Routing structure of electric wires

A routing structure for routing an electric wire to a vehicle seat includes: a first cushion portion attached to the vehicle seat; and the electric wire fixed to the first cushion portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a technology for routing electric wires in a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, a structure described in Patent Document 1 is known as a structure of routing electric wires in a seat for a vehicle such as an automobile. An electric device such as a heater and a side airbag is attached to the seat. Electric wires for supplying electric power for operating these electric devices are led out from a floor of the vehicle and are routed in a space between the seat and the floor. The electric wires are also routed inside the seat.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Recently, various functions of the seat have been improved. For example, a reclining mechanism and a sliding mechanism are driven by a motor disposed in the seat. For this reason, the number and types of electrical devices attached to the seat tend to increase. Since the number and types of electric wires connected to these electrical devices also increase, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently ensure a routing space of the electric wires inside the seat. Moreover, as the number and types of electric wires increase, routing routes of the electric wires becomes complicated, and accordingly, there is a problem that man-hours for assembling the electric wires increase.

The technology disclosed in the present specification has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a routing structure of electric wires, which ensures a routing space of the electric wires, and reduces the man-hours for assembling the electric wires.

Means for Solving the Problem

The technology disclosed in the present specification is a routing structure of an electric wire, including: a cushion portion attached to a vehicle seat; and an electric wire fixed to the cushion portion.

According to the above configuration, the cushion portion to which the electric wire is fixed is attached to the vehicle seat, whereby the electric wire can be routed to the vehicle seat, and accordingly, the number of man-hours for attaching the electric wire to the vehicle seat can be reduced.

Further, since the electric wire is fixed to the cushion portion, a space in the seat, in which the cushion portion is disposed, is used effectively, whereby a space for routing the electric wire can be ensured.

As aspects of the technology disclosed in the present specification, the following aspects are preferable.

It is preferable that the electric wire be sewn to the cushion portion by a thread-like member.

According to the above configuration, since the electric wire is sewn to the cushion portion by the thread-like member, in comparison with a case of fixing the electric wire to the cushion portion using a relatively strong member such as a metal member, the electric wire can be routed without impairing flexibility of the cushion portion.

It is preferable that the electric wire be sewn to a sheet-like member by a thread-like member, and that the sheet-like member be fixed to the cushion portion.

According to the above configuration, since the electric wire is sewn to the sheet-like member, efficiency of a sewing operation of the electric wire can be improved.

It is preferable that the sheet-like member be fixed to the cushion portion by a tag pin.

According to the above configuration, efficiency of such an operation of fixing the sheet-like member to a bottom portion of the groove portion formed in the cushion portion can be improved.

It is preferable that the cushion portion have a groove portion, and that the electric wire be fixed to the cushion portion in a state of being disposed in the groove portion.

According to the above configuration, since the electric wire is disposed in the groove portion formed in the cushion portion, the electric wire is suppressed from protruding to the outside of the cushion portion. Thus, a routing space of the electric wire can be suppressed from enlarging.

It is preferable that the cushion portion have a groove portion, that the electric wire be disposed in the groove portion, and that the groove portion be joined in a state in which an opening portion of the groove portion is closed.

According to the above configuration, the electric wire can be fixed to the cushion portion by such a simple method of disposing the electric wire in the groove portion and closing the opening portion to join the groove portion.

It is preferable that the seat have a frame that supports the cushion portion, and that the groove portion be formed on a surface of the cushion portion, the surface contacting the frame, so as to be recessed in a direction of separating away from the cushion portion.

According to the above configuration, even if the passenger is seated on the seat, a weight of the passenger is applied to the cushion portion, and the weight is received by the frame, the electric wire is fixed to the bottom portion of the groove portion formed to be recessed in the direction of separating away from the frame, and accordingly, the electric wire is suppressed from receiving the force directly from the cushion portion. Thus, a malfunction that follows the application of the force to the electric wire is suppressed.

It is preferable that the seat include: a seating portion; and a backrest portion provided rotatably about a rotation shaft provided in the seating portion; that the cushion portion include: a first cushion portion disposed on the seating portion; and a second cushion portion disposed on the backrest portion; that the first cushion portion and the second cushion portion be coupled to each other by a flexibly sheet-like member, that the electric wire be sewn to the sheet-like member by a thread-like member, and that the sheet-like member includes an extra length portion that allows the backrest portion to rotate.

