel with each other in the vertical direction, and the pitch between each stringer wire62is set such that this pitch is narrower at the bottom than at the top. Because of this, the rigidity of the planar elastic body60is set such that it becomes higher in stages moving from the top towards the bottom.

The linking wire63extends in parallel with the bolster wires61, and it is placed such that it links together central portions of the respective stringer wires62in the lengthwise direction thereof.

The wire diameter of the wires61through63is formed narrower than the wire diameters of the above-described supporting body wire20. Because of this, the rigidity of the planar elastic body60is set lower than that of the supporting body wire20. Namely, the aperture portion14of the seat back frame13of the present embodiment is bridged by the supporting body wire20and the planar elastic body60, and the rigidity thereof is set such that it becomes sequentially lower in stages moving from the plate-shaped back pan47to the supporting body wire20, and then to the planar elastic body60.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B inFIG. 5.

As is shown inFIG. 5,FIG. 7, andFIG. 9, a protruding portion70that protrudes towards the outer side in the transverse direction is provided on the side wall30on the outer side in the transverse direction of the side frame portion13c. The protruding portion70is formed in a hollow box shape that is open towards the inner side in the transverse direction. A rear surface70aof this protruding portion70is formed longer in the transverse direction than a front surface70bthereof. Namely, while a distal end portion of the front surface70babuts against a central portion in the front-rear direction of the side wall30of the side frame portion13c, the distal end portion of the rear surface70acontinues on to the rear wall31bside of the side frame portion13cand is joined to the side frame portion13c. Moreover, a mounting hole70cthat is used to mount a side airbag apparatus51(described below) is formed in the front surface70bof the protruding portion70. Note that a bead70dthat extends in the transverse direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion70, and is provided in order to limit any buckling of the protruding portion70.

A through hole71is formed in a side surface70eof the protruding portion70, and a cylindrical guide pipe72is inserted into this through hole71and is then welded in place. Namely, the guide pipe72extends in the transverse direction. Note that a slight gap is left between the end surface in the axial direction of the guide pipe72and the side wall30of the side frame portion13c.

As is shown inFIG. 4,FIG. 7, andFIG. 9, the load transmitting block21is fixed in a state of engagement with the guide pipe72. The load transmitting block21is a component that transmits to the side frame portion13cany impact load that is input into the side wall of the vehicle body during a side collision of the vehicle. The load transmitting block21is formed with the cylindrical cross-section thereof divided into honeycomb structures that are arranged in parallel with each other by a plurality of internal ribs75that extend in the transverse direction, and the overall shape of the block21is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction and is formed from resin. Moreover, the load transmitting block21is provided with an engaging hole34with which the guide pipe72that protrudes from the side frame portion13cis engaged. When the guide pipe72has been engaged inside the engagement hole34, the load transmitting block21is fastened to the protruding portion70by means of screws or the like.

Furthermore, a housing portion (i.e., an engagement portion)73that receives the above-described protruding portion70is formed on the inner side of the load transmitting block21. As a result, the load transmitting block21is mounted so as to cover the protruding portion70from the outer side in the transverse direction. In this case, the load transmitting block21is engaged with the guide pipe72with the end surface on the inner side in the transverse direction of the load transmitting block21abutting against the side wall30of the side frame portion13c, and with the end surface on the inner side in the transverse direction of the ribs75abutting against the side surface70eof the protruding portion70. In addition, a notch portion74that exposes the front surface70bincluding the mounting hole70cof the protruding portion70when the load transmitting block21and the protruding portion70are engaged with each other is formed in the front surface side of the load transmitting block21.

The load transmitting block21which has been fixed in position in the above-described manner protrudes from a position that is offset towards the rear side from the center in the front-rear direction of the side wall30. Note that, in the present embodiment, the guide pipe72and the load transmitting block21constitute a load transmitting component. Note also that the closed cross-section structure portion H2, which includes the above-described inclined channel28and reinforcing plate32, is located on the opposite side from the load transmitting component with the side frame portion13csandwiched between them.

As is shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 9, a side airbag apparatus51for protecting a vehicle occupant is mounted on the side wall30of the side frame portion13cin front of the load transmitting block21.

As is shown inFIG. 9, the side airbag apparatus51is provided with an inflator52that generates gas when it senses an impact, and a folded up bag body53that receives the gas pressure from the inflator52and then unfolds. The side airbag apparatus51is mounted on the side frame portion13cwith the inflator52and the bag body53being housed in a bag case54that is provided with an openable lid portion.

As is shown inFIG. 3, the inflator52is provided with a circular cylinder-shaped main body portion52aand a gas discharge aperture52b, and the main body portion52ais mounted on the side frame portion13cso as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the side frame portion13c. The inflator52is fastened in front of the load transmitting block21by screws or the like to a support plate77that is provided above the side frame portion13c, and to the mounting hole70cof the protruding portion70.

The bag body53is located at a position on the outer side in the transverse direction of the gas discharge aperture52bof the inflator52and facing the front surface21aof the load transmitting block21(i.e., the front surface70bof the protruding portion70).

The bag body53is folded by being wound a plurality of times from the distal end side thereof towards the attached base portion side thereof into a roll shape in the direction of the inflator52. Accordingly, when the bag body53receives the gas pressure from the inflator52, the wound portion is released from the attached base portion side so as to smoothly unfold towards the outer side in the transverse direction and towards the front side of the vehicle body. At this time, because the bag body53faces the front surface21aof the load transmitting block21(i.e., the front surface70bof the protruding portion70), with the direction of the unfolding being restricted by the front surface of the load transmitting block21to the front direction of the vehicle, the bag body53unfolds towards the front along the side wall of the vehicle body, namely, along the center pillar11and the door lining (not shown). Namely, the front surfaces21aand70bof the load transmitting block21and the protruding portion70form structural elements that serve as supporting surfaces for the bag body53.

Note that the symbol55inFIG. 9is a padding material that is placed around the seat back frame13, the load transmitting block21, and the side airbag apparatus51, while the symbol56is a covering material that covers the outer surface of the padding material55. In the case of the present embodiment, a slit-shaped aperture57that opens towards the outer side in the transverse direction is provided in the padding material55, and the load transmitting block21and the side airbag apparatus51are placed inside this aperture57. When the vehicle receives a collision from the side so that gas is supplied from the inflator52to the bag body53, the bag body53flies through the aperture57towards the outside, and unfolds towards the front by breaking the covering material56on the side portion of the seat back3.

Moreover, as is shown inFIG. 9, the airbag apparatus51that has been mounted on the side frame portion13cwith the bag body53folded inside it is set in a position inside the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the vehicle seat1(i.e., on the inside of the distal end portion of the load transmitting block21). Because of this, there is a surplus of space in the area on the outer side in the transverse direction in front of the load transmitting block21, and this area is able to be used effectively.

Moreover, as is shown inFIG. 4, load transmitting blocks38and39are mounted respectively on the outer sides (i.e., the outer sides in the transverse direction) of the above-described reclining mechanism18at the bottom ends of the side frame portions13cand13don both the left and right sides. In the same way as in the load transmitting block21located on the upper side, each of these load transmitting blocks38and39has a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cylindrical cross-sections that extend in the transverse direction are arranged in parallel with each other. In addition, the load transmitting block39that is mounted on the side frame portion13don the inner side in the transverse direction faces a side surface of the console box5, which is located in the center in the transverse direction.

According to the above described structure, when an impact load is input into the side portion of a vehicle body during a vehicle side collision, a sensor senses this impact, and the inflator52of the side airbag apparatus51generates a gas.

The gas that is generated by the inflator52is supplied to the bag body53, and the bag body53ruptures the surface covering material56on the seat side portion and then expands towards the front from the side portion of the seat1. As a result of this, the bag body53is unfolded between the vehicle occupant who is sitting in the seat1and the side wall of the vehicle body.

Moreover, if a portion of the vehicle side wall such as the center pillar11is deformed in the direction of the seat back3(i.e., towards the inner side in the transverse direction) in a vehicle side collision, the side wall comes into contact with the load transmitting blocks21and38at the side portion of the vehicle seat1, and the load is input into these load transmitting blocks.

Firstly, when the load is input into the lower load transmitting block38, the entire seat1moves in the direction of the inner side in the transverse direction, and the lower load transmitting block39on the inner side in the transverse direction comes into contact with the console box5. At this time, the load is transmitted towards the inner side in the transverse direction via the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1, which is formed by the bottom channel27of the load pass plate25and the bottom frame portion13bof the seat back frame13. Thereafter, the load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1is transmitted from the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1to the bottom frame portion13b, and is then transmitted via the bottom frame portion13bto the side frame portion13don the inner side in the transverse direction. The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion13dis then transmitted via the load transmitting block39and the console box5to the floor panel12. At this time, by forming the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1, the bending rigidity of the load path structure is improved, so that the deformation of the seat back frame13is suppressed and the impact load can be effectively transmitted to the console box5.

When the impact load is input into the upper load transmitting block21, this load is transmitted from the load transmitting block21directly side-on to the side frame portion13con the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame13.

The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion13cis then transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H2, which is formed by the inclined channel28and the reinforcing plate32, and is then transmitted diagonally downwards as it moves towards the inner side in the transverse direction. Specifically, the load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H2is transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1over the entire length of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H2and the flat plate portion29. The load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1is then transmitted from the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H1to the bottom frame portion13b, and is then transmitted via the bottom frame portion13bto the side frame portion13don the inner side in the transverse direction. The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion13dis then transmitted via the load transmitting block39and the console box5to the floor panel12.

In this manner, the impact load that is input into the load transmitting block21is received over substantially the entire area of the load pass plate25, and after it has been dispersed throughout the entire area of the load pass plate25, it is transmitted via the bottom frame portion13bto the side frame13d, which is located on the inner side. At this time, by forming the closed cross-sectional structure portions H1and H2between the side frame portions13cand13d, the bending rigidity of the load path structure is improved, so that the deformation of the seat back frame13can be suppressed. As a consequence, the impact load can be effectively transmitted to the console box5.

Here, in the present embodiment, the load transmitting block21is engaged with the guide pipe72, and is fixed in position such that it covers the box-shaped protruding portion70. Because of this, even if an impact load is input into the load transmitting block21, for example, from a direction diagonally forward of or a direction diagonally rearward of the vehicle body (i.e., from a direction that intersects the transverse direction), the load transmitting block21is able to transmit the load towards the inner side in the transverse direction without its own position being shifted.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, by mounting the load transmitting block21on the box-shaped protruding portion70that protrudes from the side frame portion13ctowards the outer side in the transverse direction, it is possible to fix the position of the load transmitting block21relative to the side frame portion13c. As a result of this, because it is possible to suppress the movement of the load transmitting block21, not only collision loads from directly side-on to the vehicle, but collision loads from diagonal directions and the like as well can be rapidly transmitted towards the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction irrespective of the input direction of the collision load. As a result, the efficiency of the load transmission to the seat back frame13can be improved.

Furthermore, because the load transmitting block21is engaged with the guide pipe72, the positioning of the load transmitting block21relative to the side frame portion13ccan be easily achieved, so that any shifting in the position thereof when a collision load is input can be further suppressed.

Moreover, in the vehicle seat1according to the present embodiment, because the bag body53is placed in a position facing the front surfaces21band70bof the load transmitting block21(i.e., the protruding portion70), the front surfaces21band70bform structural elements that serve as supporting surfaces for the bag body53. Namely, because the reaction force when the bag body53is unfolded can be reliably received by the load transmitting block21(i.e., the protruding portion70), an even faster unfolding of the bag body53can be achieved.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 10is a rear view of a front seat on the left-hand side of a vehicle compartment. Note that in the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, while the arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

As is shown inFIG. 10, a floor tunnel112that protrudes upwards is formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in a center portion in the vehicle transverse direction of a vehicle body floor109. A pair of left and right front seats101and101are placed individually on both side portions of this floor tunnel112.

Side sills110having a closed cross-sectional structure that are joined to both side edges of the vehicle body floor109are provided extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the vehicle compartment outer sides of the left and right seats101and101. A bottom portion of a center pillar111is connected to each side sill110. Here, inFIG. 10, in order to simplify the description, only the top framework portion of the seat101is shown (this also applies in the following drawings as well).

A console box5in whose top surface is provided a recessed storage portion105ais fixed between the left and right seats101and101on top of the floor tunnel112.

FIG. 11is a perspective view looking from a direction diagonally in front showing a vehicle seat101that is installed on the front seat side of a vehicle.FIG. 12is a perspective view also looking, in the same way, from a direction diagonally in front and showing framework portions of this vehicle seat101. Note that in the following description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the transverse direction is the same direction as the vehicle transverse direction (i.e., the seat transverse direction).

As is shown inFIG. 11, the vehicle seat101is provided with a seat cushion102that supports the posterior of a vehicle occupant, a seat back103that is continuous with a rear end portion of the seat cushion102and that supports the hip and back portions of the vehicle occupant, and a headrest104that is supported on a top portion of the seat back103and that supports the head and neck portions of the vehicle occupant (only the framework is shown inFIG. 12).

As is shown inFIG. 12, the seat cushion102is provided with a seat cushion frame107to which is attached a rear cross member106that extends in the transverse direction at the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame107. The seat cushion frame107is mounted via seat rails108and108such that it is able to slide backwards and forwards on the vehicle floor109.

The seat cushion frame107is a component that is formed in a U shape, and left and right rear end portions thereof extend slightly diagonally upwards. Cushion springs117are stretched under tension inside the cushion seat frame107(seeFIG. 12).

FIG. 13is an exploded perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back103.

As is shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the seat back103is provided with a substantially rectangular frame-shaped seat back frame113that is formed by a top frame portion113a, left and right side frame portions113cand113d, and a bottom frame portion113b. A bottom end of this seat back frame113is tiltably joined to a rear end portion of the seat cushion frame107.

The top frame portion113ais provided with a substantially U-shaped pipe component, and supporting pipes144that support the head rest104such that the head rest104can be raised or lowered are attached to the center of a top piece portion thereof that extends in the transverse direction. In addition, a top cross member115is provided on the top frame portion113aso as to bridge the gap between both end sides in the transverse direction. The top cross member115curves from both sides in the transverse direction towards the rear in the center portion thereof, and base end sides of the aforementioned supporting pipes144are fixed thereto.

The left and right side frame portions113cand113dare provided with panel components whose cross-section in a horizontal direction is substantially U-shaped, and an area on the upper side thereof has a smaller front-rear width than a substantially central portion in the vertical direction thereof, while an area on the lower side thereof has a relatively larger front-rear width than the substantially central portion thereof. The areas on the upper side of the side frame portions113cand113dthat have a narrower front-rear width are fixed by welding to their corresponding side pieces of the top frame portion113asuch that the U-shaped cross-section portions of the side frame portion113cand113dwrap around the side pieces of the top frame portion113afrom the outer side in the transverse direction. In addition, hinge portions116that are connected to the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame107, and reclining mechanisms118that are used to adjust the tilt angle of the seat back frame113are attached to the bottom end sides of the side frame portions113cand113d. Note that the left and right reclining mechanisms118are connected by means of an operating rod145that extends in the transverse direction such that they are able to move in synchronization with each other.

The bottom frame portion113bis provided with a panel component whose cross-section in a vertical direction is substantially S-shaped (seeFIG. 17), and extends in a transverse direction such that a top half portion thereof surrounds the operating rod145from the rear side, while both end portions thereof are joined to bottom ends of the left and right side frame portions113cand113d.

In the left and right side frame portions113cand113d, a front wall131aand a rear wall131bthat each bend inwards in the transverse direction are connected to the front and rear respectively of a side wall130that is located on the outer side in the transverse direction, and the side wall130portions are formed such that, as is described above, the width of the upper side above a substantially central portion becomes narrower, while the width of the lower side below the substantially central portion becomes wider. Specifically, in the side walls130, the rear end side is formed substantially straight over the entire vertical length thereof, however, the front end side is formed substantially straight from the top portion thereof as far as the central area in a vertical direction, but from the central area downwards it curves so as to gradually protrude towards the front. Accordingly, a curved surface that follows the curved shape of the front-end side of the side wall130is provided in the front walls131aof the side frame portions113cand113d.

FIG. 14is an enlarged perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back103.

As is shown inFIG. 12throughFIG. 14, a back pan147that is formed, for example, from resin as a three-dimensionally curved plate component is placed between the side frame portions113cand113d. Specifically, the back pan147has a pelvis supporting body122whose cross-section in a horizontal direction is formed in a U shape, and distal end portions124that extend from both sides of the pelvis supporting body122and that are formed so as to bend around from the front wall131aside of the side frame portions113cand113das far as the outer surface of the side walls130.

The pelvis supporting body122extends across so as to bridge the gap between the side frame portions113cand113dat the rear portion side in the front-rear direction of the side frame portions113cand113d, and both sides thereof extend towards the front following the inside surfaces of the side walls130of the side frame portions113cand113d. Namely, the pelvis supporting body122supports the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is sitting in the seat101by enveloping the vehicle occupant from the rear from the pelvic region down to the vicinity of the lower lumbar region. A bottom edge portion of the central portion in the transverse direction of the pelvis supporting body122is fastened by screws or the like to the bottom frame portion113b.

Moreover, the distal end portions124are fastened by screws or the like to the outer surface sides of the side frame portions113cand113d.

FIG. 15is an enlarged perspective view showing framework portions of the seat back103from which the back pan147has been removed.FIG. 16is a perspective view showing the seatback103from the rear surface side thereof.FIG. 17is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A inFIG. 15.

As is shown inFIG. 15andFIG. 16, a load pass plate125(i.e., a supporting plate) is provided between the back pan147and the bottom frame portion113bin the front-rear direction such that it overlaps with the back pan147in the front-rear direction. The load pass plate125is made, for example, from metal and is formed substantially in a triangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the load pass plate125is provided with a channel portion126whose cross-section in a vertical direction is formed in a U shape, and that extends substantially in a Y shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the channel portion126is provided with a bottom channel127whose cross-section is formed in a U shape and that is formed so as to bridge the gap between the side frame portions113cand113d, and with an inclined channel (i.e., an inclination reinforcing portion)128whose cross-section is formed in a U shape and that splits off from the bottom channel127at a point partway along the lengthwise direction thereof.

As is shown inFIG. 13,FIG. 15, andFIG. 16, the bottom channel127is placed such that the aperture portion of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards the rear, and such that it engages with the top half portion of the bottom frame portion113b, and the entire lengths of the bottom edge portion and top edge portion thereof are fixed by welding to the bottom frame portion113b. Specifically, the top edge portion of the bottom channel127is fixed to the top edge portion of the bottom frame portion113b, and the bottom edge portion of the bottom channel127is fixed to the front surface of the bottom frame portion113b. As a result, the bottom channel127and the bottom frame portion113bform a closed cross-sectional structure portion H101that has a rectangular-shaped cross-section and that extends in the transverse direction between the side frame portions113cand113d, and that contributes to the load transmission between the side frame portions113cand113d.

Moreover, an end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel127is fixed by welding to the inner surface of the side wall130of the side frame portion113c, while an end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel127has a small gap between itself and the inner surface of the side wall130of the side frame portion113d. Specifically, the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the bottom channel127extends further to the inner side than the central portion in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion113b, and is formed as far as a position where it overlaps with the rear wall131bof the side frame portion113dwhen viewed from the front-rear direction. Namely, the bottom channel127and the bottom frame portion113bare connected together over substantially the entire length in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion113b. Because of this, the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the above-described closed cross-sectional structure portion H101as well also abuts against the inner surface of the side wall130of the side frame portion113c, while the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction thereof has a slight gap between itself and the inner surface of the side wall130of the side frame portion113d. The bottom channel127and the bottom frame portion113bare connected together over a range that extends from the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion113bas far as the inner side beyond the central portion in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion113b. The bottom channel127and the bottom frame portion113boverlap in such a manner that the entire length in the transverse direction of the bottom end of the bottom channel127overlaps in the front-rear direction with the bottom frame portion113b.

The inclined channel128is formed so as to continue on from the bottom channel127, and extends diagonally upwards as it moves outwards in the transverse direction from the position K where it branches off from the bottom channel127. An attachment piece128b(seeFIG. 15) that is bent outwards is formed on an end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the inclined channel128, and this attachment piece128bis fixed to the inner surface of the side wall130of the side frame portion113c.

In this case, the end surface on the outer side in the transverse direction of the inclined channel128is located opposite a load transmitting block121(described below) with the side frame portion113csandwiched between them. The inclined channel128is formed such that the width thereof increases as it moves outwards in the transverse direction, and a bead128athat bulges outwards is formed in a circumferential surface of the inclined channel128.

Moreover, a flat plate portion129is formed between the bottom channel127and the top channel128integrally with the respective channels127and128so as to span across an area enclosed by the top edge portion of the bottom channel127and the bottom edge portion of the inclined channel128. As a result of this, the inclined channel128and the bottom frame portion113bare connected over the entire length in the lengthwise direction of the inclined channel128via the bottom channel127and the flat plate portion129.

Moreover, a reinforcing plate132is provided on the rear surface side of the load pass plate125so as to cover an aperture portion of the inclined channel128. The reinforcing plate132is a plate component whose cross-section in a vertical direction is formed in an L shape, and that is formed such that a top side thereof circles around as far as the top edge portion of the inclined channel128. Specifically, the reinforcing plate132is provided with a base portion132a(seeFIG. 16) whose base end portion is fixed by welding to the rear surface of the bottom frame portion113b, and with an inclined portion132bthat inclines so as to follow the inclined channel128as it moves towards the outer side in the transverse direction from the base portion132a. The top edge portion of the inclined portion132bis fixed by welding across the entire length of the top edge portion of the inclined channel128, and the bottom edge portion thereof is fixed by welding to the rear surface of the flat plate portion129. As a result of this, the reinforcing plate132and the inclined channel128form a closed cross-sectional structure portion H102(seeFIG. 17) that has a rectangular cross-section and that extends diagonally upwards as it moves from the branch position K outwards in the transverse direction, and that contributes to the load transmission between the side frame portions113cand113d.

Namely, in the present embodiment, between the side frame portions113cand113dthere are provided the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101, which extends in the transverse direction, and the closed cross-sectional structure portion H102, which branches off from the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101and which is inclined diagonally upwards as it moves outwards in the transverse direction, and the two closed cross-sectional structure portions H101and H102are provided in the vertical direction on the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat101. Note that a load pass structure is formed by the load pass plate125, the bottom frame portion113band the reinforcing plate132.

(Planar Elastic Body and Supporting Body Wire)

Here, as is shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 14, supporting body wires120and a planar elastic body160are provided in an aperture portion114that is open in the front-rear direction between the back pan147and the top cross member115so as to bridge the gap between the back pan147and the top cross member115.

Firstly, the supporting body wire120is a metal wire that has been bent, for example, into a crank shape, and is provided so as to elastically bridge the gap between a hook119that is formed in the pelvis supporting body122of the back pan147and the side frame portions113cand113d. Specifically, the supporting body wire120is provided with an engaging portion135(seeFIG. 13) that engages with the hook119of the back pan147, extended portions136that extend in the transverse direction from both ends of the engaging portion135, and folded back portions137(seeFIG. 14) that are formed at the distal ends of the extended portions136and are linked to each of the side frame portions113cand113d.

Note that the above-described hook119of the back pan147is a tongue-shaped component that is formed by cutting open the top portion of the pelvis supporting body122, and that extends in a downward direction.

The engaging portion135is bent substantially in a U shape that is open towards the top, and the bottom side portion thereof is engaged with the hook119of the back pan147, while both ends of this bottom side portion are each bent in an upward direction.

Base end sides of the extended portions136extend respectively from the two ends of the engaging portion135towards the side frame portions113cand113d, and distal end sides thereof are bent towards the front and then extend along the internal surfaces of the side walls130of the side frame portions113cand113d.

The folded back portions137are formed such that the distal end sides of the extended portions136are folded back towards the rear, and encircle around the front walls131aof the side frame portions113cand113dand are then inserted into through holes141that are formed in the front walls131a. As a result, the two ends of the supporting body wire120are linked to the supporting frame portions113cand113d.

The planar elastic body160that elastically bridges the gap between the supporting body wire120and the top portion cross member115is provided in the aperture portion114between the supporting body wire120and the above-described top portion cross member115. The planar elastic body160is provided with wires that are made of metal or the like and are stretched in a lattice shape between the top portion cross member115and the supporting body wire120. Namely, the planar elastic body160is provided with a pair of bolster wires161that extend across the gap between the top portion cross member115and the supporting body wire120, a plurality of stringer wires162that extend between the bolster wires161, and a connecting wire163that joins the respective stringer wires162together in a group.

The respective bolster wires161extend in parallel with each other in a vertical direction at both sides in the transverse direction of the seat101. A top end portion of each bolster wire161is inserted respectively into one of a pair of attaching pieces164that are formed in the top portion cross member115, and is fixed therein. In contrast, bottom end portions of each bolster wire161are bundled by a binding tool165together with the respective extended portions136of the supporting body wire120. At this time, the bolster wire161and the supporting body wire120are bundled inside the binding tool165such that they are able to pivot around the respective axes of the wires120and161.

Each stringer wire162extends in the transverse direction, and each of the two end portions thereof is wound respectively around one of the bolster wires161and is fixed thereto. The respective stringer wires162are arranged in parallel with each other in the vertical direction, and the pitch between each stringer wire162is set such that this pitch is narrower at the bottom than at the top. Because of this, the rigidity of the planar elastic body160is set such that it becomes higher in stages moving from the top towards the bottom.

The connecting wire163extends in parallel with the bolster wires161, and it is placed such that it links together central portions of the respective stringer wires162in the lengthwise direction thereof.

The wire diameter of the wires161through163is formed narrower than the wire diameters of the above-described supporting body wire120. Because of this, the rigidity of the planar elastic body160is set lower than that of the supporting body wire120. Namely, the aperture portion114of the seat back frame113of the present embodiment is bridged by the supporting body wire120and the planar elastic body160, and the rigidity thereof is set such that it becomes sequentially lower in stages as it moves from the plate-shaped back pan147to the supporting body wire120, and then to the planar elastic body160.

FIG. 18is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B inFIG. 14.

As is shown inFIG. 14,FIG. 16, andFIG. 18, a protruding portion170that protrudes towards the outer side in the transverse direction is provided on the side wall130on the outer side in the transverse direction of the side frame portion113c. The protruding portion170is formed in a hollow box shape that is open towards the inner side in the transverse direction. A rear surface170aof this protruding portion170is formed longer in the transverse direction than a front surface170bthereof. Namely, while a distal end portion of the front surface170babuts against a central portion in the front-rear direction of the side wall130of the side frame portion113c, the distal end portion of the rear surface170acontinues on to the rear wall131bside of the side frame portion113cand is joined to the side frame portion113c. Moreover, a mounting hole170cthat is used to mount a side airbag apparatus151(described below) is formed in the front surface170bof the protruding portion170. Note that a bead170dthat extends in the transverse direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion170, and is provided in order to limit any buckling of the protruding portion170.

A through hole171is formed in a side surface170eof the protruding portion170, and a cylindrical guide pipe172is inserted into this through hole171and is then welded in place. Namely, the guide pipe172extends in the transverse direction. Note that a slight gap is left between the end surface in the axial direction of the guide pipe172and the side wall130of the side frame portion113c.

As is shown inFIG. 13,FIG. 16, andFIG. 18, the load transmitting block121is fixed in a state of engagement with the guide pipe172. The load transmitting block121is a component that transmits to the side frame portion113cany impact load that is input into the side wall of the vehicle body during a side collision of the vehicle. The load transmitting block121is formed with the cylindrical cross-section thereof divided into honeycomb structures that are arranged in parallel with each other by a plurality of internal ribs175that extend in the transverse direction, and the overall shape of the block121is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction and is formed from resin. Moreover, the load transmitting block121is provided with an engaging hole134with which the guide pipe172that protrudes from the side frame portion113cis engaged. When the guide pipe172has been engaged inside the engagement hole134, the load transmitting block121is fastened to the protruding portion170by means of screws or the like.

Furthermore, a housing portion173that receives the above-described protruding portion170is formed on the inner side of the load transmitting block121. As a result, the load transmitting block121is mounted so as to cover the protruding portion170from the outer side in the transverse direction. In this case, the load transmitting block121is engaged with the guide pipe172with the end surface on the inner side in the transverse direction of the load transmitting block121abutting against the side wall130of the side frame portion113c, and with the end surface on the inner side in the transverse direction of the ribs175abutting against the side surface170eof the protruding portion170. In addition, a notch portion174that exposes the front surface170bincluding the mounting hole170cof the protruding portion170when the load transmitting block121and the protruding portion170are engaged with each other is formed in the front surface side of the load transmitting block121.

The load transmitting block121which has been fixed in position in the above-described manner protrudes from a position that is offset towards the rear side from the center in the front-rear direction of the side wall130. Note that, in the present embodiment, the guide pipe172and the load transmitting block121constitute a load transmitting component. Note also that the closed cross-section structure portion H102, which is formed by the above-described inclined channel128and reinforcing plate132, is located on the opposite side from the load transmitting component with the side frame portion113csandwiched between them.

As is shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 18, a side airbag apparatus151for protecting a vehicle occupant is mounted on the side wall130of the side frame portion113cin front of the load transmitting block121.

As is shown inFIG. 18, the side airbag apparatus151is provided with an inflator152that generates gas when it senses an impact, and a folded up bag body153that receives the gas pressure from the inflator152and then unfolds. The side airbag apparatus151is mounted on the side frame portion113cwith the inflator152and the bag body153being housed in a bag case154that is provided with an openable lid portion.

As is shown inFIG. 12, the inflator152is provided with a circular cylinder-shaped main body portion152aand a gas discharge aperture152b, and the main body portion152ais mounted on the side frame portion113cso as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the side frame portion113c. The inflator152is fastened in front of the load transmitting block121by screws or the like to a support plate177that is provided above the side frame portion113c, and to the mounting hole170cof the protruding portion170.

The bag body153is located at a position on the outer side in the transverse direction of the gas discharge aperture152bof the inflator152and facing the front surface121aof the load transmitting block121(i.e., the front surface170bof the protruding portion170).

The bag body153is folded by being wound a plurality of times from the distal end side thereof towards the attached base portion side thereof into a roll shape in the direction of the inflator152. Accordingly, when the bag body153receives the gas pressure from the inflator152, the wound portion is released from the attached base portion side so as to smoothly unfold towards the outer side in the transverse direction and towards the front side of the vehicle body. At this time, because the bag body153faces the front surface121aof the load transmitting block121(i.e., the front surface170bof the protruding portion170), with the direction of the unfolding being restricted by the front surface of the load transmitting block121to the front direction of the vehicle, the bag body153unfolds towards the front along the side wall of the vehicle body, namely, along the center pillar111and the door lining (not shown). Namely, the front surfaces121aand170bof the load transmitting block121and the protruding portion170form structural elements that serve as supporting surfaces for the bag body153.

Note that the symbol155inFIG. 18is a padding material that is placed around the seat back frame113, the load transmitting block121, and the side airbag apparatus151, while the symbol156is a covering material that covers the outer surface of the padding material155. In the case of the present embodiment, a slit-shaped aperture157that opens towards the outer side in the transverse direction is provided in the padding material155, and the load transmitting block121and the side airbag apparatus151are placed inside this aperture157. When the vehicle receives a collision from the side so that gas is supplied from the inflator152to the bag body153, the bag body153flies through the aperture157towards the outside, and unfolds towards the front by breaking the covering material156on the side portion of the seat back103.

Moreover, as is shown inFIG. 18, the airbag apparatus151that has been mounted on the side frame portion113cwith the bag body153folded inside it is set in a position inside the end portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the vehicle seat101(i.e., on the inner side of the distal end portion of the load transmitting block121). Because of this, there is a surplus of space in the area on the outer side in the transverse direction in front of the load transmitting block121, and this area is able to be used effectively.

Moreover, as is shown inFIG. 13, load transmitting blocks138and139are mounted respectively on the outer sides (i.e., the outer sides in the transverse direction) of the above-described reclining mechanism118at the bottom ends of the side frame portions113cand113don both the left and right sides. In the same way as in the load transmitting block121located on the upper side, each of these load transmitting blocks138and139has a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cylindrical cross-sections that extend in the transverse direction are arranged in parallel with each other. In addition, the load transmitting block139that is mounted on the side frame portion113don the inner side in the transverse direction faces a side surface of the console box105, which is located in the center in the transverse direction.

According to the above described structure, when an impact load is input into the side portion of a vehicle body during a vehicle side collision, a sensor senses this impact, and the inflator152of the side airbag apparatus151generates a gas.

The gas that is generated by the inflator152is supplied to the bag body153, and the bag body153ruptures the surface covering material156on the seat101side portion and then expands towards the front from the side portion of the seat101. As a result of this, the bag body153is unfolded between the vehicle occupant who is sitting in the seat101and the side wall of the vehicle body.

At this time, in the vehicle seat101of the present embodiment, because the bag body153is placed in a position facing the front surfaces121band170bof the load transmitting block121(i.e., the protruding portion170), the front surfaces121band170bform structural elements that serve as supporting surfaces for the bag body153. Namely, because the reaction force when the bag body153is unfolded can be reliably received by the load transmitting block121(i.e., the protruding portion170), an even faster unfolding of the bag body153can be achieved.

Moreover, if a portion of the vehicle side wall such as the center pillar111is deformed in the direction of the seat back103(i.e., towards the inner side in the transverse direction) in a vehicle side collision, the side wall comes into contact with the load transmitting blocks121and138at the side portion of the vehicle seat101, and the load is input into these load transmitting blocks.

Firstly, when the load is input into the lower load transmitting block138, the entire seat101moves in the direction of the inner side in the transverse direction, and the lower load transmitting block139on the inner side in the transverse direction comes into contact with the console box105. At this time, the load is transmitted towards the inner side in the transverse direction via the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101, which is formed by the bottom channel127of the load pass plate125and the bottom frame portion113bof the seat back frame113. Thereafter, the load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101is transmitted from the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101to the bottom frame portion113b, and is then transmitted via the bottom frame portion113bto the side frame portion113don the inner side in the transverse direction. The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion113dis then transmitted via the load transmitting block139and the console box105to the floor panel112. At this time, by forming the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101, the bending rigidity of the load path structure is improved, so that the deformation of the seat back frame113is suppressed and the impact load can be effectively transmitted to the console box105.

When the impact load is input into the upper load transmitting block121, this load is transmitted from the load transmitting block121directly side-on to the side frame portion113con the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame113.

The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion113cis then transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H102, which is formed by the inclined channel128and the reinforcing plate132, and is subsequently transmitted diagonally downwards as it moves towards the inner side in the transverse direction. Specifically, the load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H102is transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101over the entire length of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H102and the flat plate portion129. The load that has been transmitted to the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101is then transmitted from the end portion on the inner side in the transverse direction of the closed cross-sectional structure portion H101to the bottom frame portion113b, and is then transmitted via the bottom frame portion113bto the side frame portion113don the inner side in the transverse direction. The load that has been transmitted to the side frame portion113dis then transmitted via the load transmitting block139and the console box105to the floor panel112.

In this manner, the impact load that is input into the load transmitting block121is received over substantially the entire area of the load pass plate125, and after it has been dispersed throughout the entire area of the load pass plate125, it is transmitted via the bottom frame portion113bto the side frame113d, which is located on the inner side. At this time, by forming the closed cross-sectional structure portions H101and H102between the side frame portions113cand113d, the bending rigidity of the load path structure is improved, so that the deformation of the seat back frame113can be suppressed.

As a consequence, the impact load can be effectively transmitted to the console box105.

Here, in the present embodiment, the load transmitting block121is engaged with the guide pipe172, and is fixed in position such that it covers the box-shaped protruding portion170. Because of this, even if an impact load is input into the load transmitting block121, for example, from a direction diagonally forward of or a direction diagonally rearward of the vehicle body (i.e., from a direction that intersects the transverse direction), the load transmitting block121is able to transmit the load towards the inner side in the transverse direction without its own position being shifted.

In the present embodiment, by connecting the load pass plate125(i.e., the bottom channel127) and the bottom frame portion113btogether over substantially their entire lengths in the transverse direction, an impact load that is input into the load pass plate125via the load transmitting components is received by substantially the entire length of the load pass structure, and is dispersed over substantially the entire length of the load pass structure. Thereafter, this impact load is transmitted to the inner-side side frame portion113dvia the bottom frame portion113b.

As a result, collision loads can be rapidly transmitted towards the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction, and the efficiency of the load transmission to the seat back frame113can be improved. In this case, because the load transmission efficiency can be improved, it is not necessary to make the make the plate thickness and the like of the load pass structure (i.e., of the load pass plate125and the like) thicker in order to ensure bending rigidity. Because of this, it is possible to provide a load pass structure having a simple structure in which the plate thickness is comparatively thin and in which a reduction in weight has been achieved.

Moreover, by providing the reinforcing plate132on the rear surface side of the inclined channel128such that it covers the aperture portion of the inclined channel128, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity of the inclined channel128, and to suppress deformation of the seat back frame113.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, by placing the above-described closed cross-sectional structure portion H102on the opposite side of the load transmitting component such that the side frame portion113cis sandwiched between them, a collision load that is input into the side frame portion113cvia the load transmitting component can be efficiently transmitted to the load pass structure. As a result, it is possible to further improve the load transmission efficiency to the seat back frame113.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various design modifications and the like may be made insofar as they do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described first embodiment, a structure in which the upper load transmitting block21is assembled together with the box-shaped protruding portion70is described, however, it is also possible to employ a structure in which the lower load transmitting block38is assembled together with a box-shaped protruding portion.

Moreover, for example, in the above-described second embodiment, a structure in which the upper load transmitting block121is assembled together with the box-shaped protruding portion170is described, however, it is also possible to employ a structure in which the lower load transmitting block138is assembled together with a box-shaped protruding portion.

Moreover, the range over which the load pass filter125(i.e., the bottom channel127) and the bottom frame portion113bare connected may be suitably altered provided that the entire length in the transverse direction of the bottom end of the bottom channel127is superimposed in the longitudinal direction with the bottom frame portion113b. It is even better if the connection range is on the inner side of the center portion in the transverse direction of the bottom frame portion113b, and, in this case, it is also possible for both ends of the bottom channel127to be fixed such that they span the gap between the side frame portions113cand113d.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to fix an outer-side load transmitting block in a position in which a box-shaped protruding portion is housed in an engaging portion of the outer-side load transmitting block. By doing this, even if an impact load is input into the outer-side load transmitting block, for example, from a direction diagonally forward of or a direction diagonally rearward of the vehicle body (i.e., from a direction that intersects the transverse direction), any shifting of the outer-side load transmitting block or any deformation or the like of the protruding portion is suppressed. Accordingly, not only collision loads from directly side-on to the vehicle, but collision loads from diagonal directions and the like as well can be rapidly transmitted towards the inner side in the vehicle transverse direction irrespective of the input direction of the collision load.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS