Cushion length variable device and vehicle seat

Abstract

To improve adaptability to differences in physique and preferences of seated occupants.SOLUTION: A cushion length variable device 30 comprises: a slide part 32 that slides along a seat longitudinal direction relative to a frame of a seat cushion; a flap 42 rotatably connected to a front end portion of the slide part 32; a connection bracket 60 in which an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to the slide part 32, a front end portion is rotatably and slidably connected to the flap 42, and a connection pin 72 is provided at a rear end portion; a guide bracket 66 which has an elongated hole 70 that is enlarged in the width dimension at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, and in which the connection pin 72 moves between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 70 in accordance with sliding of the slide part 32; and a switching part 80 which switches between a first state in which the connection pin 72 contacts an upper edge portion 70A of the elongated hole 70 and a second state in which the connection pin contacts a lower edge portion 70B when the slide part 32 slides.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a cushion length adjusting device for changing the length of a seat cushion. [Background technology]

[0002] The seat structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a cuff support (flap) provided at the front of the seat cushion that can be rotated toward the front of the seat to support the calves of the seated occupant, and a change means that can change the fore-and-aft length of the seat cushion (hereinafter referred to as the "cushion length stroke") and the rotation angle of the flap (hereinafter referred to as the "flap angle"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-172430 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the occupant cannot change the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle, so there is room for improvement in terms of improving adaptability to differences in occupant physiques and preferences.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a cushion length adjusting device that can improve adaptability to differences in physique and preferences of seated persons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cushion length adjusting device of the first aspect includes a slide portion that slides in a front-rear direction of the seat relative to a frame of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat; a flap that extends from a front end of the slide portion toward a lower side of the seat and is rotatably connected to the front end of the slide portion about an axis along the seat width direction, the flap supporting a pad flap provided at a front end of a pad of the seat cushion from a rear side of the seat; and a flap whose front-rear direction intermediate portion is rotatably connected to the slide portion about an axis along the seat width direction and whose front end is rotatable relative to the flap about an axis along the seat width direction. the connecting member being slidably connected along the extension direction of the flap and having a connecting pin at its rear end; a guide member being fixed to the frame and having a long hole formed in its longitudinal middle portion that is wider in the seat up-down direction than both longitudinal ends, the connecting pin being inserted into the long hole, and the connecting pin moving between both longitudinal ends of the long hole as the sliding section slides; and a switching section that can be switched between a first state in which the connecting pin contacts an upper edge of the long hole when the sliding section slides and a second state in which the connecting pin contacts a lower edge of the long hole when the sliding section slides.

[0007] In the cushion length adjusting device of the first aspect, the slide portion slides in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the frame of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. A flap extends from the front end of the slide portion toward the lower side of the seat. The flap is rotatably connected to the front end of the slide portion about an axis along the seat width direction. This flap supports a pad flap provided at the front end of the pad of the seat cushion from the rear side of the seat. A middle portion of a connecting member in the front-rear direction is connected to the slide portion so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat width direction. The front end of the connecting member is connected to the flap so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat width direction and slidable along the extension direction of the flap. A connecting pin is provided at the rear end of the connecting member.

[0008] A guide member is fixed to the frame. The guide member has a long hole formed in a longitudinal middle portion thereof, the long hole having a larger width in the seat vertical direction than both longitudinal ends. The connecting pin is inserted into this long hole. When the slide portion slides along the seat longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the seat cushion, the connecting pin of the connecting member moves between the longitudinal ends of the long hole of the guide member, causing the flap to rotate around an axis along the seat width direction relative to the slide portion. This changes the cushion length stroke and the flap angle (i.e., the angle of the pad flap).

[0009] This cushion length adjustment device can be switched by the switching unit between a first state in which the connecting pin contacts the upper edge of the elongated hole when the sliding section slides, and a second state in which the connecting pin contacts the lower edge of the elongated hole when the sliding section slides. The relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle changes between the first and second states. This improves adaptability to differences in the physiques and preferences of seated occupants.

[0010] In the second aspect of the cushion length adjusting device, in the first aspect, the switching unit has a first biasing member that biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts the upper edge of the elongated hole, a second biasing member that biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts the lower edge of the elongated hole, and an operating unit for switching between the first state in which the connecting member is biased by the first biasing member and the second state in which the connecting member is biased by the second biasing member.

[0011] In the cushion length adjusting device of the second aspect, the operating unit can switch between a first state in which the connecting member is biased by a first biasing member and a second state in which the connecting member is biased by a second biasing member. In the first state, the connecting pin of the connecting member contacts the upper edge of the elongated hole of the guide member, and in the second state, the connecting pin contacts the lower edge of the elongated hole of the guide member. This allows the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle to be changed between the first state and the second state, and the switching unit can be configured simply.

[0012] A third aspect of the cushion length adjusting device is the second aspect, wherein the first and second biasing members are a first torsion coil spring and a second torsion coil spring arranged coaxially with the center of rotation of the connecting member.

[0013] In the cushion length varying device of the third aspect, the first torsion coil spring biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts the upper edge of the elongated hole in the guide member, and the second torsion coil spring biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts the lower edge of the elongated hole. Because the first torsion coil spring and the second torsion coil spring are arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the connecting member, it is easy to ensure space for arranging the first torsion coil spring and the second torsion coil spring.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the vehicle seat includes a seat cushion that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated occupant, a seat back that supports the back of the seated occupant, and a cushion length adjusting device of any one of the first to third aspects, in which the slide portion is attached to the front of the frame of the seat cushion and the flap supports the pad flap provided at the front of the pad of the seat cushion from the rear side of the seat.

[0015] In the vehicle seat of the fourth aspect, the seat cushion supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant, and the seat back supports the back of the seated occupant. The slide portion of the cushion length varying device is attached to the front of the frame of the seat cushion, and the flap of the cushion length varying device supports a pad flap provided at the front of the pad of the seat cushion from the rear side of the seat. This cushion length varying device is any one of the first to third aspects, and therefore provides the above-mentioned effects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the cushion length adjusting device and vehicle seat according to the present invention can improve adaptability to differences in physique and preferences of seated occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a portion of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment, in which the seat cushion length is at its minimum. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing the seat cushion in a state where the length is at its maximum. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a first state of the cushion length adjusting device according to the embodiment, in which the cushion length stroke is at its minimum. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a state in which the cushion long stroke is at its maximum. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a part of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle in the first state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a second state of the cushion length adjusting device according to the embodiment, in which the cushion length stroke is at its minimum. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the cushion long stroke is at its maximum. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a part of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle in the second state. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a force applied to the flap in the first state. [Figure 12] 10 is a side view for explaining a force applied to the flap in the second state. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a side view showing an example in which the operating portion of the cushion length adjusting device has an operating lever. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a side view showing an example in which the operation portion of the cushion length adjusting device has an operation dial. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a cushion length adjusting device according to a comparative example, illustrating a state where the cushion length stroke is at its minimum. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 15, showing a state in which the cushion long stroke is at its maximum. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle of the cushion length adjusting device according to the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR and UP, which are appropriately depicted in each figure, respectively indicate the forward and upward directions of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are simply used in the description, they will refer to the front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction of the vehicle seat 10.

[0019] 1 and 2, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated occupant, and a seat back 22 that supports the back of the seated occupant. A cushion length adjusting device 30 that changes the length of the seat cushion 12 in the front-rear direction is mounted on the front of the seat cushion 12.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the cushion length adjusting device 30 includes a slide portion 32, a flap 42, a connecting bracket 60 as a connecting member, a guide bracket 66 as a guide member, and a switching portion 80. The slide portion 32, the connecting bracket 60, and the guide bracket 66 form a movement mechanism. This movement mechanism displaces the flap 42 in the front-rear direction relative to the frame of the seat cushion 12 (see Figure 6), and in response to this displacement, rotates the flap 42 about an axis along the left-right direction (seat width direction). This movement mechanism includes a rotation mechanism made up of the connecting bracket 60 and the guide bracket 66.

[0021] The slide portion 32 has a slide portion main body 34 made of, for example, a metal plate. The slide portion main body 34 is in the form of a long plate with the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction and the thickness direction approximately in the up-down direction, and is supported by a frame (not shown) of the seat cushion 12 so as to be slidable (displaceable) along the front-rear direction between a rearmost position shown in Fig. 3 and a frontmost position shown in Fig. 4. The slide portion main body 34 is slid by the driving force of a drive source (for example, a motor with a feed screw) (not shown). Note that the slide portion main body 34 may also be configured to be slid manually.

[0022] The slide portion 32 has a first hinge portion 36 that protrudes forward from the left-right center of the front of the slide portion main body 34, and a second hinge portion 38 that protrudes downward from the left-right center of the front of the slide portion main body 34. A flap (flap bracket) 42 is rotatably connected to the first hinge portion 36 via a connecting shaft 40 whose axial direction is the left-right direction (seat width direction).

[0023] The flap 42 is formed, for example, from a press-molded metal plate and has a long plate shape with the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction and the thickness direction approximately in the front-rear direction. The flap 42 extends downward from the front end of the sliding portion 32 and is rotatable around the connecting shaft 40 (i.e., around an axis along the seat width direction). The flap 42 is configured to rotate around the connecting shaft 40 by the connecting bracket 60 and the guide bracket 66 when the sliding portion 32 slides in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, as an example, two second hinge portions 38, two connecting brackets 60, and two guide brackets 66 are provided side by side in the left-right direction. The flap 42 is displaced between a rearmost position shown in FIG. 3 and a frontmost position shown in FIG. 4 by the rotation and sliding described above. A guide plate 45 is rotatably connected to the leading end (lower end) of the flap 42 via a hinge 43. The hinge 43 is provided with a hinge shaft along the seat width direction, and the guide plate 45 is a plate with its thickness extending in the vertical direction. The guide plate 45 is connected to a guide bracket 66 via a member (not shown).

[0024] The connecting bracket 60 is made of, for example, a metal plate and has a long plate shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-to-rear direction and the plate thickness direction being the left-to-right direction. A middle portion of the connecting bracket 60 in the front-to-rear direction is rotatably connected to the lower end of the second hinge portion 38 via a connecting shaft 62 whose axial direction is the left-to-right direction. A front end of the connecting bracket 60 is connected to a connecting portion 50 provided on the rear surface (back face) of the flap 42. The connecting portion 50 is made of, for example, a press-formed metal plate and is fixed to the rear surface of the flap 42 by means of welding or the like.

[0025] The connecting portion 50 has an elongated hole 52 formed therein, which extends in the extension direction E of the flap 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). This elongated hole 52 penetrates the connecting portion 50 in the left-right direction. A connecting pin 64 fixed to the front end of the connecting bracket 60 is inserted into this elongated hole 52. The connecting pin 64 has a cylindrical shape with its axis in the left-right direction, and is movable relative to the connecting portion 50 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 52.

[0026] The guide bracket 66 is made of, for example, a metal plate and has an elongated plate shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and the thickness direction extending in the left-to-right direction. The guide bracket 66 is fixed to a base bracket 68 attached to the frame of the seat cushion 12. The base bracket 68 is made of, for example, a metal plate and has an elongated plate shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-to-right direction and the thickness direction extending approximately in the up-to-down direction. The guide bracket 66 is fixed to the center of the base bracket 68 in the left-to-right direction by means of welding or the like and extends downward from the base bracket 68.

[0027] The guide bracket 66 is formed with an elongated hole 70 whose longitudinal direction is approximately the front-rear direction. The elongated hole 70 has a wider width in the seat up-down direction at a middle portion in the front-rear direction than at both ends in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the elongated hole 70 extends parallel to the sliding direction (front-rear direction) of the sliding portion 32. The middle portion of the elongated hole 70 is inclined rearward and downward with respect to the front-rear direction, and is wider in the up-down direction than the front portion of the elongated hole 70. The rear portion of the elongated hole 70 is inclined rearward and downward with the vertical dimension gradually decreasing toward the rear. A connecting pin 72 fixed to the rear end of the connecting bracket 60 is inserted into the elongated hole 70. The connecting pin 72 is cylindrical with its axis directed in the left-right direction and is movable relative to the guide bracket 66 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 70.

[0028] When the sliding portion 32 slides relative to the frame of the seat cushion 12 between the rearmost position shown in FIG. 3 and the frontmost position shown in FIG. 4, the connecting bracket 60 slides in the front-to-rear direction together with the sliding portion 32. At this time, the connecting pin 72 moves relative to the guide bracket 66 along the elongated hole 70, causing the connecting bracket 60 to rotate about the connecting shaft 62 with respect to the sliding portion 32. At this time, the connecting pin 64 moves relative to the flap 42 along the elongated hole 52, causing the flap 42 to rotate about the connecting shaft 40 with respect to the sliding portion 32. This rotation and the sliding described above cause the flap 42 to displace between the rearmost position shown in FIG. 3 and the frontmost position shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the guide plate 45 connected to the tip of the flap 42 displaces in the front-to-rear direction while remaining horizontal. In the rearmost position shown in FIG. 3, the flap 42 is tilted more rearward as it moves downward, and in the frontmost position shown in FIG. 4, the flap 42 is tilted more forward as it moves downward.

[0029] When the connecting pin 72 moves relative to the guide bracket 66 along the horizontal movement guide portion extending parallel to the sliding direction of the slide portion 32 at the front portion of the elongated hole 70, i.e., the elongated hole 70, the connecting bracket 60 does not rotate about the connecting shaft 62 relative to the slide portion 32 but instead displaces in the front-to-rear direction while maintaining the same posture. At this time, the connecting pin 64 does not move relative to the flap 42 along the elongated hole 52, and the flap 42 does not rotate about the connecting shaft 40 relative to the slide portion 32. Therefore, the flap 42 displaces in the front-to-rear direction while maintaining the same posture. Note that the horizontal movement guide portion of the elongated hole 70 may be configured to be slightly inclined with respect to the sliding direction. In this case, when the connecting pin 72 moves relative to the guide bracket 66 along the horizontal movement guide portion, the connecting bracket 60 rotates a small amount about the connecting shaft 62 relative to the slide portion 32, the connecting pin 64 moves a small amount relative to the flap 42 along the elongated hole 52, and the flap 42 rotates a small amount about the connecting shaft 40 relative to the slide portion 32.

[0030] The flap 42 supports, from the rear side, a pad flap 18A provided at the front end of the pad 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the seat cushion 12. The pad 18 is made of a foam such as urethane foam and constitutes the cushioning material of the seat cushion 12. The pad flap 18A provided at the front end of the pad 18 is an elongated plate with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and its thickness direction in the thickness direction of the flap 42 (approximately the front-rear direction), and is supported from the rear side by the flap 42. The tip (lower end) of the pad flap 18A is wrapped around the tip of the flap 42 and bent rearward, and is in contact with a guide plate 45 connected to the tip of the flap 42 from below. When the sliding portion 32 slides, the sliding portion 32, the flap 42, and the guide plate 45 are displaced relative to the pad flap 18A. The pad 18 is covered by a trim cover 20 that constitutes the cover of the seat cushion 12. The trim cover 20 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together a plurality of skin pieces made of, for example, a cloth material, leather, or synthetic leather, and is placed over the pad 18 .

[0031] When the slide portion 32 and the flap 42 are positioned in the rearmost position, the seat cushion length is minimized as shown in Fig. 1. When the slide portion 32 and the flap 42 are displaced toward the frontmost position, the seat cushion length is maximized as shown in Fig. 2. When the slide portion 32 and the flap 42 are displaced toward the frontmost position, the lower legs (backs of the knees and calves) of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 are supported by the pad flap 18A.

[0032] The switching unit 80 is switchable between a first state in which the connecting pin 72 contacts (slides against) the upper edge 70A of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding unit 32 slides, and a second state in which the connecting pin 72 contacts (slides against) the lower edge 70B of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding unit 32 slides. In Figures 3 and 4, the movement locus M1 of the connecting pin 72 in the first state is shown by a dashed line, and in Figures 7 and 8, the movement locus M2 of the connecting pin 72 in the second state is shown by a dashed line.

[0033] The switching unit 80 has a first torsion coil spring 82 that urges the connecting bracket 60 so that the connecting pin 72 contacts the upper edge 70A of the elongated hole 70, and a second torsion coil spring 84 that urges the connecting bracket 60 so that the connecting pin 72 contacts the lower edge 70B of the elongated hole 70. The switching unit 80 also has an operating unit 86 for switching between a first state in which the connecting bracket 60 is urged by the first torsion coil spring 82, and a second state in which the connecting bracket 60 is urged by the second torsion coil spring 84. The operating unit 86 is made up of a spring stopper 88 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7 to 9, and an operating lever 90 shown in FIG. 13 or an operating dial 92 shown in FIG. 14.

[0034] 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, the first torsion coil spring 82 and the second torsion coil spring 84 are arranged coaxially with the connecting shaft 62, which is the rotation center of the connecting bracket 60. One end of the first torsion coil spring 82 faces, from below, a cylindrical protrusion 61 that protrudes outward in the seat width direction from the connecting bracket 60, and one end of the second torsion coil spring 84 faces, from above, the protrusion 61.

[0035] The spring stopper 88 is made of, for example, a metal plate. One end of the spring stopper 88 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the second hinge portion 38 about an axis along the seat width direction. The other end of the spring stopper 88 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 89 that protrudes outward in the seat width direction. The spring stopper 88 is rotatable between a first position (position shown in FIGS. 3 to 5) where the protrusion 89 is separated from one end of the first torsion coil spring 82, and a second position (position shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) where the protrusion 89 contacts one end of the first torsion coil spring 82.

[0036] The state in which the spring stopper 88 is located at the first position is the first state described above. In this first state, the connecting bracket 60 is biased by the first torsion coil spring 82 so that the connecting pin 72 contacts the upper edge portion 70A of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding portion 32 slides. At this time, the connecting pin 72 is configured to move along the movement locus M1 shown in Figures 3 and 4. At this time, the relationship between the length of the seat cushion 12 in the front-rear direction (cushion length stroke) and the rotation angle of the flap 42 (flap angle) is as shown by the solid line in Figure 6.

[0037] The state in which the spring stopper 88 is in the second position is the second state described above. In this second state, the connecting bracket 60 is biased by the second torsion coil spring 84 so that the connecting pin 72 contacts the lower edge portion 70B of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding portion 32 slides. At this time, the connecting pin 72 is configured to move along the movement locus M2 shown in Figures 7 and 8. The relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle at this time is shown by the solid line in Figure 10.

[0038] 11 , an input F1 applied to the flap 42 from the lower legs of a seated person generates a rotational torque T1 in the connecting bracket 60 about the connecting shaft 62. Also in this first state, a rotational torque T2 in the connecting bracket 60 about the connecting shaft 62 in the opposite direction to the rotational torque T1 is generated by the biasing force of the first torsion coil spring 82. The biasing force of the first torsion coil spring 82 is set so that the rotational torque T2 is larger than the rotational torque T1 (T2>T1). This maintains the connecting pin 72 in contact with the upper edge portion 70A of the elongated hole 70.

[0039] 12, the direction of rotational torque T2 generated in connecting bracket 60 by the biasing force of second torsion coil spring 84 is the same as the direction of rotational torque T1. These rotational torques T1 and T2 are configured to maintain connecting pin 72 in contact with lower edge portion 70B of elongated hole 70.

[0040] An operating lever 90 shown in Fig. 13 or an operating dial 92 shown in Fig. 14 is connected to the spring stopper 88. The operating lever 90 or the operating dial 92 is disposed, for example, between a left-right intermediate portion 12A (main portion) and a left-right side portion 12B (bank portion) of the seat cushion 12. By rotating the operating lever 90 or the operating dial 92 (see arrow R in Figs. 13 and 14), the spring stopper 88 is rotated between a first position and a second position, and the cushion length varying device 30 is switched between the first state and the second state.

[0041] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0042] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the seat cushion 12 supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated occupant, and the seat back 22 supports the back of the seated occupant. The seat cushion 12 is provided with a cushion length varying device 30 that varies the length of the seat cushion 12. In this cushion length varying device 30, a slide portion 32 slides (displaces) in the front-rear direction relative to the frame of the seat cushion 12. A flap 42 extends downward from the front end of the slide portion 32. The flap 42 is connected to the front end of the slide portion 32 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat width direction, and supports, from the rear, a pad flap 18A provided at the front end of the pad 18 of the seat cushion 12.

[0043] A middle portion of the connecting bracket 60 in the front-rear direction is connected to the slide portion 32 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat width direction relative to the slide portion 32. A front end portion of the connecting bracket 60 is connected to the flap 42 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat width direction and slidable along the extension direction of the flap 42. A connecting pin 72 is provided at the rear end portion of the connecting bracket 60.

[0044] A guide bracket 66 is fixed to the frame of the seat cushion 12. The guide bracket 66 has a long hole 70 formed therein, the long hole 70 being wider in the seat up-down direction at a middle portion in the front-rear direction than at both ends in the front-rear direction. The connecting pin 72 is inserted into this long hole 70. When the sliding portion 32 slides in the seat front-rear direction relative to the frame of the seat cushion, the connecting pin 72 of the connecting bracket 60 moves between both ends in the front-rear direction of the long hole 70 of the guide bracket 66, and the flap 42 rotates around an axis along the seat width direction relative to the sliding portion 32. This changes the cushion length stroke and the flap angle (i.e., the angle of the pad flap 42).

[0045] In this cushion length adjusting device 30, the switching unit 80 can switch between a first state in which the connecting pin 72 contacts the upper edge 70A of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding portion 32 slides, and a second state in which the connecting pin 72 contacts the lower edge 70B of the elongated hole 70 when the sliding portion 32 slides. Between the first state and the second state, the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle changes between the relationship shown by the solid line in Fig. 6 and the relationship shown by the solid line in Fig. 10. This improves adaptability to differences in the physiques and preferences of seated occupants.

[0046] In other words, when the width dimension of the elongated hole 70 of the guide bracket 66 is set to a constant, as in the comparative example 100 shown in Figures 15 and 16, the occupant cannot change the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle as shown in Figure 17, but this cushion length adjustment device 30 makes it possible to change the relationship, so it can flexibly adapt to differences in the physiques and preferences of occupants.

[0047] Furthermore, in this cushion length varying device 30, the switching unit 80 has a first torsion coil spring 82, a second torsion coil spring 84, and an operating unit 86, and the operating unit 86 can be used to switch between a first state in which the connecting bracket 60 is biased by the first torsion coil spring 82, and a second state in which the connecting bracket 60 is biased by the second torsion coil spring 84. In the first state, the connecting pin 72 of the connecting bracket 60 contacts the upper edge 70A of the elongated hole 70 of the guide bracket 66, and in the second state, the connecting pin 72 contacts the lower edge 70B of the elongated hole 70 of the guide bracket 66. This makes it possible to change the relationship between the cushion length stroke and the flap angle between the first state and the second state, and the switching unit 80 can be configured simply.

[0048] Furthermore, in this cushion length adjusting device 30, the first torsion coil spring 82 and the second torsion coil spring 84 are arranged coaxially with the connecting shaft 62, which is the center of rotation of the connecting bracket 60, so that it is easy to secure space for arranging the first torsion coil spring 82 and the second torsion coil spring 84.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first torsion coil spring 82 and the second torsion coil spring 84 are configured as the first and second biasing members, but this is not limited to this, and the first and second biasing members may be other types of springs or elastic bodies.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the switching unit 80 is configured to have the first torsion coil spring 82, the second torsion coil spring 84, and the operating unit 86, but the configuration of the switching unit is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist thereof. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 18 pads 18A Pad flap 22 Seat back 30 Cushion length adjustment device 32 Slide section 42 Flap 60 Connecting bracket (connecting member) 66 Guide bracket (guide member) 70 long hole 70A Upper edge 70B Lower edge 80 Switching section 86 Operation section

Claims

1. a slide portion that slides along a front-rear direction of the seat relative to a frame of a seat cushion of the vehicle seat; a flap extending from a front end of the slide portion toward a lower side of the seat, rotatably connected to the front end of the slide portion about an axis along the seat width direction, and supporting a pad flap provided at a front end of a pad of the seat cushion from the rear side of the seat; a connecting member having a front-rear direction intermediate portion rotatably connected to the slide portion about an axis along the seat width direction, a front end portion rotatably connected to the flap about an axis along the seat width direction and slidably connected along the extension direction of the flap, and a rear end portion provided with a connecting pin; a guide member fixed to the frame, having a long hole formed in a longitudinal middle portion thereof, the long hole having a width dimension in the seat up-down direction larger than that of both longitudinal ends thereof, the connecting pin inserted into the long hole, and the connecting pin moving between the longitudinal ends of the long hole as the sliding portion slides; a switching unit that can switch between a first state in which the connecting pin contacts an upper edge portion of the elongated hole when the sliding unit slides and a second state in which the connecting pin contacts a lower edge portion of the elongated hole when the sliding unit slides; A cushion length variable device equipped with the device.

2. The switching unit is a first biasing member that biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts an upper edge portion of the elongated hole; a second biasing member that biases the connecting member so that the connecting pin contacts the lower edge of the elongated hole; an operation unit for switching between the first state in which the connecting member is biased by the first biasing member and the second state in which the connecting member is biased by the second biasing member; The cushion length adjusting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The cushion length varying device according to claim 2, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are a first torsion coil spring and a second torsion coil spring disposed coaxially with the rotation center of the connecting member.

4. a seat cushion that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated person; a seat back that supports the back of the seated occupant; 3. The cushion length adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the slide portion is attached to a front portion of a frame of the seat cushion, and the flap supports the pad flap provided at a front portion of a pad of the seat cushion from a rear side of the seat; A vehicle seat comprising:

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