Patent Publication Number: US-2009227913-A1

Title: Vehicle seat

Description:
This application claims priority to Japanese patent application serial numbers 2008-057629 and 2008-057630, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to vehicle seats. More particularly, the present invention relates to vehicle seats having vibratory devices in which vibration of the vibratory devices can be transmitted to passengers sitting on the vehicle seats via seat seat pads. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A vehicle seat having a vibratory device is already known. Such a vehicle seat is taught, for example, by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-165404. In the vehicle seat, the vibratory device is attached to a seat cushion. The vibratory device is arranged and constructed so as to vibrate when an obstacle is detected by a sensor attached to a bumper, thereby notifying a passenger sitting on the vehicle seat of impending dangers. 
     Generally, in the vehicle seat, such a vibratory device may sometimes provide strong discomfort to the passenger when the passenger is sitting on the vehicle seat while the vibrating device is not operated, in particular, when the seat cushion is relatively thinned. This means that the vehicle seat can be comfortable to sit on. 
     Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-348815 teaches a massaging chair having an urethane pad. In the massaging chair, a vibratory device is embedded in the urethane pad, so that vibration of the vibratory device is transmitted to a sitting person sitting on the chair, thereby massaging the sitting person. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat may include includes a seat pad having a passenger support surface, a vibratory device that is incorporated into the seat pad and a support member secured to the seat pad. The vibratory device is arranged and constructed to transmit vibration produced therefrom to a passenger sitting on the vehicle seat. The vibratory device is rotatably supported on the support member. 
     According to this seat, when the vibratory device vibrates, the vibratory device can be oscillated about the support member, so as to repeatedly hit or impinge the seat pad. As a result, the vibration of the vibratory device can be transmitted to the passenger. 
     Also, the support member can be flexed with the seat pad. As a result, the vibratory device can be displaced in the same direction as the support member because the vibratory device is attached to the support member. Therefore, the vibratory device does not provide discomfort to the passenger when the vibrating device is not vibrated. 
     In one embodiment, the support member includes a wire member that is securely embedded in the seat pad. The wire member includes an uncovered attachment portion that is formed by partly removing the seat pad and an embedded portion that extends along the passenger support surface. The vibratory device is attached to the uncovered attachment portion, so that the vibration of the vibratory device can be transmitted along the passenger support surface. 
     In another embodiment, the support member includes an insert wire that is embedded in the seat pad. The seat pad is covered by a covering member, which is anchored to the insert wire via an anchor mechanism, so as to be fitted to the seat pad. 
     In a further embodiment, the support member includes an attachment bracket that is attached to the seat pad and the vibratory device is attached to the attachment bracket. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages, of the present invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of each of vehicle seats according to representative embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a seat back of the vehicle seat according to a first embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatical view of vibratory devices, a wire member and related components that are embedded in a seat pad of the vehicle seat; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a first modified form of the first embodiment, which view corresponds to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a second modified form of the first embodiment, which view corresponds to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a third modified form of the first embodiment, which view corresponds to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a fourth modified form of the first embodiment, which view corresponds to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevational view of a seat back of the vehicle seat according to a second embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevational view of a seat back of the vehicle seat according to a third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an attachment. bracket; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a view of a first modified form of the third embodiment, which view corresponds to  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a second modified form of the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Representative examples of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in this specification may be combined in ways that are not specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful embodiments of the present invention. 
     Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 18 . 
     First Detailed Representative Embodiment 
     A first detailed representative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 . Further, in this embodiment, a driver&#39;s seat is exemplified as a vehicle seat  1  of the embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two vibratory devices  20  are attached to a seat back  10  of the vehicle seat  1 . Each of the vibratory devices  20  used therein is capable of vibrating by eccentric rotation of a motor that is built therein. The vibratory devices  20  are incorporated into the seat back  10  such that a passenger (not shown) sitting on the vehicle seat  1  cannot directly touch the same. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the seat back  10  may preferably include a seat pad  14  having a passenger support surface  12 . A front surface  14   a  of the seat pad  14  may preferably be covered by a covering member  16 . Formed in the seat pad  14  are a pair of bottomed bores or recesses  18  and  19  by partly removing the same. The recesses  18  and  19  are opened to a rear surface  14   b  that is opposite to the front surface  14   a.  The vibratory devices  20  are respectively received in the recesses  18  and  19 , so as to be incorporated into the seat back  10  (the seat pad  14 ). Thus, when the vibratory devices  20  vibrate, vibration generated by the vibratory devices  20  can be transmitted to the passenger via the seat pad  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the vibratory devices  20  are positioned laterally spaced from each other at a desired distance, so as to correspond the back of the passenger when the passenger is tilted against the passenger support surface  12  of the seat pad.  14 . Further, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively connected to a sensor (not shown) that is capable of detecting drowsy driving of the passenger or lane departure of a vehicle. Thus, the vibratory devices  20  are capable of vibrating when a signal is transmitted thereto from the sensor, thereby notifying the passenger of impending dangers. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the seat pad  14  may preferably include a wire member  30  (support member) that is incorporated thereinto by insert molding. Thus, the wire member  30  is integrally secured to the seat pad  14 . The wire member  30  may preferably be composed of a lateral portion  32  that laterally extends along the passenger support surface  12  of the seat pad  14  and four vertical portions  34   a - 34   d  that respectively vertically extend along the passenger support surface  12  so as to be perpendicular to the lateral portion  32 . The vertical portions  34   a - 34   d  may preferably be positioned so as to be in parallel with each other. Also, the vertical portions  34   a - 34   d.  may respectively be laterally oppositely positioned across the vibratory devices  20 . The lateral portion  32  of the wire member  30  passes through the recesses  18  and  19  of the seat pad  14 . In other words, the lateral portion  32  is exposed to the recesses  18  and  19 , thereby forming uncovered portions  36  and  38  that are positioned in the recesses  18  and  19 . The vibratory devices  20  are respectively attached to the uncovered portions  36  and  38  (which will be referred to as attachment portions  36  and  38 ). Remaining portions of the wire member  30  other than the attachment portions  36  and  38  are completely embedded in the seat pad  14 . The embedded remaining portions of the wire member  30  (i.e., a central portion  32   a  positioned between the attachment portions  36  and  38  of the lateral portion  32  and the vertical portions  34   a - 34   d ) may function as a vibration transmission portion that is capable of transmitting vibration of the vibratory devices  20  along the passenger support surface  12  of the seat pad  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the attachment portions  36  and  38  (one of which is shown) of the lateral portion  32  of the wire member  30  are inserted into insertion holes  24  formed in the vibratory devices  20 , so that the vibratory devices  20  are rotatably supported via the attachment portions  36  and  38  within the recesses  18  and  19  of the seat pad  14 . Further, the vibratory devices  20  may preferably be composed of main portions  20   a  and lid portions  20   b  that can be separated from each other along the insertion holes  24 . Therefore, in order to attach the vibratory devices  20  to the attachment portions  36  and  38 , the main portions  20   a  and the lid portions  20   b  are simply mated while the attachment portions  36  and  38  are positioned therebetween. Thereafter, the main portions  20   a  and the lid portions  20   b  are connected to each other. Thus, the vibratory devices  20  can be easily attached to the attachment portions  36  and  38 . Further, the vibratory devices  20  (the lid portions  20   b ) may preferably be shaped so as to contact rear (bottom) surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19  when the vibratory devices  20  are attached to the attachment portions  36  and  38 . Conversely, the vibratory devices  20  may preferably be shaped so as to not contact side surfaces  18   b  of the recesses  18  and  19  when the vibratory devices  20  are attached to the attachment portions  36  and  38 . 
     Next, an operation of the vehicle seat  1  (the seat back  10 ) will be described. 
     When the vibratory devices  20  vibrate, the vibration produced therefrom is transmitted to the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat  1  via the vibration transmission portion of the wire member  30  (i.e.,, the central portion  32   a  of the lateral portion  32  and the vertical portions  34   a - 34   d ) and the seat pad  14 . At the same time, a rotative force caused by the vibration is applied to the vibratory devices  20 . The applied rotative force urges the vibratory devices  20  to rotate about the attachment portions  36  and  38  of the wire member  30 . At this time, due to the rotative force applied to the vibratory devices  20 , the attachment portions  36  and  38  of the wire member  30  can slightly flex and the seat pad  14  can slightly deform. Therefore, the vibratory devices  20  can slightly rotate about the attachment portions  36  and  38 . However, as described above, the vibratory devices  20  are positioned so as to contact the rear surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19  of the seat pad  14 . Therefore, the vibratory devices  20  can substantially be prevented from rotating about the attachment portions  36  and  38 . Conversely, as described above, the vibratory devices  20  are positioned so as to not contact the side surfaces  18   b  of the recesses  18  and  19  of the seat pad  14 . Therefore, the vibratory devices  20  can be oscillated about the attachment portions  36  and  38 , so as to repeatedly hit or impinge the rear surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19 . When the rear surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19  are impinged, the vibration of the vibratory devices  20  can be transmitted to the seat pad  14  in a thickness direction thereof and then be transmitted to the passenger. 
     Further, when the vibratory devices  20  vibrate, the vibration transmission portion of the wire member  30  (i.e., the central portion  32   a  of the lateral portion  32  and the vertical portions  34   a - 34   d ) can vibrate. Thus, the vibration of the vibratory devices  20  can be broadly transmitted to substantial portions of the seat pad  14  via the vibration transmission portion of the wire member  30 . That is, the vibration of the vibratory devices  20  can be transmitted to portions of the seat pad  14  that do not directly correspond to the vibratory devices  20 . 
     According to the vehicle seat  1  (the seat back  10 ), when the vibratory devices  20  vibrate, the vibratory devices  20  can be oscillated about the attachment portions  36  and  38 , so as to repeatedly press or impinge the rear surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19 . As a result, the vibration of the vibratory devices  20  can be transmitted to the seat pad  14  in the thickness direction thereof. 
     Further, the vibration of the vibratory devices  20  can be broadly transmitted along the passenger support surface  12  of the seat pad  14  via the vibration transmission portion of the wire member  30 . 
     Further, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively disposed in the recesses  18  and  19  of the seat pad  14  and are attached to the uncovered attachment portions  36  and  38  of the wire member  30  that is embedded in the seat pad  14 . Therefore, the vibratory devices  20  can be securely attached to the seat pad  14  (the seat back  10 ). 
     Further, when the seat pad  14  is flexed by a loading that is. applied to the seat back  10  via the passenger, the wire member  30 . can be flexed with the seat pad  14  because the wire member  30  is embedded in the seat pad  14 . As a result, the vibratory devices  20  can be displaced in the same direction as the wire member  30  because the vibratory devices  20  are attached to the attachment portions  36  and  38  of the wire member  30 . Therefore, the vibratory devices  20  do not provide discomfort to the passenger when the vibrating devices  20  are not operated or vibrated. As a result, the seat pad  14  can be reduced in thickness, if necessary. 
     Further, shape and arrangement of the vibration transmission portion of the wire member  30  can be changed, if necessary. 
     Modified Form of First Embodiment 
     The first embodiment can be suitably modified. Modified forms of the first embodiment will now described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . 
     Because the modified forms relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the first embodiment will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. 
     First Modified Form 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a modified wire member  40  (support member) may preferably include a pair of rectangular frame-shaped portions  42   a  and  42   b  instead of the vertical portions  34   a - 34   d  of the wire member  30 . The. frame-shaped portions  42   a  and  42   b  are respectively positioned so as to encircle the vibratory devices  20 . 
     Second Modified Form 
     A wire member shown in  FIG. 7  is a modified form of the wire member  40  of the first modified form. In the modified wire member, the central portion  32   a  of the lateral portion  32  is omitted, so that divided lateral portions are formed. Thus, the modified wire member is composed of a pair of wire member elements  44   a  and  44   b  (support member) that are separated from each other. Such a modified wire member is useful for independently vibrate the vibratory devices  20 . 
     Third Modified Form 
     A wire member shown in  FIG. 8  is a modified form of the wire member of the second modified form. Similar to the second modified form, the modified wire member is composed of a pair of wire member elements  46   a  and  46   b  (support member). However, the modified wire member includes four bent portions  48   a - 48   d  in place of the frame-shaped portions  42   a  and  42   b  of the second modified form. The bent portions  48   a - 48   d  are respectively integrally formed in the divided lateral portions (the attachment portions  36  and  38 ) by bending the same vertically oppositely. Such a modified wire member can be relatively easily manufactured because the bent portions  48   a - 48   d  can be formed by simply bending the divided lateral portions. 
     Fourth Modified Form 
     A wire member shown in  FIG. 9  is a modified form of the wire member of the third modified form. Similar to the third modified form, the modified wire member is composed of a pair of wire member elements  50   a  and  50   b.  However, the modified wire member includes bent portions  52   a - 52   d  in place of the bent portions  48   a  and  48   b  of the third modified form. The bent portions  52   a - 52   d  are respectively bent such that the wire member elements  50   a  and  50   b  have frame-shapes that are capable of substantially encircle the vibratory devices  20 . 
     Second Detailed Representative Embodiment 
     The second detailed representative embodiment will now described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 13 . 
     Because the second embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the first and second embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, the seat back  10  of the vehicle seat  1  has the substantially same construction as the first embodiment. However, the seat pad  14  may preferably include an insert wire  22  (support member) instead of the wire member  30  in the first embodiment. The insert wire  22  is incorporated into the seat pad  14  by insert molding. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the covering member  16  is attached to the front surface  14   a  of the seat pad  14  via anchor mechanisms H 1 -H 4 , so as to be reliably fitted thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the anchor mechanism Hi is positioned on a central portion of the passenger support surface  12  of the seat pad  14  and laterally extends therealong. As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the anchor mechanism HI is composed-of an anchor wire  16   w  that is attached to a rear (inner) surface of the covering member  16  and a plurality of C-shaped anchor members  16   r  that are positioned on the anchor wire  16   w  at desired distances. Conversely, formed in the seat pad  14  is a bottomed recess or groove  14   m  that is opened to the front surface  14   a  of the seat pad  14 . As best shown in  FIG. 13 , the covering member  16  is attached to the front surface  14   a  of the seat pad  14  while the anchor wire  16   w  is received within the groove  14   m.  The anchor wire  16   w  is anchored and clamped to the insert wire  22  via the anchor members  16   r.  Further, each of the anchor mechanisms H 2 -H 4  has the same construction as the anchor mechanism H 1 . Therefore, a detailed description of the anchor mechanisms H 2 -H 4  may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the insert wire  22  is positioned so as to be aligned with the groove  14   m.  In other words, the insert wire  22  is positioned so as to be aligned with the anchor wire  16   w  of the anchor mechanism H 1 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the vibratory devices  20  are positioned so as to not interfere with the anchor members  16   r  attached to the anchor wire  16   w.  Further, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the vibratory devices  20  are respectively attached to attachment portions  23  and  25  of the insert wire  22  (which correspond to the attachment portions  36  and  38  of the wire member  30  in the first embodiment). 
     The insert wire  22  may operate similarly to the wire member  30  in the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle seat  1  (the seat back  10 ) may have the substantially same function and effects as the vehicle seat  1  in the first embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, because the vibratory devices  20  are attached to the insert wire  22  of the anchor mechanism H 1 , it is not necessary to provide an additional member for supporting the vibratory devices  20 . This may lead to reduced number of parts of the vehicle seat  1 . 
     Third Detailed Representative Embodiment 
     The third detailed representative embodiment will now described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
     Because the third embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the first and third embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , unlike the first embodiment, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively incorporated into the seat pad  14  via attachment brackets  70  (support member). The attachment brackets  70  are respectively shaped so as to be closely fitted to the recesses  18  and  19 . As best shown in  FIG. 15 , each of the attachment brackets  70  is composed of a bottomed frame portion  72  that is-capable of receiving the vibratory device  20  and a shaft portion  74  that is attached to the frame portion  72 . The frame portion  72  has an opening  76  that is formed in a bottom wall thereof. The shaft portion  74  is positioned in a substantially central portion of the opening  76  so as to transversely extend therein. The attachment brackets  70  thus constructed correspond to the wire member  30  in the first embodiment. 
     The vibratory devices  20  are received in the frame portions  72  of the attachment brackets  70  and are rotatably attached to the shaft portions  74  of the attachment brackets  70 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the vibratory devices  20  may preferably be shaped so as to be flush with bottom end surfaces of the frame portions  72  when the vibratory devices  20  are received therein. Further, the vibratory devices  20  .may preferably be shaped so as to not contact side surfaces of the frame portions  72  when the vibratory devices  20  are received therein. 
     The attachment brackets  70  having the vibratory devices  20  are respectively fitted to the recesses  18  and  19  and are secured therein. At this time, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the vibratory devices  20  contacts the rear surfaces  18   a  of the recesses  18  and  19 . Thus, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively incorporated into the seat pad  14 . 
     The attachment brackets  70  may operate similarly to the wire member  30  in the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle seat  1  (the seat back  10 ) may have the substantially same function and effects as the. vehicle seat  1  in the first embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, because the vibratory devices  20  are respectively incorporated into the seat pad  14  via attachment brackets  70 , the vibratory devices  20  can be easily incorporated into the seat pad  14 . 
     Modified Form of Third Embodiment 
     Modified forms of the third embodiment will now described with reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
     Because the modified forms relates to the third embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the third embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same. in the first embodiment will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. 
     First Modified Form 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , similar to the third embodiment, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively incorporated into the seat pad  14  via the attachment brackets  70 . However, in this modified form, the attachment brackets  70  having the vibratory devices  20  are respectively connected to the rear surface  14   b  of the seat pad  14  via T-shaped connecter pins  78 . The connector pins  78  are integrally formed in the attachment brackets  70  (the frame portion  72 ). The connector pins  78  are incorporated into the seat pad  14  by insert molding, so that the attachment brackets  70  can respectively be connected to the rear surface  14   b  of the seat pad  14 . Thus, the vibratory devices  20  are respectively incorporated into the seat pad  14 . However, the attachment brackets  70  can respectively be connected to the rear surface  14   b  of the seat pad  14  by adhesion and welding such as hot-melt adhesion. 
     Second Modified Form 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , in this modified form, attachment brackets  80  (support member) are used in place of the attachment brackets  70  in the third embodiment. Similar to the third embodiment, each of the attachment brackets  80  is composed of a frame portion  82  and a shaft portion  84 . However, unlike the attachment brackets  70 , the frame portions  82  of the attachment brackets  80  are partly removed. 
     Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the vehicle seat  1  is not limited to the a driver&#39;s seat. Therefore, the vehicle seat  1  can be a front passenger seat, a rear seat or other such seats. That is, the present. invention can be applied to various vehicle seat in which vibration should be transmitted to the passenger via the seat pad  14 . Also, the present invention can be applied to a seat cushion, a headrest, an ottoman of the vehicle seat  1 .