According to the above configuration, even when the backrest portion rotates about the rotation shaft provided in the seating portion, since the electric wire is sewn to the flexible sheet-like member, and the sheet-like member has the extra length portion, the sheet-like member can follow the rotation of the backrest portion. Thus, the malfunction that follows the application of the force to the electric wire is suppressed.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the technology disclosed in the present specification, the routing space of the electric wires can be ensured and the man-hours for assembling the electric wires can be reduced.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 14, a description will be given of Embodiment 1 in which a routing structure23of electric wires17according to a technology disclosed in the present specification is applied to a vehicle seat10. A vehicle seat10mounted on a vehicle (not shown) includes a seating portion11and a backrest portion12. The following description will be given on the assumption that a Z-direction is upward, that a Y-direction is forward, and that an X-direction is leftward. Moreover, regarding a plurality of the same members, in some cases, reference numerals are assigned to only some of the members, and reference numerals of other members are omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a backrest portion12is provided at a rear portion of the seating portion11via a reclining mechanism (not shown in detail). The backrest portion12is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft24provided in the reclining mechanism and extending in a left-right direction. A headrest13that protects a passenger's head and neck is provided on the backrest portion12.

The seating portion11has a frame14, and a first cushion portion15is attached to this frame14. The first cushion portion15is made of, for example, polyurethane foam, and receives a weight of such a passenger when the passenger is seated on the seating portion11.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the frame14is disposed below the first cushion portion15, and supports a lower surface of the first cushion portion15from below. The frame14is formed by bending a metal bar material into a predetermined shape. The frame14extends in a front-rear direction while meandering.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 to 5, a groove portion16is formed to be recessed on the lower surface of the first cushion portion15. The groove portion16has: a main groove portion16A extending in the front-rear direction; and a sub-groove portion16B extending rightward from the main groove portion16A. A plurality of electric wires17are routed inside the main groove portion16A and the sub-groove portion16B. A part of the electric wires17, which is routed in the main groove portion16A and extends in the front-rear direction is bent rightward and is routed in the sub-groove portion16B. In the following description, when the main groove portion16A and the sub-groove portion16B are described without being distinguished from each other, the main groove portion16A and the sub-groove portion16B are referred to as a groove portion16.

The main groove portion16A is not provided in a region of the first cushion portion15, where the frame14is disposed. The sub-groove portion16B is provided to overlap an area of the first cushion portion15, where the frame14is disposed. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the sub-groove portion16B is formed to be recessed in a direction of separating away from the frame14. A bottom wall18of the sub-groove portion16B separates from the frame14.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, a sheet-like member19is pasted to a surface (lower surface) of the first cushion portion15by a known method such as adhesion and heat fusion. The sheet-like member19is made of a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, which is made of synthetic resin fiber. A form of the non-woven fabric may be a fiber sheet, a web (a thin film-like sheet composed only of fiber), or a bat (blanket-like fiber). The sheet-like member19is also attached to an inside of the main groove portion16A and an inside of the sub-groove portion16B.

The backrest portion12has a frame (not shown), and a second cushion portion20is attached to this frame. The second cushion portion20is made of, for example, polyurethane foam.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8, a sheet-like member19extending from a rear end portion of the first cushion portion15is pasted to a surface of the second cushion portion20. In other words, the first cushion portion15and the second cushion portion20are coupled to each other by the sheet-like member19.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, a portion of the sheet-like member19, which couples the first cushion portion15disposed in the seating portion11and the second cushion portion20disposed in the backrest portion12, is defined as an extra length portion21that allows the backrest portion12to rotate when the backrest portion12is rotated by the reclining mechanism. The extra length portion21is bent and deformed, whereby an extension of an interval between the first cushion portion15and the second cushion portion20, which follows the rotation of the backrest portion12, is absorbed by the sheet-like member19, and a force is suppressed from being applied to the electric wires17arranged on the sheet-like member19.

Although not shown in detail, each of the electric wires17has a shape in which an outer circumference of a core wire (not shown) is surrounded by an insulating coating (not shown). The core wire may be a twisted wire in which thin metal wires are twisted together, or may be a single core wire made of bar-like metal.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12 to 14, on the bottom wall18of the groove portion16of the first cushion portion15, the plurality of electric wires17are arranged along a direction in which the groove portion16extends. The plurality of electric wires17are sewn to both of the sheet-like member19and the first cushion portion15by a thread-like member22. A material constituting the thread-like member22may be natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, and silk, or synthetic fiber such as polyester and nylon, or may include both of the natural fiber and the synthetic fiber. The material constituting the thread-like member22preferably has an insulating property. InFIGS. 2 to 7, the thread-like member22is omitted for convenience of explanation.

As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the thread-like member22is configured to wind around the outer circumference of one electric wire17outside the first cushion portion15, to penetrate the sheet-like member19to enter an inside of the first cushion portion15, and to pass through the inside of the first cushion portion15, penetrate the sheet-like member19again, and wind around the outer circumference of the electric wire17outside the first cushion portion15. This configuration is repeated in a direction in which the electric wire17extends. Thus, the electric wires17are fixed to the bottom wall18of the groove portion16.

As described above, in the groove portion16of the first cushion portion15, the electric wire17is sewn by the thread-like member22to both of the sheet-like member19pasted into the groove portion16and the first cushion portion15. Further, although not shown in detail, a groove portion (not shown) is also formed in the second cushion portion20, and in this groove portion, the electric wire17is sewn together with the sheet-like member19by the thread-like member22. Moreover, the electric wire17is also sewn by the thread-like member22in the extra length portion21located between the first cushion portion15and the second cushion portion20.

Although not shown in detail, also in the extra length portion21, such a form as follows is repeated along the direction in which the electric wire17extends. In the form, the thread-like member22winds around the outer circumference of the electric wire17disposed on one surface side of the sheet-like member19, and the thread-like member22penetrates the sheet-like member19to be passed through the other surface side of the sheet-like member19, and again, penetrates the sheet-like member19to wide around the outer circumference of the electric wire17on one surface side of the sheet-like member19.

Next, an example of a step for sewing the electric wire17to the first cushion portion15will be described. The sheet-like member19is pasted to the surface of the first cushion portion15by a known method such as adhesion and heat fusion.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the plurality of electric wires17is arranged side by side on a bottom portion of the groove portion16. Next, the electric wires17are sewn to the first cushion portion15together with the sheet-like member19by the thread-like member22. This sewing operation may be hand-sewn or a sewing machine (not shown) may be used. By the above operation, the electric wires17are fixed to the first cushion portion15(seeFIG. 12).

Then, functions and effects of the present embodiment will be described. The routing structure23of the electric wires17according to the present embodiment includes: the foam-made first cushion portion15attached to the vehicle seat10; and the electric wires17fixed to the first cushion portion15.

According to the above configuration, the first cushion portion15to which the electric wires17are fixed is attached to the vehicle seat10, whereby the electric wires17can be routed to the vehicle seat10, and accordingly, the number of man-hours for attaching the electric wires17to the vehicle seat10can be reduced.

Further, since the electric wires17are fixed to the first cushion portion15, a space in the seat10, in which the first cushion portion15is disposed, can be used effectively. Thus, a space for routing the electric wires17can be ensured.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the electric wires17are sewn to the first cushion portion15by the thread-like member22. Thus, in comparison with a case of fixing the electric wires17to the first cushion portion15using a relatively strong member such as a metal member, the electric wires17can be routed without impairing flexibility of the first cushion portion15.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member19by the thread-like member22, and the sheet-like member19is fixed to the first cushion portion15. According to the above configuration, since the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member19, efficiency of the sewing operation of the electric wires17can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first cushion portion15has the groove portion16, and the electric wire17is fixed to the first cushion portion15in a state of being arranged in the groove portion16. According to the above configuration, since the electric wires17are arranged in the groove portion16formed in the first cushion portion15, the electric wires17are suppressed from protruding to the outside of the first cushion portion15. Thus, a routing space of the electric wires17can be suppressed from enlarging.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first cushion portion15and the second cushion portion20are coupled to each other by the flexible sheet-like member19, and the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member19by the thread-like member22.

According to the above configuration, even when the backrest portion12rotates about the rotation shaft24provided in the seating portion11(seeFIGS. 9 and 10), since the electric wires17are sewn to the flexible sheet-like member19, and the sheet-like member19has the extra length portion21, the extension of the interval between the first cushion portion15and the second cushion portion20, which follows the rotation of the backrest portion12, is absorbed by the sheet-like member19, which can follow the rotation of the backrest portion12. Thus, a malfunction that follows application of a force to the electric wires17is suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the seat10includes the frame14that supports the first cushion portion15, and the groove portion16is formed on a surface of the first cushion portion15, which contacts the frame14, so as to be recessed in the direction of separating away from the first cushion portion15.

According to the above configuration, even if the passenger is seated on the seat10, the weight of the passenger is applied to the first cushion portion15, and the weight is received by the frame14, the electric wires17are fixed to the bottom portion of the groove portion16formed to be recessed in the direction of separating away from the frame14, and accordingly, the electric wires17are suppressed from receiving the force directly from the first cushion portion15. Thus, the malfunction that follows the application of the force to the electric wires17is suppressed.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the technology disclosed in the present specification will be described with reference toFIGS. 15 to 19. As illustrated inFIG. 15, in the present embodiment, electric wires17are sewn by a thread-like member22to a sheet-like member30different from the sheet-like member19pasted to the surface of the first cushion portion15. This sheet-like member30is fixed to the first cushion portion15by so-called tag pins31. As the tag pins31, for example, tag pins having a similar shape to those to be used when attaching tags to products such as cloths can be used.

As illustrated inFIG. 18, the tag pins31are provided with retaining portions33extending perpendicularly to shaft portions32at both end portions of the shaft portions32. As illustrated inFIG. 17, one end portion of each of the tag pins31is embedded in the first cushion portion15, and the other end portion penetrates the sheet-like member19and the sheet-like member30. Thus, the sheet-like member30is restricted from being detached from the first cushion portion15by the retaining portions33formed on such other end portions of the tag pins31.

Since configurations other than the above are substantially similar to those of Embodiment 1, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a repeated description is omitted.

Next, an example of an assembly step of the electric wires17to the first cushion portion15according to the present embodiment will be described. A plurality of the electric wires17are arranged on the sheet-like member30. Next, the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member30by the thread-like member22. This sewing operation may be performed manually, or a sewing machine (not shown) may be used.

Subsequently, the sheet-like member30to which the electric wires17are sewn is placed on a bottom portion of the groove portion16formed on the first cushion portion15. In the present embodiment, the sheet-like member30is disposed while causing a surface, which is opposite to a surface having the electric wires17fixed thereto, to face the first cushion portion15. The sheet-like member30may have a configuration in which such a surface to which the electric wires17are fixed is disposed to face the first cushion portion15.

The sheet-like member30placed on the bottom portion of the groove portion16is fixed to the first cushion portion15by the tag pins31using a known tag gun (not shown).

According to the present embodiment, the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member30by the thread-like member22, and the sheet-like member30is fixed to the first cushion portion15.

According to the above configuration, since the electric wires17are sewn to the sheet-like member30, the efficiency of the sewing operation of the electric wires17can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the sheet-like member30is fixed to the first cushion portion15by the tag pins31.

According to the above configuration, efficiency of such an operation of fixing the sheet-like member30to the bottom portion of the groove portion16formed in the first cushion portion15can be improved.

Next, Embodiment 3 of the technology disclosed in the present specification will be described with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21. In the present embodiment, a plurality of groove portions41is provided in a first cushion portion40. A cross-sectional shape of the groove portions41is substantially V-shaped, and the groove portions41are so-called V-shaped grooves. One electric wire17is disposed in one groove portion41.

As illustrated inFIG. 20, the groove portions41are joined to one another in a state in which opening portions42are closed. Thus, the electric wires17are configured not to be exposed to the outside of the first cushion portion40. As a technique for joining the opening portions42of the groove portions41to one another, any technique such as adhesion by an adhesive, welding by heating, and sewing by a thread-like member can be adopted as necessary. In the present embodiment, the opening portions42of the groove portions41are bonded with an adhesive.

Since configurations other than the above are substantially similar to those of Embodiment 1, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a repeated description is omitted.

Next, an example of an assembly step of the electric wires17to the first cushion portion40according to the present embodiment will be described. The plurality of groove portions41are formed in the first cushion portion40. The groove portions41may be formed by cutting, or may be formed by melting a part of the first cushion portion40by heating.

As illustrated inFIG. 21, one electric wire17is inserted into one groove portion41. The cross-sectional shape of the groove portions41is V-shaped. Accordingly, if the electric wires17are pushed into portions in each of which a dimension between inner walls of the groove portions41is the same as an outer diameter dimension of the electric wire17or is slightly narrower than the same, then each of the electric wires17is sandwiched between the inner walls of the groove portion41by an elastic force of the first cushion portion40made of a foaming material.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 20, the opening portions42of the groove portions41are closed. In this state, the opening portions42of the groove portions41are bonded with an adhesive. Thus, the electric wires17are fixed into the groove portions41.

According to the present embodiment, the first cushion portion40has the groove portions41, the electric wires17are arranged in the groove portions41, and the opening portions42of the groove portions41are joined in a closed state.

According to the above configuration, the electric wires17can be fixed to the cushion portions by such a simple method of arranging the electric wires17in the groove portions41and closing the opening portions42to join the groove portions41.

Other Embodiments

The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings, and for example, such embodiments as follows are also incorporated in the technical scope of the technology disclosed in the present specification.

(1) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the sheet-like member is fixed to the cushion portion such that the electric wires are located opposite to the cushion portion. However, the sheet-like member is not limited to this, and the sheet-like member may be fixed to the cushion portion in an attitude in which the electric wires face the cushion portion.

(2) The electric wire may be sewn directly on the surface of the cushion portion with the thread-like member, may be joined thereby by thermal welding, or may be bonded thereto.

(3) The electric wires17and the second cushion portion20can be fixed to each other by a similar technique to that for the electric wires17and the first cushion portion15.

(4) In Embodiments 1 to 3, the electric wires17are configured to be fixed to the lower surface of the first cushion portion15. However, the electric wires17are not limited to this, and the electric wires17may be configured to be fixed to an upper surface or side surface of the first cushion portion15. Moreover, the electric wires17may be configured to be fixed to an upper surface, lower surface or side surface of the second cushion portion20.

(5) The groove portions41according to Embodiment 3 are configured to have a V-shaped cross-sectional shape. However, the groove portions41are not limited to this, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove portions41can be formed into any shape such as a U-shape and a C-shape.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS