Seatback structure having pivotable upper seatback support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10457167-B2
Application number	US-201815890401-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 7, 2018
Priority date	Feb 8, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2019
Grant date	Oct 29, 2019

Abstract

Provided is a seatback structure for a seatback provided with a lower seatback support and an upper seatback support pivotably connected to the upper end of the lower seatback support. An actuator (17) is fixedly secured to one of a pair lower side frames (6) of a seatback frame (F), and an output end (17a) of the actuator is configured to move linearly along a length of the lower side frame, and a link (25) is provided with an upper end pivotally connected to a part of a corresponding upper side frame (7) and a lower end pivotally connected to the output end of the actuator. The upper end portion of the lower side frame and the lower end portion of the corresponding upper side frame comprise plate members facing laterally each other in an overlying relationship, and at least partly interposing the link therebetween.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A seatback structure for a vehicle seat, comprising:
a pair of lower side frames extending vertically;
a pair of upper side frames having lower end portions pivotally connected to upper end portions of the respective lower side frames around a laterally extending rotational center line;
an upper frame fixedly connected between upper ends of the upper side frames;
at least one actuator fixedly secured to one of the lower side frames and including an output end configured to move linearly along a length of the lower side frame; and
a link having an upper end pivotally connected to a part of the corresponding upper side frame and a lower end pivotally connected to the output end of the actuator;
wherein the upper end portion of the one lower side frame and the lower end portion of the corresponding upper side frame comprise plate members facing laterally each other in an overlying relationship, and at least partly interposing the link therebetween.

2. The seatback structure according to claim 1 , wherein an upper end portion of the link is interposed between the upper end portion of the lower side frame and the lower end portion of the upper side frame.

3. The seatback structure according to claim 2 , wherein an edge of the upper end portion of the lower side frame is bent away from the lower end portion of the upper side frame to form a lower flange, the lower flange extending from a part in front of and below the rotational center line to a part behind and below the rotational center line past a part above the rotational center line.

4. The seatback structure according to claim 3 , wherein a front edge and a rear edge of the lower end portion of the upper side frame are bent toward the upper end portion of the lower side frame to define a pair of upper flanges, each upper flange extending from a part below the rotational center line to a part above the rotational center line.

5. The seatback structure according to claim 4 , wherein the lower flange and the upper flanges extend in a laterally inward direction.

6. The seatback structure according to claim 2 , wherein a front edge and a rear edge of the lower end portion of the upper side frame are bent away from the upper end portion of the lower side frame to define a pair of upper flanges, each upper flange extending from a part below the rotational center line to a part above the rotational center line.

7. The seatback structure according to claim 6 , wherein an upper flange lower part formed by bending a lower edge of the upper side frame away from the upper end portion of the lower side frame extend between the lower edges of the upper flanges.

8. The seatback structure according to claim 1 , wherein a part of the upper end portion of the lower side frame facing the lower end portion of the upper side frame is formed with a recess that at least partly receives the link.

9. The seatback structure according to claim 8 , wherein a lower end part of the recess is formed with a vertically elongated through hole receiving a pin attached to a lower end part of the link, and the actuator is attached to a side of the lower side frame facing away from the link, another end of the pin being attached to the output end.

Assignees

• Ts Tech Co Ltd

Inventors

• Mochizuki Haruki
• Mishiba Kazuhiro
• Miyawaki Kazuya

Classifications

• B60N2/2222 Primary

  the back-rest having two or more parts · CPC title

• B60N2/22

  the back-rest being adjustable {(B60N2/2878 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/64

  Back-rests {or cushions (B60N2/2222 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/682

  Joining means · CPC title

• B60N2205/30

  Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces · CPC title