Lumbar support device for vehicle seat

Abstract

A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat, may include a support frame; a hinge plate mounted on a middle portion of the support frame; an upper end plate mounted on an upper end portion of the support frame; a lower end plate mounted on a lower end portion of the support frame; and a rotary supporting shaft having both side end portions fixed to a seatback frame, and having an anti-rotation bending end portion supported by the rear surface of the hinge plate, wherein the rotary supporting shaft is inserted into a hinge holder formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate for rotating the hinge plate.

Claims

1. A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat, the lumbar support apparatus comprising: a support frame; a hinge plate mounted on a middle portion of the support frame; an upper end plate mounted on an upper end portion of the support frame; a lower end plate mounted on a lower end portion of the support frame; and a rotary supporting shaft having first and second side end portions fixed to a seatback frame, and having an anti-rotation bending end portion supported by a rear surface of the hinge plate, wherein the rotary supporting shaft is inserted into a hinge holder formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate for rotating the hinge plate, and wherein the hinge plate is configured to rotate around the rotary supporting shaft so that the upper end plate and the lower end plate rotate together by the support frame when the hinge plate rotates.

2. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes: a vertical wire fixed to first and second side end portions of the hinge plate and extending to the upper end plate and the lower end plate; and a horizontal wire bent from upper and lower end portions of the vertical wire and fixed to a rear surface of the upper end plate and a rear surface of the lower end plate.

3. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein a fixing holder into which the horizontal wire is inserted and fixed is integrally formed on the rear surface of the upper end plate and the rear surface of the lower end plate.

4. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation bending end portion is formed to be bent in a ‘U’ shape downwards from a middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft.

5. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 1, further including a support elastic member connected to the upper end plate and the lower end plate to provide an elastic supporting force.

6. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 5, wherein the support elastic member is perpendicularly mounted at a front side of the hinge plate, has an upper end portion fixed to a rear surface of the upper end plate, and a lower end portion fixed to a rear surface of the lower end plate.

7. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein hollow holders into which the support elastic member is inserted and fixed are integrally formed on the rear surface of the upper end plate and the rear surface of the lower end plate.

8. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein when a pressing force against a front surface of the lower end plate is greater than a pressing force against a front surface of the upper end plate, the hinge plate is configured to be in contact with the anti-rotation bending end portion of the rotary supporting shaft and not to be rotated.

9. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein when a pressing force against a front surface of the upper end plate is greater than a pressing force against a front surface of the lower end plate, the hinge plate is configured to be separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion of the rotary supporting shaft and to be rotated.

10. A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat, the lumbar support apparatus including: a support frame; a hinge plate mounted on a middle portion of the support frame; an integral plate provided to cover front surface portions of the support frame and the hinge plate, and having upper and lower end portions fixed to an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the support frame, respectively; and a rotary supporting shaft having first and second side end portions fixed to a seatback frame, and having an anti-rotation bending end portion supported by a rear surface of the hinge plate, wherein the rotary supporting shaft is inserted into a hinge holder formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate for rotating the hinge plate, and wherein the hinge plate is configured to rotate around the rotary supporting shaft so that the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the integral plate rotate together by the support frame when the hinge plate rotates.

11. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the support frame includes: a vertical wire fixed to first and second side end portions of the hinge plate and extending to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the integral plate; and a horizontal wire bent from upper and lower end portions of the vertical wire and fixed to rear surfaces of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the integral plate.

12. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein a fixing holder into which the horizontal wire is inserted and fixed is integrally formed on the rear surface of the upper end portion and the rear surface of the lower end portion of the integral plate.

13. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the anti-rotation bending end portion is formed to be bent in a ‘U’ shape downwards from a middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft.

14. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein when a pressing force against a front lower end portion of the integral plate is greater than a pressing force against a front upper end portion thereof, the hinge plate is configured to be in contact with the anti-rotation bending end portion of the rotary supporting shaft and not to be rotated.

15. The lumbar support apparatus for the vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein when a pressing force against a front upper end portion of the integral plate is greater than a pressing force against a front lower end portion thereof, the hinge plate is configured to be separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion of the rotary supporting shaft and to be rotated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front diagram illustrating a lumbar support structure according to one conventional example.

(2) FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are front diagrams illustrating a plumaflex type lumbar support according to another conventional example.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front diagram illustrating a lumbar support device configured for a vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear diagram illustrating the lumbar support device configured for the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C are operating diagrams illustrating an operation in which a waist supporting force of a passenger is kept by the lumbar support device configured for the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are operating diagrams illustrating an operation in which a neck injury is prevented upon rearward collision by the lumbar support device configured for the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are diagrams illustrating a lumbar support device configured for a vehicle seat according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

(8) It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various exemplary features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in section by the particular intended application and use environment.

(9) In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent sections of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

(11) Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(12) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a lumbar support device configured for a vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and reference numeral 10 denotes a seatback frame.

(13) The seatback frame 10 is a portion which is mounted inside a seatback of a vehicle to form a frame of the seatback, and a support frame 20 is mounted in the internal region of the seatback frame 10 over a range where a waist and a back portion above the waist of a passenger contact.

(14) At the instant time, an upper end plate 30 is mounted on the upper end portion of the support frame 20, a hinge plate 40 is mounted on the middle portion of the support frame 20, and a lower end plate 50 is mounted on the lower end portion of the support frame 20.

(15) Therefore, the upper end plate 30 mounted on the upper end portion of the support frame 20 is pressurally mounted at a position where the back portion of the passenger contacts, and the lower end plate 50 mounted on the lower end portion of the support frame 20 is pressurally mounted at a position where the waist of the passenger contacts.

(16) Meanwhile, the support frame 20 includes a vertical wire 22 fixed to both side end portions of the hinge plate 40 and extending to the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 sides, and a horizontal wire 24 bent from the upper and lower end portions of the vertical wire 22 and fixed to the rear surface of the upper end plate 30 and the rear surface of the lower end plate 50.

(17) Preferably, fixing holders 32, 52 into which the horizontal wire 24 is inserted and fixed are integrally formed on the rear surface of the upper end plate 30 and the rear surface of the lower end plate 50.

(18) Furthermore, a rotary supporting shaft 60 is horizontally mounted across the internal region of the seatback frame 10, and both end portions of the rotary supporting shaft 60 are fixed to both side portions of the seatback frame 10 by welding, etc.

(19) An anti-rotation bending end portion 62 supported by the rear surface of the hinge plate 40 is formed on the middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(20) The anti-rotation bending end portion 62 is formed to be bent in a ‘U’ shape downwards from a middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(21) At the instant time, the hinge plate 40 is rotatably fastened to the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(22) For the present purpose, the rotary supporting shaft 60 is inserted into and fastened to a hinge holder 42 formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate 40 so that the hinge plate 40 can rotate around the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(23) The hinge plate 40 is rotatably fastened to the rotary supporting shaft 60 in a state where the hinge plate 40 has been mounted on the middle portion of the support frame 20, the upper end plate 30 has been mounted on the upper end portion thereof, and the lower end plate 50 has been mounted on the lower end portion thereof so that the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 may be rotated together when the hinge plate 40 rotates.

(24) Meanwhile, a support spring 70 is connected between the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 to provide an elastic supporting force to the passenger while increasing the connecting rigidity between the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50.

(25) The support spring 70 is provided in pair which is repetitively bent in a zig-zag shape to be mounted vertically, has the upper end portion fixed to the rear surface of the upper end plate 30, and has the lower end portion fixed to the rear surface of the lower end plate 50 so that it is mounted to be elastically supportable at the front side of the hinge plate 40.

(26) The upper end portion and the lower end portion of the support spring 70 are inserted into and fastened to, and fixed to hollow holders 34, 54 formed on the rear surface of the upper end plate 30 and the rear surface of the lower end plate 50, respectively.

(27) Herein, an operating state of the lumbar support device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be referred to as follows.

(28) FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C are operating diagrams illustrating an operation in which a waist supporting force of a passenger is kept by the lumbar support device configured for the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(29) Referring to FIG. 5A, the waist portion of the passenger is supported by the lower end plate 50 in a state where the passenger has leaned against the seatback.

(30) At the instant time, when a pressing force (e.g., a body pressure at which the waist of the passenger contacts) against the front surface of the lower end plate 50 is greater than a pressing force (e.g., a body pressure at which the back portion above the waist of the passenger contacts) against the front surface of the upper end plate 30, the hinge plate 40 is in close contact with the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 and is not rotated.

(31) That is, when the pressing force against the front surface of the lower end plate 50 is greater than the pressing force against the front surface of the upper end plate 30, the upper end portion of the hinge plate 40 tries to rotate forwards and the lower end portion thereof tries to rotate rearwards, but as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 is configured as a stopper for blocking the rotation of the hinge plate 40, such that the hinge plate 40 is not rotated.

(32) Therefore, when the hinge plate 40 is not rotated, the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 connected to the hinge plate 40 by the support frame 20 are not rotated.

(33) Therefore, the waist portion of the passenger may be easily supported by the lower end plate 50 in a state where the passenger has leaned against the seatback, and the lower end plate 50 can support the waist portion of the passenger at a constant supporting force.

(34) That is, the lower end plate 50 can support the waist portion of the passenger at a constantly rigid level at all times, not reducing the supporting force against the waist portion of the passenger accommodated in the seat, and providing constant waist comfort to the passenger at the long distance traveling.

(35) FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are operating diagrams illustrating an operation in which a neck injury is prevented upon rearward collision by the lumbar support device configured for the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(36) Referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the back portion above the waist of the passenger is supported by the upper end plate 30 in a state where the passenger has leaned against the seatback.

(37) At the instant time, when a pressing force (e.g., a body pressure at which the back portion above the waist of the passenger contacts) against the front surface of the upper end plate 30 is greater than a pressing force (e.g., a body pressure at which the waist portion of the passenger contacts) against the front surface of the lower end plate 50, the hinge plate 40 is separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 and is rotated.

(38) That is, when a pressing force against the front surface of the upper end plate 30 is greater than a pressing force against the front surface of the lower end plate 50, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the hinge plate 40 is separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60, and simultaneously, the upper end portion of the hinge plate 40 rotates rearwards and the lower end portion thereof rotates forwards around the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(39) As described above, when the hinge plate 40 rotates, the upper end plate 30 rotates rearwards and simultaneously, the lower end plate 50 rotates forwards, which have been connected to the hinge plate 40 by the support frame 20.

(40) Therefore, the distance between the head of the passenger and the headrest is reduced while the back portion above the waist of the passenger is well buried in the seatback, and the supporting force against the waist portion of the passenger is further increased by the lower end plate 50 that rotates forwards.

(41) Therefore, when the back portion above the waist of the passenger is bent rearwards upon rearward collision to press the seatback, as described above, the upper end plate 30 rotates rearwards and simultaneously, the lower end plate 50 rotates forwards when the hinge plate 40 rotates, such that the distance between the head of the passenger and the headrest may be reduced while the back portion above the waist of the passenger is well buried in the seatback, preventing the phenomenon that the head of the passenger is rested by directly contacting the headrest and a neck is excessively bent, and minimizing a neck injury.

(42) Herein, another exemplary embodiment of the lumbar support device of the present invention will be referred to as follows.

(43) FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7 Care diagrams illustrating a lumbar support device configured for a vehicle seat according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

(44) Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the same as a configuration of the above-described embodiment, except that the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 in the above-described embodiment are improved by an integral plate 80.

(45) The integral plate 80 is provided at a size that covers the front surface portions of the support frame 20 and the hinge plate 40, and has the upper and lower end portions fixed to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the support frame 20, respectively.

(46) Therefore, the upper end portion of the integral plate 80 is pressurally mounted at a position where the back portion of the passenger contacts, and the lower end portion thereof is pressurally mounted at a position where the waist of the passenger contacts.

(47) Meanwhile, the support frame 20 has the same structure as the above-described embodiment, and includes the vertical wire 22 fixed to both side end portions of the hinge plate 40 and extending to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the integral plate 80, and the horizontal wire 24 bent from the upper and lower end portions of the vertical wire 22 and fixed to the rear surfaces of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the integral plate 80.

(48) A fixing holder 82 into which the horizontal wire 24 is inserted and fixed is integrally formed on the rear surface of the upper end portion and the rear surface of the lower end portion of the integral plate 80.

(49) Furthermore, even in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rotary supporting shaft 60 is horizontally mounted across the internal region of the seatback frame 10, and both end portions of the rotary supporting shaft 60 are fixed to both side portions of the seatback frame 10 by welding, etc.

(50) The anti-rotation bending end portion 62 supported by the rear surface of the hinge plate 40 is formed on the middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft 60, and the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 is formed to be bent in a ‘U’ shape downwards from a middle portion of the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(51) Furthermore, even in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rotary supporting shaft 60 is inserted into and fastened to the hinge holder 42 formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate 40 so that the hinge plate 40 can rotate around the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(52) As described above, the hinge plate 40 is mounted on the middle portion of the support frame 20, and the integral plate 80 has the upper and lower end portions fixed to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the support frame 20, respectively, while covering the front surface portions of the support frame 20 and the hinge plate 40 so that the integral plate 80 can also rotate together when the hinge plate 40 rotates.

(53) Therefore, when a pressing force against the front lower end portion of the integral plate 80 is greater than a pressing force against the front upper end portion thereof, the upper end portion of the hinge plate 40 tries to rotate forwards and the lower end portion thereof tries to rotate rearwards, but as described above, the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 is configured as a stopper for blocking the rotation of the hinge plate 40, such that the hinge plate 40 is not rotated.

(54) Therefore, when the hinge plate 40 is not rotated, the integral plate 80 connected to the hinge plate 40 by the support frame 20 is not rotated either.

(55) Therefore, the waist portion of the passenger may be easily supported by the lower end portion of the integral plate 80 in a state where the passenger has leaned against the seatback, and the lower end portion of the integral plate 80 can support the waist portion of the passenger at a constant supporting force.

(56) That is, it is possible to support the waist portion of the passenger on the lower end portion of the integral plate 80 at a constantly rigid level at all times, not reducing the supporting force against the waist portion of the passenger accommodated in the seat, and providing constant waist comfort to the passenger at the long distance traveling.

(57) Furthermore, the integral plate 80 may be convexly mounted forwards to provide an elastic supporting force against the body pressure of the passenger, removing the support spring in the above-described embodiment, and furthermore, may be formed by integrating the upper end plate 30 and the lower end plate 50 in the above-described embodiment into one portion, saving the number of parts.

(58) On the other hand, when a pressing force against the front upper end portion of the integral plate 80 is greater than a pressing force against the front lower end portion thereof, the hinge plate 40 is separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 and is rotated.

(59) That is, when a pressing force against the front upper end portion of the integral plate 80 is greater than a pressing force against the front lower end portion thereof, as described above, the hinge plate 40 is separated from the anti-rotation bending end portion 62 of the rotary supporting shaft 60 and simultaneously, the upper end portion of the hinge plate 40 rotates rearwards and the lower end portion thereof rotates forwards around the rotary supporting shaft 60.

(60) Therefore, the distance between the head of the passenger and the headrest is reduced while the back portion above the waist of the passenger is well buried in the seatback, and the supporting force against the waist portion of the passenger is further increased by the lower end portion of the integral plate 80 that rotates forwards.

(61) Therefore, even in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the back portion above the waist of the passenger is bent rearwards upon rearward collision to press the seatback, as described above, the upper end portion of the integral plate 80 rotates rearwards and simultaneously, the lower end portion thereof rotates forwards when the hinge plate 40 rotates, such that the distance between the head of the passenger and the headrest is reduced while the back portion above the waist of the passenger is well buried in the seatback, preventing the phenomenon that the head of the passenger is rested by directly contacting the headrest and a neck is excessively bent, and minimizing a neck injury.

(62) For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”, “inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connection.

(63) The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.